Kasilo County

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

Sorry! To her family, the pain is unbearable, to her church, a pillar has fallen, to Ngora District, a champion has been silenced, and to this Parliament, a conscience has been removed too soon. Her death is not just a personal loss, but a national wound, yet even in this deep sorrow, her life confronts us. It asks us hard questions: are we serving or surviving? Are we leading with conviction or convenience? Are we worthy of the people who sent us here? Madam Speaker, Hon. Stella ran her race but did not finish it because she was tired but she finished because God called her home. Her work, courage and faith now speaks louder than her voice could. Her seat may be vacant, but her spirit still fills this House. Her legacy will challenge every one of us who still has breath to speak the truth, defend the weak and serve without fear. On behalf of the people I represent in Kasilo County, and the people of Uganda, we bow our heads in honour of a fallen leader, a faithful Christian and a true daughter of Ngora. May the Lord she served receive her in eternal glory.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand here to support the motion. The southern part of Lake Kyoga lacks infrastructure to connect to the northern part of the lake. I am here to support it because this is one of the roads we have been advocating for in the physical infrastructure committee for the past 10 to 15 years. I am pleased that today this has reached what it is. Mr Speaker, additionally, the people of Serere – Kasilo – Kaberamaido and Kalaki will be beneficiaries of this project. It will improve the connectivity between the northern part and the southern part of Lake Kyoga. Needless to add, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should also look into adding a stop in Nakasongola to Galiraya, so that if you are coming from Masindi, you do not have to go to Kampala. You can connect from Masindi, Nakasongola, Kayunga, Isimba Dam, then to Kamuli, Kaliro, and finally to Pallisa. The other two roads that the minister for finance needs to look into are: Kamuli to Irundu and then Kaliro to Irundu. Once you do those roads on the southern part of Lake Kyoga, you would have improved the connectivity between the northern and the southern parts of the country. Definitely, with the ferries that are already operating and those that we are proposing to introduce on Lake Kyoga, you would reduce the time that we spend getting to Kampala. I could sleep in Kasilo and come here; within two hours, I would be in Kampala from Kasilo, rather than spending five hours. On that note, Mr Speaker, I stand here to support this loan for the construction of this road. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, the actual name of the road is Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara- Kasilo Road.

Kasilo?

17293 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA W EDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2025 do you want to debate? I put the question that Parliament approves the request by Government to borrow $106 million from the Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for upgrading of Kumi-Ngora- Serere-Kagwara-Kasilo Road (98 kilometres). (Question put and agreed to.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to also thank the Members of Parliament for even approving the loan before the committee lays it before the House. That shows that there is need for this road to be worked on. Madam Speaker, this road has been pending from the Third National Development Plan (NDPIII). Now we are in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). I am happy that the Government of Uganda was in position to secure funding from the Islamic Development Bank, $106 million and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the upgrade of Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road. The committee scrutinised the loan and we made our recommendations. I also want to thank the area Members of Parliament from Serere, Ngora and Kumi who attended the meeting with us as we were scrutinising this loan. I, therefore, want to take this opportunity, to lay the report of the Committee on National Economy on the proposal to borrow up to $106 million from Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the upgrade of the road. Madam Speaker, while we were scrutinising this loan, we realised that the town councils through which the road was passing were not catered for. As a committee, we recommended that whatever contingency that will accrue from the loan should be utilised to upgrade roads within the town councils in which the project is going. These include; Kasilo Town Council, Kadungulu, Kagwara, Serere, Ngora Town Council, Ocaapa and Kumi Municipality. I beg to lay the report of the committee.

