The Ugandan government is pursuing compensation from Kenya following the destruction of Uganda House in Nairobi during the protests against the Finance Bill in June 2024. The demand for compensation is part of the recommendations presented by the Budget Committee in its report on the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper.

Presenting the report to Parliament, Budget Committee Vice Chairperson Achia Remigio (Pian County) emphasized the need for Uganda to seek redress from Kenya for the damage caused to its diplomatic property.

“The Committee recommends that the Government of Uganda actively pursue compensation from the Government of Kenya for the destruction of Uganda House in Nairobi during last year’s protests,” Remigio stated during a recent parliamentary session.

Uganda House, which had undergone a major renovation at a cost of UGX 26.309 billion, was set to boost Uganda’s rental income to UGX 4 billion annually. However, just days before its scheduled commissioning on June 28, 2024, the building was severely damaged by fire during demonstrations in Nairobi. A post-incident assessment estimated that full restoration would require UGX 7.2 billion.

In response, the 2025/26 national budget has allocated UGX 4.401 billion to the Ugandan High Commission in Nairobi to facilitate the building’s restoration. However, the funds remain insufficient, leaving a UGX 949 million shortfall.

To expedite recovery, the restoration of Uganda House has been structured into two phases. The first phase, scheduled from February to June 2025, focuses on repairing the Ground and Second Floors at an estimated cost of UGX 2 billion. This will be financed through UGX 1.85 billion in savings from the refurbishment project.

The second phase, set to begin in July 2025, aims to restore the remaining floors, with UGX 4.401 billion already earmarked in the FY2025/26 budget. However, the outstanding funding gap still poses a challenge to completing the full renovation.

During a Foreign Affairs Committee meeting in January 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Kenyan authorities had launched a forensic investigation into the fire. Additionally, discussions are ongoing with Ambitious Construction Co. Ltd, the insurance firm contracted during the refurbishment, but a final response on the insurance claim is still pending.

Meanwhile, the Ugandan government continues negotiations with its Kenyan counterparts, seeking financial redress for the losses incurred.

“The Committee notes that while the government has taken steps toward recovery, there have been no concrete outcomes. The longer Uganda House remains unrestored, the more the country loses potential Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) from the property. It is in Uganda’s economic interest to expedite renovations while simultaneously seeking compensation from Kenya and the insurer,” the Budget Committee report highlighted.

The Uganda House fire is not the only diplomatic property damage Uganda has faced. The country’s embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, was also attacked and damaged during protests linked to the ongoing conflict between the DRC government and M23 rebels. The government is also assessing the extent of damage there and exploring possible diplomatic solutions.

With Uganda determined to restore its diplomatic missions and recover losses, efforts will continue both in securing financial compensation and ensuring that affected properties resume their intended commercial and diplomatic functions.