“Maid betrayed boss” – Divided Reactions to Ugandan Judge Conviction Despite Diplomatic Immunity.
Ugandan High Court Judge and a UN Criminal Tribunal Judge convicted of immigration and modern slavery offences in the UK.
The story has left social media users divided with warnings to rich people to help poor people with caution.
There is said to be an alarming rise in similar cases involving African immigrants.
Last year Ike Ekweremadu went from Nigerian Deputy Senate President to London jailbird, with claims of organ harvesting.
High Court judge in Uganda and a UN judicial officer, Lydia Mugambe, has now been convicted under the Modern Slavery Act in the UK.
In reaction to her conviction, a social media user warned; “@Amuka lalu: Her story has taught us Ugandans a good lesson, help someone at your own cost. The amount she was receiving is a good salary for a maid here in Uganda, very few maids make that amount plus she’s being housed for free and feed, all her needs are taken care off.”
This was not the only side of view, another with opposing view wrote; “@Femme: The Judge did take advantage of he victim. As a judge, she knows the law. She knew better”
Lydia Mugambe was found guilty of human trafficking and conspiracy to intimidate a victim in a case that has shocked observers.
Police footage showed her expressing disbelief as officers informed her of the charges. She insisted she had diplomatic immunity and denied any wrongdoing.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Mugambe had exploited a young Ugandan woman, misleading her about the purpose of her travel to the UK and subjecting her to unfair working conditions.
The prosecution also claimed she conspired with Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa to facilitate the woman’s entry into the country. In exchange, she allegedly agreed to intervene in a legal matter involving Mugerwa.
The victim, whose identity is protected, told the court she felt isolated and trapped while in the UK. Mugambe, who was pursuing a law PhD. at the University of Oxford, denied coercing the woman into unpaid labour, saying she had always treated her with kindness.
Following her conviction, Thames Valley Police confirmed that the United Nations waived any diplomatic immunity Mugambe may have had as a UN judge.
Gasps were heard in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered, and proceedings were briefly halted after Mugambe appeared unwell.
This case highlights ongoing concerns over labour exploitation and the misuse of diplomatic privileges.
See reactions on social media gathered by kikio.ng
@silyab4: this happened to me a fellow Kenyan brought me to Europe and paid as a Kenya maid It was hard to survive but I left after two years but I didn’t sue her because she helped me come to Europe
@GenusAfro: She may be guilty of underpaying, but not slavery. They simply wanted to take her down. The “victim” was certainly aware of their terms beforehand
@JoeKing: she is innocent These people agree to come and work as domestic workers but the moment the step inside England they turn tables and want to go work elsewhere after they have been sponsored
@iphone16eupdated!: Sounds like a set up probably someone asked for more money than they initially agreed then she scapegoated her /snitched
@quinsmart1: She was already working for her hear in Uganda and when she went to the uk that lady call the judge and asked for her for a job which she did she paid her the same amount as she was paying her
@Mista Educator: If she had employed her with minimum wage in Africa, then give her letter for travel to UK with her with medical insurance and other things covered,
