Fort Portal Central Division

Thank you. This job is very hard; it actually needs prayers. (Laughter) How do we handle this? Honourable members, is this how the Speaker is supposed to be swarmed with many letters? I can hardly read each of them. I am getting overwhelmed, and you do not want to – I thought we should be orderly. There are people who are here who send me notices that they want to speak. I have people whose names have been here from the other day. It is not fair for you to harass the Speaker. Hon. Ronald Muhenda from Fort Portal?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also rise together with my colleagues to support the motion to appreciate His Excellency the President on the State of the Nation Address. More especially, Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the President on the emphasis that he put on maintaining the national road network, both tarmac and marram. I would like to remind you that in the 11 th Parliament we appropriated funds for the procurement of road units to the newly created districts and cities. Only 16 new districts have received the road units, while 10 cities have not received them to date. We are having difficulty utilising the funds we receive because we do not have a road unit. We have to go and borrow from the mother district. Mr Speaker, when the municipalities were elevated into cities, the town councils used to receive money for the road fund. Now, they were elevated into divisions, but the divisions are not getting any funds for roads. The Shs 1 billion that we are receiving is the only money we are sharing between the divisions; the case is for Fort Portal City. We have two divisions, North and Central. They do not receive money for the road fund. Therefore, Mr Speaker, my prayer is that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prioritise giving money to divisions just like the town councils so that they can maintain their roads. Additionally, Mr Speaker, my city right now is struggling to procure a road unit to the extent that the Council has passed a resolution whereby administrative units, LCIs and IIs, are going to forfeit 25 and 30 per cent of their money to procure a road unit, meaning that the residents are going to suffer. This is the little money that was helping LCIs to run their offices. We have students who always run to LCIs to get recommendation letters. This means that the whole of this financial year, the LCIs of Fort Portal City will not receive any money. My prayer is that Fort Portal City be given a special opportunity to receive money for the procurement of a road unit. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you. I also want to join honorable members in thanking the President for passing on to us a blueprint of the socio-economic transformation that he has used all those years. He shared it with us, and I want to thank him for that. Drawing from his personal experience, the President, in his teenage years, did not have much, but he showed us how he embarked on a journey of preaching the gospel of wealth- creation. I think he was communicating to us that we can also take on that journey, and I think that is what we are doing and is what he expects of us. We have to continue preaching the gospel that he did teach himself, of wealth- creation. On that note, I want to remind this House that five years ago, we designated Fort Portal as a tourism city, but we never gave it funds. And as the honorable member lady who has been around has said, we need funds to develop that city. The success of that city is the success of the tourism sector. I am happy that the honorable minister is here; please look into that. You did not baptise us just a name, but we also want action. Again, I want to thank the President and to encourage us the honorable members, to pick from what the President said. We are lucky enough that there is something to start with. He has given us the pillars of what to use in regard to socio-economic transformation. So the job is ours. Thank you.

391 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 JULY 2026 to inform the Member that the Government already has the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training College in Jinja. It still has a lot of capacity. I would implore you to have your team join. It is a Government school, and it awards diplomas, certificates and degrees. When need arises, Government can always look into that. However, considering the limited resource envelope, it might not come soon. Nonetheless, we appreciate that Kabale contributes a lot towards the tourism sector. Hon. Muhenda commented about Fort Portal being a tourism city. It is very true, and Government is putting special attention on Fort Portal. A lot of money is being invested in that region, especially when it comes to AFCON, and a lot more is going to be invested. Take heart; Government is working on it.

149 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 reducing reliance on donor support. This will guarantee uninterrupted access to essential medicines like anti-retroviral medicines, anti-malarial drugs, vaccines, immunisation supplies, laboratory commodities and anti- tuberculosis medicines. The Government continued to modernise healthcare infrastructure and equipment. During the year, 17 regional referral hospitals and 25 general hospitals were equipped with Neonatal Intensive Care Units. In addition, 14 regional referral hospitals received CT scan machines. Construction and upgrading of 31 health facilities across Karamoja is ongoing. The Government also completed high-capacity medical waste incinerators in Fort Portal, Gulu, Mbarara, KCCA and Lira. Busolwe, Gombe and Kawolo hospitals were also rehabilitated. Mr Speaker, the Government continued to promote preventive healthcare through immunisation, disease prevention and nutrition programmes. Immunisation coverage for children under one year reached 94 per cent, while first-dose measles-rubella coverage reached 93 per cent. Government also conducted nationwide campaigns against malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, cholera and yellow fever, and promoted nutrition education for children, pregnant women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Government also continued to expand specialised healthcare services in oncology, cardiology and other fields, reducing the need for treatment abroad. The Uganda Heart Institute conducted 634 cardiac interventions, including open-heart, closed-heart, vascular and catheterisation procedures. In April 2026, the Uganda Cancer Institute successfully performed the country’s first bone marrow transplant. Specialised healthcare services will be further strengthened by ongoing investments. The 250-bed capacity Cardiac Hospital in Naguru, Kampala is 44 per cent complete and expected to be completed by June 2027. The International Specialised Hospital of Uganda at Lubowa is 75 per cent complete and will be completed in December 2027. (Applause) Mr Speaker, I wish to repeat this one: The International Specialised Hospital of Uganda at Lubowa is 75 per cent complete and will be completed in December 2027. (Applause) The first phase of the Nuclear Medicine (PET) Centre for cancer treatment is 95 per cent complete with radiotherapy and advanced molecular imaging services. Phase II of the PET centre is 10 per cent complete. Regional cancer centres in Mbarara, Arua and Mbale are under construction, while the Gulu centre is fully operational. Other achievements in the health sector include: a) Expansion of the National e-Health Digital Infrastructure to support telemedicine, health information management, medicine tracking and monitoring of health worker performance; and b) Strengthening the National Ambulance and Emergency Care System through the deployment of additional ambulances. 2026/2027 Priorities for Health The Government has allocated Shs 5.23 trillion for the health sector in Financial Year 2026/2027. The funding will focus on: i) Maternal and child health; ii) Nutrition improvement; iii) Expanded immunisation; iv) Prevention and treatment of non- communicable diseases; v) Provision of essential medicines; vi) Strengthening specialised healthcare services; vii) Improving emergency response systems; and viii) Exploring feasible pathways towards universal health coverage.

91 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 4 JUNE 2026 Some of the communities in the cattle corridor did not ask for capital. They moved without capital and used their own money. The only thing we gave them was advice. In other areas, because they had indigenous cows, many of them converted them and got capital but in other areas, it was not so easy. That is why we started with the Entandikwa , the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Operation Wealth Creation and now the Parish Development Model. This is for the small people. The question now is: how about the big farmers and manufacturers? We have not forgotten those. With the big farmers and manufacturers, the Government has put a total of Shs 1,600 billion in UDB. The interest rate for that money is 12 per cent per annum. The interest rate for PDM is 6 per cent per annum and payable after two years. Hence, for Shs 1 million, the borrower will return Shs 1.2 million for PDM. We are always creating other funds for the ghettos, musicians, etc., so capital is not a problem. Unlike the colonial agents who never wanted to plan for Africa, we have told Ugandans that our economy has potential in four sectors: services, commercial agriculture, manufacturing and ICT. The President is here. Parliament is here. Once people have woken up from sleep and want low-cost capital, if the Shs 100 million per parish per annum or any other funds are not enough, we can increase the money by adjusting in other areas. With the cattle corridor, we did not wait for low-interest capital. As already said, our only contribution to them was the “word”. In the cattle corridor, the work there was ekigambo , like that of the Bible. “In the beginning, there was the word. The word was God”. We just used the word there. In the other areas, we use the “word” and the capital is there. Small capital for small things; big capital for big things. The advice was to go from nomadism to sedentary agriculture, from okukolera ekida kyonka to working for the stomach and for the pocket, and do so with ekibaro . Additionally, in the cattle corridor, I gave 20 milk coolers that had been brought by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). That was all. They converted their indigenous Ankole cattle into half-breeds, ebiihwa with Friesians and their businesses took off. However, wealth creation cannot take place if there is no peace, no law and order, and supportive infrastructure in the country. The UPDF always guarantees peace in the country. The police and Judiciary must ensure law and order. The NRM has struggled to tarmac - so with infrastructure, our scorecard is clear and must not be allowed to be spoiled. The NRM has struggled to tarmac the core national roads from the north at Oraba, Aruu, Nimule, and Musingo, which are all linked by tarmac roads. They are continuous from the north through the Kampala area to Kagitumba, Katuna, Kyanika, and Bunagana in the south. The mistake by the Ministry of Works and Transport is allowing these roads to deteriorate and then starting heavy work afterwards. The new ministers must ensure - I do not want to see what happened to some of the roads, like the Fort Portal Road, but there is a story of corruption in that road. I hope the new team will deal with that issue. We have tarmacked the road from east to west, from Busia, Lwakhakha, Suam, Amudat, all the way to Mpondwe, Busunga, and Ishasha in the west. This does not include the tarmac roads linking to the water bodies that are also transport connections, such as Jinja, because when you have the tarmac road up to Jinja, you go into the water and cross by ferry to Mwanza, to Kisumu, to wherever you want to go. Majanji, Port Bell, Butiaba, Kaiso - Tonya, Bukakata. There are tarmac roads going up to these water bodies. We are revamping the meter- gauge railway and building the standard-gauge one. We are working with Kenya and Tanzania on pipelines for crude and refined petroleum products. This will move heavy cargo away from the roads to the railway, and petroleum

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

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

18875 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MAY 2026 Vote 015 - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Shs 37.90 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation as an additional investment in Atiak Sugar Factory. The second category is self-financing and budget-neutral supplementary requests over and above the 3 per cent legal limit, which require prior approval by Cabinet and Parliament. Of a total of Shs 586.16 billion for Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No.5, which is above the 3 per cent legal limit. A total of Shs 123.03 billion is self-financed and thus budget-neutral. The self-financing/budget- neutral supplementary includes the following: Reallocation of Shs 40.21 billion to cater for additional wages for recruitment of health workers under 19 referral hospitals. Honourable colleagues, there is a need to allocate the wage of Shs 40.21 billion currently budgeted for under the Ministry of Health to 19 referral hospitals. This is required to cater for the recruitment and absorption of critical health workers who were previously supporting these hospitals before the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for essential health services. The beneficiary referral hospitals are the following; i. Butabika Hospital, Arua Hospital, Fort Portal Hospital, Gulu Hospital, Hoima Hospital, Jinja Hospital, Kabale Hospital, Masaka Hospital, Mbale Hospital, Soroti Hospital, Lira Hospital, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Naguru National Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kayunga Referral Hospital, and Yumbe Referral Hospital; ii. Shs 9.92 billion for various local governments, which are also detailed in Annex I; iii. Shs 1.44 billion as unspent balances under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme (UgIFT), which were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their outstanding contractual obligations under the programme for this year; iv. Shs 2.22 billion for the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project as unspent balances that were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their contractual obligations and avoid - (Interruption)

Yes. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, I am concluding. Let me conclude in just two minutes. The minority report notes that of the 224 stakeholders the committee interacted with, only two stakeholders, being John Asiimwe, a resident of Fort Portal, and Hon. Nsibambi from Mawokota supported the Bill. In addition, the minority report also notes that His Excellency the President gave directives in his letter over his - which was posted on X in respect to this matter. I call upon this House and recommend as follows: The Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026 that was read for the first time and referred to the joint committee on Wednesday 15, be rejected for the reasons listed above, among others. I have only read one but there are six. For the others which have been left behind, the report is very clear and has been uploaded. The Protection of Sovereignty Bill be withdrawn since it serves no purpose. The Government is encouraged to consider providing remedies for matters affecting real societies. The Government undertakes to take practical steps to protect the sovereignty of the people from direct and indirect attacks to the sovereignty. Finally, Madam Speaker, the Rules of Procedure be amended to ensure that no legislation can be proposed by the President or processed by Parliament after the general elections. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

18911 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MAY 2026 1. The Bill is accompanied with a defective certificate – that has been canvassed by Hon. Jonathan Odur and I want to associate with him, but to point out or be specific that; one, the estimates of revenue and expenditure over the period of not less than two years after the coming into effect of the Bill when passed and, two, the impact of the Bill on the economy are not canvassed in the certificate. The certificate simply laid down the principle of what we may achieve in broad terms without telling us what we are likely to spend on implementing and whether the Government is prepared to spend that money. To that extent, the certificate is incurably defective and cannot support this Bill. The Bill also has the potential to destabilise Uganda’s balance of payments. I think reference has been made to the submissions of the Governor of Bank of Uganda – and I associate in the same terms. The financial sector – de-risking operational paralysis; the capital requirements and the funding gap; and the policy framework inconsistency and voluntary shocks have all been canvassed The second last is the amendments proposed by the committee. Good as they sound, they are equally excessive and disregard the precedents of the House. They also disregard the procedure that ought to have been adopted, as elaborated by my colleagues earlier. Finally, Madam Speaker, for my reasons – this is where I am going to refer to the letter written by my brother, the President. Here, nobody will ask me whether he wrote it or not because, having said he is my brother, I think I know him better than anyone. (Laughter) The Bill was rejected by the President and majority of the stakeholders that the committee engaged with. Madam Speaker, the statistics have been given of all the persons that appeared – I think only three stakeholders supported it: Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi; Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Attorney- General – I treat him as a stakeholder because he was not the mover; and the gentleman from Fort Portal, Mr Asiimwe that has been referred to. The President himself did state that this is not the Bill that he initiated in Cabinet. It does not stop there. Even Gen. Severino Kahinda Otafiire, who was stated to be the mover of the Bill, evaded the committee’s proceedings, yet he is the one who must have received the president’s instructions, only to be misconstrued – with immense respect – by my son, Gen. David Muhoozi, who appeared. (Laughter)

18937 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 24 APRIL 2026 The hospital-approved staff are 1,273; field, 380. The hospital is operating at 29.8 per cent, and they are urging you to clap. Fort Portal, the regional referral hospital, 1,157. That is the approved staff. The ones recruited so far are 295. They are operating at 26 per cent. They say “do not touch the budget” as if this budget is for one person. I do not have to read the entire list. Just look for your area before you clap and approve. Now I will go to page 37 - I am about to finish. There are delayed health infrastructure projects. These ones are spread in your constituencies because there is no money to complete them, and they are asking you to clap. The table on 38 is showing you these projects. There is no money to complete them. They are white elephants. And Hon. Isiagi and his vice chairperson are saying, “clap”. You can clap - this is Page 38, let us look at the outstanding arrears on Page 39. I do not have to go through them because all this information came from the Committee on Health - you asked us to go and consolidate. However, they did not consolidate because they did not want to touch even a comma. I said “we are in trouble” because the man said do not touch our budget. So, I have helped you to consolidate. It is entirely up to you to pass or not. This is a status and analysis of arrears because all these hospitals are in debt. They cannot pay electricity, pension, salary or water bills, and this information was brought to the committee for consolidation. Maybe, the Hon. Isiagi and his deputy - you should ask them after, to point to a particular page where they consolidated anything. The recommendations are there. Human resources in public health facilities This one has been repeated; forgive me. The delayed health infrastructure on page 43 I do not have to repeat them because they have already captured them. I now want to go - so these ones are repeated. Page 46, I have already referred to it. You can go to Page 48. I have just about two pages to finish. Extractives industry development The Hon. Musasizi was here. He said this is mineral development. In the Budget Framework Paper, Hon. Musasizi proposed a budget of Shs 1.6 trillion for extractive industrial development. Then, when he left, he removed it. What has been brought today for you to pass is Shs 435 billion. Not even what he brought in the Budget Framework Paper. And he says, “The NRM manifesto, as guided by the President, please clap”. Colleagues, you can clap. I am concluding now - Page 48. The UBOS, in their latest report on what they call multi-dimensional poverty, measures not only income but also people’s capacity to pay for hospital care if they fall sick, the number of years they are in school, and access to toilet facilities. This is how they have summarised Uganda - and that is my summary. In Karamoja, people who are suffering from multi-dimensional poverty are 91 per cent. The vice chair comes from there, he says, “clap.” In West Nile, people who are suffering from multi-dimensional poverty, who cannot go to school, have no access to toilet facilities, are 73 per cent. I am waiting to see if anyone from West Nile will clap. This is information from UBOS on multi-dimensional poverty because that is where we are after five years. So, the rest you can read about yourselves - Sebei, multi- dimensional poverty is at 67 per cent – these are people. Busoga is at 59.9 per cent as usual – 59.9 per cent of Basoga are suffering from multi- dimensional poverty. No access to improved toilet facilities or energy for cooking - there are 11 parameters that they measure, not just income. So, as you pass the budget - finally, I want to draw your attention to one table, the last table, which is Annex 1.

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.

Madam Speaker, in respect to the regional mechanical workshops, we had an extensive discussion on the subject matter with the ministry for works that currently, the regional mechanical workshops do not offer efficient services to the rest of the region. For example, you find that in the Karamoja Subregion, we would expect to travel all the way to Gulu mechanical workshop. In West Nile, we will have to travel all the way to Gulu. Then, Hoima, Fort Portal, we will have to travel all the way to Mbarara. Therefore, we recommended the creation of subregional mechanical workshops born out of the stations that were formerly manned by UNRA.

Yesterday, I passed on the road from Nakaseke to Ngoma. I do not know which construction company was awarded the contract to work on it, but the works are not moving. Even the works on Kampala-Fort Portal Road are not moving. On Hoima Road, nothing is moving. What could be happening? No, the releases were done.

To Fort Portal.

Yes, to Fort Portal. I need to get a proper status report and make a report to Parliament.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity and the committee for a good report. The committee recommended that the Government find Shs 60 billion for the headquarters of the Electoral Commission. We are in a democracy that is not about to go away, and therefore, we need the Electoral Commission to be stable. The whole country has only one regional headquarters, which is in West Nile, and they have been looking for money to spend on rent in offices in every district. It will be important that we prioritise giving the Electoral Commission this Shs 60 billion, so that they construct befitting headquarters, but eventually, I appeal to this House to continue to give the Electoral Commission money so that they can construct regional offices. You have been consuming those services. You go there as an honourable Member of Parliament, but you are going to a squeezed place where many other people are coming. I appeal to this House to continue supporting the Commission so that it can have a befitting facility first of all, at the national level, but eventually at the regional level. We will be glad to see a regional office in Lira, Karamoja, Mbale, Tororo, Soroti, Masaka, Fort Portal, Hoima and so on because the democracy we have is not about to go away. As you all know, the NRM has come to stay, and many other political parties are going to be there. Therefore, we need a stable and befitting facility. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, there are two main issues. First, the majority of people being forced off the streets are those with stalls in our markets. The Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) built very large markets in Mbarara, Arua, and Fort Portal, among others, but people decided to move out and start selling

There is no proper disposal and sanitation; people do everything they want. The nice Fort Portal, which would get trophies every year, cannot get them anymore and so, let us agree, ladies and gentlemen, that we need to sensitise our people and get the sanity Uganda deserves. We spent a lot of money building these markets and there is proof. If you go, you will find empty spaces. I visited Tororo and Arua. Visit your own markets and find out. People have left the markets and are selling on the streets. However, they should have been given enough warning, loud and clear. Even the method used by the staff that is demolishing is quite embarrassing. They are forceful, arrogant, spoiled, and prone to throwing things. That is a methodology but the fact is that the laws must be adhered to. Thank you.

18349 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026 iv. Vote 116 – National Medical Stores; v. Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute; vi. Vote 134 – Health Service Commission; vii. Vote 151 – Uganda Blood Transfusion Services; viii. Vote 401 – Mulago Hospital Complex; ix. Vote 402 – Butabika Hospital; x. Vote 403 – Arua Regional Referral Hospital; xi. Vote 404 – Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital; xii. Vote 405 – Gulu Regional Referral Hospital; xiii. Vote 406 – Hoima Regional Referral Hospital; xiv. Vote 407 – Jinja Regional Referral Hospital; xv. Vote 408 – Kabale Regional Referral Hospital; xvi. Vote 409 – Masaka Regional Referral Hospital; xvii. Vote 410 – Mbale Regional Referral Hospital; xviii. Vote 411 – Soroti Regional Referral Hospital; xix. Vote 412 – Lira Regional Referral Hospital; xx. Vote 413 – Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital; xxi. Vote 414 – Mubende Regional Referral Hospital; xxii. Vote 415 – Moroto Regional Referral Hospital; xxiii. Vote 416 – China-Uganda Friendship Referral Hospital, Naguru; xxiv. Vote 417 – Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital; xxv. Vote 418 – Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital; xxvi. Vote 419 – Entebbe regional far hospital; xxvii. Vote 420 – Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; xxviii. Vote 421 – Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital; and xxix. Vote 422 – Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. I beg to lay.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I also take the opportunity to congratulate honourable colleagues who went through and thank those who participated. I think the Minister of Internal Affairs has commented on many of the issues related to arrests. Just to recap what I told the country, as the Minister of Information and National Guidance, no charges are being preferred against Hon. Kyagulanyi. The State is not looking for him; he is a free man. That is the point I made. He chose, on his own volition, to go into hiding. The State is not interested in him. Otherwise, the State would pick him from wherever he is because you know we have technology to trace people. We are not interested in him; that is why I said that he is free to be at his home. Yes, at the moment, he is not at home, but Mr Kyagulanyi and other members of his family are free at any time to go there. There is light deployment at his home, not to harass anybody, but for Ugandans not to use the home as a public disorder hub, for purposes of security. There are security interests. Therefore, there is some access control because again, when the head of the home is not there, you would not want the whole crowd of Ugandans to swarm there. There is some control, but it is harmless. Leader of the Opposition, your leader is not wanted by the State and we advise him to be at home, provided he does not engage in law- breaking; there is no problem with that. Secondly, it is not true that I have ever been abducted by this Government. In 2012, we had an issue in this House where a colleague died in circumstances that were not clear. I was tasked by the House, as a Commissioner of Parliament, to be part of the team to find out what had happened. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding between the Government and us in Parliament, and I was arrested on my way to Fort Portal and detained at Jinja Road Police Station, produced in Buganda Road Court, and given bail. For nine months, we battled with, defeated, and forgave the Government - (Laughter) - yes. Actually, Gen. Kale Kayihura apologised to me officially because I also told the President that I am a qualified medical doctor and I knew what I was doing in that investigation. I remember we had an argument before, and I told him, “I will defeat you in court because I am a senior doctor, highly qualified by the way, and there is no law I have broken”. Indeed, the court agreed with me. On the insinuation that I was abducted, I know Hon. Ssemujju and the Opposition usually want to use it all the time, but that one is long past. So, I wanted to clarify. I was working as a Commissioner – (Interruption)

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.

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.

Honourable Members, I would like to welcome you to this afternoon’s sitting and to inform you that the Tooro Kingdom will be commemorating their 30 th Coronation Anniversary of His Majesty, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV through various activities scheduled between the 10 th and 13 th of September 2025 in Fort Portal City. As a House, we want to recognise the immense contribution of the kingdom in promoting education, health, tourism, sports and ensuring preservation of the Tooro Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage. On behalf of the Parliament of Uganda and on my own behalf, we would like to congratulate the Kingdom of Tooro and wish the king an enduring and historic reign. We also want to congratulate the minister of tourism who happens to come from the same region for successfully starting the naming ceremony of the rhinos today.

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

I have no powers. I was going to say, who gives you the power to do this kind of thing? Going by estimates of the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Shs 13.3 billion cost of rehabilitating a two-point road in Arua District would have constructed 4.32 kilometres at a cost of Shs 3.1 billion, while the Shs 21.4 billion cost of constructing 2.86 kilometres Fort Portal Road would have constructed 6.9 kilometres at the above cost. The committee, therefore, notes that these variations in cost overruns resulted in inflated road project costs and loss of public funds. High consultancy and professional fees amounting to Shs 770.98 billion was paid during the financial year. The committee observed that at the time of designing the project proposal documents, they factored in high costs of consultancy and professional fees. The committee further observed that in the audits consolidated estimates of financial performance, the Government paid a total of Shs 770.98 billion as consultancy and professional fees across Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). For example, under the Resource Enhancement and Accountability Programme (REAP) implemented by the finance ministry, the project had a total budget of Shs 72.8 billion during the financial year, out of which Shs 62 billion was funded by the Government while Shs 12 billion was by development partners. Out of the Shs 12.0 billion budgeted by development partners, Shs 7.62 billion was spent on consultancy fees alone, leaving a mere balance of Shs 4.4 billion only for implementing other project components. Comparatively, out of the Shs 60 billion received from the Government of Uganda, that is Shs 20 billion, was spent on staff salaries and related costs, leaving a balance of Shs 39.3 billion to the project itself. The committee observed that this is an obnoxious amount to be spent just on salaries. Madam Speaker, that is what the committee notes. The committee recommendations are there for all to read. Madam Speaker, that sums up the presentation of projects, units, and one of our recommendations is that projects be rationalised under RAPEX to go into the main ministries, other than the so-called consultants. What hurts is that irrespective of the huge fees, no single project in Uganda is on schedule. Then, we also noted something small which I will not read. You find one project officer controlling trillions of shillings in three different projects; multitasking and some of these officers are in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. We found one under the private sector coordinating three huge projects; one gentleman, and these things hurt the country. Madam Speaker, for the second part of the audit on ministries –

17908 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General reviewed 71 human rights awards, court awards, ex-gratia and compensation ordered by courts and reported that awards worth Shs 1.98 billion remained unpaid for the period ranging from two years to over 10 years. We have these pending and the committee recommends that the accounting officer should budget for the awards, and the Government should provide the requisite funds. The accounting officer, together with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, should establish the details of the beneficiaries for quick settlement to avoid the accumulation of interest. Madam Speaker, whenever we delay payment of these arrears, interest is paid on these arrears. So far, the Government is going to pay Shs 159 billion as interest on these arrears that have not been paid on time. Madam Speaker, the other report is the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) on national regional referral hospitals and other specialised hospitals. Honourable colleagues, I am going to summarise. We are looking at the details of the following hospitals in summary. We are looking at the following: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Fort Portal, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kabale, Lira, Gulu, Moroto, Hoima, Arua, Butabika, Mulago, Kawempe, Kiruddu, Soroti, and the Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital. Implementation and budget performance Madam Speaker, for all the regional referral hospitals we observed - I will begin with the implementation of the approved budget. Regional referral hospitals are expected to collect Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) to support the Government budget. Honourable colleagues, the total NTR was supposed to be Shs 20.406 billion, and there was an over performance of Shs 21.924 billion. However, this should be noted. From the table, the Government projected to collect the above, but Shs 21.924 billion was collected, meaning there was an over-performance. Honourable colleagues, as a committee, we noted that all accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted Non-Taxable Revenue (NTR) targets, or failed to realise their NTR contravened instructions 4.102 of the Treasury operations. The committee noted that less/non-transfer of NTR to the treasury deprives the Government of revenue and also noted that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide revenue targets to some of these entities. That is why there was an over-performance and also an underestimation of NTR by these entities. Therefore: (i) The accounting officer should ensure that NTR targets are set based on strong assumptions and benchmarks to enable realistic NTR. (ii) The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that a billed NTR is fully collected. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests of NTR revisions by entities. (iv) The accounting officers should incorporate all NTR sources during the budgeting process. Performance of the Government of Uganda warrants Madam Speaker, a total of Shs 475.44 billion was budgeted to be released to these referral hospitals and national specialised regional hospitals. However, a total of Shs 470.65 billion was released. From the above table, the Government

17729 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 2025 a standard fee of Shs 150,000 was set across all tests, while in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Shs 180,000 was charged for non- contrast procedures and Shs 250,000 for contrast procedures. The committee established that in some cases, hospitals gave waivers to selected patients after thorough scrutiny and under exceptional circumstances. The committee was also informed that the charges for CT scan services were a result of the guidelines on the users’ fees provided by the Ministry of Health, after taking into consideration the input and maintenance costs of the equipment. See Annex 7. The committee further found out that in some regional referral hospitals, the infrastructure housing newly installed CT scan machines was not available and lacked trained medical personnel to operate the machines. This compromised the functionality of the equipment and the safety of the patients as well as the personnel operating the equipment. One such case was in Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. The equipment was installed in an improvised room, lacked specialised medical personnel to operate it, and had already broken down by the time we visited. The committee observed that: i) In some regional referral hospitals, the infrastructure housing the newly installed CT scan machines was not appropriate. This exposed the equipment to a gross risk of damage. ii) There were variations in the fees charged to access CT scan services, as already mentioned. iii) The user fees charged to access the CT scan services were a hindrance to the uptake of the CT scan services, especially among low-income patients. iv) There was a general lack of qualified staff to operate the newly installed CT scan machines. The committee therefore recommends that: i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prioritise the release of funds, Shs 8.7 billion as budgeted for in the Financial Year 2024/2025, for the construction and remodelling of the appropriate infrastructure to house the CT scan machines in all the regional referral hospitals. ii) The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funds to all regional referral hospitals in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the routine maintenance of the CT scanner equipment, to ensure their sustained functionality. We looked at the installation of the ICU bed equipment While the Ministry of Health reported that the Government procured and delivered 143 ICU bed units in 14 regional referral hospitals, five selected national referral hospitals, and Bombo Military General Hospital (Annex 7), the committee established that most of the ICU bed units delivered in regional referral hospitals were still boxed and kept in stores, due to lack of standard ICU infrastructure at the respective regional referral hospitals. That means they are not deployed for use. In other cases, the regional referral hospital administration had put some of the ICU equipment to other use. For instance, in Mbale and Masaka Regional Referral Hospitals, the ICU bed equipment that the Ministry of Health delivered was still kept in the stores, because works on the surgical complexes meant to house the new 10-bed capacity ICU had stalled due to a lack of funds. Similarly, in Buhinga and the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospitals, some ICU Bed equipment was still in the stores because they lacked adequate space to accommodate them. The Government had not provided for any future infrastructural development to cater for standard ICUs. Jinja Regional Referral Hospital The committee established that a new 20- bed Intensive Care Unit was still under

17742 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Madam Speaker, on 10 January 2023, I rose on this floor of Parliament, on the issue of health in Ntoroko District. The minister visited, but the challenge is that there was a proposal here on the floor of Parliament read by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on what we intended to do in Ntoroko; construction of a general ward at Rwebisengo and Karugutu, and a maternity ward both at Karugutu and Rwebisengo, and the Kibuku Town Council. A whole town council has no health facility, not even a health centre II in Karugutu Sub-county. You had proposed upgrading the Musandama Health Centre II to a health centre III. The challenge is that the minister lacks financial support from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Madam Speaker, recently I went to your committee—an unfunded priority, you cannot believe. I thought that the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should be here and tell us why they are not giving money to the Minister of Health so that he can do all this work. All this work needs money. Lastly, we have Buhinga Regional Referral Hospital in Fort Portal. It has no oxygen plant, the CT scan is down, and all of us in Rwenzori and Toro run to it. Madam Speaker, this is alarming, and something should be done for this referral hospital. Those promises you made to the people of Ntoroko on health should be fulfilled.