17197 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 well, because they also have primary schools and other institutions in those areas. Secondly, Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for directing or urging Members to withdraw that list because when I looked at it, I saw schools which have already been grant- aided and coded. It was wise to ask that the list be withdrawn such that we can submit. Now that that is the case, I would like to bring to the attention of the minister that in Kasilo, there are requests that have also been lying in your office. St Francis of Assisi Secondary School, Kagwara Seed Secondary School, where most of you helped me to raise money - we have already constructed seven classrooms - is one of those for which the request has been made. Also, Omongolim Primary School, which MTN has graciously helped us to put up five classroom blocks with a latrine. I request that you include those in the next selection. Mr Speaker, this issue, which we have been reading about in the newspapers, of course, needs to be clarified by the minister; the Government’s proposal to collect money from these faith-based primary and secondary schools. It is a big concern because it is once bitten, twice shy. Schools need money as soon as schools open. If the money has to go there, you know the policy of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, they release money quarterly. How will schools operate? We also have the fear of diversion; you see the issue of the Road Fund. We said this money must be for the infrastructure when we passed that law, but the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development stubbornly refused despite the directives of the law.

17085 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 Two, Mr Speaker, on the issues of incomplete projects, the committee chairman knows that in 2018-2019 – water for production – the ministry came and drilled holes in Kasilo County, Soroti County and in Amuria. The one of Serere, specifically in Bugondo Subcounty, has never been evacuated. How can we not have that money to complete that project, seven years down the road? I have raised this with the ministry many times and it has not happened. Can we get to know why it has happened? Honourable minister for energy, the project under your ministry which we started - I think it gives clouds to the Government when you come and commission them. If they are completed and you do not commission them, what does that mean? May I now invite you to Kasilo County to commission the project that you set up there? Of course, there are some irregularities. Please, that is how a Government can be felt. There is the issue of afforestation. The National Forest Authority (NFA) has land in Bugondo Hills in Bugondo Subcounty. It is a forested place with baboons and is the only natural forest that we have in Kasilo. However, people have encroached it. Your staff are there, and they are not helping the situation. People are cutting down trees, and if it is not followed up, it will be a very big problem in the next one or two years. It will just be a desert. Please, I request you to ask the NFA people to up their game and have that issue sorted. Finally, on the rural electrification extension, when we passed that law here, we thought it would be passed to every subcounty - (Member timed out.)

Most obliged. I will cross- check. Thank you. I was raising this because they have continued arresting fishermen from Kasilo and detaining them in Kamuli. I do not know why they cannot detain them in Serere if they have committed any crime on the lake. That will help us. On the issue of the dams desilting, I am one of the people who are supposed to have benefitted from the desilting of dams. Two years ago, the ministry came -

As Kasilo County. All the ministers were there and we commissioned it. However, two years down the road, it is on and off. May I know from the minister when these projects will be completed? I also request that the committee chairperson and her team lead a committee to these areas to see the progress of desilting these dams. They are supposed to provide fishing ponds and access roads, but nothing has been completed up to now. There is the issue of tractors, which we only hear of. They have promised us tractors over and over again. I would like to know the criteria for giving tractors to the farming communities. Serere Research Station – Dr Okaasai over there knows it. When shall we rehabilitate it to what it used to be, when Hon. Okaasai and the team just joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries? Year in, year out, when are we going to rehabilitate Serere Research Station? As I conclude, there is the issue of animals that they gave some districts. My chairman informed me following what the committee chairperson has talked about - I do not know whether they check the service providers. How can they say that they are bringing bulls for breeding and they bring a castrated bull? (Laughter) How can that happen? I would like the honourable minister to get in touch with the chairperson – (Member timed out.)

I see Hon. Oku - pa feeling bad about it. That it was not Kasilo.

Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Jonathan Odur, Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu, Hon. Hassan Kirumira, Hon. Ethel, Hon. Hellen, Member for Gweri, Member for Aruu, Hon. Kasolo – Member for Iki-Iki – Hon. Mbwa, Hon. Florence, Hon. Emmanuel – two Emmanuels – Hon. Acrobat, Hon. Koluo, Hon. Okot, Hon. Okello, Member for Kasilo, minister for fisheries, Hon. Aisha Sekindi, Rt Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sarah Opendi – by the whole NRM side – Hon. David, Hon. Mavenjina Akumu, Member for elderly and the UPDF Representative, Hon. Alanyo. Would you like to speak a little bit to the objectives of your –

Thank you. Kasilo?

