Adjumani East County

448 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEN. (RTD) MOSES ALI Tuesday, 21 July 2026 He served Uganda with whatever strength remained in him until the very end. His life was a testament to resilience, sacrifice and patriotism. He belonged to a generation that endured conflict, championed reconciliation and helped rebuild our nation. His contribution towards restoring peace and stability in West Nile and strengthening the institutions of our country will remain an enduring part of Uganda’s history. We also acknowledge and appreciate His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who entrusted him with some of the nation’s highest responsibilities over the years, which was a reflection of the trust placed in his experience, loyalty and steadfast service to Uganda. To his family, the people of Adjumani, West Nile and the entire nation, Parliament extends its deepest condolences. There is an African proverb that says, “When an elder dies, a library burns.” Today, Uganda has lost one of its greatest libraries, a repository of history, wisdom and public service. Through his voice, though his voice is now silent, his example of perseverance, selflessness, service and unwavering commitment to duty will continue to inspire generations of Ugandans to come. The Holy Quran, in Surah 2:156, teaches us that indeed to Allah we belong and to Him we return. May the soul of our senior leader and Member, Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, rest in eternal peace. (Entrance of the late Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali) IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIRST SESSION - SPECIAL SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 10.14 a.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Mr Jacob Oboth, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

449 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 JULY 2026 The Uganda National Anthem (The East African Community Anthem) MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE RT HON. GEN. (RTD) MOSES ALI, FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ADJUMANI WEST COUNTY

Mr Speaker, I move, under Rule 58 of our Rules of Procedure, to present a Motion for a Resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the late Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, the Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County and the former Second Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, for his illustrious and dedicated service to the Republic of Uganda. The motion reads: “WHEREAS the Parliament of Uganda received with deep sorrow the sad news of the demise of Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County, which occurred on Saturday, 18 July 2026 at Nakasero Hospital; AWARE THAT the Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali has had an illustrious career spanning more than 50 years, serving in various capacities in the military, civil, and public service of Uganda, where he played a crucial role in the peace, national unity, stability and social and economic transformation of Uganda; NOTING THAT the Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali was a courageous soldier and an astute leader whose personal traits of selflessness, commitment to public interest, strict accountability, and ethical transparency enabled him to serve the people of Uganda with distinction in the following key positions: i) Member of Parliament, Adjumani West County, from 2016 to the time of his demise; ii) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament from 2021 to 2026; iii) First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament from 2016 to 2021; iv) Third Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament from 2011 to 2016; v) Member of Parliament, East Moyo County, from 2011 to 2016; vi) First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, 2003; vii) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees in 2001; viii) Member of Parliament, East Moyo County, from 2001 to 2006; ix) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs 2000 to 2003; x) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry 1996 to 2000; xi) Member of Parliament, East Moyo County, from 1996 to 2001; xii) Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities 1995 to 1996; xiii) Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities 1994 to 1995; xiv) Member of Uganda, Uganda’s Constituent Assembly representing East Moyo, in 1994; xv) The Chairman of the Federation of Uganda Football Association 1994; xvi) A member of the National Resistance Council (NRC) for East Moyo in 1989; xvii) Minister for Youth, Culture and Sports in 1986; xviii) Minister of Finance in 1975; xix) Chairman, Central Tender Board from 1976 to 1978; xx) Member of Makerere University Council from 1976 to 1978; xxi) Chairman, Valuation Committee responsible for negotiation with governments whose citizens left property in Uganda in 1972, 1976, and 1978;

Mr Speaker, my justification. On Saturday 18th July, 2026, we learnt of the death of Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali. The departure of such a great statesman calls for a powerful tribute from this House. The motion to pay tribute to Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali is one I make with a heavy heart because I had the opportunity and honour to work closely with him. He was a man of many titles and distinctions, yet he carried them with humility. Today, we recognise that among us stood a distinguished deputy prime minister, minister, soldier, legislator, businessman, family man, lawyer and an advocate of the High Court. Mr Speaker, the late Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali was born on 5 th April, 1939, in Pakele Sub- county in the present-day Adjumani district. Orphaned at an early age, he rose above those circumstances through discipline, education and service to become a teacher, a soldier and a servant of the people. As outlined in my motion, the late Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali went on to live a life of service to Uganda, from his first job as a teacher to military service. His career growth was steady, rising to the rank of Brigadier in 1974. In the Government, he served as a Minister of Provincial Administration and Minister of Finance in the 1970s and later in various dockets under His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, including serving as the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, among other notable duties. In the 1980s, the late led the Uganda National Rescue Front, maintaining resistance in the West Nile Region until he signed a peace deal with the new Government of His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, in 1986. This was followed by the integration of his forces into the National Resistance Army (NRA) and the restoration of peace in West Nile. He was also commissioned into the National Resistance Army at the rank of Major General and would later be promoted to the rank of Lt General in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in the year 2003 and to a full General in 2012. Mr Speaker, in his political life, Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali represented the people of East Moyo in the National Resistance Council and the Constituent Assembly. He then served in the 6 th , 7 th ,9 th , 10 th , 11 th and 12 th Parliaments. During this period, he held the offices of: Third Deputy Prime Minister, and Second Deputy Prime Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister. He also served as the Deputy Leader of Government Business in the 9th, 10th and 11 th Parliaments. In the 12 th Parliament, he braved the campaign trail to retain his seat as a representative for Adjumani West, whose term has unfortunately been cut short. We shall surely miss his wisdom in this House, and the people of Adjumani will miss their beloved leader. I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, for recognising the abilities of the late Rt Hob. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali and retaining him in service for all these years. I also thank the President for according our brother an official burial. The Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali demonstrated the kind of determination we all admire when he invested in advancing his studies, even as he carried out his national duties. In 2007, he was awarded a certificate in education in law from the University of Wolverhampton, then joined Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor of Law degree, fulfilling his lifelong ambition. He obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre and was enrolled as an advocate in 2012. The late also went on to attain a Master’s in Intelligence Studies from the United States in 2015.

453 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 JULY 2026 and service above self. Let us strive to leave behind institutions that are stronger than we found them and a country that is better, because we had the privilege to serve. We welcome the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces, who joined us earlier for this tribute session. However, I would like to urge him to prevail over the various security entities to observe and respect the law as they do their work. The 1995 Constitution is a brainchild of the NRM Government. We need to respect that Constitution. The late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali was a believer in the rule of law. That is why he gave up armed rebellion and then served in our national army. Anyone, whether a leader or an ordinary citizen, can be suspected by the State to have committed any offence. However, they ought to be apprehended as the law stipulates: detained in a gazetted detention facility and produced in court within 48 hours. Lately, Mr Speaker, people are abducted, taken for days, weeks and even months. Sometimes they are tortured, their families do not know their whereabouts, and they are not produced in court. This is not right, and we must, collectively, condemn it. On behalf of the Opposition, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali, the people of Adjumani, the Muslim faith, which he professed, the Nubian community, which he loved dearly, his friends and colleagues, and all Ugandans who mourn his passing. May they find comfort in the years he dedicated to serving this our country. May God Grant Gen. Moses Ali eternal rest and comfort his family in this very trying time. For God and my country. (Applause)

Thank you. Her Excellency, the Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda, is in the House. She can make a few remarks. THE VICE-PRESIDENT (Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. You are a very good man. (Laughter) Mr Speaker and honourable members, I would like to sincerely extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the late Gen. Moses Ali, to you, Mr Speaker, to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, to the Muslim community in Uganda and beyond, to the people of Adjumani, and to all Ugandans. The late Rt Hon. Ali Moses was a nationalist who served Uganda with dedication to the benefit of all the people of Uganda. His service to the country covered a wide range of spheres, including agriculture, politics, the military, religion, education, sports, etc., in which he has left behind an indelible legacy. Mr Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali was a commercial farmer, a mentor who demonstrated to all the people of Uganda and especially the youth that jobs and wealth are in commercial agriculture, industry, services, and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). In his service as a politician, he mentored many, including myself. He was a freedom fighter, and he was such a humorous politician whose message one would not miss whenever he would communicate. Mr Speaker, in the military, he was such a disciplined officer and a good timekeeper. In Cabinet, he would always be there before 9.00 a.m. and began to attend the Swahili lessons, hence beating many younger ministers in terms of timekeeping; a good message that he has left with us today. He was my neighbour in Cabinet, and I really enjoyed his company. He would always communicate any small guidance that he felt that Cabinet should consume, and I would articulate it on his behalf.

455 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 JULY 2026 Member of Parliament representing the Uganda People›s Defence Forces, which is the other family of the late Rt Hon. RO/10620 Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali. I rise to second the motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to one of Uganda’s longest-serving military officers at the time of his retirement. A four-star Army General who devoted his life to the service of his motherland, a courageous freedom fighter, politician, statesman, and servant of the people who breathed his last on Saturday, 11 July 2026 at Nakasero Hospital at the age of 87. On behalf of the UPDF fraternity, I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Adjumani District and the entire West Nile Sub-region, the honourable members of Parliament and His Excellency, the President, on the loss of this distinguished son of Uganda. As UPDF, we are mourning and paying a glowing tribute to one of us. A brave soldier who, according to available military records, joined the national army, which was the Uganda Army at that time, on 16 May 1968 as a Cadet Officer and rose through the ranks to a four-star General at the time of his retirement. His military training included an Officer Cadet and Paratrooper Instructors course, Company Commanders course in Israel, and Staff College course at Kimberley in the United Kingdom. Mr Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Ali’s political and military career stretched across more than five decades and mirrored some of the most turbulent periods in Uganda’s post-independence history. We are therefore paying tribute to a man whose life was deeply intertwined with the history of Uganda. His journey through different periods of our nation’s history reflected a remarkable ability to adapt to changing circumstances. His resilience, experience, and ability to navigate changing political landscapes made him one of Uganda’s most enduring public servants. His contribution will no doubt remain part of Uganda’s historical record. As a freedom fighter, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali believed in the ideals of national unity, peace, and stability, contributing to the country’s journey through some of its most challenging moments. Gen. Moses Ali led the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) during the 1980s against the Obote II regime. After the Obote II regime was overthrown by the NRA, he embraced peace and signed a peace agreement with the Government on the 16 th of November 1986, which resulted in the integration of the UNRF fighters into the National Resistance Army and marked a significant step towards restoring peace and stability in West Nile. Gen. Moses Ali’s name, therefore, is synonymous with the return of peace and security in the area. As the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, we salute his invaluable contribution to ending the insecurity in West Nile and for contributing to the bringing of peace, security and stability currently enjoyed in that region. The late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali rose to prominence during the Government of President Idi Amin, serving in senior military and Cabinet positions, including serving as Minister of Finance. One time, I told him that in primary school, we had to know the names of only two Generals apart from Idi Amin, if we were to pass our civics and general paper exams. One of them was Brig. Moses Ali, Minister of Finance. The second was Brig. Barnabas Kidi, who was the Minister of Education. If you did not know the two, I can assure you, going to secondary school would be a problem. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali had a passion for the military and really loved it. He always had a four-star officer rank on his vehicle, even on a civilian vehicle. In retirement, whenever the UPDF issued a new type of uniform in its stores, Gen. Ali always asked for a pair of the new uniform. I know

456 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEN. (RTD) MOSES ALI wherever he is, he must be happy that at least he has been given a send-off with full military honours. (Applause) I do not know which other portrait you would have put there with him in civilian clothes. The Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali, though my senior in all ways, whether it is in age, in rank, or in status, was also a personal friend. I personally worked with him closely in the mid-1990s when I was a Private Secretary to His Excellency, the President. I always treated his correspondence to the President on matters of stabilisation of West Nile as a top priority. I later on worked with him closely in 2004 when I was in Charge of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence at a time some rebel group was trying to establish bases in West Nile, which, with his support, we were able to dismantle. A few years back, when he came back from treatment abroad, he called and updated me on his health and a planned thanksgiving function in Adjumani. I could not attend the function because I was out of the country, but I sent him some contribution towards the function. He was so grateful and appreciative that when he returned to Kampala, he gifted me an autographed copy of his book, “The Odyssey of the Nubi from Soldiers of the British Empire to Full Citizens of Uganda”. In that book, he gives an account of the injustices to Nubi soldiers and the Nubi resistance against the British establishment, leading to the earliest struggles against colonialism and perhaps planting the seeds of the struggle for the independence of Uganda. Central in his book is the contention that until the NRM Government came into power, the Nubi were marginalised and largely denied their fundamental rights and entitlements. Mr Speaker, beyond the titles, medals and ranks, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali was a person of deep character whose kindness touched many lives, especially the people of Adjumani. His leadership was particularly felt in West Nile, where he was not only a national figure, but also a trusted son in the region. Affectionately known as the “Cock” of West Nile, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali was credited with advancing Government development programmes, promoting national unity and supporting partnerships aimed at improving livelihoods in Adjumani and other parts of the country. To many in the West Nile Region, he was a respected leader who championed the interests of his people. His supporters remember him for his commitment to community development, national unity, and public service. No wonder they continued voting him into Parliament even when his health had deteriorated and he was visibly frail. Mr Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Ali had the will to live. He was a fighter like a real General, and he fought on till the last hour. He could never miss national functions. I think even his decision to contest for Member of Parliament this year shows his never-retreat, never- surrender, never-give-up spirit of a General. (Applause) Mr Speaker, as we mourn the General’s departure, we also celebrate a life well- lived. A life marked by service, sacrifice and commitment to Uganda. His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the country’s history, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. The late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali’s contribution to our nation will remain woven into the fabric of our history, and his memory will continue to guide those who follow in his footsteps. We are grateful for a life lived with purpose, for sacrifices that secured our people’s freedom, and for a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. Though the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali is no longer with us in body, his spirit lives on in every citizen who cherishes freedom, every soldier who serves with honour, and every young person inspired to lead with integrity.

Hon. Jesca Ababiku, the Woman MP Adjumani and our Commissioner.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Allow me to convey my condolences and those of the people of Adjumani to Government, you, Cabinet, all Members of Parliament and our party. Secondly, I would like to thank His Excellency the President for according our senior and hero a state burial. We would also like to thank you for supporting us in different forms to ensure that we are seated here today, but also able to travel to Adjumani. At this point, allow me to tell the people who are here and outside that we are readily waiting for you. I am working with Hon. Marshall Alenyo; those who want to travel can register with the honourable member. We wish you a safe journey. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.

Third Deputy Prime Minister, who is going ahead - You may think she is from Adjumani, but she is going ahead of us.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I would like to convey my deepest condolences to the family of Gen. Moses Ali, the people of Adjumani, the people of Uganda and the Muslim community.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the elders and people of Northern Uganda, whom I represent, to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Gen. Moses Ali, Parliament, the Executive led by His Excellency the President, the Judiciary, and the whole country. The late Moses Ali was our icon and had a big heart. In 1986, when the First Lady founded Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), Rt Hon. Moses Ali was one of the donors and a great supporter of the organisation because I personally used to go to his farm, together with my late sister, Ms Angela Kaba, to get bulls for our orphans. In 1994, Gen. Moses Ali and I were campaigning for the Constituent Assembly (CA). On my way back to Nebbi, I had to pass through Moyo and Gulu, but we were abducted by rebels in Pabbo. Fortunately, our Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) were nearby and quickly came to our rescue, but all our things were looted. When I reached Adjumani, I had to report to Gen. Moses Ali, who was also busy with his campaign. He gave me more money than I had raised in Kampala or what had been looted. I am very grateful to him. Mr Speaker, Gen. Moses Ali worked with me when I was appointed to the Cabinet. He guided and mentored me when I was a junior Minister of State – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In my capacity as the parliamentary Imam, I rise with profound sorrow and humility to pay tribute to the long-serving statesman. Mr Speaker, I would like to remind our colleagues that according to time factor and Islamic teachings, when someone dies, his soul is taken from his body and kept in the sky. Whatever is happening here, he is watching. When you say something good, he says, “Thank you.” When you say something bad, he cries. Honourable colleagues, let us try our best to make our honourable colleague comfortable in his grave. Lastly, according to Islamic teachings, when someone dies, all his work and services are cut off except for three things. I will mention one: what we call in the Islamic Arabic language Sadakatul Jariya . Sadakatul Jariya means giving out charity in the name of someone who has passed on. In my capacity as the parliamentary Imam of the 12 th Parliament, I will construct a borehole in Adjumani – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. In my capacity as the parliamentary Imam, I will construct a borehole through Tabassum Foundation in Adjumani. I pray to the Almighty Allah that whoever uses that water channels the rewards to the late Gen. Moses Ali.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand here to pay tribute to the Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali. Today, we gather not only to mourn the passing of Rt Hon. (Rtd) Gen. Moses Ali but also to celebrate the extraordinary life of a man whose name is permanently etched in the history of Uganda. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali was an exceptional patriot, a distinguished soldier, an accomplished statesman, and a dedicated public servant whose contribution to our nation spanned more than five decades. Throughout his life, he remained steadfast in advancing the ideals of peace, national unity and socio-economic transformation. This House has lost one of its most experienced, respected and accomplished Members. For over two decades, Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali faithfully served the people of West Nile in Parliament. He was the first elected Member of Parliament for East Moyo County in 2001, re- elected in 2011, and later represented Adjumani West County from 2016 until his passing on Saturday. His repeated electoral victories reflected the immense trust and confidence that his – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I send my condolences to the people of West Nile. It will be a big task to create another Gen. Moses Ali from there. I came to Parliament in 2011, and one of the people who were making this Floor most interesting was Gen. Moses Ali. You could not tell him to sit down when he was standing there. When you raised a point of Order, he would ask: “Order for what?” (Laughter) I want to thank his driver. I taught in a Military Police Primary School for most of my teaching career. Many senior officers sat behind, but Gen. Moses Ali, in his vehicle, would always sit in front with his driver. Whoever knows his driver, kindly thank him for me. Managing a driver when you are a general is not easy. Gen. Moses Ali was a real soldier. I last spoke to him when we were voting for the Speaker of Parliament. You could see him still insisting on taking part in any activity dealing with the Government. For most of us, when we get sick, we tend to hide away, but Gen. Moses Ali was in the public, fighting and doing everything for the good of his country. (Applause) As my former Speaker stated, there was no battle more interesting in this House than the battle over Apaa – with Gen. Moses Ali. We could see people from other regions of the country engage in the battle over Apaa, but Gen. Moses Ali would say: “You will not take Apaa away from Adjumani.” You people of West Nile, continue with the Apaa issue, but the battle was for Gen. Moses Ali. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, we came here together. I do not know the way Gen. Moses Ali – and, I thank Members. They were always respectful to Gen. Moses Ali. They say soldiers do not die but fade away. I do not know where it came from; Gen. Mugira will tell us – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am also honoured to be a mother to the General because Adjumani was birthed by Moyo. And him being my child, I am here to follow up on all that is left for Adjumani, Madi and Laropi bridge. Moyo and Adjumani were among the first districts in Uganda but to date, we still hold municipality status in honour of my son. However, on the flip side, he is my father. “ Mimi ni mtoto wa jeshi, kwa hivyo, huyu ni baba yangu” . (Applause) So, in that sense, worry not. The cock is down, but the cock has able replacements because the eggs became chicks. We are now growing. Rest in peace. Generals do not die. Sleep well and rest assured, Madi, Adjumani, Moyo and Uganda will shine. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On behalf of the people of Koboko North and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency the President, the family of the late Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, the people of Adjumani, West Nile and the nation. Today, we are mourning and celebrating the life of a statesman who lived his entire life for humanity. In September 2003, when Gen. (Rtd) Ali Moses had just returned from treatment, my fellow honourable colleague, Dr George Bhoka and I requested an appointment to visit him at home, but two days later, he gave us an appointment at his office. Mr Speaker, while at his office, we had a two- hour meeting. We thought we had gone to see a patient, but Gen. Ali Moses took us through all the projects for West Nile, including Laropi Bridge, the road from Laropi to Afogi, the road from Koboko-Moyo, Adjumani, Moyo, Yumbe and compensation of the veterans in West Nile. By the time we ended the meeting, Mr Speaker, I realised that Gen. Ali Moses was not done yet despite his deteriorating health. He also gave me his book, “The Odyssey of the Nubi: from soldiers of the British Empire to full citizens in Uganda”.

