Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed regret over the setting of fire on the country’s embassy in Nairobi during the protests.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Aggrey Bagiire Waiswa, said the Uganda House had recently been renovated but was vandalised and set ablaze by the protesters who are opposing the passing of a Bill introducing a raft of taxes.
“In the wake of protests in Kenya, on June 25th 2024, the protestors abandoned the principle of peaceful demonstrations and took the path of destruction of properties wherein the newly refurbished Uganda House – a Commercial Building located on Kenyatta Avenue in the Nairobi Central Business District was vandalized and set ablaze,” Mr Bagiire said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“The 6-floor Uganda House building which was slated for reopening this Friday 28th June, 2024 has been undergoing renovations and was only occupied by commercial tenants on the ground floor. The other floors, including, the Third Floor which previously housed the Consular Office, had been vacated to allow for renovations,” he added.
Nevertheless, the ministry said no body was hurt during the attack and hailed the Kenyan security forces for putting out the fire before it could do extensive damage.
“Whereas we regret the said incident that led to the destruction of the property, we commend the Nairobi Fire Department for putting out the fire. 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,” Mr Bagiire said.
“The Government of the Republic of Uganda would like to categorically state that our relations with the Government and indeed the people of the Republic of Kenya remain solid. 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,” he added.
At least five people were shot dead on Tuesday after protesters stormed the Kenyan parliament, protesting the passing of the contentious Finance Bill on Tuesday that pushes up taxes.
The finance bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes as part of an effort to lighten the heavy debt load, with interest payments alone consuming 37% of annual revenue.