Nwoya County

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. Mr Speaker, I join this House in seconding the motion to pay tribute to the statesman, a distinguished serviceman and a servant primary school teacher, the late Rt Hon. Gen. Moses Ali. Mr Speaker, before joining the army in 1968 and rising to national prominence, the late Hon. Gen. Moses Ali served as a primary school teacher at Anaka Catholic Girls’ School and Koch Goma Church of Uganda Primary School in Nwoya District, Acholi subregion. Although it was a short tenure, that period has remained a prominent legacy in his life. Even as he rose later to become a four-star general and the Second Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, it is normally highlighted that he had a humble beginning, as a primary school teacher. Secondly, Mr Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Gen – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I rise on a matter of national importance about the issue of elephants. I come from Nwoya District, which borders Murchison Falls National Park. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we have been having elephants terrorising our residents, the neighbouring districts and road users. On the 26 th , an elephant killed – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I join all the other colleagues in congratulating you upon your election. I rise on the issue of the land of the Jonam, east of Pakwach. The other day I again rose on this matter, but just yesterday, there was a team trying to survey the land at Gotafoyo Parish, which is in Nwoya District. The Jonam are there; yesterday they were locked out, and they did not eat. I want the honourable Minister of Local Government, my brother Hon. Balaam, to look at this matter because it involves local government officials. Thank you very much.

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

17498 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION In the past, delayed investment in new electricity generation capacity led to power blackouts – Do you remember? And it affected productivity in the industrial services sector. To stop this from happening again, the Government will commence investment in new hydropower plants at Ayago in Nwoya District, 840 megawatts; Kiba in Oyam District, 400 megawatts; and Oriang in Nwoya, 382 megawatts. In addition, work is ongoing for the 8,400 megawatts nuclear power plant in Buyende District. All these investments, when completed, will bring Uganda’s electricity generation capacity to 12,074 megawatts. However, we are aiming at 52,000 megawatts. Human capital The Government continues – Do not mind the long speech; you are the ones who invited me. (Laughter) - to focus on attaining a good standard of health for Ugandans and those living in Uganda. The prevention strategy remains the most powerful tool for fighting diseases. Therefore, I urge all Ugandans to adopt healthy lifestyles by exercising, maintaining personal hygiene, eating nutritious foods, sleeping under a treated mosquito net, refraining from dangerous practices like smoking, sexual promiscuity, etc. While the Government is investing in improving the health infrastructure across the country, it is the responsibility of every individual to ensure that they live in a clean and safe environment to avoid falling sick. Government has invested in a number of health infrastructure projects. These include infrastructure development for the Uganda Cancer Institute and regional cancer centres, the Uganda Heart Institute, intensive care units and imaging centres for referral hospitals. Construction of new maternity wards and staff houses in the health centres II that are being upgraded to health centres III, is currently ongoing. This has significantly increased the health facilities in all districts across the country. For example, when I visited Yumbe District recently, I found out that Yumbe alone has 26 health centres III. This means that our people, especially children and expectant mothers, no longer have to travel long distances when they get sick or when they are going to give birth. This also supports immunisation, which helps to raise healthy children, and supports the detection of dangerous disease outbreaks before they spread. The Government has supported the establishment of a pharmaceutical industrial park at Namanve that is producing surgical gloves and examination gloves, disposable syringes, human drugs like magnesium sulphate and paracetamol. Next financial year, the Government will support the construction of specialised centres of excellence for cancer and cardiovascular treatment, among others. Education The Government has introduced reforms in the education sector, which are aimed at re-orienting the curriculum towards a competency-based approach. This involves equipping learners with practical skills and competencies that are required in the private sector. This will help to reduce unemployment among school graduates. Government continued to implement the Universal Primary Education programme, reaching 8.8 million learners across 12,433 Government-aided primary schools at a sum of Shs 184 billion. The Government, through the School Facility Grant, constructed 413 new classrooms for primary schools and renovated 181 classrooms. Government procured and distributed 334 sets of mini-laboratory equipment to 334 primary Government schools to enhance practical science learning and foster early scientific curiosity among young learners. A total of 593 teachers were recruited to facilitate operationalisation of the newly grant- aided secondary schools in sub-counties. The Government has successfully completed the construction of an additional 50 seed secondary

