Northern Division

450 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEN. (RTD) MOSES ALI xxii) Governor in the African Development Bank, African Development Bank and African Development Fund in 1978; xxiii) Chairman, Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank from 1978 to 1979; and xxiv) Teacher at Koch Goma Church of Uganda Primary School and Anaka Catholic Girls School, from 1967 to 1968. RECOGNISING THAT Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali was a patriot who served in the Uganda Army and the Uganda National Rescue Front, UNRF II, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and attained the following ranks and awards: i) Mr Speaker, he was commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant and appointed Officer in Charge of Training in the Uganda Paratrooper School in 1969; ii) He was promoted to the rank of Major and appointed Commander of the Paratrooper School in 1971; iii) He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1972; iv) Appointed Minister of Provincial Administration Interior in 1973; v) He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in 1974; vi) He was decorated with the following medals: a. Distinguished Service Order; b. Military Cross; c. Operational and Republic Medals; d. The second highest honour of the Islamic Republic of Mauritius, 1975; e. He was commissioned into the National Resistance Army (NRA) at the rank of Major General in 1986; and f. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in 2003, and thereafter, promoted to the rank of General in 2012. APPRECIATING THAT Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali contributed to the post-colonial restoration of democratic rule in Uganda and participated: i) In the fight against authoritarianism by founding and leading the Uganda National Rescue Front, a West Nile based rebel movement that fought against the dictatorship of the 1980s; ii) In the making of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as a Member of the Constituent Assembly; iii) In the negotiation between the Uganda National Rescue Front, a rebel group, and the Government of Uganda, which culminated in a formal ceasefire agreement and a final peace deal that officially ended the insurgency in the West Nile region and led to the incorporation of former combatants of the UNRF-II into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces; and iv) Supported His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the peace efforts to end the insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Northern Uganda and was instrumental in championing the formulation and enactment of the Amnesty Act, Cap 316, which granted pardon to fighters who denounced rebellion. COGNIZANT that Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali was a diligent leader who supported His Excellence, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in shaping the destiny of Uganda and served Uganda with distinction and patriotism for over 50 years, as described above. NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Parliament of Uganda: i) Collectively conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the people of West Nile sub-region and the people of Uganda, for the loss of a distinguished and gallant citizen of this country; ii) That Parliament appreciates the distinguished service rendered by the late Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali to the people of Uganda.” Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Thank you. Honourable members, in the public gallery this morning, we have immediate family members of the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali. They include: 1. Mama Kerima Ali - widow 2. Mama Amina Ali - widow 3. Mama Aziza Ali - widow 4. Mr Bashir Musa - son 5. Ms Zenab Ali - daughter 6. Ms Mariam Ali - daughter, and not in the public gallery but in the chamber; we have Hon. Siraje Ali Musa - son They have come to join Parliament in paying tribute to the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali and also listen to what other people say about their father and husband. Join me in making them feel welcome. (Applause) We also have Hon. Hamson Denis Obua – (Applause) - the former Government Chief Whip and NRM Vice-Chairperson in charge of Northern Uganda. He has missed and lost a supporter. Can I have Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavenjina, the elder?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the elders and people of Northern Uganda, whom I represent, to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Gen. Moses Ali, Parliament, the Executive led by His Excellency the President, the Judiciary, and the whole country. The late Moses Ali was our icon and had a big heart. In 1986, when the First Lady founded Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), Rt Hon. Moses Ali was one of the donors and a great supporter of the organisation because I personally used to go to his farm, together with my late sister, Ms Angela Kaba, to get bulls for our orphans. In 1994, Gen. Moses Ali and I were campaigning for the Constituent Assembly (CA). On my way back to Nebbi, I had to pass through Moyo and Gulu, but we were abducted by rebels in Pabbo. Fortunately, our Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) were nearby and quickly came to our rescue, but all our things were looted. When I reached Adjumani, I had to report to Gen. Moses Ali, who was also busy with his campaign. He gave me more money than I had raised in Kampala or what had been looted. I am very grateful to him. Mr Speaker, Gen. Moses Ali worked with me when I was appointed to the Cabinet. He guided and mentored me when I was a junior Minister of State – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I am happy to pay tribute to our fallen hero from Northern Uganda. On behalf of the people of Northern Uganda, allow me to bring heartfelt appreciation to

470 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEN. (RTD) MOSES ALI His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda for granting our late son an official burial. Thank you, Your Excellency. I want to thank the late Gen. Moses Ali. He was a statesman who dedicated his time to promote peace and development for the people of Northern Uganda. He worked hand-in-hand with the Government of Uganda to bring peace in Acholi and West Nile Subregions. We will not forget this legacy. Mr Speaker, the late Gen. Moses Ali served this nation with a lot of humility. I remember when I was the Resident District Commissioner of Nwoya, around 2015, the late Gen. Moses Ali was the Second Deputy Prime Minister. He came to my office when he was the Second Deputy Prime Minister and the Second Leader of Government Business in Parliament. I was so surprised to see a General at that rank with all the titles visiting a small office of an RDC. He talked about opening a road connecting Nwoya to Adjumani. We shall forever remember him as a statesman. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Upper Madi County, I second the motion. Mr Speaker, the gentleman lying in front of us here in that casket was not an ordinary person. Gen. Moses Ali, as rightly said, is a household name not only in West Nile but virtually in the whole of Northern Uganda and Uganda at large. The late Gen. Moses Ali was a very firm man but a very fair person as well. A cadre of his nature is not someone we come to mourn. We came here not to mourn the late Gen. Moses Ali, but to celebrate the life of an illustrious son of Madi, West Nile, and Uganda. As a young person, we were students at Namilyango College. At the height of the difficult moments, we were stopped by the soldiers at the roadblock at Ntinda. Fortunately, the gentleman lying there in the coffin was passing by. He came out of his vehicle, ordered the soldiers at the roadblock to release us immediately to continue back to school. And that was the fairness of this gentleman – (Member timed out.)

398 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Dr Baryomunsi] have mobilised our national systems, activated international partnerships, and maintained open communication with the public at every stage. The outcomes achieved to date are a direct result of these efforts. Let me briefly tell you about what the Bundibugyo Ebola virus is. Especially to the people of Bundibugyo, because there is a misunderstanding when we say Bundibugyo virus; some people think there is an outbreak in Bundibugyo District. Ebola is what we call a “zoonotic disease”. “Zoonotic disease” means the disease-causing organism ordinarily resides in an animal, but it can cross over to a human being and cause disease, so those diseases are called zoonosis. By the time we finish this Parliament, you will be up to date with the medical issues -(Laughter)- that means that the Ebola virus, which causes Ebola disease, the reservoir is in animals, and the fruit bat is the one which usually harbours this virus. It thrives in non- human primates and some other animals, so when it crosses over to human beings, it causes disease. The first case of Ebola was identified in 1976. There was a simultaneous outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the current South Sudan. Ebola is the name of a river which is in the DRC, so it derives its name from the Ebola River because the first outbreak was in a community around the Ebola River in Congo. I am paraphrasing my statement because I will not read it verbatim. The first outbreak was in Congo, Zaire, then, so that strain of the virus was called Ebola Zaire. The strain that was in Sudan was different. It was called Ebola Sudan. In 2007 and 2008, we had an outbreak in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda. When the scientists checked the virus, the strain was different from the previous ones; therefore, it was named Ebola Bundibugyo. Are you following, class? (Laughter) Therefore, Ebola Bundibugyo refers to that strain of the virus which first hit us in Bundibugyo, and it was different from the previous strains. There are six strains of Ebola virus. Strain means a subtype or a different type. Of the six, the ones of public health importance are these three: Ebola Zaire, Ebola Sudan, and Ebola Bundibugyo. There is another one called Tai Forest Ebola virus. It was first identified in Ivory Coast in 1989. There is another one called the Reston Virus, but it does not cause disease in human beings. Another is called the Bombali Virus, which was identified in Sierra Leone. Those last three are not so much of public health importance because they are not associated with human infections. I just wanted to give you that background so we can understand. I have received complaints from the people of Bundibugyo that we should change the name because it creates stigma against them. However, that is how the international scientific community named it because it was first isolated in Bundibugyo, which is in Western Uganda. I can also add that since 1976, we have had about 40 outbreaks and flare-ups in the last 50 years. I will speak to the importance of that. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now witnessing the 17 th outbreak of Ebola. Here in Uganda, we are witnessing the ninth. The first was in 2000, which ravaged Northern Uganda. You recall when we lost one of our prominent doctors, Dr Lukwiya. Since then, we have had several outbreaks and flare-ups. Let me give you the statistics as they are today. On the 10 th day of May, a sick Congolese national came into Uganda and was admitted at Kibuli Hospital. Little did the health workers know that this was a case of Ebola disease. He died on the 14 th , four days later. When the victim died, the health workers became suspicious and took samples from him. On the 15 th day of May, they confirmed this was a case of Ebola. That is why the Ministry of MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

412 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Ogwang] i) Upgrading the seating capacity from 38,000 to 45,000; ii) Improvements and expansion of the VVIP and VIP lounges; iii) Improvements in the media tribune, stadium media centre, press conference rooms, the mixed zone, spectator-related areas and medical areas, among others. Mr Speaker, the contractor has completed the design review and incorporated all observations raised by the Confederation of African Football. Structural integrity tests have also been successfully undertaken, confirming the project’s readiness to proceed. The contractor remains scheduled to complete works within the timelines stipulated by CAF, which is 31 December 2026. 3. Kyambogo University Training Facility Phase II construction works are progressing well and the facility is expected to be completed by August. 4. Makerere University Training Facility Construction works are ongoing and completion is expected by August. 5. Hoima Boma Grounds The project is on course for completion by September this year. 6. Masindi Municipal Stadium Training Facility Construction works are ongoing and the facility is expected to be completed by September this year. 7. FUFA Kadiba Stadium Training Facility The BOQs and architectural design for Kadiba are being finalised, and the site will soon be handed over to the UPDF Engineers Brigade. The scope of works includes remedial works on the pitch and installation of floodlights. We envisage completing the work by December 2026. Why the delay? The stadium was being used by FUFA till the end of the calendar year, which ended recently. It is a Federation facility for football competition. 8. Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School (Training Facility) The process of acquiring land at Sir Tito Winyi is concluded, and the Minister of Works and Transport is preparing the BOQs. Works will commence in August 2026 and will be completed in December. Why the delay? There was a complaint about the land. As per the guidance from the Attorney-General, the Government cannot invest resources where we do not have exclusive ownership of the land. So, the two parties had to be brought on board. Finally, there is a consent to that effect. Now we are ready to start working. 9. Upgrade priority access roads, pedestrian walkways, and street lighting around Hoima City stadium and Mandela National Stadium. Government is implementing a number of strategic road projects aimed at improving access to the AFCON 2027 competition and training venues while also easing traffic flow within the host cities. The works cover Jokas-Uganda Christian University Road (13.2 km). This road is going to be worked on and completed. That will ease traffic on the main Jinja Highway. Hon. Nambooze is nodding. I think let us clap for Government for that. (Laughter) Jokas-Bweyogere Road (6.2 km), Jokas-Namanve Road (3.2 km), Kireka-Kamuli- Nalya Road, Bweyogere-Buto-Namugongo Road, Kyaliwajala-Kira-Kasangati Road, and Old Jinja Road. The project also includes improvements to Kireka and Kyaliwajala junctions, as well as road linkages to the Northern Bypass through Agenda and Kiwatule as well as roads to Hoima City Stadium. The procurement process is progressing well with the evaluation of prospective contractors underway. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

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

Mr Speaker, I am happy that everybody is now in the mood of AFCON 2027. I would like to thank the President and the First Lady who have been coordinating all these efforts. A lot has been done; we are well coordinated and doing all that is possible to make sure Uganda hosts AFCON 2027. I undertake to involve all colleagues, both in Wakiso, Kampala and Hoima, even Lira, where Akii- Bua Stadium is located. Today I chaired a meeting of hotel owners, including those from Northern Uganda, because as we speak, Akii-Bua Stadium construction is 100 per cent complete –(Interjections) - yes, they are just planting grass. Apart from a few patches – (Interjections) - information not taken. All of us wish the best for this country, and I know we have an obligation. I once again undertake to involve everybody.

437 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 JULY 2026 However, the President organised a detach manned by the army. There is a commander in that area and issues had really subsided completely. Now that the issues are coming up, cattle rustling is a crime. We have even trained those “Karachunas” in Kyankwanzi and Kaweweta Military Training School. From there, I thought that one is a matter of the past. But now that, that came up, together with the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Minister of Northern Uganda, and theMinister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, we shall continue to tighten the security of that area. For compensation, please come to our office and give us the details of those people who lost their lives. And by the way, we condole with the families. We shall handle these issues as they emerge. However, the fact is that the President of the Republic of Uganda has tried his best to stop cattle rustling from our brothers, the Karachunas of Karamoja who have really made it a habit to steal from their neighbours. I know this will stop with time.

Thank you. There is a related motion here. Just sit down a little. Item number five will be the last item on this and then we handle EALA. We shall continue with the State-of-the-Nation Address next week. We cannot rush the State- of-the-Nation Address since it is a three-minute - and the Rt Hon. Prime Minister is doing very well. If we continue this way, your work, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, mine, and that of MPs will be easier. They will all come back. Item No.5. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT URGING GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THE DROUGHT-AFFECTED SUBREGIONS OF NORTHERN UGANDA

Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity. It is a motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to support the drought-affected subregions of Northern Uganda. This is moved under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda. Mr Speaker, as you guided, I will go to the prayers directly. Our prayer is: “NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by Parliament as follows: a) that the Government expedites the delivery of food items to support the drought- affected households as well as seeds, seedlings, and planting material for food security crops for the affected people to plant immediately in the forthcoming planting season; b) that the Government invests adequately in early warning systems to strengthen climatic forecast and information dissemination so as to improve on safeguard measures against the occurrence of drought and other natural disasters; c) that the Government expedites the use of the $38 million funds already earmarked for the disaster risk financing facility under the NUSAF-IV Project to deal with the challenges of severe drought in the subregions of West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Karamoja, Teso, Bukedi, Bunyoro and Elgon; d) that the Government increases investment in solar-powered irrigation systems to minimise crop failures that arise from the absence of water; e) that the Government establishes agricultural mechanisation support systems to ease land opening, increase acreages under production and improve [Mr Opito] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I stand to support the motion. It is very challenging that the effect of climate change is biting quite deep in the population. The population had actually invested a lot; people had cultivated, and many acreage of crops had been planted, but the dry spell came, and nothing was harvested. I, therefore, support the motion that the population be supported with food supplies, aware that the next planting season is coming this August and people will only harvest in November and December. Unless they are supported, many lives will be lost. I support the motion that the people of Northern Uganda be urgently supported with food supply and planting materials. Thank you.

440 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Mr Speaker, these figures come from nine official Government records and have been substantively corroborated by official data as well as international sources. The Government has already responded because we have been having communications. On the 11 th of July, the President ordered for Shs 45 billion Contingency Fund for famine relief and authorised regulated grazing at Pian Upe, as well as ordering a review of water reservoir plans in the region. That is a welcome response but we find this insufficient. Our motion seeks to extend that response to every northern subregion named in the motion and to ensure that the resources deployed are adequate to the scale of the need. Mr Speaker, I give notice of three amendments I intend to move during this debate: 1. That Government commits to further distribution of food relief across the six-month gap to the next harvest. One distribution is not enough. 2. That the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) distributes drought-tolerant seeds for the September to December planting season to food-insecure households across the northern subregions as well as some parts of Karamoja. 3. Lastly, a specific provision for therapeutic nutrition for children at risk of acute malnutrition. There are 120,000 of them in the region. Mr Speaker, flour and beans do not reverse acute malnutrition and from the mathematics available to us, the current distribution from Shs 45 billion can only last 10 days and yet we need around five or six such measures over the next six months. I beg to submit.

Thank you. Mr Speaker, I would like to raise a procedural matter under rule 63(1). This motion is only talking about affected areas in subregions in Northern Uganda. I am moving an amendment to the motion, under that rule, that instead of us only focusing on subregions in Northern Uganda, we consider affected areas in Uganda. (Applause)

Thank you. However, the motion was beyond Northern Uganda. It enumerated several areas but it is evident in places like Kasese. You even heard that in Ankole, their problem is not food but they want water for the drought. As a Speaker, this is the first time I am hearing that this is a big challenge. (Hon. Francis Oketcho rose_) Hon. Francis, what is it? We are closing this matter.

Majegere oyee . (Laughter) Honourable members, I put the question to the motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to support the drought-affected areas, the subregions of Northern Uganda and the amendment to include all affected subregions of Uganda.

301 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 09 JULY 2026 At the onset, Mr Speaker, I would like to notify the honourable members that we are going to put the members of Parliament on our list where you will get daily updates on the weather forecast. (Applause) This brief has been prepared to update you on the weather patterns expected in July 2026 across the country. My Ministry of Water and Environment, through the Department of Meteorological Services, produces weather and climate forecasts and information for various sectors, including aviation, marine transport, water resources management, agriculture, health, national defence and security, disaster preparedness, and other developmental activities, to support planning and decision-making for sustainable development. The forecasts are generated and disseminated at different timescales, including six hours, 12 hours, 24 hours (daily), 10 days (Decadal), 30 days (monthly) and 90 days (seasonal), and other tailored weather and climate information depending on user needs. For easy interpretation and uptake of seasonal forecasts, especially by the farmers, the forecasts are usually translated into 35 local languages, depending on availability of funds. Mr Speaker, as you are aware, Uganda experiences two major rainfall seasons, namely, March – April - May (MAM) and September – October - November – December (SOND). However, Northern and parts of Eastern Uganda usually receive substantial rainfall during the months of June-July-August (JJA). The two major rainfall seasons are separated by two dry periods: December to February and June to August in the southern sector. On 28 May 2026, the ministry released a monthly weather update which follows the June – July - August (JJA) 2026 seasonal forecast. In the JJA seasonal forecast, we indicated that rainfall would be suppressed across the country during the JJA season, partly due to the developing El Niño (sea surface warming) over the equatorial Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean. As a result, the rainfall recorded during June 2026 across the country was largely suppressed, as was predicted. Rainfall outlook for July 2026 Mr Speaker, the rainfall outlook for July 2026 over Uganda indicates that Northern and some areas of Eastern Uganda are expected to receive occasional (on and off) light, isolated rainfall. In contrast, Central, south western areas around Lake Victoria, and some parts of Eastern Uganda are expected to remain predominantly dry. Overall, some parts of the country are expected to experience below- average rainfall during July 2026. Temperature outlook for July 2026 Mr Speaker, the temperature is expected to be higher than average during the month of July due to predicted dry conditions, largely influenced by the ongoing development of El Niño over the Equatorial Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean. What are the impacts? Mr Speaker, the expected weather conditions in July 2026 are expected to result in several impacts, particularly on climate-sensitive sectors: i. Agriculture and Food Security. We are likely to have reduced crop yields, increased stress in livestock, and increased risks of pests and diseases that thrive in warm, dry conditions. ii. Water and Environment. The expected impacts include water shortages, increased wildfire risk, and loss of biodiversity. iii. Health. The expected impacts include heat-related illnesses, waterborne diseases and poor nutrition. iv. Social impacts include food insecurity, conflicts over limited resources and migration from one place to another in search of water and food. v. Economic impacts include reduced household income and increased food prices.

302 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS [Ms Anywar] Advisories Mr Speaker, in response to the expected weather conditions, the following advisories are recommended: i. Communities are encouraged to practice water conservation strategies. Let us use our available water sparingly; ii. Our people should promote efficient use of water for domestic and production purposes; iii. Promote public education on heat safety. We need to take shelter seriously because the heat will have a great effect; iv. Communities are encouraged to use supplementary irrigation for those with access to water resources; v. Communities are encouraged to use available food sparingly or efficiently. Maybe we can stock some if we still have granaries like Northern Uganda; that is, if we have the food. vi. We also encourage continued dissemination of early warning information to our constituencies and all Ugandans. Future outlook Mr Speaker, the outlook indicates that dry and warm conditions are also expected to prevail in August 2026. Given this, the outlook is for a dry season in August as well. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, the dry and warm conditions are expected to affect agriculture, water resources, public health, ecosystems, and the livelihood of our people. Effective planning and adaptation measures need to be engaged now to reduce the impact. I encourage all of us to make good use of this forecast for planning and decision-making. This information should be used to guide rain- fed economic activities, that is, the planting season, to improve livelihoods and economic welfare in our communities. It should also be considered alongside other weather updates regularly provided by the Ministry through the Department of Meteorological Services. I am happy, as I said, colleagues, that Members of Parliament, we have discussed with my team, you are all going to be put on the list and be updated daily. Mr Speaker, my ministry will provide detailed weather updates for August 2026 at the end of July 2026, and release the seasonal forecast for September, October, November, and December 2026 at the end of August 2026. Finally, the ministry appeals that we get supported with enough resources to acquire specialised equipment, to put in place a comprehensive system– those ones will be done, and I think when we are sorted from the Cabinet we shall bring it to this House, so that we are given that opportunity to acquire updated scientific machines that can give real- time forecasts to our people. I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mine is on food security. Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Sheema District and other districts that plant Matooke, are currently experiencing severe drought and our bananas are ripening at an abnormal time. I would like to request - I heard an honourable member from Northern Uganda say, “ They are suffering from famine”. Can we have alternative markets? Can we have alternative ways of keeping our food safe, may be in the fridges so that our Matooke, in times of such a glut, we would have them stored or given to those markets or areas where people are suffering from famine. Sheema District and so many other districts are suffering from the same.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Alluding to some of the submissions of our honourable colleagues, for the entire stretch along the northern route going all the way to Gulu, the biggest accidents right now are due to potholes which are not being filled by the Ministry of Works and Transport. We have a high volume of passengers now travelling at night, and because of little lighting along the road, these buses do not see some of these potholes. That is how they end up swerving towards another vehicle, and we get head-on collisions. Can we have those potholes actually filled to make sure that the road is safe? I would also like to inform the Minister of Works and Transport that we are still getting accidents and deaths along the Jukia road. We passed a loan of $20 million for works to begin on the Nebbi-Goli Road; the 16 kilometers. Nothing is happening on the ground. What are you going to do? Lastly, Rt Hon. Speaker, you remember in the 11 th - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, pursuant to Rule 165 of our Rules of Procedure, I designate the following Members to the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline. 1. Hon. Fredrick Ruhindi, Nakawa Division East, Kampala - Chairperson 2. Hon. Abdu Swaibu Kampanya, Iki-Iki, Budaka, NRM - Vice-Chairperson 3. Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavengina, Older Persons Representative (Northern) 4. Hon. James Kakooza, Older Persons Representative 5. Hon. Denis Omodi Alyela, Lira East Division, Lira City 6. Hon. Gyaviira Ssemwanga, Buyamba County, Rakai 7. Hon. Solomon Ossiya Alemu, Toroma County, Katakwi 8. Hon. Salim Kisekka, Bukomansimbi North County, Bukomansimbi 9. Hon. George Patrick Kasajja, Bulamogi North West County, Kaliro, 10. Hon. Peace Khalayi, District Woman Representative, Namisindwa, 11. Hon. Moses Mayanja, Busiro County North, Wakiso 12. Hon. Richard Ongorok, Usuk County, Katakwi 13. Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba, Kibale County, Kamwenge 14. Hon. Dr Gerald Kasigwa Bihemaiso, Kigorobya County, Hoima 15. Hon. Richard Owere Machika, West Budama North East County, Tororo 16. Hon. Sarah Namulondo, District Woman Representative, Buyende 17. Hon. Peter Okeyoh, Bukooli Island County, Namayingo 18. Hon. Annet Katusiime Mugisha, District Woman Representative, Bushenyi – (Interruptions)

Mr Speaker, I beg to designate the following to the Committee on East African Community Affairs. 1. Hon. Namara Denis, Buyaga West - Chairperson. 2. Hon. Jackline Sange, District Woman Representative, Kween - Vice- Chairperson 3. Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavenjina, Older Persons Representative (Northern) 4. Hon. Florence Asiimwe Akiiki, District Woman Representative, Masindi 5. Hon. Ismail Sowed Mulemya, Busia Municipality, Busia 6. Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, Nyabushozi County, Kiruhura 7. Hon. Josephine Bebona Babungi, District Woman Representative, Bundibugyo 8. Hon. Ferigo Kambale, Kasese Municipality, Kasese 9. Hon. Ben Baatom Koryang, Dodoth West County, Karenga 10. Hon. Matayo Bazaanya, Bugabula County South, Kamuli 11. Hon. Ismail Lubega Kaka, Kakuuto County, Rakai 12. Hon. Charles Nsereko Basajjassubi, Nakaseke South County, Nakaseke 13. Hon. Peter Okeyoh, Bukooli Island County, Namayingo 14. Hon. Agnes Ameede, District Woman Representative, Butebo 15. Hon. Arinaitwe Jeniva, District Woman Representative, Rubirizi 16. Hon. Linda Agnes Auma, District Woman Representative, Lira 17. Hon. Christopher Komakech, Aruu County, Pader 18. Hon. George Patrick Kasajja, Bulamogi North West County, Kaliro 19. Hon. Stephen Kangwagye, Bukanga County, Isingiro 20. Hon. Annet Birungi, Workers Representative. I beg to designate.

140 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 a) Agro-industrialisation; b) Tourism development; c) Mineral-based industrial development including oil and gas; d) Science, technology, and innovations including ICT and the creative arts. These sectors are deliberately selected because they represent Uganda’s strongest comparative advantages and possess the greatest potential to generate exports, jobs, incomes and investment. Together, they form the engine of the Tenfold Growth Strategy. The objective is simple: To convert Uganda’s natural resources, human capital and innovation into wealth, jobs and prosperity. I would now like to detail each. Agro-industrialisation Mr Speaker, agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy. It employs millions of Ugandans, supplies raw materials to industry, produces exports and sustains livelihoods across the country. However, Uganda’s future prosperity will not come from producing more raw commodities alone. It will come from increasing productivity, expanding value addition, strengthening agro- processing and improving market access. The Government, therefore, continues to invest strategically across the entire agricultural value chain. Agricultural research and innovation Mr Speaker, agricultural transformation begins with science. This year, the Government made significant advances in agricultural research and genetics. The anti-tick vaccine facility at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute in Nakyesasa was completed and is now operational, producing about 36 million doses, serving 18 million livestock in the first year. The Government also produced Foot-and- Mouth Disease vaccines and continued to advance research on disease resistant crops and livestock breeds. These investments will reduce production losses, raise productivity and increase farmer incomes. Water for production and irrigation Climate change continues to expose farmers to significant weather-related risks. The Government is, therefore, accelerating investment in irrigation and water for production infrastructure to reduce dependence on rainfall. Progress was registered on several major irrigation projects including Kabuyanda Dam in Isingiro District, Atari in Bulambuli District, Wadelai in Pakwach District, Acomai in Bukedea District, Namaitsu in Bududa District, Chembombai in Bukwo District and Sipi Irrigation Scheme in Bulambuli District. Solar-powered irrigation schemes are also being rolled out across the country. These investments will support all-year-round production, increase resilience and improve agricultural productivity. Mechanisation and animal health The Government continued developing Regional Agricultural Mechanisation Centres and Animal Disease Control Centres to improve efficiency and productivity in the agriculture sector. Progress was registered in Kiruhura, Mbale, Kiryandongo, Bunyangabu, Nakaseke, Katine and several other districts. These facilities are improving access to modern agricultural equipment, veterinary services and disease surveillance systems. Expanding commercial coffee production Mr Speaker, coffee remains one of Uganda’s most important export commodities. The Government has, therefore, expanded coffee cultivation into northern and eastern Uganda. During the year, two coffee mother gardens were established and over 1.4 million coffee seedlings distributed to 7,532 farmers in

141 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 northern Uganda. This intervention will broaden participation in one of Uganda’s most profitable agricultural value chains. Financial Year 2026/2027 priorities for agro- industrialisation A total of Shs 2.26 trillion has been allocated to the agro-industrialisation programme in FY 2026/2027. This is the highest allocation ever to this programme. Priority interventions include: i. Agricultural research and innovation, including funding for anti-tick vaccine commercialisation; ii. Irrigation and water for production; iii. Extension services, more extension workers and their facilitation to reach farmers; iv. Provision of good quality agricultural input; v. Post-harvest handling and storage; vi. Agro-processing and value addition; vii. Quality assurance and certification; and viii. Expanding market access. The objective is to move Uganda from exporting raw commodities to value-added agricultural products. Tourism development Tourism is one of Uganda’s most powerful export industries. It generates foreign exchange, creates jobs, supports thousands of enterprises and showcases Uganda to the world. The following achievements have been registered this financial year: 1. Uganda’s global tourism visibility is at an all-time high, driven by the aggressive destination marketing under the “Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa” brand. The country’s growing international profile and industry endorsements are evident in its recent global presence and awards. 2. In the North American market, Uganda won the “Best in Show – Africa” at the 2026 New York Travel and Adventure Show, bolstered by endorsements from the renowned travel journalists. In the Asian market, the country won the “Best Exquisite Destination Award” at the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai and gained strong visibility at the South Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition in New Delhi. 3. The Government has intensified the international marketing of Destination Uganda through participation in major tourism exhibitions and targeted promotion campaigns in Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, Asia, East Africa and North Africa. The Government also leveraged high-profile platforms including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 tournament in Morocco and the 2025 World Travel Market in London, to showcase Uganda’s tourism potential and attract visitors. 4. In addition, Uganda successfully secured a bid to host two international conferences, further strengthening its position as a preferred destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). 5. Uganda also launched the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) Strategy as a key instrument for advancing Uganda’s economic transformation. Under this strategy, Uganda’s Missions Abroad have been assigned clear performance targets focusing on four measurable economic outcomes, mainly tourism marketing, trade promotion, investment attraction and diaspora mobilisation. The ECD Strategy is contributing to improved economic performance with increased international tourist arrivals and receipts, foreign direct investment inflows and merchandise export earnings. The Government will continue to leverage its Missions Abroad to market Uganda as a preferred tourism, conference and investment destination, expand market access for

87 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 4 JUNE 2026 Isingiro all the way up to Northern Uganda. Much of the work we have done so far was in the South of the Nile, from River Kagera up to Kiryandongo. They have all changed. That man is in the Ngoma area. The infrastructure is not so good, but you can see they are having a lot of money. That particular one is selling 900 litres of milk per day. The price is low, it is not high, but they still get Shs 21 million a month. You can see that girl there; she is educated because of the money which the parents have used to pay for her in the schools and they have moved from the other smaller houses, which the old lady was showing you, to now permanent buildings to live a better life. That is the testimony from the cattle corridor. That is why this time really, I am no longer interested in non-performers. Between 1986 and 1989, we campaigned for prioritising the enterprise of dairy farming for the small and medium farmers, while the big players would continue with their ranching for beef. By 1995, the cattle corridor had started changing. People were getting income per month from the sale of milk, building better houses, paying school fees for children in schools. Indeed, our late Magaga – Magaga is a husband to the other lady whom you saw, and father of Lt Gen. Kavuma – Is Kavuma here? He is a big general now. (Hon. Kavuma rose_) You can see how big he is; there he is. Their family – the wife (the one you saw) and the husband who died – indeed our late comrade Magaga, the father of Lt Gen. Kavuma, came to me and told me that he did not know what to do with the money. When they started getting money from the milk, he could not believe it. He said, “ Hate essente z’inshobeire okundazigire. ” Once you say you are a leader, you are putting a problem on yourself. If you do not become a real leader, God will not like you; I can assure you of this. Either you lead or you stay in your home: Do not try to be a leader when you do not care about the people. Magaga came and said, “ Essente z’inshobeire nzigyire’nta? ” This is because the milk people are paid every 15 days. This had never happened in Magaga’s life. He had never seen it that a villager is paid money every 15 days. “ Nka ow’omushahara .” That is what he told me. It is as if he was working in a government office and being paid a salary. That was the tragedy of Uganda at that time. Only the civil colonial servants would get regular income. This change in the cattle corridor by the traditional families of abatasoma – because these people had never gone to school. Magaga had never gone to school. His wife had never gone to school - was engineered by us, and it was against the advice of the professionals. The professionals did not believe we could change these people. They would tell me; you are wasting your time, those Banyankole cannot change. They were all saying to a man that the Banyankole could not change from their pre-capitalist lifestyle to a money economy. Moreover, when we were doing this, nobody among the colonial elite would agree to support us. It is only Mzee Byanyima who gave us Shs 20, with my colleague Mwesigwa Black, who died in 1972 in our wars. The only person who helped us gave us Shs 20. That was just short of $3 at the time. A dollar at that time was Shs 7, so $3 would be Shs 21. When we said we were going to mobilise the Banyankole to stop nomadism, other people refused to help us. We used Shs 7 per person to use Mungonya’s bus from Mbarara to Rushere through Ruhumba. That was Shs 14. Out of our Shs 20, we used Shs 14 to come from Mbarara to Rushere. Mwesigwa was a smoker, so he took away Shs 1.20 to buy a packet of Sportsman cigarettes. That left us with Shs 1.80. After holding public meetings at Rushere, we used the Bazalwana bus to a place called Katongole, each using Shs 1.20; that is Shs 2.40. In the Katongole area, we started moving on foot up to Naama, where we spent the night leaning against the harvested millet of one of

Mr Speaker, allow me to present the Members who will represent our side on the Appointments Committee: 1. Hon. Akumu Catherine Mavenjina. 2. Hon. Avur Jane Pacuto. 3. Hon. Awor Betty Engola. 4. Hon. Birungi Annet, Workers Representative. 5. Hon. Byibesho Sam, Kisoro Municipality. 6. Hon. Challa Elma Kapel, Youth Northern Uganda. 7. Hon. Gashaija Shyaka Steven, Entebbe Municipality. 8. Hon. Katushabe Ruth, Bukomansimbi. 9. Hon. Kisa Stephen Bakubalwayo, Luuka South. 10. Hon. Kitanywa Sowedi, Busongora County North. 11. Hon. Kiwanuka Keefa, Kiboga East County. 12. Hon. Lanyero Christine Awany, Nwoya District. 13. Hon. Linda Irene, Fort Portal City. 14. Hon. Mafabi Asha Nabulo, Sironko District. 15. Hon. Nagujja Judith, Buvuma. 16. Hon. Nakut Faith, Napak District. 17. Hon. Ndeezi Alex, PWD Central. 18. Hon. Ntale Nsereko Madina, Kawempe Division North. 19. Hon. Nyeko Johnson, Lamwo County. 20. Hon. Opolot Okwalinga Simon, Kanyum County. 21. Hon. Rwakimari Beatrice, Ruhaama County. 22. Hon. Rwakoojo Robinah Gureme, Gomba West County. 23. Hon. Tumuramye Genensio, Kashongi County. Welcome back, our brother. 24. Hon. Twalla Fadil, Tingey County. 25. Hon. Wembabazi Beatrice, Hoima District. 26. Hon. Maj. Gen. Kinalwa James, UPDF. 27. Hon. Okot Peter, Tochi County.

Your Excellency, the President, and My Lord, the Chief Justice. My name is Peter Okot, Member of Parliament for Tochi County in Omoro District. I rise under Rule 5 (8) of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure to move that Hon. Norbert Mao, Member of Parliament for Laroo-Pece, do take the Chair of this Parliament as the Speaker. My Lord, the Chief Justice, let me give a brief background and qualifications of Hon. Norbert Mao. Hon. Norbert Mao was born in 1967 to a mother from Isingiro and a father from Gulu. He spent most of his formative years in Jinja and had most of his secondary education in the central region. That is why he is commonly referred to as “Uganda Made Simple.” My Lord, Norbert Mao had a humble childhood in Lacor and Bwobo, where he benefited from the kindness of many, some of whom were total strangers. As a little boy, he herded goats, helped on the farm, and worked as a cobbler, bicycle repairer, and as an apprentice to a tinsmith. His primary school then had no P.7 class, but on account of his natural brilliance, he went on to do his Primary Leaving Examination at Magwa Primary School, from where he moved on to Wairaka College for two years and then went to Namilyango College, where he sat for both his O and A-level examination before joining Makerere University. His exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills were recognised early by his peers. While in primary school and even at secondary level, he participated in many debates and seminars where he excelled on account of the courage, clarity, and conviction with which he presented his case. At Makerere University, he was elected President of the Student Guild at a time when coming from Northern Uganda carried a big stigma. He overcame that stigma and rallied students to champion a campaign against the World Bank-inspired policies, referred to as the Structural Adjustment Programme. However, in reality, it required the Governments in the underdeveloped countries to drastically reduce spending on health, education, and livelihoods. The byword of those policies was cost-sharing. The fierce disagreement with the Government led to a strike in which two students lost their lives and many were seriously injured when the police was deployed on campus on 10 December 1990. One of those who was seriously injured was our own late Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah. May his soul rest in peace. Hon. Mao is ever a bridge-builder and peacemaker. Norbert Mao at just 23 years old at that time, reached out to State House and secured an appointment to meet President

Most obliged - than having a presiding officer who does not have an overbearing or coercive influence on Members and is himself not under the overbearing or coercive influence of anybody. Norbert Mao is a patriot and was a firebrand legislator in the Sixth and the Seventh Parliaments, now returned to Parliament after voluntarily leaving it 20 years ago. He left Parliament and went to serve as the district chairperson of Gulu District local government. That is why he is commonly referred to as “Mr Chairman.” He worked alongside others to support the peace process that silenced the guns in Northern Uganda and laid the foundation for post-conflict reconstruction. God has preserved him through many life-threatening situations in order to serve the country he loves for such a time as this. As the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, he has been a champion of alternative dispute resolution, the protection of the intellectual property of the creatives, and a promoter of access to justice in collaboration with the Judiciary. As the political head of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, he supported the completion of the new building housing many of the justice, law and order institutions, saving Government Shs 30 billion annually, in rent. Surely, he will quickly ensure the completion of the new parliamentary chambers so that we do not have to come to the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds every time we have a grand Sitting of Parliament. My Lord, the Chief Justice, in conclusion, Hon. Mao, as the current Chairman of the Summit of the Inter-Party Organisation for dialogue, IPOD, understands what is at stake over the next five years and beyond. At a deeper level, honourable members, Hon. Norbert Mao as a candidate for Speaker is not the issue. The issue is what is at stake as we elect the Speaker; what is at stake is bigger than any

“ 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

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As all of you know, Atiak Sugar Factory is a project that is supported by the Government to transform the economy of Northern Uganda. Many of you who come from Northern Uganda know how important that project will be. Madam Speaker, we have funded the Atiak Sugar Factory to do several activities. One is irrigation, and Atiak Sugar Factory is finishing up the irrigation system to help guard against the changing weather, so that there is proper production of the sugarcane. Madam Speaker, as we speak, I know Members are very much concerned with when the sugar from Atiak Sugar Factory will be put on the market. I have good news for you. It will start producing sugar in the month of September this year. The irrigation has ended, and 2026 will have sugar. We should be able to support this sugar factory so that we have it running in September 2026. Thank you.

18919 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 24 APRIL 2026 ii. Areas with less desirable levels of compliance with NDPIV include a 21 per cent alignment of local government annual work plans and budgets with NDPIV- there is a lot of work to do with the local governments- and failure of some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to include output indicator targets in their budgets. They ask for money but they do not set any target. iii. In regard to NDPIV, consistency with the programme budget allocations (measured by the share of the proposed programme allocations against the total budget), the programme budget allocations for the Financial Year 2026/2027 are largely consistent with NDPIV. The details are in Table 2. Madam Speaker, I beg that Members read that. They show the annual budget estimates, the allocations, the targets by NDPIV, the actual allocations as presented today, the variations, and the share of these allocations in the total budget for this coming financial year. iv. The current Charter of Fiscal Responsibility for the Financial Year 2021/2022 to the Financial Year 2025/2026 expires in June 2026. It is, therefore, premature for us to ascertain the consistency of the proposed annual budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 with the current Charter of Fiscal Responsibility. It is important to note that the Government has encountered consistent challenges in meeting the fiscal rules or benchmarks it has set in the past Charters of Fiscal Responsibility. For instance, the fiscal deficit to GDP has consistently been above the 3 per cent target, the debt to GDP ratio is above the 50 per cent benchmark, and domestic debt interest payments to total revenues have also continued to exceed the 12.5 per cent CFR benchmarks. I hope the next charter of fiscal responsibility will address these concerns. v. In regard to consistency with the Budget Framework Paper (BFP), the proposed programme budget allocations for the Financial Year 2026/2027 are largely consistent with the BFP programme allocations as detailed in Table 9, on the next page. It is important to note, Madam Speaker, in this budget, the Government came back to this House – vi. In addition to the proposed annual budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027, the Government has also provided an additional fund for key funding gaps as recommended by Parliament during the consideration of the Budget Framework Paper, which we presented in January/February. These additional funds include among others, Shs 664.38 billion for the completion of the ongoing road construction projects, Shs 45 billion for rural electrification and connectivity, Shs 100 billion for the procurement of essential medicines and health supplies. Additionally, the Government has given Shs 20 billion to facilitate export promotion. Another Shs 100 billion for cattle compensation in Northern Uganda, Shs 20 billion for the purchase of ambulances and Shs 10 billion for the maintenance and operations. I think we should clap for this. The Government is starting to listen to us. (Applause) So, every ambulance will have a fuel card. 5.3. Gender and Equity Responsiveness of the budget. Section 12(11)(e) of the PFMA Act Cap 171, requires the minister responsible for finance to present to Parliament a certificate of gender and equity responsiveness in consultation with the Equal Opportunity Commission: (i) Certifying that the budget is gender and equity responsive, and (ii) Specifying the measures taken to equalise opportunities for men and women, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups.

18922 THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (NO.2) BILL, 2025 6.3 The Resource Envelope Madam Speaker, the resource envelope for the Financial Year 2026/2027 amounts to Shs 84.391.74 trillion, a rise from Shs 72.376.48 trillion as detailed in the Financial Year 2025/2026. The details of the resources are in Table 11. So our new budget in the coming financial year is 84.391.74 trillion. 6.4 How does Government plan to spend this money? Madam Speaker, Shs 84.391.74 trillion will be spent as follows: The expenditure allocations in the Financial Year 2026/27 are projected to increase by about Shs 11,917.68 billion compared to the approved budget of the Financial Year 2025/26, as detailed in Tables 12 and 13. This increase is mainly driven by the additional budget allocations to the following critical expenditure priorities. Madam Speaker, this is where the Shs 84.439.74 trillion will go: (i) Transport and Energy infrastructure, especially meeting government’s counterpart funding commitment for flagship projects such as Kampala- Jinja Expressway, the Standard Gauge Railway, the Meter Gauge Railway, electricity for industrial parks, and water supply, etc. The Government plans to allocate Shs 1.38 trillion. (ii) The Government also plans to allocate Shs 111 billion towards the rehabilitation and maintenance of Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) roads, the drainage, and clean up. (iii) The Government has allocated Shs 918 billion for the completion of ongoing road projects, national road maintenance, and District, Urban, and Community Access Roads (DUCAR). (iv) The Government has allocated Shs 200 billion to Science, Technology, and Innovation, including Kiira Motors. (v) The Government has allocated Shs 1.16 trillion towards the enhancement of salaries for primary school teachers, secondary school arts teachers, Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) staff, enhancement of wage for Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) scientists, and implementation in the welfare of public servants. (vi) The Government has allocated Shs 556.78 billion towards strengthening specialised health facilities, national and regional referral hospitals, and increasing the stock of essential medicines. This was a great development; it was not there before. This is an increment. (vii) The Government has allocated finance for Multi-Sectoral interventions for meeting our commitments to host African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027; Shs 496.3 billion. (viii) The Government has allocated additional financing for security of Shs 318.12 billion. (ix) Furthermore, the Government has allocated Shs 267 billion to support strategic private investments under Uganda Development Corporation (UDC). (x) The Government has allocated Shs 205 billion for infrastructure improvement and research capacity enhancement for all public universities. (xi) The Government has allocated another Shs 205 billion for fast-tracking Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and Petroleum Authority. (xii) The Government has allocated Shs 145 billion for improving operations of Uganda Airlines. (xiii) And among others, the Government has allocated Shs 100 billion for the restocking of cattle in Northern Uganda. I mentioned the ambulance and others.

18958 THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (NO.2) BILL, 2025 For us, from Northern Uganda, to hear that the Government has listened to us and is saying, “Let us restock -” Please, do not say something else - let us restock for the people in Acholi and Lango to get cows, Shs 100 billion. This is something we were fighting for. It is significant to say that the people of Acholi are going to get Shs 100 billion for restocking. Therefore, we should celebrate. Yes, growth, revenue - just as all of us run our budgets in our households, I am sure even right now, there is something that we would have wanted to buy, but we cannot afford it because we have to prioritise certain things. This is the reality with the budget. We may not have put our case stronger on certain things, but let us celebrate what we have achieved. My brother, economic growth, I even do not want to go into it, but you must know the sources of growth. If this growth in Uganda is coming from agriculture, and you want to get some money through that growth, you must participate along the value chain, either by planting those crops, or processing them, or transporting them. Growth comes through participation. The United Arab Emirates is one of the richest growth, just with one product, oil. However, they have designed a mechanism on how they redistribute that growth. They tax certain people, collect money, and invest in healthcare, better roads, and so on. Growth is happening. Yes, but we must also start discussing how this growth is produced. What are the growth poles of our economy? Is it tourism? We are talking about tourism, mineral, and so on. How do we participate to benefit from it? How you participate to benefit from the growth is a challenge, but it is happening. Maybe we should question how we are distributing that growth. Thank you, Madam Speaker. As the deputy chairperson with my colleague, Hon. Opolot Isiagi, we celebrate the progress that this Government has made in ensuring that certain things are being addressed, which were not addressed many years ago. Growth is happening. The country’s shilling is stable. More income is coming into the country. This is the image that we should celebrate, while highlighting the problems that Hon. Ssemujju has talked about.

Thank you, Rt Hon. Prime Minister. Seconded? Okay, it is seconded by the Vice President, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lukia, Hon. Obua, Hon. Leader of Opposition, Hon. Wamala, Hon. ICT, the Northern Region, Hon. Kasolo, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Balaam, Hon. Esther Ayakun, Hon. Diana, and Hon. Ssekikubo. I want put it on the record, numbers – seconded by Hon. Christine, Hon. Solo, Hon. Jona, Hon. Ssewungu, Hon. Derrick, Hon. Hassan, Hon. Karim, Hon. Ethel, Hon. Nakato, size-mate – Adeke -( Laughter ) - Hon. Juliet, by the whole House. Thank you so much. Prime Minister, would you love to speak to your motion?

Madam Speaker, there are things that we have to appreciate this Government for. This Government came a long way. When you look at the many programmes that we are running - we are talking about the SAGE, and then we have a programme for the youth. I would like to emphasise that we should look at the age of people in order to achieve this goal. Madam Speaker, on the issue of the age, we have been collecting so much data where you find 80 or 70 years old - I would like to request that we get all those that are 60 years old to also receive this SAGE money. On the issue of bringing their payment nearest to their villages, that is quite difficult. In Northern Uganda, we are now talking about restocking. In the eastern, we are also talking about restocking. We shall complicate a lot of things yet as a country, we are really not very successful. Right now, we have challenges in finance since funds were cut from the Western world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even when you look at the issue of gays - So, our country is really struggling. Therefore, I ask, Madam Speaker, that we focus on the age of 65 years and above. The data should be collected so they can be paid. Thank you.

18619 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 The committee, therefore, recommends and urges the Government to: 1. Publish a project-by-project PAP clearance schedule with quarterly targets, ring-fence Shs 689.5 billion Land Acquisition II budget for immediate release in the first quarter of the Financial Year 2026/2027, and establish independent verification of disbursements to actual PAPs; and 2. Treat counterpart funding for land acquisition as a statutory first call on programme resources in line with the second BCC directive, ensuring it is released before any other discretionary expenditure in the first quarter. Low releases and absorption of external financing In respect to this, the committee notes with grave concern that while Shs 1.4 trillion, representing 34.4 per cent of the external budget was released to the vote, only Shs 193.3 billion was actually spent. This means that 86.2 per cent of the released external funds remained unabsorbed as at half year. Expressed against the original approval budget, only 4.7 per cent of Shs 4.0 trillion external budget was spent by mid-year. This is not a funding shortage but a structural implementation failure rooted in the absence of counterpart resources for land acquisition and PAP compensation, making the large external budget envelope essentially inaccessible despite its formal approval. The committee further notes that with the Financial Year 2026/2027 external financing budget rising to Shs 4.3 trillion, a continuation of 13.8 per cent absorption rate would imply only approximately Shs 606 billion in actual expenditure, leaving Shs 3.7 trillion unspent and generating additional commitment charges. Madam Speaker, the committee, therefore, recommends: 1) Mandatory project readiness certification. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Works and Transport and the National Planning Authority (NPA), should institute a mandatory project readiness certification process for all externally financed projects before inclusion in the annual budget. No externally financed project should receive budget allocation unless it has; a) A completed feasibility study; b) Approved detailed engineering designs; c) Completed environmental social impact assessment; d) Confirmed land right-of-way availability of at least 80 per cent; and e) A signed and effective loan grant agreement. Projects that do not meet these criteria should be removed from the budget estimates and placed in a pipeline category until readiness is established. 2) The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works and Transport should negotiate and publish a synchronised annual disbursement calendar with each development partner financing projects under Vote 016. This calendar should align the Government of Uganda counterpart releases with donor disbursement triggers, ensuring that Government of Uganda’s quarterly cash budgeting framework does not create artificial delays in accessing externally financed resources. 7.1.4 The Standard Gauge Railway Financing Gaps and Implementation Risks The Standard Gauge Railway from Malaba to Kampala is Uganda’s single most capital- intensive infrastructure investment and a cornerstone of the NDPIV tenfold growth strategy. As a key component of the East African Railway Master Plan and the Northern Corridor Integrated Projects, the 272-kilometre Malaba-Kampala section, (phase I of a planned 1,700-kilometre network) will link Uganda’s capital to the port of Mombasa, reducing

18623 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 Madam Speaker, the half-year performance data reveal a deeply concerning pattern of under-absorption that, if sustained, renders the expanded external financing envelope largely illusionary. The committee was informed that as at the end of quarter two of the Financial Year 2025/2026, the overall absorption rate under KCCA stood at only 46.1 per cent, with Shs 138.7 billion spent out of the Shs 300.4 billion released. Externally-financed projects recorded particularly weak performance. The KCRRP spent only Shs 65.4 billion of Shs 199.0 billion, while the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area spent only Shs 7.3 billion of Shs 32.5 billion released. The committee notes that although KCCA reports improved performance by March 2026, with overall Vote absorption rising to 73.5 per cent, external financing improved from 32.86 to 56.5 per cent. In respect to that, the committee recommends and urges the Government to; i) Ensure that all prerequisite activities, including utility relocations, right-of-way acquisition, and donor approval processes, are completed before the start of Financial Year 2026/2027 so that construction can proceed unimpeded from quarter one’ and ii) Engage development partners, the African Development Bank and the World Bank, proactively to streamline the no-objection approval processes and reduce approval turnaround times. The persistent implementation delays under the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP) The KCRRP, valued at $288 million – that is about Shs 1.0 trillion – funded by the African Development Bank, the Global Environmental Fund, and the Government of Uganda, is the single largest infrastructure investment in Kampala’s road network. Its timely completion is critical, enhancing transport efficiency and expanding the stock of paved roads in the capital city. However, the project has experienced significant implementation delays across multiple lots. I invite honourable colleagues to go through lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The committee, therefore, observes that the KCRRP commenced in the Financial Year 2021/2022 and has been under implementation for over four years, yet overall progress remains below two-thirds. Lots 2, 3, and 4, which together account for 61.6 kilometres – that is 66 per cent of the total KCRRP scope – are all significantly behind schedule. Of particular concern is that the zero kilometre of paved road has been delivered under lot 2, despite over 50 per cent physical project progress, suggesting that completed works are concentrated in sub-base and drainage activities, with no finished road surface yet handed over. The committee, therefore, recommends and urges the government to: i) Direct KCCA to present a revised lot- by-lot completion schedule with realistic milestones, including monthly paved kilometre targets, to the committee by the end of quarter one of the Financial Year 2026/2027; and ii) Ensure that the Financial Year 2026/2027 KCRRP allocation of Shs 122.3 billion is released in full and on time to prevent further construction stoppages; and iii) Investigate and report to the committee on the specific factors causing delayed progress on Kasubi, Northern Bypass Road, Queen’s Way and Nsambya road/ Hanlon Junction, with remedial action timelines. The slow progress under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme valued at $606 million and funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency under a Programme-for-Results financing modality,

18649 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 This project intends to ensure the connection of 1,073,500 new connections of people to the electricity grid. The distribution is as follows: Central Region, 497,106; Eastern Region, 216,616; Northern, 140,337; and Western Uganda, 219,441 new connections, all amounting to 1,073,500 new connections. Under the mineral exploration and beneficiation projects, there is exploration and support for the mineral value chains. This is to improve the value of the minerals that are being obtained by the various artisanal as well as developed miners. This is planned for in Ssembabule, Buhweju, Iganga, Luweero, Kyenjojo, Ntungamo, Kazo, Kiboga, Kassanda, Mubende, Nakasongola, Mityana, and Nakaseke districts. On the Kilembe redevelopment and mineral value addition, the Government intends to support mining, processing, and mineral value addition under the Kilembe project. This will be located in Kilembe, which is in Kasese. There will also be Busia, Mbarara, Iganga, Jinja, Tororo, Rubanda, Kampala, and other mineral processing points in the country. Observations on Vote 017 The committee welcomes -

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

18652 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 The gravity-piped water schemes are intended for Mbunga-Nyakazinga and Bughema in Kasese, and Mpunga in Kanungu. The climate-span smart wash clusters for Rwere in Kateretere, Bugarama-Karweru and Kagarama-Bushura-Kibuzigye in Rubanda, Kabale and Kisoro areas. Karamoja region schemes Under the institutional water schemes, Nadunget SS in Moroto, Amita Prisons in Abim. Public sanitation facilities There shall be two institutions in Karenga and one in Ngora. Additional water schemes in Kalapata, Lorengedwat, Tokora, Kathile listed under the broader solar and service expansion. The committee notes that the ministry’s water for production portfolio is particularly important in the drought-prone and livestock- dependent areas for expanding irrigation agriculture. Colleagues, we have selected water for production projects, which you will all see. I want to allow you to see them by yourselves. Under table 16, in Isingiro, Kanungu, and then those in Karamoja. Another area that will be covered is Agule in Kalaki, Soroti District, Bulusambu in Mbale, Biduku in Nakaseke, Kiryandongo, Masaka, Oyam, Gulu, Nwoya, among others. There will be solar-powered irrigation water systems also cited in the numerous areas across Central, Eastern, Northern, Karamoja, and Southwestern regions. Colleagues, the other aspects are those that I believe we will go through. I just would like to invite you to the aspect of the unfunded priority under Vote 019. Madam Speaker, the committee notes that under the project 2041- this is 7.6 colleagues: 100 per cent Service Coverage Acceleration project, (SCAP 100, Umbrellas Phase II), the Ministry of Water and Environment has identified critical financing gaps for targeted investments in water pipeline extensions, power extensions to pump stations, off-grid solar installations, and pump stations and drilling of production wells in small towns, rural growth centers, and the six umbrella and water and sanitation projects countrywide. Colleagues, in totality, the SCAP 100 project was in response to His Excellency, the President’s promise that every village in Uganda should have at least one clean water source. So, SCAP 100 was intended to ensure that water sources are placed in districts and in administrative units such as sub-counties, so as to distribute water using piped water systems. So SCAP 100 is crucial because it responds to the Government’s undertaking to the citizens. Here, the committee identified a funding gap of Shs 35.85 billion for Financial Year 26/27, which would support the undertaking of rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation skip schemes, as well as extend 5,000 kilometers of pipeline water to provide for 5,000 new water connections in the various communities of the country. The committee further notes an unfunded requirement under the water and sanitation development facilities that are responsible for the design, construction, and setting up of infrastructure for rural water supply. Colleagues, the unfunded priorities under Vote 019 are provided for under table 18. Madam Speaker, permit me to conclude with National Water and Sewerage Corporation. National Water and Sewerage Corporation remains central to urban water service delivery and to several other sectors, most visible investments in towns and municipalities. The committee notes that National Water and Sewerage Corporation medium-term financial and investment plan covers five projects currently supported by government

18653 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 and development partners, namely SCAP 100, Kampala Water-Lake Victoria and Sanitation Project, the Southwestern Cluster, the Integrated Water Management and Development Project, and the Wakiso West Water Sanitation Project. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation funding gap in the Financial Year 26/27 is provided for under Table 19. In particular, you note that there is a funding gap of Shs 62 billion for SCAP 100, 45 in the seven towns water project between Karuma and Gulu. As you might know, a multi-million thirty million cubic water supply project was set up at Karuma to supply Oyam, Gulu, and the neighbouring districts of Northern Uganda. Therefore, this money is necessary for the distribution of this water. There is need to undertake urgent but critical water projects in Nakawuka, in Kakumiro, and in Bukedea, which remains one of the only districts in Teso currently not covered sufficiently by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. These provide us with a requirement of about Shs 50 billion, to be specific. Madam Speaker, the committee remains deeply concerned about the continued accumulation of the government water arrears owed to National Water and Sewerage Corporation because this undermines the corporation’s cash flow, weakens its creditworthiness, and constrains its capacity to sustain service delivery and finance new infrastructure investments. The updated arrears information submitted to the committee shows that as at the end of March 2026, the outstanding arrears stood at approximately Shs 75.37 billion. The committee notes that a significant portion of the verified water areas owed by the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to National Water was accumulated over two Financial years and amounted to Shs 24.42 billion as of February 2025. Madam Speaker, you might note that with your leadership and with the work of this Parliament, the Government provided money to clear the outstanding arrears that were owed to National Water by the MDAs. I wish to note here that the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, in particular, and the Uganda Police Force -

18691 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 Budget Allocation It is in the main report, on pages 26 to 32. Budget Allocation for Financial Year 2026/2027 Vote 006: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Proposed budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 The proposed budget for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Financial Year 2026/2027 is Shs 79.192 billion, including arrears. This reflects a 16 per cent increase, compared to the current financial year. The budget will support six development programs. Members can read the details of the report. Observations 1. The wage category The ministry’s wage allocation for Financial Year 2026/2027 is Shs 20.681 billion, representing a substantial increase of Uganda Shs 6.563 billion from Financial Year 2025/2026. This increment is to support salary enhancements for selected staff as well as the recruitment of 31 new staff members on a replacement basis. 2. The non-wage category, the non-wage budget is Shs 40.497 billion in this coming Financial Year 2026/2027, reflecting 23 per cent increase. This increase is intended to bolster operational capacity and support the ministry’s mandate. Additionally, only Shs 1.448 billion has been allocated for the accumulated Shs 90.231 billion to clear arrears related to contributions to international organisations. 3. Government of Uganda Development Budget The ministry’s development allocation is Shs 14.744 billion in the coming financial year, representing a significant increase of 76 per cent from the current financial year. The Breakdown i) Shs 14.190 billion is earmarked for land purchase to extend the ministry’s headquarters. The valuation report, when you look at Annex 6, the report is uploaded, and you will see the details; and ii) The remaining development funds will support retooling efforts, including Shs 381 million for light ICT equipment and Shs 0.172 billion for furniture and fittings. External financing The ministry has been allocated Shs 1.822 billion to coordinate the Northern Corridor integration projects. Planned activities include organising and participating in various summits, cluster meetings, field visits and infrastructure coordination efforts. Vote 501-538: Missions Abroad - 38 missions The proposed budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 is well contained in pages 33 to 35. The proposed aggregated budget for Missions Abroad for the Financial Year 2026/2027 is Shs 442.493 billion, representing a 9.56 increase, compared to the current financial year. The budget will support development programmes that are highlighted from A to H. Honourable colleagues can read on pages 33 to 35. Observation Under the wage component, the overall wage budget is projected to increase primarily due to additional allocation for Missions in New York (Shs 995 million), Tehran (Shs 357 million), Doha (Shs 172 million), and Berlin (Shs 249 million). The increments are to support the recruitment of new local staff and address wage shortfalls. Under the non-wage category, the total budget is projected to increase by 2.54 per cent, amounting to Shs 7.920 billion from Shs 303.295 billion in the Financial Year 2025/2026 to Shs 311.215 billion in the Financial Year 2026/2027. Fifteen missions have received additional funding, while

18598 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 i) Maintenance of NBI infrastructure measuring 4,387 kilo metres length across 57 districts; ii) Installation of 3,931 concrete poles along eight NBI routes in Eastern, Central, Northern, and Western regions under phase four of the UDAP project; iii) Delivery and installation of NBI transport network equipment at 30 transmission sites with the power systems, which have boosted capacity for 40G to 100G at the core rings; iv) Upgraded the capacity of 63 IPS hubs across the country from 1 gigabyte to 10 gigabytes; and v) Enhancement of e-government services through automation, strengthening of cybersecurity, and data protection and privacy. Challenges the entity has experienced i. Inadequate staff to fully execute the mandate of the agency in the limited timeframe following the RAPEX process; and ii. The lengthy consultative and approval processes for the disbursement of funds constrain the timely delivery of services. Table 4 is about the budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027. As you see in the table, the overall budget for this financial year is Shs 344.83 billion. The proposed budget for wages is Shs 11.92 billion. Non-wage is Shs 35.6 billion. The recurrent expenditure is Shs 47.6 billion, and the Government’s development funds will be only Shs 0.02 billion. NITA-U’s funding has been from external sources. External financing for development programmes will be Shs 297.2 billion; total Government funding for NITA-U will be Shs 47.63 billion; and the total Government plus external funding will be Shs 344.83 billion. Arrears for the institution amount to Shs 15 billion, and the entity’s total budget is Shs 359.8 billion. There is no appropriation for the institution’s aid. The committee observed that the proposed budget allocation for the vote is projected to decrease from Shs 463.575 billion approved for the Financial Year 2025/2026 to Shs 344.83 billion for the next financial year, representing a 25.6 per cent reduction in the budget estimate. This is attributed to the significant decrease in the Government’s development budget from Shs 40 billion to Shs 20 million. The institution will receive only Shs 20 million from the Government for development. On the other hand, the wage component of the vote has marginally increased by 15 per cent due to payroll validation, as guided by the Ministry of Public Service. The authority intends to undertake the following during the financial year. The key activities of NITA-U in 2026/2027 will include; i. Extension of the National Backbone Infrastructure connecting MDAs, Local Governments and Priority User Groups to cover an additional 1,700 kilometres, resulting in a total length of 7,387 kilometres. This is the network the institution wants to cover. Madam Speaker, allow me to speak briefly on subventions under the Ministry of ICT. I want to start with the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). I believe this will be important for us because of UBC’s role in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Uganda Broadcasting Corporation was established - this is just a preamble. Let me talk about the budget. UBC budget performance for the first half of Financial Year 2025/2026 i. The committee observed that the corporation has an approved budget of Shs 39.82 billion, of which Shs 16.45 billion was an Appropriation in Aid (AIA) and the remainder was the subvention from the

18288 MOTION candidates ill-treated and so on, are critical concerns that have got to be addressed by this Parliament because people are still being abducted. Mr Speaker, on the eve of the election, colleagues, leaders in my political party: our deputy president in charge of Western Uganda, Ms Jolly Jacklyn Tukamushaba, a lady who is well known to you, was abducted. To date, her whereabouts are not known. Also, Ms Lina Zedriga, our deputy president in charge of the northern region, was abducted on election eve and to date, her whereabouts are not known. A gentleman called John Mary Ssebuufu, a councillor, and several others - Mr Speaker, the challenge about these issues is that we keep raising them, and some colleagues say, “but you are pestering us.” Yes, we shall pester you using this platform that we have. It is unacceptable that people get abducted and their whereabouts are not known for one day, for a week; it is now coming to two weeks. Why can’t people be produced in courts? The Government needs to help us understand this. I am not above the law, and no one is. I can be suspected of having committed an offense but what does the law say? Arrest me vis-a-vis the law and produce me in a court of law. Mr Speaker, when you hold me somewhere, and my family cannot access me, lawyers cannot access me - what do you want us to do? What do you want people to do? When we complain about these issues, some people think we are being too much. Perhaps, until it happens to you - and it has happened to colleagues by the way across the aisle - these are critical issues. First detach the political affiliation and whatever you think is the reason for this person’s arrest. Can the law prevail? These concerns have got to be addressed. Mr Speaker, hundreds of people were arrested, including polling agents; people are being held in police cells for more than the 48 hours that are allowed by the law. That is not proper. When we raise these issues, let us address them as people’s representatives. Forget that you are a member of the National Unity Platform(NUP)or the National Resistance Movement (NRM) because it can happen to any of us. These foundational principles have got to be respected and fought for by all of us in this room. Mr Speaker, I can see the good doctor - the ICT minister is here with us. My party leader, Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, who is an OB of this House, after the election, had his house raided. He managed to sneak away but I kept seeing the military and the ICT minister here saying, “No one is after him.” However, as they were saying that, the military continuously descended on his home; raided it, broke into it, beat up his wife and family members. The following day, the minister and other dignitaries were saying that no one is after this man. Just like I have made it succinctly clear thus: “Look, no one is above the law.” Mr Speaker, if there is an offense that the Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert is suspected of having committed, whether it be running for president - some people think it is an offense to challenge the bush war General and so it is an offense - whatever offense it is, why not issue summons to him so that he is able to show up and be charged? Mr Speaker, after the minister again said that no, all is well, people can access – but when his siblings went there yesterday, police officers, several of them deployed there said, “we do not have authority to allow anybody to access his place.” I want to know: is it official that Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert is under House arrest and for that matter, people cannot access his family and that it shall continue this way? Why are you not summoning him if there is a particular offense that he has committed? Mr Speaker, let us forget that this is the leader of the NUP, which you might not like; that is okay, and keep to the point that this is a Ugandan; this is a leader for all intents and purposes. Why is the law operating this way? COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Ssenyonyi]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to congratulate the honourable colleagues. Although many of us came in different ways - others came through the door and others through the window - all the same, I congratulate everyone. ( Laughter) The clarification I would like to seek from the honourable minister is that the Leader of the Opposition raised a very important concern about the NUP vice-chairperson for northern Uganda, who disappeared. The family is looking for her. What we are interested in knowing is where she is. Where have you detained her, and what charges were preferred against her? Right now, many people are disappearing. Be straight to the point and tell us where those who are lost are. That is where we want to go. Thank you.

18249 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2025 Lira. With this road, they will be in Lira in about two and a half hours, saving about four hours. It is, therefore, a very important road because Kayunga is strategically located in the middle of the country, and this is where the road is going to be found. Whereas it is going to benefit the people of Kayunga, the people who benefit most are the ones travelling to the northern region. At the moment, the road is very busy in terms of transporting sugarcane and other products. It is a very busy road, and we have been suffering for a very long time because the maintenance of this road has to be done after every two months if it is going to remain at the standard required for trucks to move in the current arrangement of a gravel road standard. Therefore, it is very important that we upgrade the standard of this road. We want to thank the Government for taking this decision. Mr Speaker, I believe that is enough justification for the construction of this road.

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

Thank you, colleagues, for standing with the people of Bbale, Kayunga and Uganda on the need to upgrade this road. Mr Speaker, allow me to put forward only three matters. Much has been said about the same road, but I see it as a way to reduce traffic congestion in Kampala and on Bombo Road. Given Uganda’s geography, goods exported from the east to the West Nile and the north must pass through Kampala and the Bombo Road. When this road is paved and tarmacked, it will reduce all of that. It will benefit not only the people of Bbale but also the business community and Ugandans in the city. Mr Speaker, I also request that, after tarmacking this road, the Ministry of Works and Transport assess the connectivity from Bbale to Nakasongola, as this is how the objective of reducing the traffic jam can be achieved. This way, all vehicles from the east can branch off from the Nile Bridge to Jinja, Kayunga, Nakasongola and Masindi. Then, the entire burden of the traffic jam will have been reduced. Mr Speaker, for the good of the Members on the other side, this is a road that the NRM Government has promised for a long time to the people of Kayunga. For your information, President Museveni has, on three consecutive occasions while campaigning in Kayunga, promised this road. It is a debt owed by the Government to the people of Kayunga. By tarmacking it, you are paving the way to justify at least some reasonable action for the people of Kayunga. Mr Speaker, I would also like to remind Members about the safety — it is not just security but safety. The connectivity of northern to central Uganda is not only serving a security matter, but ensuring the safety of the people in transit, and the goods can easily move. Lastly, Mr Speaker, the Obote government had promised to tarmac this road; in fact, we have the Obote Memorial Portrait in Kayunga, in Hon. Amos Lugoloobi’s constituency. The Obote government aimed to tarmac this road and name it “Obote Road”. Now that Obote is not in government and he did work on this road, and Tebandeke Charles, on behalf of the people of Bbaale, has toiled a lot and moved - (Interjections) – Members, I even reached the extent of going to the bush and people misunderstood my action. I think the bush has got a lot of results. I am thinking that for any demand, maybe we should go to the bush. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand to appreciate the proposal and to enlighten the public that the request being laid on the Floor of Parliament is intended to serve as a connectivity link between Northern Uganda and the central region. Kayunga District is strategically located in the heart of Uganda. In light of the request being laid here, I hereby support it on behalf of the people of Bbale, Kayunga District, the central region, and the north for strategic purposes, development, and any other factor as may be outlined. Thank you so much. (Applause)

18220 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR Supporting the textile sector is important, but not through hurried subsidies, opaque transactions, and a sales arrangement that no one can reasonably verify. If the Government wants a national textile strategy, let it table one. This business of buying T-shirts for tailors using taxpayers’ money is not a strategy; it is a risk and Parliament must not approve it blindly. Agriculture arrears and the geography of favour Madam Speaker, tea seedlings arrears have become a permanent feature of supplementary budgets. Apple seedlings, also supplied on credit, have now joined the queue. This is a system where suppliers deliver for years without a budget and expect Parliament to clear arrears at the end of each financial year. It is not sustainable. Worse still, the same districts benefit repeatedly. Some parts of Western Uganda appear almost every year in the ministry of agriculture submissions. Meanwhile, farmers in Northern Uganda have no tea nurseries, no larger scale seedling support programmes, and no agro-industrial facilities. Equity has become rhetoric rather than practical. Electoral Commission and the mystery of new polling stations The Electoral Commission is seeking more than Shs 460 billion for ballot papers, biometric systems and the creation of new polling stations, yet, they have not provided a list of these new polling stations, nor have they justified the expansion. They also did not present technical documentation for the new biometric system. Election management should not be based on trust. Parliament cannot approve technology we have not seen, or polling stations whose locations are unknown. In an election year, such a process raises serious concerns. Ministry of Works and Transport crisis management The ministry presented a long list of stalled, suspended or slow-moving road projects. These include Moroto - I do not have to read them; the Chairperson read them here. These roads have been under construction for many years and their financing needs were known. Contractors have been waiting for payment and there is nothing sudden about these obligations. They are the result of chronic under planning and poor cash flow management. A supplementary budget cannot clean up years of negligence. Uganda Airlines and the cost of flying without a plan The ministry is requesting for more than Shs 400 billion to purchase new aircraft for Uganda Airlines, yet the country has not recovered from the Bombardier deal where we purchased aircrafts that were already being phased out. Global production slowed, spare parts became scarce and maintenance became a nightmare. The airline has been grounded more than once because mechanics could not source essential components. Madam Speaker, we are now being asked to buy more aircrafts before conducting due diligence on viability, maintenance costs, routes, and long-term sustainability. We are being asked to purchase planes before addressing the problems of the ones we already have. A national airline should be a source of pride, but pride must be backed by planning. Parliament should not approve aircraft purchases that may leave us stuck with obsolete models once again. Before Government buys any new aircraft, a thorough due diligence process must be presented, including maintenance projections and route sustainability. Uganda cannot afford another Bombardier disaster. Even basic legal procedures have not been completed. There must be shareholder resolutions regarding capitalisation, and these must be registered with the Registrar of Companies. We have a report of COSASE which this Parliament approved. That is why I did not include it in the report. In the report of COSASE approved here, COSASE recommended that we should be leasing instead of buying, and Parliament approved. Therefore, it cannot be the same Parliament that approved leasing that [Mr Ssemujju] THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.1

18221 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2025 is now saying, buy. People who will read the Hansard will wonder what sort of Parliament this was. Water and energy in disarray Madam Speaker, once again, the Ministry of Water and Environment is requesting for funds to connect 156 villages under SCAP 100, yet they cannot even provide a simple list of these villages. They want to expand umbrella water systems before addressing the same systems that are unreliable and already too expensive for our people. Similarly, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development still has electricity poles standing like abandoned monuments in many trading centres, following the rationalisation of REA. Transformers are nowhere to be seen and hospitals spend hours in darkness. The same ministry is demanding billions for new connections while the old, unfinished work is conveniently ignored. Madam Speaker, this country needs proper sequencing, not a rush to announce new projects. We should complete what we start. It makes no sense to seek more money when already funded work is still hanging. Let us fix what is incomplete before moving on to the next project. Defence and nugatory expenditure hidden behind classified budgets Madam Speaker, the first problem before us is the ever-expanding envelope of classified expenditure. Every year it grows, every year it returns, and every year we are expected to approve billions we cannot trace, verify, or interrogate. That is how nugatory spending hides in plain sight. When money enters a classified corner without clear boundaries, it comes out as a bill to the taxpayer with no evidence of value created. A country cannot build accountability on invisible figures. It is in that context that other concerns emerge. Take the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya as an example; this is not a classified project yet it appears repeatedly in supplementary budgets with no clear progress, no timelines, and the same items returning like a bad chorus. Even more confusing, the National Medical Stores is seeking supplementary funding to supply commodities for the same hospital, while the Ministry of Defence is also requesting Shs 10 billion to capitalise the hospital. Two different Votes, one hospital, and no clarity on who is actually responsible for what. This is how wastage takes root. Parliament must insist that hospitals are completed, budgets are harmonised, and the taxpayer is not billed twice for the same medicine. UDC and the perpetual bailout model Soroti Fruit Factory is now a yearly visitor to this House. Every Financial Year, it needs capitalisation. Meanwhile, farmers in Northern Uganda watch their mangoes rot in the gardens. Industrialisation cannot benefit one region repeatedly while treating others as an afterthought. UDC must operate as an investment arm with performance indicators, not a rescue agency for struggling factories. State House State House has already spent money under the 3 per cent that does not require prior parliamentary approval, and they are asking for more. In total, State House is requesting approval of Shs 459 billion in supplementary. The approved budget for State House is Shs 479.8 billion. This will bring total State House budget to Shs 939 billion this financial year. This is a revision of 95.9 per cent. This translates into Shs 2.5 billion per day and Shs 107 million per hour, including at night when State House occupants are supposed to be sleeping. Considering that we are spending Shs 1 trillion on the Parish Development Model per year, and you know the Parish Development Model is supposed to finance 3.5 million households, translating into 14 million people, it means that the amount of money we are spending at State House is equal to the amount of money we are spending on 14 million people to get out of poverty.

18020 RESOLUTION TO BORROW were traditionally not coffee-growing, but are suitable, such as northern Uganda – Zombo – and some new areas. We are still under consideration. I beg to be given time to give a comprehensive statement on coffee in a week’s time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is true that the policy shifted. However, in our plea as a committee – even when we were rationalising government agencies, we complained to His Excellency the President on the need for more seedlings and the amount that a farmer needs to incur for him or her to plant coffee. In the corrigenda we received during the last budget processes, the Government allocated funds for procuring coffee seedlings. As I am aware, there is a release for coffee seedlings this quarter. However, there is tension. On the ground, farmers want coffee seedlings. In northern and eastern Uganda, gardens are ready for coffee seedlings. The budget was passed, and funds were released in the last quarter, but they were diverted to arrears. I am concerned – and this is something that the House needs to help the nation with. There were appropriated funds for coffee seedlings, but we are now talking about fertilisers, chemicals, and inputs. Are we really fair or equitable?

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I join this House and the country to thank the Uganda Cranes CHAN team for reaching such a milestone. I thank every person involved in enabling the country to host such a big tournament; the FUFA president who brought this idea to the East African region, the local organising committee but most especially, the Shadow Minister for Sports. This is because everything has happened during his reign. Madam Speaker, this CHAN tournament unified us all. Right from the northern side, to the eastern side, the whole country was together, represented by both the players and the fans. Therefore, as a country, we are happy for that moment and the boys played well, especially in the white jersey, where they scored many goals -

Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. For the record, I played for Northern Uganda in the ‘60s under Coach Peter Aber. My teammates were Peryo Okech, David Oti and the late David Obua. We were in the Northern Uganda team together. Also, for the record, in 1965, yours truly, Hon. James Baba, was the third fastest man in Uganda. (Applause) I wore the Uganda badge for the first All-Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. My teammates were Omolo, Odongo Duka, and many others. I congratulate the young men and the coaches for the wonderful display they performed. The journey for your championship going forward is now on. You are soon going to be the champions of football all over Africa and in the world. Hon. Julius has said that sports is a money maker. Aim to be professionals. Be it in Arsenal, Manchester United or my team Liverpool, you will earn tons of money, but my main message is to Honourable Minister, Peter Ogwang. Thank you for all the work you have done. Let us do three other things. One, talent spotting. Establish an institution for talent spotting among the clubs, among the institutions to bring up these young men and put up an academy where they can be trained to become professionals, as you have done in the sports sector. Two, scale up the building of stadiums. Keep close to the First Lady - let us scale up stadiums. We, in West Nile, are waiting for the Inzikuru Stadium, like you have started in Lango and elsewhere. Lastly, the incentives for players must continue apart from supporting the clubs. Let these young men and boys be paid some money at every tournament they play so that they can continue to be encouraged. Thank you very much. (Hon. Olanya rose_)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am happy that the President has communicated on this matter because we met with him and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the issue of these roads. He appreciated that while we may not get all the money in one financial year, he directed that those critical roads be maintained in very usable conditions. The President said we have already started on the Mityana-Mubende Road, so we must finish it. Also, the section between Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo is terrible. As we wait for the funding from the Ministry of Finance, we are moving our unit, which has been working on Jinja Road, to Kyegegwa-Kyenjojo Road to fully rehabilitate that section. We are also already committed to China Railway 18 th Bureau Group, which will work on the Nebbi-Arua Road. They have already started forward maintenance, so they will start rehabilitating the road. A contractor is already working on the Kikorongo-Mpondwe Road. They are doing forward maintenance now, but after that, they will do the full rehabilitation with funds coming in from the Ministry of Finance. We have the Ntungamo-Kagamba-Rukungiri Road. We want to save it before it deteriorates further because it has reached the stage where we can save it with a resurface, just like what we did with the northern bypass, so that road will also be done. As regards Ishaka-Mbarara and Mbarara- Ibanda Roads, we already have a company identified to work on them. It is called Shandong

17686 MINISTERIAL S T ATEMENT Hi-Speed Group Co. Ltd. They will be working on those two sections of the road, and they are already working with the finance ministry on the pre-financing arrangement. I think they are finalising the financial terms with the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Others will start mobilising equipment to be on those two sections of the roads. The Gulu-Atiak-Nimule Road also needs attention. We are soon hiring an MTF contractor to work on it. Regarding Malaba-Jinja-Kampala-Masaka to Katuna, this is our artery, and as a ministry, we have decided to focus fully on those roads to address whatever requirements there are. We have been addressing those bad spots with our in-house team. However, as far as the Mukono- Lugazi-Jinja-Malaba Road is concerned, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is fully committed to that road. Right now, we have called the Katonga Bridge, and it is going to concentrate on that section. They have already made the estimates for Masaka to Kampala. As they are doing the bridge, they will also be doing the bad sections as we address the Kalandazi and Lwera swamps, which they are working on now. We hope that once we get the money, we will pay and encourage Abubaker Technical Services to speed up the Busunju-Kiboga- Hoima Road. He is doing a good job, but he needs our full support to pay him in time. This is a local contractor who has proven himself that if supported, he can do good work; he has already proven this on the section we are seeing between Busunju and Kiboga, but he is supposed to complete up to Hoima, including the Kafu Bridge. We are also rehabilitating the Ssezibwa Bridge on Kayunga Road, which is already being worked on by, again, a local company called Dynaco Engineering that is now doing the remaining stages. They have already done the box culverts to take the extra water, and they can do the bridge. On the northern side of Katonga from Kabulasoke, a local contractor called Rodo Contractors Limited is building the bridge. I can discuss these efforts, and we have images of Rodo Contractors Ltd, which even the Minister of Water and Environment can confirm.

Yours is Nkokonjeru? For that road, we are using our team from the training centre, which you know, Meltek. We want to do a cobblestone project on that road because of its nature. Doing tarmac, it will be washed away very readily. Our team in Meltek, which is our training centre, has already done studies on how to do cobblestone. We intend to pave that road with cobblestone technology. You wait until we start. Then the away road - ( Hon. Lucy rose_) Atiak-Nimule; there is a company called MTF, which will go on that road. The road from Atiak - of course, you know that Atiak- Laropi is already done. For Laropi-Afoji, we are at the procurement stage. ( Members rose_) Tororo-Mbale; that road is under what we call the Northern Road Rehabilitation Project (NERAMP). It is being done by Mota-Engil Africa, under the World Bank. They have so far done the section from Kamdini and have now

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the Government for the effort they have put into the road sector. The new districts have received equipment, but it is incomplete. Therefore, we have to seek from the region. The region for Northern Uganda is in Gulu. West Nile is very far from Gulu. I would like to implore the minister to have special consideration for West Nile. Can we have equipment there? West Nile should be a region of its own. The people of West Nile love the people of Gulu and Lango, but we do not want to always be bundled up. Please have consideration for the people of the West Nile. Number two, there is a road which His Excellency – I am in possession of a copy of a written directive to your ministry, honourable minister, directing for not tarmacking but high- grade marram from Pakwach, Rhino Camp up to Difule. This is from 2023, 2024; we are now almost reaching 2026. Please, let us have the high-grade marram as we wait for tarmac. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on 27 November 2019, the honourable minister came to Gulu to commission roads that were funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and at that event, he made a public statement committing that the road from Gulu- Lamwo-Kitgum would be tarmacked. The people of Northern Uganda have waited for that road in vain. Fortunately, it is part of what - last year, he issued a statement in this House, that the Government was already in the final stages of design. It would be good, Madam Speaker, for the honourable minister to clarify. Secondly, he also directed Hon. Musa Ecweru, last year, to go and look at the status of the road from Bank of Uganda through Customs Corner to Juba, which has cost many lives. It would also be good for him to clearly help us understand how far he has gone with that. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mine is a quick one to the minister that would require to review that directive by the President on the way the Shs 3.7 trillion has been allocated to the roads. Madam Speaker, the President was very unequivocally categorical when he mentioned the road from Mukono-Lugazi-Jinja. It therefore leaves the whole of eastern Uganda missing out on this allocation of the Shs 3.7 trillion. That raises serious concerns because I have received numerous calls and the President brought it out very clearly. Western Uganda is a beneficiary; central is a beneficiary, and Northern Uganda is equally that. Doesn’t this horribly go in breach of the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy (XII)? It clearly states on balanced and equitable development that, the Government should ensure, in the allocation of the budget or resources, balanced and equitable development or rather sharing out of the resource. That is a serious concern. Secondly, the issue of the false hopes - let me not call them “false hopes,” because I trust you. I have interacted with you and you have promised that this time round, for the Bududa circular road, you have already procured a contractor. However, what would have required your ministry, which is managing the National Roads Maintenance Programme - it covers both paved and unpaved roads. This road has had a very important bridge, which has cut off access to the hospital for the people from Kenya, Namisindwa, Manafwa and the other side of Mbale. We expected, after you made another promise, which has never been honoured, to have had an emergency operation to have that bridge fixed. It was your colleague who made that pledge. Could you please consider it as an emergency that requires urgent intervention, because the hospital can no longer be accessed? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to raise a procedural issue related to the same regional referral hospital. When the Committee on Health made a visit to the hospital, the board and management raised a pertinent issue related to land grabbing, especially in the northern parts of the hospital land. Would it be procedurally right for the honourable minister to allay the anxiety of this House that the land is safe? Thank you.

Yes, Madam Speaker. The point I am trying to bring home is that the closest subcounty and trading centre to our subcounty and district are connected to power. However, Agago, being the closest, has been left out, yet some years ago, money was borrowed for these power connections’ completion. This question goes to the minister in charge of electricity and the minister in charge of northern Uganda. Why are you leaving Agago in the dark? When are you going to complete that work? Thank you.

So, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we are aware in this country, there are parts of the country, like northern or eastern, you know, there are parishes without primary schools. There are those communities that are willing to construct a school, but they lack some of the materials. Therefore, can we identify those communities or parishes, for example, I have Ajur in Ogwete, in Otuke, or Gotojwang, where these parishes are really too big, and highly populated. Can we identify these kinds of parishes and give them roofing materials, so that kids can go to school? This is my appeal.

Madam Speaker, the issue I am raising is about the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF IV). I am aware, the World Bank approved NUSAF IV to start in July. I have talked to the Chairperson of the National Economy, and nothing has been presented to the Parliament for approval. As subregions that are supposed to benefit from NUSAF IV are suffering. We have been together with the Members of Parliament from West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja (WALK), and I am being questioned. We want to find out from Madam Speaker when the loan is going -

17594 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS The ministry currently requires Shs 843 billion in total to complete land acquisition obligations in the Financial Year 2025/26 on all ongoing projects, including those funded by donors, and the list is in the annexes, which I have provided. Impact on ongoing projects, arrears, and claims Madam Speaker, the under-allocation in the Financial Year 2025/26 has further compounded certified arrears carried forward from the previous year, which, as I stated earlier, is Shs 1.71 trillion. These arrears relate to completed or ongoing works for which certificates were issued and approved. Failure to clear these obligations has resulted in the following: 1. Suspension or reduced performance on 27 ongoing projects. The lists are in the annex; 2. Accrual of commercial interest on delayed payments estimated at over Shs 48 billion in Financial Year 2025/26 alone; and 3. Delays in the execution of co-financed projects potentially affecting Uganda’s credibility with development partners. Additionally, the continued accumulation of unpaid certificates discourages private sector confidence, increases future unit costs, and may result in the Government being classified as a high-risk client in the infrastructure contracting market. The impact on paved roads Uganda’s paved road network, now standing at 6,312 kilometres, is experiencing increasing structural distress due to insufficient maintenance, deferred interventions, increased traffic and climate change, and according to the latest technical assessment, 2,460 kilometres, which is 39 per cent of the network, require urgent intervention as follows: 1. 1,993 kilometres require periodical maintenance - like what we did on the Northern Bypass; 2. 260 kilometres require rehabilitation; and 3. 270 kilometres have deteriorated to the level of reconstruction. These include roads like Gulu-Atyak-Nimule, which need total reconstruction. Madam Speaker, periodic maintenance intervention costs about Shs 888 million per kilometre if you do it within time. If not implemented -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to move and present a petition under Rule 31 of our Rules of Procedure regarding the Uganda Nubian community and this petition was presented to your office. The delegation from the Nubian community are here to witness the presentation of this petition: Madam Speaker, despite being bona fide citizens of Uganda, the Nubian community has continuously faced discrimination and marginalisation. The Nubi feature in the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as one of the indigenous tribes of Uganda. The Nubi became an indigenous tribe in Uganda as far as 1844, following their migration to Uganda through the northern route from the Republic of Sudan and their subsequent settlement in urban areas, including Bombo. Madam Speaker, the Nubians were integrated fully in the Ugandan communities through business transactions, intermarriages, their military activities, and have greatly participated in nation-building and national development. The Nubian community are marginalised and are facing several challenges which greatly impact their overall well-being and advancement. The Nubian community has been marginalised by the Government in respect of appointment to public offices, including ministries, boards, and foreign services, and barely has representation in local government structures, which has excluded them from political participation. The decision by the President of the Republic of Uganda to grant Bombo Municipality has not been implemented, yet Bombo Town, commonly known as the cradle of the Nubian community, originally enjoyed municipality status from the 1970s to 1996. However, it was consequently relegated to a town council, thus negatively affecting their political and economic privileges associated with the municipality. [Ms Obigah] PETITION

This afternoon, I am sorry. Madam Speaker, I agree with the Chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure on the issue of Central Government roads. We did rationalise UNRA here painfully - We even now bear more pain as Members of Parliament. Madam Speaker, you mentioned that you moved on a number of roads, mainly in Western Uganda, but how I wish you had moved on the roads in Northern Uganda. Start with the road from Karuma to Pakwach. You cannot believe what is on the road. The grass has grown taller than I am, and the potholes - Madam Speaker, in Pakwach District, on the road from Panyimur-Pakwach-Wadelai, we have lost people within this period of time. We reallocated money to the Ministry of Works and Transport almost four months ago, but nobody has taken the time to explain to Ugandans why UNRA roads are not being worked on. What could be the gaps? What is more painful is that it is we, Members of Parliament, who carried the cross during the primaries.

Honourable members, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils and teachers of Camp Deborah Learners’ School from Wakiso. They are represented by Hon. Ssemujju Nganda and Hon. Naluyima. You are most welcome; thank you so much for coming. We also have, in the public gallery, pupils and teachers of Nakasero Primary School, represented by Hon. Muhammad Nsereko and Hon. Malende. You are most welcome. (Applause) We also have, in the VIP gallery this afternoon, Ms Gloria Laker Adiiki Aciro, a Ugandan award-winning journalist and recipient of the Luxembourg Peace Award 2025, for promoting peace journalism and covering the LRA war in northern Uganda. You are most welcome; thank you so much for coming. (Applause) She is accompanied by her family to observe the proceedings of Parliament. Join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you so much. Yes?

