Bwamba County

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I hope my paper has been uploaded on the system because I submitted it in time. Given that you have given me 10 minutes, I will address the statement without reading it verbatim, in the interest of time. This is a statement on the status of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak presented to the Parliament of Uganda. I rise to provide Parliament and the people of Uganda with an update on the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak, which the Ministry of Health declared on 15 May 2026. This statement covers the current epidemiological situation, the Government’s multi-sectoral response, key partnerships, ongoing risks, and the strategic priorities guiding our actions as we work to bring this outbreak to a complete end. I want to begin by assuring this august House and all Ugandans that the Government of Uganda has responded to this outbreak with speed, transparency and determination. We

398 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Dr Baryomunsi] have mobilised our national systems, activated international partnerships, and maintained open communication with the public at every stage. The outcomes achieved to date are a direct result of these efforts. Let me briefly tell you about what the Bundibugyo Ebola virus is. Especially to the people of Bundibugyo, because there is a misunderstanding when we say Bundibugyo virus; some people think there is an outbreak in Bundibugyo District. Ebola is what we call a “zoonotic disease”. “Zoonotic disease” means the disease-causing organism ordinarily resides in an animal, but it can cross over to a human being and cause disease, so those diseases are called zoonosis. By the time we finish this Parliament, you will be up to date with the medical issues -(Laughter)- that means that the Ebola virus, which causes Ebola disease, the reservoir is in animals, and the fruit bat is the one which usually harbours this virus. It thrives in non- human primates and some other animals, so when it crosses over to human beings, it causes disease. The first case of Ebola was identified in 1976. There was a simultaneous outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the current South Sudan. Ebola is the name of a river which is in the DRC, so it derives its name from the Ebola River because the first outbreak was in a community around the Ebola River in Congo. I am paraphrasing my statement because I will not read it verbatim. The first outbreak was in Congo, Zaire, then, so that strain of the virus was called Ebola Zaire. The strain that was in Sudan was different. It was called Ebola Sudan. In 2007 and 2008, we had an outbreak in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda. When the scientists checked the virus, the strain was different from the previous ones; therefore, it was named Ebola Bundibugyo. Are you following, class? (Laughter) Therefore, Ebola Bundibugyo refers to that strain of the virus which first hit us in Bundibugyo, and it was different from the previous strains. There are six strains of Ebola virus. Strain means a subtype or a different type. Of the six, the ones of public health importance are these three: Ebola Zaire, Ebola Sudan, and Ebola Bundibugyo. There is another one called Tai Forest Ebola virus. It was first identified in Ivory Coast in 1989. There is another one called the Reston Virus, but it does not cause disease in human beings. Another is called the Bombali Virus, which was identified in Sierra Leone. Those last three are not so much of public health importance because they are not associated with human infections. I just wanted to give you that background so we can understand. I have received complaints from the people of Bundibugyo that we should change the name because it creates stigma against them. However, that is how the international scientific community named it because it was first isolated in Bundibugyo, which is in Western Uganda. I can also add that since 1976, we have had about 40 outbreaks and flare-ups in the last 50 years. I will speak to the importance of that. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now witnessing the 17 th outbreak of Ebola. Here in Uganda, we are witnessing the ninth. The first was in 2000, which ravaged Northern Uganda. You recall when we lost one of our prominent doctors, Dr Lukwiya. Since then, we have had several outbreaks and flare-ups. Let me give you the statistics as they are today. On the 10 th day of May, a sick Congolese national came into Uganda and was admitted at Kibuli Hospital. Little did the health workers know that this was a case of Ebola disease. He died on the 14 th , four days later. When the victim died, the health workers became suspicious and took samples from him. On the 15 th day of May, they confirmed this was a case of Ebola. That is why the Ministry of MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

399 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 JULY 2026 Health announced that there was an outbreak of Ebola. His body was returned and buried in Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, this is what has happened. As of today, we have registered 20 cases. Those are cases that have tested positive for Ebola disease. To all of them, it is this very strain of Ebola Bundibugyo. Out of the of the 20, 15 are Congolese nationals who came into Uganda seeking medical care. You can say that the outbreak we have been managing is imported because the epicentre, where it originated, is in Congo. It came to Uganda because Congolese were coming for medical care here. Following the first case, because the health workers did not know it was Ebola, four of our health workers got infected. That made the number 19. One other was a driver who transported one of the Congolese who were coming, making it 20. Out of the 20, unfortunately, two died. They were Congolese nationals, so their bodies were taken back to Congo for safe and dignified burial. That leaves a balance of 18. The 18 have been managed in our Ebola treatment unit in Mulago Hospital. I am happy to say that this morning I presided over a function where we discharged the last patient, a Congolese national - (Applause) – so, out of all those who tested positive for Ebola, two died. The rest have been treated successfully and discharged. As of now, we have zero cases in the country. (Applause) As I have said, the case fatality rate - case fatality rate means that of those who tested positive, how many have died? We lost only two, which translates to 10 per cent. For this strain of the virus, the case fatality rate usually ranges from 25 to 36 per cent. That means we have done very well. We have not lost many of our patients. (Applause) The other strains, like Ebola Zaire, are extremely virulent. It can kill up to 90 per cent of those who test positive. This one is less mild, so it can kill up to 25 to 36 per cent. However, this is an average. If it finds a country that does not have a strong system, it can also kill up to 90 per cent or even beyond. Therefore, the fact that we have been able to have a low case fatality rate means our response system has been fairly effective – (Applause) - even those who died, it was because they presented late. In the last 21 days, we have not registered any positive case. In the management of Ebola, when a patient tests positive, you trace backwards and get to the contacts. Anybody who has been in contact with that patient in the last 21 days, you round them up and bring them to isolation. We did this. Through that system, we were able to identify 836 contacts who were in touch with these 20 cases that tested positive and put them under isolation. They completed 21 days. None of them developed either symptoms or tested positive. They have all been discharged. That is a very important element in managing Ebola disease. Compare these results with what is happening across, among our sisters and brothers in Democratic Republic of Congo. I spoke to the officials. As of today, the 16 th day of July, they have 2,011 Congolese who have tested positive for Ebola and lost 754 individuals. I was in the Democratic Republic of Congo a few days ago in Bunia, leading a team of Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation – (Interjections) - I am very safe, Mr speaker. What we see in Congo is that the Ebola disease outbreak is outpacing the response despite the efforts there. It began in Ituri Province, but there have been reported cases in North Kivu and South Kivu. This morning, I got a report that there are two more provinces where there are reported cases of positive identification of Ebola. There, things are not as good as they are here. Without going into the details, I am sure when you access the report on your iPads, you will be able to read; I can safely say that we have

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This being my first time to hold the microphone, allow me to congratulate you upon your election as the Speaker of the 12 th Parliament. Mr Speaker, I rise as someone with experience, having treated the first cases of the Ebola Bundibugyo strain, while I practised as a MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

405 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 JULY 2026 health worker in 2007 at Kikyo Health Centre in Bundibugyo District. Additionally, I also had experience working with the World Health Organisation for the past 14 years. Honourable colleagues, we need to appreciate the honourable Minister of Health for a comprehensive statement about the current trend of the disease that we are facing now, Ebola, which is highly transmissible. We also need to appreciate them for the success so far registered. It is also important to appreciate His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his strategic guidance and leadership during disease outbreaks and health emergencies. He has always come on board and given guidance to the nation. We should also thank Ugandans for heeding the advice. Mr Speaker, importantly, as I move towards winding up, the Ministry of Health has demonstrated superiority in mounting an effective and quality outbreak response again, where a disease outbreak like Ebola is only confined to known contacts. Now, while the risk continues because of – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, Sir. My name is Christopher Kibanzanga. I come from Bughendera County in Bundibugyo District. Mr Speaker, I do not know why we are rushing this loan, and maybe it should be clarified. When are we constituting the Committee on National Economy? Mr Speaker, this is not the first loan of such a kind. I am detecting something. First of all, they have gone for an expensive irrigation scheme – solar. This country is highly endowed; we have gravity water schemes, which are a bit cheap. You have gone for a higher-interest loan. If we pass this, I can assure you we are sleeping on the job. The country is bleeding from corruption. Let us scrutinise the papers and see what has happened in the first – (Member timed out.)

7. Nankwanga Stellamaris Woman Representative Bugweri Independent 8. Nanzala Metrine Namisindwa County Namisindwa NRM 9. Nassolo Eugenia Rubaga Division South Kampala NUP 10. Nawe Molly Kamukama Woman Representative Kazo NRM 11. Ndeezi Alex PWD Representative N/A NRM 12. Ngabirano Charles Rwampara East County Rwampara Independent 13. Ninsiima Evelyne Woman Representative Rubanda Independent 14. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama Woman Representative Buhweju NRM 15. Nyakato Asinansi City Woman Representative Hoima City PFF 16. Namujju Cissy Dionizia Woman Representative Lwengo NRM 17. Nyakato Dorothy Woman Representative Kitagwenda NRM 18. Namutaawe Joan Woman Representative Masaka NUP 19. Nayebale Sylivia Woman Representative Gomba NRM 20. Naziiwa Margret Woman Representative Kagadi NRM 21. Nkunyingi Muwada Kyadondo County East Wakiso NUP 22. Nuria Hafsa Teko Woman Representative Kotido Independent 23. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North County Bulambuli NRM 24. Nyeko Johnson Kezekiya Lamwo County Lamwo NRM 25. Obong Peter Acuda Maruzi County Apac UPC 26. Obong Vincent Shedrick Lira West Division Lira City UPC 27. Okiding Sam (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 28. Ofwono Opondo P’Odel Older Person’s Representative Eastern NRM 29. Ocen Geoffery Kioga North County Amolatar UPC 30. 3Ogwal Joseph Jones Dokolo North County Dokolo NRM 31. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi Bardege-Layibi Division Gulu City NRM 32. Nameere Justine Woman Representative Masaka City NRM 33. Nkrumah Roland Bufumbira County East Kisoro NRM 34. 3Ojiit Peter Pingire County Serere Independent 35. Ntabazi Harriet Bwamba County Bundibugyo NRM 36. Ocan Patrick Apac Municipality Apac Independent 37. Ogwang Patrick Obura Oyam County South Oyam NRM 38. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot Kumi County Kumi NRM 39. Oketcho George West Budama County South Tororo NRM 40. Oketcho John Francis Bugiri Municipality Bugiri NRM 41. Okeyoh Peter Bukooli Island County Namayingo NRM 42. Okot Peter Tochi County Omoro DP 43. Okumu Gabriel Okoro County Zombo NRM 44. Omara Paul Otuke County Otuke NRM 45. Omoding Emmanuel Serere County Serere NRM 46. Onek Hilary Obaloker Palabek County Lamwo NRM 47. Oneka Lit Amere Denis Kitgum Municipality Kitgum FDC 48. Ongom Patrick Erute County North Lira NRM 49. Ongu James Kwania North County Kwania NRM 50. Opito Vincent Dokolo South County Dokolo UPC 51. Nankabirwa Ann Maria Woman Representative Kyankwanzi NRM 52. Nantongo Fortunate Rose Woman Representative Kyotera NUP 53. Natumanya Flora Woman Representative Kikuube NRM 54. Naturinda Eliab Ndorwa County West Kabale NRM 55. Ngompek Linos Kibanda North County Kiryandongo NRM 56. Ninkusiima John Paul (Dr) Ibanda County South Ibanda NRM 57. Niringiyimana James R. Kaberuka Kinkizi County West Kanungu NRM