470 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEN. (RTD) MOSES ALI His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda for granting our late son an official burial. Thank you, Your Excellency. I want to thank the late Gen. Moses Ali. He was a statesman who dedicated his time to promote peace and development for the people of Northern Uganda. He worked hand-in-hand with the Government of Uganda to bring peace in Acholi and West Nile Subregions. We will not forget this legacy. Mr Speaker, the late Gen. Moses Ali served this nation with a lot of humility. I remember when I was the Resident District Commissioner of Nwoya, around 2015, the late Gen. Moses Ali was the Second Deputy Prime Minister. He came to my office when he was the Second Deputy Prime Minister and the Second Leader of Government Business in Parliament. I was so surprised to see a General at that rank with all the titles visiting a small office of an RDC. He talked about opening a road connecting Nwoya to Adjumani. We shall forever remember him as a statesman. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. With the passing of the late Gen. Moses Ali, Uganda has lost a national icon and West Nile has lost a patriarch. During the presidential elections, His Excellency the President promised to grant West Nile a region of its own. It was our wish and our prayer that the late Gen. Moses Ali would have lived to see this request granted. But we pray that His Excellency the President grants that. As a nation of Uganda, we have also lost a piece of our institutional memory by the passing of the general. On behalf of the people of Madi- Okollo District, I stand to pay condolences to the family of the late Gen. Moses Ali, the people of Adjumani, and Uganda. May the soul of the late Gen. Moses Ali rest in eternal peace.

Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I am glad that I have come to join all of you honourable colleagues to mourn the death of a great man, Mzee Moses Ali, whom I used to call Papa . Before the NRM primaries, he told me he wanted to stand. I told him, but you look weak. He said, “No, I am not weak”. He said that the people will decide. We went into the primaries. In Adjumani, they had two factions. One was led by the current commissioner, Hon. Jesca Ababiku, and the other had people who were supporting him. They were fighting, and he was almost losing that election. However, His Excellency the President said, “I cannot let my brother who cannot speak loudly be bruised by young people. Please go and join his side”. We went in and won that election. Then in the general elections, they still fronted people against him and again, the day before the elections, the President asked me to return to Adjumani and conclude the game. (Laughter) We won the game. He has died, but I remember when I was in Adjumani, he said, “Barugahara, I am giving you two goats. I am not giving them to you as a minister, but as my son. Put them on your farm”. I said, “But Mzee , I have a Land Cruiser; STATEMENT ON BUSINESS FOR THE SUCCEEDING WEEK

472 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEN. (RTD) MOSES ALI I cannot carry goats”. He said, “I will give you a pickup.” To deliver goats from Adjumani – (Member timed out.)

To deliver goats from Adjumani to Kampala, probably you need fuel of Shs 1 million and a goat is Shs 300,000, but he said, “No, this is a gesture”. That is how kind he was. However, he said that we should work on the bridge. I told MK- the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), that if this Government does not work on the bridge between Moyo and Adjumani, then we shall do it. Let us honour all our elders when they are alive. Mr Speaker, I would like us to honour the elders like Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga. We should not talk well about them after they have gone. Instead, we should honour them when they are alive, and we should give them whatever they want when they are alive. God bless all of you. May his soul rest in peace.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. On behalf of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, the people of Gomba West, and on my own behalf, I would like to pay tribute to Gen. Moses Ali and to thank him for being the soldier that he was. He really meant very well for the army, and we are proud of him. I liked his sense of humility. He went to law school and bonded with the students. He was one with them, and it did not matter. He was also a student of LDC. He was part of our profession. I must mention that I saw him when I was young. He was a minister and friend to my father as we went through primary school. He encouraged us with our education. As a committee, we extend condolences to His Excellency the President, to this House, to the family, and to the people of Adjumani. Rest in peace.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Patriotic League of Uganda, under the leadership of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, allow me to extend our sincere condolences to His Excellency the President, the family of our fallen patriot, and the people of West Nile. Gen. Moses Ali was more than a soldier and a politician, but he was a true statesman and champion of peace. When my brother Balaam was talking, he talked about the bridge that connects Moyo and Adjumani. As the general secretary of the next Government, I assure you that that road will be - (Member timed out.)

…to mourn the passing of our dear brother and colleague, Gen. Moses Ali, whose decades of distinguished service as Deputy Prime Minister, dedicated legislator for Adjumani West County and distinguished military leader, bridged Uganda’s turbulent history with enduring stability and unity. May his wisdom, patriotism and tireless advocacy for development continue to inspire us all in this House and across the nation. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, allow me, on behalf of the Acholi Parliamentary Group – as neighbours – to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Parliament of Uganda, the President and the bereaved family. Mr Speaker, many things have been said about the late. As neighbours in Acholi, the late was a beacon of hope. Why do I say this? His grandfather was born in Lamwo. He died and was buried there. His father was also born in Lamwo and, later, moved to Adjumani. As someone mentioned, he was recruited from Acholi Quarters to join the army. Much has been said, eloquently, about him being a peacemaker. It is our humble prayer - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am Driwaru Jennifer, District Woman MP, Maracha. I stand on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Maracha to console the people of Adjumani and the nation at large. Whereas many Ugandans were complaining about why Adjumani would send a man in the name of Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali. All good things have been said about him. The people of Adjumani and West Nile knew why we were sending the General to Parliament because we knew he would deliver and be a go-between between West Nile and us. I thank the people of Adjumani for sending him. He was a minister for Tourism, Wildlife – (Member timed out.)

That makes the end of paying tribute, and I want to put the question to the motion paying tribute to the late Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County and former Second Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, for his illustrious and dedicated service to the Republic of Uganda. (Question put and agreed to.) The East African Community Anthem The Uganda National Anthem (Exit of the late Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali) ADJOURNMENT

Thank you. Hon. Jesca Ababiku, the Commissioner, Parliament of Uganda and the Woman Member of Parliament, Adjumani District.

Mr Speaker, Obongi District is linked to Adjumani to Obongi using the MVA ferry. However, as I talk, the MVA ferry is operating on only two engines instead of four, which is a potential risk for the people given the increase in the flow of traffic. Therefore, Mr Speaker, I want to kindly request the Prime Minister to have a response as to when we shall be rescued or given ferry operation.

Mr Speaker, I beg to designate the following Members to the Committee on ICT and National Guidance: 1. Hon. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, Omoro County - Chairperson. 2. Hon. Iddi Bassajja, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality - Vice Chairperson. 3. Hon. Kiiza Kenneth Ndyendwoha, Bujenje County, Masindi 4. Hon. Lolem Micah Akasile, UPE County. 5. Hon. Musa Noah, Koboko North County, Koboko. 6. Hon. Ezama Siraji Brahan, Aringa County, Yumbe. 7. Hon. Turyahikayo Kebirungi Mary Paula, District Woman Representative, Rukungiri. 8. Hon. Kisekka Salim, Bukomansimbi North County. 9. Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, Adjumani West County. 10. Hon. Mujuni Asensio Maari, Isingiro County South, Isingiro. 11. Hon. Uhuru Nelson, Maracha County. 12. Hon. Benjamin Cadet, Bunyaruguru County, Rubirizi. 13. Hon. Komol Joseph Midi, Dodoth North. 14. Hon. Akugizibwe Lawrence, Mwenge County North, Kyenjojo 15. Hon. Katushabe Dorine Birungi, District Woman Representative, Lyantonde. 16. Hon. Katushime Adrine, District Woman Representative, Sheema. 17. Hon. Biara Emmanuel Wepukhulu, Bulambuli County, Bulambuli. 18. Hon. Osoru Maurine, District Woman Representative, Arua City. 19. Hon. Gashaija Shyaka Steven, Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso. 20. Hon. Khainza Agnes Shiuma, District Woman Representative, Bududa. I beg to designate.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to support the motion to take this loan. My reservation will only be on the criteria. I see that we are looking at areas that occupy about 10 to 20 acres. In Moyo, Adjumani and Obongi, because of the dry spells, we do not have this capacity. So, as we acquire this loan, let us take into consideration areas that have as small as five acres, so that it reaches all the areas. When I look at the other criteria, which considers farms that are a year old – we clearly do not have farms that are one year old with a 10-acre capacity. Therefore, for that matter, this loan is required by areas – (Member timed out.)

9 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026 56. Kirungi Annet Pamela Woman Representative Kabarole NRM 57. Kyogabiirwe Jackie Muganda Woman Representative Kyegegwa NRM 58. Lanyero Christine Awany Woman Representative Nwoya NRM 59. Logose Sarah Annet Woman Representative Butaleja NRM 60. Lokii John Baptist (Dr) Matheniko County Moroto NRM 61. Lokoru Albert Tepeth County Moroto Independent 62. Lokoru Stephenson Yoyo Chekwii East County Nakapiripirit NRM 63. Longoli Simon Peter Chekwii County (Kadam) Nakapiripirit NRM 64. Lubega George Willy Bugangaizi South County Kakumiro NRM 65. Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira Nyendo-Mukungwe County Masaka City NUP 66. Lugoloobi Amos Ntenjeru County North Kayunga NRM 67. Kiwanuka Sulaiman Nakifuma County Mukono NUP 68. Kuteesa Mary Kamuli Mwenge County South Kyenjojo NRM 69. Kyeyune Ivan Nakasongola County Nakasongola NUP 70. Lakisa Mercy Faith Woman Representative Alebtong NRM 71. Lenia Charity Kevin Vurra County Arua NRM 72. Mutebi Benard Mugoya Bulamogi County Kaliro Independent 73. Katooko Sylivia Damba Woman Representative Kibuku NRM 74. Kayogera Yona Busiki North County Namutumba Independent 75. Kiti Peter T’oo County Bukwo NRM 76. Lolem Micah Akasile Upe County Amudat NRM 77. Locap Peterkhen Bokora East County Napak NRM 78. Linda Irene City Woman Representative Fort Portal City NRM 79. Lokubal Emma Woman Representative Nabilatuk NRM 80. Katusiime Adrine Woman Representative Sheema NRM 81. Loluk Fidelis Logwee Napore West County Karenga Independent 82. Komakech Christopher Aruu County Pader NRM 83. Muzaid Khemis Arua Central Division Arua City FDC 84. Lamwaka Catherine Woman Representative Omoro NRM 85. Kiwanuka Abdallah Mukono County North Mukono NUP 86. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo Kyotera County Kyotera NRM (The House was suspended at 11.42 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.00 p.m., the Deputy Clerk, Parliamentary Affairs presiding.) 87. Lokwang Hillary Ik County Kaabong NRM 88. Lowila CD Oketayot Woman Representative Pader NRM 89. Lugoloobi Willy Bageyente Bujumba County Kalangala NRM 90. Lugwar Benson Agogo North County Agago Independent 91. Lukyamuzi David Kalwanga Busujju County Mityana NUP 92. Kiwanuka Keefa Kiboga East County Kiboga NRM 93. Maala Zahrah Luyirika Makindye Division West Kampala NUP 94. Makumbi Henry Kamya Mityana County South Mityana NRM 95. Mariam Seif Woman Representative Iganga NRM 96. Mafabi Asha Nabulo Woman Representative Sironko NRM 97. Mamawi James Adjumani East County Adjumani Independent 98. Masaba Karim Industrial Division Mbale City Independent 99. Matembu Chriss Wataka Bubulo County West Manafwa Independent 100. Matovu Emmanuel Magoola Busiro County East Wakiso Independent 101. Mawanda Micheal Maranga Igara County East Bushenyi NRM

1 Wednesday, 13 May 2026 and subsequently forwarded to the Clerk to Parliament, a list of persons duly elected as Members of the 12th Parliament; AWARE that under Article 81(4) and (5) of the Constitution, every person elected to Parliament shall take and subscribe to the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament specified in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, and shall not, except for purposes of taking the oath, sit or vote in Parliament before taking and subscribing to the Oath; NOTING that Section 2 of the Oaths Act, Cap. 19 of the Laws of Uganda, mandates the Speaker of Parliament or the Clerk to Parliament to tender the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of a Member of Parliament to a person elected to Parliament; NOW, THEREFORE, by the powers conferred upon me by law, I will proceed to administer the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament to each Member-elect .” IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIRST SESSION - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 8.00 a.m. at Parliament House, Kampala. (The Clerk to Parliament, Mr Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, presiding.) The Uganda National Anthem The East African Community Anthem PRAYERS PROCLAMATION CLERK TO PARLIAMENT: “ WHEREAS the Electoral Commission organised and conducted the elections of Members of Parliament specified under Article 78(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda; AND WHEREAS the Electoral Commission, under General Notice No. 171 of 2026, published, in the Uganda Gazette, the results of the 2026 parliamentary elections ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS The oaths were administered to: Name Constituency District Political Party/ Independent 1. Asiimwe Enos K. Kabula County Lyantonde NRM 2. Ali Moses Adjumani West County Adjumani NRM 3. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar Orungo County Amuria Independent 4. Alinaitwe Sylvia Tumuheirwe District Woman Representative Rukiga NRM 5. Ababiku Jesca District Woman Representative Adjumani NRM

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I came from West Nile two days ago. When I went to fuel at Total, petrol was at Shs 9,900 in Arua City, just opposite the Arua Regional Referral Hospital. The following night, it was sold at Shs 11,000 in Arua, and the prices kept on escalating. During the day, they bring it down to Shs 6,000 or Shs 7,000. In the evening and early morning - I drove at 4.00 a.m. What are you going to do for these people upcountry in Adjumani, Moyo and Obongi? Prices have kept rising day in, day out. How are we supposed to handle this? If we have oil reserves, what are you doing for the people upcountry, especially West Nile, and particularly the districts I have mentioned? Thank you.

17858 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT In the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils and teachers of Mummy’s Care School from Adjumani. Welcome and thank you for coming. They are represented by Hon. Ababiku Jesca and Hon. Gen. Moses Ali. You are most welcome. Have you seen how much your Members of Parliament are loved? Please, join me in welcoming them. Thank you. (Applause) Further, in the public gallery again, we have a delegation from the Human Resource Managers Association of Uganda, Governing Council members and they include: 1. Mr Ronald Bbosa Kibuuka, who is the President. Where are you? 2. Ms Joyce Nakalema, Finance Director. 3. Mr Andrew Kaweesa, Director of Professional Development. 4. Mr Wasswa Moses, Director of Public Relations. Where are you? 5. Ms Angel Ayebazibwe. 6. Dawa Innocent, who is a member. They are here to witness the presentation of the Human Resource Management Professionals’ Bill that is coming next. Join me in welcoming them. Yes, Hon. Ssewungu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I request the minister to consider and put this as an emergency - the Kitgum Matidi-Wol-Kalongo Road is impassable. It is a murram road, and for almost two to three years, we have struggled, especially when the rain is too much. Then also there is the Pajule- Pader-Kalongo Road, which also needs an emergency response. Madam Speaker, there is a spot in a place called Adjumani, then Ora Ka Tuk in Wol area - I do not know why they cannot put real murram, instead of grading it. It is better to put good murram, so that it can help us. Finally, there was a design in the Financial Year 2013/2014 to consider putting tarmac on the road from Pajule, via Pader, to Kalongo, but it is as if all those plans have gotten lost somewhere. May you consider bringing those on board because it is only Agago that does not have any tarmac in the Acholi Subregion?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I rise on the issue of the increased rate of school dropouts in Adjumani District as a result of the lack of Government-aided primary schools in some of the parishes. My prayer is that the Governments should expedite the process of coding of Kozayzam, Itiwasi, Ozonya, and Tianyu Primary Schools. Madam Speaker, we have been following this for the four subcounties of Arinyapi, Ofua, Adropi, and Okusijani, but for the last four years, no action has been taken. I pray that the Government comes to implement this because many people drop out because they cannot access schools in those parishes, and the population is too high.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. You hinted on your tour, though you did not go physically, but your office went to Madi Subregion. From Obongi to Adjumani, they took three hours instead of only 30 minutes. Therefore, I am requesting that the Minister of Works and Transport takes special interest on our connection from Obongi to Adjumani district. The Sinyanya Road is very bad. We also need to take special interest on culverts and bridges. Some roads are just cut off because we do not have culverts and bridges. Let the Minister of Works and Transport bring a special report on culverts and bridges. Lastly, you reminded us of the electoral road map for general elections. Apart from the issues of the roads, there are service points that we also need to talk about, especially in the areas of education. One of the issues that challenges us so seriously is performance in education. Many of the schools do not exist in our parishes. The schools to be coded in some of our subcounties are not coded; for example, in Ituji, in Arinyapi Subcounty, we have Itoasi. We have been requesting it, but it has never come to implementation. We have one in Arinyapi Subcounty. We have another one in Ofua, Dzaipi. The issues of service delivery need to be discussed before we go to the final point of the general elections; otherwise, they will hit us like the roads.