17694 MINISTERIAL S T ATEMENT Speaker, he said that they have only provided funds for light grading. This road is at the foot of Mount Rwenzori, where there are loam soils, very soft loam soils. In our region, in the coming three months, we are going to experience very heavy rainfall, meaning that people are not going to be able to transport their merchandise to the markets, go to the hospital, and the children will not be able to go to school. We have Kagote-Saka Road and Fort Portal- Kijura Road, which are all impassable, Madam Speaker. We need to get funds so that they can be worked on.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. It is of great interest to note that the NDP IV has a master plan that caters for the transport network in the country. If we can align it and follow with the budget, that would put Uganda to a high standard. Madam Speaker, I am one of those who monitor the road network, and I have been engaging the Minister of Works and Transport, especially on the Fort Portal-Kampala Road. He has been giving me updates, only that I got disappointed during the voting period because I had told voters that the internal system in the ministry was going to cater for Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo, which did not materialise, and so I suffered some injuries.

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.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala, for the promise of Kyegegwa-Kyenjojo Road. Indeed, it has been a death spot and many tourists have been scared to go that side. The business community has been complaining about the same manner. We also have other roads, for example Kyegegwa-Hapuyo-Kakumiro road. That road is in a sorry state and as we speak, there are over 15 trucks parked on the Kyegegwa- Hapuyo road. It was the Fort Portal Station of UNRA and it is no longer in action. We called the engineers but they were not responding. They said that they do not have finances. Others said, “We are no longer there.” We would like to know, through the minister, how far it will go because the situation is alarming.

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

Madam Speaker, our scope covered 10 areas, which I am going to go through in summary form. We looked at the legal and regulatory framework of these cities. On 28 April 2020, the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi, tabled a Motion seeking Parliament’s approval of the proposal to create new cities, which Parliament approved on 28 April 2020. The new cities were to be operationalised in clusters beginning 1 July 2020 to July 2023 with Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Fort Portal and Masaka, taking effect with the new Financial Year 2020/2021. Madam Speaker, I beg to go to the observations and recommendations. 1. The Legal and the Regulatory Framework The committee observed that despite the fact that the Attorney-General provided his opinion, the minister failed to present regulations to address contradictions between cities and districts. The regulations are intended to streamline the operation of the Local Government Act Section 175(1). Section 175(1) requires the minister to make regulations for effecting the provision of the Act. 2. Whereas the creation of the new cities does not violate any provision of the Constitution of Uganda, their management and administration need to be harmonised. The committee recommends that the Government should introduce an appropriate Bill to govern cities in their uniqueness in operation, structure, and service delivery. Alternatively, the Government should amend the Local Government Act to incorporate administrative and governance legal frameworks for cities. The Ministry of Local Government should come up with regulations on the governance of cities and table them before Parliament within three months from the time this report is adopted. The physical development plans of these cities Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government classifies gazetted cities, municipalities, and town councils as urban areas. The Local Government Act Cap. 243 empowers the ministry to declare an area urban if it satisfies the following criteria; a. Has a minimum of 25,000 people for a town council, 100,000 people for municipality, and 500,000 people for a city. b. Has a master plan for land use. c. Has available water sources and can meet the cost of providing services. d. Preparation of urban physical plans. Madam Speaker, again, allow me to go to the observations. The committee observed that whereas the cities have approved physical plans, developments are not guided by those plans. The ministry has not yet provided funding for new cities to develop physical development plans. For those that have plans, funding was provided by development partners. The majority of the residents in these new cities live in unplanned areas and, as a result, experience development problems that put more strain on the already existing infrastructure. According to the Building Control Act Section 28(3), the chairperson for the planning and development committee of the district council shall be the chairperson of the district building committee. Subsection (5) provides that the chairperson of the urban planning and development committee of the urban council

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the chairperson of the committee who came in after I was the vice chairperson. I also had the time to visit these cities when I was the vice chairperson, carrying out the same job. However, your report is stronger than mine. Thank you very much, Hon. Abed Bwanika. The issue of land in the new cities, honourable minister, through the Speaker, must be given a lot of attention. In Fort Portal, the old district was in control of the land against the new city, and they were fighting each other. So, who takes control of land? What is the process of taking over assets between the old district and the new city? Properties in Mbarara - they were complaining. The mother district was in control of the offices within the city, while the administrators of the new city did not have where to sit. Could those assets be taken over by the new city because they are within its jurisdiction now? And what happens to the new districts? Honourable minister, concerning the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID), you are making very good roads in these new cities, even in Masaka, we have them, but what kind of contract did you sign with USMID? This is because after the construction of these roads, there must be equipment to do the routine maintenance. As we talk, Madam Speaker, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation is digging out some areas. After digging out parts of those new roads, nobody repairs them; there is no equipment in place to work on those roads after they are handed over to the Government. Places taken over from different annexed areas - in Kalungu, where I come from - Masaka was in a battle, when it came to taking over some parishes from Kalungu District - Kibisi and Kasanje. But from the time they were taken over by the city, they have not changed. There is still dust. You have put some night lights there, but they are all filled with dust. People need to see the difference, but what is happening is that you are putting strict laws in these new areas, stopping people from building the type of houses they are used to before they became part of the cities. Could we see that change take place, honourable minister? Lastly, on governance structures, we need these leaders in those other cities to resemble those in Kampala City. When you talk about the Lord Mayor of Kampala, you notice that he has an official vehicle with the number plates reading “Lord Mayor.” Then in Masaka, Mbale and other areas, the mayors are still looking like the LC V chairman of where I came from, with an old double cabin. As I enter Masaka or Mbale City and any other city, I want to feel that pinch, interest, love, beauty of Kampala and my mayor should also be in that kind of status –

No, they are ten cities. They are: Arua, Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Hoima and Lira. Those are operational, out of the 15. Now, five cities are the ones which are not operational.

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-

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would have loved my honourable colleague here - because the Nubian community is not only concentrated in Bombo. There is a Nubian community in Soroti City in Kijijanji, in Fort Portal in a place called Kitumba, and in Arua. I think this petition should cover the whole country where the Nubian community is based. I support the petition. Thank you.

Votc eoAf,iltoa rmil|Uq*omT t46 Rrblic Service Counission (PSCI 2,541,500 t47 Local Crovemmcnt Finance Corraission(LGFCl 1,500,000 148 Judicial Service Corrmission(JSCI 2,496,31O 150 Nationd Envinonment Manasemcnt Authoritv NEMAI 8,130,148 151 Uganda Blood Ttansfirsion Service (LrBTSl 4,L26,676 153 Rrblic Procurement & Disposal of Assets IPPDA) 1.295.400 154 Uganda National Bureau of Standards fi.INBSl 35,550,000 156 Ustnda I:nd Cornrnission rurc| 26,920,OOO 157 NAgeqd Forestnr AuthoritvNFAl 2t.287.691 158 I4tE41tel Security Organization (ISO) 10,241,000 159 External Security Organization (ESOI 702.O72 163 qp4dajgtir€Eents Benefits Rcgulatory Authoritv 720,OOO L64 Natiorml Council for Highcr Eclucation 100.000 166 National Council of Sports 45t.226903 167 Science, Technologtr and Innovation 40.998.100 168 Usanda Freezones a4d Drport Pnomotion Authority 2.357.698 169 Uganda Vocational end Technical Assess"rent Board r0.330.876 301 Makerere U4iircrsity 33.9L9.237 302 Mbarara UnfuersiB 34.740.706 303 Makerere UniversiBBusiness Sctrool 1.881.595 304 Kyanbogo Unftrcrsity 3.989.831 305 Busitema Unfuersjty LL.404.826 306 Muni Unftrcrsity 3,768.286 307 IGbale UniversitV 2.056.269 308 Soroti Unftrcrsitll 10.987.980 309 Gulu Unftmsity 2L.836.718 310 Lira Unfuersity 4.412.239 311 law Derrclopment Centne. 4.357.193 3L2 Uganda Mana8ement Instihrte 313 Mountains of the It@oqUnfurcrsity 5.151.599 401 Mulago National Rsferral Hospital 23.3t5.487 402 ffi Butabika R.fcErl 403 Arua 4,790,096 404 Fort Portal Hospitel A ) 114,518 405 ) Gnlu Hospitat -^ /-K ',lJ w_ 108,000 52 lPa \s & ^*dE'. It

I see Hon. Musasizi walking to interrupt you, yet my question also goes straight to him. I come from the Rwenzori region. Everything we do in this country regarding roads is always planned and budgeted for. The road that connects Kampala to the greater Fort Portal City is the worst in the country, East Africa, Africa, and the world. It is the only road that connects to the only tourism city we have in this country. This road has been talked about several times. I want to ask the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Minister of Works and Transport what they are doing for this road. As we speak, the contractor has abandoned the road. That is the road that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance use, but recently, they have shifted to using the Hoima road, meaning that they have abandoned us to suffer. Mr Speaker –

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.

17174 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 National Council for Sports The committee recommends that the ministry for finance allocates an additional Shs 8 billion for national teams’ preparation for major critical international championships and tournaments On refurbishment of various national stadiums The committee recommends that the ministry for finance allocates an additional Shs 30 billion for the refurbishment of various national stadiums. The committee further recommends that Shs 300 billion be availed for the construction of Buhinga Stadium in Fort Portal City. The National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) The committee recommends that the ministry for finance provides an additional Shs 3.0 billion to the National Council of Sports as subvention to the National Anti-Doping Organisation. On the Rewards and Recognition Scheme for Athletes, Design and Redevelopment of Uganda Golf Course The committee recommends that ministry for finance avails the National Council of Sports with an additional Shs 10 billion to fund the Rewards and Recognition Scheme for the talented athletes and redesign the Uganda Golf Course in Kitante to international standards. Uganda Vocation and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) About inadequate funding for the development of review of Technical Vocational Education and Training Operations and Management (TVET) curriculum, the committee recommends that the ministry for finance allocates an additional Shs 25.03 billion to UVTAB to fast-track the development and review of TVET curricula to align it with the new TVET Act of 2025. Support to regional coordinating offices The committee recommends that the ministry of finance allocates UVTAB an additional Shs 1.5 billion for purchase of five double cabins and 100 desktop computers. On sensitisation of stakeholders The committee recommends that the ministry of finance allocates UVTAB Shs 1.2 billion to construct, sensitise, and train stakeholders on the new reforms of TVET. Gross cutting issues on public universities, Mr Speaker, is on page 29 on my summary of all the public universities. The committee recommends that the Government commits to addressing the persistent issue of underfunding in public universities to at least operate at an average of 50 per cent staffing level. On Government-sponsored students in public universities The committee recommends that the ministry for finance allocates enough funds commensurate to the number of Government- sponsored students to avoid incidents where the university has to use its operational funds. On the infrastructure development of public universities The committee recommends that the ministry for finance continues to support public universities in the mid-term with capital development in order to rehabilitate the infrastructure in a phased manner. On research funds of public universities The committee recommends that the ministry of finance avails a research grant of Shs 2 billion to each of the public universities to support their research and innovation function, given that research is a priority in the budget.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would also like to thank the chairperson for the good report. Mr Speaker, my issue is the lack of transport for the police officers. The greater Kabarole, before Fort Portal became a city, had one police station. With the creation of the city, three more police stations were created, but they are currently sharing only one vehicle. Therefore, the other three police stations do not have transport. My prayer is that they should budget for transport for these police stations so that they are able to provide effective services to the people. Lastly, these divisions, where they are, were given land, but they do not have a budget for development. I also request that in this budget, they should provide funds so that they can construct buildings for these police stations. Thank you.

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

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, Mr Speaker. When you are going to Fort Portal, the only beautiful scenery are the tea plantations. When you look at our region, you notice that all the development we have has been because of the tea that we have. It is disappointing to see that now our farmers in the Rwenzori Region are planning to uproot these plantations to replace them with other crops that may not give them some good money. A question comes to my mind, Mr Speaker: what do the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries staff do when they sit in their meetings? What do they plan? It is high time the Parliament comes out seriously because we do not have many cash crops in Uganda; they are very few. At times, we ask ourselves: when we come here to deliberate and give instructions, what do they plan when they sit in their technical planning meetings and what resolutions do they make? This is a failure to carry out sensitisation on this one small issue of tea or coffee, so that our farmers can produce better quality. As Parliament, we need to task the ministry of agriculture to lay strategies so that wecan have our tea sector revived. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Seconded by the Attorney- General, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Musasizi, Hon. Obua, Hon. Public Service, Hon. Leader of Government Business, Hon. Lawrence Songa, Hon. Goli, Hon. Derrick, Hon. Gafabusa, Hon. David, Hon. Patience, Hon. Werikhe, Hon. Wandwasi, Hon. Okwir, Hon. Annet Mugisha, Hon. Anthony, Hon. Committee of Defence – Hon. Musasizi was there of course. Hon. Aruu, Dr Acuti, Hon. Emmanuel, Hon. Connie, Hon. Namutebi, Dr Apea, Hon. Tusiime, Butaleja, Hon. David, Hon. Shartsi, Hon. Finance, Hon. Okot, Hon. Amos, the “Karachuna” Hon. Lokwang, Hon. Afidra, Hon. Avur, Hon. Awich Jane and then the honourable member from Fort Portal, Hon. Jessica, Doctor and my lecturer, Hon. Kyooma. Hon. Daisy, Hon. Kunihira Agnes and Hon. Atima. Would you like to speak to your motion? Justification?

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.

Madam Chairperson, I think we are going to create a problem here. I remember when we had just come to the 9 th Parliament - and my closest friend I know here is Hon. Musasizi and another friend of mine from Fort Portal. When we came here when the press was not allowed to attend plenary – you remember that? And when we amended the rules, we said, “This is so backward” because world over, the press is given room to cover plenary. However, the moment you put this, it is going to be discretionary to the powers who may be, which will block and stop the press. So, I think let us maintain because already –

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.

But you do not have time. You can only give what you have; your time was already up. – No, honourable member, the clarification I was making was simple. These clubs do not even make money. In fact, golf clubs all over the world do not make money, but they protect the area through green spaces. Go to Fort Portal, Arua, they are the only ones – Mbarara, Kampala or Entebbe. I played golf with the Speaker of Singapore, and he said, “I really cannot believe it; I am next to a zoo, and I am in a very green area”. The oldest club in East Africa – Tororo. But in the end, if you do not support their maintenance, they will be stolen like the one of Gulu. They did not see any value; so they shared it. They built houses even in Lira. You are going to lose them. Now, they are being protected using the little money that comes from members. If you tax it, then you are taxing the land, and it will be gone. That is it. These clubs will be nowhere. In fact, you do not budget for them. They are just held in trust and protected by the public. Hon.

We can go to Page 20 of the report, which is on the general observations on the status of abattoirs. We start with functionality and suitability of the infrastructure. I am not going to read everything; I will just summarise. The committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/slaughterhouses in the country. It was noted that most of the local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements, which compromises hygiene and sanitary conditions. All the facilities visited had variations – some were old, some new, some moderate, and some small. Only 12 (63 per cent) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures - Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City Abattoir and Kalerwe. With the exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in poor condition manifested by the poor wall conditions, poor roofs and floors, and lacking tiles and terrazzo.

15675 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2025 Generally, the features of the facilities visited fall short of the characterisation of a modern abattoir. With the exception of the new facility under construction, that is, Kyentale Ward in Hoima City, nearly all the facilities visited had poor equipment and infrastructure establishment, which is typical of local and traditional slaughterhouses, with old-fashioned means of operation. A modern abattoir should have at least automated systems such as cold rooms for storage, pulleys for hoisting carcasses, reliable water and electricity as opposed to manual operations, which cause delays and compromise the meat quality. Abattoirs can be a source of zoonotic diseases, that is, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, and may expose workers to harmful pathogens. We go to the recommendations. i. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) should develop standard designs for the slaughter facilities at different levels, that will also cater for various categories of livestock. ii. The Government should construct more slaughterhouses and equip them with the necessary facilities. Throughout the oversight visits, the majority of the facilities were privately-owned, while the few government facilities were under the public-private partnership. iii. The Government should also undertake renovations and expansion of the dilapidated slaughterhouses to ensure that they comply with the required standards. iv. Also, the Government should equip the slaughterhouses with modern equipment for meat handling and processing. This includes equipment for cold storage, hoisting, laboratory, and transportation. v. The Government should provide incentives to abattoir owners to upgrade their infrastructure. vi. The district, municipal, and city authorities should ensure that the tenders for the slaughterhouses provide for the tenderer to operate and maintain the facility. vii. The Government should establish a public health and veterinary laboratory in line with the “One Health Approach” in the slaughterhouses to support slaughterhouses in examining the carcasses, organs, testing of drug residues, meat handlers, and other necessary tests. viii. The Ministry of Local Government’s approvals of new administrative units, for example, town councils, municipalities, cities and districts, should be premised on the availability of designated locations for abattoirs and environmentally-sensitive enterprises. Let us now go to functionality. We looked at utilities and one of them was water. Most of our cities do not have running tap water. Some are not connected to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. Some facilities such as Mbarara City and Soroti City abattoirs had water harvesting tanks. The Fort Portal facility had reserve water tanks, while others such as Jinja had extra water facilities such as boreholes. The rest such as Masaka Pig Slaughter Space, and Hoima City Abattoir, depend on water ferried using jerrycans. Some of those with connections reported intermittent connection breakdowns, for instance, in Masaka City Abattoir, where the staff reported using jerrycans when the National Water and Sewerage Corporation water is off. Other facilities such as Jinja City Abattoir, had been disconnected by National Water and Sewerage Corporation due to accumulated arrears. For electricity, the committee noted that out of all facilities visited, about 21 per cent were connected to the national power grid. These include Masaka City Abattoir, Mbarara City Modern Abattoir, Kibimba City Council Abattoir, Kalerwe City Abattoir and Jinja.

15677 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2025 Slaughterhouses can, therefore, impact public health and environmental health. During the oversight, the committee observed that some facilities had lagoons into which they disposed of the wastewater. That is Lira, Masaka, Mbarara, and Masaka pig slaughter facilities, Fort Portal, Iganga and Mukono. Others such as the City Abattoir and Kalerwe did not have a natural lagoon, hence disposing their liquid waste into Nakivubo Channel and Kalerwe swamps, respectively. The cases of Kalerwe, Masindi, Masaka and Hoima were worse because the drainage had stagnated. The drainage areas were visibly very dirty and stained with black material. The Masindi Municipal abattoir drainage was blocked; therefore, all liquid waste had stagnated. The stagnated waste and water emits a bad smell and is also a breeding area for maggots, which were evident, and a constant presence of houseflies. Recommendations (i) The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) should come up with dedicated standards for waste management for the different levels of slaughterhouses. (ii) All the facilities should have functional incinerators for the destruction of both animals and carcasses unfit for human consumption. (iii) The operators of the slaughterhouses should invest in value addition so that they add value to some of the by-products like animal hides, skins, and milk. This will facilitate sustainable utilisation of slaughterhouse waste and the challenge of solid and effluent waste management will be managed. This can take the form of processing solid waste such as cow dung into farm manure and others such as inedible carcasses for fish ponds, while the blood can commercially be processed into chicken feeds. (iv) District, city, and municipal authorities should provide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to guide the personnel on the dos and don’ts of waste disposal and handling of liquid and solid waste from abattoirs. (v) NEMA should constantly conduct environmental impact assessments before construction and develop sustainable practices that minimise habitat disruption. Environmental concerns The committee notes that Section 9 of the National Environment Act (NEA), Cap 181 stipulates NEMA as the principal agency in Uganda for regulating, monitoring, supervising, and coordinating all activities relating to the environment. Specifically, the establishment of abattoirs is regulated by the Authority under Section 113, Schedule 5(7)(f) of the NEA, which provides for activities and slaughterhouses to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact assessment (ESIA) before the commencement of their activities. Therefore, NEMA has a key role to play in ensuring that abattoirs operate in a healthy environment and that they do not negatively impact the environment. The committee was informed that as of September 2024, only 21 abattoirs in different locations had conducted and submitted to the Authority, ESIAs for consideration of decision. The ESIAs identify potential significant environmental and social impacts of abattoirs/ slaughterhouses and how these impacts can be mitigated to prevent or minimise harm to the environment. Recommendations i) NEMA and local authorities such as District, City, and Municipal Health and Environmental Offices should conduct constant monitoring and supervision to ensure that all guidelines concerning

'Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 2 TERMS OF REFERENCE: 3 METHODOLOGY 4 STANDARDS OF AN ABAT'TOIR/SLAUGHTER HOUSES..,.,. 5 GENERAL CATEGORIZATION OF ABATTOIRS/SLAUGHTER HOUSES IS AS FOLLOWS: 4 5 5 6 5.1 Categorization of Abattoirs/Slaughter houses according to size: .... g 5.2 Standard requirements of an abattoir/slaughter house Error! 6.1 Ceutral and Western Uganda Error! Bookmark not defined. 8 6.3 Masaka Pork Slaughter Housc: The pork Master Ricks 10 6.4 Mbarara City 1l 6.5 Mbarara City Modern Abatto 11 6.6 Kakoba Slaughter House.......,... .... ........1I 6.7 Fort Portal Ci 12 6.8 Kibimba City Council Abattoir ..............12 6.9 Kitumba Slaughter House........... 6,1O Hoima city.............. 6. 11 Masindi District 6.14 IgangaMunicipality l5 6.15 Mbale City ......................16 6.16 Soroti City Council ........tT 6.17 Lira City t2 1a I4 17 6.18 Kampala Capital City.............. 6.18.1 city /KCCA Abattoir ..................... t8 6.19 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS:....20 6. 19.1 Functionality and suitability of the Infrastructure: ..............20 2 Nf-3

2 TERMSOFREFERENCE: The General objective of the oversight was to assess the general status of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. The Specifrc Objectives included: i. To assess the functionality and suitability of the facilities, infrastructure. ii. To establish functionality of utilities (water, electricity, sanitary facilities). iii. To establish the functionality of the waste management and disposal processes; level of sanitation and hygiene, waste disposal and management. iv. To assess the availability and competences of the human resources. v. To determine the availability and compliance to the legal and regulatory provisions. vi. To establish the quality assurance processes followed by abattoirs 3 METHODOLOGY: In execution of the Instruction, the Committee; a! Constituted regional teams. b! Developed a structured observation checklist that was used to obtain information about key parameters in the selected abattoirs/ slaughter houses. cl Conducted oversight visits to slaughter facilities in selected districts and cities that included; Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Masaka, Fort portal, Hoima, Masindi and Kampala. dl held meetings with stakeholders such as District, Municipal and City Veterinary Officers, facility owners, traders and workers to obtain detailed information about the operations of the slaughter facilities. el Held meetings at Parliament with: i. Ministry of Water and Environment ii. Ministry of Health Rg

6 FINDINGS: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), animals are slaughtered in different spaces, namely: a) Slaughter slabs: there are 1,003 slaughter slabs spread in 93 districts. b) Slaughter houses: Central (23), Eastern (7), Northern (7), Western (7) and Karamoja (1). Table 1: Distribution of Slaughter Facilities in the country Region Specie (cattlel Swine Poultry Central 6 5 T2 Eastern 2 3 2 Western J I J Northern a 2 c Karamoia 1 0 0 Source: MAAIF The findings ofthe oversight are provided according to regions and the details for the abattoirs are provided on a case-by-case for each facility in the district, municipality and city visited. This section of the report presents hndings of tl:e oversight visit to abattoirs/ slaughter houses where nine cities and four district local government were covered. These included; Masaka City, Mbarara City, Fort Portal City, Hoima City, Masindi District, Jinja, Mbale, Lira and Kampala City. 6.1 Masaka City In Masaka, the committee visited the Masaka city Abattoir and Masaka city Pork Slaughter house. k W 9 FLC

condition of the facility is worsened by the general surrounding, which is also the area for city garbage disposal. 6.3 Fort Portal City: Fort Portal city has four slaughter facilities. These facilities are located in Kabundaiire, Kitumba, Kachwamba and Kisenyi. The Committee visited two facilities; Kibimba City Council Slaughter House and Kitumba Slaughter House. af Kibimba City Council Abattoir Kibimba City Council Abattoir is a government facility operated by the Fort Portal City Council. It is the major slaughter house service provider for Fort Portal Cily and slaughters between B to 15 cattle and 10 to 15 goats per day. The facility was generally clean but operates in an old structure which needs total overhaul. The facility lacked proper outside sanitation, with facilities such as the pit latrines constructed next to the main slaughter house. The structure and its services are generally poor, which needs both renovation and expansion. b) Kitumba Slaughter House Kitumba Slaughter house is a small private facility that operates on a public private partnership. The facility slaughters I to 3 cattle and about 6 goats per day. At the time of oversight visit; I t.00am, the facility had slaughtered only 4 goats. The facility operates in a very small place which is occupied by both residences and businesses, without spaces for examination, isolation and waiting area. The committee was informed that the animals not slaughtered are taken out for grazing. Recommendatlons: Kitumba Slaughtef house should be relocated. becrruse it is currentlg located. in both a residentlal and. business area. Relocatlng the facilitg wlll enable its relurbishment into a modern abattoir and. ad.dress the publlc heatth challenges of lack of 1 d.ralnage and. uaste. S"3

lv more suitdble and stdnd.drd. abattoir should be built to meet internatlonal standards of expot t. Jor Kannpala, KCCA should proulde tenders to operate and rnaintain the rrbrrttoirs and not onlg limit them to reuenue collectlon to enable mrrlntend.rl.ce of the factlities. 5.13GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS: 6,13.1 Functionalityandsuitabilityofthe Infrastructure: The Committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. It was noted that most local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements which compromise the hygiene and sanitary conditions of the facilities. AII the facilities visited had variations; some old, some new, some moderate and some small. The facilities are either owned by government, privately owned or tendered out. Most of the facilities visited slaughter at least 10 to 30 cattle and about 10 to 15 goats per day. Taken together, the number of animals handled by the facilities selected in the five regions fall in the category of small size abattoirs which sit on an average of 1-2 acres of iand and handle up to 30,000 animal units per year. Only 12 (63%) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures; (Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City abattoir and Kalerwe). With exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in a poor condition manifested by poor wall conditions, poor roofs, floors and lacking tiles and terrazzo. Al1 the facilities had slaughter spaces, however, with the exception of the new facility in Hoima City, the slaughter as for all other facilities were 20 NFJ