17215 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 17 APRIL 2025 City Authority and Nwoya District Local Government, has provided alternative land in Nwoya District which has been converted into freehold title in the name of Gulu University. Both the lands have been surveyed, including boundary opening and are now in the final process of doing valuation, in accordance with sections 8 and 11 of the National Forest and Tree Planting Act, 2003, which provides for amendment of the order declaring the forest reserves. Mr Speaker, the pending intervention is for the National Forestry Authority, Gulu City Authority and Gulu University to complete undertaking the Environment and Social Impact Assessment for both the Gulu Central Forest Reserve and the alternative land in Nwoya, which shall be submitted to NEMA for final approval and subsequently, this status shall be submitted to Cabinet for approval. Upon Cabinet approval, my ministry will submit the outcome to this Parliament for further consideration. That is the status of the Central Forest Reserve in Gulu. I beg to submit.

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.

Honourable minister, please take time off to visit the journalist who was beaten and give us feedback so we can see how this can be handled. In the public gallery this afternoon, we have student leaders from Bugema University, Bamunanika constituency. You are most welcome. They are represented by Hon. Robert Ssekitoleeko and Hon. Nabukenya Brenda. They are here to witness today’s proceedings. In the public gallery, we also have local councillors from Anaka Town Council, Nwoya County, Nwoya District. I can see our councillors there. They are represented by the Hon. Tony Awany who is right there - you have a very good leader - and Hon. Judith Achan Peace - she is coming. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

16003 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 2025 persistent human-wildlife conflict in national Parks and wildlife game reserves, in Uganda. The Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry was assigned to consider the matter, with guidance to emphasise aspects related to the Government’s compensation to victims of human-wildlife conflict, specifically to establish whether victims of human-wildlife conflict were compensated and related matters. The committee informs this House that whereas the matter raised by the Hon. Geoffrey Okello Charles was limited to havoc caused by elephants, among some residents of Nwoya District, the committee considered other wild animals involved in incidents of human- wildlife across the country. Mr Speaker, in accordance with the instruction of this House, the committee wishes to present its report on the matters. I will go through the terms of reference because they will guide us in the report. Mr Speaker, the committee was guided by the following terms of reference. To establish the extent of damage, loss or death suffered by victims of human-wildlife conflict; 1. To establish whether the Government compensates victims or survivors of victims, for losses suffered on accounts of human-wildlife conflict; 2. To establish Government adherence to the legal framework on the compensation of deaths, injury, loss, and damage to property, arising from incidents of human-wildlife conflict, and 3. To consider the matters that are incidental to human-wildlife conflict in areas adjacent to wildlife parks. I will skip the methodology because of time but just to bring it to the attention of the House, in the methodology, the committee extended an invitation to members representing areas adjacent to national parks, where incidences of human-wildlife conflicts have occurred interfaced with the committee. The districts are listed there; the districts are listed. I will now go straight to the observations, findings, and recommendations of the committee, with your guidance. Number one term of reference, extent of damage, loss, or death suffered by victims of human-wildlife conflict in areas adjacent to national parks and game reserves in Uganda In the course of considering the matter with the ministry responsible for wildlife, and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the committee established that some incidents of human- wildlife conflicts have resulted in injury, loss, and damage to property. The committee further established that livestock has been preyed upon by predators and destruction of crops by herbivores. A list of claims received by UWA is attached hereto and marked as Appendix F, which I will lay. The committee received testimonies from affected persons on incidences of human- wildlife conflict that have occurred in areas adjacent to national parks and wildlife game reserves in Uganda. For instance, the death of Amunyo Longoli and Denis Angok, killed by buffaloes. Mr Jacob Mugizi from Mbarara was equally killed by a buffalo. We have baboon attacks on Spensa Mwesigye in Rubirizi District. Displacement of families occasioned by human-wildlife conflicts During the committee’s visit to some hotspots in Nwoya District where incidents of human- wildlife conflicts occur, the committee was informed that seven families sought sanctuary at Gonycogo Community Primary School in Gonycogo Village, Lutuk Parish after their homesteads were destroyed by elephants. The committee was informed by UWA that the Wildlife Compensation Verification Committee

