Nebbi Municipality

18650 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 straight to Vote 139: The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU). PAU remains central to Uganda’s transition into the production phase of the petroleum sector, particularly with respect to the independent measurement, regulation, local content monitoring, production oversight, and economic monitoring, as well as environmental coordination. The allocation reviewed by the committee places Vote 139 at Shs 106.87 billion for the next financial year. Madam Speaker, I will invite colleagues to look at the subsequent tables regarding PAU. I would like to request that I go straight and look at the committee comment. The committee notes that additional funding of Shs 28.24 billion was provided to support the establishment of the real-time monitoring centre, and this significantly strengthens our preparedness for the production phase of the oil, which is expected to commence on the 31st July this year. Under the national content and employment, the committee further notes that PAU reports 2,626 companies on the national supplier database, of which 2,257 are Ugandan, and 369 are non- Ugandan, and that over 360 tier-one contracts have been awarded to Ugandan companies in reserved and ring-fenced categories. As of December 2025, the sector employed 21,072 personnel, of whom 18,137 are Ugandan nationals, and 6,631 are from host communities in particular. The committee notes that PAU currently has 222 staff against an approved structure of 278, and it still has 51 positions without wage funding, with a further unfunded recruitment requirement of Shs 11.09 billion. Honourable colleagues, if we are to go into the production phase of the oil, it is important that our Authority, which is responsible for supervising this for us, is strengthened so that it is able to be up to speed. I would like to invite you to go to the section on water and environment, which is Vote 019. Madam Speaker, Vote 019 remains the most politically exposed vote under the committee’s jurisdiction because the citizens encounter the State most directly through access to clean water, functionality of boreholes, performance of piped schemes, sanitation in institutions, irrigation investments, climate information, and visible action against environmental degradation. The committee notes that the total budget allocation for vote 019 in 2026/27 is Shs 1.8 trillion compared to Shs 1.5 trillion in 2025/26, representing an increase of Shs 318 billion. The ministry further reports that its strategic requirement for the financial year 2026/27 is Shs 2.185 trillion, leaving a funding gap of Shs 361.9 billion. Honourable colleagues, I invite you to look at table 9 by yourselves. Table 10 is an additional allocation of resources after the first one. Projects under Vote 019 I think this may be interesting for colleagues for us to go through. The committee commends the ministry for providing a more detailed implementation geography for the Financial Year 2026/27, as always requested by colleagues. This has enabled the committee to identify where the Government intends to undertake actual works and where oversight should be concentrated. Table 11 provides us with projects that are intended to be undertaken in the northern region. The Ala-Ora piped water scheme to 100 per cent completion. This will serve Terego, Yumbe, Madi-Okollo and Nebbi district areas. The refugee settlement and rural growth centres water supply and sanitation project, which is

Vdc D.ocrlptlon famrr {UOil-OOO'I 906 Namuhrmba District 35,L42,253 907 Napak Dhtrict 18.866,603 908 Nebbi District 31.883.866 909 Nsora District 24,572,193 910 Ntoroko District 22,L47,884 911 Nhrnearno District 60.o20.269 912 Nworra District 24.828.262 913 Obong District L3,867,997 9L4 Omoro District 27.841.869 915 Ohrke District 20.524.336 916 Oyan District 42,987,128 9L7 Pader Dhtrict 34.974.847 918 Pat<wach District 23.035.815 919 Pallisa District 40,860,992 920 Rakai District 40.361.351 92t Rubanda District 34.O45.767 922 Rubirizi District 25,548.389 923 Rukiga District 23.005.023 924 Rukungiri District 6.222.L97 925 Rwanpara District 22.200,947 926 Sembabule District 35.699.011 927 Serere District 36.469.+64 928 Sheerna District 32.418,391 929 Sironko District 37.84t.375 930 Soroti District 24.764.341 931 Terrgo District 26,419,590 932 Tororo District 65.667.982 933 t Wakiso District 93.497.965 934 Yumbe District -4 2F 48.948.006 935 District \ 28,680.777 $ i s + B lPa6e

