Kole South County

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise to support the motion on the President’s State-of-the-Nation Address. The State-of-the- Nation Address was not just a state of the nation, but a state of socio-economic transformation of our country. It was also not just a speech by the President, but a lecture with evidence-based presentations on the enablers that can help drive our economy tenfold, right from Kole to Kampala. One of the enablers the President talked about was science, technology, and innovation. The recent dry spell is a clear indication that we need to invest in innovations. We need seeds that will not only grow during the rain but also thrive during the dry season. Seeds that will be early maturing and can mature in 30 days instead of the traditional 90 days. These should be seeds that are high-yielding, producing three to five times the expected yield. We need to therefore put investments in innovation as a country. Mr Speaker, innovation is a key driver for economies. When we do not innovate, we will have to import technologies that will disrupt our economies. When you look around now, we used to grow Christmas trees, but now we are using artificial Christmas trees. We used to plant natural flowers for our weddings; now we have artificial flowers. We used to even have papyrus mats made by our grandmothers; now we have plastic mats because innovations in material sciences have disrupted our economies and our local technologies. We need to defend our local technologies and have local policies to strengthen them. As I speak right now, we are also under another threat of disruption. We are now coming into what we no longer call farm-based agriculture but lab-based agriculture, where you do not need a cow to produce milk. You do not need a bull to produce beef. You do not need a chicken to produce eggs. All you need is just a few animal cells and plant cells, grown in a lab, matured in a lab, and you have millions of litres of milk and also tonnes of beef. That is a threat to our economy and it is disruptive technology. They are calling it climate-smart agriculture because you need less than 95 per cent of the land, less than 90 per cent of the water. Unfortunately, these are already in commercial stages; even in the supermarkets abroad, we already have such lab-grown foods. I would like to appeal, therefore, that we strengthen science, technology, innovation in agriculture, support our traditional agricultural systems so that we can meet the global demand, so that we move away from some of these disruptive technologies that can disrupt our economies and affect – (Member timed out.)

148 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 Energy development Mr Speaker, reliable and affordable energy is essential for industrialisation and socioeconomic transformation. The Government continues to invest heavily in electricity generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Government achieved the following in energy development: a) Continued development of hydro, solar and other energy projects alongside preparatory work for future nuclear investments. Installed generation capacity now stands at 2,098 megawatts. The Government’s medium- to long-term target is 52,482 megawatts to support industrialisation, urbanisation and economic growth. b) Completed and continued construction of multiple lines, including the Kole-Gulu- Nebbi-Arua line 132 KV, the Kampala Metropolitan transmission line 132 KV, including two associated mobile substations, Mbarara, Kabarole 132 KV, Karuma-Tororo 400 KV, Tororo resource 400 KV, Mutundwe-Entebbe 132 KV and Lira-Gulu-Agago 132 KV. Good progress has also been made on substations serving industrial parks in Mbarara, Kapeeka, and the Kabalega Petrochemical Industrial Park. c) The share of households in rural areas connected to grid electricity has nearly doubled in the three years from 6.8 per cent in the Financial Year 2021/2022 to 11.4 per cent in the Financial Year 2024/2025. d) Through the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company, Government commenced construction of four small mini-hydro power sites expected to generate 5 megawatts of electricity. These sites will be completed in March 2027 and will provide reliable power to very hard- to-reach and remote areas. Further, under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, 419,592 off-grid solar connections have been made countrywide. Financial Year 2026/2027 Priorities for the Energy Sector Mr Speaker, the Government has allocated Shs 2.07 trillion to energy development and the priority interventions include: i) Expansion of generation capacity by commencing the 380-megawatt Kiba hydro-electricity plant, a floating solar plant at Isimba, and 500 megawatts of utility scale solar in the Elgon and Acholi subregions; ii) Preparatory work for nuclear energy generation at Buyende; iii) Expansion of transmission and associated substation infrastructure; iv) Rural electrification; and v) Industrial power connections. Investing in People Mr Speaker, economic transformation is ultimately about people. A healthy, educated, skilled and productive population is indispensable for sustained growth and shared prosperity. That is why the Government continues to allocate a large share of the discretionary budget to human capital development, i.e. health, education, water and sanitation, and social protection. During Financial Year 2025/2026, the following milestones were achieved: Health Under health, Mr Speaker, the Government sustained its policy of progressively increasing investment in essential medicines and health supplies. Accordingly, funding through the National Medical Stores was increased by Shs 145.33 billion to Shs 862.93 billion in Financial Year 2025/2026. The Government will continue to increase domestic financing for essential health commodities with the aim of substantially

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

2 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 6. Abeja Susan Jolly District Woman Representative Otuke NRM 7. Abigaba Cuthbert Mirembe Kibale County Kamwenge NRM 8. Acamfua Topista District Woman Representative Zombo Independent 9. Acan Joyce Okeny PWD Representative N/A NRM 10. Achayo Juliet Lodou Ngora County Ngora NRM 11. Achia Lokiru Gabriel Jie County Kotido NRM 12. Achola Catherine District Woman Representative Pallisa NRM 13. Aber Lillian District Woman Representative Kitgum NRM 14. Acom Alobo Joan City Woman Representative Soroti FDC 15. Aayoo Joyce Makamoe District Woman Representative Abim Independent 16. Acon Julius Bua Otuke East County Otuke NRM 17. Adeke Anna Ebaju District Woman Representative Soroti FDC 18. Adidwa Abdu Bukooli South County Namayingo Independent 19. Agaba Gilbert Workers Representative N/A Independent 20. Agaba Peter Ibanda Municipality Ibanda NRM 21. Ahebwa Wilber Manyisa Nakaseke North County Nakaseke NRM 22. Akello Beatrice Akori District Woman Representative Agago NRM 23. Aine Godfrey Kaguta Mawogola North County Ssembabule NRM 24. Akello Lucy District Woman Representative Amuru FDC 25. Akello Rose Lilly District Woman Representative Karenga NRM 26. Akol Anthony Kilak North County Amuru NRM 27. Akorikin Francis Kapelebyong County Kapelebyon NRM 28. Aguti Sarah District Woman Representative Dokolo UPC 29. Akugizibwe Aled Ronald Buruli County Masindi NRM 30. Akumu Catherine Mavenjina Older Persons Representative Northern NRM 31. Alenyo Marshall Godfrey Jonam County Pakwach Independent 32. Alioni Yorke Odria Aringa South County Yumbe NRM 33. Among Anita Annet District Woman Representative Bukedea NRM 34. Magogo Moses Hassim Budiope East County Buyende NRM 35. Opolot Isiagi Patrick Kachumbala County Bukedea NRM 36. Okwere David Beecham Bukedea County Bukedea NRM 37. Namulondo Sarah District Woman Representative Buyende NRM 38. Pedun Josephine District Woman Representative Ngora NRM 39. Aeku Patrick Soroti County Soroti NRM 40. Alyela Denis Omodi Lira East Division Lira City NRM 41. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano District Woman Representative Kisoro NRM 42. Akugizibwe Lawrence Mwenge County North Kyenjojo NRM 43. Amanya Cohen Kyampene Igara County West Bushenyi NRM 44. Achia Cathy District Woman Representative Kaabong NRM 45. Acom Esther District Woman Representative Serere Independent 46. Amaniyo Draville Sheilah District Woman Representative Mukono NUP 47. Aceng Jane Ruth District Woman Representative Lira City NRM 48. Ajilo Maria Gorretti Elogu District Woman Representative Kalaki NRM 49. Adome Francis Lorika Moroto Municipality Moroto NRM 50. Ameede Agnes District Woman Representative Butebo NRM 51. Amongin Jane Frances Okili District Woman Representative Kaberamaido NRM 52. Angura Fredrick Tororo South County Tororo NRM 53. Angwech Colline Kioga County Amolatar UPC 54. Anifa Bangirana Mawogola West County Ssembabule NRM 55. Anyakun Esther Davinia District Woman Representative Nakapiripirit NRM 56. Acheng Sandra District Woman Representative Kole NRM

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Further to that, I would like to thank Hon. Acuti very much for elaborating in detail on the progress or the lack of it, on that road. The President himself, during his recent campaign tour in Oyam North but also in the neighbouring districts in the north, pledged to have this road tarmacked as a matter of priority. We also had a number of meetings - Hon. Acuti and I, with the minister of works, late last year - to urge our communities, both in Kole, Oyam, and also in Toci, to accept to sign or to enter into agreement with the Government by signing commitment forms to allow compensation to take place after the works have started. It baffles me and the communities of Oyam and Kole that this project, which is really important, can be left out at this critical time. I would like the House - and you in particular, Madam Speaker, to urge or direct the relevant committees and the responsible ministry to prioritise this project in this ongoing budgeting process. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, let me respond as follows; 1. On the matter of restocking in Teso, Lango and Acholi. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, which is soon ending, there is Shs 80 billion meant to kick-start the process. 2. There is an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, where a number of relevant ministries have been incorporated. The letter read by Hon. Okupa is talking about the Parish Development Model Information System (PDMIS) which is the PDM Information System, and that is the system that Government will use to do this restocking. Now, the entire restocking programme, apart from the Shs 80 billion available in this financial year, requires Shs 8 trillion, and that will be rolled out to more than 1.6 million households in Teso, Lango and Acholi. The implementation has been rolled out to 10 years, where every year there will be a budget. On the issue of the letter, Hon. Odur is talking about, it is true that as the Government, we had made progress and with the available Shs 80 billion, Government wanted to kick-start the process. However, during the campaigns of His Excellency the President, when he came back to Lira City and Kole for the rally, I believe he had picked some intelligence to the effect that that letter had resulted in most districts picking people from the list of those who went to court, and yet the restocking will now take care of all households. The President then used his executive authority and halted the process. We came back to the Cabinet; the matter was discussed again and as I speak, that letter must be part of generating the relevant information. We will start with families with the elderly, persons with disabilities, the vulnerable families will be the ones to benefit from the Shs 80 billion. Madam Speaker, this is how I can respond to the matter of restocking.

17770 THE BUILDING CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 Finally, the issues outlined in this petition collectively shape the quality and timeliness of service delivery across all local governments. Addressing them is essential to restoring trust between communities and the Government, strengthening local accountability, and accelerating inclusive development. We respectfully urge you to champion the required actions by directing the relevant ministries to produce concrete implementation plans, funding commitments, and monitoring mechanisms. A successful collaborative response will not only improve local governance but also reinforce the legitimacy and effectiveness of Parliament as the principal accountability institution for Uganda’s decentralised system. ULGA and UAAU stand ready to participate in the design, oversight, and evaluation of these initiatives and to report progress to Parliament at the defined intervals. This was duly signed by Awany Andrew, the President of ULGA, who is also the district chairperson of Kole, and certainly read by me.” I beg to submit. (Applause)

17491 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 To achieve this goal, the Government is accelerating the construction of solar-powered irrigation schemes; medium-scale irrigation schemes, earth dams, communal and individual valley tanks, and large-scale irrigation schemes across the country. The construction works for 92 solar-powered irrigation schemes have been completed, adding an irrigation area of 900 acres. These are in the districts of Apac, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukomansimbi, Buliisa, Bushenyi, Butambala, Buvuma, Gomba, Hoima, Isingiro, Kakumiro, etc. The new solar-powered irrigation schemes have benefitted 110,000 farmers and production yield from 120 schemes has increased to 3,600 tons per season. The major crop enterprises in these irrigation schemes include green pepper, onions, Irish potatoes, watermelons, tomatoes, apples, cabbages, pineapples, coffee, eggplants, vanilla, grapes, mangoes, and pumpkins. The construction works are also ongoing for 22 solar-powered irrigation demonstration sites in the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kole, Gulu, Napak, Abim, etc. In Nakaseke District, the construction works for the Kirema Phase 1, a medium-scale irrigation scheme, have been completed; thus adding a total of 124 hectares and benefitting 50 farmers engaged in coffee growing, passion fruits, maize, and bananas. The construction works for the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme, 1,000 hectares in Pakwach District, stands at 93.5 per cent. The construction works for the Namaitsu medium- scale Irrigation Scheme in Bududa District stands at 70 per cent. Kawumu Irrigation Scheme, which is in Luwero District, is at 90 per cent, among others. A mega irrigation scheme, Nyimur, covering 3,300 hectares, has been constructed in Lamwo District. Do you know where Lamwo is? You people, you do not know where Lamwo is? Lamwo is far away, on the South Sudan border. Other construction works include the Acomai Irrigation Scheme in Bukedea District, covering 1,480 hectares, and targeting 1,600 households; Atari Irrigation Scheme in Kween/ Bulambuli districts, covering 680 hectares, targeting 2,667 households; and Namatala Irrigation Scheme in the Budaka, Mbale, and Butaleja districts, covering 3,450 hectares, targets 4,923 households. The current production of milk stands at 5.4 billion litres at the end of 2024, compared to 2.5 billion litres in the Financial Year 2017/2018. We have also identified and secured foreign markets through government-to-government interventions, e.g. Algeria and Nigeria. These countries are now buying our powdered milk. This has resulted into an increase in the value of milk and milk products, as already pointed out, from $28.7 million in the Financial Year 2014/2015 to $285 million in the 2024 year. A new processing factory, Benni Foods, has been commissioned and is currently operational with an installed capacity of 10,000 litres of milk per day. The total value of fish catches from all the water bodies has steadily increased since the Government deployed armed forces to assist in fisheries enforcement. Currently, we are producing 658,000 metric tonnes of fish annually. The availability of raw material fish sustained operations of 12 fish processing factories; you know that debate. The fisheries unit has been able to stop overfishing or reduce it, although they have also been accused – once in a while – of being sinners, but we can audit their work by looking at the 12 factories that are now processing fish. Many of these had closed. I will meet the fisheries people soon; I will meet the traditional fishing communities, but this is one of the facts. Are the factories operating or not? Had they closed or not? When we meet, we shall discuss this. According to this one here, 12 factories are now operating, processing 658,000 metric tonnes.

Votc Dcrc$tlor *rdtUCxmul 851 IGnurUu District 4,183,383 852 IGpchomn District L,981,743 853 I(apelebyorU District 2,630.719 854 I(arcnga District 1,399,598 855 IGsanda District 3,428,678 856 I(asese District 13,603,845 857 IGtaklrri District 3,370,949 858 IGnrnga District 5,669,819 859 IGzo District 3,L52,276 860 Kibaale District 6,579,O11 861 Kibosa Distriq! 3.960.200 862 Kibuku District 2.969.425 863 Kikuube District 4.561.406 8& Kinrhura District 3.903.054 865 IGryandongo Distrist 3.830.644 866 Kisoro District 3,722.933 %7 Kitagurenda District 2.382.403 868 Kiteun District 3.380.974 869 Ifuboko District 2.087.W3 870 Kole District 2.663.870 87L Itutido District 2.707.O70 872 Kumi District 4.245.534 873 Kwania District 2,78r.O82 874 Kween District 2.518.346 875 Kyankqranzi District 3,276.736 876 Kyegegrf,a District 4.992.9L6 877 Krrenjojo District 6.437.830 878 Krrotera District 4.648.360 879 Lamurc District 3.525.410 880 Lira District 2.946.27s 881 Luuka District 2.679.967 882 Luwero District tL,lLo,747 883 Lwengo District 2.755,524 884 2,61L.925 885 Madi-Okollo 1,47L,340 886 Manaftna District I a(|AnZ t-l )frt I \ 2,O76,1L3 887 Maractra District ( f ttW ,( \ *ttr 3,193,327 888 Masaka District t,/ '.K 1,566,265 ( \$ 5TlPage --a

16835 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 On the overall performance of the budget under the UPF, we recommend reallocating funds from the assistance to Uganda Police Force projects to critical UPF areas. Uganda Police Force must create a comprehensive successor project for nationwide investments. The second recommendation is that the Uganda Police Force should expedite the preparation and approval processes of the CCTV Phase III Project to ensure its inclusion in the national plan budget. We reviewed the traffic and road safety and, therefore, recommend as follows: 1. An additional Shs 7.577 billion for transport equipment be provided; 2. Shs 1 billion for an IOV inspection lane and certification centre to be provided; 3. Shs 18 billion for 10 mobile inspection stations for IOV to be provided; 4. Uganda Police Force should link the EPS to the NIRA database; and 5. Uganda’s driver licensing system should be adjusted to capture details of foreigners who commit traffic offences. On police accommodation and the ongoing construction projects, we note that 74 per cent of the police officers lack institutional accommodation. However, the Uganda Police Force is working on a police accommodation project. This project is excluded from PIP. The Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to build 69,000 housing units for the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, and the DCIC, through a PPP arrangement. We, therefore, recommend that the Uganda Police Force accelerates the completion of the accommodation project to comprehensively address police accommodation challenges in the year 2025/2026. On the subcounty policing model – this is a flagship security solution to the country, initiated by His Excellency, the President, and it is now under implementation. The model aims to use limited resources in subcounties to improve policing services for communities, including establishing a police station in each area, following: 1. Deployment of a minimum of 18 personnel; 2. Two motorcycles per police station; 3. A counter phone and radio communication; 4. An office; and 5. Staff accommodation for at least 18 personnel. The Uganda Police Force has tested this model in Greater Masaka in the Financial Year 2023/2024, establishing 892, which is 41 per cent of the 2,190 subcounties, nationwide. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, Shs 5 billion is allocated for the construction of 30 model police stations and completing 11 in greater Masaka, along with acquiring 333 motorcycles and communication equipment. However, there is a funding gap of Shs 557 billion. We, therefore, recommend that Shs 587 billion be provided for the nationwide rollout of the subcounty policing model. On crime management, we recommend that Shs 17 billion be provided for CIID investigations and Shs 2.3 billion for crime intelligence in the Financial Year 2025/2026. On the Canine Unit, we see that expanding the Canine units to 36 locations of Budaka, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Zombo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Pakwach, Vurra, Kaberamaido, Koboko, Terego, Maracha, Moyo, Ayivuni, Buyende, Kaliro, Namutumba, Ngora, Hima, Namisindwa, Kwania, Agago, Nwoya, Amuru, Kyankwanzi, Apac, Kole, aerodromes and border points of Jinja, Soroti, Arua, Mbarara, Kisoro, Mpondwe, Katuna and Mirama Hills nationwide, requires an additional Shs 2.259 billion. The unit faces challenges with unreliable transport for sniffer dogs to crime scenes. Reliable transport is needed at the district stations, requiring Shs 28.44 billion for equipment in 29 regions.

