Kampala, Uganda, A prominent businesswoman has filed a landmark lawsuit against top national security officials, claiming she was unlawfully arrested and held for nearly three weeks even after a court ordered her release.
The case was brought before the High Court of Uganda by Vasundhara Oswal, a 27‑year‑old European entrepreneur who leads major industrial ventures in the country. She alleges senior figures in the police and prosecution service were involved in her arbitrary arrest and detention in October 2024, citing serious breaches of her constitutional rights.
In her petition, Oswal says she was held without sufficient evidence, denied access to legal counsel, and subjected to degrading conditions in custody. She claims security officials demanded money for basic necessities such as food and hygiene supplies while she was detained.
The lawsuit names several high‑ranking security figures, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police and the head of the human trafficking division at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Oswal is seeking accountability for the alleged violations, including the return of confiscated property and bond money.
Human rights lawyers and commentators say the case has wider implications for rule of law, human rights, and investor confidence in Uganda’s legal system. The officials named in the suit have not publicly responded to the allegations.