Uganda’s Kizza Bisigye has called for thorough investigations into the torching of Uganda House during Tuesday’s violent protests.
Uganda House was one of the buildings that were set ablaze during the protests in Nairobi's Central Business District.
Bisigye, a leading Opposition figure in Uganda, said there’s more than meets the eye on why the state-owned building was targeted.
“Yes, the burning of the just renovated Uganda House in Nairobi calls for a credible investigation. Questions should be asked: Why Uganda House?” he posed.
Besigye’s statement was in response to a statement by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vincent Waiswa who called for calm to allow investigations into the matter.
The PS said the newly renovated building located on Kenyatta Avenue was scheduled for reopening on Friday, June 28.
He said the 6-floor building had commercial occupancy on the ground floor with upper floors, including third floor which housed the Consular Office, had been vacated for renovation.
“While there is extreme damage to the property, we are grateful that there are not reported fatalities or serious injuries that have been reported so far,” Waiswa said noting that none of the Consular staff was in the office during the incident.
“We therefore call for calm, discourage unnecessary and unhelpful speculation and premature conclusions to allow for investigations into the matter,” the PS said.
Besigye, however, read malice into the catastrophe and insinuated a possible financial accountability cover-up on the side of the Ugandan government.
“Who benefits from the burning? Does this attract/ justify Uganda government response to Kenyan protests? Any audit queries? He asked.
In his statement, the Foreign Affairs PS reaffirmed Uganda’s continued bilateral ties which he said remain solid despite the unfortunate fire incident.
He said whereas they support peaceful protests, Uganda condemns in the strongest terms acts that lead to destruction of property and loss of lives.
“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.
Several other buildings in the city including the iconic Sunbeam shopping centre adjacent to Ronald Ngala Street were set ablaze.