Ntoroko County

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Attorney-General for the statement, but I would like to ask the Minister of Local Government a question. We have had a long-standing border dispute between Kabarole District and Ntoroko District. This border dispute involves a parish called Nyamisingiri, which has got five villages. Mr Speaker, we have visited the Ministry of Local Government and met with the officials. It has been more than 15 years, but this dispute has not been resolved. Recently, when we were in the Ministry of Local Government, they promised to take quick action so that that matter could be resolved, especially during this time of elections of the local councils. So, honourable Minister of Local Government, I would like to inquire: how far have you gone with that dispute over Nyamisingiri at the Kabarole-Ntoroko border? The people of

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the statement on climate change. Climate change has not just started, it has been on for quite a long time. Climate changes have affected Ntoroko District so badly and created permanent damage in Ntoroko District. As we talk, it has been five years since Ntoroko got flooded. The floods displaced Kanara Subcounty and for five years, people have been living in internally displaced camps. Mr Speaker, the Government promised to buy them land so that they can be resettled but up to now, we are still waiting. I also want to bring it to the attention of this august House that Ntoroko should be given special treatment. We are under partial lockdown because of Ebola. The border and the local markets were closed. Coupled with the long spell of drought, people are living in very bad conditions. There is no income at the moment. People lack food and there is a lot of hunger. Therefore, I call upon the Government to support Ntoroko people, especially with food supply as we look for better solutions to the problems that I have stated. I thank you so much.

17742 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Madam Speaker, on 10 January 2023, I rose on this floor of Parliament, on the issue of health in Ntoroko District. The minister visited, but the challenge is that there was a proposal here on the floor of Parliament read by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on what we intended to do in Ntoroko; construction of a general ward at Rwebisengo and Karugutu, and a maternity ward both at Karugutu and Rwebisengo, and the Kibuku Town Council. A whole town council has no health facility, not even a health centre II in Karugutu Sub-county. You had proposed upgrading the Musandama Health Centre II to a health centre III. The challenge is that the minister lacks financial support from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Madam Speaker, recently I went to your committee—an unfunded priority, you cannot believe. I thought that the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should be here and tell us why they are not giving money to the Minister of Health so that he can do all this work. All this work needs money. Lastly, we have Buhinga Regional Referral Hospital in Fort Portal. It has no oxygen plant, the CT scan is down, and all of us in Rwenzori and Toro run to it. Madam Speaker, this is alarming, and something should be done for this referral hospital. Those promises you made to the people of Ntoroko on health should be fulfilled.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker for the opportunity. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I think you know the issue of floods in the Ntoroko District. Since 2019- you also visited Ntoroko and saw people living in IDP camps. Terrible situation; no schools and roads. The last time I was here, you asked us to present the document of those people who were willing to sell pieces of land so that the office of the Prime Minister buys these pieces of land to relocate and resettle these people. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the situation of these people really- These people are living like- I do not know how I can compare. If you see the lives of these people living in camps, they are not like Ugandans. We have been on it since 2019. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when are you buying this land to relocate and resettle these flood victims? It has really taken a very long time. Madam Speaker, during the campaigns, it was very tough for us to go in these camps and talk to these people. They never wanted to hear anything from the Government and us leaders. It has become ugly. I do not know what you are going to do, Rt Hon. Prime Minister. When are you buying this piece of land and relocating these people? I want to thank you.