15821 THE E LEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY , 29 JANUARY 2025 We would like to report that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has so far, cumulatively, paid 1,118 claimants/ beneficiaries, as opposed to the 800 stated by the committee’s report. More information relating to the above can be obtained from the website already mentioned. Furthermore, in clause 3.4(ii), on page 15 of its report, the committee, in Nwoya District, observed that out of the lost 8,620 livestock, the total payment made so far is Shs 177,410,947 equivalent to 169 head of cattle. This is far from the truth. Our information, which is readily available on the website, shows and confirms that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, at the time, had paid out Shs 2,970,000,000 to Nwoya District, which is equivalent to 2,289 livestock. Additionally, in clause 3.4(iii) on page 15 of its report, the committee, in Kitgum District, observed that of the 1,336 claimants/ beneficiaries submitted for payment, only 11 were fully paid. Mr Speaker, our information reveals that a total of 27 claimants/beneficiaries had been fully paid, 420 claimants/beneficiaries partially paid and 376 claimants/beneficiaries not paid at all – but will be paid once the resources are available. The committee, in clause 3.4 on page 16 of its report, observed that in Oyam District, a total of 14,471 claimants/ beneficiaries, were registered and that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs issued only 6,000 data cards. Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, in 2016, verified 6,618 claimants/beneficiaries in Oyam District and equally in 2021, issued to Oyam District a corresponding number of 6,618 data cards. The discrepancy highlighted by the committee has arisen as a result of the Attorney- General’s instructions to the districts to also verify claimants/beneficiaries who took the Government to court in cases such as; Francis Ongia (formerly Betty Okello), and Delyon Johnson, which has led to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs procuring additional data cards to cover the additional numbers. We have observed that whereas we furnished the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation with information relating to financial years 2021/2022 and 2023/2024, it appears that the committee did not consider both financial years presented – and that is why they have discrepancies in their report. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the precarious situation in Kochili Subcounty in Nwoya District resulting from the attacks of elephants. Mr Speaker, on the morning of the 12 th , that was Thursday, Omara Elvis, a 22-year-old man, was killed by an elephant just in the morning as he was digging in his garden. Mr Speaker, as you may also recall, three days before we sat in Gulu, we had lost a young boy to the marauding elephants. In the last three years alone, we have lost five people in Nwoya District to the problem of elephants. None of the killing animals have been identified and or relocated, and so, communities in this village are in a dire situation. The threat level is just too much, and as a result, even the opening of a school called Ogelo Primary School has become very difficult as parents have fled and by yesterday, only 30 children had reported. My prayers: 1. Number one; that Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) does something scientific, first of all, to identify the killer elephants and remove them. 2. Number two; that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities should expedite the issue of electric fencing with a view of covering the communities that are so vulnerable. Mr Speaker, number three; that the ministry should make it simpler for families to claim compensation. We have the law, we also have the statutory instrument, but the other processes are too long and too complicated before people become uncivilised. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank the committee for this elaborate report. I would like to inform the committee that if we are to promote tourism, we should also look at the challenges that bring down the revenue from the tourism sites. I come from Nwoya District where we always get a lot of challenges when our youth go

14196 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT for poaching. Why? It is because most of the time when they go to dig in the gardens, the elephants cross to their gardens and destroy all the crops. This is coupled with very many issues that we have already been having, but with no compensation coming through yet in 2019 the Uganda Wildlife Act provided for compensation for all the victims of these human-wildlife conflicts. We love tourism and it contributes to the development of Nwoya District but let us also look at the challenges and issues that interfere with revenue collections, because we do not want the youth to go poaching - there are no options, Mr Speaker. I am a promoter of tourism; but let us also look into the nitty-gritty of compensation. Nwoya District has not received any compensation yet we have lost so many lives. On the 25 th , I lost a child of one of my voters called Mutimungu, who was in primary six, with a promising life, in a village called Obira, in Got Apwoyo Subcounty. So, let us think of human beings, as much we as protect the species that promote development in the country. Lastly, of late, the route from Karuma was diverted to Nwoya District. There are limited toilets for the buses and passenger vehicles that pass through the park. And I would like to thank the committee for raising that issue. The toilets that were put there are not enough. Secondly, the bus owners should have dustbins in their buses, so that the passengers do not litter the park. Mr Speaker, I support the committee report and the recommendation to increase the toilet facilities for sanitation at tourism sites. I beg to submit.