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

Mr Speaker, Pawor is the opposite of Alwi in Madi-Okollo. It was condemned on inception. It only has 80 students and is in a game reserve, something that the ministry should look at. We also observed and concluded that the mother district, Arua, should look for a contractor who is elusive because the buildings are sinking. In Nebbi District - I am not going to give the narrative but briefly - Mamba has many buildings at a cost of Shs 2 or 3.3 billion. It is a massive infrastructure but the contractor is dragging his feet. We were told that he has more than three sites. He is very elusive and not up to time. They have kept on extending and something must be done. That is as far as Mamba in Nebbi District is concerned. The other one was -

Thank you, Your Excellency. I am Isaac Otimgiw from Nebbi District in West Nile, one of the areas that grow cotton. On average, an acre of cotton will produce between 600 to 800 kilograms. However, because of the unstable prices of cotton, whereby last year in the last season, prices went as low as Shs 1,500 per kilo -

Madam Speaker, Acibu Agnes is my name. I am the Woman Representative for Nebbi District, in the West Nile Subregion. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, by good chance, as I was going to phone my permanent secretary, I met two people who said, “Minister, do not waste your time. Money has been sent.” I quote Nebbi District; this money is sent quarterly. So, in the first quarter Nebbi has got Shs 250 million, Pakwach District has got Shs 250 million also. Even Kibale and Gulu, is now being told. I think that I have answered the question.

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

13649 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 AUGUST 2024 iii. In the meantime, NEMA suspended the distillery operations, as of April 2024, to avoid the further accumulation of the effluent into the pond. Although the effluent in the ponds still emits a strong smell, this will be addressed through effluent treatment plant. Our inspectors will continue to monitor the progress made by the factory in rectifying the problem. Failure to adhere to the compliance guidance issued to the factory will result into appropriate actions in line with the provisions of the National Environmental Act, 2019. This can include suspension of the entire factory operations, prosecution in courts of law and imposition of fines for breach of certificate conditions. The Government will continue to follow up on this matter to its meaningful resolution. The NEMA team recently visited the factory and is working with the company to convert the waste into organic fertilisers after conducting studies on the chemical composition of the cassava waste. The third question came from Hon. Isaac, Member of Parliament Padyere County, Nebbi District. “The number of high-risk depleted bridges in Nebbi District continue to cause increased loss of life through accidents. Nyaravur-Parombo road in Nebbi District has three high-risk bridges and Ayira Bridge has caused over 30 deaths over the years including school pupils on a school trip. As a result, the district applied to the Ministry of Works and Transport to take the Nyaravur- Parombo Road under the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) but to no avail”. Districts no longer have funds to renovate or build bridges. His prayer was, what is the way forward in helping districts carry out renovation or reconstruction of high-risk bridges? Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, this is my response. The Government has allocated Shs 190.4 billion for District, Urban Community Access Roads (DUCAR) bridges over the past 15 years (2009 to June 2024). These funds were primarily channelled through two project codes: Code 0269 for the construction of selected bridges and Code 1558 for rural bridges and infrastructure development. The ministry funding for DUCAR bridges has averaged Shs 20 billion annually over the past five years. While this budget allows the construction of about three to five bridges per year, the Government intends to add more money to construct the bridges in a phased manner. Mr Speaker, on 28 September 2021, the ministry received a request from the Chief Administrative Officer Nebbi District Local Government to take over the maintenance function for Nyaravur-Parombo Road and Wadelai-Kucwiny-Agwok Road. Subsequently, on 17 th November 2021, the Ministry of Works requested the district to provide information regarding the use, function, and administrative purpose of the road, as well as the District Council resolutions to facilitate evaluation of the request and consideration for re-classification. Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, the Ministry of Works and Transport prepared guidelines for re-classification of the public roads from the community access road to district roads and the district road to national roads or trunk roads. These Guidelines were circulated to all Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks on 3 January 2024. However, the ministry has not yet received any submission from the districts even after the circulation of these guidelines. Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, the districts are, therefore, requested to re-submit their application in line with the circulated

