Mawokota County North

The Prime Minister, you have nearly given us two hours. Just endure for the last three. Hon. Teddy Nambooze, Woman Representative Mpigi, and Hon. Ali Kasirye Nganda Mulyanyama.

Thank you for your indulgence. I stand to raise a matter of urgent importance regarding the only police patrol attached to Buwama Police Station in Mpigi District, which was involved in a fatal accident in January this year during campaigns. Mr Speaker, the vehicle was damaged beyond repair and the police officers who were on board sustained severe injuries. However, since then, the station lacks a patrol vehicle yet it serves the vast area of Buwama and Kayabwe Town Councils, Buwama Subcounty, Kyabadaza and beyond. This problem has led to deterioration of security in our area due to the police’s inability to respond to emergencies and conduct routine patrols.

323 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY,14 JULY 2026 I realised that the Government is going to establish regional cancer centres. Cancer has eaten us up insidiously. It is a serious matter. Now that we are going to get regional units, that gives us more hope. I looked at maternal health; the Government is going to establish maternity wards in most of the districts. Another issue that most health centres have been suffering from is lack of medicine. With Namanve and a large pharmaceutical centre, we will be able to get drugs and necessary equipment. Let me go down to Mpigi. In 2014, the President pledged to upgrade Mpigi Health Centre IV to a hospital status. The population has risen from 212,000 to 390,000. Highway accidents have increased. We have 570 reported cases every year. We do not have a hospital to cater for the accident victims. They are driven to Mulago National Referral Hospital. In most cases, they die on the way. I would like to appeal to the Minister of Health, through you, to ensure that he fulfils the President’s pledge of raising the level of the Health Centre IV to a hospital status. I rest my case. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, my name is Steven Shyaka Gashaija, Member of Parliament for Entebbe Municipality. I would like to say that I am privileged to have the President in my constituency. We usually have a cup of tea and discuss such matters. (Laughter) So, I pity those who stay far from Entebbe. We commend the President’s speech. However, for some of you who have used Uganda Airlines and Emirates, when you land in Entebbe, there is a road that runs along the airport. It is a snake road, a dirt road. Do you know it? That road is called Buku Road. Entebbe is the image of this nation. Mr Speaker, I want the Minister of Works and Transport to ensure that the Buku Road project is completed. Our people in Kigungu are dying of dust. The hospital bills are over the roof. It is a matter of urgency. Entebbe must be beautified. It is the gateway of Uganda. Two, we have the Nakiwogo-Buwaya Bridge. We want to open Entebbe to go to Masaka. When we open Entebbe, there will be civilisation. The road will go to Masaka and Mpigi. So we need a bridge installed there. That way, Entebbe will be near. People can come and see the airport. We want this bridge to be completed for some of you from constituencies far from Entebbe. Mr Speaker, we ask the Minister of Works and Transport to prioritise all the roads in Entebbe, which is a beautiful city. Members of Parliament come and invest; that is where the President stays; it is safe. You are most welcome. Thank you, I so submit.

Mr Speaker, Nateete, Nakawuka, Kisubi and Mpigi, I presided over a function in 2024 when that contract was being handed over to CCCC. They started working on that road, but the speed is quite annoying, not only for the Members who are using that road but for the whole community. We had a meeting over the same with the Ministry of Works and Transport and there was a problem of compensation. The people near the road agreed with us that they would allow the contractor to pass and compensation will be - But when they started construction, the same people said, no. That is the reason for the delay. At that time, we did not have enough money to compensate and you know that road passes through a highly expensive area. That is the major reason. The money to construct that road is available but we have a problem of money to compensate the PAPs. We have put money in the budget and now that Hon. Msasizi is here, I am told he is also gumite . Make sure we conclude that matter so that people of that area are saved from dust.

“ WHEREAS the Electoral Commission organised and conducted the elections of Members of Parliament specified under Article 78(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda; AND WHEREAS the Electoral Commission, under General Notice No. 171 of 2026, published in the Uganda Gazette the results of the 2026 parliamentary elections and ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS Oaths were administered to: Name Constituency District/City Political Party 1. Nambooze Teddy Woman Representative Mpigi NUP 2. Nekesa Christine Situma (Col) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 3. Namubiru Rwabushaija Margaret Workers Representative N/A Independent 4. Namuganza Persis Princess Bukono County Namutumba Independent 5. Namukuta Brenda Woman Representative Kaliro NRM 6. Nangoli Umar Northern Division Mbale City Independent

8 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 5. Kansiime Annah Woman Representative Rwampara NRM 6. Kanyesigye Mercy Youth Representative Female Independent 7. Kapyagon Brian Kongasis County Bukwo Independent 8. Karim Musa Aringa North County Yumbe Independent 9. Kasajja George Patrick Bulamogi North West County Kaliro NRM 10. Kasigwa Gerald Bihemaiso Kigorobya County Hoima NRM 11. Kasirye Nganda Ali Makindye East Division Kampala NUP 12. Kasukaali Methuselah Mwenge Central County Kyenjojo NRM 13. Kariisa Johnbosco Koy Buhweju West County Buhweju NRM 14. Katushabe Ruth Woman Representative Bukomansimbi NRM 15. Katusiime Annet Mugisha Woman Representative Bushenyi NRM 16. Kawalya Abubaker Rubaga Division North Kampala NUP 17. Kasaija Matia Buyanja County Kibaale NRM 18. Karuhanga Gerald Kafureeka Ntungamo Municipality Ntungamo Independent 19. Khalayi Peace Woman Representative Namisindwa NRMK 20. Kiirya Grace Paddy Wanzala Butembe County Jinja FDC 21. Kiiza Andrew N. Kaluya Kigulu County South Iganga NUP 22. Katushabe Doreen Birungi Woman Representative Lyantonde NRM 23. Kiyonga C.W.C.B. Bukonzo County West Kasese NRM 24. Muhwezi Jim Katugugu Rujumbura County Rukungiri NRM 25. Kenan Opio Busiro South Wakiso NRM 26. Kateshumbwa Dicksons Sheema Municipality Sheema NRM 27. Katusiime Jovia Woman Representative Kiryandongo NRM 28. Kiiza Kenneth Nyendwoha Bujenje County Masindi NRM 29. Kikabi Edward (Dr) Ntwetwe County Kyankwanzi NRM 30. Kinalwa James (Maj. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 31. Kinobere Herbert Tom Kibuku County Kibuku Independent 32. Kinshaba Patience Nkunda Woman Representative Kanungu Independent 33. Kiruluuta Yusuf J. Nkerettanyi Kalungu County East Kalungu NUP 34. Kirumira Hassan Katikamu County South Luweero NUP 35. Kisekka Salim Bukomansimbi North County Bukomansimbi NRM 36. Kitiyo Patrick Kapchorwa Municipality Kapchorwa Independent 37. Kiyimba Emmanuel Bukoto County Mid-West Lwengo NRM 38. Kasule Ismail Hoima West Division Hoima City ANT 39. Khainza Agnes Shiuma Woman Representative Bududa NRM 40. Kugonza Emely Buyanja East County Kibaale NRM 41. Kungu Samuel Bamuteeze Kigulu County North Iganga NRM 42. Kwizera Eddie Wa-Gahungu Bukimbiri County Kisoro Independent 43. Kyambadde Amelia Ann Mawokota County North Mpigi NRM 44. Kyarampe Rebecca Woman Representative Mitooma NRM 45. Kyarikunda Loydah T. Woman Representative Mbarara NRM 46. Kisa Stephen Bakubalwayo Luuka South County Luuka NRM 47. Kavuma Samuel (Lt Gen.) UPDF N/A N/A 48. Kitanywa Sowedi Busongora County North Kasese NRM 49. Kizza Hakim Sawula Bukoto County South Lwengo NUP 50. Kuteesa Patrick Kimanya-Kabonera Division Masaka City NUP 51. Kwiyucwiny Grace Freedom Ora County Zombo NRM 52. Kibaaju Charity Kamuhanda Woman Representative Mbarara City NRM 53. Komol Joseph Miidi Dodoth North County Kaabong NRM 54. Karubanga Jacob Ateenyi Kibanda South County Kiryandongo Independent 55. Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama Mbarara South Division Mbarara City NRM

11 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026 153. Mao Nobert Laroo-Pece Division Gulu City DP 154. Mwiru Paul Jinja South Division East Jinja City NUP 155. Nabadduka Annet Woman Representative Kibaale Independent 156. Nabakooba Judith Nalule Woman Representative Mityana NRM 157. Nabawanuka Sumayah Mubende Municipality Mubende NUP 158. Nabirye Annet Woman Representative Luuka NRM 159. Nabukenya Brenda Woman Representative Luweero NUP 160. Nagujja Judith Woman Representative Buvuma NRM 161. Najjuma Sarah Woman Representative Nakaseke NRM 162. Nakadama Rukia Isanga Woman Representative Mayuge NRM 163. Nakawuki Susan Nsambu Mawokota County South Mpigi NRM 164. Nakazibwe Hope Grania Woman Representative Mubende NRM 165. Nakisita Betty Mpongo Woman Representative Namutumba Independent 166. Nakiyi Julius Muntu Budadiri County East Sironko NRM 167. Nakut Faith Loru Woman Representative Napak NRM 168. Nakweede Harriet Woman Representative Kayunga NUP 169. Naluyima Betty Ethel Woman Representative Wakiso NUP 170. Namanya Viola Woman Representative Ntungamo NRM 171. Namara Dennis Buyaga West County Kagadi NRM 172. Namatende Eunice Woman Representative Bugiri NRM 173. Nambaziira Florence Woman Representative Ssembabule NRM 174. Nambeshe John Baptist Manjiya County Bududa NUP The Uganda National Anthem The East African Community Anthem (The House rose at 4.15 p.m. and adjourned until Friday, 15 May 2026, at 8.00 a.m.)

Madam Speaker, in respect of land, we have companies that are in the business of buying and selling land. You buy land today in Mpigi, for example, at Shs 100 million per acre. You subdivide it and start selling, and you realise Shs 200 million from this acre. So, the difference between the cost of the land and the profit made of Shs 100 million, we think, should be charged as capital gains.

18634 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Madam Speaker, we still grapple with the backlog of cases in this country. The Judiciary plans to increase the case disposal rate from 58 per cent in Financial Year 2024/2025 to 60.6 per cent in Financial Year 2026/2027. This will reduce the backlog from 24.2 per cent to 22.2 per cent and dispose of 291,544 cases by the end of 2026, hence the need for an additional Shs 20.12 billion in case backlog reduction strategies, such as special court sessions. The committee, however, noted that a significant number of cases committed to the High Court remained unheard for years alongside infrequent court appearances and extended intervals between hearings. Additionally, the committee is concerned that the Judiciary’s projected plan to reduce the backlog is not satisfactory due to the minimal percentage. The committee has recommended that the funding requested by the Judiciary to tackle the issue of case backlog be deferred temporarily until a comprehensive plan is provided. Implementation of the legal representation at the expense of the state in capital offences in line with the Judiciary Legal Representation at the Expense of the State The committee noted that Article 28(3) of the Constitution requires that every person who is charged with a criminal offence that carries a sentence of death or imprisonment for life is entitled to legal representation at the expense of the state. Similarly, the Judicature (Legal Representation at the Expense of the State) Rules, 2022 have revised the rates upwards for facilitation of advocates on state briefs. To be able to fulfil this mandate, the Judiciary requires an additional Shs 31.97 billion. The committee recommends that Shs 31.97 billion be provided to the Judiciary to facilitate advocates to hold these cases on a State brief. Automation of courts to eliminate delays in the management of cases The committee was informed that the Judiciary plans to roll out the Electronic Case Management System, ECMIS, to an additional 20 court stations, which include, among others: i) Masaka High Court; ii) Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court; iii) Kalangala Chief Magistrate’s Court; iv) Sembabule Chief Magistrate’s Court; v) Kalungu/Lukaya Grade One Court; vi) Mpigi High Court; vii) Mpigi Chief Magistrate’s Court; viii) Gomba Chief Magistrate’s Court; ix) Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court; x) Nsangi Chief Magistrate’s Court; xi) Masindi High Court; xii) Masindi Chief Magistrate’s Court; xiii) Kiryandongo Chief Magistrate’s Court; xiv) Buliisa Chief Magistrate’s Court; xv) Kigumba Chief Magistrate’s Court; xvi) Mubende High Court; xvii) Mubende Chief Magistrate’s Court; xviii) Mityana Chief Magistrate’s Court; xix) Kassanda Chief Magistrate’s Court; and xx) Kyegegwa Chief Magistrate’s Court. Madam Speaker, I have read all of them to show the balanced nature throughout the country. The committee recommends that Shs 13.739 billion be provided during the Financial Year 2026/2027 to enable the Judiciary to automate case management business processes, thereby quickening adjudication and reducing person- to-person interactions, thereby mitigating corruption incidents. Budget increase and misalignment The Judiciary’s proposed budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 stands at Shs 633.97 billion, representing a 43.7 per cent increase from the Financial Year 2025/2026 approved budget of Shs 44.223 billion. The committee noted a 103.5 per cent increase in the travel budget of the Judiciary from Shs 43.79 billion to Shs 89.154 billion, with the Ministerial Policy Statement (MPS) showing extensive travel inland provisions totalling Shs 77.0 billion and travel abroad to Shs 12.2

18313 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2026 Many of the projects for which we have borrowed gross sums of money are either behind schedule or have completely stagnated. Here we are being asked to recklessly approve further borrowing. I now turn to the ministry of finance report on externally funded projects. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has been monitoring performance of these projects and done some reports. The latest report samples 66 externally-funded projects, as the table below illustrates. We have borrowed money to finance projects. Even in this budget, they are saying we should borrow another Shs 10 trillion. But look at the table. The projects in Agro-Industrialisation; seven projects here, only two have been completed. One is on track, others behind schedule. Digital Transformation: two projects, one on track. Human Capital Development: 14 projects, only one completed, one on track, 12 are behind schedule. Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services: 12 projects for which we have borrowed money, only two completed, one on track, 18 behind schedule. I do not need to go on, but the total below is that you have a total of 66 projects sampled by the finance ministry. Only six are completed, five are on track, 55 of these projects are behind schedule, including the ones that you will see that have stagnated. I will give a list here. I will be very brief because this is not my list, it is a list of Hon. Musasizi: Kampala-Jinja Expressway. We borrowed money to do this road. Let me go to the last line. This is how the finance ministry has assessed this. The physical progress of the project is zero. Money borrowed; progress is zero. They are saying let us borrow more. That is what is in the Budget Framework Paper. Busega-Mpigi Expressway. Construction is at 46 per cent. This road was supposed to have been completed years ago. They are at 46 per cent. Part of the reason you will see, they are saying they do not have counter-funding, and then they are saying let us borrow and begin more projects. That is why I said you even offend common sense. Entebbe Airport Rehabilitation. This one, there is progress but the point is because of the delays, we are now required to pay to the contractor the total sum of $34.9 million because we delayed. The contractor says you delayed here and here, pay me money. Even this one, although progressing, it was never delivered on time. The Development of the New Bukasa Port Project. This one has not started at all, still in the preliminary. Kampala Flyover Construction. The Finance ministry says it has stagnated. Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project. They are now revising it. Time elapsed. They are revising it, yet you know each revision comes with money. Multinational Kapchorwa-Suam-Kitale and Eldoret Bypass Road Project. This one has almost been completed but after a delay. Kyenjonjo-Hoima-Masindi-Kigumba Road. The project has not been completed; more money is needed. Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communication and Transport Project. Here, the overall progress is from 37 per cent by the end of April. All these projects have delayed, no counter-funding, they are contracting more. Luweero-Butalangu Road. Work is at 67 per cent. A road that they started nearly 10 years ago, they have not completed a short stretch. Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko Road Project, and you keep asking why the President repeat these roads in every budget? The progress, as you have seen, on some projects, is zero. Every

18316 MOTION obligations are manageable now and in the long term. We have not failed to pay on our commitment as and when it falls due. Mr Speaker, on debt, the focus of all of us should be: what are we borrowing for? If we are borrowing to invest in the economy, there is no problem. If we are borrowing to grow our GDP, there is no problem. It becomes a problem when we are borrowing for luxury. That is the borrowing we should all be concerned about. On the GDP numbers, our source of information is UBOS. Mr Speaker, we should trust the authorities we put in charge of these numbers. If we come here and begin questioning the numbers that UBOS has given us on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), then which other authority will we rely on? On debt numbers, our difference with the Bank of Uganda (BOU) is mainly on the timing. Whereas we report as per June, sometimes BOU captures as per December. This creates the small variance you see, like now you are seeing 116 by us and 124 by BOU. If we go into June of 2026, you will see our number capturing what BOU has captured. The charter of fiscal responsibility is our guiding tool, together with the National Development Plan (NDP) and the manifesto. However, consistency does not mean exactness. Consistency means whatever you are doing should be close to the guiding principles. When you deviate from the charter this year, as long as you commit that within a specific period, you will come back to the charter, this explanation is acceptable. Therefore, my friend, Hon. Ssemujju, I wish to invite you to look at these things squarely. We have been together in this. I am going to miss you because you have been keeping me awake. Sometimes you go deeper into inviting me to do a deeper analysis of some of these things. However, I invite you to always look at these matters squarely. Lastly, on the projects, yes, we have a number of projects which we have borrowed for and that have not taken off. But where have we come from? In 2012, the situation which was there - some of you honourable colleagues who have been here with us know that we would borrow for a project even when there is no appraisal of feasibility study being done. You find Parliament approving funding for a project where no process has taken place. However, now, I wish to inform the House that for a project to come here, it must pass through our Public Investment Management System (PIMS) process. We are now saying that where there is no money for counterpart funding - (Interruptions) - no, I am not accusing Parliament, I am accusing both of us. I am saying that this used to happen previously. However, for now, what have we done? We have subjected rigorous approvals, PIMs process, and also for a project to succeed, we must confirm that there is counterpart funding in the budget. Honourable colleagues, I am sure this is why most of our stakeholders come to lobby you. Why is our project not moving? Why is this and that? There are now serious restrictions. Going forward, I commit that this weakness of delayed projects will not continue happening. I want to use the example of the Busega-Mpigi Road. This is one of the projects I found in the ministry when the borrowing had been done. You approve a request for borrowing, no feasibility study has been done, nobody has even gone on the ground to assess where the road is going to pass, and by the time we go on the ground, we find that the cost, which was initially borrowed, is not even half of what is required. You ideally need another amount amounting to 100 per cent or so.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for that institutional memory. However, we have struggled to correct those past mistakes. (Interruptions ) - No, there is nothing. The Speaker was enhancing my submission. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that all these mistakes have been corrected, and now we are at the point of take- off of the Busega-Mpigi project. On the unemployment rate, this is a big concern to all of us as Ugandans and representatives of the people, but the question of focus should be, “Where are these jobs?” The jobs are mainly in Agro-industrialisation, Tourism development, Mineral development, and Science, Technology & Innovation (ATMS). When you look at the priorities I highlighted in my motion, I am requesting Parliament to appropriate money in these key areas, which bring jobs to the people of Uganda. I think this is what we should be most concerned about. I submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) who has been left behind, I would like to thank the minister for his presentation and the chairperson of the committee. However, I have a humble prayer before I look at the issues. Honourable minister, when you look at the minority report, it is now four years since Masaka Road was closed at Mpigi. There is no work going on the Busega Express-way. Can I make a humble plea, through the Speaker, that since there is no work going on, kindly open this road for a time being? When you resume work then business will go back to what you want. Imagine, for four years we are going through Mpigi. The tarmac within Mpigi will not be given consideration when the road is worked on. What do we lose? They have put permanent fixtures on the road and vehicles which have had accidents are placed there. Within your powers and the Ministry of Works and Transport, sit and agree and open for us this road. Otherwise, the traffic jam we are facing is too much. Mr Speaker, since the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the shadow Minister of Finance, Hon. Ssemujju Nganda agree on some of the areas in the minority report, why don’t you sit and agree on some of the issues raised in the minority report? The moment you do that, you will solve the problems of this institution. It is very painful that budget proposals are brought here but after passing the budget, nothing is implemented. The challenge goes to the Members of Parliament saying they did not support the budget yet as an Arm of Government, we give you all the support you want. What makes you fail to get counter funding? Is it Parliament or the weakness is on your side? That question is between you, your office and the ministry for finance. I do not know how much I can talk about borrowing and non-performing loans. I am very interested in talking about teachers and their salaries with the commitment given by the Government. However, should I come on the Floor and say we should also borrow money for financing salaries? It should not be me in this suit I am wearing. Mr Speaker, I do not have more to say about the minority report. It is the duty of the Ministry for