17483 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 Fellow Ugandans, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, on 9 January 2025, Parliament approved the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) for the years 2025/2026 to 2029/2030. This plan is our national blueprint for transformation and sustainable development of our country. The Budget Speech that we shall receive on 12 June 2025 is aligned to this National Development Plan. I take cognisance of the contribution of all stakeholders in the formulation and realisation of this plan. Your Excellency, after my communication and if it does please you, I request that before you commence on your address to Parliament – and by extension to the nation - to symbolically unveil the NDP IV, a document that will be a precursor to the Budget Speech, which will be held on 12 June 2025. In line with our vision of being a people- centred Parliament, during the Fourth Session, the Parliament of Uganda held its first-ever regional sitting at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, that is, Northern Uganda, from 28 th to 30 th August 2024. During this Sitting, issues specific to the region were deliberated upon, and a series of community outreach and civic engagement activities were conducted. Your Excellency, we take this opportunity to thank you for gracing the opening of that historic Sitting which took place in Gulu City. The legislature will continue to place the common person at the centre of all its parliamentary processes and decisions. We are optimistic that in the near future, Parliament will hold another regional Sitting that will cover other regions of the country. In a bid to foster Pan-Africanism and international collaboration with other legislatures and inter-parliamentary bodies, we continued to further inter-parliamentary diplomacy through active participation and membership in various inter-parliamentary bodies such as the East African Community Bureau of Speakers; the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the African Union Legislatures (COSPAR); the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU); the Pan-African Parliament (PAP); the European Union, Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (EUACP group) and; the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), to mention but a few. The impressive representation of our sister legislatures at this State-of-the-Nation address is a testimony to our good standing among the international community of nations. I take this opportunity to once again welcome our guest Speakers and presiding officers and thank them for travelling from far and wide to witness this historic occasion. Join me in welcoming our guests. You are most welcome. (Applause) Your Excellency and honourable members, I take this opportunity to thank you for your role in enabling the remarkable output registered by the legislature during the Fourth Session. I will reiterate my appreciation for the consistent support of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The 11 th Parliament draws inspiration from your effective and impactful leadership as a key enabler of societal transformation. We undertake that the Fifth Session that you open today will remain steadfast in effectively executing its mandate in furtherance of the National Vision 2040, which aims to transform Uganda into a modern and prosperous nation within 30 years. As you may be aware, that Article 83(a) of the 1995 Constitution, permits Members of Parliament to leave and join political parties or political organisations of their choice within 12 months before the end of the term of Parliament to participate in activities or programmes of political parties or political organisations relating to the general election. To this end, I am in receipt of notification by the following Members opting to join respective political parties:

17329 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025 export sectors, through the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) Programme; 2. Shs 90.97 billion for infrastructure development of industrial parks; 3. Shs 47.8 billion for capitalisation of the agricultural credit facilities to support farmers, but mainly agro-processors that focus on value addition; 4. Shs 414.74 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Bank in line with the annual line of credit. This will support the entire agricultural ecosystem, the private sector players, to increase stock and quality of tourism facilities, financing of the local production of essential goods as a precursor to achieving import substitution, among others; and 5. Shs 210.17 billion has been allocated towards the Resource Enhancement and Accountability Programme (REAP) with the objective of increasing resource mobilisation, improving planning and public investment management, and strengthening accountability for quality, effective and efficient service delivery. Commercialising agriculture Madam Speaker, these are the priorities proposed: a) Breeding, production, multiplication, and availing animal seed and poultry to farmers across the country through National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRIC&DB) - Shs 96.05 billion; b) Animal feed production on government ranches and farms (NAGRIC&DB) – Shs 25.5 billion. Those people who steal our cows from NAGRIC&DB should stop; c) Development of anti-tick vaccine, STI - Shs 5 billion; d) Research products and services suited for food, feed, market and industry National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) – Shs 24.1 billion; e) Improving access and use of agricultural equipment and mechanisation, through the use of labour-saving technologies under the Ministry for Agriculture – Shs 56.14 billion; f) The National Oil Palm Project under the Ministry for Agriculture - Shs 70.72 billion; g) Agriculture Value Chain Development, again under the Ministry for Agriculture – Shs 73.25 billion; h) Enhancing Agricultural Production, Quality and Standards for Market Access Project, Ministry for Agriculture - Shs 111.35 billion; i) The National Oil Seed Project under the Ministry for Agriculture - Shs 83.46 billion; j) Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project is provided with Shs 76.32 billion; and k) Coffee seedlings to Northern Uganda - Shs 60 billion. This is the first time; Northern Uganda has to embrace coffee production and enhance the economy of Uganda. That is a great thing. We have paid the debt for coffee seeds, and now we are going to get to the seedlings. Transformative transport infrastructure development 1. The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, Shs 2,175.29 billion; 2. The construction, upgrade and rehabilitation of national roads and bridges - Shs 2,201.34 billion. Some of these include: a) Hoima-Wanseko Road - Shs 185.47 billion; b) Construction of 66 selected bridges - Shs 30.61 billion. The list of bridges is in the annex;

17334 MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET, 2025/2026 1) The request by accounting officers on the Programme Budgeting System; 2) The need to ensure that the proposed changes by accounting officers do not result in supplementary needs or arrears; and 3) Changes have been proposed to correct errors and omissions that were made in the Budget Framework Paper and ministerial policy statements. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the net effect of the corrigenda to the draft estimates for the Financial Year 2025/2026 is Shs 419.860 billion, which will increase the budget from Shs 71.957 trillion to Shs 72.376 trillion. Madam Speaker, because of the recommendations we made in this House, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Government have addressed more issues that were identified by this House by a tune of Shs 112.03 billion. That is part of that figure, among others. The source of financing is due to: 1) An increase in Non-Tax Revenue. They project Shs 58.03 billion; 2) An increase in local revenue for the next financial year by Shs 9.268 billion; 3) Reprioritisation of fiscal space of projects to free resources for emerging funding needs, amounting to Shs 681.64 billion; 4) Additional allocation amounting to Shs 1.03 trillion; and 5) Increase in external funding to Local Climate Adaptive Facility (LoCAL) project under the Ministry of Local Government by Shs 2.013 billion. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, arising from the corrigenda adjustments, the following figures in the table below are recommended for supply and appropriation as expenditure for the Financial Year 2025/2026. The table below is a consolidation of schedules A, B and C in the annexure, which are there. Honourable colleagues, I hope the annexures have been uploaded. I would like to conclude by saying that as a committee, we feel that for a long time, the Government has listened to this House. Our recommendations on the increase in budget allocation to the Cabinet was to the tune of Shs 4 trillion. The Government came back on our recommendations and addressed most of them to the tune of Shs 4 trillion. This is unique and a departure from the history we faced last year. On behalf of the committee, we thank the Government and the President, who is the ultimate minister for finance, for this support. For example, we recommended that Shs 100 billion be given to the National Medical Stores for drugs, and it was done. We recommended ambulances; they have given money for that to the health centres. They have given Shs 60 billion for the PET centre for cancer, among others. (Applause) They have given close to Shs 60 billion to Northern Uganda. Most of the changes, including the last one, under Annex 3, which were done yesterday, were as a result of the recommendations of this House. We commend the Government that in this process of consolidation, this spirit should continue to address the needs of our people. I beg to move. Thank you. (Applause)

h) Enhancing Agricultural Production, Quality and Standards for Market Access Project (MAAIF) - UGX 117.35bn r) National Oil Seeds Project (MAAIF) - UGX 83.46ba j) Uganda Climate Smart Agriculhrral Ttansformation Project (MAAIF) - UGX 176.32bt, Lf Coffee seedlings to Northern Uganda - UGX 6Obn Transpott Infrastnrctule Developneat: 1) Constnrction of Standard Gauge Railway - UGX 21175,.29 blllloa; 2) Constnrction, upgrade and rehabilitation of national roads and bridges - UGX 2r20l.g4 blllloa. Some of these include: a) Hoima- Wanseko Road - UGX 185.47 b) Constmction of 66 Selected Bridges - UGX 30.61bn; c) Rwenlnrnye -Apac- Lira -Acholibur Road - UGX 166.25bn; d) Kisoro-Nkuringo-Rubugiri-Muko Road - UGX 1r260.9tbn; e) Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko road - UGX 125.OEbn; 0 Rehabilitation of Mityana-Mubende Road (lOOKm) - UGX 2lbn g) Pnoposed upgrading of Kyenjojo (Kihura)- Bwizi-Rwamwanja- I(atrunge (68Km) /Mpara-Bwizi(37Km) - UGX 109. 14bn h) Upgrading of Iganga-Bulopa-Ikmuli Road (57.2Km) - UGX42.55ba 4. Rehabilitation of District, Urban and Community access roads (DUCARI will continue under the Ministry of lVorks and Ttansport - UGX 91.78bnf 5. Road F\rnd Management - UGX 91.78bn TbltttEntDetnloprnsnt a) UGX 11.16bn for the Mt. Rwenzori Tourism Infrastnrcture. This improving the existing trails and establishing shorter ones, the existing bridges tahing into consideration of the flush floods, providing more ecofriendly accommodation facilities, improving safety of tourists by establishing rest points along the trails, among others. b) UGX 21.52bn for the development of Museums and Heritage Sites for Cultural Tor.rrism c) UGX 10.15ba for the development of Source of the Nile tor.rrism \$ infrastnrcture that includes for boats, and other amenities. piers, docking places ag e6 q + 1 I

17248 THE HIDESAND SKINS (EXPORT DUTY) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 overs from NDP III. However, due to the large funding gap, it will be impossible to undertake the activities in the work plan, with the potential catastrophic effects on the state of roads across the country. In line with this shortfall, the Ministry of Works and Transport has made allocations prioritising payments of arrears and acquisition of land for ongoing works. Most of the ongoing projects have not received sufficient funding to cover the planned scope of work. For example, the Mityana-Mubende Road requires an allocation of Shs 130 billion but was only allocated Shs 21 billion. Kampala-Jinja requires Shs 90 billion but was only allocated Shs 7 billion. Mbarara-Ishaka was not allocated any resources, despite being in very bad shape. The allocation projects are located in Annex 3 and if no extra funds are allocated, the result will be an increase in the domestic arrears, including interest on the unpaid sums. Impact of the funding gap Madam Speaker, the funding gap I have described will negatively impact the ministry’s ability to undertake land acquisition, complete ongoing projects, carry out urgently required maintenance works on the network, and commence strategic projects like from Bobi- Corner Ayer to support our expected AFCON 2027. This budget shortfall will also affect the implementation of externally funded projects, as resources are required for counterpart funding and land acquisition for the projects. Honourable members, if the extra allocation is not made now, the Government of Uganda will have to pay more in the long run due to the following factors; 1. Interest on delayed payments will increase. The estimated interest in the Financial Year 2025/2026 due to delayed payment is approximately Shs 48 billion. 2. In cases where contractors demobilise, when work resumes, it will include the extra scope of work to cover the damage done to the structure when the contractor was not on the site. You may have seen this in Ibanda; 3. Contractors’ claims for the demobilisation and also reputational damage to the country, which will cause contractors to increase their future bid prices to cater for the risk of non-payment; 4. Delayed utilisation of external finances, which results in increased financing costs for the loans; and 5. Increased accidents at the abandoned sites and across the road network where interventions are required. In addition to the direct costs mentioned above, Madam Speaker, there is a larger risk of losing the value of the road assets that the Government of Uganda has invested in over the last 15 years. The total paved network currently stands at 6,306 kilometres, as of Financial Year 2024/2025. This paved network is increasingly at risk of deterioration due to under-investment in timely maintenance. As a result of the underfunding, already, 615 kilometres of the paved network have deteriorated beyond maintenance levels and will require expensive interventions in the form of rehabilitation or, in some cases, full reconstruction. Madam Speaker, it is much cheaper to undertake periodic maintenance interventions such as resealing and local repairs compared to the full rehabilitation that is usually required when a road is neglected. The cost of the periodic maintenance ranges from Shs 646 million to Shs 1.14 billion per kilometre, while the cost of rehabilitation ranges from Shs 2.28 billion to Shs 2.66 billion per kilometre. The periodic maintenance activities renew the life of the road. A good example is the Kampala Northern Bypass, where the periodic maintenance currently being implemented will give the road a new lease of life at a reasonable [Mr Ecweru] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Madam Speaker, I am doing a follow-up; last time you required the Attorney- General to give us the correct position on how he will deal with the issue of the election of the MP representing Workers so that the regional balance is taken care of, and the Attorney- General had committed that he was going to carry out consultations, come back and brief the House on how Northern Uganda would -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Compliance with the law All the ministerial policy statements under the committee’s purview complied with the requisite laws and regulation. Therefore, it is in order that the honourable member peruses through some of those annexes. I invite Members to focus on Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport, as I give observations and recommendations. Unpaid certificates Delayed payment to contractors has been and continues to be one of the major factors negatively affecting the construction industry in the works and transport sector. Long outstanding payables are an indication of poor budgeting and cause a risk of litigation and payment of penalties for delayed periods. Consequently, contractors lose the properties they use as collateral to acquire loans to execute government projects. Commercial banks, who are the main financiers of the industry, are losing confidence in government- funded projects, making these projects less competitive. The committee noted that the proposed budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 has a budgetary requirement of Shs 1,735 billion, that is Shs 1.7 trillion towards areas and unpaid certificates for the National Roads Department, and yet only Shs 150 billion has been allocated, leaving a funding gap of Shs 1.5 trillion. The committee, therefore, recommends and urges the Government to provide additional resources to a tune of Shs 1.5 trillion to clear the outstanding debt, in order to avoid paying interest, which creates an additional financial burden to the taxpayers. Rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Railway Line The committee was informed that on 13 April, 2023, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Railways Corporation, as the implementing agency, signed a contract with the China Roads and Bridge Corporation to rehabilitate the 382 kilometres of Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway at a cost of Shs 199 billion. This project is fully funded by the Government of Uganda and was supposed to take a period of two years, with the completion date set at July 2025. The metre gauge railway will support the Government’s efforts to increase stock and quality of strategic infrastructure in order to accelerate Uganda’s competitiveness. The committee noted that while the ministry had budgeted for Shs 90 billion towards compensation, rehabilitation and supervision of civil works along the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway, only Shs 46 billion was provided, leaving a funding gap of Shs 44 billion. The committee takes cognisance of the crucial role that the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will unveil for northern Uganda and Uganda as a whole, upon completion, in terms of boosting economic growth through facilitating trade and transport, connecting the region to global markets and boosting key value chains like agriculture, cement, oil and gas. Therefore, it recommends and urges the Government to provide an additional Shs 44 billion for the metre gauge railway, if it is to be completed by the end of 2025. The committee further recommends that the metre gauge railway to Gulu be extended to Pakwach because the railway line infrastructure originally terminated at Pakwach and is still in existence, although it needs rehabilitation.

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, Mr Speaker, and I thank the Chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee. In September, the President of Uganda directed the Ministry of Works to locate a ferry on Mutunda-Atura Road but I have not heard it anywhere in the budget. The minister should also explain why it is missing. Recently, they opened the Karuma Bridge and my brothers and sisters from Northern Uganda were extremely happy, happy over an old bridge, yet the Government has been promising to construct a new bridge. The contract was signed but the committee does not emphasise and tell us when the project will commence. On the road infrastructure protection, many road signs have been vandalised as the ministry keeps looking on. What remedies do they have to protect our road infrastructure? Finally, since when did our Rules of Procedure allow Members of Parliament to come dressed in clothes that have wings or tails, like my brother has donned today? Thank you (Laughter) .

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the committee for the well-elaborated presentation. On behalf of the people of Lango, we would like to thank the Government for the Apac-Rwenkunye road and the rehabilitation of the Soroti-Kamdini Road. Lango is the third highest payer of taxes in this country, but our road bitumen coverage is three per cent, and these are mainly roads that the former Governments constructed. Since the inception of this Government, it has constructed only the Apac-Rwenkunye Road. I request that the Lira-Aloi-Abim-Kotido Road be especially put in this budget. This has been in the manifesto for two consecutive terms. There was even a time we were called for a handover; the ministry disappeared up to date. This would boost business because we have enough industries to supply northern Uganda. We need a connection. Thank you so much. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The principle of equity demands that we must share what is available. When you look at the report, the ministry now wants Shs 6.4 trillion because of the implementation of the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Expenditure (RAPEX) projects. Mr Speaker, I was going through documents in my research and noticed that Northern Uganda, the biggest of the regions in the whole country, with a size of 82,000 square kilometres of roads, has only 639 kilometres of tarmac roads, representing 14 per cent. Eastern Uganda has only 19 per cent. That means that the eastern and northern areas have only 34 per cent of the tarmac roads. Western Uganda has 41 per cent. Central here has only 25 per cent, yet we all pay taxes. I would like to appeal to the committee and the Members of Parliament that, before we adopt this report, the Minister of Works and Transport should tell us how much money is going to the north, the west, the south and the central, and which roads they are going to work on. When we pass it blindly, other regions are going to miss out. We are seeing what is happening. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me commence with this, respectively, to persuasively convince you to accept some of these statistics that some of our own have burned the midnight candle to research on. Hon. Ebwalu drew exactly from what our alternative budget had researched. The truth of the matter is that even the National Development Plan has a map. There is what they term the Uganda National Development Plan map, and it locates its basis in the regions. Incidentally, the northern region carries the largest geographical part, followed by the eastern, but look at the percentages. We are not saying that Western, having 41 per cent tarmac road coverage, is concentrated maybe in your area, but we were looking for instance at the Albertine Graben, then draw down there – (Interjections) - someone whispered DRC, no, we did not go to DRC. These are the statistics that are emanating from reliable sources: eastern – 19 per cent, northern – 14 per cent, central – 25 per cent. If you add northern and eastern, you cannot even equate it to western.

I would like to give him information. Mr Speaker, I was among the members who went and supervised the activities of the oil in the 10th Parliament. When we went to Buliisa, where the Total camp is based, we were shocked to learn that as they were exploring oil from the underground, but from the northern side of Uganda, using technology. When we look at these oil projects, there are a number of social corporate responsibility activities by that these companies are doing by where of building hospitals, schools and so on. Why did they choose to explore the one from Northern Uganda underground? They should have gone live on the ground so that some parts of Northern Uganda would have also benefitted from these roads, which are constructed under oil and also other projects. I also do not understand that rationale because the congestion would not have only been in the Bunyoro area. It would have also gone to Northern Uganda. If the roads, schools, and hospitals in Bunyoro have been worked on under the oil projects, why did we choose to get the one from Northern Uganda underground using other technologies? Was it a deliberate sabotage? We are also asking these questions.

I was looking at Northern Uganda, and the minister knows that at 639 kilometres, compared to Western Uganda with 2050 kilometres - Mr Speaker, allow me to read what the Constitution says. I actually admire the reason and the logic with which you articulate this argument about Western maybe having more of the roads in the Albertine Graven.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for giving us a very good report. My first question is to the Minister of Health: Sometime back, you called us to Nakasero to receive ambulances. When will Oyam District get the pledge of the ambulance? People are asking day in, day out. Secondly, I would like to address myself to the issue of counterpart funding arising from President Trump’s Executive Order because it has affected HIV infected persons. It has affected malaria and Tuberculosis control – where we have children, women, and others also infected. The committee has recommended Shs 9.6 billion, Mr Speaker. I think when you look at our population, and the people affected from these diseases, this Parliament can find room to provide this money. Thirdly, I would like to add my voice to the issue of cancer in this country. We recommended that the PET machine be bought. The whole of last year, I was in the Uganda Cancer Institute with my late dad and the congestion there – We are now in the rainy season; when it is raining, you will find attendants outside and beaten by rain. If there is something that this Parliament can do, again, let us buy this machine and secondly, focus on decongesting the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago by providing money for Mbarara Satellite Centre and then the Northern Regional Centre. When we look at the Uganda Cancer Institute, from congestion to lack of drugs, inadequate staff, you will find that we have a big problem as far as this disease is concerned. Then, finally, I would like to talk about the maintenance of equipment. We have bought equipment in many regional referral hospitals but we do not have the technicians to service and maintain them. It, therefore, looks like we are moving one step forward and two backward. Money has been spent but the equipment works for about two to five months or even a full year and then they are down and remain there. When the patients come in, they are referred to private facilities. I would like to thank you and I pray that this Parliament finds room to accommodate the budget, especially for the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Chairperson. Yes, we adjourned and agreed to do more consultations. I want to report to the House that we have held consultations with the farmers, millers and members of Parliament from the sugarcane- growing areas, namely Busoga, Bunyoro, some parts of northern Uganda, and to confirm that after the consultations we have agreed on a number of things, including the composition of the council, the formula, and we are now ready to continue the process of legislation. Also, we want to thank you, Mr Chairperson, for the work and time you put in this Bill. You chaired almost four meetings, and you have

17065 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 commercial charcoal use to bring charcoal from the greater northern part of Uganda. The greater northern part of Uganda used to be very green, but now most of the indigenous trees, such as - I know it in Ateso: it is called Ekunguru. (Interjection) It is the shea nut tree. It makes very good charcoal, but most of those trees, in northern Uganda, are endangered because of that. Mr Speaker, charcoal burning is a source of revenue to the local communities and that is why they are unwilling to stop it. A truck will leave Acholi, Lango – (Mr Amos Okot rose_) – It is just an example, honourable colleague - and come all the way from – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Before the encroachment of Kei Natural Forest, our home was the last home towards the forest but I saw people encroaching on this forest while the officials of the National Forest Authority were watching on. It appears as if it is a strategy because once people deplete this part of the forest, they go and start planting eucalyptus and teak. It is as if the encroachment is a good strategy for them to deplete the forest, then they go ahead and plant these other species and yet these have been a natural resource and natural trees. Therefore, when you go there, the indigenous tree species are disappearing while they are planting new ones. The question is, “Who are those who are planting these trees?” They have not come out clearly. It is as if there are people within the National Forestry Authority who look into this and use it as a strategy to plant their own trees. I, therefore, do not support this. Hon, Ann Adeke had said here that many of these people who deal in charcoal come all the way from Northern Uganda up to Kampala and the dealers keep on bribing. Actually, the people who have been bribed are National Forestry Authority staff. Therefore, claiming that they need more money for protection, I do not support this because I see what they do. When they were – (Member timed out.)

17092 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 Whereas the expansion of the Judiciary to 25 operational High Court Circuits is commendable, it has created a serious challenge in regional office operations since they have not matched that expansion. It is increasingly becoming challenging to cope with all the required court appearances given the long distances of up to or over 300 km from regional offices’ respective courts, moreover with only one vehicle and yet some regions have more than four High Court Circuits. In 2026, the ministry expects an increase in cases requiring defending Governments in courts relating to electoral petitions, which have a very serious time-bearing. Currently, the ministry does not have regional offices in the following 17 High Court Circuits, and we have named them down here. The ministry requires Shs 8.37 billion to cater for rent, utilities, furniture and fittings, conferencing facilities, security equipment and power, among other utilities. Out of the required total amount of Shs 8.337 billion, only Shs 2 billion was provided, leaving a funding gap of Shs 6.33 billion. It is our recommendation, as a committee, that this money be provided this financial year to enable the ministry to properly dispense justice to the Ugandans. v) Court awards, Arrears and Compensation The ministry is faced with an outstanding bill of Shs 30.2 billion resulting from court awards and other compensations. Non-payment often results in the accumulation of interest, thus increasing the overall debt. Additionally, delays in paying individuals or business owners by the Government significantly hinders their ability to invest or operate effectively. The committee has learnt that the Government has made an allocation of Shs 4.5 billion to cater for ex-gratia in the Financial Year 2025/2026, leaving a funding gap of Shs 25.7 billion. We recommend that the Government prioritises payment of court awards and arrears to reduce the principal amounts that attract interest by providing an additional Shs 25.7 billion. vi) Cattle compensation to war debt claimants The Government agreed to compensate war debt claimants in Teso, Acholi and Lango subregions for the loss of livestock and other property during the insurgency in northern Uganda. The committee commends the Government for providing Shs 40 billion during the Financial Year 2024/2025 and an allocation of Shs 80 billion in the Financial Year 2025/2026 for compensation of war debt claimants. However, the committee was informed by the ministry that the total liability for cattle compensation, verified by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs after verification by the district officials, amounts to Shs 521.698 billion. Mr Speaker, this is a very serious political issue in the respective areas. The committee recommends that the entire outstanding bill of Shs 521 billion be settled during this financial year. (Applause) vii) Establishment of a comprehensive war debt compensation policy The committee notes that the ongoing war debt compensation scheme is limited or restricted to only three subregions of Teso, Lango and Acholi, with no clear timelines on when other affected areas in the country will be included or considered in the process. Therefore, there is need for the Government to establish a War Victims Compensation Fund, catering for all war-affected areas in the country. This policy would acknowledge historical injustices, promote healing and reconciliation and support post-conflict recovery and development in affected areas. The committee recommends that the Government establishes a comprehensive compensation policy for all regions that have suffered the effects of war and conflict since independence.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank the committee for the very good report. I tend to associate with the committee recommendation on the establishment of a fund for compensation of war victims. The country is conspicuously very quiet about compensation of war victims in West Nile. Since 1979, there have been war victims in West Nile, but nobody has compensated them. On 24 th and 25 th of January 1981, there was the Ombachi massacre where 90 people were killed and those have never been compensated. The victims of the West Nile Bank Front and Kony wars have never been compensated as well. I thought my good friend, Hon. Jonathan Odur, would not have restricted his report to Lango, Teso and Acholi. I thought the brotherhood of Northern Uganda would have included the West Nile. I am very surprised for the first time that Hon. Jonathan is very selfish. (Laughter) It is my prayer that this fund is established and the whole region is looked at. The President has just come from West Nile and we have reminded him of all these war atrocities in the region. You can imagine that in the country, the war mongers are compensated, but the victims of the war are ignored. It is very absurd. I, therefore, thank the committee for that recommendation. On the minority report, I agree with Hon. Jonathan on a number of the recommendations. However, he has recommended a legal

16951 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 appropriating Shs 39.77 billion to Biyinzika Enterprise Limited. The committee notes that fine spinners received Shs 30 billion in the Financial Year 2024/2025 and that Shs 30 billion has been proposed in Financial Year 2025/2026, out of Shs 31 billion that was required. Other projects, like Lira Spinning Mill, which required Shs 59 billion to purchase and revamp the factory and undertake the spinning of the farmers’ cotton, have no proposed allocation despite a feasibility study being completed. The committee notes that while enterprises like Bundibugyo Cocoa processing factory have completed a feasibility study, no proposed allocation has been made for the Financial Year 2025/2026. The ministry informed the committee that UDC lacks sufficient capitalisation and requires Shs 5 billion to fulfil its mandate. Recommendations for UDC The committee recommends that Government capitalises UDC with additional funding in the short to medium term to enable term to enable it invest in appraised projects. The committee further recommends that the proposed allocation through UDC to Biyinzika Enterprise Limited and Fine Spinners be reallocated as follows: The allocation of Shs 39.77 billion to Biyinzika Enterprise will be deferred as the committee undertakes due diligence on the proposed investment. It was reallocated as follows: 1. Uganda Shs 6 billion should be reallocated to Bundibugyo Cocoa factory to support its start-up, promote the export of value- added cocoa as opposed to raw materials, and earn the country higher economic returns from the cocoa value chain. 2. Shs 4 billion should be reallocated to invest in a chlorine manufacturing plant, improving the country’s trade balance through a reduction in the cost of importing chlorine, a key ingredient in wastewater treatment, pure water treatment, and disinfectants. 3. Shs 25 billion be allocated to Fine Spinners Limited to fulfil its obligation in a phased manner and enable investment in other projects. E, page 49 4. Shs 10 billion be reallocated to Lira Spinning Mill to initiate the purchase and revamping of the factory to undertake the spinning of farmer’s cotton in Northern Uganda. 5. Shs 5 billion be allocated to Luwero Food Factory to start up investment since the feasibility study and the business plans were completed. 6. Shs 5 billion be relocated to Nwoya Fruit Factory to start master designs, environment and social impact assessment and geological studies and preliminary site preparation. 7. Shs 6.7 billion be allocated to the Iron Ore processing to save the importation of iron and improve the country’s trade balance through a reduction in the cost of importation of iron ore. 8. Shs 8 billion, be allocated to Sanga VET to purchase active ingredients, special equipment and working capital for manufacturing of animal drugs and acaricides. Management and Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) Recommendations of MTAC The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development ensures that MTAC’s budgetary provision is

I am very sorry, Mr Speaker. I thought it was on. I always see people come and just talk. Vote 122: Kampala Capital City Authority We looked at one major problem here and that was solid waste management. We are recommending that Shs 78.3 billion be provided to Vote 122 to enable KCCA to deliver on its mandate in as far as solid waste management is concerned. You all know the issue of Kiteezi – all those details are put there. We further recommend that the management of Kampala Capital City Authority explores the possibility of investing in sustainable waste management through recycling, like it is done in many other modern countries. Vote 003: Office of the Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister is quite a wide one, but we do not have very many recommendations on this. We only request that, one, the budget enhancement for the Office of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Government Chief Whip and minister for general duties be enhanced by at least Shs 12 billion. Finally, we also talked about northern Uganda, Karamoja affairs, Luweero Triangle and Busoga affairs portfolio. We put our recommendations very clearly. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, the committee appreciates the total funding gaps that have been indicated in all the MDAs under this jurisdiction, but it is also alive to the challenges associated with the resource envelope constraints. The committee, therefore, calls upon the Government to consider enhancing allocation to the presidency, KCCA and Office of the Prime Minister in interventions it has deemed critical as highlighted in this report. I wish to report. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to start from the issue regarding the RDCs. Honourable chairperson, you mentioned some districts including Kasese, Nsingiro, Tororo, Wakiso and others - about six of them but I urge you to have a national lens - Honourable Alex, I am talking to you but you are engaged elsewhere. (Laughter) Why didn’t you have a lens towards the northern part of Uganda? A case in point is a district that I represent; Oyam, which is very big and my RDCs are really suffering because of the big size of the district. Mr Speaker, the number of the RDCs that we have now is enough. For example, we have four who can traverse the entire district if they are fully facilitated. Secondly, I would like to add my voice to the Youth MP’s voice about the Afro-Arab Youth Conference, which our country is about to

16828 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 Would it be procedurally right that you first allow the minister to bring that document he committed to, before we move to approve this? Some Members here raised concerns about how the Government is allocating money to places that ideally should not be getting money from the Government, but he is deliberately, ignoring some communities that ought to get Government attention. You can only be able to answer all these questions if we look at the NDP IV document, which the minister committed to bring. I, therefore, invite you, that since this budget will be based on the National Development Plan IV, it is important we appreciate what the Government intends to do in different parts of this country. We already know areas like Northern Uganda are very poor – (Member timed out.)

Yes, Mr Speaker. That is why I am talking about equity and balancing of this. When you subdivide this Shs 1 billion in a district with more than two counties, like in mine, it is supposed to be about Shs 300 million, or something like that. When you compare a district with the one county and with small geographical coverage – That is why I am saying, if we can consider the equity and balancing of that resource – The same thing applies to PDM. We have parishes which are too big, like in Northern Uganda where you go and it is even bigger than a subcounty. The Shs 100 million that you give is just peanuts. The subcounty itself, the villages, the parishes are as big as – In Agago, we have about 1,200 villages in a district and the parties are as huge as that. I would like to find out from the committee, and especially the ministers, the level of the staffing. What percentage are we now in the local government? What is the coverage? How are our civil servants? You will find that this is where we have to supervise and follow up even these little resources. However, if the employment level is below 50 per cent in a district then I consider that we have to increase the wage amount for this. Finally, I have an appeal to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. We should not conclude this term and then find that the newly created subcounties and town councils are not getting the money, which is supposed to be given to them for these smaller roadworks. At least we should change it in this financial year so that as we are going for the new campaigns and forming another Government, we do not keep carrying the same burden and questions. Let us identify these subcounties which are not getting their little money for the small road works. The Ministry of Local Government should come up with a full list covering the country and then we immediately create – without going more than five months after the passing of the Budget. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like confirm to you that during one of our oversight visits as Members of Parliament, I happened to attend one of the functions that UDB was undertaking after giving money to a seed company called TOTCO in Lira, Lango sub-region. This company had been in operation for a long time, but needed a major funding source to uplift their services because they are a very big grain company, and it is at that point that I realised that UDB is doing a great job for those who are playing at the levels that they are supporting. I also know that not all areas may have benefited from UDB because of the qualifications required. But I want to support UDB because I know that this time around, when they get this money, they will make the TOTCO of this country more financially stable and empower other seed companies in northern Uganda. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I welcome your guidance, but let us support the deployment for the sake of peace for the people of Uganda, especially those from northern Uganda and those running businesses in South Sudan. It is for the betterment of our country. Peace in South Sudan will mean peace in our country, Uganda. I beg to support.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I thank the honourable member for raising the issue. There is no reason why the Government cannot share NDP IV with Parliament. This is because the document has been prepared for Ugandans, including MPs. Secondly, it is also not true that as we plan and budget, we leave out particular parts of the country. We know for a fact that the northern part of the country was affected by war and conflict for a long time. However, from technical studies, there is evidence, from what we call the “Gini coefficient”, which measures issues of inequality, that there is great improvement in the north - (Interjections)- yes. There is a way we measure inequality. The point I am making is that while that part of the country – (Interruption)

Okay. Madam Speaker, facts speak for themselves. For example, 13 per cent is going to Eastern Uganda, 11 per cent is going to Northern Uganda. This means north and Eastern Uganda, which is a half of Uganda only receives 23 per cent. Imagine this imbalance. I think this is not fair. Madam Speaker, we even now need to talk about the army. When you look at promotions - there was some promotion of 35 from the level of Major to Major General. Thirty five out of 40, were coming from one region and that is in defence. In the Constitution, recruitment should be balanced in our UPDF but it is not balanced. Even yesterday, there was some promotion of some people to Major General; three of them and all of them come from one region. I think it is not fair - (Member rose_)

Or a Speaker. Let me not go into that debate but I can also tell you that poverty levels have increased in Kigezi from 12 per cent to 27 per cent yet Kigezi is not in Northern Uganda. Let us debate as nationalists. I agree that the distribution of the cake should be looked at – (Interjections) - and that is what we have been doing in this Parliament because the Budget is passed by this House. The question was, the NDP IV -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister, my matter is also about the wildlife attacks in Rukungiri District. Since the beginning of this month, between the 2nd and 5th of March, a herd of elephants has been coming every day, attacking gardens, coffee plantations, banana plantations, animals, cows, and goats. People are not sleeping. I have heard you talk about the districts of Kitugum and northern Uganda that you have called address, but Rukungiri is nowhere. We have Queen Elizabeth National Park, where these elephants come from. The last time I talked to the minister of tourism, he was heading to Kanungu on the side of Bwindi while Rukungiri continues to be neglected. People need a quick response about this matter. You have also talked about the electric fence several times. Kanungu and Kasese have been fenced. Rukungiri is in the middle of these districts, but it has been left out. Can you give us-

Achomai Primary School is actually in the Speaker’s constituency. They had also inflated the number. Friends, we are in that digital era as a Government. The questions the Speaker has raised are pertinent. We cannot digitalise you when you do not go there to have your fingerprints and facial recognition captured. We cannot digitalise you when we do not verify your academic papers physically at the station where you are meant to teach, and this is what we are doing. I thank you very much. MR DENIS OGUZU (FDC, Maracha County, Maracha) Madam Speaker, let me start by observing that digitalisation can only be effective where there is power. Globally, poverty is linked to inaccessibility to power. Madam Speaker, today I got hold of a document where the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has initiated a procurement process where they want to do last-mile connections in the country. Arising from this, we are going to have 444,600,000 connections in central Uganda and 153,000 connections in western Uganda. The east and northern Uganda, comprising Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, and West Nile, are only getting 138,000 connections. I would like the Prime Minister to explain to us how this decision was arrived at. We want to see equity in the country. This is a public document and we would like to understand this precisely so that we know we are at the table of sharing. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The distribution of elec - tricity in this country is at various stages. The last-mile connection focuses on areas where we have infrastructure and where there are lines already. For northern Uganda, we have finished a survey because we realised that it did not have the basic infrastructure to benefit from the last-mile connections. The intervention for northern Uganda is extension of lines; delivering the lines. Even if we gave northern Uganda the connections, the infrastructure to deliver electricity to the last mile is not there. So, we are focusing on the extension of lines in the region. (Interjection) We have just finished a survey in northern Uganda to take electricity to the subcounties. Thereafter, we shall follow with the last-mile connections.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In reaction to the heat wave issue, Northern Uganda is the worst hit and one of the contributing factors is indiscriminate charcoal burning and charcoal trade. Prior, charcoal would be transported in open vehicles but now with box bodies, they cannot

16472 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION be detected. There is need to come up with strong regulations on the charcoal trade in this country. I request that another committee go and look at the current situation because it is not the people from northern Uganda burning it, they are from outside. Secondly, on the issue of afforestation, it should not just be planting trees but what type of trees we plant. We are cutting down mahogany trees but replacing them with pine trees yet a mahogany tree absorbs 20 times more carbon dioxide than a pine tree. That means even if you plant the pine tree, you will not address the issue of the heat wave. Therefore, as we are coming up with the ministerial policy statement, the issue of policy of what kind of trees we are planting should come up. I recall in the 1990s there used to be a tree census. I do not know when the last time was or when we are going to have another tree census to know how many trees we have as a country. Thank you.

16473 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2025 temperatures have soared to 40 degrees Celsius and they have told us to brace ourselves for even higher temperatures. The most affected areas are especially in northern Uganda, and I hope the Government knows that agricultural production has been affected too. The heat wave is killing some people like the examples we have heard; people are collapsing and so on. Agriculture is being affected because crops are failing and animals are dropping dead. Maybe the Government needs to come up with a comprehensive response to this matter so that we know how to proceed and people can be guided. Madam Speaker, in the last 10 decades, our forest cover has been eaten up to 41.6 per cent. That is the forest cover we have lost in the last 10 decades, and every year, it keeps becoming worse. That is the reality before us. The Government needs to help us understand what the plan is around these things because these are man-made disasters that we see coming and can impede. What is the plan around that? I also join you and this House in sending sympathies to the Holy Father. We pray that he recuperates pretty soon. I am not a Catholic but I pride in the leadership of the Holy Father because I have heard him speak severally about injustice across the world and that touches my heart. I have also seen that same message trickle down to our priests here in Uganda. Every so often, you will hear them talk about equality and injustice, saying that all of us should be equal before and under the law. That is a critical thing, especially when it comes from our religious leaders. Some of the critical issues that hon. Atkins Katusabe has been talking about are what we address here and what leaders under the Holy Father talk about. We pray that they continue to talk about these issues and that he recuperates. Finally, on that issue, when hon. Atkins raised the question of our headquarters being razed and so on, you rightly said we tasked the Attorney-General and the Government to respond. Maybe we need to put a timeline to that because whenever we do not put a timeline, the Government does not respond. With experience, whenever we put timelines, they are under pressure to come back to us. Maybe we need to do that. Thank you.

Thank you. Honourable members, maybe to just remind you of what I had forgotten; I got a list of petitioners from northern Uganda, specifically from Lango, and the petition was about the representation of workers in the House. Their claim is that there is no inclusivity, fairness, and equity in the representation. They believe that in the representation of youth, people with disabilities, and the elderly, all regions are represented. In their considered view, they think Section 8(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act on the election of Workers MPs should be amended to include regional representation, not just gender. This is because Section 3 says that there shall be one woman out of the five and does not specify that all regions must be represented, like other interest groups. The petition was brought and I think we will have an amendment to that effect.

Madam Speaker, I move under Rule 30 of our Rules of Procedure to present a humble petition of the lead petitioner, Mr Bosco Onyik Ogwal and 11 others who jointly petitioned this Parliament to review the provisions of the election of Workers Members of Parliament. The brief statement of facts read as follows: “Article 78(2) of the Constitution and Section 8(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act grants Parliament the powers to review the representation of special interest groups in this Parliament. This review requires a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the Members of Parliament, in accordance with Section 8(3). Your humble petitioners have noted that the election of the Workers Members of Parliament, for the last 25 years, has caused a lot of challenges, in terms of regional balance, equity, and inclusivity and therefore, the northern region has missed out on the opportunity to elect its Workers’ representative to this Parliament. In the last 25 years, the western, eastern and central regions have been the only regions that elected Workers’ Members of Parliament. Your humble petitioners, therefore, pray that this Parliament, by a resolution, reviews the provisions of the law relating to the election of the Workers’ Members of Parliament to provide for regional balance, inclusivity and equity to allow the Workers from the northern part of this country to have the opportunity to elect, in line with the special interest groups such as the youth, the elderly and PWDs who are all elected in this Parliament, based on a regional basis.” This petition is supported by the signatures of 11 petitioners and I am now pleased to lay before this House a copy of the petition for your onward guidance, Madam Speaker. I beg to lay.

Thank you so much, Hon. Odur. Attorney-General, do you have anything to say? The petitioners are saying that when we are electing the youth, we specify that these Youth MPs come from Northern, Eastern, Central and whichever. The Persons with Disabilities are also distributed according to the regions. The elderly are also distributed according to the regions. However, when you look at Section 8(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, it says, “There shall be a woman.” It only talks about gender; it does not talk about regionalisation and that is the basis of the petition. So, the humble petitioners are seeking an amendment of section 8(3) to include the different regions; North, East and Central.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Member for the question. I am going to inform and also direct UWA to make sure that that is covered. Secondly, we also had a problem in northern Uganda to mention, Kitgum and Agago in the Kidepo area. We are also struggling to make sure that we fence it. We are lucky that we have tried to fence, but those small loopholes will be covered I promise.

15880 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 Committee on Public Service and Local Government Major highlights: The criterion for allocating the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds does not take into consideration the poor regions, populations, and other factors. There is a need to re-examine these criteria in order to increase allocation to poor regions in the spirit of equity. We recommend that all districts affected by the creation of new cities should be given Shs 1 billion to build new headquarters. Committee on Presidential Affairs The major issues: i) The committee was concerned about the criteria for selecting presidential pledges for implementation and requested for the list of pledges that will be fulfilled in this financial year. We are still waiting for that list to guide us in discussing the next budget. ii) The committee noted that the Government programmes on skilling youth by His Excellency the President is a very good programme. However, most of the beneficiaries are too poor to afford the necessary tools to practice the acquired skills after training. They recommended that the Government needs to develop a mechanism for providing beneficiaries of the programme with the tools to help them utilise the skills acquired. iii) The committee requested for the return on investment on projects under the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat. For example, what has happened to our vaccines where we invested a lot of money? And what is happening to the whole sector? iv) The committee was concerned about the lack of funds for Kitezi landfill under KCCA. v) The committee observed that it is important for Government to revive the NUSAF project as well as DRDIP for northern Uganda. F) Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development There were major concerns here and that is where the focus of the country should be. i. The committee observed that it is important to have labour attachés to Uganda’s Foreign Missions. The committee was, however, informed that some Uganda Missions abroad have labour attachés but they are not facilitated. ii. It was also observed that in the last budget, the President gave Shs 34 billion to cultural leaders and they were paid Shs 60 million per month, but in the current budget, their emoluments have been reduced to Shs 5 million per month. The committee is concerned about this move. The committee recommends that this anomaly be rectified so that our cultural leaders get what they had already started getting. iii. The committee was concerned that the funds proposed to be allocated to the ministry for gender for election of special interest groups could be duplicated in funds allocated to the Electoral Commission. Mr Speaker, the Government needs to look at the resources that are going to go into the coming elections. The ministry for gender wants them, Uganda Police Force wants the same – everybody wants the resources. They need to come up with a strategy on who should really get the money, how much it should be and how that resource must be managed. iv. There was also a concern on the exodus of Ugandan girls to work abroad, and

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for its report. However, it is disturbing. I know we have already discussed the issue of the Shs 10.3 trillion shortfall in the budget compared to the NDP IV. When you look at this budget, and specifically the minority report – allow me to thank Hon. Ssemujju for his minority report – there are areas that we can do away with and focus on areas that affect the population. There was a slogan, “Kisanja hakuna mchezo”. I still want to implore the Government to get back to that and stop the issue of “ mchezo ” because at the end of the day, the people who sustain us – the ordinary people who pay taxes – do not benefit. When you look at the funding to the health sector, Mr Speaker, there are funding gaps in medicines and in upgrading of health facilities from health centres II to health centres III. We still have subcounties without health centres III and subcounties without health centres IV. As I was seated there, a mother passed on and will be buried today because of a lack of timely access to services. There are subcounties where people have to move long distances when a mother is referred to a higher facility with a doctor and a theatre and there are no ambulances. Therefore, Mr Speaker, I want to request the Executive that this is within their power. Let us do away with some of these wasteful expenditures. I am paid by a taxpayer. I am smartly dressed. Does the taxpayer have to again spend on me to dress me? I believe that the budget for dressing - whoever is benefitting from that budget - let us limit it to the President and all the other beneficiaries. The Shs 132 billion shillings can be spent on other areas, Mr Speaker. When you look at the funding gap in the education sector: On the issue of the new curriculum, we are going to have a challenge. We are going to have exam results released soon and you will be shocked at the performance of many children, specifically in the upcountry schools. There is a funding gap of Shs 12 billion. Can we prioritise that and ensure that we have the children learn and understand this curriculum so that they can also benefit and move on with their education and not drop out of school? Mr Speaker, we are aware that we have a challenge with the vocational training in this country. It still remains expensive and the majority who are in the rural schools, dropping out at Senior Four, would actually go to vocational schools or technical schools. However, they cannot do this because it is expensive. I would like to request - moving away from that, when you look at the infrastructure sector, we have a funding gap for the metre- gauge railway. We have grappled with this. SOGEA was actually working on this metre- gauge railway line from Tororo all the way to northern Uganda. SOGEA pulled out because the Government failed to fulfil its part. We had to procure a new contractor and now, in procuring a new contractor, there is still a funding gap of Shs 44 billion.

15901 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 30 JANUARY 2025 We rely so much on road transport and it is becoming costly because when you look at the trucks that move from Malaba to northern Uganda via Tororo, there are so many on the road and yet we do not even have enough funds to maintain the roads. We have talked of expanding the road to at least four lanes. On the eastern route, if you move now, from here, there is traffic jam all the way to Iganga. It is after Iganga that you are a bit free and you can move. Mr Speaker, over-reliance on the road sector is a challenge. Can we prioritise and ensure that the goods that come to this country move via rail? Shs 44 billion - If I look at some other wasteful expenditures like the ones I have seen, we can ensure that these funds are availed so that that metre-gauge railway line can be worked on. Mr Speaker, I want to move on to the issue of rationalisation. We sat here and we asked whether we could stagger. It was rejected and we were told it must be immediate. We had said agencies like UNRA, you know, I do not know which other one should be given at least a year or two, and then we rationalise. We said, “No” here and the agencies were rationalised. Now, seeing a gap of Shs 169 billion to pay UNRA workers, Uganda Road Fund - and I am sure others - there is that gap and that is their package. People are now confused. They are not working. If you go to most of our UNRA stations upcountry, there is only one staff and people are seated. Can we pay these people their money because we are the ones who took the decision - and this was a Government position? Therefore, honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, I want to request that the Executive prioritises that because we heard you loud and clear and we had to act based on what you told us. Mr Speaker, the other one - can I complete on the issue of domestic arrears? It pains me that people supply or do work for this Government and at the end of the day, three years or four years down the road, people are not paid. Businesses have collapsed. Can we ensure that we prioritise that in this budget? You cannot put a mere Shs 200 billion; that may be paying just one supplier or one contractor, yet what is outstanding is about Shs 5 point- something billion. The other money went to the Bank of Uganda, which according to the committee report has already been catered for. The Auditor-General has annually raised this as an issue. Can we prioritise the issue of domestic arrears so that people can continue their businesses? Let us be kind to Ugandans.

Fr Onen? FR CHARLES ONEN (Independent, Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting me this opportunity. I join my colleagues to thank the chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Hon. Ssemujju. There should be consideration for the Local Governments. In 2021, new administrative units were created – new cities, divisions, municipalities and districts – and yet in all these cities, only administrative units are operating without road equipment. For nearly four years, they have been hiring that equipment. If the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development could consider giving road equipment to the new cities. People have been talking about the cancer issue. Last year, I was with my brother at Uganda Cancer Institute for six months; eventually, he passed on. I was with him and the issue of crowding – I am a witness. We need an infrastructure expansion policy for the cancer centre. So far, the Government has prioritised regional centres in northern, eastern and western Uganda like Mbarara, Mbale and Gulu. At the same time, all these centres are

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Northern Uganda was ravaged by war for over 20 years. It is the mandate of the Government to fulfil its promise because it promised to compensate the people of Northern Uganda. In his statement, the Attorney-General stated that about Shs 139.4 billion had been released to compensate the people who have been affected. If I may ask, who are these people being compensated? This is because in the Lango Subregion, there are people who lost about 300 to 500 heads of cattle but were compensated with one or two cows only. Is that really compensation? Is that being fair to our people? Is this Government ready to compensate our people after suffering for over 20 years? The level of poverty in Lango, Acholi, Teso and West Nile is alarming. We need clarification on that. Two, we have the issue of data cards that were issued but are being paid for. The Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) and Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) are getting money from the beneficiaries to get the data cards. I would, therefore, like to seek clarification on that because even when people are compensated, it is not enough, and they even extort the little money that our people get. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the report that he has given. However, I would like to seek clarification on whether the Government does enough research on what they are about to implement before they do it. As everybody is yearning for compensation to take place, the process is not being handled the right way. First of all, when we saw people registering to be compensated, even those who were not born then were registering, and that is a problem. It is a very big problem because the numbers increased yet they had nothing. Mr Speaker, apart from that, people have spent a lot of money to do this registration; keep moving up and down. However, I would like to seek clarification. What is the use of these affirmative ministries, especially the one we have in northern Uganda, Teso, and other areas? When such things that

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concerns are very few. One, I want to understand whether the Attorney-General can get us a comparative analysis so that we can compare which group and which region has benefited more from these compensations. Secondly, is it possible for him to also get for us the percentage that has been covered? This is because when you look at the general issue as it is, it will not give us clarity on what we want to understand as Members. Thirdly, Mr Speaker, I do not know whether it is possible to change the format of the compensation. On the ground, we just hear through whispers that “A, B, C and D got money or A, B, C and D were picked and taken to a certain bank and were given a certain amount of money”. I do not know whether the Attorney-General is aware of that. Can they change the format of the way they are doing it? Lastly, I understand there are a lot of complaints on the compensation side, but when you look at northern Uganda and the central region, we have a lot of challenges with the people who were given the mandate. Do you remember what happened in the compensation of the cooperatives? All those issues were not settled and we need to understand what went wrong. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. During the LRA war, many individuals or communities from northern Uganda, especially Acholi, Lango, and Teso, migrated to Kiryandongo District—my constituency; Kibanda North: Karuma and Bweyale. Most of these communities or people lost their animals because they were displaced and migrated to Kiryandongo. Mr Speaker, these people lost their animals— the groups that settled in Kiryandongo. Unfortunately, the team from the Attorney- General’s office has never visited or interrogated these communities in Kibanda North. Through you, I implore the Attorney-General’s office to send a team to Kiryandongo, especially in areas of Karuma and Bweyale to come and have an interface with these communities so that they can also listen to them. In case there is an opportunity for compensation some other time, they should also be considered. Thank you.

15843 THE E LEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY , 29 JANUARY 2025 why they did not roll over because when the Attorney-General was reading his response for one financial year, I noted that while Shs 50 billion was budgeted for, nothing was released. Why wasn’t it rolled over to the subsequent financial year? Then, another question to the Attorney- General is: when it came to compensation of the identified and verified claimants, did you also use the pro-rata basis because you used it for districts? If yes, then, how come some claimants did not get compensated because if it is on a pro-rata basis, everyone would get within the limits of what is available? Did you also apply it when it came to top-up, as you said? Mr Speaker, compensation is touching. My senior, Hon. Fox Odoi, said that what we are discussing is actually ex-gratia. I support the committee that we need a comprehensive policy, to that effect. If what has been identified by Hon. Mujungu is not sufficient, we then need that comprehensive policy. This is because it would imply that the criteria would be very clear. It would have the law, and if need be, would have the regulations, which would really simplify everything. Hon. Cuthbert Abigaba, thank you for bringing up that issue. When one comes from Ankole, they will not think that it was ever affected. Hon. Basil Bataringaya raised issues here. When we were young - I am sure, Mr Speaker, you remember - Mbarara was in tatters. There was a group of people called the Anyanya - you would not go to Mbarara. It was put down. The Allied Defence Forces (ADF) from the Tororo Subregion terrorised Ibanda and some parts of Ankole. Hon. Cuthbert said during the Christmas celebrations of 2023, the ADF activities were still going on there. Hon. Cuthbert, for your information, more than half of the people who died were from Ibanda. Mr Speaker, in the circumstances that we need to have this comprehensive policy, we should note that even Western Nile was affected. Do not hear these issues of only northern, Teso and some others. That would mean, considering a cut-off - all those would be catered for within the policy and the Government would handle the issue of compensation with guidance either to finality or in bits. Otherwise, minus that, it will be done in bits or piecemeal, and it will remain ex gratia without any formula. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think leaving out West Nile was an oversight. I remember this day vividly, March 8 th 1996 , I was supposed to travel to Koboko, but for some strange reason or by an act of God, I did not travel, and the Lord’s Resistance Army did what it did best; there was an ambush on the Karuma Pakwach Road, where 130 people died and 70 vehicles were burnt. Therefore, I would like to join my colleagues in supporting the fact that there should be a level of compensation to West Nile much as the LRA insurgency did not occur in the subregion but there are many people who were in transit who lost their lives and also the businessmen like Nile Star and Gateway - not the Gateway of Koboko, but the Gateway Bus Service - were always being burnt. To this date, they have not been compensated. Mr Speaker and colleagues, I would also want to join the colleagues in support of a policy on compensation, and my question to the House and colleagues would be, is monetary compensation enough, or should we look at things beyond the monetary compensation to service delivery, recognition and so forth? No issues like the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF), I would like to ask the colleagues from Northern Uganda to push forward so that NUSAF can come back because it was a social action fund for Northern Uganda. It may not necessarily distribute finances to an individual, but the social services that come with such a fund should not go unrecognised. Mr Speaker, I would like to rest my case, and I pray that these resolutions are considered. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving us the opportunity to mourn our past. The losses that we are reflecting on, on lives, on property, on missed opportunities, rape and defilement, require us as a country to heal from our past. The policy is good, but it must be backed by a strategy, and within the strategy, truth-telling and reconciliation are necessary. Countries like South Africa have created a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I want to salute the leaders of West Nile and the Acholi Subregion for initiating a process of truth-telling and reconciliation. Can that be nationalised? Mr Speaker, this policy that we are proposing cannot be implemented without having a national strategic framework linked to the National Development Plan and other future plans with the programs and projects to ensure these things that we are talking about are linked to resources that we must appropriate as this House. A structure is necessary, Mr Speaker. A haphazard way of providing, whether an ex- gratia or compensation, may not do much. Good enough, we have set regional ministries: the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, the Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, and so on. These ministries were set for affirmative action. Implementation should be delivered through these affirmative action ministries. I submit. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. When it comes to compensation, there are mainly two ways; either the tangible or intangible. When you talk of the tangible, the calculation is, at times, a big problem, according to my colleague and learned friend there. The calculations are normally not well done because, at the end of the day, when someone has lost, say, 200 cows and you pay him half a cow after maybe 30 years, it is not fair. So, the tangible kind of calculation is also not right because you are not taking into consideration inflation and everything. If somebody gave you one cow, after 30 years, you should give him maybe 20 because they would have multiplied. So, you are not taking that into consideration. I find it a bit unfair. It is not only about animals. When it comes to intangible compensation, how do we help those who have lost everything get back on their feet? I wish this country continued with its plan, where every region had its cash crops. For example, we had coffee here; northern Uganda had cotton; eastern Uganda had tea, including Mairungi . When you look at, for example, my friends from northern Uganda, you had cotton and Lira Spinning Mill. We had – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This compensation issue was initiated when a few people from the regions of Teso, Acholi and Lango went to court. In his wisdom, His Excellency the President said that let us not just look at these few people but compensate all those who suffered all over the country. However, the Attorney- General’s office has concentrated on only those who suffered in those regions. Maybe, we need clarification if His Excellency the President meant all the areas like West Nile and Karamoja. That is the first issue. From the report, it shows that in three years, only 25 per cent of the amount budgeted by the Government has been paid for Acholi, Lango and Teso. That means that if we are moving at that rate, it will take another 12 years to finish just those three regions. The Government has suffered since the time of COVID-19. We cannot expect the Government to do so much. Are we going to support it to bring a loan request of several trillions just for compensation? We need to also find another way out. My recommendation would be that the Government organises some kind of restocking exercise in each of these areas where cattle were taken. People who received cows in year one, by now, they should have about 10 cows or maybe more. The Government could initiate a restocking exercise in each of these regions so that the cows can keep multiplying and they keep giving them out to those people. Secondly, I would suggest that the ministries involved - they talked about the ministries for Bunyoro, Teso or northern Uganda affairs. All those would be the ones to channel these names and basically handle the compensation. Lastly, when we went to northern Uganda for the parliamentary sitting, West Nile and Karamoja kept on complaining. They kept on saying “northern Uganda” and bundling West Nile and Karamoja with Acholi and Lango. However, when you talk of northern Uganda, everyone thinks of Acholi and Lango. Teso, Karamoja and Bunyoro have ministries; can West Nile also get a special West Nile ministry? (Interjections)

15780 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Odoi-Oywelowo] of the “bucket system” in Luzira Maximum Security Prison, and a fresh coat of paint had been applied to the walls, which were all commendable developments. Dr Besigye, however, highlighted some personal concerns; i) He is detained in a highly restricted section, which he described as “a prison within a prison,” requiring passage through five gates to reach his cell. He expressed fear for his safety, particularly as he is held alone in a cell with a toilet, and a shower, within the northern wing which accommodates a total of 18 prisoners; ii) He shared concerns about unexplained late-night activities in the prison, such as padlocks being opened and closed without anyone entering his cell. He fears being poisoned or harmed in such an environment; iii) Dr Besigye lamented that he is not allowed to interact with fellow inmates and the rules applied to him are more restrictive than those applied to other prisoners; and iv) He is not allowed to attend prayers with other inmates in the prayer houses within the prison. 5.0 Observations and recommendations of the committee Food for prisoners The committee observed that the food provided by the Uganda Prison Service to the prisoners lacks variety and does not meet the minimum standards of a balanced diet as provided for in the law on account of the limited budgetary provisions. To mitigate this, the Commissioner-General informed the committee that Uganda Prisons Service allows inmates access to their own non- cooked food supplies from external sources. The committee recommends that the Government should provide adequate funding to Uganda Prisons Service to exploit the prison farms for purposes of producing food crops for the provision of nutrition to prisoners. Conditions of detention The committee observed that interventions have been instituted to improve the living conditions of prisoners in Luzira Maximum Security Prison, as confirmed by Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye, who stated that there had been remarkable improvements. The reports of running water, waterborne toilets, the abolition of the “bucket system” in Luzira Maximum Prison, and the fresh coat of paint are commendable. The committee recommends that the “bucket system”, as far as possible, should be eliminated from all facilities in the country. The Government should increase funding to Uganda Prisons Service to facilitate the construction of waterborne facilities in all prisons in the country. Congestion The committee noted that the rate of occupancy of Luzira Maximum Security Prison exceeds 500 per cent since the facility was designed to hold 600 prisoners, but currently holds 3,292 inmates. The committee recommends that the Government should prioritise setting up new prison facilities or expanding the existing ones to address the issue of congestion. The Government should take practical steps through the Judiciary to urgently address the issue of case backlog. Separation and classification The committee noted that the current incarceration of convicts, the condemned and prisoners on remand in the same facility results in prisoners on remand, who should be presumed innocent until proved guilty, being treated as convicts, whereas, as much as possible, their rights should not be severely curtailed to the same extent. The committee recommends that the three categories of prisoners should be housed in

6 FINDINGS: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), animals are slaughtered in different spaces, namely: a) Slaughter slabs: there are 1,003 slaughter slabs spread in 93 districts. b) Slaughter houses: Central (23), Eastern (7), Northern (7), Western (7) and Karamoja (1). Table 1: Distribution of Slaughter Facilities in the country Region Specie (cattlel Swine Poultry Central 6 5 T2 Eastern 2 3 2 Western J I J Northern a 2 c Karamoia 1 0 0 Source: MAAIF The findings ofthe oversight are provided according to regions and the details for the abattoirs are provided on a case-by-case for each facility in the district, municipality and city visited. This section of the report presents hndings of tl:e oversight visit to abattoirs/ slaughter houses where nine cities and four district local government were covered. These included; Masaka City, Mbarara City, Fort Portal City, Hoima City, Masindi District, Jinja, Mbale, Lira and Kampala City. 6.1 Masaka City In Masaka, the committee visited the Masaka city Abattoir and Masaka city Pork Slaughter house. k W 9 FLC

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. IDP camps came in northern Uganda, Acholi sub-region and they left, thanks to the armed officers and the Commander-in-chief. The IDP camps left us with a very stubborn and stringent weed to the point that when our farmers do agriculture, this weed does not succumb to herbicides and it is affecting crop production. We thought the tractors that His Excellency gave us that were launched by our honourable minister, Nobert Mao, and the Minister himself, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, would help us in cultivating the wheat, but the tractors have no plough. Up to today the tractors you gave us do not have any ploughs and are just packed in. The question is: when is the Ministry of Agriculture sending specialists to first name that weed and deal with it? Secondly, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when are we having the ploughs for the tractors? Thank you so much.

Mr Speaker, in March 2020, the Government commenced the construction project for the Gulu Logistics Hub, a very strategic facility serving the entire Northern Uganda, Uganda and the neighbouring countries. However, the project affected several families. The Government had made a commitment to pay them in the form of compensation and severance packages. Some were paid but families that are mainly tenants of Uganda Railways Corporation were not paid. We made several attempts to have them paid. I have personally travelled to the Ministry of Works and Transport more than 12 times; I have been counting but we have not heard any positive feedback. Therefore, I would like to ask the Rt. Hon Prime Minister, if she can very kindly, as usual, compel the Ministry of Works and Transport to have these affected persons, who have been struggling for almost five years now. Some of these families have nowhere to stay. They are in Gulu City. You can imagine the life! My request to the Rt. Hon Prime Minister is to prevail over the Ministry of Works to pay these people. Thank you.

Sorry, I am reacting to your communication in regard to the floods that are ravaging the entire country. As you are all aware, yesterday in Northern Uganda experienced terrible floods. So many people were stranded for hours that they were not able to cross, and I also send my condolences to the family of the engineer who died in the flood. I always wonder, for how long are we going to keep on acting on emergencies? Why don’t we prepare ourselves as a country to curb such emergencies? When it comes to the Tangi River, which bursts its banks every year, the Uganda National Roads Authority just goes and piles hard-core and marram, and that is it. In a matter of days, it is washed away. Why can’t we get a lasting solution to this bridge or river that keeps on bursting its bank over the years so that, at least, it does not surprise us when such national calamities happen? This has happened time and again and if you drive along that road, - because that is the route we are currently using, to and from northern Uganda, or Gulu in particular - the bridge is washed and much as it is no longer being used, the railway is hanging. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) should wake up from its sleep and - Ministry of Works and Transport - sorry, forgive me, I am still used to UNRA.

15378 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT STATEMENT [Mr Ssenyonyi] use of its fertile soil around Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga, coupled with good rains. However, the persistent poverty in Busoga continues to raise questions about whether cane cultivation is benefiting farmers. Uganda Bureau of Statistics 2020 figures show that Busoga has 1.2 million poor persons; this is 2020 and it could be different now, of which 400,000 are living in food poverty. Food poverty, often referred to as household food insecurity, can be triggered by a crisis in finance or personal circumstances. It encompasses both the affordability of food and its availability within local communities. The Economic Policy Research Center asserts that Eastern Uganda, particularly Busoga, has the largest sugarcane milling capacity, accounting for 35 per cent, followed by Central Uganda at 27 per cent, then Western Uganda at 26 per cent, and Northern Uganda, the newest entrant in sugar milling, at 12 per cent. Despite the importance of sugarcane, farmers face persistent challenges that threaten their income and well-being. These are some of our findings: 1. Low cane prices Farmers sell sugarcane to millers at extremely low prices, often below production costs. For instance, in 2023, last year, the price per tonne was Shs 98,000, a decline from previous figures, which would at times go to beyond Shs 200,000. Even then, what the farmer eventually gets is so meager due to the other operational costs such as harvesting, cutting, loading, and so on. 2. Delayed fulfilment of the presidential pledge to construct two sugar mills owned by farmers. In 2021, the Government pledged to construct two sugar factories in Busoga that very year, owned by the farmers, as a way of empowering them. These factories were to be constructed in the districts of Buyende and Luka, in 2021. However, to date, no construction has taken place. Rather, there has been a back and forth by Uganda Development Corporation, despite the release of more than Shs 8 billion for the purchase of land. 3. Delayed payments Many millers delay to make payments to farmers, leaving them cash-strapped. Farmers reported that at times, they would wait for up to six months for their payments. 4. Recovery cost The millers charge the sugarcane farmers that supply cane 9 per cent per ton as recovery costs for the milling of the cane. 5. VAT charge These sugarcane farmers told us that they are charged 18 per cent VAT on the sugarcane, which is not in tandem with the tax laws of Uganda. VAT is charged on finished products, not raw materials. That is why it is referred to as “Value Added Tax.” What is even more bothersome is that it is doubtful that the millers who collect this money eventually remit the same to Uganda Revenue Authority. 6. Formula for pricing of sugar The price of sugarcane is calculated based on only one by-product, that is sugar, and yet there are many other by-products from sugarcane. Some of the social and infrastructure issues that we discovered include: i. Limited access to inputs Farmers struggle to afford fertilisers, pesticides, and high-quality seedlings. ii. Poor infrastructure Poor roads delay the transportation of harvested cane to mills, leading to losses in weight and quality.

15401 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2024 The project is pending approval by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 8. Hon. Mapenduzi Ojara (Bardege-Layibi Division, Gulu City) According to him, the Government promised to provide updates on the progress of Northern Uganda Social Action Fund IV, (NUSAF IV) but it has taken several months with no feedback. His prayer is that I update Ugandans on the progress of NUSAF IV. My response The Cabinet, in its meeting of 24 January 2024, authorised my office to design the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund IV projects - that is NUSAF IV – with the support of World Bank to address the high poverty levels in the greater northern Uganda. Noting the satisfactory performance of the previous NUSAF III project, where 3,031,690 poor and vulnerable persons from 606,338 households benefited from the project funds in 5,299 villages, 1,536 parishes in the 67 participating districts, the proposed NUSAF IV will provide effective income support to build the resilience of poor and vulnerable households in northern Uganda. The project design and consultations have been concluded by the project design team, consisting of my office, National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Health, Inspectorate of Government, and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies. National Planning Authority has issued clearance for the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to make arrangements for negotiations with the World Bank and proceed with financing. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has notified the World Bank and negotiations on the project are still ongoing. The project shall also require approval of the World Bank and Parliament before commencement, which is anticipated in January 2025. 9. Hon. Julius Acon Bua (MP, Otuke East County) His prayer is for me to inform the people of northern Uganda on the steps the Government plans to take for them to tap into the global demands for shea nuts? My response is that shea nut is a tree wildly growing in eastern and northern Uganda. Currently, efforts have been mainly at community and local government, on conservation of these naturally growing trees in the wild not to be taken up by the charcoal business. However, as Government, we note the economic importance and nutritional value of these trees and will look into the measures to propagate them. The Government is currently engaging with development partners to incorporate additional oilseed crops including shea nut, cashew nut, macadamia and Hass avocado into the national oilseed project, supported by oilseed crops. Government is confident that integrating these priority crops will lead to focused efforts to enhance their contributions to the oilseed and vegetable oil value chain in both regional and international markets. Madam Speaker, farmers also have the option of selecting shea nuts as an enterprise to undertake the parish development model. 10. That can I update this house- it came from Hon. Lagen David, Agago County. His prayer is that, can I update this House on the status of implementation of national oil seeds in Northern Uganda? That there are no signs of any impact of this project.

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

Madam Speaker, the Pader Woman MP is my mulamu – my sister-in-law. I have been to Pader a number of times. The issue of ex-gratia is not only in Pader or northern Uganda; it cuts across the country. In a report by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Cabinet last week, it was observed that there was under- budgeting by some local governments. So, we are handling the matter, not only for Pader but also other parts of the country. We shall rectify the problem.

15300 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Komakech] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR You made a pronouncement regarding tractors that were given to northern Uganda by the President of the Republic of Uganda. The pronouncement was simple, that the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the minister for finance should make sure the tractors that they gave to the peasant farmers in northern Uganda, specifically Acholi sub- region, do have ploughs with them. Up to this date, tractors are parked, they are rusting in the district, peasant farmers move by and only have a glance at the tractors; they are not being used. Madam Speaker, with the powers that you have, could you, kindly, request or maybe direct the ministers so that they provide ploughs so that our farmers can benefit? Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Ekanya has gone on record, challenging the competence of the Government Chief Whip. I would like to state to you, my senior honourable colleague – because you came to this Parliament as the Youth MP for Eastern Region and I, equally, joined as the Youth Member of Parliament for Northern Region. My competence is not in doubt. I am competent 360 degrees – (Applause)- in all aspects. (Laughter)

Madam Speaker, I come from northern Uganda. At a time when the President was addressing the country, he told the country that of the crops that contributed to the development of the country, number one is coffee. Moreover, I did not understand the importance. Recently, we have done our best to make sure that in our talk show and in our community mobilisation, we mobilise our people to plant coffee. I must tell you, I am happy and excited when I see the pressure in the House when it comes to a situation that is touching coffee in the country. I have been interacting with many Members of Parliament who come from areas where coffee growing is and it looks like we are under pressure from the voters who are saying, protect areas where we are receiving our money and they think something is going wrong when coffee is touched. Madam Speaker, something which is very important in this world is what we call change. In addition, when change is coming, people will always be threatened. They do not know exactly what will happen after the change; whether it is going to be positive or negative change. They will not understand it at all. I know a situation where we were also informed, for us, we do not sit in the caucus. The same environment we are facing now is also what was going on in the caucus meetings. Therefore, that shows you something has not been done right. If this is something that is bothering us, why don’t we get a proper way to make sure people understand this situation well? That is why I like the question you asked. In addition, I wish we had given us time with soberness so that the minister could explain and we understand whether this Authority will be dissolved and if it is going to be dissolved, personally, I will not support it. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I want to believe that when you decide to create an entity, you create it with specific targets and intentions and repeatedly, you have to review or assess whether that entity is performing to your expectation. It is a fact that the Government created this entity. It is the responsibility of the Government to assess and determine whether the entity is performing to its expectations. It is also the mandate of the same Government, after review, to determine whether there is need to create a new direction. I think the intention of the merger is probably to create a more effective strategy as far as the promotion of coffee is concerned. Madam Speaker, as I conclude, the committee painted a beautiful picture yesterday as far as the work of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority is concerned. However, I want to say this: I think we should also recognise the fact that there are parts of the country that would have done much better in coffee if the authorities had paid attention. That is northern Uganda. As we plan to rationalise, the Government needs to put a very particular interest in ensuring that the things that the Government did not do in promoting coffee development in northern Uganda are taken more seriously. I support that the merger goes on. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The role of UCDA is to promote and oversee coffee. For 30 years, UCDA has done this excellently, but in selected regions of this nation. (Applause) The people in the northern part of Uganda, especially in West Nile, have just woken up to coffee when it was – (Interjection) - excuse me. Madam Speaker, can I have my privilege as a Member of Parliament?

Madam Speaker, through the Parish Development Model, the Government has outlined seven enterprises that are lucrative and coffee is at the top of those enterprises. However, for 30 years, what has UCDA done in West Nile and northern Uganda? That is one. Two – (Interjections) - Madam Speaker, I beg for my privilege as a Member of Parliament to speak in this House.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is not the fault of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) that the northern region has not been majorly growing coffee. You should know that it was the Government’s programme to zone Uganda, allocating different products to different regions. The Government earmarked the northern region for cotton. Therefore, it was not UCDA and we must not blame it for that. (Applause) Number two, I have heard people saying that the Government established UCDA and, therefore, it should have the privilege of taking UCDA. Let me mention this – [Lt Col (Rtd) Rwamirama: “Clarification.”] Can you be patient? Could you have a pen and paper and write?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the chairperson of the committee for the wonderful report. I liked every bit of it because she brought it out that there was nothing repeated. The conclusion is where we deviated from each other. My point here is that when you look at history - we had cash crops - coffee, cotton, tobacco and tea. All those cash crops were actually mapped out - cotton was for the northern, tobacco was for West Nile, and then tea, parts, and parts. There were organisations that ran all these. There was a Lint Marketing Board for cotton. There was coffee - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The intensity of this debate shows the seriousness of the subject. We are in a country, which is struggling for opportunity for people. Now, I have listened and I would like to make some comments. First, the political economy of the so-called allocation of specialised crops in various parts of Uganda. It has a colonial history; first of all, the British told us a big lie that coffee does not grow in northern Uganda. Because they were white and better educated than us, we believed them. However, there is an old man called Wilson Lutara, another one called Peter Abby, and another one called Semei Nyanzi. They planted coffee in their compounds in defiance to challenge that lie. Why did the British do this? They subjected the people from the Upper Nile, which is northern Uganda, to the seasonal crops, which require a lot of hard labour. It is not as rewarding. You are tied down to only your garden; you cannot even operate a shop. Unlike the people in the south, who had the perennial crops, like tea and coffee, while the coffee is making money for you, you are able to do other things. The hidden purpose was to force the people of the North to enroll in the army and choose salaries over self- employment. I thought I should share that aspect of the political economy. (Applause) So, I think it is inappropriate to say we are not to blame; that you never caught up with the coffee. It is important that we understand it as a matter of fact. Secondly, and finally, there is a false dichotomy here. We are not choosing between the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the UCDA. They are both part of Uganda. What we want to achieve is to share our real experiences vis-à-vis what the government policy is. When you are choosing between your experience and what you are being told, I am sure you choose your experience. Madam Speaker, my wife is a coffee grower. The coffee is now flowering; she is even picking. I have not seen UCDA on the farm nor have I seen the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. That is my experience. Madam - (Interjections) - do not shout, improve your argument.

Honourable members, I welcome you to this morning sitting. As you are aware, yesterday, there was a tragic accident, where a fuel tanker overturned in Kigogwa, on Kampala-Gulu Highway, and later exploded into flames, leaving scores dead and destroying various roadside buildings and businesses. Over the last few years, we have witnessed similar cases, notably: in January 2021 at Namungoona, on the Northern Bypass, where at least 33 people died; and in Rubirizi in 2019, where 20 people died. Such incidents point the need to sensitise our locals on public safety during such incidents. We condole with the bereaved families and pray that the Lord comforts them during this trying time. It was such a bad moment, but God’s timing is never our timing. May we rise and observe a moment of silence for those who lost their lives. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

15030 THE NATIONAL COFFEE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 Madam Speaker, via Rule 53, I would like to present this very brief report of the oversight visit that I carried out with some colleagues to Atiak Sugar Factory on 7 October 2024 and I begin by tabling a copy of this report. Madam Speaker and colleagues, the shadow cabinet, conducted an oversight visit on Monday 7 October 2024, at the Atiak Sugar Factory in Amuru District to assess its operational status, economic impact and challenges. The factory located in northern Uganda is a Government- supported initiative aimed at reviving the sugar industry in the region, providing employment and promoting economic development in post- conflict areas. Atiak Sugar Factory is an investment located in Atiak in Amuru District that was initiated by a private company Called Horyal Investments Holding Company limited. Herein, after called Horyal. It was incorporated on 11 April 2013 as a private limited liability company, to set up a plant to process sugarcane into sugar and its by-products. The Atiak Sugar Factory began as a private community partnership, in the sense that land was provided by the people of northern Uganda. The construction of the company was envisaged as a milestone in facilitating economic recovery in northern Uganda through the creation of thousands of jobs for local workers. Additionally, the factory would also promote women empowerment, since they would become the main suppliers of sugarcane. However, Horyal soon contracted very expensive short-term credit from a number of financial institutions for the purpose of setting up the factory. Upon experiencing difficulty in servicing the expensive loans, Horyal sought financial support from the Government of Uganda on the grounds that this investment was very strategic for the people of northern Uganda. The factory was officially launched on 22 October 2020. The capacity of this plant in Phase 1 was targeted at 1,650 tonnes of cane crushed per day, to be expandable to 3,500 tonnes of cane crushed per day in Phase 2 and 5,000 in Phase 3. According to the shareholder agreement that the Government of Uganda, through Uganda Development Corporation, signed with Horyal, Government intervention would be solely for completion of the factory up to Phase 1. Unfortunately, despite Government intervention in this factory, production at the Atiak Sugar Factory was halted on account of a persistent shortage of sugarcane and was closed in April 2022. Between Financial Year 2017/2018 and Financial Year 2019/2020, the Government of Uganda, through its investment arm, Uganda Development Corporation, progressively purchased and acquired equity shares worth Shs 81 billion in Horyal. During Financial Year 2017/2018, UDC provided two shareholder loans worth Shs 20 billion and through NAADS, released Shs 54.68 billion in Financial Year 2019/2020 to support sugarcane out growers in Amuru and Lamwo districts to sustain sugarcane supply to this factory. Additionally, the Government of Uganda made available a transport subsidy worth Shs 16 billion in the Financial Year 2019/2020 to transport sugarcane from Busoga to Atiak. All this investment had the sole objective of enabling Horyal to complete the factory to Phase 1. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, UDC, through a supplementary budget, provided Shs 108 billion meant for mechanisation and shares and in the Financial Year 2022/2023, the Government, through UDC, added Shs 274.1 billion meant for preference shares. Unknown today is the total percentage shares that the Government of Uganda has in Horyal because it has continuously injected more funds into this company since the acquisition of equity shares has broken down. I have COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Ssenyonyi]

Thank you, Madam Speaker. To ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the Atiak Sugar Factory, the following actions are recommended. 1. The Government, through UDC, needs to fast-track the conversion of its preferential shares into ordinary shares, to increase the negotiating power, strong decision making and voting powers in this company; 2. UDC should improve oversight and management of the factory’s operations by ensuring efficient management and transparency in the use of public funds, and put in place clear performance targets as well; 3. The Government should conduct a thorough audit of this company to establish whether it is a going concern; and 4. While the company is desirous to receive more money from the Government, we think it is prudent for the already invested Shs 553.71 billion to be accounted for first. There must be value for all this money before we think of investing more. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the Government of Uganda’s investment in Atiak Sugar Factory, through UDC, was intended to revitalise northern Uganda’s economy, promote agro-industrialisation and create jobs. However, all the challenges in place have made it difficult for these intended benefits to accrue. The Government should, therefore, update Parliament on these three issues. a. The exact stake of Government in this project; b. The plans that are there to see that the Shs 553.71 billion injected by the taxpayer does not go to waste; and c. How northern Uganda and Uganda at large can reap the promised benefits from this project, which the taxpayer has injected heavily into? Madam Speaker and honourable colleagues, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, we need a period of five to ten years to establish the systems and structures that will lead us to get accreditation as a nation. Madam Speaker, I have proposed that in these five years of transition, the Government of Uganda should provide adequate funding to promote coffee in northern Uganda including Lango, Acholi, Karamoja, and West Nile. This area has been waiting for a perennial cash crop for a long time. I have also made a recommendation, Madam Speaker, that in these five years, UCDA should be provided additional money for coffee seedlings to the farmers that are required by farmers strategically to help us meet the 20 million bags and meet the target of 2030. Fourthly, the Government should put in place a fertiliser loan scheme to avail fertilisers to the farmers who need them. Madam Speaker, I have also proposed that the Government should expedite the establishment of “The Food and Veterinary Drug Regulatory Agency”. It should be this agency, in the future where we put coffee and other food crops that need regulation – (Interruption)

14984 THE COTTON DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 to get on the market and are developed by specialised teams. This is a continuous activity, season after season. Therefore, the two entities mandate not only differ but are also too unique and do not overlap. We must note that the ministry does not have the capacity. It has insufficient budget funding. It is also struggling with too much bureaucracy, which will affect efficiency and effectiveness. The above is coupled with the laissez-faire syndrome of permanent and pensionable staff that has seen the ministry to date fail to come up with fisheries and aquaculture regulations to protect our fishermen, even after this 11 th Parliament passed the Bill. The MAAIF has failed to come up with the T-Regulations up to date, even when Parliament resolved that the minister in charge of agriculture come up with the T-Regulation. The ministry gave out tractors without ploughs and other spare parts in Northern Uganda and in other parts of the country. MAAIF has occasionally failed to regulate the fake agricultural inputs on the market, like pesticides, fertilisers and the agrochemical inputs. Equally important to note is the fact that MAAIF has failed to guide the Government on the long-delayed Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) which are flooding our market. MAAIF has failed to implement water for production projects in most parts of the country. Technically, the ministry has been launching these projects and failed to complete them and they end up not handing over anything to local governments. This has been evident in Moroto, Karamoja Sub region and other parts of the country. MAAIF has failed the mechanisation centres across the entire country. They are dysfunctional wherever they were established. A case in point is Kiruhura District where the committee, at one of its oversight roles, visited and discovered that officials upon discovering that the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries was going to visit the place, carried two tractors, slashed around and poured some murram so that their presence avails. In actual sense, they are non-functional. This was the same in Agwak, Dokolo and in Mbale. Madam Speaker, the Agricultural Cluster Development Project has terribly failed under MAAIF. The ministry has constructed factories for cooperatives for cotton and other products across the country, where there is no electricity to run these factories, rendering these them mere white elephants abandoned in the areas where they were established. For instance, in West Nile, where they built a cassava drying and peeling plant which has never kicked off up to date. We observed that monitoring cotton, processing and marketing plus quality control requires swiftness and high-level efficiency, which can only be provided by a specialised and accredited agency like the Cotton Development Organisation. Madam Speaker, with the overwhelming demand for textile products in Uganda and abroad, the task ahead is so enormous that it requires empowering and supporting the Cotton Development Organisation (CDO) to mobilise farmers to grow more cotton, quality assurance, consolidate and build on its achievements. Mainstreaming CDO into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), will lead to failure to promote quality and loss of market. The minority report notes that in countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, which liberalised their cotton industry without setting up a regulator like CDO, the sub-sector collapsed. The minority report also observed that regulating on-farm and off-farm cotton activities is a function that requires full- time attention by a specialised agency that is internationally accredited. Such a role is not duplicated anywhere in the mandate of MAAIF or any other Government agency. Accreditation

I rise to support the majority report on mainstreaming or rationalising the Cotton Development Organisation. Madam Speaker, I come from Northern Uganda, where at one time, cotton was one main cash crop. Today, even with the Cotton Development Organisation, the main team driving the cotton agenda are the ginners and exporters. The private sector is the one leading the production and exporting of cotton. The Cotton Development Organisation at one time would determine a lower price and farmers would not accept them until the private sector

Okay. So, he is young. Madam Speaker, the issue I want to raise, actually, falls within his docket. Yesterday, I teased it out, but we agreed that since there was the absence of colleagues on the front bench, we would tease it out today. In carrying out our critical mandate of oversight – keeping the Government in check – there are entities that we keep going to. Last week, on Monday the 7 th , together with some colleagues, we went to Amuru District in northern Uganda – to Atiak Sugar Factory. Good enough, they did welcome us, unlike ROKO, which I was giving you an update about - they took taxpayers’ money, but do not want to be held accountable. We shall probably pursue that one as we go along. However, with specificity to Atiak Sugar Factory, there are a couple of concerns, Madam Speaker – and, hopefully, the minister for finance and the Government generally, can provide some answers. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Oguzu]

14797 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2024 The taxpayers have so far injected Shs 553.71 billion into the Atiak Sugar Factory project. This is a project that excited many people because it sounded good – it set out well. It sounded good for northern Uganda; people were going to get jobs. It was considered good for Uganda, generally. However, along the way, there are too many questions that need answers. The factory has not been operational over the years, and they are not sure when they will get to operate and produce sugar. They have their own concerns and frustrations as well towards the Government, just like we have our concerns about the project generally and the Government’s involvement and all of that. Madam Speaker, the company spends money on a daily basis, even though there is no sugar being produced, because they run machines which -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to respond as the shadow minister of health in a short but very elaborate way that the problem of shortages of medicine in the country needs us to find well-defined solutions to settle; if you look at it from the angle of malaria, which is the biggest disease burden. In 2022, the World Health Organisation, which is an authority in matters of health, indicated in its report that there are 12.7 million cases of malaria in Uganda annually, meaning every day 34,000 Ugandans get sick with malaria. In the same report, 17,556 are estimated deaths, which means 48 Ugandans die daily of malaria. Malaria is a curable disease and that gives us a better understanding of what medicines we need in the country. I have been with the Committee on Health and we have gone through various hospitals in Northern Uganda, eastern and western. It hurts to get into those hospitals and knowing that 48 Ugandans die daily, you find no malaria drugs in those hospitals; in Padibe, Moroto and Kabale - yet the same drugs are on the shelves at National Medical Stores (NMS) in Entebbe. What is missing is the money to fuel a truck to transport the drug from the shelves in Entebbe to that distant health facility to save the life of the five-year-old child or the life of a mother. I looked at the documents of National Medical Stores, during the budget process, the cost of logistics for National Medical Stores is only 7 per cent. Our prayer has always been that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development front-loads that money, 7 per cent is small. For a quarter, National Medical Stores needs 25 per cent. But this logistical support is only 7 per cent. They can do it in one quarter. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In our northern Uganda report, we did a very extensive review on what is driving the drug shortages. Front-loading was an issue that happened last financial year but was addressed this financial year. We also have the issue of artificial shortages – the drug is actually available at the facility, but the patients cannot access it. This is what we observed when we went on the ground; this is why we made a very strong recommendation, that we must digitalise the drug system itself so that from National Medical Stores (NMS), you can trace the patient who received that Panadol, antimalarial or injection. There is still a big gap in that particular area. However, we take note of this and we will continue to see what else can be done to strengthen that area.

14810 THE NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY, UGANDA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE STATUS OF HEALTH FACILITIES IN NORTHERN UGANDA

14811 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2024 Dr Agnes Apea, thank you for your question, however, all this comes back to our own communities because every health facility has got a management committee. We need to go back, as legislators and representatives of the people, and find out whether these management committees really go to these health facilities. This is because a management committee can even recommend to a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) or District Health Officer (DHO) that there is an errant health worker who does not come here or who steals drugs and these people will be dismissed. Hon. James, I have heard your cries from Adjumani and I would like to tell you, Members - most of you raised the question of SMS - sometimes we change numbers and then they remain sending on the old number - because some people are saying they get them, others are saying they do not get them. So, I will take the information to NMS so that everybody receives the medicines. Hon. Linda from Fort Portal City, thank you for appreciating that at least you get the messages and also that you saw trucks delivering drugs. Now, your next step should be to check whether these drugs are being used in health facilities or in private people’s clinics. Dr Acuti said that drugs are delivered but patients do not get them. This comes to the same thing - the management of these hospitals. These are management officers who are picked from the community nearest to these health facilities. Therefore, if they were monitoring well - you know, a drug is not a pin or a needle; it is something a little bulky and so when you carry it out of the hospital sincerely, if you are not seen by a colleague then an askari will see you. If the askari has not seen you, the community alone should report such people, even if they are beneficiaries of these stolen drugs. Hon. Sauda, I would like to thank you for your good question on NMS not sending messages nowadays and also having no electricity in some of our health centres. In my next report, I will be giving a status report only on Northern Uganda, but we have also written to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to make sure they take an extra mile to connect facilities that host people like schools and hospitals, to electricity. Madam Speaker, you have given your own experience where a person died while being referred from a bigger hospital to a smaller one. We do not allow that at all. You cannot have a general hospital and then refer someone to a health centre IV. A health centre III is even worse because it does not have a theatre. Therefore, I wonder which people did this and whether they were reprimanded. This is because as a ministry we have a rewards and sanctions committee which is supposed to handle such characters who misbehave in the health sector. Hon. Atima and Dr Hon. Ebwalu also talked about thefts – I have called you doctor – be a doctor for once. Anyway, yes, we really need to honour that doctor who separated conjoined twins in Soroti, but Mulago National Referral Hospital has also done several of these - by Dr Sekabira – he is a senior surgeon and I have met some of the conjoined twins that he has separated. Thank you, honourable members, for all these questions and we are open to meeting with you and discussing, even one-on-one, in my office so that we can see how to sort out the many difficult problems. Thank you.

