Vasundhara Oswal, the 26-year-old daughter of Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has been detained in Uganda amidst controversy. She was seized by 20 armed men from her family’s extra-neutral alcohol plant on October 1, sparking concerns over her safety and the circumstances surrounding her arrest.
Ms. Oswal holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Switzerland and is the Executive Director of Pro Industries, a leading ethanol producer in Africa. Her family has deep roots in international business, and she has made a name for herself in the industry.
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According to Ugandan authorities, Ms. Oswal’s detention is related to a missing person investigation, specifically the alleged kidnapping and murder of a chef. However, her family strongly denies these allegations, claiming they are false and malicious.
Ms. Oswal’s brother alleges that her detention is a result of corporate jealousy from a rival businessman who couldn’t accept her success. “She became bigger than him in three years of her hard-dedicated work,” he said.
Moreover, the family claims that the man she is accused of kidnapping and murdering was found alive in Tanzania, with a notarized affidavit stating he entered voluntarily and was never mistreated by Ms. Oswal or her family.
Vasundhara’s family has expressed concerns over her detention conditions, claiming she was held in poor conditions, denied contact with her family and lawyers, and had her phone confiscated. She allegedly suffered an anxiety attack due to the circumstances, which was not acknowledged by the officials.
Pankaj Oswal has filed an appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, seeking urgent action regarding his daughter’s detention. The family’s social media posts have highlighted the injustice, with many calling for her release.
The Indian High Commission in Kampala has also taken up the matter, seeking consular access to Ms. Oswal.
Her family’s business ventures have made significant contributions to Uganda’s economy, and her detention has raised concerns about the safety of foreign investors.
The Ugandan authorities have yet to provide concrete evidence against Ms. Oswal, fueling speculation about the true reasons behind her detention.