In the interest of time, I shall just read the highlights of the committee findings because this matter has been on the Order Paper since Wednesday. I am sure the honourable colleagues have addressed themselves many other issues in the report. On 12 September 2023, the Rt Hon. Speaker directed the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to study and revert to Parliament on a petition submitted to her office by the Environment Governance Institute on behalf of the Project-Affected Persons of the Karuma Hydropower Project. The committee considered the petition in accordance with Rules 30(6) and (7) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament and hereby wishes to report. Karuma Hydropower Plant is a run-off river plant located along the River Nile, northwest of Uganda. It is 23.5 kilometres upstream of the Masindi-Gulu Highway. The project area falls within the Kiryandongo and Oyam districts, located in the vicinity of Karuma Village and Murchison Falls protected areas, including the Karuma Wildlife Reserve. The project utilises a gross head of about 700 meters and a design discharge of 1,098 cubic meters for the generation of 600 megawatts (six units of 100 megawatts each). It has six different generation turbines. In a letter dated 5 September 2023, the Environment Governance Institute petitioned the office of the Speaker on behalf of the Project-Affected Persons who were affected by the works on the Karuma Hydropower Plant and requested that the Speaker sets up an inquiry to look into how compensations of these persons had been done by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The petition by the Environment Governance Institute recognises that in 2021, the Government of Uganda, facilitated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, initiated the acquisition of 465.52 hectares of land in Karuma and Awoo villages in Mutunda Subcounty of Kiryandongo District and Nora and Akurudia villages in Kamdini Subcounty of Oyam District to make way for the construction of the hydropower plant. Energy Infrastructure (PVT) Limited was contracted in 2010 to prepare and carry out a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and a livelihood restoration assessment for the Karuma Hydropower Project. Consequently, between October and November 2011, it undertook a population census and land survey on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to assess the socioeconomic characteristics and property evaluation of the affected individuals. This data was used to compile a Resettlement Action Plan report that was finalised in 2012. Notable is that the Government set 16 January 2012, as the cut-off date, signalling that any development made on the affected land after that date would not be compensated and that the Government had taken over the property of the Project-Affected Persons (PAPs). The grievances of the PAPS in the petition included: i) Failure to relocate vulnerable APAs; ii) Lack of social services; iii) Uncertainty about the proposed relocation areas in Lapono Village in Nwoya District; iv) Unfair land acquisition; v) Lack of a grievance reporting platform; and vi) Presence of ghost landlords. Mr Speaker, the prayers of the petitioners included, among others: [Mr Ariko] ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the chairperson for the elaborate report and also present some of responses from the ministry on the petition by Project Affected Persons (PAPs) under the Karuma hydropower project. Mr Speaker, on the issue of outstanding compensation claims, as the committee rightly mentioned, out of the 125 outstanding compensation claims, six are civil suits that are before the courts of law and the ministry is seeking the support of the Attorney-General to expedite the closure of these cases. The remaining 119 claims relate to physical resettlement in Lapono village, in Nwoya District. The ministry is currently engaging NEMA and Nwoya District Local Government to fast-track the necessary approvals required to commence procurement of contractors to construct the physical resettlement facilities. The ministry has also budgeted for the construction of the resettlement facilities in the budget of Financial Year 2025/2026. Our prayer is that this request is prioritised during the allocations and releases. Mr Speaker, on the issue of compensation of ghost landlords, the ministry takes note of the committee’s recommendation and will immediately commence investigations on the alleged ghost landlords and report back to Parliament. The ministry also takes note of the committee’s recommendation on the compensation of rightful owners, subject to the findings of the investigations. On the issue of evaluation of the resettlement action plan, the ministry is committed to fast- tracking the outstanding resettlement action