16867 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 as the Ministry of Local Government, going down using our Commissioner in Charge of Local Council Development to establish our own numbers. We shall base on those to advise the ministry for finance to increase the funding. Subdividing the parishes will not help because the numbers are the reason why we need more money. Hon. Asiimwe talks of a cash bonanza. I wish to express my anger over such a comment from a Member of Parliament. When we see these people eating money, we should take action there and then. If you see them in bonanzas and giving you fake documents, we should work very hard to ensure we curb thieving of government funds in our constituencies. Mr Speaker, we have been advising that the mother district, out of which the city was curved, should lend the machines to the city. Most cities are doing that, as we work out their own road equipment, having supplied 15 new sets of road equipment to the newly created districts. Local revenue collection. During our visit – I am the one who covered northern Uganda. I was in Kole, Arua, and others - Yes, there are delays but I want to confirm that the money will come. However, when the money comes, the problem is the district. The Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) - I went to Kole and found a very big scandal. The money was coming back but it was not being given out. Check on your CAOs. The money may come late and the ministry for finance has an explanation, but giving out money should be supervised by all of us. On the roads that hon. Patrick Bingi brought up, we have decided to supervise the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Program (USMID) funded roads. However, the nature of the roads is not ordinary. They install culverts and they make pavers. The quality and the amount of murram put is not just a matter of mere scattering. Hon. Bingi, you should go, look at the bills of quantities, and then come and bravely say 120 is too much because the quality of the work is bad. If it is bad, we shall reprimand them and make them repeat it. For Hon. Kwizera, the Speaker has answered you ably. I do not need to go through that again. I am touched by Hon. Hellen Auma’s comments. How do they recruit? Why recruit people outside Busia? We should avoid tribalism. We recruit considering qualification, suitability of the work, and expressing that physically in the interviews. These days, they do written and oral interviews. You are free to work in Kabarole, and my people are free to work in Busia, if they meet the qualification demands. For only two teachers, I do not think it is true. For local government, the district service commissions are open and the CAO’s duty is to give information and submit the vacant positions. The Minister of Public Service will allude to that but I know our CAOs submit. Where they do not submit, bring arguments and then we will hold them responsible. Regarding reduction of our budget, we are complaining to Mr Musasizi. Honestly, when you reduce the money, you reduce the services and it means our people will not get the required services. For Hon. Amos Okot of Agago, we are compiling the list and the Speaker gave me time to present. My turn is coming next Tuesday. I will provide the list, Mr Speaker.

16786 THE MORTGAGE REFINANCE INSTITUTIONS BILL, 2024 14. Vote 722 – Moroto Municipal Council - Shs 137,831,048; 15. Vote 724 - Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 157,843,584; 16. Vote 726 – Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 38,895,597; 17. Vote 729 - Rukungiri Municipal Council - Shs 11,011,184; 18. Vote 730 - Sheema Municipal Council - Shs 4,109,634; 19. Vote 802 – Adjumani District - Shs 19,860,000; 20. Vote 803 – Agago District - Shs 81,984,000; 21. Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 57,525,000; 22. Vote 808: Amuru District – Shs 1,271,000,000; 23. Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 45,500,000; 24. Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 99,504,000; 25. Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 107,555,970; 26. Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 235,603,000; 27. Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 31,440,000; 28. Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 31,633,858; 29. Vote 828: Butebo District – Shs 15,360,000; 30. Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 31,395,000; 31. Vote 836: Iganga District – Shs 37,200,000; 32. Vote 835: Ibanda District – Shs 12,000,000; 33. Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 2,633,333,265; 34. Vote 842: Kaberamaido District – Shs 31,589,664; 35. Vote 844: Kakumiro District – Shs 448,858,700; 36. Vote 847: Kaliro District – Shs 310,200,761; 37. Vote 848: Kalungu District – Shs 6,117,000; 38. Vote 849: Kamuli District – Shs 65,029,474; 39. Vote 853: Kapelebyong District – Shs 88,207,238; 40. Vote 854: Karenga District – Shs 39,240,000; 41. Vote 855: Kasese District – Shs 142,590,000; 42. Vote 857: Katakwi District – Shs 157,861,200; 43. Vote 858: Kayunga District – Shs 11,270,000; 44. Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 399,326,980; 45. Vote 863: Kikuube District – Shs 127,115,012; 46. Vote 866: Kisoro District – Shs 78,755,970; 47. Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 700,600,000; 48. Vote 868: Kitgum District – Shs 117,742,657; 49. Vote 870: Kole District – Shs 64,680,000; SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.3 FOR FY 2024/2025 [The Chairperson]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, last year we raised an issue on Aler-Kwari Rock. Aler is in between Lira District and Kole District. The project affected persons rented their land to the Government and the Government Chief Valuer approved the evaluation report. However, to our surprise, Lira District, in November 2023, titled the land. As we talk, the project affected persons have been told to evacuate the land by next month; April and yet it is customary-owned land. No action has been taken. Despite the community serving a caveat to the district land board and the Lira land zone, they went ahead and titled the land. My prayer is, the land title that Lira District local government is claiming to be freehold land must be cancelled. Two, people are suffering. They do not have where to cultivate and are requesting to be given maize and bean seeds to plant because life is really hard. (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance on the delay in crop insurance payment for farmers, under the Uganda Agriculture Insurance Scheme. The Government has been implementing the Uganda Agriculture Insurance Scheme, which is a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, which represents the Government, and a private insurance association. Under this scheme, the Government subsidises a percentage of the premium and the farmers also pay a part of it. In 2022, more than 2,000 farmers in Kole District enrolled for this scheme and paid their premiums. They suffered crop failures, they were assessed, and they were due to be given awards. However, it is now two years down the road and their awards have not been given. The reason being given is that the Government has not honoured its part of paying the subsidies for those premiums itself. My prayer, therefore, is that, one, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development gives us an update on the Uganda Agriculture Insurance Scheme, because we are now moving into the next rainy season. Secondly, I also want the minister for finance to tell us why the Government has not yet honoured paying the premiums or the subsidies COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The second issue that the Attorney-General needed to clarify is about the many claimants that were left out in these three sub-regions. Teso, 20,500 claimants who belonged to Julius Ochen’s leadership were left out—and they are known. We met them in Soroti. In Gulu, 5,733 claimants were left out, and they are verifiable. In Kole, 8,471 claimants were left out of the program—and these are verifiable figures. So, we thought that we would comment. In Karamoja - for the honourable members, I listened to them and some of them - we went to Karamoja, West Nile and Sebei. We did not stop in the other three sub-regions only. In Karamoja, you supplied data cards but you never picked them and the people are still there, waiting. When is the minister going to pick up those data cards? They filled them and are waiting, nobody has picked them. West Nile needs to hear you clearly. Some of them have even gone to court, and we met them. It is the same situation in Sebei. You need to be clear. In both West Nile and Sebei, there are some entries by the Prime Minister’s office. The Prime Minister’s office acts as if it is involved in compensation. It promises people that they will be paid, but no work is going on. I thought that you needed to clarify that. Mr Speaker, allow my deputy - just one issue she would like to clarify and then that will be all from us.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate honourable members because they were very vigilant on this matter. I wrote over 70 questions and comments because I was writing everything apart from Hon. Namugga. (Laughter) In light of the discrepancies and the submission by Hon. Mudimi, I am not an accountant, and so I think it will be best explained if my finance people can interface with the committee and go over these figures. Secondly, the honourable chairperson of the committee, Dr Abed talked about the claimants that were left out. Honourable colleagues, I need you to understand that there was an initial verification done in 2016. That is when the lists were made. But sometime later, when we had already displayed the lists and the exercise was about to begin, the President held a meeting in – there is that district between Oyam and Lira – Kole, yes! At the exact place where they buried Oyite Ojok. That is where we held the meeting. The President then said, “Even those who are not on the list, who went or did not go to court but have claims, let them file their claims.” So, people started—yes, he actually opened a Pandora’s Box, and many more claims started coming in. That is why you hear conflicting reports that, “for us who were initially claiming 10,000, now we are reporting 20,000.” As I speak, if we go by the list of 2016, in one subregion you have a particular figure, but because of the presidential directive, we have to print and issue more data cards so that many more applicants come on board. When they come on board, they are verified by the office of the DISO, GISO, CAO, and the veterinary officer. We use the veterinary officers, Mr Speaker, because we used to have livestock censuses in these areas throughout the country. There is no way - if I may use an example - if Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika claims that in 1980 he was in Oyam and he had 30,000 cows, and yet the census for Oyam had a particular number. That is how you say - I think it was Mama Hon. Betty Aol there, who said that someone is verified with 20 cows, and then they are slashed to six. The veterinary officers go into the records, and they inform the CAO, who fills in the final list and sends it to the ministry. We use the CAO as the accounting officer. If it is inflated or deflated, he is the person who can be held accountable. Do you understand? That is what causes the difference. That is why you are saying that some people are left out. The exercise is still ongoing. You talked of picking data cards from Karamoja. Mr Speaker, I got a specific directive from the President on Karamoja; he says he knows the protected kraals that were raided, and that he will write and give us guidance. If you send out data cards, everybody will fill it and file a claim, including those who did not. That is what it is all about. Mr Speaker, the issues were many, though most of them were cross-cutting indeed - issues of policy which we are going to take under advisement and several others. Thank you very much.

Appreciate that these questions come from members. So, I try to make sure that we answer them and give answers satisfactorily. Thank you so much. My response is that the National Seeds Project (NOSP) is a seven-year initiative that started in 2021 to 2028, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Local Government. Building on the successes of the Vegetable Oil Development Project(VODP) Phase 2 that started in 2010-2020, NOSP operates in 81 districts, clustered into hubs, that is West Nile, Northern, Eastern, Mid-Western and Karamoja. In Northern Uganda, the project is active in 17 districts including Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Omoro, Agago, Kwania, Otuke, Lira, Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Oyam Dokolo and Kole. The project aims to address the shortfall in domestic oil seed production and increase the local output of vegetable oil and related by- products. Its primary development objective is to accelerate commercialisation in the key oil-seed value chain, thereby improving livelihoods and resilience of smallholders involved in oil-seed production and marketing. Actual implementation of the project activities commenced in the financial year 2023/2024. The following have so far been carried out: i) The National Oil Seed Project has provided inputs such as soybean foundation seed and fertilisers to 48 clusters in the region for multiplication to ensure availability of quality declared seed closer to the farmers. This in turn supports farmer groups in growing the seed as grain to increase production and productivity, improve nutrition, and enhance backward and forward linkages within the region; ii) Extension service. The project has provided refresher training for 273 district extension staff to support farmers in the implementing seed value chain activities and to enhance production and productivity. iii) MAAIF, through the project, procured and distributed 162 motorcycles per district to ease mobility - two motorcycles per district- enhance service delivery, and boost the production and productivity of agricultural commodities; iv) Clustering and formation of farmer groups to enhance oilseed production and productivity, contribute to crushing [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for that very elaborate and comprehensive report presented. Looking at the report, you notice a number of recommendations - and Madam Speaker, I want to draw your attention to the Treasury Memorandum for the previous financial year. When you look at the actions that were presented, you notice that most of them do not cover all the recommendations. You find 10 recommendations but with only three actions. I see that some of the recommendations are now re-emerging. I want to propose that this time the Treasury Memorandum should respond to each of the recommendations. There must be an action item for every recommendation that has been mentioned in this report so that we do not have recurring issues. Secondly, on the issue of recruitment - I would want the Minister of Finance to clarify – we have noted that in this financial year, the wage that was for primary school education recruitment has been reallocated to tertiary education. In Kole District, for example, there are 57 primary school teachers who retired and who were supposed to be replaced, but that wage has been transferred to tertiary education. The reason that was given is to address the concerns of the increase of wage for the science teachers. While we are trying to solve the problem of wage up, we are denying wage at the lower end itself. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the honourable minister for mentioning in her report about disease prevention and health promotion. Kole District is one of the districts that has a vast shortage of medicines. I would interest the Ministry of Health - we prioritise health promotion and disease prevention because more than 75 per cent of the disease burden that is reported in our health facilities can be prevented. From today onwards, we need to focus on putting more money into disease prevention because we have the public health workers, we have the health inspectors called environmental health workers and health educators who the Ministry of Health actually employs. However, these people are not well facilitated to carry out their jobs. Let us give them motorbikes and fuel to run around in the communities to sensitise our people because it is as if health education has gone somewhere. We are not seeing it anymore. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to begin by appreciating the mover of the motion. I am here to second the motion based on the following reasons. In Uganda, we have agencies that support our country. One of the reasons why we are urging for this Bill, these people use their money to do their surveys in our districts. One of the reasons that touched me is when they said that Lango Subregion is not much affected. However, if you go to Lango, you cannot compare Otuke with a district like Kole and Oyam. At least for them, they have some bit of food for their people. As for us, if our country had that money to carry enough surveys, they would equate us to Karamoja. Therefore, Otuke as a district is at the level of Karamoja, not at the level of the Lango Subregion. Two, the OPM investment plan of 2021/2024/2025, they just wanted Shs 3.28 trillion in five years to support this programme. Since this money was not provided, the research that we have is that if you invest $1 at the end of the day, in the end, you can harvest $30 out of the $1 that you have invested. If you multiply this $30 by 3.2, our country is losing Shs 98.4 trillion that could have been for other issues. Thank you, Mr Speaker, but our motto for this Bill is; we need money for nutrition and we need nutrition for money. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I had requested permission to lay on the Table a copy of the minutes of the committee and a copy of the report. I beg to lay, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, this report is rather bulky, and in the interest of time, I request that you permit me to take the House through an executive summary that I have prepared. As I said, this report looks at the functionality of the district service commission and city service commission and also on personnel management in selected local governments across northern, eastern, and western regions. Mr Speaker, we already know the mandates of our committee, and in line with these mandates, the committee conducted an oversight visit to selected cities and districts of northern Uganda such as Arua, Maracha, Terego, Yumbe, Zombo, and Moyo in West Nile; Gulu District, Gulu City, Nwoya, Kitgum, and Pader in Acholi; Moroto Municipality, Moroto District, Amudat, Nabilatuk, Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido Municipality, and Kotido District in Karamoja; Lira City, Lira District, Amolatar District Local Government, Kole, and Otuke in Lango, to assess the functionality of the District and City Service Commission and to analyse the personnel management issues within local governments. Mr Speaker, the committee has made a comprehensive report with a detailed version of its findings, observations and recommendations, giving examples and scenarios from local government to bring out the issues affecting the functionality of these commissions and the staff. Without prejudice to the comprehensive report, this Executive Summary highlights the key issues as follows: Committee findings, observations, and recommendations. On the functionality of District Service Commission, Mr Speaker, 1. We looked at gaps in the commissions. The committee found out that 98.6 per cent of the District and City Service Commissions were functional by end of the Financial Year 2022/2023, and most commissions were fully constituted. However, there are some districts that are non-functional with insufficient number of commissions. For example, Amudat District had only one District Service Commission member, which severely affected the recruitment processes, leading to delays and increasing the risk of corruption. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Local Government, together with the Public Service Commission, should ensure that all commissions are fully constituted for efficient service delivery in local governments. 2. Delays in Public Service Commission approval processes The report highlights delays by the Public Service Commission in approving Service Commission nominees, often without providing reasons for rejection. This lack of transparency and delayed approvals impede the recruitment process and affect service delivery. In Moyo, delays in submitting approved names to the Service Commission were noted, attributed to negligence. The committee also noted poor grievance handling by the Public Service Commission, which has been slow in responding to appeals, leading to prolonged disputes and inefficiencies. The committee therefore recommends the following;

