The 26-year-old daughter of well-known Swiss industrialist Pankaj Oswal has been detained without trial in a Ugandan prison. This follows Oswal’s investment of US$100 million into the country to develop the first and only grain-based ENA producer in the East African region. ENA (extra-neutral alcohol) is used in beverages, cosmetics, and high-value pharmaceuticals.

The ENA plant was ramping up production when Oswal’s daughter Vasundhara (top pictured) – who was visiting the site – was seized by armed men purporting to be from law enforcement authorities. The men did not show identification or provide a warrant for their activities, nor did they give reasons for detaining Vasundhara before aggressively bundling her out of the premises and then taking her into custody.  

Vasundhara has been detained since 1 October.

An urgent appeal to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) was filed today. The WGAD is an expert body of international human rights specialists appointed by the Human Rights Council and mandated to investigate precisely this kind of misuse of States’ police powers, to shine a light on abuse and to intervene with the governments responsible. Uganda is obliged to cooperate with the UN’s human rights mechanisms, including the WGAD.

Vasundhara has been denied her basic rights during her detention. Prison conditions have been described as “horrific” and “dangerous”. She suffers from underlying health conditions and is acutely vulnerable after being forced to spend days in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, without hygienic drinking water or washing facilities. At night she has slept on the floor in a single room shared with up to ten other convicted criminals. In addition to this, the 26-year-old has been:

• Denied access to appropriate vegetarian food, in line with her religion.
• Moved from prison-to-prison multiple times without notice, in an apparent attempt to make it difficult for her family and lawyers to meet with her.
• Unable to make contact with her family for days at a time.

Several colleagues of Vasundhara’s have also been detained, including her company’s lawyer in Uganda, Rita Ngabire. Ms Ngabire would have been an integral part of the legal team standing up for the rights of Vasundhara and her other colleagues. As well as an unjustified violation of Ms Ngabire’s liberty and rights, the move appears calculated to critically undermine Vasundhara’s legal defence. 

The company behind the new ENA Factory, PRO Industries, have decried the shocking treatment of the young women. A spokesperson said:

“PRO Industries values its strong relationship with the Government of Uganda. The arbitrary detention of the daughter of our founder, on fantastical charges, is shocking. We call for Vasundhara’s immediate release.”

Vasundhara’s mother, Radhika Oswal, also issued an appeal to the Ugandan government:

“This is every mother’s nightmare. My young daughter has been thrown into a foreign jail. She has been stripped of her basic human rights and her dignity. Vasundhara is an innocent bystander. All I want is her safety, and for her to be back in my arms.”

Cherie Blair CBE, KC has been retained as international human rights counsel and instructed to secure Vasundhara’s release. Ms Blair’s office has stated:

“On the facts reported, the treatment of Vasundhara amounts to arbitrary detention and a manifest breach of her human rights according to domestic, continental and international laws and conventions. Beyond that, Vasundhara is a vulnerable young woman, far from home, who is suffering an incredibly traumatic experience. Omnia Strategy has filed an urgent appeal to the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to seek her urgent release and respect for due process and the rule of law”. By Colins Stevens, EU Reporter

On Friday, the government declared several areas in Tana River County as security-disturbed and dangerous due to the worsening inter-clan clashes. Tana River Governor Dhadho Godana and Galole MP Said Hiribae have been arrested over the ongoing inter-clan clashes in the Coastal region, which have resulted in at least 14 fatalities.

Police reported that the arrests occurred on Friday night after the duo ignored earlier summons to assist with the investigation. Governor Godana and MP Hiribae are currently being transported from Mombasa to Nairobi for questioning at DCI headquarters regarding the violence.

DCI Director Mohamed Amin confirmed the arrests, stating, “This is a serious issue. While other local leaders heeded the summons for questioning about the unfortunate attacks, these two did not come to help us move forward. They will be questioned over the matter.”

The arrests followed the questioning of three other Tana River County legislators concerning the clashes, which have entered their second week. The DCI revealed that local ward representative Mohammed Jibril, along with Garsen MP Ali Wario and Bura MP Yakub Adow, were also interrogated. Former woman representative Rehema Hassan was similarly questioned.

On Friday, the government declared several areas in Tana River County as security-disturbed and dangerous due to the worsening inter-clan clashes. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced the decision after consultations with the National Security Council, emphasizing the need to restore order under Section 106 (1) of the National Police Service Act, 2011.

The declaration, outlined in Gazette Notice No. 13181 dated October 11, 2024, affects 12 locations across Bangale and Tana North sub-counties, including Madogo, Areri, Saka, Sala, Mororo, Mbalambala, Hirimani, Hosingo, Dukanotu, Chewele, Nanighi, and Bura. The order will remain in effect for 30 days but may be extended if necessary.

“This notice shall take effect from 6:30 p.m. on October 11, 2024, for a period of 30 days and may be withdrawn or extended by notice in the Gazette,” said CS Kindiki.

Additionally, Inspector-General of the National Police Service (NPS), Douglas Kanja, has issued a directive banning the possession of firearms in specific areas of Tana River County, which the government has declared “disturbed and dangerous.” The ban, effective immediately, will last for 30 days as authorities work to restore peace.

IG Kanja directed all residents to surrender their weapons to the nearest police station or government offices for safekeeping during this period, assuring that the firearms will be returned once the ban is lifted. By Bruhan Makong, Capital News

Kenyan student at the uawei-ICT Competition 2023-2024 global finals in China

By MIKE OMUODO·       

The competition targets university and technical college students studying ICT-related courses

 Huawei Kenya has kicked off the registration for the 2024-2025 ICT Competition in collaboration with leading universities and TVET institutions in Kenya.  This annual competition is part of Huawei's ongoing commitment to nurture digital talent and enhance ICT skills among the youth, aligning with Kenya’s digital transformation agenda. 

The Huawei ICT Competition is designed to offer a platform for students to demonstrate their knowledge in key ICT areas such as networking, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and cybersecurity. The competition gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, access training resources, and network with industry professionals, ultimately contributing to the development of Kenya’s ICT sector. 

“As we embark on the journey to create a digitally empowered Kenya, this competition is an integral part of developing the next generation of ICT leaders. Through initiatives like the ICT Competition, we are offering students in Kenya a platform to showcase their talent, gain practical skills, and contribute to the country’s digital economy,” said Michael Kamau, Partnerships and Corporate Affairs Manager at Huawei Kenya. 

The competition offers participants a unique opportunity to sharpen their ICT skills, with access to free learning materials, expert mentorship, and industry-recognized certifications. Top-performing students also stand to win, and potential job offers at Huawei and its partners. It also offers winners the chance to represent Kenya on the global stage in the final rounds, competing against other bright finalists from across the world. 

“The competition is also part of Huawei's broader collaboration with Kenyan universities to integrate practical ICT training into academic curricula,” Mr. Kamau said. 

Registration
The registration exercise for the 2024-2025 ICT Competition will run until November 30, 2024.  with several rounds of the competition taking place, including a national qualifier, regional semifinals, and the global finals in mid-2025. 

University and technical college students studying ICT-related courses are encouraged to register for the competition via the link: https://e.huawei.com/en/talent/ict-academy/#/ict-contest?compId=85131998 

Huawei has been a key partner in Kenya’s digital transformation efforts, providing cutting-edge ICT solutions and nurturing local talent through training programs such as the Huawei Seeds for the Future and the ICT Academy, alongside the annual ICT Competition.