A United Nations judge has been convicted of human trafficking and forcing a young Ugandan woman into modern slavery in the UK. This disturbing case exposes the dark underbelly of those entrusted with upholding international justice. Who can we trust these days?
At a glance:
• UN judge Lydia Mugambe convicted of human trafficking and forced labor in the UK
• Mugambe was studying for a doctorate at Oxford while committing these offenses
• The victim was deceived into coming to the UK and forced to work as an unpaid nanny
• Mugambe was appointed to a UN international court in May 2023 despite ongoing investigation
• Sentencing is scheduled for May 2, following conviction on all charges
UN Judge Exploits Vulnerable Woman
A British jury has convicted United Nations judge Lydia Mugambe of forcing a young Ugandan woman to work as a slave in the United Kingdom. The verdict comes as another blow to the credibility of the United Nations, an organization frequently criticized by conservatives for its hypocrisy and failure to uphold the very values it claims to defend.
Prosecutors revealed that Mugambe “exploited and abused” the victim, manipulating her lack of understanding about her rights in the UK. She arranged for a contact in the Ugandan High Commission in London to secure a visa for the woman under false pretenses, highlighting the corruption that can fester within diplomatic circles.
"A @UN tribunal head and Uganda High Court judge, Lydia Mugambe is accused of modern slavery with Ugandan deputy high commissioner, John
Leonard Mugerwa to facilitate the commission of a breach of the UK immigration law". – @MailOnline @JudiciaryUG https://t.co/5aTOGFL1ka— UK Official People Power – NUP (@uk_nup) March 7, 2025
Elite Academia Connection Raises Questions
Mugambe was studying for a doctorate in law at the prestigious University of Oxford during the time of these offenses. This connection to elite academia raises serious questions about the vetting processes at top institutions and whether qualifications are prioritized over character.
Even more troubling, Mugambe was a fellow at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights in 2017. The institution, which claims its fellows work to “address some aspect of a history of gross human rights violations in their society, country, and/or region,” did not provide any comment on the situation when approached by reporters.
UN Appointment Despite Police Investigation
Incredibly, Mugambe was appointed to the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in May 2023. Her appointment came despite police involvement at her home earlier that year, raising serious concerns about the UN’s vetting procedures for its judicial appointments.
Eran Cutliffe of the Crown Prosecution Service stated, “Lydia Mugambe used her position to exploit a vulnerable young woman, controlling her freedom and making her work without payment.” The prosecutor added, “Thanks to the victim’s courage in coming forward it has been possible to bring Ms. Mugambe to justice and be held accountable for her actions.”
The court heard that upon arrival in Britain, the victim was taken to Mugambe’s home and forced to work as an unpaid nanny. The judge confiscated the woman’s passport and visa, effectively trapping her in a situation of modern slavery.
Mugambe faced four charges, including facilitating illegal immigration, forcing someone to work, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness. Despite her denials, jurors at Oxford Crown Court convicted her on all counts, with sentencing scheduled for May 2.
Can we just point out the obvious here that this is just another example of how slavery isn’t just something white people did over a hundred years ago?
