Oxford University Student Faces Modern Slavery Trial in UK Court

A Ugandan judge, Lydia Mugambe, faces accusations. She is also a PhD student at Oxford University. People say she misused her position, allegedly helping a young girl travel to Oxford under the pretense of domestic work for John Mugerwa, who was Uganda’s high commissioner then.

Mugambe, aged 49, supposedly used Mugerwa’s London address and a fake employment contract to help the girl get a work visa. She told the girl she would be her maid, get paid, and could also find other jobs. The girl claims she never received payment for her childcare for Mugambe and struggled to get steady work. Mugambe allegedly held onto her ID documents, and the girl says she never met or worked for Mugerwa.

The trial is at Oxford Crown Court. Mugambe is charged with slavery offenses. Her lawyer questioned the girl, stating she contacted the ambassador and they exchanged numbers. The lawyer claimed the ambassador allowed her to delay her start date and knew about her delayed arrival. He said she gave the ambassador her UK phone number and suggested all three agreed to direct contact before she got her residency permit with Mugambe.

The girl denied these claims. She said she knew nothing about it and insisted she never spoke to him, only recognizing “ambassador” as a word.

Mugambe, from Kidlington, faces several charges. These include helping someone break immigration law, facilitating travel for exploitation, forced labor, and witness intimidation. She denies all charges. Reports suggest she gave police different stories. The trial may take about a month and is still ongoing now.