The family of Lydia Mugambe, a Ugandan judge serving with the United Nations, has attributed her recent conviction for modern slavery to what they describe as "cultural differences" between the UK and Uganda.


Mugambe, 49, was found guilty of treating her victim as an "unpaid skivvy," taking advantage of her in what the court deemed a particularly egregious manner. The conviction, delivered unanimously by a jury at Oxford Crown Court, followed revelations that authorities became aware of the situation when the victim confided in a friend, who subsequently alerted the police.


Following her arrest last year at her home in Kiddlington, Oxfordshire, Mugambe, who was pursuing a PhD in law at Oxford University, maintained that the victim had "asked" to work for her. "I am a judge in my country. I even have immunity. I am not a criminal. I have a diplomatic passport," she told police, continuing to deflect responsibility onto the victim.


A close family member residing in Kampala expressed to MailOnline that the differences in cultures played a significant role in the case. "The culture in the UK and the culture in Africa is different," the family member stated, who requested anonymity. "In Africa, it is common to have multiple generations living together. This communal support doesn't happen here."


The family member contended that Mugambe had known the victim for 17 years, claiming she had rescued her from the streets and provided her a home and a paying job caring for her children. "Lydia is a humanitarian and has helped many people," they asserted, expressing disappointment with the court's decision. "To say she is guilty of these accusations is simply unjust."


During the trial, Mugambe was found guilty of facilitating travel for exploitation, forcing someone to work, breaching UK immigration laws, and conspiring to intimidate a witness. Thames Valley Police became involved after receiving reports concerning the victim's treatment while living at Mugambe's rented property.


When questioned about her actions, Mugambe reiterated her stature, informing officers, "I came here as a student. I don't need anyone to work for me." She alleged that the victim had previously worked in her home voluntarily.


The family member further claimed that the victim had received educational support from Mugambe in Uganda before joining her family ten years ago. They suggested that the victim fabricated the abuse in an effort to seek asylum. "This girl has been part of our family for so long, and to assert that she was a slave to secure asylum for herself while imprisoning my sister is deeply unjust," they stated.


Prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC characterized Mugambe's actions as an exploitation of the victim's lack of understanding regarding her rights and a deception regarding the purpose of her arrival in the UK. Jurors accepted that Mugambe and Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa engaged in a dishonest arrangement to facilitate the victim's entry into the country.


Ultimately, the court found Mugambe guilty of conspiring to breach UK immigration law. The trial revealed a troubling exploitation of power dynamics and the victim's vulnerability, raising significant concerns about human rights and the complexities of modern slavery in differing cultural contexts.