Lydia Mugambe, a former Ugandan High Court judge and one-time United Nations Criminal Tribunal official, is set to be deported back to Uganda after serving part of her prison sentence in the United Kingdom.
This follows her conviction for multiple immigration and modern slavery offences and comes under a newly implemented UK policy aimed at reducing the foreign prisoner population.
Mugambe was on May 2, 2025, sentenced to six years and four months in prison by Oxford Crown Court after being found guilty of several charges, including facilitating illegal immigration, forcing a person into unpaid domestic labor, and attempting to intimidate a witness.
The case began in early 2023 when UK authorities received a report of suspected domestic servitude at Mugambe’s former residence in Kidlington.
A subsequent investigation by Thames Valley Police revealed that she had brought a woman to the UK under false promises of employment, only to exploit her as a housemaid and nanny without pay.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Mugambe, using her professional stature and legal knowledge, misled the victim into believing she would be working for the Ugandan Embassy.
However, the woman ended up performing forced labor under conditions that left her isolated and without access to proper support.
Despite claims of innocence at the time of her arrest, the court found Mugambe guilty of serious offences against the UK’s immigration and modern slavery laws.
The case garnered international attention due to Mugambe’s former roles within the Ugandan judiciary and the UN system.
Her actions were condemned by law enforcement officials and human rights advocates alike, who emphasized the gravity of misusing legal authority to commit exploitative acts.
As per the UK’s revised deportation framework, foreign nationals convicted of crimes may now serve half their sentence before being repatriated to their home countries. This policy is part of broader reforms intended to address prison overcrowding and improve system efficiency.
Mugambe is one of the individuals qualifying for early release under this scheme, and preparations for her return to Uganda are reportedly underway, although authorities have not disclosed a specific date due to security concerns.
In Uganda, reactions to the news have been mixed. Some legal professionals and observers argue that returning a convicted person before they complete their sentence may weaken perceptions of justice and accountability.
Others view the development as a necessary step in managing rehabilitation and reintegration, particularly in cases involving foreign jurisdictions.
Close sources indicate that Mugambe is ready to go back home and begin a new chapter in her life. Her legal team has not issued public comments, but those familiar with the situation suggest that she is seeking to reconnect with family and reestablish herself in Ugandan society.
Meanwhile, UK prosecutors have commended the bravery of the victim, whose testimony and cooperation were vital in securing the conviction.
The case has also prompted renewed conversations around support for victims of modern slavery and the importance of holding all individuals, regardless of rank or status, accountable for their actions.