Vot Dcnljtloa tmillUOxOOO| 7L7 Kumi Municipal Council 10,187,986 7L8 Lttffi^ Municipal Council 9.351.388 7L9 Makindve.Ssabambo MuniciDat Council 15,#o,7L6 720 Masindi Municipaf Council 12,665.581 721 Mityana Mtrnicipal Council 12.658.962 722 Moroto Municipal Council 6,850,672 723 Mubende Municipd Council 12957.3L7 724 Mukono Municipal Council 24.'LO.782 725 Nansana MuniciDal Council 27.496.367 726 Nebbi Municipal Council 6.115.006 727 Nieru Municipal Council 15.34L.297 728 Ntunsamo Municipal Council 6.592.735 729 Rukuruiri Municipal Council 12,562.835 730 Sheema Municipal Council 16.140.486 731 Tororo Municipal Council 11.941.028 801 Abim District 24,678,573 802 Adjumani District 38.784.017 803 Asago District 33.692.572 804 Alebtong District 25,987.41O 805 Amolatar District 23.785.271 806 Amudat Distriet 13.077.618 807 Amuria Distric't 27,488,129 808 Amuru District 22.202.541 809 Apac District 26.403.359 810 Arua District 19,164,690 811 Budaka District 30.600.919 8L2 Bududa District 34.758.340 813 BuEiri District 38,222,8L5 814 Bugreri District 23,784,357 District 1 D \$ F ,r =

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank the Government for constructing our beautiful road, Atiak-Omi Road, which is almost done. However, we have a big challenge connecting us to Obongi via Sinyanya Road. Annually, people get cut off. Yes, the ministry has tried, but I will propose that you think of a more permanent solution, knowing that we do not have proper roads in Obongi. That is the only road that can aid our movement from Obongi to Adjumani and vice versa. The second issue is about the maintenance of our equipment at the regional centre. The regional centres can give us backup, but the amounts voted to maintain our equipment are inadequate. Therefore, I move that we look at that vote and we add more money. That is our next option to rescue the districts. Issues of bridges and culverts to support the districts can be a priority. I have places which are cut off totally just because we cannot provide

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank the committee for the comprehensive proposals to this House. My first issue is about the Government’s effort to promote safe delivery for mothers. The Government has scored highly in this area, but there is a big challenge because we have a shortage of maternity wards, especially in Adjumani District. The district general hospital has inadequate capacity and mothers are now being accommodated with their babies in a grass-thatched room. The rains have started. Many babies are going to die. Honourable minister, I have written to the ministry and raised it here four times but there is no action. Who will account for the deaths of those people when they occur? Two, I am concerned about how best we can avert unnecessary dying of our people and also better manage some of the diseases, especially Hepatitis C. Honourable minister, this matter came to your office. We do not have reagents at district general hospitals in the whole country. That is why many people die because they get tested after they have been referred there. What the district general hospitals do is only to send the samples, and it takes two weeks for people to get their results. It is also very expensive. One patient has to pay Shs 250,000. Can we have a provision for this? It is not only for Adjumani, but the whole country. The committee raised the issue on how to rehabilitate the mortuaries. However, Mr Speaker, there is an occurrence in our districts in relation to some deaths associated with unique cases, where people refuse to bury their deceased immediately. The hospital tries to preserve the bodies but to a limited extent. I propose that for all the district general hospitals, let us have fridges – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. For the record, the second Deputy Prime Minister does not come from Busoga, he comes from Adjumani, West Nile. Number two, colleagues, I must tell you that we made very good progress with the farmers and the millers from Busoga. Dr Batuwa, you know this. The progress and conclusion we reached in the last meeting, which I chaired personally - because I am not from there, I do not have any interests – but they harmonised, and on Tuesday, we shall sort the Sugar Bill. So, if you want to consult them further - if they have changed position, please tell us. They continue in this same state. But after a long negotiation, which was very difficult, they reached a compromise with each other and shook hands. I hope on Tuesday, we can sort the Sugar Bill so that the law we have can at last define a formula, and people start benefiting, because every day that we do not sort out the issue of the formula, it is the miller who is benefiting. The farmer is not being helped in any way. LOP, you have strictly two minutes because the Arch Bishop has come.

16835 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 On the overall performance of the budget under the UPF, we recommend reallocating funds from the assistance to Uganda Police Force projects to critical UPF areas. Uganda Police Force must create a comprehensive successor project for nationwide investments. The second recommendation is that the Uganda Police Force should expedite the preparation and approval processes of the CCTV Phase III Project to ensure its inclusion in the national plan budget. We reviewed the traffic and road safety and, therefore, recommend as follows: 1. An additional Shs 7.577 billion for transport equipment be provided; 2. Shs 1 billion for an IOV inspection lane and certification centre to be provided; 3. Shs 18 billion for 10 mobile inspection stations for IOV to be provided; 4. Uganda Police Force should link the EPS to the NIRA database; and 5. Uganda’s driver licensing system should be adjusted to capture details of foreigners who commit traffic offences. On police accommodation and the ongoing construction projects, we note that 74 per cent of the police officers lack institutional accommodation. However, the Uganda Police Force is working on a police accommodation project. This project is excluded from PIP. The Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to build 69,000 housing units for the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, and the DCIC, through a PPP arrangement. We, therefore, recommend that the Uganda Police Force accelerates the completion of the accommodation project to comprehensively address police accommodation challenges in the year 2025/2026. On the subcounty policing model – this is a flagship security solution to the country, initiated by His Excellency, the President, and it is now under implementation. The model aims to use limited resources in subcounties to improve policing services for communities, including establishing a police station in each area, following: 1. Deployment of a minimum of 18 personnel; 2. Two motorcycles per police station; 3. A counter phone and radio communication; 4. An office; and 5. Staff accommodation for at least 18 personnel. The Uganda Police Force has tested this model in Greater Masaka in the Financial Year 2023/2024, establishing 892, which is 41 per cent of the 2,190 subcounties, nationwide. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, Shs 5 billion is allocated for the construction of 30 model police stations and completing 11 in greater Masaka, along with acquiring 333 motorcycles and communication equipment. However, there is a funding gap of Shs 557 billion. We, therefore, recommend that Shs 587 billion be provided for the nationwide rollout of the subcounty policing model. On crime management, we recommend that Shs 17 billion be provided for CIID investigations and Shs 2.3 billion for crime intelligence in the Financial Year 2025/2026. On the Canine Unit, we see that expanding the Canine units to 36 locations of Budaka, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Zombo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Pakwach, Vurra, Kaberamaido, Koboko, Terego, Maracha, Moyo, Ayivuni, Buyende, Kaliro, Namutumba, Ngora, Hima, Namisindwa, Kwania, Agago, Nwoya, Amuru, Kyankwanzi, Apac, Kole, aerodromes and border points of Jinja, Soroti, Arua, Mbarara, Kisoro, Mpondwe, Katuna and Mirama Hills nationwide, requires an additional Shs 2.259 billion. The unit faces challenges with unreliable transport for sniffer dogs to crime scenes. Reliable transport is needed at the district stations, requiring Shs 28.44 billion for equipment in 29 regions.

16786 THE MORTGAGE REFINANCE INSTITUTIONS BILL, 2024 14. Vote 722 – Moroto Municipal Council - Shs 137,831,048; 15. Vote 724 - Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 157,843,584; 16. Vote 726 – Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 38,895,597; 17. Vote 729 - Rukungiri Municipal Council - Shs 11,011,184; 18. Vote 730 - Sheema Municipal Council - Shs 4,109,634; 19. Vote 802 – Adjumani District - Shs 19,860,000; 20. Vote 803 – Agago District - Shs 81,984,000; 21. Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 57,525,000; 22. Vote 808: Amuru District – Shs 1,271,000,000; 23. Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 45,500,000; 24. Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 99,504,000; 25. Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 107,555,970; 26. Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 235,603,000; 27. Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 31,440,000; 28. Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 31,633,858; 29. Vote 828: Butebo District – Shs 15,360,000; 30. Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 31,395,000; 31. Vote 836: Iganga District – Shs 37,200,000; 32. Vote 835: Ibanda District – Shs 12,000,000; 33. Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 2,633,333,265; 34. Vote 842: Kaberamaido District – Shs 31,589,664; 35. Vote 844: Kakumiro District – Shs 448,858,700; 36. Vote 847: Kaliro District – Shs 310,200,761; 37. Vote 848: Kalungu District – Shs 6,117,000; 38. Vote 849: Kamuli District – Shs 65,029,474; 39. Vote 853: Kapelebyong District – Shs 88,207,238; 40. Vote 854: Karenga District – Shs 39,240,000; 41. Vote 855: Kasese District – Shs 142,590,000; 42. Vote 857: Katakwi District – Shs 157,861,200; 43. Vote 858: Kayunga District – Shs 11,270,000; 44. Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 399,326,980; 45. Vote 863: Kikuube District – Shs 127,115,012; 46. Vote 866: Kisoro District – Shs 78,755,970; 47. Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 700,600,000; 48. Vote 868: Kitgum District – Shs 117,742,657; 49. Vote 870: Kole District – Shs 64,680,000; SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.3 FOR FY 2024/2025 [The Chairperson]

16696 THE ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS BILL, 2024 on Information, Communication Technology (ICT) and National Guidance on the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund, be passed. Debate starts now with the doctor, I go to Hon. Esenu, Hon. Edakasi, a Member for Adjumani and I also pick this side, then come back here. Each one, three minutes.

16550 THE CONTRACT FARMING BILL, 2023 Natural Resources to go to the field, specifically in Adjumani, on the issues of Zoka Forest, has not been implemented to date. More destruction is ongoing and people believe that we are not serious, because if directives are not implemented, then where will their hopes be? Therefore, I request that your directive be enforced so that the common people understand what we are here for. Thank you.

16568 THE CONTRACT FARMING BILL, 2023 which merged many entities. Right now, many ferries in this country are parked for lack of fuel. The Obongi ferry will be parked from tomorrow for the same reason. All these ferries were given cards by UNRA to get fuel from Total Energies petrol stations, but when UNRA was merged with the ministry for works, the cards were withdrawn by the ministry, and now we do not have fuel for these ferries to operate. The minister is here telling us that things will work out. From tomorrow, my people will not cross for services in Adjumani, and other ferries have been grounded. What are they going to do for Ugandans? This is not easy, but we need to ensure that these services are delivered to the Ugandans.

16534 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME My response is that over the last 10 years, the Government concentrated on grid extensions across the country with minimum service connections. The Electricity Access Scale- UP Project was, therefore, designed to make service connection for optimal utilisation of the existing network. The project covers no-pole connections, one-pole connections, transformer injections in a radius of about three kilometres from the existing network. The third prayer from the honourable member was: on what basis were the beneficiaries selected? Given that the project obtained financing of more than $600 million, the Government must justify why people of Mawogola North remain underserved. My response is that based on the above project design, Ssembabule is a beneficiary of the Electricity Access Scale-up Project. The Government is also developing the Grid Expansion and Support to Parish Development Project to address issues of un-electrified administrative offices, public institutions and value addition centres, of which Ssembabule is a beneficiary. Surveys have started from West Nile and will soon roll out to other parts of the country. The next question was from Hon. Rose Obigah, the Woman Representative, Terego District. She requested for an update on the illegal mining activities in Onivu Village, Okavu Parish, Odupi Subcounty, Terego District. My response is that on 20 January 2025, a joint team visited the site where the illegal mining activities were reported. Upon investigation, it was established that the illegal mining activities were being conducted by Li Kuang Mining Co. Ltd, a company holding Exploration Licence EL00383, with jurisdiction of operation in Yumbe and Obongi districts. The company was found to be operating outside its licensed area, specifically in Terego District, in violation of the terms of its licence. As a result, all mining activities at the site were immediately suspended, and operations were halted to prevent further environmental degradation and oil spills in the area. To further address this matter, the ministry, through the inspector of miners for the West Nile region, undertook a detailed inspection visit to the area on Tuesday, 4 February 2025. It was confirmed that the operations were not within the jurisdiction of the company licensed. The operations were illegal, being undertaken under an exploration licence. Li Kuang Mining Company Limited was directed to remove all its machinery and equipment from the site, and vacate the site entirely. The company was advised to restore environmental damages caused by its activities. Madam Speaker, artisanal miners were encouraged to form associations to register and acquire artisanal mining licences. Madam Speaker, a Show Cause Notice will be issued to the company for potential cancellation of its licence (EL00383) due to non-compliance. Hon. George Bhoka Didi,MP, Obongi County:the Obongi-Sinyanya ferry operations have been on halt since the 10 th of February this year, due to a bad landing site and mechanical problems. Efforts have been made to contact the Minister of Works and Transport regional and national offices, to provide urgent repairs to the Obongi ferry, but repairs have not been done up to now. The breakdown of this ferry affects pupils who cross from Sinyanya on a daily basis to attend classes in Obongi, patients who access health services in Obongi Health Centre IV, and the business fraternity that transports goods from Arua and Adjumani, to Juba in South Sudan. His question is that: what steps have been taken by the Ministry of Works and Transport to expeditiously restore the Obongi ferry operations? My response is that between August and early December 2024, the water levels, as you all know, at the Obongi-Sinyanya ferry crossing,

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. My problem is that many patients in Adjumani General Hospital are stranded. Others have resorted to local herbs for the following reasons: 1. Internet connectivity is very poor, and therefore, we cannot use the computerised system. 2. We have obsolete ultrasound and x-ray machines. 3. We do not have adequate space for our mothers and their babies. Prayers: Madam Speaker, let the Prime Minister ensure that the old system is revived to provide an alternative – (Member timed out.)

Madam Speaker, we are currently trying to computerise our systems. The President recently launched the provision of the internet, and we are rolling it out. We were in Karamoja. I believe that we shall also go to Adjumani District up to the last mile connection. I request members to be patient but I will also talk to the Minister of Health to find out why we have gone full blast when we do not have the internet. In other areas where we are yet to connect, the internet, the process can be delayed. We are moving at a high speed because of what you know. (Laughter) We do not want to leave anybody behind. We are trying to digitalise almost all our systems.

Before you raise your procedural matter, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have a group of student leaders from the Guild Representative Council of Makerere University. They are represented by Hon. Bashir Kazibwe and Hon. Shamim Malende. You are most welcome. Where are you? Students, stand up. Join me in welcoming them. (Applause) They are here to observe the proceedings of this House. Thank you for coming to your House. Again, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have a group of students from Madi Subregion, which includes Obongi, Moyo, and Adjumani, under the Madi Students’ Union. They are represented by Hon. Jesca Ababiku, Hon. Tom Aza, and Hon. James Mamawi. They are here to witness the proceedings of this House. Thank you. Please stand up and we see you. Thank you so much for coming. Yes, procedural matter?

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I thank the minister for the response. I seek clarification from the minister about the registration or the update that is taking place in Adjumani District, specifically in Apaa. Apaa is in Adjumani, but the Madi have been stopped from attending the exercise and from being registered. When we made inquiries on the 31 st of last month, we were told that the Government had made that place a special area. Can we know how a special area is gazetted in Adjumani District without our knowledge, and when we are not even allowed to access the service? Thank you.

15834 STANDING COMMITTEE R E PORT You acknowledge that people died and lost property but you chose to use that method. Can we revisit that method? (Applause) Even the people of Adjumani went to court. Where did you put our file? Mr Speaker, fairness and equity must be practiced. My Government, what are you doing in relation to this? I also disagree with the position of equating service delivery to compensation. Somebody lost their dear ones. Now we want to equate that to health services and education services. Are we fair? Let us separate the two because even without the compensation, we are supposed to get these services. Let us go down and sieve the true people who suffered because of wars.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on the increased deaths as a result of high spread of Hepatitis C in the Adjumani District. We have challenges associated with early testing because there are no have the reagents. The samples are brought to Kampala and each sample costs Shs 250,000. The second challenge is about getting the treatment. A dose costs between Shs 1.8 million and 2 million. Therefore, many people are dying because they cannot afford these services. My prayers are: 1. Let the reagents be taken to the district because this disease is manageable; it can be treated. 2. Let us have the medicines at the hospital so that people can be treated. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Hon. Ababiku, for your question. Yes, I know about H epatitis B, it is not only in Adjumani, but it is in many –

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to comment on one issue that you commented about – the issue of this year being a period of election. We thank you for the wishes, but we need to be empowered to account to our people in relation to key issues we raised on the Floor of Parliament. As people from West Nile, we have the issue of the non-compensation of our people as a result of the LRA war, the non-expansion of Adjumani Hospital and others. If we do not have these responses, whether in affirmative or not, it makes it very difficult for us to account to our people. My prayer is, let Government respond to the issues that Members have raised so that we have a package to share with our people. Thank you very much.

15628 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT destroyed, the ministries in charge of disaster and agriculture should help them with seeds so they can also plant again; and 2. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) should intervene in that matter. We do not have a field office for UWA in Obongi; the field office we have is in Adjumani. Whenever such matters happen, we call UWA officials and they do not respond. So far, this Modesta man is in Yumbe General Referral Hospital undergoing treatment, but one leg has been chopped by the hippo. This means he has become a disabled man who can no longer be resourceful to his family. 3. The Uganda Wildlife Authority should come to the rescue of these people who have been affected by the hippo because they are going for treatment and they also have other things to do. The UWA people are not responding to – (Member timed out.)