\;. ,, ,- i. }lL tu .,./ l -rfu \, I ffi P d 1 41" i ..- I =+*i: _.1 - / r \ Vote Description Amouat (OOO') 39,r92,9t4 902 Nakaseke District 903 Nakasongola District 3 1,339,971 904 Namayingo District 24,254,473 905 Namisindwa District 3t,27t,520 Namutumba District 33,601,552 906 907 Napak District 18,335,569 908 Nebbi District 3t,604,472 909 Ngora District 22,787,323 910 Ntoroko District 16,176,344 911 Ntungamo District 60,306,t24 9t2 Nwoya District 22,660,361 913 Obongi District L3,625,732 9t4 Omoro District 26,662,006 915 Otuke District 20,1OO,789 9L6 Oyam District 40,233,515 \rz Pader District 30,440,385 I s\a Pakwach District 22,888,O83 919 Pallisa District 36,368,2L1 920 Rakai District 39,855,468 92r Rubanda District 30,627,663 922 Rubirizi District 23,403,496 923 Rukiga District 2t,899,306 924 Rukungiri District 44,4to,975 925 Rwampara District 21,596,061 926 Sembabule District 33,249,O59 - 927 Serere District 35,784,457 928 Sheema District 3t,378,544 929 Sironko District 35,653,624 930 Soroti District 23,844,786 931 Terego District 23,87r,940 932 Tororo District 62,770,477 {7 {-.. 16 ir[

--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$*\

a 1.O INTRODUCTION On 21st May 2023, Zombo Tea Nursery Operators and Farmers' Association petitioned the Rt. Hon Speaker of Parliament about delayed supply of tea seedlings to farmers in Zombo district. In accordance with Rule 3O (6) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the Rt. Hon Speaker referred the Petition (Annex U to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for consideration. 2.O BACKGROUND 2.L ZOMBO DISTRICT Zombo District is located in West Nile sub-region of Uganda in the north- western part of the country. It is approximately 70km south of Arua city and 382km north-west of Kampala. The district is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the south and west, Nebbi District to the east and Arua District to the north. Zombo District sits on a total land size of 939.7km2 of which 91olo is arable land, 5o/o dte. swamps and running water rvhile 4o/o are forests and forest reserves. The district is generally hilly and steep with its highest peak being Agu Hill in Abanga Sub-County. This has forced the population to cultivate hillsides at times without good soil management practices. The district has favourable soils for agriculture (red and loamy soils, dark loamy soils) (UDC, 2O2Il that have contributed to the steady and reliable supply of foodstuffs like lrish potatoes, maize, cassava, vegetables like tomatoes and onions across the district. Zombo has a bi-modal rainfall pattern, with peaks in April and August. Due to its altitude (1,532 metres above sea level), the tropical climate borders $ a a perate climate I tuil t=..5E\: -= # 1 illt,tft

