- A United Nations judge, Lydia Mugambe, has been convicted of forcing a Ugandan woman into domestic servitude in the U.K.
- Mugambe, a Ugandan High Court judge and UN appointee, exploited her position to deceive the victim.
- Mugambe confiscated the woman's passport and forced her into unpaid labor.
- The case highlights the unchecked power and corruption within the United Nations and diplomatic circles, raising questions about accountability and justice.
The UN's power and privilege leads to modern slavery
In a shocking case that exposes the dark underbelly of unchecked authority within the United Nations, Lydia Mugambe, a Ugandan High Court judge and UN appointee, has been convicted of modern slavery offenses in the U.K. The 49-year-old judge, who was studying for a doctorate at the University of Oxford at the time of the crimes, lured a vulnerable Ugandan woman to Britain under false pretenses, only to force her into unpaid domestic servitude. The verdict, delivered on Thursday at Oxford Crown Court, has sent shockwaves through the international community, raising serious questions about the integrity of the UN and its officials.
Lydia Mugambe, a figure of authority in both Uganda and the United Nations, used her connections and knowledge of the law to exploit a young woman who trusted her. According to court testimony, Mugambe arranged for the victim to obtain a visa under the guise of working for a diplomat at the Ugandan High Commission in London. Instead, Mugambe brought the woman to her private residence, confiscated her passport, and forced her to work as an unpaid maid and nanny.
Prosecutors revealed that Mugambe leveraged her relationship with John Mugerwa, the then-Deputy High Commissioner at the Ugandan Embassy in London, to secure the visa. Mugerwa, who had diplomatic immunity and could not be charged, allegedly facilitated the scheme in exchange for Mugambe’s assistance in a separate court case in Uganda. This collusion between high-ranking officials underscores the systemic corruption that often goes unchecked within diplomatic and international institutions.
A betrayal of trust and justice
The victim, who was unaware of her rights, endured months of unpaid labor before managing to contact a friend, who alerted authorities. Thames Valley Police launched a complex investigation, uncovering the extent of Mugambe’s exploitation. Despite her claims of diplomatic immunity, the Office of the United Nations Secretary General waived any protections, allowing the case to proceed.
“Lydia Mugambe used her position to exploit a vulnerable young woman, controlling her freedom and making her work without payment,” said Eran Cutliffe of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division. “Thanks to the victim’s courage in coming forward, it has been possible to bring Ms. Mugambe to justice and hold her accountable for her actions.”
The courtroom erupted in gasps as the verdict was delivered, with Mugambe appearing visibly distressed. She was convicted on four charges, including forced labor, immigration offenses, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 2.
This case is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a larger problem within the United Nations and other international bodies. The UN, often touted as a beacon of global justice, has repeatedly been accused of harboring corrupt officials who abuse their power with impunity. Mugambe’s actions are a stark reminder of how easily authority can be weaponized against the vulnerable, particularly when accountability mechanisms are weak or nonexistent.
Chief Superintendent Ben Clark of Thames Valley Police commended the victim’s bravery, stating, “Mugambe used her position of power as well as her knowledge of the law to take advantage of the victim, ensuring that she would become her unpaid domestic servant.” He urged other victims of modern slavery to come forward, emphasizing that justice is possible even against the most powerful perpetrators. The United Nations, an institution founded on the principles of justice and human rights, must now confront its own complicity in enabling such abuses.
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