15093 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2024 by the Ministry of Education and Sports, failure to procure contractors under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme and the delayed completion of projects under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) programme, among others; iii. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in some instances, released funds to the entities over and above what was requested for by the entities. Some entities did not have information about such releases by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development which found them ill prepared for the money hence some being swept back to the Consolidated Fund; iv. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in some cases, released funds late to entities. Several entities informed the committee that funds were received at the end of the last quarter of the financial year, which made absorption of the same almost impossible. Committee recommendation The committee recommends that: i. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should explain why funds were not released to the local governments as budgeted and in a timely manner as well as those released over and above requests made by the entities. ii. Accounting officers under the supervision of local governments who failed to utilise funds released to them without justifiable reasons should be held personally liable. iii. Relevant entities should streamline their budget performance and ensure timely recruitment and placement, procurement timelines and follow-up on timely releases in order to improve funds absorption. iv. Accounting officers should follow up with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the budget shortfalls affecting service delivery. 2. Local Revenue Performance The 56 local government entities had an approved local revenue budget of Shs 121.39 billion, out of which Shs 86.4 billion was allocated and released back to the local government, hence, a revenue collection of 71 per cent of the approved budget. A sum of Shs 34.98 billion remains uncollected at the end of the financial year. The warrant releases are based on what the local governments collect and is deposited with the Consolidated Fund as per the requirements of Section 29(2) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. The under-collection undermines service delivery as councils greatly rely on local revenue for support, supervision and facilitation of the council’s settings. Thus, improvement in its administration is required to improve service delivery. A number of local governments under review posted good performance, led by Butambala District Local Government at 278 per cent, Koboko Municipal Council at 232 per cent, Yumbe District Local Government at 131 per cent, and Koboko District Local Government at 128 per cent, while the lowest performance was registered by Lira District Local Government that realised only 11 per cent of its approved local revenue budget, Apac Municipal Council at only 23 per cent, Adjumani District Local Government at 35 per cent, and Pakwach District Local Government at 48 per cent, as per the budget performance annex 1. The accounting officers, with a good revenue performance, informed the committee that they had been enrolled on the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS), which has enhanced revenue collection. Madam Speaker, additionally, accounting officers informed the committee that they had developed revenue enhancement plans, and

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for the report. The minister clearly indicated how the process for NMS is undergoing. You clearly stated that we used to get messages whenever drugs were delivered to our areas. However, the issue is that whenever the drugs are delivered, you may find that the essential drugs are lacking. Madam Speaker, if you go to my hospital in Adjumani, you may find many drugs that have expired. They are not used in health facilities, but, still, our own people are lacking drugs. What type of deliveries are those? How are those deliveries done? The belief is that we have districts that submit requests for drugs and that the drugs are submitted or taken to those districts, according to the request made by the respective district or health facilities. However, on deliveries, you cannot get those. On the issue of the health unit management committees, we want to thank the Government very much. The health unit manuals, which were given by the Government, show that for a person to be nominated to the health unit management committee, he or she must have been at least a Senior Four leaver. These would be able to monitor the processes, which are taking place in these health facilities. However, still, that is not enough, Madam Speaker. We need the Government to take deliberate efforts to empower these health unit management committees to know their work so that they will be able to help the Government in a – (Member timed out.)

14811 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2024 Dr Agnes Apea, thank you for your question, however, all this comes back to our own communities because every health facility has got a management committee. We need to go back, as legislators and representatives of the people, and find out whether these management committees really go to these health facilities. This is because a management committee can even recommend to a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) or District Health Officer (DHO) that there is an errant health worker who does not come here or who steals drugs and these people will be dismissed. Hon. James, I have heard your cries from Adjumani and I would like to tell you, Members - most of you raised the question of SMS - sometimes we change numbers and then they remain sending on the old number - because some people are saying they get them, others are saying they do not get them. So, I will take the information to NMS so that everybody receives the medicines. Hon. Linda from Fort Portal City, thank you for appreciating that at least you get the messages and also that you saw trucks delivering drugs. Now, your next step should be to check whether these drugs are being used in health facilities or in private people’s clinics. Dr Acuti said that drugs are delivered but patients do not get them. This comes to the same thing - the management of these hospitals. These are management officers who are picked from the community nearest to these health facilities. Therefore, if they were monitoring well - you know, a drug is not a pin or a needle; it is something a little bulky and so when you carry it out of the hospital sincerely, if you are not seen by a colleague then an askari will see you. If the askari has not seen you, the community alone should report such people, even if they are beneficiaries of these stolen drugs. Hon. Sauda, I would like to thank you for your good question on NMS not sending messages nowadays and also having no electricity in some of our health centres. In my next report, I will be giving a status report only on Northern Uganda, but we have also written to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to make sure they take an extra mile to connect facilities that host people like schools and hospitals, to electricity. Madam Speaker, you have given your own experience where a person died while being referred from a bigger hospital to a smaller one. We do not allow that at all. You cannot have a general hospital and then refer someone to a health centre IV. A health centre III is even worse because it does not have a theatre. Therefore, I wonder which people did this and whether they were reprimanded. This is because as a ministry we have a rewards and sanctions committee which is supposed to handle such characters who misbehave in the health sector. Hon. Atima and Dr Hon. Ebwalu also talked about thefts – I have called you doctor – be a doctor for once. Anyway, yes, we really need to honour that doctor who separated conjoined twins in Soroti, but Mulago National Referral Hospital has also done several of these - by Dr Sekabira – he is a senior surgeon and I have met some of the conjoined twins that he has separated. Thank you, honourable members, for all these questions and we are open to meeting with you and discussing, even one-on-one, in my office so that we can see how to sort out the many difficult problems. Thank you.

14736 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Water and Environment is implementing the Integrated Water Management and Development Project across the country. Subcomponent 1.2 of the project targets construction of water supply and sanitation systems in refugee-hosting districts in Western Nile and northern Uganda. The refugee-hosting districts that were targeted to benefit from the project include Moyo, Madi-Okollo, Terego, Yumbe, Adjumani, and Lamwo in West Nile and Kiryandongo District in the mid-western. A total of six solar-powered water supply systems in six rural growth centres of Awoba, Rodo, Goboro, Lomunga, Lobe and Nyori were planned to be constructed in Yumbe District. Furthermore, Enyau Gravity Flow Scheme will cover part of Ariwa Sub-county, including Zone 5 of Bidi-Bidi Refugee Settlement. A total of 26 sanitation facilities will also be constructed along the water supply system in Yumbe District. Due to foreign exchange losses, the project is not able to implement all the activities as had been planned. Furthermore, the feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs have recommended the inclusion of water treatment processes due to the quality of the underground water that required full-scale conventional treatment that was not envisioned at the project proposal. The inclusion of the water treatment processes ultimately made the system costlier as compared to the planned cost. As a result of these changes, the project had to be reprioritised by reducing a number of systems to be implemented across the project districts to match the available resources. The water supply systems that were ultimately chosen for implementation are those that provided the highest impact. I mean those with high yielding borehole sources and covering large populations. Therefore, this reprioritisation affected the mentioned rural growth centres of Nyori, Rodo, and Awoba. Madam Speaker and Members, with available funding, the project will therefore construct the three solar-powered water supply systems of Goboro, Lomunga and Lobe, and Anyau Gravity Flow Scheme which will also cover parts of Ariwa Sub-county and Zone 5 of Bidi- Bidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe. Government will continue to source for finances to construct the remaining three solar- powered water supply systems of Rodo, Awoba and Nyori in Yumbe and the other systems that have been left out in other districts as well. The designs for all the systems have been completed and will be implemented as soon as funds are available. Hon. Byakatonda again, the question is: Why are pensioners attached to Mbale Hospital have discrepancies in their pension payments whereby officers with same seniority, that is, title and duration of service, but who retired in different years, would be paid a different monthly pension? Madam Speaker, my response is a statement of law and facts: i) The Public Service Pension Scheme is an un-funded PAYGO and non-contributory, Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Scheme. The Scheme rules are provided under Article 254 (1) of the 1995 Constitution, which for avoidance of doubt, states that, “A public officer shall, on retirement, receive such pension as is commensurate with his or her rank, salary, and length of service.” ii) Article 254(2) on the other hand, provides that, “the pension payable to any person shall be exempt from tax and shall be subject to periodic review to take account of changes in the value of money.” iii) The parameters and formula used to compute pension and gratuity are further provided by the Pensions Act, Cap 89, and Regulations therein. And these are: [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I support the recommendations of the committee. However, as people are talking about financing URA to help us collect a fairly adequate amount, I am concerned about those who are paying taxes. Small as Adjumani is, the businesses that I knew when I was growing up have collapsed. Many have died as a result of pressure put on them in the course of paying taxes. Therefore, I am of the view that as we collect monies, let us also do an assessment by listening to those who are paying taxes and make use of their views because we have multiple taxes from one point to the other. We have narrowed the base of taxation because the number of people who are paying taxes has reduced. Can we look at increasing the number of people who are paying taxes without killing their businesses? Two, sensitisation is very key because not everybody who is doing business and paying taxes is educated. We expect them to perfectly manage the systems and do remittances but this makes them default at times. I have personally taken people to URA, the URA staff are hospitable and attend to their customers but how many business people will get help from individuals who are ready to take them to the headquarters? I therefore pray that they continue with their outreach programmes where they can educate these people on what to do when doing their business. On tax waivers, there is a lot of outcry about being selective; with few people benefiting from the waivers. I routinely pray that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development brings reports with clear justification on who is to be exempted and why so that we can be able to disseminate it. Thank you.

Is that Adjumani language? We have an official language here. What did you say?

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I have listened carefully to this report, and I would like to narrow my observation on the issue of the equipment. I thank the Government for the efforts put in, but even where we have equipment, many of them are not functional. So, I recommend the Government to ensure that those equipments in our districts are functional. Two, is on the issue of maternity wards and delivery rooms. I have raised this matter in the House severally, but no action has been taken. My women are delivering in grass-thatched rooms. This time there is flooding again in Adjumani District, I am so worried that if action is not taken immediately, what happened in Kiteezi is going to happen in Adjumani over mothers and children who are in hospital.

14232 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Mr Speaker, I have a concern on the issue of staffing. Critical positions are not filled. We are complaining about unemployment and underemployment. I request that the ministry takes this seriously on why people are not interested in serving in our region, especially in West Nile and Madi subregions. They look at the distance and this makes it difficult for our people to get their expectations. I pray that Adjumani District Hospital be expanded to accommodate the population of refugees. That hospital is intended to accommodate only the citizens with a small population. Our population has now increased and the refugees have added on ours and therefore, many people are suffering. They are not getting services because we are failing to accommodate them. Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Good job to the chairperson and his team - the committee - for that report. I would like to draw my attention to the issue of the ICU. Mr Speaker, you have seen how far Northern Uganda is from the Central, where most of the functional Intensive Care Units are. If you look at Moroto, Lira, Gulu and Arua regional referral hospitals, these are very far places and we all know what an ICU does. What we have in place are not ICUs. The equipment is there, but we have high- dependency units. A few months ago, we lost a patient in Karamoja, and in my opinion, as a doctor, we should not have lost that lady. We had to transport her all the way from Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, and Jinja, regional hospitals, without functional ICUs until Mulago. She was still alive by God’s grace, but she eventually passed on. Therefore, these are the things we need to be addressing ourselves to. The other one is dialysis. The health committee two years ago set up dialysis in Mbarara, Mbale and Lira, and the plan was to eventually roll out, but I think because of funding this financial year, it was captured as an unfunded priority. As a matter of urgency, we need to have dialysis at regional level hospitals. Adjumani General Hospital, like the woman MP said, is operating in a very dilapidated structure, and it needs urgent attention, at least the maternity unit. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I am happy that the Committee on Public Service will address the issues of recruitment, but some of these health centres IV, like Pajule, have medical officers who have not been formalised into service, and they want to leave. When you ask the district local government, there is local government politics involved. Honourable members, we need to also discern the fact that part of the health system, the biggest bulk, is in the local government. Therefore, recruitment is a function of the District Service Commission. The contractor of the seven-story building in Gulu is being taken to court because of Shs 3 billion that has not been paid out by the Government. As a matter of urgency, can we please find this money for both Arua Regional Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospitals, for their staff complexes. Thank you.

14118 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT We have been telling you and everybody since the 1960s that whatever you do, if you want the people to develop, start with the homestead incomes. We are now talking of roads, what, and what. They are where roads are good. The road from Gulu to Kampala is good. The problem of the bridge is a recent one. It has just come now. Otherwise, the road was good all the way from Bibiya. It was tarmacked all the way to Kampala. The one from Musingo-Kitgum all the way to Kampala, what are you selling along that road? I know there is some sim-sim from Kitgum, but what else? From the 1960s, we have been telling all those who care to listen to us that, “Please, seek first the homestead incomes and the rest will be added unto you.” In 2018, I made a country- wide tour, zone by zone. I give you this booklet where I talked of the four sectors and the seven ways for wealth and job creation. I heard the Speaker – do not bring new confusion by saying that the four-acre model does not apply here. It does. I do not agree with that line. In this booklet, I made it clear that the four-acre model was a rescue operation for the parts of the country that had already fragmented land. That is why I said, since you have very few acres, do not make sure the cura - I normally use our words here - the cura, the aimar, the otita, the ekibaro is correct. If you do not, you will never get out of poverty. That is why I said that for the four acres and less, put seven enterprises: i) Coffee - one acre; ii) Fruits - one acre; iii) Pasture for dairy - one acre; iv) One acre for foodstuff like cassava; and v) In the backyard, you put poultry for eggs and piggery for pigs. If you are near a wetland, fish farming. When you do that, you get millions of shillings, even if you are doing it on a very small scale. We have given you the examples of the Nyakanas and so on. I call this, in this booklet, “Intensive agriculture”. Use intensive agriculture with high-value enterprises to get out of poverty using the small piece of land which you have; four acres or less. But, even if you have got more, there is no harm. Instead of having one acre of coffee, have four. What is the problem? You can still use the same even if you have bigger land. The 10 acres you are talking about - because I want you to make the “ cura ” not just talk. No, I want the “ cura ” of the average landholding in the North. When I fly over, like this morning, that land - if you look at the gardens, especially from Lango, I am not so sure how many people - Lango, the southern side, the Maruzi and those areas near Akokoro, Amolatar. The population seems to be heavy because, from the air, I can see garden after garden. You do not see much bush anymore. Even coming here, the areas of Minakulu, all the way coming here, the areas where I see some emptiness are the areas after Bardege going to Agago. Yes, I see some space there and some parts of Kapelebyong on the other side of Teso. But, like Teso - Serere, Ngora the population seems to be quite high. So, what “ cura ” are you using? Do not waste our time again by bringing confusion here no, please. Even if you say 10 acres - because there are two strategies. Intensive agriculture is the four acres I am talking about. However, if you have 10, you can use the same for more land. You will be very rich. The other one is extensive agriculture. When I was in Adjumani, my brother Gen. Moses Ali was talking about cotton. Then I said, “Okay, how much do I get from cotton in an acre?” They said, Shs 1 million without deducting costs. So, if it is true - and when you are discussing here, please go into those details. Do not just talk and pass a resolution and deceive yourselves. I am really no longer interested in that type of approach. [Gen. (Rtd) Museveni] ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

That is why I wanted us to have a dialogue and see what the issue was. I will call a meeting and we will discuss with the Members of Parliament from the area, plus the elders, so that you can tell us what is up because as hon. Kafuuzi said, the numbers keep changing. Lawyers initially took some of the money. So many problems, but we are resolved. Now finally, on the issue of the skilling hub, we have skilling hubs in Gulu, Adjumani and Lira (Lango Subregion). Maybe what we can do is to - because what I do, my state house comptroller takes equal numbers from each district. Maybe we can increase the numbers who come from each district. (Applause) We are moving - the only other issue, people, if you support me, the issue I had was that you train and give kits to go back with, instead of training and then you go back with empty hands. Therefore, we can fine-tune that. I thank you for coming and holding the meeting here and you have heard my views. I submit.

Honourable members, before we get the Member in front here, in the VIP gallery, we have Col. (Rtd) Obwoya Fearless Oyat, the LC V Chairperson for Pader District. You are most welcome. We also have Mr Patrick Eriku Patrick, the Clerk to Adjumani Town Council. You are most welcome. We also have Hon. Lawrence Mangapi from Adjumani Town Council. You are most welcome. (Applause) Honourable members, as you may be aware, the country has been grappling with various challenges affecting the children in Karamoja. This motion is one of those that is aimed at devising a sustainable solution and improving the plight of the affected children - are we on education? Livestock! Because of the nature of the area, we need to increase the livestock, and, since we have been talking about livelihood – cente? In Akarimojong, it is Isilinga? We would like to see how best we can increase the livestock of Karamoja for us to be able to get sustainable income in the area. Yes, Hon. Nakut.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Ababiku Jesca, the Woman Member of Parliament for Adjumani District, a member of NRM and an Executive Member of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), West Nile Chapter. Adjumani is now flooded. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I wish you could assign people to go to Adjumani. We lost a person two days ago in Arinyapi Sub-county. Thank you.

I have the following, Madam Speaker, to highlight. We have a strategic security and tourism road from Panyimur, Pakwach, Rhino Camp, Obongi, up to Difule, that for the last 15 years has been highlighted in both the party manifesto as well as the NDP III. It has not been mentioned. The same applies to the road that comes from Arua City through Obongi, Adjumani to Elegwen International Road. Lastly, under transport, water transport is very important, Madam Speaker. In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, West Nile was served by steam ships that plied from Nimule to Namasagali. In our strategic plan, there has been a highlight about reintroduction of water transport system that would reduce the cost of movement of people and goods. I pray that the Committee on Physical Infrastructure as well as the Ministry of Works and Transport take interest in investing in water transport as an alternative means of transport to improve the movement of goods and people. I thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for a very good report. I have the following observations. One, inadequacy in pro- activeness. Karuma Bridge has stayed for 62 years now and we are still doing emergencies. The Pakwach Bridge is now for over 55 years. This calls for pro-activeness so that we avoid death threatening issues. I want to talk about the Uganda Support Municipal Development Infrastructure (USMID) roads. I want to thank the government but I request the Ministry of Works and Transport and Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to go to Adjumani because we are very far from finishing the Town Council roads under USMID. Madam Speaker, the issue of flooding around Pakwach Bridge is not only in Pakwach

Madam Speaker, the challenge is: how can the presidential pledges translate into action beyond National Development Plan III that we are implementing on ground? Some of these pledges were made in the past term - the 10 th Parliament. I would like to draw attention to the Pakwach- Ochoko-Arua Road. This is the shortest route. It can benefit from the oil and the tourism road that the Government has been talking about, so that when tourists go to Ajai Game Reserve and extend to Adjumani, they can equally be connected and they enjoy those privileges.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, before we go to the next item, I was waiting for a minister from the water and environment sector and I did not see any. However, last night, I was watching NBS Television – a programme called Hard Questions, by Mr Solomon Serwanjja. They had an investigation on what is going on in Zoka Forest. There was a gentleman, Mr William Leslie Amanzuru, the leader of Friends of Zoka. The pictures that followed – it is really painful what is going on in Zoka. Despite the presidential directive banning charcoal burning in those areas, they were showing trailers going through roadblocks without any hindrance, trailer after trailer. There were even allegations that some of this charcoal is even exported. According to the video the gentleman brought out, if nothing is done, Zoka Forest is going to be finished in a minute. Despite all kinds of security from soldiers, police, the different roadblocks at Karuma and everywhere, a lot is going on. Very serious environmental crimes were listed. It was a very painful documentary to watch. I had come from a very hectic schedule at around 11.00 p.m. As I was having a cup of tea, I turned on the television and immediately saw Zoka, so I got interested. I want to request the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to take up this matter and visit Zoka Forest. The forest is found in Adjumani. I do not want them to spread thin and then bring just a few snapshots of whatever is happening. Visit Zoka Forest and report to this House within a month because what is going on is really bad, from the videos that I could see. Let me just allow the Woman Member of Parliament from Adjumani and Hon. Mamawi – let me just pick the three Members from Adjumani.

