Aswa County

Mr Speaker. I am Patrick Okello Onguti, the Member of Parliament representing the people of Aswa County in Gulu District. I rise under rule 56.

91 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 10 JUNE 2026 promote sciences, for us who are saying, it is a good thing you are paying science teachers better, we also said, pay the arts teachers better. Away from that, now that you promote sciences and young people are graduating as medical interns and so on, do not make it ironical by failing to facilitate them and then discouraging the younger ones who will say, maybe it is not attractive to study sciences. Please follow through. Finally, Mr Speaker, it is good that the Vice- President has given us an assurance to follow up on these missing persons, including the name that I have mentioned, the most recent one, Christopher Godi, aka King Zale. Let us follow up, produce these people in court, including John Bosco Kibalama. The Prime Minister is mocking us here by saying, the Kibalama I meant was the chairperson of her village. Which one? You said Kibalama was arrested; he killed people. You need to come with a report because it is here that you told us. We were asking you about John Bosco Kibalama, and you told us that the person was arrested for certain offences. That is the one we are talking about. Please, do not mock this House. We are waiting for the responses. Mr Speaker, pursuant to Rule 15(2) of our Rules of Procedure, which mandates the Leader of the Opposition to constitute and designate colleague Members of Parliament to the shadow Cabinet, I have the honour to submit the duly constituted shadow Cabinet for the 12 th Parliament. Hon. Harriet Nakweede, Kayunga District Woman Representative, is our Deputy Chief Opposition Whip and shadow Minister for the Presidency. Hon. Eugenia Nassolo, Rubaga Division South Member of Parliament, shadow Minister for Cooperatives and Microfinance. Hon. Ssewungu Gonzaga, Kalungu County West MP, shadow Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs. Hon. Sheilah Amaniyo, District Woman Representative, Mukono - Shadow Minister for Information and Anti-Corruption. (Applause) Dr Eunice Apio Otuko, Member of Parliament for Oyam County North - Shadow Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology. Hon. Ismail Kasule, Member of Parliament for Hoima West Division - Shadow Minister for Trade and Industry. (Applause) Hon. Patrick Okello Onguti, Member of Parliament for Aswa County - Shadow Minister for Local Government. Hon. Ssebina Gyaviira, Member of Parliament for Nyendo-Mukungwe Division - Shadow Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Hon. Charles Tebandeke, Member of Parliament for Bbaale County - Shadow Minister for Animal Industry and Fisheries. Hon. Alobo Joan Acom, City Woman Representative, Soroti City - Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs. (Applause) Hon. Sumayah Nabawanuka, Member of Parliament for Mubende Municipality - Shadow Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development. (Applause) Hon. Moses Musanje, Member of Parliament for Njeru Municipality - Shadow Minister for Energy and Minerals. (Applause) Hon. Kaluya Andrew Kiiza, Member of Parliament for Kigulu County South - Shadow Minister for Education. (Applause) Hon. Kizza Hakim, Member of Parliament for Bukoto County South -Shadow Minister for East African Community Affairs. Hon. Jimmy Kanaabi, Member of Parliament for Buikwe County South - Shadow Minister for Public Service. (Applause) Dr Timothy Batuwa Lusala, Member of Parliament for Jinja South Division West -

Much obliged. My Lord the Chief Justice, as per the Rule 5(9) of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure, I, Patrick Okello Onguti, the Member of Parliament representing Aswa County in this 12 th Parliament, rise on a motion to second Hon. Norbert Mao to take the Chair of this Parliament as the Speaker. I beg to move.

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

17883 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 Also, Madam Speaker, there is something that I have known out of experience, having looked at projects. Honourable colleagues, look at the project component of finance. Is this project for government farms or the wanainchi ? When I see the project component, $59 million, I do not know the page but on mine, it is on page nine. When you look at the project component, one, they are going to equip a national feed testing reference laboratory to support animal feed quality assurance, which is at NARO. The cost is not indicated. Others are at Kawanda, Aswa and Nshaara. That is $59 million of the $99 million. When you go through that list up to (e), you do not see a farmer there. You only see Government ranches being equipped. For who is this loan specifically? And when you go to the third, the other component –

If you are to take that then you are going to have only two centres; Aswa and in Nshaara, something. But when I also look at project component two, which is the aggregation of production and access to market for small-hold farmers, that $31 billion, I looked at what they are going to do: solar pumps, whatever, rehabilitation and things for animal feeds. When you study this component and what he has raised, plus a management fee of $8 million, which I have seen here is going to go towards management and the other components he has raised, is this project - because what is at the core of our report is that most projects you have looked at do not place money where it is adequately needed. It goes to components where it is easy to eat their money through consultancy, through management, and through other things. By the time you evaluate a project component - and in my report, I am going to give you a couple, including Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women (GROW), which I looked at. The loanable component is only $30 million out of $217 million. This looks like a classic failed project that is intended to benefit only the elite, not the real farmers. I am not convinced that this committee has adequately looked at this project: the benefits; who will put a project component on all these 59, and tell us who exactly is going to benefit. I see a similarity with a pile of projects that I am going to give you here. None has succeeded.

Sorry, Shs 112.953 billion, Madam Speaker. We note that there is an obnoxious or abnormal increment in domestic arrears under the police. The committee recommends that the accounting officer should be held liable because that led to the diversion of funds in the Uganda Police Force. Access to the implementation of the sub-county policing model The sub-county policing model also faces several challenges, where the model was supposed to be piloted in 12 policing areas. However, most of them have not been rolled out because of challenges of staffing requirements, inadequate transport requirements to implement the model, structures required to implement the model, and the planned addition of more sub- counties onto the Sub-County Policing Model. Therefore, the committee observed that although ambitious in nature, the Sub county Policing Model was necessary as a countermeasure to the rampant surge in crime. The committee further noted that the police had received only Shs 158.355 billion as classified budget, out of the Shs 905.72 billion budget, which could be used in addressing these identified challenges. There are budget challenges because the budget was Shs 905 billion and they were only given Shs 158 billion, meaning that there was insufficient funding for that area. Uganda Prisons Service I am picking out the areas that are very important. Congestion in prisons The Auditor-General reported that the current prison’s holding capacity is 21,126 prisoners, while the prisoner population, as of June 2024, stood at 79,757, exceeding the holding capacity by 58,631 inmates. This resulted in an occupancy rate of 377.5 per cent. Despite the Uganda Prisons Service constructing additional prison wards, Uganda Prisons Service continues to grapple with overcrowding of prisons, with the highest congestion noted in Aswa I, Kicheche, Bubulo, Kakumiro and Kigandalo Prisons. Honourable colleagues, you can look at the table that shows the excesses of inmates in prisons. The prisoner population is growing at an average rate of 8 per cent, while the prisoner accommodation is expanding only by 3.5 per cent annually. Therefore, there is a very big discrepancy between the prisoner population average and the accommodation expansion rate. The committee recommends that the Government should provide more funding to