18213 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2025 This schedule was meant for Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport, in order to fix various roads. Aware that there were about seven suspended projects amounting to 395 kilometres. Projects such as Moroto- Lokitanyala of about 42 kilometres, Najjanankumbi-Busabala Road, 36.5 kilometres, Mityana-Mubende Road, about 100 kilometres and Kampala-Jinja Expressway of about 72 kilometres had been suspended due to lack of funding. 11 projects were under reduced progress. There was a go-slow coming to around 533 kilometres. They include roads like Olwiyo- Pakwach, Kisubi-Nakawuka and Kasanje- Mpigi - that one, after you approve the money, work will be progressing. About nine bridges projects were affected by the constraint in financing. The likes of Katonga Bridge and Ssezibwa all went at a go- slow. Colleagues, the details of this are attached in annexes 2 and 3. Madam Speaker, I do not know whether it will be important –

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

17760 THE BUILDING CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 PROPOSAL TO BORROW UP TO EURO 188.18 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO UA DEVELOPMENT BANK AND EUROS 28.31 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO UA 22.57 MILLION FROM THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND, AS ADDITIONAL FINANCING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUSEGA-MPIGI EXPRESSWAY PROJECT

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay on the Table the proposal to borrow up to Euros 188.18 million, an equivalent of UA 150 million from the African Development Bank and Euros 28.31 million, equivalent to UA 22.57 million from the African Development Fund, as additional financing for the construction of the Busega-Mpigi Expressway project.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace. Madam Speaker, the Committee on Physical Infrastructure should take more interest in the roads. As we talk now, one of the major challenges we have on most highways is that the roads are not marked, and we need to take a keen interest in that. I do not know whether the Ministry of Works and Transport is contracting anyone to work on that. Here in Kampala, they have introduced traffic lights, but the boda boda cyclists do not respect them at all. We cannot remain in this kind of situation. What is happening in Kampala now is that pedestrians have no right of way; you struggle to walk. All the citizens in the country, whether you are a pedestrian or are driving, in other countries, give more attention to pedestrians than to those driving vehicles. What is happening on our roads is pathetic. I raised that matter here one time. Along Masaka road, we have spent four years diverted through Mpigi to go to Masaka, yet the diversion was temporary because they were trying to work on the road. We do not know what is happening. On road markings in Uganda, even when you are charging traffic offence fines, you must be showing road signs on the road. I do not know what the traffic police use to determine that someone has committed an offence on the road when the roads are not marked. It is very painful to lose many people because of negligence. When you are driving at night, the markings and paintings on the road will inform someone that they are driving on this side, and the light will show the one coming from the other side how they travel using the markings. The Ministry of Works and Transport should come and explain this. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, let me put that one very clearly. On the issue of the foreign-funded projects, yes, it was a precondition. When we were rationalising, we went into discussions with the funders: World Bank, African Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank. One of the conditions they gave us was that the project implementation units needed to be retained. We have retained all the project implementation units on all the projects. That is, Busega-Mpigi; the full project unit is there. Kampala-Jinja Expressway, the full project unit is there, and all the other projects. Even Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo, the project unit, is there. Madam Speaker, we have not stopped any project implementation unit or changed these people because that was a precondition. There are other issues regarding delays and disbursements, but it is not about rationalisation.

17593 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2025 that he used all that money to pay debts, suppliers, and right now needs another Shs 30 billion, which is not in the budget; and e) Kampala-Jinja Highway. We had to use the internal mechanism of the Internal Capacity unit of the Ministry of Works and Transport to intervene, and that is why you see works going on in an attempt to put some sanity on the road. The following projects are progressing, but at a reduced rate due to delayed payments or incomplete land acquisition, which is another nightmare. a) Kira-Kasangati-Matugga. There are a number of properties, which we have not yet paid for. b) Kisubi-Nakawuka-Nateete, Nakawuka- Mawagulu-Nanziga, Nakawuka-Kasanje- Mpigi, Kasanje-Buwaya and Entebbe- Nakiwogo. This is one project within that area but the challenge is mainly land acquisition because the contractor agreed to do a pre-financing arrangement, which was agreed upon with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for two years, but he needs land for him to work.

17595 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2025 we have been urging that for every $10 we invest in construction, we should invest $3 in maintenance. It has not worked, but we have made this very clear to the finance ministry. Impact on unpaved roads and routine maintenance The national gravel road network, spanning over 14,000 kilometres, is also facing significant pressure due to poor funding and recurring climate shocks. The current condition assessment indicates that 48 per cent of these roads is in good condition, 35 per cent in fair condition, and 17 per cent in poor condition. Maintenance efforts are hampered by: a) Unreliable and inadequate risk for grading and spot improvements; b) Depletion of gravel materials in highly demanded districts; and c) Infrastructure degradation due to flooding, landslides, and prolonged wet seasons. The Ministry’s capacity to respond to routine maintenance demands has been overstretched. Without predictable funding and mechanisation support, rural access and road connectivity are likely to deteriorate further. Strategic recommendations and priority actions Madam Speaker, in light of the impacts outlined above, the ministry proposes the following measures to safeguard the value of the ongoing investment, restore the project’s momentum, and prevent further deterioration of the road network. 1. Prioritise and ring-fence funding for periodical maintenance The most economically prudent intervention is to protect roads still in maintainable condition. Periodic maintenance should be prioritised and ring-fenced in this financial year to prevent 1,933 kilometres from degrading into high- cost rehabilitation or reconstruction categories. This alone could avert a fiscal loss of Shs 850 billion. 2. Clear certified arrears to enable resumption of works The ministry recommends that a substantial portion of the Shs 1.071 trillion in arrears be cleared early enough in the financial year to: a) Prevent further contractor demobilisation; b) Avert accumulation of commercial interest; c) Avoid prolongation costs arising from claims by contractors; d) Restore momentum on suspended or slowed-down sites. Priority should be placed on fully suspended Government of Uganda-funded projects such as Mityana-Mubende, Kampala-Jinja, Busega-Mpigi Expressway, among others. 3. Allocate a dedicated fund for land acquisition On this matter, Madam Speaker, we have resolved that we are not going to accept any project to be directed to commence a project if the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has not provided money for land acquisition going forward, because land acquisition is a recurring constraint affecting both donor and Government-funded projects. Therefore, we need an immediate allocation of about Shs 843 billion in this financial year. This would enable us to access the sites and avoid breach of contract obligations. Projects under disbursement pressure from development partners must be prioritised to protect Uganda’s credibility. Assurance and conclusion Madam Speaker, our road network remains a critical national asset that underpins economic growth, regional integration - fortunately or unfortunately, we are in the centre of the region and our network not only serves Uganda, it also serves our neighbours - and the delivery of services. Its total replacement value is estimated at Shs 37.4 trillion.

17523 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 JNUE 2025 time for processing driving licences to 45 minutes in Kampala and 48 hours in upcountry stations, from a period of one month. To support Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the Government has licensed over 50 companies that have created over 10,000 jobs mainly for the youth that provide online services internationally. Madam Speaker, with regard to the creative arts, the Government provided Shs 10 billion to the creative arts industry. This was to support the artists to recover from the effects of COVID-19, and create a revolving fund to support young talents to create wealth and jobs. Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 835.98 billion for Science, Technology and Innovation, including ICT and the Creative Arts Industry. Of this amount, Shs 388.23 billion is for STI, Shs 381.75 billion is for ICT and digitalisation, and Shs 66 billion for the creative arts. Madam Speaker, these funds will be utilised for: i. establishing a hi-tech city to support development of technologies and innovations; ii. taking STI products to the market, especially Kiira motor vehicles, coffee, Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines, and banana products; iii. additional investment in research and development and innovation; iv. increasing coverage, reliability, and affordability of Internet; v. enhancing digitisation of Government services and e-commerce; vi. promoting BPO for job creation; vii. acquiring a home for creative artists for their productions and innovations; viii. fast-tracking the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act to protect intellectual property and artistic works; and ix. further capitalisation of the revolving fund for artists with an additional Shs 18 billion, bringing it to a total of Shs 23 billion. Infrastructure Development Madam Speaker, this priority area includes both transport and energy infrastructure. During this Financial Year 2024/2025, some of the following achievements were realised: Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services Madam Speaker, the road network that is tarmacked now stands at 6,287.6 kilometres, representing about 30 per cent of the national road network, compared to 3,112 kilometres in Financial Year 2010/11. With this improved road network, the travel time, for example, from Malaba to Kisoro by road, reduced from 48 hours (two days) to about 10 hours. This will further improve with completion of the Kampala-Jinja and Busega- Mpigi Expressways. Uganda is now connected by tarmac roads at all its major international border points, from the South Sudan border (Kitgum, Nimule and Oraba) in Acholi and West Nile to the southern border of Tanzania (Mutukula), Rwanda (Mirama Hills, Katuna and Cyanika) and the Congo border (Bunagana) and from the Kenya border (Lwakhakha, Malaba and Busia) to the Congo border (Mpondwe, Busuunga, and Kaisotonya) in the West. Madam Speaker, despite the challenges faced in the road sector this financial year, we continued to make progress as follows: i. Rehabilitated a total of 125 kilometres on several ongoing projects; ii. Upgraded over 100 kilometres of roads to paved bituminous standards on several ongoing projects; iii. The government fully disbursed Shs 579 billion which was used for maintenance of National, District, Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR); THE TAX PROCEDURES CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

17524 BUDGET SPEECH iv. The government is revamping the road and drainage infrastructure within the entire Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), to the extent that the entire city is now a construction site. Banange bebale. A total of Shs 1.4 trillion has been dedicated to improving roads and drainage within GKMA. To deal with traffic congestion arising out of the gridlock generated by roundabouts, all major junctions are being improved and signalled with traffic lights. The Kampala Flyover and Road Upgrading Project has been completed. v. Construction of 10 bridges is ongoing at an average of 74.7 per cent progress. Madam Speaker, next financial year, the Government has significantly increased the budget for road infrastructure development. I have allocated an additional Shs 790 billion, bringing the total budget for roads to Shs 4.28 trillion. The following will be prioritised next financial year: 1. Start construction and complete ongoing works for road projects as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. In addition, the roads which had been left out to be prioritised are: Puranga-Acholibur (65 kilometres); Kampala- Gayaza-Kalagi (33 kilometres); Lugazi- Buikwe-Kiyindi (28 kilometres); Kabwohe- Bwizibwera-Nyakambu-Nsika-Nyakabirizi (92.2 kilometres); Kisubi-Nakawuka-Natete- Kasanje-Mpigi-Mawugulu-Nanziga-Maya- Buwaya (71 kilometres); Busega-Mpigi (10 kilometres); Najjanankumbi-Busabala (11 kilometres); Lusalira-Nkonge-Lumegere- Sembabule (97 kilometres); Karugutu-Ntoroko (50 kilometres); Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi (15.1 kilometres), Kisoro-Nkuringo-Lubugiri-Muko (70 kilometres); Laropi-Moyo-Afoji (39 kilometres), including a bridge at Laropi, Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo (105 kilometres); Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu (33 kilometres); Tororo-Busia (25 kilometres); Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi (104 kilometres); Moroto-Lokitanyala (42 kilometres); Hamurwa-Kerere-Kanungu (47 kilometres); Lyantonde-Kashagama-Nyabitanga-Ntusi road (57.7 kilometres); Isingiro-Rugaaga- Mutukula-Ngarama-Kashumba-Kasese on the border with Tanzania (164 kilometres) – I hope my friends who were talking to me yesterday, I have satisfied you. Masindi Bridge; and Karuma Bridge. 2. Start construction and complete ongoing works for bridges as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. 3. Commence implementation of the Kampala- Jinja Expressway through a Public-Private Partnership framework. 4. Prioritise maintenance of the core national road transport network and DUCAR. Railway Transport Madam Speaker, in November 2024, His Excellency the President launched construction of the 272-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Malaba to Kampala. The SGR is a strategic investment for our country. It will cut cargo transport cost by half from the current $120 per ton, and reduce transit time from Mombasa to Kampala from seven days to one day, turning Uganda into a land-linked country as opposed to being landlocked. The initial works for the construction of the SGR have started. Madam Speaker, Government has completed the refurbishment and commissioning of the Mukono-Kampala Metre Gauge Railway line. In addition, rehabilitation of the 375 kilometres of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will be completed by February 2026. Madam Speaker, next financial year, priority interventions will include completing the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway line; refurbishment of the Mukono-Jinja Metre Gauge Railway line; and construction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Kampala to Malaba.

17526 BUDGET SPEECH ii) Enhance access to electricity through implementation of the $638 million Electricity Access Scale-up Project covering grid expansion, connectivity and clean energy options for one million new electricity connections. Further, the Government will continue investing in priority transmission lines and sub-stations, particularly to the industrial parks, growth centres and other strategic manufacturing facilities like the clinker factory in Moroto, Karamoja; the fertiliser factory in Kampirigisa, Mpigi; Simba Cement Factory in Mbarara, Western Uganda; Dei BioPharma in Matugga, Wakiso District; and; the Coffee Factory in Ntungamo, among others. iii) Commence development of new power generation plants to meet the growing demand. These include new hydropower plants at Ayago and Oriang in Nwoya District, and Kiba in Oyam District, the development of nuclear power in Buyende District, and the rehabilitation of Kiira- Nalubaale Power Plant. Industrial Development and Manufacturing Madam Speaker, with regard to industrial development and manufacturing, the following achievements have been registered: i) The Government has operationalised eight industrial parks, which include Namanve, Luzira, Bweyogerere, Mbale, Soroti, Kasese, Mbarara, and Jinja industrial parks. We have also supported the development of three privately-owned industrial parks, which are Liao Shen Kapeeka in Nakaseke District, MMP in Buikwe District, and Tian Tang in Mukono. ii) To-date, a total of 628 companies/industries have been allocated land within the various industrial parks, 47 per cent of which are in manufacturing. Out of all the companies allocated land, 307 are fully operational, 195 are undertaking construction, and 122 have commenced preparatory activities. The parks have attracted a total capital investment of $4.5 billion and created 181,403 jobs. iii) Madam Speaker, several industrial parks have become centres of innovation, hosting firms that have introduced new technologies and products, such as: a single HIV pill (Quality Chemicals Ltd); GIS transformers (Orion Electricals); plastic-to-fabric recycling (Fei Long Investment Ltd); locally manufactured electric vehicles (Kiira Motors); the first powder-free surgical gloves (East African Medical Vitals); and import substitution products like fridges, transformers, toiletries, textiles, ceramics, televisions, and blankets. iv) The government has supported industrialisation by investing in strategic manufacturing facilities through Uganda Development Corporation with a total investment of Shs 1.2 trillion. Madam Speaker, next financial year, I have provided Shs 308.9 billion to further support infrastructure development in industrial parks, including roads, waste management, drainage, and utilities; and Shs 187 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation (UDC). Security, Good Governance, and Rule of Law Madam Speaker, security, good governance and the rule of law are the foundation for socio- economic transformation. Everybody knows that. During this financial year, the following achievements were registered: i) Strengthened and modernised the security infrastructure to protect Ugandans, investors and our visitors from any security threats. We have invested in security apparatus and more sophisticated intelligence network and border control mechanisms. ii) Provided adequate funds to security institutions, including the Military, Police, Prisons, and intelligence agencies for operations, and improving the capacity and welfare of men and women in uniform. iii) Promoted regional and international relations, including playing a strategic role in peace processes in Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Equatorial Guinea;

17497 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 Ssembabule-Mateete-Mbiriizi with a branch to Kibinge-Kyabakuza; Myanzi-Kasanda-Kiboga – abantu bange abe Kassanda akalulu mukatereeze; Kikagate Kitwe-Mirama Hill – Mama was about to kill me on this one here. Kati mponye; Kabiingo-Rugaaga-Magabi-Rakai; Luweero-Butalangwa-Ngoma-Bulyamusenyi- Masindi; Kayunga-Bbale-Galiraya. I am going to get additional money for these roads because we have been talking about them for a long time. These will be in addition to the completion of the following roads: 92km Muyembe- Nakapiripirit and 25 kilometres of service roads; 21km Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions, 26 kilometres of Tororo-Busia Road and Mayuge and Busia Town Roads, 6.6 kilometres of Kawuku-Bwerenga Road, the 100-kilometre Apac-Lira-Puranga road – these are already being worked on. They are going to be finished – and 1.6 kilometres to Namugonde-Bugiri fuel tank reservoir. The roads for maintenance or reconstruction include – 1. Kampala-Jinja Highway – 72 kilometres; 2. Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima – 145 kilometres; 3. Mityana-Mubende Road – 86 kilometres; and Mubende-Kyenjojo Road, 95 kilometres; 4. Mityana Town roads – 14 kilometres – ab’eMityana mutereze akalulu banange. Buno obuli eyo tebulina kyebukola, butabula. Muleta obusajjasajja – 5. Alwii-Nebbi Road – 33 kilometres – this is in West Nile - Pakwach and Nebbi Town roads; 6. Olwiyo-Pakwach Road – 62 kilometres; 7. Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka – 41 kilome - tres – (Applause) Waliyo akasajja eyo e’Nakaseke. Abantu bange, mutereze ebigambo ebyo, obusajja obwo bugende bukole ebirala. 8. Tororo-Mbale-Soroti. This is a long one. 9. Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini Road – 189 kilometres. These are ongoing already. 10. Karuma-Olwiyo – 43 kilometres; 11. Masaka-Kyotera-Mutukula Road – 89 kilometres; 12. Nyendo-Villa Maria Road – 11 kilometres; 13. Access Roads – 7 kilometres and rehabilitation of 166 kilometres equivalent of national roads that have reached their service life. What they call “service life” is zikadiye . The strategic bridges to be prioritised – there is a road in Mpigi, Kasanje – aka’town akalala bakayita batya? Kisubi. Waliwo aka town eyo munda akalala; Nakawuka. Elyo sirilabye wano. Tulina okuriteekako nalyo. Naye abantu batereze obululu banange. The strategic bridges - so I will have to add that road. I thought we had started on it. The strategic bridges to be prioritised in the next financial year include the Sezibwa Bridge along Kalagi-Kayunga Road, Katonga Bridge, Lwera Swamp, and Kalandazi Swamp. Electricity In 1986, the whole country had only one hydropower plant; Nalubaale, formerly called Owen Falls Dam, built by the British in 1954, and commissioned by our late auntie, Queen Elizabeth, with the maximum capacity of 150 megawatts of hydroelectricity. There are now four large hydropower plants at Nalubaale, Kiira, Isimba and Karuma, with a combined generation capacity of 1,163 megawatts. Other sources such as Kigwabya and XsaboKonge Solar Power in Mubende have added another 888 megawatts. This brings the total installed electricity generation capacity to 2,052 megawatts. However, given the growing electricity demand arising from the new manufacturers, this is very inadequate and the available capacity will run out in about five years from now. When people talk of surplus, there is no surplus. It will very soon be overtaken.

