Lira East Division

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Lira City and the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, my condolences to you, His Excellency the President and the entire nation of Uganda. I want to say only three things about the late. One, he loved health. I first met him when I was serving as the Minister of Health. He stood firm to ensure that Uganda Heart Institute and Uganda Cancer Institute had a law and were independent. He worked together with the Rt Hon. Alitwala Kadaga. Two, I had the honour and privilege of treating him throughout the time that he was sick, preparing his documents. (Applause) I want to thank this Parliament for always giving him money on time – (Member timed out.)

414 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Ogwang] ready to be completed by 31 December 2026. Training facilities in Akii Bua in Lira City, Lira University, Gulu University, and Pece Stadium are ongoing. We intend to have a four-nations tournament, and countries that are ready to come to Uganda early to acclimatise to the weather for part of the competition will be able to go to Akii Bua. I want the people of northern Uganda to know that Government is fully committed to ensuring AFCON 2027 is for all of us. What I have not said is that the $7.5 million for branding destination Uganda is already given to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. In a special way, let us thank the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development who is here. Hon. Musasizi, we thank you for accepting to help the country host this competition. I thank you very much. I say all this for God and my country.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My name is Patrick Obura, a Member of Parliament for Oyam South, but also the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group. Regarding the issue of AFCON, Lira City leadership is crumbling right now because of the suspension of work on the access roads. As we speak, 18.7 kilometres of access roads have been suspended. They are worried. We request the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to update us on this and also request the line minister to have a meeting with the leadership of Lira city. Secondly -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I would like to believe that the 67-kilometre road stretch that is referred to as the Ayer-Bobi Road, which is part of the vital infrastructure of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is still part of the AFCON works. I say this because there is not a single bit of work that has taken off on that stretch of road. I would like to hear your commitment, on behalf of the Government. Is that stretch of road, which is the vital connection between Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City and Gulu Airfield in Gulu City, still part of the AFCON works as scheduled?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like, first of all, to start by congratulating you, and the Deputy Speaker, upon ascending to that chair, and also congratulating all the Members for swearing in successfully. As you have said, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng is my name, the Woman MP of Lira City, and I rise up to move a motion for a resolution of Parliament approving the appointment of Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, District Woman Representative, Kakumiro District, as the Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, under Article 108A(1) of the Constitution of

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

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

Madam Speaker, the local governments with additional local revenue are the following: Arua City, Jinja City, Lira City, Mbale City, Apac Municipal Council, Agago District, Budaka District, Bugiri District, Buhweju District, Bulambuli District, Bushenyi District, Dokolo District, Jinja District, Kalilo District, Kasese District, Kyikube District, Koboko District, Kyegegwa District, Kyenjojo District, Kyotera District, Mbarara District, Mitooma District, Moroto District, Nakapiripirit District, Nakasongola District, Namisindwa District, Obongi District, Pallisa District, Rubanda District, Rubirizi District, Rukiga District, Sironko District, Tororo District, among others. (Interjections) Madam Speaker, we have also provided Shs 72.9 billion as additional disbursement by the World Bank for the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises(GROW) project. The World Bank approved and disbursed additional funds for GROW project. These funds must be utilised, or the grant will be cancelled at the end of this financial year. Madam Speaker, I now come to the supplementary expenditures that are above the 3 per cent legal limit that require additional financing. The total is Shs 463.15 billion, and the particulars are as follows: i. Shs 56.95 billion for LC1, LC2, and Women Council Committee elections countrywide as directed by the Cabinet. These funds are required to support the Electoral Commission in fully implementing the electoral roadmap, as already approved by the Cabinet. ii. Shs 29.57 billion for AFCON 2027 preparatory activities. Honourable members, the Cabinet directed that we fully fund AFCON 2027, beginning with the immediate requirement in this Financial Year 2025/2026. These funds are required to implement the urgent preparatory works, reduce implementation risk and keep the overall AFCON 2027 preparation programme on schedule. The activities include the following; i) Shs 14.1 billion for preliminary works at Kabalega International Airport. This one will go to the Ministry of Works and Transport. ii) Shs 8.03 billion for priority road works and associated support activities in Kira Municipal Council. iii) Shs 3.06 billion for pitch improvement at Kadiba Football Stadium. iv) Shs 0.31 billion for branding of host cities and content production for the Destination Uganda documentary. v) Shs 1.0 17 billion for Hoima City and Masindi Municipality to finance sanitation and road safety interventions. vi) Shs 1.02 billion for meteorological and aviation safety support system. vii) Shs 1.8 billion for water utility preparatory works for the Hoima cluster. Madam Speaker, we also require; COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Nobody can – (Laughter) - that was AI. Honourable minister, we are not saying that this trade order is bad. Recently, I think, two weeks back, I went to Lira City. There is a place called “produce” something. The place is now calm. You can walk. I went to Nakivubo one evening, and it was calm. How do we do it? Progressively. Make these people understand that such a place is a road reserve and they are not supposed to have kiosks there. Where we need markets to relocate these people, relocate them in the gazetted markets. Those who do not want to be in gazetted markets should be removed. They should, however, not be removed using goons, as Hon. Ssemujju said. We should not use goons. We have other ways of removing those people. Yes, Hon. James.

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.

Honourable Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Lira City. (Laughter)

18325 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2026 under NDP IV, it lists the core projects under NDP IV indicating the start date, the end date, and even the funding. However, when you look at the report, there is no provision for some of these core projects. For example, the construction of the Karuma Bridge which connects us to South Sudan and even to Congo. Last year, we had serious issues on it and we were told the repairs will only be temporary. However, we do not have any provision for this core project. My request to the minister is to have this considered under the second budget call circular. The second issue is that this budget is also an AFCON budget because it is the last budget before we host AFCON next year in June 2027. However, one of the critical infrastructure projects, the construction of the Corner Ayer- Corner Aboke-Bobi Road which is supposed to connect Gulu City to Lira City has not been considered. Again, I would like to request that that is considered in the second budget circular. Last is the NRM manifesto. After approval of the NDP IV, there were new commitments that came up. For example, in Lango, Acholi and Teso, the issue of cattle restocking came up towards the campaign period. Whatever has been provided is not really substantial to address the commitments. Therefore, again, I appeal that let us have this aligned to some of those post-NDP IV commitments that came in during the campaign period so that there is full alignment with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) requirements and the NDP IV. Thank you.

