Arua Central Division

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to pay tribute to Gen. Moses Ali. Mr Speaker, the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) is headquartered in Mbale City, where you have heard that Gen. Moses Ali made a big contribution. I stand here, in memory of his legacy, to support the proposal to build an important faculty of law in Arua City – being the regional city – to honour his contribution to IUIU. The second legacy I would like to put on record is of being a unifier. I attended a peace conference in Yumbe last year and found out that the community has many sub-communities and tribes – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, we received seven written questions from members and we have responded to them in writing. Hon. Benson Lugwar, Member of Parliament for Agago North County, raised a matter concerning the escalating human-wildlife conflict that is directly undermining our food security and economic empowerment in his constituency. His prayer was whether the Government could provide an update on the matter. Mr Speaker, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has established satellite ranger outposts. Tikawo outpost is already deployed in Agago North, and 1,300 rangers are undergoing training to improve response. The electric fencing programme is ongoing, and sensitisation is also underway because some stakeholders fear land grabbing, so we have to sensitise our people. The Government is promoting block farming, and we have recruited community wildlife scouts as volunteers where the Uganda Wildlife Authority has no presence. The three million five hundred US dollar Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project will start this Financial Year, 2026/2027. This will cover Agago, Abim, Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido, Kitgum and Lamwo to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The second question came from Hon. Osoru Mourine, Woman Member of Parliament for Arua City. She raised the matter concerning the segregative vehicle transit permits through the Bugungu Gate at Murchison Falls National Game Park, which risks potential loss of revenue to the national economy. Her prayer is for the Government to give an update on the matter. Mr Speaker, the road through Bugungu Gate is not a public road. Its use is subject to park regulations, and all vehicles must pay the UWA tariff fees. Exemptions are only to vehicles with the sick, referrals, UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prison Service on official operations with evidence. Mr Speaker, the third question came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, the Member of Parliament for Ngora County. She said that during the last cropping season, there was a severe attack on groundnuts by groundnut rosette, affecting over 75 per cent of the households in Ngora. Her prayers were that:

Through the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to come to Arua and raise the programme that Arua City had for the development of Arua Hill Stadium that was inspected by CAF, so that we can benefit from regional development.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to second this motion because nations have bridged gaps between the poor and the middle-income earners through provision of education. Uganda has made strides by introducing Universal Secondary Education and Universal Primary Education, but access to higher institutions is limiting beneficiaries from the rural or poor communities. We know that in this country when you get two principal passes, you have actually passed A’ level. However, for the poor, even if their students get two principal passes, they cannot afford to pay for their children under the private sponsorship scheme. Mr Speaker, the tuition at universities is at about Shs 3 million per semester. We have parents who can pay for their children to attend good schools in this country, and they pay about Shs 3 million per term. These are the students who are the cream; they perform very well and are the ones admitted to universities for medicine and all that. When you see the courses for which students are admitted under the quota system, you will realise that some of these courses are not highly marketable. There will be very few people doing medicine or engineering under the quota system. Our environment for learning is different. In rural places, people are congested, and they are day scholars. However, in good schools, people attend morning and evening preps and sit for the same standard exams. If a student in this rural area can afford to get two principal passes, we pray in this motion I am seconding that the number for the quota system is increased so that those who are resilient in the rural areas can benefit from those courses. (Applause) Mr Speaker, since the cities were created, the ministry has maintained the quota for the mother districts to be shared with the cities. I am from Arua District and our quota is merged with that for Arua City. For two consecutive years in the past five years, Arua District has not been able to compete with the students in the city and we have missed out completely. We have eight slots, with Arua city. However, at times we get one or none. I think the ministry should also look into that. Therefore, I stand to second this. Let - (Member timed out.)

that manage the programme, but there are no clear funds that are given to them to handle this programme. This has a very big impact on this programme. When the Minister of Local Government goes on the ground, he will have problems with the people, yet the component for running this project was not clearly put there. So, I urge that more funds, as the President has shown greater interest in PDM, be allocated to take care of the PDCs and the BOGs. Secondly, PDM is not good in urban areas. Mr Speaker, in 2021, there was a pilot project done by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development – that was the urban cash programme. That project was piloted in Arua City in 2021, in 50 cells in six parishes. That project had a very big impact on the –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am Eng. Tiyo Taylor William Odaa, representing the people of Ayivu Division East, Arua City. I thank God for answering my prayer that you retain that seat. Congratulations . ( Applause) I appreciate the presentation made by the Minister of Water and Environment, especially the pledge she made at the beginning that they will start updating parliamentarians with weather forecasts. My recommendation would be that they take an extra step to ensure that the media houses also get their updates from them as a ministry. Mr Speaker, much of the weather forecast goes on in the media houses. I do not know the source of their information; they risk misleading our people.

15 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 58. Niyonsaba Alex Bufumbira County South Kisoro NRM 59. Nsamba Patrick Oshabe Kassanda County North Kassanda NUP 60. Ntale Nsereko Madina Kawempe Division South Kampala NRM 61. Obigah Rose Woman Representative Terego NRM 62. Ochai Maximus West Budama County North Tororo NRM 63. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah Omoro County Omoro NRM 64. Okello Patrick Onguti Aswa County Gulu DP 65. Okot Boniface Henry Kole South County Kole NRM 66. Odwori John Kagoma North County Jinja NUP 67. Oboth Marksons Jacob West Budama Central County Tororo NRM 68. Onzima Phiona Ayivu Division West Arua City NRM 69. Ongalo-Obote Clement Kenneth Kalaki County Kalaki NRM 70. Okia Joanne Aniku Woman Representative Madi-Okollo NRM 71. Nsegumire Muhamad Kibedi Mityana County North Mityana NRM 72. Okullo Francis Ochero County Kaberamaido NRM 73. Opio Samuel Acuti Kole North County Kole NRM 74. Okwi Constantine Kibale County Pallisa NRM 75. Waako Joy Peggy Older Persons Representative Female NRM 76. Ongiertho Emmanuel Jor Nebbi Municipality Nebbi Independent 77. Ssekitoleeko Robert Bamunanika County Luweero NUP 78. Ogwang Peter Ngariam County Katakwi NRM 79. Ongorok Richard Usuk County Katakwi NRM 80. Olanya Gilbert Kilak South County Amuru FDC 81. Okoya John Calvin Chua East County Kaberamaido NRM 82. Okello Geoffery Charles Nwoya East County Nwoya DP 83. Ogama Alli Ismail Lower Madi County Madi-Okollo NRM The House was suspended at 11.12 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. On resumption, at 1.00 p.m. 84. Wanyoto Godfrey Budadiri County West Sironko Independent 85. Nyamutoro Phiona Woman Representative Nebbi NRM 86. Opio Denish Geoffrey Nwoya County Nwoya DP 87. Origumisiriza Enid Atuheire Woman Representative Kabale NRM 88. Ottober Wellborn Odiya Aruu North County Pader NRM 89. Ssewagudde Robert PWD Representative N/A Independent 90. Otimgiw Isaac Ismail Padyere County Nebbi NRM 91. Ruteraho Lillian Woman Representative Isingiro NRM 92. Ssemwanga Joseph (Brig. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 93. Sange Jackline Woman Representative Kween NRM 94. Opolot-Okwalinga Simon Peter Kanyum County Kumi NRM 95. Owere Richard Machika West Budama North East Tororo NRM 96. Paparu Lillian Obiale Woman Representative Arua NRM 97. Paak Peter Pex Dodoth East County Kaabong NRM 98. Rwakoojo Robina Gureme Woman Representative Gomba NRM 99. Rwashande Emmanuel (Brig. Gen. Rtd) Lwemiyaga County Ssembabule NRM 100. Sekabira Denes Katikamu North County Luweero NUP 101. Ssewungu Joseph Gonzaga Kalungu County West Kalungu NUP 102. Owino Nicholas Simon Tororo North County Tororo NRM

103. Ruhindi Fredrick Nakawa Division East Kampala NRM 104. Taban Aate Sharifah Woman Representative Koboko Independent 105. Ouma Willy Namayingo South County Namayingo Independent 106. Orone Derrick Gogonyo County Pallisa NRM 107. Tete Chelengat Everline Woman Representative Bukwo NRM 108. Tibyaze Peace Woman Representative Jinja NRM 109. Tom Aliti Candia Maracha East County Maracha NRM 110. Rwakimari Beatrice Ruhaama County Ntungamo NRM 111. Tumuramye Genensio Kashongi County Kiruhura NRM 112. Tumusiime John Bosco Kashari South County Mbarara NRM 113. Teira John Bugabula County North Kamuli NRM 114. Oryema Simon Peter Adum Chua West County Kitgum NRM 115. Turyahikayo Kebirungi Mary Paula Woman Representative Rukungiri NRM 116. Sebamala Richard Bukoto County Central Masaka DP 117. Tiyo William Taylor Odaa Ayivu Division East Arua City NRM 118. Ssebbugga-Kimeze Berunado Budyepo County Nakasongola NRM 119. Tayebwa Thomas Ruhinda North County Mitooma NRM 120. Otto Edward Makmot Agago County Agago NRM 121. Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore (Lt Col Rtd) Isingiro County North Isingiro NRM 122. Tebandeke Charles Bbaale County Kayunga NUP 123. Tukahirwa James Byenjuru Hunter Kajara County Ntungamo NRM 124. Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu (Lt Gen. Rtd) Rukungiri Municipality Rukungiri NRM 125. Tumwesigye Anthony Isingiro West County Isingiro Independent 126. Ssenyonyi Joel Basekezi Nakawa Division West Kampala NUP 127. Osoru Mourine Woman Representative Arua City NRM 128. Ossiya Solomon Alemu Toroma County Katakwi NRM 129. Shyam Jay Tanna Tororo Municipality Tororo Independent 130. Twalla Fadil Tingey County Kapchorwa NRM 131. Waluswaka James Bunyole West County Butaleja NRM 132. Tumwebaze Mwine Youth Representative Western NRM 133. Twinomujuni Francis Kazini Buhaguzi County Kikuube NRM 134. Otafiire Kahinda (Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Ruhinda County Mitooma NRM 135. Silwany Solomon Bukooli County Central Bugiri NRM 136. Otim Bernard Maruzi North County Apac NRM 137. Waiswa Joel Azalwa Busiki County Namutumba Independent 138. Ssemwanga Gyaviira Buyamba County Rakai NRM 139. Wakida Patrick Godfrey Kabweri County Kibuku NRM 140. Walyomu Moses Muwanika Kagoma County Jinja Independent 141. Wandera John Paul Samia Bugwe County North Busia Independent 142. Saazi Godfrey Gomba East County Gomba NUP 143. Wanyenya Shafiga Bungokho County North Mbale NRM 144. Twesige Stephen Buyaga East County Kagadi NRM 145. Twinamasiko Onesimus Bugangaizi East County Kakumiro NRM 146. Wandera Sadala Bugweri County Bugweri NRM 147. Tayebwa Didas Kabumbuza Kooki County Rakai NRM 148. Wanyama Judas Thadeo Youth Representative Eastern NRM 149. Sserukenya David Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality Wakiso NUP 150. Sekindi Aisha Woman Representative Kalungu Independent

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

Madam Speaker, the local governments are the following: Arua City, Jinja City -

Madam Speaker, the local governments with additional local revenue are the following: Arua City, Jinja City, Lira City, Mbale City, Apac Municipal Council, Agago District, Budaka District, Bugiri District, Buhweju District, Bulambuli District, Bushenyi District, Dokolo District, Jinja District, Kalilo District, Kasese District, Kyikube District, Koboko District, Kyegegwa District, Kyenjojo District, Kyotera District, Mbarara District, Mitooma District, Moroto District, Nakapiripirit District, Nakasongola District, Namisindwa District, Obongi District, Pallisa District, Rubanda District, Rubirizi District, Rukiga District, Sironko District, Tororo District, among others. (Interjections) Madam Speaker, we have also provided Shs 72.9 billion as additional disbursement by the World Bank for the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises(GROW) project. The World Bank approved and disbursed additional funds for GROW project. These funds must be utilised, or the grant will be cancelled at the end of this financial year. Madam Speaker, I now come to the supplementary expenditures that are above the 3 per cent legal limit that require additional financing. The total is Shs 463.15 billion, and the particulars are as follows: i. Shs 56.95 billion for LC1, LC2, and Women Council Committee elections countrywide as directed by the Cabinet. These funds are required to support the Electoral Commission in fully implementing the electoral roadmap, as already approved by the Cabinet. ii. Shs 29.57 billion for AFCON 2027 preparatory activities. Honourable members, the Cabinet directed that we fully fund AFCON 2027, beginning with the immediate requirement in this Financial Year 2025/2026. These funds are required to implement the urgent preparatory works, reduce implementation risk and keep the overall AFCON 2027 preparation programme on schedule. The activities include the following; i) Shs 14.1 billion for preliminary works at Kabalega International Airport. This one will go to the Ministry of Works and Transport. ii) Shs 8.03 billion for priority road works and associated support activities in Kira Municipal Council. iii) Shs 3.06 billion for pitch improvement at Kadiba Football Stadium. iv) Shs 0.31 billion for branding of host cities and content production for the Destination Uganda documentary. v) Shs 1.0 17 billion for Hoima City and Masindi Municipality to finance sanitation and road safety interventions. vi) Shs 1.02 billion for meteorological and aviation safety support system. vii) Shs 1.8 billion for water utility preparatory works for the Hoima cluster. Madam Speaker, we also require; COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have Hon. Usher Wilson Owere, Deputy Prime Minister, Tieng Adhola, also former Chairman General, Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU). He is accompanied by Mr David Muzaale, Team lecturer, Ecumenical Inter-Faith Association in Uganda. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. Honourable colleagues, also in the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils and teachers from Ombachi Satellite Nursery and Primary School, Arua City. They are represented by Hon. Geofrey Feta and Hon. Mourine Osoru. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. Thank you. Yes, Hon. Tebandeke.

