"My human rights were completely disregarded."
Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of Swiss billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has accused Ugandan authorities of human rights violations after spending over three weeks in prison on what she calls false charges.
She was accused of kidnapping and attempting to murder Mukesh Menaria, a former employee of her father’s company. However, Menaria was later found alive in Tanzania.
Vasundhara claimed she was subjected to inhumane treatment. She alleged she was denied food, water, and access to the bathroom as punishment.
She said: “I was detained for five days and then imprisoned for another two weeks.
“My human rights were completely disregarded. I wasn’t even provided with food, water, or even a shower.
“My parents had to bribe police officers through lawyers just to provide me with the bare necessities that I required.”
Vasundhara also described the poor prison conditions.
In October 2024, she wrote on Instagram: “The best toilet” available to her had “blood and faeces on the floor”.
She alleged she was forced to sit among shoes for over 90 hours and was not allowed to bathe or change clothes.
Ugandan officials allegedly arrested her without a warrant. When she asked for one, she claimed officers responded: “We are in Uganda. We can do anything. You’re not in Europe any more.”
Vasundhara Oswal said she was taken to the Interpol office under false pretences and forced to make a statement without legal representation.
Vasundhara was required to pay $30,000 and surrender her passport for a police bond.
However, she was not released and was held for another 72 hours before being charged with kidnapping with intent to kill.
She was taken to a magistrate’s court instead of a higher court and placed in a prison meant for petty offenders.
Later, she was transferred to Nakasongola prison, a facility known for housing convicted murderers and human traffickers.
She added: “I was in Nakasongola prison for two weeks.
“Even when they found out that Menaria was alive on October 10, they still did not let me go.”
Vasundhara Oswal claimed her bail application was deliberately delayed and that lawyers were bribed to prevent her release.
She was granted bail on October 21, but her passport was only returned on December 10, 2024.
She alleged Ugandan authorities altered the charges to a lesser offence to extort more money from her family. The charge was formally withdrawn on December 19, 2024.
The billionaire’s daughter Vasundhara expressed concerns about investing in Uganda.
Referring to corruption and threats against entrepreneurs, she said:
“As a foreign investor, I don’t feel safe investing in the country.”
She plans to sue Ugandan authorities over her treatment.
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