Thank you, Mr Speaker for bringing this thing out. I think God listened to our prayers. The whole of the last three days, we have been spending sleepless nights. We came back from Adjumani on Tuesday and started getting news and had telephone meetings. Even this morning, we had a meeting. Therefore, we agree with your position. However, I pray that, one, a stakeholders’ meeting be held at the district headquarter where we shall also participate so that we bring out more information about what has been happening for all this time. [Dr Baryomunsi] MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Zoka Central Forest Reserve is in Adjumani East and partly in Adjumani West Constituency. This issue has been here for quite long. I raised most of these issues on the Floor of Parliament here. I am happy that today, you have seen what is happening, by yourself. Mr Speaker, right now, we have a complete UPDF Brigade; 501 Brigade in that area. This is all happening where this brigade has settled. They are not even more than 10 kilometres away from this forest. We have different kinds of police in those areas but if you look at what is happening - Sometimes we say that maybe the Government has no interest in this forest so they should give it back to the community to manage the forest. Otherwise, we have people who need to be settled in this area, but they are not letting us to exercise our power. They are allowing people to settle in this forest. If you look at the nature of settlement in this area, you will not like it. I do not know whether this is for Government or we do not have Government. Mr Speaker, I am a member of the National Resistance Movement but sometimes, if you see what happens, you get confused. (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the chance. The whole of North West Nile Region is affected. The region comprises Adjumani, Obongi, Moyo and Yumbe. Mr Speaker, there are godfathers who are seated like God seated on his heavenly throne, commanding each and everybody to cut the trees. Who are these godfathers? Trees have been felled indiscriminately and the whole area has now been deforested. We are scared that in two or three years’ time, there will be completely nothing for us to talk about. I would like to request that we investigate these godfathers. Otherwise, the civil, political and all those other elected leaders have tried their best to stop this vice but have failed. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. It is true that Obongi is the only district in this country where the people have never seen a pole of electricity. For them to see a pole of electricity, they should first cross the river to Adjumani, that is when they will see a pole of electricity. They should go to Moyo, that is when they will see a pole of electricity, and yet they have been singing Obongi in black and white, but implementation is zero. Mr Speaker, recently when the President was touring the country, he made a promise that by November 2023, Obongi will receive electricity. Up to now, there is nothing.

Honourable colleagues we are debating and I want you to bring out all these questions because, in the end, this is a matter which must go to the Natural Resources Committee. When they bring these risks here, it is very difficult to scrutinise deeply. I know the minister can engage with the committee very well. They scrutinize, in detail, and then Members can appear before the committee, for those who have issues. Then we have this matter well concluded. I have picked mostly men; I want to pick ladies first. Therefore, I request all men to sit. I will start with ladies who have been here, not those who just entered. The ones who just entered know themselves. Honourable members for Kiboga, Kalangala, Dokolo, Gulu, you are very many. Honourable member for Mukono, because you have complained, honourable member for Mbale. This is time for ladies, you are men. Honourable members for Masindi, Buhweju, Sheema, Kumi, Napak, Bugiri, Fort Portal, Jinja, Abim, and Adjumani.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join the rest in appreciating the comprehensive report by the honourable minister and the team. Mr Speaker, allow me to put the status of Madi Subregion right. We have three districts, including Obongi, Adjumani and Moyo that have been connected but the power is not reliable at all. We have even codenamed it as Aziko , something that comes and goes without warning you. Our request has been that, as we recognise what you have done for West Nile where we belong, you need to have special consideration for Madi Subregion so that we can also get reliable power. There is also uniqueness with the poles you have taken to Adjumani and Moyo. Any slight drizzle, not even heavy rains, the power goes off. We do not know the type of poles that you have taken to our area. Honourable minister, we represent Government and Parliament when we are in our constituencies. For two years, you people have promised to me in writing that you are going to visit Adjumani. I have the letter. I have the name of the officer. You have never gone to survey so that you connect the subcounties. People have developed a mistrust. I was with Hon. Mamawi in his subcounty and people almost chased us away. The subcounty is trying to fundraise to connect power in Itirikwa Subcounty because you have misinformed or misled us and we went and reported on your behalf but the subcounties are not connected. We have service delivery units like the Health Centre IV where people are doing operations. People go to the theatre but we do not have power. We request that you look at the health services units like the health centres, the schools and the headquarters. Also, be with us. I pray that you visit Adjumani as you promised. I am happy that the state minister is here. We need your commitment so that we give hope to the people because we know you cannot do miracles to fulfil all these things at once. My request – (Member timed out.)

s/N Hospltal Name Dlstrict 1 Abim General Hospital Abim 2 Adjumani General Hospital Adiumani 3 Amuria General Hospital Amuria 4 Apac General Hospital Apac 5 Bududa General Hospital Bududa 6 Bugiri General Hospital Bugiri 7 Kawolo General Hospital Buikure 8 Buliisa General Hospital Buliisa 9 Bundiburyo General Hospital Bundibugro 10. Masafu General Hospital Busia 11. Busolwe General Hospital Butaleja L2. Gombe General Hospital Butambala 13. Iganga General Hospital Iganga t4. Buwenge General Hospital Jinja Kaabong General Hospital Kaabong 6 15. Kaberamaido General Hospital Kaberamaido Kagadi General Hospital Kagadi Kamuli General Hospital Kamuli L9. Rukunyu General Hospital Kamwenge 20. Kambuga General Hospital Kanungu 2L. Kapchorwa General Hospital Kapchorwa 22. Bwera General Hospital Kasese 23. Katakuri General Hospital Katakuri 24. Kiboga General Hospital Kiboga 25. Kiryandongo General Hospital Kiryandongo 26. Kisoro General Hospital Kisoro 27. Kitgum General Hospital Kitgum 28. Koboko General Hospital Koboko 29. Kotido General Hospital Kotido 30. Atutur General Hospital Kumi 31. Kyegegura General Hospital Kyegegwa Annex la: List of Publtc General Hospitals in U nda 19 lz ,/ta.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to update the honourable member on what is happening on Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road. It is true that the road construction was launched. After the official launch - this is a project, which is under World Bank. The World Bank has a lot of demands in terms of social safeguards and for the social safeguards to be accepted, you must have a contractor on site, who is going to be tested by the World Bank as far as social safeguards are concerned. That particular area is very sensitive – even more sensitive than other areas – because it is a refugee area. Therefore, the social safeguard demands by the World Bank are high. We have finished the social and environmental management plan and have sent it to the bank and are now waiting for the bank’s approval. Before we get that approval, the bank cannot allow physical work to be done. Regarding the equipment, the contractor is on site and is setting up camps; he has to get ball pits, asphalt plants and quarries. You cannot do all this until the World Bank has endorsed all these sites. Therefore, this is the process, which is going on. The camps are being set up, the equipment is there in the camps, and once this is done and the World Bank gives us a nod, the contractor will be on site. On the Moyo-Afoji Road, we finished the section of Atiak-Adjumani-Laropi. We did the design review and the consultant approved the design for the Laropi Bridge. After that, we sent the documents, again, to African Development Bank, which is funding this project, for a no objection. Once that no objection comes in, then, we shall be able to put up bids and advertise for the works on that road. The bridge at Laropi and Afoji-Moyo Road are in one contract. So, they will move together. I humbly submit.

13456 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 Water, sanitation and environment protection As a result of Government intervention, more Ugandans now have access to safe, clean water. Coverage in rural areas is now estimated at 67 per cent and 70 per cent in urban areas. Out of the 71,225 villages, 56,617 villages have been served with at least one safe water source. In the Financial Year 2024/2025, clean water coverage will increase to 70 per cent and 85 per cent in rural and urban areas respectively. In the rural areas, the target is to reduce the distance to the nearest source of clean and safe water for human and animal consumption to less than one kilometre while in urban areas to less than 500 metres. The following are among the priorities we have budgeted for the next financial year: v. Construction of 52 large solar-powered water supply systems in 19 districts that are currently at less than 50 per cent water coverage. These are - let me mention them; Agago, Yumbe, Amudat, Kaabong, Bulambuli, Buvuma, Buyende, Namayingo, Rakai, Nakaseke, Sembabule, Kibaale, Kasese, Kyegegwa, Mubende, Lyantonde, Kakumiro, Kassanda and Kisoro; vi. Construction of another 15 solar-powered water supply systems in the rural growth centres of Lwentulege, Bugwara, Kabamba, Kikoora, Mwitanzige, Lugala, Kitenga, Bukizibu/Bumwena, Igwaya, Kidera, Bugomolwa, Kitonge - Nakasero, Kikonge, Kasese and Lubaali. This will cover a population of over 272,000 persons; vii. Completion of the construction of 31 town water supply systems and sanitation facilities in Bulangira, Kanapa, Aligoi, Opengate Kawo, Karago, Nyakashaka, Buikwe, Bundibugyo, Kapchorwa, Kamuli, Namasale, Kaliro - Namungalwe, Butaleja–Busolwe, Budaka–Kadama- Tirinyi-Kibuku, Kyankwanzi, Butemba, Ngoma, Lunya, Palabek-Kal (Lamwo), Obongo, Lamwo, Rhino Camp, Arra/ Dufile, Amuru, Kole, Alangi, Zeu, Kakingol, Iriiri and Lorengacora; viii. Construction of 17 rural water supply systems in the refugee hosting districts of Adjumani, Lamwo, Madi-Okollo, Moyo, Terego and Yumbe; ix. Progress of the construction of 26 water supply systems at various stages in Manafwa (now at 80 per cent), Mukura (40 per cent), Kidera (40 per cent), Atutur (40 per cent), Kadungulu (10 per cent), Kaproron (10 per cent), Iyolwa (20 per cent), Bukumi (5 per cent), Rubaya (50 per cent), Bethlehem - Nabigasa, Phase 1 (50 per cent), Kabura - Mwizi Phase 1 (50 per cent), Mabira (50 per cent), Bukiro (50 per cent), Nyabisirira (50 per cent), Bugarama - Karweru (50 per cent), Rwere - Kateretere (50 per cent), Kagarama – Bushura - Kibuzigye (50 per cent), Nyanseke (80 per cent), Busaale (95 per cent), Kibuzi (100 per cent), Adilang, Puranga (Pader), Kasawo, Phase 1 (5 per cent), Kyebando - Kasimbi (5 per cent), Nabilatuk and Losilang; and x. Increasing the water for production storage capacity for commercial farmers from 52.6 million cubic metres to 76.8 million cubic metres. To support the restoration of our environment and reverse the effects of climate change, Government shall undertake the restoration of 42,450 hectares of degraded wetlands along the Awoja, Kandekye - Ruhorobero, Nchwera, Chambura, Kiruruma, Naigombwa, Kibimba, Tochi, Aswa, Sezibwa, Mayanja, Muzizi, Mpanga and Lumbuye water systems. In addition, Government shall demarcate a 720-kilometre boundary with concrete pillars along the following wetlands; Kibimba, Tochi, Sezibwa, Mayanja, Muzizi,Awoja, Mpologoma, Ishasha, Kandekye, Ruhorobero, Nchwera, Chambura, Kiruruma and Naigombwa. A total of 15 million seedlings of assorted tree species shall be procured and distributed to individual farmers in several districts as well as to refugee-

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. We are so grateful that the Government is going to work on that bridge because it is life-threatening. However, we would love that the Minister of Works and Transport brings a statement on what exactly is going to be done. Yesterday, I crossed the bridge because I travelled from Adjumani. We were kept there for more than one hour and no one gave us adequate information on what was being done. This question is being asked daily. If the minister could come here and give us the update that would be okay. Madam Speaker -

Yes. I support the committee but the expansion and innovation of district Hospitals was left out unlike the regional hospitals. Madam Speaker, I have an alarming situation in Adjumani District. People are delivering in grass-thatched houses. Many of my wards are leaking. I have been in touch with the ministry for the last five years but no action has been taken. Babies are in grass-thatched houses in the district hospital. I plead with Government and the House that Adjumani District Hospital be provided. One day, the roof will fall on the children and the mothers. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have digested a number of the issues raised. The issue of VHTs was raised by National Medical Stores and it is an unfunded priority – procurement of gumboots worth Shs 5 billion for VHTs. This is because they have to traverse – and it is part of the personal protective gear. Madam Speaker, I will conclude by saying that health is consumptive initially but the gains of investing in health are cost-cutting in the future. We may want all these but at the end of the day, it comes down to resources. Where we put the resources, we should first do a cost-benefit and effective analysis. The running costs of ambulances – I give an example that we should invest in the health centre IV on Kalangala Island because the cost of transporting him in a boat ambulance to the mainland and back is 200 litres, which is Shs 1 million. We need to do a cost-benefit analysis before we prioritise our investments and we need to look at diagnostics, human resource, legislation, infrastructure and equipment. For the issue of Matany Hospital, the Government, through subventions, annually appropriates Shs 600 million to church-based hospitals – the likes of Rubaga, Lacor and so forth. Maybe it is time that those figures are revised to a figure that is commensurate with the pressures on the hospital. We shall look into it. On Adjumani Hospital, the Ministry of Health told us there were issues to do with shoddy work in Adjumani Hospital; so, they withheld development budget going to the hospital.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity, although the health committee chairperson was not positive. (Laughter) Saying that there was shoddy work in Adjumani and the Ministry of Health has made a stand not to do any development, to me, is a poor action taken. This is because, in the end, it is the people who are going to lose services. Therefore, I want the ministry to provide a remedy in two areas: one, to save the lives of the people; and, two, to handle the issue of shoddy

Madam Speaker, I can provide the details on the districts that have offices, and they are the following: Lamwo, Abim, Amuru, Kiryandongo, Kamuli, Buhweju, Bundibugyo, Lwengo, Rubirizi, Butaleja, Adjumani, Butambala, Otuke, Luuka and Nakapiripirit. Those are the 15 that have offices. The rest do not have. Madam Speaker, the second issue is Cabinet support and policy development. We have a gap of Shs 1.976 billion. Our total request is Shs 4.579 billion. What was provided for is Shs 2.603 billion and we request for the balance to be provided. Regarding the facilitation for RDCs, our budget is Shs 21 billion, but what was provided is Shs 14.8 billion, leaving a gap of Shs 6.2 billion. That is what we are recommending. On facilitation of the project management team for the Intelligence Transport Monitoring System Aware that in July 2021, the Government signed an agreement with Joint Stock Global Security. Subsequently, a committee to oversee this project was established by the Office of the President and we request for the facilitation of this committee; we request for Shs 3.5 billion. Support to the Afro-Arab Youth Council for headquarters construction Madam Speaker, we are about to lose a prime opportunity to construct an office block, a stadium, and a cultural heritage centre, among others, because the Government of Uganda signed an agreement, in August 2023, to host the headquarters and the condition given to our government is to provide land. The duration of the project is only five years. We have only purchased 23 acres and we are left with 27 acres. The money we are demanding so that we comply is Shs 5.4 billion minus that we shall lose this prime opportunity. Monitoring the mainstreaming of the manifesto commitments Aware that the governance of this country is dependent on the manifesto –

12543 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 APRIL 2024 Where there are internal capacity challenges, the National Planning Authority should undertake the studies. On budgeting for Anti-Money Laundering, and Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) We recommend that the Uganda Police Force implement the strategic deficiencies under its jurisdiction on pending action items from the National Risk Assessment of 2023. Traffic and Road Safety We note that this department implements an express penalty scheme, which forms the bulk of NTR. We, therefore, recommend an additional Shs 8.6 billion for the procurement of transport equipment and installation of an IOV inspection lane and certification centre and Shs 18 billion for the procurement of 10 mobile inspection stations for IOV. Police Accommodation and Ongoing Con - struction Projects There is continued construction of 240 staff houses in Jinja and Entebbe, which requires an additional Shs 69.986 billion. Construction of eight accommodation blocks at the headquarters in Nakasongola, Sheema, Busolwe, Mitooma, Kanungu, and Kakumiro has a funding gap of Uganda’s Shs 2.24 billion, among others. These projects need independent project designs with national coverage, standardisation and ease of project monitoring? Therefore, we recommend developing a comprehensive project to undertake countrywide interventions with the same standards to ease the monitoring of such infrastructure. Subcounty Policing Model This model is premised on concentrating limited resources at a subcounty for efficiency and effectiveness in providing policing services to the communities. This requires the following: (i) Deploying a minimum of 18 personnel; (ii) 2 motorcycles per police station; (iii) 1 motor vehicle; (iv) A counter phone and radio communication; (v) An office. If this model is to be phased, starting with high-risk crime levels, taking 30 subcounties that have been planned requires Shs 36.946 billion. However, only Shs 5.6 billion has been provided in the Financial Year 2024/2025 budget for only 9 subcounties. We, therefore, recommend that Uganda Police Force first pilot this model with the existing funds provided in the budget and expand it given the lessons learned in the piloted subcounties. On crime management We note that Uganda Police Force intends to expand the Canine units to 10 districts of Nebbi, Koboko, Budaka, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Zombo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Packwach and Kaberamaido during FY 2024/2025 with a provision of Shs 0.709 billion out of the required Shs 2.968 billion, leaving a gap of Shs 2.259 billion. We, therefore, recommend providing Shs 2.259 billion for the canine unit to take its services to the above districts and closer to communities in the Finacial Year 2024/2025 budget. In addition, the Uganda Police Force should sensitize the masses on the importance of not interfering with scenes of crime to deploy canine dogs effectively in the investigative mechanism. On stationery, Mr Speaker, we note that the shortage of stationery at police units is a source of perceived corruption, dissatisfaction, loss of confidence and ultimately poor police image. A provision of Shs 2.172 billion has been made for the Financial Year 2024/2025, yet the

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I thank the committee for a very good report. I have a big concern with the water for consumption in rural areas. The policy is clear; one source of clean water per village. I still have villages without clean source of water, and I have been in touch with the ministry. The ministry severally gave me feedback that they do not have money to ensure that the service providers do their work. This has lasted for almost one year. Mr Speaker, I propose that we prioritise those villages which still drink very dirty and contaminated water. Secondly, we still have urban centres like Adjumani, where water supply is inadequate. When we relate that to the guidelines and the standards expected, people take dirty water because of the nature of settlement. Therefore, I also pray that we prioritise urban centres where water is a big problem.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. The committee, under water and environment, has been asking for Shs 2 billion to invest in forest protection and conservation. In Uganda, I have seen two things. On one side, you see people advocating for environmental protection, but on the other side, you will find other people also advocating for environmental destruction. I do not know why the ministry is asking for money. Mr Speaker, before some of us joined Parliament, we saw scenarios where ministers were named in connection with some forests. Now, we do not see this happening in this country. We need to know whether they lost interest or are not in Government. They need to tell us because as we give you money, we need to see your impact. We are aware that every year, we vote for money for these ministries. If you travel from my district Adjumani to Kampala, which is over 400 kilometres, you find roadblocks along the way, but forest products pass right through and reach Kampala. What is the problem? Why are you asking for conservation when you do not look at destruction? If you come from an area where there are forests, you have a big problem, especially when you are looking at controlling the effect

12577 THE E L E VENTH P A R L IAMENT O F U GANDA THURSDAY , 11 A P R IL 2024 of destruction. As a country, where are we going? If the Government has lost interest in environmental protection, they need to tell us. I want to be very clear and without fear that the people of Adjumani say that the Government must tell them that if they have lost interest, they should also allow them to go and carry out destruction of the environment, especially in Zoka Forest. How do you expect someone from Kampala to go and carry out destruction in my area, while I am watching and telling the Government that “please, come and protect us”, but you are not doing it? Mr Speaker – (Member timed out.)