14220 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Mr Speaker, the committee also noted cases where jobs that should have been internally advertised were advertised externally, neglecting the existing experienced staff. Some job adverts even failed to list job experience or some important qualifications as a requirement for job positions, even at senior level. In some cases, key documents like independent score sheets were missing from their recruitment files during the committee’s interview. Mr Speaker, a general concern was noted, that local governments deliberately keep positions vacant and ring-fenced for years until their preferred candidates meet the qualifications. The committee recommends the following; (i) The Minister of Public Service should ensure that members of the District and City Service Commission implicated in corruption tendencies and investigation by anti-corruption agencies should step aside until such investigations are concluded to preserve the integrity of the Commission and to prevent inter-meddling in evidence. (ii) The police Criminal Investigations Directorate (CIDs), in liaison with the Public Service Commission, should investigate the appointments that have been highlighted in the report with a view to possible prosecution. Mr Speaker, we have attached and referred several of these matters to the police and we appeal to Parliament to ensure as recommended. (iii) The committee acknowledges that being a child or a relative of a civil servant or politician should not be a barrier to employment. However, all applicants should have equal employment opportunities based on merit. (iv) The investigation by the Inspectorate of General Government (IGG) and other anti- corruption agencies should be concluded and pending reports should be released. Mr Speaker, we realised that in many districts, there are several investigations that have taken so long. Therefore, all the processes get affected. Mr Speaker, on 3(2) factors affecting staffing in the district and cities. The committee noted the following. Failure to attract staffing in key positions. There were difficulties in filling critical roles like the district health officers and district engineers due to low wages and high qualification requirements. For example, districts like Kole and Bukwo struggled to retain staff in hard-to-reach areas. The committee recommends the following: i. The Ministry of Public Service working with professional bodies should review the requirements for recruitment of critical positions such as district engineers, with a view to addressing the challenge of failure to attract registered engineers at the local government level. This will address the gap where currently, there are only 25 substantially appointed district engineers across the entire country. The rest are all acting. There should be special consideration for hard-to-reach areas. On long-acting periods and delayed promotions, Mr Speaker, staff often remain in acting positions and on assignment beyond the period mandated under the law and also face delays in the promotion. There are local governments that have not had substantive staff for many years and local governments have no heads of department. Mr Speaker, we discovered that in Arua District there is only one head of department, substantially appointed, and is due for retirement next month. The rest have been acting. The committee recommends that local governments should, subject to the relevant laws and guidelines, enable accelerated promotion for qualified and deserving staff, especially those that have been in acting capacity and assignment for long.

14225 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 On the status of diagnostic services, there were concerns in relation to functionality of different machines, such as the x-ray machines and the ultrasound machines. In Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, we found that they were non-functional and in Kitgum, one of the ultrasound machines was also not functional. Very key to note was that the facility does not have a sickle cell electrophoresis testing machine for confirmatory testing. As a result, patients have to have their samples sent to National Public Health Laboratory in Kampala, which takes two weeks and that leaves a long turnaround time for treatment. Our recommendation, therefore, is that there should be arrangements to ensure that they are equipped with these machines. On West Nile sub-region, I will go directly into some of the key specific findings. The distribution of health facilities, still the guidelines indicate that for every 500,000, there should at least be a general hospital. They have a population of 4,283,000 and, therefore, there is still a gap in general hospitals. There is also still a gap in health centre IIIs that are required. On the status of infrastructure and utilities in the region, again there were similar observations of old and dilapidated infrastructure but notably was Arua Regional Referral Hospital, which had a seven-storied, 21-unit staff housing project that has been under construction since 2018 and 2019. This has stalled and it is at 85 per cent it has not been completed due to challenges of funding. We also noted that Arua Regional Referral Hospital does not have a mortuary and utilises the one at Nebbi General Hospital. Our recommendations are again in increasing and provision of budgets to expedite the process of completion of stalled and on-going projects. As regards the diagnostics and medical equipment, notably, was in Nebbi General Hospital where the X-ray machine, which only requires Shs 1.2 million to repair, has been down for the last one year. The reason was that the hospital indicated that the health guidelines require that the maintenance should be done by a service provider from the Ministry of Health. That has led to a delay in operationalising or repair of the old x-ray machine at Nebbi General Hospital; together with a number of other x-ray machines and orthopaedic equipment that was not available at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, or not fully functional. Human resource is a general challenge at 40 per cent and the same recommendations apply. As regards to availability, supply and utilisation of medicine and supplies, we noted the same observations of stock-outs. The recommendations are for National Medical Stores to ensure that they commit to the timelines. To address the issues of theft of medicine, which was strongly highlighted, the ministry should expedite the digitalisation of medicine supplies and utilisation in order to mitigate theft and diversion. Notably, West Nile Region has a strong and large refugee population and therefore, there is need for strong surveillance systems, including screening of travellers for symptoms of communicable diseases and other related illness. I will now go to the third subregion, which is Lango Subregion. In the overview, again, malaria is noted as one of the key causes of mortality and morbidity. In addition, there has been a big burden of epilepsy. There is also still a burden of nodding disease syndrome, majorly in the areas that border Acholi, such as Lira, Oyam and Kole districts. They also have a big burden of sickle cell disease, with challenges of accessing sickle cell testing and medication.

Your Excellency, I am Judith Alyek, a Member of Parliament for Kole District in Lango Subregion. I am the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group. Your Excellency, I would like to add my voice to the growing of maize in the Lango Subregion. As I talk, Your Excellency, an acre of maize can give you between 10 to 15 bags. The price of maize right now is about Shs 600 shillings a kilogram. So, a bag of maize right now is going to about Shs 60,000, Your Excellency. Now, when you multiply Shs 60,000 by 10 bags, that is about Shs 600,000 per acre, Your Excellency. We have to tell the truth here.

14158 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT discrepancies and inconsistences as discussed below: Acholi and Lango subregions In Acholi subregion, verified lists of claimants/ beneficiaries did not involve some of the stakeholders, and the lists of claimants which were verified by the inter-ministerial committee did not capture all the befitting claimants/ beneficiaries. For instance, in Gulu District, 5,733 claimants were left out. In Kole District, 8,471 claimants were reported not verified. Teso Subregion The Inter-Ministerial Verification Committee only captured members of the Teso Animal and Property Compensation (TAPCO). Fourteen thousand, four hundred and ninety- nine befitting claimants/beneficiaries, from nine districts across the entire Teso subregion, were left out. This figure of “500” is supposed to be 2,500 claimants, which was the group headed by the former Kapelebyong County MP, Julius Ochen. They were also left out. We have attached their list. Karamoja, Sebei and the West Nile subregions In the case of Karamoja, Sebei; and the West Nile subregions, the Attorney-General stated that the registration and verification exercise of claimants and beneficiaries was scheduled for the next phase, subject to the guidance of His Excellency the President. However, the committee established that data forms in Karamoja and Sebei subregions have never been collected for verification. They distributed the forms to the subcounties in 2020, but they never collected them. Up to now, those data forms are still in the field. The committee observed that there were major discrepancies in the number of verified claimants/beneficiaries, with the actual number of the benefiting claimants/beneficiaries, in all the affected subregions, including Acholi, Lango and Teso. There was gross negligence of duty on the part of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ officials, with respect to the way they handled the claimants/beneficiary registration and verification exercise, in all affected subregions. Committee recommendations i) The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs should conclude the claimants/ beneficiary registration and verification exercise in all the affected subregions, including Acholi, Bugisu, Lango, Teso, West Nile, Karamoja and Sebei, within a period of six months. This is to ensure that the verified amounts are included in the Financial Year 2025/2026 budget. ii) The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs should address all complaints relating to the cases of claimants/ beneficiaries, who were excluded from the initial verification exercise with a view of compiling a more inclusive list of verified claimants/beneficiaries. iii) The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs should prepare a comprehensive verification report on the compensation of all victims of war and insurgents, and present it to Parliament within six months from the time of this report being adopted. Determination of compensation claims and rates The Attorney-General stated that the compensation packages to the claimants were determined through a verification and validation exercise, to establish the number of livestock lost per claimant/beneficiary, and the agreed rate was Shs 1,050,000 per head of cattle. This was arrived at after consultation with the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and fisheries. This was done three years ago. [Dr Bwanika] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Good morning, Madam Speaker and honourable colleagues. I am Judith Alyek, Member of Parliament for Kole District. I am the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group. I am also the Chairperson of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in the Parliament of Uganda. Greetings from Kole District and the people of Lango Subregion. You are most welcome to the northern region, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Christine Akello, a Member of Parliament from Erute North Constituency. Allow me to thank the committee for the report they have presented. I just want to add on about the few bridges. We have bridges that have taken seven years. These are the national roads. There is a bridge called Adyangoluto; it connects Kole up to Gulu. It has to be worked on. And we have Aler-Akor-Alebtong, which goes up to Teso. Then we have Aler-Akangi- Alebtong that connects up to Teso. We have Apuce-Ayile that connects Oyam up to Gulu. This one was being constructed by the Agriculture Cluster Development (ACDP) Project and it collapsed before they could even commission the project. Madam Speaker, we have lost so many lives. Just last month, three people died as they tried to cross from Oyam to Lira District. Therefore, I am requesting the Ministry of Works and Transport to take this seriously. I am also in support of the UPDF being given the mandate to construct the bridges. Lastly, the road that comes from Rwekunye, Apac up to Kitgum has issues, especially in Aler, my constituency, where they are quarrying rock. The people are complaining and they need to sign a new agreement concerning the compensation and the future of the people’s land. This is because there is conflict of interest between the district and the community. I request the chairperson of the roads committee to investigate that.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I am speaking on behalf of the Lango Parliamentary Group. I would like to first of all give credit where it is due. I want to thank the Government for the Lira-Kamdini Road, which is now almost getting completed and also the construction of Rwekunye-Apac- Lira-Puranga Road which is ongoing. However, on the issue of the ferry, Masindi Port Ferry is the oldest in the country, and it is really outdated. I would like the Ministry of Works to consider this immediately because it is breaking down almost every day and it is affecting traffic. Madam Speaker, on the RALP road; the Rwekunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road, some of our people have never been compensated. I would like to ask the Minister for Works and Transport; when will the compensation get completed? This is because our people have sacrificed the land where the roads pass, yet they have never been compensated. The road is passing via Kole District where most of the people in the area of Akalo and other areas up to Puranga have not been compensated. I want to talk about Dokolo-Amolatar Road and ask the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development because His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, wrote a letter of pre-financing to use the Chinese company that was ready to tarmac the Dokolo-Amolatar Road, in 2021. The President gave the directive to the minister for finance to accept pre-financing so that this road is constructed, and the payments are completed after three years. Madam Speaker, the minister for finance should give us an answer as this road should have been finished by now. The Lira-Aloi-Abim Road is 179 kilometres. This was under the National Development Plan III, and in the NRM Manifesto as well. I would like the minister for finance to also respond, together with the minister for works. Lastly, on the road maintenance fund of Shs 1 billion, not every district is the same. Kole District and other parts of the country are covered by water. If we use the Shs 1 billion for only swamp crossings, installing box culverts and others, it is not enough, even in your constituency.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with our Rules of Procedure, Rule 189(c), as a committee, we visited Pakwach, Kole and Oyam districts in northern Uganda to assess water for agricultural production facilities. All these projects were under the NDPIII and under Water for Production Interventions. It was a facility that was on demand and the key big schemes that we visited were the Itek Okile Rice Scheme in Lira District, Tochi Rice Scheme in Oyam and Wadelai in Pakwach. These were the mega projects. The committee had other small scale irrigation projects that were also visited through the district leadership of the various districts under Uganda Green Investment Facility (UGIF). This was a project that was supposed to be co-funded by individual farmers to scale up water for production and enhance agriculture commercialization and on time production. I know this report was uploaded and I believe my colleagues are well versed with agriculture. I would like to move straight to our observations and recommendations. Madam Speaker, Wadelai irrigation scheme is located in Pakwach District in the subcounties of Ragem and Wadelai with River Ora as its water source. This irrigation scheme was constructed under FIEFOC-2, which is implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment. The original contract sum was Shs 54,784,397,918 but it was revised to Shs 61 billion after a change of scope in the design of the project. This project was funded by the World Bank under Nordic Development fund and Government of Uganda (GOU). The contractor was M/S Coil and Nasr General Contracting Company Joint Venture. The consultant was BEC Engineers Ltd, in association with HP Devoc International Civil Engineering Ltd. During the full visit, the committee was only able to interact with the district officials because the attempts to reach the site were frustrated by the bad roads as a result of flooding in Kagolo. Madam Speaker, according to the officials, physical progress of the work is at 93 percent; (a) The completion of upstream and downstream embankment protection works. (b) Construction of the spillway tail race protection works. (c) Repair of the right-side head regulator. (d) Completion of bottom outlet/environmental flow structure. (e) Completion of Secondary canal 4, associated tertiary canal and control structures. (f) Completion of Secondary Canal 5, associated tertiary canal and control. (g) Assess and scheme roads. (h) Scheme buildings and facilities (i) Farm clearing. There were a lot of findings that I do not intend to go through because I know Members have observed this but I would like to note that Wadelai Project had a lot of encumbrances, especially on land acquisition and compensation

14079 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 Madam Speaker, despite all these, the farms were not levelled. There are other blocks in the scheme that even the irrigation cannot reach because it is not levelled. We were happy with the farmers because they used it for horticulture, especially areas where irrigation could not reach. As I am winding up, the cooperative groups are very organised. They have looked for funding from other sources. They have their plans to be the best rice scheme in the country and that is a very positive thing. It means they are owning their project. On the small-scale irrigation, especially the one in Kole - Leye Valley Dam; this dam was constructed to help in aquaculture and the Government did everything and put this project in place which started in 2006 and ended in 2008. The Ministry of Water and Environment implemented this and it was by then in Apac before Kole. Right now, the observation under this valley dam is not functional yet the Government has put everything in place. The dam is also silted and covered up by weeds, meaning that if we assess the value for money, it is not being utilised as per the investment of the Government. Recommendation The Ministry of Water and Environment should rehabilitate this dam so that it is restored to its original purpose. 2.4 UgIFT Micro-Scale Irrigation Scheme We visited Lira District, some farmers in Oyam and Kole and Pakwach. The general complaint is on the issue of co-funding and the same issue on hybrid. Most of these contracts were given by the ministry but you find one contractor having a lot of contracts that sometimes, they fail to install this equipment to the farmers in time. Madam Speaker, the farmers are very interested and most of the local governments are taking back these funds, especially during the financial year because the farmers in Northern Uganda are poor. This is because a farmer was supposed to co-fund 25 per cent of the project yet the majority could not afford. Even those who have endeavoured to afford, there is a lot of delay in the installation by the contractors and the district has limited effort.

