Rivalry Leaps from Politics to Business: Swiss National’s Daughter Detained in Uganda Amid Corporate Dispute

In what appears to be a growing trend of political and business rivalries intertwining, a disturbing case has emerged involving the daughter of Swiss industrialist, Pankaj Oswal, who has allegedly been abducted and unlawfully detained in Uganda. The incident has raised concerns over the deepening tensions between business interests and state authorities in the East African country.

Vasundhara Oswal, 26, was reportedly taken by around 20 armed men from her family’s on going business venture, Extra-Neutral Alcohol (ENA) plant in Luweero, Uganda, on October 1. The men, who did not present any identification or warrant, allegedly abducted her under the guise of a missing person’s case. Since then, Vasundhara has been held without trial, denied basic human rights, and subjected to harsh conditions in detention. According to reports, she was moved between multiple prisons, seemingly to make it difficult for her family and legal team to track her down.

Her father, Oswal, has since filed an appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), an international human rights body that monitors cases of police misuse and arbitrary arrests. The appeal, submitted on October 11, seeks intervention in what is being described as a flagrant violation of human rights. He also published an ad in the country’s daily New Vision seeking the president’s intervention.

Vasundhara’s mother, speaking out in desperation, described her daughter’s ordeal in harrowing detail: “This is every mother’s nightmare. My young daughter has been thrown into a foreign jail, stripped of her basic human rights and dignity. All I want is her safety and for her to be back in my arms.”

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An Instagram post shared from Vasundhara’s account offered a glimpse into her horrifying conditions. The post included an image of a toilet smeared with blood and faeces, describing how she had been denied clean water, food, and the ability to bathe or change clothes for nearly five days. She was reportedly forced to sleep on a small bench in a room full of shoes, deprived of vegetarian food, and isolated from her family for days at a time.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, several of Vasundhara’s co-workers, including the company’s legal representative, Rita Ngabire, were also reportedly detained. Her brother, who has been vocal about the matter, described her as a “workaholic” who single-handedly transformed the ENA plant in Luweero from a modest setup into a $110 million factory. He suggested her detention stemmed from corporate jealousy and alleged that a 68-year-old business rival had orchestrated her arrest to extort money and damage her reputation.

The case, which has ignited international attention, underscores a growing pattern in Uganda where business disputes are becoming increasingly entangled with state authorities. The fact that armed men could storm a business, abduct its director, and hold her in such deplorable conditions has triggered widespread concern.

Reports indicate that Vasundhara was charged with murder in what her family has termed a bogus and retaliatory legal case. Even after a court order for her release, she was instead taken to what appeared to be a look alike court for further legal proceedings. Despite the court ruling in her favor, Ugandan authorities have yet to comply.

Vasundhara’s family has expressed fear that her case is just the latest manifestation of the disturbing merger of political and corporate rivalry in Uganda, where influential individuals wield state power to settle business disputes. The appalling incident suggests that corporate success can become a dangerous liability in the country’s business environment, often leading to malicious persecution.

Oswal’s appeal to international human rights bodies and the wider public now aims to rally global support for her release. “All we want is for Vasundhara to be safe,” her mother implored. “She is an innocent bystander in a corporate game driven by jealousy.”

This case has sparked conversations about the darker side of Uganda’s business landscape, where strong political influences and corrupt power structures can have severe consequences for those who succeed in high-stakes industries. As Vasundhara remains in detention, the international business community is watching closely to see how Uganda responds to the mounting pressure to release her.