Okay, before I receive communication, in the public gallery this afternoon we have four pupils of Angaba Primary School from Padyere County, Nebbi District, who excelled in the recently released Primary Leaving Examination results. They are accompanied by three teachers and are represented by Hon. Otimgiw Isaac Ismail and Hon. Acibu Agnes. They have come to observe proceedings of this House, congratulations. Please join me in welcoming them, honourable colleagues. (Applause) A big congratulation; we are proud of you. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In September 2022, the Cotton Development Organisation (CDO) set an indicative price for the cotton season of 2023 at about Shs 2,300 as the buying purchasing price for a kilogram of cotton. Unfortunately, in most of our cotton- growing districts like Nebbi and Kasese, and other areas in Eastern and Western Uganda, farmers are crying due to the low purchase price at the selling point. In Nebbi District, for example, farmers are being offered prices as low as Shs 1,300 per kilogram and not being given any other choice. We have also noticed that there are actually few buyers of the cotton this time around in our districts. We do not know what is happening.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) project, last year, one of our health centres in Nebbi District, that is Ossi Health Centre, was supposed to be upgraded from level II to level III by the UPDF Brigade. They had advanced the payments for building the maternity ward, amounting to Shs 189 million. But upon receiving the amount, they stopped at the foundation and disappeared from the site for a whole year. I want the relevant ministry to answer as to why the UPDF Brigade disappeared once they received the advance money to complete the project. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to pay tribute to Justice Stella Arach-Amoko, as a lady hailing from Nebbi District. I want you to remember that in the last statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the number of children who go from primary seven to secondary school is only 12 per cent in West Nile and eight per cent in Acholi. I believe that Lady Justice Stella Amoko was a special one. If I take the Greater Nebbi, which comprises Pakwach, Nebbi and Zombo, we count her among the first five ladies who attained university education. (Applause) She did this without the 1.5 points, which she herself contributed to in discussing, to ensure that girls are promoted in education. Members have talked about her profession. I do not want to go there because it is very clear how she grew in her profession and to this level, it is a clean record; a record, which speaks for itself. So, I want to speak about her as a special person with her intelligence, humility, passion, openness and beauty. Many times, when we met in many places, people would ask, “Who is that? Who was she?” and I would proudly say, “You know, she is a lawyer, an attorney, a Judge and Justice”. I would add, “She is from Nebbi” because she raised our flag up. As a woman of that calibre, we cannot take that for granted. She was a light and path for many of us. When I later joined the university, they used to tell me, “Be like Stella Arach”. I had not known her, but when I got to know her, I then thought, “This is a person I could be like if I work hard.” She was one of the first women leaders in the Nebbi community. She is, of course, the first Justice from the greater Nebbi. She has been there for women, children and girls. She is always out to help with advice, and even materially. She was an open-minded person. She would always like to be there for you. I want to pay tribute and would like to, on behalf of the greater Nebbi community, to say that we have lost a person, but this should also open our eyes that we can work hard and be better citizens of this country. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of the people of Nebbi District and on my own behalf to pay tribute to our fallen sister. There is not much that I am going to add; we have heard the qualities of our fallen sister, Justice Stella Arach-Amoko. As leaders – all the leaders who have been called by God – it is my prayer that we follow the footprint of the fallen Justice Arach- Amoko. As the people of the Greater Nebbi and Alur, we are all heartbroken. It is my prayer that the family members remain strong. This is the journey that all of us are going to take. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

8759 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 MAY 2023 229) Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 8,965,015,000 230) Vote 901: Nakapiripirt District – Shs 11,039,255,000 231) Vote 902: Nakaseke District – Shs 33,609,209,000 232) Vote 903: Nakasongola District – Shs 29,199,461,000 233) Vote 904: Namayingo District – Shs 24,345,537,000 234) Vote 905: Namisindwa District – Shs 25,757,056,000 235) Vote 906: Namutumba District – Shs 29,395,177,000 236) Vote 907: Napak District – Shs 14,554,931,000 237) Vote 908: Nebbi District – Shs 28,393,138,000 238) Vote 909: Ngora District – Shs 20,015,428,000 239) Vote 910: Ntoroko District – Shs 17,856,009,000 240) Vote 911: Ntungamo District – Shs 52,482,302,000 241) Vote 912: Nwoya District – Shs 19,818,194,000 242) Vote 913: Obongi District – Shs 11,259,732,000 243) Vote 914: Omoro District – Shs 23,623,072,000 244) Vote 915: Otuke District – Shs 17,308,500,000 245) Vote 916: Oyam District – Shs 36,647,321,000 246) Vote 917: Pader District – Shs 28,538,070,000 247) Vote 918: Pakwach District – Shs 20,416,756,000 248) Vote 919: Pallisa District – Shs 32,319,522,000 249) Vote 920: Rakai District – Shs 35,470,398,000 250) Vote 921: Rubanda District – Shs 26,781,538,000 251) Vote 922: Rubirizi District – Shs 17,650,350,000 252) Vote 923: Rukiga District – Shs 21,557,840,000 253) Vote 924: Rukungiri District – Shs 40,111,677,000 254) Vote 925: Rwampara District - Shs 21,241,513,000 255) Vote 926: Ssembabule District – Shs 29,341,783,000 256) Vote 927: Serere District – Shs 32,000,876,000 257) Vote 928: Sheema District – Shs 26,927,219,000 258) Vote 929: Sironko District – Shs 32,016,598,000 259) Vote 930: Soroti District – Shs 22,110,246,000 260) Vote 931: Terego District – Shs 25,198,993,000 261) Vote 932: Tororo District – Shs 57,785,129,000 262) Vote 933: Wakiso District – Shs 78,280,713,000

