An Indian national has been killed in a protest demonstration in Uganda prompting New Delhi to take up the matter with Kampala.

Devang Raval of Ahmedabad was killed when protests by environmentalists in the Ugandan capital Kampala turned violent on Thursday, leading to attacks on businesses run by people of Indian origin there.

A Swaminarayan temple, a branch of the Bank of Baroda and some shops owned by people of Indian origin suffered damage in the violence.

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma took up the matter with Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kuteesa, who assured him of firm action against the perpetrators of the violence.

"The government (of Uganda) has given firm assurance that no harm will be done to Indians," Sharma told reporters in Delhi.

He said the external affairs ministry was in constant touch with the government of Uganda and the Indian high commissioner.

Sharma denied that there was large scale violence against Indians.

"It was a demonstration on a different issue and some other elements joined them and resorted to violence," he said.