6.L3,2 Functionality of Utilities The utilities under this section inciuded water, electricity and sanitary facilities such as ventilated improved pit latrines (VIPs). 6.13.2.1 Water Of all the facilities visited, only 6 (31%) had running (tap) water, connected to the NWSC. Some of the facilities such as Mbarara city and Soroti abattoir had water harvest tanks, Fort Portal facility had reserve water tanks while others such as Jinja had extra water facilities such as borehole. The rest such as the Masaka Pig slaughter space, Hoima City Abattoir depend on water ferried using jerricans. Some of those with water connections reported intermittent connection breakdowns, for instance, in Masaka City Abattoir, where the staff reported using jerricans when the NWSC water is off. Other facilities such as Jinja City abattoir had been disconnected by the NWSC due to accumulated arrears for water bills. 6.13.2.2 Electricitg The Committee noted that out of all the facilities visited about 21 percent were connected to the national power grid. These include Masaka City Abattoir, Mbarara City Modern Abattoir, Kibimba City Council Abattoir, Kalerwe, City Abattoir, City Abattoir and Jinja. Majority of the facilities were operating without power services because of lack of connection to the power grid while others such as Mbale City abattoir were disconnected due to unpaid power bills. The Committee observed that the lack of power connection stifles the functionality of the facilities especially during late and early morning hours where the staff are compelled to use alternative lighting facilities such as torches. The situation is made worse during busy seasons such as holidays which require slaughtering more animals than usual. The slaughtering of 23 NLJ

Lira and Mbale destroyed solid waste and condemned parts by burning, causing unnecessary environmental pollution. 6.15Lagoons The slaughtering process involves bleeding, skinning, dressing/ evisceration and post mortem inspection. At this stage blood, urine, fecal matter and other secrehons are produced. Inadequate sanitary and hygiene conditions can lead to direct meat contamination but further expose the workers to various diseases and antibiotics resistant strains of bacteria. Improper waste disposal and non-compliant effluent discharge can further result in water and air pollution and water borne diseases. Slaughter houses can therefore impact public health and environmental health. During the oversight, the Committee observed that some facilities had lagoons into which they disposed the wastewater (Lira, Masaka, Mbarara, Masaka Pig slaughter facility, Fort Portal, Iganga and Mukono). Others such as the City Abattoir and Kalerwe did not have a natural lagoon, hence disposing their liquid waste into Nakivubo channel and Kalerwe swamps respectively. The cases of Kalerwe, Masindi, Masaka and Hoima were worse because the drainage had stagnated. The drainage areas were visible very dirty and stained with black material. The Masindi Municipal abattoir drainage was blocked therefore all liquid waste had stagnated. The stagnated waste and water emits a bad smell ald is also a breeding area for maggots, which were evident and constant presence of houseflies. @ 26 FRr"

Okay. The industrial courts, LDC interventions that contribute to justice service delivery, court-related forensic analysis interventions, LC courts, DPP interventions that contribute to justice service delivery are more directly related to the administration of justice programme. Therefore, the committee recommends that all the interventions currently under the governance and security programme that relate to the enhancement of equitable access to justice for social economic development and the strengthening of justice service delivery systems should be transferred to the administration of justice programme. It is an issue of alignment of the 18 programmes, as highlighted above. Regionally balanced development The committee observes that although commendable progress has been registered in reducing poverty, regional disparities have, however, remained and increased vulnerabilities across regions. The chairman had mentioned it, so, I will not read it. The committee recommends that the Government prioritises the development and implementation of regional development plans, including comprehensive regional physical plans, to ensure balanced economic growth, equitable service delivery, and equitable resource distribution. I would have asked for an investment map, but the committee did not allow. Promotion of games and sports The committee observes that the National Development Plan (NDP) IV provides for several interventions for promoting games and sports but does not provide interventions relating to physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. In addition, the committee observes that the NDP IV high-impact projects focuses only on the establishment of four regional sports stadia and 14 district sports grounds in the traditional sub-regions of Uganda. These do include international and national stadia. Further, the committee observes that the desired high-level programme results by the year 2029- 2030 provide insufficient information in regard to niche sports rankings. This hinders the effective monitoring of the high-level program results. Therefore, the committee recommends two interventions. a. That the NDP IV is amended to incorporate interventions for physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. b. NDP IV high-impact projects should be amended to include three international stadia, Namboole, Hoima, and Akii- Bua, 10 KCCA artificial surface grounds (Rubaga, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Central Divisions) and 15 national stadia (Arua, Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, Tororo, Iganga, Jinja, Lugazi, Luwero, Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kasese and Fort Portal. Railway master plan The committee observed that the NDP IV mentions that in order to lower the cost of doing business, the focus will be on improving the transport infrastructure. However, the NDP IV is silent on the need to develop a railway

No, PEP is post - I told you I know some of these things. PEP is post- exposure – (Interjection) - Let me raise my issue. PREP is pre-exposure. That is the one I am talking about. You are talking about PEP, which is post-exposure. I told you I am a VHT who knows these things. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, my fear now is when we talk about this thing of PREP, without giving our people enough information, sooner or later, condom use will be abandoned, people will get reckless and start having live sex, as they may say. Maybe, later on, if it is not working well, we shall have new infections. Therefore, I want the Prime Minister or the Minister of Health to give us a clear statement about that because I heard they came and launched it in my district and other districts in the country. How is it going to impact the spread of HIV or control it? The chairperson here is telling me it does. I have been seeing statistics, and of course, with the recent saga in the population census, you cannot believe in some of the statistics. There are statistics about HIV prevalence in different regions. I come from the Toro Subregion, specifically Fort Portal City, which is near my constituency. And it is the leading- the Minister is emphasising that Fort Portal is the leading, apart from the statistics showing Fort Portal as the leading area in terms of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence, I have not seen any deliberate-

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

15408 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT us- you know, fear itself will make you move cautiously. Fear. That fear is no more. Our young people, especially like our young girls, they fear pregnancy more than getting infected with HIV/AIDS. Honourable minister, we need to rethink our direction. In fact, the earlier we do it, the better. Because this prevalence rate is too much for us now with Fort Portal leading. But for me, my question is, why have we abandoned, going to these traditional schools, showing these young people the danger using the Philly Bongole Lutaaya film? We have only adopted his other song as the HIV/AIDS Anthem. That film- when he flew back, he went to Gayaza, he greeted the people of- and said, God willing, I will go, I will return. And he did not return alive; we have abandoned that. That is the reason why young people now, longer fear. So, for me, I want to move that we introduce that for young people to continue watching. Because now you hear people say, it is about stigmatisation and what have you, you see, AIDS of those days would make you look so thin. But that causes fear. That fear is one of our preventive strategies that we must go back to. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to thank my committee chairperson, with whom we have worked together for some good time. However, I have a minority report signed by three members: Hon. Kayemba Ssolo, a Member for Bukomansimbi; Hon. Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu, the Shadow Minister of Education and Sports; and Hon. Irene Linda, a Member for Fort Portal City. The background of the Bill has been stated. Let me go to points of dissent. The grounds of dissent are in the following areas. a) Clause 5 of the Bill proposes to establish the National Teachers’ Council as a body corporate with the power to do all things, a body corporate may lawfully do including to sue and be sued. This is against the Cabinet policy to rationalise Government agencies so as to reduce Government expenditure. (Applause) b) Clause 45 of the Bill requires all teachers engaged in teaching to undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD). This is unfair for teachers, given their meagre pay, unless the Government intends to cover the cost of Continuous Professional Development. (Applause) c) Clause 33 of the Bill provides for licensing of teachers and clause 36 provides that teachers will be required to renew the license after every four years. The teachers will also be required to pay for the license and their renewal. This is quite costly for the teachers. The current licensing regime is favourable for teachers and we appeal that the status quo is maintained. It is online and free of charge. d) Clause 28 requires every teacher to have a degree in education in order to teach at the levels of pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. However, the current law provides that pre-primary education is run by private agencies or persons and not under the Government’s structure. 4.0 Findings and recommendations 1.1. National Teachers Council The Bill proposes to establish the National Teachers Council under Part II. The Cabinet adopted the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) on 22 February 2021 as a step to reduce Government expenditure. Parliament has rationalised several Government agencies in a bid to reduce expenditure and tough decisions had to be made to rationalise the agencies. It is inconsiderate for the Government to rationalise agencies on the one hand and the other hand create new bodies.

The response that the Government promised relates to our arrest and then the kidnapping of the 36. Madam Speaker, why this matter becomes very important to receive an answer is that this Government is squeezing people. You have just heard of 16 members of the National Unity Platform being coerced by the army to plead guilty for offences they did not commit. We have 36 who are there on terrorism and we are in court. So, the reason I am -(Interjection)- and you are saying order. The other day, the Mayor of Fort Portal was nearly killed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM), yet he is an NRM member. So, those of you who are saying order, wait for your day tomorrow. (Laughter) The issue I am raising is that of deteriorating human rights. These military people who sit here every day are squeezing our people. That is why when they are here, they are just quiet; instead of taking people to courts of law, they are squeezing them in their tribunals. Can we get that response on those three issues? Those who were kidnapped, our arrest and the 16 NUP members who have been squeezed by the military to plead guilty for offences they have not committed – [Dr Apea: “Order.”]- but an order from our side, why don’t you sit on the other side? (Laughter)

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I need clarification from the honourable minister. First, I thank the committee for the report. Fort Portal was one of the areas that were gazetted to be given an industrial park that would serve the entire region; Tooro/ Rwenzori region. Land was secured and it is still there up to now but since that time, there is nothing taking place. This industrial park would boost the entire region. Given the fact that we border Congo, it would boost our trade between Uganda and Congo and bring economic activity to that region, but unfortunately, up to now, nothing is taking place. Can I now get information from you, honourable minister, when something will be done to ensure that the industrial park in Fort Portal that would serve the entire region is going to be constructed? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There was a question from Hon. Milton, that I should give the status of the industrial park. He is talking about the land in Iganga. The land that the former Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda had started negotiating about with the people of Iganga, is available. However, the challenge was that we did not have money to acquire that land. To that extent, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda guided that we must go to areas where people can make local government land in their districts available free of charge. Madam Speaker, I would like to report that when we wrote to the local governments - I personally did land mobilisation - we were able to get land in 28 locations in the 18 zones of Uganda. I thank the Member of Parliament for Masaka because I was looking at a nationalistic character, regardless of the political party - I reached out to the former Leader of the Opposition, and he made land available in Masaka. I assure him that we will develop that land. Hon. Pius said that in Hoima District, land has been available but there are Government officials who are - Hon. Pius, if you can just tell us those Government officials who are - you can even come and tell me in secret; you might be fearing - I will read their names out. (Laughter ) I need to know who in Government is taking this land. In Hoima, the truth of the matter is that it is an oil region; we want to develop that industrial park. Hon. Ibanda, the Fort Portal Municipality land - we have land in Kabarole, and it is for the Fort Portal region. However, it has wrangles between the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Uganda Investment Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, especially the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). We have been wanting to solve the issue. I reached out to my senior colleague, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze and we are working on how to get the case out of court because the former Member of Parliament dragged us to court and we want to resolve that matter. Now the matter is in the hands of the Attorney-General who is here. Hon. Moses Aleper said that the Uganda Investment Authority has spent a lot of money

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the honourable members for raising these pertinent issues. Number one, there is a hidden corrupt person who is not easily identified with pinning evidence: the chairperson LC V. For us to pin people, we must have evidence. People are not coming out openly. Even some of the members of the district service commissions bribe, because they know they will get money from candidates. We raised the same point in the Cabinet for these people to be interviewed or else we set regional service commissions and implement e-recruitment. So, we are in the struggle. It will soon come from the Cabinet to us. Secondly, we are not just silent. When we get reports, we act. Mr Speaker, this is my second time saying I cancelled 322 positions that were illegally recruited by the leadership of Ntoroko, which had only three members. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) signed and put a levy: if you want this job, Shs 5 million, Shs 3 million and so on. Bring for us those cases and we shall investigate and act. (Applause) It is the same with Kagadi and Kitagwenda, where the human resource officers had convinced all the teachers to join the Parish Development Model (PDM) to become Parish Chiefs so that they could steal Shs 100 million. So, once you report and there is evidence, we can administer the medicine. I would like to confirm that it is true that the chairpersons have a big arm. Busia District spent over two years without a service commission, because he had picked corrupt people, which the councillors rejected and he refused to pick any other. Tell us where the problem is, and we shall join hands. We need to improve and design a very strict law that pins the district and city service commissions. For example, in Fort Portal, they are lamenting. There are people who do not have qualifications. I wrote to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) in 2022 and appealed to the Prime Minister but, to date, nothing has been done. One of them sent me a message: “You started very actively, what happened?” What happened? I did my work. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit - Brig Gen. Isoke gave charge sheets, but the matter is still in the Anti-Corruption Court and those people are rejoicing. Some are coming up to contest. (Laughter) So, what should we do to the Arms of Government that intentionally delay to solve problems that are straightforward? We need - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me start with the Non-Tax Revenue. When you look at the target given to these regional hospitals, you notice it is Shs 34 billion. However, the collection, which was made is Shs 28 billion. The total budget for this regional referral hospital is about Shs 1 trillion. Couldn’t the Government even make this money available? It is about Shs 1 trillion for all the regional referral hospitals. We are making our people suffer just because of pay. Some cannot afford and so, they get into problems. Can’t that be collected? Even those who have met the Non-Tax Revenue targets have done it because they charge almost everything. When you go to the hospital, you find people being charged for everything. Two, there is no uniform fees structure in the hospitals, which has also been brought out in the report. Can the Minister of Health tell us why we do not have a uniform fees structure in all these hospitals? You are leaving it to the accounting officers to determine the rate at which they charge the patients. When you come to the issue of delayed deliveries of drugs, this is like sentencing our people to death. Look at the case of Mubende. For six months, no drug was delivered. Look at the people who are living on ARVs, who cannot afford them, how do they survive? Can the committee tell us what reasons were given for failure to deliver drugs on time? I do not buy the argument given by a colleague that possibly the problem is with the delays in the release of funds. Funds are released for drugs for all these regional hospitals at the same time. Why should others receive drugs and others not? That must be addressed, Mr Speaker. There are cases like Arua. It took 46 days before the drugs were delivered. Mbale, 69 days. How would the people who cannot afford drugs survive? Look at Fort Portal; three months. How? Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, please help our people and find out what the problem is. I do not think this was due to a delay in the release of the funds. Otherwise, why should others get on time? There must be a problem with the National Medical Stores. As I conclude, there is the issue of a ban on the recruitment of personnel. Let the ban possibly apply to other areas but not areas that concern life. Surely, the Ministry of Public Service should make exceptions to some cases like the health sector because it is about life. If you are not healthy, you cannot do anything. You cannot vote or mobilise for your party. Why can’t they consider them? Mr Speaker, I want to appeal to the Government and especially the Ministry of Public Service to ensure the ban on recruitment of the staff of the health sector is lifted. Also, you have seen - Dr Ayume gave us an example of the equipment that we acquired. They are going to run obsolete because we do not have the technicians. Why would we put a lot of money into acquiring all this equipment without staff to run them? Hon. Musasizi, you are a minister for finance in charge of planning. Please plan such that we can have this equipment run. Otherwise, it is going to be a very big problem and at the same time a vote of no confidence on the leadership of this country. Thank you.

14469 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2024 for police escort cars. Honourable colleagues, note this. The accounting officer acknowledged the query and attributed it to budget constraints and also numerous requests for police escort cars from Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and parastatals. The accounting officer also stated that some vehicles were given to some politicians, leading to a strain on a limited number of police vehicles. Therefore, the committee recommends that all police patrol cars being used illegally by non-entitled officers and individuals should be immediately withdrawn. Therefore, whoever has police vehicles not entitled to them, you should return them, such that they serve the people of this country. Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, on assessment of management of the Closed- Circuit Television (CCTVs), I request that you read that. Police also have a challenge of accumulation of domestic arrears. I will briefly go through that. A trend analysis of the domestic arrears position of the Uganda Police Force over the past five years has shown a decreasing trend in domestic arrears. However, in the year under review, the Financial Year 2022/2023, domestic arrears increased from Shs 77.3 billion to Shs 98.81 billion, as shown in the table. Honourable colleagues, the committee recommends that: i. The Government should provide money for offsetting the accumulated arrears, so that we do not frustrate the people who give services to the Government. 3.0 The Uganda Prisons Service Forces - Vote 145 Uganda Prisons also received a budget of Shs 340 billion that is 98 per cent of release of that budget. You will read that. Congestion in prisons Mr Speaker, Strategic Objective 1 of the Uganda Prisons Strategic Development Plan 2020- 2025 aims to provide safe, secure and humane custodial services for transforming prisoners into economically productive citizens. This was to be achieved by building more prisons to decongest the existing ones and reduce the occupancy capacity from the baseline of 293 per cent to 286 per cent. The Auditor-General reported that despite strategic interventions of building additional prison wards at Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Nwoya, Kitalya, Sheema, Mutufu, Kyenjojo and Sironko Prisons, congestion in prisons remained a big challenge with prisoners’ housing only increasing by 1 per cent over the same period of assessment. Mr Speaker, the most affected prisons noted were: Isingiro, which had a population of 377 prisoners against a holding capacity of 47; Yumbe Prison which had 192 prisoners against a holding capacity of 25; Hoima Main Prison had 494 prisoners against a holding capacity of 80; Kibale Prison with a holding capacity of 30 had 184 prisoners and Fort Portal Main Prison, which had 1,770 prisoners, with a holding capacity of 309 prisoners. There is congestion in prisons, honourable colleagues. Therefore, the accounting officer attributed the congestion in prisons to high prisoner population, with a growth rate of 8 per cent per annum, compared to 3 per cent growth in holding capacity. Therefore, the growth rate of prisoners is so high at 8 per cent; we should note that. Therefore, the committee recommends that: i. The Government should provide adequate capital development to Uganda Prisons Services to enable the implementation of their decongestion strategies –

14413 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 Mr Speaker, I will go to the performance of NTR in regional referral hospitals. The Government expected regional referral hospitals and other specialised institutions to collect a total of Shs 34.556 billion, as NTR, from the 22 referral hospitals as per the table below. However, there are 22 referral hospitals. We were expected to collect Shs 34.556 billion. However, only Shs 28.094 billion, which is 82 per cent, was collected, leaving a variance of Shs 5.962 billion. Out of the NTR collection of Shs 28.094 billion, Shs 26.972 billion was transferred to the Treasury, leaving a balance of Shs 1.122 billion not transferred to the Treasury. These funds are expected to be collected to support the Government of Uganda’s budget thus the collected amount are supposed to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund for appropriation by Parliament as prescribed under Section 30 of the Public Finance Management Act. So, they are entities that collected money and never transferred it to the Consolidated Fund to the tune of Shs 1.122 billion. I will not conclude in the report, but that is illegal. Absolutely illegal to collect money and you fail to transfer. On the table I have put down, Masaka Hospital had budgeted to collect Shs 472 million. It collected Shs 698 million, a variance that is the difference of Shs 226 million over and above what was budgeted. It transferred Shs 389 to the Treasury and remained with Shs 309 million, which was not transferred, contrary to the law. Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital - this is a bit confusing - had budgeted to collect Shs 1 billion but it collected Shs 681 million, which is a variance of Shs 319 million. It transferred Shs 679 million, which was lower than what it collected. Mbale Regional Referral Hospital budgeted to collect Shs 35 million. It collected it all and transferred it all. Naguru budgeted to collect Shs 36 million. It collected Shs 233 million and transferred Shs 232 million. Naguru Hospital - (Interjection)- is supposed to be Shs 360 million but not billions; it collected Shs 233 million with a variance of Shs 127 million and transferred Shs 232, which was less by only Shs 1 million. Jinja budgeted to collect Shs 886 million. It collected Shs 424 million with a variance of Shs 462 million and transferred all the money. Mubende planned to collect Shs 150 million. It collected Shs 151 million and transferred Shs 150 million. Fort Portal -

14415 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 finance, the existing ban on recruitment, delayed recruitment by the Health Service Commission, excess releases by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for example, at Mbale Referral Hospital, and delayed supply of goods and services, among others. The committee observed that under-absorption of funds does not only distort planning and budget implementation but also denies services to other deserving beneficiaries. The committee recommends that pursuant to Section 45 of the PFMA 2015, accounting officers should adhere to the annual budget performance contract signed with the PS/ ST. This is a standard one that we have recommended there. Implementation of outputs Mr Speaker, during the financial year under review, the Auditor-General assessed the level of implementation of outputs across regional referral hospitals and other specialised institutions and noted that many accounting officers either partially implemented activities or did not implement at all, despite having received the required funds for the entities and even spending them. Details of this, per the entity, can be found in Table 5 on the main report. Honourable colleagues, get interested in Table 5 because it is the source of abuse of public funds. This is where an entity is given money – a full amount of money – it utilises it for specific activities and outputs, but they are not implemented. Instead, they divert the money. The committee noted that the non- implementation of planned activities implies that expected services to the beneficiary communities were not attained. It also points to cases of diversion and misallocation of funds by the accounting officer since they received the monies and spent them. In the earlier submission by members here, people tried to justify that this diversion could be for beneficial use. It is illegal. If you are to divert money – if you are to do a virement – the PFMA tells you how you can. Anything outside the law is illegal. The audit report we do is a financial audit. We do not do a value- for-money audit. The committee further observed that although the Auditor-General mentioned the sampled number of outputs, which were with their respective activities, the corresponding funds allocated for their implementation were not indicated by the auditors, making it difficult for the committee to determine the level of diversion and waste. Relatedly, some outputs and activities that were partially implemented could not be quantified due to the generic nature of reporting. For instance, Mbarara Referral Hospital had 15 outputs out of 29 activities partially implemented, but no value was attached to the partial implementation. Therefore, the committee found difficulty in ascertaining the funds unutilised in relation to each entity. The committee recommends as follows: 1. Accounting officers with partially implemented or unimplemented outputs should be held responsible for the action, inaction or omission that occasioned the anomaly; and 2. The committee further recommends that accounting officers should always itemise and cost activities for easy tracking and accountability. Mr Speaker, when you go to the main report, you will notice that we have established the amounts of money that were diverted. The sums are there for each hospital – how much was diverted, mischarged and possibly embezzled. Delayed delivery of drugs The Auditor-General examined the stores’ records at Fort Portal, Mubende and Mbale regional referral hospitals and reported delays in the delivery of medicines and sundries by the National Medical Store. Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, particularly, had

14416 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT delays of between 19 and 61 days. Mubende Hospital had delays of over six months. Arua Hospital had delays of nine to 46 days. Mbale Hospital, 15 to 69 days of delay. This is nearly committing people to death – when you do this. When you read the detailed report, you notice that it is a little emotional, as you go around it. The accounting officers explained that the issues had been raised before the Parliamentary Committee on Health and they had hoped for redress. However, this persisted, which is affecting service delivery. The committee observed that National Medical Stores failed at its duty to make prompt deliveries, which led to drug stock-outs and disruptions in treatment schedules. You can imagine people with HIV, who have specific schedules to receive these medicines. When you delay, you worsen their situation. Further, long lead time affected the effective delivery of health care services as it creates shortages. Therefore, the committee recommends that National Medical Store be reprimanded for the delayed delivery of drugs to hospitals. Three months is a lot of time. Utilisation and maintenance of medical equipment Idle medical equipment Paragraph 5.2.2 of the National Medical Equipment Policy, 2009, on the operation of medical equipment, states that all health workers are responsible for ensuring that equipment is used well and maintained properly However, the auditor noted that some medical equipment in some hospitals had remained unutilised, yet they were in proper working conditions. The delays of this equipment and where they are located are found in Table 6 of the main report. I invite you, honourable colleagues, to go to Table 6. You will see which equipment in our hospitals are equipped. They are there but non-functional. The committee observed that hospitals lacked specialised personnel to operate some of the machines, thereby rendering them idle. For instance, Fort Portal had no orthopaedic surgeon or a trained surgeon to operate the C-arm and endoscopy machines respectively, while Mulago National Women’s Specialised Hospital had no renal physician and renal nurses to operate the dialysis machine even after its installation. This was coupled with poor planning for hospitals to acquire machines without personnel to operate them. Idle machines deny the community proper health service delivery and expose the machinery to wear and tear over time. The committee noted that the hospitals’ budget for the maintenance of medicinal equipment is inadequate to address all the challenges as they fall due. There was laxity by accounting officers to address their concerns at least through seeking supplementary funding, as provided for. The committee further observed that the Ministry of Health failed in its duty to supply and install oxygen plants and Intensive Care Units, thereby rendering the equipment non- functional. Redundancy of equipment denies services to patients and contributes to the obsoleteness of the equipment. The committee recommends that the Government should provide adequate funds for installation and maintenance. Honourable colleagues, it is painful that all the machines and ICU beds that were procured for all the referral hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic are non-functional and many of them are lying idle. You will read the full report. For Mulago National Referral Hospital, has a capacity of 28 beds are functional, but those that are installed cannot be hung because of the ceiling are 48. Honourable colleagues, I invite you to read the full report. You have spent so much money to procure this equipment but they are rotting away.

14250 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SGT REBECA CHEPTEGEI Mr Speaker, I was very disturbed when we lost our two generals, because I know what it means for the nation to train a soldier to reach up to the rank of a general. A lot of resources are spent on this person, but the knowledge and expertise that guarantee our security is very key. So, it is very disturbing that we lost our two generals through road accidents. The first question, Mr Speaker, is to find out the circumstances that led to the death of these two generals. How could these two generals die in one day, at different times? They were in different cars so, what would be really the reason? Can we get an explanation from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs? The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs must come here with an explanation about the cause of these two generals’ deaths because we value our generals, we value our army. Mr Speaker, I stand as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Road and Water Safety. We are losing a lot of lives in this country out of reckless accidents and when we go to the researchers, they show that 95 per cent of these accidents are due to human error. Unfortunately, through all these different spiritual beliefs, Ugandans have come to believe that actually it is God’s plan for somebody to die on the road. This is very unfortunate because in other nations where the traffic laws work, we experience very minimal loss of lives. But here in Uganda, everybody has come to be accustomed that actually, it is the act of God that is robbing our people on the roads. Mr Speaker, my prayer, as I sit down, is that it is good you visited us in Fort Portal. The Fort Portal-Kampala Road; this is a national road but it is a total mess, it is dilapidated. A journey that would take only four hours now takes seven and a half hours. This is the road where this Minister of State for Works passes to go to his constituency. It is where the Prime Minister passes to go to her constituency, where the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development passes to go to his constituency. I am wondering, really, when you sit in the Cabinet, what happens regarding this national economic road that is now going to cause more deaths for our people. I beg to move.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On Mubende-Mityana, we have Fort Portal. On the stretch from Mityana to Mubende, we had a contractor on site but we did not have enough money to pay in time. He was demanding us Shs 41 billion and we paid him Shs 20 billion. We have engaged him and he is back on the site to finish the stretch up to Mubende, as we look for the balance of Shs 21 billion. On the side from Mubende going up to Fort Portal, we are doing some simple rehabilitation for the potholes -

Going up to Kyenjojo, because you are done with the Fort Portal-Kyenjojo stretch. [Mr Ssewungu] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Mugisa Margaret Muhanga, MP for Fort Portal North Division, Fort Portal Tourism City. I am the Minister of State for Health, Primary Health Care. To go to Fort Portal Tourism City, we ply the worst road in the country. I hope Hon. Matia Kasaija has heard. Thank you very much.

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

Member for Napak, Shema, Buhweju and Kumi then I pick Bugiri, Terego, Jinja and Fort Portal. For areas where you do not see your Woman Member of Parliament, you can declare yourself a woman and then I will see what to do. (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the statement. At least now in Fort Portal, our power is not on and off, we have constant power. Honourable minister, under the scale-up, programme, Fort Portal City was allocated 3,000 connections. We mobilised people who did not have power and they were within the range where they were poles to be able to be connected. These people have applied and paid money but up to now, they have not been connected. Umeme is saying they do not have poles yet these are the very people who had applied for rural electrification three years ago and did not get power. They have been waiting yet again, they are paying for the second time. Now, they are asking us, “Why is the Government making us pay twice and not giving us power?” Thank you.