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter which involves my district and Amuru local governments. There has been an issue over the boundary between Amuru, from Okidi, and Aswa, from Palaro Subcounty. The Minister of Local Government has long been engaging the two parties. About a year ago, he pledged to find a lasting solution to that PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

14607 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2024 1. Mr Gerald Magili, Assistant Director, Administration; 2. Ms Asia Minja, Assistant Director, House Operations; 3. Ms Asia Msangi, Principal Parliamentary Clerk; 4. Ms Shirima Eunike, Principal Administrative Officer; 5. Ms Neema Msangi, Principal Hansard Reporter; 6. Mr Christopher Comino, Principal Assistant Printer; 7. Ms Mbinga Sikudani, Parliamentary Clerk; 8. Ms Veronika Komba, Legal Service Officer; 9. Ms Jumbe Thuwaiba, Legal Service officer; 10. Mr Daniel Zephania, Legal Service Officer; 11. Mr Ramadhani Kalingonji, Hansard Reporter; and 12. Ms Mashimba Limi, Hansard Reporter. They have come to observe proceedings of this House. Please join me once again in welcoming them. You are always welcome, our brothers and sisters. (Applause) In the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have pupils and teachers of Princess Royal Nursery and Primary School, located in Aswa County, Gulu City. They are represented by Hon. Wokorach Simon Peter, Hon Aol Betty Ochan, and Hon. Laker Sharon Balamoyi. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me once again in welcoming them. (Applause) Hon. Ssemujju, they have dedicated the award to you. (Laughter)

“… to urge the Government to increase resource allocation to northern region for livestock farming to accelerate socio- economic transformation; 2. To urge the Government to strengthen market access by linking livestock farmers in the Karamoja subregion to international meat markets, including the opportunities offered by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area and other international partnerships with the Middle East; 3. To strengthen the scope and functionality of the Nwoya animal breeding and fattening facility and open at least one more such facility in the Karamoja subregion; 4. To introduce a livestock breeding, fattening and management skilling course in the existing industrial hubs in the four subregions of West Nile, Lango, Acholi and Karamoja to enhance the skill of youth in the livestock sector; and 5. To support the growth of beef production in northern Uganda by functionalising Aswa Ranch in Kitgum and Iriiri Ranch in Napak district, plus opening similar ranches in West Nile and Lango subregions to complement the strides attained in dairy production in Western Uganda.” I submit, Madam Speaker.

14135 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 the increased resource allocation to West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja subregions for livestock farming to accelerate socio-economic transformation. Madam Speaker, when you listen carefully to the State-of-Nation Address last financial year – not this particular financial year – the President of the Republic of Uganda told the country about areas that have really accelerated growth in the country. I still remember that number one was coffee, number two was dairy cattle or dairy farming and number three was about beef. That shows you that this sector of livestock is very key for the development of these areas. Madam Speaker, these areas – West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja – have been doing very well in livestock. In particular, some of these areas lost the cows or livestock because of the war. However, you realise that in the planning and budgeting for the country, more resources, in terms of livestock, have not been given to these particular subregions of West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. As a result, even the existing ranches like Aswa Ranch, which is located in Pader – not in Kitgum – has not been receiving the resources needed to make sure that they do their work to prioritise so that the farmers in these areas go back to their original way of farming. Madam Speaker, when we talk about poverty in the country, you will notice that the contributors to poverty in this country have been in these four subregions, and it is very dangerous for our local community to contribute to poverty in the country other than contributing to its development. You all realise that when we talk about the poverty levels in the country, the levels in the Acholi Subregion went up, from 68 per cent in the recent Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) figures, to 70 per cent. While Karamoja is stagnating at around 65 per cent, West Nile at around 35, Lango - so basically, if the Government wants to achieve development in this country - this particular part of the country is not doing well because they have not been prioritising the issue of livestock farming and perennial crops, yet these are key to the development of this country. Therefore, I second this motion and think that the Government must take serious actions to make sure these particular subregions receive the necessary budget, which is the only way through which we can take our people out of poverty. When you look at the problems in the country now - the prices of the crops that the people produce - soybeans and maize - keep fluctuating daily. While the prices of milk and meat keep increasing. As I talk, a kilogramme of goat’s meat, for example, is about Shs 18,000 in Gulu yet a person who cultivated maize will sell a kilogramme at about Shs 400 or Sh500. How many kilogrammes of maize does one need to sell for them to buy a kilogramme of meat to eat with their family? These are some of the challenges that our local people have been facing because they have been engaged in crops that one has to work for three or four months and they have to go back. I was surprised yesterday when a Member of Parliament, my colleague, Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika, told us that the leaders of this subregion have not been guiding the community well. This is not the case. The Government has not prioritised livestock farming in northern Uganda while at the same time, the people who come with animals from other regions are grazing the animals here, getting a lot of milk, and also getting a lot of meat from this subregion. I beg to move and thank you very much.