17727 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 2025 in Ntungamo District, had been fully upgraded to health centres III by the time the committee did the oversight. Works to upgrade 41 health centres II were ongoing, with the majority of the projects making less than 50 per cent progress. The details are attached in Annex II. Upgrade of the remaining 81 health centres II had not started. The committee established that out of the 62 health centres III earmarked for new construction under the UgIFT II programme, only three: Kasangati Health Centre III, Kakindo Health Centre III in Kakumiro District, and Kikooma Health Centre III in Kyankwanzi District had been completed. Construction of 28 health centres III was still ongoing, while works for 31 health centres III had not yet started. See details in Annex III. The committee further established that the progress on implementation of various construction projects of new health centres III and upgrade of health centres II to III was largely characterised by defective works, prolonged delays in completion by contractors, including the UPDF Brigade, due to lack of supervision by local government leadership. All project- related decisions, including contract award and the procurement of equipment, were managed by the Central Government. Non-compliance with the standard project design The committee discovered that essential documentation regarding contracts and BOQs was absent, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development delayed releasing funds, all of which affected the effective execution of the projects. There were double payments to some of the contractors by the Ministry of Health arising from a change of policy to award contracts, particularly to the UPDF Engineering Brigade. A case in point is Shs 400 million for the completion of the Ober Health Centre IV in Lira City maternity ward and theatre that was channelled directly to the Ministry of Defence by the Ministry of Health, well aware of another running contract with BP Enterprises and Construction Company Limited. See the letter attached in Annex IV. Other specific examples of such construction and upgrade projects include Kachuru Health Centre III in Butebo District, Rushare Health Centre III and Ruhare Health Centre III in Mbarara District, Kichwamba Health Centre II in Mbarara City, Kyabakuza Health Centre II in Masaka City, and Kabbo Health Centre II and Gayaza Health Centre II Mubende District. The committee observed that whereas Parliament approved Shs 552.6 billion to address infrastructure gaps in local government countrywide, a significant number of subcounties and town councils across the country still do not have health centres III. No work had been done on 81 out of 124 health centres II earmarked for upgrade to health centre III. Similarly, 31 out of 62 planned new construction of health centres III in subcounties without any Government health centres III had not even started. The committee observed that the upgraded health centres II and the newly constructed health centres III were not fully functional, largely due to inadequate staffing. There was adverse mismanagement of contracts by the Ministry of Health that involved re- awarding of already running contracts to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade in total violation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act. There was a likelihood of fraud in the management and implementation of various Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program (UgIFT) projects across the country. The Government had not yet fulfilled its pledge of establishing health centres III in every sub- country across the country.

Madam Speaker, I do not know about Akokoro Health Centre IV. I have represented Lira municipality and Lira City. My ancestral home may be in Akokoro, but I do not know about Akokoro Health Centre IV. The point here that I want the honourable minister to fully appreciate is that I was in this Parliament –

17350 MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET, 2025/2026 The first issue is; are people in the Government really thinking or do they go to the dictionary, pick words and give the minister to come and present here? These are the realities we have to check. Secondly, if you are talking about the strategy itself – agro-industrialisation and tourism – I want to fault the Government for thinking that tourism is national parks and watching animals. When we apply for visas to visit some of these countries, which visa do they give you? A tourist visa. If there is a place in Uganda that requires support for tourism development, it is Kampala because everyone comes here for a visit. It is the urban centres that we have and it is the facilities within the urban centres which people come to see. In Lira City, for example, we have tourists who come from Agago and Abim on a daily basis to visit Lira and go back. There are so many tourists who come to Kampala for this visit. The point I am raising is we should depart – (Hon. Amos Okot rose_)

Voh OccaAUoo t hmt{UexoOOl 538 ru Mission in o00 Local Gwcraroatr 601 Arua city 42,627,79L @2 Fort-Fortal city 24.409.O33 603 GUU city 30.o16.334 604 Hoirna city L6,320.994 605 Jinja citv 48,585.173 606 Lira city 32.637.923 607 Masaka city 32,L23,397 608 Mbale city 4L.146.292 609 Mbarara cibr 39.917.390 610 Soroti city 22,695,436 70L Apac Municipal Council 9,229.883 702 Bueiri Municipal Council 6.521.357 703 Bushenyi- Istralra Municipal Council 13,883,756 704 Busia Municipal Council 8.729.34L 705 Eqtebbe Municipal Council L4.992.O40 706 Ibanda Municipal Council L7,O36,2LO 707 Iganga Municipal @rlncil 8.179.080 708 Ihbale Municipal Council t7.830.374 709 I(anuli Municipd Council 8,837,237 7LO I(apchorwa Municipal Council 10.959.904 7LL IGscse Municipal Council L6.2L9.979 7L2 Kira Municipal Council 26,4L3,268 713 Kisoro Municipal Council 5,652,058 7L4 Kitgum Municipal Council 8.661.003 7t5 Koboko Municipal Council 10.108.ele I 716 Kotido 97 n r 1 I N\ F a J rj; -iz- G ,s

YotL OcaOmr Aror4tffiml 519 Usanda Embass!, in ltaly. Rome 520 Upnda Embasgrr in DRC, Kinshasa 521 Usanda Embasor in Sudan, IGrartoum 522 Uganda Embass]r in France, Paris 2.000.000 523 Ugands, Embassfi in erermanfi, Berlin 390.000 524 Ugarura* Embassy in Iran, Tetrran 525 Uganda Elnbasrv in Russia, Mosconr 526 Uganda Embassy in Australia, Canbera 527 Uganda Embasqr in South Sudan, Juba 528 Uganda Embassrr in United Arab Emirates. Abudhabi 3.O00.ooo 529 Uganda Embasst, in Burundi, Bujumbura 530 Uganda Consulate in China, Guangzhou 531 Uganda Embasgy in Turkey, Ankara 532 Uganda Embasgy in Somalia, Mogadishu 542.000 533 Uganda Embasgy in Mataysia, Kuala Lumpur 390.OOO 534 Ilmnda Consul,ate in l(errya, Mombasa 8.000.000 535 Ugerrda Embasry in Algeria, Algiers 390.OOO 536 Uganda Embassy in Qatar, Doha 537 Usanda Mission in Havana, Cuba 538 Mission in Locrl Govcranoatt 601 Arua city 3.898.842 602 Fort-Portal citlr 2.784332 603 Gulu city 3.319.911 604 Hoirna city 3.21O.937 605 Jinja city 6.885.624 606 Lira city 3,342,673 607 Masaka city 6.620.770 608 Mbale city 3.912.27L 609 Mbaramcitv l- 5.986.198 610 Soroti city 2.202.259 ) 701 Apac Municipal Council T 1.311.041 702 EUEIi Municipal Council \ 853.432 703 Buetrenyi- Istraka Municipal Council ' 1.315.O43 704 Busia Municipal Council l- 1.154.104 705 Entebbe Municif4 Council 'lw 575 ( \s a s4 I

