KAMPALA, Uganda — A Ugandan High Court judge convicted in the U.K. in March on exploitation and forced labor charges is expected to be sentenced Friday, prompting Uganda to expand a law allowing its citizens convicted in Commonwealth countries to serve their sentences at home.
Justice Minister Norbert Mao signed the amendment to the Transfer of Convicted Offenders Act on April 4, with it officially gazetted on April 15. Government insiders suggest the change is partly intended to facilitate the potential repatriation of Judge Lydia Mugambe should she wish to serve her sentence in Uganda.
Mugambe, 49, was found guilty by the Oxford Crown Court of manipulating a young woman into domestic servitude while pursuing a law doctorate at the University of Oxford.
Prosecutors argued at trial that Mugambe abused her authority by preventing the woman from seeking paid employment, instead forcing her to work unpaid as a housemaid and childcare provider.
“She deceived [the victim] about the purpose of her coming to the UK and took advantage of her lack of knowledge regarding her employment rights,” prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC told the jury.
Mugambe, who was appointed to the United Nations’ judicial roster in May 2023, months after police were first called to her Oxfordshire residence, denied all wrongdoing, claiming she treated the victim with “love, care, and patience.”
The court also heard of an alleged scheme involving Mugambe and Ugandan Deputy High Commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa. Prosecutors described a “very dishonest” exchange in which Mugerwa allegedly secured a visa for the victim through the Ugandan High Commission, with Mugambe purportedly agreeing to influence a legal case involving Mugerwa in return.
Jurors sided with the prosecution, convicting Mugambe on multiple counts, including conspiracy to facilitate a breach of U.K. immigration law, facilitating travel with intent to exploit, forced labor, and witness intimidation.
The victim, whose identity is being kept confidential for safety reasons, told the court she suffered isolation and emotional distress due to restrictions on her freedom.
Mugambe’s sentencing this week is the latest development in a case that has had legal and diplomatic repercussions between Kampala and London.