Please, go ahead. Thank you. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATIONS, 27 SEPTEMBER 2025 IN ARUA CITY

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is about the World Tourism Day that we will be holding this month. Uganda is a founding member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and participates in the celebrations for the World Tourism Day held annually on 27 September. The UNWTO General Assembly instituted the celebration of the World Tourism Day, commencing in the year 1980. This date was chosen to coincide with an important milestone in world tourism: The Anniversary of the adoptions of the UNWTO Statutes on 27 September, 1970. Uganda will join the rest of the world to celebrate this on 27 September in Arua City under the theme, “Tourism and Sustainable

17940 TRIBUTE TO THE UGANDA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM Transformation.” The national event highlights West Nile region’s tourism potential and aims to drive socio-economic transformation through sustainable community-driven tourism initiatives. The celebrations will align with the global theme of tourism and sustainable transformation. The event underscores Uganda’s commitment to using tourism as a tool of social and economic development. This theme also reminds us that tourism is more than leisure and travel. It is a driver of long-term change, creating livelihoods, safeguarding cultural heritage, protecting biodiversity and promoting inclusive growth, hence ensuring that tourism benefits both present and future generations while aligning with global development goals. Countries all over the world, and Uganda in particular, are increasingly prioritising tourism as a key part of the national development agenda. I thank the Government and this Parliament for the support they have given to this sector through your leadership. As a driver of economic growth and inclusive development, the tourism sector contributes about 5.7 per cent to GDP and employs around 7.2 per cent directly of the total employment as per statistics of 2024 in this country. It is, therefore, fitting that this year’s national World Tourism Day celebrations will take place in Arua in the West Nile Region. Arua is a gateway to both domestic and cross-border tourism with its rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnic groups and untapped tourism potential. By bringing the celebrations to Arua, we want to showcase the tourism opportunities of the West Nile region and integrate the region more strongly into the national tourism development agenda. Madam Speaker, as we count down to 27 th September, the ministry, together with its agencies and partners, has lined up a series of activities across the country. They are there, and the Members can go through them. On the 2 nd , there was a launch, and on the 11 th of September, there will be a tourism fraternity which will be held, the Youth Tourism Conference and Quiz at Arua Core PTC. On Thursday, 18 th September, there will be a thematic conference in Kampala, a rhino naming ceremony on the 22 nd of September, and on Wednesday 24 th to Thursday, 25 th of September, West Nile students will engage in a competition on cultural dances, poetry and tourism fraternity will participate in sports and cycling and various other activities at Arua Public School. Then from the 25 th to the 27 th , there will be an open day with free park access to all national parks for East African citizens. I encourage Members of Parliament, please, you can mobilise a couple of your voters to access for these two days at no cost. On Friday, 26 September 2025, Arua City will host a regional tourism forum at La Confidential Hotel in Arua City, and we have invited all Members of Parliament both in writing and I want to still re-echo the same. Please mobilise people; come and we interact, share ideas and see how we grow this region in this conference on the 26 th . On Saturday, 27 September 2025, the main event of World Tourism Day will be held at Arua City Golf Course. Then, we will have an Explore West Nile campaign from the 28 th to the 29 th of September. We will have a couple of influencers, celebrities and various Ugandans shine a light to showcase what this area has to offer. In conclusion, this year’s focus on West Nile with Arua City as a host is a demonstration of our commitment to inclusive and regionally balanced tourism development across the West Nile. The promise of tourism is tangible. The region is blessed with unique cultural traditions, vibrant festivals, diverse cuisines and landscapes of extraordinary beauty. I still wish to invite all Members of Parliament and staff to join us as we celebrate World Tourism Day. [Mr Mugarra] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

17903 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 (GROW) Out of $10.6 million, Shs 38.1 billion was disbursed across four projects during the year under review, but only $1.46 million was disbursed to support micro enterprises for women groups, which is a core component and directly impacts the women, compared to $2.17 million, which is Shs 8 billion, disbursed to the multipurpose service and production facilities component. Madam Speaker, also Shs 576.2 million was spent on the procurement of a supervising consultant for construction works for the common user facilities, which is more than what the women’s group gets on average; Shs 576 million went for that purpose. Madam Speaker, below is the project component allocation and expenditure for the year ended. I have put a figure to it Under the reducing climate change vulnerability of local communities in Uganda through ecosystem-based adaptation in wetlands and forests in the Ministry of Water and Transport, Shs 1.24 billion had been allocated to increase knowledge and awareness of government officers and communities at the project intervention. The committee observed that the activity of increasing knowledge and awareness of community officers had already been catered for under project management costs, monitoring, and evaluation. This has left core project components such as improving technical and institutional capacity at the local and national level to integrate Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) into existing management plans for wetlands and forests, with only $512 million which is Shs 1.8 million as illustrated below. Exorbitant costs per unit cost This one should concern all of us. During the committee interaction and examination of project reports, the committee established that some of the project costs were obnoxiously high. The Auditor-General reported that under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project, the cost of rehabilitating 1.37 kilometres of road in Arua City amounted to Shs 13.4 billion, with a supervision cost of Shs 3 billion. That means, they constructed 1.37 kilometres of a municipal road, built as is with no compensation it costed Shs 13.3 billion. The supervisor walked away with Shs 3 billion. In Mbarara City, the cost of constructing 1 kilometre of Buremba Road amounted to Shs 4.9 billion, with a supervision of Shs 0.249 billion. In Mbarara, you are achieving it at Shs 4.9 billion and supervision is Shs 0.249 billion. The other side, supervision is Shs 3 billion, and is the unit cost is Shs 13 - (Hon. Peter Ogwang rose_) The detailed report is there. In Fort Portal City, the cost of constructing 2.68 kilometres of road works amounted to Shs 21.4 billion, with a supervision cost of Shs 2.5 billion. While in Mubende, the cost of constructing 2.869 kilometres amounted to Shs 14.24 billion, with a supervision cost of Shs 2.5 billion. These roads measure the same in terms of kilometres, yet obnoxious differs in the cost of construction and supervision. The committee noted that the Ministry of Works and Transport undertook a study to establish the unit cost rates, quantity estimates, regional compulsion and development of a software-based cost estimation and monitoring system. The report established that the average cost of upgrading a paved road with bitumen surface treatment increased from Shs 2.3 billion in the Financial Year 2017/2018 to Shs 3.13 billion in the Financial Year 2018/2019. That was the average cost of constructing a bitumen road in an urban area. Here we are talking of Shs 24.13 billion. You wonder if someone else - Madam Speaker, these figures are approved by the committees of Parliament. Who approves? It is from the Cabinet to Parliament and to all our committees. If I had my way, I would summon the chairpersons of these committees and ask them, how on earth -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to salute the committee for the work well done. I am from Terego, but occasionally, I come to Arua City, which is one of the new cities. The areas he alluded to, especially garbage collection, are crucial for the new cities. So, it is imperative upon the nation to specifically allocate money to the new cities for their operationalisation because the influx of the population is at a very high rate. We used to run up to Kampala, but now the number of buses that travel to Kampala every other day has reduced because we have a city called Arua. We share Arua with the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. They are lucky to have a city in Uganda, and in Arua. There is also the issue of water challenges. Whatever the National Water and Sewerage Corporation had planned is so small now for the cities. There is a need to plan for water, especially by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. Thank you so much.

Yes, you are right, Madam Speaker. The Government Chief Whip is going to connect. Once an application is submitted, a work order reference number is automatically generated and sent via an SMS and payments and updates are communicated through this automated system, ensuring transparency. I can confirm that Uganda Electricity Distribution Company (UEDCL) will process connections for applicants who met regulatory requirements under UMEME without requiring additional payments for inspections or pre- loaded units. Affected customers are notified that their applications are still under consideration and that the Government is committed to improving the connection processes to achieve universal electricity access, as outlined in the electricity connection policy. Question number four came from Hon. Mourine Osoru, MP, Arua City. She raised an issue on the absence of city road equipment in Arua City. Madam Speaker, my response is that the Ministry of Works and Transport prepared a proposal for equipping the new cities and other urban authorities with road units capable of

Voh OccaAUoo t hmt{UexoOOl 538 ru Mission in o00 Local Gwcraroatr 601 Arua city 42,627,79L @2 Fort-Fortal city 24.409.O33 603 GUU city 30.o16.334 604 Hoirna city L6,320.994 605 Jinja citv 48,585.173 606 Lira city 32.637.923 607 Masaka city 32,L23,397 608 Mbale city 4L.146.292 609 Mbarara cibr 39.917.390 610 Soroti city 22,695,436 70L Apac Municipal Council 9,229.883 702 Bueiri Municipal Council 6.521.357 703 Bushenyi- Istralra Municipal Council 13,883,756 704 Busia Municipal Council 8.729.34L 705 Eqtebbe Municipal Council L4.992.O40 706 Ibanda Municipal Council L7,O36,2LO 707 Iganga Municipal @rlncil 8.179.080 708 Ihbale Municipal Council t7.830.374 709 I(anuli Municipd Council 8,837,237 7LO I(apchorwa Municipal Council 10.959.904 7LL IGscse Municipal Council L6.2L9.979 7L2 Kira Municipal Council 26,4L3,268 713 Kisoro Municipal Council 5,652,058 7L4 Kitgum Municipal Council 8.661.003 7t5 Koboko Municipal Council 10.108.ele I 716 Kotido 97 n r 1 I N\ F a J rj; -iz- G ,s

YotL OcaOmr Aror4tffiml 519 Usanda Embass!, in ltaly. Rome 520 Upnda Embasgrr in DRC, Kinshasa 521 Usanda Embasor in Sudan, IGrartoum 522 Uganda Embass]r in France, Paris 2.000.000 523 Ugands, Embassfi in erermanfi, Berlin 390.000 524 Ugarura* Embassy in Iran, Tetrran 525 Uganda Elnbasrv in Russia, Mosconr 526 Uganda Embassy in Australia, Canbera 527 Uganda Embasqr in South Sudan, Juba 528 Uganda Embassrr in United Arab Emirates. Abudhabi 3.O00.ooo 529 Uganda Embasst, in Burundi, Bujumbura 530 Uganda Consulate in China, Guangzhou 531 Uganda Embasgy in Turkey, Ankara 532 Uganda Embasgy in Somalia, Mogadishu 542.000 533 Uganda Embasgy in Mataysia, Kuala Lumpur 390.OOO 534 Ilmnda Consul,ate in l(errya, Mombasa 8.000.000 535 Ugerrda Embasry in Algeria, Algiers 390.OOO 536 Uganda Embassy in Qatar, Doha 537 Usanda Mission in Havana, Cuba 538 Mission in Locrl Govcranoatt 601 Arua city 3.898.842 602 Fort-Portal citlr 2.784332 603 Gulu city 3.319.911 604 Hoirna city 3.21O.937 605 Jinja city 6.885.624 606 Lira city 3,342,673 607 Masaka city 6.620.770 608 Mbale city 3.912.27L 609 Mbaramcitv l- 5.986.198 610 Soroti city 2.202.259 ) 701 Apac Municipal Council T 1.311.041 702 EUEIi Municipal Council \ 853.432 703 Buetrenyi- Istraka Municipal Council ' 1.315.O43 704 Busia Municipal Council l- 1.154.104 705 Entebbe Municif4 Council 'lw 575 ( \s a s4 I

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I also join others in thanking the committee for the good report. My observation is that the extension of the meter-gauge railway from Gulu to Pakwach is a very good idea. But I will implore the committee to extend this railway to Arua City because we have a value-addition facility there that needs raw materials from the Acholi Subregion and Teso. That will serve the value- addition facility with raw materials.