102. Maganda Julius Wandera Samia Bugwe County South Busia NRM 103. Malende Shamim Woman Representative Kampala NUP 104. Mayanja Moses Busiro County North Wakiso NRM 105. Mbalibulha Christopher K. Taban Bughendera County Bundibugyo Independent 106. Monday Julius Rude (Dr) Bukonzo County East Kasese NRM 107. Lule Eria Erick Kiboga West County Kiboga NRM 108. Meeme Sylvia (Col) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 109. Lwansasula Sarah Woman Representative Jinja City NUP 110. Modoi Isaac Lutseshe County Bududa NRM 111. Mpaata Salleh Bunya County South Mayuge NRM 112. Mubangizi Dedan Buwekula South County Mubende NRM 113. Luyimbazi Nalukoola Elias Kawempe Division North Kampala NUP 114. Masaba Muhamood Mutenyo Bungokho Central County Mbale NRM 115. Mbabazi Jacqueline Older persons Representative Western NRM 116. Migadde Robert Ndugwa Buvuma Islands County Buvuma NRM 117. Mudukoi Fred Oduchu Butebo County Butebo NRM 118. Namatovu Mastula Kamuli Municipality Kamuli NRM 119. Mugenyi Joseph Burahya County Kabarole NRM 120. Mudiobole Abedi Nasser Iganga Municipality Iganga NUP 121. Mugira James (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 122. Mugisa Margaret Muhanga Fort Portal North Division Fort Portal City NRM 123. Malinga Isaac Maikut Soi County Kween NRM 124. Masiko Henry Moses (Maj. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 125. Mushabe Rujoki Ruth Woman Representative Kiruhura NRM 126. Mpindi Bumali PWD N/A Independent 127. Maseruka Robert Mukono County South Mukono NUP 128. Musinguzi Patrick Kashari North County Mbarara NRM 129. Muhenda Ronald Fort Portal Central Division Fort Portal City Independent 130. Muhooza Desire Woman Representative Kiboga NRM 131. Mujungu Jennifer K. Woman Representative Ntoroko NRM 132. Mujuni Asensio Maari Isingiro County South Isingiro NRM 133. Mukisa Robina Hope Woman Representative Namayingo NRM 134. Mukhaye Miriam Woman Representative Mbale NRM 135. Mulemya Ismail Sowed Busia Municipality Busia NRM 136. Mukiibi Eriasa Sserunjogi Butambala County Butambala Independent 137. Mulindwa David Isimbwa Busongora County South Kasese NRM 138. Mirembe Lydia Daphine Woman Representative Butambala Independent 139. Mugabe Robert Kitagwenda County Kitagwenda NRM 140. Mugabi Muzaale Martin Kisule Buzaaya County Kamuli NRM 141. Musa Noah Koboko North County Koboko NRM 142. Musanje Moses Njeru Municipality Buikwe NUP 143. Musasizi Henry Ariganyira Rubanda County East Rubanda NRM 144. Musila John Bubulo East County Namisindwa NRM 145. Musisi George Kira Municipality Wakiso NUP 146. Mutasingwa Diana Nankunda Woman Representative Buikwe NRM 147. Mutego Ronard Hangujja Bunyole East County Butaleja Independent 148. Nakku Fiona Female Workers Representative N/A Independent 149. Mutekanga Zadock Buhweju County Buhweju NRM 150. Mutonyi Rose Masaaba Woman Representative Manafwa Independent 151. Muyonjo Hussein Jinja North Division Jinja City NUP 152. Mwesigwa Mathias Rubabo County Rukungiri NRM

4 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 103. Kalenzi Victor Bunyangabu County Bunyangabu NRM 104. Basajjassubi Nsereko Charles Nakaseke South County Nakaseke NRM Kawuma 105. Baseke Fred Ntenjeru County South Kayunga NRM 106. Bright Tom Amooti Kyaka Central County Kyegegwa NRM 107. Bazaanya Matayo Bugabula County South Kamuli NRM 108. Begiira Samuel Youth Representative Central NRM 109. Begumisa Protazio Ndorwa County East Kabale NRM 110. Bagiire Aggrey Henry Bunya County West Mayuge NRM 111. Baryayanga Andrew Aja Kabale Municipality Kabale NRM 112. Bassajja Iddi Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Bushenyi NRM 113. Bigirwa Norah Nyendwoha District Woman Representative Buliisa NRM 114. Bingi Patrick Nyanzi Butemba County Kyankwanzi NRM 115. Birungi Annet Workers Representative N/A NRM 116. Birungi Carolyn Nanyondo Kyamuswa County Kalangala NRM 117. Banya Emmanuel Natal Koboko County Koboko NRM 118. Biara Emmanuel Wepukhulu Bulambuli County Bulambuli NRM 119. Kabarokole Sarah District Woman Representative Bunyangabu NRM 120. Bisaso Abdul Kassanda County South Kassanda NRM 121. Bakashaba Christopher Mbarara North Division Mbarara City NRM 122. Oleru Huda Abason Aringa East County Yumbe NRM 123. Kabanda Minsa Nabbengo Kampala Central Division Kampala NRM 124. Bebona Josephine Babungi District Woman Representative Bundibugyo NRM 125. Baguma Spellanza Muhenda District Woman Representative Kyenjojo Independent 126. Batuwa Timothy Lusala Jinja South Division West Jinja City NUP 127. Byamukama Fred Bugangaizi West County Kakumiro NRM 128. Kadaga Rebecca Alitwala District Woman Representative Kamuli NRM 129. Byamukama Rogers Masindi Municipality Masindi NRM 130. Byanyima Nathan Bukanga North County Isingiro NRM 131. Byibesho Sam Kisoro Municipality Kisoro NRM 132. Byuma Oswald Dez Mawogola County Ssembabule NRM 133. Cadet Benjamin Bunyaruguru County Rubirizi NRM 134. Challa Elma Kapel Youth Representative Northern NRM 135. Chandia Benadette Kodili District Woman Representative Moyo NRM 136. Chemonges William Kween County Kween NRM 137. Chemutai Phyllis District Woman Representative Kapchorwa Independent 138. Cheutich Rufina District Woman Representative Amudat NRM 139. Dramviku Eric Sabiti Terego West County Terego NRM 140. Driwaru Jennifer District Woman Representative Maracha NRM 141. Echodu David Calvin Soroti West County Soroti City NRM 142. Edakasi Alfred Elalu-Olale Kaberamaido County Kaberamaido NRM 143. Ediau Samuel Amuria County Amuria NRM 144. Edopu Peter Edeku Dakabela County Soroti NRM 145. Ekoro Alex Irukan Bunya County East Mayuge NRM 146. Elem Leo Moroto County Alebtong UPC 147. Emaju Peter Paul Kasilo County Serere NRM 148. Eron Tonny Kwania County Kwania NRM 149. Etilu Margaret District Woman Representative Amuria NRM 150. Bagoole Ngobi John Luuka North County Luuka NRM 151. Eunice Otuko Apio Oyam County North Oyam UPC 152. Kamuntu Ephraim Sheema County South Sheema NRM

Do you know why I am asking about how much has been allocated? This is because even after that allocation, we do not find the roads being worked on. What did you say about the Kampala-Jinja Expressway? As you look for that, we also need to synchronise the issue of the regional mechanical workshops. You find a district like Bundibugyo with a regional workshop in Fort Portal – It is in Mbarara, not even Fort Portal. You find the one servicing Soroti in Bugembe. We are wondering what happened to the – because Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) used to be very organised. They had regional offices. What happened to those offices? What happened to the equipment that they had? Where are the regional labs? Before we start talking about the roads and whatever, how do we test the materials? Where are those labs or the regional mechanical workshops? Then, what happened to the UNRA roads? Honourable chairperson, you may need to enlighten us on that because we are giving you a lot of money. Now, the fact that you have a lot of money, tell us which roads you are going to give us – when we are doing appropriation – which roads are we working on? I told you about the road leading to Buhweju. You cannot even think of passing there. There is the road from Lira-Otuke-Abim up to Karenga; it is very bad. When you look at Kachonga-Butaleja-Tororo- Namutumba road, it is terrible. Look at where Hon. Joan comes from, Madi-Okollo. That road of Madi-Okollo connecting to Arua - I can tell you all the roads now. Let us look at the critical roads and make sure that we use the money effectively. With all this money that is being given, we must achieve what we need to achieve. You find the roads in Kampala – like my road, somebody is working on McKinnon Road, but I have failed to pass there for a whole two weeks. Nothing is moving. I was wondering why they removed my little tarmac which was there; they should have left it the way it was. Therefore, honourable chairperson, there is a big problem in your sector.

18643 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 Ntoroko, we do not have any State Attorneys. You have to travel to Bundibugyo and when you get there, they will tell you that we do not have staff, so you must come to Bundibugyo. Another issue is about the offices. I thank the committee for recommending Shs 8 billion for the new stations, especially for the Resident State Attorneys. It is so disturbing that we have elderly and poor people who have to travel because they are saying that 32 districts lack stations, and Ntoroko is one of them, because people have to travel to Bundibugyo and get these services. Those who cannot travel to Bundibugyo due to transport costs do not get services. I add my voice to the recommendation of the committee, that Shs 20 billion for recruitment and Shs 8 billion for the new stations, including Ntoroko.

The information I want to give to my sister, the Member from Bundibugyo, is that I am a radio operator. We pay a license fee every year. We subscribe, and they always come to check and advise us. I am sure everybody who operates a radio actually pays to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which is a source of revenue for the country.

18356 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR Madam Speaker. In the motion I tabled, I cited certain statistics that I want to highlight further to justify the motion. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Uganda ranks fifth globally in sickle cell prevalence and third in Africa. About seven million Ugandans carry the sickle cell trait, and it is found across the country’s regions. Particularly in Lango, Alebtong District is most affected. In Busoga, Namutumba District, in Rwenzori, Bundibugyo District, in Bunyoro, it is Buliisa District, in Teso, it is Amuria District, with a prevalence of about 24 per cent. Other places like Bugiri, where I come from, have about 22.7 per cent. In Katakwi, it is about 20 per cent, in Kikuube, about 33 per cent,in Buliisa, about 26 per cent. About 9,000 babies die before 5 years. Madam Speaker, the statistics I am adumbrating do not relate to forests. They are not about stones. These are statistics on human beings and “Wanaichi” affected by this disease. These statistics have been exacerbated by the inadequate funding of this disease and the fact that, increasingly, there is declining development aid towards the health sector because most donors are not interested in funding non-communicable diseases. Madam Speaker, as I highlighted, the burden on families and household income is immense, arising from the cost of treating this disease. We all recall the case of a lady, Hope Fortunate Aciro, who spent about Shs 2 billion treating her two children in India, only for them to unfortunately pass on. You can imagine spending such amounts of money, but still your children die. At the political level, there are increasing community fundraising and funding requests from even us, Members of Parliament, whose families have been afflicted by this disease. Ideally, you require between Shs 300 million and Shs 1 billion to travel abroad, especially to India, for this treatment. The burden on us, even as MPs, is enormous arising out of this disease. There is increasing stigmatisation of the affected persons and increasing domestic violence in some areas, especially among women and children who are actually looked at as the cause of the disease and ailments of this nature, in our traditional and chauvinistic families. Madam Speaker, sickle cell warriors in our schools are mismanaged due to a lack of awareness, training, and basic facilities needed to make these schools safe places for learners. Simple actions like removing sweaters from learners can deteriorate their health and potentially lead to loss of life. However, due to a lack of awareness, you find that school authorities are implementing such kind of actions to the detriment of the children. Madam Speaker, I also want to mention that there are no specialised medical doctors for adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease. Paediatricians undertake all specialised sickle cell treatment in the country. This causes more stigma to the adults that are seeking treatment and more congestion in the paediatric clinics for the sickle cell. We also noted that unlike Human Immune Virus (HIV), we do not have a sickle cell registry in the country and it is because of lack of a structured testing programme. In light of what we have mentioned, we urge Government and this Parliament to consider a raft of interventions for purposes of addressing this scourge. All this can be possible if there are resources dedicated and committed. It is therefore incumbent upon us as Parliament to consider that while debating this motion. Once there are resources, we will be able to build a national registry for sickle cell disease to facilitate treatment. The capacity of health laboratories will be enhanced and this will enable comprehensive testing and also to scale up the treatment and care across the country. As Parliament, I would also humbly submit that MOTION

Under Annex 1, we summarised the amount of money which is budgeted for DUCAR, KCCA and road maintenance. There are national roads upgrades and rehabilitation. There are also ferry operations of about Shs 12 billion. Therefore, some of the roads like Fort Portal- Bundibugyo-Lamia - we all know that road. There was an estimate of Shs 118 billion. The requirement to do the phase for this year is Shs 50 billion. However, there was nothing provided in the budget. There is also Gulu-Atiak-Nimule Road – it is in bad shape. The other roads are Mubende- Kyenjojo Road and Ntungamo-Rukungiri Road. There is also the completion of the section of Tororo-Busia Road. We also have Najjanankumbi-Busabala Road and Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road - Hon. Omara, thank you for lobbying. We also have Luweero-Butalangu Road. There is Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo – that road when you leave Koboko via Yumbe headed to Moyo. It is for upgrade. Money is being provided. There are also Yumbe-Ure, Kisubi-Nakawuka, Nakawuka-Maya, Nakawuka-Nateete, Nakawuka-Kasanje-Maya and Nakawuka- Buwaya – all those roads. The money is here. Once we approve, we are in business. There are also critical oil roads like Kabwoya- Buhuka, Kihura-Rwamwanja, Kahunge-Bwizi- Mpara, Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu - these people of Mbale, the road is there to be completed. We have Moroto-Lokitanyala Road, Kira- Matugga Road – Hon. Ssemujju, thank you for lobbying - (Laughter). There is also Kabale- Bunyonyi Road – that is a tourist road, going up to Kisoro-Mahinga. We have Busega-Mpigi Expressway. We need that one badly. There is a road from Muyembe to Nakapiripirit as well as Lusalira-Nkonge- Lumegere-Ssembabule Road. Hon. Kabanda is in business. Thank you for lobbying. Hon. Namugga, the NRM Government does not discriminate. There is also Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli – you will connect properly. This is for the former Speaker, and the current Speaker has implemented it. Thank you for lobbying. There are also critical roads like Kabale- Kiziranfumbi, Nyairongo-Kyarushesha and Masindi-Biiso. It seems nobody is excited about this one. This is an oil road.