There is a point of order, but the Member is already off the microphone. Hon. Anthony Akol, we cannot say that the Government has not contributed much to the restocking of this area because we have just passed a loan of $354 million under the Agricultural Transformation Project Fund and this money is going to revamp Aswa Ranch. It is not totally that it has been left out.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I support the motion urging the Government to prioritise and increase resource allocation for livestock farming in northern Uganda. Recently, the Government secured a market in Nigeria for milk and milk products worth $500 million annually. Therefore, it would be a good thing for northern Uganda to also take the opportunity and benefit from that market, which the country has secured. One thing that has to be done is to improve the breeds of animals in northern Uganda. For example, Karamoja has the largest number of cattle, but it does not produce milk. When you check the records of the Dairy Development Authority, you will notice that no milk comes from Karamoja, just because of the poor breed of animals. I know when money is invested in this sector, the breeds will improve and therefore we can also benefit from the market that the Government has secured. Recently, the Woman Member of Parliament for Terego informed Parliament about the type of cows that are in West Nile. She said the cows in Terego look like goats. It means they are so poor that they cannot even give any economic benefits. Take a look at the ranches in this country. For instance, in northern Uganda, we have Aswa Ranch, which is intended to benefit the communities and improve the breeds; it is in Pader. When you come to Lango, there is Maruzi Ranch, which also has challenges, but has not been attracting any money. In Karamoja, it is empty. There is no ranch. In West Nile, we have Got-Apwoyo, but it has also been having challenges. So, it would really be good for this Parliament and for the Government to make a deliberate effort to ensure that more money is put into these ranches and also in other areas that are deserving, like Karamoja, so that the animal population is improved. Otherwise, I thank the movers and I know we are on the right path. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am here to strongly support the motion for the Government to send more resources to the region because we are really doing bad. It is so painful that those who come to graze their animals hire land and then take it back. The cow that they could have bought at only Shs 500,000, after grazing it in the land of Nwoya, they will sell it at Shs 2 million. So, this is one of my justification and the confirmation that we must all, as northern Uganda, stand up for livestock farming. Pader District has Aswa Ranch. We have the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC and DB) in Aswa Ranch. I am so happy you said that there is money, which is going to be sent to Aswa Ranch, to the tune of around USD 355 million. I pray that the Government doesn’t make this money to only benefit the investors who are in Aswa ranch. This money should be prioritised to the community. NARGC-DB, which is in Aswa Ranch is a Government entity but they are not doing anything to support the community to stand on their own. If we could identify out-growers and NAGRC-DB directly supports them, we would fight poverty in Acholi Sub-region and no longer remain the same. So, I hereby strongly support the motion.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to support the motion to increase resources to northern Uganda. History has it that the Soroti Beef Factory at one point was proposed to be in Karamoja in the 1960s, and because of the number of livestock. At that time, the word poverty did not exist in Karamoja as it is today, but after a lot of conflicts, livestock diseases and counterfeit drugs for livestock in the market, the livestock population has come down. That, therefore, warrants additional resources to be given to the North. There is a Member who talked about the Aswa Ranch, and it tickled my mind a bit. It is important, as Ugandans, that this Parliament rises to the occasion to question the role of investors. I am not saying that investors have no role but if all money is going to be pumped into investors, how shall we fight poverty? It is assumed that investors already have their own money. If they come to Aswa Ranch to invest but the Government has to give them more money, as the population is watching them in poverty, then what exactly shall we be doing? So, I would like to appeal that the resources that will be added to the north to support livestock production should focus on the local people. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Honourable minister, before you leave, there is information from Hon. Okot, on Aswa.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I would like to say that I support the motion on livestock farming for the people of northern Uganda. I would like to give information to this House, especially to the Minister in Charge of northern region - we have been talking about Aswa Ranch, which is in my constituency in a sub- county called Angagura. This Aswa Ranch land was given to the Government way back in 1964 by the former Acholi District but the land in the area belongs to the clan of the paramount chief to which I belong. This Aswa Ranch you have talked about - I am happy that you have budgeted that big sum of money to revamp it. However, the information I want to give you is that the Aswa Ranch we are talking about has been completely depleted. The land has been given to different people. I do not think you will get any space to revamp the way you would like to. Land has been given to a group called, Banoti, National Animal Genetic Resources Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), some former Members of Parliament who have put themselves together under some group called Gravity, some group called NEC, Panacea Agribusiness Group Ltd and pro-organic. I would like to ask these hard questions: whose land is this? Does it belong to the Uganda Livestock Industry? Does it belong to the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)? Or does it belong to the community of the Payira Clan? These are questions that I want the minister to answer because if you are saying that you are going to put livestock there that will help in the improvement of the livestock industry of the people of northern Uganda, I am sure it is not going to work. My Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Paska had already told you that NAGRC&DB has been there with the livestock industry from the time animals were put back after the ranch was destroyed. That was in 2014. Now, if they say this land belongs to them, we need the Government to open the boundaries to separate the land for the Government ranch from the people’s land. The other issue I want to inform you about is that during that time, in this ranch, we had a veterinary institute, which was vandalised. This veterinary institute should be put back [Mr Bwino] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Madam Speaker, last year, we had a serious issue of conflict in Aswa Ranch over the land and Got-Apwoyo . As leaders from Acholi Subregion, we gave some roles to some Members of Parliament to do a thorough research, which was led by Hon. Mapenduzi. Madam Speaker, this information has been gathered together and presented to the Government of the Republic of Uganda, and there is a common position that is agreeable. If you want some updates on the issue of the land that we are talking about, Hon. Mapenduzi has detailed information about that, and I hope you give him the opportunity to present it, then you will understand more about the land we are talking about. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I am happy that this matter of Aswa Ranch has been brought up.