Let me go to question two. Since Members are going to read. Question number two came from Hon. John Amos Okot- Agago. His prayer is that what are Government plans to fence Kidepo Valley National Park to mitigate elephant invasion in areas around the National Park. Madam Speaker, despite concerted efforts aimed at preserving and managing elephants within Kidepo Valley National Park, incidents and conflicts involving straying elephants and humans are on the rise. This trend is primarily linked to the availability of resources that influence seasonal movement. Elephants naturally migrate in search of water and food. In Kidepo, the scarcity of pasture and water, especially during dry periods, exacerbates the situation. This inherent behaviour can result in heightened elephant activity on community lands at specific times of the year. Madam Speaker, investing in electric fencing for our protected areas is the only conservation measure but a step towards safeguarding our national heritage, ensuring sustainable development and the well-being of our community. Electric fencing has been identified, as I have already told you, as a highly effective measure in mitigating these challenges. It serves as a deterrent to both wildlife straying into human settlements and unauthorised human entry into protected areas. Successful implementation of electric fencing in other countries like Kenya and South Africa has demonstrated significant reductions in human-wildlife conflicts and poaching incidents. Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President recently directed the honourable Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to prioritise the fencing of Kidepo Valley National Park starting the Financial Year 2025/2026. In response to this directive, the ministry has commenced initial surveys and studies for designs, costs and fence alignment. Extensive consultations with local communities to ensure their concerns and suggestions are incorporated into the project that will be undertaken this financial year are ongoing. In the interim, we are continuing to manage the human-elephant conflict through chilli fences, patrols by rangers, community wildlife scouts and beehive fences. The third question came from Hon. Gilbert Olanya and he gave a narrative that His Excellency the President issued an Executive Order stopping massive tree cutting in Northern Uganda. That as he spoke that time, there was continuous tree-cutting in Acholi Subregion, the army officers and other security officers were the PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

14733 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2024 ones escorting the charcoal dealers and he wanted to find out the plan for helping the President in enforcing this Executive Order. Madam Speaker, my response is that on 19 May 2023, His Excellency the President issued Executive Order No. 3 banning commercial harvesting and trade in charcoal in Northern Uganda and North Eastern parts of Uganda (Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi and West Nile). This followed the uncontrolled cutting of trees for charcoal burning in the above- mentioned places that left the entire landscape almost bare. The line ministry, that is the Ministry of Water and Environment through the Forestry Sector Support Department (FSSD), District Forest Services (DFS) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has put in place the following measures to implement the ban; i) On 27 September 2023, the Minister of Water and Environment provided comprehensive guidance to districts on how to implement the ban effectively. ii) We stepped-up enforcement. iii) There were awareness campaigns that were intensified. iv) Engagement with Uganda Revenue Authority. v) Withdrawal of forest produce movement permits. vi) Strengthening the Criminal Justice System. Madam Speaker, while significant progress has been made, challenges persist. These include impunity among some illegal traders, community collusion with perpetrators, logistical difficulties in enforcement, and the need for greater public support. Nevertheless, the Government remains committed to addressing these issues through ongoing engagement, capacity building, and resource mobilisation. The Government remains dedicated to implementing the ban on charcoal from Northern Uganda under HD Executive Order No.3 of 2023. Question number 4 came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, Member of Parliament, Ngora County. She said that in an effort to stop the degradation of the fragile ecosystems, H.E. the President directed that all persons who are hither-to occupying wetlands to vacate them. And that the people of Ojukai, Komolo, Agule, Atoot – and those other villages in Ngora County appreciate the environmental concerns and are willing to obey the presidential directive and stop cultivating the wetlands. However, for a long time now, their livelihood has been revolving around the wetlands and as such, the directive is likely to render them vulnerable and destitute. Her prayer was that can Government immediately find an alternative means of survival for the affected persons? Madam Speaker, the Government has promoted three interventions, including restoration and management of 936 hectares of degraded Agu wetland in Agu, Odwarat Subcounty and associated catchments, improved agricultural practices and is providing alternative livelihood options in the wetland catchment and strengthening access to weather and early warning information targeting local communities. In appreciation of the commitment by Ngora Local Government, the Ministry of Water and Environment has provided alternative livelihoods. i) A water retention reservoir of 10,000 cubic metres was established to support the regeneration of Agu wetland and up to 1,000 households, who voluntarily left the wetland have since started receiving alternative livelihoods that are making them more resilient to climate change. ii) The Ministry of Water and Environment also constructed five fish ponds and stocked them. iii) The ministry has also established a mini- irrigation scheme that benefits surrounding communities by growing and marketing

14736 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Water and Environment is implementing the Integrated Water Management and Development Project across the country. Subcomponent 1.2 of the project targets construction of water supply and sanitation systems in refugee-hosting districts in Western Nile and northern Uganda. The refugee-hosting districts that were targeted to benefit from the project include Moyo, Madi-Okollo, Terego, Yumbe, Adjumani, and Lamwo in West Nile and Kiryandongo District in the mid-western. A total of six solar-powered water supply systems in six rural growth centres of Awoba, Rodo, Goboro, Lomunga, Lobe and Nyori were planned to be constructed in Yumbe District. Furthermore, Enyau Gravity Flow Scheme will cover part of Ariwa Sub-county, including Zone 5 of Bidi-Bidi Refugee Settlement. A total of 26 sanitation facilities will also be constructed along the water supply system in Yumbe District. Due to foreign exchange losses, the project is not able to implement all the activities as had been planned. Furthermore, the feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs have recommended the inclusion of water treatment processes due to the quality of the underground water that required full-scale conventional treatment that was not envisioned at the project proposal. The inclusion of the water treatment processes ultimately made the system costlier as compared to the planned cost. As a result of these changes, the project had to be reprioritised by reducing a number of systems to be implemented across the project districts to match the available resources. The water supply systems that were ultimately chosen for implementation are those that provided the highest impact. I mean those with high yielding borehole sources and covering large populations. Therefore, this reprioritisation affected the mentioned rural growth centres of Nyori, Rodo, and Awoba. Madam Speaker and Members, with available funding, the project will therefore construct the three solar-powered water supply systems of Goboro, Lomunga and Lobe, and Anyau Gravity Flow Scheme which will also cover parts of Ariwa Sub-county and Zone 5 of Bidi- Bidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe. Government will continue to source for finances to construct the remaining three solar- powered water supply systems of Rodo, Awoba and Nyori in Yumbe and the other systems that have been left out in other districts as well. The designs for all the systems have been completed and will be implemented as soon as funds are available. Hon. Byakatonda again, the question is: Why are pensioners attached to Mbale Hospital have discrepancies in their pension payments whereby officers with same seniority, that is, title and duration of service, but who retired in different years, would be paid a different monthly pension? Madam Speaker, my response is a statement of law and facts: i) The Public Service Pension Scheme is an un-funded PAYGO and non-contributory, Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Scheme. The Scheme rules are provided under Article 254 (1) of the 1995 Constitution, which for avoidance of doubt, states that, “A public officer shall, on retirement, receive such pension as is commensurate with his or her rank, salary, and length of service.” ii) Article 254(2) on the other hand, provides that, “the pension payable to any person shall be exempt from tax and shall be subject to periodic review to take account of changes in the value of money.” iii) The parameters and formula used to compute pension and gratuity are further provided by the Pensions Act, Cap 89, and Regulations therein. And these are: [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

14737 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2024 a. Regulation 4 of the Pensions Regulations which states that, “Subject to the Act and these Regulations, every officer holding a pensionable office in the service of the Government, who has been in such service in a civil capacity for ten years or more, may be granted on retirement a pension at the annual rate of one five-hundredth of his or her pensionable emoluments for each complete month of his or her pensionable service.” b. Regulation 18 provides the general rule as to qualifying service and pensionable service and specifically considers the pensionable service to include the period of appointment to a pensionable office to the period of retirement under pensionable circumstances. Madam Speaker, I request that Members go through all that. Let me go to the last question from Hon. Lamwaka Catherine, Woman Representative, Omoro District, on the status of coffee production in Northern Uganda. The northern region has just started growing coffee as a value-chain enterprise with the advocacy and sensitisation by His Excellency the President, in the region on the four-acre model, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has stopped distribution of seedlings to the farmers this year. The demand for seedlings and readiness of farmers is being frustrated by difficulty in accessing seedlings. Her prayer; what strategy and assurance can the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries give to bring on board coffee farmers in the northern region, particularly Acholi and Lango sub-region that have just rolled on coffee farming? Madam Speaker, my response is that the Government is currently implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM), whose adoption brought along a policy shift from the hitherto distribution of inputs to farmers, to now farmers acquiring inputs on their own with support from loans obtained from the parish- based SACCOS financed by Government Grant. The strategy under PDM is to push funds into the parish-based SACCOs from where farmers can borrow and acquire inputs of selected enterprises. Madam Speaker, Government continues to support existing new potential farmers across the country and in particular, the coffee- growing districts of northern Uganda, through ensuring availability of quality seedlings through certification of nursery operators. There are currently 14 certified nursery operators spread across the districts of Northern Uganda. Farmers have been encouraged to buy coffee seedlings from certified nurseries with the enterprise funds being accessed from Parish Development Model (PDM). Madam Speaker, provision of tailored coffee extension services through regional managers and coffee extension officers attached to each coffee growing district. There is also a coffee technical officer or engineer for the regions, and these will continue to guide the farmers, both existing and prospective, on proper agricultural practices, post-harvest handling and coffee processing. The Government has also planned to procure and distribute value-addition equipment in the form of solar dryers, cover-crop seeds, and motorised pulpers. The above interventions demonstrate our continued commitment and efforts to support the development of the coffee sub-sector in northern Uganda and other parts of the country. I beg to submit.

Madam Speaker, animal movement is governed by law. Anybody moving animals whether for trade purposes, marriage or customary practices, if you have a permit from where you picked the animals, and you have clearance to where you are going, including the northern region, because the northern region has not been stopped from trading cattle. On the Balaalo - nomadism indiscipline; the Executive orders prescribed how we can deal with it. There is no enforcement officer who should stop anyone moving with a permit; be it a police officer or a soldier, they have no right to do that. Let me get the details from the honourable Member of Parliament and we shall get to know which officer stopped them and I will report that officer to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister for disciplinary action. Thank you.

14623 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2024 In Lake Victoria, for example, it is possible to put navigational lights so that the captains of the ship can then navigate through; the same thing we were requesting as people from northern Uganda in that crossing at Rwenkunye so that the ferry can move throughout the night. If you put the navigation lights across the River Nile, that ferry can work 24 hours. That is the record that people know. Not that there is no law, if I heard him correctly.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. Under the observation on utilisation of UWA receipts, the report indicates that UWA spent over Shs 4.7 billion in excess of their budget and the reason that is given is that it is because there was an outstanding amount on VAT that UWA wanted to pay. However, it also indicated that there was an under-declaration of payee that was discovered and also a Shs 720 million amount of under declaration of income tax. I do not know how this income tax is imposed on UWA but for those of us who use the northern route to West Nile, even when Karuma Bridge was opened - because the road was so bad a lot of us opted to use the route through the park under UWA.

14574 THE HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS FINANCING (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF DISTRICT SERVICE COMMISSIONS AND CITY SERVICE COMMISSIONS AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRICTS ACROSS NORTHERN, EASTERN AND WESTERN REGION

Thank you, honourable minister. I now put the question that the report of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government on the functionality of the District Service Commissions, City Service Commissions and personnel management in selected local government districts across the northern, eastern and western regions be adopted. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted.

14470 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Briefly, let us look at the Directorate of Public Prosecution It also has challenges of arrears and understaffing. I am about to conclude. Lastly is the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The ministry has a challenge of management of funds of estates of the deceased. There is failure to issue Certificates of No Objection but most importantly, the issue of delay of clearance of contracts. Mr Speaker, this is a very huge challenge, where it takes the Office of the Solicitor- General a maximum of 60 months to clear a contract. Therefore, this was a very big challenge. For example, when you look at that table, it clearly shows that most of the contracts take six months to be cleared. This leads to delay in execution of contracts. Compensation of war debt claimants For those who come from the northern region, you should take note of this because money was not allocated for clearance of payment of compensation to war claimants. I conclude with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The ministry had challenges of supervision of community service orders. It also had challenges of management of trafficking of persons in the country and also lack of Government shelters for victims of trafficking in persons. Mr Speaker, with that submission, this is a report of the Auditor-General on the sector of justice, law and order. I beg to submit. (Applause)

Honourable member, today, we are going to be discussing - if you followed the House yesterday, we presented a report on the status of schools in northern Uganda, including your area. Okay? Madi-Okollo is one of those. Can we, kindly, handle it when we reach the debate on that matter? It is the third item on the Order Paper. I will give you an opportunity.

Thank you. Now, honourable colleagues, we are debating two reports, as I guided. Okay? As I mentioned earlier on, there is the one for education in northern Uganda – because it touches all universities in northern Uganda. The other report is this one. When we are debating a report of this nature, from the Auditor-General, we focus on accountability issues. We do not bring issues which are for a sectoral committee – general issues. Otherwise, the issues of Hon. Kivumbi and the team will be lost. The report on northern Uganda is where we can bring in the general issues. Yes, Hon. James?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the committee for actually going to the regions of northern Uganda. I would also like to thank the Government for the efforts that they have put to follow the policy of a secondary school in every sub county. One of the secondary schools, which is mentioned here; Anyiribu Secondary School, is actually slated, under the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP), for a seed secondary school, which I did not see in the report. I think most of those recommendations will be covered when this Anyiribu Seed Secondary School is taken up by the Government. The Minister of Education and Sports can tell us when this will be underway – because three secondary schools in Madi-Okollo have been slated for this. The second point I would like to raise is about Pawor Seed Secondary School. I really want to thank the committee for shining a light on this school. Since 2018, when this school was constructed, we have complained, and written to the Ministry of Education and Sports, but nothing has come to fruition. This school has many cracks on the buildings and many people deem it unsafe to actually sit in the buildings of this school. There is a school nearby. One of the speakers today talked about how community schools are taken over by the Government and turned into seed secondary schools. We wonder when we were under Arua Local Government, why Arua Local Government decided to take a seed secondary school in a game reserve. Pawor Seed Secondary School is situated in the - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the two committees for bringing these important reports to the Floor of Parliament. Mr Speaker, I would like to interest this House that it is not our failure as leaders that Lira University and probably other universities are not taking in many students. I have realised that some of our universities in Northern Uganda do not have some courses. For example, the Universities of Muni, Lira, Gulu and Soroti do not have engineering courses. Mr Speaker, I have written a motion to that effect and I have submitted it to the Clerk to Parliament and I wish to be granted leave to present it here on the Floor of Parliament in form of a motion so that we urge the Government to interest themselves and introduce some of these courses to the public universities in Northern Uganda. This is a fact that we have to take. On the issue of money, first of all, according to the report that has been presented by Hon. Kivumbi, money is a very slippery thing. I have seen many universities diverting money. We want further investigations done on this money. Probably, there is what is called virement. What did they do with the money, anyway? Was it spent or was it in some people’s pockets? This is a very serious matter. Our universities must develop. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The strength and quality of the nation depends on the educated people. I am happy that this time, Uganda graduates more than 65,000 students every year. This is the positive way to go – (Interjection) – What is your problem, again? (Laughter) Mr Speaker, protect me from the Government Chief Whip – ( Laughter ) – To our dismay, I recall the other day in Gulu when we were discussing education, students from Gulu University brought up a very serious concern about the deployment of the intern doctors. Regarding the few intern doctors who were deployed among those who completed last year, none was taken out of the 66 students who finished from Gulu University. All of them are still home. From Muni University, none was deployed. The students from northern Uganda tabled in their special consideration because many of them completed it. They are now two years at home. You remember, COVID-19 disturbed their education. This year, if they are not deployed again, it means our intern doctors shall have wasted two more years on top of the five years that they spent at the university. Mr Speaker, I pray that the Government should take serious and special consideration of the intern doctors from northern Uganda. About the pay – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committees, the Chairperson, PAC, and your team, and the Chairperson, Committee on Education and Sports. My issues mostly concern the report on education in the northern region, though there are two other issues I have picked, and one is on staff accommodation. It is a general issue. It is actually across the board, even in our areas. We still have a challenge of staff accommodation. Nonetheless, this goes to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. We have a unit of Public-Private partnerships(PPP). Why don’t we look at the option of cooperating with the private sector? This is because most of these schools have land and so, we can partner with the private sector to build staff houses and then we see how best we can resolve this issue. I call upon the Government, and specifically the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to look into this issue. The other issue is our policy on one secondary school per subcounty and one primary school per parish. For us, who are in the cattle corridor, we are finding it very hard - you find families that are very far from the nearest secondary school. Somebody has to travel 10 kilometers to get to the nearest secondary school; a young child has to travel several kilometres to the nearest primary school. My call to the Government again and the minister is to see how they can review this policy, possibly to consider population distribution. Even areas, which are densely populated are equally finding a problem of so many kids to be accommodated by one school in a parish, compared to even us who are in the sparsely populated areas. Those are the issues I wanted to raise, Mr Speaker. I also wanted to emphasise the issue of - (Member timed out.)

I thank the committees for their work as well but also note that the quality assurance aspect of our education system lies largely with the inspectorate of schools. That is the mechanism, to the best of my understanding, that makes all of the infrastructural, systemic, and whatever issues that we are talking about quite meaningful for the beneficiaries and to the rest of us yet the report is completely silent on the issue of inspectorates; the report on education in Northern Uganda. In my district, and I know that this is probably the same as the rest of the country, which has about 109 Primary Schools, 184 private schools, 10 Secondary Schools, and three Tertiary schools. We have almost negligible infrastructure invested in this particular area that I am talking about- the inspectorate of schools. For example, we have only three inspectors of schools, Shs 14 million per term to round up all the 300 Schools, and zero motorcycles, they tell me they use boda boda sometimes, no vehicle.

During our oversight visit to the northern region, we paid a courtesy call at Sir Samuel Baker Senior Secondary School –

Thank you. I would like to make a clarification, for purposes of the record, that the minister for education has never summoned the Committee on Education and Sports. She wrote, requesting to meet – (Member rose_) - honourable member, please. I do not want us to put politics in this. If you interpret it as being summoned - she requested and I want the Hansard to capture it that way. I do not want us to have a misleading record. Now, honourable minister – I have two ministers who I want to give responses – accountability issues are not your issues. That is why you are required to give a Treasury Memorandum. Accountability is for accounting officers. They will appear before the committee and answer. Your role is to implement the recommendations, not to defend them here. I do not expect you to be responding to accountability issues, but you can comment on issues of northern Uganda. The minister for finance can also comment, generally. Minister for Education, you have three minutes.

Thank you, honourable minister. I now put the question that the Report of the Committee on the State of Public Universities, Tertiary Institutions, Seed Secondary Schools and Public Sports Facilities in Northern Uganda be adopted.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for that experience. In northern Uganda, we have a district called Lamwo- I am explaining the case. In Lamwo, they took advantage of front- loading and they overstated their budget for NTR. As a result, we gave them money, which they could not realise, among many other agencies. That one also led us to a shortfall. That is why we are now careful not to enter into the trap of these Accounting Officers, who normally want to use any means possible to beat our systems. That is why we stopped front-loading.

Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the committee for a great job. Even though the committee sampled three districts out of nine, we associate ourselves with the recommendations that cut across the region. As we said while in Gulu, there is a way our government has continued to prove that insecurity in Karamoja and the neighbourhood can be subdued. This is the evidence given out by the committee in their report. What has remained a challenge, which the recommendations of the committee seek to address, is how to sustain that peace. By the time the UPDF secured the region, the next issue of transformation and sustaining the attained peace has continued to be a challenge. So, the recommendations, as given by the committee, are very useful. I will only add a small thing on the issue of developing a skilling programme. We already have an industrial hub in Napak. The idea of industrial hubs in the country is good because it opens room for those Ugandans who have not had formal education to be skilled. However, the capacity of that industrial hub is so small it cannot manage the entire region. We only take about 20 per district in a season, and it is not enough. It is my appeal that another industrial hub is opened in the northern part of Karamoja.

Okay. These are the Skilling Industrial Hubs, the ones managed by State House. It is my appeal that we have another one in northern part of Karamoja so that the numbers can increase. The committee has recommended desilting of some dams. Mr Speaker, we submitted

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Kwania borders Karamoja. It is not far because we are in the Lango Subregion. The insecurity in Karamoja has been long overdue and yet they have a whole brigade of UPDF stationed in Kaabong and in some other districts. We have to find out why it is that the insecurity in Karamoja cannot end. What could be the problem? Who is causing all these problems? These are some of the questions that we have to answer as Members of Parliament who come from Northern Uganda, because whenever there is a problem or whenever there is insecurity in Karamoja, the entire Northern Uganda is affected in terms of production, in terms of farming and all those other things. I would suggest, if possible, that we have the brigade that is stationed in Kaabong. Why don’t we put UPDF brigades in most of the districts in Karamoja so that we attain the peace that all other Ugandans are yearning for? Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you. Youth Representative from the Northern region -

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, the debate is closed. I want us to also handle the status report for hospitals and health centres in northern Uganda. We will finish it today. I know the rules do not allow members of committees to debate but they allow them to clarify and inform the House. We represent constituents, sometimes, of a special nature, and we are lucky to have Gen. Elwelu here, who represents the UPDF. General, they have raised some issues and I know you can help us with some feedback. For some, you can take them back to your superiors. I want to give you the opportunity to help clarify some issues. Let us give him time and not disturb him with “clarifications”.

14335 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024 MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ON THE OVERSIGHT VISIT TO ASSESS THE STATUS OF HEALTH SERVICES IN NORTHERN REGION

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the committee for a very comprehensive, well-outlined report, which has covered the northern region on the status of the health services there. Mr Speaker, as you have said, I have read through the report and I have seen that much of the recommendations from the committee and the observations are well spelled out. As a ministry, we note that much of the recommendations dwell on the financing - sufficient funds. Most of the issues that have been raised are recommendations that as Government and as a ministry, there is urgency in ensuring improvement and enhancement of health facilities in the northern region. Mr Speaker, in some areas where the recommendations are administrative, I pledge that as a ministry, we shall address them administratively. I thank you.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, why we did not conclude it is because the minister was not there and we wanted that component. Honourable colleagues, I now put the question that the report of the Committee on Health on the oversight visit to assess the status of health services in the northern region be adopted. (Question put and agreed to.)

We shall extract the recommendations and we expect an action- taken report in three months. Colleagues, I am thinking, let us receive the report on education in northern Uganda and then discuss it the next day. It should be presented now so that you have enough time to read through and prepare for a debate on it tomorrow. Procedure, Hon. Gilbert Olanya?

Mr Speaker, I beg to proceed. We have the minutes and I think I will tender them in. The report of the Sectoral Committee on Education and Sports on the State of Selected Public Universities, Tertiary Institutions, Seed Schools, and Public Sports Facilities in Northern Uganda. Introduction The Committee on Education and Sports was among the committees selected by the Rt Hon. Speaker to undertake an oversight visit to the Northern Region to assess projects under their jurisdiction. The Northern Region is composed of sub regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango and West Nile. The Government of Uganda attaches great importance to education and sports, as it plays a vital role in ensuring attainment of both social and economic transformation as envisaged in the Uganda Vision 2040, NDP III, and the NRM Manifesto. There are notable changes in the sector with the Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education in addition to higher learning institutions under BTVET and universities all considerably supported by Government and supplemented by other non- state actors countrywide. The committee therefore visited some selected primary schools, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and public universities in the districts of Arua, Pakwach, Nebbi, and Madi- Okollo in West Nile sub region. Gulu District in Acholi sub region, Abim District in Karamoja sub region, and finally Lira, Dokolo, Otuke Districts in Lango sub region. 2.0 Objectives of the Field visit. The main objective of the visit was to ascertain the existence and status of development projects in selected Traditional and Seed schools, Tertiary Institutions, and Public Universities in the Northern region. 2.1 The specific objectives include: i. To ascertain the status of implementation and progress of the UgIFT projects in selected schools.

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

Background - I think that one is highlighted. We can skip that. Okay, we can go to: 1.0 Findings, Observations, and Recommendations 1.1 West Nile Subregion. In the West Nile Subregion of Northern Uganda, the committee visited districts of Pakwach, Nebbi, Madi-Okollo, and Arua districts, and inspected the following institutions and schools. 1.1.1 Muni University in the Arua district Muni University is one of the public universities in Uganda, which was established by the Uganda Government by Statutory Instrument No. 31, 2013, in accordance with the University’s and other Tertiary Institutions Act. The university has an established governance structure comprising a fully-fledged council, Senate, and Committees to run its affairs. Mr Speaker, let us go to the findings because most people are eagerly waiting for the findings. But before findings, I think we should also look at the observations. In Arua or Muni University, there are two buildings that have stalled for so many years. One of them is the delayed completion of the Health Science Laboratory building and administration block. The committee observed that the contract for the completion of the construction of the Health Science Lab Building was signed between Muni University and Kisinga Construction Company Limited on the l3th March 2019. The ground-breaking ceremony and site handover were done on 25 March 2019, and the actual work started on 3 May 2019 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of the project was delayed and thus construction elapsed on 25 March 2022. However, the completion date was later revised by two years up to 24 March 2024 but this was not attained, and yet the work executed is only at 67 per cent. The Administration Block Annex: the committee observed that this construction project commenced on 11 April 2022 and is expected to be completed on 11 October 2024 and yet the work executed is just at 55.5 per cent. The committee observed that the capacity building centre facility has some structural problems requiring immediate attention like

Let us go to Karamoja where we only look at Abim as a sample - ( Interjection ) - Teso is not part of the northern region. Let us begin with where we started from. We started from Lango and we are going to Dokolo where the “Private Sector” comes from. However, before Dokolo – I have already reached Karamoja. In the Karamoja subregion –

What we discovered was that, generally, there is lack of enough human resource in these regions and you get districts returning money. Pakwach returned Shs 1.5 billion, Arua returned Shs 800 million and Nebbi returned Shs 900 million – for recruitment. The committee, in its wisdom, proposes that this money has no right to come back to the source. Let the Ministry of Education and Sports and even the Education Service Commission be facilitated to go and do recruitment on site because there is money and so that the people there are recruited. On the issue of banning recruitment - I think that was done. So conclusively, Mr Speaker, the field visits revealed critical challenges in educational infrastructure and resource management in the Northern region. There is a general problem of contractors under Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) projects taking on more than three seed schools, which are more than they can handle. This constrains them in performing effectively under the project. The committee noted that across the districts, money allocated for the wage bill was returned to the Consolidated Fund because of the ban on recruitment.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the protection. Then a by-election, primaries, and general elections, which is very dangerous. Someone called me, and I started thinking about the confusion that is about to be in Kisoro now. I picked up my phone and called my colleague’s leaders, and I said, “Can Kisoro now be peaceful?” A person speaking here is the Chairman of Members of Parliament in Kisoro District, the Chairman of Kisoro District Leaders Forum, the Patron of the Uganda National Teachers Union (NATU), the Patron of Kisoro District Council, the Patron of Urban Leaders, the Patron of the Boda Boda Association, the Patron of the Taxi Operators Association, and the Patron of the Local Leaders – chairpersons of LC III. (Laughter) I consulted all of them and we said Kisoro is for Banyakisoro and Banyakisoro with Kisoro at heart. We must go, sit down, and find a person who must replace Hon. Sarah without causing confusion again in Kisoro District. (Applause) I am not the only leader in Kisoro. Tomorrow, the district council with all leaders - elders like people from Northern Uganda do, must sit, and we look for a person without causing tension in the development of Kisoro District. Honourable members, I am saying this, having consulted; we shall at least find a way of how we should continue with the projects. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the Prime Minister - the bridge that is being mentioned is in my constituency. Busonge

Mr Speaker, I stand here to present a motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to formulate a policy on free compulsory boarding school education for the Karamoja Subregion. I am moving this motion under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS the Karamoja Subregion is located in the North Eastern part of Northern Uganda, covering about 27,000 square kilometres and characterised by a semi-arid climate, with erratic rainfall and a population of about 1,400,000 people out of the national population of about 46,000,000 people as per the 2024 National Census; AND WHEREAS the Karamoja Subregion has traditionally experienced low literacy levels with 66 per cent of the population not having any form of formal education largely attributable to the high school dropout rate caused by the inability to afford scholastic materials, lack of school feeding programme, long walking distances, cultural chores like livestock farming, digging, and historical injustices against the Karamoja Subregion; NOTING that the high school dropout rates at primary level has resulted into a minimal secondary school gross enrolment rate which stands at only 19 per cent and the lowest adult literacy rates of 25 per cent as per the 2019/2020 compared to the 73 per cent national enrolment rate. For instance, if you compare Karamoja to the rest of Uganda, the general enrolment rate for Kampala is 92 per cent, 83 per cent for Buganda South and 79 per cent for Ankole, but Karamoja Subregion stands at the bottom of the table; FURTHER NOTING that many of the male school dropouts end up being recruited into “warriorhood”, cattle rustling and armed violence while the female school dropouts end up in early marriages and/or as child mothers which has contributed to Karamoja having high indicators of maternal mortality, child mortality and under five mortality rates; CONCERNED that Karamoja’s struggle with cyclic insecurity is attributed to its low rates of education and household poverty. Many children of school going age (3-18 years) are integrated into the livestock herding economy, taking care of livestock and experiencing the vagaries of conflict, and ultimately taking roles in either defending their livestock or participating in revenge expeditions and most often becoming the victims and perpetrators of conflict; FURTHER CONCERNED that the human and economic costs of dealing with insecurity in Karamoja far outstrip the costs to the national economy of implementing high quality education. In the decade until 2010, Karamoja lost about 80 per cent of its herd to insecurity. When insecurity returned in 2019, as mentioned by Hon. Nakut yesterday, a district like Kaabong lost nearly all its herd. Therefore, investment into education is a direct investment in national economic growth, in stabilising the region and security and also cuts off the young generations from participating in criminal activities; AWARE that with Government interventions, through the UPE and USE as well as the free compulsory boarding school programme in some schools in Karamoja Subregion, the literacy rate for the boy-child has risen by seven per cent between 2016 and 2020 but that of the girl-child has only risen by 1.3 per cent and out of this total primary school enrolment of both boys and girls, only 12 per cent of the girls make it to secondary schools;

Let us first hear the submission. You see, honourable colleagues from Northern Uganda, on this, you are requesting colleagues from other areas to support you. That is why I am trying to pick colleagues from other regions to support you. [Rev. Fr. Onen] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14188 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Mr Speaker, in that meeting, my colleague, the minister for Karamoja affairs, was there. My colleague, Hon. Anyakun, ably articulated the issues of Karamoja and the challenges of disaster-prone places and island communities. It was discussed, with the proposal of granting affirmative action - special consideration – for Karamoja, islands and the disaster-prone places. The special affirmative action is to be, specifically, on the boarding section. That comes on board together with the compulsory free universal education for all. I recall very vividly that this was discussed and the President himself saw the challenges in Karamoja. Indeed, he recommended that the ministry should further discuss these challenges and see to it that the best solution is provided for those specific areas, as we move to implement the universal compulsory education. Mr Speaker, I welcome the motion but wish it is not only limited to Karamoja. As Cabinet looked at it, Karamoja is not alone. We have disaster-prone places – like the islands. That is what the Cabinet is looking at. Mr Speaker, for this Parliament to appreciate the overall enrolment in our country, together with the national statistics, when we speak, we need to speak on evidence-based, scientific information. On primary enrolment, as Uganda, we have got a total of 10,976,773. The total number of primary schools in Uganda was at 43,534. The number of teachers who have been captured under the Education Management Information System (EMIS) is 196,364. The distribution for Northern Region Acholi: The total enrolment in primary school in Acholi is 544,434, which represents 4.86 per cent of the total enrolment. If you permit me, Mr Speaker, I just want to give the percentage of the national enrolment. 1. Lango represents 7.17 per cent; 2. West Nile represents 10.2 per cent ; 3. Karamoja represents 2.02 per cent. In total, the Northern Region represents 24.35 per cent of the total enrolled children in the country. In terms of primary schools, the total number of primary schools in Northern Uganda stands at 11.49 per cent.

14189 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 Mr Speaker, I was talking about the enrolment of our children; the national enrolment vis-a- vis Northern Uganda Region, the total number of teachers we have in this region vis-a-vis the national position and the number of primary schools. To make the matter short, in total, Northern Region has 21.49 per cent of the total teachers in the country. In terms of primary schools, Northern Region has a percentage of 11.49. Those are the statistics that we have for primary enrolment for Acholi, Lango, West Nile and Karamoja. For secondary education, as of June 2024 from our EMIS data, Uganda has enrolled a total of 1,710,403 students in secondary school. Out of that, the teachers in secondary schools are 71,918 while the secondary education schools are 7,466.

14190 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT 6. Mr Bosco Ochen, District Speaker, Kitgum 7. Hon. John Nangiro, Nakapiripirit District Chairperson 8. Col (Rtd) Obwoya Oyat, Pader District Chairperson 9. Mr Emmanuel Orach, LCV Chairperson, Nwoya District Local Government, and 10. Mr Stephen Obitre, LCV Chairperson, Maracha District. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me once again in welcoming them. Thank you. Next item. PRESENTATION OF PETITION ON THE LOW NET ENROLLMENT AND COMPLETION RATES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING TERTIARY AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As we noted in the previous discussion, the issue of education is not just a challenge in Karamoja, but a problem in West Nile, Acholi, and Lango as well. I hereby move under Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure, on a petition on the low enrolment and completion rates in primary and secondary schools and challenges in accessing tertiary and university education in Northern Uganda. This is the humble petition of stakeholders of Chase Foundation, represented by Hon. Samuel Acuti Opio, Member of Parliament for Kole North County, and it states that: 1. “Your humble petitioners are members of Chase Foundation, a community-based organisation established to undertake interventions to drive socio-economic development, including the provision of educational services and support within the communities that it operates within Northern Uganda. 2. Article 30 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda guarantees the right to education, and Objective XVIII of the National objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy enjoins the State to promote free and compulsory basic education and take appropriate measures to afford every citizen equal opportunity to attain the highest educational standards possible. 3. The Education Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary Act, 2008 emphasises that basic education shall be provided and enjoyed as a right by all persons and provides for the objective of the Act to give full effect to the Universal Primary Education Policy and full effect to the Universal Post-Primary Education and Training Policy of Uganda. 4. The fundamental right to education is also affirmed by a number of international and regional instruments that Uganda has ratified, including the International Covenant on Economic and Social and Cultural Rights. 5. The Government of Uganda has made commitments in the National Development Plan III and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 2030 under the theme ‘Leaving No One Behind’, where specifically SDG4 seeks to ensure the provision of free, quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all. 6. The Government has taken measures to ensure access to education for all through both Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education programmes that have increased access to education by millions of children. 7. However, despite these interventions, the Northern Uganda region, which comprises the subregions of West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja (WALK), continue to face significant challenges in accessing education. The Uganda National Household Survey, 2020 by the Uganda [Mr Achia] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14191 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) showed that primary school and secondary school net enrolment in the Northern region as the lowest in the country and below the national average. 8. Net average enrolment in primary school in the region was at 68.65 per cent against the national average of 80 per cent. Karamoja stands at the lowest at 42.1 per cent, implying that out of every 100 children of primary school going age in Karamoja, only 42 are enrolled. 58 are out of school and have been left behind. 9. Net enrolment in secondary school was at 7.2 per cent in Acholi, 12.1 per cent in Karamoja, 14.3 per cent in West Nile, and 14.5 per cent in Lango Subregion, less than half the national average of 27.3 per cent, with some sub-regions having enrolment rates as high as 46.2 per cent and 52.3 per cent, more than three times the WALK region statistics. 10. These statistics in effect show that in the Northern region, on average, out of every 100 persons of official secondary school going age between 13 to 18 years, only 12 are enrolled in secondary education with 88 persons not able to have access and have been left behind. 11. Furthermore, in regard to primary education, anecdotal evidence suggests that the P7 completion rates are also way below the national average of 61.6 per cent, with some districts reporting completion rates as low as 30 per cent. This implies again that in such districts, for every 100 children who commence P1, only 30 will reach P7, while 70 will drop out and be left behind. 12. Whereas access to tertiary and university education is not yet well documented, reports indicate that it is equally low due to the low enrolment at the primary and secondary levels. 13. As a result of the limited access to primary, secondary and tertiary education, the communities in Northern Uganda have not fully utilised employment and career opportunities available within the various public and private sectors, even for jobs that require minimum qualifications, such as O-Level and A-Level, among others. This has hindered the socio-economic transformation of the region and partly contributed to the high poverty levels due to limited income diversification. 14. Lastly, the Uganda National Household Survey noted that education was the key determinant in exposing one to employment opportunities, with the results showing that the majority of those without education or who had attained only some primary education were engaged in subsistence agriculture while those who completed primary and other higher education levels were mostly in employment. Lango Subregion, for example, had the least population in employment at 20 per cent across the country against a national average of 52.1 per cent. NOW, THEREFORE, your humble petitioners pray that: 1. An inquiry is made on the causes of the below average and low net enrolment in primary education and low completion rates in the Subregions of Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Karamoja. 2. An inquiry is done on the causes of the below average and low net enrolment rates in secondary education in the Subregions of West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja. 3. An inquiry is done on the status of access to tertiary and university education in the Subregions of West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja. 4. Lastly, interventions and affirmative action be developed and funded for each of the subregions to address the low net enrolment in primary and secondary education and low completion rates of primary education alongside challenges in accessing tertiary and university education.

Thank you, honourable. Just looking at the prayers, most of these will require direct Government intervention. Therefore, I invoke my powers under Rule 30(6) and refer the petition to the Minister for Education and Sports for handling and report back within six months. Thank you. Honourable colleagues, this is a reminder that as you come in, ensure that you clock into our system to register your attendance today. Next item. MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, TRADE, AND INDUSTRY ON THE STATE AND PROSPECTS OF TOURISM SITES IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Mr Speaker, warm regards from the youth of Uganda and congratulations upon holding the regional sitting. I beg to lay a Report of the sectoral Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry on the state and prospects of tourism sites in Northern Uganda and the attendant minutes. I beg to lay, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I want to appreciate your good vision for seeing me today. Mr Speaker, what I want to let this House know is that when you look at history, you notice that the tribes that live in Northern Uganda all originated or departed from Otuke in the early 70s to 90s. Therefore, I would like to ask

14202 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT the chairperson of the committee to consider Otuke as one of the greatest tourist places. In 2002, I remember a Whiteman from California flew to Otuke just to take a photograph of a red lizard; look at what Otuke can bring to this country. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, we have the coronation of our Won Nyaci in Lango on 2 November 2024, which will take place in Otuke. So, I want to urge the chairperson and committee to make sure Otuke is included. Mr Speaker, the road from Lira–Alebtong- Otuke-Abim should be tarmacked. I would also like to say this: if you climb Got Otuke, you will find footprints of all the tribes in Northern Uganda who were gathered in this place. You will find footprints of the Iteso, Acholi, Jabwor, Lango, and Kumam. These are the things I wanted to raise in this House; they were burning me and I could not hold them. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I made a special consideration under the general authority of the Speaker under Rule 7 of our Rules of Procedure. The issue, which the honourable colleague has raised on charcoal crossing Karuma and charcoal remaining in Northern Uganda has the same impact on the environment. You cannot say a tree cut to make charcoal to serve the people in Northern Uganda will not affect the environment compared to a tree cut to make charcoal to be taken to Kampala. I am among the people who raised this issue on the Floor after watching a documentary on how Zoka Forest is being destroyed despite the presidential directive to stop charcoal burning around those areas. Therefore, honourable colleagues, it cannot be Parliament to sit here and say let us be lenient to the people who are destroying the environment. We would be sending a very wrong message; it cannot be Parliament. On that one, if the minister was here - he would answer the one of charcoal but when it comes to destroying the environment, let us all be strong. Otherwise, it will come back to destroy you. Nature pays back more even roughly. Honourable Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities? A small correction on record - yes, Hon. Lucy Akello - if it is a correction that is on record. Honourable colleagues, the Speaker is on the Floor, therefore, we are proceeding well.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Also thanks to the committee vice chairperson, Hon. Okot, and the committee members, for a very good report and for raising most of the issues that we have raised as a ministry. Mr Speaker, of the 19 sites in the Northern Region, we are only in charge of nine and the reason is mainly resources. Our request still goes out there that some more investment is put into tourism, just like the other Members were requesting, because tourism indeed brings in a lot of revenues if invested into. The honourable chairperson quoted figures for 2022 on the performance of the sector when he said that the number of visitors that we received at the sites was around 67,000. But for the last three years, the Museums and Monuments Department has been receiving around Shs 2 billion as a recurrent budget and Shs 2 billion for development. You can see that even with that little money, once we invest in promotions, we get the results. In 2023, our figures improved from 67,000 to 131,000; twice the number in just one year. So, if we invest in this sector, definitely we will have better results. For the Members who have raised issues on a number of sites that have not been captured, I want to assure you that under the Museums and Monuments Act, the minister has powers to gazette any other sites that you feel would form

14204 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT part of the Museums Department. Please write to us and we will make this consideration. Mr Speaker, the statutory instrument was signed; it should be making its way to Parliament any time soon. I agree with the committee that we have identified so many sites, around 614. Our issue is resources to have a presence in each of the sites to develop and promote them. There has been an issue of human-wildlife relations. I do not want to call it conflict, because we are going to stay with these animals and we have stayed with them since creation; we shall continue to stay with them. Just for Northern Uganda, I speak to Karamoja and the Murchison Falls National Park. Last week, in Parliament, based on the directive of His Excellency, the President, we assessed what we need to do to resolve the issues of human-wildlife conflict around the Kidepo Community Wildlife Management Area, which is Kidepo and Karenga, which is around 317 kilometres. We need Shs 20 billion to have that area fenced and have the issue of elephants getting out and destroying crops, resolved once and for all. The most interesting bit or the difficult bit is that even when we deploy more rangers with the UPDF, these elephants are very intelligent animals because they know when they come out during the day, you will easily intercept them. So, they choose to come out in the night. It is very dangerous for rangers to run after elephants in the night. Usually, they have already entered, and then in the morning, we have to go and get them out of the community. Once we fence, we will have the problem resolved. For the Murchison Falls, which is 394 kilometres, we are doing the entire boundary; we have so far faced 44 kilometres in Nwoya and Oyam. We are currently doing 10 kilometres in Nwoya and 10 kilometres in Buliisa. We have an uncovered boundary of around 330 kilometres and it would cost us around Shs 21 billion to also fence Murchison Falls and have the issue resolved once and for all. The issue is with Parliament, and the Prime Minister has been holding meetings with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to see how we resolve it. I have been to the communities, Mr Speaker, and I want to assure you, if you see how people suffer, especially when a group of elephants, let us say five, or six, goes into the gardens. I understand the pain, and this is the only solution and way out. With those few remarks, again, I want to thank the committee. But, chairperson, indeed, let us support tourism. It is a low-hanging fruit, and the revenues can come in at any time. Thank you.

Thank you. The rest seem not to be ready for their areas. Honourable colleagues, I now put – (Member rose) - let me run the House the way I know how to. This is going to cause confusion. From what I am seeing, Members are giving their submissions. Honourable colleagues, I now put the question that the Report of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry on the State and Prospects of Tourism Sites in Northern Uganda be adopted with proposed amendments. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted.

14213 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 action by November but some of these matters are very urgent, very specific, and they are in the hands of the ministry and the project team. So, the minister should bring an action-taken report within one month on this matter. Thank you. Next item. MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE DISTRICT SERVICE COMMISSIONS AND CITY SERVICE COMMISSIONS AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRICTS ACROSS NORTHERN, EASTERN AND WESTERN REGION

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Permit me to present the report of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government on the functionality of the District Service Commissions and City Service Commissions and on the personnel management in selected Local Governments across Northern Uganda, Eastern and Western Region. As I embark on that, permit me to lay the minutes of the meetings, together with the report of the committee for that effect.

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

Honourable Chairperson, I have a suggestion. This is a critical report that is cross-cutting to the whole country. I would like to propose that since you have captured this part, we take it from there, and then we discuss it when we resume Parliament. I wouldn’t want to rush this - and then we will give Members a chance to read the report in full. Once we resume, - the issue of Public Service Commissions across the country is a very big issue. Now, let us save time, and we go to issues of Northern Uganda only. Okay, two minutes, then we conclude.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your guidance. In just two minutes, when you look at the issue of the impact of discriminatory payment, we have provided details, but allow me to mention this, and in the interest of time, because the rest are with the Members and you can look through. Mr Speaker, I would like to note that the committee also interacted with pensioners in Northern Uganda, and if you will permit, we have the representatives of the pensioners who have been here from day one, because they have been following up on a number of the issues they raised.

Chairper - son, Committee on Defence and Internal Af - fairs? Let us go to the next one. MOTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ON THE OVERSIGHT VISIT TO ASSESS THE STATUS OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE NORTHERN REGION

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I join my colleagues to thank the committee for having carried out the field activity and coming up with a report that has identified challenges and given recommendations on how to solve the problems regarding the sector of health in Northern Karamoja. I disagree with the report on the aspect that states that Karamoja does not face drug shortages. Karamoja equally faces drug stocks- out. There are cases whereby you go to the referral hospital and you are told to buy gloves, bandages, and all the drugs to treat a patient. That states that Karamoja also faces drug shortages. These drug shortages are mostly caused by the noncompliance of the National Medical Stores to deliver drugs to the health facilities as required by the policy. Secondly, in the Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Health gave Moroto Regional Referral Hospital an Oxygen Plant and contracted the UPDF Engineering Brigade to do the construction of the plant. The plant was meant to produce 100 cylinders of oxygen in 24 hours to facilitate all the health centres in the region. The construction was supposed to take one year. After the UPDF Engineering Brigade finished the construction, the oxygen plant equipment was brought. However, it was realised later that some of the oxygen plant equipment would not fit the structure that was already in place, leaving some of the equipment outside, exposed to harsh weather conditions. To date, that has not been rectified. Yet, the referral hospital reported that to the ministry. I request that the ministry quickly intervenes to make sure that the design of the structure is rectified such that the equipment that was meant to get in, gets in, in order for the plant to start functioning to serve the Karimojongs. Thank you.

No, I do understand. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to join my colleagues in appreciating the Committee on Health for the elaborate report on the status of our health facilities in Northern Uganda. I would like to be specific to my district of Lira. Lira District, since this political term started has never officially received any infrastructural development fund for health in Lira District. Mr Speaker, we have written several letters requesting the district leadership, but nothing was given to us. It was unfortunate that in the last financial year, a fund worth Shs 4 billion came abruptly to the district account and a letter was written immediately to transfer it to another district. That is when the LC V Chairperson, the CAO and I battled it out and managed to get one health facility that is under construction. However, pushing for that caused us more problems. Right now, we have a health facility called Onywako Health Centre II at the border of the Government Chief Whip’s constituency and my constituency. It is too crowded for the capacity of the health facility to handle the patients. We have tried to lobby under UgIFT which was under the ministry to no avail. Mr Speaker, in Erute North at Aromo Health Centre IV, the maternity ward is in a very bad state. The ceiling board collapsed on a mother during delivery. I even pleaded for renovation but nothing was granted. Luckily enough, we had to try to use some Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to try to renovate. This Sunday, I will go to a health facility called Abala. Women are going with a small torch for delivery but we have tried our best. My humble prayers are: 1. The Ministry of Health should try to balance their services. 2. The Ministry of Health should liaise with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to provide electricity in these health facilities because now the burden is on us. I have to take solar panels with its installation to a health facility to protect my women. 3. Mr Speaker, the President came to Lango and we requested him because of our population and he agreed to upgrade five health centres IVs to a district hospital where Ogur Health Centre IV was among. A follow-up letter by the district leadership together with us have resulted to nothing. So, my humble request is that these health facilities should be put as an amendment in the report so that it is adopted as a whole. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Good job to the chairperson and his team - the committee - for that report. I would like to draw my attention to the issue of the ICU. Mr Speaker, you have seen how far Northern Uganda is from the Central, where most of the functional Intensive Care Units are. If you look at Moroto, Lira, Gulu and Arua regional referral hospitals, these are very far places and we all know what an ICU does. What we have in place are not ICUs. The equipment is there, but we have high- dependency units. A few months ago, we lost a patient in Karamoja, and in my opinion, as a doctor, we should not have lost that lady. We had to transport her all the way from Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, and Jinja, regional hospitals, without functional ICUs until Mulago. She was still alive by God’s grace, but she eventually passed on. Therefore, these are the things we need to be addressing ourselves to. The other one is dialysis. The health committee two years ago set up dialysis in Mbarara, Mbale and Lira, and the plan was to eventually roll out, but I think because of funding this financial year, it was captured as an unfunded priority. As a matter of urgency, we need to have dialysis at regional level hospitals. Adjumani General Hospital, like the woman MP said, is operating in a very dilapidated structure, and it needs urgent attention, at least the maternity unit. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I am happy that the Committee on Public Service will address the issues of recruitment, but some of these health centres IV, like Pajule, have medical officers who have not been formalised into service, and they want to leave. When you ask the district local government, there is local government politics involved. Honourable members, we need to also discern the fact that part of the health system, the biggest bulk, is in the local government. Therefore, recruitment is a function of the District Service Commission. The contractor of the seven-story building in Gulu is being taken to court because of Shs 3 billion that has not been paid out by the Government. As a matter of urgency, can we please find this money for both Arua Regional Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospitals, for their staff complexes. Thank you.

No, honourable, that is not how we use the microphone here. You do not pass it on. Dr Eunice Apio. Honourable colleagues, I will just pick three more people from the northern region. I have received many chits. I am on the side of the Opposition now. I have already finished. I am picking from each party. I have already picked UPC. Yes, honourable.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My name is Okello Geofrey Charles. I am the Member of Parliament for Nwoya East County. Let me join my colleagues to thank the presenters and the committee for bringing us up to speed with health issues in Northern Uganda. Issue number one that I thought they could have recommended would have been feedback from the ministry on policy matters that are under implementation. This includes the phasing out of all health centre IIs to upgrade them to health centre IIIs. Two, there are specific health centre IIIs that were supposed to have been upgraded by now to health centre IVs, and we need feedback from the ministry, so that we do not debate the same thing again, without mentioning the one in my constituency. The other general issue is also an ambulance for every constituency. This is a policy matter that should just be implemented and we only need feedback so that it spares us. There is one general problem across Uganda, not just Northern Uganda; the mismatch between equipment and personnel. Just next to us here, the Government of Uganda has invested a lot of money in establishing a cancer treatment centre for Northern Uganda here in Gulu. The information we have is that the equipment that is here is adequate to serve Northern Uganda, but the personnel are missing. The ministry needs to assure us that they are focusing on trying to harmonise between equipment and personnel. There are several health centres that are lacking electricity in order to do so much. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development should work with the Ministry of Health and we have it on record of Parliament and the Government, so that we do not spend a lot of time. Finally, in my constituency, there is a problem of coded health centres that should be receiving drugs but they do not receive them. Why are they coded? Can we have a policy paper on that from the minister responsible? Thank you very much. Welcome to Northern Uganda.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I can see this is a very critical item, which I think would be unfair to conclude without giving real adequate time. My thinking is that we could adopt the report for now, then I require the minister to bring a comprehensive response in two weeks. Then, we reopen the debate based on the comprehensive responses. I think it could be – no, honourable, I know the tricks of shortcuts. There is a specific issue for Northern Uganda that I want to give space now.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I am trying to avoid a situation as if discussing issues of northern Uganda is ending today. No, we have just started. So, on the 17 th , we shall start with this one. We have an option of either suspending the debate and resume on the 17 th of September 2024, or we adopt the report and the minister gives a comprehensive response, then we discuss from an informed point of view. Hon. Mushemeza –

Thank you, Hon. Mushemeza. This is exactly in line with the issue, which the President alluded to yesterday. Honourable colleagues present their issues and when the Government comes with a budget, we shall see how best we shall handle. The debate is suspended on this matter, we shall resume on 17 th September, 2024. Honourable colleagues, there is an urgent matter, which I felt that since we are in Northern Uganda, we could at least come out after handling it. Hon. Anthony Akol brought the issue to do with the National Customary Land Registry. I think it is an issue we can handle here. So, let us allow that motion. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL CUSTOMARY LAND REGISTRY

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We and the people of Northern Uganda were worried about this particular motion. The motion for a resolution of Parliament urging Government to establish a national customary land registry. We move under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS Article 237 (3) of the Constitution provides that land ownership in Uganda shall be under the customary, freehold, mailo and leasehold tenure systems; AND WHEREAS the Land Act, CAP. 236, describes customary land tenure as a system of land tenure regulated by the customary rules which are limited in their operation to the particular description or class of persons whose incidence includes applicability to a specific area of land and a specific description or class of persons and recognises communal ownership and use of land, among others; AWARE that Section 4 of the Land Act, CAP. 236 provides for the certificate of customary ownership of land, which according to Section 7 of the same Act, is issued by a recorder upon approval by the District Land Board; FURTHER AWARE that under Section 69 (2) of the Land Act, CAP. 236, the recorder MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14240 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT So, we rather carry the items forward so that we give them adequate time, instead of appearing as if northern Uganda is going somewhere and we will not be able to see it in future. Hon. Omona, the minister for northern Uganda? (Member rose_) Hon. Okot, what is your procedural matter, as Hon. Omona comes?

Mr Speaker, I take this great opportunity to thank you. I also thank you, Members, for your patience and deliberations during this very historic and auspicious occasion, when Parliament sits in the region of northern Uganda, particularly on Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City. Mr Speaker, I thank you, again, for giving a lot of attention to the matters pertaining to this region. I know very well that time has not been enough and, also, that we do not have to ignore the rest of the country as we debate matters of northern Uganda. However, I am very confident and happy that much as not everything about northern Uganda has been exhaustively discussed here, at least, a substantial number of issues have been raised here and they have brought to light an emphasis on matters of northern Uganda. I was told that for these last three days, everywhere in northern Uganda here, people were either glued to the TV channels or listening to radio, paying great attention to the debates of the matters of Uganda and, particularly, northern Uganda. I thank, very much, the people of northern Uganda, for also giving attention and listening to the matters concerning their region. A lot has been said here, but like you have heard, many issues in northern Uganda here are historical. Therefore, I implore and call upon the leaders of northern Uganda – elected, appointed, opinion and religious leaders to take it very seriously to guide the people, especially on matters of wealth creation. Wealth creation is a personal effort. Here in northern Uganda, particularly here in Gulu, we have started calling the campaign for wealth creation as “ giri giri” . Giri giri is an Acholi expression, meaning “it is yours” – what is yours is personal. It is a personal effort. I call upon all the leaders in northern Uganda to take it very seriously. Secondly, Mr Speaker, I also call upon the leaders of northern Uganda that since many of your issues here are historical, please, tell your children about your past; tell your children about your history. Pleasant or bitter, good or bad, your society and your children must know your past. This is very important; it will guide your future. Mr Speaker, I cannot thank you enough, but I call upon all the people of northern Uganda, especially those who have been watching and those who have been following on radios and other channels, to take it seriously that this has been an opportunity to highlight the issues of northern Uganda. I hope it will also help you to follow up on matters of your country in all your areas; communities and workplaces so that you help the Government and your leaders [The Deputy Speaker] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14241 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 in monitoring and debating matters of your society. Mr Speaker, all said and done, all that has been debated or said here must fall on the positive and fertile energies to produce good outcomes. I would like to emphasise the issue of history and our stories because it is from that, that we must find forgiveness so that we focus our energy towards socio-economic transformation. Borrowing from one American poet, Walt Whitman, I want to say to the people of northern Uganda that: get up to your feet, dust off your knees and bottoms, and keep your faces towards the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you. I thank you very much for your kind attention. God bless you.

Thank you so much, Hon. Omona. Thank you to the people of northern Uganda for the warm reception. It has been an awesome experience. The hospitality – the people on the streets and all that; they all welcomed us. I am going to call someone, who is not from northern Uganda, to give a vote of thanks on behalf of the rest of the Members. Hon. Aeku? In the meantime, as he comes in front here, for the issues which were not covered in the reports, I could not bring them on now, when we have not completed receiving the reports. So, we shall complete that process from Kampala. We will do a memorandum, which we shall hand over to the Government.

Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank the people of northern Uganda. We have been here, but some of us do not want to leave because this area has fresh air. I have not polished my shoes ever since I came from Kampala. (Laughter) So, I would like to thank the people of northern Uganda for the hospitality. The food has been very good. The hotels have been very exceptional. You sleep and rest well. Mr Speaker, even the garbage collection is very good; there are no landfills to collapse here. The experience we have had in northern Uganda, for these few days, shows that these people are good people, and we should appreciate them. (Applause) If only one could think like me, I would even move a motion and we leave Kampala to be a commercial city and we make Gulu a business city. ( Applause) Mr Speaker, as I conclude on thanking the people of northern Uganda, even at night, we have been peaceful. We have been walking and moving around. These people are friendly. None of us is injured. There is no case registered. They are hospitable. Indeed, if we are looking for tourist attraction areas, also, let us enhance northern Uganda. Tourists like good roads. Tourists like good hotels. Tourists like good food. We have put on weight, you can see, Mr Speaker. This is not my original size, but I am sure because of being in Gulu City, I am now a better person. Finally, I congratulate all Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda for being hospitable. Some of us did not have cars and they were able to provide and we could move around because we could not move with our coasters. I thank my colleagues also for the hospitable reception they have given us. I wish everybody a safe journey. Those who are still around, the holiday is still on; we are still in Gulu and then we shall return officially on Monday. I beg to submit. (Applause)

14090 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Thursday, 29 August 2024 regions check and get back to us because we need action taken on what we have resolved. Similarly, I hope the Sectoral Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries embraces the guidance that the House extended to it and the scope of its oversight undertaking so that we have a comprehensive report. We picked some ideas from what we talked about here – from the guidance that we gave – and we will transform those ideas into our communication to the President. As northern Uganda, we have a lot of land. We will not go into a four-acre model. All we need is mechanisation, irrigation, agricultural enterprise selection and seeds. Much as we are saying that we want people to plant coffee in Gulu here, we need seedlings and dairy. I was shown a milk coolant, which has been here for a long time without being used. We need value addition in agriculture. We have market for the products, but how does what we produce reach Sudan? We need the roads to be worked on for our goods to reach their destination. Honourable members, yesterday, we spent a significant amount of time debating the report on physical infrastructure. This was expected to last a short time, but it became a catalyst to all that is going to be presented. On today’s Order Paper, we still have a fairly significant volume of pending business, which we should handle as fast as possible. IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FOURTH SESSION - 14TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 9.02 a.m. at Kaunda Grounds, Gulu City. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Annet Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

I would like to thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. However, before I move my motion, I bring special greetings from the people of Mityana to the people of the greater north. Madam Speaker, the constituency I am representing today was once represented by a person from northern Uganda called Ochieng. That is why there is Ochieng Zone in Nansana. Therefore, we have very great attachment to the people of northern Uganda in Mityana District. My motion is seeking leave of the House to introduce a Private Member’s Bill entitled, “The Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill,” moved under rules 56, 121, and 122 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS Article 79 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 empowers Parliament to make laws on any matter of the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda; AND WHEREAS Article 94(4)(b) of the Constitution and Rules 121 and 122 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament permits a Member of Parliament to move a Private Member’s Bill; AWARE that Article 82A of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Administration of Parliament Act Cap. 272 provide for a Leader of the Opposition in Parliament under multi-party organisations; NOTING that Section 8 of the Administration of Parliament Act Cap. 272 provides for the election of the Leader of the Opposition by the party in Opposition to the Government having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament; FURTHER NOTING that Section 15 of the Administration of Parliament Act Cap. 272 provides for the appointment of the Chief

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. This is a special regional sitting, and the first of its kind in the history of Uganda. The regional sitting began from the Northern region. As such, I request that it remains a special sitting for the Northern region. Madam Speaker, I vividly see personal fights being embedded in the spirit which is well- deserving, a well-arranged sitting, and very peaceful. I would love us to proceed in that same spirit of a special sitting. This motion can be raised when we are back at Parliament, not at a regional level. Is it procedurally right for us to proceed in this

Fr Onen, the National Transitional Justice Bill- This is one of the Bills that came as a petition from the people of northern region. I am aware that the Government also has the same Bill. Therefore, Fr Onen can be granted permission and he works with the Government to process the Bill.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for granting me this opportunity to move a private Member’s Bill entitled, “The National Transitional Justice Bill, 2024”, moved under Articles 76 and 94 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and Rule 120 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. The motion reads: “WHEREAS Article 76 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda empowers Parliament to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development, and good governance of Uganda; AND WHEREAS Article 94(4)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Rule 121(1) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament permit a Member of Parliament to introduce a private Member’s Bill; AND WHEREAS objective 3 of the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, enjoins all organs of state and people of Uganda to work towards the promotion of national unity, peace and stability, and the state to establish and nurture institutions and procedures for the resolution of conflicts fairly and peacefully; AWARE that since gaining Independence in 1962, Uganda has experienced cycles of violence, political instability, and gross human rights violations, especially during the brutal regimes of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, and during the protracted LRA insurgency in northern Uganda, among other conflicts; FURTHER AWARE that the different episodes of political instability have left deep scars on the nation’s fabric; arising from the severe violence that has claimed countless lives in the form of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, loss of property and torture, perpetuating a legacy of fear, mistrust, and impunity; RECOGNISING Uganda’s history of political instability, conflict, and human rights violations, including episodes of violence, ethnic strife, and authoritarian governance. Recognising that the National Resistance Movement government has made a tremendous effort towards resolution of conflict and maintenance of peace and security within the country through attempts such as the Juba Peace Talks, the establishment of the International Crimes Division of the High Court, and the development of the transitional justice policy of 2019; FURTHER RECOGNISING that the efforts of the Government to foster peaceful reconciliation in the country have been immense. However, there is still a need to address the historical wrongs through measures that will embrace accountability, truth, reconciliation, reparation, institutional and legal reforms; ACKNOWLEDGING the need to heal the wounds of the past and establish accountability for past injustices, and build a foundation for lasting peace, justice and reconciliation. Affirming Uganda’s commitment to international human rights standards and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution

Thank you. Who is the seconder? It is seconded by the Minister of Northern Region, Hon. Acan, Prime Minister, Ibanda, Hon. Nakut, Hon. Gabriel, Hon. Lagen, Hon. Etubo, Member for Bunyoro affairs, member for labour, Hon. Anyakun, Dr Kaduchu, Hon. Ecweru, Hon. Ogwang, the problem is that you are all far away, I have seen Hon. Jane there, Hon. Muwuma, Hon. Achia, that is why it is good to sit in our House because where you sit is not far. I have seen Hon. Baka, Hon. Okot, Hon. P.P Ojara, Hon. Emmanuel and member for Nwoya. I have seen Hon. Alyek, Hon. Tom Bright, Hon. Okiror, Hon. Basil and Dr Bhoka. Can you justify your Bill?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Enactment of a National Transitional Justice Law represents a significant opportunity for Uganda to have a holistic approach to confront its past and build a future grounded in justice, peace and reconciliation. I, therefore, ask you and all the Members of Parliament and ministers, that we use our esteemed offices to advance this critical legislation. This law was badly needed yesterday, but better late than never. Since Independence, as I stated in the motion, since 1962, our country has experienced cycles of violence, political instability and gross human rights violations, especially as mentioned during the regimes of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, and worst of it all, during the protracted LRA insurgency in northern Uganda, among other conflicts. The different episodes of political instability have left deep scars and trauma on the nation. Most of those who lost their lives have never been heard and justice has never been given to them. Madam Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, the ICC convicted an LRA rebel commander, Dominic Ongwen. The victims of Dominic Ongwen are going to be compensated by the ICC. A few days ago in Gulu, another LRA commander, Kwoyelo, was convicted by a Ugandan court. However, these victims are not going to be compensated, this is a big contradiction. We need this law so that victims of violence in the future may have an opportunity to be compensated, listened to, and this cycle of violence ends in this country. Thank you.

14099 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE STATE OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (ROADS, BRIDGES, RAILWAYS AND AIRFIELDS) IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Madam Speaker, misinformation is disinformation. Yesterday, as the Committee on Physical Infrastructure presented on the Floor of this august House, it alluded to the fact that work was being undertaken on the Rwekunye-Apac–Lira- Acholibur-Puranga road. However, this is not true. The fact is that work is only taking place from Lira-Rwekunye and ending in Puranga. As the days go by, there is no work being done from Puranga to Acholibur. The matter has it that the contract for works on Puranga to Acholibur was given to Roko Construction Limited, but up to this day, Roko has never set foot in Puranga. The people are mad. Just as we came to the northern region, Madam Speaker, you alluded to the fact that Members who come to this sitting should be re-elected by their people. If this road is not worked on, I am scared that the simple me, Christopher Komakech - my people will have to vomit me. Isn’t it procedurally right that the same committee or the minister comes and articulates to the people of Pader why the Puranga- Acholibur Road is not being worked on, and why the contractor has never stepped on the site of duty?

Thank you. Honourable minister, we need an action taken on the roads; we need to improve on the water transport for us to be able to have an alternative route. We need all the roads that we have given you to be handled. Honourable members, I now put the question that the motion for adoption of the report of the sectoral Committee on Physical Infrastructure on the state of transport infrastructure (roads, bridges, railways and airfields) in northern Uganda with all the amendments and addendum from Karamoja Region be adopted by this august House. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted.

Please take your seats. Your Excellency, as Parliament of Uganda, we are immensely privileged to benefit from your presence in today’s special sitting in the northern region and specifically in Gulu. This sitting is covering the issues, challenges and opportunities that are from West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja. Your Excellency, the sitting of Parliament in Gulu, northern region, in Uganda is a historic milestone in the legislative history of Uganda. As it is the first of its kind, it is the first sitting we are having at regional levels. Your Excellency, the 11 th Parliament appreciates your immense support for decisions to take Parliament to the people in regional settings. I remember we came and discussed this with you. I came with the Deputy Speaker and you okayed it. You welcomed the idea and it is really a very good idea. We thank you so much for that. Embracing of regional sitting is in pursuit of the legislative vision of, “A transformed, independent, and people-centred Parliament.” Contrary to what the critics are raising, that the regional sittings of Parliament are costing us a lot, that is not true. The Parliament sitting is legally and procedurally grounded in Article 95(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 and Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament which empowers the Speaker to convene Parliament at such a place and time through a proclamation. The regional sitting will exhaustively deliberate upon the most urgent matters that are intricate to the growth and development of a particular host area. For this case, it is the northern area. Indeed, during yesterday’s sitting, the House applauded your leadership in pacification, unification and development in northern region. Twenty years back, this region was not what it is today. You brought security to this region. A round of applause for His Excellency. (Applause) Your Excellency, the northern region has witnessed remarkable transformation as witnessed in the urban infrastructural growth, especially under the Uganda Support to Municipalities Infrastructural Development (USMID), the establishment of the public universities in Gulu, Lira and Arua, the health sector infrastructural growth and the progressive growth of the private sector.

14107 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 We also recognise and appreciate the decision to elevate three municipalities into cities. These are notably; Gulu, Lira, and Arua cities plus Moroto which is not yet operationalised, but it was passed. This elevation status has created immense opportunities for the region, which, if properly harnessed, will bolster the development of this area. Your Excellency, we also recognise that northern Uganda is not a homogeneous society. The different subregions within northern Uganda have peculiar realities which impact on their growth and development. However, there are cross cutting realities notably; the post war recovery, the high level of poverty and ever growing youth population a fair number of which are unemployed, a large track of arable land, averse national resources, the high influx of refugees, environmental degradation, limited transport infrastructure, heavy reliance on subsistence agriculture, limited value addition to agricultural output, retrogressive cultural practices such as cattle rustling, and the subjection of women and girl child, the enormous water resources, lack of health facilities and lack of enough schools. For instance, if you look at Gulu, Gulu City does not have a Senior five, A-level school. While we have a number of issues that affect each and every area that is; West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. Then delayed compensation of war victims and lack of compensation for the land that was taken over during the insurgency. Your Excellency, the sitting specifically took cognisance of the need for mindset change as a major catalyst for increased production and social-economic transformation in the northern region. In addition, the House recognised the need to embrace viable cash crops, livestock agriculture, agricultural mechanisation and value addition, and sustainable organic farming, among others. The Sitting recognised the importance of reliable transport and communication infrastructure as an enabler of growth and development. To this end, Members raised the need for the rehabilitation and development of strategic national roads infrastructure in the different regions notably; Moroto-Kotido- Kaabong-Karenga Road, Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road, Kitgum-Kidepo Road, Nebbi- Goli-Paidha-Zombo-Warr-Vurra Road. They are very many of them plus bridges and we shall hand it over to you. Including our famous Karuma Bridge that is about to give way. Your Excellency, at the end of this Sitting, I will submit to you a memorandum detailing the specifics of the areas of concern that this House has passed, that the committees found on ground and need to be worked on in the northern region. Members noted the need to work to ensure the success of the prevailing government development initiatives such as Emyooga . The 4-acre model may not be vital in this area because we have all the land. What we need is to do mechanisation, provide some funds in societies, create market for these products, identify the cash crops to be grown in this area to have a participatory approach to what is being done in this area and have a micro- credit scheme by adapting such programmes to local realities in order to achieve meaningful outcomes in the region. Your Excellency, at the end of the Sitting, we will transmit these resolutions for your relevant action as the Chief Finance Minister of this country. All these relate to finances. Our work is to find out what is lacking but at the end of the day, it all comes back to the Chief Finance Minister who is none other than your good self. As the leadership of the Legislature, we intend to have the regional sittings as a salient aspect of our legislative culture and vision of taking Parliament to the people. We, being a people- centred Parliament, we believe in evidence- based legislation and this can ably be done by our committees who go to the ground and find out what is happening there and report back to Parliament. Your Excellency, I now take the singular honour to invite you to address the House and

14108 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT by extension, Northern Region and Uganda on issues that are affecting this region. Just like you have told us that you have only one hour here, we had a small motion that will take about 20 minutes, if you can allow us. Then you will address the House. If you find it fitting, Your Excellency, you could allow it. Thank you very much. Hon. Kimosho –

Madam Speaker, Your Excellency the President, honourable colleagues – I am now disorganising the protocol but allow me to continue. This is a motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, the Commander-In- Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces for the Visionary Leadership of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces in Safeguarding the Peace and Security of Northern Region (Acholi, Lango, West Nile and Karamoja): “WHEREAS Article 209(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for the function of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces as the preservation and defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda; AWARE that the Lord’s Resistance Army caused conflict in the Northern Region between the period of 1986 to 2007 onwards making it one of Africa’s longest conflicts occasioning humanitarian crisis and wide spread of human rights violations such as death of more than thousands of civilians, abductions of children, rape, mutilations, displacement of civilians, torture, slavery, use of child soldiers and mass destruction to property; FURTHER AWARE that the West Nile Subregion further experienced insurgence from the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) II, the Lord’s Resistance Army and Holy Spirit Movement led by Alice Lakwena who waged war against the National Resistance Movement Government in 1986 onwards leading to the loss of thousands of lives and property and gross abuse of human rights; RECOGNISING that through H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s visionary leadership, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces has over the years successfully combated the activities of the rebel groups in northern Uganda, including disarmament in Karamoja which has resulted into liberation, pacification and guaranteeing peace and security in the region and the entire country; FURTHER RECOGNISING that under the leadership and guidance of H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army/Movement (LRA/M) was entered into in 2006 with the purpose of assembling LRA forces in safety and security, calling on the parties to end propaganda between them and through it, there was a significant reduction of violence in northern Uganda, allowing many displaced people to return to their homes and begin rebuilding their lives; APPRECIATING that H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni facilitated and supported initiatives aimed at the reintegration of former Lord’s Resistance Army and other rebels, combatants and abductees into society through programmes for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration; FURTHER APPRECIATING the tireless efforts of the leadership of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces working under the guidance of H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni towards the continued peace and security in northern Uganda and Uganda generally; COGNISANT of the fact that, H.E. the President has strongly championed peace and security within Uganda and neighbouring countries like South Sudan, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo, among others, by continuing to pursue the Lord’s Resistance Army remnants and ensure regional security. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that Parliament appreciates: 1. His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta

14109 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 Museveni Tibuhaburwa, for his visionary, insightful, and decisive leadership in spearheading the deliberate efforts to restore peace and security in northern Uganda and Uganda at large. 2. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces for eliminating the rebel groups, fostering the security of lives and property, and providing a conducive environment in northern Uganda and Uganda generally, for economic and social transformation. 3. The religious leaders, cultural leaders, political leaders, and local community for their tireless contribution towards the peace-building efforts in dialogue, promotion of reconciliation and reintegration of former combatants and abductees into society.” I beg to move, Madam Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, when we started the first ever regional parliamentary meeting, while I was seated in the tent, I had a reflection on what was happening here. In my mind and heart, this is extraordinary, not because we are in Gulu and that Parliament has come here, but because of what used to be here, and what it has taken to put in place what is in northern Uganda and in Gulu in particular. Madam Speaker, it has taken extraordinary effort of the visionary leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, guiding the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), a force that has sacrificed over 20 years, trying to stabilise the northern region. I reflected on a situation where they used to tell us that guns would sing in different tones; alto, bass, and soprano, from morning to evening; that there would never be a convergence of family in this place, because people were on the run; and on the pictures we used to see of people with padlocks on their lips. Madam Speaker, it dawned on me that this cannot be taken for granted, and that this effort ought to be recognised and appreciated by Parliament and Uganda at large. Yesterday, we had forces of less than a hundred UPDF and police combined, and everyone was secure. In the evening, we walked up to 10 kilometres on the streets of Gulu, for jogging and health fitness purposes. Everyone was enjoying themselves. The road is tarmacked and more exemplary than most of the towns in this country. You cannot imagine that, that happened naturally. This happened because there is purposeful and visionary leadership of both the nation, and UPDF as an institution of Government. Finally, Madam Speaker, we need to appreciate the extraordinary, patriotic and the visionary spirit of the President. When some of us, Members of Parliament, and the other big rich men in town get money, we think of transferring their homes to those other countries. For the President to have fought for peace since the 1960s, integrated his son, who is a general, into the army, and who made the last assault on Kony in Garamba and delivered the tranquility that we see, it is worth thanking the President for. Our appreciation goes to all the UPDF commanders, and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for the last assault and effort he made in Garamba. I beg to move, Madam Speaker.

14110 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Let us start with the Hon. Lamwaka. You will bear with me; the President has only 30 minutes remaining, with us. He has other things to do, but because he loves northern Uganda, he has been able to come here. Your Excellency, Gulu City is the cleanest city that you can talk of. These people moved the whole night. The place is so peaceful. Hon. Lamwaka, just two minutes.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a procedural issue. I was very excited and happy when Hon. Dan came up with this motion and I stood up and seconded it. However, at the point when he was talking about how peaceful this area is, I thought the seconder would raise some of the issues that we have had in northern Uganda after the war which need to be addressed. The fact that she is concluding without talking about the issue of compensation of the war affected people in northern Uganda; livestock compensation, the lives that were lost - We also have to talk about the conflict which is still ongoing in Apaa. I think we will be missing this particular session that I was happy about. Are we proceeding right?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I would like to thank the mover of the motion and pay great tribute to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda. I am seconding this motion and would like to thank His Excellency the President for safeguarding peace in northern Uganda. We are now enjoying peace in Lango subregion, Acholi subregion, West Nile, and Karamoja. Madam Speaker, without peace, there is no development that can be brought in any region of this country or the world. We, first of all, want peace and that is the priority that we are talking about. The Lango subregion was so affected by insurgency for more than 20 years that our people were in internally displaced people’s camps. Madam Speaker, we now see this peace. We only need to fight poverty, increase household income, promote mechanised agriculture and do what it takes to bring money into the families and pockets of our people. Madam Speaker, I would like to continue to say that His Excellency the President - he is here with us – made several developmental plans in this country. He put several developmental plans in his manifesto for Lango, Acholi and for northern Uganda as a whole. Madam Speaker, I would like to interest His Excellency the President to consider fulfilling most of his pledges because there are others that have been overdue, including cattle compensation that is going on very slowly. We want him to, really, go back and say, this time around – before the elections of 2026. We are taking him back as the President of the Republic of Uganda, and we are saying, Your Excellency the President, we beg you to fulfill most of these pledges. You know them. Your Excellency the President, we are really happy that you consider this Parliament as a very important Arm of Government and we are here to interact with you, although we shall listen to you in silence, according to the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda. Your Excellency, you have done a great deal for this country. We wish you a long life as you continue to lead this country in the way you are doing because the steady progress that we are seeing is something that we have to appreciate –

Long live, Madam Speaker, long live the Parliament of Uganda and long live all the Members of Parliament who are here deliberating on the issues of northern Uganda. Long live the Government of Uganda and long live everybody in this country. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Honourable members, in the interest of time - First of all, we need to thank His Excellency for coming because he has a lot but because of the love he has for the northern region and the love he has for Parliament, he had to squeeze 30 minutes to be with us and the minutes have even elapsed. We really want to thank you for that. Your Excellency, this team we have here is really very grateful for what you have done in the northern region. They really appreciate but there is still a little more to be done. When you talk about cente , we need cente in the pockets of our people. We can only have the cente in the pockets once you bring what they have just mentioned. Even when you have the money - For those who do not know our language, cente is money. Even if we have the goods and we mechanise, we need the roads to be worked on for us to take the goods to the market. We need these roads to be worked on. The honourable Minister of Works and Transport has information. We have given him all the roads that are supposed to be worked on so he will come and share them with you. I now put the question that the motion for resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to His Excellency the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of Uganda People’s Defence Forces for the visionary leadership of Uganda People’s Defence Forces in safeguarding the peace, security of the Northern Region (Acholi, Lango, West Nile, and Karamoja) be adopted by this honourable House. (Question put and agreed to.) Motion adopted.

Your Excellency, we want to congratulate you so much and to thank the team that was able to come here. We want to thank Gen. Salim Saleh who is here; a resident of Gulu. Where is he? Gen. Salim Saleh, you are most welcome. We want to thank you so much for coming. In our VIP gallery, we have: 1. Hon. Richard Todwong – When you are addressing, know the people who are here; 2. His Grace, the Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu, Rt Rev. John Baptist Odama; he has been very influential in this region; 3. Mr Obitre Stephen, LCV Chairperson, Maracha District; 4. Mr Atul Sam, Mayor, Lira City; 5. Mr Orach Emmanuel, LCV Chairperson, Nwoya District; 6. Mr Okwonga Alfred, Mayor, Gulu City; 7. Mr Opio Moses, Chief Administrative Officer, Abim District; 8. Mr Tolit James, Town Clerk, Laroo-Pece, Gulu City; 9. Mr Martin Okumu, Deputy Prime Minister, Ker Kwano Acholi; 10. Rev Fr Matthew Okun Lagoro, Project Manager of the Cassava Programme in northern Uganda, for value addition; 11. Mr Ojok Samuel Kitang, District Speaker, Agago District; 12. Mr Arwai Christopher Obor, LCV Chairperson, Kitgum District; 13. Mr Okwir Patrick, City Speaker, Lira City; 14. Mr Wadri Sam Nyakau, Mayor, Arua City; 15. Mr Lotee Paul, LCV Chairperson, Kotido District; 16. Ms Akello Alice Opio, RDC, Gulu District; 17. Mr Okello Francis, RDC, Amolotar; 18. Mr Okwir Semei, Gulu District, Retired RDC; and 19. Mr Otim Otto Denis, the Chief Administrative Officer, Lira. We will continue announcing as they come. We have the RDC of Gulu, Ms Amongin, a ‘yellow’ girl.

14116 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Honourable members, following the extensive deliberations that we have had on the state of transport infrastructure in the northern region, the minister will hand over our issues to the President for onward action to be taken, especially on issues of the critical roads; national roads, bridges, waterways and the air drones in this region. It is our plea, Your Excellency, that we work on this. As the Fountain of Honour, we know there is nothing impossible; you will handle it. We want to put the northern region at the level of other regions. We should be able to put - As the Parliament of Uganda, our focus is on the northern region. We want the northern region - Much as the peace has come, we want peace to be in the pockets there as well. We want to thank you. I now take this singular honour to invite Your Excellency to speak to the Members of Parliament, to the people of northern region and by extension, to the country. THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA (Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni): The Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament, all the distinguished persons who are here, I thank Parliament for passing a motion recognising the work of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), in pacifying northern Uganda and the whole country. What you need to know - it is important for you if you are going to make a useful contribution - is that the ability of the UPDF to do what has defied other Governments - because the security of Karamoja was not new at all. It had been there even in colonial times and only got worse after 1979 when the Matheniko, one of the tribes of Karamoja, looted arms in the Moroto barracks after the Amin soldiers ran away. They were able to get automatic weapons, which they did not have before. Otherwise, the security was there all the time, even in colonial times. The reason we are able to do these tasks is because of three things, which, if you are interested, you could listen to: Number one is ideology. Hon. Jesca Ababiku is telling you, which I do not hear many people talking about, that by 1986, 500,000 people from West Nile were in exile in South Sudan and Congo. Uganda was number four in the whole world in the export of refugees. It was competing with Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and I think Sudan. What had the West Nilers run away from? From ideological bankruptcy. You remember I was part of the group fighting Idi Amin. Nobody can say he fought Idi Amin more than I did. As we were fighting Idi Amin, we always told our people and everybody, “Look here, do not blame the mistakes of Idi Amin on all the West Nilers” because of all these things Amin was doing, he did not consult the people in West Nile, the villagers. He was doing them with a small clique of idiots. So, do not blame the people of West Nile for this. Even when we were fighting the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), it was the same. We told our cadres not to blame the people of northern Uganda: Acholi, and Lango, for the mistakes of Obote. Distinguish between the misleaders and the misled. This is the line of the NRM. Always make a distinction between the misleaders who are few, and the misled who are many, even if they are misled. In many cases, most of the masses are not even involved at all. It is small groups of people. When we defeated Amin in 1979, we had formed the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF), which was like NRM. We were telling these people, “Please wait, you are UPC and you are Democratic Party (DP)” - Catholics for DP, Protestants for UPC. Please give us a holiday, let us have a united group; UNLF.” but they would not listen. They took advantage of the fact that we had our Tanzanian brothers here who did not know our situation. They moved and they brought back the bankruptcy of the old politics of sectarianism. [The Speaker] ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

Therefore, please, I beg you - I do not want Gulu confusion; that Parliament met in Gulu and confused our people and said, “Forget the four acres. In northern Uganda, we have a lot of land.” No, you do not. 10 acres is not a lot of land because if you are going to get Shs 1 million per acre for maize or cotton, even if you have got 10 acres, how much is that? You will not get out of poverty, but with the fruits, the return is very high. In some areas, it is much higher. You can get the figures. There is a group at Kakooge - is it Kakooge? They have got a factory there for fruits and we are supporting them. You check with them how much they are earning from fruits per acre. Cotton - because some of the areas in the North here can grow coffee. In the West Nile, they can grow coffee. Even some areas here can grow coffee so please, my document is here. God got a copy long ago. Please study it very carefully if you want the people to get out of poverty. This is my first point. The roads – yes, but the roads which are there are not being used fully. Yes, I know the areas which do not have good roads because I always go there but even where the roads are good, they are not being used fully. So, please, seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven, seek ye first homestead incomes, and the rest will be added unto you. Now, secondly, this is for the political class. Yesterday, I was having a meeting with the religious faith, with Mama Janet, about the schools. One of the issues we were discussing with the foundation bodies is the school charges. The NRM, since 1996, has been pushing for ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

Thank you very much. Your Excellency, what you are talking about is the alleviation of poverty at the household level. (Madi) Elonyi kiru ga ga kotu oru . Your Excellency, this is a reminder. When we were in Kyankwanzi, about two years ago – we thank you very much – you promised all the MPs in northern Uganda tractors. We were taken to Namalere where we were given the tractors. However, the tractors were given to us without hoes. That is our request to you.

That one is from Teso. Teso is not part of the northern region.

Teso is not part of the northern region?

Yes, we are dealing with the northern region.

Here in northern Uganda, I thank – (Interjection) (Hon. Koluo rose_) No, we are finished.

Here in northern Uganda, I have been working with Mzee Archbishop Odama on the issue of cassava. Cassava is very important. I had asked Mzee Archbishop Odama’s team, when we met in Chobe, about the cura per acre, because I would like to start with that. I do not know whether Mzee Archbishop Odama’s team, the other reverend - I do not want to make Mzee Odama stand here. The reverend who was handling the cassava, what was the cura , per acre? Come here to the centre where they can see you. Bin kan .

Apwoyo Matek . For cassava, it is important for – the Presidential Principal Private Secretary, I want you to organise for me to meet Mzee Odama in the coming days. My Presidential Private Secretary (PPS), be in touch with His Grace. Now, in our cassava project, we promoted a lot of cassava in northern Uganda, but also in Teso and the production is now very big. We are now beginning to get problems with processing but there was also a mistake which we did not know about, done by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, where apparently they put a tax on starch made in Uganda. They put a Value-Added Tax (VAT) of 18 per cent then they did not put a tax on imported starch. Recently, when I was in the Bukedi area in Teso, I had gone to Teso initially for our daughter, Ms Among’s function, then I went to Bukedi and I got this information. There is a factory there operated by an Indian, a very good factory, producing good starch for making pharmaceuticals and other things. They told me this. In the Cabinet on Monday, I ordered the removal of the 18 per cent tax on locally produced starch and I ordered the imposition of a high import duty tax on imported starch. [Ms Chelain] ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

I am the one who removed that one. (Laughter) But it does not answer why it has been delayed all this time. You get somebody from - the one who is answering for UDC to answer in the coming days when you are still here. Now, I would like to appeal to my people in northern Uganda to get out of the hangover of the war because many parts of Uganda have gone through war. Masaka town was destroyed completely. There was not a single building left standing in Masaka during the war with Idi Amin and so was Mbarara; every building was knocked down. In Luweero, we had a very bad and vicious war which lasted five years. Some of these members of the Cabinet were with me when we went to Ngoma, which was part of Luweero. It is now quite recovered.

Government Chief Whip, can we start the House? Government Chief Whip – Honourable members, can we get back to the House? Honourable members, can we start our session? I welcome you from the lunch break. I appreciate your level of concentration that was exhibited while listening to His Excellency’s address while he was here. I will invoke Rule 25 of our Rules of Procedure and vary the Order Paper to accommodate a petition from the Local Government’s Association from the northern region. This will be presented by Hon. Ojara Mapenduzi. After the sitting, we will host you for a dinner where you will enjoy all the cultural dances from the northern region. The dinner will be behind there; and you are most welcome. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS (I) PETITION ON THE STATUS OF SERVICE DELIVERY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Please, lay. Pursuant to Rule 30(6) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the petition stands referred to the Minister of Local Government. Honourable minister, receive the petition, process it and give a response. Next item. (II) PRESENTATION OF PETITION ON THE NEED FOR REFORM AND ENHANCEMENT OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, this humble petition, which is signed by the youth of northern Uganda, is presented on their behalf, by I, Hon. Okot Boniface Henry, the Youth Representative, northern Uganda. Showeth and states as follows: “1. Your petitioners are youth from northern Uganda and they decry the ineffectiveness of current youth empowerment programmes in the northern region to drive a meaningful socioeconomic transformation; 2. Your humble petitioners state thus: i) Northern Uganda has faced significant socioeconomic challenges, including the aftermath of prolonged conflict, poverty and underdevelopment. In response, various youth empowerment programmes have been launched with the intent to address these issues, provide skills and create opportunities for the youth; ii) However, despite investments and initiatives aimed at uplifting the youth, many of these programmes have largely fallen short of delivering impactful, meaningful and sustainable results; iii) Examples of these projects with amounts invested in the northern region are shown in Table 1 - you will see the programmes like the Youth Livelihood Programme (Shs 41.2 billion), Youth Venture Capital Fund (Shs 1.325 billion, which is only 5.3 per cent of the outreach by value to northern Uganda); the Parish Development Model

14132 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT (Shs 147.36 billion, 30 per cent); and Emyooga (Shs 33.3 billion). The figure for the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) Special Programme for Youth was unknown. Also, the figure for the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) for the northern Uganda female youth was unknown. Table 2 shows the monetary and multi-dimensional poverty still persistent in northern Uganda; iv) From the table, you will notice that based on poverty statistics, which are detailed, all the subregions of Northern Uganda still have higher multidimensional poverty rates than the national average; v) The youth empowerment programmes: a) Are mostly designed without adequate consideration of the local context, needs and aspirations of the youth, which has led to low youth participation rates and poor outcomes; b) Are also not fully effected because of limited or even sometimes lack of necessary infrastructure; and c) Also, frequently fail to cover remote and underserved areas, leaving a significant portion of the youth population without access to opportunities. vi) There is noticeable absence of rigorous monitoring and evolution mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and the impact of these programmes, hence leading to the continuation of ineffective strategies; vii) The design and implementation of these programmes frequently overlook the input and involvement of local communities, youth groups and other key stakeholders; and viii) These programmes also ought to be audited and reviewed in order to enhance full effectiveness and implementation; NOW, THEREFORE, your humble petitioners pray that Parliament urges the Government to review existing youth empowerment programmes by: i) Tailoring the programmes to meet the specific needs and realities of the local context and incorporating the input from local communities and the youth themselves; ii) Allocating adequate resources for the development of infrastructure for effective programme delivery; iii) Developing strategies to extend the programmes to remote and underserved areas so as to ensure equitable access for all the youth; iv) Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to regularly assess the impact of the programmes and make necessary adjustments; v) Equipping the youth with practical skills and opportunities and support that they need to thrive, including increasing equipment, after practical studies in the presidential skilling centres; vi) Increasing stakeholder engagement through fostering greater involvement of local communities, youth organisations; and stakeholders in the design, implementation and oversight of youth empowerment initiatives; and vii) Comprehensively tackling multi- dimensional poverty among the youth of northern Uganda by ensuring that all social services of education and health are youth-responsive. In very specific terms: a) the issue that they have raised on education is that they also request the Government to equitably distribute educational scholarships and student loan schemes given the high poverty rate in the region and prioritise offering seed funding to the universities in the northern region. Consider also deployment of our medical interns produced within our universities and also increase the capacity of the Law Development Centre for many students doing law that also appended their signatures here; [Mr Okot] PETITON

14133 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 b) On health, they want the Government to deal with mental health because drug abuse is common among the youth and the nodding syndrome comprehensively; and c) That the government should urgently grant northern Uganda NUSAF IV and other affirmative empowerment programmes with terms that ensure impact and sustainability to meaningfully bridge the regional development gaps. Your humble petitioners are duly bound and will ever pray. Hereto, your humble petitioners have appended their signatures with all the relevant attachments.” I beg to lay the petition and the signatures of the youth attached.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The motion covers all the four subregions. This is a motion for a Resolution of Parliament urging the Government to prioritise and increase resource allocation to West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja subregions for livestock farming to accelerate socio-economic transformation. It is moved under Rule 56 of our Rules of Procedure of Parliament. The motion reads: “WHEREAS Article 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, provides that the State shall take affirmative action in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of reason created by history for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them; AND WHEREAS the northern region, particularly Karamoja, is the country’s most marginalised subregion, with a predominantly pastoralist population; AWARE that livestock is a critical asset for the people of Uganda and in Karamoja it provides not only a primary source of income but also food security, cultural identity and social stability; FURTHER AWARE that the Government has committed itself to supporting the socio- economic transformation of all Ugandans,

14134 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT regardless of economic sectors and geographical location; FURTHER AWARE that despite the interventions by the Government and other actors in promoting the livestock sector through the creation of animal breeding and fattening facilities, the establishment of the Dairy Development Authority and the opening of ranches, the performance of the livestock sector in northern Uganda remains dismal, despite being a region with adequate land suitable to sustain agricultural productivity; CONCERNED that the larger part of northern Uganda faces significant challenges, including recurring droughts, limited access to veterinary services, inadequate infrastructure and insecurity, all of which have severely impacted livestock productivity and the livelihoods of the community; FURTHER CONCERNED that the livestock and crop sector largely depend on nature and the increasing climate change cannot guarantee the required amounts of rainfall; NOTING THAT increased funding to the livestock sector in the northern region and the Karamoja subregion, in particular, will boost food security, expand veterinary services, improve livestock infrastructure, strengthen livestock breeding programmes, address climate resilience, improve security and solve the conflict question; RECOGNISING that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries envisions a competitive, profitable and sustainable agricultural sector that intends to achieve sustainable animal disease and vector control, market-oriented animal production for improved food security and household incomes; NOW, THEREFORE, Parliament urges the Government: 1. To increase resource allocation to northern region for livestock farming to accelerate socio-economic transformation…”

“… to urge the Government to increase resource allocation to northern region for livestock farming to accelerate socio- economic transformation; 2. To urge the Government to strengthen market access by linking livestock farmers in the Karamoja subregion to international meat markets, including the opportunities offered by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area and other international partnerships with the Middle East; 3. To strengthen the scope and functionality of the Nwoya animal breeding and fattening facility and open at least one more such facility in the Karamoja subregion; 4. To introduce a livestock breeding, fattening and management skilling course in the existing industrial hubs in the four subregions of West Nile, Lango, Acholi and Karamoja to enhance the skill of youth in the livestock sector; and 5. To support the growth of beef production in northern Uganda by functionalising Aswa Ranch in Kitgum and Iriiri Ranch in Napak district, plus opening similar ranches in West Nile and Lango subregions to complement the strides attained in dairy production in Western Uganda.” I submit, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Nakut Faith. Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) Okay, it is seconded by Hon. Isaac, the Member for Zombo – by the whole House, including the Minister for Northern Uganda. Thank you. Yes, Hon. Akol.

14135 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 the increased resource allocation to West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja subregions for livestock farming to accelerate socio-economic transformation. Madam Speaker, when you listen carefully to the State-of-Nation Address last financial year – not this particular financial year – the President of the Republic of Uganda told the country about areas that have really accelerated growth in the country. I still remember that number one was coffee, number two was dairy cattle or dairy farming and number three was about beef. That shows you that this sector of livestock is very key for the development of these areas. Madam Speaker, these areas – West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja – have been doing very well in livestock. In particular, some of these areas lost the cows or livestock because of the war. However, you realise that in the planning and budgeting for the country, more resources, in terms of livestock, have not been given to these particular subregions of West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. As a result, even the existing ranches like Aswa Ranch, which is located in Pader – not in Kitgum – has not been receiving the resources needed to make sure that they do their work to prioritise so that the farmers in these areas go back to their original way of farming. Madam Speaker, when we talk about poverty in the country, you will notice that the contributors to poverty in this country have been in these four subregions, and it is very dangerous for our local community to contribute to poverty in the country other than contributing to its development. You all realise that when we talk about the poverty levels in the country, the levels in the Acholi Subregion went up, from 68 per cent in the recent Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) figures, to 70 per cent. While Karamoja is stagnating at around 65 per cent, West Nile at around 35, Lango - so basically, if the Government wants to achieve development in this country - this particular part of the country is not doing well because they have not been prioritising the issue of livestock farming and perennial crops, yet these are key to the development of this country. Therefore, I second this motion and think that the Government must take serious actions to make sure these particular subregions receive the necessary budget, which is the only way through which we can take our people out of poverty. When you look at the problems in the country now - the prices of the crops that the people produce - soybeans and maize - keep fluctuating daily. While the prices of milk and meat keep increasing. As I talk, a kilogramme of goat’s meat, for example, is about Shs 18,000 in Gulu yet a person who cultivated maize will sell a kilogramme at about Shs 400 or Sh500. How many kilogrammes of maize does one need to sell for them to buy a kilogramme of meat to eat with their family? These are some of the challenges that our local people have been facing because they have been engaged in crops that one has to work for three or four months and they have to go back. I was surprised yesterday when a Member of Parliament, my colleague, Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika, told us that the leaders of this subregion have not been guiding the community well. This is not the case. The Government has not prioritised livestock farming in northern Uganda while at the same time, the people who come with animals from other regions are grazing the animals here, getting a lot of milk, and also getting a lot of meat from this subregion. I beg to move and thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I support this motion because livestock farming has a lot of benefits. As of now, according to the statistics and the 2021 Census, livestock farming provides 4 per cent of our GDP. Madam Speaker, culturally, northern Uganda has a very strong attachment to animals, especially cows, goats, and so forth. Therefore, northern Uganda, Karamoja –

Honourable members, we are also trying to help non-northerners. They have also asked to support you in discussing this so long as we are discussing greater northern Uganda. I do not expect Hon. Tinkasiimire to start saying he wants cows in his constituency. We are talking about the Greater North.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank you - because I had not submitted on the Floor of the House - and your team, for having thought about these regional settings. I had an interaction with people from northern Uganda in the evening, particularly from Gulu. A number of them were very appreciative of this initiative. I am looking forward to when this will be in my sub-region, Bunyoro. Certainly, our demands are very clear, and we expect that the people from northern Uganda will also support us. May God bless you.