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

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

16787 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025 50. Vote 871: Kotido District – Shs 503,436,072; 51. Vote 872: Kumi District – Shs 202,740,000; 52. Vote 879: Lamwo District – Shs 47,114,000; 53. Vote 880: Lira District – Shs 23,760,000; 54. Vote 881: Luuka District – Shs 56,760,000; 55. Vote 884: Lyantonde District – Shs 6,720,000; 56. Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District – Shs 44,695,393; 57. Vote 886: Manafwa District – Shs 251,040,000; 58. Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 103,800,000; 59. Vote 892: Mbarara District – Shs 18,195,000; 60. Vote 896: Moyo District – Shs 11,070,000; 61. Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 36,240,000; 62. Vote 902: Nakaseke District – Shs 27,735,600; 63. Vote 904: Namayingo District – Shs 6,580,000; 64. Vote 906: Namutumba District – Shs 472,752,800; 65. Vote 907: Napak District – Shs 186,300,000; 66. Vote 910: Ntoroko District – Shs 23,400,000; 67. Vote 911: Ntungamo District – Shs 17,160,000; 68. Vote 912: Nwoya District – Shs 259,740,012; 69. Vote 914: Omoro District – Shs 92,920,000; 70. Vote 917: Pader District – Shs 356,782,000; 71. Vote 919: Pallisa District – Shs 114,335,970; 72. Vote 923: Rukiga District – Shs 51,000,000; 73. Vote 924: Rukungiri District – Shs 6,298,000; 74. Vote 925: Rwampara District – Shs 26,694,209; 75. Vote 928: Sironko District – Shs 60,000,000; 76. Vote 929: Soroti District – Shs 56,881,000; 77. Vote 932: Tororo District – Shs 3,035,429,737; 78. Vote 935: Zombo District – Shs 153,577,688; and Sub-total for local government – Shs 15,985,336,921.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. Rt. Hon Prime Minister, I would like to thank you so much for the work you are doing we really appreciate it so much. Ntoroko District secured a wage bill because we are lacking critical staff in different departments. The government had to halt recruitment because of a forensic audit but the ban was lifted. I have seen the ministers promising to permit us - the district has written several letters. And lack of staff in critical departments is crippling work in the district. Rt. Hon Prime Minister, when are you allowing or maybe you should intervene, so that we are given - because we have our wage. We want to recruit so that work goes on in the district because our district projects are being crippled. PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Ms Nabbanja

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Bundibugyo is now a centre of all the disasters you can think about. We have a cocktail of them. From floods, landslides, and mudslides, and there is a bigger one which I raised here before. Huge land masses sinking and what we have told people is to move away from those land masses. People are now landless and homeless. Therefore, we have a category of people who need to be relocated away from those areas. Mr Speaker, I raised this matter here and requested the Government to send technical people to Bundibugyo to find out what is causing this, because it is unusual. The Government sent a team of geoscientists from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, but up to now, we have never received a report of what is causing this. We are seeing more land masses sinking. As I talk, in Bundibugyo we have 27 sub- counties out of which 17 are affected. We have over 5,000 people who have been displaced. If you watched the television, Members, you saw what was happening in Ntoroko District. All that water you see in Ntoroko is coming from Bundibugyo. We need a permanent solution to some of these challenges. Mr Speaker, while I pray that Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) looks at the emergencies, and relief items and all that - indeed people need food, iron sheets and tarpaulins, we need a permanent solution. Otherwise, we shall continue having this water in Ntoroko. Imagine what that water in Ntoroko has done in Bundibugyo where it is coming from. Mr Speaker, my prayer is for the Government to constitute a team to go to Bundibugyo. Our Chief Administrative Officer(CAO) has written reports to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and I have copies of about four reports but for the last three months, but no response and no team from the Government has gone there. Last week I saw a team from OPM in Ntoroko - our neighbours –but they stopped there. They were looking at the floods and were seeing where the water was coming from; Bundibugyo, but they have not gone there. Can OPM and the Government send a team to do an assessment? But we need a permanent solution. Our people are orphaned and are suffering. I so pray.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, my name is Tumwine Anne, Woman Member of Parliament for Ntoroko District.

Mr Speaker, we have always acted when it comes to floods in Ntoroko District. What we shall do now is to request the honourable member to get us a report from the disaster preparedness committee of the district. We shall also organise a meeting with the leaders of Ntoroko on the ground so that we can come up with a lasting solution because this district has truly suffered due to floods.

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

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

13195 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 30 APRIL 2024 Vote 903: Nakasongola District – Shs 116,719,304; Vote 904: Namayingo District - Shs 11,900,000; Vote 905: Namisindwa District - Shs 1,118,779,694; Vote 907: Napak District – Shs 716,142,230; Vote 910: Ntoroko District – Shs 200,000,000; Vote 911: Ntungamo District – Shs 1,578,281,727; Vote 914: Omoro District - Shs 945,418,871; Vote 915: Otuke District – Shs 140,384,222; Vote 916: Oyam District – Shs 686,642,360; Vote 918: Pakwach District - Shs 1,194,282,483; Vote 919: Pallisa District - Shs 153,095,758; Vote 920: Rakai District - Shs 2,454,394,511; Vote 922: Rubirizi District – Shs 1,826,796,820; Vote 923: Rukiga District - Shs 147,370,222; Vote 924: Rukungiri District - Shs 885,488,277; Vote 925: Rwampara District – Shs 770,470,627; Vote 927: Serere District - Shs 311,478,920; Vote 928: Sheema District – Shs 1,953,424,896; Vote 932: Tororo District - Shs 91,205,614; Vote 933: Wakiso District – Shs 5,194,470,980; and Vote 935: Zombo District - Shs 819,580,024.