Thank you. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Kasilo is in peninsula, so, have it on board. However, I want to thank the Government on behalf of the people of Buyende, Kamuli, Kasilo and Kaberamaido for the two wonderful ferries that have been completed. They are now floating. The only challenge now is that we cannot use them because the contractor who was responsible for building the docks abandoned the sites because of non-payment of Shs 2.7 billion. We have had these wonderful ferries floating on the water for the last four months. Can the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development provide the resources to complete the docks in Kamuli, Buyende, Kasilo and Kaberamaido? We do not want to have white elephants on - (Member timed out.)

Member from Alebtong, from the Tourism City, and from Kasilo.

Mr Speaker, I was just seated, thinking and reflecting on those people who are in prison, in the police cells, and un-gazetted places - it reminded me of the 1988 incident when, as a young man aged 18 years old, was arrested by the NRA, undressed, locked up in a room of over 20 people, naked, women and men, and women were raped in front of us. I spent three days without tasting any food. The bucket system was being used. The porridge was being brought in buckets and you all had to dip your hands into it, no matter whether you had washed your hands or not yet we had been urinating in the same place. When I reflect on that, it brings pain to one’s heart. It is not until possibly you have been there that you will get to know the pain one can go through. At that age, I went through that for three weeks. When we are speaking about this issue of congestion, it perturbs me and I think it is not only limited to the prisons but even the police cells. So, I want to call upon the Committee on Human Rights to do some impromptu visits to the police cells within Kampala. On 29 December 2024, I got the news that one of the people from Kasilo had been arrested and brought to Kyaliwajjala Police Station and had been there for five days. I looked at them - there were seven of them in a cage like the way you see chicken in Nakawa Market. I have a photo here of those people. They could only stand and did not have where to squat, but they had to kneel on one another in order to sleep. I want to call on the Committee on Human Rights to visit these places to know how people are suffering yet they are being held on just petty issues. I was reflecting on how one can feed on beans and posho for 28 years. Mr Speaker, when you asked about when Hon. Kabuye was born, I just said, “Can you imagine someone going without conjugal rights since the time Hon. Kabuye was born?” Hon. Kabuye has even got children. How many of you can last for all that? That is the pain - (Laughter) - we can take it to different dimensions to make you feel - maybe that is the language you need to get and get to feel - you do not even know for what case someone has spent all those years. I wish the Attorney- General was still here, I would have asked him whether - (Member timed out.)

Is the motion seconded? It is seconded by Hon. Afidra, Hon. Margaret – both Margarets – Hon. Apolot, Hon. Acuti, Hon. Okot, Hon. Rose, Professor, MP for Kasilo, Hon. Bahati, the Government Chief Whip, Dr Kaducu, minister for education, minister for Karamoja Affairs, the army, Hon. Ababiku, and the chief youth. Yes, would you love to speak to your motion?

Madam Speaker. I congratulate the minister, the chairperson, and Kasilo here, Kabale, Rubanda, Moyo, Laropi, Ngora, and Serere - I congratulate you. However, I have a concern for the minister of finance.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. Like my sister stated here, she has benefited. Personally, I have also benefited from Compassion International by them providing - They were the first people to provide piped water in Kasilo County. In the village where I come from, they sponsor over 300 pupils. They educate them and it is not only that village. There are about five villages in Kasilo County that Compassion International has helped. They are helping pupils and the vulnerable by providing water. They are also helping the churches. Therefore, I thank them once more on behalf of the people of Kasilo County in Serere District. Thank you.