14138 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT been efforts to restock the livestock. We want to cause an evaluation of the restocking of the livestock in northern Uganda. There are certain pictures, which I see usually, of the President looking after his cattle; thousands of them and they are usually local breeds. So, somebody would wonder, why would the President look after local breeds? We need to interrogate that and the President would be the right person to advise. In many areas of this country, including the region I come from, livestock has always been given to people. These are exotic breeds, Madam Speaker, yet it is very difficult to trace how many people have expanded their herds after being given those exotic breeds. Somehow it becomes very difficult for them to sustain such projects even if it is one cow because of the expenses involved in looking after them. Therefore, the mover of the motion needed to also be specific on what kind of livestock would suit this region so that people can sustainably look after them. It will necessitate the ministry to carry out an elaborate kind of research together with the people of northern Uganda because generations have changed. The previous generations had time for their herds. In today’s generation, people may not have a lot of time for herds of cattle, in case you want to restock the way it was. Therefore, Madam Speaker, while I support this motion, I would like the mover to do the needful; social engagements within the region to ensure that if an investment is going to be directly made to improve livestock in this area with vast land and grasslands, the types of breeds and the ability to sustain the project, even if it is one cow, can be sustained. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand to support the motion that the Government should prioritise resource allocation for livestock farming to the Northern Region. The “ cura” that His Excellency was talking about in the seven enterprises, which the Government has already done for us, livestock is one of them. Livestock farming is one of the biggest producers of revenue especially when it is done at zero grazing level. His Excellency has always said that he does the local animals because he has vast land. In northern Uganda, I can give the example of Madi-Okollo District, each household has access to about four acres and above but some households have access to over 100 acres. A lot of this land has lots of tall grass and bushes. This has attracted what people are calling the Balalo to our region. The Balalo have seen that their animals have thrived in this area. Therefore, we would really support it if the Government could help even the local people because the people have been saying, “Let the Balalo go” but that does not solve the issue. How about if the local people were empowered and taught to do what the cattle grazers are also doing? Madi-Okollo District is very good for goat rearing. A small pilot project has been done in the parish to which I belong, and I can tell you people have prospered. The goats multiply at a very fast rate. This is something that can be looked at because someone receives three indigenous goats and then maybe a male hybrid goat. Then the population can expand. If this could be rolled out into all the other areas, I believe we would see the social economic transformation that we are looking for.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also support the motion on increasing resource allocation to northern Uganda. I would like to bring your attention to the National Special Grant that is being given to people with disabilities every year. This grant has helped people with disabilities to purchase animals. When we visited the groups in Palaro, Atiak, and Namukora in Kitgum, we realised that they were doing very well. However, as their hopes were increasing to add on more livestock, the money for the National Special Grant in the budget was reduced, and the money given to them now, is so meagre. We pray that this money is increased. Madam Speaker, they also aim at getting Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to get more livestock. However, when they fill the forms to access PDM money, they are chased away because they have funds from the National Special Grant. I, therefore, request that when this money is disbursed to northern Uganda, people with disabilities should also be considered. I submit.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I support the motion urging the Government to increase resources and funding to northern Uganda, simply because; number one, historically, northern Uganda, as a region, has been left behind in terms of development. There are certain agencies like the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), which is doing reproduction for animals, should have a branch here so that they do more production. Madam Speaker, in addition to that, the infrastructure in northern Uganda needs to be improved, because with all this, you cannot do much. As it was said earlier, there is a need to increase the education facilities to skill the youth. The President earlier said, if you do not have household income, and that household income must come from education, and agriculture, then the people may not have good health, and money in their pockets. Madam Speaker, I stand here to support the notion that northern Uganda gets more resources for it to move in tandem with other regions. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to join my colleagues in supporting the motion urging the Government to increase funding to boost livestock farming in the various parts of northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, this motion is premised on the fact that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries carried out agricultural zoning of this country and identified the potential of each region in the country to see what they can produce best and can also export it. Madam Speaker, livestock is one way of empowering the rural masses economically, if only we have political will, and can enhance the budget to support the livestock subsector. Madam Speaker, you realise that in our budgetary allocations, year in, year out, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries’ livestock subsector gets peanuts in allocations. How do you expect a subsector, which is given little money to produce much? It is only when the Government allocates money to this subsector that the cattle-keeping communities will be able to produce what to export and contribute to the GDP. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14141 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 Madam Speaker, the Government had programmes for restocking various parts of northern Uganda, but without giving farmers basic knowledge in livestock disease control. These animals are given to the farmers. The farmers are clueless in terms of diseases that are common there, and how they can prevent those diseases, and so, the animals end up dying without giving farmers what they should have got. This is worsened by livestock disease control decentralisation. There are some diseases, which the Ministry for Agriculture has decentralised to the farmers. When you decentralise a disease like Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), which is a lung disease, caused by ticks, to livestock farmers, they have no capacity. Farmers do not have the capacity to control diseases. Why is the Government running away from the technical responsibility of controlling diseases in the countryside, especially among the people who are keeping animals? Madam Speaker, I passionately support this motion, which urges the Government to increase money. I take the information. (Hon. Ochero rose_)

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me a chance to give information. I equally support this motion. Madam Speaker, I do not need to repeat the fact that adding funding to northern Uganda, for this sector, is important. Many have talked about it. I want to digress the debate a bit. Madam Speaker, the Government has already been putting some effort into restocking this country, in many sectors. For example, let us talk about the animals in northern Uganda. There has been a restocking programme in northern Uganda, but on many occasions, the resources do not go to the right people. I want us to discuss this very carefully. Parliament has appropriated money to buy things for people, but these things have not reached the people who deserve them. When are we going to discuss that? Let us be very careful because the Government has been giving back. Those who implement them down there - when you want to benefit, you have to bribe the parish chief to be on the list. When will the poor bribe to benefit from these things that we are discussing? This is a very healthy debate. People actually becoming more –

Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I support the motion urging the Government to increase the allocation of resources to the Northern. Madam Speaker, before Arua became a city, there were Friesian cows, which were brought and dumped there. Knowing how expensive it is to manage Friesian cows are - they just call, “to whom it may concern” to pick them. Once you pick them - first of all, our people do not have any knowledge of raising Friesian cows. We do have extension workers, but these people do not do anything on the ground when

14142 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT it comes to that. That means all those Friesian cows that were taken to Arua died. We can now imagine how much it has cost the Government. As we request the Government to increase funding to the northern region, they should also think about those that are down there; the extension workers. Going forward before they venture into bringing any cow, in whatever form, let them first train and change our people’s mindset because they are still attached to the traditional ways of doing things. For instance, if you go to Arua City today and see the way we keep our animals; goats and cows, it is just for marriage purposes, which is not good. So, Madam Speaker, some of those things should be taken into consideration as we request for more funding be sent or given to the northern region. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I support the motion urging the Government to prioritise and increase resource allocation for livestock farming in northern Uganda. Recently, the Government secured a market in Nigeria for milk and milk products worth $500 million annually. Therefore, it would be a good thing for northern Uganda to also take the opportunity and benefit from that market, which the country has secured. One thing that has to be done is to improve the breeds of animals in northern Uganda. For example, Karamoja has the largest number of cattle, but it does not produce milk. When you check the records of the Dairy Development Authority, you will notice that no milk comes from Karamoja, just because of the poor breed of animals. I know when money is invested in this sector, the breeds will improve and therefore we can also benefit from the market that the Government has secured. Recently, the Woman Member of Parliament for Terego informed Parliament about the type of cows that are in West Nile. She said the cows in Terego look like goats. It means they are so poor that they cannot even give any economic benefits. Take a look at the ranches in this country. For instance, in northern Uganda, we have Aswa Ranch, which is intended to benefit the communities and improve the breeds; it is in Pader. When you come to Lango, there is Maruzi Ranch, which also has challenges, but has not been attracting any money. In Karamoja, it is empty. There is no ranch. In West Nile, we have Got-Apwoyo, but it has also been having challenges. So, it would really be good for this Parliament and for the Government to make a deliberate effort to ensure that more money is put into these ranches and also in other areas that are deserving, like Karamoja, so that the animal population is improved. Otherwise, I thank the movers and I know we are on the right path. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am here to strongly support the motion for the Government to send more resources to the region because we are really doing bad. It is so painful that those who come to graze their animals hire land and then take it back. The cow that they could have bought at only Shs 500,000, after grazing it in the land of Nwoya, they will sell it at Shs 2 million. So, this is one of my justification and the confirmation that we must all, as northern Uganda, stand up for livestock farming. Pader District has Aswa Ranch. We have the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC and DB) in Aswa Ranch. I am so happy you said that there is money, which is going to be sent to Aswa Ranch, to the tune of around USD 355 million. I pray that the Government doesn’t make this money to only benefit the investors who are in Aswa ranch. This money should be prioritised to the community. NARGC-DB, which is in Aswa Ranch is a Government entity but they are not doing anything to support the community to stand on their own. If we could identify out-growers and NAGRC-DB directly supports them, we would fight poverty in Acholi Sub-region and no longer remain the same. So, I hereby strongly support the motion.

I support the motion urging the Government to increase funding for livestock production in the northern region. Colleagues have spoken about a number of factors but I would like to focus on Karamoja. Karamoja’s livestock population can support the growth and increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Karamoja in terms of processing and export of organic beef in that MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14145 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 case. This is because Karamoja’s livestock is bred on natural grass. Therefore, the beef from Karamoja is actually in high demand across the globe; we just need to improve on the quality. However, there are a few factors that make it very difficult. A number of colleagues have already alluded to them. One, is diseases, pasture and water. Given that the droughts are long in Karamoja; it leads to less grass during the dry periods in which the rains are not able to support the growth of pasture. Water bulking and transfer would be a very good solution. Yesterday, when the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries made their presentation. They did not talk about issue of water for production in Karamoja; targeting water bulking and transfer. A colleague had talked about getting water from the Nile or Lake Kyoga to take to Karamoja, but that may not be a solution given the international issues. However, Karamoja has rains that are flush and have a lot of water. There are three sub catchments in Karamoja that can support water bulking, storage and transfer. One of them is Lokere, which supports the northern districts of Karamoja. It is called the Pager sub catchment. The middle is the Loko and then the southern one is the Awoja. So, if we invested money in this areas -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to support the motion to increase resources to northern Uganda. History has it that the Soroti Beef Factory at one point was proposed to be in Karamoja in the 1960s, and because of the number of livestock. At that time, the word poverty did not exist in Karamoja as it is today, but after a lot of conflicts, livestock diseases and counterfeit drugs for livestock in the market, the livestock population has come down. That, therefore, warrants additional resources to be given to the North. There is a Member who talked about the Aswa Ranch, and it tickled my mind a bit. It is important, as Ugandans, that this Parliament rises to the occasion to question the role of investors. I am not saying that investors have no role but if all money is going to be pumped into investors, how shall we fight poverty? It is assumed that investors already have their own money. If they come to Aswa Ranch to invest but the Government has to give them more money, as the population is watching them in poverty, then what exactly shall we be doing? So, I would like to appeal that the resources that will be added to the north to support livestock production should focus on the local people. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to support this motion because of the following reasons. Madam Speaker, lately, I have been taking a lot of time to study how livestock can change the life of a rural person. I got very interested in this study and carried out a lot of research on the Kenyan market, and I realised that these things are doable. This motion comes at the right time. However, I want to urge the Members of Parliament – the leaders of northern Uganda – that while we process this motion, let us take time and lead by example, the way Madam Speaker is saying. Let us act or become mini-demonstration farms for our people. I have realised that you do not need to have a lot of land to benefit from livestock. I have also realised that animals, especially dairy animals, feed on daily things that every northern Ugandan home has - sweet potato leaves, banana leaves – everything that we have. That means that what we need is knowledge only, to make sure that we turn this knowledge into a profitable venture for the women that we are leading. Madam Speaker, I can promise you that I am not going to lead just for the sake, but that I am going to lead from the front. I am going to get my people to understand that these things are actually possible. I want to say that there is an aspect to this as well: we have the biogas that comes out of cows –

Yes, cow dung. Northern Uganda is currently affected by deforestation. All a family needs is one cow, to have biogas and clean cooking in their homes. This would be very good, and I would love us to inspire our people in that direction. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I stand to support the motion. Madam Speaker, we must believe that cattle rearing is not a political activity; it is an economic activity. Every other month, the Bank of Uganda publishes export volumes, and you see coffee, meat, beef and milk. If we are to reduce poverty in the different parts of the country, we should be measuring different regions as per their contributions to those different export volumes. Many years ago, the President launched one of the biggest beef-processing facilities in the country, owned by the Egyptians. It is in Bombo, on Kampala-Gulu Road. It requires 400 heads of cattle per day. But it is producing far below capacity. It is only important - and the duty of the Government to facilitate northern Uganda to join livestock farming, because it is one way of helping this factory, which is not far from northern Uganda, to produce at half capacity or full capacity. Madam Speaker, it is disturbing to see animals being moved from different parts of the country, coming to Bombo on Kampala-Gulu Road, when there are no animals, which can come from Gulu to Bombo as well. At the same time, Madam Speaker, cows can thrive anywhere. I cannot mention that they can also thrive in the islands because I am in northern Uganda; that will be for another day. However, we must accept that there may be reasons why certain areas are where they are [Mr Lokii] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This House has already taken note that before the conflict, farmers here had a lot of animals. And so, before we delve into how the Government can support, we need to look at what happened and what is happening now. Madam Speaker, many things have happened but, currently, there are many things that impede the growth of livestock in northern Uganda, especially cows in Acholi. One of them is that the quality of veterinary drugs that are available here cannot be trusted by the farmers. You buy drugs to control ticks, but when you apply them, they do not control them. So, we urge the Government to try and control the quality and make the environment for livestock better than it is. Madam Speaker, also, for a farmer to improve the breed, they should avoid inbreeding. To avoid inbreeding, you need to buy cows of other breeds from elsewhere. As we speak now, Madam Speaker, it is very difficult for a farmer in Acholi or even West Nile to buy cows from across Karuma. You need eight different approvals, which makes it entirely difficult, especially for the local farmers. Madam Speaker, also, when we talk about livestock farming, we are not just talking about cows. So, in this motion, the Government should look into the whole livestock industry, including birds. About two weeks ago, Madam Speaker, in this city of Gulu, there was very little supply of eggs. Traders had to rush to Kampala and other towns to bring eggs to serve the needs of Gulu City. That means there is also a wide market for other forms of livestock. Madam Speaker, while we have institutions being strengthened now, it is important that we strengthen continuous research into farming because all that farmers need is a good environment, quality drugs and seed money to begin with. I thank you and I support this motion.

Honourable Minister of Health, before you go, there is a question you need to answer. Members, I am coming back to you. The Minister of Health has something to do but there is an issue that Members are raising in northern Uganda regarding drugs; when they go to the hospitals, they tell them to go and buy drugs from out. The issue of support to the children suffering from nodding syndrome.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I prepared an entire booklet on everything in northern Uganda, starting with the Acholi Subregion, Lango, West Nile, and Karamoja. Fast forward, I want to thank the people of this region, the Acholi Subregion because in my report, they contribute the least of non- communicable diseases. (Applause) In the entire region, the Acholi Subregion has the least morbidity for the commonly known non- communicable diseases. Madam Speaker, as a sector, 75 per cent of our disease burden is preventable. If we increase health promotion and information, we will have very few people to treat in this country. Madam Speaker, they asked why there are no medicines in hospitals. I have been to this subregion three times since I joined the health sector and sometimes - I have been informed that the day before yesterday, they received drugs.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Honourable Minister of Health should note that in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital – and this has been going on for quite long - when patients go to the hospital, doctors only prescribe and the patients are supposed to buy medicine from out. It has been there for so long and so, you cannot say it has just started recently; that is out. We come from here and we know what is going on in this region. The minister should also note that the CT scan that was given to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has never worked. The medical superintendents told us that there are no technical people to operate the CT scan. The problem here is quite enormous. Finally, I would like to thank the President. He committed the other day that he was going to support the students from northern Uganda majorly in sciences. Right now, all the intern doctors from northern Uganda were not deployed and more so, COVID-19 interfered with that deployment. If they fail to be deployed this time to the medical health centres, they shall have taken more than two years without completing their studies. Madam Speaker, I pray that the President and Parliament take very special consideration of the people of northern Uganda. Let the intern doctors be deployed. I beg to move.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to inform the House that the health committee of which I was part crisscrossed northern Uganda, and will have a report. I think we shall be on Order Paper tomorrow. I was seeing the minister pre-empting the report that we must give to Parliament. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, following our earlier consultation with you, two ministers from the Ministry of Health are currently out of the country on state assignments. We have only one who should equally proceed to Kampala to sign a document to allow one of us to move out of the country for urgent medical attention. So, we have also consulted and in the absence of the ministers of health, we have duly agreed that Hon. Dr Kenneth Omona, the Minister of State for northern Uganda, will hold fort - what the lawyers call “holding brief”, for the Ministry of Health, alongside Hon. Dr Kaducu from the Ministry of Education and Sports. Both are doctors who are part of the doctors in the House and I believe they will do a good job, in consultation with the technical team from the Ministry of Health.

Madam Speaker, I have already handed over the document prepared by the Ministry of Health on the entire northern Uganda. I beg to lay it on the Table and leave.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to say a few things, still on the motion to urge the Government to increase funding for livestock. As the minister for this region, I am very happy that the matter of livestock has now generated debate in this region. Some time ago, I remember when I was still a student, the first time I met Dr Abed Bwanika, I think I had gone to do something in Namulonge, but by some coincidence, I met him, he was already in politics. I heard he was doing fish farming so I asked him, “Sir, can you help me also learn how to do fish farming?” He told me in Luganda, “Omona, mulina ettaka, mulime ku mwanyi, muluunde ku nte, mufune ssente.” These were very many years. I am very happy that I have heard Hon. Abed Bwanika saying the same thing. In English, he told me, “Omona, you people have land. Please, plant coffee, rear cattle and get money.” I am very happy that the debate about livestock is catching up in this region. Madam Speaker, I just want to inform Parliament that one, livestock farming is one of those investments that we who are working in this region are trying to promote. Luckily, in this region, livestock farming is not a new thing. In fact, if you look at the data, you will notice that between 1980 and 1985, the biggest population of livestock was in the eastern and northern parts of Uganda. We got disorganised because of insurgencies and the wars that occurred here. I am very happy that now we are talking about livestock restocking. Very briefly, Madam Speaker, I want to inform and urge the Members here why this is very important. First of all, I am very happy that the people in northern Uganda here - I do not know why Dr Abed Bwanika was shy to accept his rebuke for the leaders in northern Uganda here – but it wasn’t until recently when the Baraaro (migrating cattle keepers) began competing with the people in the North here that they realised, I think, that it is important to keep cattle. Again, as you have said, Madam Speaker, on the matters of poverty and mindset change, we will have to speak the truth. The leaders in northern Uganda here must lead by example. Many of you have land and at least some resources. It is easier for you to tell the people to rear or keep livestock when you are also doing it. People love to do what they see their leaders doing. Also, I would like to say that livestock farming is actually complementary in agriculture. It gives so many other things. The Member [Dr Moriku] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14151 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 of Parliament who talked about leading by example, Hon. Afoyochan, talked about only biogas but there are so many other benefits from livestock. For instance, the manure. If you talk about growing coffee or bananas, you need manure. In this region, getting manure is very difficult and so, it is very difficult for people in this region to grow bananas, coffee and other forms of vegetables because they cannot easily get manure, which is now more expensive. Some people now get more money from manure than their livestock. Secondly, the biggest challenge we have had with the livestock in this region is the issue of the breeds that have been given to the people in northern Uganda. We have held so many discussions with the honourable minister - and I am happy that he is also here - to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to guide the people of northern Uganda on what kind of breeds of animals are good for economic benefits and for the survival of this region. Many years ago, through Government interventions, a number of animals were supplied to this region. But I can also say that very many of them died, especially the foreign or the Friesian dairy animals. So, we are urging the people and colleagues who work with Ministries, Departments and Agencies that are partners in restocking this region to bring to the people breeds that can survive. For dairy, we are meaning –(Interjection)- let me finish. I will give you the opportunity, honourable. Therefore, we are saying that when we talk about breeds of cattle, we mean dairy and beef, but all these need to be breeds that are useful to the people. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries needs to teach the people here that we can still have dairy animals, which are not necessarily Friesian. There are other breeds, like the Brown Jerseys and others, which can survive in this region. This is what I talked about yesterday, that we as the Government, we must guide the people correctly. The same as beef. These small animals that honourable members talked about, that look like big goats, are no longer useful and they are very many in some of our communities. Therefore, the fact that we have a lot of land and grass for free, it is a very good decision to tell the people to keep animals. However, most importantly, I would like to tell the people that there is no mistake in doing livestock because the President keeps talking about doing business with “ cura ”. If you look at the global beef market, you will realise that it is about worth $645 billion. There is a lot of market for beef that can come from Uganda. Within the country itself - the national market, the volume of beef market in Uganda is about $2.9 billion. China, which imports a lot of beef from elsewhere also, is about has a market worth $273 billion as of this year. Therefore, there is a huge market for beef and so, I encourage farmers and people in northern Uganda who have land, to rear animals.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Before I respond to some of the issues that have been raised by the members, allow me to thank the movers of the motion and also agree that northern Uganda has a lot of resources, which would be useful in having livestock farming as a key commercial activity in this area. I agree that where livestock farming is being practiced currently, and a lot of lives have been transformed. Therefore, we are not exploring as a country, we know that livestock farming is

14152 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT a very profitable enterprise. I thank the movers and I support the motion as well. Regarding the issues raised, key among them is the requirement by my ministry to involve the communities and the leaders in northern Uganda in determining what kind of livestock would be most suitable to the various categories of people or farmers in northern Uganda. Of course, severally, we have received guidance from His Excellency, the President. He has also repeated it here and we have also seen what is happening on the other side of the cattle corridor. The guiding principles, we know them - but we shall come back and in a participatory way to determine which animals are most suitable for a particular area. I would like to request the leaders that when the time comes, we work together on this, but we also work together on the mindset change because that is the starting point. It is not a matter of giving out animals; we have to educate and inform the masses and then with us as a ministry - we shall, after that, continue to offer extension services to the population. With that, allow me to say that once we get the resolution of Parliament, my ministry will go to Cabinet with a paper for considering the proposal and then accordingly work out how to prioritise livestock farming in northern Uganda. I beg to move.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I would like to say that I support the motion on livestock farming for the people of northern Uganda. I would like to give information to this House, especially to the Minister in Charge of northern region - we have been talking about Aswa Ranch, which is in my constituency in a sub- county called Angagura. This Aswa Ranch land was given to the Government way back in 1964 by the former Acholi District but the land in the area belongs to the clan of the paramount chief to which I belong. This Aswa Ranch you have talked about - I am happy that you have budgeted that big sum of money to revamp it. However, the information I want to give you is that the Aswa Ranch we are talking about has been completely depleted. The land has been given to different people. I do not think you will get any space to revamp the way you would like to. Land has been given to a group called, Banoti, National Animal Genetic Resources Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), some former Members of Parliament who have put themselves together under some group called Gravity, some group called NEC, Panacea Agribusiness Group Ltd and pro-organic. I would like to ask these hard questions: whose land is this? Does it belong to the Uganda Livestock Industry? Does it belong to the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)? Or does it belong to the community of the Payira Clan? These are questions that I want the minister to answer because if you are saying that you are going to put livestock there that will help in the improvement of the livestock industry of the people of northern Uganda, I am sure it is not going to work. My Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Paska had already told you that NAGRC&DB has been there with the livestock industry from the time animals were put back after the ranch was destroyed. That was in 2014. Now, if they say this land belongs to them, we need the Government to open the boundaries to separate the land for the Government ranch from the people’s land. The other issue I want to inform you about is that during that time, in this ranch, we had a veterinary institute, which was vandalised. This veterinary institute should be put back [Mr Bwino] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14153 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 so that the people can be trained on veterinary issues that will help the whole of the northern region. This is the information I wanted to give you. Even with the time that NAGRC&DB has been there, no work or help has been given to the community. The ranch is guarded by the military. My chairman is in the gallery. Even the chairman LC5, entered that NAGRC&DB farm when the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries went there. The manager of the ranch has never come out to educate the people on how they should change the livestock because – (Member timed out.)

I have been informed of the current update. There are four confirmed cases of mpox in the country. Out of the four cases, two are from Congo and they were admitted in Bwera General Hospital; they improved and were discharged. The two other cases came from Kampala. They were detected, confirmed, and right now, they are admitted in Entebbe Hospital at the isolation unit. Madam Speaker, as I sat down, I immediately got a message from the Director General confirming that the case in Amuru District that was raised by Hon. Lucy Akello has been confirmed positive. So, we have got a total of three active cases of mpox and all of them are admitted. For the one in Amuru District - of course, each district has an isolation facility - they will be isolated, given supportive care, given conservative care, until they improve then they will be discharged, like those in Bwera General Hospital. Like I said, the ministry has developed a case definition already. There are probable suspected cases and confirmed cases. Therefore, let us continue to be vigilant so that we detect these cases early, refer them to the appropriate surveillance system within the district in order for them to do the needful, and take care of them. Madam Speaker, permit me, lastly, before I sit down to say this. There was an issue raised by the Member of Parliament for Amuru, Hon. Olanya, on the interns. I thought I should say something since he said that no interns from northern Uganda were deployed. I wish to inform this House, like the Minister of Health has already informed us, that indeed it is true, in the country this year round, there were a total of 2,860 interns. They included: the medical doctor interns; the nurses and the pharmacists. The medical doctors have both the dentists and the other line. The ministry so far deployed 1,590 medical interns. The remaining, from the stock that were not deployed, is a total of 1,270. The criteria that has been set is very clear. All medical schools, which are quite many, have trained doctors, nurses and pharmacists. The priority for those that were deployed was given to those that completed in 2022, including medical doctors from Gulu Medical School, interns from Arua and nurses from Lira University. I want to allay the anxiety that all those interns from northern Uganda, especially from Arua, Muni, Gulu and Lira University, who completed before last year, were equally deployed. It is true, Madam Speaker, when these doctors, nurses, pharmacists complete their training, they need to translate the theory into practical. The longer they stay, the more they are de-

14156 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT skilled. They need to put the skill into practice, but the challenge the Ministry of Health has got on the table is that they need Shs 18 billion to deploy the remaining stocks of interns. Therefore, I thought I could give that information so that this House goes, knowing that interns from northern Uganda; universities from northern Uganda, were equally treated like any other university across this country. The criteria were clear. It is my prayer, as a former teacher in the medical school - and I say this because I have confirmed with Dr Kaducu, who is the dean at the medical school where these doctors were deployed - apart from those who completed recently. It is my prayer that the sooner these doctors get deployed to practise what they have learned, the better so that they manage better and their skills are sustained for the good of the country. I thank you and submit.

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay the minutes of the meetings of the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation. From 1987 to 2005, the northern and eastern regions of the country were ravaged by several wars and insurgencies, which led to loss of lives, livestock and properties. In 2003, Cabinet placed a moratorium on ex- gratia payment for compensation claims by persons affected by wars and insurgencies. Consequently, claimants and beneficiaries from Acholi, Lango and Teso Sub-Regions filed numerous lawsuits against the Government in the high courts of Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Arua and Mbale. In 2008, His Excellency the President directed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to amicably settle court cases and verify all claimants irrespective of whether they took Government to court or not. In 2016, the inter-ministerial committee conducted a verification exercise of war debit claimants/ beneficiaries in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions. In 2020 the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. In 2021, the verification exercise was devolved to the district structures. On 29 July 2021, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister confirmed to the Parliament that Government was in the process of verifying livestock compensation claims for the areas of Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions including Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions that were affected by the insurgency. On 3 August 2021, the Attorney-General also assured Parliament that he would give a report, in a fortnight, on where the Government was going and in what direction it was taking so that Parliament could know what Government was thinking. On 18 August 2021, the Deputy Attorney- General reaffirmed before the Parliament that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was conducting verification of livestock compensation claims in the areas, which were affected by the insurgency. He also informed the Parliament that other sub-regions affected by the insurgencies were to be incorporated in the next phase. These included Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions. He also informed the Parliament that all livestock claims and compensations would be settled within the Financial Year 2021/2022. He informed the Parliament that livestock compensation rates would be harmonised across respective sub-regions. He informed the Parliament that a report with the final assessment was to be submitted to the Cabinet and Parliament for consideration. Madam Speaker, allow me to go to the committee findings, observations and recommendations. We looked at the registration and verification of the claimants/beneficiaries. In 2020, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso and displayed the lists of the claimants at the district headquarters and subcounties. The verification exercise intended to confirm the genuine claimants/ beneficiaries. The following were the numbers of claimants/ beneficiaries recorded: Acholi Subregion – 16,946 verified claimants Lango Region – 42,024 Teso Subregion – 33,664 Giving a total of 92,634 claimants. The committee found out that the registration and verification exercise was marred by

Madam Speaker, first, permit me to apologise for being absent when you opened the House yesterday. I was obligated to welcome delegates from 22 countries attending the first ever Africa Women’s Conference on Intellectual Property, and I had to be there to welcome Her Excellency the Vice President. This morning, though I arrived late, I was in time to listen to the speech of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda. Please, kindly accept my apology, and I welcome everybody else to the warm heart of northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika for being the most eloquent spokesperson of those who are victims of broken promises. I hope some elders will be identified to give him a name from northern Uganda because of the eloquence with which he spoke. This shows that even though, geographically we are in Gulu in northern Uganda, we are articulating national issues and our aim is to integrate the whole of Uganda. In relation to what has been presented, let me stress that these payments are ex-gratia. Ex- gratia is a Latin word which means that the payments are made out of a sense of moral obligation rather than because of any legal requirement or arising from an admission of liability. It is a gesture of goodwill. It is part of the national reconciliation process. Therefore, on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, I wish to inform the House, Madam Speaker, that the Cabinet has discussed this matter, and I do believe that since, with your permission, we may be given up to six months to come back with a comprehensive response, I believe that by that time, we will have held the consultation that His Excellency the President talked about. We are supposed to bring together all stakeholders, and we tackle this problem together. I want to assure you that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is not hiding any information, and we will abide by the resolution contained in the report. Like the Deputy Attorney-General said, I wish to request, Madam Speaker, that the real debate should take place when we come with our response. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the issue we are dealing with is in the middle and at the heart of the issues that people want to listen to in northern Uganda. This issue started with some of the things that happened in 1986. Madam Speaker, if there is anything that people have been telling us, the leaders of northern Uganda, that must come out clearly in this regional sitting of Parliament in Gulu City, is the issue of compensation. The Deputy Attorney-General has been at the centre of this issue for a long time, and is a source of confusion as per our knowledge as leaders from northern Uganda. If there is anything that he wants - I thought he was going to ask you for only this night to consult his technical team so that the debate takes place tomorrow when he is here presenting the facts he has found from his technical team. Madam Speaker, if we leave this place in Gulu without discussing this particular report which is at the heart of –

14166 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT big and that is the meaning of that law, accompanied by the National Legal Aid Bill, which the committee on legal is still holding in their cabinet up to now. Madam Speaker, I think this is the time for us to talk about these things. People have to be helped. We must compensate for lives, livestock, and property. There are institutions for example, schools that lost trucks; they were taken by the soldiers. Up to now, no compensation has been done. Poverty has put its pedestal in eastern and northern Uganda because we have not compensated the people. Therefore, as the Chairperson of the Greater North Parliamentary Forum, I want to beg that Rt Hon Speaker, you continue with that heart of granting us that space to debate on compensation and supporting the people so that we see the boat balanced. Without that, other parts of the country will be okay but the Greater North will be the one begging. We are economically kneeling. We need the support. I submit this for God and my country. Thank you.

First of all, before you say it has affected or not affected, I want to go back to what we agreed on; no personal feelings. Let us debate with all the sanity. We are only limiting it to northern Uganda. If I start talking about Teso, you would actually cry. Go ahead.

Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the presenter, Hon. Abed Bwanika, for his excellent, brilliant and eloquent presentation. Thank you very much, honourable committee chairperson. Madam Speaker, this matter is not new to this Parliament. It has been on the Floor of Parliament so many times. The President is willing to pay the people of Northern Uganda. He promised that he is going to pay the claimants their claims. However, our problem has been the process of how this matter has been handled. Madam Speaker, as Hon. Linda said, there are members who went to court and the Government decided to do an out of court settlement. It was agreed and the lists were presented. We have those lists from two advocates companies. The President agreed, therefore, that to clear this matter – STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Madam Speaker, we are discussing a very critical matter. One of the purposes of regional sittings was to completely exhaust debate that pertains to that particular region. And compensation, like they said, is at the heart of the matters that affect the people of northern Uganda. So, we must thank you for bringing Parliament here. Madam Speaker, I look scared and worried, when my senior learned brother, the Minister for Justice, walked over there and declared-

Madam Speaker, when we moved across the subregions, this was a very important matter. There are teams that travelled from Karamoja; they are here. There are teams that travelled from Sebei; they are here. There are teams that travelled from all the subregions to come and hear the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda debate this very important issue. Madam Speaker, I implore you that the Attorney-General, tomorrow, comes up with some answers and allows Parliament to debate this very important issue for the northern region. We cannot defer this issue to the next two weeks. We must leave northern Uganda when we have fully debated and taken resolutions on this very important issue. I implore you, Madam Speaker, that tomorrow – the Attorney-General can call over these discrepancies. He can call his office and allow Members to debate and come up with resolutions and settle this issue. I implore you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, I raised a point of procedure that stopped the minister for northern Uganda from continuing with the issue of compensation. Today, we are discussing the issue of compensation again yet, yesterday, I stated clearly that if we do not have the West Nile and Karamoja regions, there was no reason to continue. That was why in your wise ruling, you stopped the minister from continuing. Today, we are having this discussion and still, we are not hearing about West Nile and Karamoja. (Applause) Madam Speaker, to me, whether people like it or not, I would not mind even the two weeks the minister is talking about, as long as in that period, we at least have something comprehensive for West Nile and Karamoja. (Applause) What is the use of continuing to discuss this tomorrow when we still do not have Karamoja and West Nile in all this debate? Madam Speaker, I wish to submit.

Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker, who is about to join us and honourable members of Parliament, the Leader of Government Business and the entire Front Bench, the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Cabinet ministers, all local leaders present, notably: the Resident District/City Commissioners (RDCs/ RCCs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), district chairpersons, District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), local council leaders, religious leaders, representatives of the civil society, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to this historic sitting of the Parliament of Uganda at Kaunda Grounds, Gulu City. IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FOURTH SESSION - 13TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 10.00 a.m. at Kaunda Grounds, Gulu City, Northern Uganda. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Annet Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. PROCLAMATION

14005 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 It is the first time, in post-colonial times, that the Parliament of Uganda is sitting outside the Capital City of Uganda - Kampala. In a special way, please join me in thanking the lovely people of Gulu City, for the warm welcome and the extraordinary hospitality they have accorded to us while we are here. Thank you so much, people of Gulu. I would also like, in a special way, to thank the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for endorsing and equally supporting our sitting in Gulu. We will be forever grateful to him. Further, let me also commend the Clerk to Parliament and his staff for ensuring the success of our sitting. Thank you, my wonderful staff of Parliament. In a very special way, I would like to thank the Members of Parliament; you are very gracious people. Travelling from Kampala to Gulu means you are leaders who love your country, Uganda. You travelled all the way from the West, East and Central to sit in Gulu; thank you, for coming. Honourable members, the decision to hold Parliamentary sittings in Uganda’s traditional four regions is a strategy to bridge the gap between Parliament and the people. This decision was based on an elaborate cost-benefit analysis and attention to the specific and varying nature of the distinct realities affecting the different regions of Uganda. We have always sat in Parliament and made decisions for the country forgetting the difference from one to other. They have distinct issues that need to be handled, region by region. Contrary to misinformation by some members and sections of the public, the regional sittings of Parliament are budget neutral; we are not incurring additional costs. A strategic decision was taken to upgrade the always budgeted-for parliamentary outreaches into fully-fledged House sittings, which will deliberate upon matters that are distinct and pertinent to specific regions hosting the sittings. Unlike outreaches, the deliberations during these sittings will culminate into parliamentary resolutions that will require Government action. We have money that is always available for outreaches. In these outreaches, we could only go and invite the leaders of the area and discuss with them. However, in this case, we said that instead of calling the leaders in these areas only, let us go and have a sitting in those specific regions, get the issues affecting them, have the resolutions and forward them to the Executive for action to be taken in those particular areas. When you look at the budget of Parliament, you will notice that no money was added for this sitting. So, the people moving with the misinformation just do not like the northern region. Parliament is not a stationery building; the building in Kampala is not Parliament. It is an Arm of Government that can convene in any part of the country, and this is not unique to the Legislature; it is also being done by the Judiciary. It is prescribed under Article 95(2) of the Constitution that the Speaker shall proclaim, at any one time, where Parliament should sit. Where Parliament is, is where the Speaker is and is where the Speaker proclaims that “this will be Parliament”. So, this perception of saying that Parliament must always sit in Kampala is selfish. Next time we can sit anywhere - we can even proclaim the middle of Kampala Road to be Parliament and we shall sit there . A people-centred Parliament must be responsive to the needs of its citizens or else society will be without effective parliamentary representation. Remember our roles, as Parliament, are: representation, legislation, appropriation and oversight. The 11 th Parliament, right from inception in 2021, vowed to put the people at the centre of the legislative process and its decisions. That is why we are bringing Parliament to the people;

14006 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT we have brought Parliament to the people. We do not want people to come to Parliament; we have brought it to them. Legally and procedurally, the regional sittings of Parliament are anchored in Article 95(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995. Some of us were not even there, but the framers understood that at one time we could decide to sit in Gulu, Mbarara or Masaka. Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda also empowers the Speaker to convene Parliament at such a place and time through a proclamation – which we have already done. You may recall that at the start of today’s sitting, a proclamation was made – and it has always been done. That is why we always sit in Kololo. It is the same legal basis upon which Parliament sits in Kololo Ceremonial Grounds and Kampala Serena Hotel. In any case, Gulu City, where we are holding this historic sitting, is part of Uganda. Therefore, no one, in their right state of mind, can attempt to deprive the beloved people of Northern Uganda of the opportunity of hosting this landmark sitting. How I pray that those who are boycotting, do not come to Gulu or the greater north only when it is campaign time. Honourable members, this is the first of the planned four regional sittings that Parliament will host this financial year. In the second quarter, we shall go to another region. The next sitting will be communicated – where we shall be sitting. It may be in the east, west or central. At all these regional sittings, Parliament will prioritise matters of urgent and utmost importance to the specific region hosting the sitting. Honourable members and the local communities of Northern Uganda will confirm that over the last few weeks, various parliamentary committees have been conducting oversight roles on various areas of service delivery in the region. The relevant committees will present their reports in the course of the next three days. We will discuss them and appropriate action will be taken by the Executive – and, to confirm all this, that is why the President will be here tomorrow to hear the issues that are arising out of the northern region. Remember, we have been budgeting for most of these activities. We now need to understand whether there is value for money in whatever we have been appropriating money for. These reports, alongside the various motions, will be exhaustively deliberated upon by the House and resolutions will be passed and transmitted to the relevant Government agencies or departments for action. Pursuant to Rule 220 of the Rules of Procedure, the House will require actions taken on the reports from the relevant agencies of Government on the status of implementation of the findings from the committees that have been on the ground – and from what we have discussed in this session. I, therefore, urge Members of Parliament from across the political divide to actively debate and deliberate on the issues affecting this region. We can find solutions for the benefit and well- being of the people of the greater north. In the spirit of constructive engagement, we encourage all stakeholders to desist from opposing progressive initiatives aimed at fostering cohesion and growth, and embrace unity and cooperation in the furtherance of inclusive decision-making and progress. Unity is strength. Let us build a Uganda that will work for everybody. You cannot be seen fighting the decision of holding a sitting in an area or Gulu - Gulu – Kaunda Grounds – where the Pope was in 1993 and Gulu, which is on the map of the political history of Uganda, and you say, “We are boycotting”! Well, while it has been boycotted, I see all the Members of Parliament here. I salute you, Members of Parliament. (Applause) [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Honourable members, on 29 August 2024, which is tomorrow, His Excellency, the President will grace this sitting and address the House, and by extension the region and the nation at large, in line with Article 101(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. We should all be here to welcome the President and hear what he has to say to the people of Northern Uganda. We will furnish him with all our findings. As I said, we should debate with sanity. We should not play to the gallery. Let us go straight to the issues. I know we want some of our voters outside there to see us express the issues, but let us do it honourably; the issues will still be captured. Honourable members, we have a number of members in the public gallery who have always seen you only on television. We even have some church leaders here. We have cultural leaders who also always only see you on television. I would not mind losing 30 minutes for my Members to just mention their names and their constituencies. Members, kindly mention your name and constituency. I can see that we are starting with the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. (Laughter)

Madam Speaker, Anthony Akol is my name. I am the Member of Parliament for Kilak North in Amuru District. I am from the FDC Party. Thank you and you are welcome to Gulu and Northern Uganda.

Let us have introductions. We are discussing issues regarding the Northern Region. That will be discussed later.

Honourable members, this session is devoted to the people of Northern Uganda, and for us to discuss issues regarding the Greater North. Let us have respect for the people of the Greater North. Issues that do not concern this region should not be discussed. We have the Kampala House where you can do all the manyanga .

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Patrick Ocan, Member of Parliament for Apac Municipality, Apac District in Northern Uganda. I belong to the Uganda People’s Congress.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Sarah Aguti, the Woman Member of Parliament for Dokolo District, and I belong to Uganda People’s Congress Party. I welcome you all to Gulu City and Northern Uganda at large. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Auma Linda Agnes, Woman Member of Parliament for Lira District, and the Publicity Secretary for the Lango Parliamentary Group. In Parliament, I am the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries. Welcome to Northern Uganda. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Santa Okot, Member of Parliament for Aruu North Constituency. And, you know that I am the greatest Member of Parliament because I represent the whole country. I am the colleague of President Museveni because I am the Acting President of the People’s Progressive Party, the Whip of the People’s Progressive Party and a shadow minister for special regions. One of these special regions is Northern Uganda. The other areas are Karamoja, Teso Affairs, Luwero triangle, Bunyoro, and recently Busoga was added. Thank you so much and welcome to Gulu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Atukwasa Rita. I represent Mbarara City and I am the Secretary General, Ankole Parliamentary Caucus. Thank you, the people of Northern Uganda, for hosting us.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am called Charles Bakkabulindi, Workers Member of Parliament, Uganda and NRM. Northern Uganda, we are at home; we are together. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, together with the Deputy Speaker and all your team who came up with this best idea of starting to hold regional sittings and for holding the first in my region. Akumu Catherine Mavenjina is my name. I represent the Northern Region and I am the happiest. My constituency comprises West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja, so I am the happiest. And thank you very much. I welcome all of you to “Wii Polo”. That is heaven. Here we call it heaven. So, you are all welcome and you are nearer to God. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker and honourable colleagues, I am Arinaitwe Rwakajara Katambuka in Northern Uganda. I am also called Obama. I am the only MP who gets 100 per cent votes from Northern Uganda. I represent workers. Thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, my name is Moses Kabuusu. I am a Member of the Parliament for Kyamuswa. Madam Speaker, Kyamuswa is in Kalangala District in Lake Victoria, in the Northern Region here. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Nathan Byanyima, Bukanga North County in Isingiro District. I am happy to be in Northern Uganda. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for making this wonderful decision. Gulu has always been the headquarters of the northern region. Today, we are able to realise this wonderful opportunity of COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

14017 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 holding a parliamentary sitting in the northern region; we are grateful to you. My name is Lematia Ruth Molly Ondoru. I represent the people of Maracha East in Maracha District in the West Nile Subregion. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Minister for Northern Uganda Affairs, I hope you are hearing.

Madam Speaker, I am Nakut Faith, the Woman Member of Parliament for Napak District and the Treasurer of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus. Thank you for bringing Parliament to the people of Northern Uganda.

Thank you. Take note of that. Honourable members, now you see the beauty of this sitting. In the northern region, we are going to discuss issues pertaining to the North. When we go to sit in Masaka, we will discuss issues pertaining to that particular region and they must be resolved before we leave. Please go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Taban Sharifah Aate, Woman Member of Parliament, Koboko District. Welcome to Northern Uganda. Thank you.

Salutations, Madam Speaker and honourable colleagues. I am Boniface Okot, the Member of Parliament representing the youth of Northern Uganda. I am also the Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industries. Warm regards from the youth of Northern Uganda.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Komol Joseph Miidi. I represent the people of Dodoth North, Kaabong District, as their Member of Parliament. I am a member of the mighty NRM party. Welcome to Northern Uganda. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I am Dan Kimosho, the Member of Parliament for Kazo County and the Chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure in Parliament. Madam Speaker, this being our first sitting in regions and Northern Uganda, I request that we consider a motion to thank Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for galvanising and returning peace to this region. With the able leadership of President Museveni and aware that the final assault was done in Garamba by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, that should also be rightly captured in the motion. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Nancy Odonga Acora. I represent the wise people of Lamwo District, bordering South Sudan, one of the refugee-hosting districts in Northern Uganda. I take this singular honour to welcome you to Acholi, the land of mwo yaa and odii . However, on a special note, Madam Speaker, the people of Lamwo, particularly my civil servants – I got a call this morning that from the onset of this quarter, our district has not got money disbursed to the subcounty. Secondly, the issue of –

Hon. Acora, you will have that time to compliment what the Minister of Northern Uganda is going to present.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this initiative of regional parliamentary sittings. My name is Stella Atyang. I represent the people of Moroto District. I pray that the next regional parliamentary sitting for Northern Uganda is taken to Moroto District, Karamoja Subregion, so that the Karamojong can have the feel of the regional sittings. Thank you.

Hon. Chemaswet, that is not in the Order Paper of today. Let us discuss issues pertaining Northern Uganda.

Madam Speaker, I am Businge Joab, Member of Parliament representing Masindi Municipality. I am grateful for having joined my historical relatives of Northern Uganda.

Madam Speaker, Atkins Katusabe. By the grace of God, I represent the people of Bukonzo County West, and with the support of the people of Bukonzo County West, Kasese District. Greetings everybody from the Rwenzururu Kingdom. I urge our honourable sisters and brothers that today is a day for Northern Uganda. So, I will focus on Northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, I really appreciate it.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Ocen Peter. I represent the people of Kole South County, gold medallist in the just concluded Taekwondo Championship in Zanzibar. (Applause) Madam Speaker, I sincerely thank you for the support that made it possible for me to compete favourably and come back with a gold medal. (Applause) This is to declare that gold medals are not only in Kapchorwa, but they can also be found in Northern Uganda. Taekwondo is a game of fitness, a game of discipline and it promotes health. Therefore, I encourage my colleague Members of Parliament, to join Taekwondo Club so that we can favourably compete and also make it part of the East African Parliamentary Games. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. You are most welcome to Northern Region. My name is Mourine Osoru. I represent the women of United States of Arua. You are most welcome, Members. Madam Speaker, I thank you in a special way for thinking about the people of Northern Uganda and bringing Parliament closer to us. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, my name is Dr Kenneth Omona. I am the Minister of State for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Beatrice Akello Akori. I am the Woman Member of Parliament for Agago District. I am the Minister of State in the Office of the President in Charge of Economic Monitoring. Madam Speaker, I thank you so much for prioritising the issues of the people of Northern Uganda. These issues are isolated and different Arms of Government will decisively handle them, including the issues in Agago District. We thank His Excellency, the President, for restoring peace in Northern Uganda, and also accepting to come tomorrow to this sitting to help deal with issues affecting Northern Uganda. Thank you, Madam Speaker. We love you.

Madam Speaker, my name is Esther Anyakun Davinia, Woman Member of Parliament for Nakapiripirit District. I am also the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations. In a special way, I would like to thank you for making an initiative to ensure that we come to this part of the country because most people leave Government positions without even coming to see what happens here. I come from Karamoja and it is more affiliated to Northern Uganda. Thank you for making Northern Uganda the first to host the regional Parliament.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to communication from the Chairperson and subject to the provision of Rule 25(2)(e) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, I rise such that the record of Parliament sitting at Gulu City captures three fundamental facts, which are aimed at paying glowing tribute to you as the leader of the institution of Parliament and the entire parliamentary leadership upon bringing this parliamentary sitting here, in Gulu City, Northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to you and the entire leadership of Parliament because, first and foremost, historically, in the post- and pre- independence history of Uganda, this is the first time that the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda – from the First Parliament to the 11 th Parliament that you preside over – is sitting outside Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. We need to commend you, on record, for this. (Applause) Historically, again, after the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution, there is no single moment that the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda is recorded to have sat outside our capital, Kampala. Again, this is another glowing tribute to you. Secondly, we have been hearing people talking about the regional Parliament. I would wish to state that, legally, in the minds of the framers of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, as amended, they envisaged a situation where the Presiding Officer would take Parliament to any part, as long as it is within the Republic of Uganda. So, legally, our sitting in Gulu is anchored on the provision of Article 95(2) of the Constitution, implying that for any Member of this House who refuses to be in Gulu, that act should be termed as unconstitutional and against the spirit of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. So, we want to thank you and the leadership of Parliament for, for the first time in our history, operationalising Article 95(2) of the COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

14035 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 Constitution of Uganda, by bringing this Parliament to Gulu – which is within Uganda. Finally, Madam Speaker, you should be commended, together with the leadership of Parliament because, economically, this sitting in Gulu is a big boost to the Gulu economy and to the northern Uganda economy. Over 10 committees of parliament, in the last two weeks, were deployed to West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. All these Members were sleeping in hotels within this region, and, for these days, we are sleeping in hotels in Gulu, eating from restaurants in Gulu and fueling cars from fuel stations in Gulu. This implies that a farmer growing cassava within a village called Tegwanda, in Gulu City here, benefits because we are eating food that is locally grown. So, the sitting, termed as “regional”, has three fundamental importance that must go on record: legally; economically; and historically. The multiplier effect is huge. Very finally, I wish, again, to thank His Excellency the President who accepted, under Article 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, to come to Gulu tomorrow and address this Parliament and, by extension, address the country through this sitting in Gulu. Madam Speaker, it is imperative that this tribute be attributed to you because you will live in the history of our Parliament to have set a record of taking Parliament to the people because legislative power is derived from the people. Madam Speaker, I beg to submit. Thank you.

Thank you so much, the Government Chief Whip. Honourable members, we will move this way. Let us get a report from the minister of northern region. We will also get reports from the committees that were here and, then, Members will supplement and we debate those reports at once. Where you find that what the minister has captured is not what you have, then, you supplement it. BILLS FIRST READING THE ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS BILL, 2024

14036 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER ON MATTERS ARISING FROM PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS (BARAZAS) ON MAJOR ISSUES AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERN UGANDA

Honourable members, before we hear from the Minister of Northern Region, who had barazas with the different stakeholders, in the VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have the Most Reverend John Baptist Odama, the archbishop emeritus. He is right there. Join me in welcoming him. (Applause) He has done a lot for Northern Uganda. He did what he could at his time. We also have Mr James Tolit, the Town Clerk of Laroo-Pece, Gulu City. Thank you for coming and they are: 1. Mr Emmanuel Oroch, the LC V Chairperson, Nwoya District; 2. Mr Christopher Opio, the LC V Chairperson, Gulu District; 3. Mr Martin Okumu, the Deputy Prime Minister, Ker Kwaro Acholi – that is the cultural institution; 4. Ms Jane Frances Amongin, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Gulu City; 5. Mr Samuel Ojok, the Agago District Speaker; 6. Mr Innocent Ahimbisibwe, Gulu City Town Clerk; 7. Mr Kamba Amir, Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Gulu City; 8. Mr Lotee Paul, LC V Chairman, Kotido District; 9. Mr Cosmas Okidi, Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Gulu District; 10. Ms Stella Abeto, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Kitgum District; 11. Mr Joseph Nangole, LC V Chairperson, Amudat District; 12. Mr Geoffrey Otim, Division Mayor, Laroo-Pece, Gulu City; 13. Mr Richard Bukone, the CAO, Gulu City; 14. Mr Sam Atuil, Lira City Mayor; 15. Mr Semei Okwir, the former RDC; Prof. George Ladaah, the Vice Chancellor, Gulu University; 16. Ms Grace Atim, RDC, Zombo District; 17. Col (Rtd) Ogwoya Oyat, LC V Chairperson, Pader District; 18. Mr Orik Okello, LC V Chairperson, Lira District; 19. Ms Akello Alice Opio, RDC, Gulu District; 20. Mr Muwonge Mbaagwa, CAO, Agago District; 21. Mr Christopher Arwai, LC V Chairperson, Kitgum; and 22. Mr Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, RDC, Nwoya District. They have come to witness today’s proceedings. (Applause) Yes, honourable minister. THE MINISTER OF STATE, OFFICE OF

Madam Speaker, I take this auspicious and historic occasion to welcome you to Northern Uganda, particularly Gulu City. Madam Speaker, sitting to conduct business of Parliament in this beautiful, lively and peaceful city, especially on Kaunda Grounds here two decades after the war in this region, gives me hope that as long as communities live, anything is possible in their journeys. I now have great hope in the transformation and development of the region and I thank the people, their leaders, the Government of Uganda for their resilience and resolve for peace. This peace and tranquillity came at a huge cost and we should guard it jealously. When I talk about Northern Uganda, which falls under my docket, I mean the six subregions of Uganda; West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Elgon and its slopes which is Bugisu, Sebei and Bukedi, touching the international borders of the DRC, South Sudan and Kenya in the east. However, for this sitting, Madam Speaker, and my statement, I will confine myself to the subregions of West Nile, Acholi and Lango. I will wait for you - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a procedural matter mainly on the heading of item five, as the minister put it on the Order Paper. It reads, “ Statement by the minister on matters arising from public discussion and consultations (barazas) on major issues affecting development of Northern Uganda.” I am wondering whether the minister did these consultations ( barazas) alone, because as MPs from Northern Uganda, we have never been invited to any form of barazas . If the minister is giving a statement on matters that Members of Parliament have raised on the Floor of Parliament, then that is what it should read. But on barazas , we have never. I do not know when he held these barazas . Thank you.

Hon. Isaac, you are actually reacting in anticipation. Having a baraza does not mean you have to meet with the Members of Parliament because you have a privilege to get a report from a committee. I had a baraza yesterday with the religious institutions and they were able to tell us all the issues that are happening in Northern Uganda. We went to the cultural institution and they were also able to tell us all - Those are the barazas . It does not mean that you have to announce. Let us not act in anticipation. Let us hear what the minister has to say and then we shall complement.

Honourable members and honourable Minister of State for Northern Uganda, our expectation goes back to what Hon. Isaac Otimgiw was saying. The expectation is and would be that you had a meeting - just a quick one, when we visited the Archbishop yesterday, he talked about the poverty in this region, war victims and land grabbing; those are the issues that this House wants to hear from you. The issues affecting northern region, not you answering the issues raised by Members. You need to give us the issues affecting West Nile; the road from this and that area is impassable. Then we throw it back to the Minister of Works and Transport. You will have identified the issues in your region. That said and done, let us hear from the minister, then we shall bring our issues. We will also hear all the reports before we go into a debate.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your guidance. I may not be privy to every report in Parliament and also what all the sectoral committees are discussing in Parliament, and like it was said in the beginning, mine is trying to respond to the key issues in Northern Uganda. I am very sure that in my report, there are issues that may not be in those reports, as I proceed. If there is any repetition, unless it is an omission, it costs us nothing for emphasis on the issues in this region. Madam Speaker, permit me to say, again, that in this Financial Year 2023/2024, the Government released Shs 721.28 billion, which was divided equally among 29 districts of Acholi, Lango, and Teso subregions. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional affairs paid out a total of Shs 21,035,383,642 to claimants and beneficiaries in Acholi Subregion. A total of Shs 20,015,625,569 – [Dr Omona] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Madam Speaker for your guidance. I may also seek further guidance that as Minister of State in charge of Northern Uganda, my work is particularly to coordinate the entire activities of Government in this region, irrespective of which sector. I look at infrastructure, security, household income - I look at all these activities of Government in this region.

14040 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE STATE OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (ROADS, BRIDGES, RAILWAYS, AND AIRFIELDS) IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As you guided us, we moved around and toured the areas in Northern Uganda and analysed areas of roads, bridges, airfields and railways. We agreed by consensus that my deputy comes from Nwoya and he is a son of the soil, so he led this process. I request that you allow me to invite Hon. Tony Awany to give us this summary and then Members will contribute later. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity to pres - ent a report of the Committee on Physical In - frastructure on the state of transport infrastruc - ture (roads, bridges, airfields and railways) in Northern Uganda. Allow me to lay on the Table the detailed report of the Committee on Physi - cal Infrastructure together with the minutes of the meetings of the committee.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Article 90 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and rules 159(c), (d), (e), (f) and 189 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda, the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure is mandated to exercise oversight and ensure effective utilisation of resources and implementation of policies related to physical infrastructure development. In fulfilment of this mandate, the committee embarked on a field visit to Northern Uganda from the 4 th to 10 th August 2024, to assess the status of roads, bridges, aerodromes and railways in the region. The visit aimed to evaluate the condition, usage and maintenance of transport infrastructure, with a focus on roads, bridges, aerodromes and the railway. The committee sought to gather fast-hand information on the progress of the ongoing projects, identify challenges and determine necessary interventions to improve the region’s infrastructure. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the committee aligning with its oversight role and contributing to informed decision making for the development of Northern Uganda transport infrastructure. The committee visited the following sites: a) Karuma Bridge; b) Pakwach Bridge; c) Masindi Port Bridge; d) Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach Road; e) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga-Acholi Bur Road; f) Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Lira-Kamdini Road; g) Tororo-Gulu Railway Line; h) The Regional Mechanical Workshop and Logistics; and i) Moroto Road. Madam Speaker, this report presents a critical opportunity for lawmakers to address the transportation challenges in Northern Uganda. The committee’s field visit focused on evaluating the current state of integrated transport infrastructure and services, identifying key bottlenecks, and engaging with local stakeholders to understand their experiences and perspectives.

14041 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 The committee interfaced with several stakeholders from the subregion of Acholi, West Nile, Karamoja, and Lango subregions. The findings from this field visit will provide Parliament with evidence-based information for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and contractors to draw or review their strategic plans for the sector in Northern Uganda. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the field visit in the section on observations and recommendations. Under observations, because of time constraints, I invite Members to check as highlighted above in the main report; objectives of the oversight and terms of references. The same applies to methodology. Repair works on Karuma Bridge Karuma Bridge was completed and commissioned in 1962 as a major link and gateway between the Mid-Western and Northern Uganda and West Nile subregions. In April 2024, the Minister of Works and Transport announced an immediate temporary closure of the bridge for three months to enable repair works. Therefore, the bridge was closed to heavy traffic with only lighter goods vehicles, SUVs, and 32-seater vans permitted to use the facility. The committee was informed that the closure followed a proactive assessment in 2023 by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) of the bridge structure to determine its integrity and soundness. The assessment involved physical examination of the elements on the bridge, including the bearings, clearing of reinforced concrete structures and checking of the deck abutments, expansion joints and approach roads. Following the assessment, a decision was made to completely close the bridge to all traffic while restoring what is being undertaken. Madam Speaker, during the visit, the committee observed that the bridge bearings were faulty, expansion joints had worn out, structural cracks had developed underneath the deck, thereby requiring interventions to enable traffic to continue to use the bridge. Further, the committee was informed that emergency works were expected to be completed by June 2024, after which the bridge would be accessible to all traffic. However, works were delayed and was expected to commence on the 19 August 2024. Now that the contractor has been identified to undertake the repair works and the contract has been signed whose details are in Table 1. I invite Members to go to Table 1 of the main report. The committee was informed that during the remedial works, the bridge would be closed to all traffic for a period of three to four months to enable demolition of the bridge deck, replacement of the bearings, restoration of the expansion joints, and restoration of the deck. Remedial works are expected to extend the lifespan of the bridge by a further two to five years, during which time normal traffic use will be possible. The progress of the emergency works is provided in Table 2. I invite honourable colleagues to check Table 2. The committee therefore recommends as follows: Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) should ensure strict adherence to the work program for the remedial works on Karuma Bridge so that normal traffic is restored within three to four months. In any case, not later than 19 December 2024. The committee recommends that UNRA should ensure that that funding is available for the pro- active assessment of the major bridge structures across the country in order to determine their structural integrity and soundness, as this would prevent a likely sudden failure and closure that are inconveniencing road users. The committee also recommended that the Uganda Wildlife Authority should consider providing a waiver for public transport

14042 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT through the National Park during the period when emergency restoration works are being undertaken on Karuma Bridge. Construction of the new bridge at Karuma The committee was informed by URRA of plans to construct a new bridge over the River Nile at Karuma. The commencement date for a new bridge is expected to be September 2026, after feasibility studies are completed among others. The current Karuma Bridge was constructed in 1962 with a design lifespan of 50 years. The ongoing repair works are expected to increase the service life of the bridge by a further two to five years. Therefore, it is imperative that the Government of Uganda considers a long-term solution to the movement of traffic at Karuma and construction of the new bridge - It is an ideal proposal by the committee. The committee recommends that UNRA should expedite the completion of the necessary processes, including feasibility studies, designs, acquisition of land and sourcing of funding in order to ensure that construction of a new bridge at Karuma can commence as planned in September 2026. Impact of temporary closure of the bridge The committee observed that due to temporary closure of the bridge, travellers are experiencing delays in reaching their destinations, and movement of goods and services has been significantly affected. Despite Karuma Bridge being a crucial artery for commerce in West Nile and Northern Uganda areas, it facilitates the movement of goods and services between regions and supporting numerous businesses. Currently, heavy goods vehicles have been diverted to alternative routes, including through Murchison Falls National Park and through Eastern Uganda - through Masindi port, and via Eastern Uganda, therefore increasing the travel time, cost of transportation, and inconveniences to road users. The committee observed that alternative route through Masindi port is overwhelmed by increased traffic and negatively affected by floods. In addition, the public facilities at Karuma and Kamdini such as toilets have been strained due to increased numbers of passengers on either sides of the bridge as they await transportation using smaller vehicles across the bridge. The committee received a memorandum written by the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce, Lira Branch (UNCCI), to execute a directive of the UNRA on the 3 August 2024, expressing concern about the significant bottlenecks to the transportation of the goods. The committee further recommends that UNRA should expeditiously undertake emergency repairs on Nakasongola-Zengebe Road to enable interim transportation of people, goods, services, while repair works at Karuma Bridge are ongoing. UNRA should immediately deploy another bigger ferry at Masindi port and increase the working hours of the ferries due to the significant increase in diverted traffic that the committee witnessed at Kungu Landing Site. UNRA should expedite the repair works so that normal traffic flow is restored over Karuma Bridge. Madam Speaker, another elephant in the room is Pakwach Bridge Assessment of Pakwach Bridge The committee noted that the bridge was commissioned in 1969 and has been in existence for over 55 years with minimal maintenance. The committee observed that there were structural cracks on the abutments, expansion joints had failed, and embankments on the western bank of the river had weakened with visible erosion. In addition, there was floating vegetation underneath the bridge surrounding the structure

14048 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT This implies that under Force Account, the money can maintain 18 kilometres, while under framework contract, all the money would maintain only 1.8 kilometres of the entire road. The committee recommends that the Government prioritises the maintenance of national roads to reduce on rehabilitation costs of early reconstruction of non-maintained roads. Encroachment on road reserves Madam Speaker, on encroachment on road reserves, like the honourable colleague mentioned, the committee was informed by UNRA that one of the challenges faced by the station is encroachment on road reserves and other property, especially those under the Kitgum station. The committee was concerned that, currently, the mitigation measures by UNRA are encouraging staff to be more vigilant in identifying encroachers during the inspection. The committee was further informed that the UNRA enforcement unit did not have staff at every station and, therefore, there was need for them at all stations for faster response to encroachment. The committee recommends that UNRA provides enforcement staff at each station and, where necessary, evacuates some encroachers from its property as a deterrent example to prospective encroachers. Madam Speaker, allow me to briefly get to the recommendations of the committee in that respect. 1. UNRA should consider engaging public- private partnership – this is in respect to the request which was placed by the Karuma business community about the health facilities – the restroom facilities – at the town council. They said that UNRA should consider engaging public-private partnership to establish restrooms along national roads to ensure that Ugandans and tourists along the roads do not get embarrassed. 2. UNRA should consider establishing bus stop sheds along the roads. Oil roads and other strategic roads in northern Uganda The committee observed that the oil roads in Nwoya District have not yet received the requisite attention and maintenance. The poor condition of these roads is not only hindering the smooth transportation of oil equipment and personnel but also affecting the livelihoods of local communities who rely on these roads for their daily activities. Through sharing with stakeholders, the committee was informed that there are a number of strategic roads that need to be attended to, so as to enhance interconnectivity of the road network in the northern region. These roads offer substantial economic and social benefits to the region. Awer-Amuru-Otwee-Kololo Road – the gateway to West Nile at Rhino Camp This road serves as a vital link connecting Nwoya and Amuru districts to the West Nile region. By connecting communities to the ferry at Kololo and providing access to Rhino Camp, this route is essential for boosting regional trade, enhancing market access, and catalysing cross-district commerce. Moroto Road (through Omoro to Pader, Agago, and Abim in Karamoja) This road is key to unlocking the economic potential of the subregion, connecting Omoro, Pader, Agago, and Abim districts up to Moroto. Upgrading it to a high-grade tarmac road will facilitate the efficient movement of agricultural produce, lower transport costs, and stimulate regional trade. This road is essential for attracting investments in agriculture, education, and other key sectors, driving inclusive growth, and enhancing socio-economic outcomes for communities in these districts.

14049 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 Atiak-Apyeta-Lamwo-Kitgum Road This road links Lamwo and Kitgum to the regional economic hub at Atiak and provides a key route for cross-border trade with South Sudan. Developing this road to high-grade standards will not only improve regional connectivity, but also boost economic activities, enhance service delivery and reduce travel times between key districts. Madam Speaker, Members earlier on alluded to Nebbi-Goli and other networks of the roads in West Nile that should also be given due attention. The committee recommends that: 1. The Government and relevant authorities should prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of oil roads in Nwoya District to align with their policy commitments. This is because in Acholi subregion, the oil roads have not been optimally worked on, as you would see in other regions. 2. The Ministry of Works and Transport conducts feasibility studies on the above- mentioned strategic roads and have them tarmacked. 3. The Government should allocate sufficient funds and resources to ensure timely and quality construction and maintenance of these roads so as to enhance economic and social growth to the region. The District Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR) The committee observed that the network in most local governments was in fair to poor condition. The committee observed that in Financial Year 2023/2024, the Government allocated Shs 1 billion to local governments for rehabilitation of roads and, this year, the same amount has been allocated for road maintenance following a parliamentary recommendation to rename the grant. During oversight, the committee established that the Shs 1 billion had enabled Gulu City to rehabilitate some roads and construct two bridges (box culverts), improving the condition of the network in the city. In Apac, the funds enabled them to rehabilitate roads which had not happened in over 10 years, and similar reports were received from other local governments across northern Uganda. The committee noted that only districts have road equipment, while cities and municipalities rely on bureaucratic processes of requesting for equipment from the Executive Director of UNRA, since the district equipment is always utilised with the provision of Shs 1 billion and money is released at the same time. Further, the committee observed that while the Government shifted to the policy on Force on Account and districts are now using Force on Account for maintenance of roads, the works departments have no supervision vehicles. This makes it challenging for the staff in the works department to supervise equipment and ongoing works in the field. The committee recommends that; 1. The Government provides additional funding towards maintenance and rehabilitation of roads. 2. The Government provides supervision vehicles to the works departments to facilitate supervision of road works and equipment. Madam Speaker, allow me to make this footnote: northern Uganda has only one regional mechanical workshop – which is stationed here in Gulu – that supervises the entire northern Uganda. The committee recommended that at least each subregion be funded to have its own mechanical workshop. USMID roads The committee noted that the USMID roads completed under phase I were being maintained by the respective local governments. However, the life span of most of the solar lights expired.

Thank you so much, Honourable Deputy Chairperson. We will proceed this way: the area of contention is the northern region. We want any addition to what the findings are. If something is left out - we are talking about the national roads, not the community access roads. We will start with Hon. Tom Aza, and we need to move faster because of one reason; we need to get all this and put it in the report that we will present to the President. Yes, Hon Ekanya?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for the good work. Madam Speaker, we have historical sites in northern Uganda one is Fort Patiko, where Sir Samuel Baker came to end the slave trade. We have the Paimol shrines, where two martyrs were killed and yearly, people go there. These

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In a special way, on behalf of the FDC, I would like to welcome this sitting in Gulu and Northern Uganda, and I am proud that we are the first in the region. I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker. On the Karuma Bridge, I would like to appreciate the committee but the closure of the bridge has brought down the development and the businesses in northern Uganda. I am happy you are here. Most of the bus owners have parked their buses, big trucks that transport heavy goods from Kampala; are no longer bringing commodities like tiles in northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, there is a new bridge which was reconstructed and it is operational near the electricity plant in Karuma. I pray that the minister directs that the bridge be used temporarily. The bridge is very strong and is working very well. Madam Speaker, when we do that, it will ease the transport to Northern Uganda. Number two, Madam Speaker, is about the maintenance of roads in the district. Government provided equipment - graders, the lorry - but most of that equipment is down. Many of the districts are crying about roads. The feeder roads across the district in Northern Uganda are down because the districts do not have power and road equipment. I pray that the Ministry of Works provides new equipment to all the districts, or get a special mechanic to repair the road equipment that was provided to our districts. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Honourable members, the whole Northern team will speak.

Thank you, Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I would like to concur with all my brothers and sisters who have brought out our plight of the roads and bridges of northern Uganda. There is another problem that was caused by the Karuma Bridge that has now affected us because many of the vehicles are diverted to go through Masindi. Most of the buses leave Kampala a bit late and spend the night around the area where you enter through the national park –

14064 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT have started. This would have provided us an opportunity to have the shortest route to Arua. Secondly, this is a strategic road in terms of agricultural input that comes from that side. If you see the magnitude of the goods that come from there, it is really a lot. In addition, I would also like to highlight a strategic road - part of the great north road, which starts right here from Lacor up to Elegu. Madam Speaker, much as this road is tarmacked, it is now a death trap for so many people. The road is quickly getting destroyed and causing accidents on a daily basis. I have not heard this in the report of the committee and I do not know what plan is in place by the Ministry of Works and Transport in regard to this road. I want to get this – Finally, I would like to re-echo about the aerodromes that have been highlighted both in Arua and Gulu. These are all very strategic areas. When I was the vice-chairperson of the Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) committee, we visited Arua and I must say we were very impressed by the traffic that comes – actually, it is a very busy aerodrome and needs a lot of support. So, I still emphasise that money should be put in these two areas to really help the people of northern Uganda. Thank you, Madam Speaker. You have set history in northern Uganda.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to begin by thanking the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for the good report that they have given us. I have admired the form and content. I would like to touch on the matter of the aerodromes – the airfields. Six months ago, we held a meeting with the Civil Aviation commissioner-general on Kitgum Municipality airfield. Kitgum Municipality airfield was scheduled to be among the top seven, including the Kidepo Airfield. We had agreed that the commissioner-general would send staff to Kitgum to survey the status of Kitgum Airfield so that it could be revived to the standard needed. Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister for Works and Transport how far they have gone with the issues of Kitgum Airfield. It was supposed to be surveyed and the report given so that the work begins. Secondly, there is the issue of Karuma. I also admired the report given on the issues of Karuma Bridge. The business community in the northern region are incurring many losses due to the long routes and a lot of time the buses take crossing from the park. The committee laid a very vivid idea of creating a waiver but it did not specify the kind of waiver. I would like that to be clarified; whether the waiver will be in terms of giving some fuel or compensation to the bus companies so that they can cut the costs of the bus fares. At the moment, the cost is double than what it was before. In that way, our business community that crosses that bridge will be supported very well. Madam Speaker, the Karuma Bridge was constructed in 1963, one year after Independence. It is saddening for us, the people of the North, to find ourselves having the only bridge closed. All these years, the Government would have taken a step to construct an alternative bridge. We cannot wait to do a post mortem. Therefore, Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Transport needs to be clear –

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for their report. However, Madam Speaker, as you have sent us to go to all these areas in Northern Uganda, I want to re-echo again on the issue of Kitgum- Karenga-Kidepo-Kaboong-Kotido Road, which is actually one of the busiest roads that gives us a lot of money from the tourism sector. I want to inform you that when we went on the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, there were other members of Parliament who could not cross from Moroto to Kotido because of Lopei Bridge which was flooded. At the same time, we could not even cross to Abim passing via Kotido to Aleret. Secondly, Karenga is going to host –

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am going to be very brief by asking questions. Number one, I would like to ask the Ministry of Works and Transport; you went to Pader and made a bridge called Watlac, which is from Atar to Kigwer Corner. After two months, the bridge collapsed, stopping children from going to school at Wipolo. We informed you several times, but you have not gone back to correct that bridge. When are you going to correct the bridge? The second question is, there is a programme called Rural Development and Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC). It has taken two years. I heard about this programme. It is supposed to make a road from Puranga-Awere- Bolo Agweng to come and put a bridge on Aruu Falls. It will help the people to access the main road. When are you going to take on this project? One of the roads is supposed to leave Lapul through Oweka to Okia. To date, we have not seen you doing this programme. Two years have ended. Can you explain to the people in Pader when you will do that, now that you are seated in Gulu Parliament? The last one, Madam Speaker, is that you have said we should not speak about community access roads. However, they are very important because the community access roads are the ones that help our people undertaking economic activities to come to the main road.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Otuke is the only district in Northern Uganda where the five Nilotic tribes departed, when God created the universe. One was Teso. Second, Acholi. Third, Acholi- Jabwor. Then comes the Karimojong. Madam Speaker, I request – each time I shall represent this side of Otuke which covers all these tribes. There is a bridge on the road from Kapelebyong; that is Alito and Ogor Subcounty. Secondly, there is a bridge on the road from Omoro to Orumo, which is in Ajuri County; Alebtong District. The third bridge, Nam Agago, is on the road from Agago District, Ogor. Madam Speaker, one of these bridges should be considered. Lastly, the Shs 1 billion which, was given to the districts has been misused in Otuke District. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the district chairperson connived to grade only nine roads, out of the 24 roads which were meant to be graded. Madam Speaker, I would like this to be put into consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I came here this morning so happy to listen to the issues of Northern Uganda. You clearly guided that we should discuss these matters without emotion, with clarity and confidence. Madam Speaker, what happens when a region like Karamoja is not included in a report like this report on works? The committee did not visit Karamoja. Why are we going to discuss our manyanga ? You told us that we are going to discuss the rest of our manyanga in Kampala. What about Karamoja manyanga ? Where is it going to be discussed? We are in Northern Uganda. How can we have a committee which is supposed to go to West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Teso and Karamoja, not go to Karamoja? You told us that we were going to speak during the debate on the next report, when we are not in it. We have to speak -

Information, Madam Speaker. I thank you so much for giving me the opportunity. Madam Speaker, this regional meeting is very important and key. I thank God for the wisdom that he has given you, to allow the regional Parliament to come to Northern Uganda, which is quite important. Madam Speaker, I request you, kindly, to allow the Members of Parliament from Karamoja, part of Acholi, and other people to speak. This is because the issues we are addressing are very key.

Anything that is not protected by security becomes a problem. The security roads in Northern Uganda, from Odom to Kitgum, and from the Karamoja part of the region - The UPDF is doing a lot of good work in the area. However, there are challenges that need to be mitigated. The minister for works should be able to work on the issue of security roads to allow the UPDF to do deployment, execute their duty effectively and efficiently, for the protection of the local people in the community. That means that the Government’s implementation of the projects in the area will not be jeopardised by the cattle raiders. I expected the community to work on that very seriously.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I have been sitting for a long time. Madam Speaker, I remember history very well. When this Government came into power, the first thing they did was to secure the country. In other words, without security, there cannot be any business, touring, or economic development. I come from Lamwo County, which borders South Sudan. Recently, I made a submission in Parliament in respect to border insecurity whereby South Sudanese have been robbing and terrorising the people of Lamwo. It resulted into one big thing, which was the positioning of a whole brigade of 5,000 UPDF soldiers in Lamwo, my constituency. Now the problem arises that, in case of supplies and other things, the road from Kitgum-Padipe to Ngomoromo-Lokung needs to be tarmacked to fasten communication quickly for the army personnel to supply the border posts. This is because there are now 5,000 UPDF men and women guarding the people of Lamwo, for which we thank the commander-in-chief of this country. Secondly, there is another road from Aweno Olwi to Lamwo, which also needs to be addressed, preferably by tarmacking. I do not have a lot of words. We need to secure this country. We need the borders to be calm. We are in the North right now and we want the northern parts of the country to be secured. Right now, South Sudan is a hotspot for insecurity. I would like this Parliament to address this.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. We are winding up the debate on infrastructure in northern Uganda, but I do not know whether it would be procedurally right for me not to mention the issue of emergency in the great North road apart from Corner Molem to Bobi. As we sit here legislating, one week ago, that road got completely damaged and blocked and now, all the people coming all the way from the eastern side of East Africa heading to the North, Juba or Cairo for that matter cannot access it because it has been blocked from a big swamp called Oryamapat. Another emergency issue is about the landing site where a ferry can be used in Aturamutunda. I do not know why Hon. Musa Ecweru, the State Minister of Works and Transport, cannot get this alternative route and give us a ferry on that landing site. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the Members that the NDPIII ends in June 2025 and we will begin NDPIV. This is supposed to be ready in the next month of September. While we are making the priority lists, we need to visit those two documents. There is already a draft for the NDPIV, to see whether what we are proposing has been captured. That is when our discussion will add value to the people of Northern Uganda. I submit.

14076 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES ON THE STATE OF WATER FOR PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, I hereby present a report of the committee on a field visit to selected districts in northern Uganda to assess the water for agricultural production facilities. Before I proceed, I beg to lay on the Table the copy of the report and the minutes of the committee when going through this report.

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

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

Before you come to the general recommendations, one, there was a point of procedure. This is a report of the Committee of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries on the state of water production facilities in Northern Uganda. I do not know how you set your question on the state of water. My perception is that when you are talking about agriculture, it is the backbone of this country. Honourable member, please take a seat.

On the same, when I have already made a ruling that I want a report that is comprehensive? I need a comprehensive report. I do not see why you need to bring up a point of procedure. There is no procedure that will add anything to the report. We want a comprehensive report that will help the northern region. I want to thank you very much. Hon. Obua, the honourable minister for Northern Region, the Prime Minister and all the other relevant ministers, you need to sit down with the chairpersons of West Nile, Acholi, Karamoja and Lira, for us to come up with just a draft – All of you are going to work on all this but we want something on our communication on the issues concerning Northern Region. I also request that after here, I want you to go and meet Archbishop Odama (Emeritus). He has a lot of information on the Northern Region. That does not mean that I have stopped the other meetings. Continue with the meetings. I know why I am telling them to meet. Tomorrow, since the President will be here at midday, can we start the House at 9.00 a.m.? Rt Hon. Prime Minister, do you have anything? THE MINISTER OF STATE, OFFICE OF

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for the deliberations. I also want to thank you for your patience, sitting all this time since morning. Madam Speaker, I seek guidance from you. I also want us to guide ourselves to make our sitting, especially in this region, productive. I take your guidance, especially about the meeting we should have. If you could allow me only 10 minutes to share with you an overview of what I think could be captured in those meetings in our interaction with the leaders of this area and also the times I have met the people of Northern Uganda, maybe, it could inform that meeting –

I take your guidance. I have looked at these issues under these subdivisions to help guide us. Like I had said, in the beginning, my biggest discussion with the Members in this region was about the poverty and low-income levels in the region. We have had very many discussions with the people in these areas. Madam Speaker, it is easy to talk about roads, bridges, schools and health facilities because Government will budget for this but when it comes to income, it is personal efforts assisted and guided by Government. I have been able to pick some ideas from the public and this is what I think. One, on the issue of household income, we have just talked about poverty levels here. We have looked at areas in this country that have been able to pull up and found out that this particular area has been gambling for years, especially on what to invest in. Acholi, Lango and West Nile do not have an agreed high-value cash crop that people can grow to earn them income. They gamble from oil seeds, go to other grains and vegetables like we are hearing they are talking about and other things. Madam Speaker, our discussion at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with other relevant agencies in Government, especially Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Agriculture ministry, National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) and others, has been to guide the people of Northern Uganda on what kind of cash crop they can grow that can earn them income. We are beginning on zero on those cash crops. This is why I would require the ministers who are here, especially for Agriculture, to say to the people of Northern Uganda here that to get out of poverty, grow A,B,C,D. We now have extension workers in nearly all the subcounties in Northern Uganda but they are not guiding the people. They are not telling anybody what to do, so people gamble. For the last few years, Madam Speaker, imagine Northern Uganda was said to have been given

So we need to customi s e; what is for Northern Uganda should be for Northern Uganda. If oranges do well in Teso, it should not be imposed on the people of Northern Uganda.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have been following the Minister’s presentation on the issue of poverty, the issue of agriculture production and what should be done in Northern Uganda to ensure perhaps we have a common cash crop.

Thank you for your guidance, Madam Speaker. I was just quoting him when he said that we need to have an agreed upon cash crop in which the people of Northern Uganda are going to be able to engage in, in order to produce - then let them get away from poverty. The procedural issue I am raising is that we are in what we call a free market economy, in which the forces of supply and demand determine what is supposed to be produced, what is supposed to be marketed, and the prices of those commodities. In this circumstance, it will be a big disaster to, for example, restrict the production of a particular food crop or cash crop to a particular region. Why? Because I went to -

I am on a procedural issue. When you look at the marketability of even these items that we used to say were not cash crops, you notice that they have now become cash crops. So, I am raising a procedural issue to seek your guidance on whether the advice of the minister is going to be helpful for the people of Northern Uganda to agree on a specific cash crop to be produced in order to get them away from poverty. So, is the minister proceeding well?

Not Kida Kyonka . When we look at Northern Uganda - you travel all the way, you see a lot of grass, why wouldn’t we encourage our people to go into dairy? For example, why wouldn’t we encourage our people to plant coffee?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Since the courts of law give justice to everybody, I hope that matter will be disposed of. But the point is: Aswa Ranch, as we speak, has the potential of revamping the cattle economy in this entire region. Secondly, Madam Speaker, what we have also gathered from this committee is that people here want the facilities for the mechanisation of agriculture. The vast lands here, Madam Speaker - open land with the primitive tools - hand holes, and at best the ox-ploughs cannot meet the economic demand of production that we are talking about. Therefore, these are the areas that we want to discuss with the population so that the Government can invest in mechanisation by providing tractors. All the regions I have met, including those in the hills of Mount Elgon, want tractors to mechanise and produce massively. And these are the things that I want us to begin talking about. The other thing, Madam Speaker, is about facilities for value addition. Many areas are beginning to produce dairy, beef and other crop products that need value addition. We see maize and wheat in some places. There is also milk. Milk production is also increasing in this region. However, there are still very few facilities for value addition. This is what we want the Government to be doing. We want, as the Government, to begin thinking about giving facilities to the population to add value to what they are doing. Madam Speaker, it is true there are still areas in Northern Uganda here that have got poor access. These roads you hear being talked about,

14086 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs). The CAOs have to aggregate these reports and give the Government to see how best they can serve the population. I think this is what may help us see clearly, the challenges of the people here. Madam Speaker, in this community again we have a lot of water bodies and the fish industry in this region - there has been mixed information about fishing and what type of fish to trade in, what size, and where. As a result of this, there has been a big conflict between the fishermen, fishmongers, and the Fisheries Protection Unit. This cuts across Lake Kyoga, River Nile, and other water bodies where people fish freely. We have agreed, as you may remember, in Cabinet, that we are going to have a meeting with the native fishermen in all these areas so that we have a conversation with them to see how best all of us can become custodians of these water bodies and the fish to ensure that fishing is safe, economical and beneficial to all of us. This is what we are doing very soon. Since the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is here, she can give the details. Madam Speaker, you could have heard that in addition to what we think can be done to improve the welfare of the people in Northern Uganda, is the continuation in investment in some of these projects and programmes to the people of Northern Uganda. I have heard people say, “We have invested a lot in Northern Uganda, why haven’t they changed?” I really wonder whether these people read history or if they are alive to our history, as Northern Uganda. Just for the information of honourable colleagues to appreciate this, for 62 years, till independence, Northern Uganda was the most unfunded region in this country. Right from the colonial time, Northern Uganda used to receive only 10 per cent of the national budget. Much of the investment was in the central because many of the services were there. The schools were there; affluence was also in the central. Many people would move away from here and so, there was a lot of labour migration to the central. Therefore, the Government invested a lot there. The people there learned - other than simply producing to consume - to use resources to build more wealth, which was not the case here until after independence. Also, our own circumstances here never made it better. After 1962, all the insurgencies and insecurities of Uganda were experienced in Northern Uganda. This makes Northern Uganda unique and different from other parts of the country. (Applause) Many of these investments that are so lucrative and have that high value were not introduced here. For those who know, coffee in Buganda is also called “Kiboko.” Kiboko is Swahili for Fimbo, meaning a whip. Since they knew the value of coffee; coffee was introduced there with kiboko. If even in the central where people knew money, coffee was forced onto the people with a whip, how about here in Northern Uganda where people have not known about wealth? So, it is important to realise that we have a long way to go. That is why, Madam Speaker, I appreciate that you emphasised the matter of mindset change, which is very important. We think that the investment of the Government in terms of programmes and projects should continue in Northern Uganda. I have just said that guns have gone silent here, but the poverty here is still very high. We are thinking that a programme like the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF IV), that will substitute the NUSAF III, should still continue in Northern Uganda. We have had this debate over and over with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the National Planning Authority, but I can now report that I think colleagues in the Cabinet and Finance have appreciated, and also the colleagues – [Mr Olanya: “Information”] – I will give you time, honourable -

Madam Speaker, I would like to inform Northern Uganda that our discussion and conversation about NUSAF IV have progressed very well. I am very hopeful that within a few weeks, we will have approval from the National Planning Authority. We will now engage the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to proceed with the debates, conversation, and discussions about NUSAF IV, so that this is approved to help the people of Northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, I also want to inform you that this time, unlike the other previous NUSAFs, we are going to devote much of the monies into production; supporting production in the micro-projects, supporting youth projects to ensure they have money to put into their skills to have money. This is among other projects that we think we should be able to engage in. Finally, Madam Speaker, allow me to say, just for emphasis, that all this infrastructure we are talking about and what we have been debating since morning, bring about development. However, I do not think development without improving people’s households is sustainable. That is why I really emphasise that we must look at ways by which we can help the people in Northern Uganda to put money in their pockets so that; their livelihoods can change, so that they can have proper nutrition, better housing, can afford education for their children, proper health care and live like any other person in Uganda that has not experienced what they have experienced. Honourable, let me allow you to give information.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the honourable minister. It is true that in Northern Uganda, we had so many programmes. We had the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), Project for Restoration of Northern Uganda (PRENO), NUSAF, National Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP), National Agricultural Advisory Services Programme (NAADS), among others. However, all these programmes are normally imposed on the people of Northern Uganda; people tell them what they are supposed to do. For example, NAADS normally dictates to our people that please, you have to grow oranges. You have to grow trees; lemons. There are other projects that our people cannot afford to keep. The Government injected billions of shillings into NAADS. In the end, we normally see mango seedlings being taken to subcounties. People are forced to collect those mangoes and plant, yet they have no value to our people. Let the programme come from the ground. Let people tell what they want to do, but not to impose the programme on the people of Northern Uganda. Finally, Madam Speaker, the Government normally advises our people, for example, to grow soya beans. They tell them that there is a very high market for soya beans. The moment soya beans perform well in Northern Uganda, the prices drop drastically. People are making losses. So, please, honourable minister, let people tell the Government what they want to do. The Government should stop imposing programmes on the people. The value of all this money is not seen by the people of Northern Uganda because they are being imposed onto our people. I thank you.

Thank you. Honourable minister, I want to agree with you on the point that Northern Uganda should get cash

14088 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT crops and projects that will help to alleviate poverty. Capital for Northern Uganda, is the land and the people. In agriculture, you begin with the market. Northern Uganda must select enterprises and products that have demand. Recently, people here were involved in cultivating cassava and they had not ascertained the market for that cassava. People spent a lot on that project. I would like to ask the leaders here that is important we ascertain the market. Who wants that product? How much? What is the pricing so that we can lead our people into projects that can alleviate poverty? I want to close with this. There is no single project of agriculture that cannot be done in Northern Uganda; it is not there. Coffee can be grown here and I am surprised - why doesn’t Northern Uganda demand coffee seedlings? We need coffee seedlings everywhere here. We need animals here, and not only just dairy. We also need beef. The countryside is full of grass but no single animal. Let Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda demand for animals for this area because that can be productive so that our people alleviate poverty. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and the minister, for the statement to appraise the country about Mpox. Mr Speaker, in the northern part of the country, there is a border point that crosses from the side of Orom. It is barely regulated. A few weeks ago, during recess, we were not appraised on how to differentiate chicken from Mpox. Those few cases, which – (Interjections) - I call it Mpox.