17155 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 III, where work had already started. Things like valuation, the technical work that people do, but the same roads are in NDP IV. However, what is coming from the report of the committee is that some of the roads, which we had already started, have not been captured in the report, and are also not in the budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026. For example, honourable minister, you know the Lira-Aloi- Otuke-Abim-Kotido Road, which honourable Linda referred to, is 179 kilometres covering six districts of Lira City, Lira, Alebtong, Otuke, Abim and Kotido. How come after the work has been done - because we were excited. That was the first tarmac road that was going to pass through some of our places. You did the valuation, and people were waiting to be compensated - we were expecting now for the graders to start working, but they are not even in the plan. How do we defend the plan of the Government, which is in the NRM manifesto and the NDP III and IV? Mr Speaker, we need to look at the list again. As the Committee on Budget, we shall align it with NDP IV and see how we arrived at some of them – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the chairperson and recognise that this committee provides two major service delivery areas, especially to almost all of us, including Dokolo North. Dokolo Town Council provides water to Lira City. However, the people where that service is from do not have piped water. I request that you consider and support the people from Kachung so that they can have piped water because we have tried to sink boreholes but the water is salty. What should we do? I request that you consider that. The second issue is, for the budget which we have had here of Shs 50 billion, I request that we ring-fence at least Shs 14.6 billion for repair of boreholes. Not new ones, because we are spending a lot on repair. Lastly, on electricity, we are doing very badly on electricity and I request the minister to pronounce himself because we have gone to him many times about electricity in Dokolo North but it is not yet there. The scale-up project which you are mentioning does not touch the areas where we are connecting subcounties. Let us have that cleared because I do not see a budget that is not in the area of scaling up. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern is about the road between Dokolo and Lira City. As they were working on it, the road has been narrowed and we are getting a lot of accidents; a minimum of three times a week. My prayer is that we request the Ministry of Works and Transport to take note of this and also go and check. It has been narrowed so much so that even private cars cannot overtake if there is a rider on the side. Thank you.

… for the wonderful report that he has presented. I also commend so much, the committee members for a job well done. I commend the committee, more especially on the issue of road equipment which they have recommended. I also commend them because, it is on record that – I will give you the experience that we have had in Lira City, for example. What people are doing is that since the cities and the districts without the road equipment are taking advantage of this lack of equipment, some of them cost a kilometre of doing a road at Shs 30 million. I got this experience when, one time, I lobbied through the Ministry of Works and Transport. They gave me 5.2 kilometres of roads, but each kilometre was done at Shs 12 million. These cities and local Governments without equipment are inflating the cost simply because the excuse they have at the end of the day is that they do not have the equipment. Something should be done to put things right to save the situation because every year, Parliament has been appropriating Shs 1 billion that these cities have been getting. However, when you go to the ground, there is nothing which is tangible. Number two, I also commend the committee on the issue of the creation of new parishes. The Minister of Local Government on the Floor of Parliament here did make a commitment that come this Financial Year 2025/2026, the ministry would be in a position to create new administrative units. This has not been provided for in the report that we have just received. There was a commitment made on this Floor of Parliament here, that this would be done. I am bringing up this issue because of the population size of some of these places. Like in the case of Lira City, I have four parishes where the population is so big that the impact of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which is being given at Shs 100 million per year, is not being felt, simply because of the population. I think it would be imperative – and I beg the committee that if possible, let that one be pondered upon. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Thank you. Mr Speaker, I am comforted by the statement of the minister informing us that the Electoral Commission has perused through the recommendations made by this House and has made commitments to implement them as much as they can. I want to particularly point out an area of concern that there are areas that have informed us of difficulties in accessing both network and electricity. Those particular regions should be given special consideration when they review and evaluate the whole programme. Secondly, I want to implore the minister to come back and inform us officially as Parliament. I know the Electoral Commission may make a statement but it denies Members of Parliament the opportunity to interface. As soon as the Electoral Commission is done, it would be prudent for the minister to come and inform the House. One particular issue, Mr Speaker, that I would like to emphasise, and I will illustrate it with an example - In the last cycle of elections, Lira City East Division, which is a constituency of 117,000 voters was a result of a merger of five administrative units, five subcounties, two divisions and three subcounties to form one division. The Electoral Commission provided a demarcation for local councillors to the city. These were five. In the current demarcation, they have collapsed all the five into only one, meaning the local government councillor has the same number of voters and area as the area Member of Parliament. The implication is - as you know, Mr Speaker, in the local government elections - for you to be eligible to be nominated, you must be a registered voter in an electoral area. So, the councillors are now panicking because they come from different areas and now they only have one area. This is an area I wanted the minister to take particular interest in. The Electoral Commission says they are basing on Section 120 of the Local Governments Act, which gives them the mandate to demarcate based on the number of voters and other parameters. However, there is a big concern now. Imagine a local councillor going to the city council will now have to campaign in 87 polling stations in Lira City East Division alone. If you go to Lira City West, and I believe the same is happening in Kampala, Mbarara, and in all the new cities - Therefore, I want to implore the minister to go back and work with the Electoral Commission and inform the House how they will address that impasse of the local government councillors who are now in panic. In fact, many are going to lose out and the risk is that a city council is likely to have less than two members in plenary. Once the vice chairperson is appointed and the Executive is constituted, the entire city might have only a total of five councillors. They cannot form government, in other words. This is an area that I wanted the minister probably to clarify on or to consult with the Electoral Commission and address us on, in consultation with the Minister of Local Government. Thank you.