Thank you. Debate begins with Hon. Nancy Acora, Hon. Mushemeza, Hon. Namugga, the Member for Fort Portal, former Chairperson Committee on

Member for Fort Portal.

13812 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Barugahare] Affairs) needs to work on together with the Parliament so that these matters are addressed as soon as possible so that these children’s homes get cars. I am inspecting the homes - I was in Mbale two days ago, Fort Portal the other day, and Masindi on Friday, I intend to go to Gulu next week and Arua a week after and then Kampiringisa. So let Parliament and Cabinet work together to have this budget for the juvenile and rehabilitation centres increased so that – (Interjections) - I will give you an example of Fort Portal remand home. It has a block with asbestos and these are condemned materials. So, why don’t we remove the asbestos and put iron sheets? We need to work jointly as Parliament and Cabinet to have this addressed. Hon. Nakato of Buyende raised the issue of having only Nakabango where 16 youths were selected from every district. So far the Government has started with 18 skilling centres country-wide in every sub-region but out of those 18, they allocate every district – like in the central region -Buganda, you have one in Kayunga but the capacity to hold so many is not there. That was a Presidential Initiative; the budget has not been expanded for the same. Hon. Okot Boniface thanked the President and the Government for celebrating International Youth Day on the right day. I want to thank the President as well for having allowed this to happen. Hon. Namugga raised the issue of the Shs 43 billion that was meant to be revolved as per the Auditor-General’s report and it has not been revolved. This will be investigated and we shall report back to Parliament.

Thank you so much. Hon. Kakembo talked about the new cities. That new cities were created and approved by the Tenth Parliament. There is need to operationalise these cities to enable us prepare for the forthcoming general elections and demarcation of constituencies. He asked, when will we operationalise Entebbe City? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the Government in April 2020, created 15 cities in Uganda to be operationalised in a phased manner. The 10 cities of Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Lira, and Soroti, took effect on 1 July 2020. These were to be followed by the five cities of; Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso, meant to be operationalised as follows: On 1 July 2022, it was supposed to be Entebbe City. 1 July 2023, it was supposed to be Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, and Wakiso cities. However, in August 2020, the law (The Local Governments Act Cap 138) was amended, and midterm operationalisation of administrative units and local governments abolished. The newly created administrative units and local governments can only take effect six months before the general elections, and this amendment affected the next phase of the five cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the technical studies and consultations with stakeholders in the five cities, to prepare them for the operationalisation of 1 July 2025, subject to the guidance by Cabinet. Question number 6 is still from Hon. Ojok, Member of Parliament, Omoro County. His prayer is; what is the status of Government intervention in realisation of transitional justice law, to address the question of war reparations in Acholi Subregion? My response is that on 17 June 2019, Cabinet under Minute 239 (CT-2019), (Cabinet Memorandum CT (2018)38), approved the National Transitional Justice Policy as follows: a) Noted the key aspects of the National Transitional Justice Policy. b) Approved the National Transitional Justice Policy. c) Approved the wide dissemination and publication of the National Transitional Justice Policy. d) Approved the fast-tracking of the legislation on the National Transitional Justice Policy. e) Directed the ministers of Internal Affairs and Justice and Constitutional Affairs, to provide a transitional period between the implementation of the National Transitional Justice Policy, and the enactment of the relevant laws on the transitional justice to give the Government ample time to identify the most sustainable source of funding for the undertaking. The National Transitional Justice Policy is an overreaching framework of the Government of Uganda designed to address peace, justice, accountability and reconciliation needs of post conflict Uganda. Mr Speaker, it is therefore, seeking to engage with all parts of the country that have been affected by civil strife, conflict, and not only the Acholi Subregion. Since the approval of the policy, it has been disseminated and efforts are being undertaken to present principles for a proposed Transitional Justice Law. It should be noted that the principles for the policy were withdrawn from the Cabinet in February 2023, to enable the responsible ministries to harmonise certain issues, including administrative arrangements for the law.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The project description is as follows. The Lusalira- Kasambya-Nkonge-Lumegere-Ssembabule Road is an existing Class A gravel road, located in the central region of Uganda that connects the districts of Ssembabule and Mubende. The road starts off the junction along the Mubende-Fort Portal Road, through a Y-junction in Lumegere, and terminates in Ssembabule, connecting to Ssembabule- Masaka Road. The road is part of the national road network that links the rest of the network to the west, by the Fort Portal Road, and the south by the Ssembabule-Masaka Road. Mr Speaker, the Government of Uganda carried out a feasibility study and a detailed engineering design of the project road, which was completed in October 2017. The road will be designed and constructed to Class II paved standard, with asphalt concrete surfacing, and a design life of 20 years. The lane width will be 3.5 metres, the carriage width will be 7.0 metres, and shoulders of 2.0 metres on either side in urban areas, and 1.5 metres on either side in rural areas. Objectives of this project Mr Speaker, at the national level, the project objectives are: i) To facilitate the efficient development and production of strategic national resources; ii) Reduce travel time and lower freight transportation costs along the national road network; and iii) Promote equal access to social and economic development across the country, and by doing so, enhance the Government’s effort to poverty eradication and economic development. At the local level, the objectives are: i) T o improve access to goods and passenger transport services; ii) Reduce transport costs along the route; and iii) Improve access to social and economic development opportunities along the route, by providing high-capacity road infrastructure. Project financing The total project cost is Shs 334.91 billion exclusive of value added tax, of which Shs 479.8 billion (approximately Euros 126.44 euros) will be funded by Citibank, and Shs 55.11 billion, 10.3 per cent of the project cost by the Government of Uganda. The Government will also be responsible for any tax that may arise under this loan. The civil works commercial contract was signed on 12 September 2022, and works are expected to commence upon signing the financing agreement. Financing terms Mr Speaker, for the loan amount, I have already stated it as Euros 126.44 million. The maturity period is 10 years including three years of a grace period. The interest rate is six months Euribor plus a margin of 5.0 per cent per annum, of which the insurance premium is 2.25 percent per annum, of which insurance premium is 2.25 per cent per annum. Insurance is provided by ATIDI, or in other words, the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance, who is covering 100 per cent of the loan. An arrangement or upfront up-front fee is 1.44 per cent calculated on the loan amount paid up-front, commitment fee is 1.75 per cent of undisbursed balances of the loan, agency fees

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

Thank you, Dr Emely Kugonza. Honourable minister, on the issues of milk, I visited a friend of mine who produces around 7 million litres per annum in Portugal. What was so interesting was that he feeds his calves on powdered milk and he says it is cheaper - yes, his calves and he says it is cheaper. It also helps him so that in case their mother has a disease or a problem, it does not transfer it to the calves but I was shocked when he said it is cheaper for them to use powdered milk. He is coming here soon and I will introduce you to him honourable minister and you see the technology they use which is surprising. So, you would process all this milk into powdered milk which is cheap, affordable and all that. Otherwise, I have heard people cry that the milk is down and now tea. And you know Ugandans are not patient. I know people who are now cutting down and uprooting tea like in many Hon. Magyezi’s area and Fort Portal. Yes, Hon. Ndamira, what does the Kigezi say about the project?

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.

We got written questions from a number of Members and I want to start with Hon. William Museveni, Member of Parliament for Buwekula South County, Mubende District. “Mityana-Mubende Highway construction, by Energo Construction Company was supposed to be completed this year, that is 2024, but they have not reached even halfway. Why is it that the work is too slow? Since the contractual time has elapsed, what is the way forward for this road?” Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, his prayer is, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, “can you please update the House on the status of this road?” Here is my response: The Mityana-Mubende 86-kilometre road is a national road in the central subregion. The road connects the capital city of Kampala to the western region towns of Fort Portal, Kasese, Kagadi, among others. The road is an important international route, used to access Uganda’s borders with the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and crucial for agriculture, trade, and security. The Government of Uganda, through the Uganda National Roads Authority, signed a contract on 4 January 2021 for the reconstruction of the Mityana-Mubende road which is 86 kilometres, as I have already told you, including upgrading the 14 kilometres of towns in Mityana Town or Municipality. The construction works will improve rebuilding the road, which had deteriorated, and was affecting the traffic flow along the major route, including repairing the drainage facilities, installing new road signs and road markings. The project is fully funded by the Government of Uganda. The project was originally intended to be completed by 15 April this year. However, the progress of works has been affected by limited resources in the last financial years. This lack of resources forced the contractor to slow down the implementation of the project. The contractor had implemented 40 per cent of the works when the financial challenges were encountered. Currently, the contractor has completed work worth Shs 32 billion and the project is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year. Government is working

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. Many people knew Hon. Aleper as a father, a husband, a brother and an uncle. But, additionally, I also knew Hon. Aleper as former Member of this House and a member of Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the mighty party, NRM where I have been with him for now more than seven years. In the Ninth Parliament, we were with Hon. Aleper but because we were not in the same committee, I did not have so much time to interact with him apart from sharing whenever he was contributing in this House. However, when Hon. Aleper joined the Central Executive Committee (CEC), we have been together doing so many things that gave me the opportunity to know and understand him more. He was a lover of democracy, multi-partism and party discipline. For example, in 2016 when we went for party primary elections, Hon. Aleper contested and lost with just 28 votes. He said, “This is my party, I am not going to contest as an independent.” Most of us, after losing, decided to go against our party and chose to contest as independents. He did not do that. That showed how he loved NRM, the party he belonged to. And indeed he had so many justifications as to why he loved NRM. Therefore, today, if Members are here thanking the Commander-in-Chief, the chairman of the NRM party, and President of the Republic of Uganda for according to the late Hon. Aleper an official burial, for the peace and security created in the Karamoja sub-region, they are right. Mr Speaker, those of you who have not experienced or who have just experienced a bit of insecurity can take it lightly and just joke. However, those of us who grew up in other countries as refugees, who have lived in this country as internally displaced persons (IDPs) - whoever you are in this country, you can stand up and thank President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for creating peace in this country. There can be no development without peace and security. That is a cardinal role that Ugandans must look at and that is what the late Hon. Aleper based himself on whenever he was contributing to this country. Mr Speaker, Hon. Aleper was a team worker, a consensus builder, an influencer. When he started talking, you ended up accepting everything that he said because he knew how to influence and bring you on board. One day we were going to Kyankwanzi – NALI, for a retreat. He started talking and because we left here late in the evening, we realised when we had already reached Fort Portal. We forgot that we were going to Kyankwazi and it seemed a short distance for us because everything that he said, we would pay attention. We had to make a U-turn and then start our journey to Kyankwanzi. That is the man we are mourning here today. As a team builder, he decided to make CEC a think tank. We have a group called “undeployed” and whenever we go to CEC, that team first sits, consults amongst themselves and sees how they will contribute in CEC - some of the members are here. Indeed, that is why, late that evening, Hon. Aleper decided to drive himself - because there was a way we wanted to contribute in this last CEC, which we did not. We were all saddened to hear the news. We couldn’t speak. That showed commitment and patriotism. Leaving Moroto at that time to come and sit in a meeting! It is the heart you have for your country; when you do not have it, you will not do that. (Applause) This is the man who is here. The late Hon. Aleper was very open-minded, independent, and consistent and when he was speaking, he would say it as it is. He would not call a spade a big spoon or a spoon a big spade. If it is a spade, it is a spade. In CEC meetings, where we would get confused, he would give us wisdom and advice. He would direct on how the discussions should move. This is the man that we are paying tribute to. He has died at a time when we wanted him more.

13614 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R tribute to a man I called a colleague, a friend, and a comrade. I first met Hon. Aleper Simon in 1996 at Makerere University. I had entered a year earlier in 1995 and in 1997 when I contested for guild presidency, he was my supporter. What surprised me about him is that we had a candidate from Karamoja, Hon. Norman Ochero, but you can imagine at that level and time, he was not tribalistic, he was in my camp. I think this speaks about the Karimojong; they are not tribalistic because there was another colleague here who was doing veterinary medicine, Hon. Loki who supported Ms Sarah Kagingo and not Mr Ricky Norman Ochero. He was a minister in the guild just like me and later we met here in the Ninth Parliament. He was a nice person, I related with him so well. I wish to concur with those who have said that he was smart - not only smart but also elegant and as you know, he was tall and handsome. He used to dress so well that anyone would admire him; I also admired him so much because we grew up with stereotypes thinking that the Karimojong were not well-dressed. However, this was a gentleman, very fine, handsome, tall, smart and elegant; that was Hon. Simon Aleper. He was well-spoken, fluent, and eloquent. No wonder, as we have heard from a member from the CEC when they were driving, they were in a chat until they passed the way to Kyankwanzi up to Fort Portal. He was well- spoken, especially one-on-one would be so good; that is the Member we have lost. Two quick ones, Hon. Aleper was a Vice- chairperson for Karamoja. Just as we have heard Hon. Okori-Moe was the first vice chairperson. Karamoja has always supported the NRM - if these people were bad leaders at the time when we created that position of regional Vice Chairperson for Karamoja, they would have antagonised our support there but they offered good leadership. After Hon. Janet Okori-Moe, he came in and we have maintained our support in Karamoja. I wish to thank him for that good leadership at the party level. Finally, the decorum that I have witnessed today in the House, where a Member is given an opportunity to speak out their mind without being interrupted with points of order, information, and procedure. I wish the House could be like this each day, even when we are handling controversial matters. This is how the decorum should be in this House. Mr Speaker, the very last one is that we were castigated by Hon. Ssemujju for thanking the President, for offering an official burial to our colleague. Hon. Ssemujju should understand, and I thought it was obvious that this is the biggest honour a person can get. An honour for a death of this nature is the best we can offer to a colleague who has fallen. So, Hon. Ssemujju should let us mourn – (Member timed out.)

You are debating in anticipation. Honourable members, as I said, I am going to read the President’s letter. The letter is addressed to the Right Honourable Speaker, Parliament of Uganda, Kampala. It is dated 22 June 2024. The Reference is: “Budget Reallocation by Parliament.” The letter reads: “The recent case of the Members of Parliament that were arrested for some alleged offences has again highlighted the mistake of Members of Parliament interfering with the constitutional mandate of the President of budgeting for the Country by reallocating monies budgeted for the core sectors of the economy. In the last four financial years, the Members of Parliament have reallocated a total of Shs 3.71 trillion. This is real sabotage. When we reconstructed the Kampala-Masaka Road, we used Shs 440 billion. Therefore, diverting Shs 3.71 trillion in four years is equivalent to aborting nine big roads of the Kampala-Masaka type, or a much larger number of smaller roads. You know very well the important roads that we have been struggling with. You have seen how much the Tirinyi-Pallisa- Kumi Road has helped the people of the area by avoiding the need to pass through Mbale City when they are travelling to Soroti. You have seen how the Musita-Mayuge- Namayingo-Busia Road has helped the people of that area. You have seen how the Mukono- Katosi-Nkokonjeru-Nyenga Road has helped the people of that area. Yet, for the Tirinyi- Palisa-Kumi Road, we used Shs 443.42 billion only. How much happier would Ugandans be, if we had tarmacked the Kumi-Ngora-Serere- Bugondo Road; the Soroti-Amuria-Acan Pii- Patongo-Abim Road; the Kanoni-Mityana Road; the Myanzi-Kassanda-BukuyaKiboga Road; the Ssembabule-Lyantonde-Rakai Road; the Luwero-Butalaangwa-Ngoma–Masindi Road; the Bwizibweera-Nsiika-Nyakabirizi Road; the Nakivaale-Rakai Road; the Fort Portal-Kijura Road, etc.? I have written on this issue - see my letter dated 28th April 2020. The Attorney-General has guided on the matter. The courts have guided, yet the practice goes on. There are three mistakes involved here and these are: (i) Indiscipline in budgeting; (ii) Sabotaging national priorities; (iii) And now the suspicion of massive corruption. I am, therefore, writing to request that this practice stops. As per Article 91(3)(c) of the Constitution of 1995, I decline to assent to the Appropriation Bill, 2024 and return it to Parliament, and request that no reshuffling of the Budget should ever happen again without the input of the Executive. Apart from the legality and constitutionality of the issues involved, there is common sense. Sprinkling money by MPs to get cheap popularity in constituencies will make us lose to focus on core items. How can patriots be part of this mistake? Signed by the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.”

13462 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 modern geospatial centre, to be able to obtain data from a broad spectrum of satellites from partner nations. I have provided Shs 3.3 billion for space programme activities in the next Financial Year. I would like to commend His Excellency the President for spearheading the development of the knowledge economy through targeted funding of research and development and the scientists in general. Tumukubireko mungalo. (Applause) You are very mean. The president does this kind of thing and you do not clap for him? Nze nkankyekoleleko nzeka. (Applause) Mineral Development Madam Speaker, mineral development is another growth accelerator that has been earmarked by the Government to expand Uganda’s economy by ten-fold. It is going to support resource-based industrialisation into light manufacturing and high-tech exports. During the financial year we are ending, the following have been achieved in the mineral sector: i. The entire country has been fully mapped using airborne and ground geophysical technologies; ii. The National Mining Company has been incorporated as a commercial vehicle for investment and trading in minerals on behalf of the Government of Uganda; iii. Several key mineral development projects and mineral value addition centres have been developed, including; Wagagai, for gold mining in Busia, rare earth metals in Bugweri, a graphite project in Kitgum; a limestone mining project by Sunbird Resources Ltd in Moroto and Seven Gold Refineries in Kampala, among others; iv. M/s Woodcross Tin Smelting Company Ltd has established a tin smelter in Western Uganda to produce tin ingots to 99.95 percent tin grade. Next financial year, I have allocated Shs 41.55 billion to undertake the following interventions for further mineral developments: i. Fast-tracking quantification and market studies for all minerals for the purpose of investor promotion. ii. Operationalising the National Mining Company. iii. Further reviewing and strengthening the fiscal regime for minerals, including regulation of artisanal and small-scale miners. iv. Developing the e-government mineral production system and data bank for mineral statistics; v. Commencing construction of Busia and Moroto beneficiation centres and strengthening the Ntungamo and Fort Portal centres; and vi. Facilitating private sector participation in exploration, mining and value addition to minerals. Oil and Gas Madam Speaker, Uganda is progressing steadily toward the first oil in Financial Year 2025/2026. During the financial year we are ending, the following have been achieved: i. The Upstream Petroleum Project has advanced with drilling works in preparation for production; ii. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project is on track with 500 kilometres of pipeline delivered in Tanzania. The target is to lay 100 kilometres per month; iii. The thermal insulation plant for heating the EACOP in Tabora, Tanzania was commissioned in March this year; iv. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has issued two new exploration licences to Uganda National Oil Company and DGR Global, an Australian-based company;

13477 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2024 recommended by the NRM ever since 1995, will create so many jobs that will exceed the job levels of Uganda. Uganda does not have enough - Once we develop our full capacity, Uganda will not have enough workers. By the way, this one happened during the time of the British. When they introduced a few activities here like coffee, cotton and sugar growing, that is how Africans from Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan came here. That small money economy during the British time, created so many jobs that the internal people were not enough. That is why our brothers had to come from Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan to work here. Even now, if we all become wealth creators in the four sectors, there will be many jobs. I have given the example of Mr Nyakaana in Fort Portal, using one acre to employ 15 people. We calculated that if seven million people did that, we would create more jobs than the whole population of Uganda now. However, as of now, we already have 922,000 people employed in manufacturing. Show those factories again if you have them; show them on the screen. These are all new factories. In 1986, we had only 80 factories when we launched the Uganda Manufacturers Association, we now have more than 8,000 like those. These are already employing 922,000 people and something. The whole of the public service - army, police and civil service – has 480,000 people. So, the factories are now employing two times the number of people working in this public service. So, those saying, “Jobs, jobs, jobs”; the jobs are there, but you must be qualified for them by doing the right thing. All those are new jobs. You can see all of them are brand new factories; they are not old. These are the factories now, giving us 922,000 jobs. The services - the hotels, tourism, transport and banks - are now employing five million people. Show one of the factories; the one which was there now. Put it back; the one, which was showing - those are hotels. Go back to the one you had shown. It was a factory where workers were seated. No, there is another one, which is bigger. Anyway, they are all the same. You can see how many people – jobs are there. Look at that group now; all those young people. (Applause) “Jobs, jobs, jobs”; just talking. (Laughter) They do not listen and then they have their wonderful papers, like the wonderful - what do you call it? – Daily Monitor ; that Monitor group. Hovyo hawo, wajinga hawo . (Laughter) They are like enemies of Africa. The other day, I saw them when they tested Karuma power, 600 Megawatts. I think there was some blackout or something. So, they were celebrating in their paper, Daily Monitor , that “you see, the transmission network cannot handle the power” and I had heard that opinion. It is very interesting to see how the enemies of Africa link up. So, the logic of the Daily Monitor newspaper is like what I used to hear from some of the civil servants in the Government who are also on the side of the Daily Monitor . They were saying, “But if we have the power station at Karuma, how shall we evacuate the power?” If you cannot evacuate it, have the factories near there. They can all be around Karuma if you do not have to carry it far away. When the Owen Falls Dam was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1954, electricity was only in Jinja. That is why the original factories concentrated there. We did not have electricity in Mbarara; we did not have it in Kabale. We did not have it but it was enough that it was in one part of Uganda and all the factories congregated there. That is a step forward. If electricity is there but you cannot distribute it far away, let the people from nearby use it. That is not a problem; that is a step forward. It is not something to mourn about and demonise. Now, out of the five million employed in services, 40,000 of them are employed in ICT, then 66,000 are employed in mining and quarrying. This is just endozo . Endozo is a word

ry.n'v &e o[l- ,tn \ "si ;NN .s t i t: i. t. I 8 (: t Amouat (OOO'f Vote Descrlptlon 63,620,755 160 Uganda Coffee Development Authority(ucDA) 4,831,755 161 Uganda Free Zones Authority Uganda Microfinance Regulatory AuthoriW to,466,294 162 163 Uganda Retirements Benefits Regulatory Authority 15,381,657 t64 National Council for Higher Education t5,891,289 31,529,180 165 Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board National Council of Sports t78,684,L72 t66 t67 Science, TechnolF5/ and Innovation 3r7,742,939 301 Makerere UniversiW 340,375,803 302 Mbarara University 56,499,64t t2t,453,L76 303 Makerere University Business School ) so+ Kyambogo UniversiW 131,616,555 305 Busitema UniversiW 5t,495,729 31,269,650 306 Muni University 307 Kabale University 58,701,033 308 Soroti University 28,662,468 309 Gulu University 63,844,236 Lira University 34,420,tO4 310 311 Law Development Centre. 25,425,r45 35,504,266 3t2 Uganda Management Institute Mountains of the Moon UniversiW 38,842,2L9 313 i 401 Mulago National Referral Hospital 92,708,Ot9 402 ) Butabika Hospital 17,515,837 13,679,781,851 Sub total -Central Votes ( Errcl. Referrals and Missionsl Referral Hospitals Arua Hospital ro,592,846 403 404 Fort Portal Hospital tt,654,O7t Y. .--:\ - A It ,i'r f.Fft i. "l ',I\.

ait r [.' ,, .K .m- lir 2 I { ,&- .2 4l=# . '.t t. li ,',) .\ ,Lt Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 2,006,435 313 Mountains of the Moon Universi 12,339,276 Mulago National Referral Hospital 401 2,262,036 402 Butabika Hospital 14,973,335,870 Sub total -Central Votes ( Drcl. Referrals and Mlsslonsf Referral Hospltals 108,000 Arua Hospital 403 109,81 1 404 Fort Portal Hospital 108,0o0 405 Gulu Hospital 108,000 Hoima Hospital 406 tt6,276 407 Jinja Hospital 108,000 Kabale Hospital 408 108,000 409 Masaka Hospital 5,109,39s 4LO Mbale Hospital 108,000 Soroti Hospital 4tl 108,000 4t2 Lira Hospital I 108,000 Mbarara Regional Hospital 4t3 L42,LO2 4t4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 108,000 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital 216,OOO \ 416 Naguru Referral Hospital l,377,OOO \+rz Kiruddu Referral Hospital 810,000 Kawempe Referral Hospital 418 810,000 4t9 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 2,O4t,200 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 11,7o3,784 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Mlssions Abroad Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 2,90t,9r8 502 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 9,700,000 503 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 504 I , li , '.'; I i l, --l-l t ./' \1,. \: Ii \ ,,- H 4:-

13144 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR FY 2023/2024 Access to labour justice is a fundamental right, essential for maintaining a fair and equitable labour market, protecting workers from exploitation and unfair treatment, and promoting compliance with labour laws. The theme highlights the importance of ensuring that workers have access to fair and effective mechanisms for resolving disputes and grievances in their workplaces, which in turn contributes to increased productivity and economic growth. The Government of Uganda has established a comprehensive legal and policy framework to enhance access to labour justice. Key legislations include the National Employment Act, 2006, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006, Workers Compensation Act, Cap 225, the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) (Amendment) Act 2021, the National Social Security Fund Act, Cap 222 (as amended), and the Labour Unions Act, 2006. These provide a framework for dispute resolution and prevention. The institutional framework comprises of Labour officers spread in all districts, cities and municipalities serving as quasi-courts of the first instance on labour matters. In addition, the Industrial Court is functional as a referral court for labour disputes. Workers in Uganda face challenges in accessing labour justice despite existing frameworks. Issues such as unfair dismissal, unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions are widespread, particularly among vulnerable groups like women, youth and informal sector workers. Many employees do not contribute to social protection, leaving workers financially insecure in old age. The National Labour Force Survey 202l indicates that many workers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, including exposure to dust, fumes and violence, with many lacking protective gear. While 898,000 workers had suffered accidents/ injuries in the 12 months preceding the survey, data from the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s Annual Insurance Market Report 2022, reveals that only 30,555 lives were insured under 2,347 Workers’ Compensation Policies in 2022. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development plays a crucial role in ensuring access to labour justice by formulating policies, enforcing legislation, overseeing dispute resolution mechanisms, providing capacity building and awareness programme and collaborating with stakeholders to promote fair labour practices. However, the ministry faces constraints such as a lack of a web-based system and national database for labour statistics, an integrated case management system for labour complaints and dispute settlement, as well as staffing shortages, insufficient tools, logistics and court facilities. As we commemorate International Labour Day, it is important to recognise and address the barriers that hinder workers from seeking redress for workplace disputes. The ministry is committed to enhancing access to labour justice and seeks the support of Parliament in addressing the constraints. Madam Speaker, the ministry, in collaboration with social partners, has planned several pre- Labour Day activities, including the 2 nd Annual Labour Convention and Expo 2024, focusing on enhancing access to labour justice, field visits to workplaces, tree planting, exhibitions for innovative enterprises and public awareness campaigns through various media channels to educate workers about accessing mechanisms for labour justice. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the national Labour Day celebrations will be held at Mukabura Grounds, St Leo’s College in Fort Portal City. We are honoured to have His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda presiding over the function, and we extend a warm invitation to all Members of Parliament to attend. The event will be broadcast live on major TV stations, allowing all Ugandans to join in the celebration of our country’s labour force. I thank you all. For God and my Country. [Ms Anyakun] MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Madam Speaker, there are a number of laws – actually, there is a saying that the laws are made in Uganda and implemented elsewhere. That defeats logic and the purpose. Like for that law which I have just mentioned, if it was implemented in this country, we would have increased productivity and industrial harmony and all would be well in our economy. I beg to thank the minister. I also thank you for giving me this opportunity. I invite Members to move to Fort Portal and we celebrate together. I also urge that tree planting – as you emphasised, Madam Speaker – be emphasised during this Labour Day celebrations so that we plant more trees to avert the drastic effects of climate change.

13147 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 30 APRIL 2024 it is high time we came up with the Industrial Court of Appeal. This is because three quarters of all cases in the Industrial Court are won by the workers. However, after that, they appeal to other colonial courts, and there the workers will never achieve anything. I think if we are to save the workers of this country, we need another mechanism in order to achieve that. My colleagues talked about the minimum wage, but I think this side is about protection of the investors, not the workers. (Applause) Because wherever we have gone, the minimum wage is a requirement. It has nothing to do with deterring the investors from coming. It is the lowest point, saying that do not exploit where you have gone. That is the meaning of the minimum wage. However, it is now history and we have repeated that. Some of us are no longer singing it because it seems that it is impossible to implement. My prayer is that you, my colleagues, are being invited to come on this Labour Day, wherever you will be, either in Fort Portal or in your districts. Let us all come and work together to protect the labourers of this country. Thank you very much.