14154 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT It is true, Madam Speaker, that last year, the chair of the Acholi Parliamentary Group assigned me to gather information with a view of resolving the Aswa matter, and also assigned Hon. Tony Awany to look at the question of Got-Apwoyo. Madam Speaker, I did my part, gathered and got every document, including government documents right from 1965 to date. The details are very clear on the question of ownership. There are three critical issues that we are looking to address. The first is the question of who owns Aswa Ranch. The second is the question of boundary and three, how the ranch is currently being used. We have been able to provide all the facts. We had meetings with the different stakeholders, NAGRC&DB, Uganda Livestock Industries, the local people, and different groups. Madam Speaker, I have a suggestion because I have a detailed report plus all the attachments that unfortunately I did not carry. My suggestion is that through you, Madam Speaker, you can direct to cause a meeting that would bring the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, NAGRC&DB, Uganda Livestock Industries and all the private groups that have been given land in Aswa Ranch. Madam Speaker –

Madam Speaker, it is true the report is available. But what I am saying is that there is need because the different groups that got land inside Aswa are waving documents that were issued by the President as Presidential Directives. Our biggest concern is that firstly, the manner in which the population is being treated in that area is not fair. Secondly, the purpose for which Aswa …Secondly, the purpose for which Aswa Ranch was established is no longer what is going on ground. Thirdly, there is need to have meaningful discussions to ensure that, that ranch, with the help of National Animal Genetic Resource Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC), is used for the purpose of helping the region, not benefiting individuals who are not supporting the cause of the region.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The issue of Aswa Ranch is very serious. I request Hon. Mapenduzi to lay the document on the Table, so that Parliament deliberates and discusses it. Let him present it on the Floor.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, I appreciate your directive. Finally, like Hon. Migadde stated, it looks as if people are distributing Acholi land like they are giving chicken to an individual. You heard him mention that 10 square miles were given to another group; 20 square miles were also given to other people. We should not take our land for granted. The Aswa Ranch was given to the balaalo and the President directed that the balaalo must leave Acholi. That was a clear directive from the President -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Simon Peter Wokorach. I represent the people of Aswa Constituency in the 11 th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. I am happy that some of the leaders from my constituency are here. Others are watching on television and others are listening in on radio. You are most welcome.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will give way for the Member to give the point of information; let me finish. Otherwise, I might screw up my points here. Madam Speaker, what I was saying is exactly what you have been debating in this region and you can see what it is generating in the debate. Secondly, Madam Speaker, we are thinking about livestock though this has also been a very long debate. This place, where we are, has vast land. I think Acholi alone has about 20,000 square kilometres of land with a population of, I think, not more than two million people in Acholi. This land can be used for livestock production. Madam Speaker, we are already having this discussion with the Government. Among the things we are talking about is the revamping of Aswa Ranch. And from the loan that we have already got, the Climate Smart Funds - actually in a few days now, the total revamping of Aswa Ranch will begin with the provision of breeding stock to the people of this area; either freely under some programme or at subsidised prices so that people here can also begin to do livestock. There is no question about this.

But you are not revamping Aswa Ranch. We passed a loan to revamp Aswa Ranch. However, one of you has gone to court. You cannot do anything on the ranch when there is a court matter.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Since the courts of law give justice to everybody, I hope that matter will be disposed of. But the point is: Aswa Ranch, as we speak, has the potential of revamping the cattle economy in this entire region. Secondly, Madam Speaker, what we have also gathered from this committee is that people here want the facilities for the mechanisation of agriculture. The vast lands here, Madam Speaker - open land with the primitive tools - hand holes, and at best the ox-ploughs cannot meet the economic demand of production that we are talking about. Therefore, these are the areas that we want to discuss with the population so that the Government can invest in mechanisation by providing tractors. All the regions I have met, including those in the hills of Mount Elgon, want tractors to mechanise and produce massively. And these are the things that I want us to begin talking about. The other thing, Madam Speaker, is about facilities for value addition. Many areas are beginning to produce dairy, beef and other crop products that need value addition. We see maize and wheat in some places. There is also milk. Milk production is also increasing in this region. However, there are still very few facilities for value addition. This is what we want the Government to be doing. We want, as the Government, to begin thinking about giving facilities to the population to add value to what they are doing. Madam Speaker, it is true there are still areas in Northern Uganda here that have got poor access. These roads you hear being talked about,

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to also thank my honourable minister who is very active and always visible on the ground. Thank you for the report. In law they say, justice delayed is justice denied. Concerning connectivity, it looks like it is a song, but we don’t see this happening to our people. The one-pole and no-pole service – you know our people complain. For us in Gulu City, we have this substation established and the generation in Aswa 1 and Aswa 2. At least, we are surrounded by generation and we even thought that connectivity should be there. People ran away from Gulu, especially those in industry because of poor supply and insufficient electricity. We pray that they come back, but we should be very effective and vigilant on the ground.

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

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for the good report presented. I have heard the report indicating that the Government is supposed to compensate those who were displaced because of Government development. I want to find out from the minister whether the people who were displaced in Naguru and Nakawa - although development has not taken place in that area, I understand that the land in Naguru has already been given away to be developed for a hospital - these people were displaced from those two estates since 2006 and the Government promised to compensate them. Others have not gone back to their original homes because they are still waiting for this money. I want to find out from the minister if that money was budgeted for. If not, can the minister explain why because people have waited for a long time? The second issue, Madam Speaker, is on Aswa Ranch -

12665 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 MS SANTA OKOT The second issue, Madam Speaker, is that Pader District specifically, Aruu North County at one-time, the Acholi people gave land to the Government and they put Aswa Ranch. The place is supposed to be for ranching; it is supposed to be for animals but last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries went there with graders and farm machines and dug a large area for production. They grew their soya beans, maize, and so forth. In the process, they displaced so many people because they alleged that Aswa Ranch had taken the area where people were already staying. Madam Speaker, in 2016, the people in the lands ministry changed the original boundary; they encroached one mile into people’s land, a lot of property was destroyed and some graves were exhumed. I do not know if the minister is planning to compensate the people whose properties were destroyed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. Thank you so much.

