Prime
Govt considers appeal against Justice Mugambe's UK conviction
High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Sources close to Justice Mugambe have alleged that she was targeted by an individual seeking asylum and a UK work permit.
The Ugandan government is considering an appeal against the conviction of High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe by a UK court last week, following her guilty verdict on charges of exploiting a Ugandan woman brought to the UK.
Mr Vincent Bagiire, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the government has provided legal counsel to Justice Mugambe and that an appeal is a viable option.
“The ministry has been involved at every stage, and we provided her with a lawyer. The option of appealing the conviction is under consideration; we are actively involved,” Mr Bagiire stated in a telephone interview on Saturday.
When pressed for further details on the government's assistance, Mr Bagiire cited diplomatic protocols, limiting his ability to disclose specific information.
Last Thursday, Justice Mugambe was unanimously convicted by a jury on charges of conspiring to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national, requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, and conspiring to intimidate a witness.
Justice Mugambe is scheduled for sentencing on May 2.
Under UK law, convictions for modern slavery offenses carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
According to the Thames Valley Police website, which led the investigation, they received a report on February 10, 2023, alleging that the victim was being held as a slave by Justice Mugambe at her residence in Brasenose Drive, Kidlington.
“A thorough and complex investigation involving multiple agencies ensued, revealing that Mugambe had secured a visa for the victim to work in the UK,” the police stated.
They added, “The visa was intended for the victim to work for John Mugerwa, the then Deputy High Commissioner at the Ugandan Embassy in London.
However, Mugambe paid for the victim’s travel to the UK, collected her from the airport, and subsequently forced her to perform unpaid domestic work and childcare.”
The prosecution argued that Mr Mugerwa facilitated the victim’s visa as a domestic worker under the auspices of the Ugandan High Commission, a privilege afforded to him in his diplomatic role, whereas Justice Mugambe, a student in the UK, could not sponsor such a visa.
Furthermore, the prosecution presented evidence of communications between Justice Mugambe and Mr. Mugerwa, indicating that he knowingly facilitated the visa for the victim to work in servitude for her, in exchange for assistance from Justice Mugambe in a separate Ugandan court case.
Thames Valley Police investigated Mr Mugerwa’s involvement but were unable to charge him due to his diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan government did not waive.
Sources close to Justice Mugambe have alleged that she was targeted by an individual seeking asylum and a UK work permit.
Justice Mugambe was on sabbatical from the Ugandan Judiciary to pursue a PhD at Oxford University.
The Judiciary has yet to issue a public statement regarding her situation.