13117 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 4 APRIL 2 024 budgets here, tourism is one of the main focuses. There is tourism potential all over this country and it is time that we focus on tourist cities in this country and Pakwach offers the best option so far, after Fort Portal. Madam Speaker, we have a mass body of water there; the River Nile and Albert Nile –

12603 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 Vote 151: Uganda Blood Transfusion Services The committee recommends that Shs 2.6 billion be provided to Uganda Blood Transfusion Services for purchase of eight centrifuge machines and Shs 600 million for assorted blood collection and IT equipment to equip the regional blood banks in Arua, Gulu, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, and Mbarara. Three regional blood banks are more than 90 per cent complete. That is Soroti, Arua and Hoima. They were built with funds from the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project (UCREPP), meaning there will be a need for money for wage and operationalisation. The committee recommends that Shs 12.276 billion required by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services to recruit 164 staff be provided. This will raise the staffing levels to 41 per cent and solve the challenge of heavy reliance on voluntary services. Vote 418: Kawempe National Refinery Hospital Kawempe National Referral Hospital, the issues are self-explanatory, but the major challenge is: 1. Inadequate staffing levels This hospital delivers 60 to 100 mothers daily and 27 Caesarean sections with a staffing of 37.4 per cent. The committee recommends that Shs 6.1 billion be provided for the recruitment of additional staff to enable Kawempe National Refinery Hospital to reach the 68 per cent staffing level. 2. Overhaul and remodelling of the hospital plumbing system This is an issue the committee has noted in the hospitals of Kawempe, Kiruddu, Naguru and Entebbe. These hospitals are as old as 10 years but the plumbing has given way. We need to take an interest in value for money because plumbing giving way after 10 years is very unacceptable. Vote 417: Kiruddu National Referral Hospital 1) Inadequate wage for recruitment of health workers which is the same as Kawempe. 2) Inadequate funding for the burns and surgery unit. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion be provided to mitigate the shortfall because patients under plastic surgery and burns require a lot of specialised attention and treatment. 3) Purchase of land The committee reiterates its recommendation that Shs 5 billion be provided to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital for the purchase of 5 acres of land to enable expansion services, namely wards for burns and plastic surgery, ophthalmology, general dialysis and ward expansion. To underscore that point, Naguru, Kiruddu and Kawempe were health centre IV on a one-acre piece of land. The Government built upwards of seven stories. There is a need for land for the expansion of these hospitals. Vote 401: Mulago National Referral Hospital 1) Staffing in Mulago National Referral Hospital can be underscored by the intensive care unit. The hospital was expanded and increased to 44 ICU beds, but 21 are working. In the adult ICU of the 27 beds, only 14 are working. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 529 million be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital for priority recruitment of 10 ICU critical staff. That is the annual cost. 7) Incomplete renovation of Lower Mulago Hospital The committee recommends that Shs 15.5 billion be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital to complete civil, electrical, plumbing and IT works to ensure full functionalising of the hospital.

12608 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS stalled because of Shs 590 million, Mbale, Fort Portal and so forth. The point I am trying to underscore is that between Katuna and Kampala we only have one ICU in Mbarara and it has four beds. If it is full, then we can make phone calls to the Creator because sometimes when you are in an ICU state -(Laughter) - you may not travel by road, but you may need to be airlifted. The police told us we are-

For example, the failure to have the three-phase power lines for the take- off or operationalisation of the ICU in Fort Portal. The minister said that we do not have three-phase power, even when we have. The issue is: install. Why would we be the producers of power, transmitters of power, collectors of power – now, even at the time that Umeme is going to be out of the picture – and we say we will not have power? I think the Government needs to sit down and –

12686 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Inspectorate of Government (IG) (i) Digitisation and digital transformation of the Inspectorate of Government. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 1.7 billion be provided to kick start the digital transformation of the institution. (ii) Insufficient wage allocation. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 0.27 billion be provided to restore the IG’s budget to the current operating level. (iii) Completion of the IG head office building project The committee recommends an additional Shs 27.718 billion be provided to the development budget of the IG to complete the construction of the head office by June 2025. (iv) Replacement of the old and damaged fleet of vehicles The committee recommends that an additional: (a) Shs 1.260 billion be provided to replace the six damaged vehicles during the bomb blast which occurred on 16 November 2021 (b) Shs 2.940 billion be provided to procure 14 double cabin vehicles. (v) Additional wage recruitment of critical staff The committee recommends an additional Shs 4,804,756,400 be provided to cater for recruitment of critical staff and additional operational costs. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (i) This talks about completion of the first phase of the JLOS House. The committee recommends that Shs 30 billion be provided during Financial Year 2024/2025 to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to cater for the completion of the first phase of the JLOS House as this will go a long way to save the Government from spending Shs 30 billion on rent annually. (ii) Recruitment of state attorneys The committee recommends that Shs 11.407 billion be provided during the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the recruitment of state attorneys to increase the capacity of the ministry in handling numerous cases before them. (iii) Payment of outstanding court awards and court award arrears The committee recommends that the Government prioritises payments of court awards and court arrears to reduce the principal amounts that attract interest by providing Shs 232.875 billion to cater for settlement of the outstanding areas. (iv) Cattle compensation to war-debt claimants The Government had agreed to compensate the war date claimants in Teso, Acholi and Lango subregions for loss of livestock and other properties during the insurgency in the north. The committee recommends that the entire outstanding bill of Shs 463.211 billion be settled across three financial years of 2024/2025, 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. (v) Representation of Government in the East African Court of Justice and community meetings The committee recommends that the ministry’s travel abroad budget line be unfrozen and a provision of Shs 1 billion to facilitate Government’s representation in the East African Court of Justice and East African Community meetings be made. (vi) Operationalisation of 13 regional offices The ministry currently operates regional offices in Gulu, Moroto, Arua, Mbale, Fort Portal, Soroti, and Mbarara against the Judiciary’s 23 high court circuits.

(8) Hosted 20 Turkish Travel Agents to a tourism experience of the South- Western region of Uganda in partnership with Embassy of Uganda in Turkey. (9) Produced tourism content in partnership with China-based Ugandan influencer, Rose Mary Adikini, and South African content creator and influencer, Mihlali Ndamase, for increased destination visibility. (10) Jointly promoted domestic events such as Kagulu Hilt climb, Karamoja Festival, Empango celebrations, the Theluji festival in the Rwenzori region, the Rolex Festival, Kyakaigo Motor Rally in Fort Portal, Ghetto Kids Tour of Western Uganda, Elgon Marathon, Pian Upe activation with Miss Uganda, Miss Tourism and Miss Deaf beauty pageants in partnership with tourism stakeholders (ll) Produced and disseminated 2,000 promotional giveaways for brand visibility (12) lO2rSOZ tourists visiting Museums and cultural heritage sites (13) Guided conservation education tours conducted for 4991572 visitors at UWEC against a target of 490,000. (14) 234,249 tourists were hosted in PAs against a target of 335,906. f,tr1 (. 6nn lw' \rP- ,& 11 ry llir.J* HK

(4) 45 Tour Guides registered, 4 inspected and licensed (5) 57 accommodation facilities registered, 48 inspected, 4 licensed (6) Graded 34 accommodation facilities in Kampala, Wakiso, Mbale, Fort Portal, Masaka and Mbarara. (7) Capacity building of 50 youth in bird guiding and nature interpretation undertaken (8) 212 wildlife import/export permit apptications processed Table 5: Budget allocation to MTWA and its Subventions FY 2O24l2S Source: MTWA Presentation on the MPS FY The overall budget allocation for MTWA and its subventions is proposed to reduce by UGX 43.825 billion from UGX 221.568 billion that was approved in FY 2023124 to UGX 174.743 billion that is for the FY 2024 125. (rev lr, .,{i Category Vote/ MDA Budget Categoty Approved FY 20.2'3124 Proposed 2024125 Approved 2O2gl24 vs Proposed 20/24125 MTIIIA Wage 3.797 3.611 -0.186 Recurrent 22.758 22.445 -0.313 Development 35.64 35.64 0 Grants to LGs 0 1.9 1.9 Domestic Arrears 0.099 0 -0.099 UIIIA Subventions r24.36 81.433 -42.927 IIWEC Subventions 9.498 9.498 0 Development t2.2 7 -5.2 UHTTI Subventions 7.73L 7.73L 0 UWRTI Subventions 5.485 5.485 0 TOTAL 22t.5,6A 174.743 -46.A25 + w 15 ,h& I t-

released and UGX 6.33 biltion (23.1o/ol spent. Absorption of the funds released was rated at 4O.7Oo/o. The low absorption of funds during the half year was attributed to delayed recruitment of staff and the postponement of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE). urB Half Year Physical Performance during the Fy 20i23.124. UTB registered the following key achievements during the first half of the Fy 2023/24: - (1) Grading of 34 accommodation facilities in Kampala, Wakiso, Mbale, Fort Portal, Masaka and Mbarara. (21 Registered 158 tour and travel companies; and 23 inspected and 107 licensed; (3) Registered 57 accommodation facitities; 48 inspected and 4 licensed; (41 Trained 171 tourist guides in national service standards for site guides and owners; (5) Trained District Tourism Officers in the West Nile Region in enforcement of Tourism Laws and Regulations and minimum tourism standards in collaboration with GtZ lJganda. (6) Established skilling partnerships with CBI for enforcement of tourism sustainability practices across the value chain. (71 Showcased Destination Uganda's tourism offerings at 8 international platforms i.e. U Hub Launch Serbia, Uganda and the 25 $ \to Ct^r> \ Aa AE- I t

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also want to thank the committee for the report presented. Aware that the committee brings out the issue of emoluments for the local government leaders, one of the biggest challenges we have is that of the subcounty vice chairpersons. Their roles are very clear that in the absence of the chairperson, they take over. In the event of uncertainties like death arising, the vice chairperson acts as a chairperson of the subcounty. However, the vice is not entitled to any salary that the chairperson has been getting. Madam Speaker, my request is that the committee takes an interest that if the law can be amended to cater for such, we shall be glad. Two, I got an opportunity to move to some of these cities like Fort Portal, Mbarara and Masaka – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, Mr Ronald Rugumayo is from Fort Portal Golf Club. Hon. Alex Ruhunda-

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As a person from Fort Portal Tourism City and a lover of golf, Toro Golf Club has produced a star for Africa. I, therefore, add my voice to congratulate Mr Rugumayo Ronald for making us proud. I beg to move.

Thank you. Hon. Nambeshe, you will not be an activist on everything. 1. We have the Uganda Golf Union and they are taking care of young people from all backgrounds. 2. Ronald Rugumayo is one person from a very humble background; he is not rich. The best golfers in Uganda are not rich. Deo Akope is from a very humble background. Okay? Hon. Sarah Opendi used to be the best golfer, the daughter revolted, refused to follow, she keeps saying she will be coming, so we have a champion in waiting here; she went for tug of war. Honourable colleagues, when we were in Rwanda for games, Hon. James Kakooza who was the chairperson of the disciplinary committee, came with his disciplinary team to receive complaints about golf, but they were chased because in golf, we play without any referee; it is a game of honest people. If you cheat, you are cheating yourself because you mark yourself and submit the results yourself. It is up to you; so, he could not get anything. It is a game, which I would advise - By the way, on a very serious note, we have Mzee Basaliza, who won a tournament at 96 years - Here at Kampala Club. Yes, he plays golf. Golf is like our presidential terms; there is no age limit. You people who want an age limit on everything, on golf, we do not have, but it is also very good for you. It is a game, which can be played by anyone. My son plays at six years, Mzee Basaliza plays at 97 years, but we have not been supporting it under the National Council of Sports (NCS) and it is one game we are going to push for because it helps preserve green belts in most of these cities. If you go to Kabale, Fort Portal and wherever there is a golf course, at least, you have a green area in a city or town, which is very important. Leader of the opposition - COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

11891 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 Question No.5 From Hon. Agnes Kirabo, Youth Representative, Central Region. That Mulago National Referral Hospital has started a kidney transplant. However, free services have been given to a few people. The rest of the patients have to pay over Shs 46 million, which is too expensive for an ordinary Ugandan. Prayer What is the Government’s plan to ensure this service is available for all? Response Mr Speaker, in December 2023, Mulago National Referral Hospital conducted Uganda’s first kidney transplant successfully, by a team of medical experts from Uganda with counterparts from Yashoda Hospital in India. Mr Speaker, the Government has allowed at least five patients with End-Stage Renal Failure who are on dialysis to have kidney transplants at Mulago National Referral Hospital, free of charge before the fee for the lifesaving procedure is determined for all patients to start paying. The costing of this procedure can then be deduced more accurately rather than estimating from a single or maiden renal transplant. Mr Speaker, Shs 46 million for a kidney transplant is a media-generated figure and not a Government position. The Government has not yet set the cost and our plan through, the Mulago team, is to determine the price after more transplants have been made to get the right picture of the cost implication. The cost of running specialised services is extremely expensive and such services have Ugandans over $18,000 on average, excluding costs of ticket and maintenance abroad. This cost does not include post-operative follow- up treatment which is also very expensive, especially in the first months. All investigations to prepare the patient for transplant were done in Uganda, except for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing where samples were sent to South Africa through Lancet Laboratories. This was more cost effective to do for now until we scale up organ transplant services. Mr Speaker, the success story of Mulago National Referral Hospital in correcting this health condition, will save Ugandans from travelling to India and other developed countries for kidney transplant. The Government of Uganda is committed to saving the lives of Ugandans through such innovations and lessons learned from Mulago. Therefore, after thorough assessment of all that entails the entire process of kidney transplant and full recovery of a patient, a reasonable figure shall be derived and Ugandans shall be informed accordingly. Question No.6 From Hon. Dr. Abed Bwanika, Member of Parliament, Kimaanya- Kabonera Division, Masaka City. He says that on 28 April 2020, the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda approved the creation of 15 news cities and 10 became operational on 1 July 2020, including Jinja, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Hoima, Fort portal, Mbarara, Masaka and Mbale. Section 188 of the Local Government Act, instructs that at the creation of a new local government unit, the minister shall assure the equitable sharing of property between the original and new governments. It is now three years since the operationalisation of the 10 cities without clear guidance on asset sharing. The Ministry of Local Government continues to handle ad hoc by engaging case by case, which has caused a lot of confusion and not desirable. This has negatively affected service delivery in the affected local governments. Some district leadership continue to insist on compensation out of the transfer of assets despite that these are public properties held in trust.

11892 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Prayers: 1. When is the Minister of Local Government concluding on the guidelines for asset sharing and laying the same on the Table in the Parliament of Uganda? 2. How much provision has the Government provided to support establishment of new headquarters for districts that were affected by the creation of new cities? Mr Speaker, my response is that funding to finance the settlement of 10 districts of Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Fort portal, Soroti and Jinja that gave birth to cities was requested for by the Ministry of Local Government during the budgeting period for the current Financial Year 2023/2024. However, funds were not allocated and this remained as an unfunded priority. The matter has been presented to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in the next Financial year 2024/2025 Budget Call Circular. Prayer 2: When are the subcounties that host new district headquarters going to be gazetted as town councils as part of the Local Governments Act? The Ministry of Local Governments has compiled the necessary data from the eight district local governments which have already determined their new locations. We are still waiting for submission from two district local governments. Town councils will be gazetted once the Ministry of Local Governments has received all the information from the two remaining local governments. Prayer 3 That since there are lacunas in the Local Governments Act about the governance of new cities, when is government coming up with a Bill on governance of new cities? My response is that the proposed Amendment Bill for Local Governments Act, Cap 243 has been prepared and will soon be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval, and then be brought here for approval. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Honourable member for Fort Portal City, followed by our champion.

Thank you, Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, for your supportive submissions. Hon. Komakech said that the ambassador told him we had a donation of the vaccine from Algeria. I do not have that information. When we were in Algeria with the President, the vaccines they have are of a different strain so we cannot just allow it in Uganda; whether as a donation or even it is cheap. We have to be sure that the vaccine we have relates to our problem. I remember our President even inviting them to come and collaborate with National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). I listened properly to capture the words of Hon. Katusabe because my English is not like his. His is very complicated but I picked the message. (Laughter) He was challenging us, and I agree with him, that we must ensure utilisation of research work in our policies and programmes. To this, I would like to let him and the House know that the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (COVAB) of Makerere is collaborating very strongly with NARO. I think one of the lecturers, Prof. Kahwa is also doing research funded by Government, on anti-tick. By and large, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is responsible for ensuring that the public and Government utilise research findings so that they can brief you on the policies in place to facilitate uptake of research, dissemination and utilisation. The Member from Kyotera said that the quarantine procedures shocked the people. Ideally, quarantine procedures should be bottom- up. That is how I know it. Our commissioner here at the centre cannot declare quarantine in district X until the District Veterinary Officer (DVO) has reported the cases. Of course, we have cases where the DVOs collude with the local governments not to report the disease so as to be collecting revenues from the markets. That is very criminal. I will check and be sure because Kyotera is a border district. I will be responding to another question. The high-risk districts are those that are at the border - the Tanzanian side, Kenyan side and even Ntungamo. Also, districts like Kiruhura and I think those in the Karamoja Subregion that border national parks because wildlife carries the reservoirs. We will ensure that there is ownership and understanding among the district leaders. However, I appeal to you to also tell them not to oppose it. Quarantine, unpopular as it maybe, is the first measure to disrupt transmission the effects of trade disruption notwithstanding. We did not lift quarantine in safe areas. We only provided for mechanisms of safe trade. My district, Kamwenge, does not have a single case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) but we closed the markets because Fort Portal City has FMD. The district security committee should be transparent enough to provide for a sub-county, which does not have cases to trade. Ideally, it should be full quarantine but because of listening to your advice and appeals from the people we represent, we put that mechanism. However, there is a risk of abuse. If we detect abuse, we close again. It is unfortunate as that. My friend, the Member for Ik County, Hon. Hillary Lokwang, your districts - the high districts - will be given priority. You will get more doses. The high districts are those at the borders and those bordering wildlife reserves.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also want to thank the committee for the report. I will start on gazettement. All the forests in Uganda were gazetted from 1932 up to 1938. At the time of gazettement, they compensated everyone who was in the forest reserve. Then in the 1970s, there was a programme which came called “double production through self-reliance”. It was under Amin. They entered the forest reserves. In some other forests, when they were gazetting, they left what we call “enclaves”. They thought those enclaves – the people inside there would protect the forest and provide cheap labour to the forest. However, now, they have started expanding. So, those people that you hear want compensation actually expanded beyond the area – that is the example of Nakasongola. That is what happened – I am talking from a professional point of view. Then, when we talk of encroachment and the population, when you go to areas like Kabale, Mbarara, and Bushenyi, which have a high population, no one encroaches on a forest reserve. You ask yourself, between Nakasongola, Mbarara, Kabale and Bushenyi, which one has a bigger population? Let us also think of mind-set change and teach our people the use of forests. Every forest was gazetted with an objective. We have forests which were gazetted to remain natural namely, Mabira and others. There are areas which were gazetted for plantations, like Nakasongola, West Nile, and Fort Portal because we wanted to get timber, paper, and plywood from those forests. Encroachment has become a problem. It started under dam production. In 2011, when the digitisation of titles started, they made titles in the forest reserves. At the moment, it has gone high. Someone gets a title, goes to court, and the same person who has given the title in lands commission is the one that represents the Government. What happens? (Member timed out.)

11581 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2024 Introduction Mr Speaker, FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven-hoofed (two hoofed) animals. These include cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and wild animals such as buffaloes, deers and antelopes. The disease spreads very fast, through close contact between infected and non-infected animals. The disease is transmitted through aerosols (fluid droplets) breathed out by infected animals and contact with affected surfaces. The aerosols can be transported by wind to far areas. The affected animals get wounds in the mouth, feet and teats in female animals. FMD is the most dreaded disease in international trade of animals and animal products. Countries that have eradicated the disease do not allow trade with affected countries, or those that control the disease by vaccination. The disease causes significant economic losses to the farmers and to the country due to disruption in animal production, productivity and in trade of animal and animal products. Scientists and economists have estimated the economic cost of FMD to a farmer per unit livestock to be $20 per infection. The cost can be higher with repeated infections. Our target, therefore, as Government, is to not only control the disease but eradicate it. Mr Speaker, the ideal situation that enables any livestock producing country to fully control and eradicate FMD requires the following interventions: i) Undertaking a bi-annual compulsory vaccination exercise of the entire susceptible animal herd in the country (all two hoofed animals; cattle, sheep, goats and pigs). For purposes of universal coverage, compliance and bio-security considerations (since vaccines are live organisms), governments normally offer the vaccines as a public good. This, however, varies from country to country, depending on the number of animals and the budget implications for buying the vaccines recurrently. ii) Another control and eradication approach is the “test and slaughter” followed by safe disposal of the carcasses (burning and/or burying). When the veterinary authorities confirm the outbreak, they determine the affected animals and those at risk for destruction. This, however, is followed with compensation by the government, which is a very expensive practice. This is the practice in developed livestock-producing countries like the United Kingdom, among others. You kill or destroy, but compensate the farmer. iii) In addition to the above, movement control restrictions (quarantine) are always imposed either in part or as a whole in the affected geographical location depending on the epidemiological assessment by the competent authorities. The competent authorities, Mr Speaker, are veterinary authorities. These animal movement restrictions, however, are temporary measures to disrupt transmission but their duration depends on the discipline and compliance of the different stakeholders (farmers, traders, processors and enforcement agencies) and also on the country’s ability to implement interventions (i) and (ii) above. Current situation in the country Mr Speaker, there are 36 districts currently affected and under quarantine. These are; Budaka, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bunyangabu, Butaleja, Fort Portal City, Gomba, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kassanda, Kayunga, Kazo, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kiruhura, Kumi, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyotera, Luuka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Mbarara City, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namisindwa, Ngora, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rwampara and Ssembabule. All districts neighbouring the aforementioned districts are at high risk, under strict surveillance and the authorities are advised to remain vigilant. These include; Apac, Amolatar, Bugiri, Bushenyi, Butaleja, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Kamuli,

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I saw the letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and I saw the districts of Budaka, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Butaleja, Fort Portal City, Gomba, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kassanda, Kayunga, Kazo, Kiruhura, Kumi, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyotera, Luuka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rwampara - This is what I was talking about: when you have such interventions, use a platform of Parliament to engage because these Members of Parliament will be questioned in their constituencies and they will be stuck. As Parliament, you do not want to have a situation whereby one day, you will be accused of fighting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We put a quarantine, Parliament came and stopped it and therefore, we allowed it and it went on. This is why I felt that it would be imperative for the minister to bring a statement here and then we debate it and put him on the spot-on issues of the law and what he would have told us here. But then again the urgency of it - I know some of these districts depend on cows and their children are going back to school. What are we going to do about it? Honourable colleagues, are we going to resolve that go and lift the quarantine so that people sell cows and you cause another crisis? You know! It is better we have ministers here and they give us clear information. Hon. Kivumbi, do you want to guide on the same? COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

11454 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 The committee retreats its earlier recommendation that an additional Shs 4 billion be provided to NMS for procurement of a kit of glucometers, BP machines and thermometers for 3000 health workers across the country. Uganda Virus Research Institute - money has been provided to a tune of Shs 2.6 billion. Health Service Commission for recruitment – Shs 500 million, Uganda Blood Transfusion Shs 2.4 billion - we need blood in this country. Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital requested an additional Shs 6.1 billion for the recruitment of additional staff and also a funding gap of 0.87 be provided to Kawempe for maintenance of equipment. Kiruddu Hospital funds have been provided and the details are in the report. Mulago National Referral Hospital money was provided. Mr Speaker, generally, all the hospitals’ money was provided for including all the regional referral hospitals of Soroti, Jinja, Masaka, Fort Portal, Hoima, Mubende, Lira, Entebbe, Naguru, Kawempe, Yumbe, Kiruddu and Moroto. All these have been provided for, Mr Speaker. Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, page 180 The committee recommends that the Government should expedite the appointment of the Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB) and allocate an additional budget of Shs 9.4 billion to develop exports and discover new markets for Uganda in view of the worsening trading imbalances recently noticed after AGOA. Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should be supported to support our export sector with an additional resource. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, we have Annex 2, which provides a summary of the funding requirements to cater for critical Government programmes. Therefore, in accordance with Section 9(8) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 and Rule 145 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the committee recommends that the proposed National Budget Framework Paper of the Financial Year 2024/2025 to the Financial Year 2028/2029 be approved by this Parliament with amendments as per the committee’s recommendations. I beg to report, Mr Speaker. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following Members to the Committee on Public Accounts (Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises): 1. Hon. Jane Bainomugisha - Ibanda; 2. Hon. Richard Gafabusa - Bwamba County; 3. Hon. Charles Bakabulindi - Workers’ Representative; 4. Hon. Josyline Kamateneti - Ntungamo; 5. Hon. Gerald Nangoli - Elgon North County; 6. Hon. Martin Muzaale - Buzaaya County; 7. Hon. Linda Irene - Fort Portal City; 8. Hon. Dononzio Kahonda - Ruhinda South County; 9. Hon. Ferigo Kambale - Kasese Municipality; 10. Hon. Pascal Mbabazi - Buwekula County; 11. Hon. Mariam Naigaga - Namutumba District; 12. Hon. Alex Brandon - Kagoma North County; 13. Hon. Alfred Edakasi - Kaberamaido County; 14. Hon. Benard Sekyanzi - Budyebo County; 15. Hon. Esther Afoyochan - Zombo District; 16. Hon. David Karubanga - Kigorobya County; 17. Hon. Dan Atwijukire - Kazo County; 18. Hon. Mutono Lodoi - Butebo County; 19. Hon. Thembo Mujungu - Busongora County South; 20. Hon. Robert Kasolo - Iki-Iki County; 21. Hon. Peter Okeyoh - Bukooli Island County; and 22. Hon. Herbert Tayebwa -Kashongi County. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Okasaai, Hon. Paul, Professor, Hon. Afande, Hon. Akamba, Hon. Yusuf, Hon. Macho, the honourable Member of Parliament from Lira, Hon. Omoding, Hon. Linda Irene from Fort Portal, Hon. Avur, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance and the majority of the House. Can you say why you want to borrow?

Yes, according to the MoFPED. c. Nyakitojo, Rwenkuba and Kitaka wards in Fort Portal City did not have elected leaders and no proof of gazettement by the MoLG. That was an explanation from the MoFPED. d. Bukasa Ward in Kampala Capital City had leadership wrangles or challenges that affected the establishment of the PDM SACCO. e. Okwang Trading Centre Ward in Otuke District did not have proof of gazettement. f. There was no explanation why Kapelebyong Parish in Kapelebyong District missed out on the SACCOs for funding. Committee recommendation The committee recommends that: (i) The MoFPED prioritises clearance of all the arrears for Financial Year 2021/2022 of Shs 17 million for all the pending SACCOs that received less and those that did not receive any funds. (ii) The MoFPED and MoLG should harmonise their figures and ensure effective coordination and management of PDM data.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the communication and for appreciating that I came early. I began coming early yesterday to monitor your health as you sit there. (Laughter) Yes, as we all know, Uganda together with Tanzania and Kenya, put a bid for AFCON, met the requirements and won the bid. Therefore, all of us should be united in supporting this, more so we the Members of Parliament; we should be patriotic enough to support that. Secondly, I did not listen to the press conference by the honourable colleagues from Lango. As you have correctly guided, we should separate issues. Let us not mix AFCON with what the Government has promised or intends to do. I know there has been an outstanding pledge to build a stadium –Akii-Bua Stadium – in Lango and Buhinga Stadium in Fort Portal. The Government is aware of those. Just a few weeks ago, we had a discussion in Cabinet – I think we were discussing the Sports Bill – and we made a decision that going forward, the Government is going to build stadia in the different parts of the country. We shall start with regional stadia such that all regions are covered – the north, east, west and central – and then we shall later on build the stadia at sub-regional levels - the independence districts; West Nile, Acholi, Kigezi, Toro, etc. Akii-Bua Stadium as well as Buhinga are accommodated in that pledge. Therefore, my plea is that - like you have guided – let us not mix the AFCON bid which we successfully won, together with the sister countries, with the Government’s commitment to construct stadia in the different parts of the country. Colleagues from Lango and Toro, you should rest assured that Government is aware of those pledges and, through this Parliament, we shall appropriate resources and ensure that we have stadia in the different parts of the country. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Honourable members, as I said, let us not discuss issues of AFCON. It is an agreed fact that we will have a number of stadia in different areas. It is also a fact that in the bid, there are specific issues and items that were raised; you must have five-star hotels, an airfield; number of things were put in the checklist. When people say Hoima is getting - maybe Fort Portal will also put up five-star hotels tomorrow. Maybe Hon. Okot-Ogong is planning to put up a five-star hotel in Lira - 2027 is far. Do not make the noise now. That will be sorted. Hon. Biraaro?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question to the Prime Minister is that in 2011, His Excellency the President promised the people of Tooro an upgrade of the Fort Portal-Kijura-Katoke Road from murram to tarmac. This road measures 80.3 kilometres. This area has several tea estates and factories like Tamteco Tea Company -

Mr Speaker, I asked the Prime Minister whether she is aware that in 2011, the President of Uganda promised the people of Tooro that Fort Portal-Kijura-Katoke road was to be upgraded from murram to tarmac.