12589 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 APRIL 2024 It is quite important that we strengthen their capacity and increase their funding to enable them to do that. You may not be surprised to find that many times – sometimes, you find some of the officers turn a blind eye to what they are supposed to protect because of the situation they are operating in. Mr Speaker, Hon. Mamawi passionately talked about the Zoka Forest, among other issues. I would like to let you know, friends, that the Government is not just interested in protecting the environment, and particularly Zoka Forest, but Zoka Forest is in a contested area of Apaa, which is between Adjumani and Apaa. As a ministry, we have tried as directed by Cabinet to replant and protect it. However, the conflict therein, which is not yet solved, is a challenge. The honourable member should take note that we are doing everything possible to protect Zoka Forest. A report was already raised out of that. Hon. Oguzu raised an issue on how we can balance the issue of clean energy vis-a-vis our local people and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or the clean energy we are promoting to our people. I would like to say that this is a global demand, because of the effects of climate change, each country has already spelled out national determined contributions, what a country can do to combat emissions. Globally, we are party and partners in this, and I am happy that we have also been going for these negotiations, that is globally demanded that each country puts in place measures that can calm down the emissions. Therefore, as a country, we know that many people might not be able to use the LPG. We, however, have other technologies that we are promoting, including the energy mix, which is catering for that. For instance, the energy saving stoves, which are in our villages, most of our people access them. We are also promoting solar cooking stoves which is also part of this. The LPG, because of the energy mix, we can have them in the urban centres. Recently, I sampled it in Kitgum Municipality with about 300 LPG and they are still demanding for it. We can keep on promoting it and then, we have separated interventions in different areas. It could not be the same. Otherwise, I appreciate the concerns. Mr Speaker, most of our colleagues have appreciated the effect of climate change and the need for the Government to step up interventions. My appeal is that we should provide more funds so that we can beef up this, because if we do not, we are heading for disaster. I thank the committee for analysing this and making all the possible provisions. Generally, many honourable colleagues have talked about the water sector, that its coverage is not enough in most areas. It is true, we cannot run away from that, but it is due to lack of funds. We should also appreciate, Mr Speaker, that as Government, we have tried to extend the water coverage across the country. We have also tried to restore the forest cover, but because of the funds and the human resource to use is limited. For instance, on the other side of the forest, we are trying to have more trained personnel so that they can respond. You also heard that NEMA who are supposed to be fire-fighters, they do not even have the means. The vehicles they have cannot enable them run up and down. I am happy that, that has been provided. Once it is approved, we are going to do our best. We have done what we can within the limited resources you have given us. However, we have recovered the forest cover, and then we have tried to extend the water coverage in the circumstances that the funding was still limited. The –(Member timed out.)

Isingiro, Kagadi, Nakaseseke, Nakasongola, Arua, obongi, Kitgum, Lamwo, Kamuli, Iganga, Agago, pader, Amum, and adjumani. (18) 1,800 MSMEs mobilized and sensitized on the importance of formatizing and registration of businesses. Amuru and Adjumani. ( 19) 1 ,550 MSMEs mobilized and sensitized on the importance of product certification, audits, good manufacturing practices and good hygiene practices for enterprises in Agago and pader. (20) Final draft guidelines for development, management and operation of Industrial Parks developed. (21) Draft regulations for scrap metal trade developed. (22) Draft amendment to Licensing Act Regulations devetoped. (23) Development of guidelines for the Eco-certification of industries tabled. (24) Production and trade in the pineappte sub-sector profile Table 12: MTIC Proposed Budget allocation FY 2o24l25 and Variances between Approved and proposed (UGX, Billion| Source.. Semi- A nnual Budge Performance v {, Budget Category FY 20/23124 Budget App Budget Spent by End Dec FY 2024l25 Budget Estimates Variance Between Approved and Proposed Wage 3.248 1.403 2.894 -0.354 Non-lllage 155.589 86.625 LOL.2r9 -54.37 GoU Dev't 1O.826 5.065 I 1.16 0.334 Arrears 0.335 0 0 -0.335 Total Budget 169.998 93.093 t15.273 -54.725 W -{*- fr 45 Report FY 2023/24 & ( eTrl

12424 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Government should instead focus on addressing the challenges associated with spending local revenues at source by, for example, enforcing its policy reform to address capacity gaps, incompetence and corruption in local government. The committee also takes note of the fact that Parliament has time and again expressed the need to review the seemingly contradictory legal frameworks, but Ministry of Finance has not taken concrete steps to reverse the status quo. Committee recommendations 1. Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should withdraw the directive to local governments to remit local revenues collected by the local governments to the Consolidated Fund in line with Section 29(1) and (3) of the Public Finance Management Act. And local governments be allowed to collect, manage and spend the local revenues from a general fund account maintained at the district level in accordance with Section 80 to 82 of the Local Governments Act and other relevant laws. 2. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Ministry of Local Government expedites the process of addressing the shortcomings associated with the collection and management of local revenues at source by local governments before and at the end of the calendar year 2024. This is to aid the local governments in handling their local revenues. Under Markets and Agriculture Trade Improvements Programme (MATIP) 3 Committee observations i. All the markets built under Markets and Agriculture Trade Improvements Programme MATIP 1 and 2 are complete and functional. ii. There has been significant economic improvement and household income in the areas where the MATIP markets have been constructed. iii. There are design challenges and gaps in the completed MATIP markets that are posing serious challenges to the vendors in those markets. iv. Functionality and utilisation in some markets remain poor, for example, in Busia Municipality, where the market is functioning at about 30 per cent. v. Some cities are highly populated, hence overcrowding in the constructed markets. vi. The MATIP markets are concentrated majorly in cities and municipalities, leaving out town councils that are highly populated and require such facilities. Recommendations 1. Funds be availed for the additional eight markets under MATIP 3. 2. In addition to the eight markets, Ministry of Local Government should include Kaliro Town Council, Kamuli Municipality, Adjumani Town Council and an additional market for Gulu City. 3. Ministry of Local Government should carry out a detailed technical assessment of the constructed markets with a view of correcting the defects and design errors therein. 4. Ministry of Local Government should use the existing markets and the challenges observed in their operationalisation to inform the design for the plan of MATIP 3 markets. 5. Ministry of Local Government should pay attention during the design phase and all the consultants accountable for any design flaws. Remuneration of leaders Madam Speaker, the committee observed that local service delivery and overall development across the country is greatly dependent on motivated and well-facilitated political leaders who carry out monitoring, oversight, legislation and executive functions in local governments. [Mr Mapenduzi] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

12431 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2024 It is, therefore, our considered view that the PDM is not translating into increased household incomes and alleviation of poverty in its current state nor can it substantially improve the quality of life of citizens or contribute to an increase in production. The model is characterised by mismanagement at the point of introduction of groups. Look at how the officials in Kitgum in 2021 were arrested over the misappropriation of Shs 526 million. We still note that the model in its current state does not have a unified monitoring tool, there exists unapproved SACCOs since the inception of the model two years back and it is discriminatory in nature. As I interacted with several Muslim communities in these local governments, they said, they cannot take on this because in their beliefs they do not allow anything that attracts interest. In the very main report, we have already given the quotas- I agree with that one. But, the model is not also observing the quotas as highlighted before. This programme adopted a one-size-fits-all method of allocation of funds in total disregard of the varying population in parishes in this country. A parish like Kireka in Wakiso with over 100 people is compared to the same - and a parish like Mutungo, which has 64,663 people is also compared to the same as a smaller parish like Ibbiaworo Parish in Adjumani, which has 892 people. This is per the latest UBOS population statistics. This very model as we talk today is not considering the different things. We therefore propose that the different needs of the different societies. We therefore request that today –

Mr Speaker, aware of the challenge that aflatoxins cause to our population, I want to really – since constructing silos has become too expensive for the Government, let us invest and support farmers with those bags so that once they have harvested and dried, they can put these cereals into those bags. I want to end by saying that when I went to Adjumani, I found another challenge. While we are talking about aflatoxins, these grinding machines that are grinding maize, groundnuts and all that we are eating today, particles of those machines are actually being consumed by people. There are many people suffering from kidney because of that. Let us also look into that, Mr Speaker. Ugandans are now lazy; they no longer want to grind or pound the groundnuts. Everybody buys ready-made groundnuts, which is very dangerous. This is the information that I would like to get – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker and congratulations to Hon. Aber. I rise on a matter of national importance. The issue is related to the population census, which is due to take place from 10 th to 19 th May. There is insecurity along the common border with Sudan, stretching from Koboko to Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani, as well as Lamwo. Currently, there are conflicts and quarrels related to the boundary, land, settlement, social services and so on. Mr Speaker, if you can remember, in the year 2014 there were conflicts when officials from Moyo went to carry out a census along the border. Nine Members of Parliament were arrested and detained. My prayers are as follows: 1. We need peace and security along the border during the census period. That is very important. 2. Institute patrols by the army and the police during that period so that we do not get that incidence of 2014, where I was also a victim. I was tied up, arrested and bundled and I felt belittled. 3. Setting up of an army detach for peace and security. 4. In the long run, demarcating the border line between Uganda and South Sudan. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the consideration. However, kindly allow me to say this: at times the honourable members of Parliament get so affected and distracted because of emergencies in their districts. For example, from last week, Monday to date, Adjumani District is mourning. People who have killed -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am here to present the report of the Committee on Equal Opportunities on the state of refugees and refugee hosting communities in Uganda. I beg to lay. Allow me to lay the minutes of the meeting of the committee with various stakeholders from the refugees and refugee hosting communities of Uganda. Mr Speaker, with your guidance of yesterday, I would like to go through, very briefly. This report focuses on the situation of refugees in camps distributed throughout the country that the committee visited. In the methodology, while preparing the report, various districts hosting refugees were visited. We held meetings with the leadership of the district local governments of Arua, Koboko, Yumbe, Adjumani, Lamwo, Kiryandongo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge, and Isingiro. We also visited the host communities. Allow me take you to page 8 where we have the overview of the status of refugees. The settlement camps in Adjumani, Palabek in Lamwo, Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe, Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Terego, Kampala settlement, Kiryandongo settlement in Kiryandongo, Kyaka II settlement in Kyangwali, Koboko, Nakivale settlement in Isingiro, Palorinya in Obongi, Rhino settlement in Madi-Okollo and Ramwanja in Kamwenge were visited. Page 18 has the achievements of interventions by Government and the different actors who are working to support refugees and refugee hosting communities. They range from integration of refugees to different services like education, health, food security and livelihoods. I believe you have the report and will be able to read it. Allow me to take you to page 24 where we have challenges, observations and recommendations. One is about the compromised healthcare quality and the pressure on education and the schooling system. Mr Speaker, the committee observed that the above challenges were aggravated by secondary factors. The committee came up with the following recommendations: (i) The Government of Uganda and its partners such as UNHCR should put in more resources for infrastructure like construction of classrooms, latrine stances and recruitment of more teachers to be able to cope with pressure on the existing education facilities and human resource. (ii) The Ministry of Education and Sports should develop an in-service refresher short course aimed at specifically equipping teachers of schools in refugee settlements to respond to the unique needs of learners. Another challenge is water, sanitation and hygiene. The committee observed that poor waste management, unmanaged pressure on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, increased dependence on donors for service delivery such as water supply and poor adolescent hygiene, especially for girls risks undermining gains made in refugee management in Uganda. The recommendations under that - 1. The committee recommends that Government needs to engage implementing partners to have continuous engagement with refugees and host communities on water user fee to enhance sustainable WASH management in the long run.

11882 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT shelter and a place of refuge, as it were, and we should not stop doing that. However, we need to compel the Government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs to engage our neighbouring countries because Uganda should not be carrying this burden entirely on its own. This number continues to grow by the day and it has negative impacts back home. We want to welcome refugees, but can we deal with this situation? Can we engage other governments so that Uganda does not get to shoulder this burden alone? If there is some kind of engagement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs should update this House on what exactly is happening, so that we know that we are not just sitting on this issue. Secondly, there is a challenge for the host communities. I have looked at this report and seen how disempowered the host communities are. I am getting more bothered about the host communities beyond just the refugees. This is a report, and it goes beyond the refugees. For example, in Adjumani, out of three counties in the district, none of them has a Health Centre IV, contrary to the existing Government policies of a Health Centre IV per county. That bothers me; I am more concerned about our own. Yes, let us welcome the refugees, but in this situation, even if the refugees were not there, the locals are in a precarious situation themselves. In Yumbe District, two counties had no Health Centres IV, while two others had no health facilities at all. How? In 2024, Government? This is beyond the refugees. This is about our own people; Ugandan people - and it is captured in this report. In several others, we are talking about pressure on education, sanitation and so on. Mr Speaker, we need to compel the Government to be a little more serious about the people of Uganda, and then by extension, the refugees. Let us welcome them, because you might find yourself in a situation that requires you to get shelter elsewhere. However, as we do that, can we empower our local communities, first and foremost, for their own good, away from the refugees because like I have said, even if the refugees were not in place, these communities do not have health centres IV. How? It is not acceptable. Thank you.

11889 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 per day, and 6,000 cubic meters per day to 9,000 cubic meters per day, respectively. The project also entails laying of 85 kilometres of pipe network, construction of a 2,000 cubic meter capacity reservoir, and the rehabilitation and expansion of the sewage system. The scope of work under the neighbouring towns is being implemented under the Ministry of Water and Environment. 3. Adjumani Water Supply and Sanitation Project This project targets Adjumani Town Council, Pakele, Zaipi and Ciforo, among others and involves the construction of water intake structure of capacity 12,000 cubic meters per day, water supply plant of capacity of 4,000 cubic meters per day, laying of 51.8 kilometre of water distribution network and installation of the water storage capacity of 1,150 cubic metres and construction of sanitation facilities. iv. Source protection measures in Arua, Gulu, Mbale and Bushenyi areas Works under package two of the Gulu project are currently at 61 per cent and the project is expected to be completed by the end of October 2024. Contracts for Adjumani and Mbale were signed on 21 December 2023, and the contractor is currently mobilising to commence works; this is expected in March 2024. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and Gulu City are jointly implementing the integrated program to improve living conditions in Gulu through grant financing from KFW. This program is being implemented in two phases. The works under phase 1 were completed in 2020 and the system is operational now. The scope of works included the following: 1. Rehabilitation and expansion of Oyitino Dam, raw water intake and Gulu water treatment plant run raw water intake and good water treatment plant from 4,000 cubic metres per day to 10,000 cubic metres per day. This also included development of ground water capacity of 2,000 cubic metres per day; 2. The rehabilitation and expansion of the sewage system; 3. The construction of a faecal sludge treatment facility at Pece–Cubu; 4. The construction of 20 water-borne toilet facilities in public places; and 5. The construction of 30,000 cubic metres per day water intake in the River Nile at Karuma. The scope of work under phase 2 includes the following: 1. Construction of a Water Treatment plant of capacity 10,000 cubic metre per day at Karuma; 2. Construction of 5,000 cubic metre capacity reservoir at Customs Corner in Gulu City; 3. Installation of reservoirs in the six small towns along Gulu Highway, namely Karuma, Kamdini, Minakulu, Bobi, Koro- Abili and Palenga; and 4. The construction of a sludge storage facility at Pece-Cubu. Works under Phase 2 are at 43 per cent progress, and the project is expected to be completed by July, 2024. Ongoing projects scope includes only towns that are en-route to Gulu along the highway (Karuma, Kamdini, Minakulu, Bobi, Kolo- Abili, Palenga). Apparently Oyam North is not en-route and will only benefit from other National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC) budgetary arrangements that are gazetted by the Ministry of Water and Environment. The Hon. Gorreth Namugga, Member of Parliament, Mawogola South Ssembabule District, said: According to 3 rd National

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We thought it wise to raise this as a matter of national importance. The road from Adjumani to Obongi is cut off by flooding of the Zoka stream. Where this road is, we have a stream called Zoka, which joins River Nile. We wonder why engineers from Ministry of Works and Transport decided to make this road along this area? We would like to know from the Government, what they can do to help the people of Adjumani and Obongi to see that this road does not disturb our people every year? If there [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

It is a UNRA road joining Adjumani and Obongi districts. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I am of the view that we should discuss why our government- aided schools perform poorly compared to private schools. (Applause) This is causing a lot of pressure on the poor parents because they are now striving to take their children to private schools for the purpose of ensuring that they pass and continue with education. Therefore, I propose that the honourable minister brings a report here with all the associated challenges so that we can be able to achieve compulsory education for all. Two, as Madi subregion, we have a big problem with Amelo Technical Institute. For over 10 years, Government has failed to finish the construction of this institute. I have been to the ministry and I have written several letters, but no action has been taken. Can the ministry go to Adjumani and we have a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve this matter immediately? Lastly, there is –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thank you very much, honourable minister for agriculture. The minister talked about the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease in other parts of Uganda and other districts, and short-term, medium- term and long-term strategies for control. This involves animals like cows, goats, pigs and sheep. As it was said by my honourable colleague, the land between South Sudan and Uganda is vast, so much that cows from South Sudan roam freely. At times, the refugees move with these animals across the border. From Koboko, Moyo and Adjumani in West Nile up to Lamwo, these areas are being used by the refugees for grazing their animals. Mr Speaker, my worry is that sooner or later, there are going to be issues related to Food and Mouth Disease in these areas if the Government does not control movement of these animals in West Nile. Thank you very much.

Honourable member for Napore West, followed by honourable member for Adjumani.