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I want to add my voice to thank the chairperson for this committee. One of the submissions made by the chairperson that has really impressed me is the issue of farmers who distributed seedlings in the West Nile region, but have never been paid. They distributed coffee seedlings. When the chairperson was reading the names of the farmers in the different regions, West Nile - especially the people from Nebbi District and Zombo District – was not mentioned. Therefore, it is my prayer that as we sit here, we include those areas so the seedling producers are paid their arrears. Thank you.

6957 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY 2023 on the alleged unfair and discriminatory recruitment by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces. The Rt Hon. Speaker referred the matter to the Committee of Defence and Internal Affairs for consideration and report back to Parliament. The committee considered the issues and hereby reports. Background In 2004, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs undertook a comprehensive programme to transform the UPDF into a modern, professional and accountable force, subordinate to civilian authority. Part of this is recruiting Ugandans who meet the standards prescribed in the UPDF or the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act, 2005, sections 51 and 52; details of who qualifies. Methodology The committee held meetings with the following: the Minister of State for Veteran Affairs and officials from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Hon. Sarah Opendi, the District Woman Representative for Tororo District, Hon. Evelyn Chemutai, and the District Woman Representative of Bukwo District. The committee also received submissions from Hon. Faith Nakut, District Woman Representative of Napak District. Queries raised by Parliament Tororo District Allegations raised by Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi, the District Woman Representative for Tororo District was that people from elsewhere were recruited from Tororo and people from Tororo did not benefit from their quota. It was also alleged that the local leaders were not allowed to verify the list of recruits; RDCs and LCs were not given a copy of the recruits for reference. Nebbi District It was alleged that out of the 57 slots allocated, only 11 were from the district. Lira District The allegations were that in Lira District, most applicants were dropped for reportedly being HIV positive. The committee interacted with Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi and Hon. Evelyn Chemutai and received written submissions from Hon. Faith Nakut. UPDF recruitment procedures The Minister of Defence and Internal Affairs and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces carried out a national recruitment exercise from 18 June to 4 July. The recruitment coverage was for all Ugandan nationals and was based on a quota system. LCI chairpersons provided documents to the applicants to prove that one has no criminal liability and the National ID proved one’s nationality and presumes all biometrics and other details are with NIRA. At the recruitment centres, the RDCs, RCCs or GISOs signed on the dispatch forms before departure of the candidates to training schools. However, not everybody who came met the criteria to be recruited, as there were various tests undertaken to eliminate some people because of limited slots. The committee was informed that the UPDF followed the process of recruitment. The criteria for being an eligible applicant were: a) Be a citizen of Uganda; you would prove this with the national ID. b) Adult male or female (18 to 30 years of age). c) Uganda Certificate of Education or its equivalent certificate or qualifications or any of the above.