It is not the pork people are referring to, but the monkeypox, according to the minister. Anyhow, my point here is that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the vaccination took place, Agago District and most of the districts in Northern Uganda received massive vaccinations, which was good. You did proper sensitisation. However, these days, whenever symptoms of that nature occur, people’s kidneys fail. Each time they are referred to St Mary’s Hospital, Lacor, there are cases of kidney failure; whether children or adults. Most of the deaths, these days, are related to that. Two days ago, kidney failures related to diseases like M-pork – (Interjections) - it is a point that – monkeypox -

13974 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME months ago. According to him, to date, the tractor implements such as ploughs have not been purchased, hence making the tractors idle despite the farmers being ready to use them. His prayer is: when does the Government intend to purchase the tractor implements to allow the farmers in Obongi to use the tractors effectively. My response is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries supported the northern subregion with both high and low- capacity tractors, that is, the 2WD and 4WD implements to all the districts including the skilling and capacity development of the selected personnel as operators and technicians to support in the operation and maintenance of the mechanisation equipment and machinery. For the case of Obongi, Mr Speaker, and other districts where the 4WD and 2WD tractors were delivered, other implements will be delivered. The assorted units of the tractors and implements are now under shipment and are expected to be delivered by the first week of September this year. 6. Hon. Kiiza Kenneth Nyendwoha, Member of Parliament, Bujenje County, Masindi District His concern is about the continued falling of sugarcane prices across the country yet there is scarcity of the raw materials of sugarcane. Most millers are harvesting sugarcane at 12 months. His prayer is, what is Government’s intervention to mitigate this? Mr Speaker, my response is that the sugar industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the economy of Uganda under the manufacturing sector contributing over Shs 300 billion in taxes annually and employing over 100,000 Ugandans directly. The annual production of brown sugar is 600,000 metric tonnes and the industrial refined sugar is at 75,000 metric tonnes. The industry also produces over 150 megawatts of electricity from bagasse (sugar cane pulp), of which about 70 megawatts is supplied to the national grid. In a liberal economy like Uganda, the prices of commodities are determined by market forces of demand and supply. We have recently experienced a decline in sugarcane prices and this is attributed to the following reasons; i) Decline in sugar prices globally. The price of sugar has declined from Shs 250,000 per 50-kilogram bag in January 2024 to currently between Shs 140,000 to Shs 154,000 per 50-kilogramme bag. This decline directly impacts on the price of sugarcane which contributes 60 per cent of raw materials. One tonne, that is 1,000 kilograms of sugarcane, produces 100 kilograms of brown sugar; at least two bags of sugar. The practice is that the farmer and the miller share the output by 50 per cent. Therefore, the farmer is paid half of the cost of the two bags of sugar produced, leaving the miller with another half. ii) The second one is importation of brown and white sugar by neighboring countries, especially Kenya and Tanzania, from outside the East African community duty- free. The imported sugar from global leading producers such as Brazil and India is much cheaper, and renders Uganda’s sugar uncompetitive in the East African market. When there are external forces that distort the market, cane prices definitely drop. iii) The third one is farmers growing cane without off-take contracts with millers. Some farmers with cane fields that are not registered suffer miserably because millers prioritise crushing cane from their registered farmers and nucleus estates only. The Government has put in place the following measures to mitigate the fall in sugarcane prices:

Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am one of the few Ugandans who have been privileged to move the entire country. However, now that the Parliament of Uganda is coming to the Acholi subregion, we are peaceful but the roadblocks we have from Kampala to Gulu - I have lost count. On these roads, we have policemen and military officers and they are not trailing private cars; they are trailing vehicles that are meant to harbour businesses in the region. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, what is happening in the northern region to have those many barricades that hamper business? Thank you.

13918 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT shall soon execute grant agreements with the selected companies to convey the price discount to the public and procurement of the independent verification agent is ongoing. On the progress of the credit support facility under the UECCC, this company will provide a line of credit to PFIs to on-lend to households and commercial enterprises for the acquisition of clean energy technologies, off-grid solar, productive use of energy, clean cooking solutions, internal wiring and three-phase connections; and to provide working capital loans to energy service companies. On appraisal on disbursement of loans, Mr Speaker, to date, Shs 43.5 billion has been approved for on-lending to beneficiaries by Centenary Bank, Housing Finance Bank, Finca Uganda Limited, Post Bank Uganda Limited, Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited and Development Microfinance Limited. Ten additional applications from PFIs are under appraisal, totalling Shs 41 billion. Progress of Public Institutions Programme For the Public Institutions Programme, UECCC is the grant purse holder to disburse contract payments to the energy service companies competitively procured by the ministries for Water and Environment, Health and Education and Sports to electrify rural water pumping schemes, public health centres and public schools. On the Ministry of Water and Environment, UECCC has signed grant agreements with four successful energy service companies that shall electrify the 40 identified water stations covering Northern Uganda (10), Western Uganda (10), Eastern Uganda (10) and Central Uganda (10). The grant amount committed so far is approximately Shs 22 billion. The water pumping stations will be identified by the Ministry of Water and Environment. While the Ministry of Health is currently finalising the bidding documents for onward submission to the World Bank with no objection, the release of the request for proposal is planned for September 2024 and about 350 health centres identified by the Ministry of Health will be electrified through this component of the EASP. The Ministry of Education and Sports is currently finalising the bidding documents for onward submission to the World Bank for a no-objection. The release of the request for the proposal is planned for September 2024, and about 350 Schools identified by the Ministry of Education and Sports will be electrified through this component of EASP. Implementation challenges Mr Speaker, the Electricity Access Scale-up Project is largely a project that will support the implementation of free connections as stipulated in the Electricity Connection Policy. However, my ministry had a liability of about Shs 72,522,836,357.84 being the outstanding arrears owed by the Government of Uganda to the utility companies and contractors in respect of the services and works implemented under the Rural Electrification Programme we experienced. Umeme delayed the commencement of free connections under EASP as a result of unpaid arrears. However, with the approval of the Cabinet, my ministry has since paid outstanding arrears to electricity service providers amounting to Shs 36,228,585,366, which had been audited by the independent auditors KPMG and the balance was to wait for the independent audit and verification by the Office of the Auditor- General. All outstanding arrears have since been audited by the Auditor- General and the balance will be completed to avail cash flow to the service providers. Mr Speaker, on the status of connectivity in the country, the electricity access in the country stands at 60 per cent - (Interjections) - yes. Twenty-two per cent on-grid out and 38 per cent off-grid. We count the solars that you use; that is off-grid. (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I come from the islands and these are unique areas including; Sigulu, the islands of Mayuge, and Vuma, the only area, apart from Northern Uganda, that does not have access to electricity. Honourable minister, when are these Ugandans going to get the opportunity to have electricity in their areas? Secondly, is the question of the solar energy that was established on Dolwe Islands. The people prefer that they go back to diesel power instead of solar power because a bulb is charged Shs 5,000, and it has become so expensive for the people. Like the shadow minister clearly indicated, people do not consume power. Honourable minister, when can this be reduced to make sure that people enjoy the power? Mr Speaker, there is the question of compensation. This House and the Government should think twice. How do we access electricity and then consider compensation? Many projects have failed because of compensation. This House should address the question of compensation such that people access power and services. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. All Northern Uganda does not have reliable electricity. Before I give an example, I am happy for Moyo because it was connected to electricity. On 3 rd I was in Moyo for my aunt’s burial and they were celebrating for having been connected to electricity. However, an example of districts in northern Uganda that do not have reliable electricity is Amolatar in the south and Kaberamaido. Sometimes they get electricity during the day and at night there is darkness. I also know that their subcounties are not connected up to now. In Dokolo, where I come from, some homes and subcounties are connected to electricity, but the whole of Dokolo North not even a subcounty is connected to electricity. Honourable minister, I would like you to note that in Dokolo District, some places have electricity while Dokolo North is not connected to electricity, including my home, Dokolo South, where I come from. Other places have electric poles and this started way back in 2016 when they began throwing poles around Dokolo District. In 2021, the poles were erected. Now, in 2026, I pray that they are connected to electricity, especially - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, in accordance with our Rules of Procedure, I rise to present the report of the delegation of the Pan-African Parliament to the Extraordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan- African Parliament held on the 20 th – 27 th March 2024 in Midrand, South Africa. The main focus of the extraordinary meeting was to carry out elections for the positions that had fallen vacant. The positions were that of the President of the Pan-African Parliament, the vice president, and the fourth vice president. Three positions in the Bureau were vacant. So, an extraordinary meeting was convened and elections were held in accordance with our Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament. We adopted the principle of rotation and in that case, the position of the President of the Pan- African Parliament went to Southern Africa, the position of the first vice president went to the Northern Caucus and the position of the fourth vice president went to the Central Caucus. Right now, our bureau is fully filled up and they are functioning well. To emphasise, the position of the President was taken by Hon. Chief Charumbira from Zimbabwe, that is for the Southern region. The position of first vice president was taken by Hon. Prof. Massouda Mohamed Laghdaf of Mauritania. The position of the second vice was taken by Hon. Dr Ashebir Gayo for Eastern Africa. The position of the third vice president was taken by Hon. Lucia Dos Passos from Cabo Verde. That is Western region and the final position for the fourth vice president was taken by Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat from Central Africa. This is just for information purposes. Other details are in the report and I am going to lay the report in accordance to Rule 33 of our Rules of Procedure. I beg to lay the report of the extraordinary meeting. We have another report. II) REPORT OF THE DELEGATION TO THE THIRD ORDINARY SESSION OF THE SIXTH PARLIAMENT OF THE PAN- AFRICAN PARLIAMENT 24 TH JUNE - 5 TH JULY 2024

The procedural issue I am raising is that this Bill on Alcohol Drinks and Control was referred to a joint Committee of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives and that of Health. Incidentally, the reports are out; the minority and majority. The Committee on Health was assigned duties by your office. They are in northern Uganda, establishing the status of the health care facilities and conducting investigations on Nodding Disease Syndrome misappropriations. The three sponsors of the minority report, Hon. Dr Batuwa, Member for Jinja (Shadow minister of health), Hon. Dr Kamara, and the Member for Kabale -(Interjection)- a moment - I am on a point of procedure - I raised the procedure issue. Attorney-General, you are in slumber.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There is a matter that concerns this House, in the press, and the public, and it is about this Parliament meeting in the regions. Yesterday, when the Leader of the Opposition raised it, you guided that you were going to have a meeting and communicate. I saw it in the news when our colleagues from Northern Uganda had taken it up from a different angle, completely from that of Parliament, to make it a bit tribal. Mr Speaker, we are Members of Parliament here. Whatever decision is taken under your leadership; we need to be involved. Should we expect a proper motion before this House proposing the shifting or the hosting of Parliamentary sittings elsewhere beyond this House so that we can have our contribution, a session that Members agreed here to? The earlier the better. Mr Speaker, when we leave this matter not brought here, I am hearing about meetings being held over the same and so many things going on, over the same. Proper communication needs to come to this House so that the country knows the reasons, why, and the advantages thereof. Everything needs to be communicated. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, Hon. Okot is a much respected Member of this House. He has just said here that all the Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda, including West Nile where I belong, were invited. I am not privy to any such invitation. I have checked my pigeonhole; I do not have such an invitation. Is it in order, therefore, for a Member to impute that I, as a Member of Parliament, received an invitation when I have not?

13824 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME The total amount for 488 health centre IIIs is Shs 4.029 trillion. Mr Speaker, the Government is strategically shifting from facility-based health services to strengthening the community health programme for health promotion, education and disease prevention. As you know, 75 per cent of the diseases in Uganda are preventable. This will reduce on the demand for curative services at health centres and hospitals. The Ministry of Health Draft National Health Policy 2024 has introduced a reform of upgrading the status of health centres IVs - a 24-bed capacity, to community hospitals – 60-bed capacity. This will be undertaken in a phased manner prioritising existing health centres IVs with high catchment population and the 135 constituencies without health centres IVs based on geographical access, population coverage and resource availability. The estimated cost for the construction of a community hospital is Shs 12 billion and equipping is Shs 4 billion, a total of Shs 16 billion is required. To fully operationalise a community hospital, we require recurrent costs including wage, non-wage recurrent, medicines and health supplies estimated at Shs 4 billion per annum, as I already told you. The third question is from Hon. OJok Andrew Oulanyah, Member of Parliament, Omoro County. He said, Malaria is one of the top killers in Northern Uganda and Uganda in general. What are Government plans for curbing and eventually eradicating this preventable disease? My response is that Uganda is indeed highly endemic for malaria. Globally, Uganda ranks 3 rd in the global malaria burden and 8 th in reported malaria-related and reported deaths. Uganda is a very fertile ground for malaria. We lie along the equator. This provides the most favourable ambient temperature and humidity that support mosquito breeding and malaria transmission. Additionally, the abundant breeding sites due to high rainfall lead to a high density of vectors. The presence of efficient vectors, mixed parasite species, and large parasite reservoirs all work against us. The regions with traditionally high transmission are West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Teso, Busoga and Bukedi. It is these places where we see the most malaria cases and deaths. However, it is important to note that in these high transmission settings, because of the immunity, due to persistent malaria exposure, severe malaria cases should be lower than in other parts of the country with lower transmission. Severe malaria that can potentially lead to death results from delays in care seeking. We also have challenges with the use of preventive tools by the population. Our main preventative tool is the treated mosquito net. We distributed 28 million nets in 2023. However, the demographic health survey report of 2024, indicates that though net coverage is more than 95 per cent, net use by the population is only approximately 60 per cent. However, I would like to reassure everyone that there is progress being made. As of this year, the malaria cases seen are lower than for the last three years; that is 2021, 2022, and 2023. The Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Elimination Division have prioritised the following to address the malaria problem: 1. Zero deaths. 2. Reduction of malaria cases, through the provision of preventative measures (for example, long-lasting treated mosquito nets through mass campaigns and routine distribution at ANC clinics and schools), sensitising the communities about net use, repair, and repurposing. 3. Commodity surveillance and accountability to ensure all malaria testing and treatment commodities are available across the country, and at all times. This involves proper commodity quantification,

Mr Speaker, protect me from the angered Prime Minister. I take seriously the management of time as you guided. As my sister was talking about biogas, I wanted to give information about our travel to northern Uganda and what we witnessed; the destruction of the environment. We are gifted that in the West, we have cows that give –

Rt Hon. Speaker and Honourable colleagues, the Ministry of Health Draft National Health Policy 2024, has introduced a reform of upgrading the status of Health Center IVs (24 bed capacity) to Community Hospitals (60 bed capacity). This will be undertaken in a phased manner prioritizing existing Health Centre IVs with high catchment population and the 135 constituencies without Health Centre IVs based on geographical access, population coverege and resource availability. The estimated cost for construction of a Community Hospital is UGX 12 billion and equipping is UGX 4 billion, total is UGX 16 billion. To fully operationaTize a Community Hospital, we require recurrent costs including wage, non-wage recurrent, medicines and health supplies estimated at UGX 4.109 billion per annum. (Annex 2c) 3 Hon. OJok Andrew Oulanyah- Member of Parliament, Omoro Country alaria is one of the top killers in Northern Uganda and Uganda in general. What are government plans for curbing and eventually eradicating this preventable disease? RESPONSE: Rt. Hon Speaker and Honorable colleagues, Uganda is indeed highly endemic for malaria. Globally, Uganda ranks 3'd in global malaria burden and Sth in reported malaria-related and reported deaths. 5

Thank you. Hon. Ssekikubo, I knew you had another mission. You were very busy; I did not want to distract you from your mission. (Laughter) Since you are now available - I heard that you were in West Nile, northern Uganda. I did not want to disrupt your mission. However, since you are available, I will see you tomorrow at 11.00 a.m. Thank you. (Members rose_) Honourable colleagues, let us go to these matters of national importance. You should only react to what I have communicated. It was very straightforward. Maybe, let me allow Hon. Zaake.

Mr Speaker, I join my colleagues to appreciate the committee for the report presented on the Floor of Parliament. I would like the minister to respond and give us a report. I have been trying to follow up on many of the projects implemented by the Government in the community, but many of them have failed. Some of the reasons why they failed is because the ministry has failed to do a comprehensive assessment, especially on the types of soil, which crop does well where and what does not do well where. This is the same reason this particular project is failing. Honourable minister, do you have a comprehensive report that gives details of the types of soil in this country? When you want to implement a project in a particular area, you know that this crop does well in Karamoja, this one does well in West Nile, this one does well in Acholi, and this one does well in Central Uganda. If you have that report, I think it would be prudent enough for us to know, because that is part of the reason the projects are failing. There has been misplacement of seeds given to areas where the crops do not do well, and that is why the project is failing. Number two, some of these projects are politically motivated. Some of the projects are taken to certain areas because of political reasons. For example, Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF IV), which is now having a big challenge. It is meant for northern Uganda, but if you see the allocation of resources, it covers the entire east, not only northern Uganda.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank the committee for giving us this elaborate report on the Floor of Parliament. I want to raise a concern on the issue of accountability. This issue of giving money to the farmers’ groups and accountability is not done has really damaged our country. The follow-up of these funds has also not been done well. A lot of projects have been done, like under Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) – there was that element of farming activity – Operation Wealth Creation and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). All these monies have been put to waste. There are policies that are made to do follow-up, but when the money is given to the farmers, it is not followed up. You find that in other aspects, it is said that the money should be rotational: when you have benefited from it, someone different should also benefit – (Member timed out.) [Mr Lagen] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr Speaker, it is unfortunate that we are having this conversation when the project has already ended; when reports have been filed and when the project has already failed. In other words, we are having this conversation to comfort ourselves. Maybe this is for learning for the future projects. If it is so, then my comment will focus on that learning. The learning is this: when we want to implement a project to develop a sector like agriculture, it does not make sense that we spread it to the whole country, widen the scope, make it ambiguous and impossible to implement. That is why we are here now lamenting. We got PDM, 39 per cent, then we said let us give the whole country. We got Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) 3 per cent and said let us give it to the whole country. Now, when you roll it to the whole country, that is what you get; this is the result. I do not know if it is us, the politicians, making it look like the whole country should be served at all times for everything, then this is a learning. Next time, we see a project going to any part of the country, we should support it even if it does not come to Napak District. Let that part of Uganda develop, let that part of Uganda produce more food to feed us, who are not producing. That is my submission.

Mr Speaker, I just wanted to buttress the point that is uploaded there. However, let me proceed. I was talking about Atiak Sugar Factory before I was interrupted by my learned friend. Shs 553.71 billion has been injected into the Atiak Sugar Factory project but to date, no sugar has come from Atiak. The citizens are asking, “Where is the value for our tax money?” Mr Speaker, the Government borrowed money in 2021 for the Karamoja-Jinja Expressway to improve the connection between Kampala and Jinja cities and neighbouring countries along the Northern Corridor -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Karuma Bridge was closed on the 3 rd of May for three months, meaning by the 3 rd of August - this coming Saturday - it should be operational. The bridge was closed majorly for buses and heavy trucks. However, right now the bus owners in Northern Uganda have parked their buses. Some of them have loans and the business in Northern Uganda has gone down completely. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when the Minister went to launch, he promised and stated that the money that would be used is about Shs 7.2 billion. Right now, there is no serious work going on at Karuma Bridge. I would like to ask: on the 3 rd of August, which is tomorrow, shall you open Karuma Bridge for buses and heavy trucks going to Northern Uganda? Two, will you consider compensating those people who lost, especially those whose buses are on loan? Finally, will you investigate the Ministry of Works and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), because what is going on is not corresponding to the Shs 7.2 billion that they are talking about? I beg to move.

Mr Speaker, I will start with the last question. I promise that we shall investigate and that will be next week. I will take the trouble to go to Karuma myself to see what is happening and I will invite you that we go there together so that we do our oversight role. Honourable colleagues, you are aware that the efficacy of Karuma Bridge was quite difficult and delicate. There were eminent issues that could lead to the collapse of that bridge. And once it collapses, our people in the northern corridor will not have access to this side.

Mr Speaker, the Office of the Prime Minister has got other ministries. It is the Minister of Northern Uganda that distributes iron sheets. So, those that are going to Koboko and these other districts like Pakwach will get iron sheets. However, permit me to say that we also have iron sheets under Luwero-Rwenzori, Busoga, Karamoja, Bunyoro, and Teso. All these ministries have got an item or an activity to support our vulnerable communities with iron sheets. I will make sure that the iron sheets that are going to those areas are from those ministries; that is Northern Uganda and Teso - because she talked about a district in Teso. You will get the iron sheets. Thank you.

13669 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 AUGUST 2024 have supported other farmers under National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)? I do not think – because the money we are going to inject in the factories is quite huge and, to me, this is a big support by the Government. Therefore, the Government is supporting the sugarcane growers. Recently, when the prices of sugar went down, the Government provided money to support you people to take the sugarcane to northern Uganda. So, I feel that the NRM Government has done a lot for that region.

13581 THE E L E V E N TH P A R L I A MENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 25 J ULY 2024 3. Attended Cornerstone Leadership Academy from 1994 to 1996, and got an Advanced Level Certificate of Education. 4. Studied at Makerere University 1996 to 1999 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science and Philosophy. 5. Studied at Kampala International University from 2017 to 2022 and completed a Bachelor of Legal Laws. 6. Was still a student at the Law Development Centre for the Bar course. Mr Speaker, the late Hon. Aleper was a competent professional in handling social and technical work. He was able to work in the field under emergency conditions and in a multi- cultural environment. This is ably portrayed in his career below: 1. 2001-2002: District Peace Building Monitor and Secretary to the Small Arms Disarmament Programme in Karamoja 2. 2003-2004: Community Dialogue Officer for Karamoja 3. 2004-2006: Zonal Project Officer for Northern Uganda Youth Rehabilitation Project 4. 2008-2009: National United Nations Volunteer – District Coordinator for United Nations Development Programme The late Hon. Simon Peter Aleper underwent various on-job trainings as shown below: 1. In 1999: Training of Trainers in Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management at the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Mbale; 2. In 2000: Training in Skills and Strategies for Conflict Transformation by the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Kampala; 3. In 2001: Training in Management and Planning improvement programme on Social Sector in Mbale; 4. In 2002: Training in capacity building of Community-Based Organisations on Finance and Reporting in Mbale; 5. In 2002: Training in Participatory Rural Approaches in Kampala; 6. In 2003: Training in HIV/AIDS awareness raising and counselling in Mbale; and 7. In 2003: Training in Famine and Early Warning Systems. The Late Hon. Aleper carried out various short- term assignments as mentioned below; 1. Support personnel for Northern Uganda Reconciliation Programme. Carried out needs assessment and consultative stakeholder workshops in the entire northern region, under the Office of the Prime Minister. 2. Conducted research on pastoral network in the Great Horn of Africa. 3. Carried out a drought assessment in Karamoja under the supervision of the World Food Programme. 4. Coordinator Karamoja Education Support Trust (KEST), a Community-Based Organisation. The late Hon. Aleper was a hard-working member of the NRM, who rose through the ranks: 1. 2016-2021 – NRM National Vice- Chairman for Karamoja; 2. 2011-2016 – Member of Parliament for Moroto Municipality; 3. 20ll-2016 – District NRM Secretary for Publicity; 4. 2006 – Subcounty NRM General Secretary; 5. 2001 – NRM Coordinator for Youth in Teso, Karamoja and Kapchorwa. Mr Speaker, I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and the NRM Chairman, the family, friends and the entire Karamoja region upon this great loss of a first-rate politician. May the soul of Hon. Simon Peter A1eper rest in eternal peace. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I rise to pay tribute to my colleague, the late Hon. Simon Peter Aleper. I am privileged to have joined the Ninth Parliament together with him. One thing I know about the person lying before us here is that he was very smart, eloquent and consistent in everything he said. Hon. Aleper was a nationalist. Today, I see the way things are moving in this country, even in this House and at the time when he passed on in that accident. Maybe things would be different in this House. The other day I listened to the list of the leaders of committees being presented in this House, maybe there would have been a change if he had made it to reach the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and attended that meeting. The national cake is not equal and the way the appointments are being done is not balanced. In this whole House, when you look at the regions; northern, eastern and central, we have fewer MPs than the western region. However, even then, when it comes to leadership in this House, we have very few seats because some regions have been ignored. If Hon. Aleper had made it to that CEC meeting, maybe one or two more would have also been named from our regions. I rose on the Floor over the issue of roads in this country. I talked about the markings; it is very difficult to drive at night when the roads are not clearly marked. I do not know how much it takes to buy the reflector paint that is supposed to be put on these roads. Maybe it could have been a problem because you cannot know where you are supposed to end when you are driving when there are no demarcations on the road. We need to stand up to this. The paint is not very expensive. I said that here and the minister said, “We do not have money.” Why should we think about money even for smaller things? What are our priorities for this country? Mr Speaker, cases have come up on issues like accidents and we have put a lot of money from this House to buy cameras but they cannot give you good pictures to recognise what is happening. What is happening in this country? The type of pictures that come out of these cameras are below standard. Some cameras have been planted where there is no power. I do not know whether they are working or they are dummies. This House needs to do an audit on the cameras that are on our roads. I sympathise with the family for losing a breadwinner but we cannot plan death; we cannot even know when it happens. I want to pray that the good Lord keeps you, protects you and guides you. This is not the end. I personally became an orphan at the age of 10 years. You can make it. Stand strong, be firm and just be good as your father was. Nobody will ignore you. We shall look up to you. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

I rise on a matter of national importance concerning Katonga Bridge. Katonga Bridge is on an international route, which serves western Uganda, northern Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Two years ago, this bridge was swept away and closed for more than six months. Temporary measures were taken to repair this bridge and traffic was channelled through the long Ssembabule Road, which was inconveniencing to the traders for those six months in terms of money and time –

13515 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 JULY 2024 and these are funds required to commence establishment of mineral regulations, revenue collection infrastructure and implementation of the minerals law. These include weighbridges and Government regulated markets for precious stones et cetera. Under the same vote - Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, there was a reduction of Shs 15 billion from rural electrification and connectivity projects. These funds are required to kick-start works on the seven major construction roads, which include the following: 1. Under Batch 1; the Eastern Service Territory, including West Budama South, Tororo South and Tororo Municipality in Tororo District, Pallisa County, and Gogonyo in Pallisa District; 2. Under Batch 2; still in the Eastern Service Territory, it covers areas of Busiki in Namutumba, Bukooli South in Bugiri, Kamuli District, Kachumbala in Bukedea District, Mbale Northern Division, Bungokho in Mbale and Serere District; 3. Lot 3; Northwest Service Territory for Buyanja East in Kibaale District, Bugangaizi South in Kakumiro District, Buhaguzi in Hoima, Hoima City, Kikuube and Buyaga East in Kagadi District; 4. Under lot 4 of West Nile, Central North and North Service Territory for Ora area in Zombo, Gulu; Aringa South in Yumbe, Dokolo District and Lira East in Lira District. 5. West, South and South Western Service Territory for Sheema, Ruhinda in Mitooma, Isingiro, Rubanda, Ibanda, and Kisoro Districts; 6. Western, Central, and Rwenzori Service Territory for Busongora North in Kasese, Fort Portal Central in Kabarole, Kyankwanzi and Bunyangabo Districts; 7. Central Service Territory for Bbale in Kayunga, Mukono South in Mukono, Butambala, Bukoto East in Masaka and Kiboga Districts. Madam Chairperson, in addition, these funds are required to commence works of enhancing the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) framework priority interventions for small factories and cottage industries across the country. (Interjections ) The SMEs framework intervention is aimed at reducing the turnaround time for electricity connection to SMEs.

13431 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 JUNE 2024 that while differences in perspectives are inevitable, they should always be approached within a framework of friendship, co-operation, co-existence and mutual understanding. Your Excellency, Uganda’s position in this important conference was not just as a host, but also as a guide, a mediator and a friend to all nations represented. Our efforts in organising such meaningful and successful conferences were not in vain, as they had a significant multiple effect on the local economy and left a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all the participants, Uganda being the Pearl of Africa. Your Excellency, we thank you for gracing that conference and sharing the words of wisdom with all the speakers and delegates who came to Uganda. We thank you very much; we do not take this for granted. Your invaluable support was very instrumental in ensuring the success of all these conferences; we do not take that for granted. All the finances came from you and we cannot thank you any more than that. As we embark on the F ourth S ession of the 11th Parliament, we will continue to count on you, on your inspiration and guidance, which at the same time is bettering efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of the L egislature. I love your saying; you always say, “These are young people, they are all learning.” Indeed, we are all learning. Pursuant to Article 94(4)(a) of the Constitution of Uganda and Rule 25(1) of the Rules of Procedure, priority will be accorded to Government business. This will require the timely introduction of Government business for Parliament’s scrutiny, by the Prime Minister. Your Excellency, the Parliament of Uganda is a people-centred legislature. This implies that the common Ugandan is at the centre of the parliamentary processes and decisions. In furtherance to this, therefore, and in furtherance to Article 95(2) of the Constitution of Uganda and Rule 17(1) of the Rules of Procedure, during the Fourth Session, Parliament will hold regional outreach sittings that will cover four traditional regions in Uganda - North, East, West and Central. Your Excellency, we take this opportunity, first to thank you for accepting Parliament to have those regional sittings and secondly, we want to take this opportunity to invite you to grace the first sitting that will be held in Gulu. The inaugural outreach sitting will be from 29 to 30 August 2024 at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, northern Uganda. That is where we are requesting you to come to and open the sitting in Gulu. I take this singular honour to sincerely invite you for and on behalf of Parliament and the people of northern Uganda. We will have a sitting there so that we can be able to address various matters of public importance, especially those affecting that particular region. Honourable members, allow me in a special way to appreciate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and the First Lady, Mama Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports, for the enormous support they have given to sports. We thank you so much. This support is demonstrated in various ways; for the first time, our national team, Uganda Cranes, is going to play in Namboole tomorrow and that is because of the support that you have given to Namboole National Stadium. We also thank you, Y our Excellency, for ensuring that Uganda wins the hosting of AFCON. Uganda will be hosting AFCON and we thank you for providing money for all the infrastructure development that is required by AFCON. I invite all of you to go and support our national team, the Uganda Cranes, which will be playing tomorrow. I have been informed by the State Minister for Sports that the chief guest will be my brother, Gen. M.K. Please join him in supporting our young people while they play. Your Excellency, the return of these home games to Namboole would not have been possible if you did not have passion and love for your country and if Mama, did not have

13438 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION A United East African state with one army would never have allowed these tragedies to happen. Indeed, it is the East African Cooperation that eventually enabled us to solve these problems. However, coordinating multiple sovereign units is less efficient and less prompt in terms of action compared to a united East Africa. The third historic mission is to simply recognise the brotherhood and linkages among the African people and use them to achieve historical missions: number one, prosperity, as well as number two, strategic security. As we have pointed out several times, the African race is only comprised of four groups of linguistic classification. These are the Niger-Congo, which includes the Bantu and the Kwa languages of West Africa; the Nilo- Saharan, which includes our languages, the Nilotic languages and the Nilo-Hamitic, the Afro-Asiatic; which includes the languages of Northern Ethiopia; and the Khoisan; they are called the Bushmen in South Africa. These groups have linguistic similarities within each cluster and linkages between them. In other speeches, I have demonstrated this. You can check on those explanations. The NRM line has been that the people we are trying to unite for the sake of their prosperity and strategic security are either similar or linked. It is, therefore, a betrayal for the African political classes to fail to grasp this and instead preach sectarianism, parochialism, et cetera . I, therefore, call on the Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu , to audit what has been achieved vis-à-vis the three historical tasks and the four ideological principles of the NRM, and see what has been achieved and what remains to be done. Then you should do your part to do what is not yet done. With patriotism, we have been able to unite the majority of Ugandans. That is why the NRM always wins with a majority in the first round when we go for elections. On the side of Pan-Africanism, we have revived the East African Community, together with Wazee Daniel Arap Moi, Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa. Later, our brothers from Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan, and recently Somalia joined the East African Community. This has helped cross-border trade. Uganda exports goods and services worth $2.140 billion to East African countries, and goods and services worth $2.157 billion to COMESA countries. There are, however, still non-tariff barriers. With His Excellency William Ruto, recently we agreed to remove all these barriers against sugar, milk, eggs, fruit juices, et cetera. Saying that country X has got good rains this year and harvested a lot of maize, and therefore, country X will either give quotas for maize from Y - Imagine there are two African countries, X and Y. They should be trading together, but one year, X says, “This year I got a lot of rain and I harvested a lot of maize so I do not allow the maize of Y to come or I will allow a quota; a certain amount. Either give quotas for maize from Y or we will not allow any maize imports from Y this year.” This is wrong. Why is it wrong? What happens to the maize growers in Y that year? Since the maize in Y will kudiba ( have no buyers ) . Kudiba is our local word here, meaning that if you produce something and nobody buys, it is kudiba . Therefore, if the maize from Y this year kudibas because this year, X has got their maize, what happens to the maize growers in Y that year? Since the maize in Y will kudiba (have no buyers), the farmers will migrate to coffee, a product that depends on the global market and does not have those hurdles. Then next year, there is a shortage of rain in country X and they want maize from country Y. Sorry, the farmers were betrayed and they migrated to other products. This is the problem. The correct approach should be that maize from country Y should not be blocked even if there is a bumper crop in country X. Let the market determine the maize that will be preferred by the consumers. If it is found that the maize producers in country Y are consistently cheaper then let East Africa allow them to specialise

13424 THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 – they have never seen – they look at Hon. Ssekikubo, but they want to see him physically. If we can have a session in four different regions. (Applause) We are going to have four regions - our first sitting. We are going to have four regions. We will have Northern, Central, Western and Eastern regions. In Eastern, Hon. Masaba will host us. In Central, we shall take you to Masaka. In the West, we will take you to Mbarara and in the Northern, we are going to be in Gulu, Lukiiko Hall. Honourable members – [Honourable members rose] - I am still communicating. After the reading of the budget, the sitting that we are going to have will be in Gulu, then we will move on. Let us go to the people. If we are going to, say, a region like Gulu, we must capture everything that affects the northern region and discuss them. The ministers responsible – so, Hon. Omona, I am tasking you to ensure that all issues concerning the northern region are captured, and you must have all the ministers present to respond to all that people in that region want. THE MINISTER OF STATE, OFFICE OF

Thank you, Madam Speaker. For us in Karamoja, we do not know where we belong. (Laughter) When it is time for the youth, Karamoja is divided into two. The southern districts go to the east and the northern districts go to the north. We want to be recognised as a region so that we are in one place. How can we be tossed all the time like this?

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I thank you for the concern you have shown for the people in the north and West Nile who are affected by the close or the restrictions on the use of the bridge. I have two key issues that I would like to observe. We thank you for the guidelines that have been provided, but there are two issues that the people of West Nile and the northern region are uncomfortable with. The first is the restrictions on the travel hours from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. The second is the issue of the escalation of the travel charges, especially by the buses. For example, the proposed bus fare for Obongi to Kampala is going to double from Shs 50,000 to Shs 100,000 which is very prohibitive. Madam Speaker, the other issue is related to a time bomb we are sitting on, which is the Pakwach Bridge that recurrently, in every year, has been cut off. As we speak, there are already fears that as the rains intensify, the bridge is going to be cut off. That means the people of West Nile are going to be cut off. The Laropi Bridge would have been an alternative gateway to West Nile. Madam Speaker, this Parliament passed a loan from the African Development Bank in the 10 th Parliament; to date, the people of West Nile have not gotten an update on what is happening. Where is the money? When is the bridge construction project on Laropi Bridge starting? We pray, that when the minister comes with an update, will be able to talk about the status of procurement of works for the construction of Laropi Bridge as an alternative gateway to West Nile. I submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I again rise on your communication regarding the upcoming weather conditions that are within this country. We are going to be faced with, the harsh rains and the Karuma Bridge reconstruction. Allow me to make these three observations. One, Karuma Bridge and Park are the routes to West Nile, which I use very often. Indeed, at this point, I want to give thanks to the Government, that our Government in the few years comes up with alternatives as far as the bridge infrastructure in this country is concerned. If the ministry now decides that Karuma is stopped for large vehicles and an alternative goes through the park, this is coming from the fact that a new bridge has just been constructed across the River Nile, that is in Para. We are glad that this has been opened. However, Madam Speaker, as alluded to earlier on, the Pakwach Bridge connection to Gulu will be faced with these heavy rains once the River Tangi floods again. Why am I saying so? The junction between entry to Nwoya Road going to Gulu will automatically be cut off. We have experienced this earlier on before, and the work done on Nwoya Road is not as to the quality expected when these rains come. My fear is, will the people of Gulu not be cut off if this alternative route is used for them if the rains come? The second issue is; I am grateful to the bus companies we have in the Northern region. The fares I would cite; Nile Star has not increased in fares to use the alternative route. This is crucial for us and I want to urge the bus companies within that they should not take advantage of this calamity that has befallen Karuma so that the travellers can be able to travel through very well. The last one is, Madam Speaker - (Member timed out.)

Honourable members, it is a tourism road connecting – for the first time, northern Uganda is getting connected. (Applause) And you are the same people who have been complaining that there are no roads on that side. I now put the question that the motion for a resolution of Parliament to authorise the Government to borrow up to - [Member: “Procedure!”] – It is suspended – € 110,543,947.52 from Standard Chartered Bank to finance the Kitgum-Kidepo Road upgrading project to be approved by this House. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted. MOTION THAT THE HOUSE RESOLVES ITSELF INTO A COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY TO CONSIDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023/2024, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 156(2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF UGANDA, SECTION 25 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT, 2015 AND RULE 153 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Madam Speaker, this housekeeping will be very important for us. Firstly, we want roads in northern, western, eastern and central Uganda. So, on that issue, we are at par. This Kampala in which we operate is a mess; we want the roads fixed. But for the good of our housekeeping, Madam Speaker and you have mentioned, these committee chairpersons are under this august House; we want to make sure there gets to be no repeat of the same. The Government Chief Whip has told us that the leadership of the committee informed him that they were not available. Madam Speaker, this House is under your leadership, supervised by yourself. When a Member is to be away for one reason or another - if it is a Member on my side, they will inform me but they will inform the Speaker as well. Likewise, for all the leaderships. Recently, there was a training for one of the accountability committees. Some Members did not show up and you took stern action; you were very angry, and rightly so. Because if something has been prepared and committee members do not show up, action should be taken.

Courtesy means – (Interjection) - I was seated next to you. Do you want to speak first? Madam Speaker, we are of course all interested in infrastructure development. For me, what the Leader of the Opposition presented was sufficient; that we ought to be smarter in the future, so that the committee takes responsibility to explain to this august House. I feel for the people of northern Uganda because we seek for infrastructure the same way. If we sit here and disregard their plight, it will definitely come back to act against us. Therefore, as Parliament, we should box ourselves in the corner and realise that as committees, please, take up your responsibility. It is not the responsibility of the whip to come here and explain the position of the committee. You need to carry us together as a House so that we stand together and defend this loan for the people and its importance to the country. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I understand that definitely a question has been put and the matter should now be put to its logical conclusion but aware that in future, we shall not accept to debate any report without the full input of the committee and all of us. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I beg to present the report of the Committee on Agriculture on the Dairy Industry (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Dairy Development Authority is a semi- autonomous agency which was established by the Dairy Industry Act, 1998 and operationalised by the Dairy Marketing and Processing of Milk and Milk Products Regulations, 2003. The mandate of the authority is to develop and regulate the Dairy Industry in Uganda through the provision of development and regulatory services that will ensure increased production and consumption of milk, sustainable and profitable dairy industry that will contribute to economic development and the nutritional standards in Uganda. The authority implements its mandate through the regional approach, model approach covering south-western, eastern, north-eastern, central, northern and mid-western regions. The Diary Development Authority has its presence at some of the main diary entry and exit border points include Malaba, Busia, Mutukula and Entebbe International Airport, with access to Uganda Revenue Authority’s Automated

As you are aware, tourism is a very important aspect in generating income for this country and there is a need for us to be able to work on the tourism roads. Today, we will receive a proposal to borrow money to finance such a tourism road which is Kitgum-Kidepo Road. (Applause) There is some equity now coming in. This road, if worked on, will grossly boost tourism in the northern part of this country. I now invite the honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to table the proposal. Meanwhile, I do not know where the Minister of Works and Transport has gone. There is a problem. This loan has LAYING OF PAPERS

Hon. Isaac Otimgiw, do you pass there when you are going to northern Uganda? (Laughter) You come from Nebbi. Do you know what is in the east?

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am here to support that NFA must stay – (Applause) - for reasons that Acholi or the northern region has suffered a lot from charcoal burning. Right now, we are trying to recover by planting trees that are being provided by NFA. (Applause) If we are to merge NFA with the main ministry, I am afraid we may not achieve this. So, I stand firm in supporting NFA to stay.

Hon. Okwir, when you are talking about such a serious matter of eviction, we need evidence. That is one. Two, during the war in northern Uganda, not only in Acholi but also Lango and even Teso, when people went back, they took over the land belonging to the National Forestry Authority (NFA). (Applause) You are the encroachers to NFA and he knows it. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join my colleagues in congratulating the Government of Uganda and thank the mover of the motion, Hon. Andrew for bringing out the key issues that we need to do. Rugby is a game of bravery, speed and is a fun game. It is a game we need to promote as a country, and it is important that we put our appeal to the honourable minister to provide facilities across the country. We should have facilities in Western, Eastern, and Northern Uganda, and particularly West Nile, the only region with English names in this country. We brought to the attention of the minister the issue of Inzikuru Stadium, Barifa and that is a very key issue. Madam Speaker, you need to join us in reminding the honourable minister that Barifa was a pledge of the President and that the stadium has been hanging for very many years without a clear position of the Government on Inzikuru Stadium. It is high time, as we promote sports in this country, we should be able to do it across the region and we will be glad. A person like me would be a very good rugby player, honourable minister, I am sure you know. (Laughter) Therefore, support us to support you in promoting sports. Thank you.

12682 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS On page 71, we request for Shs 5 billion. If need be, it will be harmonised at the Budget Committee. Operationalisation of the disaster risk management plan Madam Speaker, we approved this plan in this House. We received a report from the Department of Disaster Preparedness and now it is time for us to act. We are requesting for Shs 43.177 billion. On the implementation of Kyangwali Resettlement, we are requesting for Shs 4.7 billion. Development expenditure category We are making emphasis on capital development which is missing because many of the projects under the affirmative action programme have ended, like Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) III and Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP). We request that the Office of the Prime Minister and all the sectors relevant in these areas expedite the process of following up, so that NUSAF IV and DRDIP II are brought on board. On land compensation for refugee settlement, we recommend Shs 96 billion. This covers especially Northern Uganda because we have realised that after repatriation, many people grab properties which are on their land. It is only in Northern Uganda where individuals have been requested to offer their land, except in western Uganda and other parts where the Government offered land. Therefore, we recommend that this money be got so that these properties are handed to the local governments. On commitment to affirmative action programmes, Madam Speaker, we are not doing well. There is poor financing of affirmative action programmes. In Northern Uganda, we have a gap of Shs 35 billion. Under Karamoja affairs, we have a gap of Shs 20.09 billion. Under Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori affairs, we have a gap of Shs 22.7 billion. Busoga affairs, we have a gap of Shs 20 billion. Teso affairs, we have a gap of Shs 20.2 billion. Bunyoro affairs, we have a gap of Shs 20.2 billion. Madam Speaker, we request that these monies are provided otherwise, affirmative action programmes are losing meaning. Storage and management items procured for distribution under affirmative action We are concerned about our store at Namanve. We went there and the situation is uncalled for. We found rats, a leaking roof, and the floor was so bad. We recommend that our four-acre land in Namanve be developed properly so that we have safety of our items stored there.

Thank you for your presentation and particularly the one on Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF). Kindly enable the support for NUSAF to support livelihood. The other question I am asking is, in the affirmative action ministry support, I see Northern Uganda with a budget of Shs 35 billion - (Interruption)- It is a gap. Okay, then that is right. The last one is the one I had asked earlier about insurance mainly about the vehicles I mentioned. Under the Inspector General of Government’s Office (IGG), they mentioned that they want compensation or to buy four vehicles at about Shs 2 billion.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have three comments only and a request. One is on the Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre. It was transferred to the Ministry of Education and Sports, but there is a shortfall on the wage bill. They need Shs 1.5 billion. Secondly, I would like to thank the Minister of State in charge of Sports for the commitment to recognise our sports personalities. The rugby team won two gold medals together with other athletes. I want to thank him for that commitment.

12512 SECTORAL C O MMITTEE R E P O R TS I support the position of the Speaker that we should split the committee into two, that is, trade and tourism. Somebody raised the issue of sugar structures; we brought the Bill here and you requested us to go and do more consultations. We are glad to hear that you need it back and we are ready to return it. Hon. Isingoma, on the issue of cooperatives, we have now registered 10,638 primary cooperatives in Uganda and we are working out a strategy to re-establish a cooperative bank. We are now at Cabinet level and we will be coming to inform the Parliament on how far we have gone. I appreciate the committee for creating a separate vote for the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), but I want to urge Parliament again that creating a vote alone without appropriating money to it, won’t let us achieve much. Honourable colleagues, we have a strategy of value addition, import substitution and export promotion. We have agreed that we should increase our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from currently Shs 55 billion to Shs 500 billion in the next five years. To achieve this, we must add value to the things that we are producing and our contribution to the industrial sector now stands at 27.4 per cent of the national GDP. To achieve this value addition and industrialisation, we must invest in sectors that actually will achieve that objective, and UDC is one of the arms of the Government that can help us achieve industrialisation. We need to process our cocoa in Kasese, starch in Northern Uganda, Irish potatoes in Southern Uganda and fruits across the country. We must end the importation of old clothes to Uganda gradually and to do this, we need resources. Yes, the private sector is moving ahead to do a lot of things that we are seeing, but some sectors are not very attractive to the private sector and some of these sectors can be worked out through investment in UDC. Therefore, while the creation of the Vote is important, appropriating money to it is more important. I urge the Members to do that. The acting Leader of the Opposition raised the issue of the removal of trade barriers. Indeed, we are doing that through the East African Community and African Continental Free Trade Area - (Mr Nsereko rose_)

Yes. Okay. Honourable colleagues, I leave it to you, but I can bet it is not less than a billion. For example, what which was done in Katakwi, honourable minister - what the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) does on Tarehe Sita , where you say, to celebrate the youth or the women, we are going to choose a certain region and you balance. This year, you are in the Northern region, next year you are in the Western region and the other year you are in the Central region. You do related activities, without us going to eat meat and drink tea and water, and then we get per diem for inland travel. I am just thinking aloud. Where is Hon. Mpindi? I had already picked Hon. Bosco. When you consider the number of days we have in a year, with each day taking about a billion, I can tell you that we spend over Shs 10 billion.

Thank you, Hon. Okiror. The information I would like to give to the House is that a similar promise was made to the people of Lango under the affirmative Ministry of Northern Uganda. To date, there has been no delivery of even one cent of that project. I wanted to give him information that under the Ministry of Gender, there is some assurance that the project may be delivered. Therefore, Teso should insist on being part of the one under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. (Laughter)

12527 THE E L E VENTH P A R L IAMENT O F U GANDA THURSDAY , 11 A P R IL 2024 She handed over the centres to the districts, which were unable to handle them. Most of the parents have requested that these rehabilitation centres be reinstated. A woman told us that she has four children affected by nodding syndrome, and that she will kill them and also die. A man told us that he has seven children also affected. Most of them told us that if we were not the Acholi Parliamentary Group, they would chase us away, because several people have gone to them, but have not assisted them. The Archbishop of Northern Uganda, John Baptist Odama, put up a habitation centre in Kitgum, which has about only 10 children, whom we took there on stretchers, but they are now doing better. I propose that the issue of the rehabilitation and habitation centres for these children should be included in the Budget and financed handed over to the Archbishop because he can handle those centres very well, so that the parents who have been living with these children for all these years - information from the minister-

I sincerely thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. When you look around the House now, I am the only Member of Parliament from Teso who is here as a Backbencher. Particularly, I thank the committee for the effort that has been put in and the various cross-cutting recommendations that have been made. However, I have a very critical issue on the component of water. I come from Katakwi and it is on record that the north-eastern and northern part of this country is water-stressed.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the committee for the very good report. While we think about the effects of climate change and we are crying about the issue of water, I think it would be good for us to also address our minds to the causes and mitigate the risk. I support the committee’s recommendation, especially on planting trees and also urging all the MDAs, to be able to include the component of tree planting in their subsequent plans. I think that is key. As a country, we know that recently we have gone through erratic weather patterns as a result of climate change even within the neighbouring countries. For example, South Sudan had to close schools for a period of about two weeks and learning was not happening. As a country, if we do not wake up to that reality, we also risk getting to a point where places like Karamoja, northern region where I come from and West Nile which has recently been experiencing very high temperatures, it will escalate if we do not plant more trees. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me start by thanking the chairperson and his committee. The pattern of settlement in some areas, for example, in northern Uganda, is so sparse that it may take a long time for piped water to reach everybody in the villages. So, the construction of boreholes will still continue in some parts of the country. Now, my concern is that the population is growing and trading centres are expanding. Therefore, the policy of having one borehole per village is not tenable. We need to shift the policy to have at least two or three boreholes per village, to support the growing population. Also the motorisation of water and having mini-piped water within the villages or trading centres would help us to ease the problem of water for people to get clean and safe water. When there are good deep wells, water in the rural centres could be motorised using solar, which is cheaper, for them to get affordable water. Mr Speaker, that brings me to the issue of climate change. I would like that as the Government considers and encourages tree planting, more of fruit trees should also be included – trees like jacaranda, oranges, cashew nuts and avocado. Within a short time, you will be able to pick and sell the fruits and, at the same time, the trees will provide support to the environment in terms of fighting climate change. Otherwise, the campaign to plant more trees will be in vain. Even the boreholes, without these trees, will be affected by weather. Finally, on rural electrification, I have seen the call for more money to provide last mile connectivity, but Shs 8.9 billion is not provided. We are happy that the ministry has provided

(71 2 factories operationalized; Luwero Fruit factory and Cassava processing Factory (8) IPPU GHG Mitigation and adaptation measures implemented. Cooperatiae Deaelopment (1) 40 Emyooga SACCOS supervised &monitored with focus on women, youth & PWDs throughout the country. (21 480 Parish Development Model (PDM) Savings and Credit Cooperatives supervised & monitored with focus on climate change and gender. (3) 1000 New Cooperatives registered. (41 20 Inspections and investigations of Cooperatives carried. out. (5) 8 Cooperative annual audits conducted. (6) 8 Annual/Special General Meetings conducted in Eastern, Northern, Western and Central regions. (7) 4 Cooperative arbitration /conflict resolution sessions conducted, one per region. (8) 4 Capacity buitding sessions in governance and financial management in Cooperatives conducted. (9) 4 Youth leadership training sessions conducted. F r'-D- A^; a ( *a N ( N 47 r:J

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

Procurement of land in Western and Northern Uganda for the constmction of UNBS Regional Laboratory in Mbarara (UGX 2 billion) and Gulu (UGX 2 billion) 4.O Total 31.72 4.O obsenrations and Recommendations on Trade and Industry vote o15: Ministry of rrade, Industry and cooperatives (MTIcl The Committee is concerned that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives was supposed to have operationalizedlaws such as the Accreditation Services Act, 2O2I and the Sugar Act, 2O2O. However, none of the two have been operationalized. These laws require operational stmctures. However, ro structures have been proposed in the current rationalization of Government Agencies, €lrl implication that they might remain on the shelves yet they are important to the economy. Recommendations of the Committee The Committee recommends that MTIC should have in place stmctures to operationalise laws in the Trade Sector that were passed by parliament. 6.12 subvention to uganda cooperative Alliance Limited The committee observed that in the FY 2023 /24 MTlcwas allocated ucx 3 billion to Uganda Cooperative Alliance Limited (UCAL) without a legat framework or cooperation agreement and Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their relationship. The Committee further observed that MTIC did not have in its possession an instnrmentlegalizing its relationship with ucAL since ucAL is a limited company ,\ - ifr't /" , l1 h" N I 62 .fu,- ,Y

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the detailed report from the committee chairperson and also some very critical aspects, which are positive, from the alternative report from the shadow minister. I want to bring to the attention of the minister that whereas we know that the PDM is doing well and we have very good hopes that it will be a game changer, there are some aspects we do not look at critically. For example, when we say that money goes directly to the SACCOs, we also know that we have information, which has already indicated that sometimes money under the Wendi Digital Platform is going directly to personal accounts, which is not the SACCO’s account. This is up to a tune of Shs 100 million. That can be quite risky. Even when we are already praising the 98 per cent in terms of disbursement, as women we know that when we were praising Uganda Women Empowerment Programme (UWEP) performance was going beyond 90 per cent, for example, when we visited some districts in northern Uganda like Agago, at 93 per cent; that was already based on the recovery rate. Therefore, when we begin to say that we are performing at 98 per cent, I think that gives us a leeway to just sit back when we still do not know how the Fund is – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker and I thank the committee for the good report. I address myself to the underfunded priority of sensitisation and public awareness. We have the legacy of the founding fathers of the East African Community and it is that our parents could speak Kiswahili. The business language in Uganda was actually Kiswahili in the early 80s and 90s. However, as time has gone on, this is no longer the case. You find a good number of the population in northern Uganda speaking Kiswahili, but these are people who are 45 years and above. Therefore, there really needs to be a sensitisation of the fact that we are East Africans. Many people know that we are Ugandans, but the fact that we are East Africans is not common knowledge to the people in our communities. I belong to the forum on East African Community Affairs in Parliament here – I am actually the new chairperson. One of the issues that we are dealing with is creating a critical mass of Members of Parliament in the Ugandan Parliament and in the other parliaments in East Africa who can champion the political and economic agenda of the East African Community. I affirm that this Parliament should join hands and help to fund the priority of sensitisation and public awareness.

12361 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 4 APRIL 2024 The district local government is working with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to secure resources required to establish the health centre IIIs in those 11 lower local governments in Kanungu District. The third question came from Hon. Robert Migadde Ndugwa, Buvuma Islands County, Buvuma District. He says that outgrowers of palm oil in Buvuma are starting to harvest in August. However, as we speak, the investor, that is BIDCO, suspended construction of the mill, pending the government availing substantial land where a lot of it has not yet been compensated. What arrangement does the government have to ensure that people do not get stuck with their palm? My response is that in 2003, the Government of Uganda entered into an agreement with BIDCO to establish an oil extraction mill for every 3,000 hectares of crop established within a radius of 30 kilometres. As at the end of December 2023, 3,876 hectares have been planted. Ideally, the planted acreage qualifies the investor to establish a plant. The investor has already earmarked and acquired 12 hectares to establish the extraction mill. In addition, the equipment required is already imported and on site. The investor has committed to complete the construction, installation and commissioning of the plant before the first harvest, in the year 2025. Government will continue to work with the investor to ensure that this obligation is met. The fourth question came from Hon. James Baba, MP, Koboko County. In 2020, Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) procured coffee seedlings from verified coffee nursery operators throughout the country. To date, these nursery operators have not been paid any money for the coffee seedlings they supplied. The situation is disheartening to the farmers from northern Uganda who had shown a lot of interest to begin seriously growing coffee as a perennial crop, but cannot get coffee seedlings because the suppliers have not been paid. Could the Government respond to the plight of the coffee nursery operators who supplied seedlings and have not been paid? Will the coffee nursery bed operators be paid for the millions of coffee seedlings they supplied under UCDA? This is my response. The government acknowledges that coffee nursery operators from West Nile and other parts of the country supplied coffee seedlings after the Cabinet directed that the mature certified coffee seedlings be supplied to farmers in the Financial Year 2022/23 and that payment would be made once resources are available. As you may recall, honourable colleagues, the Government carried out verification of the coffee seedlings supplied and based on this verification report, the Government proposed that in the coming Financial Year 2024/25, Shs 20 billion out of the Shs 49.8 billion will be provided and a balance of Shs 29.8 billion will be paid in the succeeding financial year. Hon. Derrick Orone, Gogonyo County, Pallisa District asked, when will the Government put labour attachés or liaison officers in Saudi Arabia where we have a high number of our Ugandan girls who get problems and the embassy cannot accommodate the problems? My response is that the Government has already deployed two labour attachés to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Two External Security Organisation (ESO) officers were seconded by the ministry to take on the roles of labour attachés and have already reported to the mission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The ministry is in the process of working out the modalities of funding the labour attachés to commence work. His prayer number two was; when will other countries like Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait sign bilateral agreements with Uganda for export of labour from Uganda? This is because the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has been promising this for two years, but nothing is happening, according to Hon. Derrick Orone.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, about five months ago, I raised a matter in this House where requested you to update Ugandans on the progress of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund IV (NUSAF IV). You promised to provide the updates. Unfortunately, it has taken several months. I would like to ask you that it would be fair to update the country on when the implementation of NUSAF IV will start. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, NUSAF IV is a World Bank-funded project. World Bank, these days, is dragging their feet because of what you know. However, the President has had several engagements. The former minister for northern Uganda as well as the ministry for finance have also been to Washington. Although they are dragging their feet, we know that eventually – because it is not only Uganda that is doing this – I saw Ghana the other day and maybe all African countries. The World Bank needs us as we need them. I request the Member to be a little patient. The ministry for finance is equally constrained, but we are trying to fast-track it.

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has a programme to support small-scale irrigation farmers with irrigation equipment acquisition by cost-sharing. I am in receipt of complaints from many farmers, especially those from Northern Uganda and Lango in particular, that the terms and the costs of equipment acquisition are highly prohibitive. What are the plans of the Government to ensure that the irrigation equipment is affordable and also accessible to these farmers?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, His Excellency the President issued an executive order stopping massive tree cutting and stopped the Balaalo from wandering with their animals in northern Uganda.

The implementation of the executive order is in my office. Mr Speaker, the eviction of the Balaalo was halted - he knows – because of the Foot and Mouth Disease. Otherwise, there are those who had left the area. The fear was that we may transmit the foot and mouth disease to other parts of the country, since we had identified a few areas in northern Uganda with this particular disease. Tree cutting is an issue of enforcement. I promise to coordinate the relevant ministries so that this is stopped. Thank you.

Welcome back, Hon. Dr Kenneth Omona, to the Parliament of Uganda. Once a Member of Parliament, always a Member of Parliament; we are a family. Congratulations upon catching the eye of the appointing authority as the Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister (Northern Uganda). I know you might be having many copies of the Constitution, but let me give you one more together with a copy of our Rules of Procedure to help you in executing your mandate. Once again, congratulations and we look forward to sharing a lot with you. 3. Mr Balaam Barugahara

Thank you, Mr Speaker . I beg to lay the report of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Committee on Health on a motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to prioritise interventions to address challenges of mycotoxin contamination in the country. I beg to lay. In the same vein, I beg to lay the minutes taken while the committee was considering the motion. I beg to lay. Mr Speaker, on 18 July 2023, Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi moved a motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to prioritise interventions to address challenges of mycotoxin contamination in Northern Uganda.

12304 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Arising out of the debate on the motion, the Speaker referred the motion to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Committee on Health for joint consideration and guided that the scope should not be limited to northern Uganda, but cover the entire country. Mr Speaker, the two committees considered the motion and now I beg to report. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that contaminate food crops, animal feeds and the environment. The common mycotoxins include aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, deoxynivalenol/ vomitoxin and zearalenone. The terms of reference for consideration of the motion were; (i) To establish the cause of mycotoxin prevalence in the country. (ii) To ascertain the magnitude of mycotoxin prevalence in the country. (iii) To find out the impact of mycotoxins on human health; the economy; and the environment. (iv) To assess the Government interventions aimed at reducing mycotoxin prevalence in the country. Causes of mycotoxin prevalence in the country The causes include climatic and environmental factors, inappropriate agronomical practices, poor post-harvest handling of produce, and non-regulated grain trade in the country. Magnitude of mycotoxin prevalence in the country The committee established that various studies have been carried out regarding mycotoxins in the country. The studies are well spelt out. Mr Speaker, I request that since I have only 15 minutes, honourable colleagues, should read, since they are good readers. Let me now go straight to the committee observations and recommendations on page 15 of the report. Causes of mycotoxin prevalence in the country The committee observed that: (i) Uganda’s location astride the equator and climatic conditions make it a conducive environment for the growth and multiplication of mycotoxins. (ii) The above causes of mycotoxin prevalence are largely unknown by the general public. What is initially attributed to mycotoxins are poor post-harvest handling practices. (iii) The inadequate regulation of the grain trade has resulted in untested grain on the market whose quality may not meet the required standards, including limits on mycotoxin contamination. This was attributed to the inadequate funding to the UNBS to enforce compliance with the standards. (iv) Although the Grain Council of Uganda is a non-profit and non-governmental self- regulatory organisation whose objectives include enhancing compliance with grain standards, the council operates without a regulatory mandate to enforce compliance. (iv) UNBS majorly enforces grain standards for export, with a limited focus on grain for domestic consumption. The committees recommend that: (i) Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and other responsible ministries and agencies, should create awareness about the existence of mycotoxins in the country and the dangers of contamination of food and water. There are 200 types of mycotoxins and I think as a country, we need to take keen interest in the types. (ii) Government, through the Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries and other relevant ministries and agencies, should educate farmers about measures to control mycotoxin contamination in the food chain.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The second one was from the chairperson; that after Parliament adopts this report, it will take about three months for staff who are not paid to be paid. I request the chairperson, please, that after those three months, that will be in August this year, please come and give us an update on the same. Lastly, Mr Speaker, they are busy laying off or terminating staff yet we need them. For us who come from the northern region, we are anxiously waiting for the commissioning of the Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station which has taken quite a bit of time. Can I know when the Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station will be commissioned, so that we avoid power outages in our areas? I thank you, Mr Speaker.

2.9 HrsToRY OF TEA GROWING rN ZOI0IBO Tea growing in Zombo was initially introduced in the 1960s. However, the economic activity collapsed due to the political turmoil of the 1970s. Following a request by the Alur King (Wimu ker Alur) to His Excellency the President to support tea growing in Abanga and other parts of the Alur Kingdom in order to improve the livelihoods of the people; Government re- introduced tea growing in the district during the FY 2OI3l2014 through the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) II Programme. This happened at an opportune time when Government had started the expansion of tea production in the western and south-western regions of Uganda. In 2014, tea nursery beds were set up by Giant Seeds Company in Zombo and Nebbi districts. The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) procured and distributed tea seedlings to the farmers for planting. ln 2016, nursery beds were established again in Zombo district by the sa.rne company and more tea planting was done in 20 17 and 20 18 in block farms. ln 2018, more nursery operators were invited to set up nursery beds across the district to increase the quantity of tea seedlings available to farmers. It was at that time that tea farmers' groups/cooperatives and nursery operators' organizations emerged, prompting the formation of the 300- member Zombo Tea Growers Cooperative Society Limited. However, procurement of tea seedlings by NAADS remained low, causing loses to nursery operators and this, coupled with the impact of COVID-19, negatively affected tea growing. In 2022, Government through NAADS, embarked on the process of distributing tea seedlings to farmers in 16 tea growing districts namely: Buhweju, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Rukungiri, Kisoro, Kyenjojo, Zornbo, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kabale, Kanungu, Sheema, Kikuube, Rwampara, and Kabarole. The main suppliers of these tea seedlings were Tea Development Agency Limited (UTDAL) and Zombo Nursery a Operators and Farmers' Associa POK& Vl- \ 3 :E# ffi** tS' d#*il/,' #

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I beg your indulgence. The discussion surrounding the Nodding Syndrome is a very passionate one because it touches a very big population in northern Uganda. My procedural matter is, as we talk, the Rt Hon. Speaker, Ms Anita Among permitted Acholi Members of Parliament to go for a field visit and fact-finding of the current issues about the Nodding Syndrome in the Acholi Subregion. Parliament has offered transport and facilitated the Members of Parliament of the Acholi Parliamentary Group; we were all there. My humble appeal is, would it not be procedurally right that we halt the debate so that we wait for these pertinent issues, which are very current, coming from the field and sanctioned by Parliament, such that we combine them with the current report and we have an elaborate debate to have a permanent solution on this issues of the Nodding Syndrome? I beg to submit.

12166 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Some research can still be established. It is not yet late. So that we know if the previous research that was done can match with what is being done right now. Then we compare notes and see how to fight Nodding syndrome in Northern Uganda. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues on these matters. I thank the committee for the report presented on the Floor of Parliament. I also thank you so much for the guidance that you have given us to have a meeting with the Office of the Prime Minister for action. What we need now is action. We have been talking a lot. We need the Government to take immediate action to rescue and support the people of Acholi. We are going through tough times. We are bleeding from one level to another. If the Government delays responding to these issues, there will be several deaths. Mr Speaker, I met a woman who wanted to kill all her children and at the same time kill herself, because it has become very difficult for her to take care of them. She cannot afford to get food. Medication is very difficult. She is very traumatised. The clan cannot help her. She is very stranded. It is a very difficult moment for the people of Northern Uganda, including the Members of Parliament. You normally see us walking - we are very traumatised. That is a fact. We are going through a series of unending events, which is very tough for us. Sometimes when we walk, we do not feel good about what is going on in Northern Uganda. We need the support of the Government. It is my humble appeal that at this time, the Ministry of Health should come out openly with a commitment, and take serious responsibility. I also feel that the ministry should take things to another level. If they can take a sample and take it out of the country so that we get the result of the cause of this. This is because the committee was saying that maybe it is caused by the black fly. They are not yet sure. We want to have evidence. We want to be sure of the cause of this disease. It is our humble appeal, Mr Speaker, that we need the support of the Government in this case. We also need the government to follow up. You know, there is a mafia who has made Northern Uganda their investment place. Any money taken to Northern Uganda is squandered; God will judge you for this. I am telling you the truth, God will never spare you. Money meant for the vulnerable people, which is supposed to support them in their livelihoods - you will pay for that. I thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Lagen, we are with you in all this- the whole House. This is not an issue for Acholi, Lango or Northern Uganda; it is for all of us and these are children of Uganda. Count on the support of this House strongly. Hon. Onekalit, then Hon. Oguzu Lee.

Thank you. Hon. Muzaale – I gave more time to the Northern team for the purpose of them sharing a lot of information.

12171 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 2024 We are talking about the Ministry of Health but we have money in the Ministry of Science and Technology. I have been looking at over 70 projects of research being carried out but they are almost useless. Let us put money into this research. Secondly, I support the idea of the MPs from northern Uganda to have rehabilitation centres, because they have proved that once children are put in these rehabilitation centres and are fed well they improve. Let us have the caregivers being paid by the Government so that we can have children of Northern Uganda grow into men and women in the future because the moment we keep looking at the old people and do not care for children, that means we will not have a population in northern Uganda in the coming years. Lastly, when HIV/AIDS attacked this country in the 1980s, the Government rushed and established the Uganda AIDS Commission. It was a tough disease. Right now, can’t we start a commission or put a nodding syndrome under Uganda AIDS Commission so that we have this problem solved once and for all? Those are my recommendations.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker and all Members who have contributed to this report. From the onset, I would like to note that I feel so much pain when I listen to Members who have come across these children and seen them suffering. I have come across them, not in a rehabilitation centre but in a home. I have seen the pain of a mother who has a child with Nodding Syndrome. I want to commit that the Minister of Health is doing all it takes under the circumstances and with the limited resource envelope to make sure this ends. It is so sad for everybody. None of us may have that child but most of us are parents and we know what it means to have a condition that is not treatable and is out of your control. However, I would like to clarify a few things. As the Ministry of Health, we know that this Nodding Syndrome is in eight districts and two of them are in the Lango Subregion. Oyam and Lira are in Lango, isn’t it? The Ministry of Health is already there. They are working with Omoro, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Amuru, Oyam, Lira and Pader. Regarding this Nodding Syndrome, the Ministry of Health has a number. There are 2,200 children who have been reported and are under care and treatment. Out of these, some healed completely. Others even got married and have had children. We have others who sat senior six exams. Actually, their performance was not very good because of mental retardation but they grew into useful human beings. So, they need to get that treatment and also live productive lives. In one of the letters that the Ministry of Health wrote to the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury requesting for funds -most of you people from Northern Uganda are aware that the money that came through the Ministry of Health was not sufficient. It was little money. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health at least provided treatment for these children, which is their core mandate. Mr Speaker, Nodding Syndrome requires a multi-sectoral approach. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has got to come in. The Office of the Prime Minister

I would like to thank the Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda who are concerned because they live with this problem; others just want to act to the gallery. However, currently, we have children who do not have the nodding disease and they are okay. Therefore, Mr Speaker, Hon. Sarah Opendi alluded to the fact that some patients actually have down syndrome, others epilepsy and they are all being managed but people think it is all nodding disease, which is not the case. However, as I conclude, I want to allay the Members’ fears and also commit that the Ministry of Health will still send a team, and I will be present with that team. Honourable members, you can call me in the night and tell me anything you want because I do not switch off my phone. I want to know what is happening in the health sector all the time. Mr Speaker, I also commit that we shall have this multi-sectoral meeting with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development and make sure that whatever interventions we are doing in Northern Uganda are known to the Members. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to congratulate my fellow golfer for making it to the cream. Golf is one of the best games we have on earth. One, it makes you physically fit because you move such a distance. For this, our Golf Course of Gulu was distributed to the leaders and the technical staff of Gulu District Local Government. We have leaders in this House, who benefited from the land from Gulu Golf Course. Right now, we have nowhere to train from. If we want to train, we normally travel up to Lira. Gulu does not have a golf course, yet it used to be the best golf course in Northern Uganda.

Mr Speaker, in consultation with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, I beg to report as follows: In addition to the circular that was issued on 3 November 2023, laid by Hon. Sarah Opendi, there was another circular, which was issued. It has been sent - my office is printing and they will deliver it. I pray you will give me an opportunity to lay. The fact is that the first circular was issued on the assumption that the ministry knew that the UCE results for 2023 would be released earlier, but it was amended. When the release came slightly late, there was an extension of one week by the Ministry of Education and Sports and that went up to the 23 rd February. This was to cater for senior four candidates who sat in 2023. I have been made to know that on Monday and Tuesday this week, the selection was done for this category in four regional centres namely: Ntinda for central, Kakyeka for Western Region, Bobi for Northern Region and Madera for Eastern Region. Students responded to the extension and many applied, especially those in cohort 2023. As I speak, the lists highlighting the students who were admitted are out on the notice boards of the various institutions. In a nutshell, the mischief raised by Hon. Sarah Opendi was cured through an extension by the Ministry of Education and Sports. When that circular comes, I request you allow me to lay it on the Table. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I got a question from Hon. Nyamutoro Phiona, the National Female Youth Representative. She said that she recently got information about the Government’s plan on the replacement and upgrading of Karuma Bridge, which is one of the critical gate-way to Northern Uganda. Her Prayer is that I update the House on the status of the replacement or upgrade of the Karuma Bridge? My response, Mr Speaker, is that Karuma Bridge is located 270 kilometres north of Kampala on the main Kampala-Gulu Highway. The bridge is the main connection between the Northern and Southern regions of Uganda and is managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

12096 PRIME MINISTER’S T IME The existing bridge was constructed in 1964 and is insufficient to accommodate the increasing levels of traffic on the road. The bridge has also been the scene of several accidents in the recent past. Mr Speaker, the Government of Uganda recognised the challenges posed by the existing bridge and prioritised its replacement in the National Development Plan (NDP) III period. The new bridge will provide a reliable link between the northern and southern regions and is expected to aid the development of the priority sectors of tourism, culture, oil and gas and industrialisation. The Ministry of Works and Transport is currently carrying out an engineering assessment of the old bridge to ascertain the remaining life and also determine its load-carrying capacity considering the ever-increasing traffic volume despite old age. The output from the study shall guide the Government on the approach for short term interventions on the bridge during the construction of the replacement. The report is expected in May 2024. The Government of Uganda contacted the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the possibility of partnering in the delivery of this key infrastructure. JICA agreed to consider partnering on the replacement and is currently undertaking a design process which is expected to be completed in the Financial Year 2024/2025 and construction is expected to commence in the Financial Year 2025/2026. Mr Speaker, the replacement of Karuma Bridge has been prioritised by the National Resistance Movement(NRM) Government and will be undertaken once the financing arrangements are completed. The second question came from Hon. Emely Kugonza, Member of Parliament, Buyanja East County, Kibaale District. The question was that the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Water and Environment started implementing the Kasimbi Piped Water Project in Kasimbi Subcounty in Buyanja East County, Kibaale District, in 2018. After drilling two high-yielding production wells, the implementation of the Project stopped. The communities that were targeted, including the rapidly growing Kasimbi Rural Growth Centre, Kasimbi Seed Secondary School, Kasimbi Health Centre III among others, have a crucial need for water. His question was that when is the Government planning to complete this critical Water Project? Mr Speaker, my response is that in the Financial Year 2016/2017, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Water and Environment, embarked on the implementation of piped water supply systems in several small towns and Rural Growth Centres in Kibaale District. These included Kibaale Town Council, Nyamarunda Town Council, Kasimbi, Kyebando, Kyakatwanga and Nyamarwa. The phased approach was adopted because of the prevailing financial constraints. I have a table below, which is a summary of the status of implementation of this water supply systems. For example, Nyamarwa and Kyakatwanga, the design population was 5,294, and the cost was Shs 2.1 billion and it was completed in April 2019. Nyamarunda, the target population was 7,783, the cost was Shs 2.4 billion and it was completed in April 2017. Kasimbi-Kyebando, the target population is 31,394, its cost is Shs 6.6 billion in Phase I and in Phase II, it will be Shs 3.4 billion. The design is complete and that is what he is talking about. Kibaale Town Council, the target population is 52,020, Phase I was Shs 3.9 billion; Phase II Shs 5.8 billion and Phase III Shs 15.5 billion. Phase I was completed in September 2021. Designs for Phase II and III are complete. Mr Speaker, the proposed Kasimbi Water Supply System was designed and is to be developed together with the Kyebando Water Supply System. The two are located in the subcounties of Kasimbi and Kyebando respectively in Kibaale District. The proposed water supply system was designed to serve a projected population, like I have already told you, of 31,394 people in the year 2045 whose

We have short and long- term interventions. For the short term, they are saying our tea does not have the quality so we are going to see how to subsidise fertilisers such that our farmers can get fertilisers cheaply in the country. That is the remedy. Tomorrow, we have a meeting with Elite Agro, a United Arab Emirates Government company from Dubai that is going to establish five factories in the areas of Buhweju in Northern Uganda, we have Zombo and three other districts. Others are supposed to be in Kyenjojo, Sheema and others. This is the long term intervention. We are also establishing an auction market in the country instead of going to Mombasa to be graded the way they want. We want to have an auction market in our country since we have the quantities. Mr Speaker, the Government of Uganda is concerned and we shall handle this matter, as we have heard.

12111 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA T HURSDAY, 29 F EBRUARY 2024 We only came in when a Member brought the issue here on the Floor of Parliament. And when we went back to the office, we agreed to support the people suffering from Nodding Syndrome under the Ministry of Northern Uganda. That is how we started supporting them with food. If they have been delayed, it is another matter. We can always get in touch with our brothers and give more support. The issue of HIV/AIDS, which the Member is talking about will be handled by the Ministry of Health to find out why the prevalence in Pader is that much. Lastly, regarding the supply of drugs using my office, I will prevail over NMS to make sure that they supply you with drugs, but I do not think that they last supplied you in April because in the report I have, they last supplied districts in the month of December. For January and February where we are in, the drugs have started moving. I believe your district will also get.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, two months ago, we were given hand tractors and big tractors. These tractors were given to districts in Northern Uganda. We got one hand tractor per subcounty and one big tractor per district. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries promised to go and train our people on how to use these tractors, but until now, the cooperative societies to whom these tractors were given were not trained; their members were not trained. Also, the accessories of the big tractors like the disc ploughs and the trailers were not given. Now that rain has started coming back, we want to know if the training will take place because other districts have gone ahead to distribute these tractors without training members of the cooperatives that got these tractors. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. Emanating from your communication, I would like to send condolences from the people of Okoro Constituency to the family of the leader of the Ndiga Clan. It is very regrettable and the people of Uganda should not take the law in their own hands. We should, generally, detest the murder of our citizens in cold blood. Secondly, Madam Speaker, in your communication, you mentioned that the Leader of the Opposition visited Lubowa Hospital. It is in the interest of Ugandans that the hospital be completed and be able to serve Ugandans. The Government should know that Parliament is an arm of Government and that, together, we shall make our country successful and achieve its objectives. On the same note, we come from West Nile. Recently, they were working on Karuma Dam, which crosses into West Nile and northern Uganda. However, the alternative route is in Buliisa, through Murchison Falls. When we use the road made by the Government of Uganda – as Members of Parliament, we go to our constituencies to do our oversight role. Madam Speaker, this thing has been mentioned on this Floor. However, I would like to ask your indulgence that as we keep on crossing, at least, as Members of Parliament, the Government should allow us to cross that road without paying. We cross, weekend in and weekend out, yet it takes some big amount of money from us. I would like to ask, through your big office, for the Government to have mercy on us, especially Members of Parliament. Thank you very much for the opportunity.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also want to inform my colleague, Hon. Ssewanyana, that the 1951 Refugee Convention of the 28 th of July provides internationally the rights of the refugees to own properties. That includes those infrastructures you are talking about. It talks about land. So, we cannot, as Uganda, being the leading refugee-hosting country, portray a bad image in this House out there that we do not protect refugees and yet, we have so many refugees who sought asylum outside the country. I am a victim of war in northern Uganda. How many people from northern Uganda are outside there, as refugees, seeking asylum? I want to put it on record that as Uganda, we protect refugees and we will continue to protect them because we know tomorrow is dark. You never know where you will be tomorrow. I beg to submit.

Honourable colleagues, this is an issue which has been answered two times here. Hon. Kamara, you have been told here by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development that come September, the substation that is being put in Kabale will stabilise electricity for the whole of Kigezi. It has been answered two times. I am trying to avoid questions which keep coming and taking up time. The minister has assured us properly here that come this September - and you know the line is being built. I was in Kabale. I visited that area. So, I do not want to disturb the Prime Minister with that because we just received it two times. Member for Mukono and then Youth Representative, Northern -

Thank you. Yes, Youth Representative, Northern.

11923 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 Relatedly, the Government has been litigating and citizens have been litigating against the Government have also taken action. Courts have made pronouncements and orders that the Government should, as a losing party, pay the litigants. The same courts have also made orders that the citizens who have lost should pay the Government and both sides have been reluctant, the Government enforcing and executing these orders, but also the Government paying citizens. I have numerous cases that I could cite. In Northern Uganda, the Attorney-General knows of the case of the former employees of the Uganda spinning mill that was settled by the court, former employees of UEB and many others. My prayer to the Attorney-General and the Government is one, to exercise goodwill and respect the courts of law and extend that courtesy to the Judiciary by honouring these orders from courts. Secondly, to also come and lay before this House the list of court cases for and against the Government that have been settled for execution. I so pray, Mr Speaker.

Thank you. Honourable minister, on Wednesday, next week, please bring us a statement, we shall discuss it extensively. I heard a procedural matter from Youth Northern.

Mr Speaker, I was in the House when a statement was brought by the minister. At that time, the statement that was brought was not any different from what he has presented today. We had raised issues to do with – I will start with this one particularly. Out of the one million connections, that time, we had issues to do with equity, especially northern Uganda comprising 39 districts, the longest list was only given 140,000 households; compared to others that had more, one almost had about 500,000. The question was, where is the equity in projects that are financed? (Applause) We requested the minister to come here and show us - and I remember these were your directives, that you even wanted to know the details of these connections village by village, so that we are able to see how far some parts of this country have lagged behind. As you direct the minister to go back, Mr Speaker, I request that the minister takes your guidance seriously so that when the list is brought here, we are able to see in detail to avoid this back and forth engagements that we have had. Good enough, he is a very good minister, and like he has promised, I believe he is going to bring these details and we shall see the plan of the entire country on how we are going to get connected. Thank you.

11821 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2024 which is attracting many people especially the youth. This theme is intended to draw people to God, other than following worldly trends. In the midst of the many challenges that we face, there is need for unity and to stick to the truth, which is the word of God. The main commemoration event will be a church service at the late Archbishop Janani Luwum’s burial ground at Wii-gweng, Mucwini in Kitgum District, followed by speeches. The chief guest is expected to be His Excellency the President of Uganda. The main celebrant will be the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu. Preparations for the liturgy are being led by the dioceses of Madi and West Nile. The outcomes of the previous commemoration of St Janani Luwum Day are increased enthusiasm of Ugandans to participate in the commemoration event. Pilgrims trek from all the nearby districts as well as from Kampala to Mucwini, and spend several days in singing, prayer and communion. The event has fostered reconciliation and unity. This year, a group of four-foot pilgrims led by Thomas Tokwiny Mussolin walked from Kampala to Mucwini. They started their foot pilgrimage at the Church of Uganda Provincial Office at Namirembe Hill on Wednesday, 31 st January, and arrived in Gulu a week later on Wednesday, 7 February 2024. In Gulu, they met up with the second group of 300 pilgrims, who were led by Mr Apollo Oola. The entire team was flagged off by the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, the Rt Rev. Godfrey Loum on Friday, 9 February 2024, and are marching together in unity and fellowship. They are expected to reach Mucwini on 15 February 2024, on the eve of the commemoration. The expected outcome of the commemoration is increased commitment by Ugandans in adhering to the truth, which is the word of God, other than being influenced by materialism. There is also expected increased unity, so that Ugandans can work together with a common aim, for development. Mr Speaker, it is my honour and privilege to invite you, the honourable members of this House, to the 47 th Commemoration of St Janani Luwum Day at Wii-gweng, Mucwini in Kitgum District on Friday, 16 February 2024, starting at 9.00 a.m. I beg to move.

Thank you, honourable minister. It is referred to the Committee on Presidential Affairs. V: ON THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF PARLIAMENT IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022/2023 a) On the state of health care service delivery in selected health facilities in Busoga, Elgon, Bukedi, Ankole and Buganda sub- regions; b) On the performance of Euros 10 million from the Government of the Republic of Italy to finance the Karamoja Infrastructure Development Phase II (KIDP II) under the Health Sector Development Plan; c) On the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on HIV/AIDS services delivery in the country; d) On the report of the Auditor-General for the Financial Year 2020/2021; e) On the magnitude of road traffic injuries reporting to public hospitals in Uganda and the cost of treatment; f) On the petition on salary enhancement discrepancies for nurses and medical interns; g) On the field visits to West Nile and Northern Uganda to assess the scope of works executed by BMK Uganda Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project (URMCHIP) – LOT 6; h) On the Ministerial Policy Statement and the Budget Estimates for the Health Sector for Financial Year 2023/2024; i) On the field visit to Kasese to assess the status of Kilembe Mines Hospital; j) On Resolution to urge Government to prioritise investment in Health Centres IV; k) On Resolution to urge Government to prioritise interventions into the nodding disease syndrome in Northern Uganda; and l) On resolution to urge Government to prioritise and improve mental health and psychiatric care in Uganda. VI: THE ACTION-TAKEN REPORTS OF THE HEALTH SUB-SECTOR, FOLLOWING THE RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF PARLIAMENT IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022/2023

Thank you, Mr Speaker. 18 months ago, we had an extensive debate here on the motion raised by the Kitgum Woman MP regarding the need for the Government to prioritise Nodding Disease Syndrome in northern Uganda. Despite all those reminders, there is no clear action being taken. Among the recommendations that are being made was the need for us to work on the rehabilitation of those centres where those children were initially housed. The second one was for them to research and share those findings. Despite all this time of 18 months, we have lost several children and we still do not know what is happening. It is my request to the Government to share what they are doing about this because we are in the budgeting period, we need to know whether there is money are allocated to those who are victims of the nodding syndrome. I want to thank you.

11769 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2024 those that are doing extremely badly. Maybe you could send your team to assess with a view of seeing if you have any intervention you can make. At least in this House, we go with hope. Okay? Thank you. Youth, Northern?

Thank you. Clerk, ascertain for me quorum both physical and online, and you give me results. Colleagues, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of elders from Bugahya County, Hoima District. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Pius Wakabi, Hon. Tibasiimwa Joram Ruranga, and Hon. Businge Harriet. They have come to observe proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you our elders for coming. Honourable colleagues, in the Public Gallery again this afternoon, we have leaders of the Islamic University Students Union Parliament from Northern Division, Mbale City. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Wambede Seth Kizangi Massa and Hon. Nakayenze Connie Galiwango. They have come to observe proceedings of this House. Please, join me once again in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you for coming. Hon. Pius, you know the procedure here. When you have visitors and you have a matter you COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

11630 THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR I congratulate them very strongly and I hope that when they come – Oh, I did not know that my friend who deserted; Hon. Chemaswet, stood up on their behalf to acknowledge. I do not know whether he sorted out his issues with the UPDF on how he left when he was deployed in Northern Uganda. However, Hon. Chemaswet and your team, congratulations. Honourable Colleagues, His Excellency the President has assented to some of the Bills we have sent to him. We have received notification that he has assented to: 1. The Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act, 2024, 2. The Judicature (Amendment) Act, 2023, 3. The Explosives Act, 2023, 4. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, 2023, and 5. The Competition Act, 2023. (Applause) We hope that these laws are going to play a very critical role in facilitating the smooth running of Government business, especially the Competition Act. Honourable Minister, remember you promised us the Bill on consumer protection, which we said we needed separate from the Competition Act. Now we are at par with our peers in the region. I hope we shall use it effectively. Honourable Minister, we need the Consumer Protection Act. We do not want it to also come as a Private Member’s Bill but private members will move it if you do not fulfil what you promised us. Honourable Colleagues, in the distinguished VIP gallery this afternoon we have a delegation of staff from the Senate of the Republic of Kenya here on a benchmarking visit to Parliament of Uganda. They include: 1. Ms Ruth Vusaka - Hansard Reporter 2. Ms Linda Irusa Chavera - Clerk Assistant 3. Mr Francis Maroa Yaya - Superintendent of Police 4. Ms Hawa Adhey Abdi - Assistant Sergeant at Arms, 5. Mr John Kirugumi Chege - Assistant Sergeant at Arms. 6. Mr Bernard Okelo Sika - Assistant Sergeant at Arms. 7. Mr John Ngotho Lekampule - Assistant Sergeant at Arms 8. Mr Godana Mamo - Sergeant at Arms. They have come to observe proceedings of this house. Please join me once again in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you. MATTERS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

Mr Speaker, Hon. Okot, the Youth Member of Parliament for Northern Region, raises a very fundamental question. On non-activity implemented by Uganda Development Bank (UDB) that falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, may I pray, if it pleases you, Mr Speaker, that you give the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development two weeks to provide the details that Hon. Okot has requested for, and the report is tabled for debate on the floor of Parliament.

11646 THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 money for this road. If we do not put our feet down in this House, we are going to continue complaining about this road that has killed very many women from northern Uganda because the majority of northern Uganda picks food from Zombo but because of this road, women are dying every day on that road. Yet, the ministry does not have any form of interest. They are not bothered, probably because where they come from, the roads are better. I want us to look at Zombo from a perspective that this is a district that relies heavily on agriculture; nothing else. God gave us fertile land. Only infrastructure should not frustrate my people to remain poor. I speak this with a lot of pain because I know that every person in Zombo today is watching and wants to get a solution to this. We implore you, Mr Speaker, as Members from Zombo, to help us come in so we can fast-track this loan. If we can borrow for every other thing, why not for the road of Zombo?

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am presenting this statement to give the status of the implementation of the Kampala-Jinja Expressway Public–Private Partnership (PPP) project. Mr Speaker, the road in question is part of the national network and is managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport through the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). Honourable members, the Government of Uganda initiated the development of the proposed Kampala-Jinja Expressway to improve the connection between Kampala and Jinja cities and the neighbouring countries along the Northern Corridor. The proposed project includes the construction of 77 kilometres from Kampala to Jinja and 20 kilometres of the Kampala Southern Bypass. The Kampala-Jinja section will include eight lanes for the first three kilometres through Nakawa, six lanes for the next 17 kilometres and four lanes for the remaining 57 kilometres. The Kampala Southern Bypass will have four lanes for 20 kilometres connecting the Northern Bypass at Mandela National Stadium -Namboole to the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway Spur at Munyonyo via Kinawataka, Bugolobi, Ggaba, Kasanga and Bunga. The Implementation Status of the Project Mr Speaker, the procurement process for the right private developer is ongoing and once the procurement process is completed, the works will commence once the developer has secured the private capital required for the construction works. The construction period is planned to take five years. The Kampala-Jinja Expressway is to be undertaken as a Public Private Partnership Project in accordance with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Act, 2015. The developer will need to mobilise private financing towards the implementation of the project which they will recover over a 25-year operation and maintenance period. All the bidders participating in the procurement have raised bankability issues that affect the ability to commit private financing to the project. This includes a Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) covering annual payments that will be made to the developer. During the operation and maintenance period, the developer will be fully reliant on the Government of Uganda to make timely payments for it to meet its debt and other payment obligations. Without a guarantee, private finance cannot be secured at competitive rates. The PRG is under discussion with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic MINISTERIAL STATEMENT [Mr Obua]

11667 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2024 allocated towards the construction of staff houses in the Financial Year 2023/2024. The strategy is to cut down construction costs by adopting different designs, using low-cost solutions/Force on Account, and phasing construction using the incremental approach of 500 staff housing units, starting with 900 housing units. Shs 46.5 billion is required to construct the 900 housing units in different designs and sizes using Force on Account as shown in the table below. I think the honourable members have it. The design One is to have a block of two houses (two- bedroom and self-contained). A total of 150 blocks of 300 houses are planned at a unit cost of Shs 0.140 million. The quantity required is 150 and the amount needed is Shs 21 billion. Two, a block of four houses (two-roomed houses with external sanitation facilities) – 150 blocks of 600 houses. The unit cost is Shs 0.170 million, quantity needed is 150 and the total amount needed is Shs 25.5 billion. The total for the 900 housing units is Shs 46.5 billion. Provided in the budget is Shs 1.4 billion and so, the shortfall is Shs 45.1 billion. Another issue raised is mistreatment of prisoners. They recommended that we strengthen the monitoring department to periodically interface with the inmates to identify issues that affect them. The response is that the monitoring and observation of human rights for both staff and prisoners is conducted through the regular supervision of all human rights activities, supporting and monitoring the activities of staff and prisoners’ human rights committees in 266 prisons. The Service has a Department of Inspectorate and Quality Assurance headed by a Commissioner of Prisons and charged with the responsibility of monitoring human rights of observance. However, this needs to be strengthened in terms of both human resource, financial support and facilitation. In addition, in order to strengthen human rights monitoring observance, we undertake to appoint and induct visiting justices in accordance with Section 109(1) and (2) of the Prisons Act. In the Financial Year 2022/2023, the Service appointed and inducted 33 visiting justices to undertake supervision of prisons in the Eastern Region in respect of human rights observance and compliance to custodial standards. In Financial Year 2023/2024, the plan is to induct visiting justices to monitor human rights practices and observances in northern, southern, Kooki, mid-central, north-central and mid-western regions. Shs 2 billion is required to appoint, induct and facilitate the visiting justices to monitor human rights observance and practice in all prisons countrywide. Another issue was the distance between prisons and courts of law. The committee’s recommendation was that the location of adjudicating courts of law should be well planned to be in proximity with prison facilities to reduce distances that inmates have to travel. Our response is that there is a misalignment of prisons locations to courts of judicature, which overstretches prisons operations in delivery of prisoners to court in terms of long distances between courts and prisons. The Service has been in constant engagement with other criminal justice agencies as well as the ministry of finance, to have the misalignment of the criminal justice agencies addressed, especially prisons and courts. As a result, the Service established new prisons at Paidha, Nebbi, Amuru, Oyam, Lugore, Koboko, Kapchorwa, Sheema, Kyenjonjo, Nwoya, Mutufu, Kotido, Nyarushanje, Mityana West, Patongo West, Sanga, Nakapiriprit and Amudat. The challenge of misalignment still exists as reflected in the table that follows: i) Rubirizi - Bushenyi - the distance in between is 45 kilometres; ii) Rubindi - Mbarara – 43km;

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank my senior, Hon. Dr Nsaba Buturo, for moving this motion. I join my colleagues to congratulate His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on successfully hosting these two international events. Indeed, it was an excellent organisation and we did not have any bad incidences. We want to thank God that they ended successfully. We have registered a lot of achievements internationally because in the areas of tourism and investment, we have been able to showcase our country. Mr Speaker, my concern is one: we need to consolidate the achievements we have made. In the area of infrastructure, we have had a lot of roads worked on, as my colleagues have already alluded. However, we need to ensure that this expands and those that have been put in place are maintained. I have noted with concern - I pass along the northern bypass on a regular basis – that some of the guards that we put along the roads are already getting hit and spoiled in a short period. I appeal to Ugandans that we take care of and consolidate the achievements we have gained during this period. Now that the Minister of Works and Transport is here, let me say that we need to do something. I appeal to the House that when we have a request to expand the infrastructure in the metropolitan Kampala, we support it so that we do not have to rush when we have visitors coming in next time. Otherwise, it was an excellent organisation and I congratulate Ugandans because our flag has been raised high. Thank you.