12484 SECTORAL C O MMITTEE R E P O R TS Vote 125 (a) Inadequate funds for capital development for NAGRC&DB. The committee notes that NAGRC is sometimes even diverted from its original mandate to handle the issues at one time they were told to go for food security, recently they were diverted to handle the issues of Balaalo . The committee recommends that: (i) The government provides steady capital development of Shs 100 billion for the next five years to enable the agency to carry out its initial capital investment for a take-off. (ii) The committee also recommends that the Government ensures agencies stick to their core mandates to avoid executing tasks outside their mandate. (b) Breeding activities countrywide The committee recommends that: (i) The project for revamping Iriri Ranch in Napak District in a phased manner in three years, and is replicated in all unprivileged regions in the country. (ii) Shs 30 billion in the Financial Year 2024/2025 be provided to kick-start revamping Iriri Ranch in Napak District. (iii) Shs 15.8 billion be provided for transforming Ruhengyere and Sanga Ranches into dairy farms. One of the ranches should be reserved for the local breeds. (iv) Shs 25 billion for Got Apwoyo Ranch. (v) Shs 2 billion for the construction and completion of hatcheries in Bukedi, Tororo, Karamoja, and Abim Districts (vi) Shs 54 billion be provided to establish animal feed processing plants in Aswa, Maruzi and Nshara Ranches. (c) Community breeding services to support PDM. This is required.

12545 THE E L E VENTH P A R L IAMENT O F U GANDA THURSDAY , 11 A P R IL 2024 We, therefore, recommend an additional provision of Shs 5 billion for implementing phase 2 of the Prisons Management Information System during the Financial Year 2024/2025. 6.6.2.4 Budgeting for consultancies We noted that Uganda Prisons Service has budgeted Shs 0.6 billion for consultancy to conduct a feasibility study to ascertain the financial and economic viability of the Prisons Tannery and Footwear, Furniture and Garment Industry Project; Shs 0.30 billion for the development of the strategic development plan and conduct of an end term review of the ending one; Shs 2.1 billion for the development of architectural plans, bills of quantities, designs and drawings for the establishment of a training school. However, over the years, capacity has been developed in planning across government and studies like feasibility studies; review or development of plans can be undertaken in- house with support from the National Planning Authority (NPA). Parliament should note that the preparation of designs and drawings is part of an appraisal process of a project, which can be done in collaboration with NPA and the Ministry of Works and Transport. We, therefore, recommend that the total amount of consultancies amounting to Shs 2.2 billion be re-allocated to other critical areas under the committee’s purview. On staff accommodation, a provision of Shs 1.1 billion has been made to construct 70 staff houses, which include 30 blocks of 10 units at Awei, Odina, Pingire, Aswa 1&2 to increase staff properly housed to 45.3 per cent. What has been provided is for four blocks at Aswa l&2. To have the 30 blocks, a provision of Shs 8.350 billion will be required. However, this has a funding gap of Shs 7.250 billion. The committee recommends the provision of Shs 7.250 billion during the Financial Year 2024/2025 to enable Uganda Prisons Service to increase staff accommodation facilities. 6.6.2.5 Re-location of prisons headquarters This has remained outstanding during the current Financial Year 2023/2024. Plans for relocation need to be concluded in the coming Financial Year 2024/2025 from the current premises on Parliamentary Avenue, to pave the way for additional office space for the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. This is premised on the need for Parliament to eliminate the substantial rental costs in other areas, including Kingdom Kampala. The committee recommends that the Government provides Uganda Prisons Service with a new home to pave the way for Parliament’s occupation of the premises. Mr Speaker, on prisoners feeding, we note that the daily average of 85,237 prisoners at a cost of Shs 5,500 per prisoner per day, including food from prison farms worth Shs 21.825 billion, and a provision of Shs 94.639 billion was provided in the Financial Year 2024/2025. This left a short fall of Shs 76,474 billion. The net gap taking into account -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to clarify on some of the few issues that have been raised. First, in the case of Lango. I state that the cases we found in Omoro District were coming from Oyam because Omoro District borders Oyam District and the rehabilitation centre that is at Adek is actually at the border between Omoro and Oyam. Secondly, the cases from Lira were actually being reported also under those in Pader because it borders Lira District. What we found was that most of the cases in Oyam and Lira were moving towards Omoro and also Pader because that is where the services were available unlike in Lira and therefore it needs intervention in all those areas. Thirdly, these rehabilitation centres are health centres, social centres and also educational centres where they acquire vocational skills and they are integrated back into the community. We found out that some of the cases were integrated back into the community but there were some which were very severe and in the end, they went back home but still they could not be managed. That is the reason we proposed that a monthly support is given to those families because they have to stay close to them and they cannot go to their gardens, shops and businesses because if they do that, then there is a higher risk on them. Lastly, in regard to the new cases, in what we presented, we said that what they observed was that wherever there was a high population of the black flies, there was a high prevalence of nodding disease syndrome, mainly along the River Aswa. However, that hypothesis had a challenge. There are parts of the world in Latin America and Asia with a high black fly population but no nodding disease syndrome. Therefore, there could be possibilities that new cases may have emerged because the black fly hypothesis was not conclusive. Therefore, the proposal to support research will help to address this. In science, they say, “absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence.” Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following honourable members to the standing Committee on National Economy: 1. Hon. Ikojo John Bosco – Chairperson; and 2. Hon. Robert Migadde - Deputy Chairperson. The following are designated as members: 1. Hon. Joram Ruranga - Elderly; 2. Hon. Simon Peter Opolot - Kanyum; 3. Hon. Tonny Ayoo - Kwania; 4. Hon. Joy Katali - Jinja; 5. Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto - Pakwach; 6. Hon. James Baba Boliba - Koboko; 7. Hon. Geoffrey Eric Mutiwa – Bunyole West; 8. Hon. Betty Chelain - Amudat; 9. Hon. Nathan Byanyima – Bukanga North; 10. Hon. Micah Lolem - Upe; 11. Hon. Francis Kazini Twinomujuni - Buhaguzi; 12. Hon. Sylvia Bahireira Tumwekwase - Kamwenge; 13. Hon. Peggy Joy Waako – Elderly; 14. Hon. Aisa Agaba – Bugangaizi East; 15. Hon. Midius Natukunda - Rukungiri; 16. Hon. Peterkhen Lochap - Bokora; 17. Hon. Godfrey Were Odero – Samia Bugwe South; 18. Hon. Jennifer Ayoo - Kalki; 19. Hon. Jane Awich - Kaberamaido; 20. Hon. Stella Atyang - Moroto; 21. Hon. Hillary Lokwang – Napore West; 22. Hon. Joseph Komol – Dodoth North; 23. Hon. Alex Byarugaba - Isingiro; 24. Hon. Naome Kibaaju – Sheema North; 25. Hon. Moses Ogwal Goli – Dokolo North; 26. Hon. Juliet Achayo Lodou – Ngora County; 27. Hon. Simon Peter Wokorach – Aswa County; 28. Hon. Bashir Lubega – Mubende Muncipality; 29. Hon. Agnes Taaka - Bugiri; 30. Hon. Sylvia Vicky Awas - Nabilatuk; 31. Hon. Henry Maurice Kibalya – Bugabula South; 32. Hon. Oliver Katwesigye - Buhweju; 33. Hon. Stephen Kangwagye - Bukanga; and 34. Hon. Abdi Fadhil Kisos Chemaswet - Soi. I beg to designate.