17139 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 Two, this Shs 1 billion for road maintenance in the districts is a gift to some technical officers in the districts and cities because Arua City and other cities in the country have no road equipment, I have not seen the committee come up strongly with a budget for road equipment for the 10 cities in this country. It would be prudent for them to have that factored in. Lastly, the ongoing construction works in the country; I have two points to mention to the committee. As I was driving from Arua to Kampala, between Olwiyo and Karuma – the minister communicated that after the rehabilitation of Karuma Bridge, Ayago and Karuma were opened. Honourable minister, you did not provide road safety signs on the road. One side of the Ayago Bridge has no guards. There are just a few poles – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My observation is that the committee only captured Shs 44 billion for the compensation of the Tororo-Gulu Meter Gauge Railway Project, without indicating the compensation for the few landlords in Arua City that vacated their land for the construction of Arua Airfield. I pray that the committee also captures that, such that the few landlords who were not catered for, are catered for. Secondly, Arua-Biliefe Road - I am raising this again - and the Arua-Lia-Odramacaku Road are generating a lot of revenue for this country. We have border markets there. However, the roads are not in a good state, and I do not know how long they are going to take to work on them. The electorates keep asking us, and we are heading towards the campaign period. I pray that the ministry can provide an answer, or help us to work on those roads. Those are my two observations.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee and the minister. I want to join my colleague, Hon. Osoru, in appreciating the Shs 4.6 billion to Muni University. However, honourable minister that Shs 4.6 billion will not do much because we have projects, which have stalled. From the information that we have obtained from the university, the multipurpose health science laboratory, which is at 70 per cent, the administration block, which is at 53 per cent, the engineering mechanical workshop, which is at 40 per cent and Erepi Primary Teachers’ College (PTC) to be moved for an education department needs Shs 2.5 billion. Honourable minister, the Shs 4.6 billion, in my view and according to the institution, is not sufficient. I urge you to add more money for that institution. Two, I would like to appreciate the capitation of schools. I appeal to the committee and the ministry to think about Mvara Secondary School in Arua City, which still has classroom and dormitory blocks with asbestos roofs. Mr Speaker, remember that one time a student from that school called you, that their school still had blocks that had asbestos, which is dangerous to human life. I urge the ministry to think about Mvara Secondary School, give iron sheets and more money to support the infrastructure. Lastly, I support the idea of harmonising salary discrepancies between science and arts teachers. This has caused demotivation and demoralisation to the arts – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. For cities, we all have one alternative source of water, which is tap water. The boreholes and dams, according to the policy of national water, do not apply for the cities. In the event that there is completely no water, we are disadvantaged. What plans do you have for us as the Ministry of Water? Secondly, I expected this committee to capture the three people from Arua City who vacated their land for the airfield and to date, they have never been compensated but they are still expecting like others were.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Arua City and West Nile at large need more feeders from the UETCL substation in Muni because right now, we only have one line that connects Arua City to Moyo. On Saturday, a truck knocked one of the lines and the entire West Nile went black for three hours. That means businesses in Arua City and referral hospitals came to a standstill. As we budget, we need more money so that we can have more feeders to UETCL. Lastly, West Nile now has reliable power, we thank the Government of NRM but we need a mechanism of how it can now attract industries in that region. Since we are battling unemployment.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also join others in thanking the committee for the good report. My point is on the presidential pledges, as my colleague Hon. Atkins alluded. In Arua City, His Excellency made several pledges and this is time for politicking – it is time for elections. I really feel that without fulfilling some of these presidential pledges, it will be a big challenge –

Much obliged, Mr Speaker. However, it is at the back of our minds that out there, we are going for something. Aware of that, I really wanted this committee to look at the presidential pledges so that the name of the President is saved, and some of us who support those presidential pledges are also saved. This is so that they do not remain empty tins surrounding the constituencies. Two, I support the proposal to give remuneration for the RCCs, RDCs and Assistant RCCs. Arua City has nine RCCs, with deputies and assistants and there is no space for those nine people to sit. You find all the Assistant RCCs packed in one room. When people who need the services come, you have nowhere to put them. The population that needs the services from these offices have nowhere to sit. Therefore, I urge the committee to look at that so that office space can be given to these Assistant RCCs and their deputies. Lastly, these industrial hubs are doing wonders in the regions and constituencies, but the manner in which these youth are selected is not clear. You realise that people have already been taken for the training, but when you come back to your constituency – in your wards or parishes – you find that the youth were left out. I also wanted the committee to look at that. As we support the industrial hubs, we should have

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I want to put the Leader of the Opposition on notice. As I talk, the Town Clerk of Arua City, whose party subscription I do not know, is undergoing a leadership training in Kyankwanzi. That leadership institute is for every Ugandan. Therefore, is the Leader of the Opposition in order to say that, that institute only belongs to one party? Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Arua-Biliafe and Lia-Odramacaku road has flooded, despite being a national road with culverts installed. It has been flooding because of the recent heavy rains that we received in Arua City. Mr Speaker, the face of regional cities should look like cities. If you go to Arua City, to this day, some of our roads still flood, and the city has no road equipment units. In the previous financial year and this one that is yet to end, Parliament passed money for the road equipment units but Arua City has not received any. The Government keeps sending money; Shs 1 billion for maintenance. Arua City, having no road equipment unit, ends up hiring from the nearby districts at a very expensive rate. We end up even exchanging bitter words sometimes. It is very hard for us to absorb that money as the people of Arua City. Therefore, I request that the minister for works should give us an answer. What happened when we passed the money? The other time you said you procured 80 per cent and the balance was 20 per cent. We gave you money again, but this time you only gave 14 districts. What happened to Arua City? Is it not a regional city? Can you give attention to Arua City, because we do not have road units and our roads have looked terrible for the last five years? We are here struggling – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the chairperson of this committee and its members for having considered the cities and municipalities that do not have road equipment units. Arua City will at least smile. Finally, this is what we have been battling with. Secondly, my concern is about local revenue collection by all local governments in this country. We all know that there are complaints everywhere. If you are to move to the councils, they always complain about sending local revenue to the Consolidated Fund and yet sometimes, they will have a big issue and would want to use their money within the local governments but unfortunately, the Public Finance Management Act does not permit them to use money at source. I request the honourable minister to bring this Act so that we can amend it because it is what we have been battling with. A city like Arua collects a lot of revenue and sends it to the Consolidated Fund but it is very hard for us to get this money back. We are struggling yet we are sending a lot of money to the Consolidated Fund so why don’t we amend the Public Finance Management Act in order to cater for that? That is my observation and I want to tell the chairperson that your committee is doing very well, especially on issues of the city and the road equipment. I think I will sleep well today because of that.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join colleagues in thanking the committee for the wonderful report. I would like to add my voice to what my Woman MP raised over the equipment for the cities. From the time these cities were created, I think we are now in the fourth year. I want to talk about Arua City, which was a combination of Arua Municipality and Ayivu County, which had seven sub-counties, making nine subcounties that are all depending on the road equipment that was being used by Arua Municipality, which had two divisions. This tells you that the city actually has no road equipment. This also makes technical officers take advantage; to inflate figures by saying that they are hiring road equipment. Since the two financial years when we received Shs 1 billion – in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, which is about to end – roads in Arua City have never been worked upon. Figures are cooked up on paper for accountability that, “we worked on these roads”. Last year, in November, we sat for a roads committee meeting. The engineer and the town clerk said that in October, they worked on the roads in Ayivu and central divisions, which I represent. When I called my councillors and other local council leaders, they said that in October, there was no grader that went on ground and the roads remained the same. This means that these monies are just being swindled and they end up in the pockets of these people. Therefore, budgeting for road equipment for these cities is very paramount and I want to thank the committee for that. Secondly, the committee went ahead to plan for garbage trucks for municipal and town councils, leaving out the cities. I will also add my voice that the committee should incorporate garbage equipment for the cities so that the cities can be kept clean. Finally, Mr Speaker, I want to talk about support to former leaders. Support in the area of burials and the rest are good, but when it comes to buying of vehicles, for example, I might have served as a Speaker, after that I served as a Prime Minister, after that I served in another big portfolio, and I will be considered for benefit in all those. I think we need to amend our laws to cater for one position when the person is still alive because it will be a waste of resources for this country. Yet we have other needs in other sectors. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the presentation. The money that we borrow, whether domestically or from outside our country, as the minister, you should know that it affects the economy negatively. When a country borrows more than its GDP’s worth, that country is automatically affected. Honourable minister, can you tell us why, year in, year out, borrowings have never stopped? You keep coming here to ask for money. Make us understand, as Parliament, what is happening in the finance ministry that we do not know. We may be here castigating the ministry for finance, yet something else is happening that we are not aware of. Secondly, honourable minister, do you have any plans, as a ministry, for debt management? Members talked about domestic arrears, but do you have a particular plan? If you keep coming here and we keep giving you money, it is our children who will pay in the future. That is where my interest is. If you do not have a plan, why do you come to Parliament to keep borrowing money? Those contractors that our colleague talked about here, at the end of the day, keep coming to us. In Arua City, most of the work has been abandoned because they have not been paid. They just have half-baked work, which is a waste of money. We must have value for money. Why do you bring in contractors to do certain work if you know you do not have money? That alludes to what Hon. Sarah Opendi was saying. We should stop committing the Government when there is no money. Please, this is Parliament, where every business is supposed to be held with seriousness. People outside there take us to be very unserious. Even I, who represents Arua City, look very unserious like this ministry of –(Laughter) - please, help us.

16888 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 the analysis and comments you have made on our ministerial policy statement. I would like to respond to the issues as have been chronologically raised by Members. Beginning with the committee chairperson, he makes an observation on the Contingency Fund, pursuant to Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act. Mr Speaker, I agree with the chairperson that the law provides that the Contingency Fund shall be 0.5 per cent of the approved annual budget of the previous period. In the year under review, Shs 169 billion, if brought to the nearest, is substantially 0.5 per cent – Shs 171 billion and Shs 169 billion. You can say that at the time of making this calculation, we were intentional and we knew what the law provides, because it is about 98.8 per cent. Therefore, the number is consistent with the provisions of the law. He also makes an observation on domestic borrowing. Domestic borrowing is in two categories. One, we borrow to pay redemptions by the Bank of Uganda and we also borrow to finance the budget. I agree with the committee. This definitely poses a risk to the interest rates of private sector credit and also the risk that the MP from Arua City was concerned about. However, I wish to correct her that it is not normal for Government debt to exceed GDP. Apparently, our Government debt is 48.9 per cent of the GDP and we are always cautious to keep it within the IMF Convergence Criteria and also the Charter of Fiscal Responsibility, which requires us to always keep our debt within the 50 per cent ceiling. Mr Speaker, on where the Office of the Auditor- General reports, I think the bottom line is to ensure that this office is supported and is independent, in as far as executing its mandate is concerned. Whether it is in Parliament, under the Parliamentary Commission or –

Madam Speaker, the women referred to you as an Iron Lady, if I remember very well, on that day. Indeed, thank you very much for making our women feel very comfortable. You are one of the champions when it comes to empowering the girl child. You have given so many scholarships to girls. We thank you as a country. You are actually a role model to many outside there, Madam Speaker. As we talk of financial inclusiveness of women in economic empowerment, Madam Speaker, the women, I remember, commended the Parish Development Model. However, when it came to the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, there was a general problem. Last week, the presiding officer requested the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development to come and lay on the Floor of Parliament a comprehensive report. In fact, Members cried out loud that they just hear about GROW for women, but they do not know how many beneficiaries they have in their districts. In Arua City, we do not have any beneficiary. We wondered how this GROW Project was designed. Madam Speaker, in refugee camps, the NGOs are doing very well when it comes to training the girl-child in making reusable sanitary towels. Our parents in the ancient days did not use pads. They used clothes. Today, Madam Speaker, women cannot even afford - that rural person in Bukedea, and Arua City - to buy a sanitary pad of Shs 3,000. Why can’t the Government come up with a programme in every school to train our girl-child to make reusable sanitary towels, in order to curb them from dropping out of school?

I put the question that a total sum of Shs 2,489,823,488,735 be provided for as supplementary recurrent expenditure for the Central Government for the Financial Year 2024/2025. (Question put and agreed to.) Local governments (recurrent expenditure) 1. Vote 601 - Arua City – Shs 64,613,108; 2. Vote 602 – Fort Portal City – Shs 348,225,108; 3. Vote 603 – Gulu City – Shs 116,433,601; 4. Vote 604 - Hoima City – Shs 62,006,925; 5. Vote 605 - Jinja City – Shs 233,784,000; 6. Vote 606 – Lira City – Shs 484,320,000; 7. Vote 607 – Masaka City – Shs 203,216,400; 8. Vote 608 – Mbale City – 10,533,056; 9. Vote 609 - Mbarara City - Shs 81,600,000; 10. Vote 610 - Soroti City – Shs 169,800,000; 11. Vote 701 - Apac Municipal Council - Shs 18,350,000; 12. Vote 703 – Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal Council – Shs 57,960,000; Vote 704 – Busia Municipal Council – Shs 7,249,302; 13. Vote 715 – Koboko Municipal Council – Shs 24,318,144;

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on matters of boundary conflict between Arua District, Madi-Okollo District, Terego District and Arua City. It seems no proper demarcation on the boundaries was done after the creation of the districts and city. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, my request is that you send the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development to intervene and make proper demarcations on the district boundaries to avoid conflicts among the people. I beg to submit.

