0
0 A United Nations judge has been convicted of forcing a young woman to work as a slave.
Prosecutors said Lydia Mugambe “took advantage of her status” over her victim by preventing her from holding down steady employment while forcing her to work as her maid and provide childcare for free.
The 49-year-old, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, was found guilty of conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law, facilitating travel with a view to exploitation, forcing someone to work, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness..
She will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on May 2.
In 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.”