Madam Speaker, on that same note, you directed, guided and instructed the minister, who is also my mum, Hon. Beatrice Anwar, to come to Pader District, particularly in Aswa Ranch, and call the area Members of Parliament. You also directed the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to come to Pader. That was a blessing alone, having three ministers in Pader on that particular date and they would come up with a statement on two issues concerning Aswa Ranch on the Floor of this Parliament. Madam Speaker, I would like to inform you that we have waited from sunrise until sunset.

Yes, including the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries but the minister has not come to Pader. (Laughter) People are still waiting, as “Paderians” grumble with the issue of land. Isn’t it procedurally right, Madam Speaker, that you again implore the minister to come to Pader to address the issue of Aswa Ranch?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on Rule 42 of our Rules of Procedure. On 13 July, 2023, we posed a question to the environment minister and the presiding officer asked the minister, in conjunction with the agriculture minister, to come to Pader District and handle the issue of Aswa Ranch. Aswa Ranch was given to Uganda Prisons Service to do farming, but there are two companies: Banuti Ranchers Ltd and one other company operating in Aswa Ranch and the issue of boundaries has come up. The Rt Hon. Speaker then directed the ministers to get in touch with the area Members of Parliament to go to Aswa Ranch and find out what the problem is. It is now coming to four months, but the ministers have not reached out to us. Our people want to know the fate of Aswa Ranch. Isn’t it procedurally right that since the minister is here, he tells this august House why we have not been called upon to handle the issue of Aswa Ranch?

Mr Speaker, I am not quite sure that I received that one, but nonetheless, I am aware about the issues of Aswa Ranch. My colleague, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, has visited the area, not once or twice, engaged the leaders and tried to resolve the issue of boundaries. However, if there is need for any other follow-up activity, I am available. I would also like to let you know that we are now aggressively protecting all Government ranches from encroachment. This is because these will remain as the only buffers for the country to enable animals feed and food security interventions should be taken on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to speak to two issues. On the diversion of funds, the committee has given a recommendation and cautioned the accounting officer on diverting funds yet the law was breached. Being lenient will promote such behaviours. It would be right to take back that money to the required Vote. Why should we promote such behaviours? The second issue is about the land use. The animal genetic resource centres in all those different ranches where they have been posted were especially for crossbreeding animals, for either milk or beef production. When you go to other places, for example Aswa Ranch, which is near where I live, the land is being used for different activities such as maize production - which maize production is not even there - and activities, which are not about animal breeding. What was the main purpose of setting up those ranches? When you relate it to the issue of the losing of animals, you wonder whether we are really doing the right thing. If they do not use that money for animal breeding, we should tell them to use the money for the correct purpose. Additionally, let the land that has been given be used for that particular purpose. Thank you.

Slow progress at the Atiak site attributed to adverse weather, field conditions and other operational constraints; Slow progress at the Palabek Kal production site, with progress initially constrained by the shortage of seed cane within the proximity of the plantation site and the related complications of acquiring seed from distant areas; Unfortunate incidences of fire outbreaks in 2020, which wiped out a substantial acreage especially at the production site in Atiak; And subsequently, the decision by the Shareholders (of HHIC Ltd) to halt operations after 2o2o to allow for the proposed shift from the predominantly manual field operations to fully mechanized farm operations under the oversite of Uganda Development Corporation (UDC). The Accounting Officer explained that he received instructions from the Minister of Finance in July 2OI7 to conduct an assessment and advise the Ministry on the appropriate steps to take to acquire equity in the sugar factory in Amuru. He further explained that he received communication from the Minister of Finance instructing him to apply funds to the out-grower scheme for the Atiak Sugar Factory, and that several thousands of acres of cane were grown and infrastructure set up. The Committee interacted with Mohamud Ahmed, the Director of Planning & Business Development at Horyal Investment Ltd. He informed the Committee that the factory had temporarily closed due to insufficient sugarcane production, yet the company had encountered challenges while dealing with out-growers, and several hectares of sugarcane were burnt. He told the committee that the company had set up a factory and planted cane on out-growers'schemes in both Atiak and Lamwo. He explained that there were several challenges that the company had encountered including the lack of accommodation for labourers, necessitating the need to put up such accommodation. He also cited the failure to build a bridge on the Aswa River, which means trucks from Lamwo to the sugar factory have to travel longer distances. He further informed the Committee that there was machinery that the factory requires, which was to be provided by the Uganda Development Corporation, and that the factory would resume production after the arrival of that machinery. Obsenration The Committee observes that a delay in the implementation of the sugarcane production project of Northern Uganda negatively impacts the livelihood of the vulnerable groups in Northern Uganda, as the recipients of the intended benefits o a a a ..lo N \c^ (:" i,lj & fi,(t -i .t-\ ,i/(( -t-t-- L I I t, ---9 r:. L4 ,- '@

10460 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME When you look at the money we have lost on that – is it Aswa Dam? I think we have lost over Shs 200 billion now because every year, we pay Shs 87 billion. Shs 87 billion is paid every year because someone was refusing a line to pass here. I had to organise a meeting between an MP and UETCL – honourable minister, sometimes we do your work – because a certain MP was mobilising a community over that line of Acholi, connecting to Lango. I called the MP, we sat down and went through these issues and the MP went and told the people to calm down and the line was allowed. Now, imagine how much people would be losing. So, honourable minister, involve leaders. Sometimes, the leaders are under pressure from the community. When we involve the leaders and they know they have your backing, they mobilise the community. Otherwise, the community thinks - but your people go in without even informing an MP. An MP hears: “Land cruisers and double cabins were in your area, measuring, doing this and that.” You do not know anything. He says: “No. I am not part of them.” So, let us take that route and ensure we help our people.