13758 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Phase III Rollout districts. This was at the procurement process for 145 road chokes spread over 487.7 km. It was at contract signing and site handover by then. Mr Speaker, in the third phase, Lira District was part of it but up to now the constructed roads have no bridges. The bridges were done in a shoddy way, and the heavy rain swept the bridges, yet it was stretching, crossing from Lira to Oyama. Substandard and wrong machinery The committee observed that most grantees were small and medium scale, where pilot projects were established at lower local government structures and levels to bring together farmers’ communities to add value to their farm produce. The committee discovered that the machinery at various grantees’ sites was inadequate and out of capacity to process high-value farm produce. The committee further noted that the machinery was devoid of complete design specification requirements to handle farm produce across the complete value chain, thereby rendering some machines meant for value addition idle because of assembling and installation. The machines were also noted to have visible signs of gradual depreciation. The committee was informed by the members of the Oturukuru Produce Dealers and Farmers Association in Kumi District that they had envisaged the installation of machines with complete value chain specifications and therefore expected the machine to hurl, sort, winnow, and package rice to market standard. This was frustrating. The committee was informed by some grantee members in the district that the district focal point person - because the ministry had allocated each focal point person at the district level, was not guiding, and did not support the procurement of the machinery, meaning that they went blindly and some procured machinery beyond their capacity, others did not have knowledge on how to operate it. The committee further observed that there was a general lack of technical support and guidance as stated in the earlier submission, and this was exacerbated by inadequate budget allocation and release for procurement of machines with requisite complete value chain specification. For example, incomplete and poor workmanship was seen in some facilities that we visited in Kalungu and Rakai districts. Two, non-functional facilities due to lack of electricity in Bugweri - three, government issues in Kole District; there were fights. Non-compatibility of machines in Pakwach, Pallisa, and Nebbi District - these all hindered the well-intended objectives of the project. Recommendation The committee recommends that the Government, through the relevant ministry, especially the Ministries of Finance Agriculture, Local Government, Energy, and Mineral Development, should collaborate to offer guidance and support to grantees to procure machinery with a complete value chain of production. Matching Grants Mr Speaker, the committee found out that some of the projects in some districts that had been constructed as a result of the matching grants were complete and functional. The investment items under this component include offices, storage facilities, shelter for hullers, guardhouses, fences, ventilated improved pit latrines, weighing scales, moisture metres, and a power extension. The committee was impressed by some of the successful groups like the Katwaniza Women Farmers’ in Hoima, Abongo Women Group in Pakwach, and Kasaali Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Kyotera, among others. [Ms Auma] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

13759 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2024 The committee, however, noted that despite parliamentary approval in 2016 of $150 million from the International Development Association of the World Bank to facilitate the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP), the implementation on various sides was noted to be less than 50 per cent complete, with some having limited space to handle farm produce in preparation for value addition processes. On the other hand, there was also delayed disbursement of approved funds. The committee received a submission from some cooperative society members that despite the requisition for funds by various farmers’ groups, direct disbursement of funds to facilitate implementation was as a result, as by then, April and May 2022, which was close to the expiry of the project. For instance, Bukose Balibona Buwerira Growers, Cooperative Union Limited in Bugweri applied for a grant in March 2018, and received funds in April 2022. The committee was informed by some members of Ayer Joint Youth Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited in Kole that ever since the society applied for a grant in November 2019, no response was received from the responsible authorities. The committee received another petition from Abagalanyi Kabira Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited. That is in Kyotera, Kabira Subcounty. This cooperative signed a grant agreement with MAAIF in January 2020 to benefit from this project. According to the agreement, the grant total of the project was Shs 322,350,000. The cooperative was to receive Shs 215,974,500 from MAAIF, while the cooperative was to contribute Shs 106,375,000. According to the petition, MAAIF released only Shs 147,400,000. In January 2020, up to the time of the reporting, the Ministry had not yet paid an outstanding balance of Shs 68,574,000. The committee further learnt that there had been anomalies cited by MAAIF that they required the cooperative to first address and the anomalies had been addressed, but MAAIF was not meeting their part of the agreement. The committee observed that the approval of ACDP funds was occasioned by a bureaucratic process that oftentimes delayed effective project execution. The committee notes that delayed disbursement of funds could not guarantee a successful and effective transformation of society, whose sole livelihood was agriculture. Recommendation The committee recommended that the project coordination unit, or at MAAIF, should institute a mechanism to expedite the requisition, and approval of funds to expedite their releases to facilitate project implementation. Mr Speaker, I want to emphasise this. There are very many companies that have contracts to supply these inputs and machinery, but we have been asking up to now. It is three years, and the project is in conclusion, but some of them have not been paid. Others have already lost property, and others are even dead, which is not right. This money is there. The government was not looking for money. And Ugandans have been paying this loan for 38 years. Financial performance of ACDP MAAIF reported that the project’s financial performance has kept improving steadily following the take-off of the major interventions, like Matching Grants and rehabilitation of road chokes. The committee learnt that since the last mission in April 2022, disbursement has remained the same, however, the expenditure increased from $95.6 million to $106.6 million, which is mainly due to the functionality of the e-voucher disbursement to Matching Grants to grantees under cohort one, two and three and payment to the contractors under road chokes.

13761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2024 Recommendations The committee recommends as follows: i. The Government through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should improve on the selection criteria and capacity of the beneficiaries group to enhance ownership and sustainability; ii. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should sign a Memorandum of Understanding with suppliers to provide maintenance of the machinery and equipment because most of these, on which the Government spent a lot of money, are no longer functioning; and iii. The chairpersons and signatories to the accounts on which the farmers’ associations matching grant was deposited should be held accountable for the funds disbursed. Mr Speaker, the issue of lack of electricity and water connectivity is so much that most of the projects were not connected. The electricity was not connected to this project or factories to operate this machinery. This has made this project a white elephant. On that, the committee recommends that in the future, in case of a similar project, the Government should ensure collaboration between the relevant ministries so that they coordinate well to ensure that the project succeeds. Project monitoring and evaluation had weak linkages, as Members have said. The committee recommends that accounting officers of district local governments, like the focal point person, should arrange for regular capacity building. On the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP), the monitoring and evaluation unit should provide adequate guidance or a template to the local governments to help in the supervision for effective implementation. The respective local governments should prevail over grantees’ management and institute mechanisms that would ensure regular monitoring. For future projects of a similar nature, the Government should, through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies adequately prepare to offer guidance and support to project beneficiaries to implement the project effectively. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should expedite the process of connecting the projects to the national grid to enable the functionality of this equipment. Road Chokes I would like to go straight to the observations. In Kyotera, 21 road chokes were identified, but only nine were prioritised for rehabilitation. At the time of the committee visit, only two roads under Lot 1; in Kateera-Minziiro, and Kasanvu- Kyakaluuma, had been approved and construction was ongoing. In Ayer that is Kole, that is Ayer-Bala-Akalo Road in Kole District was only 10 per cent completed. The road projects connecting two sub-counties, Ongino-Kanapa in Kumi, were not completed. The rest of them in Nebbi and Pakwach districts were also delayed. The recommendations, I cannot read all, honourable members. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Local Government should –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee chairperson for that detailed report. Honourable minister, one of the issues raised is on the e-voucher payment system. In my constituency, we mobilised people; they paid for tarpaulins till then, they have never received it. The Auditor-General’s report shows that Shs 4.9 billion was paid and beneficiaries have never received the inputs that they should have received. When is that money going to be refunded? Otherwise, they now think that the Government has defrauded them. On the road chokes - The chairperson talked about the road in Kole District of 24 kilometres. It was constructed at Shs 1.9 billion; each kilometre at Shs 80 million. As we speak, there is an oil seed project. Again, they are

13780 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT going to construct a road at Shs 113 million per kilometre. The highest bidder is the one who is being considered for that. In Kole, I used to think that in corruption, commission is 10 per cent, then 90 per cent does the work. Now I have learned it is the reverse. Commission is 90 per cent, it is 10 per cent that does the work. The Auditor-General’s report on the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP) shows that there were overpayments in 90 per cent of the contractors. It actually states that Shs 827 million is supposed to be refunded. Work was not done. She is complaining about ping-pong between the Permanent Secretary (PS) and the contractor, but the reality is that the money was already paid and the work has not been done. Mr Speaker, I have given up on these projects - (Member timed out.)

Cluatar 229,A6r,75t 257,499,800 3 Bug\Men Butalela Butebo Buglrl Namutumba Palhsa Tororo Kapchorwa 4 80,520,828 232,500,O00 223,080.000 696,207,225 380,000,0o0 Mbale Bukwo Kumr Sorotl 60,354,275 5 Serere 66,250,000 Amuru 179,300.O00 302,900,o00 368,695,00O 6 Nwoya Oulu Omoro Lrra Kole Dokolo 284,597 ,?Oo 220,OOO,OOO 369,115,000 244,379,OOO 7 t96,959,267 222,500,0O0 303,988,900 260,O00,O00 Oyam Kwama Apac I(asese l(abarole 351,739,s00 262,240,OOO 46t,423,373 8 392,624 OOO 690,075,980 9 lfrac Of Dlrtrlctr Cuau.htl DlrbEtacacnt (ucxl 196,980,O00 295,OOO,OOO 5t4,949,440 r83,335.174 B I unyangabu Kamwenge Krtag! .enda Kyenlolo 803,442.0O0 Kyegeg!r/a N *d,.- 7

(a) Incomplete and poor worl@anshrp was seen rn soBe facthtres vrslted ln Kalungu and Rakal Drstrrcts (bl Non-funcuonal fac rtres duc to lack of clectncrty rn Bugwen (c) Covernance rssues Kole Dtstnct (d) Non compahb lty of machrncs ln Pakwach, Palrsa and Nebbl Dtstrrcts Corr^mlttcc Rccor,Jr,G d(tlo'^ Thz Commlttac t comr,,nc d,, tha,a Gol,i€,,afilc, toluga d4 thr,o' ghthc r',lclE t l^Lt ic, o, Fanaac€, Pl.I nlng a d, ko^orrdc DctElopr c,^t; Agrlculfr/J,., A^t,,tr4,l l^durtry artd, FTthctlcri toca,l cotrEx,omc t a d E^Gtg! a^d m^G.4l ,,€t,€loprr|Gnt ,ho,tld collobrole to offat gutd.I,,,cc and. aup,ptotT, to GtantacE, to procu?. ,n4,chl^er! ,ltlth coryrletc w,luc chg;l,^ of r,'oduc'lon" 3 frtchtlg Grrtrt!: The Commtttee reports that some of the ProJects m somc dBtncts that had bccn constrlrcted as a result of the matchrng grants were complete and funchonal The rnvcatment ttcms under thrs component rnclude otrrces, storage fac rty, shelter for hullers, guard houaes, fenccs, ventrlated rmproved pr( latnnes (VlPl, wcrghmg scalcs, mot6(ure meters and pow€r extenarona The Commrttce was mpressed by some successful groups Lke Kw^ta za Women Famers Croup rn Horma and Abongo Women Group rn Pakwach and Kasaah Faimers' Cooperatrve Socrety rn Kyotera, among others The Commrttee however notcd q'rth concem that desplte Parhamentaiy approval ln 20 16, of the US $f 50m from thc lntcrnatronal Development Assocratron [tDAl of the World Bank to facrhtate Agnculture Cluster Development ProJect IACDPI, proJect rmplementatron on vanous sltcs wenc noted to be less than 5oolo complete ri,.rth some haung Lmlted space to handle far:m produce rn prepa-.atron for value addrtron procesSes 4. Dchycd dtrbur.Gactrtr of rpDroecd fuadr. The Commrttee alSo recetved submrssrons from some cooperahve socrety members. that desplte reqursrton of funds by vanous fzumer groups, dr-rect drsbursement of funds to fac rtate rmplementatron was as recent as Apr and May 2022 whrch was close to the exprr]' of thc Project For mstance, Bukose Bahbona \ r9

Coopcratrves Unron Lrmrtcd rn BugwEn Drstnct that appLed for a grant rn March, 2018 recerved funds ln Apr , 2022 The Commrttee waa rnformed b!'some Members of Ayer Jomt Youth Farmers' Cooperatrve Socrety Llmrted ln Kole Dratnct that ever smce the Soclety apphed for a grant m November 2019, no responsc has been recerved from the responsrble authontres The Commrttee recerved a petrtron from Abagalanyr Kabrra Coffee Farmers' Cooperahve Socrety Lrmrtcd, Kabra Sub County rn Kyotera Drstnct Thrs Coop srgned a grant agrcement wrth MAAIF ln January 2O2O to benefit from the ACDP Accordmg to the agreement, the grand total of the prolcct was 322,350,000 The Coop was to recerve UCX 215,974,500 from MAAIF wh e the Coop was to contnbut UGX 106,375,000 Accordrng to the petruon, MAAIF released only UCXI47,4oO,OOO rn January 2O2O and, up to the trmc of rcportrng, the Mlrustry had not yet patd outstandrng balance of UGX 68,574.000 The Commrttee learnt that there had been anomalcs qted by MAAIF that they requrrcd the Coop to first address and th.sc anomales had been addressed but MAAIF was not mcetrng ther part of the agreement The Commrttee obs.rrred that approva-ts of ACDP funds were occasroned by bureaucratrc processes that often umes delayed effectlve prolect execuhon The Cornmrttee notes that d.layed drsbuisements of funds could not guarantee successful and elfechvc transformatton of socretres whose sole hveLhood was agnculture cot,^mlttcc Rccomrnc datlo 7lE Co mlttac t car^rrlc^d. thqt thc Pro,cct C@rdl.n,ot'lo'4 U^lt d UAAD 1 thorld lnatltr.tc a , ccha ltm to axpcdttc naq'uLltloa a d. a,,lprcuo,l ol luad, ulth t tc ulct44 of ax,rditt tg thclr r.lco,€ to f(lclllta;tc prolcct lmrrlr,!,trcn;t4,,lo^. 5. trla[cirl Parforanncc of thc ACDP MAAIF re!,orted that the prolect's financEl performance has kept l&proung stead y followmg the -ofi of major rventrons Lke matc ffl fp*n ffi -----4' F .r- 0

to flow freely from thc factory whlch consequcntly gve$ nsc to health and envlroruncntal concems MAAIF reported that somc groups had been asked to submlt therr requests that would subscqucntly be rncluded rn the rcport that the MAATF would submlt to the respcctrve Mrnrstnes for power and water supply co'rrt rll,ttcc Rccorrt rre,'i.dg.tlo^ Trtc Cornmtl+ee "Gcommcnd,, tltat simtlaJ, protcctt srtould c sttt,e collaborutlon D€tutccn thc rclf,/E.,I;t l^lstrlcs. lO. Projectr Modtorhg rld E?rlu.tlon' Wcrt Li.L.ges The Commrttee \^.as mformed by some Grantee mcmbcrs m Kole and Kumr Dlstncts of lcss gurdance and support from therr respectrve Dlstrlct tocal Govemments IACDP Focat Pornt Personsl '[?rcrc r,r.ere also allegatrons of poor workrng reliatlonshlp bctPecn the local govemment admrrustratrons and Grantees whlch lead to loss of confidcnce rn the Prolect The Commlttee was furthcr rnformed that ACDP Focal Pomt Persons lcft the procurcment of machrnery entlrely to the Grantees and supphers wrthout any form of gurdance and support Thc Commrttee observed that the poor gurdance and support to Crantecs rrr terms of buarness rnformatron, cnterpnse selectton and value addttron for effectlvc rmplementatron of ACDP \l?s suggcstlvc of drsconnect between vanous Drstnct Local Covernments [Focal Pomt Personsl and Grantees The Commrt{.ce further observcd a weak momtonng and evaluatron functron m the Local Govemment Admrnlstratuon [ACDP Focat Pornt Personsl staff structure that was othen.rse key m ensunng effectrve rmplementatron of the Agncultural Cluster Development Project lACDpl .ff.-.4 . F 2A

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

>!ry \. d, \I' I "#t- F ,l 1, 1, -,'ts 01.L it.-' -.dh -r-t) +u!i---= ' 4" I I *- ,r1 t,r X M -6\ .I - ,. .,i,, t- Descrlptlon Amount (OOO'f Vote 840 Kabale District 37,399,826 2r,3t9,848 841 Kabarole District 19,649342 842 Kaberamaido District 843 Kagadi District 36,663,965 844 Kakumiro District 29,519,780 845 Kalaki District t6,394,928 446 Kalangala District 16,280,359 847 Kaliro District 3L,192,217 Kalungu District 28,705,355 848 449 Kamuli District 5r,729,233 850 Kamwenge District 3r,450,402 Kanungu District 851 47,21O,678 852 Kapchorwa District 22,472,086 853 Kapelebyong District 13,744,848 854 Karenga District 13,909,050 \ss Kasanda District 28,245,777 \-,, 8 56 Kasese District 80,380,999 857 Katakwi District 28,86t,256 Kayunga District 858 41,896,345 859 Kazo District 20,t37,t72 860 Kibaale District 19,010,095 861 Kiboga District 28,460,752 862 Kibuku District 25,8t4,730 863 Kikuube District 23,999,O82 864 Kiruhura District 23,t63,O54 865 Kiryandongo District 29,247,39O 866 Kisoro District 44,588,685 467 Kitagwenda District 20,597,57L 868 Kitgum District 26,464,995 469 Koboko District 22,845,14O 870 Kole District 28,306,987 <: L4 rb- irfi l

k 'I ii. #ri- - T ,? tu,*ur- r:l(- .: 26 =4 l.t ( \ l.---e-' )r Amount (OOO') Vote Descrlptlon 9,294,589 849 Kamuli District 5,106,892 850 Kamwenge District 6,153,676 Kanungu District 851 1,79o,475 452 Kapchorwa District 4,186,932 853 Kapelebyong District 2,540,91O 854 Karenga District 10,750,O50 855 Kasanda District 7,5t8,684 Kasese District 856 5,716,721 857 Katakwi District 7,805,t37 858 Kayunga District 7,725,674 Kazo District 859 7,254,6tO 860 Kibaale District 5,224,94t Kiboga District 861 4,t16,9Ll 862 Kibuku District 3,758,385 863 Kikuube District 3,866,206 864 Kiruhura District 4,506,327 865 Kiryandongo District 5,272,352 866 Kisoro District 2,t65,239 867 Kitagwenda District 3,085,928 Kitgum District 868 2,315,301 Koboko District ) eos 3,574,80L 470 Kole District 2,4t6,269 Kotido District 871 6,068,O43 872 Kumi District 2,956,24r 873 Kwania District 2,501,053 Kween District 874 5,O22,485 875 Kyankwanzi District 6,76L,447 Kyegegwa District a76 5,675,220 877 Kyenjojo District 3,579,392 Kyotera District 878 3,036,906 879 Lamwo District 3,674,946 Lira District TBBo 3,27t,477 881 Luuka District 6,O7a,216 Luwero District 842 6,840,262 883 Lwengo District 1,743,388 Lyantonde District 884 2,5t3,735 885 Madi-Okollo District i iF!": N\','" k

