Nairobi, Kenya – A devastating fire gutted the Uganda House in Nairobi’s central business district on June 25, 2024, during protests in the city. The building, which was undergoing renovations, was vandalized by protesters before being set ablaze.
Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, the foreign affairs permanent Secretary said the fire which started in the afternoon, quickly spread through the six-floor building, causing extensive damage, noting that no fatalities or serious injuries were reported.
Bagiire condemned in the strongest terms the violence that led to the destruction of property and potential loss of lives in the Kenyan Capital of Nairobi. “We support peaceful demonstrations as a democratic right, but we cannot tolerate acts of destruction.”
The Uganda House, located on Kenyatta Avenue, was scheduled to reopen on June 28, 2024, after months of renovations. The building was occupied by commercial tenants on the ground floor, while the upper floors, including the former Consular Office, were vacant due to renovations.
The Nairobi Fire Department responded promptly to the incident and extinguished the fire. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Despite the incident, the Ugandan government has assured that its relations with the Kenyan government and people remain solid. “We call for calm and discourage unnecessary speculation and premature conclusions to allow for investigations into the matter,” said Waiswa.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of foreign missions and businesses in Kenya, with the Ugandan government urging its citizens to remain calm as they go about their businesses.
The incident is under investigation, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