18032 RESOLUTION TO BORROW viii) Strategic Water Towns Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2 Implementation Plan, ix) The Resettlement Action Plan, x) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development letter dated 14 January 2025; confirming Government’s will and availability of counterpart funding for the Strategic Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, and xi) The Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 1, physical and financial project progress reports, as of January 2025, xii) The Strategic Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, Project Management Structure. The committee also conducted a field visit to Kayunga District and assessed the performance of the project. The committee visited the Kayunga-Busaana Town Water Supply System. The construction of the main works had been completed and the scheme had been handed over to the Central Umbrella of Water and Sanitation for operation and maintenance. The committee visited the Kamuli Town Water Supply System. The construction of the main works had been completed, and the system had been handed over to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. The committee looked at the performance of loans in the water sector. The Ministry of Water and Environment had about 14 donor-funded projects, with a total loan portfolio of about $1,346.98 million to finance them. As of the end of June 2025, 53.62 per cent of this money had been released—that is, about $722.23 million had been disbursed to the 14 projects. However, projects that were not performing well included irrigation scheme development in Unyama, Namalu, and Sipi regions; irrigation for climate resilience; supply and installation of solar-powered water supply systems in rural areas; construction of water and sanitation infrastructure; and associated activities in Isingiro District. Mr Speaker, phase two is taking over from phase one. Mr Speaker, this House, around December 2018, passed a loan of 44 million units of account, equivalent to Shs 59.4 million, to implement phase one of the project. Phase one covered substantially 96 per cent of the $59.4 million for the loan from the African Development Bank that had been released. The Government of Uganda, in totality, had released all the counterpart funding to 100 per cent. That was $6.6 million. Mr Speaker, the systems that were constructed under phase one included: Dokolo Town water supply system, improvement works in Kapchorwa Town water supply system, maintenance of Nakasongola Water supply system, Kyenjojo- Katooke Town water supply system, Buikwe Town water supply system, Bundibugyo water supply system, Kayunga - Busana water supply system and Kamuli water supply system. A total of about 40 institutional and public toilets were constructed, and detailed designs for an additional 10 water supply systems in the Upper Nile and the Kyoga catchment areas were done. Additionally, skilled training of women and youth in the water and sanitation business and the development of regulatory tools and review of the water and sanitation services tariff regime were completed under phase one. Mr Speaker, we also assessed that phase one had the following challenges: Phase one was affected by COVID-19, which led to an escalation in the prices of construction materials. Land acquisition was also a challenge for major installations, changes in the scope of works, and extreme weather conditions had an effect on phase one. Mr Speaker, the minister has already informed this House of the objectives of phase two of the strategic town water supply and sanitation

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank you very much for your communication, especially on issues concerning the health systems of this country. Bundibugyo Hospital was built during Obote’s regime and was one of the four hospitals selected to be rehabilitated under the BADEA Project.

First, it was the four, including Yumbe and Kayunga, way back in 2019. Today, it is 2025, and up to now, the hospital has never been considered for rehabilitation. Madam Speaker, this hospital serves Congo, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo Districts, and the population has grown. Even the only road which connects us to Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital has broken down and soon, we shall be cut off completely. This road is not being worked on, and yet it is the only road we have. The other hospitals have been rehabilitated and commissioned. Yesterday, we passed a loan for Bugiri Hospital under the same project that was supposed to be for Bundibugyo. We have not petitioned, but we shall not stop talking. We pray that Bundibugyo Hospital is urgently considered among the 20 that were mentioned or at any other opportunity that will come, but Bundibugyo Hospital should be prioritised.

17996 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT March 2025. A copy of the arbitration award is also attached as Annex (v); (vii) UETCL has filed an application for enforcement of its award as a decree of court and is awaiting a court date for the hearing of the application. Upon obtaining the leave of the court to enforce the award, UETCL shall commence execution proceedings for recovery of outstanding amounts. A copy of the application is attached as Annex (vi). This relates to the amount withheld by UEDCL on account of their claim for the losses incurred in their network as a result of evacuation of energy from the small embedded generation plants, which was disputed by UETCL and the matter is before the regulator for review and determination. A letter is annexed as (vii); (viii) (ix) The long-term solution is a wheeling agreement between the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited(UEDCL) and the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited(UETCL), which will provide modalities for compensation of UEDCL for such losses. The draft agreement with UEDCL was finalised and submitted to the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) for approval, and the copy is enclosed as annex (viii); (ix) Licences were not renewed by ERA. However, the Public Service Announcement(PSA) provides that obligations incurred prior to termination survive termination. Shs 6 billion relates to the Bundibugyo Energy Cooperative Society (BECS) and REA requested UETCL not to disconnect BECS and committed to pay the amount Bundibugyo Energy Cooperative Society owed UETCL. The amount to be offset against the Rural Electrification Levy payable to REA/Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, evidence of the correspondence is attached. (x) Shs 2.17 billion relates to claims of losses incurred by Kilembe Investments Limited(KIL) in the process of evacuating power from the small generation plant within the KIL area of operation. UETCL referred this matter to ERA for determination. ERA provided compensation for evacuation losses going forward. However, it did not compensate for the earlier losses incurred. KIL appealed; however, their licence expired before the appeal was determined by ERA. UETCL wrote to ERA to compensate UETCL Shs 2.85 billion relating to the Pader-Abim Community Multipurpose Electric Co-operative Society (PACMECS). The reason given by the client was non- payment of power bills by Government entities and delay by REA to refund their reimbursable costs. UETCL wrote to REA demanding that the amount payable be remitted directly to UETCL. This amount was offset against the Rural Electrification Levy payable to REA/ MEMD. Copies of correspondence between UETCL, PACMECS and REA are enclosed. (xi) Management continues to engage the Government through MEMD and MoFPED to have this amount reimbursed by the Government of Uganda or written off. In the interim, the amount has been attached against the rural electricity levy payable to the Government. Observations of the committee (i) UETCL’s failure to collect the outstanding receivables reflects laxity on the part of company management. Considering that the termination of the UMEME concession was foreseeable and known to UETCL, there was no strong buffer/fallback position to enable UETCL to recover the monies owed by UMEME, contrary to the company’s debt management policy.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I would like to appreciate the honourable minister for the straightforward report and statement regarding the World Tourism Day. However, as we plan to celebrate this day, I implore the honourable minister to ensure that people who still have human-animal traffic issues, like those in my area, Bundibugyo, be addressed. Animals have destroyed people’s property and crops but they have never been compensated. As we celebrate this day, honourable minister, I call upon you to ensure that the people on record for compensation are compensated. Thank you.

Let me go to the piecemeal rehabilitation of general hospitals. The committee noted, with concerns, the piecemeal and adhoc nature with which government was coming up with the rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping of this general hospital, yet many of the old general hospitals across the country were in dire need for rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping, with the exception of a few general hospitals recently renovated, such as Kayunga, Kiryandongo, Yumbe, and Kawolo general hospitals. The Government, through the minister responsible for finance, intimated to the committee that it plans, in the medium term, to prioritise, among others, the construction and rehabilitation of more health infrastructure and the provision of medical equipment to improve quality of care, and the provision of specialised health care services. These include, among others, completion and refurbishment and the equipping of general hospitals that include Abim, Apac, Atutur, Bundibugyo, Kiboga, Kagadi, Kitagata, Kitgum, Pallisa, Itojo, and Masindi. Members noted the need to come up with a project model funding targeting all old and dilapidated general hospitals for rehabilitation. It is recommended that Government designs a comprehensive project model for the rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping of general hospitals across the country in a systematic way as opposed to carrying out piecemeal arrangements. This help us to match the current practices and technologies which were adopted in the new National Standards Designed for health centre facilities 2012. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the committee has noted the Government efforts to address health systems bottlenecks and improve the effectiveness of the health sector. This project aims to enhance the quality of care in Bugiri General Hospital by upgrading and equipping it with the modern medical equipment and [Mr Ikojo] RESOLUTION TO BORROW

Yes, I can confirm that. I am pleased with the information on Mityana-Mubende Road because that is my way to Ntoroko, then Kyegegwa to Kyenjojo. However, honourable minister, we are forgetting the Fort Portal-Ntoroko- Bundibugyo Road. That is a very critical road. When you are entering Bundibugyo, there is a section that has curved in. There is a big problem. Secondly, we have this critical oil road – Karugutu-Ntoroko, with a link to Rwebisengo. It has been in your budget since 2016. How many years now? Recently, I received a communication stating that a contract was signed in 2023. However, up to now, we have not seen anything happening. I think the minister of finance should tell us because they told us that you were with those documents, since the Solicitor-General cleared them. It is now under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to clear terms of financing the road. We would love to get the update from the minister. How far have you gone? The road has been in the budget since 2016, and it is so disturbing. Thank you.

Yes, Madam Speaker. Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road is a big challenge and as it slopes down in Kalongo, the terrain is very challenging and I know the district cannot manage. We shall ensure that Kitgum station addresses the issue of the Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road. On the Pajule-Pader-Patongo Road, under the project we are doing now; Rwekunye- Apac-Lira-Puranga Road on the section of the Puranga-Acholibur Road, we are going to have a loop to Pader District through Pajule. So that will address the Pajule issue and some tarmac into Pader. Madam Speaker, Pader is just like Kalungu. There is no tarmac in Pader. Tarmac goes like this - but we will get there. Obongi Ferry is not in a very good state. We need to have a full rehabilitation of the ferry. Hopefully, when we start the construction of the Laropi Bridge, we shall relieve that more serviceable ferry and bring it downwards. The Koch Goma Bridge is under the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) in the Prime Minister’s Office so I cannot respond on that. Lira-Otuke-Abim-Kotido Road is the road in the National Development Plan (NDP) IV. We will see whether we go through Achanpi or we first go to Kotido to Abim through Lira. Otherwise, we may eventually go to Achanpi and down to Soroti. Madam Speaker, Kotido-Moroto-Kaabong Road is a tourism project. Already, the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the contractor who did the Entebbe Expressway, is in discussions with the finance ministry to pre-finance the project all the way from Moroto, Kotido-Kaabong-Karenga and up to Kidepo. Regarding the challenges of the station in Moyo, Madam Speaker, I do not think they have a lot of challenges. The challenge has been the delay to enable them to work, but that one we are resolving. The station managers who are out there are very industrious. They want to work. Once we solve this issue of them being allowed to operate their accounts, I think you will see a difference. Regarding the Karugutu-Ntoroko Road, there is already a contractor; Afcons, who is supposed to do that road. It has taken a while because, I think, again, of funding mechanisms. However, this is an oil road. It is package four of the oil road. It is going to be done soon because we are doing Lusalira-Nkonge now to Lumegere to Sembabule. So when we do that, Afcons will also come and do Karugutu-Ntoroko. Therefore, the maintenance of Fort Portal- Bundibugyo is critical because that is the only route which the people of Bundibugyo have. We have also China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) on that route to do a framework contract for maintenance up to Lamia. What are the adaptive engineering technologies which we are adopting to ensure that our roads survive the vagaries of nature? These are things which we do most of the time. All our projects, 90 per cent of them, must have the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) done and through that, we ensure

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I also thank the Rt Hon. Prime Minister for the good response to questions raised. My issue is about the state of the road from Bundibugyo to Fort Portal. The president was in Bundibugyo-

Madam Speaker, thank you for the one minute. I chair the Parliamentary Forum on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. My concern is about the many villages in Uganda without even a single water source. The budget committee needs to provide money for that. Two, we had a meeting with Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts today. Those areas are prone to disasters –