Honourable members, let us decongest the area and have our children studying. Honourable members, in the public gallery, we have pupils and teachers from Adwenyi Primary School, Serere District. You are most welcome. (Applause) That is in Kasilo County where Hon. Elijah Okupa, the longest serving person in the House, and Hon. Adoa Hellen, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Fisheries), come from. The Floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and the honourable members of Parliament, for welcoming the pupils and the teachers and some parents from Adwenyi Primary School in Kadungulu Town Council in Kasilo County. This was the best school in Kasilo last year in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) – (Applause) - I hope they will do it again this year. Madam Speaker, allow me also this opportunity to ask some two questions to the Prime Minister before I go to escort them out [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

14747 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2024 of this place. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I want to thank Government for the two Buyende, Kaberamaido and Kagwara (BKK) ferries to connect Buyende, Bukungu, Kagwara in Kasilo and Kaberamaido.

Last month, the two ships were lowered. Unfortunately, because Government owes contractors a lot of money, Terrain Services that was constructing the dock has withdrawn because they have not been paid their balance of Shs 2.9 billion. They cannot complete the work yet His Excellency the President is supposed to go and commission these ferries in November, on his tour to the Eastern side. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, can you use your powers to direct the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to release this money such that it is not an embarrassment to Government, such that the contractor goes back on site and completes this project properly? Finally, again I want to thank the Government for starting the students’ loan scheme under the Higher Education Student Financing Board. This is a list of the students who have been provided for, for this loan scheme. The unfortunate part is - when we adopted the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises - COSASE) we realised there was unfairness in the distribution. This thing was supposed to be on a quarterly basis. However, it is surprising that there are districts that have been given 65 slots and others one. We do not know where this unfairness is coming from. I can see in: i) Karenga, only one person; ii) Kapelebyong, four; iii) Lira, they are 25; iv) Mbarara, 36; v) Ntungamo is 75; vi) Wakiso, 75; vii) Amudat, three; viii) Amuria, six; ix) Buliisa, three; x) Bushenyi, 39; xi) Busia, 58; xii) Buvuma, three; xiii) Serere, eight, and xiv) Hoima, 21. Last time we said, let us be the last. I have a list for all these districts. This is very unfair because this was intended to harmonise and bring equity. When you look at where the Executive Director comes from, there are 58. Why? That was the same problem in our COSASE report. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, before they report, call these people to order and let this thing be equitably distributed on a quarterly basis. The population census has just been released today. You will get to know the population. Even where the honourable minister comes from, they are very few. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we beg you. There is even a student from Kasilo who got 16 in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM). He is admitted to Mbarara University. He applied for engineering and he was left out. We want to request you to take action. Thank you very much.

Honourable members, you will bear with me. Even if there are people who are members of the committee like Hon. Nathan, when it comes to taxation, I will allow him to speak. When it comes to value added tax (VAT), it is Hon. Kateshumbwa or Hon. Elijah of Kasilo. Those are people who were managing it; then, of course, the shadow minister.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mine is regarding the matter of the loans and the roads that the Minister laid. This financial year, we did pass money for the construction of the Mbulamuti-Kamuli- Bukungu Road. However, because the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development delayed bringing the loan to this House, it ended - the agreements were ready by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), but somehow within the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, that contract agreement for the construction of that road has not commenced. We again have to budget and put this road back in the next financial year. Could the Minister do these things promptly? We have wasted one year without any work, the contract was signed, but because there is some challenge in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, I want the minister to take it up. Additionally, I raised and saw - thanks to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Hon. Kasolo that you approved a loan for Kumi-Serere-Kasilo Road. I have seen it in the Budget Framework Papers, but the loan has not yet come here. We may run into the same problem. When are you bringing the loan to this House? We do not want to waste one year without work as has happened to the Kamuli-Bukungu Road. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, Hon. Elijah Okupa, Member of Parliament for Kasilo County, Serere District – let me read his question.

Serere is not Kasilo.