We used to communicate with Ms Kagina and station managers in Masaka about the weaknesses and the challenges on our roads. They would have come out very fast to work on those roads, but as we speak – I have taken a month communicating with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, because he is the immediate person we can communicate with about these roads but it seems he does not know the roads he is supposed to work on. Lastly, Madam Speaker, as you talked last time, Masaka Road has a challenge. It has been four years since the road was diverted to go through Mpigi. You make diversions when you’re trying to work on the road as quickly as possible. We want to know from the Ministry of Works and Transport; has Mpigi Road become the permanent Masaka Road or must [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Vot DG.-|DtLE rrou*[UqX0O'l 889 Masindi District 2.283.561 890 Mafruse District 3.74r.314 891 Mbale District 4.258.404 892 llfbarara District 3.574.783 893 Mitooma District 5.833.974 894 Mitlrana District 3.115.081 895 Moroto District t.903.749 896 Morro District 2.558.666 897 Mpigi District 2.989.567 898 Muberrde District 3.891.823 899 Mukono Distrist 3,57L.739 900 Nabilahrk District 2.235.822 901 Nakapiripirit District 3,L68.O24 902 Nakaseke District s.298.902 903 Nakasongola District 2,768.377 904 Nanarringo District 2.762,795 905 Naraisindwa District 3,760.490 906 Nanuhrmba District 2,790.205 907 Napak District 2.767.585 908 Nebbi Distf,ict 2.919,540 909 Ngora District 2.452.235 910 Ntoroko District 2,4L7,457 911 Nhrngamo District 5,001.791 9L2 Nrvoya District 4,385.464 913 Obong District 1,426,37L 914 Omoro District 4,102.293 915 Otulc District 2,067.969 916 Orram District 4,560.542 9L7 Pader Distrist 3,065.637 918 Pakcrach District 2,329.327 919 Pallisa District 2.5s7.798 920 Rakai District 3,859,310 92L Rubanda Distrirct 6,526,22L 922 Rubirizi District 3,908,2L7 923 Rukiga District .Gx, 7rtl 1,951,129 924 Bukungiri DisEict ( lflt I 4,367,466 925 Rwanpara District tfi \LIPV 3.910.185 Sembabule District 797 901 't I ,i , \$ 4, / -$ ge s 'd$t t t

17128 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 The project remains incomplete to date due to delays in approving the Partial Risk Guarantee requested by pre-qualified consortia. In respect to this, the committee recommends and urges the Government to prioritise this project and ensure that land acquisition is strongly prioritised in the short term. The project is very crucial due to the fact that it is meant to decongest the Kampala-Jinja Highway. The Standard Gauge Railway The committee noted that the Government’s commitment to providing and releasing adequate funds for Project-Affected Persons’ compensation on this project remains sluggish, years after the launch in 2014 and its implementation since 2016. Delayed acquisition of the right-of-way has financial implications, since some Project- Affected Persons may require revaluation of their land. This has cost implications for the taxpayer. This is evidenced in the way that there is an ongoing reassessment of sections between parts of Buikwe to Kampala. Busega-Mpigi Expressway The committee recommends and urges Government to reduce risk of payment and contractor accumulation of interest claims on delayed payments by acting expeditiously. Works on the new Kampala inland port at Bukasa The committee recommends that the Ministry of Works and Transport should: i) Expedite the completion of all outstanding Phase 1 works, (including the dredging and swamp reclamation) in order to pave the way for the commencement of other project phases; ii) Ensure that the Ministry of Finance completes payment of all affected persons, fully secures the project site from access by all compensated Project-Affected-Persons (PAPs), unauthorised occupants and evicts any illegal occupants; and iii) Establish a full resource technical PIC to facilitate progress on the project and clear any outstanding claims by the consultants. 1.5 Loopholes in the provision of ferry services The committee recommended the following: i) The Government should undertake long-term, comprehensive, countrywide planning, including needs assessment, demand projection and cost implication to inform prioritisation and optimisation of ferry service provision; and ii) Regularly assess and compare the efficiency of ferries across Uganda, to identify opportunities for improvement and optimisation. 1.6 Upgrade of Bridges in the country The committee recommends the following: i. That the Government provides timelines on the proposed new bridge over Karuma, including: expected completion of feasibil - ity studies, necessary approval processes, preliminary and final designs, leading to the commencement of works in June 2026; and ii. Immediately implement the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), indicating the land acquisition for the bridge, funding for the RAP and compensation to the project- affected individuals. 1.7 National road projects with minimal budget provision The committee recommends that the Government avails additional resources for the implementation of these crucial projects. Mr Speaker, as I had earlier indicated, the committee also scrutinised the budget performance of the Sustainable Urbanisation

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The 10 new cities have operated in the last four years without road equipment, and severally, on the floor of the House, they have promised us that they will provide money to secure road equipment for them. I would like to be certain that the ministry has provided for that money. Secondly, the Busega-Mpigi Express Highway is part of the East African Northern Transport Corridor. Funds were secured. Mr Speaker, I saw you on that route on an oversight visit on our behalf. When you were there, works began to move, but currently, there is no work being done. We want to know the reason for the delay of this very important infrastructure that is connecting Uganda to the business world in the West. What is happening honourable minister? I submit.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Honourable minister, I am going to talk about the Mpigi-Busega Express. That road caused the diversion of the Masaka- Highway, so that all cars going to Masaka- Mbarara go through the Mpigi Town Council. The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) had requested only six months, but it is now almost one and a half years. Surprisingly, there is no work going on the Mpigi-Busega Express. We are worried because the traffic is too much, causing congestion and accidents in the Mpigi Town Council, and the road itself in Mpigi Town Council has been damaged, yet UNRA is no longer there. The second is on what we spend on the delay of the Mpigi-Busega Express. Colleagues, we spend almost Shs 75 million daily taking care of these delays. We spend almost Shs 2.3 billion monthly, care of the delay for the Mpigi- Busega Express. How are we going to handle this? What are we doing about it since we are in the budgeting process? Is this road abandoned? Nothing is taking place, honourable minister, and the Ministry seems comfortable. Lastly, there is the Bujuko-Katende Road. It was part of the maintenance program by the Mpigi-Busega Express contractors. Since they are no more, the road is in - (Member timed out.)

17058 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 generation, the Government is exploring the possibility of undertaking an 8,400 nuclear power project in Buyende. Feasibility studies have started. The Government also wishes to start a centre for Nuclear Science and Technology at Soroti University. The purpose of this is to have a project that will once and for all provide a substantial contribution of power to the grid. In order to attain this, the committee recommends that the Government provide at least Shs 10 billion for the purposes of feasibility study and commencement activities, and another Shs 3 billion for us to acquire the land that will enable us to undertake the 8,400-megawatt nuclear project in Buyende. Sustainable development of petroleum resources The committee recommends that the accounting officer of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda should enhance regulatory oversight so as to ensure the timely and cost-efficient completion of critical projects, including the drilling operations, oil extraction facilities, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The Status of the acquisition of right-of-way for the petroleum products pipeline (Buseruka to Mpigi) The committee notes that whereas progress has been made on the compensation of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) along the refined products pipeline from Buseruka-Hoima- Mpigi, the funding for the construction of houses for PAPs that opted for relocation rather than together with titling of their pipeline corridor construction of the community infrastructure, lively restoration is still pending. The committee recommends that the Government provides adequate funding for all outstanding contractual obligations, including the PAP implementation, as well as the construction of resettlement houses. The feasibility study for the Tanzania-Uganda Natural Gas Pipeline The committee recommends that the Government should provide Shs 2 billion to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for the gas pipeline feasibility study. Water and environment sector, support to the rural water project, source per village For every village in Uganda to get at least one safe water source, in line with the presidential directive, it would require Shs 1.5 trillion annually for the supply of the unserved villages in the country over the next five years. However, given the current financial constraints, the ministry requests Shs 50 billion, as additional funding, to implement a clean water source per village project in compliance with the presidential directive. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should provide Shs 50 billion to support the improvement of the water storage and distribution network expansion throughout the country. Inadequate budgetary allocations to the service acceleration project Service Coverage Acceleration Project (SCAP 100) under the National Water and Sewerage Corporation and SCAP 100 under the umbrella project of the ministry is one of the projects where the Government intends to ensure that even the townships, villages, and some rural growth areas receive piped water, as well as increase the distribution. Both of these projects have significantly suffered a severe cut of their budgets. SCAP 100 under national water to the extent of receiving only Shs 1 billion out of the Shs 30 billion, when the project was launched in 2019. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should provide an additional Shs 35.85 billion for SCAP 100 under the umbrella projects.

16934 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 concern of another honourable member, who asked about where these mechanisation centres are. The 19 mechanisation centres, according to a decision of Cabinet, are in all the subregions. We are supposed to establish one mechanisation per subregion. For example, Busoga, Bukedi, Bugisu, Sebei – those subregions that correspond with the old districts at independence. I think they are 18. The 19 th is supposed to be a national referral mechanisation centre, located at Namalere. Are they operational or not? We have started on the journey of establishing those 19 mechanisation centres. So far, we have only five in place. However, even those five are not fully equipped. Some of them are not fully constructed. Therefore, it is work in progress. For example, in Mbale, there is one that we started, which we are still constructing and equipping. Another one is in Lango – in Agwata. There is one in Kiryandongo and another in Mpigi to cater for the areas near Mpigi. We have one in Busoga, specifically in Iganga. We have just started the one in Iganga. Therefore, our plan is that in each of those mechanisation centres, there will be spare parts for the tractors that we distribute to the country. We shall not stop at that. We shall also train tractor mechanics and technicians. We shall also train operators of these machines, in those mechanisation centres. On the issue of the fishing community – that they are not supported – I think I have already addressed that. Hon. Byakatonda talked about the Malabo Declaration. I think this is for all of us, because this House has the mandate of appropriation. We need to progressively increase the budget for agriculture, in view of this. Hon. Kajwengye talked about the communal water facilities that are silted. Yes, we have made a proposal but as I said earlier, it is a budgetary matter; we need to address it together. Aligning research and development and production, for example, the anti-tick vaccine. On the anti-tick vaccines, we have made a request for funds for mass production of this vaccine and we hope that we shall get those funds. Mr Speaker, you have asked us to harmonise the two centres – the one of Prof. Kahwa – Prof Kahwa is from Makerere University – and the other centre of National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), in as far as the anti- vaccine study is concerned. It was –

16767 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025 47.174 billion to be used as follows: a. Shs 33.3 billion for compulsory acquisition of land in Mpigi District, which is owned by the Parliamentary SACCO, for the establishment of a military police barracks; and b. Shs 13.874 billion for operational shortfalls. The committee recommends approval of Shs 47.174 billion to Vote 004. Vote 007: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs – Shs 10.6 billion The committee was informed that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs requires Shs 10.6 billion to cover shortfalls on compensation of third parties. The committee recommends approval of Shs 10.6 billion to Vote 007. Vote 008: Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – Shs 166.5 billion The committee was informed that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development requires Shs 166.5 billion to meet shortfalls on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline financing under the Uganda National Oil Company. The Uganda National Oil Company already has these funds but requires appropriation. The committee, therefore, recommends approval of Shs 166.5 billion to Vote 008. Vote 010: Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) – Shs 27.481 billion The committee was informed that MAAIF requires Shs 27.481 billion to provide the following: a. Shs 18.252 billion to replenish funds that were used for hosting the African Union extraordinary summit on comprehensive AFRIC agriculture development programme, which was held in January; and b. Shs 9.229 billion to cover the costs of terminal benefits for staff impacted by the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX). These are from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Cotton Development Organisation, Dairy Development Authority, and National Agricultural Advisory Services. The committee recommends approval of Shs 27.481 billion to Vote 010. Vote 011: Ministry of Local Government – Shs 76.157 billion The committee was informed that the Ministry of Local Government requires Shs 76.157 billion, of which, Shs 35.2 billion is for the vehicles for local political leaders, such as the district chairpersons, city and municipal mayors; and that Shs 40.957 billion is for external funding from the Islamic Development Bank, for implementation of the Local Economic Growth Support project. The committee recommends approval of Shs 83.462 billion to Vote 011. Vote 900: Ex-gratia arrears to local governments – Shs 7.304 billion The committee was informed that various local governments under Annex II, required Shs 7.304 billion for arrears for ex-gratia and honoraria, for lower local council leaders. The committee recommends approval of Shs 7.304 billion for arrears of ex-gratia and honoraria, for various local governments as listed in the annex. Vote 020: Ministry of Information and Communications Technology – Shs 1.31 billion The committee was informed that the ministry received non-tax revenue (NTR) from the Uganda Communications Commission, from a 2 per cent levy collected from the communication operator. The ministry intends to spend the funds on the development of an artificial intelligence policy, and operationalisation of the parish development management information system. The committee recommends Shs 1.31 billion to Vote 020.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me table the names here with their pictures, by the way. And they are: 1. Kinobe Rashid was abducted from Nansana Wakiso; 2. Kiyimba Sharif from Mini Price; 3. Nyanzi Fred Sentamu from Wandegeya, who is the head of mobilisation, NUP; 4. Mercy Walukamba is the head of the Election Management Committee of NUP; 5. Alex Rovans Rwanyaga is a member of the Election Management Committee of NUP, was abducted from Mpigi; 6. Rahma Juma, a member of the NUP Election Management Committee was also abducted from Mpigi; 7. Kayabula Eddie, a member of the NUP Election Management Committee, abducted from Mpigi. I am tabling their names and the pictures -

Yes, and people do change parties. I will not talk about the presiding officer. (Laughter) Let me proceed with the issue I was raising. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the families of these people, together with our lawyers, went to police stations from all the areas where they were abducted from, here in Kampala and Mpigi. A group of our election management committee members went to bury the mother of one of them in Rakai. On their way back, they were kidnapped from Lungala in Mpigi. All those police stations nearby said they did not know what we were talking about. Madam Speaker, today, the Uganda Police Force, on its verified social media account, has put out a statement saying, they are not the ones who arrested these people. Can the Government then account? If it is not the Government, then it is probably some rebel outfit within town. The Government needs to tell us whether it is no longer in charge. Nevertheless, as far as we are concerned, Madam Speaker, of course, it is the Government because many people have been abducted in a similar fashion and they end up at the military court, wherever, in torture chambers and so forth. Madam Speaker, as I wrap up, on Sunday, the Government was celebrating the Janani Luwum Day. The Prime Minister led government officials to Kitgum to celebrate an incredible man who fought against injustice in this country. The government officials kept talking about how Idi Amin’s regime was abducting people and it was evil, but you people are doing the same thing. The law prescribes if you want to arrest somebody - how you get to do that.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I beg to lay the report of the Committee on National Economy on the addendum to the proposal to borrow up to Special Drawing Rights ( SDR ) 374.8 million (equivalent to $518 million) and receive a grant of Special Drawing Rights ( SDR ) 34.8 million (equivalent to $48 million) from the International Development Association of the World Bank Group and borrow up to Euro 40 million (equivalent to $42.66 million) from The Agence Française de Développement( AFD ) to finance the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP). Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the report and minutes of the committee while processing the loan. In the Plenary Sitting held on 19 December 2024, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development presented to Parliament an Addendum to the proposal by the Government to borrow up to Special Drawing Rights that I have already mentioned. This was referred to the Committee on National Economy. The committee held a meeting and received submissions from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs. As you know, on 2 May 2024, Parliament approved this borrowing. The financing for this project was approved by AFD Board on 14 December 2022 and the Government of Uganda was given up to 13 August 2023 to sign the financing. According to the prevailing finance market rates, the financing terms and conditions of AFD were valid for eight months from the date of the board approval, and thereafter, revised every six months. Based on this, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development was not able to sign the financing with AFD within the eight months due to the protracted negotiations on the contentious clauses in the draft financing agreement, which have now been resolved. In the communication dated 30 July 2024, AFD informed the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the new interest rate of six months Euribor - 0.24, which is valid until 22 March 2025. Mr Speaker, I am not going through the financing terms of the loan since the minister has already stated it. The status of the implementation Following the approval of the loan last year, the project is under implementation, and accordingly, there is steady progress in the civil works in all the nine entities that are under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. By the end of the first quarter of this financial year, Kira Municipality and Mukono Municipality had started implementation works of the flagship projects with a total length of 29.74 kilometres as per the table above. The additional road projects were advertised as at the end of September 2024. The programme had advertised 13 lots of road projects, which total up to around 81.25 kilometres from the six entities, namely: Wakiso Local Government, Mpigi District Local Government, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Makindye- Ssabagabo Municipality, Nansana and Entebbe Municipality. These entities were grouped into three clusters based on the proximity and experience to handle the infrastructure projects. The details of these clusters are indicated in the table. The committee, during the interaction with the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and [The Deputy Speaker] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

There has been an advert, I came across it online, actually on some platform, and I interested myself because they are young people who are looking for jobs. They wanted a communications officer, finance administration manager, office administrator and others. I interested myself in knowing about the organisation before I could actually forward this to those who are looking for jobs. I was shocked to find out that this organisation is based in Mpigi, Buyala, and among their mission is to create a resilient, sustainable, safe space for LGBTQ; lesbians, bisexuals, and queer persons through entrepreneurship advocacy and access to essential services. Mr Speaker, we passed a law in this country against LGBTQ activities. For an organisation to actually advertise and amongst what it is supposed to do is to ensure that it employs people to promote and ensure that the lesbian, bisexual and queer people in this country are protected and supported. I wonder how this can happen when this law is still fresh in our minds and we have President Trump reversing what is going on in the United States. Mr Speaker, Rella is a queer feminist umbrella organisation founded in 2017 to address challenges of LBGTQ. No, this one is lesbians, bisexual, and queer. Theirs are three. It is actually in this country. I took a step in calling somebody at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and the response I got is that what is registered at URSB is not what this organisation is promoting and doing in this country. What they are going to do, from their mission and objectives, is, they are giving employment to people. How? Through providing resources so that people can engage in entrepreneurship.

Thank you. Honourable members in the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have Hon. Peter Mutuluza Clever –(Applause)- former member of Parliament of Mawokota North, Mpigi, who was in the Seventh and Eight Parliament. You are most welcome. Thank you for coming. (Applause) Hon. Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP).

