The Ugandan government is set to spend an extra Shs4.5 billion on renovations of Uganda House, a commercial property in Nairobi, Kenya, that was damaged during anti-tax protests in June 2024. This latest funding comes after a prior Shs24.8 billion had already been invested in the building’s renovation efforts.
While appearing before the Public Accounts Committee – Central Government (PAC-Central) on May 21, 2025, at Parliament House, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire confirmed that Uganda had sought compensation from both the Kenyan government and the contractor’s insurer but neither has accepted responsibility.
“We reached out to the Kenyan authorities and received only letters of regret from President Ruto and Prime Minister Mudavadi. The insurer of the contractor declined liability, and the Solicitor General supported that position,” Bagiire said.
The committee’s deputy chairperson, Hon. Gorreth Namugga, requested a comprehensive record of the building’s financial details. “We need full documentation when the building was affected, payments made so far, and the status of the current contract,” she said.
Kumi Municipality MP, Hon. Silas Aogon, expressed dissatisfaction with Uganda’s diplomatic approach, citing the absence of legal action. “We were taken to court by DRC and now pay over a trillion shillings in reparations. Why haven’t we taken Kenya to court? We continue to lose taxpayers’ money while they offer apologies,” he remarked.
Committee chairperson, Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, questioned whether Uganda’s diplomatic image might be contributing to such incidents. “Why are Ugandan missions targeted, while others like Tanzania’s are not? Are we truly neutral players in regional matters?” he asked.
Col. Victor Nekesa, the UPDF representative, stressed the need to improve diplomatic communication. “Beyond accountability, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must work on shaping Uganda’s image in the region,” she said. Nekesa also urged the ministry to update the public on whether any suspects in the Nairobi or Kinshasa embassy incidents have been apprehended.
In contrast to Kenya’s verbal regret, the DRC government has formally acknowledged the destruction at Uganda’s embassy in Kinshasa and has requested a damage report. Bagiire said the ministry has submitted detailed documentation and is awaiting the DRC’s formal response on the next steps, in line with international norms.
As PAC continues to demand transparency and proper documentation, it is also weighing broader policy changes, including a review of Uganda’s diplomatic approach and a stronger framework for protecting foreign missions. The lack of a clear diaspora strategy was also flagged as a gap in shaping Uganda’s global presence.