15723 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 23 JANUARY 2025 provides that every Ugandan shall have a right to a passport or other travel document - in this case, a National ID - which is also a recognised travel document and therefore, nobody has the right to deprive a holder of a National ID of the same. Section 77(b) of the Registration of Persons Act, Cap 332, provides that a person who, without authority, deprives or dispossesses a holder of his or her National Identity Card commits an offence, as you all know. Further, Section 77(e) of the Registration of Persons Act, Cap 332 provides that a person who unlawfully keeps or takes possession of an identity card that belongs to another person commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding 48 currency points, which is Shs 960,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both. Section 69(3) of the Registration of Persons Act provides that an issued National Identification Card remains the property of the Government. A money lender, therefore, has no authority to deprive or dispossess a person of his or her National Identity Card. In a bid to enforce the above provisions, the Government has further enacted the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders (Money Lenders) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 08 of 2018, which explicitly prohibits the demand or acceptance of a National Identity Card as collateral for any money advanced to a borrower as a loan. Mr Speaker, therefore, any money lender found in violation of these laws and regulations is in breach of the law and if convicted, is liable to suffer severe penalties, including the revocation or non-renewal of their operating licences, payment of fines and imprisonment. 2. Upgrade of the National Identity Card by introducing digital IDs. Mr Speaker and honourable members, you are aware that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is in the process of upgrading the National Identity Cards by rolling out digital or electronic identity cards (e-IDs). One of the advantages of the introduction of e-IDs is that it will combat the troubling practice of confiscating National Identity Cards as collateral for loans by money lenders. The introduction of e-IDs will reduce dependency on physical cards for identification purposes. With digital verification, citizens will be able to authenticate their identity using electronic means such as mobile apps or online platforms. This planned shift reduces the risk of physical IDs being used as collateral since digital identity verification does not require the physical handover of the card. The Government is cognisant of the fact that the majority of its citizens do not yet have access to internet and smartphones to enable the immediate implementation of a universal digital ID system. However, when this happens, it will be the ideal solution to decisively deal with this challenge. 3. Public awareness campaigns The Government is undertaking nationwide public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights and the dangers of surrendering their National Identity Cards as a collateral. Government agencies such as NIRA, Uganda Police Force, and the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) have undertaken several media engagements to create awareness in the public about illegal acts of misuse of a National Identity Card as collateral. 4. Strengthening oversight and enforcement The Government has stepped up enforcement of the law by arresting and prosecuting persons involved in this illegal practice. For example, in Lira, it was reported by the police in the North Kyoga region that operations conducted on 5 August 2024 within Lira City targeting money lending companies recovered 149 National Identity Cards. This helped us to engage and inform the public on the same.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon Prime Minister, I thank the Government for commencing the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium to host AFCON. It came as a Christmas gift to the people of Lango. However, the hosting of AFCON by Akii-Bua Stadium is also premised on the upgrade of Gulu Airfield to an airport and the construction of the Corner Ayer-Corner Aboke-Icheme-Bobi Road, which is the shortest route connecting Gulu City to Lira City. However, we have just two-and-a-half years, and these processes have not begun. I just wanted to know when that upgrade of Gulu Airfield to an airport and construction of Corner Ayer-Corner Aboke- Icheme-Bobi Road is going to start. Thank you.

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

Figure 4: Holdittg area of Mbale City Abattoir 6. loSoroti City Council Soroti Ciby has two abattoirs which are operated by a private entity contracted by Soroti City Council. These two facilities are the major slaughter house service providers for Soroti City. Soroti City has a siaughter facility for pigs. The committee was informed that the city council resolved to open up a pig slaughter point in order to regulate the hygiene of pork siaughtered in the region since many pork joints are being opened in the area. 6.11Lira City Lira City has two major abattoirs, but Lira Cify Abattoir is the biggest. It is managed by a private entity contracted by Lira City Council. The Lira Cattle Traders Association that runs the abattoir helps the city council to raise some minimal tax. 6, 12Kampala Capital City Kampala City has hve major Abattoirs / slaughter houses, these are; City Abattoir, Nsooba, Kishita, Wambizzi and Wankululu which are lq-.j 7 ately # N{

Well, first of all, I thank my colleague for raising the matter before the Prime Minister. However, like you correctly said, how I wish we could have the names of the schools so that within the ministry, looking at next year’s financial budget, some of these would be incorporated. Mr Speaker, I inform the country, on the issue of Akii-Bua Stadium, that as per the contract signed, I will be handing over the site officially on Tuesday, in Lira City. I call upon all Members of Parliament, all resident district commissioners, LCV chairpersons, and other persons, to join me to hand over the project to the contractor for the construction of Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium. I thank you so much, on behalf of the Senior Minister.

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

15039 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2024 will no longer be able to hold a physical national identity card as security because the verification process will remain under the control of the cardholder and the authorised institution. This initiative is not only about adopting new technology, but will also protect our citizens from predatory practices that have plagued our society far too long. The Government is cognisant of the fact that the majority of its citizens do not yet have access to Internet and smartphones to enable the immediate implementation of a universal Digital ID system. However, when this happens, it will be the ideal solution to decisively deal with this challenge. c) Public Awareness Campaigns The Government is undertaking nationwide public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights and the dangers of surrendering their National Identity Cards as collateral. The Government agencies such as NIRA, Uganda Police Force, and the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority, have undertaken several media engagements to create awareness in the public about illegal acts of misuse of identity cards as collateral. This awareness is intended to empower citizens with the knowledge about their rights over their National Identity Cards, thus reducing exploitation. d) Strengthening oversight and enforcement The Government has stepped up enforcement of the law by arresting and prosecuting persons involved in this illegal practice. For example, in Lira City, it was reported by the police in the North Kyoga Region that operations were conducted on 5 August 2024 within Lira City, targeting moneylending companies and 149 national identity cards were recovered. The law enforcement agencies prosecute such cases where lenders are found to be engaging in such blatant abuse of confiscation of National Identity Cards. Citizens are, therefore, encouraged to report to the nearest police station or National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) office, any person or entity illegally holding their national identity card, for further action. The challenge, however, remains that the cardholders do not report and are also in a way complicit in this malpractice for want of anything to stake as collateral for borrowing. Therefore, through all levels of leadership, we need to provide leadership and guidance to the population. Engagement with stakeholders The Government will continue to engage with key stakeholders, including financial institutions, political leaders, civil society and community leaders to ensure a collaborative approach to ending this practice. This will include dialogues, consultations and other engagements aimed at identifying and addressing the root causes of this issue. In conclusion, the classification of national identity cards as security for loans is a deplorable practice that must be stopped immediately. The Government of Uganda is fully committed to protecting the rights and dignity of our citizens by ensuring that their national identity cards retain their integrity and remain in their possession and are used only for their intended purpose. To achieve this end state, the citizens themselves must co-operate by avoiding this illegal practice as much as possible or in the unlikely event that it happens, report to authorities to retrieve the confiscated cards. I beg to submit.