17124 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 [Mr Awany] cargo has on the country’s national roads, and consequently recommends that the ministry be allocated additional funding to the tune of Shs 4 billion to enable it to complete the first phase of the project. The committee also urges the Government of Uganda to always honour its commitment to counterpart funding. Rural Bridges Infrastructure Development The committee was informed that the ministry is implementing a Rural Bridges Infrastructure Development project intending to enhance rural connectivity and access to essential services, focusing on trail bridges, for safe passage in areas where traditional bridges were lacking. The committee was further informed that in the Financial Year 2024/25, the ministry had planned to carry out various bridge constructions in the districts of Bundibugyo, that is, Nyahuka-Mirambi Bridge, Bulambuli-/ Bukedea-Taja Bridge, Pallisa-Aleles Bridge, Kasese-Karujumba Bridge, Sironko- Bujibundi-Buna-Dasa Bridge-

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Fort Portal-Bundibugyo Road is one of the most expensive roads we have in this country because of the terrain. Now, because of landslides, the road is actually gone. Nowadays, we use one lane. The Committee of Physical Infrastructure was on the ground. If the Government does not look for money to rehabilitate this road, we are going to use much more money than was used when it was being constructed. Mr Speaker, from Kichwamba to Karugutu, there are so many potholes. If one would like to rear fish, the place is now favourable for the fish ponds. I implore the Government - now that Bundibugyo has only one route - If that road is gone, I think the Government will, maybe, deploy helicopters for transport. Therefore, I request that the road be expeditiously worked upon. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for yet another opportunity. My concern is about the unfunded priorities. According to the report, we have 100 secondary schools that are unfunded - yet they require Shs 66.3 billion. There are 300 primary schools that require Shs 31 billion, but they are under unfunded priorities. My appeal to honourable colleagues is that we should find money. My area is known for being hard to reach. Bughendera has 14 administrative units, but we still have eight subcounties without any secondary schools. So when I see this, I wonder whether we are in Government and Bundibugyo is known for voting in NRM – 98 per cent. Honourable colleagues, it is my plea that we look for money. Secondly, Mr Speaker, there is an issue of the arts teachers. This is a thorn in our flesh, where science teachers go for the same classes. The same fees paid by the science teachers is the same as the arts teachers’ pay, but you wonder why they are paid less – (Member timed out.)

16951 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 appropriating Shs 39.77 billion to Biyinzika Enterprise Limited. The committee notes that fine spinners received Shs 30 billion in the Financial Year 2024/2025 and that Shs 30 billion has been proposed in Financial Year 2025/2026, out of Shs 31 billion that was required. Other projects, like Lira Spinning Mill, which required Shs 59 billion to purchase and revamp the factory and undertake the spinning of the farmers’ cotton, have no proposed allocation despite a feasibility study being completed. The committee notes that while enterprises like Bundibugyo Cocoa processing factory have completed a feasibility study, no proposed allocation has been made for the Financial Year 2025/2026. The ministry informed the committee that UDC lacks sufficient capitalisation and requires Shs 5 billion to fulfil its mandate. Recommendations for UDC The committee recommends that Government capitalises UDC with additional funding in the short to medium term to enable term to enable it invest in appraised projects. The committee further recommends that the proposed allocation through UDC to Biyinzika Enterprise Limited and Fine Spinners be reallocated as follows: The allocation of Shs 39.77 billion to Biyinzika Enterprise will be deferred as the committee undertakes due diligence on the proposed investment. It was reallocated as follows: 1. Uganda Shs 6 billion should be reallocated to Bundibugyo Cocoa factory to support its start-up, promote the export of value- added cocoa as opposed to raw materials, and earn the country higher economic returns from the cocoa value chain. 2. Shs 4 billion should be reallocated to invest in a chlorine manufacturing plant, improving the country’s trade balance through a reduction in the cost of importing chlorine, a key ingredient in wastewater treatment, pure water treatment, and disinfectants. 3. Shs 25 billion be allocated to Fine Spinners Limited to fulfil its obligation in a phased manner and enable investment in other projects. E, page 49 4. Shs 10 billion be reallocated to Lira Spinning Mill to initiate the purchase and revamping of the factory to undertake the spinning of farmer’s cotton in Northern Uganda. 5. Shs 5 billion be allocated to Luwero Food Factory to start up investment since the feasibility study and the business plans were completed. 6. Shs 5 billion be relocated to Nwoya Fruit Factory to start master designs, environment and social impact assessment and geological studies and preliminary site preparation. 7. Shs 6.7 billion be allocated to the Iron Ore processing to save the importation of iron and improve the country’s trade balance through a reduction in the cost of importation of iron ore. 8. Shs 8 billion, be allocated to Sanga VET to purchase active ingredients, special equipment and working capital for manufacturing of animal drugs and acaricides. Management and Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) Recommendations of MTAC The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development ensures that MTAC’s budgetary provision is

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Through you, I thank the committee chairperson and members for a wonderful report. However, it gave me deep insight into Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), and especially the part the money for Luwero Fruit Factory, Nwoya Fruit Factory, Lira Spring Mill, Bundibugyo Cocoa Project and others is channelled through UDC to facilitate those particular industries. At the beginning of this political term, in Busoga, where we are challenged with sugarcane growing, we sat as MPs, we are 42, including the first Deputy Prime Minister, the second and others, and resolved that Government should help us establish a sugar mill that is owned by the people. The finance minister came and participated, and what we saw immediately was a release of about Shs 2.5 billion for a feasibility study. But even when that study has been done, I can see in this policy statement and in the report that the sugar mill that was promised to the people of Busoga is not there. We know how serious the sugar business in Busoga is. Right now, there is a war between the farmers and the millers over how much sugar you can get from 100 tonnes of cane. Whereas the farmers say it is 10 tons, the millers say it is 8. This has implications on how much you pay for the cane. These are serious things, for which the biggest solution would have been a factory owned by the people. Looking at the number of trucks that are supplied in Busoga, 2,000 trucks a day, each truck carrying 10 tonnes, if we are to charge just 5,000 shillings per tonne, we would generate Shs 100 million per day and in a year, Shs 36.5 billion would be generated.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the comprehensive report. My comment is on HIV prevention. It needs funding because prevention is better than cure. HIV/AIDS is a silent killer; it is a chronic dis - ease. Chronic diseases are more dangerous than acute diseases. You would rather get a disease which comes with severe signs, conditions and symptoms that you can know how to handle. However, this is a condition that attacks peo - ple silently and the incidence rate keeps on in - creasing silently. You cannot know if someone is HIV positive or negative, so the way to go is to fund prevention and sensitisation so that at least we can get low new cases and save on the curative part. The less the incidence cases, the less expenditure on HIV/AIDS. The Rwenzori-Luwero Triangle is one of the dockets that have been underfunded for the last three quarters and yet this triangle partly takes the corridor that protects us from being invad - ed by rebels from Congo through Kasese and Bundibugyo. We need improved funding for this docket so that all the programming of this region can go on and we make sure we do not get rebels attacking us from Congo to this side. We have been getting peanuts in this Rwenzo - ri-Luwero Triangle – (Member timed out.)

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I thank the colleague who has raised the issue. Mr Speaker, I report that as we talk, Hon. Lillian Aber is in Bundibugyo District to assess the same issues and tomorrow, she will be in Buhweju.

16664 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME in this region. Feasibility studies and site assessments are being conducted and plans are underway to secure funding and commence construction in the Financial Year 2025/2026. ii. On the support of Holy Family Missionary Hospital, given the critical role of the Holy Family Hospital in Nyapea in providing health care services to the people of Zombo District and neighbouring areas, the Government acknowledges the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. In 2019, assessments condemned key facilities, including the outpatient department and maternity ward. The Ministry of Health is exploring interim support measures such as the feasibility of allocating funds for renovations and deploying medical personnel to bolster the hospital’s capacity while plans for a new hospital are being finalised. Hon. Gafabusa Muhumuza, Bwamba County, Bundibugyo says, “The Bundibugyo General Hospital is in a very bad state in terms of physical infrastructure, obsolete medical equipment and gross inadequate medical personnel. The district leadership, including Members of Parliament, has raised this matter several times to the Government, but there has not been a satisfactory response. The X-ray machine stopped working last year and their people are suffering as they are referred to Fort Portal. His prayers are: i. When is the Government going to do general rehabilitation of the hospital? ii. When will the Government procure and deliver the necessary equipment, including the X-ray machine, operating tables, operating trolleys and lamps, and instrument sets for different surgical procedures.” Mr Speaker, my response is that Bundibugyo Hospital is currently facing challenges related to congestion, dilapidated infrastructure, outdated equipment and understaffing. That is true. The Ministry of Health is currently prioritising expansion and rehabilitation of hospitals to match the new structures at different levels. The Ministry of Health is currently assessing all the hospitals and facilities in order to come up with a comprehensive plan that includes the following: i. Infrastructure expansion and rehabilitation, increasing bed capacity and improving existing buildings to meet current health care standards and also reduce patient congestion; ii. Provide modern medical equipment; iii. Ensure that the utilities, that is water and power, are of quality in terms of reliability and stability; and iv. Recruiting additional health care professionals and providing continuous training to improve service delivery. Mr Speaker, the Government is exploring funding sources to expedite the renovation process and address the pressing needs of Bundibugyo Hospital and many others like Masindi, Kagadi, Bugiri, to mention but a few. The fourth question came from Hon. Dr Abdul Byakatonda, MP Workers and his prayers are: i. “What immediate measures is the Government implementing to mitigate the impact of the U.S funding freeze and ensure uninterrupted HIV treatment for 1.4 million Ugandans? ii. What strategies are in place to prevent job losses or reintegration to get high-level skills among Uganda’s 12,551 community health workers whose roles are now at risk due to the withdrawal of U.S support? iii. Given that Uganda currently allocates only 6.5 per cent of the national budget to health, when will the Government fulfil its Abuja Declaration commitment to increase health funding to 15 per cent?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, as leaders in Bundibugyo, we are stuck with a Government project. The Government offered to build for us a border market at Busunga Border, which is in Bwamba County, under the Agri-LED project but this was done through National Agricultural Advisory Services, which was phased out. NAADS has now handed over this incomplete site - about 20 per cent done - to the district local government, but the district, as you know, has no money to complete this project. It is a border market. My prayer is that you direct the Ministry of Local Government, through the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project (MATIP), to complete this project because we are stuck and do not know what to tell the people who offered their land and semi- permanent lockups. We cannot hand over an incomplete project to the people. Thank you.

Thank you very much. It is true. I know where that market is, but we need to get new Bills of Quantities and then the Ministry of Local Government will plan for the next MATIP, which my ministry is currently holding discussions on, with the World Bank. The Government is government; Bundibugyo is us. We agree – we can take it on and include it in the plans. I submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The people of Bundibugyo District are in fear. In a period of one week, two schools have been burnt. Nyahuka Parents Secondary School was burnt last week in broad daylight. That school belongs to Hon. Acrobert Kiiza Moses of Bughendera County, but it is in my constituency in Nyahuka Town Council. Yesterday, another school, St Padre Pio Primary School, was burnt in broad daylight. Property worth millions of shillings was lost. In a period of one year, we have had eight fires targeting schools. About six of them are in the same town council, Nyahuka. Our prayers –

Yes. Our prayers are: 1. We need the Government to come in and help us find out what is causing these fires. 2. The most important one is that we do not have firefighting equipment in the neighbourhood. The nearest is in Fort Portal. The journey from Fort Portal to Bundibugyo – those who have been there – the shortest time it will take you is two and a half hours. By the time they reach, they will not save anything. Police responds, but they are incapacitated. Would you give us firefighting equipment in Bundibugyo, considering our unique location and terrain? This is so that we are able to respond and save property and life.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, Bundibugyo Hospital lost two babies who were on oxygen because the generator was down. In 2014, Bundibugyo General Hospital was supposed to be rehabilitated together with Yumbe and Kayunga hospitals under the BADEA Project. The others were commissioned in 2021, but Bundibugyo Hospital has never been rehabilitated. We have not had a functioning X-ray machine for seven good years now. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when will Bundibugyo Hospital be reconsidered for rehabilitation? Thank you.

