A Ugandan High Court judge faces serious accusations of exploiting a young Ugandan girl during her stay in Oxford, amid an ongoing trial.
A woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has brought allegations of modern slavery against Lydia Mugambe, a Ugandan High Court judge and doctoral student at the University of Oxford. The accusations detail how Mugambe purportedly exploited her judicial position to secure the travel of a young Ugandan girl to Oxford under false pretences.
Mugambe, aged 49 and residing in Kidlington, is accused of falsifying an employment contract to obtain a work visa for the girl, who allegedly received no remuneration for her childcare duties. It is claimed that Mugambe prevented the young woman from obtaining her identification documents, hampering her ability to secure stable employment during her stay.
The trial is currently taking place at Oxford Crown Court, where Mugambe faces several charges under the Modern Slavery Act. These include conspiring to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law, arranging the travel of an individual for exploitative purposes, compelling someone to perform forced labour, and conspiring to intimidate a witness.
During the proceedings on 20 February, a video interview conducted by the police with the alleged victim was presented to the jury. In this video, the woman recounted her daily routine while living with Mugambe, detailing the extensive household responsibilities she was expected to manage.
The victim stated, “Mugambe told me to have to wake up at 5am so I could prepare for the children. At first I didn’t want to do it because I was tired and trying to look for a job, it was too much.” She described how she was responsible for preparing the children for school, cooking meals, and handling household chores, emphasising that there was a significant burden placed on her. While she mentioned that she had some freedom to search for employment, she often returned to a demanding schedule of care and housework.
Mugambe has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has reportedly provided law enforcement with several conflicting statements regarding the situation. The trial is ongoing, with the prosecution presenting evidence and testimonies to support the allegations made against her.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/justice-mugambe-s-modern-slavery-trial-kicks-off-in-uk-4934174 – This article corroborates the allegations against Lydia Mugambe, detailing her trial at Oxford Crown Court for modern slavery charges and the exploitation of a young Ugandan woman. It also mentions the prosecution’s claims of Mugambe’s abuse of her judicial position.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/17/un-judge-kept-slave-deal-ugandan-deputy-high-commissioner/ – This article supports the claim that Lydia Mugambe arranged for the young woman to work as her maid and childcare provider as part of a deal with the Ugandan deputy high commissioner. It highlights the accusations of exploiting the woman’s naivety and taking advantage of her status.
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/justice-mugambe-s-modern-slavery-trial-kicks-off-in-uk-4934174 – This article further explains the charges against Mugambe, including conspiring to breach UK immigration laws and witness intimidation, and notes that she denies all charges.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/17/un-judge-kept-slave-deal-ugandan-deputy-high-commissioner/ – This article provides additional details on the trial at Oxford Crown Court, including the prosecution’s argument that Mugambe exploited the woman to make her life easier at minimal cost.
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/justice-mugambe-s-modern-slavery-trial-kicks-off-in-uk-4934174 – This article mentions the potential maximum sentence for modern slavery in the UK, which is life imprisonment, and notes that the trial is expected to last three weeks.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references a trial currently taking place at Oxford Crown Court, indicating recent events. There is no clear indication of recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from the alleged victim appears to be original, as it is part of a video interview presented during the trial. However, without further context or external verification, it’s difficult to confirm its originality.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Oxford Mail, a local news outlet. While not as prominent as national publications like the BBC or Financial Times, local news sources can be reliable for local events.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The allegations of modern slavery and the charges against Mugambe are plausible given the context of the trial and the specifics of the accusations. The narrative aligns with typical patterns of such cases.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and relevant to ongoing legal proceedings. The quotes seem original, and while the source is local, it is plausible for reporting on local events. Overall, the information presented is likely accurate and trustworthy.