I was in Kasilo. You know I visited you, but I did not see any lake.

Ask Hon. Jim Muhwezi. He knows the place very well. (Laughter) That is why, Mr Speaker, you have heard me fight for the ferry from Bukungu to Kagwara, from Buyende to Kagwara, and from Kaberamaido to Kasilo. That is how it is. The people of Kasilo have suffered the wrath of the enforcers on the lake. From the middle of last year, six people have been killed. One left 12 orphans – you know how those by the lake shores produce - I do not want to hear that. Mr Speaker, I think there is a need for – even if one has broken the law, the way they handle these people. They must be treated with dignity. When they arrest them, they bring them all the way to Central Police Station (CPS) at Buganda Road here for detention. That is where their families must follow them up and I think it is for a reason. It even takes time - two to three days - to reach CPS because they expect the families to be calling them for a bribe such that they can be released before they reach here. Why would you arrest someone from Kasilo, but you detain them at CPS, Kampala? Therefore, Mr Speaker, I request that on top of the prayers that my colleague, the Hon. Dr Apea has put, the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries visits areas where these killings have taken place to hear from the communities there about the wrath they have gone through and brings a report to Parliament. From that, we shall be able to make some recommendations that are necessary for us to help these people. Otherwise, they have suffered so much. We need Government to help us. These are our voters. When it comes to the issue of the nets, there are those nets that are imported ready-made, but there are also the threads that are imported from which people make nets locally. They have learnt the art of making these nets. Not only should the nets be banned, but also those threads; the material that people use to make local nets. Mr Speaker, it is a big problem that needs to be sorted out. We do not want to politicise this matter, but the security officers on the lakes should be humane enough as they arrest these people. Mr Speaker, if you do not mind, my neighbour from Buyende is asking to give information. With your permission – (Interruption)

11500 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 together with the Ministry of Education and Sports said that they did not have the money. They said they would do it the following year. In 2023/2024, we again appropriated the money. However, to-date – we should be thinking about those students and pupils, because the parents, once the list was published in the New Vision , they pulled back saying that the Government had taken over. What is the fate of these children today, after hearing what the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance said? We appropriated money. Can the Minister of Finance together with the Minister of Education and Sports confirm to the parents who come from those areas, where those schools are, that this year, there will not be any money, they should just continue paying for the services of the teachers? Otherwise, without that, the schools will close. I appeal to the minister to follow up on that matter. The Equal Opportunities Commission published a damning report, a strong indictment to Government about the distribution of services and jobs in this country. Honourable minister, as you work on the National Budget Framework Paper, please, can you take that into consideration such that we do not see that reoccur in this country? We all belong to this country and we all pay taxes. Please, take note of that and incorporate it when you are doing the National Budget Framework Paper in the allocation of resources. Finally, on the issue of the infrastructure, I cannot conclude without saying, please, Kumi- Serere-Kasilo-Kagwara Road; the President promised us in 2011, 2016, 2021 and we do not want him to say the same thing in 2026 campaigns. We even got a letter in 2022, the blue letters, putting that road. They even wrote a letter in 2022 indicating the roads to be worked on: Soroti, Serere , Pingire, Bugondo, Garama and the one of Ochero. I am happy with the one of Kaberamaido- Ochero, we passed the loan here but those are the two. Those are the few roads on the eastern part of the Greater North road, if you started from Jinja up to Soroti. How many roads on the left-hand side of the road are tarmac? It is only one, the one of Tirinyi. Please, help us to sort that matter such that we can – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I beg to present names of colleagues who have been designated to the Committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises. They are as follows: 1. Hon. Elijah Okupa - Kasilo County – Chairperson; 2. Hon. Mpindi Bumali - PWD – Deputy Chairperson; 3. Hon. Patrick Nsanja - Ntenjeru County South; 4. Hon. Peter Mugema - Iganga Municipality; 5. Hon. Naome Kabasharira - Rushenyi County; 6. Hon. Aled Ronald Akugizibwe - Buruli County; and 7. Dr Samuel Opio Acuti - Kole County North.

