UN Judge invokes “immunity” before arrest and conviction for slavery

The Oxford Crown Court in United Kingdom (UK), has on Thursday March 13, 2025, convicted a United Nation (UN) Judge, Lydia Mugambe of modern slavery offenses.

The 49 years old Mugambe, exploited her position to force her victim to work as her unpaid maid and childcare provider, preventing her from finding steady employment.

According to Arise News, in a footage released by Thames Valley Police, Mugambe appeared shocked when an officer said he was arresting her under the Modern Slavery Act.

She then had a conversation with the officer, in which she said: “I am a judge in my country, I even have immunity. I am not a criminal.”

Asked to reaffirm that she had immunity, Mugambe told the officer: “Yes, I have a diplomatic passport.”

The conversation ended with the defendant saying: “I came here as a student, I don’t need anyone to work for me.

“I didn’t come with her, she asked me because she has worked at my home before, she asked me.”

After a trial at Oxford Crown Court, Mugambe, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, Mugambe was found guilty of conspiring to break UK immigration law and exploiting and intimidating a victim.

Caroline Haughey KC, prosecuting, told jurors during the trial:

“Lydia Mugambe has exploited and abused (her alleged victim), taking advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights to properly paid employment and deceiving her as to the purpose of her coming to the UK.”

Jurors found Lydia Mugambe guilty of conspiring with Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa, to bring a young woman to the UK.

Prosecutors said they took part in a very dishonest trade-off, in which Mr Mugerwa arranged for the Ugandan High Commission to sponsor the woman’s entrance into the UK in exchange for Mugambe attempting to speak to a judge who was in charge of legal action in which Mr Mugerwa was named.

Jurors also accepted that the defendant conspired to intimidate the woman to have her withdraw her support for the prosecution, or the charges against her to be dropped.

The charge said Mugambe contacted a pastor and the victim’s family to persuade her to drop the case by sending email.

Mugambe’s trial heard she had the intention of obtaining someone to make her life easier and at the least possible cost to herself.

Mugambe denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she always treated her with love, care and patience.

The young woman Mugambe tricked into coming to the UK, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court previously she felt lonely and stuck after her working hours were limited.

According to her UN profile page, Mugambe was appointed to the body’s judicial roster in May 2023, three months after police were called to her address in Oxfordshire.

Mugambe will be sentenced at the same court on May 2.

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