Top international entrepreneur sues Ugandan police over alleged unlawful detention

By Archeadious Kubai

A 27-year-old international industrialist has moved to court in Uganda, accusing senior police and prosecution officials of arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and inhumane treatment in what is shaping up to be a landmark human rights case.
Vasundhara Oswal, an executive director at PRO Industries and Oswal Group Global, has petitioned the High Court in Kampala over her arrest and detention in October 2024, which she says violated both Uganda’s Constitution and international human rights law.
In court filings, Oswal alleges she was held for 21 days without evidence being presented against her and that police ignored a court order authorising her release. She claims the detention amounted to a gross abuse of power and a direct assault on the rule of law.

The petition names several senior officers of the Uganda Police Force, including Assistant Inspector General of Police and Interpol Director Joseph Obwona, former Interpol Commissioner Allison Agaba, and senior officials from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. A police detective, a CID officer and a former employee are also listed as respondents.

According to the petition, Oswal was denied access to legal counsel and medication, and subjected to degrading treatment while in custody. She alleges she was forced to kneel and strip in front of officers, and deprived of basic necessities such as food, water and proper hygiene facilities.

Her lawyers, the international law firm Volterra Fietta, describe the case as “an egregious breach of Ugandan law and international human rights standards,” saying the petition seeks accountability and institutional reform rather than confrontation

Constitutional and international law claims
Oswal argues that her detention breached constitutional protections on personal liberty and freedom from torture, as well as Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guards against arbitrary arrest and detention.

She further claims that judicial orders authorising her release were deliberately ignored, raising wider concerns about due process and respect for court decisions. The petition also seeks the return of personal property, including jewellery and bond money amounting to 200,000 US dollars, which she says has not been returned despite repeated requests to prosecutors.
Separately, her family has petitioned the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to review Uganda’s handling of the case.

Investment climate concerns

Oswal, who is described as one of the youngest female industrial leaders operating in Africa’s bioethanol sector, says the case has broader implications for investor confidence and the rule of law.

She says she remains confident that Uganda’s judiciary will independently uphold constitutional safeguards and affirm the country’s commitment to justice and human rights.

The case is expected to be closely watched both locally and internationally as it tests accountability within the security and justice system.