{ 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, for your indulgence. On the first loan proposal, the minister has laid on the Table here for upgrading national roads. For purposes of equity, we have had issues here. Whenever the finance ministry brings loans here, in order for Members to understand this properly, they bring them with him specific roads mentioned. This time, I do not know why he has changed to generalise that the loan is for upgrading national roads, without going into specifics. We have had outstanding issues on some roads that needed upgrading, which the President has kept missing like Kumi, for example, Kumi - Serere, – Kasilo - Kagwara Road, and Serere- Soroti Road. It was in the programme but it was moved out. Apart from that, there are others in other regions. So, it is very important for other areas to equally benefit. I remember at one point, they shifted money –

Honourable Member, he is responding to what has been raised. If you had raised an issue that is in Kasilo -

No, he is not here but it is Kasilo. (Laughter)

Is the motion seconded? [ Members: “Yes” ] It is seconded by Hon. Avur, Hon. Acon, Member for Ibanda, Hon. Nandala Mafabi -(Laughter)- , Hon. Okot, Hon. Acuti, Hon. Conny - by the whole House. Honourable members, as we wait for Mr Okema, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have councillors from Kasilo County, Serere District, represented by Hon. Okupa Elijah and Hon. Adoa. You are most welcome. Where are you? Please stand up. This is your Parliament. Thank you for coming. Honourable members, we are confirming quorum. We have 186 Members attending physically and 15 virtually. That gives us a total of 201; so we have the quorum. I now put the question that the Tax Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill, 2023 as returned by His Excellency the President in accordance with Article 91(3) of the Constitution and Rule 142 of the Rules of Procedure be considered by this House. (Question put and agreed to.) BILLS COMMITTEE STAGE THE TAX PROCEDURES CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 Clause 38

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

The Committee on Physical Infrastructure, the Rt Hon. Speaker designates: 1. Hon. Ebwalu Jonathan of Soroti West Divison; 2. Hon. Okupa Elijah of Kasilo County; 3. Hon. Ndyomugyenyi Roland of Rukiga County; 4. Hon. Nsanja Patrick Kayongo of Ntenjeru County South; 5. Hon. Rwemulikya Ibanda of Ntoroko County: 6. Hon. Mugema Peter of Iganga Municipality; and 7. Hon. Acrobert Kiiza Moses of Bughendera County. I designate.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise on a matter of urgent national importance concerning the heavy rainstorms that destroyed property and affected the lives of many people in Serere District. Mr Speaker, the heavy storms destroyed critical national infrastructure, lives and businesses in the whole of Serere District. These unfortunate occurrences have affected the socio-economic wellbeing of many people. On 17 April 2023, winds blew off the roof of a three-classroom block in Aarapoo Primary School in Labor Sub-county. It also damaged the head teacher’s office thus destroying stationery, equipment and a food bank contributed by parents under the school’s feeding policy. Mr Speaker, more schools in two constituencies in Serere have suffered the same fate. For example, Otirono Primary School in Kasilo County lost the roof of its four-classroom block while Kateta Model Primary School and Jelel Primary School in Serere District also lost four-classroom blocks. This damage, Mr Speaker, has affected 1,485 pupils in the whole of Serere District. In addition, the storm compromised the walls of these structures and may require -

I asked – unless you were thinking about Kasilo. Committee chairperson, do you have another insertion? In your report, there is an insertion, which Hon. Nandala-Mafabi is raising.