15094 THE NATIONAL COFFEE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 they were optimistic that this would improve their revenue collection. For example, districts such as Wakiso District Local Government and Pakwach District Local Government reported and submitted to the committee their revenue enhancement plan. Committee observation The committee observed that: i. Under-collection undermines service delivery, as councils greatly rely on local revenue for support, supervision and council sittings. ii. Under-collection of local revenue denies the entities resources for implementation of the planned activities. iii. Some entities did not have robust revenue collection mechanisms, which explains the low local revenue collections. iv. The entities that performed well set revenue targets that were below their revenue potentials, and this explains the over-performance. Committee recommendations The committee recommends that: i. The accounting officers should strengthen local revenue collection efforts to ensure the availability of adequate funds for service delivery, for instance, by conducting in-land benchmarks with the best performing local governments. ii. The accounting officers should conduct revenue enumerations and assessment exercises to inform revenue planning and enforcement. iii. The accounting officers should put in place revenue enhancement plans to increase local revenue to match the entity’s revenue potential. iv. Owing to the positive feedback regarding IRAS, the Government should consider rolling out the system to all entities that have not started using the system. v. Accounting officers should strengthen capacity building for parish chiefs and town clerks, charged with the duty of revenue collections. Madam Speaker, we are looking at the performance of government warrants. The Auditor-General noted that most entities received less than what they budgeted for, thereby affecting service delivery. For instance, Lira City budgeted to receive Shs 68,046,036,451, out of which Shs 47,554,468,848 was warranted, resulting in a shortfall of Shs 20,491,840,032 representing 70 per cent performance. Nebbi District Local Government budgeted to receive Shs 46,692,271,928 out of which Shs 41,427,847,639 was warranted, resulting in a shortfall of Shs 5.264 billion, representing 89 per cent performance. Buikwe District Local Government budgeted to receive Shs 53.915 billion, out of which Shs 35.836 billion was warranted, resulting in a shortfall of Shs 18,793,000,000, representing 66 per cent performance. The auditor, however, noted that the realisation of budget funds to finance work plans is always impacted by the limited resource envelope resulting from the persistent budget cuts. The accounting officers explained that they had no control over warrants and cash limits but continuously engaged the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide funds for the affected activities. Additionally, the accounting officers from some entities informed the committee that they received funds over and above what they had requested, for which they could not absorb. For instance, the accounting officer of Butambala District Local Government [Mr Olanya] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Just a minute young – I will come back in a bit. In the public gallery, we have pupils and teachers from Crane Junior School, Lira City. You are most welcome. They are presented by Hon. Vincent Obongo Shedrick. Hon. Shedrick is around and Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health. Thank you for coming. First stand-up; you are very smart. You are most welcome. In the public gallery this afternoon, we have teachers and students from St Stephen’s Secondary School in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe, represented by Hon. Diana Mutasingwa and Hon. Jimmy Lwanga. The Leader of the Opposition deployed Hon. Jimmy Lwanga. You are most welcome. Thank you for coming. When you go back tell them you have very good Members of Parliament. Yes, Member for Bizkaia County?

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, let me make it very clear. Your rules are clear that you cannot proceed on a matter the Speaker has ruled on. You can only do that if you want to challenge the ruling. No, honourable you do not point a finger at the Presiding Officer that is – Hon. Linos, you are NRM, go to the side of NRM. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have Hon. Daniel Okello, Speaker Lira City West Division. Hon. Ebong Sedrick and Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng represent him in Parliament. He has come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming him. (Applause) COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Basalirwa]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues to appreciate the two committees. I would like to say something about the report of the Committee on Education and Sports. In Lira District, I do not have an A-level school. There is only one in Erute South, that is Amach Complex School. This is the third time I have been talking about this school; it has no library; it has no laboratory. We are in for a new curriculum that needs research, but our students cannot - I request the Ministry of Education and Sports that when they are allocating funds for the rehabilitation of all schools, they should balance. I saw that in Lango, it was only Lira City with four schools, leaving the rest of the schools in the neighbouring districts. I request that in this coming financial year, please, consider the only A-level school we have in Lira District. Secondly, there is a problem with hybrid contracts by ministries. These are contractors that will never listen to the engineer at the district or the education officer and they do whatever they want because they are not accountable to the district. That is why you are seeing these reports of cracked classrooms yet the Government is putting in a lot of money that can help the country for a long time. (Applause) They are shortening this. I think the Government should mean what they call decentralisation, other than claiming decentralisation, yet every key project is already centralised. Thank you.

14337 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024 ii. To ascertain the status and progress of the development of infrastructure facilities in selected traditional and seed schools, tertiary institutions, and public universities. iii. To ascertain the existence and state of Akii-Bua Stadium in preparation for AFCON 2027 in Lira City. 3.0 Methodology To achieve the above objectives, the committee: i. Visited and held meetings with the district officials, tertiary and university top management teams, head teachers, and some members of staff of primary and secondary schools. ii. Inspected the projects including ongoing construction works at the universities, tertiary institutions, and schools. iii. Reviewed progress reports on the status of infrastructure, construction works, policy reports, and academic performance reports, among other documents prepared and presented to the committee. iv. Reviewed previous reports by Parliament regarding matters of education in the northern region of Uganda. v. Visited Akii-Bua Stadium to ascertain the existence and status of the stadium in the preparation of AFCON 2027.

14340 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Furthermore, the teachers who upgraded from Grade 5 to graduate level still earn the same salary, yet they are about to retire. There are many technical schools in the region without instructors and administrators. The above matters require serious and urgent attention from the Government. Similarly, Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City faces stalled development with poor facilities and management issues. Addressing these problems is essential for supporting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 preparations and enhancing educational outcomes. Effective collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, local authorities, and other relevant bodies is necessary for an improved education or education sector. I beg to submit, Mr Speaker.

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;

Madam Speaker, my name is Jimmy Akena. I represent Lira City East Division and the President of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to propose three amendments to the report. The first is in relation to Lango subregion having the lowest stock of tarmac roads in the country - just 3 per cent. The reason that we were given previously, as Lango Parliamentary Group, is that we have very few national roads. Most of our roads are district roads. We made a petition to the Ministry of Works and Transport to upgrade several district roads to national roads. It is now two years and that has not happened. I would like to recommend that the committee report is amended so that, that is provided for. Secondly, we also have the AFCON roads. One of the roads that we have been informed will be linking Gulu City to Lira City is the Corner Ayer-Corner Aboke-Iceme Road. We have been informed previously that it would be tarmacked. It is also in the NDP III. We want to get information on when its tarmacking is going to be done. Lastly, the report indicated that it costs Shs 5 million to carry out maintenance using the force account and Shs 50 million using framework contracts. Our NDP III clearly states that gravel road construction will cost Shs 30 million per kilometre. Therefore, I want to recommend that the committee also recommends that the cost of road construction per kilometre, especially the first class murram, be realigned with the NDP III costs. Thank you.

25 Hon. Byarugaba Alex Bakunda Isingiro South Vffi 26 Hon. Kibaaju Naome Sheema North 27 Hon. Ogwal Moses Goli 2B Hon. Achayo Juliet Lodou 29 Hon. Wokorach Simon Peter ,Atgr,,t r* 30 Hon. Lubega Bashir Ssempa 31 Hon. Taaka Agnes B*giri D^sf.'^a'-+ .@ast 32 Hon. Awas Sylvia Viclry Nakapiripiriti 33 Hon. Kibalya Henry Maurice Bugabula 34 Hon.Katwesirye Koyelryenga Oliver Buhweju ,dd{ I 35 Hon. Kajwengre T\ninomugisha Wilson Nyabuslnozi w*) 36 Hon. Chemaswet Abdi Fadhil Kisos .J"i ffi 1 I s7 Hon. Kabataazi Francis Katongole 38 Hon. Kirumira Hassan Katikamu South 39 Hon. Nyeko Derrick 40 Hon. Tebandeke Charles 4I Hon. Dr. Thaddeus Kamara Nicholas Kabale Municipality 42 Hon. Oguzu Lee Denis 43 Hon. Isodo Stella Apolot It ,r7 44 Hon. Okot Peter Tochi County ffi 45 Hon. Lukwago Mpalanyi John Paul L,ry*'+a -e-**t*. -/ .-- 46 Hon. Akena James Jimmy Lira City > 47 Hon. Atugonza ALlan 4B Hon. Macho Geofrey Busia Municipality 49 Hon. Nsereko Muhammad Kampala Central