14214 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT plan, and, in line with this, we have engaged the services of a consultant to address the outstanding PAPs and grievances under the dam site. The consultant has constituted a grievance redress committee at village, subcounty and district levels to support the process. Additionally, the ministry is engaging the Attorney-General, NEMA and Nwoya District Local Government to fast-track the necessary actions required to close the outstanding civil suits and attain approvals necessary to commence procurement of contractors to construct the physical resettlement facilities as well budgeted for in Financial Year 2025/2026. The remaining period of Financial Year 2024/2025 shall be used to attain the necessary approvals and procurement of the contractors. Mr Speaker, on the same issue of grievances of the persons that were not adequately compensated, as attached in the annex, the ministry takes note of the committee’s recommendation, but observes that out of the list of the 29 Project Affected Persons, 18 are listed as plaintiffs under Civil Suit No.30 of 2017: Helen Labeja & 60 Others v. Attorney- General & Others. As for the remaining 11, the ministry commits to investigate and take appropriate action through the grievance redress committees. On the issue of purchase of relocation land for the PAPs, the ministry takes note of the committee’s recommendation and would like to inform Parliament that due diligence was carried out before purchase of the subject land, and confirmation of ownership was supported by the area chairman Local Council I of Lapono Village, Pabali Parish, Anaka Subcounty and the Chief Administrative Officer Nwoya District Local Government. The ministry is currently in possession of the original land title and transfer forms, pending subdivision. The land is to be subdivided and transferred in the names of the individual project-affected persons. On the issue of carrying out boundary opening of this required land to mitigate or prevent encroachment, we take note of the committee’s recommendation and commit to updating the boundary opening report that was prepared during the design of the facilities. Mr Speaker, on the issue of resettling the 119 households in accordance with the resettlement action plan, the ministry commits to expeditiously resettle the PAPs, subject to availability of funds for the construction of the facilities. On the issue of the ownership of the land acquired in Nwoya to be transferred to the Government awaiting the parcelling of the said land to the resettled PAPs, the ministry commits to transferring the land title to the Government of Uganda following the boundary opening before subdivision and transfer to the resettled PAPs. On the issue of the status of relocation of vulnerable PAPs, the ministry commits to resettling the PAPs, subject to availability of funds that have limited us over time in starting the construction of the needed facilities. On the issue of failure to return land titles for uncompensated PAPs, the ministry commits to identifying the outstanding land titles, subdividing them and returning them to the rightful landowners. On implementation of social services, I entirely agree with the committee’s recommendation. On implementation of the community development action plan, the ministry entirely agrees with the committee’s recommendation and commits to putting it into action. On completion of the mosque at Karuma, the ministry commits to expediting the completion and handover by December 2024. Currently, the contractor is on site and works are ongoing. On refurbishment work for Karuma Primary School, the ministry would like to inform Parliament that the contractor to undertake works was jointly procured by Kiryandongo District Local Government and the Ministry of

14139 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 in Uganda and he is also the Deputy RDC, Lamwo District. We also have Mr Godfrey Otim, Division Mayor, Laror Pacer. This is the second time. We have Mr James Kidega, the RDC for Agago and Hon. Jenipher Nantume Egunyu, the CAO for Nwoya District. She was with us in the 10 th Parliament. Honourable, you are welcome.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I wish to inform my honourable colleague, Hon. Okori-Moe, that the demonstration farm she spoke about and said is in West Nile, Got-Apwoyo, is not in West Nile. That demonstration farm is in Nwoya District in the Acholi Subregion. Nonetheless, Madam Speaker, I support the motion. You see me here but I am a product of cattle farming. My father used to breed bulls to pay school fees, and those bulls were the ones from which money was got by our parents to send us back to school. In December, it would be slaughtered and it would pay school fees for the first term; again in the second and third terms. That is how we have come here. We were able to access socio-economic transformation of household income because, from primary four, I used to sell milk and go to school with the money. Therefore, cattle breeding – (Member timed out.)

Madam Speaker, I bring you greetings from my lovely people of Nwoya District. My name is Judith Peace Achan. I am the District Woman Member of Parliament for Nwoya and the Vice-Chair of the Anglican Chaplaincy and the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Persons with Disability.

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.