Mr Speaker, I am talking about the promise that the President of Uganda made in 2011 where he promised the people of Tooro to tarmac Fort Portal-Kijura-Katoke Road measuring up to 80.3 kilometres. This area has a number of tea factories like Tamteco in Kijura, Rusekere and Mwenge. There are also many dairy farms in that area, but if we are to count years in dozens, this is a dozen years -

10689 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Katoke to Kyenjojo. There is a road that has just been worked on from Kyenjojo to Fort Portal that connects Ibanda District, Kamwenge up to Fort Portal. The President wanted us to first get an idea of all the roads connecting to the neighbouring countries for business, tourism and security. I cannot promise much, but I would like to request that you allow me to prevail over UNRA to construct that road so that it is in motorable state. I have not heard about it from the Cabinet. Thank you.

10715 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 2. Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. 3. Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Vote 022. 4. Uganda Cancer Institute, Vote 114. 5. Makerere University Business School, Vote 138. 6. Auditor-General, Vote 131. 7. National Citizenship and Immigration Control, Vote 120. 8. Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Vote 20. 9. Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Vote 004. 10. Busitema University, Vote 111. 11. Uganda Management Institute, Vote 140. 12. Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Vote 021. 13. Uganda Heart Institute, Vote 115. 14. Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory, Vote 305. 15. Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, Vote 151. 16. Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Vote 170. 17. Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Vote 164. 18. Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Vote 169. 19. Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Vote 175. 20. Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, Vote 112. Missions Abroad: 1. Mission in Belgium, Vote 219. 2. Mission in Geneva, Vote 214. 3. Mission in England, Vote 202. 4. Mission in France, Vote 224. 5. Mission in Italy, Vote 220. 6. Mission in Japan, Vote 215. 7. Mission in China, Vote 212. 8. Mission in Abu Dhabi, Vote 230. 9. Consulate in Guangzhou, Vote 232. 10. Mission in Germany, Vote 225. 11. Mission in Canada, Vote 203. 12. Mission in India, Vote 204-“(Interjection) - I beg your pardon.

{ t t7 Hon. Kambale Ferigo (New ) Kasese Municipality 18 Hon. Ruhunda Alex Fort Portal Central r9 Hon. Sekyanzi Benard Kirya Budyebo County 20 Hon. Wandwasi Robert Bungokho South County b"L I 2I Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Neebi Municipality ,@a} 22 Hon. Maneno Zumura DWR Obongi - 23 Hon. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North County a 24 Hon. Ababiku Jessica DWR Adjuman lY! 25 Hon. Wakabi Pius Bugahya County 26 Hon. Linda lrene DWR Fort Portal \ ) 27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu County 28 Hon. TWalla Fadil Tingey County 29 Hon. Nsibambi Yusuf Mawokota South County t ?2b^t 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County 31 Hon. Okot Santa DWR Aruu North 32 Hon. Auma Kenny Kwania North 33 Hon. Sebamala Richard Bukoto Central 34 Hon. Okupa Elijah Kasilo County 35 Hon. Mpindi Bumali RvDs Rep ffiru 36 Hon. Nsanja Patrick Ntenjeru County South I A 37 Hon. Acora Nancy DWR Lamwo *=d1 38 Hon. Mugema Peter Iganga Municipality rr\Flry\- 2

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of Health for the statement and indeed it is true, that they had increased the oxygen supply in all regional referral hospitals. However, I would like to inform the Minister of Health that at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, for the last eight months, our oxygen plant has been out of service. We have been relying on oxygen from National Medical Stores (NMS), which comes and cannot even take a week. Patients are currently buying oxygen from Pharmacies and for those who cannot afford it, you can guess what happens. It is a real problem. The hospital Director wrote a letter to the Ministry of Health on 27 March 2023, but up to today, the oxygen plant has not been serviced. The new plant which is being constructed stalled. I request the Minister of Health to ensure that they service the oxygen plant of Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital so that the patients can get service. I thank you.

10507 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2023 about the report from the WHO on the issue of preparation for other epidemics or any other outbreaks to come. Can you categorically tell this nation how many high dependence unit beds we have? How many ICU beds do we have, mainly in the Government facilities, like the honourable Member of Parliament from Fort Portal indicated? Tell us the status of their performance at the moment. One of the problems we found out during the COVID-19 pandemic is that people had to sell their property in order to have their loved ones attended to in private ICUs. If there is still COVID-19, admission rates will continue to go up. Maybe, not at the same rate like the others, but we also have other ailments. So, how many hospital beds offer ICU facilities in the Government hospitals where we expect them to be free? In diagnosis, can you tell us about the availability of CT-scan facilities in this country because every single person that runs to the hospital with chest pains, tumours or whatsoever is sent to produce CT-scan results. I have seen people moving from Fort Portal to Kampala looking for Kampala Imaging Centre for CT-scans. Tell this country how many facilities in public hospitals have CT-scans or MRIs and their cost. This is one of the hugest costs that our people cannot afford. Do public hospitals charge money for CT-scans or MRIs? Can we continue to say that we provide free health services for our people?

Mr Speaker, just a sentence. Members, let us share this wisdom. I would like to share with you how Fort Portal City has overcome some of these challenges. It has created innovations, for example, rubbish has been recycled to get manure which is giving a lot of money. Secondly, we are recycling the plastics. In the interest of time, I beg to stop here. I request that I make a statement here with some guidelines on how we can overcome these challenges.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Concerning the parking yard and regional mechanical workshops, we need, really, to give the ministry money and be mindful of the corruption. I see the money for transporting equipment from Fort Portal to Mbarara very inflated. It discourages us and it is very dangerous. There is an issue of suppressing budgets. I need to be got clearly that the honourable minister talked about wealth creation. We need to put money where we shall look back and see the money. If we put the money in road equipment, in making good roads – wealth creation, you may look back and – I do not now know where it is now. On the quality of procurement, we talked about the Chinese – (Member timed out.)

10469 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2023 A total of 566 groups of older persons were supported last financial year across the country. 800 groups are expected to benefit this Financial Year 2023/2024. Annual progress briefs will be shared with honourable members showing the breakdown per local government. Issues of concern to older persons (i) Amendments for Emyooga programme to include older persons as category 20 is pending; the Ministry in charge of Micro- finance is yet to address this matter. We hope this will be fast tracked through further engagements. (ii) Waiver on correcting errors on NIRA cards hence payment exclusions under SAGE due to age understatement This needs urgent attention and discussions are under way with Ministry of Internal Affairs. (iii) The ministry is studying the proposal from the Chairperson of Members of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities forum on lowering of the SAGE target to 60 years for older persons with disabilities since they are very few. A position will be taken and communicated soon. (iv) Development of inter-ministerial national guidelines for meaningful inclusion and affirmative action for older persons in all sectors. These would address the moral issues where service providers and the public no longer give space to older persons on public transport systems, in banking hall queues, health facilities and shopping malls, among others. (v) The special Enterprise Grant for older persons’ funding was supposed to be Shs 10 billion but only Shs 5 billion was appropriated. With your support, efforts will be made to bridge the gap next financial year. Mr Speaker, this year, the following activities were conducted during the commemoration at Humura Primary School Grounds, Kyegegwa town: (i) Launch of a manual on appropriate enterprises for older persons. This is expected to support older persons in the selection of viable enterprises. (ii) Provision of dummy cheques for older persons groups in Kyegegwa, Fort Port City, Kabarole and Kyenjojo were carried out. (iii) Gifting of 20 oldest older persons. The oldest was 134 years from Fort Portal City. (iv) Mobilisation for the pre-event and D-day activities, including a health camp for older persons, SAGE payments and NIRA registration. I would like to thank the MPs for older persons and MPs from Kyegegwa District, especially Ms Flavia Kabahenda, for the excellent mobilisation. I also want to thank all our people who were involved in this mobilisation. We had an estimated attendance of over 2,000 people out of the targeted 1,500 at the venue and the majority were older persons. (v) A total of 260 older persons were examined during the three-day health camp and treated or referred for further management. (vi) A total of 20 radio talk shows and six TV shows were aired raising awareness on healthy aging. Venue and chief guest for the national celebrations Mr Speaker, since the inception of celebrating this day, Uganda has been organising the day on a regional rotational basis. Last year, the day was hosted by northern region (Nebbi District). The venue for this year’s celebrations, according to the rotational matrix, was western Uganda (Kyegegwa District) at Humura

Mr Speaker, she is actually frail; she is from Fort Portal City and the journey is long.

10267 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2023 states since the inception of AFCON in 1957, in Sudan. It will be also the first time the East and Central Africa (CECAFA) football zone will host AFCON 2027 in 47 years since Ethiopia last hosted it in 1976. The AFCON has been to the Western, Southern and Northern African regions, but not the East African region. As a country and the East African region as a whole, we are blessed with this good news and the opportunity to host the AFCON 2027 football competition. This is a great milestone in fostering the spirit of cooperation in the East African community. While the decision to pull resources and effort was strategic, indeed, three countries are still faced with challenges including infrastructure, sports infrastructure and funding against other competing priorities. The AFCON 2027 requires a substantial investment in infrastructure for the games, accommodation, and air, water and road transport accessibility. These are expected to yield significant dividends in the short, medium and long terms. We note that in March 2017, Uganda was able to host a one-day World Athletic Championship in Kampala. The report from the sports consultancy firm that undertook the research shows that the direct economic impact stood at $2,622,000 overall. Furthermore, we also know that $1.3 million out of the total expenditure of $1.96 million was spent on local suppliers among others. The AFCON 2027 is not just about football, but it is also an opportunity to showcase the beauty of East Africa to the rest of the world. Many tourists are expected to flock the region known for its diversity in culture, landscape, wildlife and vibrant cities, to mention, but a few. Mr Speaker, Uganda made a commitment to the Confederation of African Football to undertake and ensure the following are implemented: 1. Execution of Government’s guarantees to host AFCON 2027 submitted to CAF; 2. Sign off and the submission of the host agreement after CAF bids declaration; 3. Payment of the hosting fees amounting to $30 million to CAF before February 2025. Each country is supposed to pay $30 million, which totals to $90 million as a requirement for CAF; 4. The construction of two additional stadia to host AFCON namely; Akii Bua Stadium in Lira and Buhinga Stadium in Fort Portal or Hoima City Stadium in Hoima; 5. The completion of the renovation and upgrading of the Mandela National Stadium; and 6. Securing all required funding for smooth logistical operations and delivery of the game. Honourable members, the Ministry of Education and Sports is committed to the realisation and delivery of AFCON 2027 to showcase the potential of our country, while developing the infrastructure required to leave behind an existing legacy for the country. I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports, to extend my appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, the President of the Republic of Kenya, and Her Excellency the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. We also extend our gratitude to Cabinet, the Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the Minister of State for Education and Sports – myself – and the technical teams at the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports, the Federation of Uganda Football Association and others. Honourable colleagues, friends of East Africa, I am proud to be among those who have made history –

He is still nice-looking. First of all, the people of Fort Portal and Tooro at large, have been, for many years, yearning to have Buhinga Stadium constructed by Government. The President of the Republic of Uganda came to Fort Portal and pledged before tens of thousands of the people in Tooro. Honourable minister, from your statement, I have seen you talk of Akii Bua, then you said “Buhinga or Hoima.” I would like you to improve that statement by saying - you know we are like Siamese twins with Akii Bua, because we have worked together with Akii Bua right from the word go. Everything has been worked on. It is only the money and awarding the contract for Akii Bua and Buhinga stadia. So, if you are pleased to add Hoima, that is another bonus. Otherwise, please, I request you kindly, not to tag us to Hoima. Buhinga or Hoima, that will be disastrous for –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wanted to give Hon. Kabanda information concerning Ugandans such as Mabirizi. Much obliged, thank you so much and let us stand together. United we stand and win as Uganda. We have already qualified to participate and I know Uganda may even take the African Cup of Nations, insha-Allah. MR MAURICE KIBALYA (NRM, Bugabula County South, Kamuli: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I add my voice to whoever has congratulated those that participated in the bid to have Uganda host the AFCON 2027. There is no international gathering or conference that can pull crowds like when we host games. In 2027, I am very sure Uganda is going to host people that it has never hosted before. It is going to have a population that will disorganise the whole set up of Uganda. This is the time and we have three years to prepare for this. Mr Speaker, I have heard colleagues suggesting that the stadium should be in Fort Portal, Hoima or somewhere. This is not an event for Kampala, Fort Portal or Hoima alone. It is for Uganda as a whole. We need to see the Ministry of Education and Sports coming to do some renovation work at Bugembe Stadium so that when a participating country comes, they can go for training in Jinja and stay there for two days as they prepare to come and play at Namboole or Nakivubo stadia. We should not have all countries in Kampala alone as if Mbale or Jinja are not waiting. This is an opportunity for every region to benefit. Let it not be centralised in Kampala as if they have only come to visit Kampala. We want every region to benefit in whichever formula. We have seen countries jetting in five days, a week or eight days in advance. Take them to Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara so that they train from there. Those people will benefit from the different sectors -(Member timed out.)

Madam Speaker, I want this to go on record because we elected you overwhelmingly. Even these ministers elected you. I do not see why some ministers can even imagine, in their heads, that while you are presiding, they cannot step here. That is unacceptable. Parliament is an independent organ with its powers and our duty is to check the Executive. We have to check you, whether you like it or not because it is our mandate. I do not want to come here and begin imagining that I have to be at the mercy of a minister. That would be giving away the powers that the people of Fort Portal gave me. A minister has to be put to order and from today, we do not want to hear anything like the Speaker complaining about ministers. Ministers must go and check themselves and if not, we are going to deal with you in the committees. We will not pass your ministerial statements and we will even block the budget;

Honourable members, in the public gallery this afternoon we have a delegation from Kachwamba Abaamu Group from Fort Portal City - the tourism city - Fort Portal District. They are represented by Hon. Ruhunda Alex, Hon. Mugisha Margaret

Madam Speaker, as Fort Portal, we are going through a painful process, because of getting a City Service Commission that has not been fully oriented. They have made so many mistakes that are now costing the city council a lot of money through court cases; recruiting and terminating staff without following the laws, which eventually curtails service delivery completely because of huge court costs. I do not know whether this is cutting across to other areas. The influence-peddling between the politicians and the technical people is too much. There is a war between these two forces, and that paralyses service delivery and effectiveness of these entities; it is really a crisis that we need to reflect on it.

Honourable members, this House is for honourable members. When I hear you shouting, with all the victors we have in the gallery, they may not admire to be in the next Parliament. In the public gallery this afternoon we have a delegation of students from across Uganda who have just completed the Uganda Schools Debate Championship organised by the Debate Society of Uganda. They are here to witness the proceedings; you are most welcome. Where are you? Please stand up. Thank you for coming. This is your Parliament; a people- centred Parliament. You can sit. Thank you. We also have a delegation of leaders from Gulu City led by the City Mayor, Hon. Alfred Okwang and the RCC, Ms Jane Frances Amongin. Please stand up. They are represented by Hon. Aol Betty Ocan, Hon. Martin Mapenduzi Ojara, Hon. Okot and Fr Onen - Fr Onen, first stand up. (Applause) Honourable members, we promised that this is a people-centred Parliament and that we would take Parliament to the communities. This is one of the communities that Parliament has just been training on their role as leaders. They are a local council. We have been training and we have had training in several places including Fort Portal. This time it was Northern Uganda. We thank you so much for coming. This is your Parliament; a people-centred Parliament. You have good representatives, please send them back. (Applause) Go and work for them and make sure they come back to Parliament. We thank you for coming, please come again.

The Ministry of Education and Sports, is mandated to plan and manage physical education and sports, improve access to quality physical education and sports and develop a cadre of elite athletes in the country. This is achievable through the Sports Act and, the National Physical Education and Sports Policy among other laws. Policies and regulations Colleagues, now I wish to present to you a brief about the ongoing construction of sports facilities in the country as outlined in the matrix. Madam Speaker and colleagues, you can see that I have a table here that indicates a facility - and I begin at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium. The terms of office of the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Board of Trustees expired on 1 July 2020. The stadium is undergoing construction under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Board and Ham Enterprise. In the absence of the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Board, a contract management team was constituted for the supervision of the PPP project. And Madam Speaker, I confirm to the august House, that the private developer under the PPP arrangement is doing a commendable job. Project No.2 - the Mandela National Stadium The Ministry of Works and Transport developed the designs for the renovation and upgrading of the Mandela National Stadium. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, of fencing and renovation works at Mandela National Stadium and was developed and cleared by the Office of the Solicitor- General. So far, Shs 76 billion out of the Shs 94 billion has been received from the Ministry of Finance and has been released by the Ministry of Education and Sports to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs for the project. Fencing works are complete, while renovation physical progress - currently, I want to correct the 53 to 75 per cent with the expected date of completion being 30 November 2023. Buhinga Stadium Madam Speaker, a detailed feasibility study was undertaken and completed by the Ministry of Education and Sports. The final feasibility study, concept design, environmental and social impact assessment report were submitted to the Ministry of Finance in May 2021 for funding sourcing. The estimated cost for the construction is $64 million, which includes a hotel to enhance sustainability due to the high influx of tourists in the area. And I am talking about Fort Portal. Akii Bua Stadium A detailed feasibility study was undertaken and completed by the Ministry of Education and Sports. The final feasibility study, concept design, environmental and social impact assessment report were submitted to the Ministry of Finance in May 2021 for funds sourcing.

Mr Chairperson, we in the cities, receive the effects much worse because many of the youth, especially in the ghettos and those who are jobless, depend on drugs. We have been looking at the supply chain; where are these drugs coming from? Actually, they come from the interior. Maybe the cattle corridor has also added a lot to Fort Portal’s demise. We lost a family; a man killed four members of his family. The crisis is so big, Mr Chairman, we need to find a mechanism. How do we help families who are already affected by these mentally derailed young persons? The families cannot afford the cost of handling this kind of situation. I think this law, as we get going, needs to put a mechanism for how to support and remove the crisis out of our society.

9703 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 2023 Gender, Labour and Social Development that is responsible for these children. We all have a stake in looking after them. It all comes to one thing - that we go back to parenting and valuing our families. If this is done, to assure you, we shall empty all these remand homes and all the streets, not only the streets of Kampala but all the streets in all the trading centres. Madam Speaker, I will address some of the issues that were mentioned in brief. On the issues of dilapidated structures and not having food, the budget we have does not allow us to do any developments. We are only given money for food and it is the same money that we use to transport these children to Court. In case a court session has not taken place, we bring them back. The whole financial year, we were given only Shs 640 million. That means that every quarter, we have to spend Shs 160 million to feed the children, transport them to Court and back. I would like to explain the number of remand homes that we have. Most of you are asking to know them. I do not think that is a solution. We have a Naguru Reception Centre for those – I am just giving information so that Members can know. We have Gulu, Arua and Mbale remand homes. Fort Portal, Masindi, Kabale remand homes and Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre. (Interjections) I will give you the clarification. Just hold on. We have nine remand homes and one national rehabilitation centre. We have one, which is under construction in Moroto, not yet complete. My sister, Hon. Connie, raised the issue of Mbale being congested and having no food because of the budget constraints, which you all know. We are the ones who pass the budget. Mbale serves the whole region in Eastern Uganda. Originally, when they were building Mbale Remand Home, they hoped that it would serve around 60 inmates. However, right now, we have more than 200 children in these homes. After the completion of Moroto, the congestion will reduce. Madam Speaker, the issue of child marriages or teenage pregnancies is something we sometimes sugar-coat. This is defilement but where are these men who are doing this? Surprisingly, I do not know whether you expect the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to go and search for these men who are doing this. If the parents do not come out and the girls do not report – surprisingly, even those who go to report, there is a way the system just plays around it and the cases “die” along the way.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have set up a team to advise us on how we can come up with new designs for those upcountry roads. Someone may ask: why don’t you have a flyover from Kampala to Fort Portal? One, that is costly to Government because there are other services that people are demanding. However, we have set a team -

18 Hon. Ruhunda Alex Fort Portal Central NRM L9 Hon. Seky'anzi Benard Krrya Budyebo Counry NRM <944 '20 Hon. Wandwasr Robert Bungokho South County NRM 2r Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Neebr Municrpalry NRM 22 Hon. Maneno Zumura DWR Obongr NRM 23 Hon. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North Count-v NRM 24 Hon. Ababiku Jessica DWR Adjuman NRM 25 Hon. Wakabi hus Bugahya County NRM 26 Hon. Lrnda Irene DWR Fort Portal NRM -PJ '27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu C<.runty NRM 28 Hon. Twalla Fadil Trngey County NRM 29 Hon. NsrbambL Yusuf Mawokota South County FDC --Ta^- 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County FDC 3l DWR Aruu North PPP 32 Hon. Okot Santa Hon. Auma Kennv Kwania North UPC 33 Hon Sebamala Rrchard Bukoto Central DP 34 Hon. Okupa Elijah Kasilo Countv IND ac. Hon Mpindi Bumah PwDs Rep IND 36 Hon Nsanla Patnck Ntenjeru Counlv South IND 37 IND DWR Lamwo Iganga Munrcipality IND \ 38 39 Hon. Acora Nancy Hon Mugema Peter Hon Roland Nd1'omug.yenyr Rukrga Counlv IND $fuisn\ -t 2

22 18 Hon. Ruhunda Alcx Fort Portal Central NRM t9 Hon. Se$anzr Benard Krrya Budyebo County NRM sffi,-. 20 Hon. Wandwasr Roberr Bungokho South County NRM 2l Hon. Hashim Sularman Neebi Municipalrty NRM Hon. Maneno Zorrlura DWR Obongi NRM 23 Hon. Nangoh Gerald Elgon North County NRM 24 Hon. Ababrku Jessrca DWR Adj uman NRM 25 Hon. Wakabi Pius Buga hya County NRM -:.\ 26 Hon. Linda lrcne DWR Fort Portal NRM 27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu Count5r NRM 2a Hon. Tw'alla Fadrl Tingey County NRM 29 Hon. Nsrbambr Yusuf Mawokota South County FDC q+ -.,1--tt 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County FDC 31 Hon. Okot Santa DWR Aruu North PPP 32 Hon. Auma Kenny Kwania North UPC .).) Hon. Scbamala Richard Bukoto Central DP 34 Hon. Okupa Ehlah Kasrlo County IND 35 Hon. Mprndr Bumali RrDs Rcp IND 36 Hon. Nsanja Patrrck NtenJeru County South IND 37 Hon Acora Nancy DWR Lamwo IND 38 Hon Mugema Peter lganga Municipalrty IND 39 Hon. Roland Ndyomuglenyi Rukiga County IND &^^.*r*i

Honourable members, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have leaders of the people with disability from Fort Portal City under Action for Community Development represented by Hon. Laura Kanushu. Thank you for voting a good person and Hon. Alex Ndeezi, they are good Members of Parliament. Please, vote for them again. Thank you, join me in welcoming them. (Applause)

I am sorry that I could not be in the House on time. And I will try to be as brief as possible. Madam Speaker, kindly allow me to start with the issue of blood. Honourable members, you are aware that from time to time we continue to have challenges of blood availability because we need over 400,000 units of blood on an annual basis, but we are not yet able to collect that amount. The highest we have collected is 300,000. Madam Speaker, we still have blood in our blood banks. And I have statistics in regard to that that I will quickly read. We have: Nakasero - 2,400 units; Masaka – 535 units; Mbarara – 390 units; Hoima – 200 units; Jinja – 150 units; Mbale – 400 units; Gulu – 250 units; Mengo – 100 units; Lira – 300 units; Soroti – 300 units; Arua – 200 units; Nebbi – 50 units; Kabale – 270 units; Rukungiri – 172 units; Fort Portal – 317 units; and Kitovu – 350 units, giving us a total of 6,284 units available at this point in time. PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

9134 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 My envisioned economy of $550 billion acknowledges the already achieved goal of quantitative expansion but adds another element of qualitative leap through value addition. That is not all, however. Remember, there are still 39 per cent of our households that are still spectators, instead of being part of the players. These are the “ Bakolera ekidda kyoonka . Tic me ic keken” - working only for the stomach. Here below is a report written for me by Maj. Agaba, one of our army officers, about one of our wealth creators, Mr Nyakaana of Rwengaaju, near Fort Portal. This army officer wrote for me a report after she visited there with cattle rustlers from Karamoja. These young cattle rustlers contacted me when I was in Barlegi. I met them and asked, “Okay, do you think stealing cows is good? Let me show you how people who like cows do things.” So, Major Agaba went with them to Fort Portal and other places. When she came back, she wrote this simple report. Even today, another huge group of cattle rustlers went there. Mr Nyakaana’s farm sits on 1.25 acres and does the following economic activities: Zero grazing: It has a total number of six cows, out of which five are lactating. These five cows produce 116 litres of milk per day. A litre of milk in the area ranges between Shs 1,000 and Shs 1,200. Earnings He sells 100 litres per day and spends Shs 40,000 per day on their feeding. That is 100 litres x 1,000= Shs 100,000 - 40,000 (expenditure). So, his daily net income from cows is Shs 60,000. This is his net income now; he has deducted the costs. Daily: Shs 60,000 Monthly: 60,000 x 30 days = 1,800,000. Annual: 1,800,000 x 12 months = Shs 21,600,000This is from milk on 1.25 acres. His other enterprise is poultry. He has got 7,500 birds – this is language I do not use myself because enkoko are not enyonyi . This is buyaaye of foreigners, which you copy. Enyonyi is enyonyi ; enkoko is enkoko . You cannot say enkoko is enyonyi . You must be mad; you cannot be from Africa here. I have even heard some people calling cows “animals”. I feel like fighting. You cannot call my cows animals. Ente is ente; enyamaishwa is enyamaishwa . Please, deal with your foreigners, but do not bring your confusion to us. However, she is the one who wrote this; that Mr Nyakaana has got 7,500 birds, out of which 4,500 lay eggs. He collects 120 trays of eggs per day and sells each tray at Shs 12,000. Earnings 120 trays x 12,000 = Shs 1,440,000 per day. He spends Shs 1,000,000 for feeding these hens and another Shs 40,000 for labour costs. Shs 1,440,000 minus Shs 1,000,000 for feeding and another Shs 40,000 for labour costs. This, therefore, leaves him with Shs 400,000 as daily net income from chicken. Shs 400,000 per day times 30 days is Shs 12,000,000 in a month. While Shs 12,000,000 times 12 months is Shs 144,000,000 net. Moreover, this is someone from the village with a net Shs 21,000,000 from milk and Shs 144,000,000 from eggs. This person has a feeds processing plant, which produces feeds for cows, chickens and pigs. The person also has manure; he produces manure for his farm and sells it to other people at Shs 600,000 per month. Also, this person has gas production; he produces a lot of gas from his farm and has plans of packing it in cylinders for sale. I am going to get Maj. Agaba’s report, cover it properly with a glass and put it in the Uganda Museum. This is not my own speech; Maj. Agaba wrote it for me. I want history to come

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am glad that you suffered, like some of us, because we tried our level best to do business locally. I will give two instances; I tried the electronic business and there was a sole distributor here in Kampala from India; an Indian. When we opened the branch in Fort Portal, they saw the volumes going up. What did they do? We saw another Indian coming and opening up the same business.