16379 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2025 Muzukulu, you are getting information from the source. Madam Speaker, Busolwe Hospital was renovated. We are going to do this in a phased manner depending on the availability of funds. Therefore, Bundibugyo will be renovated.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is not true that all local government administrative units have – I can give an example of Fort Portal Tourism City. They demand a lot of money and if there is proof that they have been paid up to-date, it can be provided. I wanted to comment and help ourselves because I had something burning that the Local Governments are not completing the works, especially the construction of schools and health centres. Mr Speaker, the programmes dictated to us, for example, the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT), dictate that the tenders or procurements are done by the mother ministries at the headquarters. Therefore, the schools that benefit from UgIFT for the construction of seed schools, their procurements are done by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Likewise, the health centres are done by the Ministry of Health. We have complained and we think the ministries are in the process of discussing with the donors to adjust these conditions because, there is hybrid procurement where someone is allocated to six schools – like the one that is building in Ntoroko is the one building in Bundibugyo, building in Kiyombya in Bunyangabu, building in Kabarole, in Kasenda. Therefore, he has five schools and he does not have the capacity. If you are not forceful, you will not complete it. (Interjection) I was, and mine is completed, but I have forwarded him for blacklisting. So, it is not our fault. Mr Speaker, we have, as Ministry of Local Government, our self-inflicted wounds, but the amendments we are making in the Act, we have proposed that all the headquarters be the same design and the same amount. I give an example of Butaleja; when we advanced them Shs 200 million, they made the foundation as big as this parliamentary building. And after two days, they were crying that the money was not enough. So, understand us; we are fighting tooth and nail to make sure that there is flexibility in the conditions from the donors. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As a Christian, I believe in God the Father and the Holy Spirit – (Interjections) – and the Son. I also believe in Mulago Hospital. Whenever I fall sick, that is where I go. We seem not to be investing a lot in that hospital. That Shs 15.5 billion has been an unfunded priority for the last three financial years. However, even with the current condition, Mulago gives us Shs 5.5 billion in non-tax revenue. The whole of the sixth floor, which was designed to be for private wing services – I was there one time as chairperson of the Committee on Health, and they had to bring me water in a basin because there was no running water. If we fix all these, then there is no reason why Ugandans will go to private hospitals. We can even take the revenue from there to about Shs 20 billion. My colleague has mentioned about the women’s specialised hospital. If we put it up to its capacity, there will be another Shs 20 billion. I would have expected medical tourism to be in the National Development Plan (NDP IV). I raised it; Uganda is centrally positioned in a neighbourhood where we are more competitive. If we brought Mulago and the Uganda Cancer Institute to speed, we are building a new heart hospital in Naguru. Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is about to finish their hospital, and we have Aga Khan in Nakawa. With all these, we need to tap into the sources of domestic revenue because we have seen people going to Nairobi for PET scans at $1,000, but we should be able to keep that here. Finally, Mr Speaker – I had forgotten; Lubowa is also progressively coming on board. Mr Speaker, regarding the issue of tax exemption for gym and sports equipment, we are looking at these as luxury commodities, but I think we need to look at them as public health commodities so that we can curtail the exodus of people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to hospitals. For these night football pitches that are mushrooming all over Kampala and upcountry, how do we ensure that the artificial turf they import is tax-free so that our youth can be kept physically fit and out of crime? I would also like to support my honourable colleague that Atutur Hospital needs an X-ray as soon as yesterday – then Bundibugyo Hospital and, of course, Koboko Hospital. Those three should be given urgent priority. Thank you.

15753 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 28 J ANUARY 2025 This country has not recovered from the shock of our lives; 42 Ugandan citizens, and students, in a boarding school in Mpondwe were burned to death. I request that our intelligence, strategic, offensive, defensive and sustainable capabilities within the military be scaled up along the border, including Bundibugyo, so that our citizens are catered for in terms of security and safety. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. In the years 2017 and 2020, the Government grant-aided Sonko Secondary School and the Bukonzo Seed Secondary School in Bundibugyo. To our dismay, to date, these two Government-aided schools have never been considered for construction. They are operating under dilapidated wooden structures. My prayer, Mr Speaker, I want to request - (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Mr Speaker, the Member from Bundibugyo is a very close friend of mine. He is one of those who have never spent a week without stepping in my office. Let us handle this at that level, involve the minister of education – we shall handle that. We have handled so many things.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just want to bring to the attention of the Prime Minister an issue that was raised to me by a gentleman who calls himself Lubango Hamada, a Cold Chain Assistant for Bundibugyo. He said that whereas the Government had given them appointments where their gross salary was supposed to be Shs 1.44 million and the net should be Shs 1.09 million, that is U7 (medical), without their notice, this was reduced to a gross of Shs 390,000 and the net, which is Shs 260,000. This is after they had earned Shs 1.09 million for around three years. Whereas the Government has been increasing salaries for medical workers, theirs has been the opposite. For example, the cold chain technicians’ money was raised from Shs 1.55 million to Shs 2.2 million. PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Ms Nabbanja]

14744 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT the relief. In fact, Ntoroko was devastated for a very long time, but we are beginning to get some relief from UN agencies and your office. We thank you so much. Although the relief is not enough - Bundibugyo is also facing the same. Leaving that aside, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we have this oil road of Karugutu–Ntoroko which is 56 kilometres and linked to Rwebisengo, eight kilometres. This road has been in the Government programme since 2016. All other oil roads were constructed apart from Karugutu-Ntoroko. We have trucks that go to Ntoroko Landing Site. You know, we have one border point that was constructed by the Government and it is doing a lot of work, but vehicles do not get there on time. When are you having this road constructed, Rt Hon. Prime Minister? I have written to the Speaker about the same. Do you remember the letter I wrote to you? You also communicated to Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, but up to now - people want to hang me over that road. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when is the work on this road beginning? I beg to submit.

Thank you. Dr Rutahigwa Elisa had also registered the same, so that is sufficient for Rukungiri. Member for Bundibugyo, on the same.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Bundibugyo is now a centre of all the disasters you can think about. We have a cocktail of them. From floods, landslides, and mudslides, and there is a bigger one which I raised here before. Huge land masses sinking and what we have told people is to move away from those land masses. People are now landless and homeless. Therefore, we have a category of people who need to be relocated away from those areas. Mr Speaker, I raised this matter here and requested the Government to send technical people to Bundibugyo to find out what is causing this, because it is unusual. The Government sent a team of geoscientists from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, but up to now, we have never received a report of what is causing this. We are seeing more land masses sinking. As I talk, in Bundibugyo we have 27 sub- counties out of which 17 are affected. We have over 5,000 people who have been displaced. If you watched the television, Members, you saw what was happening in Ntoroko District. All that water you see in Ntoroko is coming from Bundibugyo. We need a permanent solution to some of these challenges. Mr Speaker, while I pray that Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) looks at the emergencies, and relief items and all that - indeed people need food, iron sheets and tarpaulins, we need a permanent solution. Otherwise, we shall continue having this water in Ntoroko. Imagine what that water in Ntoroko has done in Bundibugyo where it is coming from. Mr Speaker, my prayer is for the Government to constitute a team to go to Bundibugyo. Our Chief Administrative Officer(CAO) has written reports to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and I have copies of about four reports but for the last three months, but no response and no team from the Government has gone there. Last week I saw a team from OPM in Ntoroko - our neighbours –but they stopped there. They were looking at the floods and were seeing where the water was coming from; Bundibugyo, but they have not gone there. Can OPM and the Government send a team to do an assessment? But we need a permanent solution. Our people are orphaned and are suffering. I so pray.

Hon. Gafabusa - (Laughter) - that one. Yesterday, I was here and I noted that one of the long-term interventions, the ministry and the OPM has brought on board other agencies to look at avenues on how we can handle the issues of floods in Bundibugyo, Kasese and Ntoroko. Because, some of these flooding challenges are coming up because of the human settlement and they are bound to happen if we do not address the matter from the cause. So, we are looking at putting up a team and we have brought on board a humanitarian agency. As I speak, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is on ground. My team from office - the technical team, are already in the field to engage with the communities and come up with a report on how we can go forward on addressing the cause of these floods. But we will also provide relief and non-food items to the affected communities. Hon. Anifa also whispered to me that she has experienced issues of hailstones in her area. Honourable minister, I have taken note and I will send a team to ensure that we collect data and be able to provide the necessary assistance and that will be in terms of relief food items. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the heavy damage that has been caused by River Nyamwamba in Kasese Town over the years. On the 7 th of September, River Nyamwamba burst its banks and flooded Kasese Town, killing people, destroying houses and sweeping away merchandise, leaving the business community with a lot of suffering. Mr Speaker, it has become common that in May, June and October, this river bursts its banks and leaves many people dead and property destroyed. And this is not happening in Kasese alone but in the whole of the Rwenzori subregion. Districts such as Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu and Kabarole are also affected. My prayer, Mr Speaker, is that you appoint a team of technocrats from the Ministry of Water and Environment to go and find out what exactly could be the problem in Kasese.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Indeed, what the honourable member has raised is now a challenge in Kasese. Mr Speaker, last week I invited the UN agencies, and we had a meeting to look at the long-term plan for handling Kasese, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo. We invited members of Parliament from Ntoroko, and this is a plan, which is underway that we are organising, and we will be able to have an interface with the community in Kasese as well. The Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees has also sanctioned relief food items to be taken to Kasese. But I just want the honourable member to note that we are looking at a long-term solution on how the community can be supported, and that includes the relocation that you also requested. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Kiiza Acrobert Moses. I represent the people of Bughendera in Bundibugyo. I thank you so much for this gesture. Honourable

14012 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT colleagues, pray for the people of Bundibugyo; floods are killing us. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Richard Gafabusa, Member of Parliament, Bwamba County, Bundibugyo District. I belong to the mass party, the NRM. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to also add my voice to the voices of the others in thanking the Minister of Health, for this timely statement that has highlighted the problem of Monkey Pox, not only here in Uganda where it is still quite small, but overall in Africa. I want to begin with the point that 17,000 people across Africa have died. That is not a small - is it 500? Sorry, but the cases overall - 17,000 cases, with the 500 deaths is significant. My clarification is that the other two vaccines are still under development and I am just wondering whether there is some serious engagement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to hasten the approval of the two vaccines under development, because this is something that needs to be pursued very seriously. The second point, Mr Speaker, is that the monkey, the bat, and the other animals that act as reservoirs are quite prevalent in our African setting, in our African countries but what is important for us to deal with is to advise our people to stop getting in contact with monkeys and bats. In a number of communities here in Uganda, people still enjoy meat from these animals as delicacies and that is how they get in contact with the viruses. I remember when I was fighting Ebola in that area of Bundibugyo, the reservoir again was monkeys and bats, which our people enjoy. I would like to ask the minister whether there is an engagement for our people to move away from enjoying meat from these animals, which are reservoirs for dangerous viruses. Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

13958 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME I represent a district that borders the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are aware that we have several rebel activities as a result of the M23 activities there. Several people keep crossing the border points; moving from DRC, and coming into those districts that border DRC. Currently, in my district, we have several people who are coming from DRC to Kagadi before they are moved to Kyangwali Refugee Camp. I don’t know how the minister is ready in mitigating those other issues that may come in, well knowing that the source of the problem for our country together with a number of epidemics, are these border points - Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kagadi, and all those areas. Is there any mechanism the ministry is putting in place to manage this cross-border movement as a result of the M23 and the other rebels? Thank you.

13972 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Mr Speaker, we request the leaders to harmonise on the land so that the Government can support this initiative. The Government will grant and build, after the issues of land are addressed. The construction of the school will commence when the money is provided for in the budget. Mr Speaker, the Government is engaging the local leadership on the matter, for availability of land for the construction. Grant-aiding is a cheaper alternative, as you all know, compared to the construction of a fully-fledged secondary school, which requires approximately Shs 3.3 billion. The second question, Mr Speaker, came from Hon. Patience Kinshaba Nkunda, Kanungu District. She said that there is guidance from the Ministry of Education and Sports, about Government schools not to have boarding students and pupils. Many schools do not know about that policy because they have not received formal communication. Additionally, ministers and other top government officials have attended fundraising functions to build dormitories. Her prayers are: 1. Are there special schools and districts with exemptions to have boarding facilities? 2. Are these government officials attending such fundraisings aware of the policy? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the spirit of universal education is to increase access to education, especially for the disadvantaged children. Hence, these schools are expected to operate as day schools. In the event that a school would like to operate a boarding section, it must follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports. It is entirely under the management of the school and its governance to ensure that the school meets the requirements for the operation of the boarding section. Therefore, the boarding of learners should be optional, not a must. Additionally, schools are allowed to operate a boarding section after they have been given permission by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports. Mr Speaker, they are expected to write to the permanent secretary using the provided application forms, which are forwarded by the respective local governments. The permanent secretary then requests the Directorate of Education Standards to carry out a compliance inspection, and depending on the findings, the Directorate of Education Standards submits the application forms to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports. If the school meets the requirements, then, the permanent secretary issues a certificate of authority to operate a boarding facility. It is only after the acquisition of this permission that the school is allowed to operate a boarding section. Mr Speaker, all this is meant to secure the safety, security and health of our learners. Therefore, schools which operate such unauthorised boarding sections, and conduct fundraisings, do it against the ministry’s position, and they are aware of it. Question number three came from Hon. Acrobert Kiiza, Bughendera Constituency. He said that “on several occasions, you have met Members of Parliament from the disaster- prone districts, especially the districts at high risk such as Bududa, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Ntoroko, Namusindwa, Buhweju, Bulambuli, etc and it has always been resolved that the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Works and Transport would urgently fix the washed away bridges and work on the damaged road infrastructure beyond the capacity of the districts. To date, according to the Member, he has not seen critical intervention, especially in the Bundibugyo District to have the washed away bridges and damaged roads worked on.