11625 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2024 The committee further observes that the Bill presupposes, under paragraph (b), that all sugarcane out growers in the sugarcane growing regions of Uganda are unionised and are fully registered members of the sugarcane growing cooperative unions, cooperative societies and associations. The committee recommends that the Government should support the initiatives of the out-growers to be organised in the cooperative unions, societies and associations. Mr Speaker, the Council is going to have four representatives of the farmers who are the out- growers and four representatives of the millers. So, it may be easier to get nominations for the representatives of the millers, but it may be very difficult for the out-growers because they are not unionised or they are not organised. You have several farmers in Busoga and in Northern Uganda. We therefore, recommend that Government should support the initiatives of the out-growers to be organised in cooperative unions. The committee also received proposals from Busoga Growers Cooperative Union Limited, that the number of representatives of sugarcane out-growers should be increased from four to seven, with the justification that sugarcane out- growers were more in number than the millers. The committee was informed that despite farmers’ contributions in sustaining the sugar industry, farmers have not benefited much from the industry, and this is the time farmers were empowered to benefit from the industry. Recommendations of the committee The committee recommends that in appointing the Chairperson and members of the Council, the minister should conduct prior due diligence to ensure that representatives, particularly those with voting rights, are drawn from the legally registered farmer and millers’ cooperative unions, societies and associations, and that such associations are nominated, the said individuals for appointment as representatives to the council. Clause 7 The committee observed that the Bill makes no specific provisions relating to the mechanisms or avenues through which the aggrieved party or applicants for grant of license under paragraph (b) can petition or seek redress from the relevant authorities in the event of denial or rejection of her application. Mr Speaker and honourable members, the Council is supposed to recommend, if someone wants a license, the Council is supposed to make a recommendation to the minister who then grants the license. What we are saying is that there will be no avenue for redress in case the Council refuses to give someone a license and therefore there will be no avenue for that person to seek redress before the minister approves this license or otherwise. The committee recommends that there should be an appeal mechanism in place for the party aggrieved to seek redress in the event of rejection or denial of his or her application for a license. Clause 12 Clause 12, which seeks to amend Section 17 of the Sugar Act, 2020 introduces a sugar levy to be imposed on millers for the purpose of funding the activities of the Council. The Government is saying the millers now will contribute to the levy that will run the Council. The committee observed that whereas the Bill under Clause 3 establishes the Council and empowers the same Council under Clause 12 to impose a levy on the millers to finance its activities, the Council is a private entity-body to which Government may have limited control and influence. The committee further observed that the Bill does not prescribe or detail the manner in which the levy imposed on the miller would be administered and the implications that may arise, particularly on operations of the Council in the event that the miller contests the levy or refuses to adhere to the provisions of Clause 12.

I am only saying that we should give credit where it is due, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, history tends to repeat itself. In 1988, in Northern Uganda, especially Acholi Subregion, saw the birth of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency that claimed thousands of lives in Acholi Subregion. Currently, in my district, we have juvenile delinquencies popping up every day and these children are as a result of the insurgency that occurred in Northern Uganda. You will not believe this, but due to lack of work and lack of rehabilitation, these children, our own children, our own blood, have resorted to breaking into shops, breaking into houses, and stealing salaries of civil servants. I will give an example of Puranga Sub-County in Ogonyo trading centre. Just last week, a fight brewed up and five people got seriously injured and they were admitted in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. Mr Speaker, we are requesting the Minister of Internal Affairs to come to Pader District and solve the issue of lack of police stations in Pader District. Puranga Sub-county, Pokor Sub-county, Lunyiri Sub-county, all these are sub-counties without any police stations yet these juvenile delinquents are taking advantage of that. Secondly, Mr Speaker, I would also want to implore the Minister of Gender. We have heard of Juakali projects coming up. Such projects do not come to Pader District. There are very many projects coming up such as the Presidential Initiative for Skilling Youth. We are benefiting, but the numbers are less. Can the minister come to Pader District and handle that issue? Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you. Let me call the Minister for Northern Uganda, Hon. Kwiyucwiny. She can coordinate with her colleagues. THE MINISTER OF STATE, OFFICE OF

Mr Speaker, while the honourable Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister (Northern Uganda) was on the Floor, I was about to ask her something. However, when I looked at your face, I saw guidance coming to me that I should find another way of doing it, not to ask the minister. Mr Speaker, the honourable colleague who spoke about the children who are becoming sort of criminals because of what is happening down there - Hon. Komaketch raised a very pertinent issue. These issues come as a result of the past injustices meted on the population in Uganda, more so in the greater north. If you come to Teso, Acholi, Lango, West Nile and several parts of the country, we have children born of war and girls who went out of this country because of war and returned as women with children and they are facing rejection in society. Several institutions lost property; school trucks and several issues occurred in the country.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Before I say something, I want to register my condolences to the family and the people of Northern Uganda upon losing a colleague who was a District Veterinary Officer. This particular issue we are discussing is very contentious. I can now imagine a situation where a District Veterinary Officer, who has been in charge, has lost his life and we are talking about an outbreak of FMD. I want to agree with the colleagues and more so, Hon. Kimashu - Kimosho - whatever the case may be - (Laughter) - (Interjection)- that one. FMD is a serious disease and if not controlled, it can put our country in a very big problem. I remember one time I stood on the Floor of Parliament, and I proposed that we would

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the relevant information and guidance you gave. The Minister needs to stop speaking too much English. This is the total amount of money that you owe. Just pay your debts. That is the bottom line. Especially, my biggest challenge is our Ugandan locals - because you see that is money that keeps within the economy. These fellows employ young people. You are not paying them; they are closing their businesses. The entire economy gets to suffer. They pay taxes and so on. We tend to focus a great deal, by the way, on foreign investors. They come here, we give them free land, and tax holidays for several years. Of late, we are even guaranteeing them money. What kind of investors are those yet, our local investors who are putting in their own money that they borrowed from the bank, we do not want to pay them? Let us get serious. Mr Speaker, let me talk a little about sports. Our bid to co-host the AFCON is a daunting task, simply because for a very long time we have not prioritised sports. I hope we can wake up. Sports employs many young people they are out there shining and we normally celebrate them when they return with medals. In the process of going, they are normally on their own. They are in solitude, trying to look for money here and there. There was a time when there had to be a fundraising for shoes for our athletes, some years back. Can we be serious? There was a promise about the Akii Bua Stadium. Mr Speaker, we need commitment from Government to construct this stadium. It is not just a stadium going to be for the northern part of the country, it is a stadium for Uganda and so we need commitment. Even as the Government gives us commitment, we want there to be proper value for money because the figure that the Government has quoted is $48 million, which is about Shs 183 billion. When you try and make comparisons - I was trying to make comparisons. There is a stadium called Marsabit in Kenya with a seating capacity - by the way, the Akii Bua Stadium is meant to be a 20,000-seater. This Marsabit has a capacity of 15,000 people. It cost Kshs 295 million, that is Shs 6.9 billion. This is a 15,000 seater. Ours is a 20,000 seater and the Government is telling us they need Shs 183 billion. These figures have got to make sense because currently, they do not make sense. We want the stadium, but we want value for money. We do not want the ‘animal’ I was talking about called “corruption” to sip herein as we have seen many times. (Interjection)- I will take the information much later. Let me move to health - (Interjection)- I have declined the information, honourable colleague. Mr Speaker, we have had this coining of medical tourism in this country because whenever Government officials are unwell and cannot be treated here –

Here, we are requesting him; it is at his discretion. He is not required to make a statement, but it is always good to appraise Parliament. We have these Members assigned to international bodies – the ambassadors of the country; it is always good to bring them on board on such issues. Honourable members, I have received many calls about the issue of Foot and Mouth Disease in the country, especially after the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries wrote a letter, which many farmers have sent to me. He wrote a letter to the Inspector General of Police, requesting him to enforce quarantine in 32 districts of Uganda. People in the cattle corridor – everywhere – want to know: when is this ending? This issue has been on for a long time and it is cutting across, from northern, eastern, central and western Uganda. Very many areas are affected. These farmers whose livelihoods depend on these animals need to be appraised. Also, as leaders, when you go to your constituents, you will be asked these questions. We need to be brought on board to know how best to respond to these issues. What is the ministry doing? Therefore, I request the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to make a statement next Thursday regarding this matter. How long have these districts been under quarantine? How long are they anticipated to be under quarantine? What is the Government doing to resolve the matter? When will the farmers get vaccines against foot and mouth disease? How did the disease spread to the various districts, yet they usually close off districts immediately after they get such cases? What measures are being put in place? What are the ministry’s long-term plans to manage and reduce the economic effects of Foot and Mouth Disease? What support does the ministry require from other stakeholders, including Parliament, to address this matter? It is not that we want to interfere with how they are controlling, but we want to be on board so that we read from the same chapter. Otherwise, you are going to be answering very many questions in your constituencies, honourable colleagues. Honourable colleagues, on Friday, the 26 th of January, which is tomorrow, we shall be marking the 38 th NRM/A Victory Day Anniversary Celebrations in Jinja. I have received a request from the minister responsible that the Government would like to present a statement on this important day.

11460 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 must be maintained by making deductions in areas where a lot of wastage takes place, such as the State House and the President’s Office. Flawed allocation of the little resources the country has is what we must collectively and carefully, as a Parliament, seek to address when processing the National Budget Framework Paper. There are people in this Parliament who claim to love Mr Museveni more than Dr Besigye who treated him when they were fighting in Luwero. Even if you are one of them, you cannot justify the President keeping 266 vehicles at his residence, State House, and 400 vehicles under his office, yet the total number of ambulances in public facilities is just 178. The convoy of the President alone has 69 vehicles, as the table below shows. I do not have to go through this list; it is provided in the Presidency Budget Framework Paper. You can see 69 vehicles for our revolutionary leader, leading a country that has no ambulances. Mr Speaker, can you justify the President employing 761 staff in his office and 996 staff at his residence? Our leader employs, at his residence, at the taxpayers’ expense, 51 cleaners, 62 cooks/catering officers, 80 gardeners, 29 housekeepers, 10 dhobi and laundry attendants, 106 private secretaries, 14 room attendants, 22 presidential assistants, 59 waitresses/waiters and at his residence, he has 14 presidential advisors. He also has another 86 in his office. You can look at that list of all names; that they are advising the President. As I conclude, look at the staffing levels; we have provided a table there of Mulago. Mulago Intensive Care Unit (ICU) requires – and this is just a sample – 82 ICU critical care nurses; they have only nine. The President has 59 waiters and waitresses. The ICU Unit requires 45 nursing officers; they have only four. The President has 106 private secretaries. The ICU Unit at Mulago requires 28 specialist doctors; it has only three. Our President has 22 presidential assistants. As a result, at the Intensive Care Unit at Mulago with a 28 bed-capacity, only 14 are functional due to lack of adequate staff. Consequence of flawed resource allocation For 38 years - which we have been told in this Parliament will be celebrated - we have remained one of the leading exporters of maids to the Middle East. Why? It is because of the casual and leisurely way in which this Government has been handling our economy. Can you imagine we have not had a Governor for the Central Bank for two years? The consequence of the NRM’s flawed expenditure priority is the widespread poverty in the country. In its 2022 Multi-dimensional Poverty Report, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics put poverty levels (headcount) in the country at 42.1 per cent. The highest concentration of poor people is in Northern Uganda, according to UBOS reports, at 63 percent. The North is followed by the east at 45.7 per cent. In the North, the Karamoja Subregion, whose mabaati were stolen by NRM ministers, is at the top with 85 per cent concentration of poverty, Acholi Subregion is at 64 per cent, West Nile is at 59 per cent, Lango at 57 per cent, Teso at 57 per cent, Buganda North is at 30 per cent, Buganda South at 18 per cent, Kampala is at 0.4 per cent – (Interjection) - I am concluding – (Interruption)

Madam Speaker, this is my justification. On Thursday, 18 January 2024, the country woke up to the sad and unfortunate news of the passing on of Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the District Woman Representative for Dokolo. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the iconic leader, succumbed to cancer-related illness in India where she had gone for cancer treatment. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was born on 12 June 1946 in Agwata in the then Lira District, but in present day Dokolo District, Lango sub-region in Northern Uganda to the late Bonifacio Opio and Rosemary Apio. She rose to prominence as a career woman, politician and businessperson. The late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal took her primary and secondary education from local schools before joining Gayaza High School for an Advanced Certificate of Education, completing it in 1967. In 1969, she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the East African University in Nairobi. In 1995, she obtained a Certificate in Christian- Based Leadership from Haggai Institute, Singapore. In 2007, she obtained a certificate in Public- Private Partnership from Australia. Madam Speaker, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has had an illustrious career that spans over 50 years in both the public and private sectors, which shaped her identity as an Iron Lady. i. From 1972 to 1977, she was the Director, Uganda Breweries and Uganda Pepsi Cola. ii. From 1972 to 1974, she was the General Manager Operations, Uganda Advisory Board. iii. From 1981 to 1986, she was Chairperson, Uganda Development Bank as well as acting Secretary-General, Uganda People’s Congress. iv. From 1993 to 1996, she was the Chairperson, Presidential Policy, Uganda People’s Congress. v. From 1994 to 1995, she was the Constituent Assembly Delegate for Lira Municipality. vi. From 1996 to 2006, she was the Member of Parliament, Lira Municipality. vii. From 2006 to date, she has been the Woman Member of Parliament, Dokolo District. viii. From 2011 to 2016, she was the Chief Opposition Whip. ix. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Commissioner of Parliament. Madam Speaker, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, in her extraordinary life, has been a wife and mother. She has been married to Lameck Ogwal, mothering seven biological and many adopted children. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal will be remembered for her tireless dedication to public service. She was an eloquent legislator who legislated objectively and with passion. She has been a nationalist who always fronted the country first above any political affiliations. She has left a footprint as a true patriot in advocating for women’s rights and the girl-child. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, I rise to support the motion as moved by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. In loving memory of the late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (Atat), I wish to pay tribute to her on three fronts. First, I recollect my maiden meeting with her while I was a child. Second, to put on record the moment she felt a bit disappointed in me in my political life and third, to state the moment that changed my world view on who she was. Madam Speaker, in 1994 at the age of 14 years while a student at Lango College - it equally has handsome men and they are here in this Parliament - I had the opportunity to represent the children of Northern Uganda at the Parliamentary Mock Debate during Constituent Assembly (CA) when it was considering the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution. That formed my maiden meeting with Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (Atat) at the age of 14 years while in senior one representing the children of Northern Uganda. What we debated then was what the children of Uganda thought would be embedded in our national Constitution as the rights of the children of Uganda and that forms part of Chapter 4 of our national Constitution. In 2001–2002, I was a youth leader; the Chairperson, District Youth Council of Lira and a Member of the National Executive Committee of the National Youth Council of Uganda. During that transitional process from the movement system to full multiparty, we all know that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal’s ( Atat ) political origin is Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). While in leadership, as a youth, she managed to persuade all the youth leaders to join UPC with the exception of Obua Denis Hamson, the then District Youth Council Chairman of Lira and a Member of the National Executive Committee. However, I state that much as Atat felt disappointed, she respected my opinion and I salute her for that. All the two district youth councillors were UPC, the district delegate to the National Youth Council was turned to UPC, my secretary for finance, who is the current Chairman, Local Council V Dokolo District on FDC ticket and one of their national vice chairpersons was equally taken by Atat . I remained where I was. Later on, when I narrated to Atat the reason I made a choice to support the movement, currently the National Resistance Movement, I told her my childhood story to the effect that in 1986 to 1987, when the National Resistance Army took over power, there was a notorious character called Ojuko who came and traversed the entire Lango. I still recall, as a child, that Ojuko drove us up to Abako to look for Agetta. We walked with the family from Abako up to Lira and ended up at the home of one of my maternal uncles. When I told Atat that, that formed the basis of why I support the movement, President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement; because they saved the life of Obua and family when he was young, she respected that. That said, Madam Speaker –(Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I pay tribute to the woman who broke the glass ceiling for other women in this country. (Applause) When we talk about breaking the glass ceiling, what do we mean? We mean a woman who has broken barriers that would otherwise have stopped her from ascending to that powerful position. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal stood first with the men, in a period where standing with men as a woman was not easy. They were here with Hon. Winnie Byanyima, and Hon. Specioza Kazibwe; they were less than five women who stood with men. Number two, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was Assistant Secretary-General of a political party, a position that would be occupied by men in most cases, but she occupied that position. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was a woman who championed issues that were always championed by men. In most circumstances, Cecilia was the one who drove the multi-party agenda and men followed her to drive that agenda. In Northern Uganda, she drove the land question and the men followed her to ensure that customary land ownership was integrated into the Constitution of Uganda with the likes of the Chief Justice; that was Hon. Cecilia Ogwal. The issues that were male-dominated - she drove them. That is what we call breaking the barriers. Breaking the barriers where women would not otherwise be. Issues that women would otherwise not be doing. She, in the Constituent Assembly, with the likes of Hon. Matembe, Hon. Winnie Byanyima, Hon. Specioza and others, they institutionalised affirmative action in the Constitution. (Applause) Most of the women here have come on affirmative action. She will forever be remembered for institutionalising women’s issues, policies and laws. She fought against gender-based violence, which is why today, we are in this colour. She ensured that everything

Thank you, Madam Speaker. (Interjections) Yes, they are reminding me to smile and the Ugandans have complied with smiling. I stand here on behalf of the people of Kinkizi East Constituency in Kanungu, the Kigezi community as the Chairperson of Kigezi Parliamentary Forum and also on behalf of NRM where I serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the party for Western Uganda; I convey condolences to you, Madam Speaker, the honourable members of the House, the family of Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, our friend and colleague, the people of Lango and Northern Uganda and indeed, Ugandans, the FDC party where she belonged and the Opposition. In the Ninth Parliament, I served as a Parliamentary Commissioner and we used to prepare budgets for Parliament with Hon. Okupa here and others. One of the difficult moments was when we would reach the item of how many MPs we should budget for, who would die in that year - because supporting ourselves when we die is one of the Vote items - and we would be at pain to estimate how many. My prayer is that this does not happen again in this Parliament and in many other parliaments to come because it is sad. However, it is also a sad reminder that all of us have to take this journey in our lives. Therefore, we feel pain, saddened and our condolences go to everybody. Somebody said that “It is not the number of years in your life that matter but the life in your years.” At 77, Atat has had an impactful life. And if we were to speak about her, we can speak until the cows come home. We salute her because she was a voice of reason. She was a person who did not speak for the sake of speaking but every time she spoke, the direction would change in this House when there was a contentious matter. We have a lot to learn from her. Her mother and my mother were sick and they shared a room in the Uganda Heart Institute. We were spending nights together as MPs nursing our mothers. We had time to share. Her mother died first and mine died the following day so, we bonded and became very close. She was passionate about health like the Minister of Health said, but she became even much more passionate when I told her that we had Bills on the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Uganda Heart Institute, to bring to Parliament. She started visiting my office saying, “You must bring those Bills.” She mounted pressure on me as the Minister of State. Indeed, we brought the Bills and passed them into law. Since then, she even increased her passion for issues of health and other related items. We thank her for her contribution; she was a member of the Opposition but extremely respectful to everybody, including us, who serve in Government. I think tolerance and respect for each other is one great lesson we should pick from her plus

11352 DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT [Mr Obua] 10. Hon. Robinah Rwakoojo - Gomba West County; 11. Hon. James Kubeketerya - Bunya County East; 12. Hon. Patrick Aeku - Soroti County; 13. Hon. Fadil Twala - Tingey County; 14. Hon. Alex Ndeezi - PWD Representative, Central; 15. Hon. Bernard Odoi - Youth Representative – Eastern; 16. Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavenjina - Older Persons’ Representative – Northern; 17. Hon. Kibedi Nsegumire - Mityana County North; and 18. Hon. Derrick Orone - Gogonyo County. I beg to designate, Madam Speaker.

11373 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 2023 7. Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Hon. Asinansi Nyakato, Woman Representative, Hoima City; 8. Education – Hon. Joseph Ssewungu, Kalungu West County; 9. Trade and Industry – Hon. Manjeri Kyabakutika, Woman Representative, Jinja City; 10. Internal Affairs – Hon. Betty Nambooze, Mukono Municipality; 11. Health – Hon. Dr Timothy Batuwa, Jinja South West Division; 12. Works and Transport - Hon. Francis Mwijukye, Buhweju County; 13. Kampala Capital City Authority – Hon. Ronald Nsubuga, Nakawa East Division; 14. Foreign Affairs – Hon. Muwada Nkunyinji, Kyadondo County East; 15. Lands, Housing and Urban Development – Hon. Paulson Luttamaguzi, Nakaseke South County; 16. Energy and Mineral Development – Hon. Evans Kanyike, Bukoto County East; 17. Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities – Hon. Karim Masaba, Industrial Division, Mbale City; 18. Youth and Children Affairs – Hon. Frank Kabuye, Kassanda County South; 19. Defence and Veteran Affairs – Hon. Derek Nyeko, Makindye Division East; 20. Local Governments – Hon. Betty Naluyima, Woman Representative, Wakiso; 21. Human Rights – Hon. Shamim Malende, Woman Representative Kampala City; 22. Water and Environment – Hon. Christine Kaaya, Woman Representative, Kiboga; 23. Science, Innovation and Technology – Hon. Okin P.P. Ojara, Chua West County; 24. Culture and Performing Arts – Hon. Hillary Kiyaga, Mawokota County North; 25. Information and Anti-Corruption – Hon. Helen Nakimuli, Woman Representative, Kalangala; 26. Cooperatives and Microfinance – Hon. Joan Acom, Woman Representative, Soroti City; 27. Special Regions, Luwero, Karamoja, Northern Uganda, Bunyoro, Teso – Hon. Santa Okot, Aruu North County; 28. East African Community Affairs – Hon. Lucy Akello, Woman Representative, Amuru; 29. Animal Industry and Fisheries – Hon. Susan Mugabi, Woman Representative, Buvuma; and 30. Sports – Hon. Godfrey Kayemba, Bukomansimbi. I beg to designate, Madam Speaker. (Applause)

Yes, you ruled but I rise on a procedural matter. When you look at the road from Malaba, which is the main artery that brings in the revenue we are talking about in this House and the unprecedented congestion in Malaba - much as clearing moves fast, but as one moves to Malaba, about two kilometres to Malaba, they can take four hours to access the border because of traffic jam. Madam Speaker, as we approve this loan, would it not be procedurally right that Government looks at fast-tracking the expansion of the road going to Malaba but also do a bypass since Malaba is the main border? I mean a bypass to separate the northern corridor from the southern corridor traffic, that is creating a bypass through Kwapa to join the Mbale Road towards Mbale. This is because traffic to Northern Uganda and the oil exploration areas

Also, answer his question, “Why not central? Why eastern, why northern?” When you are bringing the document; if it is true.

11278 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2023/2024 lastly, Buganda. The number of districts falling in those respective subregions is mentioned therein. On page 31, we have the project coverage selection criteria and beneficiaries. However, allow me note this; the project has targeted agro-ecological zones that have increasing and high levels of poverty and high levels of land and natural resources degradation as well as low-value production. Agro-ecological Zones included; (a) North-eastern dry lands (Karamoja); (b) North-eastern savannah grasslands (East Acholi and Northern Lango); (c) Kyoga plains (south-eastern Lango, Teso, Bukedi, and northern Busoga); (d) Western highlands, southern highlands, southern dry lands, and Lake Albert Crescent; (e) Eastern (Elgon) highlands (Bugisu and Sebei), and (f) Central region. On page 32, we have the project beneficiaries. Allow me to highlight just this key area. The project is expected to directly benefit about 760,000 households and indirectly benefit approximately 1.9 million households. On page 34, budget implications; the project is included in the Financial Year 2023/2024 approved Budget estimates for the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and it is under Project Code 1786 under Vote 010. In terms of implementation (page 35) the national project steering committee will be co-chaired by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). Key members of the national committee will include other Government ministries like the Office of the Prime Minister; Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Ministry of Local Government; Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; National Environment Management Authority (NEMA); National Forestry Authority (NFA); Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Ministry of Water and Environment and senior leadership from line agencies like the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NARO), National Animal Genetic Resource Centre (NAGREC) and others. Page 36, the loan current debt situation; the minister highlighted that but let me add this. This loan will increase the country’s total nominal public debt stock that preliminarily stood at Shs 86.7 trillion as at end of June 2023, compared to 48.4 per cent as at June 2022. Observations and Recommendations Legal covenants of the credit financing agreement The committee observed that the draft loan financing agreement highlights the following conditions: In order for the loan disbursements under the project component of promoting adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies and Practices to be triggered upon approval by Parliament; 1. No withdrawal shall be made for competitive research, grants for community-level investments, to finance micro-projects and district level investments, to finance strategic larger sub-projects, that benefit several subcounties and communities, unless and until the Government has prepared and adopted the grant’s manual in form and substance acceptable to the World Bank. 2. No withdrawal shall be made for matching grants for clean energy equipment, machinery and infrastructure for harvesting, post-harvest management and value- addition, improvement of quality and shelf- life of produce, and reduction of the overall contribution of agro-value chains to sectoral greenhouse gas emissions. Production input grants, nutrition grants under the project component of market development and [Mr Migadde] RESOLUTION TO BORROW

11208 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT our people are losing lives and their food and houses are being destroyed. My prayers are: 1. I request the minister to visit these communities and talk to them. As area Members of Parliament, we have raised this matter, had meetings, and we have nothing else to tell them. Let the minister come on the ground and meet the community. 2. We request for food relief that can take these communities for a certain period of time. 3. Honourable minister, I have pictures of houses that these elephants have destroyed. I think it is now in order that the Office of the Prime Minister provides iron sheets such that the communities can roof their houses. These elephants are not easy to manage. You see a picture of an elephant destroying over – It is the way it used to be during the Kony war where you find houses have been burnt down and only bricks remaining. Madam Speaker, I ask for your indulgence on this painful matter. Our women are running away from homes, they have nothing to eat, and you know what Northern Uganda has gone through. If we cannot talk about this peace, we must feel the peace. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On several occasions, we have raised issues of security. At the same time, you are fully aware that the belt of Northern Uganda has been going through lots of difficulties as a result of the cattle raids. We have asked about the issue of the security road several times.

For clause 2, there is substituted the following- “2. Substitution of section 9 of the principal Act The principal Act is amended by substituting for section 9 the following - “9. The Court of Appeal of Uganda The Court of Appeal of Uganda shall consist of - (a) the Deputy Chief Justice; and (b) twenty-nine Justices of the Court of Appeal.” Justification This is in light of the need to create a panel of five justices in each of the regions of Uganda, which currently do not have a permanent Court of Appeal/Constitutional Courts, to increase the number of justices of the Court of Appeal/ Constitutional Court from 15, including the Deputy Chief Justice, to 30 justices, including the Deputy Chief Justice. Currently, the law provides for 14 plus the Deputy Chief Justice, making them 15. Then, we considered the other regions that traditionally do not have a Court of Appeal – northern, western and eastern. We agreed to have five judges in each and that comes to 15. When you add the current 15, under the Constitution, they come to 30. That is how we got to that.

Honourable members, last week, a matter arose on the on-going mineral exploration activities in parts of eastern and northern Uganda, to which the minister undertook to make a report; an allegation was made by Hon. David that there is an airplane

11078 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT UNRA is currently doing work on three major road projects, namely; Kampala Flyover Project Road - where works are substantially completed; conversion of the Kajjansi- Munyonyo Spa into an expressway, and improvements of Kampala Northern Bypass. In addition, UNRA is also working on a number of diversion roads and installing street lights. Details are contained in the matrix. Beautification by KCCA - I think we can read that one. Security and Accreditation Some substantive progress has been made in this regard. Specific progress has been made on: a) deployment of foundation security; b) training of protection teams and motorcade drivers; c) designing of the accreditation module for delegates to register online. Details are also in the matrix. ICT, Media and Publicity Madam Speaker, I request not to read that; Members can read it. Conferencing, protocol and migration a) Confirmations have started coming in for the two summits. So far, 18 confirmations have been received, including member States and observers. The agendas and programmes for the summits are still under review. b) In addition to Government efforts, we are also collaborating with partners to support arrangements for the summits. For example, the UN Regional Service Centre Entebbe has offered standby parking spaces for VVIPs, in addition to emergency firefighting support within Entebbe if required, as well as staff with foreign language skills to assist at the airport. c) Protocol liaison officers have been identified from a number of MDAs, including Parliament. They have undergone the first phase of training. d) The immigration department has enhanced its capacity at the airport to handle the expected high number of delegates. e) Health and medical services f) A sufficient number of ambulances and healthcare workers have been identified for the summits. Hospitals for possible use during the summits have too been identified. g) Other important issues of priority include emergency medical evacuation services, as well as COVID-19 screening plan. Airport a) The immediate area of concern has been completion of construction works at the main terminal. However, work has progressed substantially, and will be completed before the summits. b) Other issues of concern under review for improvement relate to: the small size of arrivals hall; limited number of washrooms in the arrival hall; congestion at the baggage claim and customs screening areas, especially during peak hours. Spouses’ programme Madam Speaker, allow me to skip that. Accommodation i) A total of 59 hotels have been visited with a total of 6,248 rooms around Kampala and Entebbe. So far, grading by UTB for the first batch of 32 hotels has been completed. Others will be graded after another follow- up visit this month. ii) Government will provide limited accommodation courtesies (1+3) for

11098 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The Kampala-Jinja section will include eight lanes for the first three kilometres and six lanes for the next 17 kilometres and four lanes for the remaining 54 kilometres. The Kampala Southern Bypass will have four lanes for 20 kilometres connecting the Northern Bypass at Namboole National Stadium to Entebbe Expressway Spur at Munyonyo. The Kampala-Jinja Expressway Project is to be undertaken as a Public Private Partnership (PPP)in accordance with the PPP Act, 2015. The private partner will finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the road for 30 years. The procurement process for the right private sector partner is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year. Once the procurement is done, the works will commence after the developer has secured the private capital required for the construction works. The construction period is planned to take five years. In preparation for the construction works, the Government of Uganda is currently acquiring the land for the project. So far, the land required for 44 kilometres has been acquired. This includes 14 kilometres along the Southern Bypass and 30 kilometres along the Kampala- Jinja main line. The progress of the compensation has been slowed down by some challenges, for example, lack of ownership documents and contestation of ownership. By December 2024, the Government targets to have acquired the full section from Kampala to Namagunga and the whole Kampala Southern Bypass. The rest of the land from Namagunga to Jinja is planned to be acquired by December 2025. In the meantime, the Government will continue to maintain the existing Kampala-Jinja Road in a motorable condition and to ensure the smooth flow of traffic along that route. I would like to assure you and the public that the Government of Uganda is committed to ensuring that the Kampala-Jinja Expressway Project is implemented to improve efficiency of Uganda’s transport infrastructure. Hon. Henry-Maurice Kibalya, Member of Parliament, Bugabula County South. He raised a matter concerning a group of people that migrated and settled in Namwenda Subcounty dealing in moneylending business and harassing members of the community. His prayer is that: Can the Prime Minister inform him whether the Government is aware of these moneylenders in Kamuli? Madam Speaker, Kamuli is one of the districts in Busoga Subregion. It has 14 subcounties and four counties. Some of the subcounties are Namwendwa, Nawanyango, Kisozi, Bulawoli, Kisambira and Mbulamuti. The four constituencies are Bugabula North, Bugabula South, Buzaaya and Kamuli Municipality. The total population is approximately 446,000 people. The main economic activity is farming and the main crops grown are sugarcane and rice. The people need money to boost their farming activities, thus they need to get loans from moneylenders. Madam Speaker, there are 32 registered moneylenders in Kamuli District. They demand for the borrower’s national ID as part of security for the loan. Other lenders demand for household items such as chairs, fridges, etc. In case of defaulting in making payments, they grab the properties and, in some instances, illegally detain them. I have attached a list of moneylenders in Kamuli District. Madam Speaker, the district security committee embarked on a mass sensitisation to the locals to desist from using national IDs as collateral to reinforce the guidance recently given by the [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

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

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to join my colleagues in thanking the Committee on Human Rights. Today, we have seen how our Parliament operates in the different committees, because of the inclusiveness of the report. I know this House has deliberated on the issues of human rights and when you look at Article 23 of our Constitution, it stipulates a lot of areas that cover human rights. Today, I agree with the committee that we have a competent House that you are presiding over as our Speaker. (Applause) That said, I would like to address my mind to page 93 of the report, which talks about employment opportunities in the oil companies that we have established in this country. The report clearly states the disparities and inequalities that this country is seeing in the oil sector. According to the report, “The central region has about 36.64 per cent of employment in the oil sector in this country, the northern region - where I come from - has only 6.8 per cent, eastern region has 12.98 per cent and western region is 43.5 per cent.” When I talk about the inclusiveness of this report, it is a huge report with all the details that this country needs and I would like to appeal to the Government to critically look into the key recommendations of this report. Once the recommendations are implemented by the Government - in the areas of unemployment and inequitable employment opportunities in this country, creating a disparity that can be seen, brings key issues for us, as a country. My region is lagging behind. Yet the northern region had a say in the formation of this

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I also thank the chairperson and members of the Committee on Human Rights for the comprehensive report. Raising these issues allows the Executive to check itself, adopt the resolutions and implement them for the betterment of the citizens of this country. I respond in a way of giving information on two issues that were raised by Members when they were giving their contribution to this debate. First, Hon. Okot-Ogong raised the issue of Amuka Boys in the Lango Subregion. I take this opportunity to thank those gallant sons who were so patriotic and voluntarily supported UPDF in flushing out Kony from northern Uganda and indeed today the people of northern Uganda can breathe peace.

10864 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT together to see that we address most of the issues, which have been raised in the report. We shall be engaging with the sectoral and relevant committees that do the budgeting so that we address these gaps. To quickly comment on some of the specific issues raised by the honourable members, there is a Member who raised an issue about a conference, which is yet to take place where issues of LGBTQ, abortion and others will surface. Our position remains the same. We respect the values for which we stand. We do not believe in and support homosexuality and other related vices, and we do not believe in abortion. Therefore, our stand is very clear. The stand of Parliament, as articulated through the passing of the law, remains the stand of the Government of Uganda. Therefore, even when we go for these international meetings, our stand remains extremely clear and we articulate it. (Applause) We have taken note of the specific concerns raised in the debate; we may not be able to respond to each and every issue. Like the issue raised by Hon. Okot-Ogong regarding the ex- gratia support pledged to the Amuka fighters as well as the Arrow Boys, that will be followed. Hon. Huda Oleru has made a comment on it. There is an issue of payment of scientists raised by Hon. Kaberuka. To clarify; the position of Government is that we intend to enhance the pay of all workers but we began with the scientists. In the next phase, we shall bring on board those who did arts and humanities – (Interjection)– Yes, my friend there is laughing. The first phase covered the scientists who include science teachers. Later, the rest of the public servants will also have their pay enhanced. We have communicated this to the public – (Interjections) – No, the enhancement was not only for science teachers but for scientists in Government, including science teachers. Government’s intention is not to cause segregation. We do not promote that war of scientists versus non-scientists. Those who are not scientists have not been forgotten, but we call for patience because they will be considered in the next phase. This also goes to address what he raised that the medical workers in the prisons service have not had their salaries enhanced. I think this willbe addressed to the Minister of Public Service to make sure that it is corrected. The enhancement was for scientists across board, including those in the armed forces. The issue raised by Hon. Muzaale of Buzaaya County about his mistreatment by the law enforcement agents - Multiplex Limited, we shall raise this with the Minister of Kampala, maybe, to cause a meeting with Multiplex Limited so that they can handle people in a humane way. Even when I owe you parking fees, you should not mishandle me. Not only MPs, but all Ugandans should be handled in a humane manner when they are recovering their payments. (Applause) Otherwise, we do not accept that somebody should be roughed up. Like you said, Mr Speaker, non-payment could be due to different reasons and not because somebody is refusing to pay. Mr Speaker, you clarified on the percentages of the employment opportunities in UNOC. It is true that northern Uganda, for reasons well known to us - because of the war and the civil strife, which was in the region for over 20 years - created a situation where the region lagged behind in terms of development indicators. However, the Government is committed to ensuring that we have accelerated transformation in the region. That is why there are special programmes, which have been designed. Indeed, if you take a scholarly approach, there is what we call the Gini coefficient, which measures inequality. The gap has been narrowing. The north gradually is catching up

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the statement on World Food Day. In a country where acute malnutrition and food insecurity is standing at 18 per cent, particularly in Northern and eastern Uganda, I expected that the minister would bring out clearly the ways through which we

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to take this time to thank the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for that wonderful report on what happened on the World Food Day celebrations. The issue that I want to tackle is the issue of food security. We are aware that that concept is different in this country. Food security in Kampala, in Central Uganda and Western Uganda is not like what we have in northern Uganda, in Karamoja and in eastern Uganda. The Ministry has the daunting task of helping areas of this country which do not have any perennial crops to supplement their annual incomes. Secondly, areas with circles of floods and droughts- and finally the challenges of insecurity in Karamoja and the surrounding areas, which affect productivity and the marketing of these products, coupled with the question of providing value addition to these crops. I want to ask the Ministry, for a place like Kapelebyong and such districts to come and we sit down and find out how best we can help a farmer in Kapelebyong, who has to work three times in a year; first season, second season, in- between the second and third season to work and produce food when he has no money, no capital and has no market. For us, it is a huge and daunting task. I want to request him to work with the Minister and our districts to find a way forward to sort out this matter. Thank you.

10782 STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS supply and result in very competitive pump prices. Honourable colleagues are aware of the system that we go through – the open tender system in Kenya, where at times Kenya chooses to allocate products destined to Uganda to their own local companies. We want to come out of this. I will bring an amendment to the Petroleum Supply Act to support UNOC in this endeavour, next week. Mr Speaker, Uganda’s pump prices, compared to Tanzania’s and Kenya’s, are as indicated in the table below. Retail pump prices comparison as of 25 October 2023 This is the regional comparison of fuel pump prices (per litre) of petrol and diesel. That table has figures. For example, in Tanzania, petrol is at TSh 3,281. In Mombasa (coast), it is at Ksh 214.30; in Nairobi (central), it is Ksh 217.36; in Eldoret (western), it is Ksh 217.12; and in Mandera (northern), it is at Ksh 231.36. In Uganda (Kampala), petrol is at Shs 5,400. For diesel, it is Tsh 3,448 in Tanzania. In Kenya, it is Ksh 202.41 in Mombasa; Ksh 205.47 in Nairobi; Ksh 205.65 in Eldoret; and Ksh 219.47 in Mandera. In Uganda, diesel is at Shs 5,000. I have indicated the exchange rate and changed it to the figures below. For premium, it is Shs at 4,922 in Tanzania. In Kenya, it is at Shs 5,743 in Mombasa; Shs 5,825 in Nairobi; Shs 5,819 in Eldoret; and Shs 6,200 in Mandera. So, you can compare: in Uganda, it is Shs 5,400; in Tanzania, it is at Shs 4,922; and in Mombasa, it is at Shs 5,743. I have also indicated the prices for diesel. In Tanzania, it is at Shs 5,172 while in Uganda, it remains at Shs 5,000. These are the comparisons I have indicated on the prices, as they stand. Mr Speaker, I encourage you to watch the prices as they are determined globally, but Uganda suffers more because of the Kenyan system. Government is not going to look on and lament, yet we have powers to amend our law so that we empower UNOC to do the direct importation so that we do not suffer the many layers that the Kenyan government puts in place. I beg to submit. (Applause)

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;

Fr. Onen- FR CHARLES ONEN (Independent, Laroo- Pece Division, Gulu City): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I listened to the report of the Leader of the Opposition and he revealed his unhidden nature. Violence is not only happening in central Uganda and, therefore, it should be assessed in that way. There are reports of gun violence happening in the greater parts of northern Uganda. Karamojong cattle rustlers are abducting and killing people, but I have not heard this in his report. The Apaa issue; the people of Acholi are being murdered, being abducted, but I have not heard this in his report. Mr Speaker, I am happy that now, we are talking as leaders and I am happy that I am in the House. For the past two days, I even had a feeling of resigning from being a Member of Parliament because of the way we have been behaving here. However, I am happy now that we are talking as national leaders and we need to wear the national lenses when we are talking. We do not need to talk because “my brother is suffering”. Mr Speaker, in the 1980s, some people ferried Matooke and milk to feed the lion in the bush. The lion was brought home with the hope that it would protect and give them promotions and give them positions. They even composed songs, Anya nya Cinandola to taunt the people of northern Uganda. Now, we are talking of Muslim clerics being arrested. Many religious leaders in Northern Uganda were arrested. Very many priests were arrested and brought to Luzira Prison, about nine priests. I am a priest and I know and I feel - now you are only talking about what is taking place around here. We need to appreciate that national reconciliation has to take place, it has to be promoted and the confrontational approach to any issue must stop. (Applause) This is my position, Mr Speaker. I am aware that the transitional justice policy was brought to your table and up to now, it has not yet been discussed. I pray that transitional justice is approached by all of us and we look at reparations policy so that this kind of happenings do not happen in the future. Those who were mistreated must also be compensated by the Government. Otherwise, Mr Leader of the Opposition, you have not said anything. (Laughter)

Mr Speaker, tourism roads are a priority. Recently, Cabinet discussed this and the President gave a directive that he needs the roads you are talking about – Nkuringo in Bukimbiri, which is your constituency and the ones in these other constituencies in northern Uganda. Honourable colleagues, it is a matter of us getting the money so we can work on these roads in a phased manner. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries got some money to buy fertilisers for the rice- growing districts of eastern and Northern Uganda and the ministry has embarked on the exercise. Mr Speaker, it is to our surprise and dismay that the districts famously known for rice growing, especially in North Bukedi and others like Budaka, Pallisa, Kibuku and Butebo were not considered. The people are complaining. We want to know, as area leaders, what the criteria were. Can you reconsider the decision so that those districts also benefit from those fertilizers? Those are my simple prayers. Thank you.

10596 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT stakeholder consultations, and prepared a study report and the regulatory impact assessment on copyright and neighbouring rights. My office received requests for an update on the process of amendment of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006 from different stakeholders including the Uganda Music Association, the Uganda National Culture Forum and the Uganda National Musicians Federation. On 20 September 2023, I met with Hon. Hillary Kiyaga, his representatives of the Uganda Music Association, representatives of the Uganda National Culture Forum, representatives of Uganda Reproduction Rights Organisation, officials from URSB and from the Law Reform Commission. On 5 October 2023, I met with the members of the Uganda National Musicians Association, officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, URSB and the Law Reform Commission. Honourable members, in both meetings, I noted that there was a need for extensive stakeholder consultations. I, therefore, directed that (URSB) and the Law Reform Commission work together to carry out further consultations around the country. The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) together with the Law Reform Commission are currently carrying out regional consultations with all stakeholders around the country before submission of a Regulatory Impact Assessment to the Cabinet. The roadmap for the consultations is as follows; i. 12 th October, Northern Uganda. This is already done. ii. 18 th October, Eastern Uganda. iii. 1 st November, Western Uganda; and iv. 15 th November, Central Uganda. Following the consultations, URSB, the Uganda Law Reform Commission and my office, from the 20 – 24 November 2023, will incorporate the stakeholders’ views on the study report and prepare a Cabinet memorandum for the amendment of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006. Consequently, on 27 November 2023, a meeting shall be held where stakeholders shall validate the final document and that meeting will include Hon. Hillary Kiyaga, the mover of the motion. Upon completion of the consultations, we shall proceed to have the matter tabled before the Cabinet for consideration of the principles for amendment of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006. After the Cabinet has considered and approved the principles for the amendment of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006, the Executive will table the amendment Bill before Parliament for enactment. I beg to submit.

Not really, Mr Speaker. Observations on page 9. The committee observes the following: (i) Various gaps affected the functionality of the UHT line and service delivery. (ii) There seems to have been no feasibility study for the projects. (iii) There was no coordination between various Government agencies and ministries in implementing the projects. (iv) Failure to implement work plans is in contravention of Section 45 of Public Finance Management Act, 2015. Recommendations The committee recommends the following: (i) The accounting officer and all officials who failed to implement the projects, as per the work plan and the budget, should be held liable as provided for in the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. (ii) The accounting officers should fast-track the implementation of all incomplete projects. 2. Outstanding domestic arrears of Shs 14,353,976,164 The observation and recommendation is on page 12. The committee observes that court dismissed the suit with costs and that the committee was within its mandate to request for the said documents. Honourable colleagues, you remember that when we were investigating this matter, one of the witnesses took the committee to court and that issue was quashed in favour of the committee. Actually, the court gave us a go- ahead to do this work. Recommendations The committee recommends the following: (i) Mr Patrick Katabazi Kiconco should be prosecuted for failure to fully remit money meant for tea nursery bed operators. (ii) Mr Patrick Katabazi Kiconco should pay all the amounts due to the beneficiaries within six months from the date of adoption of this report. (iii) Going forward, the Government should make all pending payments directly to the beneficiaries, not through the lawyers. You will recall, honourable colleagues, when we were in Kyankwanzi, that the President objected to the issue of paying lawyers money. Therefore, our recommendation is in line with that directive. We are biting. (Laughter) 3. Non-performance letters of credit Recommendation The committee recommends that the accounting officer should strengthen the mechanisms for contract management and supervision to ensure that contractors deliver as expected and where applicable, contract terms such as liquidated damages should be enforced against the contractors. 4. Status of sugarcane production project in Northern Uganda. Page 14, observations The committee observes that a delay in the implementation of the sugarcane production project of Northern Uganda negatively impacts the livelihood of vulnerable groups in Northern Uganda as recipients of the intended benefits.

He further explained that the money was meant for the establishment for sugarcane, land opening, fertilisers, etc, following the establishment of an estate and preparation for the construction of a sugar factory in Atiak. He explained that NAADS' involvement came after receiving letters from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Prime Minister requesting them to establish out- growers and expand cane plantation to benefit the people near Atiak Sugar Factory. NAADS worked with Horyal to undertake land opening, planting, and acquisition of fertilisers. The relationship was contractual and they worked to plant more sugarcane on behalf of the members of the cooperatives. Recommendation The Commlttee recommend.s tlut the Accounting Officer should strengthen mechanisms.,for tlrc contract management and. supenfision to ensure that contractors deliaer q,:s expected,, and. uhere appllcable, contract tenns such as liqutdated damages should. be enforced. against the contractors. 4. Status of the Sugarcane production Project in Northern Uganda The Government of Uganda through the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) has since the FYR 2Ol7-18 been supporting sugarcane production for the Atiak sugar factory under the sugar cane out growers'scheme. Launched in August 2OI7, the intervention initially started at the pioneer sugarcane production site in Atiak sub county Amuru District, and subsequently expanded to two additional sites in Lamwo district, namely, Palabek Kal (Lamwo 1) and Palabek Nyimur (Lamwo 2). The goal of the intervention is to empower and uplift the most vulnerable groups including women in the Sub-region to have a source of livelihood through sugar cane growing. At the national strategic level, the intervention is aimed at boosting sugarcane production for increased sugar production for both the domestic and export markets. At its inception the intervention targeted to establish 13,841 acres of sugarcane at the pioneer site at Atiak, Amuru District; and 15,000 acres and 31,1s9 acres tpo expansion production sites in Lamwo district, namely Palabek Kal site (Lamwo 1) and Palabek Ogilli site (Lamwo 2) October 2Ol9 up to 7,906 acres of sugar cane had been established at the pioneer production site in Atiak after which the contractor ceased operations at the site. By the end of 2O2O up to 4,994 acres of sugarcane had been established at the Palabek Kal production site (Lamwo 1). Despite the progress made over the period, implementation of the intervention has been affected by several challenges which have resulted in ceasing of operations by the Project. Some of the challenges affecting the Project include s- \c u l. \ ,f I I t(tt' \-',^-.- tz-2y\: No*\ \ @

Slow progress at the Atiak site attributed to adverse weather, field conditions and other operational constraints; Slow progress at the Palabek Kal production site, with progress initially constrained by the shortage of seed cane within the proximity of the plantation site and the related complications of acquiring seed from distant areas; Unfortunate incidences of fire outbreaks in 2020, which wiped out a substantial acreage especially at the production site in Atiak; And subsequently, the decision by the Shareholders (of HHIC Ltd) to halt operations after 2o2o to allow for the proposed shift from the predominantly manual field operations to fully mechanized farm operations under the oversite of Uganda Development Corporation (UDC). The Accounting Officer explained that he received instructions from the Minister of Finance in July 2OI7 to conduct an assessment and advise the Ministry on the appropriate steps to take to acquire equity in the sugar factory in Amuru. He further explained that he received communication from the Minister of Finance instructing him to apply funds to the out-grower scheme for the Atiak Sugar Factory, and that several thousands of acres of cane were grown and infrastructure set up. The Committee interacted with Mohamud Ahmed, the Director of Planning & Business Development at Horyal Investment Ltd. He informed the Committee that the factory had temporarily closed due to insufficient sugarcane production, yet the company had encountered challenges while dealing with out-growers, and several hectares of sugarcane were burnt. He told the committee that the company had set up a factory and planted cane on out-growers'schemes in both Atiak and Lamwo. He explained that there were several challenges that the company had encountered including the lack of accommodation for labourers, necessitating the need to put up such accommodation. He also cited the failure to build a bridge on the Aswa River, which means trucks from Lamwo to the sugar factory have to travel longer distances. He further informed the Committee that there was machinery that the factory requires, which was to be provided by the Uganda Development Corporation, and that the factory would resume production after the arrival of that machinery. Obsenration The Committee observes that a delay in the implementation of the sugarcane production project of Northern Uganda negatively impacts the livelihood of the vulnerable groups in Northern Uganda, as the recipients of the intended benefits o a a a ..lo N \c^ (:" i,lj & fi,(t -i .t-\ ,i/(( -t-t-- L I I t, ---9 r:. L4 ,- '@

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, Mr Speaker. I want to thank Afande for this statement. Now the question is, Afande , you know how the rules are handled, we implement them. You were a senior police officer, I used to see you on television; now, you are here and lamenting. Can’t you talk to your colleagues? (Laughter) In 2001, I was part of the team that planned Nakapiripirit District. I did not see Nakapiripirit District on the list of districts in the physical plan. We developed that town; to-date, if you go there, churches are in one place, residential areas are clear, gardens – when you go where we call Lorengdwat, Katanga, they are clear. It is a plan that guides what is done in every town. If we do not plan this country, we are planning for disaster. My colleague talked about the fire. Now, honourable minister, what is your flagship project as the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development? What did you do with the money we gave you this year? Every time I hear the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, they are only thinking about buying absentee land. Probably, it is good with the long term fruits there. Can you make a plan next year that all the money you need will go to organising the physical planning in this country? You told us that northern Uganda now has a regional plan as well as western Uganda. Karamoja does not have a physical land plan and in 2008, I wrote to the ministry in this Parliament to ask for a regional plan for Karamoja. This is my fourth time here, but there is no response. Karamoja is home to about 2.4 million cows. We cattle keepers are the ones saving you from importing meat. We contribute 19.8 per cent to the economy of Uganda. You have enough milk and meat. However, we must plan our policies to protect grazing areas. Madam minister, we need a regional physical plan for Karamoja. Maybe I will get the other letter and attach a new one to remind the ministry about the need for a Karamoja Regional Physical Plan so that people do not cultivate where the cows are supposed to graze. Thank you.

10526 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr Speaker, in 2021, the ministry made a strategic decision to shift routine maintenance of road equipment to an in-house arrangement. Routine maintenance mainly entails servicing of the road equipment, that is, change of filters and oils, carrying out minor repairs and undertaking other preventive steps like greasing. The reason for the above shift in maintenance approach was to curtail the overall equipment maintenance cost while strengthening the capacity of our regional mechanical workshops with the ability to carry out minor repairs and residual capacity to remotely monitor the Komatsu road equipment using the KOMTRAX system. Major repairs like system overhauls and complicated diagnosis continued to be handled by the road equipment dealers. While this new hybrid approach to road equipment maintenance is working and, to some extent, has reduced the cost of maintenance, it has experienced a number of teething problems mostly due to financial constraints which, resultantly, has reduced equipment availability to about 30 per cent. The ministry operates four regional mechanical workshops; Central Mechanical Workshop at Kampala for the Central Region, at Bugembe in Jinja for the eastern region, at Gulu for Northern region and at Mbarara for western region. While the regional mechanical workshops are equipped with mobile capacity to carry out routine maintenance, the number of mobile workshops is insufficient to cover the entire country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity so that I can bring this motion seeking leave of Parliament to introduce a Private Member’s Bill entitled, “The Rainwater (Harvesting and Storage) Bill, 2023”. It is moved under Article 94(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Rules l2l and 122 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS Article 79 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda empowers Parliament to make laws for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda and; WHEREAS Article 94(14)(b) of the Constitution and Rules l2l and 122 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament recognise the right of a Member of Parliament to move a Private Member’s Bill; NOTING THAT there is no legal framework providing for and regulating the compulsory harvesting and storage of rainwater in Uganda despite the abundance of this natural resource; FURTHER NOTING THAT the world is experiencing variability in precipitation, increased temperature, drought frequencies and intensities and globally, approximately four billion individuals experience water scarcity due to drought; AWARE THAT Uganda’s climate is largely tropical with two rainy seasons in a year while the Northern region, which forms one-quarter of the country lies outside the tropical belt and hence experiences only one rainy season and is more prone to drought; FURTHER AWARE THAT in Uganda, water scarcity due to drought poses a great threat to the rural population and according to World Bank, approximately 4.57 million people (or 10 per cent of the population) are affected by water scarcity each year, mainly in the south- eastern and North-eastern regions of Uganda; CONCERNED THAT droughts in Uganda are a recurrent hazard and the country experienced notable drought events in the years 1967, 1979, 1987, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2017; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT climate projections indicate that conditions will become even more severe in the future and will continue to pose threats to Uganda amidst the [Mr Byamukama] MOTION TO INTRODUCE A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL

You are going to miss them. (Laughter) I really beg that we should get serious with these centres, especially the one of northern Uganda. There are many new districts, and we are suffering. If you want the equipment at the regional centres, you cannot get them. My district chairman has invited the entire Ministry of Works and Transport to see how bad Terego is. Thank you very much.

I also congratulate His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, on this important day. Three days ago, I attended a graduation in Kololo of 16,797 young people. They graduated in areas of welding, tailoring – basically vocational skills. This is a type of graduation that I had never seen take place in this country. If we gear up and give jobs to young people and do such training, we shall get young people moving very well, as we commemorate the International Youth Day. The question I ask the minister is; how are we going to roll out this good programme throughout the country? This is because the graduates whose ceremony we attended in Kololo came from the Kampala Metropolitan Area. Secondly, when are we rolling out the President’s programme to different areas to reach as far as Terego? I always see my sister from Terego saying she is the most rural representative – when is the programme reaching that area; northern, eastern and western Uganda? Otherwise, I thank this Government for starting to take care of young people. There will be stability and the country will move on perfectly well if we all embrace it as Parliament, and the

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First and foremost, I thank this Government for recognising the youth, as an important factor in the development of the country. It is well known that for any country to develop, the youth, who range from 18 to 35 years, play a very monumental role; this country is taking that on. However, there is much more to be done than doing the passive part of it. In northern Uganda, we are faced with the problem of youth who suffered the LRA insurgency. They are locally known as “the Agu boys.” Years back, central Uganda was bombarded by the Kifesi boys. The Agu boys are a replica of the Kifesi boys, just that they have more military training because some of them are former child-soldiers. These boys have been left to survive on their own. What they do is to go around stealing and doing petty jobs, which endanger their lives. They are a threat to the community and the community is a threat to them. Why can’t this Government set up rehabilitation centres to demilitarise these boys from what they went through, and then train them? Finally, why are we always dividing the masses? This same Parliament gave Shs 5 million – the honourable minister did that – when they were celebrating Women’s Day. Women in every district got Shs 5 million for their celebrations – (Member timed out.)

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. I request the learned Attorney-General to share an update on the compensation of the cattle debt claimants in Northern Uganda, especially Omoro District. I would like to appreciate the Prime Minister; she is always on the ground and gets things done. When I raised two issues in December, one of them was the issue of Moroto Road. She went on the ground and made sure that now we have a contractor who is doing the design of the road. I thank you very much, Madam Prime Minister, as I wait for the update from the learned Attorney-General. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Increased instances of torture of animals have been registered in our country. There have been shootings of animals. Recently in Northern Uganda, a live goat was set on fire and even when they were transporting them, you can clearly see cattle tails being tied; that is cruelty. These are creatures of God, just like human beings were created by God. There is a Cruelty Act, but its implementation or enforcement is not being done well in Uganda. I wish to ask the Prime Minister, who are those people shooting at goats, cows, and transporting animals in a very inhumane way? Thank you.

10267 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2023 states since the inception of AFCON in 1957, in Sudan. It will be also the first time the East and Central Africa (CECAFA) football zone will host AFCON 2027 in 47 years since Ethiopia last hosted it in 1976. The AFCON has been to the Western, Southern and Northern African regions, but not the East African region. As a country and the East African region as a whole, we are blessed with this good news and the opportunity to host the AFCON 2027 football competition. This is a great milestone in fostering the spirit of cooperation in the East African community. While the decision to pull resources and effort was strategic, indeed, three countries are still faced with challenges including infrastructure, sports infrastructure and funding against other competing priorities. The AFCON 2027 requires a substantial investment in infrastructure for the games, accommodation, and air, water and road transport accessibility. These are expected to yield significant dividends in the short, medium and long terms. We note that in March 2017, Uganda was able to host a one-day World Athletic Championship in Kampala. The report from the sports consultancy firm that undertook the research shows that the direct economic impact stood at $2,622,000 overall. Furthermore, we also know that $1.3 million out of the total expenditure of $1.96 million was spent on local suppliers among others. The AFCON 2027 is not just about football, but it is also an opportunity to showcase the beauty of East Africa to the rest of the world. Many tourists are expected to flock the region known for its diversity in culture, landscape, wildlife and vibrant cities, to mention, but a few. Mr Speaker, Uganda made a commitment to the Confederation of African Football to undertake and ensure the following are implemented: 1. Execution of Government’s guarantees to host AFCON 2027 submitted to CAF; 2. Sign off and the submission of the host agreement after CAF bids declaration; 3. Payment of the hosting fees amounting to $30 million to CAF before February 2025. Each country is supposed to pay $30 million, which totals to $90 million as a requirement for CAF; 4. The construction of two additional stadia to host AFCON namely; Akii Bua Stadium in Lira and Buhinga Stadium in Fort Portal or Hoima City Stadium in Hoima; 5. The completion of the renovation and upgrading of the Mandela National Stadium; and 6. Securing all required funding for smooth logistical operations and delivery of the game. Honourable members, the Ministry of Education and Sports is committed to the realisation and delivery of AFCON 2027 to showcase the potential of our country, while developing the infrastructure required to leave behind an existing legacy for the country. I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports, to extend my appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, the President of the Republic of Kenya, and Her Excellency the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. We also extend our gratitude to Cabinet, the Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the Minister of State for Education and Sports – myself – and the technical teams at the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports, the Federation of Uganda Football Association and others. Honourable colleagues, friends of East Africa, I am proud to be among those who have made history –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I congratulate the Government and FUFA. However, I would like to implore the Ministry of Education and Sports – my colleague has talked about Hoima. It is not only about stadia hosting such events, but we should also talk about the hospitality in this country. Now, when you talk about hospitality in this country, apart from Kampala, Mbarara is second. Aware that this is a Pamoja bid, you are talking about northern Tanzania, but those people to come to Kampala, it may not be very easy. However, with the good infrastructure we have – the Isingiro Road, up to the border – we can capture attention of some people in northern Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. It is my humble request, Mr Speaker, to the Ministry of Education and Sports to consider Mbarara hosting some of the matches. I beg to move.

Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Ariko for raising that issue. First of all, the current outage that Hon. Ariko is pointing out is actually true. We have a challenge in north-eastern and eastern Uganda; there was vandalism that happened on the line which takes power to the eastern and north- eastern regions. Just after Kakira, four pylons were brought down and that caused what Hon. Ariko is talking about. We are putting up those pylons, temporarily, to enable power to flow. We were forced to bring power from Karuma, but the wooden line between Lira and Soroti- Opuyo could not accommodate stable power to enable manufacturing and all the processes in eastern and northern-eastern Uganda. We are only able to take 75 megawatts from Karuma through that transmission line and that power has to be shared by the whole region. 75 megawatts are not adequate to run all the industries in eastern Uganda. That explains the rationing of electricity. What is the ministry doing about it? There are a number of measures that the ministry has put in place: 1. To remedy the vandalised transmission lines. We are putting temporary structures to enable that line to continue taking power to eastern and north-eastern Uganda. 2. On the transmission of power from Karuma, one of our agencies, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is working on the interconnectors to improve the power flow and increase the power that can be transmitted from Karuma, which is now producing about 300 megawatts. If the line is improved, that would enable us to have a double-circuit which would enable us to provide power from Karuma to the eastern and north-eastern region. The areas which are affected are Tororo, Mbale, Soroti and Moroto and we are working to improve the power supply in those areas. The question on Umeme -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The information I want to give to the House is on this issue of Apaa. I want the honourable members who do not know to get to know that I am a shadow Minister for Special Regions. There are five, one of which is Northern Uganda. (Applause) On the same issue of Apaa –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The comfort given by the Prime Minister is well accommodated. The third Commission is well received and I hope the people of Acholi and Madi will take it in good faith. Remember that the second Commission was led by none other than Gen. Moses Ali and there were flares on this Floor over the same because of conflict of interest. The issue of the President decreeing who owns land is public information and that is most disturbing to the people of northern Uganda. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Ms Akello]

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank my chairperson for the elaborate report and the House for the debate. My take away from this very good report and debate by the House is an invitation to Parliament to take stricter care of some of these social action programmes. We know how people, under the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund, have been given a raw deal in a number of areas and the beneficiaries went home empty-handed, out of the so much money Parliament voted. I think it is a very serious invitation to the House that whenever these kinds of social action programmes are brought here for funding, we undertake more elaborate scrutiny as to vote and purpose, and take more interest in how the common person is going to benefit. Otherwise, the coffee scandal was an act of creaming off. Money was voted but the specifics were not probably elaborate. Otherwise, how do you explain, as the Prime Minister, how money leaves your vote? You are not even sure of how you are going to measure output. I want to look at the work plan of the coffee consumption project, as an economist, and see how the kind of –

Honourable members, this House is for honourable members. When I hear you shouting, with all the victors we have in the gallery, they may not admire to be in the next Parliament. In the public gallery this afternoon we have a delegation of students from across Uganda who have just completed the Uganda Schools Debate Championship organised by the Debate Society of Uganda. They are here to witness the proceedings; you are most welcome. Where are you? Please stand up. Thank you for coming. This is your Parliament; a people- centred Parliament. You can sit. Thank you. We also have a delegation of leaders from Gulu City led by the City Mayor, Hon. Alfred Okwang and the RCC, Ms Jane Frances Amongin. Please stand up. They are represented by Hon. Aol Betty Ocan, Hon. Martin Mapenduzi Ojara, Hon. Okot and Fr Onen - Fr Onen, first stand up. (Applause) Honourable members, we promised that this is a people-centred Parliament and that we would take Parliament to the communities. This is one of the communities that Parliament has just been training on their role as leaders. They are a local council. We have been training and we have had training in several places including Fort Portal. This time it was Northern Uganda. We thank you so much for coming. This is your Parliament; a people-centred Parliament. You have good representatives, please send them back. (Applause) Go and work for them and make sure they come back to Parliament. We thank you for coming, please come again.

Thank you very much. I want to allay your fear that they do not come from only one region. We have an Olympian here who comes from Northern Uganda. Olympian, stand up. (Applause) Honourable members –

9956 RESOLUTION TO BORROW ii. Although the capacity to implement the various activities under the programme do exist in KCCA and the eight metropolitan local governments, there is low capacity for coordinated metropolitan planning and management to ensure the achievement of a metropolitan logic. Currently, each of the nine Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area subnational entities are operating as independent corporate entities. iii. The KCCA/metropolitan local government councillors (elected representatives) and the Metro Development Forum (MDF) will monitor programme implementation and provide oversight function at KCCA and the metropolitan local government level. Recommendations i. KCCA and the eight metropolitan local governments should, as a matter of fact, agree that working together across jurisdictions is an essential principle for the future development of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area . This should be a deliberate commitment of these beneficial entities under this programme; ii. The Minister of Kampala Capital City Authority and the Metropolitan Affairs should ensure that there is strong multi- agency coordination, intensive contract management, rigorous due diligence, appropriate resettlement action plan implementation, establishment and maintenance of functioning grievances readiness mechanisms, and extensive communication strategies during the implementation of this programme; iii. In order to decongest the western, northern, and eastern routes of the metropolitan, the Kira-Nsangi circular road should be completed. The segment of Matugga-Wakiso-Buloba-Nsangi should be included in the project. Further, the Jokas-Mukono road should be included in the project; iv. Government should establish a one-stop metropolitan physical planning unit to coordinate joint physical plans of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area . This will ensure standardisation of work and value for money; v. The political leaders in the KCCA and the eight metropolitan local governments should have a strong commitment to supporting the development objective of this Greater Kampala Metropolitan Urban Development Programme support; The strong commitment will help in improving communication between stakeholders as well as mediation between communities and local governments in addition to enhancing transparency, accountability and participation by all key stakeholders leading the implementation of this programme. vi. Government should table to this House a comprehensive traffic decongestion plan for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area ; vii. Government should consider establishing a new planned city to serve as a new development hub fully served with utilities. This will motivate and attract planned investment, settlement and will in one way or another decongest Kampala City. Capacity of the Ministry Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs to coordinate our development and management The committee observed that a well-functioning metropolitan area is a result of more than the sum of well-performing local governments. There is, therefore, a need to align the incentives and provide for territorial logic to responsibilities and mandates already performed by KCCA and the Greater Kampala metropolitan local governments under the decentralisation policy framework. The Government approved the structure of this new ministry and recruitment is ongoing and a substantive accounting officer was appointed.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is true, the climate has changed. In northern Uganda, Gulu, Eastern Acholi Subregion; Kitgum, Lamwo, Agago and Pader used to start receiving the second rain by the month of July, but now we are in August when rainfall is supposed to be intense. However, since June, we have a very severe dry spell to the extent that the crops that were planted and germinated, have withered. And if the rains start, people are expecting to put some seeds down so that at least in some three or four months, they could be in position to harvest some crops. The problem is that they lack seeds. If the rain comes, they will have nothing to plant. Now that this is becoming a countrywide issue, Government should give us some seeds as quickly as possible so as to help these people within this period. Other than waiting until the end of August or September, we are going to miss the season’s rain. You can recall that the country has been suffering because of lack of posho and beans. A similar thing is being projected if nothing is done and next year is going to be worse. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Around 19 th May, His excellency the President issued a directive which was called an “executive order”, banning charcoal business in Northern and North-eastern Uganda. What remains is the implementation of the directive. What transpired is that the people working under the Ministry of Water and Environment are trying to execute the said directive across the country. Among other regions is Mukono,

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Abdallah for raising this issue. The presidential directive came as a result of massive degradation. It followed a letter I had personally written, starting with a small area of operation. We started with Gulu, then went to the whole of northern, eastern and then the presidential directive. Mr Speaker, the Member should understand that it is for their own good. With the effect of climate change, we should join hands and conserve our environment. I appreciate Members who are doing due diligence to ensure our voters conserve our areas of operation. You should have been happy and joined hands to conserve Mukono, Kampala and the whole country. On the issue of the alternative: in the directive, which was given, we are mindful, as Government, that we do not have an immediate alternative. We actually said, “for domestic consumption”. The other one came as a result of exporting charcoal to Kenya, Saudi Arabia and China. So, charcoal had gone commercial. In fact, we have actually remained lenient on domestic use as we get an alternative. The alternatives in the offing are: i. As Government, we have promoted energy- conserving new technologies, which is actually in most of the energy-saving stoves; ii. We are expecting gas -

Thank you, Mr Speaker and the minister for the elaborate report. In Acholi, cows are kept for prestige. It is a reserve for wealth in a way that should fate befall one, they run back to the cows. Northern Uganda has suffered a lot. When you look back at the LRA war times and when change of Government took place, people lost their animals. We used to have more animals than Western Uganda. The commercial activity that most Acholi would do was to sell their heads of cattle. Right now, there is no commercial activity going on in Northern Uganda, to the extent that if Komakech is, for example, to marry, he is expected to pay 20 heads of cows. However,

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. The issue of cattle raids brings a lot of uncertainty and fear, not only to the people in the districts where it happens, but even to those in the neighbouring districts. My district borders Acholi and when my people heard that again rustlers from the east and northern part had come, they were very scared because there is a lot of life being lost MINISTERIAL STATEMENT [Mr Komakech]

9785 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 2023 Presentation by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, is under 2.5 in which they also acknowledge the seedlings arrears of Shs 42 billion that is unpaid. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development officials said that at the end of the Financial Year 2021, coffee seedlings arrears stood at Shs 15.97 billion. During the planting season B, 2022 from September to December, coffee seedlings worth Shs 26.03 billion were distributed to farmers at parish level. Currently, the accumulated arrears stands at Shs 42 billion and this was acknowledged by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development by 31 December 2022. The rest, Mr Speaker, was the narrative that the committee received from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Observations 1. The committee observed that the Government of Uganda, through UCDA, certified 1,675 nursery operators as at 31 December 2022, to supply coffee seedlings - that is, Robusta and Arabica – to farmers throughout the country. 2. The committee also observed that non- payment of coffee seedlings supplied had resulted in a number of litigations, petitions and loss of property by coffee nursery operators to moneylenders and financial institutions due to non-payment of loans secured to start up and operate coffee nurseries. Some coffee nursery operators had even failed to send their children to school and meet other family obligations. The coffee seedlings nursery operators are totally burdened and some have even died when they are still being tossed up and down. The committee was informed that at times, some of these affected coffee nursery operators choose to camp at UCDA offices demanding to be paid, causing a lot of restlessness at the entity. 3. The committee also observed that Cabinet Memorandum CT (2022) 126, Min. No. 30 (CT-22) on distribution of verified coffee and tea seedlings was to be on deferred payment terms. This could have delayed the effects of the seedling payments. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development contends and recognises the coffee seedlings debt arrears of Shs 42 billion; a quotation that was also corroborated and presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and so was the UCDA and also the petitioners. The accrued coffee seedlings of Shs 42 billion was as a result of change in policy and work methods. The agricultural ministry by then, when the committee was considering the report, had written to the finance ministry to include the debt arrears in the budget of the Financial Year 2023/2024. Sometimes these things are said, but not implemented. Uganda is committed to the coffee roadmap of producing 20 million bags by 2030, and yet there is no clear plan of availing coffee seedlings to the farmers. Likewise, coffee nursery operators are still grappling with the payment issues, which is demotivating and crippling the coffee subsector. 4. The committee also observed overgrown coffee seedlings, especially in the northern parts of the country. The recent visits by the committee in February 2023 equally revealed that the seedlings were overgrown and some of them had become trees in the nurseries. 5. The committee observed a lack of a planned and streamlined way of coffee seedling supply and distribution, thus leaving a lot of seedlings to go to waste. We have just had a coffee summit where an upcoming coffee grower who has been beyond Uganda – Tanzania – is supplying coffee seedlings free to the farmers as a way of increasing the coffee production.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I agree with your comment that this is basically a budgetary matter. However, allow me to make just three observations to solidify your comment further. During the Financial Year 2022/2023, there was no release to UCDA by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of any funds with respect to the settlement of arrears for payment of coffee seedling suppliers. Secondly, whereas the Cabinet resolution was that payment of the suppliers that did supply after the Cabinet decision of September 2022 would be made in two instalments starting with the Financial Year 2023/2024, there is no provision whatsoever in the current budget towards that. I just wanted to emphasise that. Finally, the chairperson of the committee rightly put it that during their tour, most especially in Northern Uganda, they found that seedlings had overgrown. I want to give an explanation that at the time when we were distributing the seedlings last year, the season for planting coffee in Northern Uganda and some other regions, particularly the Elgon Subregion had expired. It was not the time for planting coffee in those areas, whereas it was time for planting coffee in central, western and some other subregions. For that matter, it was not possible for us to distribute coffee seedlings in Northern Uganda and in the Elgon Subregion. Instead, we postponed the distribution of coffee seedlings in those areas. This is the cause of the overgrown seedlings in Northern Uganda. During Season A of 2023, we distributed some coffee seedlings, but not all. The result of the distribution of some coffee seedlings in those areas – Northern Uganda – is that there were further arrears created of Shs 3.25 billion. My prayer is that as the Minister of Finance considers the arrears created because of distribution in other regions, the arrears created because of distribution in Northern Uganda amounting to Shs 3.25 billion should also be considered. I beg to move. Thank you.

9790 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT farmers, who have prepared their gardens and are waiting for seedlings. We could not plant last year because it was already a dry season. That is one part of it. On the issue of the arrears, yes, I agree with Hon. Nandala that sometimes people were inflating the figures of seedlings. At one time I also proposed in this House that it would be better to go to the field and see exactly what is planted and we verify from there other than someone signing that “We have received this number of seedlings.” The question remains: What do we do with the current nurseries with seedlings and the farmers are waiting for these seedlings because this is the planting season in northern Uganda? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was disappointed when I heard the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries giving reason why the people of northern Uganda did not plant; that time caught up with them. It is as if the country or the ministry knew that in northern Uganda, the seasons for planting were all of a sudden. I also would like to re-echo why the seedlings in West Nile – I mean in northern Uganda – overgrew; it is that when distributions were being made, we were receiving seedlings in trucks. Under Operation Wealth Creation, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the local farmers who were certified to make their nursery beds in northern Uganda, especially West Nile; their seedlings were never bought. We were receiving seedlings in trucks that were coming to West Nile at the wrong time, others already overgrown. So, our local farmers who tried to put up their nursery beds, their seedlings were never bought. We are here fighting that people’s arrears should be paid, but the people of northern Uganda, first of all, did not supply. Are you going to pay them? Was it their fault that they tried their best to raise nursery beds and you decided to ferry seedlings from other places? It is very disappointing that those who planted at the right time that the Government was ready to buy should also be looked into and they should also be paid because it is not their problem. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I also thank the committee for the report. I would also like to thank the Government for identifying such a lucrative enterprise in coffee. When you look at maize, it produces maybe Shs 500,000 per acre in a year, but coffee can produce Shs 2 million, if it is done in a traditional way and about Shs 17 million if it is done with modern agronomical practices. Having said that, the minister himself said that central Uganda, western Uganda and eastern have been studied, but no study or training has been done in northern Uganda. Looking at PDM as a means of helping our people to come into wealth creation, coffee is one of the best enterprises. Madi-Okollo has a lot of land, but when I looked, I could not tell people to start with coffee because the soils had not been tested and trainings had not been done. Therefore, I would implore the Government to take special interest in northern Uganda because we have vast land. We can produce the 20 million bags that the Government is looking for, but there needs to be testing of the soils. The Members of Parliament have said that they have done it on an individual basis, but can we have a strategy by the Government for northern Uganda, especially areas that have a lot of land like Madi-Okollo, to help the farmers also enter wealth creation? Thank you.

Honourable members, what Hon. Oboth is saying is: let us pay attention whenever we have an induction. There are rules; let us revise them whenever we have the time. Can we go to the next item? MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT URGING GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITISE INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF MICROTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Honourable members, food safety is a vital precondition for good health. The motion seeks to address salient challenges facing grain farmers, not only in Northern Uganda but in the whole country. We will give Hon. Ojara only five minutes, then we will refer this to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. Honourable members, listen to Hon. Mapenduzi; he knows where he belongs – (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to table this motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to prioritise interventions to address the challenges of mycotoxin contamination in Northern Uganda. I move this motion under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda. “ WHEREAS the Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation recognise the worldwide occurrence of mycotoxins in human foods and animal feeds; AND WHEREAS mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites with toxic effects to humans and animals and in terms of exposure to chronic diseases, mycotoxins pose a high risk of infections; AWARE THAT mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin compromise the quality of grains produced and affects Uganda’s competitiveness in the regional and global market; NOTING THAT staple foods produced in Uganda are highly susceptible to infection by toxigenic fungi and several environmental factors and are in favour of developing toxigenic fungi during the field period, the time of harvest, or during storage; NOTING FURTHER THAT research conducted by Gulu University indicates that mycotoxin contamination is a large food safety issue in Northern Uganda and about 90 per cent of grain produced from Northern Uganda are contaminated and partly responsible for the high prevalence rate of Hepatitis B and liver cancer in the region, and the situation has been made worse due to limited surveillance; AWARE THAT the food grains produced in Northern Uganda are mainly sorghum, maize, millet and rice and also groundnuts, which are legumes, are also widely grown in the region but highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination; APPREHENSIVE THAT there is limited public awareness on mycotoxin contamination of foods and its toxicity burden among farmers in Northern Uganda; poor pre and post-harvest agricultural practices are common among the local farmers in the region that expose the grains to high mycotoxin contamination; APPREHENSIVE FURTHER THAT heavy dietary reliance by the people of Northern Uganda on locally produced staple food that is highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination exacerbates the problem of mycotoxin contamination for many small-scale farmers in the community; APPRECIATING THAT with funding from VLIRUOS Belgium Government programme, Gulu University has established a mycotoxin testing lab with GC, HPLC, PCRs and ELISA tools to support surveillance of mycotoxin

9650 DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION contamination in the Northern Region of Uganda, and the country at large; HOPEFUL THAT the control and prevention of mycotoxin contamination shall encourage farmers to practice crop rotation, proper drying of grains before storage, avoid grain storage in damp or moist areas, timely harvest of crops, avoid pest infestation and damage of grains during storage, use of fungicides and planting of improved variety of seeds; CONFIDENT THAT the prevention of mycotoxin contamination shall address the four pillars of integrated mycotoxin contamination management that involves knowledge on 1) prevention, 2) avoiding (cultural and breeding for resistance), 3) monitoring and predicting (biological, mechanical, physiological) and 4) Interventions and suppression using chemicals; COGNISANT THAT in order to address the challenges of mycotoxin contamination experienced in northern Uganda, there is a need for collective will and commitment from different stakeholders, including government agencies, politicians, religious and cultural leaders, farmers, small- and large-scale traders, health and agricultural and extension services, as well as development partners; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this Parliament that the Government: 1. Prioritises support towards post-harvest handling and management. 2. Provides support to farmers in northern Uganda and the country at large to exercise good agricultural practices, especially to practice prevention of mycotoxins at pre- and post-harvest level. 3. Provides support to Gulu University Multifunctional Research Laboratory to scale up mycotoxin testing, surveillance, dissemination and measures to reduce the burden of mycotoxins and associated implications. 4. Strengthens the regulatory framework on the quality of food in line with safety and health standards.” I beg to move, Madam Speaker. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, I am grateful that this Parliament is in full recognition of the dangers of mycotoxin contamination. Recently, in this same House, there were discussions on goods that had been impounded in South Sudan, when our traders went to conduct business. These impounded goods were majorly because of mycotoxin contamination. As the scientists have indicated, the contamination leads to several very harmful effects. Part of the reason we have a very high prevalence rate of Hepatitis B in Northern Uganda and the country - and just to give a breakdown - scientists are indicating that, currently, Northern Uganda alone has Hepatitis B prevalence rate of between six and 12 per cent. Acholi subregion alone stands at between 18.5 and 23.9 per cent. Uganda, as a country generally, stands at about 4.3 per cent. This is serious and so we need to take immediate intervention. We are also aware that, globally, 78 per cent of liver cancer cases are majorly secondary or related to Hepatitis B. I, therefore, plead with this House that the Government takes this matter very seriously, especially for the farmers who are struggling. We are talking about scaling up productivity and production and fighting poverty, but we cannot do much unless we begin to put in place the things that would enhance the farmers to productively get involved in these agricultural activities. [Mr Ojara] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Madam Speaker, I rise to second the motion with an amendment that it should cover the whole country. This problem involves what we eat. Just yesterday, but one - if we have been reading - there were trucks that Uganda Bureau of Standards was tracking and that they were going to South Sudan. Obviously, this food that has been contaminated - that we are talking about – does not majorly come from Northern Uganda. Some of it comes from Eastern Uganda, Central Uganda and Western Uganda. We are generally talking about cancer, not only liver cancer. If you look at the problem of cancer in Uganda now, there is a high possibility that we need to increase the implementation to ensure we control it. Even in the 10 th Parliament, we had a problem with our neighbour, Kenya; they stopped grains from Uganda from crossing into Kenya. Look at what has happened recently, especially the one of South Sudan, and compare South Sudan to Uganda - the standard we have come from. This is a young nation, trying to control food consumption in their country. If we cannot do that as Uganda - all of us eat grains on a daily basis and the effect is on all of us. I think this is the right time for the Government to take serious action over what we eat. This does not only affect human beings, but also animals. We eat animals that eat the same grains which are affected. Therefore, I request Members to support this motion. We need to work hard, as Parliament and country, to solve this particular problem. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Dr Bhoka. Honourable members, we will bring the Ministry of Health into this. We are going to refer this motion to the committee because the issues that are being raised are very important. We will not only limit it to Northern Uganda.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to ask the minister some questions. Members of Parliament would recall that it was this very state minister, who sometime back, wrote a letter, which was a directive banning all charcoal sellers and charcoal burners in Northern Uganda. The activity has been going on slowly and it is already dying out. As a result of her directives, the President also came in and issued another strong directive banning tree cutting and charcoal burning in northern Uganda for now. That is what we know.

9601 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023 If the same minister states that the prisons people are allowed to cut these trees, burn them into charcoal and ferry them when the people of Northern Uganda are watching, what kind of example will these people show the people in Northern Uganda? Why should the law favour the prisons and not the people of Northern Uganda and the business community who sell charcoal? If the minister says that they have allowed the prisons people to clear the trees and burn them into charcoal when they are not even paying taxes in the subcounty where they are cutting the trees, will she be right to show the country that the prisons people can cut trees and sell charcoal, but others cannot? This is a very bad example to our people and against the directive of the President. For now, we feel and think that nobody should be allowed to cut trees for charcoal. I beg to submit.

Thank you. This is just a kind reminder that we have Mass at 5.00 p.m. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT URGING GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITISE INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Yesterday, I drove on the northern bypass - right now it is under construction, and we have a contractor in place. Of late, it is becoming insecure and there are several accidents. Could we please know when the contractor is going to urgently put safety triangular lights and reflectors so that the on- going accidents can be reduced? Secondly, can we get to know when we shall have the general road inspection reports that are supposed to be got annually for the safety of Ugandans? I thank you.

9482 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The second is on the cost of roads. You talked of “per kilometre”, but there is also what we call “per kilometre lane”, because it might be one kilometre with four lanes, one kilometre with two lanes or one kilometre with six lanes. For clarification purposes, what is the cost per kilometre of lane on average, in KCCA? I think the middle lanes would be cheaper because they do not have the edges; it is a continuation. Finally, on the cost for roads, there is something, honourable colleagues, which happens. Someone goes and gets a contract - in fact, the Government issues a contract well knowing that, for example, the land where the project is going to be is not yet acquired. Now, the contractor starts charging damages or costs. You find that for a road which was awarded at Shs 100 billion, the cost alone can go to over Shs 85 billion. I want you to interest yourself in the Northern Bypass – the initial contract v. the final amount. Just out of failure to acquire one acre around Kalerwe – it took around two years. Someone says: “My equipment is parked for two years, my experts are parked for two years, they are committed, so, you have to pay me.” Of course, it is provided for under the contract. Then ask yourself: why do you sign a contract and hand over 20 per cent of the site when you know you have not yet acquired 80 per cent? Yet the contractor is going to work and when they reach this point - you even acquired sites in gaps; one kilometre is acquired and another kilometre not acquired. Now, the contractor cannot jump this area and go into the other one. I want to know whether you were interested in that before I can open up the debate.

Thank you, for the protection. Mr Speaker, the space the President has given us in this country, in terms of peace and security, is one that we are all enjoying. We are the watchdogs of our securities and insecurities in this country. Even as we move out of the country, we feel we are moving with peace. I would like to thank the President for supporting our neighboring countries, for example, DRC. I remember sometime back, he participated in supporting South Sudan and Somalia. I accord that to the President - we received a delegation from Somalia who came to benchmark in my district; Nwoya, on how to rehabilitate their people. The rehabilitation we had in Northern Uganda has enabled me to stand before you today and speak. (Applause) We want to say that this is something we are looking forward to, even for our generations to come. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, Dr Okullo has raised a very important point that affects many areas, particularly where we come from, the northern region. I remember when His Excellency the President was in the

9382 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT region - on the 15 th , he met the Acholi elders and on the 16 th , he met the Lango. This was one of the issues that were raised. It was observed that in the area where Dr Okullo comes from, Amuru and Gulu, there are armed herdsmen, commonly known as Balaalo” , armed with guns and forcing their animals to graze in people’s land. This is a very serious matter, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the minister who is here because he is always there, listening to our problems and acting on them. It is important that you do not only listen to what he has told you. The entire northern region is being invaded by armed Balaalo . They are no longer just Balaalo ; they are now Balaalo who are armed. Mr Speaker, I am sorry I had to raise this because it is causing insecurity all across the northern region. I beg to request.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Regarding Mama Cecilia Ogwal’s issue, the President has issued Executive Order No. 3 of evicting all Balaalo from Northern Uganda. I want to update Parliament about that order. In the last Cabinet sitting, with permission of my senior, the President extended its enforcement to September because there is another study by Gen. Saleh with the leaders in the north and there are proposals that can enrich the execution of that order.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter which I hinted on. In December 2022, unknown gunmen broke into one of the village SACCOs and left with Shs 30 million. We have not been able to recover the money. As the Woman Member of Parliament and my other colleagues, we had to start from scratch with the group members. On 2 April 2023, unknown gunmen broke into Coorom Health Centre II and escaped with drugs worth millions of shillings. On the same fateful night, Awach Health Centre II, Patuda Health Centre II in Kitgum District, Lerabaro Health Centre II in Gulu District, Cwero Health Centre III, Pudo Health Centre III and Langol Health Centre III was the most recent. I spoke about this a few minutes ago but it is quite beyond what we are looking at – this needs the attention of the security agencies of this country. My prayers: 1. Intensify the investigations to their conclusion. 2. Restocking the drugs in these health centres has also been a challenge for us. We make calls and no responses are made. Let us also revise the issue of deploying single askaris to these health centres because they get tired since they work day and night. In Coorom Health Centre II, the askari was put at gunpoint, the mother who had just delivered at the health centre and her husband were all locked in and the drugs were taken. Cognisant of the previous years of insecurity in Northern Uganda, and given that the helms of these gunmen are not known, this matter should be handled with immediate utmost urgency. Once again, thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I also add my voice to thank the President for conducting his constitutional mandate in addressing the nation. Mr Speaker, allow me to comment on the President’s address regarding sports. He talked about our bid, together with East African countries to bid for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) and went ahead to say, “We will put resources to build stadiums around the country in preparation for this”. Mr Speaker, as a person who comes from Northern Uganda, I see 2027 very close. If we were to look around the stadia which we have - I see Pece and Akii-Bua stadia in Lira, but in most of them, I do not see any potential. Just scan Namboole Stadium, which is close to us - it has been closed for many years without operation. My fear is that we may go for this bid but Kenya and other East African countries will overpower us - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I also add my voice to thank the President for conducting his constitutional mandate in addressing the nation. Mr Speaker, allow me to comment on the President’s address regarding sports. He talked about our bid, together with East African countries to bid for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) and went ahead to say, “We will put resources to build stadiums around the country in preparation for this”. Mr Speaker, as a person who comes from Northern Uganda, I see 2027 very close. If we were to look around the stadia which we have - I see Pece and Akii-Bua stadia in Lira, but in most of them, I do not see any potential. Just scan Namboole Stadium, which is close to us - it has been closed for many years without operation. My fear is that we may go for this bid but Kenya and other East African countries will overpower us - (Member timed out.)

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.

9209 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023 What happens is when a project is going to be implemented, we do what we call “alignment of the road” and in that process, definitely, there are some properties, which should be affected. We assess, evaluate and use the valuation given to us by the Chief Government Valuer. It is the last valuation that is given for any property and that is disclosed to the property owner. I am sure the people the honourable member is referring to have been given their evaluation. We do that through disclosure. Every person is given the amount of money that will be compensated according to the properties and value of the land in that particular area. This has been done for all the people along the Luweero-Butalangu Road. The challenge sometimes comes in two forms. One, you find that we may have the money, but then there may be conflict of interest on the property. Sometimes, people do not agree on who should receive the money and that takes time. This has happened even on the Northern Bypass project. We have people who have, up to now, failed to agree on who should take the money in a certain family, but we have that money. Many times, because we need the project to proceed, we put that money in court so that when they sort themselves out, then they can go to court and get their money. The other challenge is the amount of money we get for compensation in the budget, which in many cases does not match the amount of money we require. This is known very well in the Committee on Physical Infrastructure and within the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. However, we may delay to compensate, but definitely, we shall compensate. Once we sever off the part we are going to use from whatever document we take, including the land titles, the land title will be given back to the owner. This has happened. Although some of the people on the Northern Bypass have not yet gotten their severed titles; some of them do not want to get them until they get the compensation. We have the documents; we have everybody’s records. Therefore, please inform the people and give them confidence that they shall be paid and their land titles will be returned to them – (Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a statement by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs to Parliament regarding the attack on Peter Hunter Secondary School Nyabigando, also known as Lhubiriha Mpondwe Secondary School. At the Third Sitting of the Parliament of Uganda held on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, Parliament directed the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to issue a statement about the Kasese killings by the ADF yesterday, 2l June 2023, but because of the circumstances entailed here, I am presenting it today, 22 June 2023. I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker, for according the Government this opportunity to make this statement. Allow me to bring up to date all Members about what has been happening, briefly, so that we are together and share knowledge about these terrorist attacks. On l3 November 1996, ADF l200 strong, all armed by President Mobutu of DRC and President Bashir of Sudan attacked Mpondwe and occupied it for four days. The plan of Bashir was, as he was already supporting LRA in Northern Uganda, to be able to flank us from behind by capturing Kasese Airstrip for their groups’ supply of arms/weapons to collapse the NRM Government. We mobilised and in four days, we killed 400 of them. Therefore, we failed their plan as they only managed to just occupy Mpondwe in Kasese for the four days I have mentioned, as they were blocked by a small force there. When we mobilised ourselves, they gave up their mission of capturing Kasese Town and Airstrip and resorted to turning to terrorism by killing people and forcing them into Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs). They also disappeared and occupied the mountain areas of Kasese and Kabarole.