16562 THE CONTRACT FARMING BILL, 2023 you on behalf of Arua City. I rise on the matter of national importance. This matter has been before this august House and now that we are heading towards the elections, the people of Ayivuni in Ayivu West, in Arua City, have for a long time pleaded with the Government. When contractors from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development went to install high electric voltage poles in Arua City, they went off board. They moved deep into people’s land and the people were informed that they were not supposed to do any cultivation or development where the poles are placed. Most of the land owned by our people is customary and small in size. My people are wondering how these poles got installed on their land, as per the agreed surveyed places for installation. The Ministry of Energy should come and correct whatever mistake they caused there. Otherwise, it has become a problem for us, the leaders. Mr Speaker, I request that the ministry goes down to Arua City to realign the poles because we were told those poles have radiation effects on people. That means they can affect them health-wise – (Interjection) - I am talking about high electric voltage poles, not just ordinary poles. I request the minister to meet the leadership of Arua City so that they can sort this out before we go for campaigns. Otherwise, we are killing the votes of His Excellency. Thank you.

Thank you. I request the Government Chief Whip to arrange a meeting between the Ministry of Energy and MPs from Arua City.

Mr Speaker, we received a number of questions but one of them came from Hon. Moreen Osoru, district woman representative for Arua City. Her question is: what is Government’s plan to end the vice of confiscating people’s national identity cards as security for loans by money lenders? Mr Speaker, my response is that the growing practice of confiscating national identity cards as collateral for loans by moneylenders violates the rights and dignity of our citizens. It also poses a serious threat to national security and social stability. The National Identity Card is now a critical document that serves as proof of identity, nationality and citizenship. It is essential for assessing a wide range of services. However, there has been a disturbing increase in the number of reports where moneylenders are taking these vital documents as collateral for loans. This illegal practice leaves the borrowers vulnerable and deprives them of their most basic identification document thereby leading to further financial and social marginalisation. Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, when a National Identity Card is confiscated, it severely limits an individual’s ability to participate in various livelihood activities. Without their IDs, citizens cannot open bank accounts, receive Government services or even verify their identity in various circumstances when the situation warrants. This practice disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of our society, including the poor, elderly and uneducated who may not fully understand their rights or the legal implications of surrendering their IDs in this manner. Mr Speaker, the confiscation of national IDs by moneylenders opens the door to exploitation and abuse. Individuals who find themselves unable to repay their loans are often subjected to harassment, intimidation and further financial extortion. This cycle of exploitation exacerbates poverty and undermines efforts to foster social and economic development in our communities. The Government is committed to protecting the rights of all its citizens and ensuring that the National Identity Card retains its intended purpose as an enabler for easy access to services, not exploitation. To address this issue, Government has undertaken the following measures: 1. Legal framework As you are aware, there are various laws, including the Constitution, that create special or specific rights, as well as obligations regarding this subject. Article 29(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I have this issue - I will never sleep over this issue if I do not get good answers from this House and the Government. The state of the road from Nebbi to Arua is so perturbing. Yesterday, I raised it. It had no good answer from the person who represented the Government. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the road section from Nebbi to Arua City, that is Kamu Kamu in Kuluva, Ochoko, Arivu, Bondo and Uleppi, is in a very sorry state. It needs urgent intervention from the Government. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, my question is, can you direct the Ministry of Works and Transport to undertake immediate spot-filling to avert motorists, travellers, and business communities from accidents and theft of cargo as the Government looks for a long- term solution? Secondly, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, can you direct the Ministry of Internal Affairs to support Uganda police with the new patrol vehicles and increase the personnel to patrol that – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. The state of the road section from Nebbi to Arua City in areas like Kamukamu in Kuluva, Ochoko, Arevu, Bondo, and Olepi is such that it is now completely impassable. Many of my colleagues from that region have raised this issue on the Floor of this House, but no action has been taken. Aware that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has been rationalised, I pray that the Ministry of Works and Transport undertakes immediate spot-filling to save motorists, travellers, and business communities to avert accidents and theft of cargo, as Government looks for a long-lasting solution. We also implore the Government, especially the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to support the Uganda Police Force with new patrol vehicles to patrol those sections that I have mentioned because wrong elements now waylay trucks that move slowly with goods and steal those goods. Businessmen have lost a lot of money in compensating for the goods of their customers, especially traders like California Bus Company – they have lost a lot of money in compensation. We really need an action on this. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Madam Speaker, we are discussing a very important subject matter that touches on the lives of the people of Uganda. My first submission which I want to bring to the attention of this Parliament is that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is on the increase. Fort portal City leads with a prevalence rate of 14.7 per cent. Mbarara City follows with a prevalence rate of 14 per cent. Kyotera is number 3 with 13.7 per cent. Then in that sequence, Masaka City, Lira City, Soroti City, Arua City and others. The point I want to raise to the Minister- I am bound by collective responsibility, but let me raise this. We seem to be emphasising more of cure than prevention. I recall when we were young kids in primary, there used to be the film of the late Philly Bongole Lutaaya; Alone and frightened. And I recall either in primary three or four when we watched it, seated on the ground, I can assure you the fear it caused up to now, is the reason I am safe and sound up to this moment. ( Laughter ) But it also appears that our partners are not focusing on that. Our development partners are seemingly focusing on treatment. So, I think honourable minister, I have raised this time and a time and again, that time is up. For

Madam Speaker, this is a statement on the confiscation of National IDs by moneylenders, as collateral. Introduction Madam Speaker, this statement follows your instruction to present a statement on a matter of national importance that was raised by Hon. Mourine Osuru, the Woman Member of Parliament for Arua City, on Thursday, 1 August 2024, regarding the question of the Government’s plans to end the vice of confiscating people’s National IDs as security for loans by the moneylenders. Madam Speaker, the growing practice of consecrating national IDs as collateral for loans by moneylenders violates the rights and dignity of our citizens. This practice not only infringes on the rights of our citizens, but also poses a serious threat to national security and social stability. In 2015, the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA) was enacted and established the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), with the mandate to register all persons in the country, assign them unique identification numbers, and issue national identification cards, among others. The National Identity Card is now a critical document that serves as proof of identity, nationality and citizenship. It is essential for accessing a wide range of services. However, there has been a disturbing increase in the number of reports, where moneylenders are taking these vital documents as collateral for loans. This illegal practice leaves borrowers vulnerable and deprives them of their most basic identification document, thereby leading to further financial and social marginalisation. The impact on citizens When the National Identity Card is confiscated, it severely limits an individual’s ability to participate in various livelihood activities. Without their ID, citizens cannot open bank accounts, receive Government services, or even verify their identity in various circumstances when the situation warrants. This practice disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of society, including the poor, elderly and uneducated, who may not fully understand their rights or the legal implications of surrendering their IDs in this manner.

Thank you. Representing 77 per cent of the budget released. To that effect, Shs 446 billion remained unutilised and hence was returned to the Consolidated Fund as a result of the failure to absorb the resources. Madam Speaker, the absorption of funds by the local government was affected by a number of factors, including late release of funds, delays in procurement, delayed accessing of civil servants onto the payroll, change in design of construction works, among the cases cited. Notably, the local governments with the least absorptive capacities or those that returned huge sum of funds were Kitgum Municipal Council at 43 per cent, returning Shs 15 billion; Oyam District Local Government performed at 57 per cent thus returning Shs 25 billion; Pakwach District Local Government performed at 58 per cent returning Shs 14.5 billion; Agago District Local Government absorbed 60 per cent of the funds, returning Shs 17.6 billion; Lira District Local Government absorbed 54 per cent of the funds released to it returning Shs 17.6 billion and Arua City absorbed 74 per cent released to it, returning Shs 17.6 billion. Madam Speaker, on the other hand, the local governments that absorbed to near target were Gulu District Local Government (DLG) posting 100 per cent utilisation of all funds released to it, Arua DLG 94 per cent, Mityana DLG absorbed 96 per cent of the funds released to it and Mityana Municipal Council performed at 89 per cent, Moyo DLG at 87 per cent, and Yumbe DLG at 87 per cent. Those are among the best performing local governments. Madam Speaker, as I stated earlier, these are just samples we picked. The main reports are in this book. The Members will pick interest and look at their district one by one; how they performed in the Financial Year 2022/2023. Committee observation The committee observed that: i. Local governments were unable to carry out the planned activities because they did not get all the funds from the approved budget; ii. The unspent balance was attributed to a number of factors including failure to recruit, delayed deployment of teachers [Mr Olanya] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you very much for that information. My name is Atima Jackson Lee Buti. I represent the people of Arua Central Division. Thank you very much, chairperson, for the good report. Madam Speaker, my concern on this report is about money returned to the Treasury. Arua City was mentioned to have returned over Shs 17.6 billion. It is a very big concern. We have service delivery gaps in the city, very many things are undone, yet we returned Shs 17.6 billion. This is attributed to late releases by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Madam Speaker, I really want to implore the Ministry of Finance to take note that, monies should be released to these local governments on time so that they do not get returned to the Treasury. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join honourable colleagues to congratulate this committee and thank you for this opportunity. In Arua District, we have a lot of problems in our health sector especially poor service delivery at the health centres with no legal supervision. If you go on the ground, you will know that people are suffering at the health centres. In Arua District, Vurra Constituency specifically does not have a Health Centre IV. We have Health Centres II and III - Pondo Health Centre III, Logiri Health Centre III, Lazebu Health Centre III, Nyadri Health Centre III, and Ayaayah Health Centre III. The distance from Vurra to Arua City, where the Referral Hospital is, is very long yet we do not have means of transport. We have only one ambulance, which is at Arua City. From Vurra to Arua City; people are suffering. In case of an emergency, getting transport becomes a problem. Our people are suffering because Vurra borders Zombo. From Zombo border to Arua Referral Hospital is very far. On the ground, there is a problem of stealing drugs by the technical staff. The Government will send the drug but after two to three days, the drugs will be over. This means there are some technical people, who are always on the ground stealing Government drugs. We are near the DRC border, and the number of people who get the services from Uganda is big. People are always lining up to get the services.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank my honourable colleague who presented a very elaborate report. First of all, Mr Speaker, Arua Referral Hospital does not only serve the people of West Nile. Knowing that we are located at the borderline, we also do serve people across the borders; the people of DRC, including South Sudan, who get treatment from Arua Referral Hospital. However, Mr Speaker, if it may interest the Ministry of Health, in most of the referral hospitals, take interest in labour suits. The labour suits that were constructed there have become very small. Women are giving birth on the floor because of the population. The situation at the referral hospital located in Arua City is worse because we have an influx of refugees. We cannot say that the referral is only meant for the people of Uganda, yet the refugees are also part of us. Therefore, honourable minister, you need to plan to expand some of those labour suits, not only in Arua Referral Hospital but in all referral hospitals. Secondly, in most of the hospital wards, we have insufficient numbers of beds. The caretakers of the patients are sleeping on the floor and the hospital verandas. What are we doing, as a country? It is very embarrassing, and because of that, somebody who is taking care of the sick one may also end up falling sick. Therefore, I request the Government to fully functionalise the lower-level facilities. Some of these referrals could be handled at those lower facilities. If you fully functionalize them with equipment, medical supplies, and staffing, we will be good to go. Lastly is the issue of faulty medical equipment. How do you buy equipment of that value, put it in one place, but you make it redundant? This happened in one of the places called Oli Health Centre IV in Arua City. We know very well Arua Referral Hospital is congested, and Oli Health Centre IV was meant to decongest Arua Referral Hospital, but some of the facilities that are in Oli Health Centre IV are not working, yet we are supposed to operate from there. Are we serious? Therefore, I would like to tell the Ministry of Health that health is an asset and so, we should not joke about with it. May you wake up, pull up your socks, and help Ugandans before anything happens to them. Thank you. ( Laughter )

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the female captain for athletics in the 11 th Parliament, I want to say that nobody deserves to die the way our sister did. On behalf of the people of Arua City, I condemn violence in the strongest terms. It is so unfortunate that women suffer quietly in the hands of ruthless husbands who are greedy enough and not contented with what they have. The International Committee of the Olympics is wondering what is happening in East Africa because, in the East Africa Community, we have so far lost about four athletes by the way. We have lost two from Uganda and two from Kenya all in the name of violence. They are asking what could be happening. Why can’t we protect our athletes? I am very much aware that the late must have had some unfinished projects. How I wish that the Government can carry on with the unfinished projects and then also support the children. Together, as Parliament, I also request that we have annual lectures about our late, such that she is also remembered annually. She has gone when the young generation still needs her. She continues to inspire many young generations and forever we will look up to her. May her soul rest in peace.

14142 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT it comes to that. That means all those Friesian cows that were taken to Arua died. We can now imagine how much it has cost the Government. As we request the Government to increase funding to the northern region, they should also think about those that are down there; the extension workers. Going forward before they venture into bringing any cow, in whatever form, let them first train and change our people’s mindset because they are still attached to the traditional ways of doing things. For instance, if you go to Arua City today and see the way we keep our animals; goats and cows, it is just for marriage purposes, which is not good. So, Madam Speaker, some of those things should be taken into consideration as we request for more funding be sent or given to the northern region. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is John Lematia. I represent the people of Ayivu Division West, Arua City in the West Nile Subregion. I am happy to be in Gulu.

