Uganda will spend an additional Shs4.5 billion to renovate Uganda House, a government-owned commercial building in Nairobi, Kenya that was torched during anti-tax protests in the country in June 2024.
This comes despite a Shs24.8 billion investment in earlier renovations and failed efforts to secure compensation through insurance or diplomatic channels.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee – Central Government (PAC – Central) on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 at Parliament House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Vincent Bagiire, revealed that although Uganda approached both the Kenyan government and the contractor’s insurance provider for compensation, neither has taken responsibility.
“We wrote to the Kenyan government and only received two letters, one from President Ruto and another from Prime Minister Mudavadi, expressing regret. We also engaged the contractor’s insurer, who eventually said they were not liable. The Solicitor General agreed with their position,” he said.
The committee’s deputy chairperson, Gorreth Namugga, demanded full documentation of the building’s financial history.
“Let us get all these details to date, right from the time that building was gutted, the balances on the contract, the amount paid so far, and the cost of the renovation. The contract value was close to Shs25 billion. We need to know exactly how much has been paid,” she said.
Kumi Municipality MP, Silas Aogon, sharply criticised the lack of legal action, questioning Uganda’s diplomatic stance.
“Nobody should talk about foreign relations when our house was destroyed. The Kenyan government has simply said ‘we regret’, while we continue to lose taxpayers’ money. Why haven’t we taken them to court like DRC took us?” he questioned.
Aogon pointed out that Uganda has previously been held accountable for its conduct abroad. “Our troops went to Congo and we were taken to court. We now pay over a trillion shillings in reparations. But in this case, Kenya is the bigger economy, and we are the ones paying,” he added.
Butambala County MP, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the committee chairperson, raised deeper concerns about Uganda’s perception in the region.
“Why are Ugandan missions being targeted and not those of Tanzania?” he asked. “Even during elections in Kenya, there were accusations of interference. Are we innocent actors? We must acknowledge that our conduct may be under scrutiny,” he said, adding, “We are losing billions of taxpayers’ money. Without working on our image, they will go for the building again. We must demand policy accountability.”
Col. Victor Nekesa, the UPDF representative on the committee, emphasised the need to strengthen Uganda’s diplomatic communication.
“The public relations machinery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must step up. It is not just about accountability, it is about shaping how Uganda is viewed in the region,” she said.
Nekesa also called on the ministry to clarify whether any perpetrators in the Nairobi or Kinshasa attacks were apprehended.
While Kenya has offered only verbal sympathy, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) appears to be taking more constructive steps.
According to Bagiire, the DRC government formally acknowledged the destruction of Uganda’s embassy in Kinshasa and requested an assessment of the damage.
Gorreth Namugga engaging with the team from the foreign affairs ministry
“We submitted a report detailing the losses, burned vehicles, destroyed property, and structures and now await a formal response from the DRC authorities on how they intend to proceed with renovations, in accordance with international law,” Bagiire said.
As PAC presses for full disclosure and accountability, the committee is also considering broader recommendations to Parliament, including a re-evaluation of Uganda’s foreign policy posture and regional operations, especially where they intersect with the security of its diplomatic assets.
The committee also questioned the ministry’s lack of a diaspora policy to shape Ugandans image and development abroad.