Honourable mem - bers, can I read the districts, which are includ - ed? Hon. Ssekikubo is that okay? With the amounts. Honourable members, listen. Read: Vote 804 – Alebtong District – Shs 848,733,704; Vote 805 – Amolatar District – Shs 220,815,010; Vote 807 – Amuria District – Shs 76,091,072; Vote 811 – Budaka District – Shs 569,774,320; Vote 812 – Bududa District – Shs 871,310,151; Vote 813 – Bugiri District – Shs 80,000,000; Vote 816 –Buikwe District – Shs 634,351,309; Vote 817: Bukedea District - Shs 557,998,824; Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District - Shs 138,976,150; Vote 819: Bukwo District - Shs 3,457,961,447; Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 237,021,273; Vote 823: Bunyangabu District – Shs 371,453,937; Vote 825: Busia District - Shs 2,493,045,786; Vote 830: Buyende District - Shs 325,110,681; Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 1,200,052,179; Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 132,794,807; Vote 834: Hoima District – Shs 663,105,613; Vote 835: Ibanda District - Shs 2,181,084,002; Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 3,142,687,738; Vote 838: Jinja District - Shs 2,158,144,238; Vote 840: Kabale District - Shs 122,770,149; Vote 841: Kabarole District – Shs 413,457,210; Vote 842: Kaberamaido District - Shs 1,189,601,445; Vote 846: Kalangala District – Shs 499,303,936; Vote 848: Kalungu District – Shs 1,919,206,727; Vote 851: Kanungu District - Shs 2,355,337,661; Vote 855, Kassanda District – Shs 1,076,055,328; Vote 856: Kasese District - Shs 1,428,572,362; Vote 858: Kayunga District - Shs 886,274,114; Vote 861: Kiboga District – Shs 877,544,449; Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 55,309,755; Vote 864: Kiruhura District - Shs 1,272,038,110; Vote 866: Kisoro District – Shs 1,147,709,409; Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 292,329,260; Vote 868: Kitgum District - Shs 260,346,061; Vote 869: Koboko District – Shs 1,346,133,500; Vote 870: Kole District - Shs 508,409,292; Vote 872: Kumi District - Shs 2,856,532,203; Vote 875: Kyankwanzi District - Shs 280,000,000; Vote 876: Kyegegwa District - Shs 2,218,090,875; Vote 877: Kyenjojo District - Shs 1,050,288,984; Vote 878: Kyotera District - Shs 1,273,322,749; Vote 879: Lamwo District - Shs 403,256,222; Vote 881: Luuka District - Shs 931,990,097; Vote 882: Luwero District - Shs 5,365,516,069; Vote 883: Lwengo District – Shs 1,967,438,860; Vote 884: Lyantonde District - Shs 253,488,082; Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District - Shs 676,404,553; Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 416,761,385; Vote 889: Masindi District – Shs 84,336,637; Vote 890: Mayuge District – Shs 930,316,165; Vote 891: Mbale District – Shs 1,720,742,693; Vote 892: Mbarara District - Shs 455,148,176; Vote 893: Mitooma District - Shs 505,896,701; Vote 894: Mityana District - Shs 471,519,063; Vote 895: Moroto District – Shs 165,753,246; Vote 896: Moyo District - Shs 1,293,741,625; Vote 899: Mukono District – Shs 2,529,351,767; Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 1,252,915,918; Vote 901: Nakapiripirit District – Shs 30,000,000; Vote 902: Nakaseke District – Shs 933,060,184; [Mr Ekanya] THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.2

12868 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Thursday, 18 April 2024 Honourable members, on a rather sad note, our own Dr Opio Acuti who is the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Member of Parliament for Kole North County has lost his dear father, Dr Opio Erisari. On behalf of Parliament and on my own behalf, we relay our condolences to the bereaved family, friends and the people of Kole. May his soul rest in eternal peace. May we rise for a moment of silence in his memory. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

Bzsiness Deuelopment and. Qualitg Assurance (1) National business development services guideline developed for 200 men, women, and youth & mainstreamed in the BFP in Central, Northern, West Nile & Eastern Regions. (2) 220 MSMEs of men, youth and women entrepreneurs trained on making Business Plans, Financial Literacy, Resource Mobilization, and Record Keeping. Kiruhura, Rwampara, Kabale,Rubanda, Mitooma, pallisa, Serere, Oyam, Kalaki and Otuke. (3) 60 youths, women, and entrepreneurs prepared to attend trade exhibition in South Sudan Capital, Juba. (41 160 MSMEs of men, women, youths PWDs mobitized and sensitized on the importance of product certification, aud.its, food fortification, and GHp for enterprises in Kotido, Napak DLG, Abim, Amudat, Zombo, Arua, Madi-Oko1o Serere & Kole. (5) T\ryo (21 Business tinkages established between MSMEs and large-scale enterprises for men, women and PWDs. in Soroti City, Amuria, Katakwi, Kumi, Busia, Tororo and Butaleja for men, women and pwDs. (6) 850 MSMEs profiled per region of the country and MSMEs database populated for 212 youths 212 women, 25Omen and 176 pWDs. in Central, Northern and Western Regions. Process ing and. Marketing (1) A detailed study and assessment on various stages of the textile value chain in Uganda from yarn production to manufacturing conducted. ( t u , T +n {> ,.:'._J!!}.$F (\-.

Honourable colleagues, Gen. Mbadi has been given a docket, but from the feedback I am getting from Members, he has been one of the most popular Members of the committee on trade. Members used to tell me that he would leave behind his armoured car and escorts and move with them in a bus, despite him being a CDF. When he was a member, he was that humble. (Applause) So, honourable member, we hope you will be interacting with your colleagues. You know the hard questions they have been asking, sometimes with answers and sometimes without answers. We are sure you are one of those people who will help us to progress very well. Congratulations, once again. Honourable colleagues, in the VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have Hon. Fred Ebil, a former Member of Parliament for Kole County and current Secretary-General of Uganda People’s Congress. He has come to witness the administration of oaths to Hon. Sarah Aguti, the Dakolo Woman Member of Parliament. Please, join me in welcoming him. (Applause) Honourable colleagues, also in the public gallery this afternoon, we have lecturers and student leaders, from Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, Mawokota County South in Mpigi District, led by Sr Joe Martin. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi and Hon. Teddy Nambooze. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Further, honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from the National Federation of Entertainment Promoters. They are here to witness the administration of oaths to Hon. Balaam Barugahara, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) In the public gallery, we also have a delegation from West Moyo County in Moyo District. The delegation includes: [The Deputy Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

The FUFA Drum games. Mr Speaker, it was a nice one because - I want to bring this experience to this House. (Interjection) - yes, it is the FUFA Drum for football. I saw that we need to identify talents when we have young people outside there. Some people dropped out of school, but can play very well. There are children who are in the local games in our districts, like in Kole. We have talents in such local games. Therefore, my mind went ahead to think that maybe the Ministry of Education and Sports can still go ahead to identify talents in the local area, not only in schools – because we have primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The talents should not only be identified in such areas, but locally. It is very important because among the teams, we saw even people who had dropped out of school, but they were doing very well. Some of our players – for example, four players for Lango Province – had been sent for international games and they were doing very well. That is one thing that the Ministry of Education and Sports should think about. I am bringing it forward, that we should go ahead to identify talents in the children as young as they are –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I am concerned about the plight of most youth- farmer cooperatives all over the country, but more specifically, the ones in Balla, Ayer and Akalo in Kole that received support under the Agriculture Cluster Development Programme and they had machines for value addition installed since 2019. However, up to now, there is no electricity extension, no water access and most of the machines have wrong specifications. When will these project sites, that is, Ayer, Balla, Akalo, and others across the country get connected to electricity and other critical utilities for agro-industrialisation?

11420 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 Thursday, 25 January 2024 colleagues. I know what it means to lose a colleague in the House and how it shakes all of us. I feel sorry for the family, honourable colleagues, the Speaker, the President, the FDC fraternity and all Ugandans. The burial will be this Saturday, as you may all know, in Kole District. Parliament has organised transport. Therefore, you need to register to ensure that we go in big numbers. I will be there. Let us go in big numbers and pay respect to our fallen colleague. This being my first sitting since this happened, I request you to join me and we stand for a moment of silence. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

Thank you, Prime Minister, for the motion. Before the seconder, we have Prof. Celestino Obua, the Head of the Okii- Amat clan where Hon. Cecilia was married. He is also the Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Chairperson of, Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB). You are welcome. We also have Hajjat Farida Kimbowa, the Chairperson of the National Women’s Council. We have Dr Grace Kaboyo, the Executive Secretary, the Pan African Women Organisation. You are most welcome. I know women wanted to do a lot of singing but I will allow you to sing the whole night since the body will be sleeping here. (Applause ) Condolences from Hon. Arinaitwe Rwakajara, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Parliamentary Pension Scheme. We also have condolences from the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, who is out for official duty but will be joining the family for burial in Kole District. Can we have a seconder? Leader of the Opposition?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank you because the day we heard of the death of Atat you rushed to her home. You were the first to reach there and console the family, the people of Lango and Parliament. I would like to thank you for being with and supporting us. We are paying tribute to a very unique character, an icon and a political consultant. Madam Speaker, the international fora also miss Atat, but she is dearly missed by this Parliament and the people of Lango. Atat had a very unique brain. Even on her deathbed, she was able to speak eloquently. This is the time we have to eulogise her, remember her and carry forward the legacy of Atat . I grew up in the hands of Atat because she was married in Kole, in my own sub-county. She was an inspiration to me and when I had not joined this Parliament, she could put me down to tell me how- as a good girl. Therefore, I picked it from her. All along, I have been close to Atat and now that we are going to bury her in my constituency and sub-county, I would like to tell this Parliament that we welcome all of you to come and send off Atat in a very decent way. Atat was not a pretender; she was bold in every issue and that is why she has been very close to national development. I would like to thank His Excellency the President for according to Atat a state funeral. This is a sign that she made a –(Interjection)- yes, an official funeral. This

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to pay my respects to a truly extraordinary woman on behalf of the people of Teso and Kalaki who had connections with Atat ; she had special connections with Lwala and Kidetok. I convey the condolences of my people to the people of Kole, Lira and Dokolo whom she served. A lot has been said about her. Permit me only to say this, when you met Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, what you saw was who she was. She lacked duplicity. She was a person committed to truth and honesty. I dealt with her when we had the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline hearing for Gen. Elly Tumwine and she appeared before the committee and that is when I got to know that you could never expect her to coat the truth. She would tell you the way it was. She was an extraordinary woman who joins the league of extraordinary women whom we have known in history. I have heard speaker after speaker lamenting about who will take her place. I am very sure that with competent women in this House, the Speaker can occupy that seat. I have a competent person I know in Hon. Opendi. We will find people to replace her. I just pray that you stand steadfast and committed to the cause for which she fought. May Her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

Honourable members, before we adjourn the House, I would like to urge all of you to be present. The body is going to spend a night here. Those who claim they loved Atat , please stay with her body. I also ask that let us go and give Atat her final send off. The President is going to come with the First Lady, Mama, in an hour’s time to pay his last respects. The body will leave here tomorrow at 8.00 a.m. for All Saints Cathedral. I urge all of you to be present. We loved Atat . Let us continue loving her. May her soul rest in eternal peace. I had adjourned the House to 25 January 2024, last time. This was a special sitting, so, resumption still remains on 25 January 2024. I thank all of you for coming for this special sitting. May the good Lord bless all of you and keep praying for ourselves and our Parliament because at this rate, it is too much. We would not have sat on the 25 th of January but it is because of the Budget Framework Paper, which has a deadline. Therefore, a team will remain behind and another will go to Kole. The House is adjourned to the 25 th of January. (The House rose at 5.01 p.m. and adjourned until Thursday, 25 January 2024.)

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.

Thank you. Dr Acuti? DR SAMUEL OPIO (Independent, Kole North County, Kole) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would also like to affirm and thank you, for standing firm because at the African, Caribbean and Pacific – European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels, we stood firm as Uganda and told them that African values were not for sale; whether at wholesale or retail price. We shall stand with our values and not allow this culture and colonisation. I am also happy that many of the African countries have refused to sign the new partnership agreement of ACP- EU, which had provisions on homosexuality. Therefore, Uganda is not alone in this cause. We are the forerunners and we need to continue to stand together. Lastly, a few weeks back, in your communication, you had indicated that you had visited Mulago Hospital and you had committed to support them. I appeal to you because on today’s Order Paper we are discussing the supplementary budget. Unfortunately, Mulago is not in it; but they need about Shs 25.5 billion to complete the renovation of Mulago. Mulago is the face, hand and feet of our healthcare system but the face is disfigured, the hand is amputated and the feet have been disabled. It cannot provide specialised services. We need Shs 25.5 billion for mechanical and plumbing installations, the elevators are not working - we have the first and which will be the first ever organ transplant centre ready to start but it cannot start because the equipment is not functional. I appeal that we get a way forward. Last year we had a supplementary budget but Mulago was left out. In the supplementary budget for this year, Mulago was left out again. I appeal -

11040 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT (iii) The MoLG and MoFPED should ensure that all the parishes receive the funds as required by the PDM policy. TOR 2 Eligibility of the various categories of beneficiaries of the PDM Fund Madam Speaker, in the interest of time, I will take you to page 10 which gives details on the status. The subregions reported that vetting committees and SACCO leaders have ensured that there is proportional access for the different groups. However, contrary to guidelines, some government employees and their families as well as richer persons were benefiting from PDM funds. This was reported in Buganda and Lango subregions. There were allegations of a ghost SACCO set up to benefit ineligible persons in Okwongo Town Council in Otuke District, where the beneficiaries were family members of the CDO and other district officials. In addition, a one Janet Akullu from the same district was known to be someone who was well-off owning a storeyed building, therefore, not part of those who were meant to benefit from this programme. Once reported, the disbursement of Shs 434 million was put on halt, and investigation proceeded, which helped in saving Government from losing the said amount to ghost beneficiaries. In Kole District, irregularities in payments to beneficiaries of Ogwangacuma SACCO were noted, with cases of suspected unauthorised withdrawals from the account. On examination of the SACCO account, discrepancies were noted in the bank statement of the SACCO account in Postbank. In response, Postbank explained that the discrepancies arose from erroneous export of data into Excel by one of their officers. On the issue of equity in the PDM implementation across the regions- with the same amount of funds to be given to all parishes across the country, stakeholders have raised a concern about coverage of PDM in areas with big parishes that have many villages, households and enterprise groups. Some of the examples cited include Koboko North, Gulu City, Wakiso, Mayuge and Kaliro districts. On the other hand, the Ministry of Local Governments had not disbursed any funds for Kampala City, due to the uniqueness of the city setting. The Ministry is, therefore, redesigning the programme for Kampala accordingly. On the aspect of adherence to quotas for special interest groups, The PDM guidelines provide for mandatory quotas for disbursement of the funds. The distribution is supposed to be 30 per cent for youth, 30 per cent for women, 10 per cent for the elderly and 10 per cent for persons with disabilities (PWDs). According, to the Ministry of Local Governments the quota system has been emphasised and is being realised, with women receiving the bulk of the money because they are found in all categories; that is women, youth, elderly and PWDs. All subregions indicated that the criteria were not being fully met, especially in regard to the elderly and PWDs. In some cases, the number of special interest groups in the enterprises were very low. For example, in Podo Parish, Koboko District, PWDs refused to get the money for fear of failure to repay, that is according to the regional report. Gender issues were also noted in some areas where women were denied funds unless a spouse guaranteed them. Mityana District had reports of sexual harassment hindering women from full participation in PDM. Committee observations The Committee observed the following: i. None of the sub-regions was able to present detailed data indicating the categories of beneficiaries from which the