10693 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Butiaba Health Centre III, which submerged in Buliisa, using Shs 800 something million. Still on that Shs 5 billion, we constructed in Rwangara, Ntoroko District. That money was supposed to buy jerry cans, bed nets, cups -

10388 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Government, through the Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Forestry Authority embarked on systematic reopening of the boundaries of the forest reserves (Central Forest Reserves and Local Forest Reserves) to deter encroachment by the forest adjacent communities. At gazettement, the forest reserve boundaries were marked with underground and above- ground mark stones which over the years have been used by the community in construction thereby demolishing the boundaries. NFA is currently using concrete mark stones (pillars) of about one metre, as I told you earlier, to mark the forest reserve boundaries. In some instances, we continue to register illegal land titles in forest reserves by individuals and/ or forest-adjacent communities who knowingly encroached on the forest reserves and do not want the boundaries to be reopened. The forest reserves are a national good; therefore, I request all leaders from the LCI up to MPs to sensitise the public on how to preserve our heritage. Question 5: Hon. Rwemulikya Ibanda, Member of Parliament, Ntoroko County on the dire situation of health care services in Ntoroko District. His prayer is that Government should undertake an onsite assessment of the situation of health care services in Ntoroko District and report back to the House. Mr Speaker and colleagues, as you all know, I moved around the country. I have personally been able to go to Ntoroko a number of times. My Office has been able to construct a health centre III at Kanara. The Ministry of Health together with the political and technical leadership of Ntoroko District inspected four facilities to assess the state of health services with a particular focus on the state of the health infrastructure. The findings are as follows: Musandama Health Centre II, Karugutu Health Centre IV, Rwebisengo Health Centre IV and Rutungamo Health Centre III, which were started in the Financial Year 2019/2020 under UgIFT programme were all identified to have some gaps. Mr Speaker, in view of the above findings, Government shall consider this by providing both short-term and medium-term solutions or interventions to address some of the critical health infrastructure gaps in Ntoroko. Question No.6: Hon. Catherine Lamwaka, the District Woman Representative, Omoro District that the Ministry of Health and respective local governments should review the recruitment of local askaris (health facility watchmen) and their deployments. According to her, the watchmen of these health facilities in most cases have remained suspected for either conniving with or being accomplices to these criminals. Her prayer is: Can Government review the recruitment of local askaris in health facilities? Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, I wish to inform this august House that Government is equally concerned about the issues raised by the Hon. Lamwaka, regarding the safety of medicines and health supplies from health facilities. The Ministry of Health undertook a restructuring exercise together with the Ministry of Public Service, for the local government health facilities and there was an increase in the number of askaris for health centres IV from three to five, and for health centres III from two to three. Mr Speaker and colleagues, you need to know that the responsibility of ensuring that these askaris are recruited lies in the local governments and I believe that they will ensure that there are regulatory provisions for supervising these people and how to appraise them. Question No.7: Hon. Otaala, Member of Parliament, West Budama County South, Tororo. His question was: “Why is asbestos still used in some public structures – secondary