9767 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 2023 Hon. Jonathan Odur. We have issues of power, which is being generated, but not being evacuated - like in Aswa – yet every month, we pay for that power. Wouldn’t it be procedurally right that the Prime Minister tells the minister to report, when he comes on Wednesday, on that power which they are generating and we are paying for, yet it is not being evacuated? Who is responsible for that?

9599 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023 of our people. As a House, we will require to have a quarterly update on actions taken to stem the road and water carnage. The minister will have to give us a report, always. Honourable members, I will also vary the Order Paper to accommodate the laying of the Integrated Annual Report on National Water and Sewerage Corporation for the Financial Year 2021/2022 by the Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar. She will also respond to the issue of Aswa Ranch. Honourable minister?

Thank you once more, Madam Speaker, for this golden opportunity. Yesterday, you tasked me to bring to this House information concerning the Aswa Ranch where a prison officer is dealing in charcoal and no one can access the place. I beg to report to this august House that Aswa Ranch is a Government ranch. In August 2022, about 30,000 acres of land were given to Uganda Prisons Service as an intervention for food security. So far, the Uganda Prisons, under the leadership of Superintendent Gerard Kiwanuka, have cleared about 4,000 hectares, which is under cultivation for maize. Madam Speaker, in the process of clearing such land for cultivation, the trees and bushes, which were there, were equally cleared. Some of the trees and shrubs were taken as firewood to the prisons in the country to help in the cooking for prisoners, and some were used for charcoal. I got in touch with the Commissioner- General, who said that they are not engaged in commercial charcoal burning for sale. Madam Speaker, it should also be noted that this Government intervention, through the Uganda Prisons Service for food security, is not only taking place in Aswa Ranch. We have Odina in Soroti - 900 hectares under cultivation; Bingire in Serere - 700 acres under cultivation; Kumi, 59 acres, Aweyi in Alebtong, 1,700 hectares; Aloi, Ogom, Alebtong, 700 hectares and in total with other areas - about 38,709 hectares are under cultivation for food security of this country by the Uganda Prisons. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. If I heard you right, you advised the minister to talk about Aswa Ranch. When we talk about a ranch, it is not about charcoal burning. Yes, the issue could have been charcoal burning, but whereas you inform us about the 4,000 hectares under cultivation, you should have updated us on what befell the initial purpose of the ranch. How many cows are we talking about in Aswa Ranch as we speak? Has the entire ranch now been preserved for purposes of -? Then on the matter of charcoal burning, are you sure 100 per cent because what we needed to be sure about is that this man who does not allow even you to go and see, how sure are you that this charcoal burning is only specific for areas under cultivation? Madam Speaker, are we proceeding well when the minister is only talking about the 4,000 hectares yet there is a very pertinent issue of failure to supervise - because the information is that this man, who is in charge, does not allow others to supervise. Are we proceeding well, Madam Speaker?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am happy you have talked about the Gulu University Forest issue. Hopefully, the minister should be able to also clarify. However, I am sure the honourable minister is reporting what she could have been told by the Uganda Prisons Forces but there is much more going on in Aswa Ranch. Very many different groups are operating there and the local leadership of Pader and the region can never access the ranch. When you try, you are beaten. There are security people who are busy on the ranch and we do not know who is in charge. There is massive tree-cutting and charcoal burning going on. Maybe the issue of Uganda Prisons is different. I was part of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and I know Government is providing support to Uganda Prisons and UPDF to do farming on Aswa Ranch. Madam Speaker, you also need to interest yourself - this Parliament should have a special team to investigate matters of Aswa Ranch because the question of land ownership is key. We know the ranch exists but there is contention on the size of the land and the population of Pader. The people are always brutalised. A lot of destruction has taken place. Finally, there are very many people who are now taking possession of the ranch. We need to know who they are. We are told there are others who have been given titles already and we are concerned.

Honourable members, I am the one that raised this issue of charcoal burning. We need an explanation. After we have heard from what she is saying, we will request the minister to go to the locus and come back with documentary evidence. We want the certificate that they gave to Uganda Prisons to own the 4,000 acres. Who are those people – on what Hon. Ojara raised, who are the people that own Aswa Ranch? Honourable minister, after your brief response, we want documentary evidence. We want to know which other activities are taking place there. If it is a hard-to-reach-area, how do we know what is happening there?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think we should not lose the question on charcoal burning in Aswa Ranch. The presentation by the minister is one thing because, first of all, if you give prisons a piece of land to cultivate, they will definitely cut trees. Once those trees are cut, they can use them for burning charcoal or something else since they would need the space of the land for cultivation. The problem is that the moment the door was opened for prisons to cut trees for cultivation, other teams entered and started doing their own activities of charcoal burning, disregarding the Executive orders by the President. I think this is where we want the minister to come out

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Pader District was born in 2001 and put on the Uganda Land Information System. In 2016, the district mysteriously disappeared from the system. Right now, infrastructure cannot be erected because the owners that want to develop them cannot access land titles. However, it is very disturbing that in 2016, Aswa Ranch was given to particular individuals, with land certificates. Right now, should Komakech, Ajok or Okot want to develop land, including where the district seats, we do not have land titles. Can we get back onto the system?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the 20 th of this month at around 2.00 p.m., a truck Registration No. UAT 113F veered and plunged into River Nile at Karuma Bridge. This truck had two occupants; Mr Tumusime, the driver and a turn man, and goods worth several millions. On 25 April 2021, a fuel truck with Registration Number UAS 337M, belonging to Energy Petrol Station in Lira City also plunged into River Nile at the same bridge and was equally never recovered, including the bodies of two occupants, Mr Alex Ogwal, the driver and Howard Obaro. According to police in Aswa Region, over 25 trucks have so far plunged into River Nile from the same spot since 2011. All have never been recovered, including the bodies of the victims in those accidents. Madam Speaker, this bridge has become the most dangerous in the country, leading to the loss of several lives and goods worth billions of shillings. You are aware that this bridge was built in 1963, a year after Uganda attained independence and a lot has changed since then. I, therefore, pray that Government makes urgent and proper rehabilitation works on this bridge to save the lives and properties of the citizens. (Applause) A new bridge needs to be designed and constructed to fit the current demands and challenges, so we can allow the country to move freely. Otherwise, we run the risk of cutting off access of one part of the country if we do not act immediately. Thank you very much.