13652 THE OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION be adopted or not, will depend on whether the findings from the action research align with the principles of the PDM priority list. Question no.5. Hon. Michael Kakembo, Member of Parliament, Entebbe Municipality states that, “I bring to your attention the illegal issuance of land titles in Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve to individuals and companies. The forest reserve, which is about 200 acres, is one of the four important remnants of lowland forests near Lake Victoria that help filter water pollutants and silt that threaten the lake. It also acts as a windbreaker for the forest-adjacent settlements. Previously the communities lived in harmony with the forest and accessed medicine and firewood. At the moment, they are being restricted from accessing the forest. It is absurd that the encroachment and degradation of Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve is taking place under the watchful eye of the Government. In 2013, the National Forest Authority sanctioned a private investor to cut down some trees, claiming they had become old and were a danger to the adjacent communities. While trees were harvested, there was no reforestation. In 2018, part of the forest was fenced off by a private developer, who later constructed cottages and lodges. In 2022, NFA cleared the Fisheries Protection Unit of Uganda People’s Defence Forces to occupy part of the Kitubulu Central Reserve. To date, the following entities/individuals have attained titles in Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve: 1. Megha Industries Uganda Ltd; 2. David Hood, Mpigi; 3. Deborah Mbabazi, Entebbe Wakiso; 4. Megha Industries Uganda Ltd, Entebbe, Wakiso; 5. Mulkin Enterprises Ltd; 6. Megha Industries Uganda Ltd; 7. New Nordic(U)Ltd; 8. Triple Sound Investment Ltd. Upon receiving the disturbing information pertaining to the grand fraudulent titling of 46.227 hectares, that is freehold land titles of Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve to a private company called Triple Sound Investment Limited, we held a meeting over this fraud. The meeting was attended by officials from NFA and the local leadership. The NFA officials confirmed that while the title was genuine, it had been obtained through fraudulent means and that this is potentially the final nail in the coffin. We are aware that degazettement of forest land requires that the minister seeks the approval of Parliament, as per Section 8(1), (2a), (3), and (5) of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act.” His prayer is, “Can you outline any immediate plans or strategies – the other one was a question – that the Government has to protect and restore Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve, including the cancellation of fraudulent titles?” Mr Speaker, my response is that there have been attempts to encroach on Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve, including forest produce harvesting, illegal construction of settlement and illegal titling of the forest reserve land, which has sometimes culminated into court action against the Government. The illegal titling of the forest reserve land is done by some wrong elements in the Government or in Uganda Land Commission and Wakiso District Land Board in cohorts with the area land committees and finally, titles issued by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The Government has encountered seven titles created in Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve and the titles have been submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development for cancellation. We shall also continue sensitising the neighbouring communities in the municipality and fishing villages to coexist with the forest reserve. The Government, through the National Forestry Authority (NFA), has actively [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have heard the matter of national importance raised by Hon. Bataringaya. First of all, I want to correct the dates. The bridge was not washed away two years ago. It was washed away last year in May, so, it was not two years ago. This is what we are doing: as you have rightly said, Hon. Bataringaya, when the safety of the bridge was compromised, we did the following: 1. Created a diversion for most of the heavy trucks to go through the longer route of Mpigi, Ssembabule, Masaka and then re- join Mbarara; 2. Put a temporary crossing for light vehicles including pedestrians; and 3. Put up a bailey bridge, which serves the crossing of all trucks, including heavy trucks. A bailey bridge is not a permanent structure. That bridge was compromised because of the change in the environment – meteorological changes; the change of behaviour of Katonga River. We had to study the meteorological behaviours of that river so that we can make a new structure, which is resilient and can stand the test of time. We could not rush into re- establishing more or less the same bridge, which had been compromised. Therefore, what has been done is that a contractor has already been identified and given the contract to conduct the new design of that bridge. This was a design-and-build contract. The design was made, reviewed and passed. The construction of the bridge will start around October when everything else has been done. The contractor is not only addressing Katonga Bridge, but will also address the challenges in

Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the report of the Auditor-General on the financial statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2023 of: a) The road sector support project implemented by Uganda National Roads Authority Project; b) Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the Kapchorwa- Suam Road upgrading project loan under ADB; and c) Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the Busega-Mpigi Road Project. This is the report of the Auditor-General. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

13492 DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO SECTORAL COMMITTEES 5. Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi of Mawokota County South; 6. Hon. Francis Mwijukye of Buhweju County; 7. Hon. Ssemakula Luttamaguzi of Nakaseke South County; 8. Hon. Fred Kayondo of Mukono County South; and 9. Hon. Nelson Okello of Maruzi North County. I designate the following Members on the Committee on Public Service and Local Government: 1. Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima of Wakiso District; 2. Hon. Jimmy Lwanga of Njeru Municipality; 3. Hon. Teddy Nambooze of Mpigi District; 4. Hon. Juliet Kakande Nakabuye of Masaka City; 5. Hon. Godfrey Atkins Katusabe of Bukonzo West; and 6. Hon. Julius Peter Emigu of Ochero County I designate the following Members on the Committee on Education and Sports: 1. Hon. Geoffrey Ssolo Kayemba of Bukomansimbi South County; 2. Hon. Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu of Kalungu West County; 3. Hon. Michael Kakembo of Entebbe Municipality; 4. Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho of Jonam County; and 5. Hon. Sarah Aguti of Dokolo District. I designate the following Members on the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries: 1. Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika of Kimaanya- Kabonera Division; 2. Hon. Charles Matovu of Busiro County South; 3. Hon. Veronica Nanyondo of Bukomansimbi District; 4. Hon. Stella Isodo Apolot of Ngora District; 5. Hon. Florence Kabugho of Kasese District; 6. Hon. Betty Aol Ocan of Gulu City; 7. Hon. Asinansi Nyakato of Hoima City; 8. Hon. John Paul Lukwago of Kyotera County; 9. Hon. Maxwell Akora of Maruzi County; and 10. Hon. Santa Okot of Aruu North County.

13464 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 iii) Maintenance of 13 aerodromes, including Arua, Gulu, Pakuba, Masindi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese and Kisoro. Madam Speaker, with regard to water transport, the following were accomplished during the financial we are talking about - we are winding up: i) Completed the construction of three strategic ferries, namely; Amuru-Rhino Camp Ferry and two ferries for Bukungu- Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) route on Lake Kyoga; ii) Completed the construction of the Maritime Training Institute in Namasagali, and commenced construction works for the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Mwanza; iii) Completed 46 per cent construction works for search and rescue centres at Kaazi and 25 per cent at Kaiso, Panyimur and Zengebe landing sites; and iv) Continued with the development of new Kampala Port at Bukasa. With regard to railway transport, the following were accomplished during this financial: i) Acquired a 161-kilometre corridor for the standard gauge railway between Tororo and Mayuge; ii) Twenty eight per cent completion of rehabilitation of Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway; and iii) Completed emergency refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Malaba-Kampala- Namanve Metre Gauge railway. Madam Speaker, during Financial Year 2024/2025, more focus will be put on maintenance of the roads we have built, building a few new strategic roads, accelerated rehabilitation of the metre gauge railway and commencement of construction of the Standard Gauge Railway. I have provided a total of Shs 4.989 trillion for that purpose. In particular, the following transport infrastructure will be undertaken: Roads and Bridges i. Tarmacking of an additional 306 kilometres of roads under the ongoing projects; ii. Completion of upgrading of 210 kilometres of the following roads: Muyembe- Nakapiripirit (92 kilometres) and 25 kilometres of service roads; Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions (21 kilometres); Tororo-Busia Road (26 kilometres) and Mayuge and Busia town roads (18 kilometres); Kawuku-Bwerenga Road (6.6 kilometres) and Namugonde- Bugiri Road (1.6 kilometres); selected town roads (7.5 kilometres), in Pallisa and Kumi (12.2 kilometres); and remedial works on Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna Road (65 kilometres); iii. Commencing the upgrading/construction of 643 kilometres of the following road projects: Kisoro-Lake Bunyonyi Road Kisoro-Mgahinga National Park Headquarters Road; Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road; Yumbe-Ure Road; Kitgum- Kidepo; Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu Road; Katine-Ochero Road and 2.9 km of town roads in Kaberamaido and Kalaki towns; Kyenjojo-(Kihura)-Bwizi- Rwamwanja-Kahunge and Mpara- Bwizi; Iganga-Buloopa-Kamuli; and Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu; and Jinja City roads; Kisubi-Nakawuka- Natete; Nakawuka-Kasanje-Mpigi; and Nakawuka-MawuguluNanziga-Maya- Kasanje-Buwaya roads; iv. Upgrading to bitumen standard (tarmac) 16.9 km of roads in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, and Gomba District; v. Completing the construction of 20.2 km of Kayunga-Nabuganyi Road; vi. Completing the construction of Kakiri- Masulita-Mawale Road (23 km);

Yesterday, I met the Managing Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). Almost five villages in my constituency have been affected. For the last 10 years, residents in the areas of; Kasokoso, Namataba and Kirinya were stopped from using and developing their land saying that the road would pass there. We have had meetings with Hon. Ecweru and they said, we are now ready to pay. UNRA does not have money. What they are doing now - the finance ministry can explain. They give UNRA one total figure for land acquisition, but they already have a bulk of uncleared compensation, including the Kampala-Mpigi Expressway, we have not finished many areas. Attorney-General, if you have been given information by works minister, they have lied to you. No compensation is done in the whole of my constituency. We are about to come to your office.

)4;{? #- ,} fl:' ,t \i 1 -- il- - .:i:- 4l'l "i \Ir- l,l A t \t, ./, ML 15 I l \\ i"r t, \- Amount (OOO'| I Vote Descrlptlon Kotido District 13,536,892 87t 32,287,740 872 Kumi District 22,448,O49 873 Kwania District Kween District 23,483,046 874 27,t44,881 875 Kyankwanzi District 30,023,121 876 Kyegegwa District 877 Kyenioio District 41,375,555 874 Kyotera District 38,098,598 20,772,32r 879 La.mwo District 25,977,O29 880 Lira District 88r Luuka District 30,193,940 882 Luwero District 76,754,416 31,951,654 883 Lwengo District Lyantonde District 2r,65t,622 884 \885 Madi-Oko1lo District 18,292,316 30,930,306 \beo Manafwa District 887 -\J Maracha District 27,86r,236 888 Masaka District t4,479,506 24,850,064 889 Masindi District Mayuge District 47,435,948 890 891 Mbale District 42,274,528 a92 Mbarara District 26,666,L35 31,888, 1 13 893 Mitooma District 33,OO2,47L 894 Mityana District 895 Moroto District t4,769,O25 -_896 Moyo District 24,665,O9O Mpigi District 32,393,3s3 897 898 Mubende District 28,702,368 54,266,t93 899 Mukono District 900 Nabilatuk District 10,830,654 12,968,813 901 Nakapiripirit District * ff*- I --L . .._.1r,

--T1tr- l+- ;,? "t ''i.. ?Y\,L \i. t -fi' --t*;=*" M I t({,,- I i: ij lL I v t1 f t l"=' ti.j Y Amount (OOO'| Vote Descriptlon 7,328,OO8 Manafwa District 886 3,44t,331 Maracha District 887 3,471,050 888 Masaka District 4,882,502 Masindi District 889 6,068,543 890 Mayuge District 6,429,337 Mbale District 891 3,641,820 492 Mbarara District 9,052,297 Mitooma District 893 6,6a2,495 894 Mityana District 1,658,849 895 Moroto District 1,922,2O4 896 Moyo District 3,477,355 897 Mpigi District 6,69L,743 898 Mubende District 3,766,672 899 Mukono District 4,343,422 Nabilatuk District 900 3,OL6,472 901 Nakapiripirit District 5,835,018 902 Nakaseke District 2,548,6t5 903 Nakasongola District 4,536,596 904 Namayingo District 4,9t8,709 Namisindwa District 905 3,981, 161 906 Namutumba District 3,807,O77 907 Napak District 4,970,272 Nebbi District 908 2,906,306 909 Ngora District t,75A,026 Ntoroko District 910 7,940,925 911 Ntungamo District 5,490,899 Nwoya District 9t2 L,649,499 913 Obongi District 2,603,313 9t4 Omoro District 2,577,067 915 Otuke District 6,868,886 9t6 Oyam District 3,127,34r 917 Pader District 2,692,356 918 Pakwach District 4,682,708 9t9 Pallisa District 3,493,436 920 Rakai District 5,950,433 92t Rubanda District 3,4tt,704 922 Rubirizi District ,-i I ,r 4 27 F$*\

13304 THE VALUE-ADDED TAX ( A MENDMENT) B ILL, 2024 Roads in Kampala Capital City and Kampala Metropolitan districts of Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi and in other areas of the country have completely broken down. There is a general cry that leaders are swimming in luxury at the expense of taxpayers. This needs to be addressed before any new tax measure is proposed. We need to restore confidence. Stability, as I learnt from Hon. Kateshumbwa, is a key principle in taxation. Taxes should be introduced at least every five years, not annually like it is with this Government. If the country is still crying with the implementation of existing taxes, is your answer to impose new ones? Why don’t we first deal with leakage (corruption) and use the savings to finance the budget rather than thinking of new tax measures? (Applause) You, Parliament, are going to be blamed for new taxes as you are blamed for the old ones. For once you can say “no.” 5. Tax on Fuel The Bill proposes to increase the tax on petrol and diesel by Shs 100. The government is currently collecting – and please take note - Shs 1450 per litre of petrol, Shs 1130 per litre of diesel. Annually, the Government collects Shs 1.6 trillion on petrol, Shs 1.1 trillion on diesel and about Shs 3 billion on kerosene. Taxes on both petrol and diesel are a key driver of fuel pump prices. Uganda levies the highest tax on fuel in the region. Tax per litre of petrol (gasoline) and tax per litre of diesel – I do not know if these can be displayed or Hon. Musasizi has connived with those who are displaying this information because I do not know how to read it. Anyhow, if it is not displayed, I guess all of you, colleagues, have this report; you can look at it by yourself, but the point is that we are levying the highest tax in the region. I have provided a table in the report. Kenya, for example, is charging the equivalent of Shs 646 per litre. I have told you we are currently charging Shs 1450, then you can read the others because I want to - I thought the report is uploaded. Madam Speaker and Members, when you take a comparative analysis of fuel taxes in East African countries, levied on petrol (gasoline) and diesel across four East African countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, you note that Kenya imposes relatively lower taxes compared to its East African Community counterparts, especially on diesel. This may contribute to a more competitive fuel market and potentially lower consumer prices. The implications of this increase in fuel prices have a multifaceted impact. Firstly, higher fuel taxes, as exemplified in Uganda, often burden consumers, particularly low-income households, by escalating the cost of living and transportation and making Ugandans poorer. On the other hand, lower taxes, as observed in Kenya and Tanzania, foster a more competitive business landscape and reduce production costs, potentially enhancing economic competitiveness, something we would admire to have in this country. It is important to note that while we appreciate the crucial role fuel taxes serve as a significant source of Government revenue, excessively high taxes stifle economic growth by suppressing consumption and investment, thus the reason we reject further Excise Duty Tax increases on fuel because we need to balance between revenue generation and fostering economic activity in this country. Madam Speaker, businesses will be compelled to transfer these additional expenses to consumers, potentially resulting in widespread price hikes across various goods and services. This escalation in prices could lead to inflationary pressures and potentially restrain consumer spending. Additionally, such price surges may justify opportunistic businesses to inflate their prices beyond what is warranted solely by the fuel tax increase. The rise in fuel prices inevitably escalates production costs, presenting challenges for manufacturers heavily reliant on diesel as an auxiliary power source. THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 [Mr Ssemujju]

The minority is complaining. Timing of new tax proposals Madam Speaker, there is already instability in the tax sector as the main report has reported. Traders have just re-opened their shops. There is a general feeling of over-taxation with very little to show for it, in terms of social services. Roads in Kampala City, Kampala metropolitan districts of Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi and other areas in the country have completely broken down. There is a general outcry that leaders are swimming in luxury at the expense of taxpayers. The other day Parliament approved a supplementary budget of Shs 1.1 trillion, including Shs 576 billion that was gifted to Mr Mathias Magoola. What do you think citizens will feel about this; that you are collecting to give away? This needs to be addressed before any new tax measure is proposed. We need to restore confidence; stability is a key principle in taxation. Taxes should be introduced at least every five years. That is what the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development committed himself to do - not annually like it is with this Government. If the country is still crying with the implementation of existing taxes, is your answer to impose new ones? Why don’t we first deal with the leakage; corruption, and use the savings to finance the budget rather than thinking of new tax measures ? (Applause)

Government Chief Whip, you need to tell your Members to take this House seriously. This is a very serious matter. We are in a budgeting process. Before you know the status of the other roads that you budgeted for - I am talking to my Government Chief Whip, but he is busy smiling at the girls. (Laughter) Honourable members, we need to get serious on this – (Whereupon Gen. Katumba entered the Chamber.) I am happy the General has come. General, we are here patiently waiting for you. Thank you for coming. We are on the status of the implementation of NDP III road projects. General, as you get ready, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils from St John’s Junior School, Bujuuko in Mpigi District. They are represented by Hon. Teddy Nambooze - Hon. Teddy, stand up and wave at the kids. That is your Member of Parliament. They are also represented by Hon. Hillary Kiyaga Hilderman . Where is Hilderman? Thank you very much for coming. These are your Members of Parliament and they are doing very well. Please have a seat. Join me in welcoming the young angels. (Applause) Honourable members, in the public gallery, we also have students from Mubende Army Secondary School. They are represented by Hon. Nakazibwe Hope Grania, Hon. Lubega Bashir and Hon. Kabanda David. You are most welcome and you are very smart. (Applause) They have red ties, they have FDC – (Laughter) – please, have a seat.

- to undertake major national road projects such as tolled expressways and managing toll operations, dualling of major road corridors, flyovers, and long span bridges such as the Nile Bridge, on top of the need for efficient operation and maintenance of the network. These undertakings all require more specialist skills and efficient management than what UNRA has currently and should rather be enhanced instead of being mainstreamed. The relevance of UNRA is expected to be more pertinent moving forward when more of these planned complex projects under public-private partnerships, toll roads such as the Kampala- Mpigi, Kampala-Jinja, Kampala-Southern Bypass, Kampala-Bombo Expressway, output performance-based contracts and long-span cable-stayed bridges are to be implemented. The committee further observed that a number of projects under UNRA are financed by loans whose agreements between the Government and the creditors specify that UNRA is an implementing agency. A change in the implementing agency will require a renegotiation whose outcome and duration is unpredictable. The committee is therefore, concerned that the Government is likely to suffer a setback of delayed project implementation and completion of such important and strategic road infrastructure because of shocks that come with the rationalisation process. Further, aware of the challenges that may currently be existing at UNRA, such as a bloated structure-

-inadequate stakeholder management, as well as other governance challenges, the committee notes that UNRA has served the purpose of its creation and it is still relevant given the importance attached to the development of the national road network. 5.3. Burden of wasteful expenditure Objective 2, clause 2(a) of the UNRA Act (Repeal) Bill, 2024 is to the effect that the mainstreaming and rationalisation of UNRA is aimed at relieving the Government of finance drain on its resources and the burden of wasteful expenditure. The committee noted that, much as UNRA is not entirely a revenue-generating entity, it is currently collecting toll revenue of Shs 3.7 billion per month from the Kampala- Entebbe Expressway, which is deposited into the consolidated fund after operational and maintenance costs have been catered for. The committee noted that in 2022 and 2023, UNRA collected a total of Shs 75 billion. This revenue is projected to increase upon completion of Busega-Mpigi and Kampala- Jinja Expressway, among others.

Thank you, honourable Chairperson. We are basically repealing and transferring the functions to the mainstream ministry. In the public gallery this morning, we have students and teachers of King David Junior School from Mawokota North County, that is in Mpigi. They are represented by Hon. Kiyaga Hillary and Hon. Teddy Nambooze. Thank you for coming. You are smart. Please, take your seats. Join me in welcoming the little angels. Yes, Hon. Ebwalu? A motion from the chairperson.