9218 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT lost another person who was under medical care. The first information to the nearby UPDF deployment was received at around 2330hrs (11.30 p.m.) from civilians, to the effect that students were on strike and had set the school on fire. This information was quickly shared with police deployed at Bwera and, subsequently, a joint UPDF and police force, on wheels, was dispatched to the scene. Routine foot patrols also joined the dispatched joint force to the scene of crime. Unfortunately, the attackers had retreated towards River Semliki inside the DRC – exactly below Mpondwe – and eventually towards Virunga National Park. This Virunga National Park is an area that is not inhabited by human beings and, therefore, has no security deployment. However, the UPDF forces pursued the attackers southwards to River Lhubiriha because they were expected to cross there, around three kilometres from the scene of crime. Despite that, Madam Speaker, the pursuit continued and on 19 June 2023, at around l4.30hrs (2.30 p.m.), towards the confluence of River Semliki and River Talia in the DRC, the attackers, who had made a hasty defensive position, were attacked by UPDF mobile squad, where three enemies were killed, one submachine gun was captured and one woman and three children were rescued. In the initial planning at the start of Operation Shujaa, such diversionary acts by the ADF enemy were anticipated and taken care of. That is why rear deployments in the entire Rwenzori subregion were maintained. For instance, when the same ADF group attempted to infiltrate Ntoroko District in December last year, even in bigger numbers as mentioned above, the whole group was annihilated, owing to timely information from the civilian population. Unfortunately, in this case of Kasese, the information was late, inaccurate and the small group was able to infiltrate with the assistance of some collaborators. That is why some of them have already been arrested to help in the investigations. Operation Shujaa was initiated, partly, to arrest the ADF terrorism from its source in DRC. The bombings in Kampala, for example, in November 2021, were organised from DRC. Had we not deployed in time, the situation would have been worse. This particular incident was an isolated one and highly regrettable. However, it does not and will not deter our resolve and commitment to execute our constitutional mandate of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda in general and Kasese and the Rwenzori subregion in particular. The pursuit for these criminals continues by the UPDF in the DRC. We will also continue with deep investigations in order to understand the nitty-gritty aspects of this incident. Our forces, together with other security forces, are going on with the process of investigating these occurrences. Any elements found to have been an accomplice will be arrested and prosecuted as per the laws of the country. We are also doing community sensitisation and mobilisation for vigilance, collaboration with security forces and working with security forces to make sure that the population is more vigilant in this affected area. As I speak now, the general situation has returned to normalcy. We appeal for calmness, vigilance and cooperation from all citizens of good will in Rwenzori subregion and the country at large, as we continue to deliver on our constitutional mandate of preserving peace and security for person and property within this country. The country will be informed on any other developments regarding this incident and the situation in general. I thank you, Madam Speaker. For God and My Country.

Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that we have taken some time without answering some questions, but I have been updating the questions as time went on. On the 25 th of April, Hon. Rwemulikya Ibanda, MP Ntoroko, raised a concern regarding the delay by the Ministry of Public Service to recruit critical staff for Ntoroko District Local Government. His question was: “Why has the Ministry of Public Service delayed to approve the recruitment of critical staff for Ntoroko District Local Government?” My response is that Ntoroko District Local Government undertook recruitment without clearance by the Ministry of Public Service. They did not follow the laid-down recruitment procedures and the relevant appointing authority, the District Service Commission. As a result, a number of people who were recruited were eventually deactivated from the payroll, a matter which is before the court. The wage, which the district indicated to be in excess, therefore, includes wage for positions that were contested. Additionally, whereas some payroll categories are indicated to have excess wage, other categories have a deficit. The above situation of excess wage in the payroll category and deficit in the other category is the situation in most local governments. It is for this reason that a tripartite meeting was held between the Ministry of Public Service, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on votes and wage

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The Association of Fishers and Lake Users of Uganda had asked for an extension of the deadline for the licensing of fisheries from 31 March 2023, due to insufficient funds as a result of dwindling stocks. His prayer was that I update the House on the fate of the fishermen who were not able to meet the deadline. Madam Speaker, this is my response. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries had earlier set 31 March 2023 as the deadline for issuing new licences this year. Non-compliant fishermen risked being denied access to the water bodies after the deadline. After receiving numerous complaints from sector players including the fishers, processors, transporters, and boat makers, the ministry found it imperative to extend the deadline and allow them time to look for money to pay for the license. The ministry, therefore, extended the deadline for licensing fisheries activities for two months. Madam Speaker and Members, the fishers without valid fishing licenses will not be allowed to operate effectively this month. Those who fail to utilise the two-month grace period to clear the license fees will not access the water bodies. After the deadline, the ministry will focus on compliance and enforcement on all water bodies. Therefore, I urge the fishers to take advantage of the grace period. Hon. Anne Mary Tumwine Woman MP for Ntoroko said that Ntoroko District lacks a standard livestock market; the livestock traders operate in an open space without any friendly user facility and have, for so long, decried the lack of a loading bay and conducive working environment. (Interjections) This is the last question, brother. Her question is: “What is the Government’s plan for livestock farmers in Ntoroko District?” My response is that in February this year, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Local Government under the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) programme launched the construction of projects worth Shs 2 Billion in Ntoroko District. The project includes the construction of the Butungama Livestock Market and the Nyakakote Water Gravity Flow Scheme. The infrastructure will enable the Ntoroko community to participate in the economy and the Country’s development agenda. Once the livestock market is completed, it will go a long way in boosting the district’s local revenue and also provide a favourable environment for the livestock farmers to carry out trade without any hindrances. Madam Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you. Operation Shuja in DRC Since the launch of the Joint FARDC/UPDF, operation codenamed “Operation Shuja” in November 2021, a total of 109 SMGs, five light machine guns, three RPG tubes have been recovered; 508 ADF combatants have been put out of action – killed – 50 captured alive, 90 abductees endeavour rescued and 20 defectors received. In March 2023, UPDF put out of action 29 ADF rebels in Ntoroko District and recovered SMGs. They had invaded Uganda from Congo. The East African Community Heads of State Conclave held in April2022, resolved to establish and deploy the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) to pacify Eastern Congo. Uganda has contributed a battle group to that regional force. The recent deployment of the EACRF augmented by diplomatic efforts from the regional states will address the security challenges posed by the instabilities in Eastern Congo. Acts of sabotage in form of vandalism targeting electricity and water infrastructure Security forces have arrested 15 key suspects in connection with masterminding vandalism

