Ugandan judge convicted in UK human trafficking case

A Ugandan judge has been realized responsible of human trafficking and conspiracy to intimidate a sufferer in a case that has fearful observers.

Lydia Mugambe, a High Court docket judge in Uganda and a UN judicial officer, was arrested below the In model Slavery Act in the UK.

Police footage showed her expressing disbelief as officers informed her of the costs. She insisted she had diplomatic immunity and denied any wrongdoing.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Mugambe had exploited a younger Ugandan lady, misleading her about the aim of her accelerate to the UK and subjecting her to unfair working situations.

The prosecution furthermore claimed she conspired with Ugandan deputy excessive commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa to facilitate the woman’s entry into the country. In alternate, she allegedly agreed to intervene in a lawful topic involving Mugerwa.

The sufferer, whose identification is protected, told the court docket she felt isolated and trapped while in the UK. Mugambe, who was pursuing a regulation PhD on the University of Oxford, denied coercing the woman into unpaid labor, saying she had all the time handled her with kindness.

Following her conviction, Thames Valley Police confirmed that the United International locations waived any diplomatic immunity Mugambe could well need had as a UN judge.

Gasps had been heard in the court when the decision was delivered, and proceedings had been snappily halted after Mugambe seemed sick.

This case highlights ongoing concerns over labor exploitation and the misuse of diplomatic privileges.