A high-level Ugandan delegation, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem, is expected in Nairobi this month to hold talks with Kenyan officials over compensation following the June 2024 fire that gutted Uganda House in central Nairobi.
The building, which housed Uganda’s diplomatic mission and commercial tenants, was severely damaged during anti-tax protests in the Kenyan capital. Ugandan authorities say the incident has become a pressing diplomatic issue and are seeking accountability and reparations.
Sources close to the matter say the delegation will engage President William Ruto’s administration in efforts to secure financial compensation and reinforce bilateral relations between the two East African neighbours.
Uganda’s Parliament has already called on its government to formally pursue reparations from Kenya. Budget Committee Deputy Chairperson Achia Remigio told lawmakers that the incident cannot be overlooked and urged swift diplomatic action.
In Uganda’s 2025/26 budget framework, approximately KSh155 million (UGX 4.4 billion) has been earmarked for the restoration of Uganda House in two phases. However, a shortfall of KSh33.5 million (UGX 949 million) remains, underlining the urgency of resolving the matter through negotiations.
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no consular staff were present in the six-storey building when the fire broke out, as the upper floors had been vacated for renovations. Only commercial tenants occupied the ground floor at the time.
In a statement issued after the fire, Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Waiswa condemned the violence but welcomed the fact that no lives were lost. “We support the right to peaceful protest,” he said, “but condemn acts that result in the destruction of property or threaten human life.”
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to receive the Ugandan delegation for diplomatic talks in the coming days.
