A United Nations judge attempted to claim diplomatic immunity after being accused of taking part in modern slavery but has now been convicted by a British court. Lydia Mugambe, a 49-year-old United Nations judge, has been convicted in a British court for offenses tied to modern slavery.
Thames Valley Police arrested her at her residence and charged her under the Modern Slavery Act. During her arrest, Mugambe claimed diplomatic immunity, stating she was not a criminal and held immunity due to her position as a judge in her home country of Uganda.
The charges against Mugambe include conspiracy to breach British immigration laws, facilitating travel with an objective of exploitation, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness. She was found guilty of forcing a young woman to work for her as a domestic servant in Britain.
Upon arrival in Britain, the victim was compelled to serve as a maid and provide childcare for Mugambe, with restrictions placed on her freedom to choose her work or control her identification documents. She was left with little choice but to comply with Mugambe’s demands.
Modern slavery has become a significant problem in the United Kingdom in recent years. In 2022, a report claimed that the number of people victimized by modern slavery was the highest since records began.
Lydia Mugambe, a UN & Ugandan judge, has today been convicted of bringing a woman into the country illegally & then forcing her to work as a slave.
Mugambe tried to evade justice by claiming she had diplomatic immunity, which has now been removed 🚫
👉 https://t.co/g0nVYCPBl7 pic.twitter.com/duzVQET6Jk
— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) March 13, 2025