By Our Reporter
KENYA
The government of Uganda has confirmed that its Uganda House, a Commercial Building located on Kenyatta Avenue in the Nairobi Central Business District has been vandalized and set ablaze.
The 6 Floor building was set ablaze on Tuesday, 25th June, 2024 by Kenyan demonstrators protesting an increase in taxes.
This was confirmed by the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Vincent Bagire Waiswa, in a press statement dated today, 26th June, 2024.
“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,” reads the statement in part.
Waiswa says the 6 Floor building was set for re-opening this Friday, 28th June, 2024 and has been undergoing renovations and was only occupied by commercial tenants on the Ground Floor.
While there was extensive damage to property, there were no reported fatalities or injuries to persons and no Diplomatic and Consular staff were in the house at the time of the attack coz they had earlier vacated the 3rd Floor where they sit to allow for renovations.
Waiswa says that whereas the Ugandan government supports peaceful demonstrations, it condemns violence that leads to destruction of property and loss of lives.
“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,” he adds.
