Lydia Mugambe

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Lydia Mugambe
Lydia Mugambe.png
Born1974or1975 (age 49–50) [1]
Uganda
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Lawyer, judge
Known forLaw
TitleJustice of the High Court of Uganda

Lydia Mugambe, is a Ugandan lawyer who served as judge at the High Court of Uganda between May 2013 and September 2020. She was appointed to the High Court by President Yoweri Museveni, on 3 May 2013. Lady Justice Mugambe Ssali was subsequently appointed by President Museveni as Inspector General of Government on 18 September 2020 [2]

Contents

Background and education

She graduated from the Faculty of Law of Makerere University, Uganda's largest and oldest public university, with a Bachelor of Laws. She was then awarded a Diploma in Legal Practice by the Law Development Centre, in Kampala, Uganda's capital city. She also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. [3]

Career

Prior to her appointment to the High Court, Mugambe served as a Magistrate in Uganda's lower courts. [4] She was appointed to the High Court of Uganda on 15 May 2013. [2] She is assigned to the Civil Division of the court. [5] [6]

In January 2017, Justice Mugambe delivered a judgement against Mulago National Referral Hospital, which had been sued by Jennifer Musimenta and her husband Micheal Mubangaizi, for the disappearance of their newborn baby. The judge found the hospital culpable of negligence. Mugambe also awarded the couple USh85 million (approximately US$24,000) in damages. [7] [8]

The ruling is hailed by legal observers and non-profit organisations in Uganda, as a watershed judgment, towards the recognition of "the rights of poor, vulnerable and marginalized women". [7] [8] The ruling was nominated for the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), award in 2017. [9]

On 7 August 2024, Mugambe was charged by Thames Valley Police in connection with an ongoing modern slavery investigation. [10] [11]

In February 2025 the trial began at Oxford Crown Court. During the trial, it was revealed that Mugambe had told police that she had "diplomatic immunity" and could not be arrested because of her role as a judge in Uganda and at the UN. The Metropolitan Police's diplomatic team subsequently confirmed Mugambe did not have diplomatic immunity in the UK. [12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UN judge's alleged slave felt 'lonely' and 'stuck', court hears". BBC News. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 Mary Karugaba, and Ssekanjako Ssekanjako (3 May 2013). "Museveni names new judges". New Vision . Kampala. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  3. ↑ Auschwitz Institute (2017). "Profiles in Prevention: The Honorable Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe is a Judge of the High Court in Uganda". New York City: Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation . Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  4. ↑ Ephraim Kasozi, and Juliet Kigongo (15 May 2013). "Called to the bench: here are the candidates". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  5. ↑ Judiciary of Uganda (15 August 2017). "The Honorable Judges of The High Court of Uganda". Kampala: Judiciary of Uganda . Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  6. ↑ Kasule, Farooq (27 February 2018). "Justice Mugambe to hear UNEB-Senior Four results case". New Vision . Kampala. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  7. 1 2 Juliet Nafuna Musoke (21 June 2017). "Justice Mugambe's ruling on lost baby offered mothers ray of hope". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  8. 1 2 Kagumire, Rosebell (26 May 2017). "Justice Mugambe's landmark ruling in line for global award". The Observer (Uganda) . Kampala. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  9. ↑ CEHURD (19 May 2017). "CEHURD Court Case nominated for the Gender Justice Uncovered Awards". Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD). Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  10. ↑ "Judiciary speaks out after Justice Mugambe 'charged in UK'". New Vision. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  11. ↑ Uganda (30 October 2024). "Justice on Trial: The Fall of a Ugandan Judge Accused of Modern Slavery". Uganda. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  12. ↑ "United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave, court told". BBC News. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
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