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Uganda will invest an additional Shs4.5 billion to renovate Uganda House, a government-owned commercial building in Nairobi, Kenya, which was set on fire during anti-tax protests in June 2024.
This comes after Shs24.8 billion was spent on earlier repairs and failed attempts to claim compensation through insurance or diplomatic channels.
Vincent Bagiire, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Public Accounts Committee - Central Government on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Parliament House that Uganda sought compensation from both the Kenyan government and the contractor’s insurer but received no financial redress.
“We wrote to the Kenyan government and received only two letters—one from President Ruto and another from Prime Minister Mudavadi, expressing regret. We also contacted the contractor’s insurer, who said they were not liable. The Solicitor General supported their position,” Bagiire said.
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Gorreth Namugga, deputy chairperson of the committee, demanded full documentation of all financial dealings related to the building’s damage and renovation.
“We need all details to date—from when the building was gutted, the contract balance, amounts paid, and renovation costs. The contract was close to Shs25 billion. We must know exactly how much has been paid,” she said.
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Kumi Municipality MP Silas Aogon criticised Uganda’s diplomatic approach, questioning why no legal action has been taken.
“No one should speak of foreign relations when our house was destroyed. Kenya only says ‘we regret’ while taxpayers’ money is lost. Why haven’t we taken them to court like DRC did?” he asked.
Aogon recalled Uganda’s previous accountability in Congo.
“Our troops went to Congo and we were taken to court. Now we pay over a trillion shillings in reparations. Here, Kenya is the bigger economy but we are the ones paying,” he added.
Committee chairperson Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi raised concerns about Uganda’s image in the region.
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“Why are Ugandan missions targeted while Tanzania’s are not? During Kenya’s elections, accusations of interference arose. Are we innocent? Our actions are under scrutiny,” he said.
“We are losing billions of taxpayers’ money. Without improving our image, the building could be attacked again. We must demand policy accountability.”
Col. Victor Nekesa, the UPDF representative on the committee, stressed the need to boost Uganda’s diplomatic communication.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ public relations must improve. This is about accountability and how Uganda is viewed regionally,” she said.
Nekesa also urged the ministry to clarify if any suspects from the Nairobi or Kinshasa attacks have been caught.
While Kenya offered only verbal sympathy, the Democratic Republic of Congo has taken more concrete steps.
According to Bagiire, the DRC government formally acknowledged the destruction of Uganda’s embassy in Kinshasa and requested a damage assessment.
“We submitted a report detailing losses including burnt vehicles and destroyed property. We now await a formal response from DRC on how they will proceed with renovations under international law,” Bagiire added.
As the Public Accounts Committee pushes for transparency, it is also considering broader recommendations to Parliament. These include reviewing Uganda’s foreign policy and regional operations, especially concerning the security of its diplomatic properties.
The committee further questioned the ministry’s lack of a diaspora policy to improve Uganda’s image and development abroad.