13973 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 AUGUST 2024 His prayers are: 1. When will the OPM in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport implement the plan to have the damaged bridges and roads in Bundibugyo and other flood-prone districts? 2. Can the Office of the Prime Minister help in finding a permanent solution for River Kirumya in Ntotoro Subcounty in Bundibugyo District which has continuously displaced communities living near the river? Mr Speaker, my response is that it is true my office has been coordinating the interventions funded and supported by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Bundibugyo District towards the construction of low bridges where possible. In the Financial Year 2023/2024, the finance ministry through the roads maintenance grant established Shs 1 billion to support the construction of low-cost bridges and so far, two small bridges have been constructed in Bundibugyo. However, there has been a challenge of availability and timely release of funds to implement the necessary activities, an issue that is being addressed. Two arch bridges were constructed using the Shs 1 billion road grant. Additionally, three cable bridges at rivers Tokwe, Sandila and Nyahuka were constructed by a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) called Bridges to Prosperity and it has also supported the district by constructing bridges for pedestrians, cyclists and animal use. 3. On the flood mitigation in Ntoroko, my office, together with the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO) have supported the district with technical supervision and funds to implement mitigation interventions in the form of flood embankment construction along the river bank areas of River Ssemiliki. The WFP provided Shs 377 million to the district for works supervised by the department of works and engineering of the district. Mr Speaker, my office, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the World Food Programme, FAO, Uganda Red Cross Society, together with the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese, Ntoroko, and Kisoro are currently developing a multi- hazard early warning to increase resilience and enhance early and anticipatory actions of communities to disaster incidents. Lastly, in addition to the construction above, my office has constructed a new health facility after the old one in Bundibugyo got flooded in 2020. 4. Hon. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, Member of Parliament, Omoro County His prayer is that we appeal to the Government to take an interest in prioritising the setting up of seed secondary schools in war-affected areas in addition to technical vocational institutions and coding and aid-granting community schools. My response, Mr Speaker, is that Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP) targets refugee-hosting districts, war-affected communities, and those with no Government-aided secondary schools in a subcounty. We have 32 new schools in the refugee hosting districts and 61 schools to be expanded, totalling 93. These are supporting the war-affected populations. 5. Hon. George Didi Bhoka, Member of Parliament of Obongi County. He says the leaders and people of Obongi District appreciate the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for benefiting from the agro-mechanisation programme. Obongi District, according to him, received one four-wheel tractor and six hand-operated tractors from the agriculture ministry eight

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I am trying to buy time. We extensively handled that issue of connections and we shall come back here. Honourable Member for Kyankwanzi, Member for Ruhaama, Member for Bundibugyo, Hon. Lagen and then the honourable Member for Koboko.

Hon. Benjamin Kamukama and then the honourable member for Bundibugyo.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. In August last year, a heavy storm hit Kakuka Hill Secondary School in which the examination hall, the laboratory and the computer laboratory were destroyed. Hon. Gafabusa, the Member of Parliament for Bwamba County did report that same matter here and the Minister of Education and Sports promised that he would send a team to Bundibugyo but to date, the team has never gone there. Mr Speaker, we are towards the examination period yet the school does not have an examination hall. My prayer is that the Ministry of Education and Sports, since it has an emergency department, should send a team so that iron sheets and other roofing materials can be provided. My Second prayer – (Member timed out.)

Yeah - (Laughter) - but the point is made, Mr Speaker. The other question was raised by honourable - I am very brief - Hon. Noman Ochero from Abim District about the compensation exercise for the people who lost their livestock during the insurgency. This one in particular has issues because it is lopsided. It has only skewed itself to Acholi, Lango and Teso, leaving out other areas. You know of Sebei and Bugisu because of the spill over of the insurgence. Even in Busoga and Mayuge - there are quite a number of them. You had better cross-examine your records for those that are missing. Finally, the Hon. Acrobert Kiiza Moses mentioned a number of disaster-prone districts, particularly, Bundibugyo, and he raised a concern about why you cannot find a permanent solution to some of these challenges of infrastructure like the bridges he mentioned. Even in Bududa, where I should appreciate the relocation and eventual resettlement of the people through the compensatory approach, the challenge is the slow pace with which you are conducting this exercise. There are people living in high-risk hills with cracks and now that the rains are on, anything can happen. Otherwise, so far, so good. Thank you. (Applause)

13922 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT for Parliament to support the ministry to raise the Umeme buyout amount, as well as giving the successor of Umeme access to financing for the dilapidated grid infrastructure. Umeme’s concession is ending seven months from today and to be specific, 28th February next year at midnight – (Interjections ) - You extended it to March? Okay, I stand to be corrected. The signed agreement provided for Uganda to undertake a study of the status of the grid assets managed by Umeme in the 17th year of the concession. Now, in the 19th year, the minister has not given this House a report on the status of the electricity grid managed by Umeme and by the extension of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited. It has taken Hon. Lumu Richard’s lack of electricity infrastructure in Mityana South, for the minister to respond to the matters of energy governance with a budget implication. Liquidation of Umeme In this period of rationalisation of Government agencies, it was mooted and the minister informed the Parliament of the intention to merge the successor companies of the Uganda Electricity Board (UEB). From 2001, now 23 years down the road, UEB has been under liquidation. One of her babies, the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), is about to repossess some of the assets that belonged to the board that has failed to die. We know that the former employees of UEB are dying without payment of their terminal benefits and many have lost hope for receiving their benefits in their lifetime. The minister, for some unknown reasons, never mentioned UEB in liquidation. Umeme’s Successor Uganda has nine electricity distribution companies; Umeme Limited, West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECo), Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Bundibugyo Electricity Cooperative Society, Kyegegwa Rural Energy Cooperative Society, Pader-Abim Community Multipurpose Electricity Cooperative Society, Kilembe Investment Limited, Hydro Max and Kalangala Infrastructure Services Limited (KIS). Umeme is Uganda’s main electricity distribution company with a market share of over 95 per cent. UEDCL, the owner of the network, currently operated and maintained by Umeme, is slated to take back its assets and manage them. For UEDCL to expand the current network after taking over from Umeme, the minister should inform this House of the proposed source of financing for those investments. Other rural distribution challenges Mr Speaker, supply and tariffs in West Nile and Kalangala are unique. Both areas have just been connected to the national grid through the electricity transmission infrastructure and a marine cable, respectively. Kalangala, which was previously running on supply from a hybrid of solar and diesel engines, has now been connected to the national grid and joined the problems of the mainland. The tariffs are higher and there is power outage that never used to exist and is now so common in those two respective areas. In Kalangala, a unit of electricity is sold to domestic consumers at Shs 1,269.5 excluding VAT by a distributor, Kalangala Infrastructure Services Limited. This district is also unable to benefit from the one-pole service under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project. We congratulate the people of West Nile upon joining the usual national grid challenges. The

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I too add my voice to yours to thank Dr Yonas Woldemariam for the great work that he has done in this country. He came to the country in January 2018 when I was still the Minister of State in the health sector, and we worked closely to ensure that we have in place a strong health system but also, ensured that in looking at the health system, particularly the outbreaks, we strongly took the advice of WHO to improve on the laboratories. In Luo, Woldemariam means - we can change it into wodi Mariam , which means a son of Mariam; that is the Luo name - (Laughter)- and I wanted to state that. Generally, WHO is a key partner of the health sector in the country and supports it, particularly by giving technical support. Dr Yonas, you have not just been a country representative, you have been giving technical guidance to the Ministry of Health and we thank you for walking with them. Whenever we had issues in the health sector, he was always there by the side of the political leaders and also the technical leaders to give guidance and provide necessary support. I remember we were together in parts of Bundibugyo, Kasese and Fort Portal at the time when we had the Ebola outbreak together with the Centre for Disease Control, Executive Director who had visited from the United States. He was present. I pray that the Lord keeps you safe and we wish you the best wherever you will be but please, Uganda remains your second home and I told you this. You cannot be in Uganda and remain the same; it is just a two-hour flight away and there are regular flights from Addis Ababa to this place. Mr Speaker, I pray that the next country director also walks with the Ministry of Health. Some people are in the country and only give technical advice at a distance, but Dr Yonas traversed this country and I do not know whether there is any part of Uganda that he does not know. We thank you for that support and I must say that the health sector achievements that have been attained from the time you were here were partially because of the support that you provided. Thank you. May God bless you.

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-

\*, q , i x onL & I .-4 1. t! .L C--/ rll f:) lr /... ( t !.{ -t t I t.' r. -,: Anount (OOO'I Vote Descrlptlon 23,367,459 809 Apac District Anra District L8,397,332 810 30,127,960 811 Budaka District 32,553,O55 812 Bududa District 37,760,tr7 813 Bugiri District 8t4 Bugweri District 22,934,t60 t8,395,462 815 Buhweiu District 27,Or2,84r 816 Buikwe District 8L7 Bukedea District 3r,487,669 818 Bukomansimbi District 20,244,423 Bukwo District 27,562,7t9 819 820 Bulambuli District 28,t95,238 14,678,016 82t Buliisa District Bundibugyo District 35,O81,962 822 \ 823 Bunyangabu District 24,t30,664 $.sz+ Bushenyi District 32,544,724 39,104,258 825 Busia District 826 Butaleia District 36,872,757 827 Butambala District 29,98t,750 828 Butebo District t4,866,234 15,011,553 829 Buvuma District 830 Buvende District 25,292,570 831 Dokolo District 25,388,251 832 Gomba District 22,5L6,206 Gulu District 20,t92,982 833 = 834 Hoima District 22,441,719 \83s Ibanda District 26,593,089 836 Iganga District 40,2t3,822 56,094,4t9 837 Isingiro District Jinia District 37,533,316 838 839 Kaabong District 17,947,269 Y L3 Htr+ .4i- (:-

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

Yes. I have noted that they are only considering the eastern side and leaving out Bundibugyo; it is not mentioned anywhere, especially Ntotoro, Harugare and Kirumya subcounties -

Madam Speaker, they specifically mentioned Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko and Bulambuli and I felt like Bundibugyo was left out. We have sinking ground; we still have landslides up to now. There are victims to be compensated and even resettled, but nothing has been done. We still have the washed away bridges. Since 2022, we have been reporting this and writing to ministries, but nothing has been done. We have even invited the Minister of Works and Transport to come on the ground and make an assessment so that they see what can be done. Secondly, I thank the committee for ensuring that they add money to Uganda AIDS Commission because –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I start by thanking the committee and its leadership. Thanks for a very good report. As a sector, we fully agree with the report and the recommendations. There are two or three things to highlight there, then I can give my comment on the minority report. The issue of allowing local governments to retain their local revenue. Parliament made its resolution. As a sector, we fully agree with Parliament on this matter. It does not make any economic sense to tell a local government in Kapchorwa, Bundibugyo.

11358 DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT 16. Hon. Ephraim Biraro - Buhweju West County; 17. Hon. Tarsis Rwaburindore - Ibanda Municipality; 18. Hon. Josephine Bebona Babungi - Bundibugyo; 19. Hon. Davis Kamukama - Bunyangabu County; and 20. Hon. Faith Kunihira - Kyenjojo. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the implementation of the new teacher policy in this country. Under the new teacher policy, all teachers are supposed to be graduates from early childhood to university. In doing so, the Government closed all Grade 3 teacher colleges in the country, so that we no longer have Grade III teachers and they are supposed to go and upgrade from Grade 5 up to a Bachelor’s degree. Madam Speaker, last week I was in my constituency in Bundibugyo where we also had a Grade III Teacher Training College. But I was tongue-tied to discover that the college was closed, even after engaging us the stakeholders to have it repurposed and changed into a nursing school. However, because of funds, it could not start immediately. It has now been abandoned –

I do not know what is happening to the other colleges but the teachers’ college in Bundibugyo has been abandoned in the bush. The capitation grant was withdrawn; it has not been handed over to the district. It is actually in nobody’s hands – (Interruption)

Kapchorwa’s terrain is like the one of Bundibugyo.