1 Kayunga Regional Referral RRH Ka5runga Hos ital t6 Lira Regional Referral Hospital RRH Lira City 17 Masaka Hospital Regional Referral RRH Masaka City 18 Mbale Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mbale City 19 Mbarara Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mbarara ciw 20 Moroto Hospital Regional Referral RRH Moroto District 2t Mubende Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mubende District 22 Soroti Hospital Regional Referral RRH Soroti City 23 Entebbe Paediatric Specialized Hospital Surgery Specializ ed Hospital Wakiso District 24 Entebbe Hospital Regional Referral RRH Wakiso District 25 Yumbe Hospital Regional Referral RRH Yumbe District 22

-"* .l i'l tv" f. (-> 4l- * OAL t T ,,/i t:' ^"Hi-* .) \.. Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 9,877,949 531 Ankara Uganda Embassy in Tur 3,99t,682 532 Uganda Embassy in Somalia, Mo shu 8,682,632 533 Uganda Embassy in Malaysia, Kuala Lum ur 9,306,488 Uganda Consulate in Kenya, Mombasa 534 6,787,857 535 Uganda Embassy in Algeria, Algiers 6,t48,639 Uganda Embassy in Qatar, Doha 536 3,451,001 Uganda Mission in Havana, Cuba 537 3,475,000 538 Uganda Mission in Luanda, An 1a 264,336,145 Sub total -Mlssions Abroad ( Local Governments 40,679,88O 601 Arua city 2t,529,439 '\ 602 Fort-Portal city 28,O30,761 Gulu city \os 15,154,886 604 Hoima city 43,319,158 605 Jinja city 30,495,727 Lira city 606 30,239,526 607 Masaka city 39,177,649 608 Mbale city 36,031,699 Mbarara city 609 20,o6L,624 610 Soroti citv 8,879,420 70t Apac Municipal Council 6,476,93O 702 Bugiri Municipal Council 13,604,742 Bushenyi- Ishaka Municipal Council 703 8,671,010 704 Busia Municipal Council 15,990,314 705 al Council Entebbe Municip 16,424,644 Ibanda Municipal Council 706 7,638,634 707 Iganga Municipal Council 17,668,8r7 708 Kabale Municipal Council ,i, -\_:-- il^- 11 - --j!..ii,- "i+: 1j- \-i ' i''. --Ff" ( .\- . \

Madam Speaker and honourable members, allow me to bring condolences from the people of Lira City where Imat Cecilia, served as a Member of Parliament for 10 years, from 1996 to 2006 when it was still a municipality. Condolences to you, Madam Speaker, the Parliament of Uganda, the family, the people of Lango, and the entire Government. Hon. Imat Cecilia Ogwal, also popularly known as Atat , mummy, or iron lady, was a prayer warrior, mentor, mediator, and a great advocate for the girl-child and women empowerment, a Nationalist and a Pan-Africanist. As one of the longest-serving legislators Hon. Imat Cecilia was committed to ensuring that our country develops in all aspects. Madam Speaker, allow me to highlight a few critical contributions, especially in the health sector, that stood out very prominently. She strongly supported the establishment by law of the specialised institutions, the Uganda Heart Institute and the Uganda Cancer Institute, emphasising the need to give autonomy to these institutions to function as specialities. In a special way, allow me to appreciate Uganda Cancer Institute for taking care of Atat before her demise. Number two, Madam Speaker, in the Ninth Parliament- I was the Director General of Health Services - she and many other Members put up a strong fight for the increase of the budget for the health sector to cater for the upgrade and construction of health centres III, to an extent that there was a stalemate for two weeks. Parliament could not pass the budget until the Government granted their request. Because of this effort, as of today, we have been able to upgrade 340 facilities under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) Programme and constructed 31 new ones. In addition, under the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programmes (AMCHP), we have upgraded 41 health centre IIs to health centre III and improved 40 health centres III, including equipping all of them. The total number came to 452. Madam Speaker, I hope somebody else will rise to that challenge. Number three is maternal and child health improvement. As a permanent member of the Committee on Budget, she always emphasised the need for Government to invest in maternal child health services to improve quality. She saw the high maternal and child mortality as a hindrance to the development of our country. No wonder, when the Uganda Bureau of Statistics released the results of the Uganda Demographic Health Survey in October last year, indicating that maternal mortality had dropped from 336 to 189 per 100,000 live births and under five mortalities had dropped from 64 to 52 from 2016 to 2022, she gave me a call to say, “well done my daughter but it is not yet enough. As long as women and children are still dying, you have to increase the effort.” Lastly, a very emotional one. Madam Speaker, Imat’s voice rose up on the issue of the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan at Uganda Cancer Institute. She would always ask why we cannot have a PET scan in the country to avoid referrals abroad for its use. For the last two financial years, she roared this concern in this Parliament.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for a good exposition of the situation in the new cities and districts. I want to appeal to this House and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Ministry of Local Government, especially in the case of Lira City and Lira District - among the cities and districts that were created, Lira got embroiled in a very serious conflict that has affected service delivery and performance. There are a lot of accusations. So many people have been sent to prison, many others are interdicted. All this has been because after the new city was created, the Government was not able to provide enough funding for Lira District to relocate to the new site. They remained within their premises, which was in the old district though within the city, and people started admiring and not wanting to leave the assets, the buildings, and the land that was within the city, and they ended up in wars. Right now, the district needs about Shs 10 billion to construct the new district headquarters. I would appeal, even for –

