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Journalism of Courage
Indian-origin Swiss industrialist Pankaj Oswal has filed an appeal with the United Nations over his daughter Vasundhara Oswal’s alleged unlawful detention in Uganda since October 1.
She was reportedly seized by 20 armed men from the family’s extra neutral alcohol (ENA) plant, with local officials linking her detention to a missing person investigation. Her family has, however, denied the allegations.
A social media post by Oswal claims that Vasundhara is being held in dire conditions, forced to stay in a room full of shoes, without bathing or changing clothes, and suffered an anxiety attack that went unaddressed by officials.
Vasundhara is the 26-year-old daughter of Swiss industrialist Pankaj Oswal, renowned for his significant investments in various industries. Vasundhara has drawn international attention following her detention without trial in Uganda, where she was visiting a site linked to her father’s $100 million investment. This investment was aimed at establishing the first and only grain-based ENA (extra-neutral alcohol) production facility in East Africa, which is used in beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Vasundhara was seized by armed men, who did not provide identification or a warrant, nor any explanation for her detention. She has been held in custody since October 1, enduring horrific and unsanitary prison conditions, with no access to proper vegetarian food, as required by her religious beliefs.
Several of her colleagues, including the company’s lawyer, Rita Ngabire, were also detained. A social media post on her Instagram revealed that after her detention, Oswal was denied contact with her family and lawyers, as authorities confiscated her phone.
Pankaj Oswal claims that his daughter’s detention stems from false accusations made by a former employee, who had stolen valuable assets and taken out a $200,000 loan, with the Oswal family acting as guarantors. He has submitted an urgent appeal to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, requesting the UN to investigate the case and intervene.