11041 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023 committee would have deduced whether the quotas were adhered to. ii. Defining the urban poor in cities like Kampala and Lira is a challenge. iii. Selecting beneficiaries in areas with big parishes is difficult, causes conflict and leaves out many potential beneficiaries. For example, Kasubi Ward in Gulu City has a population of about 39,000 people with over 50 per cent of those in the subsistence economy. iv. There were allegations of sexual harassment in Mityana District and reported gender discrimination in some regions, although the details of those allegations were not provided as required. v. The Committee was not satisfied with the explanations given by Postbank Ltd in regard to the discrepancies in the bank statement of Ogwangacuma SACCO in Kole district. Committee Recommendations The committee recommends that: (i) The PDM secretariat should have a system to monitor adherence to guidelines, especially on the implementation of the quotas and report on this issue, with statistics. (ii) Put in place a transparent selection process, combined with effective oversight to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the funds. (iii) Review the practicability of the quotas for the special interest groups due to its limited implementation, especially for the elderly, some of whom have no interest in enterprise development. (iv) The allocation criteria for Parish Revolving Fund needs to consider factors such as the population of the parish, poverty levels in the regions and remoteness, among other factors that make some areas more vulnerable than others. (v) Create a safe and respectful environment and institute clear protocols for reporting and addressing incidents of discrimination and sexual harassment. Other discriminatory practices should be reported and acted upon. (vi) Operationalise or establish a national call centre for reporting incidences/ cases related to PDM implementation. (vii) The police should investigate the alleged cases of sexual harassment as reported in Mityana District. (viii) The police should carry out an investigation into the irregularities in the bank statements of Ogwangacuma PDM SACCO to establish the truth. TOR 3 Effectiveness of Utilisation of disbursed funds by PDM. This is on the last paragraph of page 13. The subregions gave varied reports about how the funds so far disbursed were being utilised. West Nile, for example, reported that most beneficiaries have put the funds to the intended use, although some beneficiaries used the money to buy household items with the hope of replacing the money from the activities later. West Nile Subregion reported that enterprise groups have been formed in all the parishes and are engaging in agricultural activities, which are doing well. Common enterprises were food and cash crops, goat keeping, poultry, piggery; tree farming and apiculture. Group members who received PDM funds have invested the funds in farming and the crops are doing well, especially those who specialise in cassava growing. However, in some districts and parishes, for example, in Koboko District, heavy rains and hailstorm destroyed crops. But in some cases, the timing

11042 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT of release of funds was expected to have a negative effect. For example, where money for agriculture enterprises came after the planting seasons had passed. In Karamoja, funds were received around the same time when a cultural festival was taking place and there were reports that the funds went into merrymaking. In Kole District, it was reported that some beneficiaries died before receiving funds applied for. In other cases, people believe it was free money from the Government; they used it for household purchases, sharing with family, construction and gambling. Some referred to PDM as “Personal Drinking Money” and this is a case in Karenga district. ln a few cases, beneficiaries declined to take the entire Shs 1 million, opting for small amounts they felt could be repaid easily. The Parish Revolving Funds available for borrowing are likely to reduce due to cases of extortion, excessive charges and operational costs. For example, those in Karenga, Abim and Napak Districts in Karamoja have to travel over 100 km either to Kitgum, Kotido or Moroto District to access banking and mobile money services, which is extremely costly to the beneficiaries. Committee observations The committee observed that: (i) It may be too early to conclude on whether funds were properly being utilised, since funds were being received in tranches and some beneficiaries had just received the money. However, incidents of misuse were noted. (ii) Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development emphasised the need for all stakeholders to ensure proper utilisation of disbursed funds by the households. (iii) Ministry of Local Governments acknowledged most of the challenges and explained that some efforts were underway to resolve them. The ministry noted that the main PDM guidelines should be followed, while others were clarifications on the guidelines that were not properly understood. (iv) It was observed that some banks have provided some gadgets to SACCOS, for example, Post Bank and Centenary Bank to ease the processes. In August 2023, Post Bank developed the Wendi platform as a mobile wallet to enable beneficiaries to access the funds without having to go to the bank. Other banks had also deployed apps for PDM and some were already rolling them out. (v) Most beneficiaries, especially in Karamoja subregion were incurring a lot of expenses in the process of fulfilling the requirements to receive the funds. For example, the beneficiaries from Abim, Karenga, Kaabong and Napak have to incur costs on transport, accommodation and feeding as they travel to either Kitgum, Kotido or Moroto to access banking and Mobile Money services. This has a far-reaching impact on the success of the programme, since they have to refund monies they could have borrowed to facilitate all these processes after receiving the PDM funds. (vi) The beneficiaries from some districts, on top of travelling long distances to access banking services, have to spend nights on the verandahs due to the large number of clients that the banks have to serve. This example is in Napak where sometimes over a hundred people have to spend a night in front of the bank, waiting to be served the following day. The committee recommends that; (i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure that all funds are released as planned and in a timely manner.

11045 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023 The committee recommends that; (i) Government should update and reconcile the PDM implementation guidelines into one handbook and lay the same before Parliament within three months from the date of adoption of this report. (ii) Government should withdraw and render invalid all the subsisting guidelines and directives other than the PDM implementation guidelines that have been laid before Parliament. (iii) The Ministry of Local Governments should make PDM implementation guidelines readily available to all key players for easy access of the same by the beneficiaries and translate the guidelines into local languages. (iv) The Ministry of Local Governments should arrange for training or sensitisation and monitoring for all key players involved in the implementation of the PDM in all parishes across the country. (v) There should be an engagement between the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Local Governments and the banking institutions to address the concerns arising from the departure from their earlier terms and conditions with the banking institutions. Madam Speaker, permit me to now take you through the general committee observations and recommendations. The committee made the following observations; 1) Whereas the PDM Fund is supposed to support 39 per cent of the poor people in Uganda, the fund is distributed equally across every parish despite the varying poverty levels across the country. The UBOS Multidimensional Poverty Index Report, 2022, indicates that at the regional level, multidimensional poverty is highest in the northern region with 63 per cent, followed by the eastern region with 45.7 per cent. At the subregional level, Karamoja has the highest levels of multidimensional poverty intensity. The other subregions with high incidences of poverty are Acholi with 64 per cent, West Nile with 59 per cent, Lango 57 percent and Teso 56 per cent. The least incidence of poverty was reported in Kampala with 0.4 per cent; Buganda South, 18 per cent and Buganda North,30 per cent. 2) In addition, there was need to ascertain parish needs depending on the population size, infrastructure needs, differences in financial literacy, among others. Parishes in the urban settings have high population settlements that cannot be effectively covered with an allocation of Shs 100 million, compared to some rural areas that are sparsely populated. 3) A lot of effort is being put on the Parish Revolving Fund, which is Pillar 3, that is, financial inclusion of the PDM, yet there are other pillars, which are equally important for the success of the model. The interventions under Pillar 3 are intended to promote savings and investment by households in activities with a potential for generating a production surplus. The committee noted that Pillar 5 on Community Mobilisation and Mind-set Change, which would ideally put people at the centre stage in decision-making on issues that affect their lives and participate in determining their pathways out of poverty is not being given priority. This is likely to trigger PDM to suffer the same fate as previous Government programmes. 4) The committee noted cases of extortion of money by some of the CDOs who demanded for payments as high as Shs 10,000 in order for the beneficiaries to access the passwords necessary for them to access the system. In Kole District, the

11046 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT committee was informed that the CDO collected Shs 5,000 from each beneficiary for loan application entered into system, and another Shs 5,000 for loan appraisal and another Shs 2,000 for beneficiaries to receive the money. The town agent also received Shs 2,000 to collect data from each beneficiary. 5) There were cases of irregular arrests of the district commercial officer, the SACCO chairmen and some enterprise leaders on claims of stealing SACCO funds. This issue was cited in Sebei and Lango subregions. Specifically, in Kole District, the accusers failed to heed to Police summons for a month to make statements on the file of those who were arrested. The SACCO leaders are facing corruption charges in the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, while the district commercial officer who is the focal person for PDM, was stopped from his duties. 6) In most parts, the PDM funds came at a time when beneficiaries were returning children to school, and ended up diverting the money for school fees instead of the intended purpose. In some parts, especially Karamoja, the money started trickling in at a time when there was food scarcity due to the prolonged drought and the beneficiaries ended up prioritising food since the planting period had passed, instead of sticking to their business plans. 7) In some sections of the community, there is negative attitude towards the PDM money compared to other similar Government poverty eradication programmes like UWEP, NUSAF, YLP and Emyooga , among others, which are generally perceived by some people as failures. Further, some people also perceive the PDM money as a “thank you” token from the President for voting him into power. Others view it as personal pocket money. As I said, in Karenga for example, some people were reported to be referring to this money as “Personal Drinking Money”. (Laughter)

Honourable members, I want us to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Hon. Opolot here will say the CAO is only serving me, but they are supposed to serve the district; the people of that area. I want to request the Minister of Local Government - I see all of them here; Hon. Abwooli and Hon. Magyezi are here. Please, get the information from Hon. Abeja because she is a little emotional. Where the CAO has a problem, carry out an investigation. If he has a problem, as is being said, do not “shop” the way she has said it and do not transfer. Let us not rotate around with these problems. Today, you are removing someone from Otuke; another day, Kole or Bukedea. Don’t we have educated people? Just fire that person. (Applause) I want a response on that issue, but not on the Floor.

10927 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2023 programmes. Sub-titling of voice in most programmes on TV, like it is done in international media, is a reform that can help bridge the gap. We need to consider this as a matter of urgency. v. Persons with a combination of hearing- speech-and-visual impairments require the ministry in charge of technology and innovations to prioritise the area of tactile technology. This helps people with hearing, speech and visual impairment to communicate. It is an innovation that thrives on the sense of touching and manipulation of hands between a helper and a person with such a disability. This is very transformative in the lives of persons with a combination of the three impairments. vi. Persons with Albinism require Government agencies like Uganda pharmaceutical industries and other local scientists to prioritise products such as sunscreens, face balms, among others, which are currently imported and expensive. vii. Persons with Spina Bifida condition require innovations in the local production of affordable organic diapers, among other materials, to strengthen accessible care for children with this category of disability. viii. Similarly, children with hydrocephalus require innovations in the production of free or subsidised supplies such as shunts. Shunts are medical tubes used in health facilities to drain extra fluids from the heads of children with hydrocephalus. Most parents of such children cannot afford these critical supplies, yet they are not adequate in our health facilities. ix. Persons with short stature require Government interventions to make adjustments for reasonable accommodation. For instance, there is a need for the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to issue a circular to banks to have a certain percentage of ATM machines at a lower height to cater for persons with short stature – what we call “little persons” in Uganda - who keep complaining of inaccessibility. There is also need for adjustments by the ministry in charge of sanitation, in the height of some toilets in public places to accommodate persons with short stature, among other adjustments for reasonable accommodation. Madam Speaker, the above are some of the few examples to demonstrate the urgent need for the different duty bearers to prioritise the promotion of innovations for disability inclusion. Madam Speaker, since the inception and as a practice, commemorating this day is organised on a regional rotational basis. Last year it was in Northern Uganda (Kole District) and this year, the day will be commemorated in the western region. The approved venue for this year’s commemoration is Mbarara District in western Uganda, which was selected among others, based on its timely expression of interest, and other suitability considerations, to host the event. Madam Speaker, the Chief Guest for the national commemorations is expected to be the Rt Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda. My ministry constituted a National Organising Committee (NOC) comprising of representatives of ministries, departments, agencies, non-state actors, and the host local government, to spearhead arrangements for the event. The pre-event and D-Day activities include: assessment of some persons with disabilities for assistive devices, distribution of assistive devices, a National Disability Symposium with panel discussions on innovations for disability inclusion, HIV screening, blood donation, cancer screening, media engagements, provision of dummy cheques for selected groups in the region; that is the national special grant, exhibitions of inclusive innovations by the private sector and Government agencies, among others.

Thank you very much for the queries. Honourable member for Kole, I want to assure you that anyone who is making claims will be welcomed by the Ministry. They can continue coming; they can come today, tomorrow, and every day - it is continuous.

9096 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION The rehabilitation works of Mityana - Mubende (86 kilometres); 14 kilometres town roads in Mubende; Olwiyo-Pakwach (62 kilometres); Alwii - Nebbi (33 kilometres) are ongoing. The Government is expediting the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, starting next Financial Year 2023/2024, starting with Malaba to Kampala. I welcome the decision of His Excellency, President William Ruto of Kenya, agreeing to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba because that was a problem. In the meantime, the rehabilitation of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway and Kampala Metre Gauge Railway are underway. As regards road transport, priority will be given to the maintenance of existing road networks, especially in the urban areas, continued upgrade of selected strategic roads from gravel to bituminous surface, maintenance of national districts and community roads by facilitating each district in the country, with a minimum of Shs 1 billion to upgrade and compact the dry weather marram roads next financial year. Infrastructure priorities Government has over the years invested heavily in infrastructure. This has helped to narrow the huge infrastructure gap we had in the 1990s. However, there are still critical gaps that Government will continue to prioritise in order to reduce the cost of doing business such as lowering the electricity price. You know, these people use their mysterious language; power tariffs and all that. Mwe ba wanainchi, ekyo mukitegele bulungi, bano byeboogela ebya “power tariffs”. They simply mean electricity prices for manufacturers and other businesses. The critical infrastructure include the railway, upgrading of airports, including completion of Kabaale International Airport, which is at 91 per cent completion and Entebbe International Airport, which is at 71 per cent completion; development of new ports on our lakes; and completing the heavy investment in the energy infrastructure, for example, Karuma Dam and associated transmission lines. We also need to build new airports near the tourism destinations such as Kidepo, Bwindi, Kasese, among others. Tourists, who are the rich people, do not have time to come, land at Entebbe International Airport and drive for 700 kilometres to Kidepo. No, they do not have time. We need to build airports for the rich foreigners to land near the national park, see the animals and go away. Those airports, of course, also help with security. Like now with night operations in Karamoja, we fly very far; from Nakasongola and all those places. It is better to have a good airport which can operate day and night in those areas. Government will prioritise infrastructure that supports industrialisation, production of oil and gas, and promote tourism. These include industrial parks, electricity power substations, extending and upgrading electricity transmission lines, water for industrial use and ICT infrastructure. Energy The total electricity generation capacity is now 1,346.6 megawatts. This is from 60 megawatts in 1986. This will increase to 1,800 megawatts once Karuma is commissioned this year. This means, therefore, that the construction of the transmission lines to evacuate this power must be completed without further delays. These lines include Karuma-Kawanda (400 KV), Karuma-Olwiyo (400 KV), Karuma-Lira (132 KV) and Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua. They did not include the strength here; I think it is 132 KV. The demand for electricity is increasing by 15 per cent per year, although these figures of finance are kasoobo . You heard my figures on the milk; 193 per cent. Bano bali ku 15 per cent. Anyway, we are talking with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and I think we shall eventually agree. They are beginning to wake up because they are the ones who wrote this. Mukawulire kano . Bebawaandika bino ; Katonda yebazibwe .