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

8606 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT number of challenges that persisted despite the previous recommendations and resolutions. I would like to request that Members look through them. 3.3.1 Funding and absorption of wage, pension and gratuity The report indicated that Shs 554.583 billion was appropriated to these entities – that I am reporting on – to meet salaries, gratuities and pension obligations by close of the financial year. By the end of financial year, Shs 554.29 billion had been availed to pay salaries, but only 524.44 billion was absorbed, causing the un-absorption of Shs 29.845 billion, which was returned back to the Consolidated Fund. Madam Speaker, we have also realised that lack of absorption stems from delays by the districts to constitute the District Service Commissions. For example, Ntoroko District Local Government took almost two years to identify and fully constitute their service commission. There is also late release of recruitment and wage funds by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Most local governments received this funding towards the end of the financial year and, were, therefore, not able to recruit timely. There are also cases of receiving monies that are in excess of what is planned. For example, in Rukiga District, they received Shs 850,962,074 in excess. There are also delays in the submission of the requirements for access to pension and gratuity payrolls, and inconsistencies in the biodata between the IPPS and NIRA. We have provided observations, Madam Speaker and now, permit me to take you straight to recommendations. 1. PS/ST should hold all accounting officers who fail to ensure the timely recruitment of staff, personally liable and reprimand them for causing a return of funds to Consolidated Fund; 2. The accounting officers should institute measures that will ensure the timely declaration of vacant positions to the respective district service commissions; 3. The Education Service Commission should ensure strict and timely adherence to recruitment plans to avoid delays in staff recruitment; 4. Local governments should ensure that there are fully-constituted district service commissions to facilitate the timely recruitment of staff; 5. The provision of the Negotiating, Consultative and Disputes Settlement Machinery Act, 2008 should be adhered to; 6. The Ministry of Local Government should review the policy on the constitution of the district service commissions and create a specific timeframe within which district councils can constitute. Madam Speaker, there are many district councils that engage in mere politicking and fail to constitute and we are recommending that the Ministry of Local Government should give a specific time within which each district should have this service commission fully constituted the moment the positions fall vacant; 7. The Ministry of Public Service should ensure that there is a specific timeframe within which responses to permission to recruit from local governments are granted. We experienced, Madam Speaker, like in Kabarole where they requested for permission to recruit last year in July, but up to March this year, they had never received any response from the Ministry of Public Service. That caused serious delays in the recruitment of staff; and 8. Accounting officers who fail to ensure that vacant positions are filled after permission to recruit has been granted, should be held personally liable and reprimanded for undermining service delivery.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance in regard to the failure by the Minister of Public Service to grant Ntoroko Local District the clearance to recruit critical staff. Mr Speaker, Ntoroko District secured a wage of Shs 2.9 billion for recruitment. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Ntoroko District has written several letters about the same but all in vain. I also personally wrote on 7 September 2022 and on 6 March 2023 about the same matter but with no response. Ntoroko District lacks critical staff in different departments, hence affecting service delivery. My prayers are that the Minister of Public Service should explain to this august House and the country, the reasons for his refusal to clear Ntoroko District to carry out this recruitment. Secondly, the Minister of Public Service should give Ntoroko District clearance to recruit with a view to saving the wage from being swept back to the Treasury at the end of this financial year. Lastly is that the Minister of Public Service should come and assure us of reverting the wage in case it is swept back at the end of this financial year. I beg to submit.

Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Local Government are directed to go and make good what is in Ntoroko District.

7156 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The Ministry of Education and Sports, through the National Curriculum Development Centre, rolled out the revised lower secondary school curriculum in the year 2020. One of the major components of the revised curriculum is continuous assessment - a school-based assessment. The first cohort or group of learners of this column is joining senior three in 2023. Relatedly, secondary schools, which will not have registered for continuous assessment, will not be allowed by UNEB to register their learners for the Uganda Certificate of Education examinations. UNEB will communicate to the schools on the modalities of submitting the continuous assessment scores to the board. Schools registering for continuous assessment should have registered their learners on the Ministry of Education and Sports Education Information Management System. Accordingly, the ministry has now opened the Education Information Management System portal to enable schools to register their learners. The second question came from Hon. Aled Akugizibwe, Member of Parliament for Buruli County, Masindi District. He said that in the year 2015, Uganda held its first oil block auction, which included six 2,674 square kilometre-sized exploring regions. Before that, the country distributed blocks based on who arrived there first. Armour Energy Limited of Australia and Oranto Petroleum of Nigeria took part in the first round. They both later signed production sharing agreements with Government. In 2019, the second round was announced, attracting Total, DGR Energy Turaco Uganda - SMC Limited, Uganda National Oil Company Limited and a joint venture of PetroAfrik Energy Resources East Africa Limited, Uganda and Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited from Nigeria. However - according to him - only two oil and gas firms submitted bids, namely DGR Energy Turaco Uganda Limited and Uganda National Oil Company Limited. Following the successful negotiations, the two oil firms were approved.” His prayer is; when will Government effect the signing of production sharing agreements and the award of exploration licences to the two oil companies that we approved? My response is: Cabinet approved the signing of production sharing agreements and grant of exploration licences for an initial two-year period of Uganda National Oil Company and DGR Energy Turaco Uganda - SMC Limited were approved. UNOC will undertake operations in Kasurubani Exploration Area that stretches over 1,285 square kilometres, stretching between Buliisa and Pakwach Districts. This licence was previously held by Tullow, which made some discoveries. DGR, which owns another exploration licence in the area of Kanywataba, will be operating from Turaco Block, which is a 637-square- kilometre exploration area, located in the Albertine Graben near the border with Congo, in Ntoroko District. Heritage Oil, a British company, had done some exploration in the area, but abandoned it in 2004. The block reverted to the Government as per the laws that govern this country. Mr Speaker, the signing of the Production Sharing Agreement for UNOC is scheduled to take place today - I believe it has already taken place – 2 February 2023, while the one for DGR will be done in two weeks’ time. Mr Speaker, the true exploration areas that were given out are part of the five blocks that the Government auctioned in the second licensing round, launched in 2019. The three, which have not been given out, are Avivi (1,026km 2 ), Omuka (750km 2 ) and Ngaji (1,230km 2 ). Mr Speaker, question number three came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, Member of Parliament, Ngora County. She said that Uganda [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter regarding Bw- eramule Government-aided Secondary School. This school was grant-aided by Government in the Financial Year 2019/2020, but it lacks structures. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, I wrote to the ministry and they responded that they would consider it. However, we were left out in the last financial year and we are not anywhere even in the coming financial year. Students are studying under semi-permanent structures that were constructed by the community, but they are in a sorry state; soon, they will collapse, endangering the lives of our young ones. My prayers: 1. The Ministry of Education should send a technical team to Ntoroko District with a view of getting remedies; 2. The ministry, in this coming financial year, should consider this school because students are learning in a very terrible situation. Mr Speaker, I beg to lay these documents; the correspondence with the ministry.