Thank you. - Let us trust the word of the Deputy Prime Minister. Colleagues, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from Kasilo Town Council, Serere District. They are represented

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The delegation is led by Mr Odeke, the chairman of Kasilo Town Council. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I beg your indulgence; if you could allow me, then the minister can take it up. Thank you. As I stated earlier on, two weeks ago, hundreds of people that belong to the Christ Disciples Church in Serere, and more so in Kasilo, left Kasilo after their leaders told them that a catastrophe was going to befall Uganda. They sold their properties and left en masse for Ethiopia. The concern of the people is that we do not want to hear that what happened in Kanungu has happened in Ethiopia. Yesterday, I received a video of the church in Ethiopia. Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to pick up this matter because we do not know what is going to happen. We do not want a repeat of the Kanungu situation. These sects are being confused. They decided to sell all their properties and leave on a trek. I do not even know how they moved; these villagers have never even reached Soroti Town. We do not know where the security was to allow such a population to leave and find themselves in Ethiopia. Madam Speaker, we do not want to discover mass graves be that we have lost people because they belong to certain sects and their leaders have confused and deceived them. Thank you.

Honourable colleagues, I would like to thank you for today. I came knowing we would finish by around 5.30 p.m., but your commitment has made me push harder so that we accomplish a bigger part of the Order Paper. We are trying to map out all this business so that we have enough time for the budget framework paper, where I have to urge you to go and research. When you come here, I will give you enough time to make submissions. With the National Budget Framework Paper, please, do not come here to list what your constituency has not got. Let us be nationalistic in our arguments and presentations. Come here as a Member of Parliament of Uganda, not only for Mitooma or Kasilo, but go beyond the horizon and analyse the budget. You do not need to analyse the whole budget; you might have a sector that you are interested in and want to see how best that sector can benefit. Nonetheless, Hon. Oguzu Lee challenged us. We usually put the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on pressure claiming they have not given certain sectors money. Can we also come up with proposals on revenue generation? Saying, “give this project money” is very easy, but what do you want Mzee Kasaija to give out? If we are to continue sharing poverty, then, we shall continue having very many issues. Therefore, let us be honest in our discussions; look at the state of our economy and how we can improve revenue generation so that we can have a much more constructive debate, when we come to the National Budget Framework Paper. I adjourn the House to tomorrow at 2.00 p.m. (The House rose at 7.11 p.m. and adjourned until Wednesday, 25 January 2023 at 2.00 p.m.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think you have hit the nail on the head. I thank the committee for a well-written report and the recommendations, all of which I support. I also thank the political head of the ministry who has come here. I was worried earlier that they might not be here. There is a problem with Government regarding the awarding of contracts. I do not know who has forced on them this business of lotting. If a company fails, you will find that at a number of sites, work has failed. It has happened in seed schools. My area is one of those affected. This needs to be reviewed. We raised the issue of Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) here and so, it is very important for us to support our own. Why was the Ministry of Health in a hurry to cancel the contract? Why haven’t they cancelled ROKO? It has had a problem, but we are trying to support it. Has the Minister of Health cancelled Lubowa? ROKO is here with Parliament, but we are saying because it has been around for a long time, let us support it. How can we not support BMK, surely? (Applause) Therefore, I request that we support the recommendation that the Ministry of Health, the Attorney-General and BMK sit and resolve this matter so that BMK does not collapse. Finally, I would like to ask the committee to reach other regions. They have handled West Nile and some parts of the north. Come to the east. Kasilo is one of those benefiting. Go to western and come to the central. We have similar problems with the contractors and it is all arising from lotting. They are failing to handle this matter of education. Follow up on issues of education. Thank you.