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. West Nile is in the south western part of Uganda. Recently, I visited Arua city, and indeed, as the honourable member has put it, we had to travel 75 kilometres in almost six hours; that road is deplorable. I would like to support the honourable member from Arua that if priorities are supposed to be given, they should give them to Arua so that the road is repaired. I also want to -

14061 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 Arua City, Terego, Obongi and Yumbe on a road that has a political name. It was first called FDC Road but when NRM won elections, it is now called NRM Road. That is the road from Manibe-Wandi to Ore Bridge . This road is a section of about 54 kilometres. It has appeared in the manifesto of NRM about four times but up to now, it is not considered anywhere. We request that the Government works on it. Two, we have –

It is a national road but towards the end, Zika Forest has taken about 24 kilometres of it. However, the main part is not considered anywhere. Then there is a Katrini-Nadi road, which connects to Koboko-Arua Road, which should also be taken up. Madam Speaker, I would like to talk about what Dr Ayume has just presented. We borrow money to fund roads in this country. However, the locals do not know the value of these loans. I will request that Government puts funds together or we borrow money to do about 10 kilometres of roads in all the town councils for in at least every district; instead of every Member coming here to complain about roads. Like in Terego, people there can only put their feet on tarmac when they come for treatment in Arua City, which is totally wrong. And yet these are taxpayers who do not know the value of the loans we borrow, if this House can adopt and resolve-

Exactly. West Nile has been cut off because of River Nile. We are either linked through bridges or ferries. Allow me to address my mind to the ferries, especially at the Amuru crossing to Rhino Camp. Madam Speaker, to go to West Nile via Amuru, Rhino Camp and Arua City, it will take you almost one hour and a half. However, because of the delayed construction of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) ferry crossing, which has taken 13 years, the ferry has never crossed the river from Rhino Camp to Amuru. My appeal, through you –

There is a procedural matter. Honourable members, before the procedural matter comes, in the VIP gallery we have Mr Milton Odongo, the RDC of Pader, and Mr Wadri Sam Nyakua, the Mayor of Arua City. We also have, Mr David Kennedy Odongo from Alebtong District, Mr John Nangiro from Nakapiripirit District, Mr Stephen Obitre from Maracha District, and Mr Abibu Bulia Khemij Awadi from Obongi District. We also have Mr Hassan Ringitho from Zombo District, Mr Michael Ivan Ocaya from Kitgum Municipal Council – he is the Deputy Speaker, and Ms Vanessa Anyako, the Female Youth Councillor, Laro Pece Division.

Annex lb: List of Specidized National & Regional Referral Hos itals # Name Level Local Gorft 1 Arua Hospital Regional Referral RRH Arua City 2 Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital RRH Fort Portal City 3 Gulu Hospital Regional Referral RRH Gulu City 4 Hoima Hospital Regional Referral RRH Hoima City 5 Jinja Regional Hospital Referral RRH Jinja City 6 Kabale Hospital Regional Referral RRH Kabale District 7 Kawempe National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala 8 National Referral Mulago Hospital NRH Kampala 9 D Mulago SWN Hospital Specializ ed Hospital Kampala 10 Uganda Cancer Institute Specializ ed Hospital Kampala 11 Uganda Heart Institute Specializ ed Hospital Kampala t2 Kiruddu National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala 13 Butabika National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala l4 China Uganda Friendship (Naguru) Hospital NRH Kampala 2l

13653 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 AUGUST 2024 involved the local community, leaders, and the district security committee to restore the integrity of the Central Forest Reserves. Recently, NFA management, working with Hon. Michael Kakembo, Member of Parliament, Entebbe Municipality, encountered an illegal land title in Kitubulu Forest Reserve, measuring 47 hectares, that is 116 acres, and that title has been submitted for cancellation. Prayer two from the honourable member was for me to clarify the Government’s involvement or oversight regarding the activities conducted in Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve, such as the harvesting of trees without re-afforestation efforts and the construction of cottages and lodges by private developers. My response is that the forest reserves are managed under the National Forest and Tree Planting Act, 2003, and Uganda Forest Policy, 2001. Policy Statement 7 states that the Uganda Forest Biodiversity will be conserved and managed in support of local and national socio-economic development and international obligations. Strategy No.5 focuses on promoting the development of biodiversity-related tourism to generate income for local and national benefits. As you are aware, tourism is one of the biggest sources of revenue for the country as we move towards the middle-income status. The Government has therefore, per the laws, licensed tourism activities within Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve as a low impact activity. This is a good practice not only in the forest reserves but also in national parks and this is a common practice internationally. The construction of cottages in the forest reserve is, therefore, done lawfully and informed by environment and social impact assessment. Prayer three was to know whether there were any investigations. My response is that some of the cases mentioned about Kitubulu Forest Reserve have already been escalated to courts of law including: a) Entebbe College School vs NFA; b) Namayise Alice and Others vs Entebbe College School and NFA; and c) Hudson Mukasa vs NFA and Commissioner, Land Registration. The case against NFA by Hudson Mukasa has since been judged in favour of the Government. Prayer four was, “In accordance with the National Forest and Tree Planting Act, 2003 - my response - since I already talked about this - is that the National Forest and Tree Planting Act, 2003, sections 7 and 8 prescribe the procedure for declaring a central forest reserve, as well as the amendment of the order declaring the central forest reserves. Section 8(5) states that the amendment of an order declaring a central forest reserve shall be approved by Parliament, signified by its resolution. The mandate to degazette or gazette lies with Parliament and not any other Arm of the Government. This measure was put in place to ensure the double protection of the forest reserves as national assets. Dr Charles Ayume (NRM, Koboko Municipality, Koboko), asked: “As the country prepares for the Pamoja-Africa Cup of Nations bid (AFCON), some stadiums have already been selected and budgeted for. However, there is a private investor in West Nile, Arua City, who is developing a stadium. He took out a lease from the city authorities and it is a 20,000-seater capacity stadium probably at 40 per cent - and this is the last question - can the Government reach out to this private developer as is the norm when we are hosting international events, to see if they can infuse him with some support and see if this stadium can be completed through maybe buying shares or equity? This is because Arua is only 400 kilometres from where the action will take place.”

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, my concern is about the confiscation of the National IDs of our women by moneylenders. We have many moneylenders all over Arua City, giving money to our women. As they keep on giving money, they take the original National IDs of these women. What beats our understanding is that ever since I was born, I have never seen where you are given money in the form of a loan and you start paying it off from that day, upon receiving that money. Every day, you will be paying. How fast can you help the women of Arua City to get back their original National IDs? Thank you.

-"* .l i'l tv" f. (-> 4l- * OAL t T ,,/i t:' ^"Hi-* .) \.. Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 9,877,949 531 Ankara Uganda Embassy in Tur 3,99t,682 532 Uganda Embassy in Somalia, Mo shu 8,682,632 533 Uganda Embassy in Malaysia, Kuala Lum ur 9,306,488 Uganda Consulate in Kenya, Mombasa 534 6,787,857 535 Uganda Embassy in Algeria, Algiers 6,t48,639 Uganda Embassy in Qatar, Doha 536 3,451,001 Uganda Mission in Havana, Cuba 537 3,475,000 538 Uganda Mission in Luanda, An 1a 264,336,145 Sub total -Mlssions Abroad ( Local Governments 40,679,88O 601 Arua city 2t,529,439 '\ 602 Fort-Portal city 28,O30,761 Gulu city \os 15,154,886 604 Hoima city 43,319,158 605 Jinja city 30,495,727 Lira city 606 30,239,526 607 Masaka city 39,177,649 608 Mbale city 36,031,699 Mbarara city 609 20,o6L,624 610 Soroti citv 8,879,420 70t Apac Municipal Council 6,476,93O 702 Bugiri Municipal Council 13,604,742 Bushenyi- Ishaka Municipal Council 703 8,671,010 704 Busia Municipal Council 15,990,314 705 al Council Entebbe Municip 16,424,644 Ibanda Municipal Council 706 7,638,634 707 Iganga Municipal Council 17,668,8r7 708 Kabale Municipal Council ,i, -\_:-- il^- 11 - --j!..ii,- "i+: 1j- \-i ' i''. --Ff" ( .\- . \

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I support that NFA must stay. In Arua City, I do have Barifa Forest. If it was not for NFA, I think Barifa Forest would have gone. (Applause) NFA started in 2004 – if I am not mistaken – and it has just planted trees, which are yet to yield. I understand the gestation period of a tree is about 20 years – yes, it depends on the variety of the tree you have planted. These trees are about to yield. Once they yield, it means we are going to have a lot of revenues from this NFA. When we come up with mainstreaming NFA into the ministries – look at Apaa, where we have a lot of problems. What is happening in Apaa is political. NFA has been –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the issue of office space, we have been coexisting with our mother districts; the mother districts are still operating within the newly created cities’ offices. Arua City recruited staff that need space and the mother district staff are also still in Arua City. Now, we have staff who are meandering around and we do not know where to put them. Madam Speaker, when the committee stated that we need money for office space. I was very grateful because -

Yes. Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me chance to speak, especially in reference to your communication as regards to the accident where our colleague, Hon. Katuntu’s brother, lost his life. All of us are quite aware of the way accidents happen in this country to the extent that - some of our colleagues - met their demise through it. The day before yesterday, in Arua District, a staff of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Solomon Abenika, who was riding his OPM motorbike, was knocked on the streets of Arua City and sustained three fractures in the limbs. As he was being prepared to be operated on, he breathed his last. Today, his body is in St. Philip’s and all that was due to reckless driving in Arua City. In Madi-Okollo yesterday, the chairperson for a SACCO group, George, again was knocked by a reckless driver. He also broke both his limbs and he is being prepared for an operation. You are aware that the police in their Easter message brought to the attention of this country that during Easter alone, Ugandans who lost their lives through accidents were more than 80 and there were more than 200 accidents. I am bringing this in reference to your communication because it is the proper time for us to review the traffic laws in this country. I do remember that Rwanda revised the speed limit within the city, bringing it down from 120 to 80 km per hour and that will reduce the accident rates in this country to 60. My appeal through you, Mr Speaker, is that this Parliament considers reviewing the speed limit for different vehicles on the streets of this city, leaving alone even the motorbikes that are rampantly killing us. If it pleases you and more so on the side of Government, it is time for us to review, move forward and then we see over time how that can impact on the accidents. Finally, this is related to the road infrastructure that we have in this country. My Madi-Okollo is a village road. We just received Shs 500 million for the Road Fund, which you presided over that every constituency should receive. However, accidents are still happening across the constituencies in the villages. People are dying. Maybe through you, the minister can expedite the process of releasing more Shs 500 million so that we are in line with reducing the road carnage throughout the country. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the chairperson for that wonderful report however; I have a few concerns on behalf of the business community here in Uganda. I would like to understand why some of the business people who are importers like us find challenges, especially at these one-stop-border points. When we are doing clearance, they normally tell us that the network is down. That one now goes to the Uganda Revenue Authority; what do they mean by “network is down”? What is that network because when we are doing clearance, there is a duration of time that the shipment companies give you to use their containers and once you delay they charge you? Secondly, Lia Customs Border Point is located in Arua City and it is one of the border posts that you have always abandoned. Lia Customs collects a lot of revenue, but the status of Adumi Road is embarrassing, yet some of these goods go beyond DR Congo, and others go to Koboko. What is the status of our roads in Uganda?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, allow me to inform this House that on the 3 rd of February, the women of Arua City and the other women who are transacting business in silverfish were stopped by UPDF officers in Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe. Knowing that most of these women obtain monies from SACCOs, Parish development Model and “Emyooga”, how are they going to be helped because they do not understand why they were stopped and would like government to explain since most of them have loans to repay. Thank you. PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you. I have just been informed that on the screen, Hon. Kayondo was being displayed as NUP and yet he is DP. Let the Hansard capture right record. He is seated between members of NUP, but he is not NUP. I had already picked Member for Arua City, Dr Melsa and Hon. Acibu Agnes.