9217 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023 I have organised a small map there, but you can see – (Laughter) We are showing only that part around the Rwenzori from Kibale National Park down up to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Edward and when you enter Congo, we are showing from Bulibo through Virunga National Park, Kasindi, Mpondwe - We had this problem in Mpondwe and I am going to talk about it. You will know about Butembo, Butwe and Beni and those mountains after Rwenzori National Park. Madam Speaker, the ADF is mostly in the northern parts of the road from Kasindi to Beni. You can see Kasindi and Beni on the north- west. Kasindi is in the middle near Mpondwe and then Beni. The northern parts of that road and south of the road are occupied by UPDF and where the UPDF is operating from, life has come back to normal with the population settling back to economic production. For example, they have gone back to cocoa and coffee farming, shops are open and schools are running. All the shops, if I have to volunteer some information, are full of Ugandan goods. When you go to all these towns from Beni, Bunia, Masindi – but that is something else. In the DRC, where Congo allowed us to operate, the ADF could not go to camp there; they only remained in small groups. I used a Luganda word - bukunkumuka – When you have dry cow dung and you remove the lump, what remains is little. These remaining bukunkumuka; small, scattered remnants that cannot attack barracks and police stations - But why do they attack civilians and schools, killing innocent people? We are very sure that they do this: 1. To give themselves publicity. 2. To make the world know that they are still there. 3. To detract us (UPDF) back from attacking them in Congo in their main camps. We have denied them space locally, but we also need to finish them from their perennial hideouts in Congo and this country should not remain in this panic forever. What the ADF is doing is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. Otherwise, why don’t they attack military and police barracks or ambush army vehicles? As you know, Madam Speaker, when you burn a log, even the ash that we call evvu in Luganda, can get into your eyes and cause pain. The bukunkumuka should be wiped out or evvu well swept because all these can cause damage. They tried this in Ntoroko on 13 December 2022 and they were planning to do exactly what they did to this school recently. They were 51 when they attacked; out of the 51, 26 were put out of action. (Interjection) Yes, we counted them. When fighting, you are not blind. We counted them and 26 were put out of action and their bodies remained there. The remaining 25 were captured and we have them in prison. When we capture them, we do not kill them; we put them in prison. This was a bigger and well-armed group than that one of Lhubiriha, the recent Kasese group, which were less than 10 terrorists. We are carrying out investigations to establish and get answers to some pertinent questions, which everyone, including honourable Members, are asking: 1. Why didn’t people, both security and civilians, see them? 2. Why were there no identification or suspicion of new or strange faces? All these will be answered by all the investigations that are going on and the findings will avail these answers. We have already removed the logs, but we now need to remove the ash. Regarding this instant case, on 16 June 2023, at around 2300 hours (11.00 p.m.), suspected ADF rebels, numbering between five to 10, attacked Peter Hunter Secondary School, Nyabigando also known as Lhubiriha Mpondwe Secondary School in Kasese District. Following the attack, 37 students, one security guard who challenged the attackers and four other civilians were killed. That made it 41 lives lost, but we have

9231 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023 Additional support has also been provided under the Transitional Development Grant and constructed phase one of Ik Secondary School in Kaabong, Katikekile Seed Secondary School in Moroto District, and Nadunget Seed Secondary School in Napak District. Furthermore, Karamoja is a beneficiary of the UGIFT Project, where 16 seed secondary schools are being constructed. Madam Speaker, Hon. Alyek Judith, Kole District said that there is a problem, according to her, of rampant illegal commercial production of charcoal across the country, which is a danger to the environment. She said that we are losing important forest cover, including trees of great medicinal and commercial value like the Shea Butter Nut tree in Northern Uganda. Her question was: Rt Hon. Prime Minister, what measures has the Government put in place to control charcoal burning and its effects? My response, Madam Speaker, is that Schedule 5 of the National Environment Act, No. 5 of 2019 lists commercial charcoal production as an activity that requires mandatory environmental and social impact assessment. It is an offence, under section 157 of the Act, to commence an activity, which requires an environmental and social impact assessment before obtaining a certificate of approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). This offence, upon conviction, attracts penalties for both individuals and corporate bodies. Anybody interested in commercial charcoal production must have a sustainable source of charcoal wood with mechanisms for sustainability, as opposed to uncontrolled clearing of land. This can only be ascertained through an environmental and social impact assessment, as required by the law. It does not matter if the land is private or public, and gazetted or not gazetted. As of now, the National Environment Management Authority has not issued any environmental and social impact assessment for any commercial charcoal production. As such, the ongoing commercial charcoal production across the country is illegal. Therefore, the Uganda Police Force, district local governments, the National Forestry Authority and all other law enforcement agencies can apprehend, for prosecution, anybody found engaging in the commercial production of charcoal without an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Certificate from NEMA. Furthermore, the Government, through the Ministry of Water and Environment, put a ban on commercial inter-district trade in forest products in Acholi subregion, which had stood out as a hub for illegal sources of wood. His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, under Article 99(2) of the 1995 Constitution, has issued an Executive Order No.3 of 2023, putting a ban on charcoal burning in northern and north-eastern Uganda, except with permission from the Ministry of Water and Environment. Madam Speaker, in 2022, the Government launched a pilot project to promote the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as an alternative to charcoal use. Liquefied Petroleum Gas can protect forests from being depleted for charcoal and firewood production and use, hence contributing to the preservation of the environment. The Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, is implementing a mitigation measure to curb the high demand for charcoal. The ministry has already distributed 10,000 LPG cylinders to households in the urban areas in central Uganda, where there is high demand for charcoal. The Government has budgeted for funds to roll out the same intervention in other parts of the country in the next financial year. Madam Speaker, Hon. Peter Okeyoh, MP for Bukooli Island, stated that the Association of Fishers – (Interjections) - it is “fishers”. Madam Speaker, I beg for your protection. (Laughter) These are fishers.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There is a very dire and acute security situation in my district, Nakapiripirit and some other districts in northern Karamoja. This is occasioned by external aggression by armed groups from Kenya. The ones that are attacking my district come from West Pokot County in Kenya. These groups carry out daily attacks and this has been happening since January 2023. There are daily attacks that seem to have overwhelmed the security apparatus on the ground because there is nothing the security apparatus are carrying out. As of today, we have lost over 24 lives, including a security personnel and UPDF officers. We have lost over 4,000 heads of cattle and about 2,000 sheep and goats. Every other day, people are dying and it is really critical. The community is in panic; there is total anxiety. Mr Speaker, my phone does not go off at 7:00 p.m.; it stays on until morning, tracking animals on the phone and coordinating with the security personnel. This matter has happened twice this year. I request the Leader of Government Business to take action because people are dying. The question I asked in the House was: how many more people do you want to die? Tell us so that we can offer ourselves to die for peace to come to Karamoja. My prayer, which is still sustained up to now, is: can the Leader of Government Business organise a high-profile delegation comprised on the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry

I know this is an issue – even the President has just come out of the area. Usually, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker have regular interactions with the President regarding Members’ concerns. This is one of the issues over which we had a discussion and that is when he went and held several meetings in northern Uganda. I cannot remember well whether he went to Karamoja, but I know he is also supposed to go there. It is an issue which I know he, himself, is giving extreme attention. The best we can do at our level, again, is to raise these concerns to His Excellency the President so that he can get space and also meet the Karamoja team and get more updates on the same. Honourable member, please, you do not tell the Speaker: “No.” That is not the language in our rules. Honourable colleagues, we run Parliament based on rules. We are usually humble in the way we do our Business; let us maintain it. Hon. Gilbert Olanya?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning massive tree cutting in Acholi Subregion, purposely for charcoal. As I speak now, we have people coming from all parts of Uganda based in Acholi Subregion and are cutting down trees massively, including Sheanut trees, especially in Kitgum, Pader and Lamwo. Surprisingly, the police officers are the ones protecting and encouraging those who are destroying the environment in Acholi Subregion. I remember when we raised the matter to the President, he directed that the police officers and the military personnel in Northern Uganda should stop massive tree cutting for charcoal in Acholi Subregion. Last Monday, the President issued an executive order, banning tree cutting for charcoal in Acholi, but, surprisingly, the police officers are still continuing to escort charcoal dealers right from the source up to Kampala. Mr Speaker, I would like the Minister of Internal Affairs to explain the role of the police officers and the military personnel in the charcoal deals in Acholi Subregion. [Mr Aleper] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is now a year since they put a ban on cattle trade in Northern Uganda. This initiative was taken by two ministries; the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. The intention of the ban was to curtail the rampant and control movement of the nomads locally called the Balaalo . However, the ban was blanket to the extent that persons who used to trade in animals in my constituency Kioga County, through the Kioga ferry are not able to trade in cattle to date. Mr Speaker, Kioga is a peninsula district on the windward side of the lake, and our only livelihood is cattle trade and fishing. Fishing is no more at the time for a common man. We are only left with cattle trade. If the blanket ban continues, I am going to continue representing paupers or IPOLIS to date. It is very hard to represent such people because you become a donor. It is my humble plea that the blanket ban be lifted specifically to persons who own licences in Kioga to continue trading in cattle.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hon. Moses Okot has made a blanket statement that there was a ban, I am not aware of it. There was an operation directed by the President which was time bound and it ended. Cattle trade in general was not banned. We only enforced the quarantine restrictions, enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). I understand that even today, post that exercise, some people have taken it upon themselves to restrict their movement and work under the guise of that operation. So, we shall get guidance from MAAIF that going forward, cattle should move subject of course to the usual restrictions, where there are outbreak of diseases, those ones can be enforced by MAAIF. However, regarding the Balaalo issue, an executive order has been made by the President again banning the movement of Balaalo to that area. So, we shall see how to refine the position and communicate to the people of Northern Uganda through their leaders.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wonder whether we are proceeding well. I have had the opportunity to peruse through the order of business and also hear from the Speaker. For close to two weeks now, the northern part of Uganda and the nation at large are worried as to whether security in this country is under control. I am perturbed to see us deal with auxiliary matters when issues of national security, at the time when nobody is safe - Members of Parliament are being threatened of daylight shooting and this does not take the order of the day. Are we proceeding well to discuss auxiliary matters yet there are matters that must take precedence? I think we are not right, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, honourable member, for raising that concern. You rose up under a point of procedure which is provided for under Rule 78(4) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. First, a point of procedure has to do with the conduct of a Member holding the Floor. Secondly, when you stand up, you are supposed to first state the rule under which you rise. Thirdly, if you have any issue that you feel is very important, you can raise it as a matter of national importance and you have not done so. Fourthly, we are talking about issues of students’ degrees being considered expired and you call it “an auxiliary issue.” We do not know whether the degree you used to come here is even valid - the one you got recently. Honourable colleagues, when we are submitting on the Floor, let us be humble. Honourable member, if you had come to my office and told me you had a matter of national importance to do with insecurity in Northern Uganda, I would have given you space; I can guarantee you that.

Okay. Requisition for iron sheets by recipients: 1. Rt Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga made a requisition on 25 October 2022 to Dr Mary Gorreti Kitutu for relief items; 2. Hon. Fred Kyakulaga Bwino, on 26 October 2022, made a request to the PA of the Minister for Karamoja Affairs; 3. Hon. Dr Joyce Moriku, on 20 January 2023 made a request to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Hon. Nabbanja; 4. On 10 th September, Minister Rose Lilly Akello made a request to Hon. Dr Mary Kitutu. 5. On 12 April 2022, Hon. Jenipher Kacha made a request to the state minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees affairs and to the Minister of State for Northern Uganda on 11 October 2022. 6. On 5 September 2019, Hon. Marksons Jacob Oboth made a request to the State Minister for Northern Uganda. 7. On 27 January 2022, Hon. Agnes Kirabo made a request to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. 8. On 7 and 28 March 2022, Hon. Judith Nabakooba made a request to the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees for relief items. Process of handling requests for relief items in OPM The committee further established that the different affirmative action departments do not have a unified set-out process on requesting for relief items and, therefore, the process varies from one department to the other. The committee, therefore, observes that the policies and procedures for the management of relief items are known. Furthermore, the committee discovered that OPM did not formally respond to all the requests made, with the exception of that of Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth’s. Recommendations: 1. OPM should streamline the process of requests for interventions made to its office. 2. OPM should ensure that timely responses/ feedbacks are given on requests made to the office. Committee’s findings on the donations and receipt of iron sheets by officials under the ministry Hon. Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu: The committee established that Hon. Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu is the main contributor in the mismanagement of the iron sheets through diversion and donation to the recipients in the following ways: 1. She issued donations to the recipients despite lack of budgetary provision for

8854 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT By the time Rt Hon. Prime Minister presented to the Committee, she gave us information the balance of iron sheets in the stores was at 81,554. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister informed the committee that the delays in the distribution of iron sheets was brought about by petitions from the various district local governments contesting the inclusion of lists from Members of Parliament. She indicated that so far, only three districts of Nakapiripirit, Karenga and Moroto had partially received iron sheets. The details are there. She further stated that she had been informed that Karenga District received 1,500 iron sheets. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister informed the committee that contrary to the information that was circulating in the media, she did not receive iron sheets meant for Karamoja Subregion, but instead received from the regular budget for donations, and subsequently, donated to different parts of the country. She further indicated that the decision to divert and reallocate the iron sheets requisition for delivery to Karamoja Subregion was taken solely by the Minister of Karamoja Affairs and not the Office of the Prime Minister. She informed the committee that it was unfair for the public to expect her to police the ministers under her docket, but expect minimum supervision given their mandate and competence. The diversion of iron sheets was not discussed in top management meetings with her ministers. She further indicated that she gets briefs during Cabinet meetings or during inquiries by the investigating agencies. The Prime Minister further informed the committee that she briefed the President on this matter. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister informed the committee that she set out to improve the management of stores and many internal issues as soon as she assumed office, including the introduction of the labelling, branding and specific wording for the items under the Office of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister further proposed that the diverted iron sheets be replaced in the following ways: (i) Iron sheets that were taken by leaders and have not been used be returned to the Office of the Prime Minister. (ii) The iron sheets taken and used by leaders belonging to other affirmative action regions, whose accountability has been filed and can be verified, be replaced by transferring an equal number of those from the affirmative ministries they belong to. She cited an example of replacing the diverted iron sheets for Karamoja Subregion with the ones belonging to Northern Uganda affairs and other affirmative action programmes accordingly. (iii) Investigations be expedited to bring out the truth and hold accountable those who misused the iron sheets. Observations: The committee observes that under Article 108A (2)(a) of the Constitution, the Prime Minister is the Leader of Government Business in Parliament and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of Government policies across ministries, departments and other public institutions. The committee observes that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister had taken prior steps to ensure that control and stopgap measures, such as branding of items distributed by the Office of the Prime Minister, and providing oversight to the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs through various engagements, meetings, specifically on the Community Empowerment Programme were held. When the Rt Hon. Prime Minister was informed about the diversion, she halted further issuance of the iron sheets. However, the committee observes that the Prime Minister did not effectively conduct adequate coordination and monitoring which affected the Community Empowerment Programme in the following ways:

Madam Speaker, that is what we have always pleaded for, but the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development keeps repeating the same mistake. However, I have looked through the figures that have been given to the House. I found that certain critical areas have been ignored, and yet we had concerns about them in our earlier debate. First of all, cervical cancer is the number one concern among women. To the committee report, Uganda only needs Shs 1.5 billion to provide equipment in order to allow women to have access to facilities for early identification and treatment in the referral hospitals; and they are only 10. If we really care about our mothers, who are dying from cervical cancer, we need to provide a machine per referral hospital in order to decongest the Uganda Cancer Institute and help our dying mothers. That is the first priority. (Applause) We talked about the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) project when our late Speaker passed on. Out of the Shs 250 billion committed by the Government, only Shs 65 billion was released. This is now the third year and it is coming to an end. Before we conclude, there must be additional money for the PET project, so that we can at least have that facility available in Uganda, instead of going to Aga Khan Hospital, India and so on. Madam Speaker, you are also aware that the Nodding Disease is a serious menace in the north. There is nothing there provided for the Nodding Disease. I wish to see Nodding Disease catered for in this budget. Finally, the north and north-east have been affected by cattle rustling. I pray that the operational fund for Northern Uganda to

That is exactly what I am saying. The communities we represent will not believe in us. People go to the banks every day to check their accounts, but they bounce. As MPs, we have failed to explain it because there are guidelines coming from the finance ministry and those coming from the PDM Secretariat. If a local person asks, you cannot guide. That issue is very important. On the road infrastructure in the districts – and I am sure that much of the money, which is being returned, is always for the road infrastructure. The bureaucracy in the tendering process is very long. It takes about three months for somebody to be given a contract to grade a road. In Pader, for example, we have one grader. The excavator, which is supposed to help us get murram, is in the pool in Gulu and it is meant for the whole of northern region. You cannot get that excavator. That is the delay that makes money not to be utilised. I beg that the Government comes out clearly with a solution on how we can stop this issue of keeping and returning money. No money should be given to the districts in March or April because it will not be utilised. The supplementary budget brought in March or February should not be passed because the money is always not used. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, Your Excellency the Vice President, honourable colleagues, I move under Rule 56 of our Rules of Procedure to move a motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the late Hon. Col (Rtd) Okello Charles Patrick Engola Macodwogo for his dedicated and patriotic service to the Republic of Uganda. “WHEREAS, Parliament received with deep sorrow, the sad news of the demise of Col (Rtd) Okello Charles Patrick Engola Macodwogo which occurred in Kyanja-Kampala on 2 May 2023; AWARE that Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Engola Macodwogo had a distinguished career and served in various capacities; in the military and political spheres where he greatly contributed to the political, social, and economic transformation of Uganda: NOTING that Col (Rtd) Charles Engola served Uganda in the following key positions of responsibility: a) The Minister of State for Gender, Labor and Social Development (Labour Employment and Industrial Relations) from 2021 to 2 May 2023; b) The Minister of State for Defense and Veteran Affairs from the year 2016 to 2021; c) Member of Parliament for Oyam North County, Oyam District from the year 2016 to 2021; d) The Local Council V Chairperson of Oyam District from 2006 to 2016. e) The Commander of the Uganda peoples’ Defence Forces for the 501 Brigade 2005; ACKNOWLEDGING that Col (Rtd) Engola Charles Macodwogo served his country with patriotism, commitment and a Commander of Uganda People’s Defence Forces 501 Brigade, played a vital role in ensuring that peace and stability is realised in Northern Uganda; APPRECIATING that Col (Rtd) Engola Charles significantly contributed to the social protection and transformation of Ugandan migrant workers abroad during his tenure in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this Parliament as follows:

Yes, Madam Speaker. On Tuesday, 2 May 2023, the country received the sad news of the passing on of Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, a Member of Parliament for Oyam North County since 2016 and a member of the Lango Parliamentary Group. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Engola Macodwogo was born on 12 October 1958 to the late Rwot (Jago) Nassan Engola and Ketula Engola of Awangi in Iceme, Oyam District. The late Okello Charles Engola was the grandson of Rwot Olong Adilo and great-grandson of Rwot Olwa Abelli of Iceme Village. Madam Speaker, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola attended Atura Common Primary School from 1967 to 1973. He attended Soroti Senior Secondary School from 1974 to 1978. Hon. Charles Engola, attended Kampala International University from the year 2007 to 2010 and awarded a Bachelor of Development Studies. In 2013, he acquired a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Management from Kampala International University. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo joined the army in 1980 at the rank of private. He was later promoted to the rank of Major and appointed the Commanding Officer-501 Brigade based in Opit, Gulu. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and maintained as a Commanding Officer 501 Brigade. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of colonel and retired from the army. Madam Speaker, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola joined politics in the year 2006 and was elected the LC V Apac District till when Oyam District was created. From the year 2011 to 2016, he was the LC V Chairperson of Oyam. While from the year 2016 to 2021, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola was elected the Member of Parliament for Oyam North County and in the same period, he served as the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs. From 2021 to the time of his demise, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo was the Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations). Madam Speaker, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo was married to Mrs Joyce Okello Engola and they were blessed with children; Sharon Agweng Okello, Samuel Engola Jr, Daniel Olong, Frank Okaka and Feni Brian. Madam Speaker, Charles Okello Engola answered the highest call of serving his country as a professional soldier. He was a war hero and played a fundamental role in the pacification of the northern part of this country against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel insurgency and acquired the name ‘Macodwogo”, meaning “fire has returned”. (Applause) Madam Speaker, in 2019, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo, as the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), led a team of Ugandan Members of Parliament to Arabiska Forward Operating Base in Somalia, where they interacted with the UPDF troops and the local leadership.

Much obliged, Madam Speaker. I join the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister in seconding the motion to pay tribute to the fallen son of the land of our ancestors and a very faithful servant of his people. Madam Speaker, we can never get used to death – and death is such a shameless event that has, again, robbed us of a prominent Ugandan, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola, the former Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations). On my behalf and on behalf of the alternative government, I convey my deepest sympathies to the bereaved family, the people of Oyam North, the people of Lango subregion, the Parliament of Uganda and the people of Uganda for this unfortunate loss. Madam Speaker, this is particularly true in light of the life of the fallen colonel: a life intently lived for a service. He did not only contribute to the legislation process of this country but also served in various capacities such as an army officer, district leader and minister. It is sad that Col (Rtd) Charles Engola has passed on at a critical time when we are yet to conclusively deal with the regulation of labour externalisation that was so close to his heart. We are cognisant of his contribution when he took a decisive stance in cancelling licences of non-compliant labour agents. He was courageous and we applaud him for that. (Applause) Madam Speaker, his death brings to light a sacrifice made in the past as the Commander of the UPDF 501 Brigade in Gulu, where Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola played a pivotal role in containing the LRA and restoring peace in Northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, as we pay tribute to a fallen comrade, we are reminded of a similar sitting we had in the 10 th Parliament – those of us who are here – following the gruesome murder of the late Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga and his bodyguard in June 2018. Today’s case might be a little different since the bodyguard who, allegedly assassinated the honourable colleague, also took his own life immediately. The invitation I am making, Madam Speaker, to this august House is that we should not have closed our minds to the various murders of ordinary and high-profile Ugandans such as the late Joan Kagezi, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi and several Muslim clerics, among others, that we have witnessed since 2016. Madam Speaker, two days after Hon. Okello’s gruesome murder, another Ugandan, Ibrahim Tusubira – Jajja Iculi, like you have mentioned and observed ably – was gunned down within the same neighbourhood of the fallen minister. Madam Speaker, allow me to draw the attention of this House back to the address of the President that he delivered on 20 June 2019, in which he outlined a nine-point strategy intended to deal with and defeat insecurity in the country. I will particularly single out his directive to install security cameras across the country – and the fingerprinting of all legal arms in the country.

8555 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 MAY 2023 less compensation and the matters would come to the minister and he had to negotiate for a better settlement. He was also exploring and negotiating new opportunities for employment for migrant workers abroad. He had sat with the association of migrant workers and others to look at the market in Europe. His major issue was whether we could go to Turkey, Canada and Korea. He majorly insisted on how we could negotiate for a skilled workforce from Uganda to abroad. He detested the employment of housemaids abroad; he did not support it in all our top management meetings. He worked in the ministry with passion, but his passion for military service and peace did not leave him. Just recently, when the insurgence of the Karamajongs started, before his death, he came to my office and sought clearance to join Hon. Gen. David Muhoozi, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, so that they could engage in meetings in Acholi and Lango to see how to end the insurgency in Karamoja. They had made a date to tour this place. You can see that he passionately wanted peace. Honourable members, the late Okello-Engola was not a coward. Like many other fearless youths of this time, he sacrificed and joined the army in the 1980s. He was part of a bigger force that supported the Lango Members of Parliament and communities during the insurgency. When we were negotiating with Government to recruit an alternative force called “Amuka”, he came out as a UPDF soldier and supported us. He moved with us and we recruited Amuka into supporting the UPDF to fight and end the war. He was an accomplished soldier in the fullest sense of the word. He did everything to ensure that Northern Uganda regains its status as a peaceful region, but more importantly, he dedicated his entire life to public service. May his soul, memory, conviction and actions shine a light on our path. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Thank you. (Applause)

8556 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA a number of enemy strongholds in Sudan of Magwi, Tingri, Kiti Junction, Alu Camp, up to Jabulain during Operation Mwisho No.2, where he was commanding 100 Millimeter Artillery under the overall command of Gen. Katumba Wamala. (Applause) We are paying tribute to an officer who played a big role during Operation Safe Haven in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was the field commander of all the UPDF Artillery and Air Defence units involved in defensive- offensive operations inside Congo against the Allied Democratic Forces terrorist group which had wreaked havoc in our country, including the Kichwamba massacres and a series of improvised explosive device bombings in Kampala City. (Applause) We are paying tribute to a variant commander who played a prominent role during the counter- insurgency operations in Northern Uganda, in Minakulu area and as a brigade Commander of the Opit-based 501-Brigade, which earned him the praise name Macodwogo; meaning fire is back. The late Col (Rtd) Okello Engola contributed immensely to breaking the back of the LRA in the area which in turn created a conducive environment that enabled the Wanainchi in the internally displaced camps to return home and resume their normal activities. Macodwogo became a household name in the Lango region and it is synonymous with the return of peace and security in the area. (Applause) Therefore, in the UPDF, we salute his efforts and invaluable contribution to ending the LRA mayhem in Northern Uganda and for contributing to the bringing of peace, security and stability currently enjoyed in the region. Madam Speaker, the late Col (Rtd) Okello Engola was a true patriot who always had his country and community at heart. In the military, we are men and women of action. We believe more in motivational actions than motivational speaking. Macodwogo was a man with few words but was extremely pragmatic and exercised hands-on leadership. (Applause) He was also a very good political mobiliser as evidenced by the massive support he received. Upon retiring from the army, he contested and was voted massively as the LC V Chairperson and later Member of Parliament for Oyam North County. He was determined to free his people from poverty and worked towards improving their standards of living. At a personal level, the late Col (Rtd) Engola and I were decorated on the same day, 18 years ago in October 2005 to the rank of colonel. When he was appointed as the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, I used to interact with him closely in his office and during our travels abroad to attain national military and defence exhibitions, we would have close constructive discussions. In fact, less than a month before his assassination, we did share a table and a drink at a social function here in Kampala. Before I take leave, let me seize the occasion to briefly say three things. One is to join you in condemning in the strongest terms the insensitive, merciless, provocative silly jokes on social media - (Applause) - celebrating and making fun of the circumstances surrounding the tragic death, in cold blood, of our deceased comrade at the hands of his bodyguard. This callous, uncultured behaviour no doubt runs counter to our time-honoured and cherished African culture and values of humanity; the Ubuntu . (Applause) His family members, friends and the entire nation is still in grief and mourning the passing of this great son of Uganda. So, please those responsible out there, at least spare the family to first mourn their loved one. Two, the circumstances surrounding his death have been reduced by some people to salary and welfare issues of soldiers, domestic workers, maids, chefs, gatekeepers, etc., as you have seen on social media. Whereas this could be the first such assassination case in Uganda, it is certainly not the first in the world. We have heard of assassinations even of most senior people by their own guards. For example, President Laurent Kabila of Democratic

Thank you. Honourable members, as we open the debate to pay tribute to the fearless Ugandan, an honest person, gallant soldier of the land and peace lover who made sacrifices for our country, I would like us to be mindful, as Members of Parliament, that yesterday – or the other day – Hon. Charles Okello Engola was seated where you are seated and was like you. Tomorrow, we are going to be like him. I would like us to debate with dignity and respect to the dead and the family. I plead with you not to say anything that may hurt the family in any way. I now open the debate as we pay tribute to our late colleague who contributed a lot to this country. Let us start with the Vice-President. THE VICE-PRESIDENT (Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo): Madam Speaker, let me join colleagues to support the motion moved by the Prime Minister to pay glowing tribute to our brother, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola. Madam Speaker, allow me, on my behalf, on behalf of my family, on behalf of the people of Katakwi District and the Government to extend sincere condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family of the late Hon. Okello Engola. I knew Hon. Okello Engola between 2011 and 2016 when I travelled to Lango Subregion to do some work with the then minister for northern Uganda, Hon. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, who is now Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. Madam Speaker, I can state, briefly, that Hon. Okello Engola, as a politician, strived to accomplish the set targets and tasks within the specified time-frame when he was in office. I realised that when I visited his district and we worked from nine o’clock in the morning up to 11 o’clock in the night. He was very resilient and wanted to continue with the programme, but we requested to continue the next day. So, Hon. Okello Engola served his country diligently and in a dedicated manner. Secondly, as a trained soldier or officer of the UPDF, he defended the interests of his country. In so doing, he demonstrated the true professionalism of the UPDF, earning him the

Madam Speaker, DP is a very big party and has very many leaders. I thank you for allowing our whip to represent all of us. Madam Speaker, in paying tribute to the late Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo, let us not lose sight of his chosen calling – that of a soldier. A soldier stands between the enemy and the people he or she has sworn to protect. A soldier stays awake in order that the people may sleep. A soldier risks death in order that the people may live. To keep the peace, a soldier goes to war. Our fallen colleague was a true soldier in the true sense of the word. Come with me to the stretch between Karuma Falls Bridge – that gateway to northern Uganda. The LRA was very active between that area and the border with Sudan. That area witnessed long lines of vehicles of all types, slowly driving north, with armoured vehicles at the front and rear of the convoy – some others in the middle, protecting –(Inaudible) - Columns of soldiers marched on foot on either side of the convoy. The professionals tell me that they were marching at a distance of at least 400 metres, which is said to be the effective range of a rifle, putting themselves between the rebels and the people. The LRA had put a ban on anyone lighting a fire; the penalty for lighting a fire was death. Our fallen colleague took it upon himself to effectively defy the cruel order of the rebels. He mounted several operations, which pushed the rebels away from that area. He then announced that the ban on fire was over and people were free to light fire again and stop eating raw food. People then gave him, what in Luo, is called “ Nyingi pac ”; a praise name, “Macodwogo” meaning, “Fire has returned.” To the family, we are not here to pity you but to comfort you. Even as we do so, we know how difficult it is for our feeble words to comfort you. This is more so because the absence of your now departed loved one, will be a constant reminder of the happiness you shared while he lived. Remember that we are not merely here to say, “Sorry for your loss.” We are here to say, “We share your loss” for Hon. Okello Engola had transcended the boundary of his family and his community. He belonged to the wider family we all call “Uganda”. He never once dishonoured his uniform. Madam Speaker, it is not only Pte Sabiiti who dishonoured his uniform. Anybody in uniform, whether police, prisons or UPDF who acts outside the law, and unleashes excessive violence on unarmed civilian, dishonours the UPDF uniform. You do not have to kill a

Madam Speaker, I am privileged to say a few positive things about my very close friend, the late Okello Engola before we finally say “bye” to him. From the onset, just to add to what Hon. Mao has said to the country, that death belongs to all of us. To celebrate the death of a person even if you do not agree with them, in our humble position, is to invite a curse unto your family and people. I am happy that, much as this callous soldier cut Hon. Macodwogo’s life short, there are no more camps in Oyam District – (Applause) – and there are no more convoys from Corner Kamdini to Gulu. There are also no more convoys from Karuma Bridge to Pakwach. Madam Speaker, the Langi, Acholi – the people of Northern Uganda – have now joined the rest of Uganda in fending for their lives as normal peaceful citizens. The role Hon. Okello Macodwogo played was very critical in making this happen. I think Hon. Mao had read my mind, but even after doing all those big things enumerated by

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join the rest of my colleagues in paying tribute to our fallen comrade but I will limit my submission to a few areas. Madam Speaker, I first met the late Col (Rtd) Engola Okello Macodwogo 12 years ago when we were both district chairpersons. He was the district chairperson of Oyam while I was the district chairperson of Jinja. While I was elected the President of the Local Governments Association of Uganda, he was elected the vice-president representing the northern region. We served the local governments. He had a lot of passion and commitment. He had a lot of time for his people. He committed a lot of time and resources to ensure Uganda, under the local government fraternity, took over the chair and presidency of the East African Local Governments Association. We later met in the 10 th Parliament and we were both appointed ministers. In the first term, he persisted and invited me to his constituency, Oyam North, to preside over the annual general meeting of the Oyam North Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society. I found him at his home, we toured his farm and we had lunch together before –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand to join honourable colleagues to pay tribute to a gallant son of Africa and son of Uganda. In 2007, when I served as the Minister of State for Water and Environment, as a country, we had a challenge of providing services to the returning population from the internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camps. I went to northern Uganda and when I was in Apac District, I came across the LC V Chairman, who gave me a strategy on the most efficient and effective way of providing safe water to the returning population; that was Col Charles Engola. We used that strategy in the entire north. Col Engola was a gentleman and he was not proud at all. At that time, I did not even know that he was a soldier but he gave me the strategy and supported me. I really want to salute him. Madam Speaker, we have served with Col Engola in Cabinet and he was a very humble minister. I just want to confirm, as I conclude, that it is true that the murderers have no place in Heaven. This is clearly stated in Proverbs 6:16; murderers have no space in the Kingdom of God; so is I Corinthians 6:9-11. I salute our brother, and may God sustain the bereaved family. Thank you for the opportunity, Madam Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I rise to support the motion as we mourn our friend. I was one of those who rushed to his home together with the Minister of Health and a few other ministers, when we heard the sad news of his shooting. You could not believe that Macodwogo was lying in a pool of blood just in front of his house in Kyanja. On behalf of the people of Kinkizi and Kanungu District, I convey our sympathies and condolences to the family and pray that God comforts you in this trying moment. We condemn in the highest terms possible all those who think they can put down others through a gun. We hope the investigators will get to the root of the matter - what motivated this soldier to just shoot an innocent minister. We are told that they had been together for barely a month. So, what could have motivated this? Even when we belong to different political persuasions, we should be able to engage each other and the solution should not be one thinking of killing the other. We have many things we could talk about Macodwogo; I came in touch with him for the first time when I led the Committee on HIV/AIDS of Parliament to assess the impact of the war in northern Uganda. He was the chairperson of Oyam District and he gave us a lot - he was a very amiable and receptive man. We shall dearly miss him. We pray that the good Lord receives him and gives him a comfortable seat in Heaven. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you, Minister of State for Internal Affairs. I wonder whether Sabiiti was still in his normal senses at that time. Based on what has been said, we will need an account of the cameras before we give more money because the cameras will help us in investigations. (Applause) Minister in charge of agriculture? THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES (ANIMAL INDUSTRY) (Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I send condolences to the Commander-in-Chief, you, Madam Speaker, the family, the people of northern Uganda and the entire country. I knew the late Hon. Okello Engola during my time in the UPDF. I also interacted with him when he was the chairman LC V and we also had a social relationship. My daughter was getting married to Oyam – in Acaba – and I had to find out where my daughter was going. Hon. Charles Okello Engola showed me the way. I went with Hon. Santa – and his wife prepared a meal for us. At that time, I said: “But, we are going to eat and we are eating here.” He said: “We, soldiers, first eat what we find. There, you never know.” All I want to confirm is that Hon. Engola was a nationalist. He served his country and his contribution to the community is documented as perfectly made clear in the speech by Gen. Mugira, the Prime Minister and the people of Oyam. Hon. Charles Engola was a very simple person, but very purposeful. I worked with him in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs as my colleague minister and our offices were very close to each other’s. I want to say a few things and one is that Hon. Charles Engola put his life between the enemy and the community. Unfortunately, he has died a very criminal and brutal death at the hands of a rogue bodyguard. I join the others who condemned some of the utterances, especially celebrating criminal acts. As citizens of this country, we should condemn

Madam Speaker, I stand here to support the motion that was presented here by our Prime Minister. I stand here in sadness for the loss of my brother, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola. I met Col (Rtd) Engola Macodwogo in 2001 when the rebel situation in northern Uganda was very bad, that each time one would try to go to Gulu or farther north, they had to wait at Karuma Bridge in order to be escorted across to wherever destination they were going. At that time, I paid no attention to who he was; just regarded him as any other UPDF officer. Much later, when he became the LC V Chairperson of Oyam District and I was in Government, we came to know each other better. A lot has been spoken about this man but when he came into Government, we came to realise that there are some similarities between us in terms of character. This was a very noble, humble, down-to-earth gentleman that you would never even imagine could quarrel or even kill a fly; he was a wonderful person. On many occasions – I say many occasions - people mistook him to be me and me to be him; Sam Engola to be me. All the time, there was confusion. (Laughter) I do not know why. Order, Madam Speaker. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank you for this opportunity. I send my condolences to His Excellency the President, the country, Parliament, northern Uganda and to the family. I recall that Hon. Macodwogo was a happy man, a gentleman, a calm person and took decisions in a cool manner. In 2000, when some rebel activity took place in Zombo, he asked me, “Why have you not told me? Why did you not let me know? I would have come to support and teach those people a lesson.” I did not know the origin of his name at that moment and that is when he told me how he earned it; how now we are free to move without convoys, like the Members before have already spoken. On a social level, he presided over my daughter’s wedding and I attended his introduction to his wife in Arua; he landed in a helicopter. I told him that Arua would never forget him and his wife would never leave him because of that. He laughed, but he was very happy all the time.

8568 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA I attended many social and official functions with him and we always joked because he would always dance to Lingala when he was happy. He would also dance to the Lango traditional dance. I would always tease him about the Lango dance because they would first sing and then dance to the beat of the drum, which now ignites your dancing. He would simply laugh; you would think he was too heavy to jump but he would jump high up to the excitement of the crowd and to the amusement of the public. I consulted him many times on the issues of northern Uganda, cattle compensation and the Balaalo issue. At one moment, he said “There are people who are liars and you should not believe them.” He brought me a file of photographs and letters and he would show me the people. He would tell me of the people who had already been paid. After the sitting, I asked him for the file and he told me it was a secret, but if I had anything to consult on, he would be there for me. At one of the first functions I had in Oyam, when he became a minister, we went together for his thanksgiving. At another time, I went for my own work and he had lunch for us in his home. That is when he told me that he was also a medicine man. I asked him what he cured, to which he responded, “kidneys, lungs, and other diseases that people fear to talk about.” He took us around his gardens and showed me one of the plants because I had a cough. I took a leaf and coughed; it was bitter. I took another leaf and came back with it to Kampala. The next morning, I took it again and my cough went away. So, I know him as a medicine man as well but I did not discover the other diseases. He told me that I could only get those plants with his permission because if I did not, the medicine would not work. (Laughter) To the family, God has given and God has taken. May the Lord protect you and give you peace. May the soul of Hon. Charles Macodwogo rest in perfect peace. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I join the honourable colleagues in supporting the motion to pay tribute to our gallant son who is lying before us here. If you experienced what we went through because of the war in northern Uganda – when we talk about what this gentleman did to pacify northern Uganda, you cannot just share it lightly. Maybe you can share it lightly if you heard about it as history or read about it in a book. However, if you were there when we were being killed, when our ears were being cut, when the roads were being blocked, when we could take an entire week to come from West Nile to Kampala… It saddens that we have lost one of those who sacrificed to create peace in that region. Madam Speaker, when I saw my name on TV that I had been appointed state minister in charge of veteran affairs, I was so anxious that I had to look around because I did not have any background of being in the military. My first thought was about the ministers who were in that office that I could look out for. Madam Speaker, I looked for Hon. Charles; I looked for the minister whom I replaced and also looked for our former Clerk. I wanted them to take me through and tell me how things were handled there. Hon. Charles told me: “Where you are, it is formalised; it is the best place that you are going to enjoy. Just respect yourself, follow the rules and you will not get into any trouble.” Two weeks ago, because of the challenges of the raiders we were facing in Karamoja Subregion, one of the MPs of Otuke stood up here and told us that: “I wish Hon. Charles was still the minister for defence.” That is because when he was there, they did not suffer the way they are suffering with these Karamojong raiders. So, I stood here and said: “My sister, we shall do exactly what Hon. Charles did.” However, after committing myself that we were going to go to Otuke with the Member, I had to look for Hon. Charles. I said: “Hon. Charles, you created shoes that our feet are failing to fit in. I have promised my colleagues that I am going to Otuke, but I will not go there alone. I am waiting for you. Give me a day and we go together so that I can learn from you.” He promised me that: “My sister, we are going to go together; that is my profession.” However, before we could do that, he is here today. It is very unfortunate and saddening. I felt very bad and asked many questions. For a senior soldier, why did he decide to open the car door in the direction where the gun was being shot from? Why didn’t he use the other door, hide himself first and then plan to see who the enemy was? I have many questions that I cannot answer. He is not there to answer any of them. May his soul rest in peace.

8573 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 MAY 2023 Women suffered with the children and the public; they were not able to cook. They were not able to light a fire. If one lit fire, the rebels would see the smoke. The women were going hungry together with their children and others. When Macodwogo jumped up and said, “I must die for my people,” he fought the war and chased the Lord’s Resistance Army from Lango and peace prevailed in Lango. (Applause) Up to now, we are enjoying peace that the late brought in Lango. He was given the name, “Macodwogo” because we are now cooking and the children can eat cooked food. I want to briefly say that the late Macodwogo was development- and action-oriented. He loved education. He gave out his land for the construction of a technical school, which he did not do. He had already acquired the land. He was promoting agriculture. He made sure he put very many demonstration gardens in Lango including the one on coffee growing. Madam Speaker, let me say this: Having listened to the entire debate, let Government come in to construct a technical school in Oyam in his name because the land is already there; it is a matter of talking to the people there – let the technical school be constructed on the land that he had acquired, in his remembrance. Secondly, on the issues of agriculture, he promoted the growing of Hass Avocado and coffee, among others. Right now, Lango Subregion and the entire northern Uganda have not yet received coffee seedlings from Government yet the season is running out. To remember him as a great farmer and as somebody who has been promoting farming in the region; at the earliest opportunity that we are experiencing rain – you know very well that we only experience much rain in the first season – let us be availed with coffee seedlings; our farmers are ready. The Government needs about 20 billion bags of coffee for export, but it is able to raise only 8 million bags right now. We have vast land upon which we can promote coffee growing and remember him for that. Madam Speaker, I would like to mention that the late Col (Rtd) Macodwogo served this country selflessly. It is my wish that much as he has died, His Excellency, the President, promotes him posthumously. Let his family be supported with the benefits that they really deserve. That is my humble request. While I conclude, we are grieving. Everybody is touched. Everyone is asking questions. We are all asking many questions. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Lango, I request Government to avail us with a substantial report on the death of the late Macodwogo, who has been a minister, Member of Parliament and served this country tirelessly. We need that report for our hearts to be at rest because we will have known what caused the shooting by the bodyguard. I beg to submit.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people Acholi Sub region, the people of Amuru District and the people of Kilak North County, I stand here to pay tribute to a gallant son of Uganda, a gallant son of Northern Uganda and a gallant son of Lango Sub region, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Macodwogo. Madam Speaker, I used to call this gallon son, lut odwogo . This was because during his time as LC V chairperson, he caned unserious youth who drink during working hours.

8576 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA People referred to him – [Member spoke off microphone] - meaning, if you do not do work that is productive, he would cane you. Lut means cane. This is a man who survived the LRA. I was one of the children abducted by the LRA and I participated to fight in the bush. Madam Speaker, the people and the commanders of LRA in Northern Uganda -

Madam Speaker, many commanders of UPDF lost their lives in Northern Uganda during the war. A man who fought LRA and survived it but ends up being killed by a private is something very painful to the people of Northern Uganda and Uganda as a whole. (Applause) We need to do something about this and it must be investigated very well. Madam Speaker, we have a problem in Uganda. It starts with recruitment. People who go for recruitment sometimes go with names of people already written. We have heard of these cases in Northern Uganda. People who go for recruitment find they have already gone with their names. There is corruption. Some who go to fight in Somalia bribe their ways to go there. Even some deployed to guard the VVIP people bribe their way to guard them. Therefore, it is important that the Government ensures that the recruitment process and deployment must be on merit. We feel the pain as people of Northern Uganda because we have lost a lot and this has been very graving to the people of Northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, I therefore, pay tribute and I wish our gallant son rests in eternal peace. Thank you.

I thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make a few remarks in paying tribute to comrade Hon. Charles Engola. I insisted on speaking because of many reasons, but the main ones are two. One, I am a member of the mighty family of the UPDF where comrade Charles worked for 44 years. Although he worked for 26 years in active capacity, once you are in the UPDF, you will always be in the UPDF. When you retire, you remain a reservist. So, we were still counting on him. The other reason why I wanted to speak is that I have been in the service for the last 42 years. Out of those 42, I spent 20 years in northern Uganda – in Acholi, Lango, Teso and Karamoja. So, I worked closely with him and I was a close friend of comrade Engola’s. Now, let me begin with the family. Why do we call ourselves a family? When we join the UPDF – or NRA before the UPDF – of course, we come from different families. However, when we join, we form one family called the UPDF. We come from different tribes. You saw during the laying of wreaths; each tribe was recognised. However, for us, the moment we join the UPDF, we form one tribe called the UPDF. We come from different clans, but the moment we join, we forget about those clans and form one clan: the UPDF. We are the only group in Uganda that has got a common language: Kiswahili. For all of you, when you go to western Uganda and you are from Teso, there must be a translator. Therefore, the people who have really lost are members of the UPDG; we have lost our own. Secondly, the man lying here possessed what I would call the NRM/UPDF ethos. It is this ethos that has been our source of strength and success in the last 42 years of our existence. The first ethos is discipline; he has been a highly disciplined officer and leader. The second ethos is patriotism. He has been patriotic. The other is Pan-Africanism. You have heard from testimonies that he fought in Congo. I do not think he had relatives in Congo, but because of pursuing the ideology of Pan-Africanism, he went to Congo and South Sudan to fight. So, he was a Pan-Africanist. The other ethos is good fighting. You heard, again, testimonies that he was a good fighter. Why do we call ourselves good fighters? You become a good fighter when you are

8578 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA disciplined, patriotic and believe in the African cause. The other point I want to make is that he has been a real cadre. (Applause) I have my own definition of cadreship: a cadre must be that one who grasps and understands the ideologies, the aims, the objectives and the purpose for which the system he or she believes in stands for. Knowing that does not qualify you to become a complete cadre. You have to add the second one, which is the ability to pass them on to others. The third one is what the English today call “walking the talk”. If you believe in them, do you do them? That is what completes a cadreship. Our comrade lying here was a real cadre. Finally, comrade Charles was a pragmatic leader. When he retired and joined politics to become the LC V Chairman of Oyam District, I was already in northern Uganda - like I have told you – and the insurgency was still going on. However, because of his quality of leadership, he mobilised other leaders and the people of Lango to reject the Kony rebellion and within a few years, the insurgency had been defeated. (Applause) It was not only that. When he became the chairman, I remember – and those of you from Lango can bear me witness -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the in-laws, on behalf of the people of West Nile and on my own behalf, I want to send condolences to the family of the late; to His Excellency, the President; to the Speaker of Parliament; to the people of Uganda to the Won Nyaci of Lango. We have lost a humble but very courageous man. In the late 1980s and 1990s, it was very difficult for us, people from Northern Uganda and West Nile, to come to Kampala. On several occasions, I personally had to cross Lake Albert to Wanseko in Buliisa because the road had been blocked by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels. So today, if we are mourning someone who contributed - of course, he worked with other people - to the return of peace to Northern Uganda and the pacification, where the roads became open for us to move, we really need to thank God for him and say that may his soul rests in eternal peace. The recovery of Northern Uganda and West Nile came about because of the peace these people brought to us. Now that they brought peace and the war has stopped, the recovery is

8579 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 MAY 2023 now on wealth creation. I went to Oyam and saw how people are vandalising electricity poles, which would help in creating wealth. We now pray that as we send him off, let the vandalism of those poles stop. Let the LRA war victims from Northern Uganda and West Nile be paid so that they can now have a full recovery. I want to pray for the family to be united. At the same time, I want to pray to all of us to give comfort to the family. May the soul of Col (Rtd) Charles Engola Macodwogo rest in eternal peace.

8580 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA first cousin to my dear husband, Hon. Sam Engola. In Lango, we belong to and are identified by clans. Macodwogo and I belong to the Otikokin clan, a very powerful one. He served as an executive member, promoting the Luo local language, culture and tradition. Madam Speaker, Macodwogo supported orphans and churches, and promoted fish farming and agriculture. The late stood with his people both in the good and bad times. He was our strength and hope in the subregion. The late is honoured for serving greatly in the UPDF. He was the first LC V Chairperson of Apac District; the district I represent in this House. He was the LC V Chairman of Oyam for two terms. While he was there, he moved with sticks in his car to beat people along the way or trading centres found drinking alcohol known as “ lira lira ”. Now, that means he advocated for hard work. Madam Speaker, life is very fragile. What has happened has happened. To us as a family, it is too heavy for us to take in and yet we cannot run away from it. Macodwogo was a very courageous NRM flag bearer for Oyam North. He will be remembered for what he did in Northern Uganda, especially during the Kony war and that history in Lango will never disappear. On Sunday, we drove to Bombo Military Hospital to view his body. That body was shot 28 times. As a family, there are questions to ask but God knows. I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker, for your support. I also thank your deputy, colleagues and the Government for the support. I thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. The death of our colleague punches a hole in the professionalism the UPDF has been preaching and has invested in. I did not want this sitting to end without us, Members of Parliament, especially the Women Members of Parliament, appreciating that UPDF is a good Force while you are still alive, but when you die, your family and children are forgotten there and then. I want to remind the UPDF that Hon. Charles Engola is dead because of a gun that came from a UPDF officer. We shall not take it lightly in Northern Uganda that his children, wife and entire family shall not get justice and also they cannot be taken care of, as he would have done. I want to pledge that as a House we shall come back in unity with other Members in Northern Uganda and ensure that our children are well taken care of by the UPDF. Thank you.

8582 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA District and LC V Chairperson Oyam, and then eventually he came to Parliament. Madam Speaker, Hon. Charles Okello was a symbol of peace, security, and development in Lango, Northern Uganda and the country. Just seeing the late Okello Engola moving around, you would know we still have our peace and security. Today, our symbol is down. We pray that fire continues to be lit in our kitchen in Northern Uganda, Lango and the country. Madam Speaker, allow me to say one thing I have observed. With due respect to UPDF and other security forces – and this is for all for the ministers in this country that have got escorts and bodyguards. When officers go to the field with their bosses, there is a tendency where their duty allowance is paid to either their commander or the Aides-De-Camp (ADC) or somebody in charge. That person then pays the officers when their principals are not even aware of what goes on. Madam Speaker, from my experience, at one time, I dealt with a District Police Commander (DPC) who presented a budget of Shs 20,000 for paying officers who were going to be on duty. Yet, he ended up paying them Shs 5,000. As a result, the officers put him at gunpoint. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I appeal to you that the permanent secretaries in these ministries must ensure that the allowances of officers who guard ministers and any other person is paid directly to them, not a third party. (Applause) The circumstances under which the man I have known for long, the late Col (Rtd) Okello Engola died - when I saw him lying, it was a great pity, painful and shameful. Madam Speaker, someone is paid to give money to the officers but then he does not give them all the money. Imagine Col (Rtd) Okello Engola, an innocent person died in circumstance that he did not create. This must be taken seriously by all ministers and their bodyguards. Also, pay them promptly. We are not going to run away from certain facts and truth, then tomorrow, we end up coming back here again talking about the same thing. I would like to tell the family of Okello that the late died an accomplished man; a hero. Forget about the people who believe that one way of survival in this country is to talk negatively about people. It is so painful, when you have lost a dear one then someone starts celebrating, sending messages and recording bad things. Madam Speaker, the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act that was passed was quashed by court.

8583 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 MAY 2023 was moved by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to pay tribute to our senior colleague ; Col (Rtd) Okello Engola Macodwogo. I would like to convey my condolences, that of my family and the people of Omoro District to the bereaved family of our fallen brother, Col Okello Engola Macodwogo. Madam Speaker, from what has been talked about in the House this afternoon about Okello Engola, the testimonies are: one is that he is above self and two, serving for the common need of our people. Hon. Okello Engola chose to serve in the military and grew from the lowest rank up to the rank of a colonel, serving in the military field, a department of service that is very risky. He did it very diligently and we are benefiting as a region from the outcome of his service. He has been a pacifier. Madam Speaker, while he served as the 501 Brigade Commander in Opit - Opit is in Omoro District and it neighbors Oyam District. The people of Omoro District have expressed sympathy for the loss of this gallant son. The people of Lango, Opit and Omoro District know the very meaning of Macodwogo because they are direct beneficiaries. I wish to end and quote the words of Scott Hildreth. He said, “ The value of a person’s life is measured by the amount of people they touch in living it. ” From the efforts of Okello Engola by ensuring that we receive peace in the region, he was able to touch so many lives, particularly of the vulnerable people; the women and the children. Madam Speaker, when he was serving as the LC V Chairperson Oyam District that was the time I got to know him better. I was the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in Pader District and he was the LCV Chairperson of Apac District. We were in a meeting discussing Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF II) that time and he spoke very passionately on ensuring that we support livelihood component of the people that have returned home. So, I picked interest to know who this man was. I am not surprised with eulogies Members are giving about Hon. Okello Engola Macodwogo. Indeed, we have lost a great man, a man with great humility. There is a word Hon. Okello Engola told me when we were in our campaigns for the first time by-elections in Omoro when I came to Parliament. I did not know Hon. Ssewungu, who has confessed today was in the team of Hon. Mao campaigning on the other side. I was the candidate on the side of Okello Engola with Hon. Mao hitting us badly but Okello Engola told me one thing that when they found him, Hon. Mao entered the rally that he was addressing. When they started throwing words at him, he kept quiet and did not answer. I was wondering: what kind of military man is this? He did not respond to them. I asked him: “What should we do?” He said: “You are a candidate, just sneak from behind and disappear. Let me deal with the situation.” It did not take long. After about six minutes, I got a call from another subcounty – Lalogi – which was about seven kilometres away, that Hon. Okello Engola Macodwogo was already in Lalogi Subcounty. He left Hon. Mao and team in that very place. That was humility. Humility takes you to greater heights. I appeal to honourable colleagues that we are all in positions of leadership and are serving this country: what shall we be remembered for? I wish to express my condolences, again, to the bereaved family of Hon. Okello Engola Macodwogo. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

a 062 Rrsk Allowance for Covrd-19 StaJF 11.500 Court A$ra-rds to Srno A.frrca medErnes Mantenance of Orggen Plants 5 000 Supcrusron of tntcrnatronal Speaalzed Hosplt l at Lubowa 2.700 Counterpart Fundmg for Busolwe General Hosprtal Prolcct 3 60000 Totrl 3r.aa2 u) UGix 0.799 blllloa rs requrcd as unspent extemal fun&ng from USAID, fro FY 2O2l122, for coord[rahon of the rmplcmcntahon of Northern Uganda Dcvelopment Enhanced lacal Governance Infrastructure a-nd LrveLhoods (NUDEILI Prograomc thc Corulttcc r.collEcads rpDrovrl ol Uox 13.978 bfion to Votc: Uhbtry of Lcrl GovcrtrECat 4.4 vota O 14: Miltetty ol llcdth. UGX 208.825 bllllo! aa follows fl Ucx l?6.943 bfion was provrded by the World Bank to UMCEF for the pu.rchase of COVID-l9 vaccrnes under Uganda Covd-lg Rcsponsc Eeergency Prepa.redness Prolcct (UCREPPI It rs rmporta-nt to reflect tlus expendrture under Mmrstry of Hcalth, rn ordcr to effcctrvety report on and track thc grant follorM-ng rts drsbu-rscment by thc World Bank to Aftrcan vaccrnes Acqursrhon Trust (AVATI through UMCEF on 296 September, 2022 Ahc CoElllttcc r.co!ol!c!& rpprotnl of UGX l?6 ,9.3 blllloa to votc Ol4: Xtdrtry ol Bcdth. u) UOX 31.a82 blllloa rs requrred for rc-rmburs€mcnt of funds Bpent by COU on procunng COMD- 19 Vac.rnes Ttus anscs frorn the fmancng agreement bctwecn Cou €nd World Bank, for the Uganda Covld- 19 Respons. Emergcncy Preparcdne8s ProJect (UCREPPI The finanong agreement provrded for a refund of Governaent expendrture mcurrcd on acqurartron and deployment of Covd-lg vacclnes pnor to dlsburscEcnt of the proJect funds for vaccrne acqtuarhon and deploymcnt The Co&mlttee obsenrcd drat a&.ount rcfundcd ra to covcr thc follorpin8 expendrtures hsted ln the table below (m UGX b [on] N .( & A 21 I

4.16 Votca 5OO - Lcrl Gorrcr!.aont!: UGX .t1o.3?f b totr rs requted as follows 4 UGX 5.639 blllloa rs Localy Rarscd Revcnue Ttus rs requfcd to fac rtate the Lacal govcrnments captu-re una-ntrcrpated revenue at the hme of Budgeung aa well as undcrtake the ptianracd acuvrtres for FY 2022123,1 arLnex I Thc Coaolttcc nEcollmcnd. rpppt d ol UOX 3.638 b[lloa to lrrrlou.. locd goecm.nclt votc. (A.an r 6A ald 68l rcqulrcd to irctlttrtG thc lacd govcrlncnts crpturG unrttlclprtcd rcvctue rt th. ttac of Bqdgcdrg r. qrell a. undcrtaLo tiG plenlcd rctlvltlcr for pt 2022123 u) UGX 0.288 blllioa rs unspcnt balalces for Northern Uga-nda Development Enhanced local Gorrcrnance Inlrastructure and Llvehhoods Pro8ram (NUDIELI, Votc Vota lf.lnc AEouat (UGXI 468 Krtgum Dlstnct 59,363,020 479 La.mn o Drstnct 152,369,701 9t2 Nwoya Drstnct 76,32L,O44 Totd 288,OS3,aos Thc CoaElttcc rccorlDcrd! rpprovd ol UGX 0.288 bllllo! u,llpctt b.lucc. for ltorthcr! Irgrn& Dcv.loplncat Etrhrlccd Lcrl Govcrnlrcc Infrrttructurc rtrd Lleclthoo& ProEnE (NITDIEL lrrl UGX lSO.6Of b llon ls unspent tunds l.ll.FY 2O2l122 for USMID Ttus rs requred to fac tatc Lacal Govcrnment Votes sctue contractual obhgatrons ansrng from deliayed procurement proccss due to scveral adErrustratrvc revrcws and avord the rntercst cha-rges that are rmpeded rn ther respechve contracts, (tcc A!!cr 7 | Thc CoEaittcc rccot!,!cn& rpproeal of UGX UGX 15O.6Ol billtoa for USmD, to hclllt tc Locrl (iorrlrnE.[t Votc. .cttlc coatr.ct[rl obllgrttoa. L) UGX 225.233 blllioa rs unspent tunds ,n fY 2O2l122 for the Uganda Intergovemmental Frscal Transfers (UG[FT) reform for the constructron of S.ed Secondary Schools, upgrade of Health Centre IIs to Ills, srater prolects and mrcro-scale rrngatron prolects (see Altrcr 8 | 17 t6+

Highly noted, Mr Speaker. The findings: The Status of DGAL Forensic Laboratories DGAL has acquired the land title for the headquarters at Wandegeya and the designs for the DNA data bank infrastructure building have been approved by KCCA. However, there were no releases on the development budget for quarter one of the Financial Year 2022/2023. This has greatly affected the commencement of works on the building. DGAL has four regional forensic laboratories situated in Mbale for the Elgon and the entire eastern region, Mbarara for Western Region, Gulu for the northern region and Moroto for the North Eastern and Karamoja sub regions. All these have their land titles, except Mbarara where efforts to get the land title is underway. The DGAL developed an organisation plan for regional forensic laboratories as a systematic guide to operationalise the laboratories and offer more accessible forensic, analytical and advisory services to stakeholders at regional level. Recruitment of forensic scientists to staff the regional forensic laboratory has been embarked on with the 10 Government analysts recruited at the end of the financial year. Clearance for recruitment for the Financial Year 2022/2023 has been sought from the Ministry of Public Service through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, it should be noted that DGAL approved staff structures are 124 positions. As of July 2022, only 65 positions are filled, putting it at 52.4 per cent leaving 59 positions vacant. Day care facilities have been set up in Mbale Regional Laboratory to cater for breastfeeding and expectant mothers who are part of the staff and clientele. The renovations and furnishing of basic scientific equipment have been provided for the regional forensic laboratory. Parliament appropriated an additional Shs 8 billion to DGAL for the Financial Year 2022/2023 for the regional forensic laboratories to acquire modern scientific equipment to add forensic analysis in the regions. An additional Shs 6.4 billion is needed to fully equip and operationalise all the regional laboratories. [Mr Muwuma] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you. In central, for purposes of Members understanding, this is where we have areas like Martin, which is beyond pothole repair, but need sectional repairs. 3. Using funds so far received, Mr Speaker, pay a reasonable portion of our outstanding debt to the above two framework contractors to be engaged for the proposed sectional repairs – I have already said that. On this note, Mr Speaker, allow me to inform the House that we are in the process of receiving Shs 6 billion for pothole repairs. From the looks of things, it may not be enough. However, work has started. As I speak now, Yusuf Lule Road has been patched. So, we are moving gradually. Mr Speaker, on the other issue of the drainage and external funding, I am happy to inform you that Parliament approved and appropriated funds from African Development Bank (AfDB), where we are going to improve 85 kilometres of roads in the city. Under this component, we shall use $258 million. The roads have been lotted into five. Lot 1 & 2 started on 5 December 2022. The roads under Lot 1 are Wamala Road in Rubaga, Luwafu Road in Makindye, Kabega Road in Makindye, Muteesa I Road in Rubaga, Old Mubende Road in Rubaga, Kigala Road in Rubaga, Kayemba Road in Makindye, Kivebulaya Junction in Rubaga and Bulange Junction in Rubaga. These roads measure about – well, Members can read that one. Lot 2 cover the dualling of Port Bell Road (6.5 kilometres) in Nakawa and dualling of Spring Road (3.4 kilometres) in Nakawa. For Lot 3 & 5, the effective date of commencement was 18 April 2023. The roads in Lot 3 are Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road in Central and Kawempe, Muzito Road in Rubaga, Suuna Road in Rubaga, Suuna II Road – connecting to Wakiso – and Kabalagala Road Junction in Makindye. Lot 5 covers Mugema Road in Rubaga, Masiro Road in Rubaga, Ssentema Road in Rubaga, Ssentema Road II – this one also extends to Wakiso up to Bukasa to connect with the outer belt road, which is being constructed by Ministry of Works and Transport – Nsambya Road, Kiwunya Drainage Channel in Rubaga and Nsoba Drainage Channel. Mr Speaker, Lot 4 is under the clearance of the Solicitor-General and this will take Kyebando Ring Road, Kisasi Road, Kasubi Northern Bypass connecting to Namungoona

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the chairperson of the committee for the report. On 6 April 2023, the Prime Minister made the following statement; “The Gulu– Opit–Rackoko–Patongo–Abim-Moroto Road is a national road under the responsibility of UNRA and it is currently under maintenance.” Although the road was not listed under NDP III, it is a priority road, as stated by H.E. the President, in his pledges. As such, the road has been identified for development. Design for upgrading of this road is scheduled to commence in the next financial year. This Moroto Road has been talked about for so long and it connects over 60 per cent of Northern Uganda. Allow me to request that this is considered, as mentioned by the Prime Minister because it was not mentioned in the committee’s report. Thank you.

8263 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. President Museveni fought from. We have no tarmac road. Sincerely, it is shaming the NRM. These districts should be considered. The last concern is about KCCA. When you move around the city, most of the traffic lights do not work. The traffic lights on Kampala- Entebbe Expressway and Kampala Northern Bypass are not operational. Mr Speaker, the authority should be funded fully. Thank you.

\ I a 18. t9. 22. 30 Hon Akumu Colherine Moveniino INDEP soRoTr wEsT DrvrsroN INDEP UPDF REPRESEMATIVE UPOF DWR RAKAI REPRESENTATIVE NORTHERN NRM #F NRM Hon. Erngi Polrrck Nyonzi BUTEMEA COUNTY OTUKE EAST COUNTY NRM 20. i tion. Acon Julius Buo I 21 23. DWR SIRONKO DISTRICT . NRM FOC FDC 24. DWR LUWERO NUP Hon. Nobukenyo Brendo 25. Hon. Ssewungu .Joseph KAI.UNGU WEST NUP NUP 26 llon. Nsombo Potrrck Oshobe KASSANDA NORTH NUP Hon. Kokembo Michoel ENTEBBE MUNICIPALIIY INDEP BULAMBULI COUNTY 27. 28 29 BUSIA MUNICIPLAITY INDEP GULU EAST INDEP INDEP 3r INDEP 32 Hon. Kotenyo lsooc Hon Aogon Silos Hon. Rev. Fr. Chorles Onen Hon. Mocho Geoffrey KUMI MUNICIPALITY SURUtI COUNIY KASHARI SOUTH COUNTY 33. INOEP Hon. Akugizibwe Aled Ronold Hon. ltungo Nothon Twesigye Hon. Ebwolu Jonolhon Hon. Lt. Col. Or. Jennifer Alonyo Hon Suubi Juliet Kyinyomolomo 34 35 36

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. I would like to thank the ministry for commissioning the Olwiyo Substation earlier, which is a big step towards bringing electricity to West Nile. However, I would still like to inform the House that the deadline of September 2022 and that of March 2023 have still not been met by the ministry in terms of bringing electricity – the national grid – to West Nile and the people of West Nile are concerned. We welcome the Shs 35 billion, which has been put for this. Mr Speaker, we passed a loan amounting to about Shs 1.7 trillion and districts were allocated new connections. However, to date, it is actually slow; surveyors are not on the ground. We need to have a follow-up on that. On the aspect of water, we are a bit concerned about the slow pace of providing safe water to most of our villages. At the moment, I understand that 21,000 villages are not connected to safe water. That is very concerning. As a House, we need to know – which are these villages being connected? Let us be provided with the list. You are saying you need more money to connect more villages; which village is next? Can we also know and have an input on that? On that note, we have the issue of Northern Umbrella in most of the areas in West Nile and NWSC also. Those are all entities under the same ministry, competing to provide water within the same district. In Nebbi, Northern Umbrella is competing for some subcounties, while NWSC is also competing for some subcounties. Can we align the service providers, please? On the issue of the tree seedlings, I can see that NWSC is requesting for Shs 30 billion and at the same time, NFA is also requesting for Shs 4 billion. Those are entities within the same ministry. Why can’t we just – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, chairperson, for processing and coordinating everybody. We do not have a minority report on this one. Honourable colleagues, I open up the debate. Five members strictly, starting with the Youth Representative for Northern Region, Member for Rukiga, Hon. Rwemulikya - because he has never spoken when I am Charing. So, I am giving him an opportunity. I am also picking Hon. Mamawi. Two minutes each. Honourable colleagues, we are still proceeding; so, you will have another opportunity.

8090 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 b) Irrigation infrastructure development The committee notes with concern that irrigation is one of the budget priorities in Financial Year 2023/2024 to mitigate climate change effects on food production, but has limited budget. However, MAAIF intends to acquire and provide irrigation technologies and equipment using solar and other energy sources for distribution, pumping, supply and operationalisation of the developed water infrastructure and facilities for all-year production for small (micro), medium and large-scale farmers. The committee recommends that the Shs 25 billion that is required to facilitate affordable irrigation systems be provided. Regional mechanisation centres The committee recommends that the Government provides the required Shs 20 billion for the completion and operationalisation of the regional mechanisation centres. The committee also recommends that MAAIF should fast-track the establishment of the regional mechanisation centres to promote equitable mechanisation of the country. Procurement of tractors, storage and value addition facilities In a bid to promote agricultural mechanisation and commercial farming, MAAIF plans to procure and deploy 400 tractors, implements and accessories. Additionally, it also plans to procure 1,000 walking tractors and implements to support farmers in production. MAAIF needs Shs 50 billion for this activity. The committee recommends that: i) Government provides Shs 20 billion required for tractors, Shs 15 billion for storage facilities and Shs 15 billion for value addition facilities at regional level. ii) MAAIF develops a proper distribution mechanism for all the equipment acquired to ensure equity. Vote 121: Dairy Development Authority Funds for rehabilitation of Mbale Milk Factory The committee observes that in Financial Year 2022/23, Shs 6 billion was appropriated by Parliament to facilitate the phase one renovation of Mbale Milk Factory, but this money has not been released. The milk factory will incentivise milk production and marketing in northern and eastern Uganda and contribute to at least 20 percent of the national milk production. The committee recommends that Shs 6 billion be provided to cater for renovation of the factory to provide market and facilitate milk production in the region The dairy value chain development project The committee notes that the authority does not have funds for physical plan, bills of quantities (BOQs) and an architectural plan that is required for approval of the Shs 68.5 billion Dairy Value Addition and Marketing Project that includes: a) Upgrade of Entebbe Dairy Training School into Dairy Training and Incubation College for East Africa; and b) Extend specialised dairy interventions to Karamoja and West Nile regions, through the creation of regional offices and support commercial dairy farming. The committee recommends that: i) Shs 0.314 billion be reallocated from travel inland, for physical plan, BOQs and the architectural plan required for the approval of the project. ii) Shs 12.4 billion be provided for the rehabilitation and equipping of the milk collection centres across the country to meet the demand for the Algerian market.

8100 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 Cattle breeding is a very good thing to do but for us who come from Northern Uganda, we have not seen this impact. That is why our cattle are of very poor quality. So, I request Government to put more money into this. On agricultural extension workers, I see they are very thin on the ground yet they are very important. Can Government put more money into these activities to support them because I know they have challenges? Mr Speaker, it is good we have talked about cotton. However, across the country, I only see the Uganda Prisons growing a little cotton. I think it is even below capacity. Can Government aggressively encourage farmers to grow more cotton? This agriculture sector needs more funding every year so that –(Member timed out.)

7976 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. The plight of the pensioners Most of the surviving former employees of the defunct EAC were of advanced age and had severe disabilities. They lived in rural areas and, therefore, had to move longer distances to the district headquarters upon hearing the radio announcements in their localities. The pensioners decried how the Government handled the payment of terminal benefits. And it is now 45 years since the collapse of the Community in 1977. And the question of payment of terminal benefits to the workers of the defunct EAC has never been settled. This has continued to render them poor and susceptible to dire living conditions owing to the absence of a comprehensive process to pay what is due to them. Some pensioners have never been paid any benefits; and those who have received some partial payments, continue to grumble that what was paid is less than their entitlement. They argue that while working with the community, their monthly payments were in dollars and pounds. Unfortunately, what was being paid was less than what they should have gotten at the current exchange rate. Many former workers have passed on and those still alive are very old, making the youngest in this category at around 75 years of age. With the passage of time, and the various challenges experienced such as insecurity in the northern parts of Teso and Rwenzori subregions, many of them lost their documents. The committee, therefore, recommends that while low computing payments of terminal benefits of the former EAC workers, the Ministries of Public Service and East African Community Affairs, should settle their benefits in accordance with the EAC Mediation Agreement, the defunct EAC Pensions Act, Cap. 11, and the EAC Service Regulations. The payments in the local currency should be maintained in a convertible currency in calculations of benefits. The two ministries should harmonise this position and update Parliament before consideration of their ministerial policy statements for the Financial Year 2023/2024, failure of which the committee recommends that the House should not pass this respective budget. (Applause) In conclusion, the committee set out to investigate the non/partial payment of terminal benefits to the former workers of the defunct EAC. The committee report is based on our findings from the interactions with the affected stakeholders. The investigation has revealed that under the EAC Act and its regulations, a person who retires is paid 25 per cent of his entitlement as computed pension, gratuity and pension. The balance is paid to them monthly until death. Suppose the former workers of the defunct EAC have not been receiving that pension since it accrues to them on their respective division dates, in that case, those covered by the EAC Pensions Act and its regulations are entitled to arrears and interests at commercial rates. The commercial rate is preferred because the pension funds of the EAC employees other than the EAC Airways were always held by Crown Agents and invested in the commercial money market. Therefore, the question should not arise, whether the Uganda Government has the money to pay the pension obligation because the amount due to the Ugandan pensioners, was ascertained and reportedly transferred by the Crown Agents to the Uganda Government under Article 10 of the Mediation Agreement. Therefore, the committee strongly calls upon Parliament to compel the Government to settle the terminal benefits of the former EAC workers as per the report’s recommendation. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also thank the committee for the report about the former employees of the East African Community. Honourable chairperson, in your methodology, you indicate that you carried out a fact-finding mission in eastern and western regions. That left out central, northern and other regions. I am not comfortable with that because it means the sample is very small, yet you could have covered the entire country. Secondly, CrownAgents, who are the arbitrators, confirmed that – the Bank of Uganda denies having received funds from Crown Agents to pay the former EAC employees. When Crown Agents is asked the same, it gives no response. It is clear that money was swindled and that means we are letting the people who swindled it to go scot-free. I seek clarification from the committee and maybe the Ministry of East African Community Affairs or the Ministry of Public Service. The Government amended the Pension Decree in 1978, giving the responsibility of paying the former Ugandan employees of the East African Community to the Government of Uganda. This is contradicting ourselves because it is supposed to be Crown Agents or the Bank of Uganda to pay. Why should we use taxpayers’ money while hiding the people who took the money – which is supposed to be either Crown Agents or the Bank of Uganda? I need clarification on that. Did the recommendation of the Minister for East African Community Affairs and the Minister of Local Government on generating a complete list of unpaid/partially paid claimants within three months take shape? This information was meant to inform the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024. We need clarification on that as well. Lastly, some of the surviving employees are very old, poverty-stricken and sickly. Some have lost memory and cannot locate their appointment letters - I know it was talked about in the report - and other documents, 45 years later. Their only hope was in the files in the ministry, some of which were lost by the officials there. What is their fate? Mr Speaker, I beg to seek clarification on those five areas from either the committee chairperson or the Minister for East African Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your wise ruling. On the Shs 274.11 billion to Uganda Development Corporation for purchase of Government of Uganda shares in Atiak Sugar Factory, this intervention is in line with the Government’s industrialisation policy – (Interjections)– and commitment to balance regional and equitable development. Mr Speaker, there are sugar factories in the central, eastern and western regions. Atiak Sugar Factory is the only sugar factory in Northern Uganda. The factory will support the sugarcane out growers as well as tap into the DRC and South Sudan markets. This provision was also made under the 3 per cent legal requirement. We beg Parliament for retrospective approval. Mr Speaker, with this submission - [Member rose_]

7926 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2022/2023 whether you are aware that the cotton industry is going down. I am asking this because as I speak, the few indigenous ginners in Uganda - not only in Northern Uganda - are stuck with bales of lint, which they cannot export. I would like to know whether you are also considering these indigenous ginners with the kind of bail-outs that are given to other industrialists in and around Uganda. I do not know whether it is being done selectively, but I thought that as a villager who has been educated by the proceeds from cotton growing - and I know that cotton is very important to this economy – I seek to know whether you are considering helping these local ginners because of the bad prices.

Mr Speaker, the President is going to Arua next week. I am going to inform him before he goes to Arua so he can guide me on how to handle this but as I told you, Northern Uganda - and Arua falls under Northern Uganda - we can always look around and get iron sheets for you.

7879 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 5 APRIL 2023 Ethics and Integrity. Therefore, we recommend approval of Shs 401.68 billion for those various Votes. Shs 1.627 billion as reallocation within the local government budgets. The table is as below: i) Butambala District – Shs 1.5 billion ii) Ssembabule District – Shs 127,469,171 The committee was informed that Shs 127 million was appropriated for Vote 926: Ssembabule District, for the Financial Year 2022/2023 to support health centres in the district. However, the accounting officer requested that the above funds be reallocated for the purpose of procuring land for a health centre IV. The Ministry of Health informed the committee that the said land was donated to the district by an individual. In light of the above, the committee declines the approval of reallocation of Shs 127 million for Vote 926: Ssembabule District Local Government, to procure land and recommends that this fund should be retained for its original purpose. The committee recommends approval of Shs 1.5 billion to Butambala Local Government. Part B This is a supplementary request that requires prior parliamentary approval. Government is requesting for Shs 1.538 trillion under Schedule No.1 with the addenda. This is above the 3 per cent legal limit for both development and recurrent expenditure. The Votes are as follows: i) Vote 004: Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs – Shs 339.809 billion required to cover the shortfall on wage. This will be funded by a corresponding suppression in the classified equipment project. The committee recommends approval of Shs 339.809 billion. ii) Vote 010: Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. A request of Shs 12.979 billion is required as external financing from the World Bank for Uganda Multi-Sector Food Security and Nutrition Project. Honourable Members, you will read that narration. We recommend approval of Shs 12.979 billion. iii) Vote 011: Ministry of Local Government, Shs 13.978 billion is required as follows: a) Shs 13.179 billion as external financing from the African Development Bank for Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project (MATIP 2). This is required to facilitate the completion of the activities. b) Shs 799 million is required as unspent external funding from USAID for Financial Year 2021/2022 for the coordination of implementation of Northern Uganda Development Enhance Local Governance Infrastructure and Livelihoods Programme (NUDEIL). The committee recommends the approval of 13.978 billion to the Ministry of Local Government. Vote 014: Ministry of Health made a request for Shs 208.825 billion as follows: Shs 176.943 billion was provided by the World Bank to UNICEF for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines under the Uganda COVID-19 Response Emergency Preparedness Project. We recommend the approval of that request. Shs 31.882 billion for reimbursement of funds spent by the Government of Uganda on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines also under the same programme. There is also a risk allowance of Shs 8 billion. There is also Shs 11.5 billion court award to Sino Africa Medicine and Health Limited.

7881 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 5 APRIL 2023 Vote 126: National Information Technologies Authority (NITA-U) requested for Shs 5.510 billion as external financing from the World Bank for implementation of the Regional Communication Infrastructure Project. We have a small correction on paragraph 3, page 34. Due to the delayed implementation, a request was made to the World Bank by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to extend the project closing date to 31 August 2022, not 2021. The request was granted. We recommend the approval of Shs 5.510 billion to NITA-U as external funding. Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology requested for Shs 1.660 billion as NTR for payment of living-out allowances for non-resident Government-sponsored students and management of third semester examinations. We recommend the approval of Shs 1.660 billion to Mbarara University. Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University made a request of Shs 5.9 billion NTR to cater for provision of teaching and office infrastructure given the increasing pressure on the existing infrastructure resulting from high enrolment from 2,107 to 3,000. We recommend the approval of Shs 5.9 billion to Mountains of the Moon University. Vote 501: Uganda Mission at the UN, New York, requested for Shs 660 million to replace the old air conditioning circulation unit and associated ancillaries at the Uganda House in New York. The committee also established that the mission had requested for Shs 1.027 billion to do other associated works. We recommend the approval of those requests. Various central and local governments requested a total of Shs 10.752 billion as unspent external financing from Financial Year 2021/2022 under the European Union Budget support. These funds were meant to be disbursed to local governments and support activities under central government agencies as detailed below; the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Public Service, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Local Government, Uganda Bureau of Statistics and Equal Opportunities Commission. So, we recommend approval of Shs 10.752 billion to various Central and Local Government Votes listed above. Various Central and Local Government Votes - Shs 408.967 billion to meet wage shortfalls arising from new policy to enhance the wages of scientists in the Financial Year 2022/2023. Members, you can read (annex 5) We recommend approval of Shs 408.967 billion for all the votes for salary enhancements. Central Government and Local Government Votes – Shs 11.070 billion is required as unspent external financing from the Financial Year 2021/2022 similar to what we have dealt with; the agencies are indicated. The committee declined approval of Shs 11.070 billion to various Central and Local Government Votes listed above as these funds were already provided in the approved budget for Financial Year 2022/2023. Vote 600: Local Governments – Shs 410.371 billion is required as follows: i) Shs 5.639 billion is locally raised revenue. This is required to facilitate the local governments, captured as unanticipated revenue at the time of budgeting. This was a surplus. We recommend approval of Shs 5.638 billion to various local governments. Members you will read (Annex 6A and 6B). ii) Shs 0.288 billion as unspent balances for Northern Uganda Development Enhanced Local Governance Infrastructure and Livelihoods Programme (NUDIEL),

Yes, thank you. The good thing is that the whole statement will also be captured for future reference purposes. Next statement. STATEMENT ON THE NORTHERN UGANDA SOCIAL ACTION FUND (NUSAF-IV)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I presented this statement last week; there is only some little information that I have added, and I am going to summarise it. This is a brief to Parliament on the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF). The Northern Uganda Social Action Fund is an affirmative action financed by the World Bank. It is committed to addressing high poverty levels and social economic disparities in greater Northern Uganda. Northern Uganda Social Action Fund I and II, focused on infrastructure development while NUSAF III focused on support to households; it ended in June 2021. Northern Uganda Social Action Fund was implemented and focused on a number of activities that included agriculture and animal husbandry, fish farming, environment conservation, trade and value addition, water and roads. Having implemented it, a number of achievements were registered bearing in mind that this targeted the real grassroots households. This included increased household income and assets like livestock, poultry, bicycle, radio, mobile phones, beddings, kitchen facilities, solar lighting and roofing materials and increased household food security and household savings. Despite Government intervention, the poverty indicators in Northern Uganda are still high. If you go to page three, you will see a table, which shows the trends of poverty prevalence; we have picked nine subregions. The causes of high poverty in Northern Uganda are attributed to overreliance on subsistence farming, lack of perennial cash crops, dependency syndrome, limited skills, lack of value addition, low productivity, land fragmentation, limited employment opportunities, environmental degradation, low access to financial credit, and poor mindset. Following the registered achievements, Cabinet, in January 2022, authorised the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), together with the Ministry of Finance to design NUSAF IV. It is proposed that NUSAF IV will have a subregional focus and will support sustainable livelihood and shock-responsive interventions to build household resilience. The project will target 39 per cent of the poor households in the subsistence economy. NUSAF IV is estimated to cost $220 million as a loan and $40 to $50 million as a grant. It will cover West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Teso, Karamoja, Bukedi, Elgon, Bunyoro and Busoga. The components are: i. Sustainable livelihood support; ii. Strengthening safety net for enhanced resilience and human development; and iii. Transformational delivery system. It is envisaged that these are going to complement the Parish Development Model, especially in the areas of production storage, processing and marketing, which is pillar one; enhancing financial inclusion is pillar three; enhancing mind-set change is pillar five and management information system, which is pillar six. The progress so far made is that there has been established an inter-ministerial committee to

Thank you. Hon - ourable colleagues, earlier on, I told you that we had not received the report from Acholi sub-region. The Chairman of the Acholi Par- liamentary Group has submitted the report to the Clerk and we can use this opportunity to also lay it on the Table so that it forms part of reports. It was the only sub-region, which had not yet finished. MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF SUB-RE- GIONAL OVERSIGHT REPORTS ON THE PARISH DEVELOPMENT MODEL Northern (Acholi Subregion)

4.5 4 Thrs poses a huge threat to poverty eradication since health is a key determmant of labor productrvrty In order to reduce further the poverty levels, GoU rs scalmg up efforts through expanding socral protechon programmes such as Social Assistance Grants {or Empowerment (SAGE), providing start-up capital for vulnerable persons such as "emyooga", boosting rnvestments rn agrrculture sector through the Agrlculture Credrt Facilrty (ACF) and low interest financlng through the Uganda Development Corporatlon (UDC) and the recent established Parrsh Development Model Govemment should also approprrate more funds for the health sector to foster labour productivrty While Goal 2 Targets Zero hunger. The proportron of food poor persons in Uganda rncreased by 2 percent (from 37 to 39 percent) between 2016 and 2020 Thrs means that nearly 3 rn every 10 households rn Uganda do not consume sufficrent quanhty of food with the proper nutrient content Rural households were twrce as more hkely to be food poor than the urban households (47% and22% respechvely) as at 2019/20 The Eastern and Northern regrons consrstently had the highest number of food poor households wrth 5 rn every 10 households considered food poor between 2016 and 2020. 21

Honourable members, the Office of the Prime Minister has got six ministries that give out iron sheets. The Ministry for Northern Uganda, as we talk, still has 4,500 iron sheets in the stores. The Ministry for Teso Affairs, as we talk, has 2,800 iron sheets in the store. The Ministry for Disaster Preparedness, as we talk, still has 1,400 iron sheets. I want to know the number of iron sheets you need and then, through the Minister of Disaster Preparedness, we shall give them to you.

4.5 4 Thrs poses a huge threat to poverty eradication since health is a key determmant of labor productrvrty In order to reduce further the poverty levels, GoU rs scalmg up efforts through expanding socral protechon programmes such as Social Assistance Grants {or Empowerment (SAGE), providing start-up capital for vulnerable persons such as "emyooga", boosting rnvestments rn agrrculture sector through the Agrlculture Credrt Facilrty (ACF) and low interest financlng through the Uganda Development Corporatlon (UDC) and the recent established Parrsh Development Model Govemment should also approprrate more funds for the health sector to foster labour productivrty While Goal 2 Targets Zero hunger. The proportron of food poor persons in Uganda rncreased by 2 percent (from 37 to 39 percent) between 2016 and 2020 Thrs means that nearly 3 rn every 10 households rn Uganda do not consume sufficrent quanhty of food with the proper nutrient content Rural households were twrce as more hkely to be food poor than the urban households (47% and22% respechvely) as at 2019/20 The Eastern and Northern regrons consrstently had the highest number of food poor households wrth 5 rn every 10 households considered food poor between 2016 and 2020. 21

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

Thank you very much, Rt Hon. Speaker. This motion, for clarity, is moved under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS the 20 th day of March 2023 marks the first anniversary of the untimely demise of the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, the former Speaker of the 11 th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda; RECALLING that the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah made his mark in the service of his country with devotion and that his dedicated leadership greatly contributed to Parliament’s strengthening of an adherence to the rule of law and parliamentary practices through persistent call for quality debate, political tolerance and promotion of cohesion amongst the different shades of opinion; ACKNOWLEDGING the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah’s contribution to the peace process in northern Uganda through offering political leadership and monitoring of the post-conflict recovery process, and during the aftermath of the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, according vulnerable citizens access to the justice system; AWARE that the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah’s legacy of transforming his community from a subsistence to money economy through initiatives such as the multi- billion shillings Dano Pa Dano Foundation and several similar impactful start-up capital to micro businesses projects in Omoro District still live on even after his demise; APPRECIATING that the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah was a firm proponent of the right to education for all children and, indeed, sponsored over 200 children to access education at primary, secondary, tertiary and university levels as a means by which responsible citizens of this country would be groomed;

Rt Hon. Speaker, we are here to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing on of the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, which, we all know occurred on 20 March 2022, making him Uganda’s shortest- serving Speaker. Mr Speaker, talking about the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah is a precious and singular honour. We all knew him as an extraordinary man, a statesman and a patriot. The late Rt Hon. Dr Oulanyah made his mark globally, continentally, regionally, nationally and locally by committing himself to greater and challenging tasks. The late Speaker answered the highest of calls: serving Uganda as a distinguished legislator. He appealed for adherence to parliamentary rules and quality debate. In his own words, he stated: “ Honourable colleagues, we should learn to sharpen our arguments rather than our voices. With tolerance and mutual respect, we should agree that no view will be surprised. All views will be received with tolerance and given fair treatment based on known facts and reason.” He would move to say, “Honourable members, we can do things better.” Mr Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah was instrumental, as already stated, in the pacification of northern Uganda through the peace process and post-conflict recovery, by offering strategic and patriotic leadership. His participation in the peace process cannot be forgotten, including looking for leadership and the LRA as a movement in the jungles of Garamba. This has positioned northern Uganda on the trajectory for socio-economic transformation through the able leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and embracing Government affirmative action programmes like the northern Uganda Social Action Fund, the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan and currently, the Parish Development Model. The former Speaker initiated various projects in northern Uganda, but to Omoro County, in particular, his community will remember him for the interventions that were in line with the NRM manifesto on wealth creation and increasing household incomes.

No, I am a Mitchell “rat”. When we gathered for the students’ assembly, being the Guild Speaker, he was wearing the students red gown; so, he could easily be marked. That is why he had a confrontation with the police and had his pancreas injured – because Hon. Ssemujju was asking which organ it was; it was the pancreas. Again, I worked with him closely when I was a Parliamentary Commissioner and he was the Deputy Speaker. We did many things. We continued to work very closely because by the time he died, he was serving as the NRM Vice-Chairperson for Northern Uganda as I also served in a similar position for Western Uganda. Those positions made us sit on the Central Executive Committee of the NRM. He always steered debate in meetings with a lot of charisma and eloquence, as we all know. Although he was our Speaker and fellow Member of Parliament, some of us were very close to him and we can speak about him until the cows come home. Nonetheless, we want to continue conveying our condolences to the

7736 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Dr Baryomunsi] family, the people of Omoro, the people of northern Uganda and, indeed, Ugandans and humanity because his influence and impact went beyond this country. Hon. Ssemujju raised the issue of the cause of death. We explained it in fair details at that time, but I just want to repeat that by the time we buried him, the cause of death question had been settled; he died of cancer. Mr Speaker, I, together with Hon. Kiwanda, had the opportunity to visit Jacob at his house before he was flown to the US. We visited him on behalf of the NRM party. We had a discussion. He had –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank this House enormously for honouring the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah’s day, which was a resolution passed by this Parliament last year. We do appreciate our Speaker of Parliament and the Office of the Speaker, for ensuring this has happened today. I met the late Jacob Oulanyah in his office in Naguru. I went to his office when he was running for the Speakership. He told me one thing that made me vote him. He told me, “As a new Member of Parliament, whether you like it or not, you need me to be the Speaker in that House so I can mentor you” and what he said was absolutely right. He had immense knowledge in legislation in this House and he carried that knowledge over the years. It was very sad we never actually shared more time after that. We never managed to get the knowledge we had expected to learn from him. The last time we spent time together was when he recovered from the first phase of the illness. Under his mentorship, as the Vice-Chairperson of the NRM northern region, we visited West Nile where he wanted to thank the NRM leadership for voting His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Little did we know that, that was his goodbye to the people of West Nile. Today, we feel we have lost a very important person and wherever he was, the little – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I want to speak as a senior orphan – (Interjection)– yes, I am a senior orphan and I thank the top management of this Parliament for providing a shoulder for my fellow orphans to lean on. As an orphan, I know what it means because when you are crying for something, maybe your parents can provide and so, you will know that there is somewhere you can run to. I thank you very much for that. (Applause) And to my colleagues - I attended one of the vigils in Muyenga and I saw the orphans crying - the orphans the late Rt Hon. Jacob was looking after. And it is not by surprise that the orphans he left are being looked after. So, we should prepare our exit by doing what is right so that when we are long gone, we are also being helped. Mr Speaker, I am a student who believes in the saying that “The dead are not dead.” You may find that he is watching us even now. And he is even happy that the son - our colleague, Hon. Andrew Oulanyah - is trying his best to look after the constituency and represent him. He, maybe, is also happy that the Speaker and your team are doing what he expected you to do. However, I have an appeal to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and the team, that there is a gap that still exists. He may not be happy that he is not yet replaced as a member of CEC for northern Uganda. So, I request that those who are in the position should at least try and make sure that the people of northern Uganda are also represented in CEC. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank you for this opportunity. I remember when his body lay here, I stood for several hours and pulled my muscles, but I did not catch your eye; so, I want to thank you for that. Mr Speaker, what I want to tell you - and what I remember very well about the late is that two months before he got sick, he went to northern Uganda. He went to West Nile, Acholi and Lango to put our boat together to reconcile everybody. He said he wanted forgiveness and everybody should work together. That is one thing I remember. I also remember when he spoke these two languages - they are very staunch. When he spoke in parables, as a Langi, you would need somebody else to translate. He really spoke very well. I appeal to the Government that when a resolution is passed in this House - and it should be fulfilled – that Government should continue with the project he began. Let the Government have him remembered by the building - and not on the day we are commemorating or celebrating his life. When I was inducted as a World Olympian for life in 2021, this same Parliament passed a resolution to build a theatre in my health centre, but up to now - I think they are waiting for me to die and then they praise me. Mr Speaker, let this be put right. If someone passes on, that person should be praised forever. He or she should be remembered for what he or she has done. This is what I appeal to you, Members of Parliament - I thank you for that. May God bless you all! Thank you.

