Lydia Mugambe, a UN judge convicted of keeping a woman as a slave in her home in Oxford whilst she was studying for a DPhil in law at Pembroke College, was sentenced to six years and four months imprisonment at the Oxford Crown Court on 2nd May.
In March of this year, a jury found that the victim cooked, cleaned, and cared for Mugambe’s children from 6am to 10pm for no compensation, whilst the UN judge kept her passport and travel documents from her. The jury also heard evidence of intimidation and threats against the victim from Mugambe, including one incident where Mugambe threatened to cancel the victim’s visa and expose her to the authorities when she asked to be paid.
She was sentenced on one account each of facilitating a breach of UK Immigration laws, keeping a person as slave, trafficking a person into the UK for exploitation, as well as intimidating the witness to prevent her from testifying.
Caroline Haughey KC, prosecuting, read for the court an impact statement from the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons. In her statement, the victim explained how these crimes have affected her everyday life since she reported Mugambe, stating: “I live in constant fear … I don’t sleep most nights. I have stopped speaking to most of my friends. I used to enjoy going on walks with my friends and singing and dancing to music … I now mostly sit alone in my room with my laptop.”
The court also heard how Mugambe attempted to silence the victim by contacting her pastor back in Uganda in order to pressure the victim into dropping the case against her.
Mugambe repeatedly shook her head in disbelief whilst the impact statement was read out.
The prosecution pointed out that Mugambe has shown no remorse. In fact, the judge explained that Mugambe continues to see herself as the victim in this case.
Mr Justice Foxton sentenced Mugambe to six years and four months imprisonment, half to be served on license and credit given for time served on remand. The court also made references to a potential arrangement where Mugambe would serve her prison sentence back home in Uganda.
A restraining order was agreed which prevents Mugambe from contacting the victim, and a compensation order was made to repay the victim of her lost wages. During the defence’s remarks, Mugambe made an apparent attempt to seek a restraining order against the victim; this was not acknowledged by the court as it did not have such powers over the complainant in the case.
Ch Supt Ben Clark of Thames Valley Police told Cherwell after the sentencing: “Modern slavery is an under-reported crime and I hope that the bravery of the victim in this case encourages other victims of modern slavery to come forward.”
A spokesperson for the University of Oxford said: “The university is now commencing its own disciplinary process, which has the power to remove students convicted of serious criminal offences.”