7825 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 30 MARCH 2023 The Office of the Prime Minister, in coordination with the Ministry of Water and Environment, installed two flood early warning systems on the subcatchments of Aswa and Manafwa with validation of data and systems ongoing. Subsequently, the early warning systems are expected to contribute to greater prediction of future flood events in surrounding districts affected by those rivers. Similar work is being done by the Ministry of Water and Environment to install a flood early warning system on the Nyamwamba subcatchment to ensure prediction of flash floods in Rwenzori and this is being supported by the World Bank. Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this House that we had similar equipment installed in Butaleja. It is supposed to make noise the moment the water is rising, but the people of Butaleja demolished it saying it had some ghosts or something. (Laughter)

7608 ADDRESS BY H.E. GEN. YOWERI MUSEVENI beneficiaries, especially with Operation Wealth Creation. It initially worked well. Indeed, the households in the non-money sector declined from 68 per cent to 39 per cent; this was most commendable. However, I started picking up complaints from the public of “they only give to themselves” or “ baleeta ebifu”. They supply us bad quality material or “ baleeta eby’obuseere”, they bring over priced items. That is when I decided that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) personnel must get out of this effort because the image of the wider force was going to be ruined by the mistakes of these fellows who were in Operation Wealth Creation, who had lost their straightforwardness. Moreover, it is the ultimate aim of the NRM that the stakeholders - the beneficiaries of these projects - must manage their affairs. That was the debate we had in Cabinet. When people said, “No, we should continue with the army”, I said, No, these people must learn how to manage their own affairs. They are not children. We can help them to manage their affairs. Hence, the need for the stakeholders, farmers and the artisans to form SACCOs in the parishes or at the constituency levels for the Emyooga . This is the correct and ultimate solution. I have started touring and inspecting the 18 zones of Uganda. The 18 zones of Uganda are: Masaka, Mengo - what they used to call Mengo (the districts of Mukono, Luweero and all that of Mpigi) Mubende, Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, Bunyoro, Busoga, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Madi. I started with Acholi between the 23 rd and 24 th of February 2023. Straight away, the wanaichi told me of the parasites that were like flies, swarming around the PDM and Emyooga money. I will decisively follow up the attempted theft of the PDM and the Emyooga money in Acholi. And if they tampered with the money, they will pay for that treachery; they will be an example to the rest of the potential flies. Ten thousand, five hundred and ninety four (10,594) PDM SACCOs are to be formed. As of now, 9,538 SACCOs, which is 90 per cent of the target, have been formed. That is what the secretariat told us. But I have read the report of Parliament that the Speaker sent to me, and there are many observations there that point out the weaknesses. Meanwhile, I, myself, while in Acholi, heard from the wanaichi a number of bad actions. There is this group in town, in one of the wards, where somebody called a commercial officer, called a secret meeting of a few people to form the leadership for the parish model because they want to find a way of stealing the money. They did not involve the whole parish yet we said that all people in the parish, who want to engage in wealth creation, should join the SACCO as long as they are adults - that is 18 years and above. That is the plan. All producers in the parish must join or must be told and if they do not want to join, that is up to them, but they must be invited because, like the issue in Gulu, somebody announced a meeting at 9.00 a.m. in the morning and the meeting happened at 02.00 p.m. and a few people created the leadership. That is one issue, which I picked up, and of course, I will follow it up. Then in Aswa, instead of going to the parish, they were called to the subcounty so that people get tired and do not go. And when they were called to go to the subcounty, they were told, “Each parish should bring 30/30.” Who told you that? This is not indirect election of 30/30. The parish SACCO is for all members and they may be organised in their production groups: the ones of bananas or dairy - but all who want to engage in wealth creation must join. If there is anything that is not clear there, then at the right time, the Minister of Local Government, who has been heading this, should explain it. Then in another area, I think it is Aswa again, they were told to pay some money for membership. Now, we are going to follow up on all this; and I got this direct from the people.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I thank the committee for the report presented. I would like to talk about three issues regarding this report. One is on the 6.6 Megawatt Nyagak III Project. This project is at different stages. While the construction works are almost at 90 per cent, there is still no work on the lines. What is going to happen is that we will have the dam completed and generation will start, but there will be no evacuation and then the country will be forced to pay for dimmed energy, when we do not have the resources; just the way we are spending money on Aswa. I would like the ministry to confirm that with the Shs 24 billion to complete that project, the construction of the lines is going to start in time. Secondly, when you read the report, you notice that it brings up the plight of the people of West Nile regarding power supply. The access is about between 0.5 and 8 per cent compared to the national average of 28 per cent. Since we recently passed a loan here, I am of the view that this should be the opportunity to connect West Nile very close to the national grid. I, therefore, would like to say that the connections that we allocated to the West Nile region are very inadequate, in terms of bringing West Nile very closely. The third thing is what Hon. Sarah Opendi raised. The minimum power supposed to be provided by Electro-Maxx is 3 Megawatts, but in the report, you notice that since they started the implementation of this project in West Nile, what they have provided is only 1.09 Megawatts. This is just about 7 per cent of what they are supposed to provide yet they have been paid to generate a minimum of 3 Megawatts. What this means is that a lot of money has been spent on services that have not been provided. I, therefore, think, as prayed in the motion, that there should be an audit, both on Electro-Maxx, WENRECo and ERA that supervises these providers. We need to know whether there was value for money in the services provided by Electro-Maxx and WENRECo in the region. Thank you very much.