Regarding the grabbing of land and the local government keeping quiet, I want to say that there are some roles that are multi-sectoral. Like the land issue, we have a fully-fledged Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. I think matters that clearly belong to the Ministry of Lands can be addressed. However, as an institution, if we are informed on time, we can also intervene or inform accordingly. When it comes to reviewing the Local Governments Act, I want to report to this House that today, we met the Committee on Local Government and Public Service. In that meeting, we informed the committee that we have already embarked on a major review because since decentralisation started in 1992, now 20 years down the road, we really need to make a detailed analysis, and where need be, we amend this law, accordingly. On illegal recruitment and protecting people without qualifications, Madam Speaker, I would like to be on record that the Ministry of Local Government has tried. Where we are informed on time or through our inspection and evaluation staff, we take action. This is why we nullified all the appointments of parish chiefs in Kagadi where there were a lot of forgeries and people didn’t have the requisite papers. We also nullified appointments in Ntoroko District - the Member was here, I don’t know where he has gone - but they would be a witness. We nullified appointments for all the 70 positions and requested them to re-advertise. Regarding staff serving in acting capacity, Madam Speaker, there are some rules indeed that must be changed because for one to be appointed a district engineer, they must be certified and registered. Now very few engineers can meet this criteria and to become a district health officer, one has to have the requisite requirements. Therefore, some districts fall prey because these two positions are very dear and pertinent. But I don’t know whether the money sent to districts is really sent to the personal accounts of these people. We need evidence on this because someone tagged it to this. Then when it comes to inconsistencies on payrolls, it is true, Madam Speaker, that there are some human resource officers that are on interdiction, the latest being the one for Bunyangabu District. So, when we move and get information, we give it out. The problem is that in some districts, they are not giving us such information. And I would like to report to you, Madam Speaker, that we are not exceptional at the Ministry of Local Government. Our Budget for monitoring and evaluation was cut halfway and so, conducting this exercise is not that easy. I wish Members - and I have been appealing to you very genuinely and humbly, that do not wait to bring everything on the Floor of Parliament. Those who come and whistle blow to us, we act immediately. Yes, it is our role, but let us try to inform the relevant ministries on time so that they can take action. Another problem was on the slow absorption of funds. Madam Speaker, I concur with the Members on this matter because it even appeared before Cabinet. It was brought to our attention that high-breed procurement is really deadly. For example, it was said that the person building the two seed schools in Ntoroko District at a tune of Shs 1.4 billion is the same person building schools in Bundibugyo District and others in different districts. It came to our attention that that same person was the one building Kiyombya Secondary School and St. Paul’s Kasenda in Bunyangabu and Kabarole districts respectively. The man does not have enough machines and enough workers; in totality, he does not have the capacity. I stand to join Members to refuse hybrid procurement. Let us stand on our two feet - and let it start from Cabinet level and give work to people

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There was a loan passed here in December 2018 and it was supposed to be used to work on roads in some districts and Ntoroko was one of those to benefit. The road had no objection; the Solicitor-General approved it, but up to today, the works on this road have not started. I would like to know from the Minister of Local Government - because it is the ministry that acquired the loan - what happened and when is it going to be worked on. The road is called Rwebisengo-Kiranga and it is found in Ntoroko District.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The project called “LEGS” is about Local Economic Growth Support. Ntoroko District is a beneficiary and I am aware of that Rwebisengo-Kiranga Road. There was a challenge with funding, but we have now been assured that in the second phase, we are going to make sure that the road is done. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, that is what should be investigated, maybe, by your directive. Otherwise, what I know is that the land in Kayunga and Kasese were paid for. The only land that we have not yet paid for, I think, is the one in Ntoroko District. Even as we have this land, including the one in Kasese, we need funds to resettle these people because you cannot just move people from where they are now and put them on bare land. We also need to plot the land and put up some structures for the IDPs.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. A year ago, on the 15 th of September, I came to this same Floor of Parliament to raise a matter of urgent nation- al importance over flood victims in Ntoroko District. The floods affected Kanara subcounty, Kanara Town Council and Butungama. On 3 October, 2021, we hosted the Prime Minister and a number of ministers; the team appreciated the situation on the ground. The Prime Minister made a number of pledges; 1. Reconstruction of Rwangara Health Centre III, which has since been kicked off by UPDF Engineering Brigade – and we are very grateful. [Ms Ogwal] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, there is a UNRA road from Karugutu Town Council to Kanara Town Council in Ntoroko District. This busy road takes goods to Congo. However, for the last two years, UNRA has not maintained this road and it is now impassable. People are sleeping in Semliki Game Reserve because the road is very bad. The transport means mostly used now is motorcycles, but they are very insecure. This is the place where our NRM chairperson was killed. I request the Prime Minister to order UNRA to maintain this road.

Madam Speaker, matters to do with wage shortfalls is in the docket of the finance ministry, but what other districts have been doing - I will give an example of Ntoroko District; their wage Bill was very low, they came to us, we advised them to write to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and their wage bill was raised to Shs1.4 billion to cater for everybody. So, please, write to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to address that.