A high-level delegation from the government of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, led by the country’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, is expected in Nairobi this month.
The envoy is expected to hold talks with President William Ruto’s administration regarding compensation for the fire that razed Uganda House.
The June 2024 incident, which caused extensive damage to the iconic building located in the heart of Kenya’s capital, has remained a point of concern for Ugandan authorities.
Moreover, the structure housed diplomatic offices and served as a vital link between the two East African nations.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Ugandan delegation will seek a resolution on compensation and explore ways to strengthen bilateral ties in the wake of the incident.
Also Read: Museveni Responds After Fire Burns Down Uganda House in Nairobi
Uganda MPs Pressure on Compensation
Earlier, while presenting the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper to Parliament, Budget Committee deputy chairperson Achia Remigio, MP for Pian County, emphasised the need for action.
The Ugandan Parliament urged the government to seek compensation from Kenya for the burning of Uganda House in Nairobi during protests against the 2024 Finance Bill on June 25, 2024.
“The Committee proposed that the Government of Uganda should pursue compensation from the government of Kenya for the destruction of Uganda House, Nairobi, during the riots,” Achia told Parliament.
In response, Uganda’s government has allocated Ksh155,381,114 (UGX 4.401 billion) for the restoration of Uganda House, to be implemented in two phases.
However, the budget leaves a funding gap of Ksh33,505,266 (UGX 949 million), underscoring the urgency of reaching an agreement on compensation.
Consequently, officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are expected to receive the Ugandan team for discussions aimed at resolving the matter diplomatically and reinforcing bilateral cooperation.
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Museveni Responds to the Fire that Burnt Down Uganda House
In a June 26 statement, Ugandan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Vincent Waiswa said the six-storey Uganda House, recently refurbished and set to reopen on June 28, was mostly unoccupied during the June 25 protests in Nairobi.
Only commercial tenants were on the ground floor, as the upper floors, including the consular office, had been vacated for renovations.
No serious injuries were reported, and no diplomatic staff were present when the fire broke out.
“We support peaceful demonstrations as a democratic right, but we condemn in the strongest terms, violence that leads to destruction of property and loss of lives,
“While there is extensive damage to the property, we are grateful that there are no reported fatalities or serious injuries that have been identified so far. It is also important to note that none of the Diplomatic or Consular staff were in the building at the time the fire broke out,” stated the PS in a statement.
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