Thank you for that information. Let me give you a fact, my brother; I come from an area with a long forest cover, not only in my constituency - that cuts across Mpigi, Mawokota, Masaka all the way to Busujju - that whole forest cover was under NFA, and under the watch of NFA where there was a standing forest, NFA gave it to a private tree planter who destroyed the forest with excavators, removing pillars. This is an institution we should have done away with yesterday!

Thank you so much. In the VIP gallery this morning, we have Hon. Mutuluza Peter, the former Member of Parliament for Mawokota North, Mpigi District. You are most welcome. We also have in the VIP gallery, Hon. Aleper Simon Peter, former Member of Parliament for Moroto Municipality. He is also a central executive committee member; he is here too - even a P.1 kid can - of DFCU. Thank you so much. Honourable members, I have guests who have been sitting here from 6.00 a.m., waiting for their petition. How I wish we could first dispose of it. See how this Banyarwanda is behaving. Have you seen him?

Thank you. Honourable members, the two ministers of Karamoja - go back and sit and agree on the position. You even said you want to meet the President over this. I am giving you time. Instead of appreciating the time being given, you are just- Honourable members in the public gallery, we have students of Kyanja High School, Mpigi District; you are most welcome. Please, stand up and we see you. They are represented by Hon. Teddy Nambooze and Hon. Hillary Kiyaga Innocent “Hilderman”. You are most welcome. Thank you so much for coming.

12544 SECTORAL C O MMITTEE R E P O R TS required amount is Shs 6.1 billion to provide 120 various police forms and 3l books. The committee recommends an additional provision of Shs 3.9 billion in the Financial Year 2024/2025 budget to procure sufficient stationery needed at all police stations and units to stop the public from procuring police forms. On transport equipment, the Uganda Police Force intends to acquire a new fleet of patrol vehicles for all districts, troop carriers and motorcycles at Shs 539.303 billion. However, Shs 22.037 billion has been provided during the Financial Year 2024/2025, leaving a funding gap of Shs 517.266 billion. We recommend therefore, a provision of Shs 19.47 billion be provided to procure transport equipment for all districts during the Financial Year 2024/2025 and the balance over the medium term. On gender compliance, the Uganda Police Force scored 75.4 per cent from 73 per cent in the last financial year. We encourage them to aim higher. 6.6 Vote 145: Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) 6.6.1 Budget performance for the first half of the Financial Year 2023/2024 is annexed for reference. The overall budget performance is at 50.8 per cent of the annual budget, above the pro-rata target of 50 per cent. Mr Speaker, we recommend that the Uganda Prisons Service plans its procurement to improve service delivery. In addition, UPS should develop a comprehensive development project to guide the implementation of construction subprojects and strengthen governance in project implementation. 6.6.1.2 Prisoners accommodation The current (as of 19 March 2024) prisoner population stands at 76,052, of which 95.2 per cent are male and 4.8 per cent are female. Of the population, 53.8 per cent are convicted and serving their sentences, while 45.5 per cent are on remand. The remaining others are debtors. The Uganda Prisons have an approved capacity of 20,996, implying 55,056 prisoners are over the approved capacity, implying an occupancy rate of 362.2 per cent. This is alarming. This means that congestion at Uganda Prisons Service is partly created by delayed justice from the Judiciary, a slow pace at increasing the holding capacity of prisons, rising levels of crime or offenders of the law, and arrests without warrants, among others. Constructing a mini-max prison requires Shs 102.9 billion, and three low-security prisons require Shs 24 billion. The committee, therefore, recommends that the funding for the mini-max prison be provided in a phased manner. Effectively a provision of Shs 18 billion in the Financial Year 2024/2025 will be prioritised to provide funds for constructing one mini-max prison in Mbarara. 6.6.2 Budget estimates for the Financial Year 2024/2025 is annexed and the overall performance is also laid there. Regarding prisoner accommodation, as of l9 March 2024, the prisoner population – I have already highlighted that the congestion is alarming. We recommend that the Uganda Prisons Service should be provided with an additional Shs 3 billion to acquire land in Mpigi for additional space to accommodate prisoners. Further, there is a need to enhance access to justice through prison alignments to courts of law and the timely production of prisoners to court by procuring transport machinery, among others. On ICT, we noted that the Uganda Prisons Service established Prisons Management Information System (PMIS), which is being rolled out in three prisons: Upper, Murchison Bay and Luzira Women. However, phase 2 requires Shs 6 billion, but only Shs 1 billion has been provided.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the chairperson and committee for this elaborate report. Mine is about the allocation of Shs 3 billion to buy land in Mpigi for more prisoners. We did not look at why these prisoners keep accumulating. It is because the Judiciary has a backlog of cases. If we do not institute speedy trials, this problem will not be solved. We shall keep buying land all over the country, trying to expand the prisons. You gave us some statistics regarding debtors, but the court has a provision for those who borrowed less than Shs 50 million. So, I encourage the Judiciary to look at that scheme to reduce on the civil debtors in prisons to avoid congestion and spending taxpayers’ money on buying more land. I submit.

Having said that, on decongesting – Mr Speaker, I will be restrained from making comments on others. Although I am seated here, the minister will have to respond. I restrain myself and remain aware that I am a legislator, not a member of the Executive. Therefore, I will not make some comments. However, there are those that are within my reach, like the need to decongest our prisons. Hon. Nabukeera said that. We put a question to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They said that prison over congestion is a fact. Why we need to buy land within the Mpigi area is that all the appellate courts are concentrated in Kampala. Decongesting Luzira and other prisons is an action in the immediate. The issue of relocation is not within our reach yet. Two, on the islands, as Hon. Migadde raised, again, I think the minister has to respond to that. As for prison uniforms at a cost of Shs 100,000, may I have the opportunity to report to the august House that we have made provision for two sets so it is not one. On salary enhancement for police, again, that is for the minister to respond. I am happy that the whole House has come to recognise, like they have done before, that central to our criminal justice system lies CIID and Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL). As the committee chairperson, I support the idea of creating a Vote or, in the immediate, ring-fencing provisions for CIID. (Applause)

12423 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2024 5.1.4 Ministry of Local Governments Budget allocations In the Financial Year 2024/2025, the ministry has been allocated a total budget of Shs 202.395 billion as summarised in Table 9 below. Out of the total budget of Shs 202.395 billion, Shs 9.297 billion is to finance the Wage Bill of the ministry and Shs 43.712 billion for Non-Wage Recurrent Expenditures. The budget for the Government of Uganda development amounts to Shs 21.360 billion while that for external financing totals to Shs 127.789 billion. In addition, the ministry has been allocated Shs 0.237 billion for pension and gratuity arrears and other domestic arrears. 5.1.5 Ministry of Local Government priorities for the Financial Year 2024/2025 Based on the above proposed budget in table 9, in the Financial Year 2024/2025, the ministry has prioritised the following interventions: a) Coordination and monitoring of PDM implementation b) Rehabilitation of agro processing facilities c) Waste management d) Local economic development e) Agri-LED f) Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project. Under this, the ministry plans to review and prepare designs for eight markets of Nebbi Central, Nyahuka Town Council, Iganga Central, Kotido Main Market, Kisoro Old Market, Karuguuza Daily Market, Kibale Town Council, Mpigi Central and Masindi. In addition, the ministry will identify and prepare eight temporary relocation sites in urban centres and undertake needs assessment for value addition facilities under MATIP 3. 5.1.6 Committee observations and recommendations (i) Harmonisation of the legal framework The committee observed that the contradictions in the legal framework surrounding local government finances have affected service delivery for several years now. Committee observes that whereas the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, and the Local Government Act, Cap. 243 provide for decentralisation and the devolution of functions, powers and services and empowers local governments to levy, charge, collect and appropriate local revenues. Local revenue is instead remitted to the consolidated fund. This is attributed to the Treasury Single Account Payment Processing and Reporting System. And the directive by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to transit all local revenues collected to Consolidated Fund for subsequent allocation to the respective local governments. As a result, local governments face financial difficulties because of the increased and consistent retention of local revenue by the Central Government over time. For instance, Shs 3.1 trillion was held in the Consolidated Fund in the Financial Year 2023/2024. This has crippled service delivery at the local level in that urgent and even simple services like garbage collection have stagnated. More importantly, local governments have been demoralised and rendered powerless to effect service delivery, which has also demoralised taxpayers from paying taxes. As a result, the share of local revenue contribution to the national envelope has dropped from 13 per cent in the financial year 2022 to 9.8 per cent currently. The committee observes that decentralisation was intended to extend services closer to people and recognise the economic and social transformational frontline role that local governments play to deliver services to the people. This role should be aided and not curtailed. While the committee recognises that the previous system where local revenues would be collected and spent at source had challenges, recentralisation of local revenues is not the solution.

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, with the numerous accidents on Masaka Road, the Government hospital we have is Mpigi Health Centre IV. When are we getting an ambulance for this facility because with all the numerous accidents, the Government has not gotten the attention to provide us with at least one? How many people do we have to lose, such that the Government pays attention to this?

Mr Speaker, the Government continues to buy ambulances. A number of hospitals and health centres IV have been provided with ambulances. I promise that Mpigi Health Centre IV will also get an ambulance.

Mr Speaker, I sometimes sympathise with my Government. When Katonga Bridge was washed away by floods – all the trucks, including small vehicles, at first, were going through Mpigi, Ssembabule, up to Villa-Masaka, Kalungu. I expected you, Hon. Namugga, to appreciate. It takes a brave Government to have such alternative routes. She was asking about what the people of Ssembabule did to this Government.

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

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

The designation of Members on the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) is as follows: 1. Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi – Chairperson; 2. Hon. Gorreth Namugga – Deputy Chairperson; 3. Hon. Susan Mugabi - Buvuma; 4. Hon. Godfrey Saazi - Gomba East County; 5. Hon. David Kalwanga - Busujju County; 6. Hon. Manjeri Kyebakutika - Jinja City; 7. Hon. Teddy Nambooze - Mpigi; 8. Hon. Nathan Nandala-Mafabi - Budadiri County West; 9. Hon. Moses Kabuusu - Kyamuswa County; 10. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal - Dokolo; 11. Hon. Bob Okae - Kwania North County; 12. Hon. Asuman Basalirwa - Bugiri Municipality; and 13. Hon. Joseph Ssewungu - Kalungu West County. I beg to designate - yes, he is on appointments, Madam Speaker.

11330 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Mr Migadde] debt servicing cost for the particular period, including annual projections. The committee recommends that the Minister of Works and Transport renegotiates the risk premium at a lower rate and also have it fixed for the entire debt servicing period since the bank will incorporate the secured overnight financing rate in computing the payment instalments. This can serve as a parameter to reflect changes in the market condition as its variation is caused by the same. Upgrading Kyenjojo (Kihura)–Bwizi– Rwamwanja–Kihunge (68 kilometres) and Mpara-Bwizi (37 kilometres) The committee noted that the project appraisal document and the minister’s brief indicate that the selected roads for upgrading under this financing proposal have been prioritised for implementation during the third National Development Plan (NDP III). The committee further noted that the upgrading of Kyenjojo (Kihura)–Bwizi–Rwamwanja- Kahunge (68 kilometres) and Mpara-Bwizi (37 kilometres) were not part of NDP III projects under the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services. The committee was informed that the road was part of the NDP III project but was termed under “Rwimi-Dura-Kamwenge Road”. The committee, therefore, recommends that the project name contained in NDP III be maintained for consistency with the NDP III. The committee also recommends that going forward, all MDAs should adhere to the provisions of the NDP III to avoid distortions. The road is the same, but the naming does not tally with what is in the NDP III. Land Acquisition and Compensation of Projects Affected Persons In line with project costing and provisions in the financing agreement, the committee notes that the Government of Uganda is expected to contribute $22 million towards land acquisition. In addition, the Government of Uganda is expected to cater for all VAT-related costs that will arise during project implementation. The committee observed that a number of projects being implemented by the Uganda National Roads Authority have experienced implementation delays because inadequate resources are allocated to land acquisition and the composition of projects affected persons. Acquisition of land and right of way in the project sites is vital before the on-boarding of contractors by UNRA to ensure the timely execution and completion of projects. The committee recommends that MDAs should always undertake project designs prior to sourcing for money in order to minimise project delays and accrual of sufficient resources be allotted to land acquisition and composition of project-affected persons for this project. Additionally, adequate funds be provided to cater for land acquisition needs for all ongoing roads to ensure they are fast-tracked and achieve their intended objectives. Design and Scope Changes The committee observed that some externally financed projects such as Busega-Mpigi Expressway have to undergo design changes and re-scoping of works. This, in effect, affects the progress of works due to the delayed finalisation of the designs and has most times resulted in increased variation costs. The committee noted that the design changes are occasioned by the need to improve road designs, minimise land acquisition costs, incorporate environmental and social safeguards, among others, so as to optimise project outcomes. The committee was informed that UNRA has built and continues to build capacity in network planning, designs and engineering and has since undertaken numerous designs in-house.

11169 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2023 Possibilities and opportunities have, therefore, been opened for everyone thanks to the Government’s big tent approach. In summary, the space that allows for the emergence of such diverse but special and expression can be anything but shrinking. Issues to do with the November 2020 riots and attendant loss of lives, injuries, destruction and related matters - Madam Speaker, this is yet one other additional response on this matter and all others incidental thereto. Contrary to what the Leader of the Opposition claims, an investigation was done immediately after the riots and a report to that effect was presented to the last Parliament by the then Minister of Internal Affairs. That, in addition to other subsequent numerous responses made about the subject matter, including in this Parliament, I needed to make that clarification from the onset to clear the air. That said, and by way of a recap, violent riots broke out and rocked various parts of the country in November 2020 before they were quelled by police and other security agencies. These riots covered Kampala and Wakiso, which were the epicenter of the riots, as well as Mukono, Masaka, Kyotera, Lwengo, Mpigi, Luwero, Wobulenzi, Mityana, Lugazi, Njeru, Jinja, Buwenge, Iganga, Namayingo, Namutumba, Luuka, Kamuli, Budaka, Busia, Mbale, Arua and Gulu, respectively. During these riots, extensive loss of property, (private and public) and damage to and loss of lives were registered. The destruction incidental to the riots, or directly arising from the various riotous acts, was immense. This included; deliberate acts of arson, or torching of buildings and vehicles, use of stones and other objects to hit innocent members of the public, motorists, security personnel and property, physical assault, manhandling and abuse of members of the public as well as law enforcement officers, staging of illegal roadblocks and demanding money with menaces from members of the public. There was also burning of tires to damage and block public roads and throwing petrol bombs into buildings and at security/law enforcement officers, among others. During this chaos, even ordinary sanctified places like court premises were not spared. Wobulenzi Court premises were set ablaze. Fifty six people lost their lives, including those by gunshot wounds and others whose deaths were through other causes incidental to the riots. The latter category includes those that lost their lives as a result of motor vehicle accidents, involving for example, vehicle registration number UAN 827N, whose driver lost control after being hit by a stone and knocked two people dead namely; Nalwada Kevin and Nsimbe Shafik. Forty six people out of the 56 victims were male adults and three were male juveniles. Forty eight of the victims were from Kampala metropolitan areas. This includes Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono. Two were from Jinja, two from Luwero, one from Rakai, one from Kinoni in Lwengo, one from Butambala and one from Mpigi, respectively. Madam Speaker, security operations are governed by the law to ensure and guide the participating forces on the employment of lethal force. This is ensured through a number of ways, including training, briefing before operations, and debriefing post-operations, as well as dissemination of rules of engagement, which have been distilled and reduced into pocketbooks for the tactical operators. The standard operating procedures on the use of force booklet is attached as Annex B to this statement. These are the aid memoirs to assist operators to make informed and rational judgment depending on the circumstances of each case and the prevailing situation, but mindful of the principles of necessity and proportionality in the use of force. These measures, Madam Speaker, were in place. The investigations done post the riots established the cause of death and injury without conclusive findings about the circumstances of each of the deaths and injuries; save for Auxiliary No.01700LDF Mustapha Ssali, who was charged and convicted for the killing of

10818 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT (b) Storied Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Personalisation Centre: A three-storied personalisation building is to be constructed at the ministry headquarters. This is to ease office space accommodation and improve service delivery. That is not yet done. 3. Regional enrolment centres and missions abroad. (a) Regions with fully furnished and equipped enrolment centres in Mbale, Mbarara, and Gulu were done. The ones which are not done are Arua and Jinja. (b) Missions abroad with fully furnished and equipped enrolment centres in Washington D.C., London, Pretoria, Copenhagen, Ottawa, Abu-Dhabi, and Beijing, were done. (c) Images of polycarbonate and paper- based passports: Comparison between old passports (paper-based passports) and the new passports (polycarbonate passports). You can see from the diagram on the data page that this was done. (d) Security features: Laser tactile feature, MCD, holothread, Magic ID, MLI, Transparent Window, OVI. The status is the optically variable ink feature and all the details there. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, honourable minister. This is an update and these are issues which the sectoral committee should follow up as we had said. Next item. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO MITIGATE ACCIDENTS ON THE MPIGI-KANONI ROAD

10784 STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS It is expected that 80 kilotonnes and 20 kilotonnes per year of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be produced from the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects, respectively. This will enable the country to reduce deforestation and hence, save us from any climate change impact. (Applause) Refinery project Mr Speaker, Government is taking forward the development of the 60,000 barrels per day oil refinery in Kabaale, Hoima District. I will be announcing the winning bidder for the refinery project soon after the Project Framework Agreement with Albertine Graben Energy Consortium expires in June 2023. The next one is to announce the winning bidder. Regarding the refined products pipeline project that traverses six districts, over a distance of 213 kilometres from Hoima to Mpigi, the land acquisition process is currently ongoing and is at 74 per cent. (Applause) East African Crude Oil Pipeline Mr Speaker, in January 2023, Government issued a permit to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline company to construct the pipeline. The progress for a detailed design for the EACOP pipeline and attendant facilities being undertaken by Worley in London and Dar es Salaam stands at 66 per cent. Construction of the thermal insulation Plant in Tanzania is at 95 per cent, together with the installation of equipment for two coating trains is ongoing. In Uganda, civil works commenced in August and this will be followed by works at the other camps. The Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for affected persons within the 10 districts where the East African Crude Oil Pipeline crosses is ongoing. Approximately 94 per cent of the affected persons have consented and signed documents, while 88 per cent of the affected persons who opted for cash payment have been cleared and paid. The ministry, companies and key stakeholders are attending to grievances associated with the land acquisition process. In conclusion, Government and its partners are working tirelessly and I am happy to report that we are on track to have the first oil by the end of 2025. I thank you, honourable colleagues, for your continued support. I would like to invite the Rt Hon. Speaker and honourable colleagues to come on the ground and see what I have presented in this document. You will always be welcome. Thank you very much. (Applause)

10787 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2023 Finally, the refined products pipeline – Refining the petroleum products in Hoima and transporting those refined products to Mpigi and again re-transporting them using trucks back to the western part of the country seems not to be a well-thought-out plan. Therefore, I wonder whether this could still be modified so that some refined products are left to go to the western part of the country, other than being transported to Mpigi and then taken back. I thank you.