8816 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT and once we have seen how effective it is, we can roll it out? Additionally, I indicated that the agreement was kept a secret. I wish I could have looked at it to appreciate what is in there. However, the committee does state that the Government needs to review – I do not know what, exactly – some of the conditions in that agreement. Mr Speaker, on the issue of the costs, we must be proud of our country; we must be proud of our currency. Why do you bring a report here talking about dollars as if we do not have a currency? When I am paying for my vehicle number plate, I pay in shillings. So, why do you come here to bring us costs in dollars? Mr Speaker, we need to be proud of our currency and whenever we are speaking on this Floor, we must speak in our currency. When you go to a hotel in Kenya, they will tell you the cost of the room in Kenyan Shillings. However, here, it is a shame that you go to a hotel, even in Fort Portal, and they tell you the cost in dollars. I think that is something –(Interjection)- I am a public servant and move to do oversight. When we are doing oversight, we sleep in hotels. Mr Speaker, I do appreciate the security concerns that the minister is talking about. However, while we do appreciate the security concerns, crime cannot only be committed using these vehicles. We just lost a minister who was at his home. There is a lot that needs to be done regarding security. People are now shooting themselves with guns – police personnel shooting one another. We have seen these. While we are saying the costs are going to be incurred by the company, at the end of the day, this will be different. Therefore, while I appreciate that this is the way to go – to track vehicles – I am not quite convinced about the capacity of this specific company. I request that the minister lays here the due diligence report so that we can look at it before this House pronounces itself. (Applause) We should also know who did the due diligence. (Applause) We have seen the Government being duped with fake due diligence reports before. Mr Speaker, my concern of public service vehicles, Government vehicles and bodabodas should be the way to go. In the report, they note the new vehicles that are coming in. Are all these vehicles, which are coming in, Government vehicles? Are all these passenger service vehicles? No. They are vehicles that are being brought in by Ugandans who are importing these cars. So, it is not true that this system is only being put in Government vehicles as of now. I call upon the minister – first of all, land has not yet been provided. These people are supposed to put up, I think, a centre where this whole system will be. This implies that what is ongoing is more of a pilot project. Therefore, let us move with the due diligence, first, before we can approve this project.

Mr Speaker, reading from where I had stopped, the staff of State House provide the necessary logistical and technical support for efficient and effective operations of the Presidency. State House, in turn, provides the necessary facilitation for the staff to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This is the mandate which informs the budgetary allocations across the various items. For instance, to explain what has been in the media as to whether the President, in State House, consumes Shs 500 million, we want to clarify that the expenditure on this electricity consumption is addressed to Entebbe State House, Nakasero State Lodge, the Vice- President’s residence and 23 upcountry state lodges distributed in the various parts of the country including Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Bardege in Gulu, Arua, Masindi, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Fort Portal, Kisozi, Masaka, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, Kapchorwa, Ngoma, Kawumu, Mayuge, and Buvuma and five administrative office blocks that support State House and many other forms of infrastructure. In the media, there has also been a discussion as to whether the President spends Shs 350 million per year to buy clothing. Our President is one of the smartest presidents according to us who see him regularly. I just want to clarify that the item that appears under the State House Budget on beddings, clothing and footwear is meant to cover the protective gear for support staff, beddings for the state lodges, which I have read, the curtains, the various linens for furniture and State House functions as well as uniforms for staff as need arises. The categories of staff include drivers, housekeepers, caterers, kitchen staff, cleaners and the regular office staff. The State House also supports skilling programmes where you have seen young people who are skilled in various vocational skills and it usually provides uniforms. Therefore, this is to dispel the misinformation that the budget caters for clothing the President. Rather, it facilitates all these functions that I have explained. I could go on and on but that is the point I wanted to make, Mr Speaker. I hope this information clarifies the issues to do with budgeting for State House and states proper the record on the Hansard of this House. I want to appeal to all of us that we should always desist from raising sensational and unsubstantiated information, which misleads the public. I beg to move, Mr Speaker, and I thank you. (Mr Ssemujju rose_)

I put the question that Shs 10,397,689,000 be provided for under Vote 403: Arua Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 404: Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital

I put the question that Shs 11,825,481,000 be provided for under Vote 404: Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 405: Gulu Regional Referral Hospital

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

8766 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 make sure we have land, MoUs in place and ownership. It is ownership – Hon. Tinkasiimire, first sit down. Honourable members, do not come and just lose - You know when you lose your head in this House, nobody will pick it. For me, when I get out of that door, I go a happy girl. These are things that - let us debate with calmness. If we disagree, let us disagree respectfully. The minister has said that everything will be provided for and that is it. Now, I want you people - Hon. Tinkasiimire, first wait. You all have been outside while I have been seated with my brother Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi. All of you have been out. Honourable members, order in the House. Listen to the question. Honourable members, I want to advise that next time you have issues that concern the Budget, go to your sectoral committee and follow it up with the Budget Committee. You are all ex-officio members of the Budget Committee. Do not wait for things to come on the Floor and you begin asking, “Why didn’t you give me also?” Make a follow-up from the House sectoral committee and the Budget Committee. Based on the Votes that have been read – (Member rose _) - you are a Member, first sit down. I am going to report this one to my husband; he wants to touch me. (Laughter) Honourable members, based on the Votes of the central government that have been read on development expenditure, I put the question that Shs 13,223,122,671,000 be provided for as development expenditure for the Votes that have been read for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 403: Arua Hospital - Shs 2,620,000,000 Vote 404: Fort Portal Hospital - Shs 120,000,000

Madam Speaker, as I had said, there are local government entities that are equally performing well, with very high absorption levels. These local governments include Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Ibanda District, Rukungiri District, Kamwenge and many others. There are also districts that have performed terribly and need to be mentioned. These include Mbarara City with 67 per cent absorption capacity, Ntungamo (64 per cent), Ntoroko (76 per cent), Fort Portal City (77 per cent), Hoima City (77 per cent) and Kabale Municipal Council (77 per cent). These were below expectations. Madam Speaker, we have provided recommendations – and just to be specific, most of the local governments explained that their poor absorption was majorly rotating around the failure to recruit, failure to have teachers posted by Ministry of Education and Sports as well as the issue of USMID, where large sums of monies meant for road works were returned because the procurement processes got delayed. There was also the issue of delayed completion of projections under UGIFT. Madam Speaker, we have provided recommendations. 1. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should account for the under-release of funds to the local governments. 2. Entities whose absorption of funds was below 80 per cent should be subjected to further investigation to ascertain the underlying factors for the gross underperformance. 3. The accounting officers should develop clear revenue enhancement plans to assist the districts in future revenue mobilisation. 4. Finally, accounting officers should make a follow up with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the shortfalls affecting service delivery. 3.2 Government preparedness to implement the Parish Development Model (PDM)

Well guided, Mr Speaker. Kilembe Mines Hospital started operations in 1954 to provide medical services to workers of the Kilembe Mines. Later, the management of Kilembe Mines Ltd decided to extend provision of medical services to residents of Rwenzori Subregion and Kasese District in general. Prior to the 2020 flooding by River Nyamwamba, the health facility was providing orthopaedic services to patients from Rwenzori Subregion and beyond. The hospital was located in Kilembe Valley, Bulembia Division in Kasese Municipality. Bulembia Division has a population of over 28,000 people and has Kilembe Health Centre Dispensary as the only Government health facility Ownership of this hospital Kilembe Mines Hospital is owned by Kilembe Mines Ltd, a parastatal with 99.996 per cent shareholding. Following plummeting copper prices in the 1970s, Kilembe Mines Ltd could not adequately fund its operations, including the hospital services. This prompted management to source for partners for the hospital. The management of Kilembe Mines Hospital is under a tripartite arrangement. In 1982, Kilembe Mines Ltd entered into a partnership with the Catholic Church through the Diocese of Fort Portal to run Kilembe Mines Hospital. It was agreed that Kilembe Mines Hospital was to continue providing medical services to workers of Kilembe Mines and the surrounding population. Due to its high operational costs, the partnership could not sustain the running of the hospital and they approached the Government, through the Ministry of Health, requesting for support. In 1995, a tripartite agreement was signed between Kilembe Mines Hospital, the registered trustees of the Diocese of Kasese and the Government, represented by the Ministry of Health. It should be noted that the Diocese of Kasese was created out of the Diocese of Fort Portal. According to the tripartite agreement, each of the parties was assigned the following roles:

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.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the good work. However, I am a little bit disappointed that the ministry decided to deactivate the credit line without consultation. If they did not have courtesy to consult the local leadership, then at least they should have consulted the area Members of Parliament because the appropriation for that money is done here and so, one cannot choose to deny their people. Kilembe Mines Hospital has been serving the whole of this country. You are aware the activities of Kilembe Mines recruit citizens across the country and they have been serving. Right now, I am treating my aunt who failed to get treatment from Kilembe. I had to bring her and treat her from home. I would like to agree with most of the recommendations of the committee but it is important that an alternative is found and established immediately. Secondly, I would like to thank the religious institutions that have continued to intervene where the Government cannot adequately do its work. Kasese and Fort Portal dioceses have been doing a good job. We should continue to thank them because they are very good partners in health services. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the escalating tension between the cultivators and pastoralists in Ngoko village, Hima Parish, Kitswamba Subcounty in Kasese District. The tension is as a result of the resettlement of the pastoralists in 2007. The Government resolved to resettle the pastoralists that had occupied Queen Elizabeth National Park on Government’s former pieces of land, that is, Hima Army Production Farm and Ibuga Refugee Settlement Camp. During the process of resettling the pastoralists, the cultivators, who were staying adjacent to the Government land, were displaced. As a result, the cultivators sought court redress. In 2016, they secured a ruling in their favour. The High Court in Fort Portal ruled, among other orders, that the cultivators should retain their land, which was equivalent to 766 acres. From 2016 to date, the cultivators have never accessed the land, yet there is a court order. The office –

The commlttcc observes that thc council expenence hugc budget cuts w'lth their budgct for FY2O23|24 rcductng by 640/o compared to FY2O22 /23 from UShs 4?.tbn to an allocation of l?.387ba n fY2O23124, this budget cut is hkcly to affect a numbcr of planned activities under the Council such as preparatlonr quahficatrons and participation of Team Uganda in the 2O23 All Africa Games in Accra Ghana and thc 2O24 Paris, France Olympic and Paralympic games a.rnong others The Council seeks an additional Uahr 3O.42 bn in order to Eupport 5l reglst-ered National Fcdcrations and other activlttcs. The Councrl requires a dcvclopment budgct of UEhr t4.OSbn for the rcfurbishment and renovatton of Sports facilities at Lugogo Sports Complex and UShe 2o2bn nceded to facrlitate the refurbishment of various National Stadra regionally; Akibua Olymprc Stadium (Lira), Buhinga (Fort Portal crty)' Kakycka (Mbarara), Barifa (Arua), Pece (Gulu). Bugembe /lGkindu(Jrnja), Mbale Municipal Stadium (Mbalcl, Masaka Recrcattonal Grounds (Masaka)\, Ihbale Stadium (Kabale), Soroti Stadium (Soroti), King George Stadium(Tororo), Hoima (Boma Cround) and Masindi Stadium. Recomma,'datlons The commlttce recp,mmcnd,s f,hd:t: i. MFPED rclrwtatea that [ntdgct' of lfi$fot rZ2(ngf24 b U$rts4?.abn ll. MPPBL cualls llES a dcr*lopmeat hrdgct ol UShs Sobrt to klck scaft thc dcoclopma,I.C ol ttt ,Ib rt clrlmplcx/rrrNrna at Lugogo atd U*hs 2O2bt tor the Nat"lolnal ,tadla rcglotallg la thc medlut,za tctlra. FUBLIC T'N'IVERIIITIESI Gcacrd Obrcnatioar ead rccornnctr&tlont af Uadontafllag rnd hlgh rtrtl turnovcr: The Commrttec obscrves that most Public Universities are grossly understalled, with stafflng levels as low as 3O7o in some Universities/Colleges especially the s1

8199 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. The committee recommends that a total of Shs 25.5 billion be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital, as a matter of urgency, to fully operationalise it. Vote 420: Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page 48 on the lack of funds for the purchase of a LEEP machine. This machine helps in early treatment of cancer of the cervix, which is the number one cause of death amongst women. We have the colposcopy machines for detection but we need another Shs 180 million provided for the procurement of two LEEP machines in the Financial Year 2023/2024. Vote for 402: Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital On page 49, bullet 6.48 on the lack of funds for completion of the perimeter wall - the patients in Butabika Hospital are not ordinary patients. We were informed that some of them have strayed out of the perimeter wall and we have lost some in the swamp. So, we want Shs 2.5 billion to construct the perimeter wall. Regional Referral Hospitals Mr Speaker, these are on page 50. There was a cross-cutting issue of understaffing - that is 6.49. There was also a cross-cutting issue of incomplete infrastructure in various regional hospitals. The committee recommends that Shs 29.81 billion be provided and allocated as follows: Shs 3 billion to Gulu for the 54-staff housing, Shs 500 Million to Masaka for the ICU, Shs 12 billion Mbale for their surgical complex; Shs 1 billion to Jinja; Shs 4.5 billion to Arua, and Shs 4 billion to Fort Portal. These projects, Mr Speaker, have been built for the last seven years and we are losing a lot of money through variation in costs. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, the committee recommends that a total of Shs 3,034,158,769,598 be provided for that excludes KCCA, Uganda AIDS Commission and the PHC that we give to local governments. Mr Speaker, the budgetary allocations for the health sector votes for Financial Year 2023/2024 are presented in a tabular format. The first table shows recurrent expenditure and the total proposed budget by the committee is Shs 1,614,000,280,648. When we when we move to page 53, the development budget is also presented in a tabular form. The proposed budget by the committee is Shs 1,419,878,000,121. Mr Speaker and honourable members, please support this report. I thank you very much. (Applause)

Off Budget Flnanclng ln FY 2023 /24, UWA expects support from Development Partners in form of grants and donations to a tune of UGX 46.36 billion as shown in the table below. Revenue Catcgory Reveauc CatGgory Forecast Forecast Actual FT 202312(J24 FY 2022l2O2s FY 2O2tl22 l{on Tax Revenue /AiA PA Entry Recreational Activities and 66.98 56.46 56.23 Concessions Income 4.74 0.95 3.23 Other Internally Generated Income 6.37 10.68 6.91 CroU Subvcntion Government Subventions 28.66 38.66 51.38 External Finance 46.37 49.08 0.00 Total 153.12 155.E3 t17.75 4.3 Kcy Plaaned Activittes for FY 2ol2312ol24 al Mtniotry Of Tourisn, Wlldlife and Antlqultlca The Mtnlatr5r rcported thc followlng as the key laplcnentcd la W 2023 I 24: ned actlvltles to bG I To develop six (6) museums and cultural heritage sites for cultural tourism- and heritage conservation promotion namely Kikorongo Equator monument (in Kasese District); Karamoja Museum and handcraft center (in Moroto district); Napak Open Air Museum Interpretation centre; Fort Portal Re u I[j tr

4.4.4 Ugan& Wildlife Coasonratloa Educatlon Ccntre (IrWECl Esta.bllshment of Reglonal Satelllb Wlldllfe Consenatlo Educatlon Centre, constntctlon of d pler and a uall fence; The Committee was informed by UWEC that, the institution is soon getting a modem 5O seater boat through the Competitiveness & Enterprise Development Project-Additional Financing (CEDP-AF) to boost the Lake Victoria tourism circuit project. The Committee was further informed that notwithstanding the commencement of the procurement process of the boat, the same will require a pier for docking. The Committee was leamt that UWEC has secured 60 acres of NFA tand in the regional cities of Mbale, Gulu, Mbarara and Fort portal for the purpose of establishing a Regional Satellite Wildlife Conservation Education Centres. The first phase of this project will start in Mbale and the other centres will be established subsequently. Furthermore, the Committee was informed by UWEC that the construction of the wall fence was a pertinent asp€ct to avoid the human-wildlife conflict, which has proved to be one of the biggest challenges that the neighbouring communities to the protected areas are facing elsewhere. As thus, the Committee observes that the matters raised above are pertinent if the country is to nurture and grow domestic tourism; enhance and strengthen the securiSr of both the wildlife and humans in the neighbourhood; bring the UWEC education and conservation service closer to the people. The Commlttee therefore recoaaende that; Thc Propoaed UGX 2O btllion be provlded to UTIEC for the iaplcoentation of the proJcctr ar followc; UGX 1 billlon for the pier boat docldng faclltty UGX 4 btlllon for constructlon of thc wall fence UGX 15 billioa for the Mbdc Itr Sate a a O [!I N \r Educetio Ce ntre 24

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am here to present a report of the Committee on Education and Sports on the failure by the Government of the Republic of Uganda to se- cure the grant provided by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to construct two regional stadia, that is, Buhinga in Ka- barole District and Akii-Bua in Lira District. Mr Speaker, I beg to lay on the Table the re- port and minutes of the various meetings we conducted. Mr Speaker, during the House’s proceedings of 15 September 2021, the Fort Portal Central Division MP, Hon. Alex Ruhunda, raised an urgent question on delays by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to adhere to the House’s instruction to present progress reports on the construction of Buhin- ga Stadium in Kabarole District and Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira District, through a grant from the Government of the People’s Re- public of China. Relatedly, the same matter was raised by the Fort Portal City Woman Member of Parlia- ment, Hon. Linda Irene, during the House’s proceedings held on 30 September 2021.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I wish our king, Ronald Muwenda, a happy birthday. (Applause) I thank the committee for the report. Really, they have brought good things. It is Govern- ment’s obligation to build stadiums but the way Government does its things is why we lost the grant. If they had expedited it, we would have been with a stadium in Buhinga. Some- how, somewhere, the people of Fort Portal lost an opportunity due to the bureaucracy of this Government. I also want to go to the recommendation on the Shs 1.8 billion for Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium. When you go on the ground, you do not see value for the Shs 1.8 billion. I think the Audi- tor-General should take it up for an audit. Mr Speaker, Government should consider de- veloping the stadiums which exist. I am not sure that Namboole will be ready for the 12 th as the minister intimated. However, we have other stadia like the one at St Mary’s Kitende. Why doesn’t the Government help the private investor to develop that stadium? There is also Lugogo Stadium for KCCA. Why doesn’t the government provide a good budget for it so that it can be used to develop talent in this country? We need the status for Nakivubo because it was an international stadium and a monument for the world war. Up to now, we do not know what is going on. Thank you.

I know him as a very good Catholic but the fact is that they were not praying from Ntungamo; they were in Fort Portal. You know Nabbanja is always current. (Applause) Mr Speaker, since they have gone to seek redress in our courts of law, let us give them time to go through that court process.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. To me, it is a question of the Order Paper; when you will give me time as the minister for the sports subsector to come and make a presentation on issues Members raised regarding the ongoing works at Namboole. The other one was a question of infrastructure across the country. It is true and I want to confirm – and Hon. Hamson Obua is here - that the Government of the Republic of China did pledge to give a grant to Uganda to construct Buhinga and Akibua stadia. However, as I said the other time, the Government of China, again, confirmed to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development that they lost interest in funding the two projects, whose documents the Hon. Alex Ruhunda, Member of Parliament from Fort Portal City, has laid on the Floor. Secondly, Mr Speaker -

There is also Akii Bua Stadium, the one in Fort Portal, another in Jinja, Mbarara - Shadow Minister of Sports, you will speak last.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to lay on the Table the policy statement for the health sub-programme for Financial Year 2023/2024: Vote 014 – Ministry of Health Vote 114 - Uganda Cancer Institute Vote 115 – Uganda Heart Institute Vote 116 - National Medical Stores Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute Vote 134 - Health Service Commission Vote 151 - Uganda Blood Transfusion Service Vote 401 - Mulago National Referral Hospital Vote 402 - Butabika Hospital Vote 403 - Arua Regional Referral Hospital Vote 404 - Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital Vote 405 - Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 406 - Hoima Regional Referral Hospital Vote 407 - Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Vote 408 - Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 409 - Masaka Regional Referral Hospital Vote 410 - Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 411 - Soroti Regional Referral Hospital Vote 412 - Lira Regional Referral Hospital Vote 413 - Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Vote 414 - Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Vote 415 - Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Vote 416 - Naguru National Referral Hospital Vote 417 - Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 418 - Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital Vote 419 - Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital Vote420 - Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Vote 421 - Kayunga Referral Hospital Vote 422 - Yumbe Referral Hospital Vote 612 - Local Governments and the other annex attached. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

7223 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 1 MARCH 2023 Road reconstruction When the road condition deteriorates to a very poor state, exhibiting weak and deteriorated pavement layers with a non-functional drainage system, it requires full replacement. Reconstruction is undertaken to rebuild the road pavement and drainage system. In some instances, improvement of the subgrade strength and geometric realignment may be required – I gave examples of Matugga- Kapeeka Road and Mutukula-Kyotera-Masaka Road. The frequency of intervention depends on the state of road deterioration, which often triggers outcry from the road users for intervention. Road upgrading Road upgrading includes works that improve the level of service of the road to beyond that of its original standard. Activities like road widening, lane addition, geometric improvement, pavement works and related auxiliary works are executed – I gave the example of Rwenkunye-Apac Road. On-going national roads projects Periodic maintenance UNRA is currently carrying out periodic maintenance on two paved national roads covering a total of 93 kilometres with a funding commitment of about Shs 13 billion over the next two years. There are a number of tables there and in Table 1, you will find those roads. I request honourable Members to look at those tables as we refer to them. Rehabilitation projects There is ongoing rehabilitation of six paved national roads covering a total distance of 531 kilometres with a funding commitment of about Shs 682 billion over a period of the next three years. The roads are at different levels of implementation, as shown in table two. Further, a total of seven road rehabilitation projects covering a total distance of 324 kilometres were substantially completed in the Financial Year 2021/2022. These projects have outstanding payments such as retention funds in accordance with the contractual terms amounting to approximately Shs 55 billion. The projects which are done include: - Namunsi-Sironko-Muyembe-Kapchorwa road (65KMs), phase one and two; - Masaka Town roads (7.3 KMs); - Nakalama-Tirinyi-Mbale (93KMs) including Iganga, Busembatia and Namutumba Town roads; - Fort Portal-Hima (55KMs); - Kyenjojo-Fort Portal; and - Hima-Katunguru and Kasese Town roads and Hima service roads. Upgrading projects Currently, there are 20 ongoing road upgrading projects. These roads are being moved from gravel to tarmac. They are being upgraded to paved standards across the country covering a total of 1,083Kms with committed funding requirements of approximately Shs 1.8 trillion. The upgrading road projects are at the different levels of implementation and are indicated in table three. Further, a sum of approximately Shs 243 billion shall be required to close projects that were substantially handed over in the Financial Year 2021/2022. Bridge development projects Construction of bridges has continued across the National Road Network and progress is at different levels. The bridges are many and they are in table four. Currently, 14 bridges with a funding requirement of Shs 356 billion are under construction across the country.

6926 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT reports will be able to guide you in your debate because we want to have a constructive debate in detail about the budget framework paper before we go to handling ministerial policy statements. Also in the gallery this afternoon, are youth leaders from Fort Portal Tourism City, represented by Hon. Mugisa Margret Muhanga, Hon. Linda Irene and Hon. Ruhunda Alex. They include: 1. Mr Jonathan Nyika - Youth Chairperson; 2. Ms Gorreth Karungi - Female Youth Councillor; 3. Mr Joseph Kasita - Rights Holder; and 4. Ms Brenda Kumurubuga – the Project Coordinator They are here to observe proceedings of the House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you. Let us go to matters of national importance - reaction to my communication? Point of procedure? Let me start with the point of procedure because it takes precedence, colleagues.

Yes, it is related and in Fort Portal and Kabarole, the district chairperson of Kabarole is threatening to close all health centres because they are operating without drugs. So, this is a serious issue, which is concerning the entire country and the Ministry of Health needs to do something. Thank you. [Mr Oboth] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Honourable Minister of Health from Fort Portal. Your Woman MP has presented a case. So, kindly-

Now, let us make it very easy. Honourable minister, tomorrow, I will give you space here to lay on the Table proof of supply and delivery of drugs to Buvuma, Amuru and Fort Portal because an SMS is not a drug. (Laughter) What the Member was saying, honourable minister - like your own Member of Parliament has said – is that the chairperson LCV, who is on the ground, is complaining. So, honourable minister, do you think it is possible for National Medical Stores to provide you a list - because they should be having it – of delivery for the whole country and we submit it here tomorrow? Please, lay it on Table tomorrow - Honourable colleagues, a point of clarification only applies when a Member is holding the Floor. Once you do not have a Member on the Floor, the point of clarification does not apply. I am the one holding the Floor, you cannot seek clarification from me. (Laughter) Tomorrow, the minister will lay on the Table all the supplies made. Thank you. Hon. Macho?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. From the onset, let me thank the two ministers who are here; the Minister of State for Defence and the Minister of State for Veteran Affairs because when I called them on the issue of malpractice, they were spot on; they addressed them. I want to thank them for that. I would like to encourage colleagues to sometimes not wait until things are out of hand. These are our colleagues and they should be able to help us when these issues arise. Mr Speaker, the way the clan system is in Teso – if you are Ikaribwok or Ilalei , you are recognised in terms of either being a famous clan or a clan of warriors. So, when Members here talk about some families having army men or corruption that is where it all comes from. Sometimes it is because of the arrangement. I come from a military family and I am the only one who did not join the armed forces. We had four army officers and policemen, right from World War time. Therefore, it is not necessarily correct that because a certain family has more people in the armed forces because the family has an army general there, no. Possibly, it could have been how that family is arranged in the clan system. Of course, there could be some exceptions, but that must also be considered. The issue of corruption, I think is what brings all this confusion and if we don’t address it, then this problem will continue. On the quota system, I need the minister to help me because our Constitution is very clear about the army being national in character. It doesn’t say that army recruitment should be based on the quota system. If I lived and grew up in Fort Portal and my name is Okupa. I could be rejected because I could have appeared in the list for Kabarole District. So, how do you handle such cases? Let us not make this recruitment tribal, but national in character and transparency is what is paramount. It must be national in character. Those who are involved must ensure that it is national in character. I would also like to know from the chairperson of the committee, did you look at the list of the recruits? I remember in the last Parliament, Mr Speaker, you were here when similar issues about recruitment into the Uganda Police Force emerged. We did realise that one sub-county had 21 ASPs on the list. So, I do not know whether you had the chance to look at the list and got to know where this came from. I am saying this because we should debate with facts for us to measure ourselves in the next recruitment, on whether we have made an improvement or not.