11491 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 30 JANUARY 2023 structures established, we have challenges of shortage from Mulago National Referral Hospital up to the health units at the district levels. I, therefore, request that we support that proposal. Thirdly, we have issues of dilapidated structures under the Ministry of Health. At the district level, I can cite an example of Adjumani District Health Facility, where there is a lot of leakage. Therefore, I request that the Ministry of Health be supported to renovate some of these health units. I am also concerned about delays in delivering of drugs. Mr Speaker, I request that the Committee on Health carries out an investigation because each time I reach Adjumani District, there are complaints about non-delivery of drugs, yet we receive regular messages from the Ministry of Health, notifying Members of Parliament of the delivery and dispatch of drugs. In the report, there is a request to facilitate faster delivery, but since the information is not tallying, let the Committee on Health conduct a monitoring exercise and report so that we get to know whether the Ministry of Health sends us rightful information or not. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following Members to the standing Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government): 1. Hon. Isaac Modoi - Lutseshe County; 2. Hon. Michael Mawanda - Igara County East; 3. Hon. John Twesigye - Bunyaruguru County; 4. Hon. Xavier Kyooma - Ibanda County North; 5. Hon. Fredrick Angura - Tororo South County; 6. Hon. Florence Nebanda - Butaleja; 7. Hon. Pamela Kamugo - Budaka; 8. Hon. Joseph Ruyonga - Hoima West Division; 9. Hon. Isaac Ssejjoba - Bukoto County Mid-West; 10. Hon. Jesca Ababiku - Adjumani; 11. Hon. Wamakuyu Mudimi - Elgon County; 12. Hon. Sharon Balmoyi - Gulu; 13. Hon. Jane Awich - Kaberamaido; 14. Hon. Catherine Lamwaka - Omoro;

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I would like to thank the committee for this very good report. I have one observation. Madam Speaker, based on the economic condition in which we are, many people have not recovered. Things are very difficult. I have a person who called me yesterday from Adjumani intending to commit suicide. Why? -

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for prioritising us. I join the rest in appreciating the report of the committee. My major concern is about the arrears, which have accumulated. We had a very good interaction in Adjumani District, but the loan officers are highly challenged because they have enrolled people who cannot pay them. I, therefore, agree with the recommendation that the Government must ensure that the arrears are paid. Secondly, on the issue of the guidelines, some people are ready to borrow less than Shs 1 million, but the latest guideline is tying people to Shs 1 million and they are getting lost. I also support that the earlier approved guidelines, laid here in the House should be the ones used because when you sent us, we sensitised our communities based on the first guidelines, which were approved here. Lastly, 39 per cent of the people are very poor and many of them did not even go to school. Filling these forms is very tedious, needs computer literacy and therefore, most people are opting out. I propose that the Government devises means of ensuring that a simpler way is used to enrol our people in a faster way. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join the rest in welcoming you back. I have one comment on the health status of our district referral hospitals related to what you mentioned about our national referral hospital. Adjumani District referral hospital is collapsing. I have taken letters to the ministry. It is leaking and it is serving both the refugees and nationals. I pray that we support our Committee on Health to ensure that we prioritise our health units this year because many of them are in dire need. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance about ferry operations across River Nile in Laropi Subcounty, Moyo District. On Sunday, 22 October 2023 at around 7.50 p.m., hundreds of passengers using the Moyo- Adjumani route via River Nile were left stranded after a fuel tanker failed to disembark from Laropi ferry at Laropi Landing Site in Moyo District. This is because the ferry uses only one engine. If you remember, a month ago, the ferry engines were serviced, but as I speak, there is only one engine that is working. The passengers were advised to use the longer route via Obongi as a temporary alternative. Others have opted to use local boats, which are also risky. Mr Speaker, our prayers are: (i) Can the ministry replace or service the three remaining engines which got spoilt? (ii) Honourable minister, can you please fast-track the bridge construction process across River Nile at Laropi in Moyo District? Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. Huda Oleru, Member for Adjumani and then the Member for Busia. [Mr Twinomujuni] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for the report because they have brought out what is happening in the local governments. Madam Speaker, I want to know from the Government – Projects are given to districts and sometimes the project period ends without any achievement. In such instances, where does this money go? Adjumani District has lost a very big project for regulation of livelihoods under the Ministry of Local Government, which project the minister is aware of. The market has not been constructed and the project period has ended and we do not know where this money is now. We need to know from the Government where this money goes. Secondly, Madam Speaker, the issue of recruitment is very real in local government. You gave us a duty to go to other districts to check what is happening there. We went to one of the districts and we got very sad news. One person who is acting in the position of District Production and Management Officer is a person at the scale of U5; Animal Husbandry Officer. In this district, goats were given out and 90 per cent of the goats died. I have been in the district and I was the Secretary for Production in my district. Lack of technical personnel is the cause of some of these problems. If a person in this position is at this –(Member timed out.)

9947 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2023 and Rt Hon. Nakadama, Hon. Mulimba, Hon. Chemonges, Hon. Mateke, Members of Parliament for Adjumani, Bugiri, Isingiro and Hon. Kibalya. Thank you. Honourable chairperson of the committee, all these reasons were handed over to the committee. This is what the chairperson is going to present. Are 15 minutes enough for you?

Thank you, Mr Speaker and my dear colleagues. I rise on a matter of national importance about the issue of ferry operations across the Nile at Laropi in Moyo District. Mr Speaker, there is a letter dated 10 August 2023, to the effect that there is going to be temporary interruptions of Laropi ferry operations for maintenance, which is supposed to commence on the 21 st of August to 10 September, which will last almost 20 days. Mr Speaker, this will have serious repercussion to the people of West Nile in general and Madi Sub-region in particular, in the sense that the cost of doing business will increase due to long distance. There will be scarcity of commodities and the cost of living will also increase. Not only that, Mr Speaker, normally, school children, civil servants, nurses, teachers, and so on, ply between Adjumani and Moyo from Monday to Friday. Once the operation of the ferry is stopped, then all these activities will also stop.

First check the First Schedule. Let us resolve one issue at a time. The First Schedule has Kampala and districts of Uganda. Bundibugyo and Kasese are in Rwenzori; Busia, Butaleja, Pallisa and Tororo in Bukedi and Abim, Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto in Karamoja. Mbale, Sironko and Manafwa are in Bugisu, Bukwo and Kapchorwa in Sebei while Adjumani and Moyo are in Madi - Should I read all?

9230 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT district as a hard-to-reach area so as to benefit from funds earmarked for such areas. His questions are: a) What criteria is used to determine hard-to- reach areas? b) What is the possibility of including other areas in the hard-to-reach areas category? c) Which areas are categorised as hard-to- reach? My response is that the Ministry of Public Service observed that there were areas in some local governments that had consistently failed to attract and retain skilled and capable human resource, leading to inadequacies and gaps in the delivery of services. This was observed through inspection reports, support supervision exercises and payroll status reports. These areas were, therefore, defined as hard to reach. Hard-to-reach areas are defined as remote or insecure areas that are unable to attract and retain sufficient numbers of motivated staff because of difficult living conditions. They are, therefore, “hard to work in and hard to stay in.” These areas are characterised by remoteness, insecurity and poor infrastructure, among others. In the Financial Year 2010-2011, Government approved payment of hardship allowances of 30 per cent of the basic monthly salary for public officers working in the local governments defined as hard to reach. The following 24 areas are categorised as hard-to-reach: Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Moroto, Kaabong, Pader, Kitgum, Nwoya, Amuru, Kalangala, Gulu, Bundibugyo, Adjumani, Kisoro, Kanungu, Bukwo, Ntoroko, Buvuma, Lamwo, Namayingo, Napak, Mayuge (specifically Malonge Island), Bugiri (specifically Sigulu Island), and Mukono (specifically Koome Islands). Over the years, the Ministry of Public Service has received requests from various local governments to be considered hard-to-reach areas. Consequently, the ministry carried out a study, in the year 2020, in order to review the hard-to-reach and hard-to-stay areas in the country based on the criteria of remoteness, insecurity and poor infrastructure. Out of the 63 districts that had requested to be considered, 54 were found to have hard- to-reach and hard-to-stay spots eligible for payment of the hard-to-reach allowance. In total, 340 hard-to-reach spots were identified as the qualifying localities within the 54 districts. Madam Speaker, allow me to lay, on the Table, a full list of the hard-to-reach and hard-to-stay areas in the country. In the interest of time, Members can access it. Madam Speaker, based on the criteria used, I would like to inform the honourable member that Rubanda was not categorised as a hard-to- reach and hard-to-stay district. It is also important to note that the Ministry of Public Service has not yet implemented the revised Hard-to-Reach Framework. The current priority of the Government is the salary enhancement of all public officers in a phased approach. Madam Speaker, I got another question from Hon. Francis Adome, MP for Moroto Municipality. His question was to know the Government’s plan to rehabilitate government- aided schools in Karamoja. My response is that the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with education development partners, has been providing infrastructure support to both primary and post-primary institutions in the Karamoja subregion. All the post-primary institutions (11 secondary schools and two PTCs) benefitted from infrastructure support under the Irish Aid. All secondary schools in the Karamoja subregion implementing Universal Secondary Education were provided with additional infrastructure under the World Bank support and were provided with additional classrooms to attain the recommended classroom-student ratio of 1:60. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

9173 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 21 JUNE 2023 fraternity, the people of Nebbi, Adjumani and Uganda at large. May the soul of Justice Stella Arach rest in perfect peace. Much as we have this special sitting, we also have a few concerns. The concerns in the public are issues of robberies around mobile money kiosks. I ask the Prime Minister to request the relevant authorities to follow up and find out what is happening and how this can be controlled. Otherwise, there is a big outcry out there. We are going to have a body here, but we have an issue with the blood bank. As of today, we do not have blood in the blood bank. Can we have a statement on the Floor tomorrow on the issue of the blood bank and lack of blood? Tomorrow, somebody will die and say that it was because there was no blood. We do not want another body here because of lack of blood. Whereas the interns promised they are going to work, they need to be paid. Prime Minister, you made a commitment in the Budget Speech. Kindly, follow it up and ensure that the 1,900 interns are deployed and paid. We will be very grateful to receive a report from you on the payment of interns and their deployment. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, after the 1,900 are paid, there is an accumulation of 4,000 interns yet to be deployed and paid. This would help us, as the Legislature, to plan better on how much money should always be given to health so that they can be able to save lives. We are tired of having dead bodies here in the House. We would like to tell the good Lord that as the Legislature, we have had enough. May the good Lord help us and save people so we do not bring more bodies in the House. We cannot continue having special sittings and paying tribute to our colleagues. It is very disheartening. I want us to dedicate this House to prayer; that this should be the last. I know we serve a living God and this will come to an end. Let our people live and serve the nation. Lady Justice Stella, we will dearly miss you and we pray for your family, the children, your husband and everybody. Honourable members, under Rule 7 of our Rules of Procedure, I have admitted the Deputy Chief Justice, who is here standing in for the Chief Justice, by sitting in the Chamber and witnessing the proceedings while we pay tribute to our sister, daughter and friend. Since the deceased was a distinguished member of the Bench, kindly join me in receiving her into the Chamber. Deputy Chief Justice, you are most welcome. This is the Parliament of Uganda; a people- centred Parliament. We thank you that we complement each other; we do not fight each other, but work together as arms of Government. Thank you. (Entrance of the late Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko.) The National Anthem. The East African Community Anthem. Laying of Wreaths MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE LADY JUSTICE STELLA ARACH- AMOKO, JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PURSUANT TO SCHEDULE 3 OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY ACT, 2020

Why don’t we listen to the whole list? You said we should read the list and we are reading it. Honourable members, listen to the figures. I do not think any of these Members will take this money into their pockets. 30) Vote 720: Masindi Municipal Council – Shs 11,172,470,000 31) Vote 721: Mityana Municipal Council – Shs 10,365,633,000 32) Vote 722: Moroto Municipal Council – Shs 5,143,627,000 33) Vote 723: Mubende Municipal Council – Shs 10,465,947,000 34) Vote 724: Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 19,829,177,000 35) Vote 725: Nansana Municipal Council – Shs 24,351,761,000 36) Vote 726: Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 6,907,898,000 37) Vote 727: Njeru Municipal Council – Shs 13,394,572,000 38) Vote 728: Ntungamo Municipal Council – Shs 4,845,867,000 39) Vote 729: Rukungiri Municipal Council – Shs 9,415,996,000 40) Vote 730: Sheema Municipal Council – Shs 14,106,079,000 41) Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council – Shs 9,365,323,000 42) Vote 801: Abim District – Shs 18,295,895,000 43) Vote 802: Adjumani District – Shs 31,965,889,000 44) Vote 803: Agago District – Shs 31,061,514,000 45) Vote 804: Alebtong District – Shs 23,689,489,000 46) Vote 805: Amolatar District – Shs 19,357,798,000 47) Vote 806: Amudat District – Shs 10,632,904,000 48) Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 22,290,290,000 49) Vote 808: Amuru District - Shs 22,428,999,000 50) Vote 809: Apac District – Shs 20,739,922,000 51) Vote 810: Arua District – Shs 16,085,370,000 52) Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 25,157,873,000 53) Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 26,411,933,000 54) Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 34,828,388,000 55) Vote 814: Bugweri District – Shs 19,367,086,000 56) Vote 815: Buhweju District – Shs 15,085,933,000 57) Vote 816: Buikwe District – Shs 24,383,139,000 58) Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 26,466,423,000 59) Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District – Shs 18,428,274,000

8754 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 60) Vote 819: Bukwo District – Shs 22,102,420,000 61) Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 22,999,426,000 62) Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 14,874,929,000 63) Vote 822: Bundibugyo District – Shs 33,203,487,000 64) Vote 823: Bunyangabu District - Shs 19,891,642,000 65) Vote 824: Bushenyi District – Shs 28,896,953,000 66) Votes 825: Busia District - Shs 32,967,494,000 67) Votes 826: Butaleja District - Shs 33,927,473,000 68) Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 23,446,766,000 69) Vote 828: Butebo District - Shs 16,607,616,000 70) Vote 829: Buvuma District – Shs 13,321,617,000 71) Vote 830: Buyende District – Shs 22,651,177,000 72) Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 21,223,707,000 73) Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 21,231,932,000\ 74) Vote 720: Masindi Municipal Council – Shs 11,172,470,000 75) Vote 721: Mityana Municipal Council – Shs 10,365,633,000 76) Vote 722: Moroto Municipal Council – Shs 5,143,627,000 77) Vote 723: Mubende Municipal Council – Shs 10,465,947,000 78) Vote 724: Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 19,829,177,000 79) Vote 725: Nansana Municipal Council – Shs 24,351,761,000 80) Vote 726: Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 6,907,898,000 81) Vote 727: Njeru Municipal Council – Shs 13,394,572,000 82) Vote 728: Ntungamo Municipal Council – Shs 4,845,867,000 83) Vote 729: Rukungiri Municipal Council – Shs 9,415,996,000 84) Vote 730: Sheema Municipal Council – Shs 14,106,079,000 85) Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council – Shs 9,365,323,000 86) Vote 801: Abim District – Shs 18,295,895,000 87) Vote 802: Adjumani District – Shs 31,965,889,000 88) Vote 803: Agago District – Shs 31,061,514,000 89) Vote 804: Alebtong District – Shs 23,689,489,000 90) Vote 805: Amolatar District – Shs 19,357,798,000 91) Vote 806: Amudat District – Shs 10,632,904,000 92) Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 22,290,290,000 93) Vote 808: Amuru District - Shs 22,428,999,000

Thank you Madam Speaker. I appreciate the work done by the committee. My concern is about the unspent monies, which end up being returned. That means that prioritised activities were not done, and this affects all of us, Parliament and local government leaders, especially the politicians because in the end, we remain more accountable, and at times we even get voted out yet we do our part as Parliament. Madam Speaker, I propose that instead of only holding the accounting officers responsible for this mismanagement, we need to also hold other line ministries accountable. For example, in relation to USMID, the Ministry of Lands delays in planning and producing plans for the project. Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development delays the release of funds. It is on this basis that I propose we also hold the line ministries accountable and officers in those ministries should be held liable. Second, on the poor management of assets, I am more concerned about land. Land conflicts in our districts are increasing daily. I propose that our local governments prioritise the registration and titling of the land they own. I am saying this because there are cases of subcounty officials fighting among themselves, and people are dying. Madam Speaker, on the issue of domestic carriers; I believe strongly that it is the last person who suffers most. When the accounting officers do not have these documents, prepared rightly, it is the service provider or a person who is supposed to be paid who suffers more than the accounting officers. I strongly believe that is one of the reasons some people get off the payroll and in the end suffer. For example, in Adjumani District, my secondary teachers have not been paid for the last two months. Who failed to compile their lists yet these people have been on the payroll? Madam Speaker, I pray that the issues of payroll, which causes domestic arrears be sorted. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the good report. I am an MP from the South Sudan border and really, there is a need to increase money for security agencies, especially the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), who are the chairpersons of the district security committees. There is also a need to increase funding for ISO and ESO. There is a need for a security tracking system for these agencies and a need for motorcycles and motor vehicles for foreign intelligence gathering. This is simply because we are surrounded by countries that are at war. Take for example, there are issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Sudan right now, as I speak. So, there is a need to increase funding for the security agencies for border security, especially the stretch from Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, to Adjumani, which are along the border. There are issues of the proliferation of small arms. These small arms are being brought by the refugees into the country. So, the intelligence system must be strengthened. Thank you very much.