Madam Speaker, I thank you. You asked for those with the microphone and I am one of them. I want to thank you for bringing this because it is the right time that we raise these issues. I want to thank the committee for the elaborate report. However, within the national roads that we have in Nwoya District, we have Oyam-Koch- Lii-Koch-Goma Town Council Road, which is in the National Development Plan. And then we also have Katikati-Alero-Kona-Nwoya Road, which is also in the National Development Plan. We also have Anaka-Longolo-Amoro road, which is also in the National Development Plan. I want to explain this clearly, because, Madam Speaker, every week that our businessmen and women are traveling, especially on the roads of Kate Kate, Alero, Kona Nwoya, we have lost so many lives. Even right now as I speak, there are so many trailers which have blocked the road. The pedestrians cannot use the roads because it is impossible. I would like to request that the Ministry of Works and Transport send Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) today as we plan and look for the contractors to start working on these roads for maintenance. Madam Speaker, it is my humble -

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I have been following the report of the committee and I want to thank the chairperson for the very elaborate report. However, on one of their recommendations, talking about periodic assessment of bridges on some of the major roads in the country, I thought it would be very important for us to have a recommendation that covers all the bridges on the national roads in this country to avoid us operating in a manner that we are in now, especially regarding Karuma Bridge. Secondly, I want to comment on the issue of roads under Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The Ministry of Works and Transport should really improve on their coverage and as far as their assessment on status of roads is concerned, there are roads under UNRA that have not been worked on for the last five years. In Omoro District, I want to cite two cases. There is a road from Minakulu that connects Omoro to Nwoya District via Okwui. That road is in a very sorry state. Four days ago, the community around there and connecting to Nwoya were demonstrating. It is only your arrival in Omoro yesterday that calmed the situation down. We nearly lost two mothers who were in labour pain trying to access health facilities connecting to Kampala Road. I have written several times to the minister, and Hon. Musa Ecweru is aware of this, but nothing has been done on this road. Another road is Minja connecting Omoro District to Gulu and Kitgum. This is also another national road that has never been worked on. Even simple maintenance has never been done on the road, Madam Speaker. I want to implore the Ministry of Works and Transport - now that UNRA is no longer going to be there, let the Ministry of Works and Transport take care of all the roads under UNRA properly. I want to add my voice on the allocations for roads under Road Fund, Madam Speaker. It is very absurd. When Parliament is considering additional funding to the districts to take care of roads, you again find that they are reducing some of this funding that was there earlier on. I am not impressed with this move. The Shs 1 billion allocation by Parliament is really supporting local governments a lot in terms of maintenance. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

13648 THE OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION to ensure that resources for the completion of the project are availed to the contractor to enable him or them to complete this important project. The Mityana-Mubende Road is an important link and was prioritised for reconstruction by Government and Government, therefore, committed to ensuring that the project is completed, as you all know. They will put in place measures to make sure that the contractor is paid on time. The second question came from Hon. Judith Peace Achan, Member of Parliament, Nwoya District. She asked, “When was the last time NEMA visited Bukona Factory in Nwoya District to ascertain whether they are still complying with environmental regulations?” And address the following concerns: “1. Whether there is proper treatment of factory waste or hazardous waste management. 2. Whether the ministry has enforced the law in place. On several occasions, the community around the factory complained to her over air and water pollution.” She is asking, what measures has the line ministry done to save the lives of the people? 3. Whether the management has a waste minimisation plan. 4. Whether there are site interim measures and site remediation.” Prayers are: 1. “Last warning to be given to Bukona Factory to restrain from polluting air and comply with the regulations. 2. For the community around Bukona suffering from this hazardous waste disposal; can management take the lead in ascertaining the health of the people who live there? If found or suspected to be infected because of waste disposal and air pollution, they must be treated and compensated. 3. Compensate those who suffered injuries from the accident that occurred at the site as a result of pipe bursting. 4. The Committee on Climate Change should visit the factory to ascertain whether they are still complying with the regulations.” My response is that it is true that Bukona Factory, a biofuel production factory, using maize, sorghum, cassava, as raw materials has environmental non-compliance issues, which the Government, through NEMA, are handling already. While the factory was established through due process, with requisite environmental and social impact assessment and water abstraction permits, our recent compliance inspections have confirmed serious issues of non- compliance, especially regarding waste water discharge from the distiller to the waste ponds created 300 metres from the factory. The distillery discharge to the waste ponds, without adequate treatment, is not in line with the conditions of approval of the environment and social impact assessment certificate issued by NEMA. Mr Speaker, inspectors have already visited the factory and confirmed that the pungent smell is actually from the waste discharge ponds established by the factory and appropriate compliance assistance and guidance have already been issued to the company. After inspections by NEMA inspectors, the following actions were taken: i. An improvement notice was issued to the factory, guiding them on the process to establish a proper effluent treatment plant for the distillery. ii. The factory accepted the guidance issued by NEMA and committed to put in place an engineered effluent treatment plant by September this year. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

