Lawmakers have demanded an investigation into the burning of Uganda House through the GenZ led anti-tax demonstrations in Nairobi, Kenya.
The six-floor industrial constructing on Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi was partially burnt on 25 June 2024.
The report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) on the Auditor General’s report on Uganda’s High Commissions in Dar-es-salaam, Nairobi and Mombasa for the 2022/2023 monetary 12 months indicated that the bottom, first, second and third flooring of Uganda House have been closely affected by the fireplace.
The report was introduced by the committee’s Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Gorreth Namugga on Tuesday, 15 October 2024.
Namugga mentioned that committee established that the preliminary evaluation estimated the restoration price at Shs6 billion.
“Government of Uganda ought to, bilaterally, interact her Kenyan counter-part to discover attainable compensation to revive the constructing,” she mentioned.
At the time the constructing was burnt, it was underneath renovation and anticipated to be handed over to Government of Uganda by the contractor on 28 June 2024 with Namugga including that destruction of the constructing poses accountability challenges.
“The constructing was burnt earlier than hand over and Government of Uganda spent Shs24.4 billion. All this cash was spent,” she mentioned.
She added that whereas subsequent flooring had minimal harm and are being utilized by workers, the entire constructing needs to be closed down for the protection of embassy personnel.
Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament, Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo mentioned that earlier than any renovations are carried out, an impartial investigation into the incident needs to be carried out.
“An assault on a international mission mustn’t simply move off casually as they appear to be doing. We are seated right here, we’re not probing that earlier than we put our accounting officers to activity,” Ssekikubo mentioned.
Hon. Alex Byarugaba (NRM, Isingiro County South) mentioned that an impartial investigation will allow authorities to decide that won’t antagonise the connection of the 2 international locations.
“Has the Ministry [Foreign Affairs] investigated the reason for the fireplace? Why will we rush to the conclusion that it was the rioters? Possibly, that’s the reason President Museveni mentioned he’ll deal with it,” he mentioned.
Hon. Enos Asiimwe (NRM, Kabula County) urged authorities to ascertain if the contractor insured the constructing throughout renovation.
“My understanding is {that a} venture renovation value US$6 million ought to have had venture insurance coverage and in most venture insurance coverage right this moment, now we have extension for civil unrest as a result of I don’t see why we’re pushing Kenya to compensate but now we have insurance coverage,” he mentioned.
The Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi mentioned that the matter is being dealt with diplomatically.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs), Hon. John Mulimba mentioned that neither of the 2 international locations are chargeable for the destruction of the property including that substantive progress has been made to redeem it.
“There are phrases and situations underneath which development and eventual hand over was envisaged. In all these, there was a situation of power majeure. It talks about circumstances that are past human, together with civil unrest,” Mulimba mentioned including that, ‘I agree that we want Uganda House and we’re doing every little thing attainable to reclaim it, bilaterally. I might plead that you just depart these issues to us’