Thank you. Members from Kumi, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Bundibugyo and Soroti.

When I retire, that is where I am going. So, I need to fight for the sector. (Laughter) Honourable colleagues, many of you will join me. Hon. Oguzu Lee had suggested something to me; that when they appear before the committee, they should appear in the regions so that it is not just a Kampala affair. I will detail that in the terms of reference when I am forwarding the petition. Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have Speakers from some of the western region districts. They include the Speakers of Rwampara, Kiruhura, Kazo, Ntungamo, Sheema, Ibanda, Hoima, Bundibugyo, Buhweju, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Rukiga, Mbarara, Kikuube and Kasese. They have come to observe how we are running the House and they will be advising the Deputy Speaker, later on, on how to run the House better. Thank you for coming, friends.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of urgent national importance. For the last four to five days, we have had catastrophic rains, hailstorms and strong winds as the rain is set in Bundibugyo; the Rwenzori mountains. The entire district, specifically in the subcounties of Nyahuka Town Council, Busaru, Mirambi, Buganikere Town Council, Ndugutu, Kagugu, and Sindila; a lot of property has been destroyed - crops and domestic animals. What is most urgent is that we have two secondary schools; Kakuka Hill Secondary School and St Mary’s Secondary School, Simbya where all the roofs of the classroom block and the laboratory have been blown off.

Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Nyamutoro, Hon. Pius Wakabi, Hon. Emely Kugonza, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Member for Hoima, Member for Ntungamo, Member for Bundibugyo, Hon. Okabe, Hon. Linda Irene – and the whole House. Honourable member, would you like to speak to the motion?

Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Nyamutoro, Hon. Pius Wakabi, Hon. Emely Kugonza, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Member for Hoima, Member for Ntungamo, Member for Bundibugyo, Hon. Okabe, Hon. Linda Irene – and the whole House. Honourable member, would you like to speak to the motion?

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

9223 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023 happened. We had a similar massacre in Kichwamba Technical College, just like the recent one. My plea to the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, as my friends have alluded to, is that we need serious deployment and combing the entire mountain. Madam Speaker, an attack on Kasese is not only for the people of Kasese, but the entire sub-region and country. Look at the mountain stretch from Kasese through Bunyangabo, Ntoroko up to Bundibugyo. Therefore, when the people of Kasese are in agony, the people across the mountain are all in pain. Madam Speaker, last weekend in Bundibugyo, security personnel arrested three ADF terrorists and it is on record. I would like to make an appeal that the combing should not only be done in Kasese, but also across the whole mountain because you are aware that it is hard to reach. In addition, the roads in that area are impassable. Like the minister alluded, security roads in the Congo have been worked upon. If they have been worked on, why not our roads on the mountain slopes? I so pray. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I would like to first of all thank the honourable members who have spoken here, especially those from Kasese and Bundibugyo. However, I would like to say that the UPDF, which I oversee, is usually committed. And when you look at how these people are suffering - the UPDF are also suffering to ensure that there is peace. Anyhow, that aside, I would like to assure the Members here that we are doing - even before I came, the President had already given us orders to beef up and add to the numbers as well as the technologies at the border. So, I assure the Members that –

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

You have rightly stated it, Mr Chairperson. One, if you bring in this particular clause, the earlier clause we have just passed, dies because we have already provided that the minister should make regulations to cater for this category of persons who are not covered under the Employment Act. But if you bring in this particular clause 34(a), then you are incorporating them under the act; you no longer need the regulations by the minister to cover it. Secondly, you may have, for example, an engineering company. It gets a contract to construct Parliament and uses casual workers. The following day, state house the same casual workers. They go to Bundibugyo and you adopt them as employees under the act. I can tell you, with the kind of unemployment we have, no employer will take them on. So, you will have a turnaround of casual workers that will actually render casual work unprofitable. Thirdly, clause 34(b); piecework, this is an independent contract. Why do you want an independent contract to also form part of unemployment under the act? Mr Chairperson, I strongly object to these amendments. They do not augur well with employment.

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

8755 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 MAY 2023 94) Vote 809: Apac District – Shs 20,739,922,000 95) Vote 810: Arua District – Shs 16,085,370,000 96) Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 25,157,873,000 97) Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 26,411,933,000 98) Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 34,828,388,000 99) Vote 814: Bugweri District – Shs 19,367,086,000 100) Vote 815: Buhweju District – Shs 15,085,933,000 101) Vote 816: Buikwe District – Shs 24,383,139,000 102) Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 26,466,423,000 103) Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District – Shs 18,428,274,000 104) Vote 819: Bukwo District – Shs 22,102,420,000 105) Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 22,999,426,000 106) Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 14,874,929,000 107) Vote 822: Bundibugyo District – Shs 33,203,487,000 108) Vote 823: Bunyangabu District - Shs 19,891,642,000 109) Vote 824: Bushenyi District – Shs 28,896,953,000 110) Votes 825: Busia District - Shs 32,967,494,000 111) Votes 826: Butaleja District - Shs 33,927,473,000 112) Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 23,446,766,000 113) Vote 828: Butebo District - Shs 16,607,616,000 114) Vote 829: Buvuma District – Shs 13,321,617,000 115) Vote 830: Buyende District – Shs 22,651,177,000 116) Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 21,223,707,000 117) Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 21,231,932,000 118) Vote 833: Gulu District – Shs 21,678,185,000 119) Vote 834: Hoima District – Shs 20,331,850,000 120) Vote 835: Ibanda District - Shs 21,754,328,000 121) Vote 836: Iganga District – Shs 38,124,629,000 122) Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 43,369,358,000 123) Vote 838: Jinja District - Shs 37,285,315,000 124) Vote 839: Kaabong District - Shs 16,287,466,000 125) Vote 840: Kabale District – Shs 32,609,628,000 126) Vote 841: Kabarole District - Shs 20,343,712,000 127) Vote 842: Kaberamaido District – Shs 14,913,324,000 128) Vote 843: Kagadi District - Shs 35,348,272,000

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I also add my voice to appreciate the chairperson of the Committee on Health and the entire committee for the detailed report presented. Mr Speaker, Kilembe Mines Hospital does not only serve the people of Kasese as the report is trying to say. The people of Bundibugyo and in fact, the entire Rwenzori Subregion use Kilembe Mines Hospital, especially in the areas of fractured bones. People who get into accidents across that region are all referred to Kilembe Mines Hospital. So, it is really my prayer that Government expedites the issue of considering giving Kilembe Mines Hospital a vote status so that our people are really helped. The second issue is in line with desilting rivers. In their report, I read here about desilting River Nyamwamba. In fact, we have a serious problem across the entire region. As you are aware, Mr Speaker, we are always affected by floods. If you go to Bundibugyo, there is a river called River Kiunya. There is a town council, which had been approved by the Ministry of Local Government, where people have already been displaced. People are already displaced because of desilting, which has caused a lot of flooding. So, it is my prayer that when River Nyamwamba is – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Hon. Harold Muhindo? Let me finish with Kasese and Bundibugyo group. Hon. Acrobert Kiiza, for your information, even people from Mitooma District, it is Kilembe Mines Hospital that has been serving us, including people of Buhweju, especially on fractures. They are specialists and people from that region - now, I think people are going to Mbale and Kumi. That is a specialised hospital for the whole of the Western Region. Yes, Hon. Harold Muhindo?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to add my voice to what my colleague from Bundibugyo raised and you added your voice. I come from Kyenjojo and most of my constituents are along the highway which is prone to accidents. In the previous days when Kilembe mines were still operating, on a weekly basis, I would send there some accident victims because some of us always carried those accident victims to Kilembe Mines Hospital. As we speak now, all our people in all those districts are stuck ranging from Mubende, Kagadi, Kibaale, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Fort Portal, and wherever, because Kasese and Kilembe Mines Hospital specifically, is known for treating bones and fractures.

7611 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 2023 it back. No, keep it aside until they are ready to use it because once they learn how to use it, even you the leaders, will have less problems; you will be able to tell them, “There is your money; go and use it,” because the money is there. People need patient sensitisation and not bureaucrat kweheneenga . Kweheneenga - you remember the story in the Bible when Jesus visited two sisters; Mary and the other one. I know them in Runyankore; Mariam na Mariza . The other one was okweheneenga; busy cooking and washing dishes while Mariam was sitting listening to the word of Jesus. Jesus said, “This one is blessed because she has been here listening to the message.” The other one was just cooking, washing plates, running up and down but with no value addition. When cooking and washing plates, what value addition are you making? Mariam was adding value to herself by listening to the message of Jesus. It is in the Bible; I am not the one who wrote it. Therefore, we do not want these people running up and down doing nothing; no. Let us take time and convince them. By the way, you should be very careful because some years back, I went to Kasese, to Mubuku Irrigation Scheme where I found a man called Mudusu, growing mangoes. I think he must still be there. He said, “I did this when I heard your speech” - My speech on the radio. I also went to Rwengaaju and our man there told me, “We heard what you said.” Recently, I was in Paicho and a man there who I visited with his wife told me, “I heard what you were saying on the radio.” Just imagine Museveni from Kampala but these people in Paicho heard me and the one of Kasese also heard me - You can go and check with them. Did you hear Museveni? Did you do what you heard him saying? If they can hear me who is so far away, how about the people who are near? Therefore, we are the ones to cause socio- economic transformation and this is principle No. 3 of the NRM principles. You, the Members of Parliament, should take more time with the people. Do not go and just lecture, “Si ndio?” The man is just talking to himself, sibwekityo ? No, talk and let them also talk to you and then try to discern what is holding them back. Do not buy food and all these things. If they do not want to come, let them not come. Tell them, “I don’t have money to buy food and all that,” because you are not a hotel. They are laughing at me because they think I am an idiot. Awo Omusoga wakobera nti, ono omusadha tayidhi kyalikukoba. Nkiidhi . The people who go to church; does the Reverend feed them? It is because you have misled them. In the United States - because I hear many people like the United States - if you want to be President, you declare. You say, “I want to be president and this is what I want to do.” And the people who believe in what you are saying fund you. If they do not bring enough funds, you leave it and say, “I have not got enough funders.” These are the democracies you admire, but here, you have turned it upside down – and it is not correct. I will also be involved because I am going to tour all the zones. I will be touring two zones per month and I am sure some people will listen to what I am saying because they have done it before. I have succeeded in the Cattle Corridor with the dairy. I have succeeded in the Kisozi area with the four-acre model or less. We have succeeded in Rwengaaju – Nyakana is our active person there. We have succeeded in Masaka – there is some little progress with coffee in Masaka. Even in Ibanda, there is some progress with coffee. We have succeeded in Kalangala with palm oil and in Bundibugyo with cocoa and coffee as well as vanilla – although vanilla is very erratic. So, we can succeed. So, please, do not start talking of changing modes. This is their money and we must insist on that – Mukungaanye ekibiina kyamwe ekya SACCO. Somebody wrote to me about the “Bol i Cups ” in Acholi. Bol i Cups are the village-based