Honourable mem - bers, none of the Members from Kasese Dis - trict is on the Committee on Budget and Kasese is a very big district. So, we should stop saying, “Members who are on the Committee on Bud - get”. Hon. Atkins is a poor man. (Laughter) He is not a member of the Committee on Budget. 142) Vote 857: Katakwi District - Shs 25,335,675,000 143) Vote 858: Kayunga District - Shs 37,361,049,000 144) Vote 859: Kazo District – Shs 18,099,602,000 145) Vote 860: Kibaale District - Shs 17,514,216,000 146) Vote 861: Kiboga District – Shs 25,621,222,000 147) Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 21,510,868,000 148) Vote 863: Kikuube District – Shs 22,027,669,000 149) Vote 864: Kiruhura District – Shs 18,214,354,000 150) Vote 865: Kiryandongo District - Shs 28,181,672,000 151) Vote 866: Kisoro District - Shs 41,251,167,000 152) Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 19,274,549,000 153) Vote 868: Kitgum District - Shs 28,277,064,000 154) Vote 869: Koboko District - Shs 19,175,066,000 155) Vote 870: Kole District – Shs 24,145,853,000 156) Vote 871: Kotido District – Shs 11,301,208,000 157) Vote 872: Kumi District - Shs 25,388,394,000 158) Vote 873: Kwania District – Shs 22,753,848,000 159) Vote 874: Kween District – Shs 19,391,073,000 160) Vote 875: Kyankwanzi District – Shs 24,244,929,000

8758 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 195) Vote 866: Kisoro District - Shs 41,251,167,000 196) Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 19,274,549,000 197) Vote 868: Kitgum District - Shs 28,277,064,000 198) Vote 869: Koboko District - Shs 19,175,066,000 199) Vote 870: Kole District – Shs 24,145,853,000 200) Vote 871: Kotido District – Shs 11,301,208,000 201) Vote 872: Kumi District - Shs 25,388,394,000 202) Vote 873: Kwania District – Shs 22,753,848,000 203) Vote 874: Kween District – Shs 19,391,073,000 204) Vote 875: Kyankwanzi District – Shs 24,244,929,000 205) Vote 876: Kyegegwa District – Shs 23,846,624,000 206) Vote 877: Kyenjojo District – Shs 35,581,507,000 207) Vote 878: Kyotera District – Shs 35,036,531,000 208) Vote 879: Lamwo District – Shs 18,485,759,000 209) Vote 880: Lira District – Shs 27,100,374,000 210) Vote 881: Luuka District – Shs 25,440,932,000 211) Vote 882: Luweero District – Shs 63,300,117,000 212) Vote 883: Lwengo District – Shs 27,153,735,000 213) Vote 884: Lyantonde District – Shs 18,276,836,000 214) Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District – Shs 17,665,819,000 215) Vote 886: Manafwa District – Shs 25,992,671,000 216) Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 25,235,124,000 217) Vote 888: Masaka District – Shs 13,315,598,000 218) Vote 889: Masindi District – Shs 23,520,737,000 219) Vote 890: Mayuge District – Shs 42,544,940,000 220) Vote 891: Mbale District – Shs 36,346,216,000 221) Vote 892: Mbarara District – Shs 23,774,583,000 222) Vote 893: Mitooma District – Shs 27,230,403,000 223) Vote 894: Mityana District – Shs 31,132,617,000 224) Vote 895: Moroto District – Shs 13,533,113,000 225) Vote 896: Moyo District – Shs 20,493,308,000 226) Vote 897: Mpigi District – Shs 30,334,080,000 227) Vote 898: Mubende District – Shs 25,717,019,000 228) Vote 899: Mukono District – Shs 49,808,239,000

7919 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 2023 tools to deter environmental degradation under the “polluter pays” principle. Question No.3, Hon. Samuel Opio, Member of Parliament, Kole North says that more than 16 villages in Erute and Kole North have been negatively affected by the stone quarry work activities at Aler Rock at the Lira-Kole border. More than 30 buildings developed cracks because of the blasts from the quarry. The community water points were contaminated and the project-affected persons have not been compensated, and NEMA has failed to carry out environmental audit and investigations. His prayer is that the Ministry of Water and Environment should visit the affected areas and take the necessary action and update the House. Mr Speaker and colleagues, on 18 January 2023, environmental inspectors from the National Environment Management Authority, Lira District Local Government, Members of Parliament from Lira and the representative for the Member of Parliament, Kole North, undertook a field inspection of the said stone quarry crusher-plant site and operations. Non-compliance was observed at the facility. This was in breach of the National Environment Act (No.5), 2019 and the Certificate Conditions of Approval (No. NEMA/EIA/15449) issued to the developer for operating a stone quarry, and the crusher in Acanakwo Village, Aler Parish, Agur Subcounty in Lira District. NEMA consequently issued a Stop Notice to the developer, requiring them to stop all the operations with immediate effect until all the non-compliances were fully addressed and a clearance given by the ministry and the Authority to resume operations. Question No.4, Hon. Christine Sendawula Bukenya, the Woman MP, Kyankwanzi. She said that on 21 January 2023, there was an invasion by the staff of National Forest Authority (NFA) in Kyamutete, Kyankwanzi District, that left Bosco Kasonko dead and plantations destroyed. Her prayer is that I update the country on the presidential directive to evict people from national forest reserves. My response is that the incident raised by Hon. Sendawula Christine happened in Taala Central Forest Reserve in the village of Kyamutete in Kyankwazi District. The boundaries of the forest reserve were recently reopened and marked with concrete pillars with the involvement of the district authorities and leadership and the neighbouring community. During the process of boundary opening, it was noticed that some members of the community had encroached on the forest land, and therefore, were doing cultivation of crops. Mr Speaker, efforts were made to sensitise these encroachers not to open more land or plant crops on the onset of the rainy season. The community were given a grace period of six months to harvest their crops and vacate the forest reserve. Some of them complied and voluntarily vacated the forest reserve while those who refused to vacate the forest reserve are the ones causing trouble to forest managers. In order to facilitate quick restoration of the forest, the NFA licensed the private sector tree farmers to plant trees in the parts of Taala Central Forest Reserve. The tree farmers embarked on land preparation for this season’s planting and continued with the nurturing of the trees planted last season. Unfortunately, the private tree farmers have met resistance in some areas where encroachers stop them from planting trees. Where they have planted, the encroachers have uprooted all the planted trees. This has led to scuffles between the community members and the workers employed by the tree farmers to tend to their plantations. Four cases of assault and malicious damage of properties have been reported to Ntwete Police Post by the private tree farmers and some suspects were arrested. The police continue to investigate these cases.

Lango Subregion has nine districts and one city namely: Kole, Dokolo, Apac, Oyam, Kwania, Alebtong, Amolatar, Otuke, Lira; and Lira City, comprising 21 constituencies. Our terms of reference were: 1. To determine the exact amount of approved funds that have been disbursed to the various parishes. 2. To examine the eligibility of the various categories of beneficiaries of the PDM funds. 3. To assess the effectiveness of utilisation of disbursed funds by PDM beneficiaries. 4. To establish the extent of adherence to the PDM guidelines and procedures by the various actors in the implementation of PDM. 5. To examine any other matters incidental and make recommendations for corrective action. Methodology Our methodology involved meetings with district officials and PDM focal persons; meetings with PDM SACCO leaders; meetings with selected SACCOs; and review of PDM district reports and documentation. I now present the findings, observations and recommendations. The report is already uploaded on the iPad under the northern region reports. TOR No.1: To determine the exact amount of approved funds that have been disbursed to the various parishes Lango Subregion registered 597 parish SACCOs and 9,771 enterprise groups. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, the Government committed to disbursing Shs 17 million to each of the parish SACCOs. Out of the 576 parish SACCOs in Lango Subregion, only 175 SACCOs received the full amount equivalent to 29 per cent. A total of 277 SACCOs received

7808 RECONSIDERATION OF THE NATIONAL LOCAL CONTENT BILL, 2022 Options for investment as groups also need to be provided and a threshold for group borrowing put in place to cater for individuals that would like to invest as a group. Guidance needs to be given on when other groups that did not participate in the five SACCOs will be allowed to register in order to ensure the inclusivity. TOR No.3: To assess effectiveness of utilisation of disbursed funds by the PDM beneficiaries. Across the parish SACCOs in the subregion, none of the SACCOs have had the funds disbursed to the enterprise groups. The SACCOs are duly registered with the registrar of cooperatives. General meetings have been held, leaders selected, bank accounts have been opened and signatories made. The board committees, the supervising committees and loan committees were found to be in place. The districts are at stage four of preparing the beneficiaries to access the PDM funds, which is being done through a pilot study. Piloting processes are currently on-going within selected parish SACCOs in the various districts, in order to train the leaders on financial management, profiling of the beneficiary households, development of business plans and work plans by the beneficiaries for the enterprises chosen with the help of extension workers, training on loan application and repayment procedures. The pilot study is expected to be completed by end of February to enable rollout by the 1 st of March. A number of SACCOs indicated that they had earlier been informed that the rollout will take place on 1 December 2022, which did not materialise. Our observation is that the delay in allowing SACCOs to disburse the funds coupled with the changing dates for rollout has resulted in loss of confidence of the programme. Planned rollout in March might be too late for those planning to plant various crops in this rainy season. Some of the districts are ready for the pilot study, but have not received the necessary support from the relevant entities, including the ICT ministry to enable them proceed with their pilot processes. Recommendations One, the pilot processes need to be finalised in a timely manner to enable rollout before the commencement of the rainy season. Secondly, PDM communication needs to be harmonised to avoid loss of confidence coming out of several postponements on the rollout. TOR No.4: To establish the extent of adherence to the PDM guidelines and procedures by the various actors in the implementation of the PDM The SACCOs were found to be registered with the Registrar of Companies. The vetting committees were formed, followed by election of board committees (SUPCO) and supervising committees and loan committees. The SACCOs then received introductory letters from their districts to open bank accounts and register with the Ministry of Finance IFMS System. These processes and deadlines were found to have been complied with. Several trainings are yet to be completed to the SACCO leaders on financial management and households on enterprise value chain. Profiling of the beneficiaries who should be members of an enterprise group, which in turn should be a member of a parish SACCO, is on- going. Beneficiaries are yet to form work plans with the help of extension workers, using the budgets for agricultural extension services. It was noted that several budgets were repurposed from the original budgets through instructions that came from the Ministry of Finance in the Financial Year 2021/2022. For example, in Kole District, 50 per cent of the Shs 52 million administrative costs budget received for sensitisation of district and subcounty stakeholders was repurposed for data collection, while Shs 58.9 million released for management information system was repurposed for the revolving fund. These [Mr Opio] REPORT ON PARISH DEVELOPMENT MODEL

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I happen to have closely monitored the recruitment process in Kole District and there were two key observations. Whereas the report stated that the age was between 18 and 30, when the majority of my people reached the recruitment centre, they were told that they were stopping at the age of 25. Therefore, they were cut off. Secondly, the RDC was also present and identified several people who she had not given recommendation letters and were from outside the district, yet they had been allowed to be counted. At the end of the day, we did not get that quota of 57 slots. My recommendations, therefore, are that: 1. The minister should lay on Table a list of everyone who was recruited in every district. My constituency has the largest number of people, but only six were recruited. We need to see that list so that we can implement what has been proposed to know where the gap is. 2. Whenever you go for an interview, there is always documentation. Even when you fail, they give you reasons why you failed. I propose that a small note should be issued to indicate the reasons why one failed the recruitment exercise. For example, it can be that “you failed the marathon” or you “failed this particular test”. However, as it is right now, many of them left and were just told: “You have not qualified.” Even somebody who came with just a shaving bump, in my constituency, was told he did not qualify – someone with just a small rash was disqualified. I recommend that we implement those proposals. Thank you.

6738 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Mapenduzi] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR This report, therefore, covers 49 district local governments, six cities and five municipal councils. The report covers key issues, which are categorised into two sections namely: key issues under local governments with qualified opinions and secondly, key issues on local government findings under general and crosscutting queries in the different entities. This report, Mr Speaker, has been compiled based on the findings of the Auditor-General and observations of the committee mainly to show the current state of local governments and to aid policy makers in improving the performance of the local governments, as highlighted below. Permit me, Mr Speaker, to start with key issues under qualified opinion. Under that, I will start with the first one: 1. Vote 607: Kole District Local Government, which has a qualified opinion and the basis for this qualified opinion is as follows: (1) Unsupported adjustments The audit report revealed that the entity had financial statements with a balance sheet adjustment of Shs 192,477,798 and an adjustment and cash equivalent of Shs 4,053,659 that were not supported with approved journal vouchers. The audit considered the financial statement and the committee has provided the following observation: that the accounting officer failed to compile and reconcile his books of accounts within the mandatory period as required by the Financial and Accounting Regulations, 2007. As a result, the committee recommended that: i) The accounting officer should institute disciplinary measures against officers like the CFO and the finance team for failure to perform their duties as required by the regulation. ii) The accounting officer should reconcile and balance the books of accounts and/or recover the monies in question from the CFO within three months from the time of adoption of this report. (2) Unaccounted for funds totalling to Shs 349,542,400 The audit report noted that a total of Shs 349 million in respect of staff advances and fuel deposits was not accounted for. Consequently, audit was unable to confirm that the funds were utilised for the intended purpose. Delayed submission of accountability may also lead to falsification of documents resulting into loss of public funds. The committee observed that: i) The entity had failed to submit supporting accountability documents amounting to the said amount in respect of the advances to the said officers. ii) There is laxity on the side of the accounting officer in ensuring strict adherence to the provision of the Financial and Accounting Regulation, 2007, hence, causing financial loss to the Government. With that, the committee recommends that: i) The PS/ST should hold the accounting officer, CFO and the respective heads of department who authorised these advances personally liable and reprimand them for contravening the provisions of the law. ii) Full recovery be made from the officers who received the cash advances or the accounting officer, CFO and the respective heads of department make good the losses within three months from the time of adoption of this report. iii) The accounting officer must desist from practices of giving advances to officers who fail to account for funds disbursed to them. (2) Misclassification of expenditure amount - ing to Shs 639,863,720

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

6743 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 6 JANUARY 2023 guidelines on how this money is supposed to be used, and the initial intended purpose should not be lost. Mr Speaker, we will now take you to service delivery matters and projects under UgIFT. The audit report noted the following: Delayed disbursement and failure to absorb project funds A sample of 36 projects failed to absorb funds availed to them for implementation activities and as a result, a total of Shs 431 billion and $30.2 million remain on the project accounts. Mr Speaker, failure to observe to absorb project funds was mainly attributed to the fact that disbursement of any project funds depends on the utilisation and full accountability of prior disbursement, which was still a challenge for most projects. In addition, absorption of funds was affected by COVID-19. Failure to absorb project funds affects subsequent disbursement, which affects the implementation and as a result, service delivery gets affected. Mr Speaker, under that, we also have delayed procurement processes. Audit noted delays in completing the procurement processes. In some cases, the time taken between procurement initiation and contract signing were more than five months. Delays in procurement were majorly caused by numerous administrative reviews, inefficiencies within the PDUs and COVID-19, which resulted in entities operating at only 30 per cent. Delayed procurements result in delayed commencement of works and loss of implementation time ends affecting service delivery. The committee made observations, Mr Speaker - and to be specific - we would like to report the following: The committee observed that these projects mainly related to UgIFT, had cases where the district made full payment - and I would like to emphasise this; there are cases where districts made full payment ahead of project implementation, contrary to the provision of the laws. For instance, in Kole district, the district expended Shs 1,717,875,500 for construction of Okwerodot Seed Secondary School - leaving only a balance of Shs 94,974,500 as retention money. Now, this was done when the project had not been fully executed. The committee recommends that the PPDA should review the whole hybrid procurement modality with a view of saving Government from losing funds to contractors who lack capacity. Mr Speaker, we would also like to report on long outstanding receivables. For purposes of time, I will request that Members peruse it. It is provided for and you have them. We have also provided recommendations and just to run through: 1) The revolving funds for future programmes to be covered or guided by a legal framework to provide for sanctions and detailed programme management structures. 2) The accounting officers should institute measures and mechanisms possible to recover outstanding balances including developing clear recovery plans and accountability mechanisms. 3) Government should adhere to timeliness in the provision of grants to different programmes to realign it with the reporting framework, so as not to cause distortion in the financial reporting. Mr Speaker, we found out that in most cases, releases are sent late and so, it affects the entire process of reporting for local governments. Query 8 is under outstanding payables; we have provided details, you can look through. There are also observations we have made as a committee and their recommendations were provided. And these recommendations, if taken, are very important in improving that particular aspect.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Kole District and the entire Lango Subregion, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and relatives of the fallen Justice. Madam Speaker, a lot has been said about our Justice Aweri. However, I would like to add that he rose from the rank of Magistrate Grade One to the level of Justice of the Supreme Court. Madam Speaker and colleagues, this is not an easy thing to achieve in life. This comes because of hard work - that somebody has been persistent in his work. To rise from the level of Magistrate Grade One up to the rank at which he has died - he is lying here; he has done a lot for this country and has mentored so many people. He has been a soft-spoken person. I knew him very well; he was very principled. He was dedicated to his work; here he lies in State. Madam Speaker, the late Justice did not entertain corruption in any form. He was an open-minded person. He did not receive any bribe, and I know, now that he has died, God is also happy with him. Yes, because he did his work as a Judge, diligently – (Member timed out.)

Mr Chairperson, allow me to interrupt you just a little so that I sort this out because our guests might go before we recognise their presence. In the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of religious leaders, headed by Rev. Anthony Opita from Barakalo Parish, Kole District, represented by Hon. Peter Ocen and Hon. Judith Alyek. They have come here to observe the proceedings of this House. Colleagues, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) You can stand up for recognition. Thank you and you are always welcome; this is your House. Let us go on, Chairperson.

No, there are people who came to me in Kole –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Prime Minister, there are more than 16 villages in Erute North and Kole North constituencies that have been negatively affected by the quarrying works at Ale Rock in Lira-Kole border. As a result, more than 30 buildings have developed cracks because of the blasts. The community water points have been contaminated and the project-affected persons have not been compensated. We raised this matter to the Ministry of Works and Transport, who sanctioned an investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and they made recommendations. However, it is now six months down the road. The National Environment Management Authority has refused to implement the recommendations of this investigation report to carry out an environmental audit. Our prayer is that you direct NEMA to immediately conduct these environmental audit investigations. Mr Speaker, we request that the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources oversees the implementation of this – (Member timed out.)

