Ugandan UN Judge's Family Blames Conviction on Culture

Modern Slavery Conviction: Ugandan Judge’s Family Response

​Lydia Mugambe, a Ugandan High Court judge and United Nations tribunal member, was recently convicted in the UK for modern slavery offenses. She was found guilty of trafficking a young Ugandan woman to the UK under false pretenses and subjecting her to unpaid domestic servitude.

The victim was coerced into working as a maid and nanny without compensation, with her passport confiscated to prevent her from seeking other employment. Mugambe also conspired with John Leonard Mugerwa, a former Ugandan deputy high commissioner in London, to facilitate the victim’s entry into the UK under deceptive circumstances.

Despite Mugambe’s claims of treating the victim with care, evidence presented in court highlighted the victim’s restricted freedom and exploitative working conditions. The victim testified feeling “lonely” and “stuck” due to limited working hours and threats from Mugambe regarding potential imprisonment or visa cancellation if she attempted to leave. ​

Mugambe’s conviction underscores that cultural differences do not justify violations of individual rights and labor laws. The case highlights the importance of upholding human rights standards universally, irrespective of cultural backgrounds.

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