It was one of the reasons - among others, Madam Speaker, – was to solve the challenges Hon. Nsereko has illustrated here. You do not need a city that attracts four million people every day yet they can have services in other cities - and we make sure the traffic does not increase. Putting that aside, we have a big challenge with these local governments. Firstly, the government centralised - I do not know whether we are still under a decentralised system of governance. The principles and intents of decentralisation have totally been undermined by the Central Government. Among the strategies that the Central Government did to kill the local governments was to cut their financial independence. These cities and municipalities collect local revenue. Within their mandate at that time, before they introduced the centralised system, they would solve some of these challenges. They knew they would collect their revenue; they were able to plan and collect garbage and solve some of the challenges. Now, they are curtailed because all the revenues collected have to be sent to the Central Government. Then, they have to sit and wait and beg from a system that is not efficient and effective. What do you expect? When we go to these councils, they point fingers at us and say, “You are the ones controlling our money from the top. We can no longer make simple decisions on the ground.” There was a motion tabled here to urging Government to reverse the decision of centralising local revenue such that these local governments, municipalities and cities can be able to act on some of the challenges. This is something, which was tabled here, but we have never got any response from the Central Government. That is one of the biggest challenges. When you go to Fort Portal City, the mayor was on the radio telling people that there is nothing that is going to improve. All the bad roads are going to continue, we are curtailed; we do not have the money. It was lamentation and the public was wondering. The failure by the minister to bring a law that operationalises the financing of these cities; I do not know why it takes all these ages. The law, which should allow financing of these cities, is not in place. Attorney-General, I hope you will take this up and help your minister who has delayed. He was here last time when we rejected - when he wanted to bring in piecemeal amendment of the local government laws. He promised that he would bring the new law to operationalise these cities. Up to now, nothing has happened. I hope that we get the Minister of Local Government to do his job properly.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. And I would like to thank the Members for raising these pertinent questions. The Members are complaining that the Ministry of Local Government is rotating thieving Town Clerks and Chief Administrative Officers. He steals money in Fort Portal; they take him to Ibanda and from Ibanda, to another place. I want to tell you the truth: that has stopped and I will give you evidence – (Interjection)– yes, that I, Victoria Businge, personally wrote to the Public Service Commission stopping interviews in respect of one of the town clerks that had been shortlisted for a promotional interview – (Interjection)– you will - Oh, you are appraising me! Thank you. Anyhow, I wrote to the Public Service Commission -

Most obliged. Honourable members, I want to inform you to be keen. I want Hon. Ruhunda to testify today - because he is a Member of Parliament for my city of Fort Portal - that three months back, we mounted a battle on corruption. Out of the reports tabled by the mayor, the Speaker and people of goodwill, we took the IGG to Fort Portal. As we speak, the garbage at Kitere has been removed. We discovered that they were withdrawing money in millions for fuel and not putting it in the trucks to go and collect garbage. We are with them head on. As of now, we have ordered for trucks. We are budgeting for 10 trucks and when they come out, all the 10 cities will get. However, that will not be enough if we do not supervise the money to the dot. The trucks will be there, the fuel will be stolen and the garbage will remain there. As of now, these are the salient issues I noted and those were my answers. I have gone with the assignment to bring the letter, which I wrote –

6742 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General. The audit revealed that on the account of delayed deletion of staff from payroll, some accounting officers authorised payment for salaries to staff who are either retired, transferred their services, absconded or died. I will give you an example of Gulu city where there was a delayed deletion of 20 staff who had left services leading to payment of Shs 64,323,558. Mr Speaker, such anomalies lead to loss of funds, and we have provided recommendations to that effect. We would also like to report on non-deduction of PAYE from political leaders. We have indicated details of our findings as a committee, where political leaders were not subjected to deductions of PAYE. We have also provided recommendations and to be specific. The committee recommends that accounting officers recover all the monies that were not deducted from these political leaders or the accounting officers will have to be held liable and they will have to make good the losses. Mr Speaker, we would also like to report on payment of salaries, pension and gratuity of IPPS. We noted for example, in Bulambuli District, where nine pensioners were paid a total of Shs 170 million off IPPS. The committee observed that payment of salary pension and gratuity off IPPS contravenes paragraph 4.5 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019 and could lead to abuse and manipulation for private gains. As a result, we recommend the following: The accounting officers should ensure to reconcile their respective entity staff lists together with the Ministry of Public Service IPPS, in order to avoid payment of salaries and pension and gratuity off IPPS. The accounting officers should desist from the practice and can only take such actions with the approval of the line ministries. Mr Speaker, under 3.3, we have off-budget receipts. We have provided those details and I request Members to look through. The committee has also provided observations, and I will take you straight to recommendations. The recommendations as follows: The accounting officers should adhere to paragraph 29 of the Budget Execution Circular for the said financial year. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should mainstream the disbursement of funds through the normal planning and budgeting cycles to avoid off- budget receipts. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the operationalisation of the new cities. The audit report noted that during the Financial Year 2019/2020, Government made a pronouncement upgrading 10 municipal councils to city status, effective 1 st July 2020. These include: Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Soroti and Hoima. The audit report noted the following: The Government did not provide funding in the budgets of the newly created entities to enable them to operate as cities. They continue to operate using the budget of the municipal councils. The cities lacked establishment structures against which the recruitment of the required human resources could be undertaken. There was no guidance on the allocation and sharing of assets. This has become a contentious matter between the councils of the newly created cities and the district entities from where the cities were created. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the capitation grant for printing. This is a matter that has been concluded and we will request Members to read through, but we have also provided recommendations that, for all the money sent to districts, there should be clear

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 -

On Friday, 18 November 2022, we received sad news of the death of Hon. Dr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, an accomplished politician and leader. Mr Speaker, Hon. Dr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere was born on 11 February 1932 at the Bumangi Catholic Mission in Ssese Islands, present day Kalangala District, to the late Joseph Bagenda Kapere, a fisherman, and the late Maria Lwiza Namwendero, a homemaker. He completed his primary education at Kisubi Primary School, and his O’ level at St Henry’s College Kitovu, and he joined St Mary’s College Kisubi for high school in 1946. He was a cadet, head prefect and president of the debating society. In 1952, he completed the Cambridge Intermediate Examinations and was admitted to Makerere University, where he joined the local students’ union. In 1954, he was elected Vice-President of the Students’ Guild. In 1955, he was selected as an exchange student, to attend Allegheny College in USA, before returning to Uganda to graduate as a biology and chemistry teacher in 1957. In his brief teaching service, he carried out teaching practice at Namilyango College, where two of his best students were Mr Aloysius Njala, later a Director of Bank of Uganda, and Justice Francis Ssekandi. He later moved to St Leo’s Kyegobe in Fort Portal. In 1990, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities and Letters by his Alma Mater, Allegheny College, Meadville, USA. In 1961, Paul Ssemogerere contested as the DP candidate in Mengo North (part of Bulemeezi County), where he was elected. He travelled with the late Ben Kiwanuka across the country and internationally. Dr Paul Ssemogerere became DP Publicity Secretary from 1962 until 1969 when political parties were banned, and, together with Ben Kiwanuka, he was arrested and detained without trial under the Public Order and Security Act of 1967. In 1972, he replaced Ben Kiwanuka as the leader of the Democratic Party, having served him as the Parliamentary Secretary. After a reported staged car accident in 1972, Paul Ssemogerere escaped the servicemen aboard a railway freight car disguised by a friend and later Editor of the Citizen , Mr Kyeyune. He crossed into Kenya and was admitted as a refugee in Baltimore in 1972. Mr Speaker, this reminds us of the political journey Uganda has gone through since independence up to when the NRM Government took over power. In 1973, he joined Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse. In May 1974, he married Ms Germina Namatovu and, together, they have children. In 1980, he assumed leadership of the Democratic Party and contested for president and became Leader of the Opposition in Parliament from 1981 to 1985. From 1986 to 1995, Dr Ssemogerere was appointed and served as Minister for Internal

Madam Speaker, I equally wish you a happy birthday. As you know, the people of Fort Portal - the tourism city - love you very much.

Madam Speaker, we need to create internal opportunities for our young people. There is no reason whatsoever why we are failing to plan for this young labour force. Unfortunately, many leaders are promoting the exodus of our people. They are making them not believe in their country. They just think that this country cannot provide them with opportunities. When many of us finished university, we went back to the villages - I went to Fort Portal and started my life there; I am a successful man because of that. Therefore, we can be role models. We should not kill the spirit of our young people and make them think that life is out there, and yet here in Uganda, we have all that it takes. That is why that corruption, which we are talking about, is the cause of all this. We must fight it to the end because if we do not come together and fight the parasites, who are just siphoning money and sending it out of the country - they are the cause of all this that we are going through. We must fight this. I thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me to talk about the young Fort Portal tourism city that needs to be boosted because we have not been given money. We need to get money and then grow the city.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish you a blessed birthday. I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the minister upon the very first statement on the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence – coming from the recommendations I made here in the report on gender-based violence from the Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development. There are two things that I did not hear very well from colleagues. One of them is parenting. If we are going to continue, in this country, to have fathers and mothers who are not parents, we are going to keep with this problem. Madam Speaker, we visited the remand homes in this country. In Kampiringisa, there were 194 remandees, but only four were girls. In Fort Portal, we met 75 remandees and in Masindi, there were 55 remandees, but no girl. These are the boys who are expected to marry our children. Madam Speaker, if we do not take care of these boys and we think that because they do not get pregnant, they cannot get spoiled, we are not going to have responsible men heading homes. Therefore, this Government must invest very seriously in the boys, if we have to emancipate women. Secondly, Madam Speaker –

Hon. Alex Ruhunda of Fort Portal Tourism City, we have already ruled on that and we have moved on to the next item. The learned Attorney-General says he is coming back on Tuesday on the same matter; let us stand over it up to Tuesday. Member from Kasese, I hope it is not on torture. (Laughter)

6233 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2022 2. To analyse the type of accidents and the total admissions; 3. To conduct an in-depth analysis of the total estimated costs of road traffic accidents and to review challenges in the road safety sector in the country; and 4. To develop a policy brief and recommendation in terms of laws, training, monitoring, and specific budget allocations that policymakers can consider in addition to increasing funding. The hospitals whose data we analysed were Arua, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Gulu, Hoima, Jinja, Kabale, Masaka, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Mbarara, Mubende, Yumbe, Moroto and Naguru regional referral hospitals, and Mulago National Referral Hospital. When coming up with a cost of treatment, we interfaced with the consultants of Mulago and asked them what it costs to treat a patient who is severely injured, moderately injured or with mild injuries. We came up with the guided figures. We also looked at documents: the Annual Health Sector Performance Report, the police accident reports, reports from regional referral hospitals and so forth. Madam Speaker, let me go to some of the results on page 13. In 2018, the total number of accidents were 12,805. Of these 3,194 were fatal. In 2019, the total number of accidents are 12,858. Of these 3,407 were fatal. In 2020, 12,249 accidents occurred; 3,269 were fatal. In 2021, we had a spike, 17,443 accidents occurred and 3,757 were fatal. Madam Speaker, if I break it down to the magnitude of the injuries, and people killed: in 2018, 3,689 people died from accidents. Those seriously injured were 9,541, and those slightly injured were 1,881. In 2019, those who died were 3,880 and those seriously Injured were 9,635. Those slightly injured were 1,175. In 2020, those who were killed were 3,663, those seriously injured were 8,370, and those slightly injured were 979. Finally, in 2021, those who died were 4,159, the seriously injured were 12,589 and those slightly injured were 1,287. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to table nine. That is comparison of fatalities by road user groups. From that table - I wish the IT man could flush it - motorcyclists accounted for the biggest number of fatalities in all the four years, followed by passengers on motorcycles, followed by pedestrians. There is clear evidence to show that motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s, are the biggest cause of injuries but most importantly, deaths from road traffic accidents. Page 15: causes of the crashes. We had reckless or careless driving, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and cars in dangerous mechanical conditions; the causes are up there. I would like to draw your attention to page 21: total admissions. Table 12 on page 21 shows the highest number of cases of admissions due to motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s. If we break it down by sex, males were certainly more affected and these were males above five years, compared to females. I think it is quite clear on the table. I would like to draw your attention to table 22: again, the problem is boda boda s. Madam Speaker, on the issue of the costs that we pay, that is page 34 - Mr IT, can you please move to page 34? - We broke it down into the costs based on critical level four, critical level three and critical level one. The overall daily cost that we spend on treating accidents is Shs 877 million monthly. It comes to Shs 26 billion and annually, it comes to Shs 315 billion. That is what the sector needs to be able to treat victims of accidents. As Chairperson of the Committee on Health, I know very well that we do not appropriate this amount of money for accidents and

6234 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT emergencies. That leaves me with three fundamental questions, honourable members. The first one is, we are not appropriating enough; Shs 315 billion is a lot of money. That means people are either dying, people are not getting the service or we have increased out- of-pocket expenditure. This means that a lot of Members of Parliament and the population have to touch into their pockets to meet this shortfall. As I conclude, honourable members, I would just like to compare the problem of accidents to malaria. I have just highlighted that for accidents, we spend Shs 315 billion annually. That should be on page 35. We spent about Shs 315 billion for accidents but our malaria budget is $150 million annually, which is about Shs 550 billion. Of course, that is given mostly by donors and Uganda only contributes 10 per cent of that. Therefore, in terms of what we should be able to appropriate, we are slightly behind malaria by about Shs 200 billion. Rt Hon. Speaker, I would like to quickly run through the recommendations. Policy recommendations We need to improve the emergency response assistance to road traffic victims. That means all highways in this country should have accident and emergency units. We are looking at Jinja-Kampala, Kampala- Mubende-Fort Portal, up to Gulu. The only person who moves with an ambulance in this country is the President. Any of us could fall culpable to these accidents and we shall have to wait for our ambulances, which are not yet in full functionality. Second is proper use and enforcement of helmets, speed and regular limit enforcement, heavy fines and punishment for unfair road users, proper and standardised road surface designs - that includes signage. When I drive from here to Koboko, I would like to tell the Minister of Works and Transport that there is hardly any signage and where there used to be, it has been stolen. Therefore, we also need to penalise such people. Coordination of road safety by the National Roads Safety Council, regular on-spot inspections, speed regulation measures, insurance pay-out and claims. Madam Speaker, every vehicle in this country is mandated to pay third party insurance but most times, people do not claim it. In addition, most of the drivers do not know their rights in regard to third party insurance. Therefore, it is an area we have to explore. Are we seeing a cartel of businesspeople conniving with police to ensure that people mandatorily pay third party insurance but the service is not being given? Adherence to pedestrian crossings, enforcement of road hierarchy in urban areas, removing road sign dangers and designs for safety spaces and reduction on gazetting of speed reduction zones on highways – Madam Speaker, it is a very bulky report of about 45 pages but I quickly ran through because I was given 20 minutes to present. Thank you.

6032 The moment you feel any symptoms, please, go for treatment. We are banking on you, honourable members, because when you speak, your people listen. Early treatment, as we have seen in the 45 recovered individuals, is associated with a good outcome. For most of the individuals that have died, time was lost while running from one clinic to another, including going to shrines to consult witch doctors. The population understanding the signs and symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease and avoiding exposure to it; especially, contact with the sick persons’ body fluids vomit, stool, faeces, blood, saliva, sweat, urine - all these can infect you if you are in close contact with a patient. This exposure may be through direct handling, deliberate or incidental, or even accidental of linen, surfaces, cleaning, sharing of lavatories, beddings, or through handshaking, hugging, or caring for a confirmed case. Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this House and the entire population that the symptoms of Ebola in the early phases are similar and consistent with most common febrile illnesses like malaria, where the clinical cause of the disease begins with high-grade fever, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, in the upper abdomen especially, fatigue, general body weakness, intractable vomiting and diarrhea, plus bleeding manifestations, may not be an early presentation. So, if you feel some fever, please, do not stay at home because you can be helped. This emphasises the aspect of seeking care early if you had contact with anybody who has Ebola. The outbreak epicentre remains Mubende and Kassanda specifically. In the Mubende District, the most affected subcounties are Madudu, Kiruma and East Division of Mubende Municipality. While in Kassanda, the subcounties of Kikandwa and Kalwana are the most affected. At the beginning of the outbreak, the epidemic spread to the three districts of Bunyangabu, Kagadi, Kyegegwa. Two districts have completed the 21 days of contacts follow up and even individuals have been retired from the contact list. They are back home and do not have the Ebola virus. Since there has been no second retransmission, we believe transmission may have been interrupted. However, intensified surveillance continues in these districts for another 21 days to complete the 42 days cycle before they can be cleared. A new case appeared in Kyegegwa late last week, and so, we have restarted the countdown afresh. To stop further exportation of cases into other parts of the country, His Excellency, the President of Uganda directed the restricting of movements into and out of the districts of Mubende and Kassanda. However, internal movement is allowed and transit vehicles are free to cross through to other districts; if one is going to Kakumiro, Kabarole, Fort Portal, they can cross through but not stop anywhere in Mubende. The President’s directive of restricted movement was based on optimising control effects in the same geographical area and minimising the spread to other areas. The penetration of Ebola in heavily populated areas creates a situation of rapid spread and is associated with sustained and protracted person-to-person transmission. Urban Ebola transmission is complex and Government will do it takes to ensure control of transmission in the urban settings, especially the Kampala Metropolitan Area, which includes Wakiso. To illustrate the extent of the spread in urban transmission, a single case can quickly set up several transmission lines. In short, in a very short time, as shown in this graphics, just one person in this congested city can spread Ebola to very many other people. [Ms Muhanga] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

5981 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 One good thing about me is that I am an environmentalist who has worked hard to make sure that we protect and conserve our ecosystem. I have worked with very many people, including our own Members of Parliament. I know Teso subregion - we have been in Mbale to mobilise and established recycling technologies that are meant to clean our cities and make us better. ( Interjections ) I said as an example of clean cities because I come from Fort Portal Town, the hub of hospitality, generosity and good people. As you know, other people got it wrong but allow me to allude to this adage that says; “ Omutoro tayangwa ” because they are always good people, committed to service and ready to work with the people. Members of Parliament, I request for your vote because I am capable and ready to defend this country in the East African region. I would like to bring the East African Community closer to your voters and people. I am ready, with zeal and determination, that whatever has been happening in the past. Today, we have a new vision, a new clear image of Uganda in East Africa. East Africa is now composed of seven States but they look at it like it is one of those small States. Uganda is a big country, and we must harvest big in the East African Community. I am going with passion, energy, and industriousness ready to put it at the helm. When we reach Arusha, we shall start negotiating for facts and issues; like the East African Bank; it should be here. How can you compare Uganda with others and then, deny the chance for Uganda to have the East African Bank? How can they undermine us when we have our people there? We are going to have it. All of you repeat after me; “we are going to have it.” ( Applause) I would like to assure you that I am very dedicated to the business tribunal. Do you know why our people are still being lynched and castrated in South Sudan? You do not know. ( Interjections ) It is because we lack people to follow-up issues of this kind. We want EALA to bring up those situations through dialogue, and through the good offices in these countries, to make sure they understand that East Africa is a free border zone, where a Ugandan can cross to Juba and make money and come back home and be happy. I am very determined on that; the business tribunal will help us to make sure that we realise all the four protocols. I can assure you, honourable Members of Parliament that when you send me to Arusha - none of our Protocols is working well. The Customs Union and the Common Market are all redundant. How can we speak of a Political Federation, and a Monetary Union when we do not have those two things; the Customs Union, and the Common Market must first open the borders? If you have your business enterprises and firms down there, you should be able to go across the borders and take all your products into the region. Congo is on board; why should you miss that chance? We shall go to Goma, Kinshasa, everywhere and do business. Thank you. Dear honourable members, we have to promote tourism -(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am a product of Makerere University from Livingstone Hall; the gentlemen. I also used to run for the university in athletics and marathons, 1993 to 1996. During our time, Makerere produced firebrands and I am one of those who benefitted from Makerere Institute of Social Research. I gained research skills, went back to Fort Portal and started the Kabarole Research and Resource Centre, which has contributed greatly to the think tanks of this country. (Applause) The system that used to nurture us to go to the library, make research, engage with the lecturers intellectually and engage with other universities has really gone down. Makerere – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to talk about the issue of the petition of KACITA; it is not only traders in Kampala who are affected. Right now, traders in Fort Portal City are demonstrating because of high taxes. So, I request that when they are handling that petition, they should also include other cities like Fort Portal, Mbarara and others because they are equally affected. Thank you.

Thank you, very Mr Speaker. I have seen two critical issues on pages 60 and 104, where our health facilities have no land titles. These include; Arua Hospital, Mbale, Kitovu and Fort portal blood banks. I request you, Mr Speaker, to task the Ministry of Health to go across the country and bring a report on the status of all health facilities, so that we get to know whether we have land titles or not. As patients, we are in fear; land owners may throw us out the hospital.

Hon. Mwesigwa, the MP for Hoima East Division, wanted to know why the country has delayed validation and the approval of staff structures for the newly-created cities and its effect on service delivery. Mr Speaker, in January 2022, Cabinet under, Minute 21 (CT 2022) approved the 10 cities in Uganda and the structures for the 10 cities to implement. The following actions have been taken: 1. The structures were customised to enable the cities come up with individual human resource structures that address their uniqueness; 2. The customised city structures have been adopted by the respective city councils and implementation guidelines for the said structures have been prepared and disseminated to the city authorities; 3. The job descriptions and person specifications were prepared to enable the City Service Commissions place the existing staff and recruit the right people in the right jobs; Mr Speaker, validation of the existing staff, formally belonging to the respective municipalities and annexed areas from the mother districts, was also done and successfully concluded in all the 10 cities of Hoima, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Soroti, Jinja, Mbale, Lira, Gulu and Arua.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the centrality of sports in promoting good health, development and unity cannot be underestimated. And, as a matter of fact, you know that sports promotion necessitates that we also have sports infrastructure development. My question is: When are we commencing the construction of Akii-Bua Memorial Stadium in Lango Subregion and Buyinja in Fort Portal? Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I am required by the rules, before reading the report, to present to the House the minutes of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), all filed and which form the basis of this report. I beg to lay them on the Table. I also beg to lay a copy of the executive summary that I am going to read, for purposes of your record. Mr Speaker, Article 163(4) of the Constitution of Uganda mandates the Auditor-General to submit to Parliament an annual report on the accounts audited by him for the financial year immediately preceding. The Constitution further, under Article 163(5), requires Parliament to debate and consider the report, and take appropriate action within six months after the submission by the Auditor-General. The report of the Auditor-General for the Financial Year 2020/2021 was presented on the Floor, on 3 February 2022 and referred to the committee for consideration. In accordance with Rule 174 of the Rules of Procedure, the Committee on Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) considered the Auditor- General’s report for the Financial Year 2020/2021 on the health sector to satisfy itself, among others, that: a. The monies appropriated by Parliament and disbursed were legally available for, and applicable for the services or purpose to which they were being appropriated or charged; b. The expenditure conforms to the authority, which governs it; c. Re-appropriation has been made, in accordance with the provisions of the rules of a competent authority; and d. The intended value of the extended monies was attained. Scope The report covers audit queries contained in the report of the Auditor-General for the period ended 30 June 2021, in respect of the health sector, in particular focusing on the Ministry of Health, the national referral hospitals of Mulago, Kiruddu, Butabika, China-Uganda Friendship Naguru, Kawempe and all regional referral hospitals. In addition, the report covers findings on other specialised-related institutions of votes and programmes such as the Uganda Heart Institute, the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services and the Uganda Virus Research Institute. Others include the Uganda National Health Research Organisation, the Joint Clinical Research Centre and the Uganda Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project. Methodology The committee held meetings with accounting officers and staff of all national referral hospitals, regional referral hospitals, the Ministry of Health and other specialised votes under the sector, including the Uganda Heart Institute, the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, the Joint Clinical Research Centre and the Uganda National Health Research Organisation. The committee further carried out field visits to selected regional and district hospitals of Arua, Mbale, Mubende, Fort Portal, Nebbi and Tororo respectively, to appreciate the conditions in which they operate, the extent of implementation of the development budget and the general levels of service delivery to Ugandans. In the visits, the committee observed the physical condition of the infrastructure and equipment. Members also interacted with hospital staff as well as other stakeholders,

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Congestion and overcrowding in prisons The committee noted that overcrowding is an outstanding problem for the prisons management in the country. Congestion is an average of 339 per cent with some prisons housing above five times their designed housing capacities as detailed below. Mr Speaker, that is tabulated and we made reference to some of the prisons like Bushenyi, Mbarara, Masindi, Kiruhura, Lira, Rukungiri, Ndorwa, Kakiika, Fort Portal, Kitgum, Bushenyi. Masaka Ssaza and Upper Prison. The committee observes that overcrowding in prisons relates to challenges in the judicial system. For instance, shortage of judicial staff, prosecution officers, investigators, missing court files and few high court sessions. In addition, unnecessary adjournments by judges greatly negate the trial process by cases dragging on in courts for a long time, leading to the high number of un-convicted offenders in prison custody, who eventually contribute to a rise in population in prisons. The committee further noted that another cause of congestion in prison institutions in the country is the presence of a large number of prisoners who have been sentenced to death over the years, but have never been executed. This growing prison population has overstretched existing physical facilities and puts pressure on services like water, leading to unhygienic conditions and other unacceptable behaviours. The committee noted that delivery of justice is a coordinated process in the Justice, Law and Order Sector where departments within the sector have to be aligned and coordinated simultaneously to perform all activities in the process. The committee also noted that in some prison facilities like Katojo Prison in Kabarole District, juveniles were imprisoned together with adults instead of in remand homes, thereby increasing congestion in the prisons. However, the committee was informed that this was as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic where prisoners were restricted to particular facilities to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Recommendations 1. The Prison Service development budget should be increased to enable rehabilitation, expansion and construction of more prisons to accommodate the increasing number of prisoners and reduce on congestion in the available facilities;

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

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

Thank you so much, hon. Medard Sseggona, the chairperson of PAC for the elaborate report. We are in this House as representatives of the people, so we must do the right thing. Honourable members, before I open the debate, I would like to make a few observations from the chairpersons’ communication. Looking at the report of the Joint Public Accounts, Local Government and Central, there was no involvement of the area Members of Parliament. When giving out the money - we are the representatives of these people, why don’t they involve us? How can you get clout from your members? Even if you took only Shs 100,000 to a person, even if you are involved in identification, it will have created you political mileage. None involvement of the political leaders was very wrong when giving out this money and that was bad. (Applause) We have always said that if you are going to my constituency or going to my district or you are doing anything, please involve the political leaders; we are the voice of the voiceless. Therefore, we must be the ones to speak for our people. (Applause) There is that problem that we are not involved in the exercise. However, be it as it may be, there should be no abdication of our oversight duty. We need to make sure that our oversight duty is being done. I also know that there was some abuse of office by different authorities; different people abused their offices and did not do the right thing. In some municipalities and town councils, I remember some people were even arrested but I do not know what took place after that. As a recommendation from the committee, the Auditor-General must take that up and action must be taken on those people who abuse their offices. Lastly, in the implementation of such important programmes, the two-line ministries should be involved. For example, the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness; that was relief, there was a disaster. We needed to involve the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness because they have the technical expertise on The committee encourages elected leaders to perform their oversight roles and mandate on all projects in their jurisdictions, whether invited to do so or not. This will promote an accountable and transparent society. Term of reference number seven. Madam Speaker, this was to deal with any other matter incidental to and connected with the above. Food hand-outs versus cash payments The committee noted that in a similar effort to ease the effects of the pandemic in the first lockdown, Government provided food hand- outs to the vulnerable. It was therefore, prudent for the committee to find out whether the decision by Government to give out cash relief as opposed to food items was a better choice. There was an overwhelming preference for cash relief in most of the locations the committee visited, with the justification that it preserves the dignity of the vulnerable, eliminates middlemen and enables consumer choice. The committee recommends that going forward, Government should address the challenges identified with giving out cash relief, should it consider such an intervention necessary. Facilitation for data entry clerks The committee noted that Government provided Shs 4 million to every municipality and division within cities to facilitate the exercise, including but not limited to fuel costs and allowances for data entry clerks. At the time of the committee’s visit, however, some of the officials had not received this facilitation due to the bureaucratic challenges associated with vote change and staff structuring now that they had become cities. As a matter of fact, many civil servants including town clerks in the new administrative units, had not received their salaries. The committee recommends that Government expedites the process of operationalising the new administrative units to enable them fully function. Multiple payments In a circular provided by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, showed that only one person per household was supposed to be registered in their relief fund. The committee noted abuse across the locations visited. In Fort Portal City and Ntungamo Municipality, for instance, there were cases of husband and wife registering under the same household and benefiting; some, even outside the categories required. In Masindi, several people had similar names and NINs, but altered the case form, one in the upper case and the other in the lower case. This clearly shows that the NIN was manipulated by the users. Other town councils/urban areas The committee noted that the action by Government to provide relief to only the vulnerable in cities and municipalities was segregative as the lockdown occasioned by Government was countrywide. Curfew hours were being implemented strictly across the country, including town councils and urban areas. This equally disrupted the citizens in those areas who were engaged in employment to continue with their daily earnings. General recommendations 1. The Attorney-General should carry out a forensic audit in the exercise and make appropriate recommendations; and 2. The Ministry of Gender should: i) Ensure that all officers who were fraudulently registered and received relief fund, refund the money; ii) Ensure the functionality of disaster management committees in all administrative units from which disaster policies can be developed and implemented;

Hon. Lematia, if you looked at the report very well, it is talking about Ayivu and how it did not benefit because of non-capturing of the data. I wish you were attentive when the report was being read. It reads, “The committee recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should consider giving relief to the residents of Ayivu Division and northern division of Arua and Fort Portal cities respectively.” Therefore, the committee captured your issues.

2410 2411 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2022 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT To colleagues, about the double payment, yes, we did recommend recovery; but also recommended that those hidden in a room doing criminal acts should also be handled in accordance with the law. With respect to guidelines, we will submit recommendations that there should be proper guidelines in the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees. It should take the lead in the future, in the event of such similar occurrences. I have also been touched by the concern of hon. Linda, Woman Member of Parliament for Fort Portal City, about the understaffing. I think there has been research in this country that all local governments are understaffed to the extent of 47 per cent. I think it is a matter that Parliament may wish to take interest in. Honourable colleagues, I think also the matter of education was at the forefront of the debate today. Our terms of reference were to look at all identified categories of intended beneficiaries. Therefore, we were not paying particular attention to teachers in private schools, which seems to have been a dominant concern in today’s debate. Hon. Catheline Ndamira and some other people who accessed national IDs - that was not part of our terms of reference and it is a matter that we clearly avoided in this report for legal and diplomatic reasons. The last two issues; one by hon. Dr Lulume Bayigga Ssalongo that some people from the rural constituency benefited: I think we said, “Yes, there are categories of people who were not intended beneficiaries but benefited.” This will help the ministry in undertaking further remedial action. Finally, I think hon. Barnabas Tinkasiimire, some of the matters you raised relate to classification of accounts or classified accounts. I am not one of those that will be tempted to discuss them but I can also urge Government - for purposes of accountability, 36 years is a lot of time. In other civilised countries, they declassify. Those that have been declassified are discussed in the national parliaments. I thank you, Madam Speaker and honourable members. I reiterate our prayer that you find pleasure in adopting the resolutions.