6605 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2022 Transmission Regarding transmission losses, Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that to fully realise the envisaged benefits of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi- Arua transmission project, the Ministry of Finance, UETCL, and the Ministry of Energy, with their consultants, should consolidate all efforts to ensure that this project is completed and commissioned by March 2023 as a way of reducing technical losses at transmission. Impact of loadshedding Regarding impact of loadshedding, Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that the plant availability of the operated plants be increased, power dispatches increased and the connection of the West Nile region to the national grid be expedited to avail stable and reliable power supply to West Nile. Conclusion In conclusion, Mr Speaker, the need for adequate and reliable electricity is key in driving Uganda’s vision of transforming the whole country from a peasant to an industrialised economy. Despite West Nile being a trade hub connecting to South Sudan and the DRC, it experiences rampant loadshedding and power outages, which have hindered its contribution to the economic transformation of the country. The reasons for this unreliable electricity are attributed, majorly, to the region not being connected to the national grid, thus failing to tap into the excess electricity available from the rest of the country and the other benefits accrued from being connected to high voltage transmission networks and substations. A good transmission network ensures that sources from different loads are synchronised, transmission loads are reduced and there is easier control for remote and onsite functions. Further, Mr Speaker, the two generators in the region are dispatching far below their subcontracted and installed capacities, thus failing to meet the demand for the region. To address the rampart loadshedding in the region, the Government of Uganda has put in place several initiatives to overcome this challenge. In the short term, the Government is constructing a medium voltage line connecting Olwiyo to a substation in Pakwach. Mr Speaker, I am happy to report that West Nile has actually been connected already – since our intervention. This line was expected to be commissioned in November 2022. However, the long-term solution is the completion of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission project, which connects West Nile to the high voltage electricity backbone transmission infrastructure, by March 2023. Thereafter, Government will have to invest in the distribution network so as to increase the West Nile’s rate of electricity access. Therefore, the committee, in its findings, agrees with the prayers of the movers of the motion, except in Prayer No. 1, where it recommended that the contract of Electro-Maxx be terminated rather than the Government of Uganda providing funds to the Uganda National Oil Company to supply fuel to Electro-Maxx to generate its licensed capacity. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

6460 ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 11 TH PARLIAMENT scheduled to take place on 3 December 2022 in Kole District. Commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is one of the advocacy activities my ministry undertakes in fulfilment of the constitutional mandate as provided for under the National Objectives (xvi), which obliges each society and the State to recognise the rights of persons with disabilities to respect and human dignity. The United Nations’ Decade of Persons with Disabilities was held from 1983 to 1992 to enable governments and organisations to implement measures to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. All over the world, on 14 October 1992, as this decade drew to a conclusion, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 December as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and it was first observed in 3 December 1992. On 18 December 2007, the Assembly changed the name from the International Day of Disabled Persons to International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The new name was first used in 2008. The International Day for Persons with Disabilities is commemorated to celebrate and acknowledge the capabilities of persons with disabilities in contributing towards the development of the country. Commemorating this day creates awareness in the importance of promoting equality and full participation of persons with disabilities in social life as well as development. Further, on this day, Government takes stock of the achievements made in serving persons with disabilities, the challenges encountered and comes up with a very good way forward for serving them better. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Disability Monography Analytic Study 2019, disability prevalence stood at 14 per cent (15 per cent for females and 12 per cent for males) out of the 40.3 million entire population of Uganda. This translates to about 6,642,000 Ugandans with disability. Government is committed to addressing the concerns and needs that come with the increased number of persons with disabilities through eliminating all forms of neglect, abuse and violence as provided for under Article 32 of the Constitution, while promoting recognition of their contribution to national development. Mr Speaker, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities brings together stakeholders across ministries, departments and agencies, civil society and development partners, given the multi-sectoral nature of disability. Most importantly, the day brings together persons with disabilities in celebration of their achievements and contributions to national development, while highlighting emerging challenges and identifying solutions to them. Mr Speaker, the objectives of this statement are to: a) Inform Parliament that Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2022. b) Inform Parliament that the theme for the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is “ Leadership and Mind-set Change: A Tool for Inclusive Development.” c) Inform Parliament that the host region for the national celebrations was selected based on regional rotation basis and the venue for this year will be in northern Uganda, at Okole Primary School grounds, Kole District. d) Inform Parliament that Her Excellency the Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda is expected to preside over the celebrations as the chief guest. e) Invite the Speaker and all Members of Parliament, on behalf of the disability fraternity, to attend this event. [Ms Asamo] STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PWDS

6461 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 9 NOVEMBER 2 0 2 2 Mr Speaker, I would like to recognise some of the results from the previous celebrations. Persons with disabilities requested to be allocated a specific ceiling under the Parish Development Model programme on affirmative action and persons with disabilities can now access 10 per cent of the PDM funds through PDM SACCOs. During the commemoration of the day in 2021, persons with disabilities requested for an increment in the allocation of the national special grant for persons with disabilities to at least Shs 17 billion to cater for 31 local governments that had not benefited from the grant. I am pleased to report that the budget for the programme was enhanced from Shs 9.6 billion to Shs 16.6 billion in Financial Year 2022/2023 and a total of 2,656 PWDs groups will benefit from the programme, thereby reaching over 16,000 households countrywide to start income-generating activities. I thank the Executive and the Legislature for this consideration. A list of disbursement for the grant for each local government since Financial Year 2019/2020 has been attached for your information. Previously, the programme was demand- driven. However, starting this financial year, every local government has been allocated an indicative planning figure to ensure equity in allocation of the grants. Challenges from the previous event Mr Speaker, due to the scientific nature of the commemoration last year, many persons with disabilities were left out since only a limited number of stakeholders attended the function. This year, the commemoration will be held in Kole, involving all stakeholders with strict adherence to COVID-19 and Ebola standing operating procedures. Lessons learned from the previous celebrations The scientific nature of the commemoration due to COVID-19 prevention mechanisms leaves out many stakeholders. This year, we have mobilised stakeholders in the disability fraternity to attend the celebrations and share ideas on how to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. The precursor activities such as the National Disability Symposium had a multiplier effect in terms of advocacy. Despite the COVID-19 challenges, stakeholders have supported a reasonable number of persons with disabilities in different aspects as per last year’s commitments. The National Disability Forum has now been adopted as a precursor event for stakeholders to brainstorm, identify and discuss strategies that can improve the wellbeing of persons with disabilities. Mr Speaker, the theme for this year’s commemoration “Leadership and Mindset Change: A Tool for Inclusive Development” has been strategically selected to strengthen and amplify awareness about abilities of persons with disabilities and encourage leaders at all levels to support persons with disabilities to enhance their potential, through effective participation in all development areas. Mr Speaker, the theme further urges us, leaders, to stop stereotypes and misconceptions about disability and support efforts towards an inclusive society for all. With a positive mind-set, we start to accommodate and put in place mechanisms to support persons with disabilities. The theme is directly in line with our national efforts of steering all citizens towards wealth creation through inclusive planning and implementation of programmes, the Sustainable Development Goals which emphasise “leaving no one behind” and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Uganda ratified in 2008. Mr Speaker, some of the activities for this year’s commemoration will include: a) A national disability symposium, which will be held in Kole on the 2 nd of November.

6462 ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 11 TH PARLIAMENT b) A health camp outreach conducted in Kole District, including eye care, medical referrals, assessment for assistive devices, distribution of assistive devices and other services. c) Provision of the national special grant for persons with disabilities to beneficiaries in Kole District. d) Launch of the revised national policy on persons with disabilities. e) Launch of the audio visual version of the Person with Disabilities Act, 2020. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, we shall also be launching the first braille Constitution that the Uganda Law Reform Commission - I thank the Attorney-General for that. Uganda now has a braille copy of the Constitution for the blind. Mr Speaker, I want to conclude by requesting Members of Parliament, on behalf of persons with disabilities, to help in promoting meaningful mind-set change towards persons with disabilities and facilitate their inclusion and development. As we count on your deliberate affirmative action for persons with disabilities, my ministry commits to aim higher as far as the welfare of persons with disabilities is concerned. I wish to invite all Members to the national celebrations in Okole Primary School grounds in Kole District. I beg to submit, Mr Speaker. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you very much. Honourable members, there is a very small correction on paragraph 1.18. I believe you meant that the National Disability Symposium will be held in Kole on the 2 nd of December, not November. Isn’t it? So, let the Hansard capture December instead of November. Like we have done for the previous one - Yes, please, we are going to have three people; Hon. Etuka, Hon. Kamateneti, the shadow minister and – do we have an MP from Kole here? I will also choose Hon. Ameede.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I seek clarification from the minister. In her presentations, she said, “provision of persons with disability grants to beneficiaries in Kole District” plus any other activities that she had mentioned. Does she mean that this grant will go to Kole District only or you are also going to take care of other districts? Secondly, on the same note about grants, you have indicated in the table many districts and different allocations that you have given to them. I do not know whether you are going to give provision to persons with disability who will come to the national celebration in Kole. If that is so, have you provided any facilitation for transport? Finally, Mr Speaker, if you can allow me, in northern Uganda especially in Pader, Kitgum, and part of Omoro, there is a disease called the Nodding Syndrome Disease. Majority of the people suffering from this disease are disabled. Would you consider taking some study on them so that you see how to give a special grant in handling that situation? The place is a bit localised; it can be managed if you take interest in it. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you. That is something we are looking at. For Hon. Okot, Kole will be used as a demonstration of celebrations, but the money goes to the districts; to people’s accounts, for those who have applied for this money. They will get it in their villages; they do not need to come to Kole. We are only doing a demonstration; a dummy cheque to say, “These groups of Kole have received” as part of our celebration. I want to agree with the Leader of the Opposition that the issues of rehabilitation centres is very critical. We already presented this in the last budget and we shall bring it back because they are in dire need of rehabilitation. Some of them were made in the 1940s. I think this is a critical thing that will be handled. I want to encourage Members of Parliament to support this group of unprivileged people because they are part of Uganda. Disability does not mean that you are not able to do anything because sometimes, you are better off – like Hon. Etuka was talking about somebody who plays a harp with his toes; God always gives you an alternative when some body parts are disabled. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Honourable members, two minutes each. Let us avoid talking for long. However, as you heard, Bukedi was being misinterpreted as Bukedea. We should launch this in Budaka where the rate is so high - Tororo is part of Bukedi. Honourable members, let us look at how we plan to eliminate gender based violence; we need solutions. As legislators, let us not go into lamenting. Let us look at the solutions and how we are going to create awareness, how we are going to legislate to that effect, how we are going to budget to that effect. I wish I were you; when the Speaker is speaking, I would sit down. Fr Charles Onen - FR CHARLES ONEN (Independent, Laroo- Pece Division, Gulu City): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Gender based violence affects every fibre of society and whenever it takes place, it leaves incurable scars in the society. We need to come up with a law or a policy, which can help support the victims of violence. In most cases, perpetrators of violence are or were once victims of violence. We have seen the effects of violence in our community and in our societies; the rampant cases of child mothers, the rampant cases of suicide - Gulu District - for example, last month we lost a doctor due to domestic violence. A former councillor stabbed a medical doctor and killed him. It also happened in Kole District and other places. How are we going to help victims of violence? We need psychosocial support to be given to victims of violence. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to give information to the honourable minister that the issue that we are talking about is not just about releases; it is about wage shortfalls. They relate to a situation where funds were released, but they were not sufficient to pay the salaries. This is a letter from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Kole District, indicating that they only have funds to pay for July and August. That means in September, most of the civil servants do not have money. They are not going to receive their salaries and they have actually been notified. So, it is an issue of wage shortfalls. What we need to know is whether there is going to be additional releases or they are going to go without salaries?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The committee conducted field activities in the following districts: Pader, Agago, Alebtong, Kole, Napak, Ngora, Kaliro, Sheema, Buhweju, Mitooma, Bushenyi and Ibanda - that is on page 5. We are going to the findings, observations and recommendations. These are the areas that we were looking at during our visit to those districts. However, before we went to those districts, we had a meeting with the Minister of State for Education and the management of Higher Education Students Financing Board. At a later stage, I will also come with that report and read it as it is included in this report. Therefore, I would like this House to know what we did and the observations we made. So, the following key findings, observations and recommendations have been identified for immediate action for various programmes under affirmative actions and other equalisation programmes to be implemented in the short to medium terms. Mr Speaker, the status of equal opportunities in the education sector; and the attainment of equality and inclusivity in development, is significantly predicated on the state of wellbeing, skills and competitiveness of the various categories of individuals and groups in society, as cited with the Sustainable Development Goal for quality education. While, wellbeing is dependent on the quality of healthcare services. Considering that Government of Uganda has over the past decades made significant gains in education through, inter alia, universalising primary and secondary education, according to the recently released results, the performance of Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in northern Uganda and northern subregions, for instance, is below the national average. Therefore, the committee noted the average distance travelled by students or pupils to reach their respective schools; majority of the districts visited reported that students cover a distance of more than five kilometres. And, learners complained about long distance travel from home to school. They reported that this was associated with the challenges of rape, late reporting to school, early departure and inability to complete school homework due to fatigue or late arrival at school. Therefore, regarding access to the school environment, especially for visually impaired learners, members observed that most of them could not easily reach school since they lacked landmarks. While, wheelchair users also find it very difficult to access educational facilities in these districts. Mr Speaker, the distance to the nearest facility influences access to education services. The Ministry of Education and Sports standard is that every parish should have a primary school; and there should be a secondary school in every subcounty. So, this policy would make education accessible at that level. The committee findings also revealed that, secondary and tertiary institutions were far and inadequate in many parts of the sampled areas. This made it very hard for most of the children from hard-to-reach areas to progress to secondary level. Other children keep repeating primary seven because of no access to secondary education. Sustainable Development Goals will be evaluated in the next nine years, yet districts are performing badly with only one secondary school in each district. Teenage pregnancy has also increased due to the lockdown. The committee further observed that the cost of education services is a determinant in access to education, and many people pay highly for education in private schools. And, those who did not pay any money to schools meet the cost of scholastic materials, between Shs100 to Shs150, which is very costly for the rural people. However, in private schools, especially in urban areas, the cost is much higher compared to Government-aided education facilities. The committee also observed that the dropout rate is very high. For instance, in Napak District it is at 84 percent. The committee visited special

4976 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION needs schools, such as in Bushenyi District, where the structures are very dilapidated, and no renovation is being done; and most districts have no special needs schools that the children with disabilities can attend. Specific Observations The student loan scheme The committee observed that in an effort to assess regional balance in the operationalisation of the Higher Education Students Financing Board, a statutory body established by the Higher Education Students Financing Act (No.2), 2014, with a mandate to provide loans and scholarships to Ugandan students seeking to pursue higher education, in Ngora District, two students had benefited at the time we visited. In Kaliro, only one student; in Kole, we had three; and Pader had four students on the loan scheme in the previous academic year. And, students from most of the districts had failed to access the loan scheme due to limited or no information given about the scheme. The committee, therefore, noted that there is no regional balance in the award of student loans, especially in the northern and eastern regions; and in Karamoja sub-regionwith the lowest number of beneficiaries. When it came to staffing, whereas schools had staff establishments, these were less than 68 percent of staffing levels in most of the districts visited, with Napak District in Karamoja having the least at 53 percent. This adversely affects the quality of teaching and learning. Napak District had a teacher to pupil ratio of 1: 91. High school drop-out rates The committee observed the highest school drop-out rate was at 84 percent, as I had already mentioned, and that is in Napak District. After primary seven, some pupils do not have where to go, while others repeat P.7 four times because they cannot join secondary school. Their parents cannot afford the school fees and provision of other school requirements. Distance to schools The distance to the schools was also observed to be another big challenge. We found that children were walking about 14 kilometres to access primary school education. This has led to early marriages for girls, while the boys end up in pursuit of other livelihoods. Do these children have an opportunity for better education? Inadequate furniture for pupils The committee also observed that there was inadequate furniture in classrooms in the primary schools and there is need, therefore, to procure more. This was also a big challenge. Secondary schools The committee noted that Government has increased the number of seed secondary schools in many subcounties, while construction of additional seed secondary schools was ongoing in most of the subcounties. The committee appreciates Government’s efforts to ensuring at least one secondary school in every subcounty. Recommendations 1. The Minister for Education and Sports should provide for special needs children to benefit from inclusive education; 2. Washrooms or sanitary facilities for children with disabilities be provided in the schools; 3. The students’ loan scheme should be made accessible to all students that intend to borrow the funds for further studies, and more information about the scheme be given to the public to facilitate accessibility; 4. The district quota system should be introduced by the Higher Students’ Financing Board so that all districts will have an equal number of students accessing the Students’ Loan Scheme STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Alyek]