13466 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 iii. Improving the quality of power supply through the systematic operation and maintenance of existing power infrastructure; iv. Increasing access to clean energy by supporting clean cooking technologies; v. The development of five micro-grid power plants using wind and solar hybrids in Karamoja; and vi. Preparatory activities for the 8,400MW Nuclear Power Plant in Buyende District. Industrial development and manufacturing Madam Speaker, in our tenfold growth strategy, the Government is going to step up efforts to accelerate the diversification of the economy, add value to raw materials to boost exports and import substitution to continue reducing our import bill, and also build more basic industries to produce items that Ugandans use daily such as sugar, soap, cooking oil, clothes, medicines, construction materials, et cetera. Our industrialisation efforts are being undertaken mainly through the private sector, but with the State playing a de- risking role. The Government, through the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), is undertaking targeted investments to increase Uganda’s manufacturing capacity. During the financial year we are ending, the following investments have been undertaken by UDC to increase local manufacturing capacity: i. The Atiak Sugar Factory has acquired modern mechanised equipment for the sugarcane fields in Amuru and Lamwo districts and installed modern irrigation systems; ii. Four tea factories have been supported to expand and process tea for both domestic market and export. These are: Kayonza Growers Tea Factory; Kigezi Highland Tea Factory; Mabale Growers Tea Factory; and Mpanga Growers Tea Factory; iii. Continued support to Mutuma Commercial Agencies (Ltd) in Luuka District to produce intermediary and final products such as surgical cotton, cotton cake, soap stock, and cotton-seed oil; iv. Investment in Bukona Agro-processors Ltd in Nwoya District to process cassava and cereals into ethanol for cooking. It produces 40,000 litres of ethanol per day; v. Investment in Budadiri Arabica Coffee Mills (Ltd) in Sironko District to process coffee for export; vi. Additional investment in Soroti Fruits Factory (Ltd) that is processing six metric tons of fruit (mangoes and oranges) per hour into fruit concentrates and juice; and vii. UDC has also invested in East African Medical Vitals (Ltd), manufacturer of examination and surgical gloves, to increase the company’s production capacity to create jobs and also save the country foreign exchange through import substitution. Madam Speaker, the Government is also continuing to develop industrial parks to provide investors with the required infrastructure and utilities. Work is in progress in Namanve Park (with 190 companies operating); Liao Shen Park in Kapeeka (19 companies); Sino-Uganda Industrial Park in Mbale (18 companies); Luzira Park (11 companies); Bweyogerere Park (eight companies); and MMP in Buikwe (seven companies). Other operational industrial parks include Jinja, Soroti, Kasese, Mbarara, and Tian Tang-Mukono Industrial Park. So far, over $3.5 billion has been invested in these parks in the form of foreign direct investment. Over 266,812 direct and indirect jobs have so far been created. Security, good governance, and rule of law Madam Speaker, peace and security, as well as the rule of law, are the foundation for all other

