Here is the government of Uganda statement on the Uganda house fires in Kenya
THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FIFtE AT UGANDA HOUSE IN NAIROBI ON THE 25T., OF JUNE 2024 Kampala, Uganda – 26th June 2024
In the wake of protests in Kenya, on June 25. 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.
The 6-floor Uganda House building which was slated for reopening this Friday 28. June, 2024 has been undergoing renovations and was only occupied by commercial tenants on the ground floor. The other floors, including, the Third F.r which previously housed the Consular Office, had been vacated to allow for renovations.
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. 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. We therefore call for calm, and discourage unnecessary and unhelpful speculation and premature conclusions to allow for investigations Into the matter.
Ba ent Waiswa PERMANENT SECRETARY
[…] Kenya’s President William Ruto has withdrawn his own Finance Bill following widespread protests against what many citizens have termed as over-taxation. This significant decision comes after a sustained period of public dissent and nationwide demonstrations that saw Kenyans storm their parliament as well as set the Ugandan Embassy in Kenya ablaze. […]