Colleagues, by the time I left the Office of the Government Chief Whip, we had already more or less concluded NUSAF IV at Cabinet level. Government Chief Whip, on Tuesday, we need the Minister of Northern Uganda to bring a statement on NUSAF IV - where we have reached. This is a project for which people’s representatives are being put on pressure yet I know that Government has already done a big job around it. So, let us update the Members of Parliament so that we all get to know when it will be rolled out. Oh, Fr Charles Onen, you are here. (Laughter) Fr Charles Onen used to pray.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise to support the motion to pay tribute to the fallen Speaker. The inside of today is the outset of tomorrow. What this Parliament is doing today and what you, the presiding officer, are doing today, is what shall be done tomorrow because we need to remember and to appreciate the good things and achievements of one another. This is an act of love, which Parliament is giving to the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah. The late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah one time invited me to his residence and he told me, “Father, you have been in the church and you need some special induction so that you change the language of the church and begin speaking like a politician.” I recall he gave me something in a glass and that thing altered my mood. (Laughter) I do not remember how I left his residence and, up to this point, I do not know the name of the substance that was in that glass. He was a humorous person and a generous man. I still recall and I believe that Jacob Oulanyah was one of the best English speakers among the legislators from northern Uganda. He was a teacher of English and was always emphasising on the quality of debate.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to appreciate Parliament for this very important day in which we commemorate our gallant son. In Acholi, the name Oulanyah is given to great people - (Laughter) - to people who are serious and it is associated with very important people, especially if you were given that name 40 years ago. Mr Speaker, our brother Jacob Oulanyah was a uniting factor. I remember when he was voted the NRM Vice-Chairperson for northern Uganda, the way he mobilised for the NRM especially - You know, in history, the NRM had not gotten the number of votes they got in that election and they acquired many Members of Parliament in the last election. He had serious mobilisation skills and we were so scared that we were going to be swept away. I pray to the NRM Members of Parliament to carry the legacy higher. If they do not work hard, we may sweep them off next time. Finally, Mr Speaker, I pray that Parliament and Government allows the family of the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah to meet the President, when they need to. A case in point: the last time we were in Gulu barracks, I witnessed how the father of the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah was struggling to meet the President. We were unhappy by the way his father was blocked. I pray that when the family has something important to discuss with the President, they should be given the opportunity. I remember His Excellency promised that he would be in touch with the family and take care of them. Therefore, let them be given chance and an opportunity. We pray for his soul to rest in peace. Thank you.

7755 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 We appreciate that some of us are in this Parliament because of the good work that Jacob Oulanyah did in our constituencies. I am one of them and there are many others in the Acholi subregion. Like my brother, Hon. Gilbert Olanya said, when he became the NRM Chairperson for Northern region representing Members of Parliament at CEC, the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah would leave his constituency and sleep in people’s constituencies, mobilise for them and ensured that they made it. I remember he came to his constituency last when it was only two days to elections. Mr Speaker, I am one of those who have never believed that Jacob Oulanyah is gone. At times, I sit and think he is doing some Government assignment elsewhere and will come back one day to sit in that Chair. However, a year down the road, he is no longer with us. We pray that the legacy he has left and the mentorship that he did - We are very proud of him. I would like to thank, in the most sincere way, the people of Omoro District and especially his constituency. When we were deployed under instructions to ensure that my brother, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah replaces his dad, we went and did the assignment. It was very simple for everybody who was deployed there. The people of Omoro said, “We want to reward Jacob Oulanyah with his son.” I am very proud that the people of Omoro, watching us from home and here, listened to the cry of Parliament. May God continue to guide the family, especially my brother here. We will stand with him to ensure that he makes his dad proud. We are here as his product. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are here to pay posthumous tribute to the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah. I remember one of his acts in Parliament and in West Nile when there was a lot of bickering among the NRM fraternity; members were fighting each other, quarrelling and so on. When he came as the NRM Vice-Chairperson for Northern Region and as a CEC member, he was able to reconcile the people of West Nile. As a result, the President got over 75 per cent of the votes from West Nile. I want to quote him on that. He said, “The NRM is a family. We may have disagreements, but those should not make the party collapse. If we do not act in the interest of the party, we are going to supply the Opposition with many of our seats.” Secondly, he was a lover and an ardent supporter of sports. For some time, he was a member of the Parliamentary Football Club. He and Hon. Odongo-Otto were goalkeepers in the Seventh and Eighth Parliament. He participated actively. I want to quote what he said about sports. He said: “The task at hand is talent identification, which should go all the way to the grassroots and ensure sports people covered in obscurity are uplifted to the benefit of the country.”

7761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 we are doing here could be temporary, but you will still go back to your families. There was a time he called me at about 6.00 p.m. I had already left home and he asked me, Andrew - due to Parliamentary procedure, I cannot say “ Ole” as they say in the Luo language. He said, “Why don’t you call me?” I said, “I know your schedule. I know when you are in the House and when in the constituency. I know wherever you are.” He then said, “So, you know when not to call? Call, I will find the missed call”. He loved his family very much and if they could share their stories, you would hear from Aunt Harriet who is in the gallery. She still sheds tears up to now because they were so close. To-date, she is still mourning, but we are all mourning as a house. From today’s scripture of Joshua 1:7-8, we are told to be strong and courageous. As legislators, there is no higher call than that because you are going to step on peoples’ toes, but you have to be bold and courageous and stand your ground. I want to appreciate the House for this recent enactment that took courage. It took boldness and I want to applaud the House under this leadership for that. I would not be fair if I did not give thanks for all the support that I have got; for all the support that the family has got, and for all the support along the way. Allow me to thank the Executive that has been with us from the start. I cannot thank them enough. (Applause) I also thank Parliament, the leadership and all the Members here. When he passed on, you gave us hope. You came to the constituency, you campaigned with us and you rallied support for your comrade’s son and we do not take that for granted. Not just that, you also contributed money for education because he loved education. He believed that through education, we could get somewhere as Northern Uganda, which has been at war for over 20 years. Education is the only key at the moment because the land is there, but to use it, you need to have skills. That is why he loved education. I want to appreciate you all for the support that you gave us. You have given hope to the next generation of leaders. I want to appreciate the Judiciary because the Judiciary, through the Chief Justice, has stood with us. He is the current Chair of the Education Trust Fund that you all contributed handsomely to. I want to thank you all for that. Omoro District is represented here. I would not be doing them justice if I did not thank them. However, I also want to voice a few concerns on what he stood for. He stood for five things: education, economic empowerment, health, infrastructure development and agriculture. All those issues are cross-cutting in Uganda. They are not issues of just Omoro and I believe that if we addressed them in terms of funding and priority, we could bring meaningful change to the country. I thank you all for this moment. We are honoured as a family. We are honoured as Omoro District and as Omoro County; we are deeply humbled because most times when a person dies, that is the end of the chapter. You have sacrificed your own legacies to sustain another person’s legacy. I want to thank you for that humility. You have shown a tremendous sign of humility. All in all, we have a duty to this country and we are duty-bound to make sure Parliament is people-centred and authoritative; that the mother who is carrying jerrycans can be catered for in our legislation. I want to thank you. For God and my country.

Thank you. The point I was trying to bring up is that there are other matters of importance that are very urgent, for example, the power blackout in Northern Uganda. In my district Amuru, people are using electricity for less than four hours a day. Power comes and goes –

Thank you, point taken. Honourable members, one thing I want to let you know is that the Office of the Prime Minister is the one housing a number of these ministries. So, when you receive something from the Office of the Prime Minister, you may think it is from the disaster office. You may not know whether it is coming from Karamoja, Northern Uganda, Teso or whichever. When we receive some of these things, we think they have been sent to us in good faith. Our constituents need them and because of that, we say, “Okay, have what belongs to you.”

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This matter is a very sad one, but we thank you for your leadership, integrity and for taking the first step. I would like to inform this House that when this matter came to the fore, Madam Speaker guided me, when we petitioned her - because we were in recess - and on that same day, she quickly said, “This is abominable” and referred the matter to the Committee on Presidential Affairs. She has been following it up to ensure we get to the bottom of it. How can this be happening? It could be happening to Bunyoro Affairs, Luwero Affairs, Teso Affairs or Northern Uganda Affairs – because how do you explain the fact that even Hon. Namuyangu, who controls iron sheets, also got iron sheets from those meant for Karamoja? It is very sad! Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this. (Laughter)

7398 SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN NSSF 1. The board members’ composition. I believe if we can have gender parity, with positions of vice-chairperson being provided for, this will avoid some of the challenges where when the chairperson is not available, somebody jumps in to act. 2. This board should reflect a national outlook with the 12 members covering the four major regions in this country; western, central, eastern and northern Uganda should be represented among the 12 members of the board. 3. Lastly, Parliament should directly approve the NSSF budget. Shs 18 trillion being managed by one minister, I think, is a disservice to this country. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Chairperson, my proposal is: “(2) The board shall consist of the following members: (a) a representative of the ministry responsible for sports; (b) a representative of four regions of Uganda: northern, eastern, western and central, one of whom shall be a person with disability; (c) a representative from the national sports federation or national sports associations; (d) a representative of the athletes; (e) a representative of the private sector; and (f) a person with experience in sports administration.”

Mr Speaker, of course elevation is a process. Now that the technical team came on the ground, you just have to be patient. Dr Deep - maybe the unfortunate thing is phasing out, but I, you and the Minister of Northern Uganda will sit and agree on how to prioritise Lamwo. The Minister of Health is here -

7003 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2023 The project has other complementary initiatives, which include women and youth skills on entrepreneurship development and institutional support to boost project execution capacity. Mr Speaker, in 2021, the project was reviewed to estimate the Eco buses and to add an additional stock of roads. A total of $12 million that had been earmarked for the provision of Eco buses was converted to the construction of additional roads that serve the city, which include Mpererwe, Kiteezi, Kiti Road, Ntinda to Kampala, Northern Bypass and Old Kira Road, effectively increasing the total length by 16.37 kilometres. KCCA got clearance for the project from the Attorney-General’s Chambers in July 2022. Current status Mr Speaker, you recall that - (Interruption)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the committee for the report they have given us. My issue touches something, which is very rare and this goes to our minister. There is the issue of missing teeth; gaps in the mouths of people from northern Uganda, which is brought about by not drinking milk. It is my humble appeal that this be removed from the conditions of recruiting soldiers otherwise people from northern Uganda will never be recruited. Most of our children lose their teeth even before the age that you think they should lose them. That should not be a reason to be considered for denial. Thank you.

6972 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Mr Speaker, my recommendation would be that for the quota system to work, there should be one overall recruitment. When there is recruitment in the central region, by the time they reach the northern region, there is a report that they already have the numbers they want, so do whatever it takes to make sure you get the few that are left there; Pader did not get a slot. Mr Speaker, I request-

But if they have said we need this number from each district, how can they say, by the time we reached recruitment in Northern Uganda, we had already gotten the number; I thought there was a very clear quota.

Mr Speaker, permit me to thank you, the acting Leader of the Opposition, my brother, Hon. Olanya, and all the Members who have stayed up to now. With your permission, I would like to do two things: one, if it pleases you, to read a three- paragraph letter and; two, later lay it on the Table. This letter is from the office of the Minister of Education and Sports – and you know that I served as state minister in charge of sports. “31 August 2021 - and addressed to all LC V chairpersons, central, western, eastern and northern region. Presidential directive on excelling sportsmen and women with Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) As you may recall, on 13 August 2021, the President of the Republic of Uganda hosted a state reception for the triumphant contingent Team Uganda that represented our country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. During this event, the President directed that excelling sportsmen and women with Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) be identified, recruited into Uganda’s armed forces, and given ample time to train in order to represent the country in different sports disciplines, while they simultaneously earn a living (and participate in sports). The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to communicate this Presidential Directive and request the office of the Minister of State for sports to accordingly coordinate the implementation of this task. Yours sincerely, Janet K. Museveni First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports” The letter is copied to Her Excellency, the Vice- President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Presidency. Honourable members, there exists a standing presidential directive on excelling sportsmen and women who would wish to join the different armed forces; the UPDF, the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons, and Uganda Wildlife Authority. As you know, a number of our excelling athletes come from these four groups. Kiplimo belongs to the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Cheptegei is an officer in the Uganda Police Force. Therefore, let us take advantage of this, but we are looking at excelling, not those playing in the Juri League in Alebtong district. I beg to report and also lay on Table for the record to capture this. Thank you.

6909 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA MONDAY, 23 JANUARY 2023 people the way you would want to be treated. You cannot treat others as if they are not human beings. We are all Members of Parliament. Hon. Namuganza Princess, being a minister, she is a Member of Parliament, but has added responsibility, which anybody can take. To me, I feel that a leader, when you permit something, it becomes a culture - like you have done since the beginning of this Parliament, being on time at 2.00 p.m., it is a culture, but I think Hon. Namuganza has taken a culture of undermining everybody. Mr Speaker, I cannot imagine somebody who cannot say sorry to anybody; Hon. Namuganza came to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, which I sit on; we preside over Housing and Lands. She came and walked off on us, I followed her as a father; I told her - most of you people by the way, are my honourable daughters and sons. (Laughter) I told her that that is not the way things are done. The decorum of Parliament does not require you to behave the way you are behaving; go back to the committee and answer questions. She said, “Who are you?” (Laughter) Here, I would be the last person to come and get involved in this censure. I know the bitterness or what is reaped; it is terrible. However, she has caused - I appeal to everybody, let us all be counted to vote against indiscipline. (Applause) All Members of Parliament are equal. I respect this Parliament because you all respect me by virtue of my age and seniority. I also respect everybody; who is Namuganza? Recently - which is very rare - I saw the President saying, “I am sorry to the people who use the Northern Bypass and Kampala- Entebbe Expressway because of the insecurity around, I am using that route.” He apologised to people - (Interjection) - yes, he said it. So, when I see any of us here lacking that humility of saying “Sorry” - In most cases, I disturb some of these ministers, but I have visited about four ministers early in the morning and said, “I am sorry for what I said about you, forgive me.” That is the decorum of Parliament; that is etiquette. She says, we have never been oriented. We were oriented, but it is her who is uncultured. (Applause) Mr Speaker, we all respect you, despite your age, because of that appointment and the power you have; charity begins at home. In 1998, I stood here and moved a motion of censure; you could drop a pin down and hear it. Everybody came, but we were surrounded by people who wanted to beat us - we have the freedom; let us do what we are supposed to have done yesterday. Let us move a censure motion, discipline one of us, and let her come to the backbench - it might be a mistake by the way; there are some people who are appointed ministers without being backbenchers. So they feel they are on top of the world. No, this should stop. Today, I, Nathan Byanyima from Bukanga North in Isingiro District, have voted for censure. I support the committee, and call upon you; please, let us be together and discipline ourselves. I thank you.

6844 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES (ANIMAL INDUSTRY) ( Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Honourable colleagues, there is no directive from anywhere for the Balaalo to occupy parts of northern Uganda. What happened is that these people illegally went to some of these areas with animals and they ended up in other people’s gardens. So, people raised concern and the President wrote those directives. I am on the committee; many people were chased and forced to leave. A total of about 9,000 head of cattle crossed Karuma to the south. We put measures in place and guidelines to follow and only permits that are given for animals going to northern Uganda. Some of the MPs have been to my office and to the office of the Commissioner, Animal Health seeking for permits but permits are only given to people who have land; those who have a certificate from their local leaders that confirms that there is land to take these animals to. You also have to have a veterinary certificate from the point of origin to the point of reception - that there is no threat of disease. However, recently, we arrested a group on the waters of Lake Kyoga ferrying cows on the water and they were held for some time and we have forced them to go back to where they came from. Madam Speaker, I pledge to convey this message to the committee and the Prime Minister. We shall bring an updated report on this matter. Otherwise, I want to –

Thank you, honourable minister. Colleagues, this is referred to the Committee on Budget for processing. MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ON A FIELD VISIT TO WEST NILE AND NORTHERN UGANDA TO ASSESS THE SCOPE OF WORKS EXECUTED BY BMK UGANDA LIMITED UNDER THE UGANDA REPRODUCTIVE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (URMCHIP)- LOT 6 PURSUANT TO RULE 34(1) AND (2) OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Well guided, Mr Speaker. I beg to lay the report of the Committee on Health on a field visit to West Nile and Northern Uganda, to assess the scope of works executed by BMK Uganda Limited under the Uganda Reproductive Maternal Child Health Services Improvement Project (URMCHIP) – Lot 6, together with its appendages. Mr Speaker, I beg to lay. Mr Speaker, as you have guided, I will give a compendium of the report, which has been uploaded on the intranet. The Uganda Reproductive Maternal and Child Health

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

6709 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2022 cent to 80 per cent. Remember, the contractor had reported, in his analysis, that all the sites averaged about 35 per cent. When they are ascertaining the progress of the works, they are looking at roofing, plastering (internal or external); fittings like windows and doors and they are also looking at external works like pit latrines, placenta pits, among others. The committee noticed that there was minimal compliance with environmental and safety standards. Areas were not hoarded off. In one of the health facilities, a goat from the community had fallen into an open pit latrine and it raised a lot of issues. Between July 2022 and October 2022, the ministry reported that BMK had abandoned the site. There was no progress of works and they had held several meetings, reminding and trying to map a way forward. However, when the committee visited the site in the company of the district engineers, the district health officers and the local area politicians, they found that BMK had resumed works. In most of these sites, they were at the roofing stage. That is how the committee comes up with a figure of between 55 to 80 per cent. That was between 28 November 2022 and 2 December 2022. The narrative might have changed right now in the positive. The Ministry of Health had given BMK until the 25 th of November to vacate and hand over the site and clear all their material. However, as I speak, beyond that period of time, BMK remained on site trying to finish their work - still to-date. Therefore, in terms of the legal implications, a contractor whose works were terminated over a month ago is still on site and for us, that raises a red flag; legal implications. Also most importantly, there has been significant progress of works beyond the 35 per cent. When we met the Ministry of Health, BMK and the consultant, one of the ways forward was for them to have a tripartite meeting in the company of the Attorney-General to see whether the contract can be renewed. This is because the Ministry of Health reports that the World Bank, which is the financier, has agreed for single sourcing of a new contractor. We are saying that we have six months left for the contract to end on 30 June 2023. Procurement of a new contractor whether it is single sourcing at most - and on this we have consulted the technocrats. For the contractor to mobilise and set camp in Northern Uganda and West Nile, we are talking about February – (Interjections) – sorry -

6710 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION started running in May 2021, when the sites were handed over to BMK. The contract was, therefore, supposed to run up to 30 September 2022, which was the expiry date. However, the contract was informally extended to 15 November 2022 to enable BMK wind up its operations. Whereas the contract between BMK and the Ministry of Health lapsed on 30 September 2022, the conduct of the parties, especially of the Ministry of Health in extending the agreement informally to 15 November 2022, and the continued performance of the contract by BMK without objection from the Ministry of Health, amounted to acquiescence on the part of the Ministry of Health. The relationship between the parties would amount to a contract by conduct of the parties. Contracts by conduct recognised under section 10(2) of the Contracts Act, 2020, which provides that: “A contract may be oral or written or partly oral and partly written or may be implied from the conduct of the parties.” The ministry, in extending the agreement beyond 30 September 2022, and further, acquiescing in the continued construction works by BMK, had the effect of extending the agreement albeit informally. The doctrine of acquiescence is applied to stop the ministry from denying to have extended the agreement with BMK since the ministry did not stop BMK from continuing with the works, even when the ministry was aware that the works were ongoing. Recommendation The Ministry of Health, with guidance from the Attorney-General, should regularise the relationship with BMK by executing an agreement in accordance with the procurement laws to govern the completion of construction of works of the maternity unit and other related infrastructure works of the 14 health facilities in Northern Uganda and West Nile under URMCHIP. Page 25 - Refusal to Renew the Contract According to the documents availed to the committee by the Ministry of Health, there was a delay in performing the agreement occasioned by slow progress of civil works arising from low mobilisation of materials, equipment, low deployment of personnel, both skilled and unskilled. The ministry further indicated that the contract was time-based and other contractors who are meant to install equipment were ready, but could not access the site. The ministry also indicated that the project being supported by the World Bank was due to end on 30 June 2023, and assumed BMK would not be able to perform the contracted works by then. The ministry afforded BMK up to 15 November to wind up all the operations and hand over the site to KK Partnership Architects to carry out the evaluation of the work done. On their part, BMK informed the committee that the delay in performing the contracted works were occasioned by COVID-19 challenges brought on by increasing costs of building materials and fuel, which rose steadily during the contract execution period. Limited time for performing the agreement, given the scope of works involved and long distances between the sites - that is between Northern Uganda and West Nile. Finally, the death of the BMK Group chairperson, which resulted in the freezing of the company’s account. This prevented the company from mobilising and accessing funds to undertake work until the legal processes for the appointment of an executor were concluded. Mr Speaker, the committee was informed that in order to find a solution to the delay in project implementation, various meetings were held between KK Partnership Architects, the ministry and BMK, such as the meeting held on 26 August 2022, and agreed as follows: [Dr Ayume] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

The contractor who is supervising all these projects in Northern Uganda recommended that BMK cannot finish the work. They do not have the capacity to finish the work. They have had several meetings with them, as a company. Even when BMK was brought here, the same thing you said - I did eulogise him because I said we have a consanguine relationship with the family. I sat with the family; the Permanent Secretary sat with them five times, but they do not have the capacity.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I now want to put the question that the report of the Committee on Health on the field visit to West Nile and Northern Uganda to assess the scope of works executed by BMK Uganda Limited under the Uganda Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project (URMCHIP) Lot 6, be adopted by the House. (Question put and agreed to.)

Madam Speaker, I have spoken here several times. Nevertheless, I am glad you have noticed me today. As I said, I send deepest condolences from the older persons’ fraternity in Uganda to the family, Lango subregion, northern Uganda, the Judiciary and Uganda as a whole. In our elderly persons’ fraternity, we consider 69 years as middle age for the older persons. He has accomplished what he set out to do, his pinnacle being a Justice of the Supreme Court. Age is a special gift from God; the children he had are another special gift; long service to your nation is another gift. He served until he had more or less retired. God allowed him to serve longer. We pray that the ancestors receive him with open hands. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you.

6693 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2022 in his chambers in Kampala and you again met him in Lira or Kitgum, you would not know this one was a judge. He is one of the few humble people we had in northern Uganda. Another is just behind you there. If you hear that Owiny-Dollo is making bricks for building a church - those are the types of humble people we have. (Applause) I want to implore the Members of Parliament to get time and go -

6555 THE E L E V E N T H P A R L IAMENT O F U G A N D A T HURSDAY, 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 (k). Madam Speaker, because of time, I shall go to the findings and observations. First is the mandate of the entities. Rule 187 (k) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament mandates the Committee on Foreign Affairs to cover: 1. Missions abroad; and, 2. Bilateral, Multilateral and International Relations Madam Speaker, the reporting on findings from the missions abroad is cross-cutting, due to the fact that several services and programmes, which are provided and run at the Mission cut across various sectors, including, but not limited to trade, internal affairs, security and infrastructure. These issues have a bearing on economic and commercial diplomacy, which is a docket under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The mandate of the Uganda High Commission in London: 1. To protect the interests of Uganda; 2. To protect Ugandans living abroad within the limits permitted by international law. 3. To negotiate with United Kingdom and Irish Governments; and 4. To ascertain, by lawful means, conditions and developments of the UK and Ireland and report thereon; and 5. Coordinate with the mission’s accredited countries, which are, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Findings and Observations The status of the mission - now this touches the actual terms of reference by which we visited this mission. The status of the Mission Charter and its alignment to the NDP III: A Mission Charter is a document outlining clear objectives, the structure and planned operations of the mission. However, like all other missions abroad, this Mission Charter was last updated in 2014. At the time of the delegation’s visit in August 2022, the Mission Charter was still undergoing review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the meantime, the mission was being guided by: 1. The Uganda National Development Plan, that is, NDP III; and 2. The Mission’s Strategic Plan, which was approved by the National Planning Authority (NPA) as provided by Section 16(6); 18(4) and 27 of the NPA Regulations (2018). The Mission’s Strategic Plan As indicated above, the Mission’s Strategic Plan was aligned with NDP III and it covers the following – and again because of time, it is listed from I to X1V and that will be expounded as follows: 0. Tourism development - In an effort to enhance tourism, the Uganda High Commission, through economic and commercial diplomacy, supports companies from Uganda, which export to the UK and Ireland. In the same way, the mission interests UK and Ireland companies to invest in Uganda and to make Uganda the number one tourism destination. However, these are the observations: 1. The delegation observed that while efforts were being made to promote tourism, the mission was constrained because it lacked the basic promotional materials such as banners, adequate funds to enhance media marketing and advertising.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I was privileged to be part of that team that went to America and I must say it was a four-day event that culminated in the team paying tribute to the late Speaker of this House, and my father. In addition to that, we also coincidentally met a team of oncologists who were part of the team that set up the Uganda Cancer Institute. The two were Dr Tianyu Zhao and Dr Baozhou Sun, who were very committed to seeing that the cancer issue in Uganda is addressed. Of course, you mentioned yesterday that the cancer institute is there, but the staff is lacking. They raised similar concerns, for example, that a state like Missouri has over 40 to 50 cancer machines, yet Uganda has one or two. Allow me to present the three proclamations that were made in honour of the late Speaker. Allow me to just highlight them and then read one of them because of time. There is a proclamation from the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors and another from the City of St Louis. These two are from the state of Missouri. The third proclamation is from the Senate of Illinois. We were privileged to meet the first black Speaker of that Senate, Mr Welch. Allow me to just read one of them to see the content of the proclamations. “CITY OF ST. LOUIS RESOLUTION HONORING FORMER SPEAKER OF THE 11 TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA, THE HONOURABLE JACOB L. OULANYAH WHEREAS the Honourable Board of Aldermen for the City of St. Louis recognises the former Speaker of the 11 th Parliament of Uganda, Hon. Jacob L. Oulanyah, who passed away in March 2022; and WHEREAS in 2017 he made history when he led the largest delegation from Uganda at one time to attend the RESET America RESET Africa conference organised by the Global Impact Leadership Alliance (GILA) and its founder and CEO Larita Rice-Barnes; WHEREAS Hon. Jacob L. Oulanyah was a champion of connecting Africa to America, he was a proud supporter of the work of Empowerment of Grace and GILA, founded in the City of St. Louis, but working in Illinois and Indiana. GILA is committed to meeting the extensive needs of the ever-changing world through its resources and relationships formed on a global level. GILA is touching four continents: North America, South America, Africa and Asia; and WHEREAS Speaker Oulanyah was elected to Parliament to represent the people of Omoro County in Omoro District of northern Uganda, before he was elected Deputy Speaker, he was practicing law under J.L. Oulanyah and Company Advocates. He had specialised training in legal and legislative drafting and had experience in drafting laws and agreements, including peace agreements. He taught legislative drafting and constitutional

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

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The matter that the honourable member has just raised is alarming. It now causes serious problems because when somebody says a person came in with a court order, the tragedy with such is a presumption that they went to Court, litigated and won the court case. I am meant to understand that there has been a directive issued - that currently, the police should not witness an execution, unless and until they have verified that Court order. Secondly, it must take three months. Apparently, without going into legality issues, the intention is to have people that wish to exercise some rights within the law to have time and exercise those rights. It has two implications: The first is - maybe the Attorney-General will address this august House on the legal undertakings that he can execute, especially where there is a court order. Nonetheless, a matter that goes back to the Ministry of Lands, which supervises district land boards - my attention is drawn to the fact that in these areas of northern Uganda,

Yes. I will bring information of another minister, who I understand has acquired 2,000 acres of land occupied by people in northern Uganda. This is a minister who was appointed only two years ago – (Interjection)- No, I am not in a hurry. I just want to draw the attention of Parliament to the problem in the land management system, especially with respect to Government land and customary land, where titles are issued by the district land boards. Of course, the blame has always been put on what they call, “mailo land”, but now, colleagues can see that the problem has stretched beyond where we have the mailo land regime in this country. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning nomadic pastoralists who have invaded my district of Kiryandongo. Nomadic pastoralists, some of whom were chased away from northern Uganda and others from unknown areas have invaded Kiryandongo District in Masindi Port subcounty. Their animals frequently stray in people’s gardens. These pastoralists are very arrogant. On several occasions, they have beaten my voters when they try to arrest their animals. They are posing a very big security threat in the area. We have recorded increasing cases of cattle theft in Kiryandongo. Our local justice systems have failed to handle these cases whenever they are reported. Mr Speaker, I pray that the Minister of Internal Affairs intervenes in this matter as soon as possible. I also pray that the minister of agriculture considers vaccinating cattle in the neighbouring areas because our farmers are in fear that these animals could spread contagious diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease. I beg to report, Rt Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, you do not need to report here. What we need is action on the ground with the MPs because I know you handled this matter seriously when we had it in northern Uganda.

First of all, Ssemogerere said, “If I was betrayed this time, even if I had won in the whole of northern Uganda and other parts of eastern Uganda, I knew my votes were not enough to take me to State House. Therefore, I am not going to Court.” He never mobilised people to go against the Government that had won by that time, creating peace, which is very key and very important. May he continue to rest in peace. Thank you.

Hon. Kayondo, you have to be very cautious. You want a man who was very peaceful to benefit from the proceeds of a war. He said he cannot go to shed blood; now you want those who went and fought to hand over? Abim and then I pick Youth Representative, Northern.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of national importance to bring to the attention of this House the plight of the sugarcane farmers in Uganda. It is common knowledge that sugarcane farming is being carried out across several regions of this country - northern region, Bunyoro subregion, Buganda and other regions, Busoga subregion being at the forefront. For years now, sugarcane farmers have writhed in agony and suffered several challenges, which Government is yet to address, yet the farmers continue to suffer and wallow in poverty. Madam Speaker, on 23 April 2020, the President assented to the Sugar Act, 2020. This Parliament received it on 28 April 2020. Section 3 of the Sugar Act establishes the Sugar Board. Two and a half years down the road, that Board is yet to be operationalised. The Sugar Board’s functions, among others, is to regulate and supervise the sugar industry, in order to answer the challenges this industry faces, including human rights violations. This pertains to rights to property of women, where women are the other ones who look for food while their husbands authorise the renting of the entire land that the families have and they are left with no place to cultivate food. Children’s rights are violated by being employed on these farms as well. Madam Speaker, we all know that sugarcane farming is an agricultural enterprise, but the sugarcane farmers of this country are regulated under the trade ministry, as opposed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. When the ministry of agriculture brings programmes to emancipate the situation of farmers, the sugarcane farmers are left unattended because they are regulated by a ministry that is not agriculture. Recently, the agriculture minister has been undertaking a drive, where large scale farmers are being empowered and equipped with tractors. The President has told this nation that one of the answers to dealing with abject poverty is the mechanisation of agriculture, but the sugarcane farmers are not attended to, hence, they continue to suffer. We wonder why sugarcane farmers are regulated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, as opposed to ministry of agriculture. The President met the sugarcane farmers in Jinja and they cried to him about the one per cent – (Interruption) COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

6385 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022 government. I wish we could all borrow a leaf from what Members have said. I loved the Member who talked about over drinking - that was Hon. Komakech: why don’t we regulate drinking? We have the laws. Hon. Bahati talked about the laws. Why don’t we popularise the laws so that people know the do’s and don’ts? We do budgeting for all these agencies that do the gender-based violence activities, but the money ends up being eaten? Why don’t we look at the people who take the money? Why don’t we unite, as legislators, and fight against gender-based violence? We are the voice of the voiceless. As it has been said, let us create awareness. People lack information. Let us create awareness about the laws. Let us create awareness about the implications of the acts that people engage in. Let us do continuous legislation on the same and provide money, as a House, for these institutions. We should also make sure that the law is applied to everybody, not discriminatively. If it is a woman in the wrong, she must be punished. If it is a man, then, he should be punished too. We are not living in a static world: we also need to make sure that our laws are changed from time to time to fit the changing environment. Of course the issue of counselling is very important. Hon. Komakech said that people from northern Uganda, after the war, had that effect. They need to be counselled. Most importantly, without having a strong woman in UWOPA, we would not be debating this. We want to thank you, Hon. Sarah, your executive and all the UWOPA members – okay, I want to thank the husband. ( Applause ) I thank your neighbour for ensuring that he gives you the courage to do the work and represent the UWOPA team very well. On a sincere note, we are grateful as the Parliament of Uganda, the people of Uganda and the UWOPA members. We also thank the minister for her statement. Minister, that is a very good statement. How I wish we could popularise the laws, create awareness and make sure that the NGOs and the bodies handling gender-based violence do it in a transparent way.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter of national public importance. On 30 June 2021, the implementation of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF III) ended. This programme focused on household income generation, livelihood support and public works. In the same month, the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics released a report showing a very worrying trend in as far as poverty across the country is concerned, most especially, covering northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, you recall that several months ago, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister communicated to this House the decision taken by Cabinet to provide a successor programme as a deliberate effort to address the worrying poverty situation across northern and eastern Uganda or, I would say, the greater north. We are informed that the World Bank had demonstrated commitment to providing funds and what was left was for the Government of Uganda to fast-track the programme design processes. However, it is sad to note that the design phase has stagnated because the resources required have not been provided. Madam Speaker, this means that the successor programme will not be taking place unless the design processes are undertaken – but it should also ensure the highest level of participation and involvement by the people in the greater north. I, therefore, would like to make the following prayers: i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should explain to this House why they have been hesitant and have failed to provide the funds needed for the design aspect. ii) The Government of Uganda should show commitment and expedite the processes to enable the successor programme to kick off. iii) Finally, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should create time and interact with Members of Parliament from West Nile, Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Bunyoro, Acholi, Elgon and Bukedi to discuss, in detail, how this successor programme will be worked on so that we help in the fight against poverty. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, this successor programme, commonly known as NUSAF IV, is our hope. The Office of the Prime Minister, under the ministry for northern Uganda, has done a lot to make sure that this programme is at the level where it is now. The money that is required is expected soon. After the Minister for northern Uganda realised that there were delays, she came and we, in our senior management, invited the finance minister and the PS/ST and I committed, in writing, to the minister, requesting them to make sure that money is provided for the design. I believe we

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the Prime Minister for giving way. We appreciate Government because it has introduced very many programmes in northern Uganda – NUSAF I, NUSAF II, NAADS, etcetera. However, looking at the statistics, as said by Hon. Mapenduzi, Acholi subregion and northern Uganda is still the poorest. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, if it is necessary and very important, you have to audit the performance of all those Government programmes. Why is Acholi subregion and northern Uganda still the poorest in this country despite all those good programmes that you introduced for the country? I beg to move.

Madam Speaker, let me give you facts: An audit was carried out when I had just come. The fact is that a lot of money has been injected into northern Uganda, yet the communities continue to suffer with poverty. What have we done? We realised that all that money was going into infrastructure development; building schools and health centres. Therefore, we have said that this time around, we shall not construct schools, health centres or roads; we are injecting this money directly to the people. That is the answer. A lot of money is now going to the people. Secondly, Members, they would identify a certain subcounty and then get a certain parish but this time, we are saying that all areas must be covered. This time around, we shall push poverty out of northern Uganda.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your indulgence. I would like to inform the Prime Minister that the record of Government should be straight. Madam Prime Minister, I would like to inform you that not all the money that was meant for programmes in northern Uganda actually reached northern Uganda. The Office of the Prime Minister has been culpable. Billions of shillings were stolen and “eaten” here in Kampala. This money did not reach northern Uganda. That should be the starting point. When the record captures it that a lot of money has been pumped into northern Uganda, and yet money was mismanaged here, it is unfair to the people of the north.

We will establish how much money was “eaten” and how much money went to the region. Where is it “eaten” from? Is it locally here or upcountry? That is what she needs to establish and then, we will know how to handle the next money; whether it should be sent directly to northern Uganda, other than being “eaten” here first, and the bones are sent.

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

6314 RESOLUTION TO B O RROW and Economic Development. We had a meeting with the Ministry of ICT and National guidance and the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U). The committee also reviewed a number of documents; the documents that I have just laid before the House. We looked at the brief by the minister and the performance of the previous loans in reference to Rules of Procedure 155(7). I would also like to take the House through the compliance of the loan request with the Rules of Procedure and the loan approval guidelines. The Members are with their iPads and I believe that the report was uploaded. Table 1 of our report clearly states the compliance with rule 155(7) of the Rules of Procedure. Table 2 deals with the compliance with the parliamentary approval guidelines. Madam Speaker, since you have told me to summarise, I implore Members to read through the table. The project is in line with the National Development Plan III which recognises the promotion of science, technology, engineering and innovation as well as ICT as one of the core objectives. Specifically, the digital transformation programme under the National Development Plan III identifies ICT as a fulcrum for development and has a huge potential to improve our national productivity. The project will contribute to the achievements of the National Development Plan III, specifically, by increasing the ICT infrastructure coverage, improve on the efficiency and transparency of the Government. The project is in line with Vision 2040. The performance of the previous loans The Rules of Procedure mandate the Committee on National Economy to examine the performance of all loans under the sector in order to assess the viability of the new loan and recommend it for approval. By the end of October this year, all the loans under the ICT sector had been completed. In phase 1, in 2007 to 2008, there was a loan request of $30 million. That loan was used for laying 168 kilometres of fibre optic cables around Kampala, Mukono, Jinja, Bombo, Entebbe and also connecting 27 ministries, departments and agencies. In 2009 to 2013, there was a borrowing of $61 million; 1,400 kilometres of optic fibre cables were laid and the National Backbone Infrastructure was extended to districts in Eastern, Northern Uganda and some parts of Western Uganda. Madam Speaker, in 2016 - 2017, another loan of 15 million US dollars was borrowed and 76 kilometers of fiber optic cables were extended to the rest of the Western part of the country. I would like to draw members specifically to the project description of the current Uganda Digital Acceleration Program (UDAP) loan. Specifically, Madam Speaker, the Government intends to extend access to high-speed internet in selected areas. The Government also intends to improve efficiency in digital service delivery in selected public sectors and also strengthen the digital inclusion of selected host communities and refugees in the refugee hosting communities. This project has four components. The first component is the expansion of digital connectivity in selected areas which will cost approximately $86 million and enabling the digital transformation of Government which will cost about $ 50 million and promotion of the digital inclusion of the host communities that will cost about $ 57 million under the refugee window. The fourth component is project management which will take about $ 7 million out of the project cost. Table 5 describes all that. Table six explains the expected project outcomes. This is in line with the four components. We also have the indicators, the baseline and the expected end target. Madam Speaker and honourable colleagues, the project cost and financing arrangement; the total cost of the project is about $ 200million.

6282 THE NATIONAL LEGAL AID BILL, 2022 This bipartisan motion seeks to pay tribute to the legendary missionary who contributed towards humanity in the health sector and in everything that you can talk of in that area. Amidst all that was happening in northern Uganda, especially the rebellion, this missionary was there and he became part of the community. I, therefore, invite the Prime Minister to move the motion.

Madam Speaker, this is a motion for resolution of Parliament to pay tribute on the occasion of the beautification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, a professed member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, medical doctor, philanthropist and educator. This motion is being moved under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS Parliament of Uganda received with pleasure the decision of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to bestow the Rite of Beatification onto the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli on 20 November 2022 in Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese; AWARE THAT the process of canonising Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli as a saint commenced in 1999 and on l7 December 2015, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, bestowed onto Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli the Rite of Venerable, following the confirmation of his life of heroic virtue; RECALLING THAT on 28 November 2019, a miracle was attributed to Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, commencing the process for the beatification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, which process will result in his canonisation; APPRECIATING THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli lived a life of distinction and immeasurably served the people of Uganda, especially those in northern Uganda, through - Serving as a Parish Priest for Kalongo Parish in the Archdiocese of Gulu, where he paid special attention to the suffering of the people, guided by his motto, “God is love and I am his servant to the suffering people”; Revolutionising the care for leprosy patients through admitting leprosy patients to the same hospital as other patients instead of confining them to the often neglected and poorly managed leprosarium, thereby combating the stigma that existed in Ugandan society against lepers; Establishing St Mary’s Midwifery Training School in Kalongo, Agago District, to provide trained medical practitioners in order to enhance the care of patients in Uganda; and Establishing a clinic for lepers at Kalongo, in present day Agago District, which he transformed into a hospital, recently renamed DrAmbrosoli Memorial Hospital, a 350-bed facility that treats nearly 60,000 patients every year; FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli exhibited unique compassion and kindness in caring for the sick, charity, selflessness, humility, wisdom and love for God and championed the growth of the Catholic Church in Uganda; COGNISANT THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli died on 27 March 1987 at the Comboni Mission in Lira; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this Parliament that: Parliament collectively congratulates the people of Uganda, the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus and the entire Catholic Church in Uganda on the auspicious occasion of the beatification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, slated for the 20 November, 2022 in Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese; Parliament takes cognisance of the immense contribution of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli for his devotion to duty and immense contribution to the development of Uganda.” [The Speaker] TRIBUTE TO THE VENERABLE GIUSEPPE AMBROSOLI

Madam Speaker, my justification for the resolution of this Parliament to pay tribute to this powerful Father is that Pope Francis issued a concession to the Archdiocese of Gulu to conduct the beatification of Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli on 20 November 2022 at Kalongo Catholic Mission in Agago District. This will be the third Blessed after Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello who are the Blessed Martyrs in Gulu Archdiocese. Beatification under the Catholic Church is a procedure of determining and proclaiming that a deceased person is one of the Blessed or has gained the second degree of holiness and it is a stage in the process of canonisation into Sainthood. Venerable Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli was a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Comboni Missionaries. He was born on the 25 July 1923 at Ronago - that is in Como in Northern Italy. After a serene childhood and adolescence, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Milan. After having been awarded this degree, he presented himself at the Comboni Missionaries to become a missionary priest proclaiming simple, yet profound words: “God is love, they are suffering neighbours and I am their servant.” Later on, he went to London for a course in Tropical Medicine and returned to Italy, where he joined the Comboni’s Novitiate of Gozzano (Novara). Madam Speaker, on 09 September 1953, Giuseppe became a Comboni missionary by undertaking his first vows. He studied Theology and was ordained a priest on 17 December 1955 by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini - later, Pope Paul VI. At 33 years of age, on 01 February 1856, Fr Giuseppe left for Gulu in Northern Uganda. Thereafter, he went to Kalongo and founded a hospital that gained a reputation of excellence for almost 31 years. At Kalongo Hospital, he also founded St Mary’s Midwifery School, where local women received training as midwives. In 1972, he also incorporated the leprosy centres in the Mission of Alito and Morulem for victims of Hansen’s disease in the hospital’s outreach programme. The hospital, designed for the neediest people in a rural area, became famous for its leading medical practitioner and for the volunteer doctor and religious sisters, who assisted him. Therefore, not only from all over Uganda, but also from neighbouring countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and even as far away as India, people asked to be treated there. In 1963, he was awarded the “Doctors’ Mission Prize” by the Carlo Erba Foundation and in 1985, the Samuel Pozzi Prize – “A Life for Medicine” from the “Order of Doctors” in Milan. Due to his skill as a surgeon, he was asked to serve in the country’s main teaching hospital – Mulago, that is in Kampala, but he preferred to remain in Kalongo. On 13 February 1987 in the midst of the insurgency campaign being waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army, Fr Giuseppe was obliged by the authorities to evacuate the hospital of Kalongo, placing his already precarious health under enormous strain. On 27 March 1987, he died in Lira at 3.30 p.m. 44 days after having been forced to leave Kalongo and brought all the personnel of the hospital to safety. On 17 December 2015, Pope Francis named Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli as Venerable of the Catholic Church due to his heroic virtue.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join my honourable sister and Rt Hon. Prime Minister in paying tribute to Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli, a priest in the Order of the Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Christ. We are an honoured House. It happens once in your lifetime as a leader in this country, that God has given you an opportunity to speak about his servant. Therefore, I am exceedingly humbled to be invited to second this motion and I know that at the end of the day, the voice of the people is the voice of God; vox dei vox populi , so we say. Madam Speaker, Fr Giuseppe was God’s gift to Uganda. And in his veneration, our nation once again is privileged to be highlighted as a true home of faith. On this occasion of his veneration, Madam Speaker, this humble man of God gives us an opportunity to celebrate not just the opportunity to his journey to Sainthood, but most importantly, his humble service as a priest. We join the rest of humanity to celebrate the gift of priesthood in the Church and thank God, for his priests as messengers, including Fr Ambrosoli for helping us the faithful to share in the priesthood of Christ, a job he did, by administering sacraments and in particular, baptism. Madam Speaker, we celebrate Fr Guissipe who sowed this seed of faith. He multitasked as we have been advised, as a surgeon, midwife, radiologist and paediatrician. He also worked as a manual labourer. He attracted a lot of funding to the community to enable health services get delivered to the people of northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, the state of health services in the region he loved has not really reached the level I am sure he much aspired and desired to see. Aware that veneration is not an end in itself, but a journey to Sainthood, we too celebrate this new prince of the church, who is joining a growing list of Ugandan faithful, whom we celebrate as saints and blessed like the holy Uganda Martyrs. With such humility, Madam Speaker and dedicated service towards God and His people, I am aware from the media that over 300 people are trekking from Gulu to attend to his veneration, which is very humbling; an [Ms Nakadama] TRIBUTE TO THE VENERABLE GIUSEPPE AMBROSOLI

6289 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2022 Madam Speaker, in the Old Testament, leprosy was for sinners. It was a curse. Even in our tradition, it is a disease for which people are isolated. When you have that disease, people do not want to associate with you. It is Jesus who brought it to light that it is not a disease for sinners; it can be a disease for anybody. Similarly, Madam Speaker, Fr Ambrosoli learned his teachings and actions from Jesus. He continued with Jesus’ mission by treating people, which he did, not only in Rome, but also in Uganda and particularly northern Uganda. (Applause) Madam Speaker, we cannot just take this lightly. Therefore, I would like to say that may the legacy of Fr Ambrosoli be remembered forever and ever. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to join the rest of my colleagues in thanking the Prime Minister for moving the motion. I support the motion to pay tribute to Fr Dr Ambrossoli for his selfless service to this nation. As we all know, this has left a legacy that very many of us Ugandans can emulate. As a representative of the people of Alebtong, I stand to testify that Dr Ambrossoli Memorial Hospital in Kalongo has been, and continues to be a go-to centre; a main referral centre whenever the people of Alebtong have medical emergencies that need referrals. They continue to provide excellent and quality services. I thank them for taking on the legacy of Fr Dr Ambrossoli. Madam Speaker, I also thank Government for the request that the honourable Member from Agago has presented that because of the current dwindling resources in the health sector, we know it has become increasingly difficult for donors to be able to prioritise. However, Kalongo has remained as a very great area that is providing services to the entire region of northern Uganda and beyond. We would like to call for more support to this health centre so that the hospital continues to stand the legacy that has already been started. It can continue to provide services, especially to the women. (Member timed out.)

Thank you Madam Speaker. I also join my colleagues in supporting the motion. I thank the Comboni Missionaries for identifying one of their best; Fr Ambrosoli and sending him to serve us here in Uganda and Northern Uganda in particular. All of us knew Kalongo Hospital when we were young. People from Tororo went to Kalongo Hospital and whenever they talked about Kalongo, we all knew that you automatically got healed the moment you got there. Therefore, what Fr Ambrosoli was doing is something that must be commended, on a very serious note. However, the north has also had people who have really served to the best of their ability for the good of humanity. You will also recall Fr Lucia, who served very committedly in the north. There are a number of others. I want to say that the Comboni Missionaries, like other Catholic missionaries, have supported us in education, health facilities, and Madam Speaker, as you said, they have done a commendable job. How I wish we continued to see that partnership thrives further for other support. The ambassador was here, but he has left. Your Excellency, let us continue to partner and get more of these very brilliant people in Italy to come and support us so that we continue to enjoy this good work that the Lord has blessed you with. I say all this – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The time Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli served in northern Uganda was a very traumatising moment. If you see the children he was holding - people were very much traumatised because they were in a war zone. You will need to appreciate what we are doing right now.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the Prime Minister for moving this motion and the Leader of the Opposition for seconding this very important motion. Dr Ambrosoli dreamt of better medical services in northern Uganda and Uganda as a whole. Surprisingly, northern Uganda does not have a CT scan. I remember last year, Archbishop Dr John Baptist Odama, who is here, was asking Christians to contribute Shs 1,000, Shs 2,000 or Shs 5,000 to buy a CT scan in northern Uganda. The gift that the Government can give, in memory of Dr Ambrosoli, is to buy a CT scan in one of the hospitals in northern Uganda. Even if it is not put in Kalongo, we have no problem. Let, at least, one of the hospitals in northern Uganda have a CT scan – (Member timed out.)

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for the opportunity and for giving space for this very important motion. Madam Prime Minister, thank you. My boss, the Leader of Opposition, thank you very much for seconding this very important motion. To the family of the doctor – for a family to give out their son to go and serve God globally is a sacrifice in itself. I would like to thank the family for giving us their wonderful son. I would also like to thank my brothers and sisters from the northern part of Uganda for allowing our priest to have the best that he could because you supported him. Without your support, certainly, this motion would not have come to fruition. Madam Speaker, I ask that everything that has been mentioned in the motion – Madam Prime Minister, you are here -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to support to the motion on the Floor. There was a time when hate was being preached in northern Uganda. There was a time when women were being raped by the LRA rebels. At that time, we had no psychologists or counsellors to help these particular women. There was only one person; Dr Joseph Ambrosoli. Dr Ambrosoli was the only rehabilitation centre to operate in northern Uganda, which saw fathers not take revenge against the LRA. It is only proper now that many youths in northern Uganda are suffering from addiction without any rehabilitation centre, as we assent to the beatification of Dr Ambrosoli, that Government should construct one rehabilitation centre to help the youth in northern Uganda that are suffering from alcohol and cannabis abuse. I beg to submit. Thank you very much. (Applause)

Thank ypu, Madam Speaker. I join my colleagues in remembering Fr Dr Joseph Ambrosoli for his humanitarian heart. The lesson that all of us should learn is to be humanitarian in whatever the case may be. He was a doctor and went to a far place in the northern region, yet, when they tell us about northern Uganda, it is a hard-to-reach area. He managed to stay there, live with the people and treated them with a humanitarian heart. I thank God for – (Member timed out.)

We will extract the resolutions of this House and forward them over to the Archbishop and all the matters that we have promised in this House will be implemented with all the amendments. I know this House loves the Catholic Church very much. The Government loves the Catholic Church - that is why the Vice-President is a Catholic, the Prime Minister is a Catholic, the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition are Catholics and many others are Catholics. We thank you very much and may the God Lord take you back safely as you travel back to the northern region. Thank you, I now adjourn the House to Tuesday at 2.00 p.m. Honourable members, the Leader of the Opposition was distracting me. I am adjourning the House to 2.00 p.m., tomorrow. As I said before, tomorrow, we have an item on action taken on reports and that is what we are debating. Therefore, all the ministers whose reports were made should be in the House to respond to the action they have taken. House is adjourned to 2 o’clock. tomorrow. (The House rose at 5.43 p.m. and was adjourned until Thursday, 17 November 2022 at 2.00 p.m.) [The Speaker] TRIBUTE TO THE VENERABLE GIUSEPPE AMBROSOLI

6235 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2022 You find somebody crossing the road - A Member raised here an issue that they were almost knocked because drivers do not stop where there is a road crossing. I do not know whether road crossings are still effective. All those things need to be taken into consideration. Can we first hear from the minister in charge of roads because as we said, some of these things are either due to negligence of the drivers or the roads are in bad condition. Honourable members, listen. THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WORKS AND TRANSPORT (WORKS) Mr Musa Ecweru): Madam Speaker. First of all, I am impressed by the detailed report that my colleague, Hon. Ayume presented. It ties in very well with what we have just been discussing a few minutes back. A few days ago, we had a dry run at Entebbe to prepare the country in the event of an emergency, for example, something similar to what happened in Tanzania. I was sharing with them what we need to do, precisely similar to what is captured in the report. I beg that a comprehensive report be presented because when you look at this report, three critical elements are very clear: there are the roads, the vessel that is used, the managers of the vessels and maybe the fourth is the general public. We are concerned about the roads, the vessels and also how we tame the managers. We have an array of interventions in terms of laws and regulations that we would be very happy to come and share with this honourable House, and then we see where there might be some gaps and what needs to be done. Yes, we seem to have a community that sometimes does not respect our regulations. Before I went to the Ministry of Works and Transport, I used to think that on the Northern Bypass and on the Entebbe Expressway, one could move even at 131 km/hr or 150 km/hr but in our records, the maximum speed on all our roads, according to the design, is 100 kilometres per hour. This means that even we, honourable colleagues, are breaking the law every day. As such, there is need to come and share with this House and you guide us on how we can proceed.

6128 THE A L COHOL CONTROL BILL, 2022 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT iii) The ministry has also embarked on creating awareness among the masses. Sensitisation meetings were also undertaken by both technical and political leaders from the ministry and districts. This was intended to make sure that all stakeholders adhere to and comply with quarantine restrictions and other disease control measures to prevent the spread of FMD. Farmers and producers were also encouraged to implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of FMD virus. Madam Speaker, in an effort to prevent and control the spread of FMD, the ministry is facing a number of challenges and these include: i. Inadequate funding; ii. Inadequate diagnostic services at the regional and district veterinary laboratories to allow timely detection responses to disease outbreaks; iii. Inadequate disease surveillance and outbreak investigations. Surveillance provides information, which is critical in establishing early warning systems for every detected disease early enough to allow timely responses to be carried out. This is constrained by inadequate funding and logistical support. I, however, want to inform the House that in an effort to address this, we are putting up - almost completed - a diagnostics centre at Agwata Livestock Farm in Nwoya District to take care of Northern Uganda and another one at Sanga Field Station to take care of western and Midwest, while the central and eastern parts of the country continue to use Entebbe. We are also planning to put another one in Soroti and another one in Hoima in the near future. i. Abandonment of roles by local district administrators to mobilise communities to comply to quarantine restrictions by the ministry. We have had a challenge with some leaders; when we put quarantine restrictions, for them, they are interested in revenue and so, they break the quarantine restriction. Others do not report and this causes a lot of problems and actually, fuels the spread of the disease. Conclusion Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries wishes to assure the country that we are doing our best within limited resources to fight animal diseases and in particular, FMD and request the support of all honourable colleagues. I would like to urge the political leadership in this country to have a united front in creating awareness on the impact of animal diseases - revenue foregone - and the importance of adhering to the guidelines of animal disease and control provided by the veterinary- competent authority. Thank you, for your attention, Madam Speaker. (Applause)

Madam Speaker and honourable colleagues, the issue of recruitment at local governments really is a district issue. We have recommended, especially for vets and entomologists, where the economic activities engaged by the farmers require. Now, on the issues of monitoring and the chain of command, we have put up regional veterinary officers. We are now facilitating them to make sure they do monitoring in those regions. We are actually trying to address - and the requests by Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda have been responded to; we are actually near completion. We have put up a modern diagnostic centre at Got Apwoyo Farm in Nwoya District near Pakwach Bridge. We are trying to do everything possible to make sure we actually control animal diseases. Hon. Oguzu Denis, LCIs giving permits is illegal. Nobody is allowed to give permits. Actually, if the LC chairperson gives a movement permit, he should be arrested –(Interjection)- please, I am telling you because that is the law. The only competent person authorised is the veterinary officer although veterinary officers are also restricted; they cannot give international and regional permits. The regional permits are issued by the Commissioner –(Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I stand here to echo my voice in support of the statement that has just been stated by our Leader of the Opposition. (Applause) Madam Speaker, it is very unfortunate that we do not have the Prime Minister in the House, who has three deputies, but none of them is present. Why? We have a lot of touching issues. We have resolutions by the Cabinet that were brought to this House in your absence, Madam Speaker. I remember at the time, the House was chaired by your deputy. There was a response from a Cabinet resolution concerning farmers in the region, but a specific region has been considered in relation to the supply of materials to our farmers in the country. Madam Speaker, through your office, I request a statement from the Prime Minister concerning the farmers in northern Uganda and the West Nile region. Why have they not been considered yet there was a resolution by the President?

5954 ADDRESS BY NOMINEES TO EALA Honourable members, a journey of 1000 miles starts with a step. I would like to take this singular honour and opportunity to applaud you and thank you for having journeyed with none other than Jacqueline Amongin. I have been in this House before. I served in the Ninth and Tenth Parliaments of Uganda. I have represented Uganda in the Continental Parliament, during Ninth and Tenth Parliaments. While I was at the Continental Parliament, I kept the Ugandan flag high because Uganda is my agenda. At the African Union, I worked with the Regional Economic Communities of Western Africa, Southern Africa, Northern Africa - (Applause) - and the one for Eastern Africa. In the one we are talking about today, I have chaired the Committee of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment at the continental level. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal is my witness. Indeed, I have kept the Ugandan flag high. Our forefathers, who founded the East African Community, premised the Community on four pillars - the East African Customs Union, the East African Common Market, the East African Monetary Union and the ultimate Political Federation. Therefore, my friends, honourable members, as I look at your faces right now, I am not going to promise Heaven on earth but I go, as a legislator, to address the policy gaps at EALA. Top on my agenda will be the policy gaps relating to climate change, trading and bringing the Community to the people, legislation on the free movement of goods and services but above all, honourable members, we have moved in buses together for one year. ( Applause ) Honourable members, I leave a quote for you - ( Applause )

5878 THE UGANDA H UMAN ORGAN D ONATION AND TRANSPLANT B ILL, 2021 Until recently, Eurocentric History professors thought that it was the Europeans who brought higher education to the African continent. While the Europeans have, indeed, influenced African education for quite some time, there is vital information that most history books leave out. For centuries, before the arrival of Europeans, the vast and advanced native African civilisations already had sophisticated universities and other institutions of higher learning to boast about. Mr Speaker, indeed, Africa has had institutions of higher learning for centuries, including those of indigenous, Islamic and later, Western origins. The earliest recorded universities appear in the northern part of the continent, most notably in Egypt and Morocco. The University of Al-Karaouine was established in Fez-Morocco in AD 859, and considered one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. It played a leading role in relations between the Islamic world and Europe in the middle ages. Mr Speaker, when the colonial era set in, more universities were established on the African continent, although these were not independent. They were semi-autonomous affiliated to other universities found in the mother countries of the colonial masters. It was through linkages with universities in Europe that issues of quality assurance, quality staff development and funding were boosted. Mr Speaker, in the period that followed independence, that is 1960s and 1970s, higher education was limited with one university per country in most cases. Although the quality of graduates and research output was high, higher education was, indeed, a privilege of the few. The situation, however, changed in the 1980s and 1990s. African states realised the need to have an educated mass in various fields – Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Economics, Pubic Administration and Management, Development Studies – for a multi-disciplinary approach to support economic growth and development. This was a time of increased population growth. More secondary schools were built and they produced large numbers that yearned for university education. As a result, governments established more public universities, institutes and colleges in their respective societies, but with the majority of institutions located in cities and urban centres. Mr Speaker, this is the context that produced Makerere University. Although, in broader terms, globalisation has created new challenges to the university and the delivery of higher education in general, Makerere University has stood the test of time. World over, universities agree that the core function centres around four areas; teaching, research, publishing and outreach. This is possible when universities recruit, train and retain quality academic staff. Makerere University has been able to recruit, train and retain quality staff, although with some challenges. This is observed in terms of the ability of staff in designing relevant programmes and courses, teaching, examination and supervision of students’ research. There is evidence of published books and articles in recognised academic journals, monographs, working papers and policy papers. This is important for dissemination to the wider society for utilisation. Mr Speaker, the other important core function of a university, where Makerere University has excelled, is the academic staff contribution in community outreach. Modern universities are supposed to be leaders in the social and economic development of their communities and nations; and this raises the question of the relevance of their programmes and research. The academic staff at Makerere University has been able to design programmes and projects that focus on the community needs and aspirations, the market and general society. Mr Speaker, Makerere University is known for academic productivity and initiating processes towards the development of a strong university in Africa. We all know that the African university has been undergoing rapid changes, some being negative. However, we RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE 100 YEARS OF THE EXISTENCE OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

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 invite you together with the Members of Parliament to come to Nebbi in West Nile northern region, at the venue of this occasion. We also invite all our leaders at the district level in the northern region. We invite all the Members of Parliament from the northern region, more so from West Nile. Mr Speaker, I would like to let you know that this Parliament has five Older Persons. I must thank Parliament for welcoming these Members and making them feel at home. Behind me are two ladies. I would also like to let you to know that as a new department in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, we have achieved a lot. Parliament has appropriated a good budget for our national council. Parliament has also given us a special grant for Older Persons. Parliament has given us 10 per cent through the PDM to Older Persons specifically, which is Shs 500 billion out of Shs 5 trillion. This is going to keep the Older Persons busy in whatever they are doing to participate in the economy. Saturday is 1 October and it is a weekend. All of you have no excuse for not joining us. We are going to have the oldest of the old men in the country. You will have an opportunity to interact with them and to know that life expectancy in Uganda has increased; it is now 64 years and above. Before I conclude, I also want to let you know that the SAGE Fund is still on. Development partners withdrew but Government is still retaining this Fund; Shs 25,000 per month. It is not how much you get but rather what you do with the money you get. The elders are very happy with this. Finally, I look forward to seeing all of you in Nebbi; West Nile, northern region. I submit and beg to lay the paper on the Table.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Honourable minister, I would like to request that you sensitise our old people. As they get older, once they hear such a big debate on the radio, it is like a birthday for them; it will prolong even their life. This is one of the things – we are three days away. Even as Members of Parliament, we have just known today that they are going to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons. We need to use radios, TVs, newspapers to send messages. Secondly, in northern Uganda, for example, in Otuke District, very few elderly people are benefitting from this Government programme. Some of them are just dying before they receive this money. For example, my grandmother did not know when she was born. She made a mistake and reduced her age. On the ID, she is 55, yet she is 89 years old. (Laughter) She is not benefiting. Honourable minister, how can we rectify such issues for all these people to get their IDs afresh? The first IDs were a mistake for these people. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to appreciate the Chairperson, PAC (Central Government) for the good report. We need to monitor well the money we normally allocate to these regional and national hospitals. The services being rendered in these hospitals are quite alarming. Many patients who normally travel from my constituency to Mulago, after being admitted, only access a bed. The medical officer only comes to prescribe drugs, which are bought outside the hospital. Yet, we normally appropriate and give huge amounts of money to Mulago Hospital. Another case in point is that in the whole of northern Uganda, we do not have CT scans. When our people are to access CT scans, they

Thank you. Mr Speaker, Government needs to start identifying factors that are causing mental health illness. Different people have different problems, and majorly, people with problems are most likely to have mental problems. In Northern Uganda, for example, we had a war for long. In areas that were most affected by the war, very many people have mental problems because either their children or parents were killed, or nasty things happened in that particular area. Therefore, we can curb this by counseling and setting up a department that will keep on identifying area by area – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of procedure. Right now, Government has set up an agricultural loan. It is giving tractors and helping farmers in northern Uganda, through Post Bank. Looking at this motion, Mr Speaker, I would like to find out if it is still necessary to urge Government to establish a separate bank. Why not ask Government to improve on the services being rendered through Post Bank to the farmers? Are we proceeding well?

5942 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME With the increasing burden of cancer in the country, the Government of Uganda has embarked on the development of regional cancer centres. This is in line with the National Development Plan III and the National Health Policy, Health Sector Development Plan and the Uganda Cancer Institute Strategic Plan 2022/2026. According to the Uganda Cancer Institute Strategic Plan, four regional cancer centres in the western, eastern, northern, and north- western regions are to be set up, equipped and operationalised by the end of the Financial Year 2025/2026. This is the update on the progress of the regional cancer centres across the country. Northern Uganda Regional Cancer Institute Gulu The project for the regional cancer centre in Gulu was approved by Parliament in 2020, as a Turkey project. The construction work is nearing completion. Equipment has been shipped and is on site awaiting installation. The site handover is expected by the end of the year 2022, and the official commissioning will be in the year 2023. The Eastern Uganda Regional Cancer Centre Mbale The feasibility studies for the realisation of this project have been completed and the concept was submitted to the development committee of the finance ministry. In the meantime, the Uganda Cancer Institute commenced work on start-up structures in order to have a skeleton service, while awaiting a comprehensive project that will accommodate all the cancer services. Western Uganda Regional Cancer Centre Mbarara The final report of the feasibility studies for Western Uganda Regional Cancer Centre in Mbarara has been completed and submitted together with a concept to the development committee of the finance ministry, for approval and financing. In the meantime, Mr Speaker, there is a very active cancer care service, which is second only to the services in Kampala, with over 3,000 patients attended to, in the last financial year. This has been achieved using the available infrastructure, equipment and human resource. North-Western Uganda Regional Cancer Centre Arua Mr Speaker, the feasibility studies for North- Western Uganda Cancer Centre in Arua, have been developed and submitted to the development committee of the finance ministry, awaiting approval and financing. In the meantime, breast cancer prevention and early detection services commenced in Arua using the available infrastructure equipment and human resources. Hon. Acayo asked a question: Whereas the general civilian population continues to obey and respect the traffic laws while walking or driving on the road, there are a number of vehicles and motorists of security personnel vehicles with civilian number plates, but with military jackets put on the driver’s car seats to disguise as vehicles of military officers. There are also civilians and some security elements that have sirens and flashlights similar to those of VIP vehicles. They always abuse traffic rules, force to have the right of way and even disobey the police traffic officers on the roads. Her prayer is: Rt Hon. Prime Minister, what mechanism does Government have in place to stop this abuse of the road and disruption of traffic flow that inconveniences the movement of people, especially at peak hours?” My response is that Section 123 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, (Amendment) Act, 2020, the Traffic and Road safety (Rules of the Road) Regulations, 2004, specifically, regulation 5 specifies who has a right of way.

Mr Speaker, the Attorney- General together with the President were in Soroti this year, and we commissioned the compensation exercise for that region; northern, eastern and West Nile. A total of Shs 50 billion has already been spent and I believe the people of Adjumani will also get supported.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The way to go, now, after the COVID-19 season, is to increase agricultural production. I recall - and I am sure you also recall - that in 2015, the President pledged to give ox ploughs and oxen to the people of northern Uganda in order for them to come out of poverty. May I know when the Presidential pledges will be honoured so that our people can increase production of cotton and other agricultural produce? Thank you.

Mr Speaker, when you directed me here, we caused an inter- ministerial committee meeting involving the ministries of Education and Sports, Health, and of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and Members of Parliament who were on the ground. I believe that is why he is thanking us. About the cause of the disease, the Minister of Health will definitely be instructed to go to Northern Uganda and ascertain the actual cause. For the roads, I will get in touch with the works minister and UNRA to see that those bottlenecks are addressed.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I have a very serious concern along the line of coffee and tea. We had been pestering and putting pressure on the finance minister to write a letter to UCDA and NAADS, giving a go-ahead that the nursery operators who are certified can now supply to farmers. In my district of Zombo, we grow Arabica coffee and tea. We have 5.1 million coffee seedlings. We needed three million seedlings of tea to do panel beating. However, from that time, in May, these seedlings were not supplied because there was no letter authorising UCDA to supply. The agriculture minister wrote a letter on the 20 th of May to the finance minister, who is here, asking that they should give a go-ahead to UCDA to supply; that letter was not given. On the day I raised the issue of pre-funding and so on, it was at a time when there was a rumour in the corridors that they wanted to censure the finance minister. I met the minister and he told me, “I am going to work on the letter.” But that was a long time ago. I would like to end with a caution; the whole of northern Uganda - I am the Chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change - and we have been talking to NAADs and Operation Wealth Creation for a long time - Why do you supply seedlings when the dry season is about to fall? From early October, I don’t think anybody in northern Uganda and West Nile should pick coffee or tea seedlings and pretend to be planting; they will dry up. Our agriculture is rain-fed. Finally, honourable minister, what is Uganda known for? Which crop can we say Uganda has a niche in? We wanted to promote coffee and tea to boost our revenues, but instead, we are prioritising so many crops; we can’t concentrate and we can’t be mindful. I will give you the example of Vietnam; they prioritise coffee, and now they are exporting over 30 million 60-kilogramme bags; it is because they prioritise coffee and rice. They wanted the world to know them for that. But here you are growing carrots, macadamia, pumpkins and so on; please prioritise coffee and tea. Thank you.

5670 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Therefore, my bone of contention is that the situation could be direr than she is reporting in terms of the information she has; she could be economically shy with the truth. Honourable colleagues, the country is recovering from COVID-19 and we know the impact and poverty levels in the country. So, any information that further scares away investors, and tourists should be adequately controlled and I believe this is a security matter. The last time I was in northern Uganda, Arua, with Hon. Atiku, during the outbreak of the Ebola virus, we went for sensitisation of the people who eat wild bats; it was said that one of the easiest ways leading to the spread of Ebola is through those communities that hunt and feed on wild bats. We, especially Members of Parliament from communities that have a habit of bird hunting and eating them, should go on a massive sensitisation because bats easily spread Ebola. And they move long distances; they can even move from western Africa quickly as the season changes. My humble appeal is that we all know communities that go after these wild bats. Please, go and tell your people that it will lead to a rapid spread of Ebola. Then the Ministry of Health - I agree with the position of the energy and minerals development minister on this matter. Let us be fairly radical in our approach, even if it means quarantining a given area, so be it. I beg to move.

5818 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Close to $31 million has been invested in construction materials that have been sourced from local industries. The project created over 1,500 direct jobs and 3,200 indirect jobs. These numbers will increase as the project is implemented in the next eight phases. It is estimated that over 50 per cent of Ugandans, by the year 2050, will be in cities, yet housing is an integral part in developing our nation. This project will reshape the future of housing in this country since it will have a multiplier impact. The units are to be sold on a rental payment model where one pays a small percentage of the total cost of the unit and starts living in it as he pays rent and, on completion of the payment, they officially own these units. Mr Speaker, the Lubowa Housing Project is a good initiative and it is worthy to commend the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for growing from a small fund to one that now takes part in big investment projects in the country. Hon. Okot Boniface, Youth Representative Northern Uganda: He says that as a country, we need a Salary Review Commission to regularise and harmonise salaries in all public offices. His question is: “What is the update on the establishment of the Salary Review Commission?’ Mr Speaker, the issue of establishment of a national body to determine pay, commenced in 2014, when the Ministry of Public Service presented a Cabinet memorandum, CT/2014/89, on the principles of the establishment of the National Salary Commission Bill, 2014. Cabinet under minute 327/CT/2014, however, deferred the paper until the discussions of the then ongoing constitutional amendment were concluded. The constitutional amendments did not put into account the matter of establishment of the body as envisaged. His Excellency the President, consequently, at the Cabinet meeting held on 2 August 2021, under Cabinet minute 160/CT/2021, directed the Minister of Public Service to prepare and present to Cabinet a paper on the status update on the operationalisation of the Salary Review Commission. The Cabinet information paper CT/2021/71 was presented to Cabinet and the Minister of Public Service was directed to carry out further stakeholders’ engagement for consensus building. The ministry sought written memoranda from the Parliamentary Commission, the Local Government, Finance Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Health Service Commission and Education Service Commission, Public Service Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Local Government Finance Commission, Prisons Authority, Police Authority, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Attorney- General, the Solicitor-General, Law Reform Commission, National Planning Authority, the Chairperson of the Consultative Council for the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. A meeting comprising the above stakeholders and workers; Members of Parliament, representatives of Public Service, labour unions, representatives of the Chief Justice, the minister for security, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, as well as the Deputy Head of Public Service and Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, was held on 15 February 2022. The stakeholders consulted and agreed to establish an ad hoc body to be called, “The adhoc National Emoluments Review Board”, which was guided by the honourable Attorney- General. The body should be ad hoc in nature, established through a policy developed by the Minister of Public Service in accordance with section 7 of the Public Service Act, 2008 and approved by Cabinet. The Minister of Public Service is in the process of carrying out a regulatory impact assessment. The regulatory impact assessment shall guide in the development of the policy on establishment and functioning of the ad hoc National PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise to second the motion to pay tribute to Her Majesty, the Queen of England. I would like to continue from where the Rt Hon. Prime Minister stopped, that the Queen was a role model for peace building, conflict resolution and reconciliation. I would like to concur with you that from 1992 to 2004, we applaud the British Government, through the Queen, for financing the Amnesty Commission of Uganda. And we all know that the Amnesty Commission did a great deal to bring about peace in Northern Uganda. Besides that, we have had Mega FM, which was financed by the Department for International Development (DFID), which is the British arm of the Government, in terms of development. In terms of peace building and conflict - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, in 2007, while serving as the Youth Member of Parliament representing the Northern Region and the Regional Youth Representative to the Commonwealth Africa Regional Office in Lusaka, Zambia, I had the opportunity to be a member of the International Planning Committee and the spokesperson of the Commonwealth Youth Forum that was hosted by the Republic of Uganda - a meeting that precedes the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). As a member of the International Planning Committee, and the spokesperson of the Commonwealth Youth Forum, we were privileged to have dinner with Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom. During that occasion, we were able, as youth from the Commonwealth member states, to interact with Her Majesty the Queen. Mr Speaker, coming to Uganda, the fact that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister alluded to the issue of the Queen visiting Uganda twice speaks volumes - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise to support the motion of paying tribute to the late, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Mr Speaker, in 2007, when the Queen came here, I joined Ugandans in welcoming her with a baby girl God had blessed me with, and I named her after Queen Elizabeth II just because I had read a lot about her. I was very much impressed with this great, brilliant, beautiful and hardworking lady. Mr Speaker, I come from Northern Uganda; the Queen helped us through the UK Government when we had instability by supporting our cultural institutions. Therefore, I support the Rt Hon. Prime Minister when she talked about peace-building. Indeed, she was a peace builder.

Mr Speaker, I join the rest of the world to condole and pay tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the people of the Acholi subregion, I would like to say “thank you” to the United Kingdom Government. When the northern region was ravaged by the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, we received so much aid that helped people when we were living in Internally Displaced People’s camps. Secondly, I want us, as leaders, to emulate the footsteps of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, especially the women leaders; her smartness speaks volumes. On this note, Mr Speaker, I want to thank Rt Hon. Anita Among because even when Queen Elizabeth has died, she ”lives” in Uganda - I see Rt Hon. Anita Among depicting her smartness and everything. (Applause) Thirdly, on issues of sports, there are many sportswomen, but they are not being recognised. Even in this House, I have my sister, Hon. Alum Santa. I think she has picked some of those lessons from the UK Government. We want, as Ugandans, to emulate the good deeds that Queen Elizabeth did for this country and for the world.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Honourable colleagues, I suggest that as Members of Parliament in our small villages, let us give ourselves the task to plant at least a tree in front of our kitchen. It would show a good example. Secondly, in this country, there are laws. Let there be tree planting; the law should not defeat us. A tree does not talk to human beings. It talks to the rain and God alone. In Northern Uganda, people are cutting down mango trees. Mangoes are useful fruits, but the trees have all been cut down. The shea trees have all been cut down. These things are food to the people. Therefore, we need to work very hard in this situation. For charcoal alone, in my district Otuke, people are carrying it 24 hours – (Member timed out.)

5658 THE COMPUTER MISUSE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 Madam Speaker, the Kampala-Jinja Mainline and the Kampala-Southern Bypass, collectively form the Kampala-Jinja Expressway Public Private Partnership Project. The proposed project comprises 77 kilometres of the Kampala-Jinja Mainline Expressway, and 18 kilometres of the Kampala Southern Bypass; Urban Expressway to be constructed as follows: i) The first 3 kilometers will be four lanes on each side; ii) The next 17 kilometers will be three lanes on each side; iii) The remaining 57 kilometers will be two lanes on each side; and iv) The 18 kilometers of the Kampala Southern Bypass will be two lanes on each side. The project links to Kampala Flyover Project along Jinja Road, Kampala Northern Bypass at Namboole and Kampala-Entebbe Expressway at Munyoyo. Madam Speaker, the procurement process for the project is ongoing, and the bidders are expected to return their technical and financial bids in January 2023. At the moment, Government is continuing with the land acquisition process, and 44 kilometres have been acquired to date. The target dates for the acquisition of the right of way are: i) December 2023 for Kampala-Namagunga and Kampala Southern Bypass; and ii) In June 2024, for Namagunga-Jinja. Madam Speaker, the construction of the Kampala-Jinja Expressway is a five-year project scheduled to commence once these processes are completed. Question three Question number three came from Dr Bayigga Lulume, the Member of Parliament, Buikwe District. The Rural Electrification Agency had its activities halted and taken to a vote where we thought that improvements were going to be effected. According to Hon. Lulume, they have not seen any improvement at all and that our people would like to have power lines extended to their villages. His prayer is: Can the Prime Minister inform this august House when the activities of extension of power lines in Buikwe District will resume? My response is that the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development is implementing two energy schemes that include the Government of Uganda Lot 8 Project; and the grid intensification under Energy for Rural Transformation (ERT) in Buikwe District. Madam Speaker, under the Government of Uganda Lot 8 Project, the following works have been done: i) The installation of nine transformers in the areas of Ssugu, Kirangira, Mutwe, Nakatyaba, Bukasa and Mutale areas. These works commenced and were handed over to Umeme on 3 August 2022; ii) The installation of five transformers in areas of Yalelo Fish Farm, Butembo Town Council, Buwagajo Town Council and Nawa Town Council. The commissioning and handover was done on 21 July 2022; and iii) Pole erection has been completed in the areas of Kanyenye. The installation of the transformer is scheduled to be done this month. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speak- er. I rise on a matter of national importance in regard to the looming hike in school fees in the third term. On 29 July 2022, the National Private Educa- tion Institutional Association held a press con- ference in which they indicated that they intend to increase school fees in third term as a re- sult of the astronomical rise in food prices. We know that early this year, schools re-opened af- ter two years of a lockdown and there were also reported increases in school fees. Mr Speaker, one of the worst affected segments is in the secondary schools. As we speak, from the UBOS data, the average national secondary school enrolment data shows that only 27.3 per cent of children between the ages of 13 to 18 years are enrolled in secondary school. When you come to primary school, it is 80 per cent. The highest is in Kampala, which is around 52.4 per cent and in northern region, you have Acholi at 7.2 per cent, West Nile at around 14.3 per cent and Lango at 14.5 per cent. In other words, there is low secondary school enrol- ment. We now have intentional increases in the school fees and this is going to worsen second- ary school enrolment in this country. My prayers therefore are that: 1. The Ministry of Education intervenes. Ear- lier on, we received information that there were plans to lay statutory instruments to regulate school fees, which the Education Act provides and mandates the ministry to- wards that effect. 2. Government comes up with measures to enhance secondary school enrolment in this country. 3. Lastly, is to look at the fees structure. I have with me fees structures for two Gov- ernment-aided schools with 28 items –

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

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

4995 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST 2022 built out of these programmes. They come in political seasons - like the recent Emyooga - and the recipients treat them like they are political tokens. That is why you find that they hardly bear fruit; they are even highly partisan. You are aware, Mr Speaker, that the RDCs and chairpersons of NRM are the ones that are normally in charge of these affirmative action programmes. That is why they end up being abused. I will conclude with the loan scheme. The northern region was mentioned. Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence to have a list of the regional beneficiaries of this loan scheme furnished to this House so that we know who these beneficiaries are. This is because someone from the west can come and benefit through the east. Please, through your office, let this House be furnished with a list of the beneficiaries of this loan scheme. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

4319 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 JULY 2022 to meet their basic needs and so often marry off their young daughters in an attempt to gain bride wealth. This year’s theme calls for investment in mindset change for wealth creation to improve the standard of living and quality of life of the people/households and the education, health and future prospects of adolescents, their families and communities. Madam Speaker, over the past three decades, Uganda has achieved remarkable economic growth and substantial poverty reduction. Between 1992 and 2020, the proportion of the population living in monetary poverty fell dramatically from 56 per cent to 20.3 per cent – this is according to the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) of 2019/20). Uganda has also made considerable progress in improving the status of the girl child over the last decade. This is reflected, most notably, by the strides the Government has taken to create greater opportunities for girls’ education and in the creation and promotion of a conducive legal and policy environment for the protection and promotion of women and children’s rights. However, there is evidence that in spite of Government’s efforts to end discrimination against women and girls, harmful practices such as child marriage have persisted and with adverse consequences for the girls, their communities and national development. Today, over 25 per cent of girls become pregnant before the age of 20 (Uganda Demographic Health Survey, 2016). Furthermore, the Constitution of Uganda sets the age of consent at 18. However, getting married before the legal age is a common practice across the country. The prevalence of child marriages is highest in northern Uganda, where it is estimated at 59 percent, followed by the western region (58 per cent), eastern region (52 per cent), West Nile (50 per cent), central (41 per cent), south-western Uganda (37 per cent) and lowest in Kampala at 21 per cent. On the other side, teenage pregnancy is lowest in the Kigezi subregion at 16 per cent and highest in Teso subregion at 31 per cent (Uganda Demographic Household Survey, 2016). Something must, urgently, be done to alleviate this situation. Madam Speaker, it is important to note that the key drivers of child marriage and teenage pregnancy include, as I mentioned earlier, poverty, the low value attached to girls’ education, domestic violence, social cultural norms and practices and the poor implementation of child protection policies and laws. To end child marriage and teenage pregnancy, efforts need to be intensified to alleviate household poverty. Parents should be economically empowered to fulfil the basic needs of their children. It is, therefore, very important to get households that are sti1l engaged in subsistence production into the money economy, if we are to succeed in ending child marriage and teenage pregnancy. The Parish Development Model initiative will help us realise this aspiration, since its main objective is to improve household incomes. This will empower parents to fulfil the basic needs of their children, thereby addressing the economic reasons for marrying off young girls. Furthermore, education is one of the most powerful tools available to prevent and respond to child marriages and teenage pregnancies. Girls who are in school are not only protected from child marriage, but are empowered with knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in 1ife. Both young girls and boys should be provided with age-appropriate reproductive health information. There is a graph below that shows that girls with no education are three times more likely to become teenage mothers than their counterparts with more than secondary education. Madam Speaker, some of the tried and tested interventions for reducing teenage pregnancies include; availability and accessibility of quality

When the scanner at the border was knocked, Uganda Revenue Authority requested their head office in Kampala to send a mobile scanner, UBK 814K, to help replace the Busia scanner that had been knocked. However, the above equipment moves at a standard of 30 kilometres per hour and therefore, taking over eight hours, all factors remaining constant, to reach its destination. The committee observes that the faulty scanner caused a backlog of over 400 trucks cleared daily at the Busia border, since its temporary replacement was over eight hours away, all factors remaining constant, and this is one of the possible causes of the current 50 kilometre- plus queue of trucks in western Kenya trying to go through the Ugandan border entry points in Busia and Malaba. Underlying factors that have exacerbated the negative impact of the crisis These are factors that cause it to go to the extreme, but were not the causes. The absence of fuel reserves You are going to realise we not only do not have reserves, but we also no longer own the reservoirs. The importance of fuel reserves to Uganda’s economy – I think you all know the importance. Challenges at the reserve (i) The capacity of the national reserves The Jinja Reserve was commissioned in 1988, specifically to serve Eastern Uganda and the current fuel consumption per region stands as follows in the Table I. In 2021, Central Uganda consumed 1.3 million litres. Eastern Uganda consumed 303,000 litres. Northern Uganda consumed 220,000 litres and Western and South-Western respectively. Financing The committee was informed by UNOC that there has been a resource constraint to allocate funds for procurement and stocking of strategic reserves in the country, and funding to strategic petroleum supply infrastructure. The UNOC stated that a proposal for funding reserves and strategic petroleum supply infrastructure is being discussed with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. [Mr Mpaka] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate my colleagues and the contributions they have made so far. I also appreciate the observations made by the minister, but more especially the chairman of the committee. Whereas we are cognisant of the fact that there has been an increase in the oil prices; when you refer to Brent, shifting to $86 per barrel, whereas it is true that shipping costs have gone high and also true that there was an interruption by the recent COVID-19 test policy, we have had a big stopgap measure that has lacked with Government. I would like to refer to these issues. Like my colleagues have said, the Petroleum Supply Act – honourable minister you have told us that they have been observing 10-day reserves, but you have not talked about the 100-day reserves that we already have, which is very critical. This is the problem. Whereas you have said that there is a problem with a scanner at the border and the congestion, I do not think up to now, we should be enforcing the fuel-marking policy. It should be suspended indefinitely because we know that once fuel is loaded, taxes have already been paid for it. We have these gadgets that do the tracking system. Why do we have to stop them and have these companies to do the fuel marking? That also exaggerates the problem. I appreciate the observation that we are now interesting ourselves to use the central corridor. In your report, you called it the “southern corridor,”, but now it is called the “central corridor” - the corridor through the Port of Dar es Salaam. That is what is very important for us as a country. Unless you observe this issue, we are going to remain paying high costs at the Port of Mombasa. We will have a congested northern corridor. I pray – (Member timed out.) Thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me another minute because of this interruption. If we promote the central corridor, we will be decongesting the northern corridor. We do not need even to give rebates like you have proposed. It is a matter of promoting this under the Ministry of Trade by mobilising our traders and using the central corridor. Yet we know very soon, because of these high costs in shipping lines, we are going to have our ports - the Port of Mombasa, particularly overloaded and we shall pay high costs. Even the impending politics that is in Kenya, like the chairperson of the committee has observed - we should, therefore, promote the use of the central corridor. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

2453 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022 colleagues can bear me witness . I posed a question to the Attorney-General and UNOC that were present to give the committee the status of the fuel reserves in Jinja. Since we have recordings of the proceedings of the committees, this must tantamount to perjury: telling lies to this Parliament. They stated that we have reserves. I insisted and even Members of the committee can bear me witness. I said, “Time will tell that in this country, we no longer have decent people that can tell the countrymen the truth”. Indeed, there were no fuel reserves. When a junior officer attempted to make a statement about the matter and stated that they were under renovation, the chairperson gagged him and said: “You cannot speak; wait for the minister.” When the minister came, they spoke lies. I am on record and I have Members who are here to bear me witness – he is a member, he is a member and he is also a member. Madam Speaker, like you have stated – and I welcome your remarks – these are administrative matters. Every loss that we have made as countrymen in the last one month, from every litre you have been consuming, just know that there is some of your wealth that has been taken away just because someone went to sleep. Do not take it lightly that fuel prices go up and it is normal. From your payment here, you are paid on town run, based on the fuel you use, meaning it is paid at a certain price that includes your movement to the constituency and even an ordinary Ugandan moving his child to school. When fuel prices go up, there is some inflation that goes up in the economy, meaning the real income of people goes down. Therefore, we cannot sit here and take it as business as usual that people just come and explain and walk away. Where has the regulator been? You cannot say that you have only discovered that there is a section in the Act that gives you powers to reign on these people. No, you are paid to have legal advisors in your ministries in order to brief you on all these. Now that you have discovered that it is as such, what have you done? The fuel price is at Shs 5,000 and above, depending on where you stay. It is worse in western and northern Uganda. Therefore, you cannot sit here and just say, “Fuel is determined by the forces of demand and supply”. It does not happen anywhere in the world – on fuel! Why? Fuel prices determine prices of nearly everything, ranging from food to other supplies that we use. Madam Speaker, as I wind up, the hoarding of fuel in this country cannot be done without people having an eye and ear somewhere. If you want to know that systems function here, just tweet even a message: you will understand the wrath of the state. Therefore, for you to tell me that people are hoarding fuel and the State does not come out with this coercive machinery to reign on this, that means you are passing a vote of no confidence on yourself. You must stand up and state that companies X, Y and Z, after our tour, we found out that they were hoarding fuel. Then, there is a given reserve under section 26(2) of this Act that every fuel station or fuel operator that is licensed must have reserves of 10 days plus, before you even look at the national reserves. Who is the regulator and enforcer? It is you, the ministry. Therefore, you should take responsibility and apologise. Do not come here with reasons. Say, “Probably, we have been in a slumber and this has been an awakening call. We apologise to you, countrymen, and we are going to start tomorrow.” People will then have confidence that yes, we have a Government that listens and cares, not a Government that pays a deaf ear when its people are crying. Fuel affects you; it affects me – although it affects you partially since you have a fuel card. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The minister stated that they have been paying. I pray that he brings the list of those companies that they have already paid to the august House. In addition, I remember there were associations of traders from northern Uganda that also lost their properties; they were from Lango and Acholi subregions, specifically. They met His Excellency, the President and the President gave directives. However, from the list that we are seeing, there is no company from Acholi or Lango subregions on it. From the list, the companies that have been paid are from this side of the country. Madam Speaker, we need fairness in this country. The Acholi people live at the border with South Sudan. The Langis lost properties but when it came to payment, you were so selective; you are not fair at all to this country. We need fairness!

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

Hon. Lematia, if you looked at the report very well, it is talking about Ayivu and how it did not benefit because of non-capturing of the data. I wish you were attentive when the report was being read. It reads, “The committee recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should consider giving relief to the residents of Ayivu Division and northern division of Arua and Fort Portal cities respectively.” Therefore, the committee captured your issues.

1123 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2021 AND WHEREAS Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Kampala and Exarch of All Uganda under the Eastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria from 1997 until his death; AWARE THAT the Archbishop served in other various capacities as Secretary of the Orthodox Mission in Uganda under Archbishop Frumentius of the Archdiocese of Irinoupolis, a deacon, priest and vicar Bishop of Bukoba in Tanzania: NOTING THAT Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was a spiritual leader of more than 600,000 Ugandans who are Greek Orthodox Christians and it is through his able leadership that the Orthodox faith in Uganda has expanded over the years to consist of about 80 priests and 105 Orthodox communities; APPRECIATING THAT through Archbishop Jonah Lwanga’s efforts and under his omophorion, the Diocese of Gulu was established for the Eastern and Northern Uganda Mission on 26th November 2018; COGNISANT THAT under Archbishop Jonah Lwanga’s stewardship, over 20 medical facilities and a hospital were established in Uganda, as well as an Orthodox Mother’s Union to address issues of spiritual and social development of women and their children and to fight poverty, hunger and illiteracy; RECOGNISING IHAT Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was emphatic against all forms of injustice, including human rights violations and was an exemplary spiritual leader who participated in the shaping of the lives of Ugandans and served the Orthodox Church with dedication; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by Parliament as follows: 1. That Parliament collectively conveys its deep condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, friends, the entire Orthodox Church and the people of Uganda for the loss of a distinguished citizen and a spiritual leader of Orthodox Church in Uganda; and 2. That Parliament takes cognizance of the dedicated service and contribution rendered by the Late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga to the people of Uganda and the world in general.” I beg to move.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This should have been my maiden speech but, maybe, I will say something after my submission. Let me begin by thanking the Government for the recognition that they have made in the death of the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church. The year 2003 is when I got to learn or work closely with the head of the Orthodox Church. Mr Speaker, you come from northern Uganda and you know we have had a long history of conflict. The contribution of the religious leaders was enormous, under the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative. At that time, I was the coordinator of that organisation. In that organisation, we have had a permanent representation of the Orthodox Church, appointed by none other than the Archbishop, who has just departed. This indicates, therefore, that this man of God was a peace-loving Ugandan and a man of prominence in terms of peace-building and conflict transformation. We can only, therefore, remember him well when we go back –(Member timed out.)