10801 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2023 the prescribed time to ensure the timely preparation of the treasury memoranda and timely implementation of recommendations of Parliament; NOW, THEREFORE, Parliament, in accordance with Article 163(5) of the Constitution and Section 19(4) of the National Audit Act, 2008, resolves to adopt the recommendations of the Auditor-General in respect to the following local government entities: Entities under the Public Accounts Committee (Local Government) 1. Mbale District Local Government; 2. Mbale City; 3. Namisindwa District Local Government; 4. Manafwa District Local Government; 5. Bulambuli District Local Government; 6. Kibuku District Local Government; 7. Tororo District Local Government; 8. Sironko District Local Government; 9. Budaka District Local Government; 10. Busia District Local Government; 11. Busia Municipal Council; 12. Butaleja District Local Government; 13. Kapchorwa District Local Government; 14. Kapchorwa Municipal Council; 15. Kween District Local Government; 16. Tororo Municipal Council; 17. Bukwo District Local Government; 18. Pallisa District Local Government; 19. Bududa District Local Government; 20. Soroti District Local Government; 21. Soroti City; 22. Amolatar District Local Government; 23. Kaberamaido District Local Government; 24. Kalaki District Local Government; 25. Serere District Local Government; 26. Amuria District Local Government; 27. Dokolo District Local Government; 28. Bukedea District Local Government; 29. Katakwi District Local Government; 30. Kapelebyong District Local Government; 31. Otuke District Local Government; 32. Kumi Municipal Council; 33. Kumi District Local Government; 34. Ngora District Local Government; 35. Nabilatuk District Local Government; 36. Nakapiripirit District Local Government; 37. Karenga District Local Government; 38. Kotido District Local Government; 39. Kotido Municipal Council; 40. Amudat District Local Government; 41. Kaabong District Local Government; 42. Moroto District Local Government; 43. Moroto Municipal Council; 44. Abim District Local Government; 45. Napak District Local Government; 46. Kamuli District Local Government; 47. Kamuli Municipal Council; 48. Iganga District Local Government; 49. Iganga Municipal Council; 50. Jinja District Local Government; 51. Jinja City; 52. Northern Division, Jinja City; 53. Southern Division, Jinja City; 54. Kaliro District Local Government; 55. Buyende District Local Government; 56. Mayuge District Local Government; 57. Bugiri District Local Government; 58. Bugiri Municipal Council; 59. Namayingo District Local Government; 60. Namutumba District Local Government; 61. Njeru Municipal Council; 62. Lugazi Municipal Council; 63. Luuka District Local Government; 64. Bugweri District Local Government; 65. Buikwe District Local Government; 66. Mukono District Local Government; 67. Mukono Municipal Council; 68. Wakiso District Local Government; 69. Nansana Municipal Council; 70. Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council; 71. Kira Municipal Council; 72. Mpigi District Local Government; 73. Nakaseke District Local Government; 74. Luwero District Local Government; 75. Mityana District Local Government; 76. Mityana Municipal Council; 77. Buvuma District Local Government; 78. Entebbe Municipal Council; 79. Butambala District Local Government; 80. Kayunga District Local Government; 81. Nakasongola District Local Government; 82. Masaka District Local Government; 83. Masaka City; 84. Kimaanya-Kabonera City Division; 85. Nyendo-Mukungwe City Division; 86. Kalungu District Local Government; 87. Gomba District Local Government;

Thank you, Hon. Zijjan. Honourable colleagues, in the VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have: 1. Hon. Anthony Butele, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 2. Hon. Lydia Balemezi, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 3. Hon. Capt. John Otekat, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 4. Hon. Florence Mutyabule, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 5. Hon. David Abala, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 6. Hon. Ben Wacha, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 7. Hon. Eng. Nelson Wambuzi Gagawala, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 8. Hon. Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 9. Hon. Fred Mbagadhi Nkayi, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 10. Hon. Asuman Kiyingi, former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 11. Eng. Badru Kiggundu, the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. (Applause) 12. Hon. Stephen Tashobya, a former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 13. Hon. Bernard Mulengani, a former Member of Parliament. (Applause) 14. Hon. Salaamu Musumba, a former Member of Parliament. (Applause) They have joined us to pay tribute. Please, join me once again in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you. Now, honourable colleagues, I am going to open up the debate, but I will start with these three people: Her Excellency, the Vice-President, a family member, Hon. Nathan Nabeta Igeme, and Hon. David Isabirye, the area Member of Parliament. Then – but Hon. Dr Batuwa is the one who brought Hon. Isabirye to my office and said: “This is the area Member of Parliament.” (Laughter) So, please – I will also allow you to speak. (Laughter) This was this afternoon, so, I do not know whether that is a scandal or not. (Laughter) thereafter, I will open up for the rest of the honourable colleagues. However, as the Vice-President comes in, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have students and teachers of Hope Senior Secondary School from Mawokota North County in Mpigi. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Hillary Kiyaga and Hon. Teddy Nambooze. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House.

10510 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Enactment of the Physical Planners Registration Act, 2022 was also done and we are now in the process of looking at the regulations. The Permanent Secretary requested the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the National Planning Authority to ensure that all infrastructure developments by MDAs with a special component comply with the fiscal planning. Mr Speaker, the ministry with the support from World Bank - that is Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) - prepared the first National Fiscal Development Plan and Cabinet approved it in November last year. Regional plans have also been prepared for the Albertine Region and the Northern Uganda Economic Corridor. Districts of Wakiso, Moroto, Nwoya, Kikuube, Kabarole, Bududa, Bunyangabu, Nakaseke and Budaka have physical development plans. There are a number of physical development plans still under preparation, which include the Bwebajja Physical Development Plan, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Physical Development Plan, and the Jinja/Kampala and Mpigi Infrastructure Corridor Plan. A number of urban councils have prepared physical development plans and it is noteworthy that many of these have attained high levels of implementation. They include Gulu, Arua Cities, Pader, Kagadi, Bulisa Town Councils, among others. The table below summarises the status of physical development plans in the country and the details of the specific local government are also attached as Annex 1. We have one National Physical Development Plan, two regional physical development plans, then out of the 135 districts, we have nine that have complied. Out of the 11 cities, we have three; out of the 31 municipalities, we have 17. Out of the 1,488 subcounties, we have 198; for town councils, we have 47 out of 585. Challenges While Government has made effort to support physical planning in the country, a lot still remains undone. The number of planned local governments above speak for themselves. Even where physical development plans have been prepared, their implementation still remains a challenge. A lot of the challenges are faced in the implementation of the Physical Planning Act can be attributed to the increasing land use pressures, occasioned by the country’s quest for economic development, high rate of population growth and inadequacies in physical planning. The latter is mostly attributed to inadequate funding levels and governance gaps. The following are the specific challenges that the country has to deal with in the implementation of the Physical Planning Act; 1. Most of the planning that should result in visible results is done at the local government level. Unfortunately, these local governments are grossly underfunded, resulting into low prioritisation exhibited through low budget allocations to develop, review and implement the physical development plans, especially at subcounty and district level. 2. Capacity gaps, human resource, equipment and training. Inadequate awareness creation on physical planning, hence low levels of appreciation of physical planning and development control. 4. Ineffective coordination at central and local government levels. 5. Weak enforcement mechanisms. 6. Failure to formulate ordinances; for cities and bylaws for municipalities and town

Thank you. – Honourable colleagues, please, I need order. Our prayer is that the devil does not find a way and such a thought should never even come into the minds of our people – because it is giving up. (Applause) That is formalising defilement. That is clearly saying: “We have failed. Therefore, these people are defiled.” We should even know – because we would know the recipients who would be using those substances. So, I really pray, honourable minister, that we rather strengthen the monitoring and ensure that we fight this vice than legitimising it by giving such services –(Applause)- and I am glad it is not yet a policy. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have students from the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, which is represented by Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi and Hon. Shamim Malende. They have come to observe the proceedings of the House. Please, join me in welcoming the students. (Applause) Thank you. In the public gallery this afternoon, we also have students and teachers of Hope Senior School in Mpigi District. They are represented by Hon. Hillary Kiyaga and Hon. Teddy Nambooze. They have come to observe the proceedings of the House. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you for coming. We also have pupils and teachers of Green Hill Academy, Kibuli, who won the National Mathematics Championship, 2023. They are represented by Hon. Shamim Malende and Hon. Derrick Nyeko. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House – and they brought very many gifts for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you. Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa?

Hon. Nakazibwe of Greater Mubende. In Buganda, we have three – Greater Mubende, Greater Mpigi and Greater Mukono and Central.

Hon. Nayebale for Greater Mpigi. Members, when I say two minutes and you say information and you switch on, you get another two minutes, you and cheat other regions. So, it will only apply when you are use using the same microphone, so that we continue to counting the same time. Let us be transparent.

10385 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2023 (e) Section l0(l) and (2)(b), (c) and (d) of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020. (f) Sections 3, 4, & 5 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020. (g) The Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction (BOWEC). Question No.3, came from Hon. Godfrey Saazi, the Member of Parliament for Gomba East in Gomba District. He says that: “The Mpigi-Kanoni-Sembabule-Villa-Maria route became an alternative route after the collapse of the Katonga Bridge on Masaka Road. This road contains a lot of sharp corners without signs for speed limits, hump warnings, and other risky features coupled with the absence of direction guides. Consequently, road accidents have become the order of the day, and many accidents have been witnessed between Mpigi and Kinoni. This was brought to the attention of the Executive Director of the National Roads Authority (UNRA), and nothing much has been done about it.” His prayers: (a) That the Ministry of Works and Transport through UNRA installs road signs for speed limits, hump warnings and direction guides as a way of preventing these accidents from happening since most drivers are not familiar with this road. (b) More traffic officers will be deployed by the Uganda Police as we wait for the restoration of activities of Katonga Bridge to be concluded. My response is that the Mpigi-Kanoni- Sembabule-Villa Maria route is a tarmac road which was constructed by the Government of Uganda during the Second National Development Plan (NDPII). The road was constructed to provide reliable all-weather access to the agricultural productive areas. The traffic expected on the road was mainly passenger cars and some agricultural heavy goods vehicles carrying produce from the farms to the markets. Mr Speaker, you will recall that in May 2023, the main Kampala-Masaka Road was cut off by flooding at the Katonga Bridge crossing. The Mpigi-Kanoni-Sembabule-Villa Maria route was chosen as the most appropriate diversion for the traffic going from Kampala to Masaka and other destinations. This increased traffic levels on the road above what had been envisioned during the design of the road. The traffic from the main road, that is Kampala- Masaka Road, also includes heavy goods vehicles meant for international trunk roads. When the Government of Uganda restored the existing Katonga Bridge, a decision was made that the heavy trucks would continue using the diversion through Kanoni until a permanent bridge will be constructed. The increase in the number of vehicles has resulted in more accidents on the same Mpigi-Kanoni- Sembabule-Villa Maria route. Through me, His Excellency the President guided the Ministry of Works and Transport and a team from UNRA to visit the road and undertake a technical assessment of what can be done to reduce the rate of accidents on that route. The team found out that, there was indeed an increase in accidents due to; 1. The lack of signs along the road and faded road markings made it unsafe for new drivers along the route. 2. The change in the type of traffic using the road to include; 3. International heavy goods vehicles which experience difficulty in some of the corners and the hills along the road. 4. The over-speeding by motorists along the road. The Government of Uganda has already come up with short-term solutions to address the challenges that are being faced along this route as below:

10386 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME 1. Continuous sensitisation and enforcement of the relevant rules and regulations by relevant Government agencies. 2. Replacing missing road furniture, such as road signs, and reflectors, and the use of appropriate alternative materials to minimise vandalism and safety. 3. Towing of abandoned vehicles off the road. In the medium-term, funds have been earmarked for road safety improvement works which include; 1. Reintroduction of mandatory vehicle inspection under Uganda Police. 2. Road marking to ensure that the curves, lanes, and junctions are visible to drivers both during the day and at night after the completion of the Gulu Highway. And this will be done next month. 3. Installing humps and rumble strips to slow down the traffic along the road, especially in trading centres and areas that have been identified as black spots. 4. Adequately equipping the relevant enforcement agencies with tools to aid effective enforcement of the law. 5. Strengthening road monitoring and surveillance for timely detection and removal of abandoned vehicles from carriageways. As a long-term solution, Government has embarked on the process of constructing a new metallic bridge at Katonga so that the traffic can go back to using the main Kampala-Masaka Road, which was designed as an international trunk route. Construction works are ongoing and passenger buses have since been cleared to use the Katonga Bridge. Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the Government of Uganda, under the able leadership of His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is committed to ensuring the safety of Ugandans and all efforts are being made to improve the road safety along the Mpigi– Kanoni-Sembabule-Villa Maria route. The next question came from Hon. Kaaya Christine, Woman Member of Parliament, Kiboga District, on the irregular boundary opening and demarcation of forest reserves in Kiboga District. Her prayers are: 1. What are the criteria followed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in demarcating central forest reserves? 2. Why is the boundary opening exercise encroaching on private mailo and freehold land? 3. Can NFA avail the recent survey report such that we can compare it with the affected land titles, with a view of establishing a true ownership? My response is: The criteria followed by the National Forestry Authority in demarcating central forest reserves is as follows: (i) Stakeholders meeting The stakeholders involved are: the Resident District Commissioners, the District Police Commanders, the District Internal Security Officers, the District Local Council V, the District Staff Surveyors, the District Natural Resource Officers, the District Environment Officers and the forest adjacent communities. (ii) Reconnaissance survey (iii) This is a familiarisation tour of the central forest reserve boundary done jointly with the forest-neighbouring communities with the view to: a. Identify all the available survey marks or control extension basing on known national points in the area to guide the boundary opening; b. Identify all the available corner marks

Thank you, honourable colleagues. I welcome you to today’s sitting . Let us have matters of national importance. Two minutes each. Ms TEDDY NAMBOOZE (NUP, Woman Representative, Mpigi): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your indulgence. I rise on a matter of urgent importance concerning various homesteads and institutions in Musa Parish, Kamengo Subcounty, Mpigi District – (Interruption)

Hon. Teddy Nambooze, sorry about what happened in Mpigi. I request that you share the written document with the Office of the Prime Minister so that urgent action can be taken. Thank you .

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to lay on Table a letter of clearance from the President, as far as this loan is concerned. I want to lay on the Table, the minutes of the committee meetings processing this loan. Mr Speaker, this is the report of the Committee on National Economy on the proposal by Government to borrow up to Special Drawing Rights (SDR) at 374.8 million (equivalent to $518 million) from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group and receive a grant of Special Drawing Rights 34.8 million (equivalent $48 million) from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group, and also borrow up to € 40 million (equivalent to $42.66 million) from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to finance the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development programme. Mr Speaker, this loan is going to benefit a number of local governments: (a) Kampala Capital City; (b) Makindye-Ssabagabo; (c) Nansana Municipality; (d) Mukono Municipality; (e) Kira Municipality; (f) Wakiso District; (g) Mukono District; (h) Mpigi District, and; (i) Entebbe Municipality. A total of 550 kilometres will be constructed, tarmacked in those various local governments, in addition to other deliveries. In terms of the loan, the $518 million has a grace period of six years and 30 years of maturity. The second loan, which is € 40 million has a grace period of seven years and maturity of 25 years, with interest rate of one per cent. The concessionality of the loan Mr Speaker, the first loan which is € 518 million is highly concessional, at 46 per cent in terms of grant element. The second loan, which is € 40 million is 41 per cent concessional, in terms of grant element at a discount rate of five per cent per annum. In terms of budget implications, the project is included in the Financial Year 2023/2024 approved budget estimates. Economic benefit and return on the project Given that the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area will invest 80 per cent of the loan in mobility, accessibility and connectivity, the benefit-cost ratio for the programme at a 12 per cent discount rate is calculated to be 5.7, and net present value (NPV) - so the loan has a higher rate of return. In terms of project implementation arrangement, it is going to be a central coordination team involving different local governments, in addition to the Ministry of Local Government and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The loan current debt situation Mr Speaker, the loan will definitely impact our current debt situation, but at a later date we shall present performance of loans and the other issues.

9955 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2023 In presenting and processing this loan, we visited all the benefiting local governments. We also held meetings with the Committee on Presidential Affairs. So, we are in tandem with that committee. Observations and recommendations The committee observed that: 1. During the committee field interactions with KCCA and the eight Greater Kampala local governments, it was noted that there was limited progress made by these entities towards having in place all detailed designs, a Bill of Quantities (BOQ), right of way fully acquired, Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) fully compensated and relocated, continuous sub-project sites free of encumbrances in order to make them available for handover to contractors who will be awarded civil works contracts for the infrastructure sub- projects. 2. Wakiso District Local Government had 36 per cent of all required road designs for selected sub-projects ready; KCCA had 55.5 per cent of all the required road and drainage designs ready; Kira Municipal Council had 30 per cent of all the required road designs for selected sub-projects ready; Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council had 65 per cent; Mukono Municipality had 36 per cent; Entebbe Municipality had 50 per cent and Nansana Municipality had 61 per cent. The local governments of Mpigi and Mukono did not have any completed road designs for the selected sub-projects under the programme. This was attributed to resource constraints that have hindered them from undertaking the required programme implementation readiness activities especially the preparation of detailed designs and availability of the necessary certificates from the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), to confirm that all the environmental standards requirements have been complied with before construction. The committee recommends as follows: 1. The Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs and eight metropolitan local governments (three districts and five municipalities) should fast-track the completion of all pending detailed designs for the priority infrastructure sub-projects that will be worked on under this programme in order to make them ready for civil works implementation. 2. Government should establish a joint physical planning unit for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area to be able to address the challenges, size and standardisation of the roads. 3. KCCA and the eight metropolitan local governments should also ensure that all pending BOQs, right of way acquisition, compensation of Project-Affected Persons where applicable, relocation of utility lines and availability of the necessary certificates of National Environmental Management Authority to confirm that all environmental standard requirements have been complied with before construction, are concluded in advance to guarantee the timely implementation of the infrastructure sub-projects. Programme Coordination The committee observed that: i. Under the Uganda decentralisation policy framework, the deliveries of urban services are devolved to local governments that are independent corporate legal entities. Until recently, districts and municipal governments in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area carried out their urban planning and urban management responsibilities with little or no coordination. The result has been uncoordinated investments, lack of synergies and limited economies of scale in service provision.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise to support the loan. If we are to decongest Kampala, we have to improve the infrastructure of the neighbouring districts. One of them is Mpigi which is now accommodating many people. It is time we improved the infrastructure there. One of the roads that was given to our district is the one connecting Mityana to Mpigi. However, we come with the appetite of supporting loans, but these end up being diverted to other things that are not essential. I recommend that we stick to the reasons for which we are borrowing. I remember we came here because we do not have power and electricity has to be extended to our places. We passed the loan, but up to now, electricity is not yet extended. Mr Speaker, if we are to decongest Kampala, I support the loan.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The majority of the Members of Parliament are beneficiaries of this project. I entirely agree with the committee and support the borrowing of this money. Mr Speaker, in the 10 th Parliament, we discussed Kampala and the metropolitan area and looked at having a joint planning unit for Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi and those other areas. However, the district leaders of Mukono, Wakiso and others thought that their powers would be taken away by KCCA. The chief administrative officers in those districts also thought that they would not be accounting officers anymore and that is why they were hesitant to support the project. I urge this Parliament to come up with a mechanism to bring those local governments and KCCA to agree on how to work together for a better Kampala. Secondly, the procurement committees for Kampala and local governments have issues. You will find that a contractor who does shoddy work is the same contractor who is given another contract the next day. That shows us that our country is going nowhere. As a Member of Parliament for Nakasongola, my appeal is for the Government to take keen interest in this and procure contractors who can do – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I am definitely interested in the two motions but let me focus on the metropolitan areas. The Government is always very smart in packaging loans for us; they package them in such a way that they become very easy to swallow. If you talk about the revival of the railway line, I am very excited about it. If you talk about fixing roads in the metropolitan area where we all live now, we are all very excited. However, I just want to pick one area which has been overlooked. At least, I have been listening so there is no need for me to have talked on this motion. Mr Speaker, in the Constituent Assembly, many Members wanted regional governments but the majority opted for “deeming.” Deeming was Hon. Sam Kutesa’s motion which has been enshrined in the Constitution under Article 178. It is very clear that Buganda, where there is Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi, is deemed to be one regional block. Kampala stands alone. If it is Buganda, we will discuss it – I am sorry, Mr Speaker, can I explain? It is very clear, under Article 178, that one or two districts come together and I would want the Attorney-General or somebody who can enlighten us on this - When we approve this loan, the implementation may be a problem because of this constitutional entanglement. We did not look at it at all and it is important that we look at it. How do we take out a block from within Buganda and run it as one sub- block? It becomes practically difficult. Nonetheless, I want to propose a way out. Maybe, we could come up with an inter- ministerial committee for the purpose of implementation so that we have the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs coming together for the purpose of implementation. Otherwise, we will have to explain this constitutional provision because we have to play an oversight role, not only in the utilisation of resources, but also the way we have applied the law. Sometimes, Government is very quick in breaching the law and they get away with it and at the end of the day, Parliament is blamed because we are the final authority. I would like those with legal minds to look at Chapter 11 in our Constitution, particularly Article 178, and then we can practically look at how we are going to utilise the loan. The purposes of the two loans are very good and I support them but can we follow the constitutional procedures? I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on the matter of national importance regarding, the Mpigi-Kanoni- Sembabule-Villa Maria Road, and the numerous accidents that are happening on this road. Recently, we had a very tragic one, where the person who was knocked, kept on being stepped on by the other lorries that continued coming, and all that was retrieved for burial was his leg, and pieces of flesh which were gathered from the site; it was terrible. Immediately thereafter, we had an accident involving a Jaguar bus, where three people died. I understand the driver was trying to jump out but the vehicle fell on him and eight people were injured. I have complained about this road in the past, and it happened that when the Katonga diversion came about, this road was used by the big vehicles - the buses and trailers. They drive carelessly; they do not observe traffic regulations and they do double parking in the towns. My prayer is that the district local authorities should designate parking areas within the towns, where these heavy vehicles can park from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. to avoid double parking and avoid accidents. And this has successfully happened in Lukaya and Njeru. Then, increase on the cases for designation of traffic officers in the area. For the intersect buses, the Ministry of Works and Transport should ensure that these buses have two drivers each, because one driver is not supposed to drive more than 300 kilometres. Then we should have a multi-sectoral District Road Safety Committee, chaired by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and including Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Transport Licensing Board (TLB), Regional Police Commander (RPC), District Police Commander (DPC), maybe headmasters, the District Education Officer (DEO) and others.

