Lydia Mugambe was studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford when officers discovered she had a young woman at her home carrying out unpaid work as a maid and nanny.
The 50-year-old, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, was found guilty of modern day slavery offences in March. She was jailed at Oxford Crown Court for six years and four months. Mugambe fraudulently arranged a visa for the woman, who was from Uganda.
But the terms of the visa stipulated she would be paid to work as a private servant at the diplomatic residence of John Mugerwa, Uganda’s former deputy high commissioner based at the Ugandan embassy in London.
Prosecutors said Mugerwa sponsored the victim’s visa knowing she would actually work in servitude for Mugambe. In return Mugambe would provide him assistance in relation to a separate court case in Uganda in which he was a defendant, the court was told.
The trial heard Mugambe paid for the victim’s flight and picked her up from the airport – but then became a slave at her home in Kidlington.
Passing sentence, Judge David Foxton said it was a “very sad case”, outlining Mugambe’s legal accomplishments, including work concerning the protection of human rights.
The judge added that the defendant “showed absolutely no remorse” for her conduct and that she looked to “forcibly blame” the victim for what happened.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised police to charge Mugerwa with conspiracy, but he had diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive.
Mugambe had denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she “always” treated her with love, care and patience.
The victim, who has anonymity for life, said: “My existence to Lydia was not important. I was fearful and worried.
“I was asking for God to help me. I should have been treated humanely, not treated as useless or worthless.”
Ch Supt Ben Clark, of Thames Valley Police, said there was “no doubt” that Mugambe had known she was committing offences.
“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,” he said.
A University of Oxford spokesperson said the institution was “appalled” by its student’s crimes.
“The university is now commencing its own disciplinary process, which has the power to remove students convicted of serious criminal offences,” the spokesperson added.