7842 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT them are informal and live around the lakes from which they make a living. Her prayer is that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister explains to the House the fate of our fishermen on the lakes. Madam Speaker, my response is that Government appreciates the fact that Ugandans living around lakes earn out of fishing. However, fish and other aquatic products are natural resources that if not well regulated may be depleted. It is due to the above fact that Government introduced a way of formalising fishing activities on lakes through registration to avoid illegalities that may threaten the fishing industry. Registration of fishermen and boats is done every two years, while licensing is done annually. In this year 2023, renewal and issuance of licenses commenced in January and ends on 31 March 2023. The fishermen who will be caught fishing without a valid licence after 31 March will be denied access to the lakes and will face the law. Fishermen who registered their boats last year, but failed to acquire licences will have to pay the arrears. For fishermen to be legalised, the boat owners must have the recommended size of the boat, fishing gear, tax identification number and National Identity cards. The boat owners, who are not fishermen, need to first secure fishing licenses for their fishermen in order to be registered. According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, 14,600 boats are on Lake Victoria, but only 9,306 are licensed to operate. On Lake Kyoga, registered boats are 6,550, and 5,515 are licensed while other lakes also have almost similar variations between registered boats and those licensed. Currently, registration, licensing and issuance of permanent boat identification number plates have simplified the work of developing a database of all boat owners in the country. This has also reduced the abuse of fishing and the fight between fishermen and law enforcement teams on lakes. Honourable colleagues, I implore you to acquaint yourselves with the provisions of the recently enacted Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2022. As leaders, it is our duty to continually sensitise and mobilise the population on the provisions of the law applicable. Hon. Nyamutoro Phiona, the National Female Youth Representative narrated that Adjumani District is faced with a high number of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. However, due to congestion and overcrowding, the COVID-19 pandemic became a threat to the people in the refugee camp and the communities in Adjumani District. It is also faced with other contagious diseases such as Hepatitis B. Her prayer is that I explain to the House the government’s intervention to save both the people of Adjumani and the refugees from this looming health threat. Madam Speaker, my response is that Government appreciates the value of the good health of people not only in Adjumani District and for the refugees, but also the good health of all Ugandans. Adjumani District recently secured funding of Shs 132 million from Government partners called UN-Women, targeting 100,000 people - both refugees and host communities. As a result, a vaccination programme against COVID-19 and Hepatitis B targeting both the refugees and host communities in the area was launched. The vaccination rate among the refugee population during the 2022 mass vaccination was very low. Out of 273,380 populations that were targeted for COVID-19 vaccination, only 158,592 were vaccinated, representing 58 per cent while only 24 per cent of refugees were vaccinated. With support from the Government and donor community, we target to hit the 95 per cent mark for vaccination coverage in the whole district. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

7843 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 30 MARCH 2023 The district has designated 40 COVID-19 vaccination points and 37 Hepatitis B screening centres in all health centres in the district for six days. centres in the district for six days. The health management and response teams are handling COVID-19 as well as Hepatitis B and extending effective services to host communities and refugees. Madam Speaker, we enjoin our political leaders and other community leaders to take lead in the vaccination and screening exercise of COVID-19 and Hepatitis B so that the population embraces the exercise to save the host communities and refugees in Adjumani District. Hon. Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha, Woman Representative for Buliisa, said that many parts of the country are facing drought, which is affecting the production of food and cash crops. The farmers are entering the first season of the year and usually, it is very short with little rain. Government, over time, has been promising to support Ugandan farmers - both small and large scale - with irrigation schemes for the farmers to access water for production. However, this seems not to have taken off and many farmers are worried. Her prayers are that: I should assure this House and our farmers the extent of Government’s assurance to access water for production. When is the Government fulfilling the promise on the solar power irrigation systems? My response is that the Government has continued its efforts to invest and improve access to water for production. The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, is supervising the construction of six irrigation schemes in different parts of the country including Mubuku II, Doho II, Ngenge and Rwengaju, to mention, but a few. Construction of the irrigation schemes including Acomai in Sironko and Atari in Kween have started. The Government has supported farmers and farmer groups by installing solar-powered irrigation schemes in various sites in the districts of Ntungamo, Hoima, Mubende, Kamuli, Koboko, Kumi, Kabale, Mukono, Kiboga, Buvuma, Ssembabule, Kayunga, Yumbe, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Buikwe, Masindi, Butambala, Bukomansimbi, Kapachorwa, Iganga, Kaabong, Rukungiri, Amolatar, Adjumani, Mbale, Pader, Rukiga, Nakaseke and Katakwi, among others. This is to promote adoption of improved and efficient water for agricultural technologies for the crops and livestock. The Government has constructed over 1,555 valley tanks with a total holding capacity of 10,840,000 cubic metres in order to address the challenge of water for animals, especially in the cattle corridor and drought prone districts. Honourable members, even Buliisa will eventually benefit. Hon. Geoffrey Macho, Member of Parliament for Busia Municipality asked that Busia Boarder Seed Secondary School is located in Mukungu B Village, Central Parish, Eastern Division in Busia Municipality. The school was started in 2019 and had an enrolment of 497 students by the close of year 2022. The school was started as a response to Government’s policy of having public secondary schools at subcounty level. It also came as a result of a Presidential pledge. Though Busia Municipality donated land of approximately 25 acres, the Government has not come up clearly to ensure that people benefit from the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Programme (USEP). His prayers are that: 1. The Ministry of Education and Sports comes out clearly on the USEP in relation to this school before term one of 20 – Madam Speaker, these questions came earlier, but since we have not had a chance – it says at the start of the term. 2. The ministry should implement the Presidential pledge.

7765 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 know of the whereabouts of our friends. This is in good faith. Even if Gen. Moses Ali is in Adjumani, I can drive and visit him. If he is in Kampala, I can go to his home, but we do not know his whereabouts -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have Amelo Polytechnic Institute, which is in Adjumani East Constituency and its construction started in 2013. As I speak, this is 2023 - 10 years down the road - and the construction is not finished. Amelo is housed in Olia Farm Institute in Adjumani District. I want an assurance why Government has taken all this long - 10 years down the road - to construct only one institute. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. The matter of national importance I am raising is the increasing rate of blindness in my district, which is affecting both children and adults. My health unit and the referral hospital in charge of this matter cannot handle the magnitude. Mengo Hospital tried to help my people, and within two days of assessment, 115 People were discovered to be in an acute state. Mengo Hospital could not continue helping our people. My prayers are that: 1. The Ministry of Health should visit Adjumani District to comprehensively establish the root causes of the increasing blindness in my district. 2. The Ministry of Health equips the health care unit in my district so that many of the people, who are now patients, can be helped rather than always referring them to regional health facilities. More disabled people are emerging in my district because of the high rate of blindness. Thank you so much.

Honourable minister, we seem to be having a difficult situation in Adjumani. The colleague needs help for her people.

I promise and undertake to link you with the Ministry of Health staff to move with you to Adjumani to find out the cause of this blindness. It has not been brought to my attention, but I am glad that you have raised it today. At least by next week, if you are free, they could travel with you. If you are not, they will still go and meet your personal assistant and go to all the areas you have mentioned and find out what is causing this blindness. I thank you, Mr Speaker and the Member.

Thank you. Hon. Ababiku is the chairperson of the sectoral committee. She is going to be busy. I hope linking up with the district health officer of Adjumani will help you much quicker.

- travel to the regional headquarters where these recruitments are. The plight of the youth of Obongi is that instead of telling them to go to Arua, Moyo and Adjumani to be recruited in the forces, can the recruitment be taken nearer to them? Many of the districts could not fill their quota because of the access factor. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance and the issue is about challenges of transport and communication across River Nile at Laropi Town Council, causing delays, suffering and loss of lives to our people. A section of leaders and residents of West Nile in general - Obongi, Moyo and Adjumani districts in particular - have requested Government to expedite and fast-track plans to construct a bridge across the Nile at Laropi that will connect Moyo and Adjumani districts. Of late, travellers get stranded for hours - and others for days - as they wait for the ferry at Laropi, due to the increase in population and traffic flow. Madam Speaker, travellers who normally opt to travel via Arua take more than 14 hours instead of the usual eight hours. The ferry also frequently breaks down and routine maintenance usually takes half a day. The Laropi ferry starts operation at 7 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. It has a vessel capacity of 120 tonnes and it carries on average 1,500 to 1,800 people per day with a minimum of 12 trips and a maximum of 22 trips. It takes 30 minutes loading and offloading while the time to cross is between 10 to 15 minutes. The ferry has a capacity of 180 passengers and cargo of 90 tonnes. IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - 4TH SITTING - THIRD MEETING Parliament met at 1.59 p.m., at Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for your protection. I was trying to make references to my submission. Thank you very much for the protection. We also request the inclusion of Laropi Bridge and Laropi-Moyo-Afoji Road Project in the Financial Year 2023/2024 Sector Budget Framework Paper. 3. Thirdly, we wanted to know about the progress with the environment and social impact assessment and plan for resettlement and compensation of the Project-Affected Persons. We wanted to know about the expected time for commencement as well as to when this project will end. Then the contingency plans to address unforeseen circumstances. Lastly, Madam Speaker, we request Government to operationalise the ferry services between Obongi in Adjumani District at Senja landing site. Secondly, to operationalise the ferry services in Madi-Okollo and Amuria District. I thank you very much for having given me the time.

Secondly, Madam Speaker, I heard in the presentation by the chairperson – and indeed, it is true that money was allocated for Atyak-Adjumani Road and a portion of that

6829 THE E L E VENTH PARLIAMENT O F UGANDA WEDNESDAY , 1 8 J ANUARY 2023 and Transport, I would like to draw your attention to page 14 of the report under quarterly performance report, accuracy of performance reports and delays in project implementation and specifically, to project 0265 on upgrading Atyak-Moyo-Afoji road, 104 kilometres and a 1.2 kilometre bridge across the Nile at Laropi connecting Moyo District to Adjumani District. The Laropi Bridge project and the Laropi- Afoji road have been delayed because money that was meant for the projects was diverted as shown by the report. For instance, COSASE realised that Shs 1.8 billion was diverted and it said Shs 2 billion was spent on the output for the construction of the road and the bridge. Madam Speaker, this has led to delays –

Thank you. I thank the committee for work well done and also the minister for the highlights he has raised. The issue of power in West Nile has been a long-term issue, which should have been sorted. Regarding these challenges of fuel and the rest, the initial agreement was that as we work on taking power from Karuma to West Nile, the region was supposed to be connected via Adjumani. As we speak, Adjumani is actually not on Nyagak. It is on power from Owen Falls Dam via Lira and that was the agreement. These losses we have incurred through fuel supply and the rest were issues that came in when some few individuals looked at the power problem in West Nile as a business. I have purposely stood up on this issue raised by the minister - that some of the power problems in West Nile will be solved through solar energy. Honourable minister, we expect a reliable source of energy. [Mr Okaasai] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report, aware of the power challenges in West Nile that we have been addressing in this Parliament. The issue of power in West Nile is from two different angles: Firstly, we have electricity which is supplied from the national grid in Adjumani and Moyo Districts, but the challenge we have in Adjumani and Moyo is the power outage. What we expect is we need a substation in Adjumani, which is in Madi Subregion, part of West Nile. It is unfortunate that when the committee was given time to go to West Nile, they thought West Nile is only Arua and greater Nebbi. They did not reach Madi Subregion, which is part of West Nile. We complained and we are still complaining that we need the committee to reach Madi Subregion, which is part of West Nile, to ascertain the power challenge in that region. (Applause)

On the issue of compensation, in my opinion, when Government decided to compensate people for the animals lost, this should have been done in a comprehensive manner. In West Nile, though the rest of the Western subregion did not have many issues to do with the loss of animals to Kony rebels, some areas in Adjumani suffered. Yet, in this report, Adjumani District has been left out. Also in the 10 th Parliament, we had started a comprehensive approach where there were lists of other people who lost property like lorries, buses and the rest yet this compensation process has only zeroed on cattle. There were also other rebel activities. For example, in West Nile, there was the West Nile Bank Front rebel group whose operations led to the loss of animals. We also want the Government to come clear on this. There were a number of people who lost their animals. LCs were looked at as people who identified themselves with Government. Many of them lost their property and cattle. (Member timed out.)

6348 In northern Uganda, we have Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuru, Apac, Omoro, Arua, Dokolo, Gulu, Kaabong, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Lamwo, Lira, Maracha, Moroto, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Nebbi, Nwoya, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Yumbe, Zombo, Obongi, Terego, Karenga, Kwania, Madi-Okollo, Nabilatuk, and Obongi. In Western Uganda, we have Buhweju, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Hoima, Ibanda, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Kabarole, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kasese, Kibale, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Masindi, Mbarara, Mitooma, Ntoroko, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Sheema, Kikuube, Kazo and Rwampara. Madam Speaker, those are the areas that will be covered by the project.

6127 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 8 N OVEMBER 2022 THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES (ANIMAL INDUSTRY) (Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama): Madam Speaker, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, I wish to respond to the questions raised about the status and the actions of Government in controlling animal disease, specifically the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We have uploaded this report on the intranet. We have an introduction where we are talking about how FMD affects animals and its economic consequences, and how it is spread. I wish to state the status. From January to October 2022, 22 districts reported FMD outbreaks. These include Adjumani, Amuru, Bukedea, Ibanda, Jinja, Kalungu, Kapchorwa, Kayunga, Kiruhura, Kween, Kyotera, Lyantonde, Masindi, Mpigi, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Napak, Ntungamo, Sembabule and Tororo. It is also important to note that quarantine restrictions were lifted in 11 districts, which is 50 per cent of the affected districts since then. Action taken by the Government In Uganda, FMD prevention and control is achieved through animal movement control (quarantine restrictions) strategic/ring vaccination and awareness creation campaigns. With regard to vaccination, given its cost implication, the strategy adopted by the ministry is to conduct strategic/ring vaccination where an outbreak is reported. Ring vaccination entails vaccinating all the immediate herds surrounding the affected herd so that the disease can be contained and eventually, controlled without causing serious socio-economic consequences. Colleagues, the success of ring vaccination hinges on the timely reporting of the diseases. It is, therefore, important that disease outbreaks are reported as early as possible so that measures of prevention can be instituted in a timely manner and cost effectively since only surrounding herds will be vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease to other areas. We have insisted on this strategy because we do not get enough doses to vaccinate the national herd. You must be aware that Uganda has almost 17 million herds of cattle, 17.4 million herds of goats, five million sheep, 4.5 million pigs and all these are susceptible animals to FMD. Due to limited resources, we came up with this strategy. When it is reported early, this strategy works but we are looking forward to when we have enough resources to make sure that we do it and cover the entire national herd. Currently, a combination of animal movement regulations through quarantine restriction and ring vaccination remains the most appropriate approach for FMD control in Uganda. Colleagues, the following actions have been undertaken to contain the current FMD outbreak in these affected areas. These include: i) Institution of quarantine restriction at the subcounty level and areas within the 20-kilometre radius to prevent the spread of disease. This involves the prohibition of the movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, their products and by-products from, to, through and within affected areas. Livestock markets, slaughter places including butcheries and animal shows within the affected subcounties were also closed. This is premised on the “prevention is better than cure” adage; ii) The ministry plans to vaccinate the susceptible livestock in the affected 22 districts listed above with 930,200 doses of FMD vaccine expected in the country this week on 10 November 2022. The next consignment, which is 1.6 million doses is expected in the country in two months’ time. You must observe that this is not adequate but once deployed effectively, it does prevent FMD to some extent;

Thank you, honourable minister, for giving way. I am only seeking clarification on how best you are going to do the mobilisation, when for example, in the case of Adjumani, the whole district has two staff. And we have heeded to Government’s advice to increase animal production; there is that fatigue because of the thin number of staff. Two, you raised the issue of late reporting. I agree with you that this was the case with Adjumani. So, how are you going to address the two issues to ensure we enhance mobilisation? Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is a response to the question raised by Hon. Ababiku Jesca, Adjumani District Woman MP, on the impending expiry of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project in refugee hosting districts. We have a running programme in 11 refugee- hosting districts of Adjumani, Terego, Madi- Okollo, Moyo, Obongi, Yumbe, Lamwo. They have signed a civil works contract for a total of 36 sub-projects. Right now, they have reported full mobilisation of their contractors with varying stages of construction ongoing. Mr Speaker, about the expiry of the USMID; USMID is supposed to expire in December 2023. Nevertheless, as a ministry, we have started engaging all the stakeholders to enable us have a successor-project that will benefit our cities and some of the municipalities. That is the statement as of now. I beg to submit. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On 11 April 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industrial and Fisheries, declared a quarantine due to Foot and Mouth Disease in Adjumani District. After vaccination and thorough observation, the district wrote back to the ministry, but up to now, the quarantine has not yet been lifted. Why is the ministry not responding to Adjumani’s letter when our people are suffering and out of the business economy?

Mr Speaker, the Attorney- General together with the President were in Soroti this year, and we commissioned the compensation exercise for that region; northern, eastern and West Nile. A total of Shs 50 billion has already been spent and I believe the people of Adjumani will also get supported.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The border between Uganda and Sudan is very porous, especially stretching from Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani up to Amuru. The refugees move without check. There are urban refugees who move from town to town without control. There are some in Arua Town, others in Koboko Town, Yumbe Town, Moyo Town, Adjumani Town and so on. They move without control. Apart from that, we also have these rural refugees that have settled in the settlement camps, but their movement is uncontrolled and unchecked. I am afraid this will lead to the spread of Ebola in our region. Honourable minister, I want to interest you to come down there and see what is taking place there. People are moving without control - I want to repeat. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. As a representative of the people of Adjumani, my matter is on the worst spots on the roads in Adjumani District. Yesterday, some of the community members demonstrated. One of these roads is from Adjumani Town to Mungula, from Adiri to Sukari, Oliji-Ogujebe - the Oliji Bridge has never been worked on. Lastly, connecting Adjumani through Sinyanya is a problem. My prayers are that the Ministry of Works and Transport should – i) Go to Adjumani District to assess the situation of Oliji Bridge; ii) Work on the three roads; and iii) Work on the Sinyanya ferry. I beg to submit.

4982 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Adjumani District, the former Minister of State for Environment and former Deputy Secretary- General of the East African Community. She was our colleague. She passed on in the United States of America (USA) due to cancer. It is extremely unfortunate to lose such a young person with such professional experience. I, therefore, call upon you to rise so that we can pay respect to our fallen comrade. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. First is the issue of congestion, which has a public health connotation. There are studies that are being carried out in this country, that show that because of the congestion in the prisons, there is an increase in the rate of tuberculosis. Therefore, de-congesting the prisons becomes important with a short-term, medium-term and long-term plans, which I support in the recommendations. Second, is about the prisons health services. Prisoners and prisons staff have a right to health services. Unfortunately or fortunately, I served as a district health officer and I had two prisons; Olia and Adjumani. Because of the limitations in the prisons health services, we had to take up the cost of providing medicines and treatment for the prisoners. I recommend that there has to be collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the prisons health services to improve access to health services. Related is the need for isolation wards within the prison for contagious diseases. Finally, on access to judicial services, and delays in dispensation of justice. The issue I am raising here is in the new districts that have a limited number of police, prosecution and judicial services. I would like to strongly recommend that the Ministry of Justice – (Member timed out.)

1148 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JONAH LWANGA them tomorrow? I think let us deal with them tomorrow, okay? Have we agreed? You see, there is nobody to respond, honourable member for Adjumani. There is nobody to respond to the issues; so, let us continue with this tomorrow. House adjourned to tomorrow, two o’clock. (The House rose at 5.30 p.m. and adjourned until Wednesday, 22 September 2021 at 2.00 p.m.)