Mr Speaker, our prayers are as follows: First, we request the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda National Roads Authority, to fast-track the procurement process for the construction of the bridge across the Nile. Secondly, we request that a standby ferry or vessel is placed around Laropi so that it can help in ferrying the people across the river as we wait for the maintenance of this ferry. Lastly, we have pontoons or ramps, which are normally assembled to form a ferry. These pontoons are found in Kasana-Luweero, Mpigi, and other places like -

Madam Speaker, the Shs 1 billion will be given to each of the 135 districts, the 10 cities, and the 31 municipalities. However, a municipality is a lower local government in the district. Therefore, this is to ensure that when the district road is being rehabilitated or maintained, it is done together with the ones in the municipality. So, to have synergies, they do not take the money of the municipality but plan together. Just like in Kampala, we have the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area but Mukono, Wakiso and Mpigi remain autonomous. When you are planning a road from Kampala to Bweyogerere to Mukono, it is good to have that synergy. Thank you.

Honourable members, first of all, most of these disciplines we are talking about are disciplines, which are played under the Olympics Games. For archery, there is a bow and an arrow, which is sharp and this game is normally played in Olympic Games. American football is a common football game, which is played by Americans. As of now, it is one of the most popular sports in Uganda. I would like to say that the American people have set up an academy in Mpigi. As I speak, about 20 young Ugandan boys are being professionally trained. Actually they are already joining the National Football League of American Football in the United States of America. It is one of the highest paying football sports in the country. I thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I am raising a matter of national concern. Whereas Article 26(1) and (2) of our Constitution talks about protection from deprivation of property, many people across the country where road projects are taking place have not been compensated and their land titles have not been returned. For instance, in Nakaseke District, over 200 “bibanja” holders and 50 land titles for residents along Luweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu road have not yet been returned and compensated by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). This is also happening in other parts of the country such as Bujuuko, Mpigi District, Northern bypass, and Kampala, and Wakiso districts, to mention, but a few. Construction of the Luweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu Road has commenced, but my people are worried that UNRA may not compensate them as well as return their land titles. And they are planning to drag this Government to courts of law. My prayers: 1. With your indulgence, Madam Speaker, may the Minister of Works and Transport present a statement and the status of those who have been compensated and their land titles returned with a focus on the ongoing road projects across the country; and 2. The minister should explain why some people missed out on compensation and yet their land titles have not been returned to them. Thank you for the opportunity.

9122 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 commence next financial year. Forty-nine per cent of the right-of-way for the Kampala- Malaba Standard Gauge railway has been acquired. The construction of the Malaba- Kampala Standard Gauge Railway will commence next financial year, for which Shs 535 billion has been provided. Madam Speaker, in the air transport sector, the redevelopment and expansion of Entebbe International Airport is at 85 per cent complete and due to be completed by July 2024. The construction of Kabalega International Airport now stands at 91.7 per cent and will be completed by September 2023. We shall also rehabilitate and upgrade the following aerodromes that are under feasibility studies: Kidepo, Pakuba, Mbarara, Gulu, Arua, Kisoro and Kasese. Madam Speaker, an allocation of Shs 4.5 trillion, representing 13.3 per cent of the total budget has been budgeted for road maintenance and construction; railway development and rehabilitation; and water and air transport development. Of particular significance, an allocation of Shs 1 billion has been provided to each district, city and municipality for road grading, murram and compacting. In total, Shs 176 billion has been allocated for this purpose. (Applause) We have also secured US$ 608.7 million, equivalent to Shs 2.25 trillion to address flooding, traffic congestion, poor road infrastructure, un- signalised junctions and unemployment in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) covering Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi districts and their municipalities. This will upgrade 504 kilometres of roads including junction signalisation in eight urban authorities; rehabilitation of 30 storm water drainage points; upgrade 23 markets and construct 25 artisanal parks, and industrial workspaces for small-scale manufacturers. (Applause) In collaboration with the World Bank, the Government is implementing a $360 million Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme to improve infrastructure and address operational challenges in the cities and municipalities. Power infrastructure Power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure have continued to expand. Generation capacity increased to 1,378.1 Megawatts as at March 2023 from 1,343.9 Megawatts in March 2022, an increase of 34.4 Megawatts, although that is again not enough. With the commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Project planned for September this year, generation capacity will increase to 1,976 Megawatts. The 6-Megawatt Nyagak III Hydropower project is also due for commissioning by end of this month. In transmission, a total of 417 kilometres of transmission lines were added to the main grid during the year, bringing the total transmission line network now to 4,011 kilometres. To enable evacuation of power from the 600-Megawatt Karuma Hydropower Project the 248-kilometre Karuma-Kawanda, the 55-kilometre Karuma-Olwiyo and the 76-kilometre Karuma-Lira lines have been completed. Twekubireko mu ngalo . (Applause) Next year, 761 kilometres of transmission lines and associated power substations will be constructed to improve the stability and reliability of the networks. We will also build the capacity of the Uganda Electricity Generation and Transmission companies to manage the generation and distribution networks after the expiry of the ESKOM and Umeme concessions. Madam Speaker, next financial year, Shs 1.3 trillion has been allocated for electricity interventions. Digital transformation Turning to digital transformation, 4,717 kilometres of optic fibre have been laid across the country. Geographical coverage of broad Band services stands at 66 per cent and 25

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Government of Uganda and the President for the Mpigi- Kanoni-Maddu-Sembabule-Villa Maria road. It eased communication in Gomba and often acts as an alternative route like during the Christmas Season when traffic is high on the Kampala-Masaka road. I am concerned about the very high density of traffic in the form of big buses, trailers, omnibuses and personal vehicles. The road has several corners and the new users are just getting to understand the shape and condition of the road. There is a lot of reckless driving, overspeeding even in the corners, trailers overtaking other trailers and yet they are slow. People are losing lives almost every day and schools are about to begin. I fear that as people are crossing the road, they may lose their lives. There is increased human activity in our district and new people are coming into the district. So, we have both positive and negative things that have been happening. The positive ones: increased business and increased travel, but the negative ones: increased deaths on the roads, and breaking of traffic rules and regulations. My prayer: I would like the intervention of a joint agency team comprising the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Roads Authority (UNRA), Uganda Police Force and Gomba District officials and other relevant stakeholders. I also request for temporary zebra crossing and weighbridges. I beg to submit.

8757 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 MAY 2023 161) Vote 876: Kyegegwa District – Shs 23,846,624,000 162) Vote 877: Kyenjojo District – Shs 35,581,507,000 163) Vote 878: Kyotera District – Shs 35,036,531,000 164) Vote 879: Lamwo District – Shs 18,485,759,000 165) Vote 880: Lira District – Shs 27,100,374,000 166) Vote 881: Luuka District – Shs 25,440,932,000 167) Vote 882: Luweero District – Shs 63,300,117,000 168) Vote 883: Lwengo District – Shs 27,153,735,000 169) Vote 884: Lyantonde District – Shs 18,276,836,000 170) Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District – Shs 17,665,819,000 171) Vote 886: Manafwa District – Shs 25,992,671,000 172) Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 25,235,124,000 173) Vote 888: Masaka District – Shs 13,315,598,000 174) Vote 889: Masindi District – Shs 23,520,737,000 175) Vote 890: Mayuge District – Shs 42,544,940,000 176) Vote 891: Mbale District – Shs 36,346,216,000 177) Vote 892: Mbarara District – Shs 23,774,583,000 178) Vote 893: Mitooma District – Shs 27,230,403,000 179) Vote 894: Mityana District – Shs 31,132,617,000 180) Vote 895: Moroto District – Shs 13,533,113,000 181) Vote 896: Moyo District – Shs 20,493,308,000 182) Vote 897: Mpigi District – Shs 30,334,080,000 183) Vote 898: Mubende District – Shs 25,717,019,000 184) Vote 899: Mukono District – Shs 49,808,239,000 185) Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 8,965,015,000 186) Vote 857: Katakwi District - Shs 25,335,675,000 187) Vote 858: Kayunga District - Shs 37,361,049,000 188) Vote 859: Kazo District – Shs 18,099,602,000 189) Vote 860: Kibaale District - Shs 17,514,216,000 190) Vote 861: Kiboga District – Shs 25,621,222,000 191) Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 21,510,868,000 192) Vote 863: Kikuube District – Shs 22,027,669,000 193) Vote 864: Kiruhura District – Shs 18,214,354,000 194) Vote 865: Kiryandongo District - Shs 28,181,672,000

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

Yes, it is related to your Communication from the Chair. Madam Speaker, we mourn with the people of Greater Masaka and Greater Mpigi most especially the traders, families and so forth. Madam Speaker, it is purely discipline –

Thank you, honourable colleague, for giving way and I thank you, Madam Speaker. The alternative route is Ssembabule -Mbirizi. From Kampala to Masaka, the route is 120 kilometres. From Kampala through Mpigi - Gomba to Ssembabule Town is 146 kilometres. The alternative route would have been Ssembabule - Mbirizi; that is a distance of 36 kilometres from Ssembabule Town to Mbirizi. When you get to Ssembabule Town, you are diverted through Bukomansimbi back to Masaka. For those of you who can look at that route, it gives you an additional 80 kilometres. Therefore, economically, it is not viable and this will get back to the common user of commodities because they are going to be automatically expensive since that is the route used for trade. I know it is raining but can we have graders on Ssembabule-Mbirizi road to divert traffic from Bukomansimbi to Masaka and then to the western region? I would like to appeal to the House to recommend that all machines in Uganda should go to Ssembabule-Mbirizi road. Thank you.

8379 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 26 APRIL 2023 The committee was further informed that a team composed of personnel from the Directorate of Research, Planning and Development, Human Resource Development, Human Resource and Management, crime intelligence and logistics and engineering was constituted to review the applications and come up with a short list for applicants for the post of PPC general duties and PPC drivers to be invited for interviews. Recruitment criteria for PPCs, a total of 9900 applications were received out of which 1846 including 1261 males and 585 females, qualified to be shortlisted for interviews. Of the 15 applicants Uganda police received from Buhweju District, none of them qualified, some districts failed to meet there quarter namely: Nabilatuk, Koboko, Yuymbe, Kakumiro, kibale, kikube, KIryandongo, Kyegegwa, Kitagwenda, Rakai, Lwengo, Kalungu, Kazo, Bududa, Sironko, Kaabong, Mityana, Mpigi, Gomba, Nakaseke, and Buyende. Police Force leadership explained the allocation of these quarters was in line with the constitutional requirement of nationalistic and patriotic police forces and shall ensure that members of the Uganda police force are rec recruited from every district in Uganda. It was further explained that quotas allocated to districts are based on the population projections as provided by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). The committee observed that the recruiting exercise had variances in the number of short- listed candidates per district. For example, Masaka City had 14, Masaka District had seven, Gulu City had 32, Soroti had 22 and Mitooma four. The committee queried the criteria used to allocate the said numbers. It further noted that in the circumstance where a district or a city did not meet the number for the quarter, the balance was given to the neighbouring district since districts are being cut often but stay within the geographical area. The committee was informed that variance in recruitment is based on the population quarter of which the formula is provided by the constitution and based on UBOS figures. The committee is satisfied that the variance in quarters given to different districts is justified. The committee noted that the recruitment exercise was centralised with the application being submitted at regional police offices and forwarded to police headquarters for processing. The committee recommends that whereas the Police Force conduct the recruitment exercise at the regional level due to COVID-19 pandemic, in future, the exercise should be done at the district headquarters as has been the practice. This will promote transparency in the exercise. Recruitment criteria for UCE leavers A total of 1488 applications were received and of these, 853 were found suitable for the next stage. These cut across all classes of driving permits. The recruitment exercise was in accordance with the second advert run by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The committee noted that all interested persons had to file applications accompanied by a recommendation letter from local authorities, as proof that the applicant is a resident of a particular district, a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with 4 credits including English and at least a pass in mathematics obtained not earlier 2018, a valid driving license for those applying for the position of PPC drivers and a national id card as proof of Nationality. The committee recommends that there should be a verification committee comprised of the LCIII chairperson, subcounty chief and GISO before the applicant submits the application to the police force to minimise forgeries. The committee is satisfied that the advert for recruitment was made public on print media, radio and television and therefore applicants were aware of all the requirements for the positions they applied for. Originality and Identity of Applicants It was alleged that most of the people shortlisted per district were not residents of the said district. A case in point was Masaka City

8222 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. MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS & BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2023/2024 Vote 103: Inspectorate of Government Vote 119: Uganda Registration Services Bureau Judiciary Low disposal rate of cases at Supreme Court On the low disposal rate of cases at the Supreme Court, the committee recommends that the Judiciary develops strategies to improve the performance in the Supreme Court in order to stem accumulation of backlog. Construction of court buildings The committee recommends that the Judiciary be provided an additional Shs 19.96 billion to undertake the construction of court buildings in the above-mentioned areas – Court of Appeal buildings in Mbarara and Gulu as well as High Court premises in Moroto, Mpigi, Iganga, Mubende, Luwero and Kitgum. Transport equipment The committee recommends that the development budget of the Judiciary for Financial Year 2023/2024 be enhanced by Shs 8.19 billion to procure transport equipment to improve access to justice. Court sessions The committee recommends that the Judiciary be provided Shs 35 billion, during the Financial Year 2023/2024 and the next Financial Year 2024/2025 to enable it organise more court sessions. Gender compliance The Judiciary should priorities gender mainstreaming and its activities, and make provision for breastfeeding/children rooms in all premises. Law Development Centre (LDC) On allowances for part-time lectures, the committee recommends that the allowance of part-time staff be declassified in the charter of accounts as wages to protect it from possible future budget cuts. Secondly, the LDC be provided with an additional Shs 3.5 billion on its nonwage recurrent budget to cater for allowances of part-time staff. Completion of the construction of the LDC multi-storied building - Shs 77 billion The committee recommends that the Development Committee of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development finalises the approval of this project as it has the potential of generating income once completed. Two, Government provides Shs 77 billion to the LDC development budget for the completion of the multi-storied building, across the medium term, starting with the Financial Year 2023/2024. Legal aid services The committee recommends an additional Shs 1.5 billion to LDC to facilitate legal aid services. On Mbale Regional Campus, the committee recommends that Shs 6.7 billion be provided to LDC to set up a regional campus in Mbale in the Financial Year 2023/2024. Gender compliance The committee recommends that the LDC expedites the implementation of the gender policy at the workplace and also set up sign language services, and visual impairment aids for persons with disabilities Uganda Law Reform Commission On low budget absorption, the committee recommends that the commission should ensure that procurement modalities are completed so as to immediately commence printing as soon as the President ascents to the revised principle law. The commission should exploit recruitment on contract terms as they wait for rationalisation of agencies so as to fill the available human resource gap.

7608 ADDRESS BY H.E. GEN. YOWERI MUSEVENI beneficiaries, especially with Operation Wealth Creation. It initially worked well. Indeed, the households in the non-money sector declined from 68 per cent to 39 per cent; this was most commendable. However, I started picking up complaints from the public of “they only give to themselves” or “ baleeta ebifu”. They supply us bad quality material or “ baleeta eby’obuseere”, they bring over priced items. That is when I decided that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) personnel must get out of this effort because the image of the wider force was going to be ruined by the mistakes of these fellows who were in Operation Wealth Creation, who had lost their straightforwardness. Moreover, it is the ultimate aim of the NRM that the stakeholders - the beneficiaries of these projects - must manage their affairs. That was the debate we had in Cabinet. When people said, “No, we should continue with the army”, I said, No, these people must learn how to manage their own affairs. They are not children. We can help them to manage their affairs. Hence, the need for the stakeholders, farmers and the artisans to form SACCOs in the parishes or at the constituency levels for the Emyooga . This is the correct and ultimate solution. I have started touring and inspecting the 18 zones of Uganda. The 18 zones of Uganda are: Masaka, Mengo - what they used to call Mengo (the districts of Mukono, Luweero and all that of Mpigi) Mubende, Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, Bunyoro, Busoga, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Madi. I started with Acholi between the 23 rd and 24 th of February 2023. Straight away, the wanaichi told me of the parasites that were like flies, swarming around the PDM and Emyooga money. I will decisively follow up the attempted theft of the PDM and the Emyooga money in Acholi. And if they tampered with the money, they will pay for that treachery; they will be an example to the rest of the potential flies. Ten thousand, five hundred and ninety four (10,594) PDM SACCOs are to be formed. As of now, 9,538 SACCOs, which is 90 per cent of the target, have been formed. That is what the secretariat told us. But I have read the report of Parliament that the Speaker sent to me, and there are many observations there that point out the weaknesses. Meanwhile, I, myself, while in Acholi, heard from the wanaichi a number of bad actions. There is this group in town, in one of the wards, where somebody called a commercial officer, called a secret meeting of a few people to form the leadership for the parish model because they want to find a way of stealing the money. They did not involve the whole parish yet we said that all people in the parish, who want to engage in wealth creation, should join the SACCO as long as they are adults - that is 18 years and above. That is the plan. All producers in the parish must join or must be told and if they do not want to join, that is up to them, but they must be invited because, like the issue in Gulu, somebody announced a meeting at 9.00 a.m. in the morning and the meeting happened at 02.00 p.m. and a few people created the leadership. That is one issue, which I picked up, and of course, I will follow it up. Then in Aswa, instead of going to the parish, they were called to the subcounty so that people get tired and do not go. And when they were called to go to the subcounty, they were told, “Each parish should bring 30/30.” Who told you that? This is not indirect election of 30/30. The parish SACCO is for all members and they may be organised in their production groups: the ones of bananas or dairy - but all who want to engage in wealth creation must join. If there is anything that is not clear there, then at the right time, the Minister of Local Government, who has been heading this, should explain it. Then in another area, I think it is Aswa again, they were told to pay some money for membership. Now, we are going to follow up on all this; and I got this direct from the people.