6958 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT d) Be healthy and willing to undergo medical and physical tests. e) Have no criminal record and this proof of good citizenship was LCI and DISO signatures and recommendations. The quotas were distributed as follows: a) 8,400 were shared nationwide based on the district population size. b) 1,000 were mechanics and drivers. c) 600 were scientists qualifying to join the Air force. d) 100 Medical personnel e) 100 brass band musicians f) 50 specialised sportsmen and ladies The committee findings The committee observed that the recruitment covered 146 districts and the recruitment plan covered 134 districts. The 12 districts were accommodated within their former districts, since their district headquarters were not yet established. Quotas allocated to each district were based on the Uganda Bureau of Statistics population data of 2020. On this note, districts like Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi, Bushenyi and Buhweju had their recruitment centre at Bushenyi District Headquarters, which was their mother district as well as Greater Mbarara of Rwampara, Isingiro, Ibanda and Mbarara City and Mbarara District as well. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the recruitments were done on zonal levels. For instance, the UPDF recruited a total of 163 people from the districts of Nebbi, Zombo and Pakwach. Here the recruitment centre was in Nebbi. All those that attended were recommended by LCIs and DISOs. Nebbi District was a recruitment centre hosting the other two districts. Despite their quota being 57 for Nebbi District alone, 163 recruits were recruited at the zone. While recruitment is not based on tribe, most of the recruits that came from Nebbi were the Alur, as per their identity cards. The committee was informed that a total of 195 people were recruited from Tororo District and most of their documents were verified by LCI chairpersons of various villages of applicants to ensure that they had no criminal record - and not necessarily to prove their ethnicity, tribe or place of abode. Attached are the copies of IDs and letters of recommendation; letters from LCs and recommendations by GISOs as well. However, this was misunderstood to mean proof of nationality. The committee recommends that LCs and the general public should be sensitised on recruitment procedures and guidelines, in accordance with the UPDF Act of 2005. Advertisements should be clear, easy to understand and should be published in all local newspapers and local radios for wider coverage. There were alarming numbers of forged academic documents and the Uganda national identity cards. Recruits who did not have national IDs, but had already applied were not allowed to use their national identification numbers because it was difficult to attach the face to the NIN. Verification of all other documents required more time and finances, which had its own limitations. The recruitment period should be long enough to allow time to verify all the required documents by the relevant Government institutions and agencies. The national identification numbers should be allowed as long as their genuineness can be verified. The recruitment process should be financed to undertake most of the required activities to avoid haphazard work. The recruitment was done for all Ugandans, as long as they had national identity cards and their LCI or GISO or DISO confirmed that they had the required documents verified by LCIs, DISOs, GISOs, as proof of no criminal record. The committee recommends that there should always be proper scrutiny or vetting of these

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to add my voice to what my colleagues are saying, as far as our local governments are concerned. One of the issues that is facing Nebbi District - and I believe that it is not only Nebbi, but also other districts in the country - is the issue of salary disparities. We are all aware that we have the Science vs. Arts policy. This has affected service delivery in my district in such a way that the Arts people feel demoralised and, therefore, leave the backlog for the people who call themselves ‘scientists’, who benefited from the salary increment, as a result of them being so. Even if we are looking at the Science people - leave alone the increment in their money - some of them are not getting it, thereby creating more problems. I am praying that we harmonise the salaries so that service delivery for our people reaches the grassroots people. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank the chairperson of the committee for giving us a very wonderful report. The drive behind the development is power and when we talk about under development in West Nile, one of the reasons behind that is the lack of power in the region. The Chairperson said that they used sampling methods as the methodology. How I wish next time when using that methodology, they go to the extreme end of West Nile so that we come up with objective results. Secondly, we are talking about the poles; Nebbi District is also a victim of power. Sometimes poles are taken to the district, but the technical staff is not informed. Nobody is aware of who dropped the poles and where they will be put; they just pile them. I think we need to be organised. Whenever such activities are taken to the districts, municipalities or cities, they should connect with the technocrats in the districts. I submit. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I may also add the voice of the people of Padyere County, Nebbi District, to wish you a happy birthday. On the 18 th of November, we celebrated the 12 th Anniversary of our king of Arur, Rwoth Ubimu. I appreciate our Kingdom because for the second time running, the theme has been one: “Empowering the girl child and ending early pregnancies.” That plays a very big role

Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me an opportunity to brief you on the International Day for older persons, which is on 1 October 2022. The theme is; “ Resilience of older persons to cope with the modern world”. The venue will be in Nebbi District, West Nile, northern region. As you realise, because of COVID-19, we have had our celebrations in State House. However, it is now rotational; last time, it was in the eastern region, now, it is in the north. The guest of honour will be His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have this question to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister: During the COVID-19 period, Government gave money to the different SACCOs in the country. Nebbi District is one of the districts that did not receive the money. And, each time I am there, the private teachers ask me about that money. May the Rt Hon. Prime Minister tell us the whereabouts of the money? Thank you.