Thank you. Could you, Madam Speaker, give me additional minutes because I have to give direction to the burial place? Madam Speaker, Serere, Teso, Parliament and the country are mourning. It is a great loss, which will be very difficult to forget. On the 15 th of December was the last time I was with Hon. Okabe in this Parliament. We were in the lobby. Hon. Okabe told me, “My brother, I have got a facility somewhere and deposited my land title in Mbale.” I asked myself why he trusted me with that information. I just said, “I have noted.” On Monday morning at about 7.15 a.m. Hon. Naigaga Mariam calls me and says, “Sorry for the loss of your brother.” And I was in Arusha. I was shocked. I reflected and said, “Is this the reason my colleague was giving me this information?” I bring that information to honourable colleagues and members of the family such that when all this is done, we are able to see how to handle that situation. Madam Speaker, some accidents – on the 16 th , we planned to go to Serere. Hon. Opolot went to Mpingire and I went to Kasilo. When we arrived at Mukula, my driver asked us to branch to a service station. As we drove in, the driver just rushed to the service bay. I asked why and he said to me, “This car is not stable. I don’t understand why.” When he checked the car, three bolts were off. We were only on one. I want to ask colleagues to take note of their transportation. I do not know who could have tampered with the car. We do not know what would have happened to us if it were not for branching to a petrol station. Therefore, as we travel, let us be cautious of our surroundings. You never know what can happen. Madam Speaker, we bring condolences to the family as the people of Kasilo, which is the immediate neighbour, because I pass through his constituency to Kasilo. I have known Hon. Okabe – we grew up in the Pentecostal church - I knew him in the early 1990s when he was at the Bible College where Rev. Emiau was the head. He was with my brother, who is also a bishop in the Pentecostal church. We have grown up in that. I want to thank the Pentecostal church for giving us that foundation. All the good attributes you see here have all come from the church, like you have heard from colleagues. We want to thank the Pentecostal Assemblies of God for that upbringing. Madam Speaker, our brother died in that accident, but there is something that is not coming out. I expected the Minister of Works and Transport or the Minister of Internal Affairs to have given us a full report about the accident. I am told by the family, because Hon. Okabe had also told me, that he would be flying out like he has always done. Every end of year, he goes to Mbale and organises a party for the children and the orphans. Thereafter, he leaves to join his family either in the US or Australia. This time, he was headed to be with the girls in the US and then connect to Australia to be with the sons. He was prepared, that is why he was moving with his wife. There was property in that car, including cash. No one is talking about it. As one travels, they carry some dollars and things. I am told it was something more than Shs 70 million. What happened? Why is the police not giving us a report about that? Also, like Madam Speaker said, that this driver went head on to him; was it foul play? The family is asking for an investigation. The police and Government must tell us what happened because the driver took off. Where is he? This is a non-Ugandan because

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to join Members in seconding the motion, as moved by the Prime Minister, to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. On a closer social note, when the Queen first came to Uganda, my stepmother, the late Asio Betty Ebiau, was one of the children who received her. In 2007, when she heard that the Queen was again coming, she was about 70 years, and I brought her here to witness the Queen’s visit to Uganda. Also, the children of St. Elizabeth Girls Secondary School, Kasilo, were among those who received the Queen in 2007 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). As people from Kasilo, it is a great loss because we feel connected to the UK. The late often called upon the young people to play a part in many global challenges that cannot be resolved by older generations alone, whether in the Commonwealth as a whole or in each of the member states. When she last visited Uganda during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007, Queen Elizabeth left us with a challenge -(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think the information is a bit scanty from the presentation. The people of Serere also have fallen victims. In Kasilo, there are two machines that were installed under CAIIP. The biggest problem is the cost of power. That is what has made most of those machines – the maize hullers, rice hullers, maize mills - to stop functioning. Even at one point, there was a brigadier who had come and wanted to grab one from the community in Kasilo until the people rose up. Mr Speaker, if we do not address the issue of power, either we provide generators or the cost of power is brought down, they will remain there as white elephants. The problem is not only in Pader, as the Hon. Minister for Bunyoro Affairs has explained. Let the minister address the issue of power. My sister Hon. Adoa, knows the one of Kileto, Kateta – those are the problems. The power bills – now they say Shs 20 million, Shs 30 million; the community cannot afford that! So, you either find a way of providing power; either solar or transformers.

This Nyege Nyege man of Kasilo.