12273 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 APRIL 2024 been able to resolve at least 90 per cent of the issues. However, I request the Government to recruit the remaining percentage in order to be able to speed up the connectivity of power in the West Nile Subregion. We need these people in West Nile, so please recruit them so that they are able to go back to Koboko, West Nile and Arua City to connect us to the national grid. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

a 1.O INTRODUCTION On 21st May 2023, Zombo Tea Nursery Operators and Farmers' Association petitioned the Rt. Hon Speaker of Parliament about delayed supply of tea seedlings to farmers in Zombo district. In accordance with Rule 3O (6) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the Rt. Hon Speaker referred the Petition (Annex U to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for consideration. 2.O BACKGROUND 2.L ZOMBO DISTRICT Zombo District is located in West Nile sub-region of Uganda in the north- western part of the country. It is approximately 70km south of Arua city and 382km north-west of Kampala. The district is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the south and west, Nebbi District to the east and Arua District to the north. Zombo District sits on a total land size of 939.7km2 of which 91olo is arable land, 5o/o dte. swamps and running water rvhile 4o/o are forests and forest reserves. The district is generally hilly and steep with its highest peak being Agu Hill in Abanga Sub-County. This has forced the population to cultivate hillsides at times without good soil management practices. The district has favourable soils for agriculture (red and loamy soils, dark loamy soils) (UDC, 2O2Il that have contributed to the steady and reliable supply of foodstuffs like lrish potatoes, maize, cassava, vegetables like tomatoes and onions across the district. Zombo has a bi-modal rainfall pattern, with peaks in April and August. Due to its altitude (1,532 metres above sea level), the tropical climate borders $ a a perate climate I tuil t=..5E\: -= # 1 illt,tft

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the country prepares for the Pamoja-African Cup of Nations bid (AFCON), I am aware that the stadiums have already been selected and we are in the process of budgeting for them. However, there is a private investor in West Nile, Arua City, who is developing a stadium. He took out a lease from the city authorities and it is a 20,000-seater capacity stadium, probably at 40 per cent. Mr Speaker, my prayers are if the Government could reach out to this private developer, as is the norm when we are hosting international events, to see if they can infuse him with some PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

11350 DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT [Mr Obua] 3. Hon. Rosemary Nyakikongoro – Woman, Sheema; 4. Hon. Arinaitwe Rwakajara - Workers; 5. Hon. Moses Magogo – Budiope East; 6. Hon. David Kabanda - Kasambya; 7. Hon. Amos Kankunda – Akankuna – Rwampara; 8. Hon. Samuel Okwir – Moroto County 9. Hon. Sylvia Nayebale – Gomba; 10. Hon. Josephat Tumwesigye - Bugangaizi; 11. Hon. Herbert Ariko - Soroti East Division; 12. Hon. Agnes Atim - Amolator; 13. Hon. Donald Katalihwa – Mwenge County; 14. Hon. Aggrey Bagiire – Bunya County South; 15. Hon. Samon Bwiire – Bulamogi; 16. Hon. Keefa Kiwanuka – Kiboga County East; 17. Hon. Maximus Ochai - West Budama North; 18. Hon. Solomon Silwany – Bukooli Central; 19. Hon. Derrick Orone - Gogonya; 20. Hon. Alex Ruhunda – Fort Portal Central; 21. Hon. Iddi Isabirye – Bunya South; 22. Hon. Mourine Osoru – Arua City; 23. Hon. Annet Katusiime – Bushenyi; 24. Hon. Gyaviira Ssemwanga - Buyamba; 25. Hon. John Baptist Lokii - Mathenico; 26. Hon. Muhamad Ssentayi – Bukoto County West; 27. Hon. John Teira – Budiope County North; 28. Hon. Faith Nakut – Napak; 29. Hon. Mwine Mpaka – Mbarara South Division; 30. Hon. Brenda Namukuta - Kaliro; 31. Hon. James Kaberuka – Kinizi County; 32. Hon. Lillian Aber - Amolator; 33. Hon. Catheline Ndamira - Kabale; 34. Hon. Linos Ngompek – Kibanda North; 35. Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa – Sheema Municipality; 36. Hon. Laura Kanushu - Workers; 37. Hon. Fred Opolot - Pingire; 38. Hon. Bernard Odoi – Youth Eastern; 39. Hon. Juliet Bashiisha - Mitooma; 40. Hon. Michael Bukenya - Bukuya; 41. Hon. Moses Aleper - Chekwii; and 42. Hon. Fadil Twalla - Tingey. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of a one Inspector of Police, Thomas Otim, who is reported to have defiled a one-and-a-half-year-old child in Arua City. What is so disturbing is that this one-and- a-half-year-old child was a child to another senior police officer, SSP Madrama. What is more disturbing is that this child was taken to the regional referral hospital for a check-up and it was confirmed that indeed, there was penetration and Mr Otim was held responsible. However, when the file was taken to the Resident State Attorney, he examined the file and recommended that it should be closed for lack of sufficient evidence. The police has since taken action by dismissing Mr Otim from the service but that is not enough. The Resident State Attorney continues to hold the office doing his work with no action taken; this corruption and abuse of office must end. My prayer is that the Attorney-General comes to this House to explain the action that has been taken against this Resident State Attorney who recommended that the file be closed in disregard of a report from the regional referral hospital. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I join others in thanking the minister for the statement. While honourable colleagues from other districts are talking about the difficulties of taking their equipment to be serviced at the regional workshops, Arua City has no equipment to be taken to Gulu, the regional centre. Arua City was formed by joining Ayivu County, which is now Ayivu Division with the former Arua Municipality. Ayivu County formerly, under Arua District has lost all the equipment. It has three road equipment units. Since Arua City does not have any equipment, what do we taken to Gulu for repair in the regional workshop? I would like to ask the Minister of Works and Transport and the Minister of Local Government to think about these cities that were created; otherwise, the money allocated ends up lying idle. The Uganda Road Fund budget for the Financial Year 2021/2022 – which the city received – Shs 600 million – was not utilised because there was no equipment to do the work. In fact, we are still investing where the money went. Mr Speaker, we hired equipment to work on roads in the Financial Year 2022/2023. I would like to implore the ministries concerned to see to it that the cities which were created have equipment. Thank you. MR MOSES ALEPER (NRM, Chekwii (Kadam), Nakapiripirit): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to look at the study that the ministry carried out. When you start giving districts Shs 140-plus billion yet the workshops require Shs 100 billion – a see-saw. Is it this very money that caused the study to come to that figure? What I am saying is that while we are trying to improve things on one side, things go down on the other side. Most importantly, I would like to implore the Government on the effect when these workshops are not functional. The effect is that it will affect the productive sector in the country because the roads and the equipment are not worked on. This, therefore, undermines – the fact that we want to create economic growth and productivity in this country – That is what we definitely have to look out for. The Government must look into this matter seriously if we are to talk about economic growth, job creation, improving agricultural

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There are districts which do not have registration officials. In Arua, we made a benchmark study where the district registrar of Arua is the one handling Arua City, Madi- Okollo and the neighbouring districts. Therefore, elderly people are inconvenienced when going to update and validate their particulars so as to benefit from these services. We appeal to the Government to review the ban that was slapped on recruitment because NIRA needs special attention. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Apart from telling the finance ministry to provide whatever is needed to prepare, Ugandans are eagerly waiting to hear and know what role the Government wants them to play. For instance, in Gulu, we want to hear what role Government wants us to play because in 2017, when Government failed to get money to prepare for the East African Secondary School Games, we mobilised resources and built Pece Stadium. Therefore, we again want to see how we can position ourselves and play a role. I would also like to say, Mr Speaker, that when you go to a place like Arua City –

10240 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Lira, there is already a functional Lira city land board, but the district land board is still receiving applications and processing titles for lands in the city when it is actually not within their areas of jurisdiction. So we gave the example of Lira and Arua and the other entities. (ix) The Ministry of Public Service ban on recruitment as strained service delivery on the cities and the districts from where the cities were carved. (x) Cities and districts are constrained with office space since the two entities are sharing the same premises. For example, Arua City, for instance, recruited 406 staff but lacked space to accommodate them. So some of these staff are sitting under trees. (xi) Lack of adequate laws or guidelines for the operationalisation of the cities. Whereas a city is the equivalent of a district as outlined under Section 4 of the Local Government Act CAP 243 as amended, there are several gaps that affect the operation of the cities. For instance, a city division should be treated at the level of a municipality, but currently, in line with Local Government Act CAP 243, Section 4(b), they are still treated at the level of subcounties. (xii) Local Governments have continuously been faced with the issue of late releases and returns. This is important, Madam Speaker. Late releases and return of funds to the consolidated fund. For example, in the Financial Year 2022/2023, Arua City, Gulu City, Mbale City, Mbale District, and others received over Shs 3 billion far above what they had planned for by 19 of June. All this money went back within two weeks. To throw more light when we asked them, they said this was money they had not planned for. They had not budgeted for it, so they could not explain how the monies came. But these are monies considered returned back to Treasury; (xiii) New subcounties have continued depending on the mother subcounties in as far as road funds are concerned since 2021 without having their own allocation as required by law. (xiv) Continuous recentralisation of decentralised services such as decision concerning collection and remittance of local revenue and procurement. General committee recommendations The committee recommends the following: (1) In addition to the supplementary for ex-gratia and honoraria, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide funds in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 to cater for the following as indicated below - these are areas we consider very important, as a committee. a. Vehicles for city mayors and district chairpersons. These are political heads of the districts and some of them have ended up grabbing vehicles for school inspections and for health centres, including ambulances, because they lack means of transport. The committee recommends that Shs 35.2 billion be provided so that they can have means of transport. b. Relocation of the 10 cities. In addition to what has been given to Soroti, all the other nine entities should also be given Shs 1 billion each as a start-up for putting structures. They would relocate in phases. c. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion be provided to review the decentralisation policy because there are a lot of gaps. We need to make sure that we strengthen and deepen decentralisation and the best way is to have a review. The ministry requires the Shs 2 billion to undertake this process. [The Speaker] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

(NRM, Arua Central Division, Arua City): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I propose the amendment that all the officials who have attempted to sell or have already sold the assets be arrested, prosecuted and the assets repossessed by the local government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter regarding the installation of high voltage electric poles, to be specific, along the border stretch from Odramacaku to Lia custom, in Arua City. I would like to inform this august House that indeed, there were contractors who went down to Arua City to install the high voltage electric poles. However, they did not do well in other areas. They went deep inside people’s land and the people were not given adequate information that they were not supposed to do any economic activity where those poles lie. In the West Nile, most of our land is customary and small in size. Now that that information was missing, people are causing a lot of problems and they need the intervention of the Ministry of Energy to realign with the original plan. We do not know if the contractors were trying to save some material, because going beyond 30 metres on somebody’s land yet it is small in size, leaves him/her with nothing. This is the concern I have from the people of Arua city. Secondly, we have been having electric poles; both utility poles and the electric poles for the last five years, without any electric wires and even the ones with electric wires do not have power. I request the Ministry of Energy to intervene in this matter. The compensation was done very well; they compensated for the crops, buildings and at the same time the fruit trees. However, going beyond the original plan is what is causing a problem. May we also know when the West Nile is going to be connected because our people think we are lying and keep changing the deadlines. Please assure us. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, the Honourable Member from Arua City, has brought a very pertinent issue. I request that you allow me get in touch with her, together with the Ministry of Energy and other Members of Parliament from Arua City, and we handle this matter conclusively. The poles without wires are almost everywhere in the country. We were told in the Cabinet recently that some Members of Parliament last time got in touch with REA and REA tried to give poles to Members of Parliament then, but these poles were not catered for in our budgets then. However, with the money we have got under the just concluded approved loan, we shall do that work and conclude it, district by district. Thank you .

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance which is the persistent insecurity hitting Arua City. On the night of 28 April 2023 at Nsambya Cell in Awindiri Ward, Arua Central Division, unidentified armed robbers attacked Champion Betting Centre and shot a person called Adule Collins on the left side of the waist and robbed cash of unspecified amounts. Mr Adule is nursing wounds and receiving treatment at Arua Regional Referral Hospital. On 1 May 2023, another aggravated robbery happened at Premier Betting Centre along Rhino Camp Road in Arua Central Business Area, where three masked men and one masked woman - all wearing jungle boots - made their way to this betting centre and went with unspecified amounts of money. On 13 May 2023, at 2.00 a.m., Novafinia Clinic in Arua Central was attacked and the private guard called Amaku Alex was shot dead with one bullet. The people in Arua Central Business Area in Arua Central Division are now living in panic and fear; they do not know what will happen to their lives. The police visited these scenes. We held security meetings with them and they have some challenges; and I want this House to help the people of Arua Central and Arua City -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My prayers are: 1. Can the Ministry of Internal Affairs support the security team of Arua City, especially the police to have more manpower and patrol pickups on ground, so that the security can cartel this insecurity? As I talk now, the entire Arua City has one patrol pick up, which tours the three police posts in the city; Ayivu East, Ayivu West and Central Division, which sometimes breaks down. 2. Can the Ministry of Security and Government intensify security surveillance through intelligence in the West Nile Region as there seems to be suspected illegal guns in the country because of the porous borders from South Sudan and Congo, aware that there is a serious challenge in our neighbourhood? Thank you, Mr Speaker. I beg to submit

Honourable minister, I was in Arua recently on the invitation of Hon. Atima. It is a bustling city with business. The vibrancy of Arua City needs serious attention, especially now with the borders on the side of South Sudan and Congo. The business feeds the whole of that region and it plays a very critical role so they need some bit of special attention. I do not know what you can say about that, in terms of his prayers.