10240 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Lira, there is already a functional Lira city land board, but the district land board is still receiving applications and processing titles for lands in the city when it is actually not within their areas of jurisdiction. So we gave the example of Lira and Arua and the other entities. (ix) The Ministry of Public Service ban on recruitment as strained service delivery on the cities and the districts from where the cities were carved. (x) Cities and districts are constrained with office space since the two entities are sharing the same premises. For example, Arua City, for instance, recruited 406 staff but lacked space to accommodate them. So some of these staff are sitting under trees. (xi) Lack of adequate laws or guidelines for the operationalisation of the cities. Whereas a city is the equivalent of a district as outlined under Section 4 of the Local Government Act CAP 243 as amended, there are several gaps that affect the operation of the cities. For instance, a city division should be treated at the level of a municipality, but currently, in line with Local Government Act CAP 243, Section 4(b), they are still treated at the level of subcounties. (xii) Local Governments have continuously been faced with the issue of late releases and returns. This is important, Madam Speaker. Late releases and return of funds to the consolidated fund. For example, in the Financial Year 2022/2023, Arua City, Gulu City, Mbale City, Mbale District, and others received over Shs 3 billion far above what they had planned for by 19 of June. All this money went back within two weeks. To throw more light when we asked them, they said this was money they had not planned for. They had not budgeted for it, so they could not explain how the monies came. But these are monies considered returned back to Treasury; (xiii) New subcounties have continued depending on the mother subcounties in as far as road funds are concerned since 2021 without having their own allocation as required by law. (xiv) Continuous recentralisation of decentralised services such as decision concerning collection and remittance of local revenue and procurement. General committee recommendations The committee recommends the following: (1) In addition to the supplementary for ex-gratia and honoraria, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide funds in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 to cater for the following as indicated below - these are areas we consider very important, as a committee. a. Vehicles for city mayors and district chairpersons. These are political heads of the districts and some of them have ended up grabbing vehicles for school inspections and for health centres, including ambulances, because they lack means of transport. The committee recommends that Shs 35.2 billion be provided so that they can have means of transport. b. Relocation of the 10 cities. In addition to what has been given to Soroti, all the other nine entities should also be given Shs 1 billion each as a start-up for putting structures. They would relocate in phases. c. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion be provided to review the decentralisation policy because there are a lot of gaps. We need to make sure that we strengthen and deepen decentralisation and the best way is to have a review. The ministry requires the Shs 2 billion to undertake this process. [The Speaker] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

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

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

8584 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA Madam Speaker, on the 2 nd of May, when I was called by the brother, Hon. Sam Engola and his wife, to rush to Kyanja with an ambulance – that Hon. Macodwogo been shot – I thought I was rushing to save life. Indeed, I rushed with an ambulance. However, when I got there, Hon. Engola had no life to save. I looked at my brother, lying on the ground in a pool of blood. It is an image that will never leave my eyes and heart for as long as I live. Hon. Macodwogo was a very loving man, very kind and very humble. As everybody else has said, he served his country in different ministries honestly and diligently, without any word of corruption tainting his name. (Applause) I would like to appreciate his wife whom I had to look for on that day and bring back home because she was very stressed. She was in a clinic and I told her: “Joyce…” - I call her Joyce because I have known her – “…you have to be strong.” I want to appreciate her and the entire family for being strong. (Applause) Had she broken down, many of us would not have been able to bear the terrible pain that we are going through. Madam Speaker, the areas of Kyanja and Kulambiro need extra attention from the security people. If you look closely, the deaths and attacks – Kaweesi, Kirumira, Hon. Gen. Katumba, my brother, Hon. Macodwogo, Isima yesterday and many others – are happening in the same area. For us who are prayerful, we believe that there is a spirit that needs to be broken. I call upon the security people to study that area. I know there are many other areas where such things happen, but security people need to study that area very carefully. Madam Speaker, for us, the people of Lango, we are in pain. We know the entire Parliament and Uganda is in pain, but we are in great pain. We want questions answered. (Applause) We want something said to us to relieve us of this pain. We want to understand why somebody wakes up early in the morning to go to work and is shot in cold blood. We do not understand it. Our people do not understand it. The people of Lango do not understand it. (Applause) We are in pain. That pain can only be relieved by the investigators. Madam Speaker, not even the post-mortem report can relieve our pain. However, I believe that with all your support, the spirit of love and togetherness, we shall overcome the pain. I send my condolences to His Excellency the President and the entire Parliament. On behalf of the people of Lira City – many of Hon. Charles Engola’s relatives reside in Lira City. I bring the condolences of the people of Lira City. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you very much. First of all, I would like to thank you, honourable members, for the support you give us as the Ministry of Education and Sports. I am here to specifically answer three issues: the issue of Buhinga Stadium, the issue of Akii-Bua Stadium, and the issue of Namboole Stadium. I would like to begin with the issue of Buhinga Stadium. On 30 September 2020, the Ministry of Education and Sports signed a consultant contract with Infrastructure Cost & Management Consultants Limited for detailed feasibility studies, concept design and environmental/ social impact assessment for Buhinga Stadium as one of the projects selected for funding by the People’s Republic of China, following receipt of a letter dated 14 August 2019. Mr Speaker, site handover was undertaken on 6 October 2020, presided over by the then Minister of State for Education and Sports, accompanied by the technical personnel from the ministry together with Kabarole District Local Government political and technical leadership, who provided land for the proposed project. Mr Speaker, the proposed site of 45 acres is located in Kyembogo village, Gwengaju Subcounty, Kabarole District. The consultant commenced the work on 7 October 2020, and completed it on 19 April 2021. The consultant’s scope of assignment entailed: a) Preparation of the inspection report; b) Undertaking geotechnical soil investigations; c) Cadastral/ topographical surveys; d) Visibility/concept designs; and e) Environmental/social impact assessment report. Mr Speaker, the proposed scope/amenities included the following: a) A 26,000-seater stadium; b) An athletic track; c) An artificial turf field; d) An outdoor field; e) Two courts for netball; f) Two courts for volleyball; g) Two courts for handball; h) Two courts for basketball; i) Three courts for tennis; j) A swimming pool; k) A fitness centre/gym; l) External works; and m) A hotel of 100 guests. The consultant’s estimate cost of constructing Buhinga Stadium then was at $64 million. Mr Speaker, from the feasibility studies, Buhinga was found viable to contain a hotel given the tourism potential in the proposed project area for sustainability purposes through revenue collection. The detailed reports of visibility study, concept design and environmental/social impact assessment for Buhinga Stadium were then submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on 25 May 2021, waiting funding. As far as the Ministry of Education and Sports is concerned, that is what I can say about the first project. The second project is the status on the proposed Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City. On 30 September 2020, the Ministry of Education and Sports signed a consultancy contract with Habitat Consultants for a detailed design, visibility study, concept design and environmental/social impact assessment for Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City, as one of the projects selected for funding by the People’s Republic of China, following receipt of a letter from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, dated 14 August 2019. Site handover was undertaken on 2 October 2019, presided over by my then colleague, Hon. Hamson Obua, accompanied by the technical people from the Ministry of Education and Sports, together with the Lira District Local Government political and technical leadership, who provided land for the proposed project. SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT

7957 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. The proposed site is located on Volume 123, Folio 17, Plot 5 to 21, along Okello Degree Road in Senior Quarters A, Central Division, Lira City. The land measures 18.4455 hectares with a land title issued on 23 July 2012. The consultancy commenced works on 7 October 2020 and completed it on 9 May 2021. The consultant’s scope of assignment entailed: a) Preparation of the inspection report; b) Undertaking geotechnical soil investigation; c) Cadastral/topographical surveys; d) Visibility/concept design; and e) Environmental/social impact assessment report. Mr Speaker, the proposed scope/amenities: a) Akii-Bua Stadium was designed to have a 30,000-seater athletic track; b) An artificial turf; c) An outdoor field; d) Two netball courts; e) Two volleyball courts; f) Two handball courts; g) Two basketball courts; h) Three tennis courts; i) A swimming pool; and j) A fitness centre. The consultant’s cost estimate of constructing Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium was valued at $48 million. The detailed report for visibility studies, concept design and environmental/ social impact assessment for Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium was submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on 25 May 2021, awaiting funding. The last one, Mr Speaker, is on the status report on the renovation of upgrade of Mandela National Stadium. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspected Mandela National Stadium, in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers matches in February 2020, and issued a report thereafter. The CAF Report, April, 2020, established that the stadium was not fit to host the national team matches for FIFA World Cup and AFCON qualifiers or the competition. The report recommended that the stadium be renovated and upgraded to international standards to host the qualifiers. The Cabinet and Parliament of Uganda appropriated funds for the construction of boundaries and the renovation and upgrade of Mandela National Stadium on the funding in Financial 2021/ 2022. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mandela National Stadium and the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, for the renovation and upgrade of Mandela National Stadium on 2 March 2022 by the UPDF Engineering Brigade. In pursuance of the MoU, two committees were appointed, that is to say, the Project Implementation Committee and the Project Management Committee, for the execution of the project. Funding Mr Speaker, the Parliament of Uganda appropriated Shs 31 billion in the Financial Year 2021/2022 and an additional supplementary funding of Shs 67.20 billion for the renovation and upgrade of the stadium and the recurrent expenditure. The stadium received Shs 80.137 billion, that is 82 per cent, towards the close of the Financial Year 2021/2022, as on 13 June 2022. Mr Speaker, after the MoU, Shs 28,214,000,000 was released to the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, on 20 June 2022. The UPDF Engineering Brigade got the funds in July 2022 and commenced works in August 2023, following the liaison with the contractor and the supervisor and Ministry of Works and Transport. Below is a brief status of the works and procurements.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Like I had said, out of the loan of $110 million, $22.5 million was earmarked for infrastructure - to improve infrastructure in 81 health facilities. This was divided into six lots. The lot in question is Lot 6, which was worth $24 billion - VAT inclusive. The contractor was BMK. They were supposed to construct maternity units and extras like pit latrines and placenta pits in 14 health facilities in West Nile and in Northern Uganda. The duration of the project was 16 months and it was supposed to commence on 15 March 2021, upon signing of the project contract. However, site handover was delayed to May 2021. The contract was supposed to run till 30 September 2022. The supervising architect was KK Partnership Architects. The Ministry of Health advanced 30 per cent of the total contract sum totalling to about Shs 6 billion to BMK to enable them mobilise and bring equipment to the site and start preliminary construction. BMK provided performance security in the form of a bank guarantee worth approximately Shs 6 billion and environmental and social safety guarantees of approximately Shs 1.9 billion, respectively. The objective of our visit, as a committee - which was very important - was to ascertain the physical progress of the works, among others. We had received many complaints from the citizens of West Nile and Northern Uganda, but most importantly, the politicians, about the delayed progress. In other parts of the country, they were 80 per cent and in this particular area, they had not yet reached even 50 per cent, yet we were running out of time. The committee also conducted a financial and legal analysis of the project to have a holistic scrutiny of the project. The sites visited were Panyimur in Pakwach, Kuchwiny in Nebbi, Kochi in Yumbe, Lobule in Koboko, Oluvu in Maracha, Awoo in Omoro, Akura in Alebtong, Anyangatir in Lira City and Kamdini in Oyam. Key findings from the field visit The committee found that on average, the civil works in nine sites ranged from between 55 per [Dr Ayume] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity. On behalf of the people of Otuke and on my own behalf, I would like to express our deep condolences to the family for the passing of our elder. Madam Speaker, the late Justice was my closest neighbour in Lira City; his home and mine are only a distance of 100 metres, and every holiday, we would have time to exchange views about the country and about the environment. People have talked a lot about his humility. One morning, I heard somebody knocking at

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Kole north, I rise to pay tribute to the late Justice Opio Aweri. I came to make first contact with Justice Opio Aweri one year ago in a very unusual place; it was under a mango tree that was acting as a restaurant where he had gone to eat local dishes in Lira city. I joined him there. Most times the usual place to meet a judge is when your case is being mentioned in court or when you are receiving your sentence. I was so humbled by that observation and when I asked him, he told me two things: Using the example of a tree as an environmentalist, he said, “No matter how high a tree grows, its roots will always remain in the ground.” Indeed, he lived a life of a tree; his roots remained deep rooted to the values, even as he rose high in the ranks of the Judiciary. The second thing he told me is, “Let the leader in you stay in your heart, but never let the leader in you get into your head.” That is the Justice Opio Aweri that I knew. Under the mango tree, I ate from his plate of wisdom and drank from his cup of humility. He was a mountain of humility, a sea of wisdom and a fountain of selfless service. What I can say is, he was not just one of a kind, he was not just one of a season, he was one of a generation. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the protection. As I conclude, women in my area are the ones doing business and they are doing the local business of selling dried and fresh cassava and taking it on ordinary bicycles to Lira City. If you go to Lira main road, you will find only women going to sell cassava; you will not see the men around. I am not saying men are bad, but men should also be brought up to their responsibility. They should know what they are supposed to do. I am also a man. Madam Speaker, whenever we empathise on girl child education, I do not want the boy child to be left behind. Let us bring these people side by side, so that we balance the equation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to seek some clarification from the honourable minister. For Lira City, what we were allocated last financial year was slightly under a billion shillings, which was less than what we were getting under Lira Municipality. The area is very big. I am glad you mentioned the issue of the road works equipment. I request that you cross-check and find the functionality of some of the equipment you are referring to. I can assure you that the equipment in Lira City is not good for the work, which is supposed to be done. Secondly, in the first quarter of this financial year, we received Shs 28 million. In the second quarter, we got Shs 230 million. In Lira City, we have three bridges, which have been washed away and the estimate for a single one of the smallest one would consume much more than we already have as a city. This will mean that we do not touch on any other issue but we will not even be able to fix one of the washed away bridges. Honourable minister, I think we need to cooperate more closely on this particular issue. Where funding has reduced from a municipality to a city - the area has expanded and the equipment, which was under Lira District has gone with the district and our city is under the municipal equipment, we are under severe constraint. None of us will be able to complete any of the tasks before us. The road situation will get worse and worse within the city, where we have a mixture of murram and tarmac roads. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I wanted to give information on how much money was received by Lira City last financial year. Last financial year, there was budget suppression. Despite that, Lira received Shs 721 million to work on their roads. This financial year, they

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

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