6817 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2023 Civil cases arising from failure to return residual titles that are worth Shs 6.9 billion I will just move to the observations. Madam Speaker, civil cases arising from failure to return residual titles pose a risk; in case of unfavourable court rulings, the authority is bound to incur more financial losses totalling approximately Shs 6.9 billion. For an example, somebody may have a title of 10 acres, but UNRA is interested in only five. So, this person hands over their title to UNRA. Then, UNRA keeps the title, yet, this person needs their title for whatever other business like bank loans. When UNRA delays to do that, people go to court. These are the losses we incur. Recommendations i) The accounting officer should ensure the authority adheres to the requirements for titling in the land acquisition and resettlement policy in order to protect the Government from avoidable financial loss due to litigation; ii) UNRA should accelerate efforts towards alternative dispute resolution to avoid incurring huge litigation costs. Many times, UNRA is not even engaging these people. They are your clients in a sense; they are running to court, but before that happens, why not to engage them as one of the avenues? We hope that UNRA gets to do this and provides feedback. We carried out oversight visits. We toured the Busega-Mpigi Road Project. There are details about that particular road. I will quickly move to observations. The committee observed that the project works were behind schedule, despite the extension that had been given. UNRA stated that at least an extra four years would be required in order to complete these works, yet, the initial completion date was 21 May 2022. The committee noted that despite the feasibility study that was carried out prior to the commencement of the project, the costs are expected to greatly escalate because of change of the project route. We recommend that the Auditor-General should conduct a special audit on the Busega- Mpigi Road Project and report to Parliament within one month from the adoption of this report. Madam Speaker, we thought this was a very serious issue. There was so much money involved, the extensions and all of that - a proper engineering audit and all of that needs to be carried out so that we are sure of what is going on. Kampala Entebbe Expressway maintenance The Government of Uganda, through UNRA, planned to find a contractor to operate and maintain Kampala Entebbe Expressway. Egis Road Operation was awarded the contract on 13 April 2021 to undertake the operation of a performance based management contract with an overall contract period of 60 months, extended by two years subject to satisfactory performance. These are the details: the contract value was Shs 122 billion, excluding VAT and contingencies. The commencement date was 24 May 2021, 60 months being the duration. I will move to the observations regarding this very project: 1. Lighting of the expressway From the time of commencement of usage of the expressway, lights have never been installed rendering it extremely dark in the night. As a result, accidents and numerous cases of robbery and attacks have happened after dark. The delay to light up the Entebbe Expressway is unacceptable. A road of this calibre cannot commence operations without lighting. Aside from the insecurity on the road, revenue

6761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2023 Madam Speaker, uncontrolled encroachment on forest land, illegal harvesting and titling renders the future generation vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Uncontrolled deforestation stands as number one of the major threatening factors against the sustainability of the environment. Deforestation de-stabilises the ecological and environmental functions (soil and water conservation) – we always attribute loss of soil fertility to very many factors, but the moment we have no forests, the deterioration of soil fertility will be high and so, the functions of trees render the areas vulnerable to externalities. We have significant encroachment on forestS like Budongo Forest, which has been encroached on by Kakira Sugar Works. Bugoma Forest has been encroached on by Hoima Sugar and Mabira Forest in Lugazi has been encroached on by Lugazi Sugar Works. Other forests that have been encroached on include: 1. Kisisita Central Forest Reserve in Ssi Subcounty; 2. Malibwe Forest in Ngogwe Subcounty in Buikwe South Constituency; 3. Namyoya and Namanve in Mukono; 4. Bajjo 5. Kiula and Wamale in Kayunga; 6. Mbarara Central Forest Reserve; 7. Mugomba and Kitubulu in Wakiso; 8. Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve in Kalangala; 9. Lira Central Forest Reserve; 10. Rwamunda and Walumanyi in Mpigi; 11. Luweero and Butebe; and 12. Other forests in Kabarole, Kiboga, Masaka and across Uganda. At the moment, there are over 1000 illegal land titles fraudulently created on central forest reserve land under the watch of the National Forest Authority (NFA) and Government is not doing anything enough to evict encroachers. Madam Speaker, we have a big problem created by licensees of the NFA who do not comply with the terms and conditions stated therein such that in the process of restoring degraded areas of the central forest reserves, they have instead cut down, destroyed and completely removed the natural forests in the central forest reserves and planted pine and eucalyptus trees on the bare forest land created. The most affected areas that we visited are Mabira National Forest Reserve, Uganda’s natural heritage that has been left along Jinja Road, while its integrity internally has been deplorably destroyed as NFA looks on. Natural forests and plantations play important roles, which are recognised locally and internationally, in terms of inter alia, biodiversity conservation, climate stability, carbon sequestration, water catchment, medicinal and the production of various forest products for livelihood improvement. Madam Speaker, when we retain pine and eucalyptus alone and do away with the rain forests, many of these functions and benefits can no longer be got from the gazetted forest reserves. A total of Shs 628 billion was approved in Financial Year 2022/2023 for actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The first activity was to resurvey and mark 6,200 square kilometres of boundary to increase the national forest cover from the current 12.4 per cent to 15 per cent and restore 850 square kilometres of wetlands and forests. The other provision in that budget was demarcating and gazetting of central forest reserves and wetlands and also eviction of encroachers on forests and wetlands. The process of cancellation of titles in wetlands had started. However, no significant funds were allocated for actual tree planting to restore significantly deforested areas. We have tree nurseries, but the dissemination of tree seedlings is left to volunteerism. The NEMA efforts to restore forests are selective in that major encroachers are side-lined as efforts are concentrated towards driving away small encroachers. Unless this is halted, we risk losing tree cover by 2040. There are some

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

The districts to be connected are: Buikwe, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Buvuma, Gomba, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kampala, Kassanda, Kayunga, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kyotera, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Rakai, Ssembabule, Wakiso, Bugweri, Kitagwenda –(Interjections) - that is central. I am going region by region. In eastern Uganda, we have Amuria, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukedea, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Busia, Namayingo, Butaleja, Butebo, Buyende, Iganga, Jinja, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Kamuli, Kapchorwa, Katakwi, Kibuku, Kumi, Kween, Luuka, Manafwa, Mayuge, Mbale, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Ngora, Pallisa, Serere, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Kalaki and Kapelebyong.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Under Section 207 of the Magistrates Courts Act, the jurisdiction and powers of magistrate’s courts to hear and determine cases and matters of civil nature in light of the value on the subject matter in dispute is as follows: 1. The Chief Magistrate is authorised to handle a matter not beyond Shs 50 million. 2. Magistrate Grade I is authorised to handle a case whose value cannot exceed Shs 20 million; and 3. Magistrate Grade II is authorised to handle a matter whose value cannot exceed Shs 500,000. Today, the High Court is grappling with cases of backlog arising from the fact that several cases are now being filed in the High Court. Even a small plot around Wakiso, Mukono, Buikwe and Mpigi - you just find yourself exceeding Shs 50 million and that has created a backlog in our Judiciary. I have tried my best to reach to the Attorney- General and the Secretary to the Judiciary to ensure that the Magistrates Court Act is

6127 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 8 N OVEMBER 2022 THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES (ANIMAL INDUSTRY) (Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama): Madam Speaker, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, I wish to respond to the questions raised about the status and the actions of Government in controlling animal disease, specifically the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We have uploaded this report on the intranet. We have an introduction where we are talking about how FMD affects animals and its economic consequences, and how it is spread. I wish to state the status. From January to October 2022, 22 districts reported FMD outbreaks. These include Adjumani, Amuru, Bukedea, Ibanda, Jinja, Kalungu, Kapchorwa, Kayunga, Kiruhura, Kween, Kyotera, Lyantonde, Masindi, Mpigi, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Napak, Ntungamo, Sembabule and Tororo. It is also important to note that quarantine restrictions were lifted in 11 districts, which is 50 per cent of the affected districts since then. Action taken by the Government In Uganda, FMD prevention and control is achieved through animal movement control (quarantine restrictions) strategic/ring vaccination and awareness creation campaigns. With regard to vaccination, given its cost implication, the strategy adopted by the ministry is to conduct strategic/ring vaccination where an outbreak is reported. Ring vaccination entails vaccinating all the immediate herds surrounding the affected herd so that the disease can be contained and eventually, controlled without causing serious socio-economic consequences. Colleagues, the success of ring vaccination hinges on the timely reporting of the diseases. It is, therefore, important that disease outbreaks are reported as early as possible so that measures of prevention can be instituted in a timely manner and cost effectively since only surrounding herds will be vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease to other areas. We have insisted on this strategy because we do not get enough doses to vaccinate the national herd. You must be aware that Uganda has almost 17 million herds of cattle, 17.4 million herds of goats, five million sheep, 4.5 million pigs and all these are susceptible animals to FMD. Due to limited resources, we came up with this strategy. When it is reported early, this strategy works but we are looking forward to when we have enough resources to make sure that we do it and cover the entire national herd. Currently, a combination of animal movement regulations through quarantine restriction and ring vaccination remains the most appropriate approach for FMD control in Uganda. Colleagues, the following actions have been undertaken to contain the current FMD outbreak in these affected areas. These include: i) Institution of quarantine restriction at the subcounty level and areas within the 20-kilometre radius to prevent the spread of disease. This involves the prohibition of the movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, their products and by-products from, to, through and within affected areas. Livestock markets, slaughter places including butcheries and animal shows within the affected subcounties were also closed. This is premised on the “prevention is better than cure” adage; ii) The ministry plans to vaccinate the susceptible livestock in the affected 22 districts listed above with 930,200 doses of FMD vaccine expected in the country this week on 10 November 2022. The next consignment, which is 1.6 million doses is expected in the country in two months’ time. You must observe that this is not adequate but once deployed effectively, it does prevent FMD to some extent;

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. With the heavy rains, one of the health centres in my constituency called Kampiringisa Health Centre III was unroofed. We had the opportunity to host the Prime Minister together with all the ministers in Mpigi and we raised the issue. However, for two weeks now, nothing has been done. As we talk, they are operating under trees. Therefore, my prayer is that we need a temporary shelter for this facility, where health workers can operate. It is an Ebola season and you can imagine what is going on with the health centre. The buildings are too weak; so, we need a permanent structure now because these buildings were constructed during the Obote time. Kampiringisa is a rehabilitation centre where our children are being looked after; so, you can imagine the kind of emergency that this health centre has. I beg to move.

Madam Speaker, the fact is that Members of Parliament were always denied information. We have discovered this. The President has directed me to also instruct the Uganda Road Fund to gazette - to put in the papers or to create a data bank where Members of Parliament can access this information and get to know how much money has been given to the districts that are going to construct roads. Secondly, there are some districts where the chairpersons of the road committees are LC V chairpersons. I have seen it in Mukono, Mpigi, Kabarole and many others. Therefore, we have agreed with the Minister of Works and Transport that he should write a circular that the chairpersons LC V should relinquish that position to Members of Parliament. (Applause) We have also agreed that the district road committees should sit regularly, without fail. What we have seen is that the districts have been accounting through the chairpersons of district road committees, without the members sitting to decide how to use the money. This must stop. Colleagues, Members of Parliament, I request that you allot time to your districts to make sure that these roads, that we are all clamouring to have, are worked on. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am rising on a matter of urgent importance, regarding 250 families at Bugayi Village, Bumoozi Ward in Mpigi Town Council, who are being forced to vacate their land in an illegal process by a team led by David Senkya, the so-called administrator of the late William Mubanda’s estate. The aforementioned victims are bibanja holders who have been on this land for a long period of time and paying rental fees. This qualifies them as lawful occupants. Regrettably, with impunity, the estate administrators have gone ahead to fence off, destroying people’s crops and denying them access to their plots. Mr Speaker, although the DPC of Mpigi engaged both parties in a harmonisation meeting on the 12 th of August, all orders she issued were foiled. This matter is becoming a security threat because of growing tension between the two antagonistic parties. My prayer is that let the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development visit the locus to diagnose this matter and give an everlasting solution because as it appears, the security office has failed to yield harmony. My second prayer is that may the minister also call the party claiming ownership to avail the documents regarding ownership of this land. I beg to move.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will use a minute for two questions. First, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when are you extending relief to the people of Bussi Island? An assessment was done and a report brought to your table. Another disaster has just hit them again. Another one pertains to the Presidential pledge to tarmac the Kisubi—Nakawuka—Nateete and Nakawuka-Kasanje-Mpigi roads. He pledged in 2019, but we have not seen any works taking place to date. And, that road is very important, not only for the people of Nakawuka, but to the whole country because it connects Entebbe, Masaka and Mpigi. When will that road be tarmacked? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The urgent matter of national importance I am raising is about one of my constituents, Dr Stephen Ssewambwa, aged 26, who is volunteering at Mulago National Referral Hospital and saved many lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was born with sickle cell disease from a humble family in Jjalamba, Buwama Town Council, Mpigi District. He has struggled with life as an orphan, until last year when he graduated from Makerere University, under Government sponsorship. A few days back, he got an attack that caused damage to his hip bone and he developed persistent severe pain, making him unable to walk and do routine work. The orthopaedic team at Mulago recommended hip replacement surgery to replace the bones with implants, which is scheduled this month, but the missing link is the required funds of at least Shs 30 million for the implants and medical supplies.

Clerk, please, extract the recommendations and forward them to the relevant ministries. Also, in three months, honourable minister, we expect an action taken report on the recommendations of this House. Colleagues, we have very many issues, which are related to your questions. I want to have them as a priority. Let us clear these issues because they are going to be overtaken by time. So, you will bear with. We should at least handle issues to do with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and then tomorrow, we can handle issues to do with the ministry of lands. Chairperson, vice-chairperson and members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, I thank you. The shadow minister of Foreign Affairs did a great job and they worked as a team to ensure that we have a very good report. Instead of giving them time to make statements, we would rather give that time to Members to debate. RESPONSES BY MINISTERS TO URGENT QUESTIONS A) ON VIOLATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS BY SOME CHINESE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN MPIGI DISTRICT RAISED BY HON. TEDDY NAMBOOZE

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The question is on violation of employee rights by some Chinese manufacturing industry in Mpigi District. It was raised by Hon. Teddy Nambooze, the Woman Member of Parliament, Mpigi.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. My matter is about the prolonged power outage in various areas of Bulongo, Buzilango in Nkozi Subcounty, Ggoli Parish in Mpigi District. This was caused by a weird storm that brought down part of the power supply line. Seven poles fell down leading to a total blackout in the area. The matter was reported to the Umeme office. Unfortunately, it has not yet been responded to and this has affected approximately 480 households and businesses around. Imagine in the current economic situation in the country -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise under rule 45 (2) (3) (4) and (5). On 15 July 2022, I wrote a question for an oral answer, regarding the presidential pledge to tarmac the Nakawuka-Natete-Kisubi and Nakawuka- Kasanje-Mpigi road networks. The procedural matter I am raising - the question was written and forwarded to the Clerk and I presume the Clerk forwarded it to the respective ministry. However, while it is now over a month, I have not received any response, yet, the situation is very appalling. The road is indelibly impassable. So, I beg that the procedure matter be handled. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

2439 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022 However, with the current delays that have adversely affected the turnaround time for trucks, we continue to critically monitor supply of Jet A-1. From the pipeline, road transport is used for almost all products since the existing wagon ferries on Lake Victoria can only bring a maximum of eight million litres of diesel per month, yet the current normal monthly total consumption is 195 million litres. Currently, the wagon ferries cannot lift petrol because the loading facilities for petrol at Kisumu have not been commissioned. In addition, the private facility owned by Mahathi Infra Uganda Limited scheduled for commissioning in June 2022 will improve utilisation of lake transport by the oil marketing companies. Some Oil Marketing Companies still import 5 per cent of the industry requirements through Tanzania although the route is still more expensive by US$ 60 per 1,000 litres. The road which used to pose challenges was improved by the United Republic of Tanzania. In this respect, some companies are using the route. The Oil Marketing Companies have also been obligated to keep the 10 days’ operational stock as required by the Petroleum Supply Act of 2003. This move is partly responsible for the current stock levels for diesel and Jet A-1, which remained in stock irrespective of a long impasse at Malaba and Busia. Uganda’s oil marketing companies have private storage capacity at their active depots, excluding storage at service stations of 62,673,596 litres. When combined with the Government storage facility at Jinja of 30 million litres, now operated by Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in a joint venture with the One Petroleum Limited, this results in a total national storage capacity of 92,673,596 litres. The ministry has continuously requested for funds amounting to $30 million to restock the reserves, but this item has remained unfunded. The Jinja storage facility can store 20 million litres of diesel and 10 million litres of petrol. The facility can be served by both road and railway transport, and there are plans of connecting a pipeline that will supply products to the terminal from a barge on Lake Victoria. Plans are underway to develop the Kampala Storage Terminal at Namwabula-Mpigi, with a first phase of 140 million litres expected in 2024. The facility will consequently be expanded to its full capacity of 340 million litres after two years, in line with the refinery completion. Fuel prices Madam Speaker, Uganda’s pump prices have been stable and would move with the global trends until January 2022 when petrol prices increased due to scarcity. The price for petrol has increased by Shs 550 from Shs 4,450 per litre –(Interjections) – from the time the prices increased when there was scarcity. This is the year when they declared that “Do not move.” I am saying per litre as of 17 December 2021 to Shs 5,000 per litre in January 2022. Over the same period, the price for diesel has remained stable. Before the increase, things were okay. Due to the fact that pump prices are determined by the market, the price of diesel, which is available, has remained stable while petrol that is scarce forced some traders to buy from other retailers that have petrol to resell at pump prices and consequently those secondary retailers sell at higher prices to recover the money that is invested in buying at pump prices. When there was scarcity, those who did not have fuel went to those who had and then they went and took to theirs. As that happened, those who took fuel to resell increased the prices. This was very fast; speculators are very good at guessing – together with the associated handling costs. With supply anticipated to return to normal at the end of this month, prices are expected to be competitive again. You will recall that in September 2021, Kenya’s motorists were travelling to eastern Uganda to refuel their vehicles and transit trucks were all buying petrol from Uganda – (Interjections) – I have already told you the year.