Honourable members, listen. 1) Vote 601: Arua City - Shs 36,948,486,000 2) Vote 602: Fort Portal City - Shs 21,749,696,000 3) Vote 603: Gulu City – Shs 26,555,638,000 4) Vote 604: Hoima City - Shs 14,982,706,000 5) Vote 605: Jinja City - Shs 38,446,052,000 6) Vote 606: Lira City - Shs 25,298,264,000 7) Vote 607: Masaka City - Shs 28,740,158,000 8) Vote 608: Mbale City - Shs 36,977,607,000 9) Vote 609: Mbarara City - Shs 33,853,374,000 10) Vote 610: Soroti City - Shs 18,894,719,000 11) Vote 701: Apac Municipal Council – Shs 8,494,655,000 12) Vote 702: Bugiri Municipal Council – Shs 5,045,364,000 13) Vote 703: Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal Council - Shs 10,811,439,000 14) Vote 704: Busia Municipal Council - Shs 6,584,841,000 15) Vote 705: Entebbe Municipal Council – Shs 14,974,279,000 16) Vote 706: Ibanda Municipal Council – Shs 12,652,788,000 17) Vote 707: Iganga Municipal Council - Shs 6,354,604,000 18) Vote 708: Kabale Municipal Council – Shs 15,642,752,000 19) Vote 709: Kamuli Municipal Council – Shs 6,980,978,000 20) Vote 710: Kapchorwa Municipal Council – Shs 8,378,122,000 21) Vote 711: Kasese Municipal Council – Shs 14,834,120,000 22) Vote 712: Kira Municipal Council – Shs 20,650,861,000 23) Vote 713: Kisoro Municipal Council – Shs 3,648,099,000 24) Vote 714: Kitgum Municipal Council – Shs 6,670,002,000 25) Vote 715: Koboko Municipal Council – Shs 7,501,016,000 26) Vote 716: Kotido Municipal Council – Shs 7,454,417,000 27) Vote 717: Kumi Municipal Council – Shs 6,938,873,000 28) Vote 718: Lugazi Municipal Council – Shs 7,853,940,000 29) Vote 719: Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council – Shs 13,864,172,000

Thank you Madam Speaker. First of all, allow me to thank you for having rescued our honourable colleagues when they were arrested. Secondly, I condemn brutality. Madam Speaker, for the incident involving Hon. Susan, I was there. I only survived the teargas because they undermined my size. (Laughter) I was there in Buvuma. For the report the Prime Minister has given here, the police misinformed her. On that day, when I went to support my colleague on the other side – we were at Kiyindi Landing Site. Even the District Police Commander (DPC) came and took my full address. They wanted me to identify myself, which I did. Shortly after, they were asking for Hon. Susan. I did not know that they were looking for her, actually. I had never been to Buvuma – that was my first time there. Shortly after, Hon. Susan jumped in my car – actually, she was hiding in the boot of my car. The soldiers started running after us – even the police. We had to run away from that place. We connected to – I do not know which district that was, Madam Speaker. We went to another –(Interjection)- no, it was not Buvuma. We had not yet crossed. Even the speed boat that we were supposed to use was confiscated. Madam Speaker, I saw whatever happened to Hon. Susan with my own eyes; nobody told me. I condemn what happened. We went to somebody’s home – we did not know the lady – in Buikwe. We even ended up undressing and wearing somebody else’s clothes. It was that serious. On reaching the other side, we found the security officers waiting for us on the water. I refused this time – I told Hon. Susan that I have a phobia of water. So, it was Hon. Susan and Hon. Manjeri who stepped into the boat to go to the other side. Madam Speaker, it was a very nasty experience. Any person, leader or Ugandan should not be in that situation. We have Members of Parliament who are mandated to carry out their roles. Even Arua City Members, are complaining about the RCCs; they have become a headache. In Hon. Susan’s case the, RDC actually has an interest to contest in Buvuma. That is what is happening. So, Madam Speaker, I think we should look into that. If they are sent to disorganise us – Madam Speaker, as our leader, we have faith in you. Please, something must be done. On that day, I tried calling you, but the number was engaged. That is how we ended up running like mad dogs on the streets. Indeed, I condemn the brutality and those officers must be apprehended for what they did. For Arua, we may not hold guns, but if the opportunity was given for us to exchange – and they are not in uniform – you can trust me. For us, we are trained in that one, Madam Speaker. (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern here is about a fire disaster that occurred early last month in Etori Ward in Arua City. The genesis of this disaster started when a man who was doing bush clearing on his farm failed to notice that there were strong winds blowing. The wind ended up spreading fire to other people’s homes, leaving them with no room to pick up their property. So, most of the property was burnt together with their homes. My prayers are that the ministry in charge exercises some responsibility to restore confidence and hope in our people by giving them whatever relief they have. Thank you.

I want to conclude by saying two things. One, on what my sister, Hon Osoru said about the athletes, specifically the pledges, I would like to state that the stipend given to the athletes includes the following games: 1. All-Africa games 2. Olympic games 3. Commonwealth games. These stipends are given to those who win gold, silver and bronze. I would like to confirm to my sister that if any one of them is not getting their stipend from the three, then you need to see me so I can follow it up. To my knowledge, this money is being paid monthly to those athletes because I get the records from the Statehouse Comptroller. Last, but not least, on the issue of the Paralympics, I would like to say that some of the challenges which come in here, came in at a time when we did not have the support - Hon. Mpindi is here. Recently, I constituted a steering committee that will organise the All Africa Games. We also have the Paralympic games and Hon. Mpindi is the president of that federation in Uganda. For that matter, I nominated him as the Chairperson of the Paralympic Games, which is going to take place. I would like to confirm that as Government, we are committed to supporting sports holistically without segregating. On the issue of Barifa Stadium - Hon. Ssolo, I was in Arua under the directive of the President. I met the stakeholders but we must accept to address the question of land. What is happening in West Nile, particularly Barifa land is that there is a contest between the National Forestry Authority. The President sent me to Arua. I met the sports administrators. Barifa Stadium, as of now, is on the National Forestry Authority’s land. We are looking at getting funds to construct the stadia which were pledged to the people of Uganda by His Excellency the President. For that matter, I challenge you, Hon. Aza that as leaders from West Nile, sit down as stakeholders, and agree on the area the Government should plan to construct the Barifa or Dorcas Inzikuru Stadium. To my knowledge, that plan is in Arua City. Mr Speaker, I have been asked about Namboole – let me put this on record.

Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I appreciate the chairperson for the report he has given us. My concern is that if you go to some districts, you find there are poles that were installed four years ago and there are no electric wires on them. We wonder what could be happening. Secondly, there are those towns that were made cities – like Gulu City, Arua City, Mbarara City and others. I understand that the Government

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, earlier last month, Pokiya and Komite wards in Arua City experienced a disaster of heavy rains and winds that blew off so many people’s roofs in more than 200 homes and many people are now stranded. Could you help my people in those two wards by providing them with relief items like blankets, food and iron sheets because they are really in bad state? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern is about the status of the Uganda National Roads Authority roads in Arua City. Most of the roads have become impassable. It is now about three or four years and some of our roads have not been worked on – for instance, Oluko-Ocodri Road, Manibe- Wandi-Yumbe Road and Adumi Road, via Lia Customs. Mr Speaker, most of the trucks, these days, fall off as they transport people’s goods to the border. I would like to know from the Prime Minister what the fate of those roads is. Even His Excellency – for about three terms now - has made pledges regarding these UNRA roads, for instance, the Manibe-Wandi-Yumbe Road in Arua City. However, to date, it has not been implemented. Shall we really consider that it will be implemented? Thank you.

6824 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT road was done. However, money for the road from Laropi to Afoji was also appropriated, but I think the tsunami came from somewhere and swept the money away. Therefore, I want to know from the honourable minister where that money for the road from Laropi to Afoji is. Lastly, UNRA only remembers us when it is time for elections. In Arua City, you have abandoned your own road at the border points. We all know that at the customs we have at every border point, we collect revenue for Government. However, for the last five years, honourable minister, you have abandoned your responsibility as UNRA and we are losing revenue there. You come here and talk big, but by the end of the day, you do nothing on the ground. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, I noticed something on the Entebbe Express Highway. There are guardrails that have been vandalised. I think people are cutting them as scrap and selling them. Even the wire mesh that was there, I see much of it has been cut off. As UNRA, you have a lot of work to do. Yet, we even have police patrolling that place. I wonder what time thieves vandalise this road. In the report, the chairperson informed us that the money meant for other projects was relocated to other fast-moving projects. I would like to know who authorised UNRA to relocate funds from slow-moving projects to fast-moving ones. Secondly, this tendency of relocating money to other projects will slow down. This is how other projects begin to struggle. This is how we just dump money at the expense of our taxpayers. You begin to claim that other projects are bigger than others. When will those other projects be completed? That is my concern. Thank you.

I will be happy to come if you allow. Already my teams were sending messages and they have given me a report, that in my opinion, is not adequate and therefore, allow me retreat and come back with a Treasury Memorandum, which will adequately answer all these. I wanted my sister, particularly from Arua City, to know that we try. She said that the minister comes and talks big here - it is my height. (Laughter) I really try to do whatever it takes. I will do whatever it takes to come and adequately address your issues. Where need be, I am also going to - like I said before, in all our field visits, we will endeavour to come with the Members of Parliament so that they can get our feelings and we hear from them and then, prescribe remedies that are acceptable to all of us. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank my colleague who presented the report. Looking at a number of things, I realise that every local government in Uganda has an issue. Madam Speaker, before Arua became a city, we used to have boreholes dug yearly. However, when we upgraded, most of the district cities, of which Arua is part, are not receiving even a single borehole as guided by the new policy. It is now the mandate of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to extend water to every city that was newly created, and now our people are struggling because of that. Secondly, before our subcounties were merged, we used to receive road funds. It has been two years down the road - Arua City is in a terrible state because our roads have not been worked on for all this time. When you visit Arua, you may want to ask whether there are leaders in place or not. Madam Speaker, I wonder: even when we push our priorities to the Ministry of Finance, they will still say that there is no money. Now that we have issues, budgets have been cut everywhere, what do they expect us to do? The people of Arua City are crying; they do not have water and the roads are in a bad state. Lastly, we still have offices of another district operating within the offices of Arua City.

That is Arua District; it still operates its district office headquarters within Arua City. Now, I wonder - we upgraded these cities, in this House - I remember, the Ministry of Finance said there was money, but now there is no money. How come? I think the Ministry of Finance should be realistic. Otherwise, people are questioning us every day. They think we just wasted their time by creating these cities. We thought cities would even have more money than districts, but it is to the contrary. Ministry of Finance, can you please help us - because at the border, we collect a lot of revenue, which we send this way. Arua being in a triangular form, it shares a border with South Sudan and DRC and it sends a lot of money to the Consolidated Fund; why don’t you - I remember Parliament guided last time that the money that is collected by the local governments be spent at source, but up to now, this has not been implemented, and I want to ask why. Let them answer because we are also

6740 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The worst performing entities in this regard in terms of absorption capacity were Hoima City at 30 per cent, Kitgum Municipal Council at 36 per cent, Gulu City at 36 per cent and Masaka City at 37 per cent while those that absorbed 100 per cent of their releases were Arua City, Kitagwenda District Local Government, Terego District Local Government and Madi- Okollo District Local Government. (i) Cost of service in local governments The Auditor-General’s report highlighted the amount of resources spent on non-core service delivery activities such as employee costs and transfers to other units like subcounties, schools and health facilities. These amounted to Shs 1,101.75 billion, equivalent to 74 per cent of the expenditure made by the entities. In other words, on average, the Government spent three shillings on each shilling for outputs that directly affect service delivery. The entities with the highest cost of administration of over six and above, include Masaka at eight, Nakasongola at seven, Gulu City at seven, Bundibugyo at six, Mbale City at six, Kiboga at six, Mpigi at six and Arua City at six, while the most efficient local government was Kalangala and Obongi District Local Governments at 0.4 per shilling for output service delivery. (ii) Local revenue performance of Financial Year 2020/2021 The audit reports for the 60 entities reported on indicated that some local governments’ local revenue was not reported on, well aware that this is a core source of revenue for the functioning of the district councils. This denied the councils facilitation to supervise and monitor the works of local governments. These local governments included Mitooma District, Nakasongola District, Kyankwanzi District and Lamwo District. Mr Speaker, details of these are provided in Annex one. Overall, the local governments underperformed on local revenue, registering revenue underperformance of Shs 30.4 billion of the target of Shs 68.248 billion, translating into local revenue performance of only 56 per cent. The local governments that performed dismally were Kole District, Soroti City, Zombo District, Kitgum Municipal Council and Moroto District Local Government. (iv) The performance of salaries, gratuity and pensions The report of the Auditor-General highlights the planned salaries, gratuity and pensions by the entities for the financial year. The reports overall indicated that Shs 632.75 billion was approved for salaries, gratuities and pensions at the close of the financial year. And at the close of the financial year, Shs 610.543 billion was availed to pay salaries, gratuities and pensions. However, only Shs 571.3 billion was actually absorbed by the entities, causing a return of Shs 38.6 billion to the Treasury, indicating underperformance of 6.3 per cent in the budget item. Mr Speaker, the committee made observations and request Members to look through those observations. I will take you directly to recommendations: The committee recommends that – i. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development accounts for the under-release for funds to the local governments. ii. Accounting officers under whose supervision local governments fail to utilise funds released to them be held personally liable. iii. entities whose cost of administration was above six times the cost of output service delivery be subjected to further investigations to ascertain the source of the abnormality in the operation cost of the local government.