7224 THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORTS BILL, 2022 The bridges that were substantially completed in the Financial Years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 require at least Shs 17 billion to cover retention monies for the respective services provided after the final project has been handed over. The list shows the bridges which have been done. National roads under procurement We have four rehabilitation projects covering 323.5 kilometres and these are in table five. Externally financed strategic national roads and bridges A total of 13 projects covering a length of 720.8 kilometres have committed financing from development partners and shall require counterpart funding for land acquisition from the Government of Uganda. The estimated amount is Shs 254 billion required over a period of three years to ensure timely acquisition of the right-of-way and utilisation of the committed funds for successful project implementation. These details are contained in table six. Town roads A total of three town roads projects covering a length of 41 kilometres are under procurement. We require an estimated amount of Shs 213 billion for the implementation over the next two years. The details are in table seven. National roads under procurement without confirmed financing Many of these are what you have been referring to as directives; in blue letters. Among the national roads prioritised for implementation and Integrated Transport Infrastructure Services Programme (ITIS) for the NDPIII period, a total of 12, covering a length of 964 kilometres are already in advanced stages of procurement. It is estimated that they will require funding of Shs 3.7 trillion without the cost of land acquisition. The details of the specific requirements for each road are in table eight. National roads and bridges due for maintenance interventions Currently, there are 10 paved national roads totalling 436.6 kilometres that have been technically assessed to be in need of rehabilitation intervention. They require a funding of about Shs 596 billion and the details are in table nine. Periodic maintenance A total of 1,204 kilometres of paved roads have been technically assessed to be in urgent need of periodic maintenance intervention to deter accelerated deterioration, rehabilitation or construction phases which would require five or more times the current costs in the next three years. They constitute key links within the national network and require about Shs 1.3 trillion over the next three years. These are in table 10. Bridge development The national road network, which is 72 per cent unpaved, traverses swamps, streams and rivers across the country. Some sections of the national road network across the country become very slippery and difficult to manoeuvre and a few totally get submerged or washed away whenever it rains. We had such an occurrence in the Elgon region and Bundibugyo areas. The national unpaved road network has a total of 297 bridges across river crossings. Some of these bridges are as old as 70 years while others were installed as temporary crossing to aid movement. Over time, the Government of Uganda has been replacing the temporary bridges with permanent structures whose service life is about 50 years. UNRA identified 21 small bridges across the national unpaved road network for reconstruction and eight locations where there exist culvert lines that require replacement with the new bridges. The proposed 29 bridges will form part of the future paved network when the roads are designed and upgraded to Class II paved standards. [Gen. Katumba] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to applaud the UPDF; honestly, in areas like Bundibugyo, this other side of Simbili, which is around Maracha would have been invaded by the rebels if the UPDF had not gone to put them out of action. However, again, my plea is - there is a problem with the funding of the people who have been sent there. The money for these officers who are suffering in the wilderness has been tampered with. Can we correctly credit their accounts and also with the funds meant to help them while they are on the battlefield? They are ‘small’ people; they cannot speak for themselves. But honestly, what belongs to Caesar should be given to Caesar and to God what is for God. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I would like to applaud the minister and the report on defence. On behalf of the people of Kasese and my brothers and sisters who border Congo, we understand, very much, the value of the UPDF in Congo. Mr Speaker, you have seen on social media that a neighbouring country downed the DRC jet. Such a thing sends chilling ripples in our back. What do we want, as neighbours? We want stability. We want peace. However, the presence of the UPDF in Congo and their proper operations there require infrastructural support. Some of the bridges on these borders are weak. They have been weakened by rivers and floods. Recently, we were reporting about the bridge on River Tako and River Rubiriha. It is the same story on the Bundibugyo side. As we go onto the budgeting process, we request that support is given to such bridges. Finally, the people on this side depend on Congo, as a market. A lot of our products go into Congo. Therefore, when Congo is secure, then, our pockets are secure as we get income. I also urge the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs and Operation Shujja, to beef up the intelligence system in Congo. The incident that happened in a church in Kasindi the other day – a few kilometres from Mpondwe - was very bad. Innocent people were killed or maimed and of course the whole community was terrified. I urge the security forces in Uganda, the defence minister and our President to beef up intelligence in Congo so that we do not see similar incidents again. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I applaud the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the other security agencies for a job well done. However, while I appreciate the participation of the UPDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo, my concern is about the leakages back at home such as the recent skirmishes we heard of in Bundibugyo and Kasese. Mr Speaker, in Buhweju, where I come from, we border a forest – Kashohakitomi. There is talk that people have seen strange people within the forest. The UPDF has not come out to declare itself. Remember that at one time, the ADF operated in that forest, up to Bihanga in Nyakaziba Town Council. [Mr Oboth] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Regarding the grabbing of land and the local government keeping quiet, I want to say that there are some roles that are multi-sectoral. Like the land issue, we have a fully-fledged Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. I think matters that clearly belong to the Ministry of Lands can be addressed. However, as an institution, if we are informed on time, we can also intervene or inform accordingly. When it comes to reviewing the Local Governments Act, I want to report to this House that today, we met the Committee on Local Government and Public Service. In that meeting, we informed the committee that we have already embarked on a major review because since decentralisation started in 1992, now 20 years down the road, we really need to make a detailed analysis, and where need be, we amend this law, accordingly. On illegal recruitment and protecting people without qualifications, Madam Speaker, I would like to be on record that the Ministry of Local Government has tried. Where we are informed on time or through our inspection and evaluation staff, we take action. This is why we nullified all the appointments of parish chiefs in Kagadi where there were a lot of forgeries and people didn’t have the requisite papers. We also nullified appointments in Ntoroko District - the Member was here, I don’t know where he has gone - but they would be a witness. We nullified appointments for all the 70 positions and requested them to re-advertise. Regarding staff serving in acting capacity, Madam Speaker, there are some rules indeed that must be changed because for one to be appointed a district engineer, they must be certified and registered. Now very few engineers can meet this criteria and to become a district health officer, one has to have the requisite requirements. Therefore, some districts fall prey because these two positions are very dear and pertinent. But I don’t know whether the money sent to districts is really sent to the personal accounts of these people. We need evidence on this because someone tagged it to this. Then when it comes to inconsistencies on payrolls, it is true, Madam Speaker, that there are some human resource officers that are on interdiction, the latest being the one for Bunyangabu District. So, when we move and get information, we give it out. The problem is that in some districts, they are not giving us such information. And I would like to report to you, Madam Speaker, that we are not exceptional at the Ministry of Local Government. Our Budget for monitoring and evaluation was cut halfway and so, conducting this exercise is not that easy. I wish Members - and I have been appealing to you very genuinely and humbly, that do not wait to bring everything on the Floor of Parliament. Those who come and whistle blow to us, we act immediately. Yes, it is our role, but let us try to inform the relevant ministries on time so that they can take action. Another problem was on the slow absorption of funds. Madam Speaker, I concur with the Members on this matter because it even appeared before Cabinet. It was brought to our attention that high-breed procurement is really deadly. For example, it was said that the person building the two seed schools in Ntoroko District at a tune of Shs 1.4 billion is the same person building schools in Bundibugyo District and others in different districts. It came to our attention that that same person was the one building Kiyombya Secondary School and St. Paul’s Kasenda in Bunyangabu and Kabarole districts respectively. The man does not have enough machines and enough workers; in totality, he does not have the capacity. I stand to join Members to refuse hybrid procurement. Let us stand on our two feet - and let it start from Cabinet level and give work to people

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.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I reported here some time back about pieces of land sinking - not landslides. This morning, Bundibugyo- Fort Portal Road, just two kilometers from Bundibugyo town, has been affected greatly and if there is no urgent attention -

Yes, what you see now - even the rail roads you can see have collapsed. Can you, please, immediately send a team to Bundibugyo - maybe from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) or the Ministry of Works and Transport - to salvage the situation? This is the only road that connects us to the rest of the world. If it collapses, we cannot move anywhere. Thank you very much.

The Member has done us proud. The honourable minister has seen and everybody else has seen. Therefore, I now, again, direct you to go to Bundibugyo tomorrow. (Laughter)

6567 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2022 The cooperative now only supplies 20 per cent of the required fruits and 80 per cent is supplied by other organised farmers not only in Teso Region, but even in the neighbouring districts. Resolution Three was that the House resolved that we should put the board of the factory immediately in place. Action-taken is that UDC, which is a shareholder, has nominated five members to the board. These will be ratified by the general assembly, which is scheduled for this December. The House also resolved that the IGG should investigate the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Douglas Ndawula and the entire management because of possible inflation of the cost of operations and other related expenditures for the Financial Year 2020/2021. Madam Speaker, the CEO has since stepped down from the company. We have also agreed that the IGG continues to investigate and then action will be taken thereafter. We resolved, as a House that the factory should secure a weighbridge. The action-taken is that through a supplementary provided by this House, for which we are very grateful, the weighbridge has been secured and installed with a capacity of 100 tonnes. The certification process of this weighbridge is being concluded by UNNBS. The House also resolved that Government should provide the factory with funds to start processing oranges, which are predominantly grown by farmers in the Teso Subregion. Madam Speaker, three weeks ago, Government decided to increase the capitalisation of UDC, from Shs 500 billion, to Shs 5 trillion, creating a headroom for the company to invest in not only processing facilities for crops like oranges, but also consider others like cocoa, which is grown in Bundibugyo, Cassava, grown in the Acholi and Irish potatoes grown in the Kigezi Subregion. This will be done as soon as we get the resources. Further, the House recommended the termination of the contract between UDC and Teso Cooperative Union. We are of the view that this has no consequences because there is no monopoly by the Cooperative Union since it only contributes 20 per cent of the required supplies. In the same vein, the House recommended that we should separate the powers between UDC and the Cooperative Union. The action-taken is that this has been fully achieved with the appointment of the board and management. This will be fully implemented when the board is ratified this month, at the general meeting. Also, the House recommended that there should be a forensic audit of the management of the factory. I hereby report that the Auditor- General is currently undertaking the audit and we are waiting for this report. Action will be taken after the Auditor-General has reported to Parliament since he is an officer of Parliament. Furthermore, the House resolved that 20 per cent of the shares in the factory allegedly owned by the Cooperative Union be opened up to other farmers’ cooperatives and unions in Teso Subregion. Since this is a legal matter, we think that it can smoothly be implemented and action is taken when a new body is in place, after the ratification of the members this month. The contract reviews and performance of the staff Action taken We have developed a strategic plan where key performance indicators and targets have been set. All staff are being reviewed, including vacant positions that are to be filled. Investigating the project manager for the perimeter wall and the road Mr Jude Matsiko is no longer an employee of the UDC since 2016. However, the IGG is

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding abandonment of a contract to extend hydroelectric power to Bughendera, by Modest Company. The issue of contract abandonment is becoming a serious issue in this country. Modest Company was contracted to extend power in 2018 but to date, Madam Speaker, they have since abandoned the contract after installing the poles. Bughendera has 12 subcounties, two town councils and many Government installations without power. Madam Speaker, my prayers are that: i) Modest Company should be investigated for breach of contract; ii) The Ministry of Energy should seriously intervene to ensure the contract is honoured; and iii) The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources includes Bundibugyo in their oversight visits, to investigate issues regarding abandonment of contracts. I beg to submit. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, like my friends from Mbale and Kasese, Bundibugyo was also hit and even up to now, it is being hit by floods. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, you are aware that on the 3 rd of September, Bundibugyo lost three people. However, to our dismay, when Kasese was being considered for the Presidential handshake of Shs 5 million, Bundibugyo was left out. What plans do you have for those people who lost their dear ones? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have just been reading the disaster alert from the Office of the Prime Minister, signed by the permanent secretary. Reports from the Uganda National Meteorological Authority are forecasting heavy rains from September to December; and a lot of floods, landslides and all the related impacts. Rwenzori and Elgon subregions are already experiencing a lot of disasters, and Madam Prime Minister, you are aware. I am aware you have sent a team to Bundibugyo and Kasese to do a rapid assessment. However, my concern is on the alert; apart from the emergency response that you normally do, I do not see from this alert the preparedness, especially for the mountain areas. We are supposed to do a geohazard mapping or disaster mapping so that we guide people settling in those areas that are likely to experience such, to move away in time before the actual disasters happen. Therefore, I do not know what, as Government, especially the Prime Minister’s office – the one in charge of disaster response in terms of preparedness; how do we prepare our people so that we do not lose lives and property; and so that we minimise the impact of these disasters, because they will happen. That is my concern, Madam Prime Minister.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning the mushrooming plywood factories and the way they operate, more so in Mubende District and the Greater Mubende. Mubende District, alone, has about seven plywood factories. I have received several complaints from Kyenda Town Council, where we have a one Feiya International Company Limited, which is a plywood factory that employs quite a number of our young boys and girls – which is a credit. However, my concern is about the smoke that they generate day and night and the way they treat the young boys and girls they employ. When a boy or a girl gets an injury in that factory, they dismiss them and let them go. It is for them to find out how they can treat themselves. There is a one Nelson Baluku, who comes from Kasese or Bundibugyo. He was given a job but when he got injured, they chased him out of the factory. Now, he is trying to see how to recover. These factories do not have dining areas. They do not have enough bathrooms and toilets, yet bathing, more so for women, would be more meaningful when

Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of national importance concerning the rampant tree cutting and security threats on the mountain slopes of Rwenzori, specifically in Bughendera, Bundibugyo District. You are aware that Bughendera – and Rwenzori region – is prone to floods and all sorts of problems. In 2020, we lost 17 people as a result of floods. In 1997, we lost over 1,000 people as a result of ADF culminating from the bad terrain in the area. Madam Speaker, tree cutting is rampant up to now, as I speak. These tree cutters claim to have “orders from above” and they underrate the local councils I, II and III. They are untouchable. I wonder where these orders come from. To make matters worse, these tree cutters are suspected to be collaborators of ADF for they do not report any ADF infiltration. Madam Speaker, on 4 January 2022, I personally rose and mobilised the local councils and GISOs and we had a meeting. From the meeting, we got a series of reports regarding ADF infiltration -

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I agree with Hon. Kamuntu that these people are in Bundibugyo and across the country. I believe we shall come up with a programme that can see how we solve their issue once and for all.