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Entrepreneur Vasundhara Oswal Files Human Rights Petition Against Top Ugandan Officials Over Arbitrary Detention, Illegal Imprisonment and Inhumane Treatment
By Our Reporter, News Info Online
Entrepreneur Vasundhara Oswal has filed a human rights petition at the High Court of Uganda against high-ranking Ugandan officials, citing grave violations of constitutional and human rights law arising from her arbitrary arrest, illegal detention, and inhumane treatment in October 2024. Ms Oswal – a 27-year-old European citizen of Indian origin – is one of the youngest female leaders in Africa and is a director of PRO Industries, one of the largest bioethanol producing units in East Africa .
The officials named in the petition include senior members of the Uganda Police Force, among them: Assistant Inspector General of Police and Interpol Director Joseph Obwona; former Commissioner of Police for Interpol Allison Agaba; Head of the Human Trafficking Division in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Joseph Kyomuhendo; and Thomas Bbale, a police detective and investigating officer. The petition alleges that Mr. Bbale committed the most numerous and serious violations against Ms Oswal, and that Ms Oswal possesses the most compelling incriminating evidence demonstrating his coordination with extortionists who were falsely portrayed as victims. The petition also names Annette Karungi, a Criminal Investigations Department officer and Santosh Dwibhashi, a former employee alleged to be the mastermind behind the extortion scheme.
The petition alleges that Ms Oswal – executive director of PRO Industries and Oswal Group Global – was arbitrarily imprisoned for 21 days without any evidence. During this period, she was denied medication, prevented from accessing her legal team, subjected to degrading treatment such as kneeling and stripping in front of police officials and denied basic necessities such as food, water and access to hygiene while her family was extorted by police and prison officials, as well as local business figures, who conspired to keep her in detention. Till now the DPP in Uganda has returned Ms Oswals family jewelery worth at least 150K USD despite the case being dismissed against her and numerous letters being sent to the DPP to ask for the return.
“This case represents an egregious breach of both Ugandan legislation and international human rights law,” said Volterra Fieta who are acting as the international law firm for the Oswal family. “Our case seeks not confrontation, but justice and accountability under Ugandan and all international avenues available. We are seeking accountability and systemic reform to ensure that no individual, Ugandan or foreign, endures such abuse again.”
Human rights violations
The petition filed before the High Court details multiple violations of Uganda’s Constitution and international law, including:
● Arbitrary arrest and imprisonment in violation of Article 23 of the Constitution and Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
● Inhumane and degrading treatment, contrary to Article 24 of the Constitution.
● Disregard of judicial orders, undermining the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
● Unlawful seizure of personal property, including jewellery and bond money amounting to USD 200,000, which remains unreturned.
The family had also petitioned the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to review Uganda’s handling of the case and to urge accountability for officials involved in the unlawful detention.
Call for accountability
Ms Oswal’s legal counsel stated that this petition is not only a personal quest for justice but also a test of Uganda’s commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the protection of human and investor rights.
The petition calls for:
- Prosecution of all officials who facilitated the illegal arrest and imprisonment.
- Return of confiscated property and bond money.
- A declaration that Ms Oswal’s constitutional rights were violated.
- Compensation for unlawful detention, psychological trauma, and reputational damage.
Ongoing commitment to Uganda
Despite the ordeal, the Oswal family reiterated their continued commitment to Uganda’s industrialisation and energy transformation agenda.
“Our investment in PRO Industries reflects our long-term confidence in Uganda,” Ms Oswal said. “We are confident that the justice system will uphold the rule of law and investor protections by holding those responsible accountable. This sort of behaviour is also condemned by the ruling party and can be negatively taken by other Indian investors who are still very afraid of investing in Uganda due to the historical facts. Its important that the court corrects the behaviour of the individuals involved and reaffirms that this matter does not reflect a failure of the system itself, but rather the actions of a limited number of individuals. We have full faith in Uganda’s judiciary to safeguard international investors and to reinforce our commitment to continued investment in the country’s development.”
“We are particularly grateful to H.E. President Museveni, who visited PRO Industries’ plant in late 2025, for his industrial leadership and ongoing support,” concluded Ms Oswal.
Na Mwandishi wetu, News info
Zaidi ya wanawake 142 wamepokelewa rasmi kushiriki toleo la 12 la programu ya mafunzo ya uongozi kwa wanawake, Female Future Programme (FFP), iliyofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam.
Mafunzo hayo ya kiutendaji yameandaliwa na Chama cha Waajiri Tanzania (ATE) kwa kushirikiana na Taasisi ya Usimamizi ya Afrika Mashariki na Kusini (ESAMI).
Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa ATE, Bi. Suzanne Ndomba-Doran amesema programu hiyo imekuwa na mchango mkubwa kwa zaidi ya wanawake 800 waliokwisha pata mafunzo kwa zaidi ya muongo mmoja, na sasa inaendeshwa katika nchi sita kwa ufadhili wa NHO, huku akiwahamasisha washiriki kushiriki kikamilifu safari ya miezi tisa ya mafunzo. Aidha, Naibu Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa ESAMI, Dkt. David Kalaba amesema jamii inahitaji wanawake viongozi wenye kujiamini na uwezo mkubwa katika kipindi hiki cha mabadiliko ya haraka, akisisitiza umuhimu wa mtazamo wa kimataifa, kujifunza na kuendana na mabadiliko pamoja na uwezo wa kusimamia utofauti, kutatua migogoro na kutoa thamani kwa wateja.
Kwa upande wake, Meneja wa Upstream wa IFC, Bw. Sam Nganga aliyemwakilisha Meneja wa Nchi, Bi. Martine Valcin amesema taasisi hiyo inaendelea kuhakikisha wanawake wanapewa nafasi katika ngazi za juu za uongozi ili kukuza ushirikishwaji, huku akiwahimiza washiriki kujisimamia na kutumia kikamilifu mafunzo hayo.
Katika hafla hiyo pia kulikuwa na mjadala wa jopo kuhusu wanawake katika uongozi uliowashirikisha wataalamu mbalimbali wa rasilimali watu na uongozi kutoka taasisi tofauti, ambapo ilisisitizwa kuwa kuchanganya uzoefu wa vizazi tofauti vya wanawake kazini huleta matokeo chanya pamoja na umuhimu wa kujifunza ujuzi mpya na kuimarisha mentorship baada ya mafunzo.
Washiriki wa kundi la 12 walihimizwa kujenga mitandao imara ya kitaaluma, huku taasisi na makampuni yakitakiwa kutambua upekee wa kila mwanamke badala ya kuwaona kama kundi moja.
Akihitimisha, Mjumbe wa Bodi ya ATE, Bw. Gasper Kikui amesema sekta isiyo rasmi bado ina changamoto nyingi za uongozi na kuwataka washiriki kuyachukulia mafunzo hayo kwa uzito ili kuleta mabadiliko chanya.
Na Mwandishi wetu, News info
Rais Dkt Samia Suluhu Hassan, ametaka vijana wanufaike ipasavyo na huduma za mkongo wa Taifa wa mawasiliano, hasa katika maeneo ya kukuza ubunifu, ujuzi wa kidigitali na fursa za ajira.
Ametaka Wizara ya Mawasiliano na Teknolojia ya Habari na Wizara ya Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais, Maendeleo ya Vijana, zishirikiane na wadau wa sekta ya teknolojia ili vijana wapate manufaa hayo.
Dkt Samia ameyasema hayo leo, Ijumaa Aprili 10, 2026 jijini Dodoma, wakati wa uzinduzi huo, ukiambatana na kuunganisha huduma za mkongo wa Taifa wa mawasiliano katika Wilaya 85.
“Uwekezaji huu kwa vijana ni muhimu kwa sababu dunia ya teknolojia ni ya kwao. Dunia hii ipo viganjani mwao na ndiyo mfumo wa maisha yao. Ni lazima tuwawezeshe na kuwahamasisha kutumia mifumo hii ili waweze kukua kiuchumi na kijamii,” amesema.
Na Mwandishi wetu, News info
Zaidi ya wananchi milioni 8.5 hususan wanaoishi mipakani na vijijini, wanatarajiwa kuondolewa changamoto ya mtandao, baada ya Rais Dkt Samia Suluhu Hassan, kuzindua minara 758 ya mawasiliano iliyojengwa katika maeneo mbalimbali nchini.
Uzinduzi huo umefanyika leo Ijumaa Aprili 10, 2026 jijini Dodoma, ukiambatana na kuunganisha huduma za mkongo wa Taifa wa mawasiliano katika Wilaya 85, ikiwa ni juhudi za Serikali kuimarisha uchumi wa kidijitali na kuongeza huduma za mawasiliano.
Akizungumza wakati wa uzinduzi huo, Dkt Samia amesema uwekezaji huo umetokana na ushirikiano kati ya Serikali na wadau wa sekta ya mawasiliano ili kuhakikisha huduma za mawasiliano zinawafikia wananchi kwa ubora unaokidhi mahitaji ya teknolojia ya kisasa na kwa gharama nafuu.
Amesema kukamilika kwa ujenzi wa minara hiyo kutachochea ushiriki wa wananchi katika uchumi wa kidijitali na kufungua fursa mpya za ajira, kuboresha utoaji wa huduma za kijamii na kuharakisha maendeleo ya Taifa.
“Mawasiliano si tena huduma ya anasa kama ilivyokuwa zamani. Leo hii ni uti wa mgongo wa uchumi wa kisasa na daraja la fursa kwa wananchi katika nyanja mbalimbali za maendeleo,” amesema
Wanawake 142 waanza mafunzo ya Female Future Programme Dar es Salaam
Dkt Samia: Vijana wanufaike na uwekezaji katika mawasiliano
Dkt Samia azindua minara 758, kuwanufaisha zaidi ya wananchi milioni nane
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