5660 THE COMPUTER MISUSE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 Madam Speaker, the campaign is currently running on various media houses at national and sub-national levels. In line with the above, Government is undertaking the following interventions, specifically in Arua District and Arua City: 1. Sensitising school management to accept child mothers back into school settings, to enable them pursue their education dreams; 2. Implement a nutrition programme under the Child Sensitive Social Protection, targeting lactating and pregnant child mothers. This is intended to enable them give birth to healthy babies whom they can leave under the care of their parents and grandparents while they return to school; 3. Sensitising and encouraging households, especially grandparents and caregivers, to accept and take care of the babies of the teenage mothers to enable them return to school; 4. Strengthening the referral pathway so that child mothers are able to access education, healthcare and protection services; 5. Providing sexual and reproductive health services to child mothers, including HIV/ AIDS and sexually transmitted infections screening. 6. Promoting positive parenting among parents and caregivers, among others; and sensitising children to refrain from sexual activities at their tender age. Question 5 Madam Speaker, Question five was presented by Hon. Tumwine Anne Mary, Ntoroko District Woman Representative. She said that there is a growing concern in the Uganda Police Force recruitment and deployment in the country, which has resulted in many of them committing suicide and others becoming deserters, which puts the country at the risk of increased thuggery and killing of innocent Ugandans. The Special Police Constables (SPCs) are disgruntled over the inhumane nature in which they are being treated; denying them fundamental opportunities in the course of their duty; and warnings of being dismissed from work for speaking up on issues affecting them at work. They are denied the chance to enjoy equal privileges with their counterparts at the workplace, which include: 1. Lack of access to loans from commercial institutions for their personal development and to educate their children; 2. They are denied promotions or consideration to join other departments, yet they have trained and have the required qualifications to join the regular police force. Instead the police recruit new individuals from outside the Force: 3. They are not entitled to belong to any pension scheme, hence, have no retirement plan, yet they are always deployed within the stations and are loyal to the service in the Uganda Police Force; 4. They have no opportunities for further training to gain more skills that are required in improving services in the Uganda Police Force; 5. Whenever they open up, seeking their issues to be addressed, they are threatened with sacking and non-renewal of appointment, thus, getting frustrated; and 6. They have written to high offices in the police, but have not seen things change or improve. Madam Speaker, his prayers are: 1. What plans does Government have to ensure that this human resource in the Uganda Police Force is not wasted and their welfare is improved? [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

2396 2397 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2022 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The committee discovered that in Gulu City, the local leaders/ politicians, such as councillors that were meant to supervise and provide oversight, took over and abused the process by registering their relatives and themselves as beneficiaries. In situations where the local councils rendered support through identification and registration of beneficiaries, these lists were put aside during data entry and replaced with other beneficiaries. When the committee interrogated further, it was discovered that over 10 councillors, the speaker and former LC III chairperson of Layibi Division, for example, registered and benefited from the fund. Arua City and Kitgum Municipality had almost similar cases of abuse of the process by administrators. In Mbale, some city council staff were registered and benefited. The Lord Mayor Kampala Capital City Authority revealed to the committee that in Kampala, the DISOs abused the process by registering beneficiaries along party lines. The committee further noted that in some cases, the compilation of the list was left to chairpersons of associations of the different trade categories, in total disregard of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, instructing that the compilation be carried out using existing administrative records. In Tororo Municipality, for example, the chairpersons of different trade categories took advantage of this loophole by registering beneficiaries along political party and social relation lines. There were also allegations of extortion by the chairperson of the boda boda association in Tororo Municipality, who was alleged to have been asking beneficiaries to part with Shs 15,000 to be registered. Relatedly, in Fort Portal City, some town agents were also accused of asking for between Shs 30,000 and Shs 40,000 before one was registered or their national ID would be retained until the money would be cleared. Recommendations 1. The committee recommends that the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development holds accountable all Town Clerks who negated on their roles and responsibilities during this exercise by delegating their functions without proper supervision, as this amounted to neglect of duty. Additionally, all officers responsible for the abuse of this exercise by registering themselves in disregard of the vulnerable, be reprimanded. 2. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development should ensure that administrative records like tax registers in all cities, municipalities as well as other administrative units are updated by registering all formal and informal businesses. This would ease identification and verification of beneficiaries of such an exercise in the future. Term of reference No.2: Ascertain the criteria used to select and identify the beneficiaries According to the National Social Protection Policy, 2005, vulnerability is defined as “limited ability to manage risks or cope with shocks that may lead to undignified lives”. While appearing before the committee, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development submitted that the Cabinet defined the vulnerable in the context of the lockdown to mean “those who were engaged in employment at the time of COVID-19 lockdown and depended on daily earnings, which were disrupted”. The committee notes that there was no standard selection formula used in selecting beneficiaries in the targeted areas. In most of the cities and municipalities, the principle of “first come, first served” was applied. As a result, many categories of would-be beneficiaries were left out and for those who benefited, resources were not equitably distributed amongst the categories. For example, more people 3. We met with the town clerks, city/ municipal mayors, RCC/RDCs and other stakeholders in the following locations: a) Soroti City, Mbale City, Arua City, Gulu City, Lira City, Fort Portal City, Hoima City, Mbarara City and Masaka City. b) Tororo Municipality, Masindi Municipality, Ntungamo Municipality, Kumi Municipality and Kitgum Municipality. i) The committee also carried out on- spot visits and verification at a number of boda boda stages, taxi parks, street vendors and special hire operators to try and ascertain the terms of reference. ii) We analysed documents submitted by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the town clerks of municipalities/cities, KCCA Lord Mayor and other stakeholders that the committee interacted with. iii) The committee also carried out random telephone calls, which were made to the selected beneficiaries from the list provided by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. Whereas, the committee was desirous of visiting all cities and municipalities that received the COVID-19 relief fund, it could only afford to visit the selected few due to time and budgetary constraints. Observations Madam Speaker, the committee was informed that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development approved the COVID-19 emergency fund, amounting to Shs 53.5 billion to cover all 501,107 targeted beneficiaries. Out of these numbers, a total of Shs 2.854 billion was spent on administrative costs and Shs 50.6 billion was transferred to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development account in Post Bank to facilitate direct transfers to the chosen beneficiaries. During the meeting with the committee, Post Bank informed the meeting that the bank had since received 488,272 total transaction instructions from the Ministry of Gender and successfully processed 487,307. Payments had since closed, according to the Ministry of Gender, with a balance of about Shs 1.43 billion lying on its account. Term of reference 1: Establish who compiled the lists of beneficiaries in the different locations. The committee observed that COVID-19 and its resultant effects, as occasioned by the lockdown, needed to be treated as a disaster and, therefore, it was wrong for the Government not to involve the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Management in its response, given its rich expertise in personnel and structures down to the local Governments. Although the town clerks were supposed to be in charge of compilation of the list of beneficiaries as stipulated in the guidelines, the committee noted that this was done mostly through delegation. In Soroti, Arua, Hoima, Mbarara and Fort Portal cities, for example, the town clerks were newly posted and therefore, delegated their deputies to undertake the exercise. This was, however, done with little, if any, supervision. The committee observed that the delegation of this responsibility without sufficient supervision, made the exercise susceptible to abuse, as the data collected by those delegated was greatly manipulated. Many would-be beneficiaries were left out, especially private school teachers and restaurant workers, as the committee found out in almost all locations visited. In Fort Portal City, the deputy town clerk monopolised the whole exercise. In Arua, most of the data entry clerks that carried out the exercise were volunteers/interns who took advantage and registered themselves and other persons in the different categories.

2398 2399 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2022 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT As noted earlier, in most locations visited by the committee, this exercise was marred by irregularities. Officials who were assigned the responsibility to carry out the exercise negated on their duties. There was also poor co-ordination between the offices responsible and the grassroot structures as such as GISOs, DISOs, RCCs/RDCs, LCI and town agents in the supervision and verification of the beneficiaries, which led to abuse of the process. Whereas in Masaka and Lira cities, the RCCs actively participated in the exercise, in Ntungamo Municipality and Mbarara City, the elected leaders were not involved at all. In Mbale City, the Office of RCC was denied the opportunity to verify the beneficiaries in the Office of the Town Clerk. As such, about 1,500 persons were verified out of the over 9,000 that benefited. In Arua city, the RCC and the Mayor only got to receive a report on the exercise while meeting the committee. There was no structural framework involving all leaders to ensure a co-ordinated execution. This led to people, who were not intended to benefit, taking part of the fund. It is worth noting that a few random telephone calls made by the committee to the beneficiaries revealed that some persons did not receive payments whereas their names are captured as having received relief and in the list provided. The committee could not, however, establish the accuracy of such assertions as the payments were made privately through their telephones and they could have deleted the confirmation messages. A one Ssewankambo Bashir Mbale captured in the list as having been paid under the bus/taxi conductor category denied having received the money when the committee called him. A one Oloya Geoffrey from Gulu purported to have been the first beneficiary of the relief fund under the boda-boda category could not be traced. When the committee consulted the boda-boda Association in Gulu, they denied him being a member and alleged that the Oloya in question is, in fact, a builder. While interacting with the committee, the Gulu City officials informed the meeting that their efforts to reach out to Oloya were futile. The committee noted that not all persons registered received the money due to various reasons, such as disparities in the names registered vis-à-vis those that appear in their NIN, using one’s NIN to register many telephone numbers and incomplete information, among others. The Committee further noted that there was an option in the guidelines to pay persons who qualified and were in possession of NIN, but had no telephones through the bank post. However, many would-be beneficiaries with these cases were ignored and replaced hence leaving out a big number. Recommendations 1. The Ministry of Gender considers verifying and giving relief to the vulnerable who had already been identified within the quota range but were left out due to errors in the information. This should be done before the end of October 2021; and 2. In future, systems designed for this kind of exercise should cater for vulnerable persons without phones and persons with disability. Term of reference number five was on how much money the beneficiaries received. We have indicated the figures and the committee recommends that should such an intervention be necessary in the future, the rates should be based on the current cost of living. We did observe before the recommendation on how we arrive at that conclusion. Term of reference number six was to establish the roles played by the different stakeholders. We have examined the same at page 17 and came to the conclusion that the committee recommends that should such an exercise be necessary in the future, elected leaders should be involved from the onset to give it ownership. benefited under the boda boda category than food vendors, salonists and car washers. In Mbale, the committee noted that the number of support staff who benefited in private schools was more than the teachers in those schools, which is not logical. In Tororo, a total number of 1,402 slum residents benefited, representing 37 per cent of the entire threshold, as compared to three vehicle loaders. In Soroti, the committee interacted with Mr Saleh Babu Opwonya, the Chairperson Teso Coach Stage, who intimated that out of the 75 members he registered, none of them received relief. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Mr Abdu Mugisha, the Gateway Bus Company chairperson, revealed that out of the 56 members he registered, 48 benefited. In Fort Portal, at Kampala-Kyenjojo Taxi Stage, 60 members were registered and on Kampala Road Boda Boda Stage, 132 members were registered but none of them received relief. These inequities meant that certain categories benefited more to the disadvantage of others. Suffice to note that the Government was able to set thresholds for beneficiaries in all the cities/ municipalities but did not consider setting out a workable formula to be used to equitably share the quotas. The committee noted that for success to be achieved in Lira City, identification was done based on the area of operation and business location for each category. Leadership structures for each category also supported the registration and verification process. Consequently, internal structures were put in place where the compiled lists were first submitted to the DISOs’ office and both physical verification and phone call verification was done to ascertain authenticity of the submitted lists. Once approved, the list would be submitted back to the Town Clerk for data entry. Other cities and municipalities did not fully verify their lists. Cognisant of the directive of the ministry to display the lists generated in public places within urban areas for purposes of updating and verification, with supervision of warden administrators and support of village health teams, the committee noted that across all the cities and municipalities, this directive was defied. This was attributed to limited time, technicalities in the online system, bulk and sensitivity of information. In the committee’s view, the display was avoided as it would expose the irregularities and abuse of the process. Nonetheless, if a display was to be done, raw data would have been the one to be displayed as and when the lists would come through. The committee recommends, therefore, that; 1. The Ministry of Local Government should, in liaison with UBOS, support the local government administrative units to set up a more robust database for future use. 2. In future, if such an activity reoccurs, the Ministry of Local Government should ensure that Town Clerks strictly adhere to the set guidelines. Term of reference No.3: Verify the list of people who received the money Madam Speaker, the observations here are contained on pages 12 to 13. I would wish to proceed directly to the recommendations, following the observations. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should consider giving relief to residents of Ayivu Division and Northern Division of Arua and Fort Portal cities, respectively. This flows from the observations that there were no benefits to them. Term of reference No.4: Verify and establish whether the intended beneficiaries actually received the money.

Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank the committee for that report. I want to speak about data in relation to Arua City. The report did not clearly bring out Ayivu. In Arua City, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics gave data on Arua Central only, and yet in Arua City, we have two divisions. The data, which was given, was only for central, which was 60 per cent of the 60 households, leaving out 21,500 beneficiaries from Ayivu Division West. these issues. However, if we want to do it on our own, then we will have problems. In addition, when we are doing the identification of the people let us not sit in Kampala and identify the people on a computer. (Applause) People should be identified on the ground. You cannot know who is a needy person in my constituency or in my village. We have CAOs in the districts and these are people we can punish. If you say; CAO, make sure that you monitor this activity to the letter, a CAO will do it. However, if you gave a politician for example, FDC, NRM or NUP chairperson, will they be accountable? Will your people have benefited? So, as we make resolutions on the next programme, let us put all the things in mind. Technology has just come so let us not experiment. Tinka said something yesterday- let us not allow this money - whether it is donor money or whatever - to go just like the other cash money. I now open debate for 30 minutes.