Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
Big-hearted President Yoweri Museveni has forgiven Swiss-Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, whose family in 2024 launched an international smear campaign accusing Uganda of abducting and torturing their daughter.
Oswal and his kin – wife Radhika Oswal, daughter Riddhi Oswal ran to every media house—local and international—plus the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), painting Uganda as a rogue state after police arrested his daughter, Vasundhara Oswal, during investigations into a kidnapping case.
Sources say President Museveni was briefed on the matter but, true to his style, chose patience over panic, taking time to study the facts before concluding that the Oswals’ public outcry was nothing but loose cannon propaganda aimed at tarnishing Uganda’s image.
At one point, Museveni reportedly questioned what the Oswal family was trying to hide, particularly their unusual interactions with security agencies, according to sources who briefed RedPepper.
Vasundhara was later granted bail and immediately fled to Switzerland. What followed was a coordinated PR blitz accusing Ugandan authorities of torture, illegal detention and abuse—claims firmly dismissed by police and prisons authorities.
Despite the bad blood, Museveni has chosen reconciliation over revenge.
Last week, the President commissioned PRO Industries Pte Limited, an ethanol and extra-neutral alcohol (ENA) plant in Ndibulungi Village, Luwero District, owned by the Oswal family—sending a strong signal that Uganda remains open to investors who respect its laws.
The Pro Industries Pte Limited in Luwero district factory during the official commissioning of on 30th December 2025
THE KIDNAP THAT TRIGGERED IT ALL
The saga traces back to Mukesh Kumar Menaria, an Indian national hired in 2017 as Oswal’s personal chef. While the Oswals later claimed he was cabin crew, evidence showed Mukesh lived and worked with the family until 2024.
When Mukesh requested to return to India, Oswal allegedly objected.
Alarm bells rang after Mukesh contacted Swiss police through a helpline, reporting mistreatment. Swiss authorities launched investigations—but Oswal reportedly moved faster than detectives, whisking Mukesh out of Switzerland aboard a private jet to Uganda, disguised as cabin crew.
Swiss police lost contact with Mukesh. His family panicked. Interpol was alerted, warning Ugandan authorities that the circumstances of Mukesh’s transfer could amount to kidnapping.
In Uganda, Mukesh was allegedly confined in isolation at Oswal’s Luwero facility. His son Vishnu Menaria flew in from India and reported a kidnapping case to police.
Initial investigations stalled—until pressure from Swiss authorities forced Kampala detectives to act.
The Oswals alleged that the Menaria family (PICTURED ABOVE) had taken a large loan from them, which has been alleged to avoid repayment
DAUGHTER ARRESTED, CHEF SMUGGLED OUT
On October 1, 2024, police raided the Luwero facility and arrested Vasundhara Oswal for obstructing officers and for alleged kidnap and attempted murder.
During the operation, Oswal’s staff allegedly smashed through the factory perimeter wall and smuggled Mukesh out.
Mukesh was later traced to Tanzania, where the Oswals opened a counter-case accusing him of theft and USD 200,000 loan fraud.
Vasundhara was remanded for 21 days before securing bail.
SMEAR CAMPAIGN
In retaliation, Oswal hired Cherie Blair, wife of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose firm petitioned the UN—claiming Vasundhara was tortured, denied food, hygiene and legal access.
Uganda Prisons rubbished the claims, stating her cleaning duties did not violate any rights.
Mukesh was later traced to Tanzania, resurfaced in court, swearing an affidavit that he was never kidnapped, admitting misconduct and breaches of trust. His statement severely left many questions than answers.
MUSEVENI RISES ABOVE IT ALL
Despite the international mudslinging, President Museveni has chosen forgiveness.
While commissioning the Oswal-owned plant, Museveni—accompanied by First Lady Maama Janet Museveni—praised PRO Industries for promoting agro-industrialisation, clean energy and job creation.
President-Museveni-Commissions-PRO-Industries-Ethanol-Plant-In-Luwero-30-Dec-2025 as Company director Riddhi Oswal (one of those who tarnished Uganda’s image) looks on
Company director Riddhi Oswal (one of those who tarnished Uganda’s image) revealed the firm invested USD 100 million, employs thousands and works with over 20,000 farmers.
Museveni reiterated government support for investors, while urging Ugandans to back the NRM to safeguard industrialisation gains.
BOTTOM LINE
The Oswal family’s global PR machine may have screamed “torture”, but facts on the ground told a different story.
And in the end, Museveni chose statesmanship over spite—proving once again why he remains Uganda’s ultimate political chess master.
Despite a smear campaign against Uganda, sources say this was not the first incident of Oswal’s family spat with employees.
The saga has since stained his name globally despite PR machinery to sanitise it.
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