\;. ,, ,- 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$*\

12944 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The committee recommends that the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council be merged and mainstreamed into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. 5.2 Whether the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council has served the purpose for which it was established The committee noted that the council was established with the mandate of elimination of livestock and human trypanosomiasis in Uganda. The council has registered the following achievements during the last five years: (a) The Gambiense sleeping sickness cases were reduced from 86 to zero cases. (b) The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Uganda free of Gambiense sleeping sickness. (c) The Rhodesiene sleeping sickness cases reduced from 21 to zero cases. However, this financial year, one case was diagnosed in Nwoya District and managed successfully. (d) The tsetse fly density reduced from an average Flies Trapped per Day (FTD) of 17 to less than 2 FTD in the areas of Busoga, Buganda, Teso, Bukedi and Bunyoro. The prevalence of Trypanosomiasis reduced from 37 per cent to less than 5 per cent in the above areas. The challenge of sleeping sickness is still prevalent in and around conservation areas and major water bodies. The institution now is focusing on control and elimination of animal diseases after eliminating the human disease. The committee observed that the council has accomplished the purpose for which it was established to a larger extent. Uganda was declared free of Gambiense and Rhodesiense sleeping sickness, although the challenge still persists in and around conservation areas, water bodies and zoonotic diseases are on the increase. The committee recommends that the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Council be merged and mainstreamed into the ministry. 5.3 Whether Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council administration costs are so high that they drain the Treasury at the expense of service delivery The committee notes that the council is a subvention under MAAIF whose work plan and budgets are prepared and submitted to the department of planning for consideration and inclusion into the ministry’s vote. The committee further established that for the Financial Year 2022/2023, COCTU had 18 staff and a wage bill of Shs 850 million since they work through existing local Government structures which have frontline scientists. The committee observes that the council did not have its own budget and, therefore, the administrative costs of COCTU are part of the ministry’s budget. The committee reiterates its earlier recommendation that the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council be merged and mainstreamed into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. 5.4 Provision for a commencement date The committee notes that the existing law had created a secretariat, which had obligations and contracts executed. This implies that on the day, His Excellency the President assents to the Bill, the agency will cease to exist. Currently, some of the properties of the agency have not yet been accounted for. The committee observed that there is need for a transition period after the law has been assented to, to provide for winding up processes, taking stock, and officially handing over the obligations the secretariat was undertaking to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. The committee recommends that the commencement date be provided. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council has been THE UGANDA TRYPASONOMIASIS COUNCIL CONTROL (REPEAL)BILL, 2024

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to pay my special tribute to His Excellency, the Ambassador of Japan to Uganda. I am a beneficiary of his hard work during his tour in Uganda. One of our health centres in Nwoya District benefited from his hard work; that is Koch Goma Health Centre II maternity ward. I was privileged to be part of the commissioning of the maternity ward that day. Thank you, so much. I believe that as you leave the country, you will continue to work with us from wherever you will be. On blood donation, we have been struggling with the hospitals - in my district, Anaka Hospital does not have where to keep blood. As much as we try to mobilise the community, the youth and the people who are willing to donate blood, the challenge of the fridges to keep the blood still rocks our country. I urge the Ministry of Health to ensure that every hospital has a fridge to store this blood safely. We have challenges where sickle cell children most of the time are referred to the hospitals and health centres for blood; we have lost many of them on the way as they strive to get blood from the hospitals. We welcome this. I will be part of the people to donate blood and save lives in this country.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On 16 of last month, I raised a matter of national importance in regards to how the oil districts are being treated and I was particular on how the Nwoya District has been deliberately left out from all the benefits. The Prime Minister directed the Minister of Energy to urgently have a meeting with the leaders from the Acholi Subregion so that the issues to do with the benefits and how the oil districts are being treated can be harmonised. To this day –

Mr Speaker, during the 12 th Sitting of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 11 th Parliament held on Thursday, 13 July 2023 you guided that a joint statement by the Minister of Water and Environment, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development be presented to the House, among other things, on the status of Gulu University land. As you may be aware, on 3 April 2020, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda directed the Rt Hon. Prime Minister then, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, to degazzette 70 acres of Gulu Central Forest Reserve and avail it to Gulu University for expansion. Subsequently, the 10 th Parliament of Uganda resolved that the Minister responsible for Water and Environment urgently fulfils the President’s directive to degazzette 70 acres of Gulu Central Forest Reserve and avail the land to Gulu University for expansion. The university wrote to the Chairperson LCV, Nwoya District Local Government requesting for a council resolution of no objection for the gazettement of a forest reserve in Nwoya District. In the same vein, the Chairperson of Nwoya District Land Board requested for the application forms to convert the certificate of land titles from leasehold to freehold. On 19 September 2022, the university submitted, filled and signed application land forms for conversion of their land title Plot 63 Block 4 at Purongo, Nwoya District measuring 208.131 hectares from leasehold to freehold to the Chairperson, Nwoya District Land Board for appropriate action. Nwoya District Land Board further guided that the university submits additional forms that is form 4: grant of freehold, form 10: notice of hearing the application for the grant of a freehold and also form 23: demarcation form for the grant of freehold to enable the land

10822 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT board begin the process of conversion from leasehold to freehold with ease. The forms were fully filled and submitted to the Area Land Committee, Got Apwoyo to prepare the land for its submission to the Nwoya District Land Board for consideration and approval. Furthermore, the university leadership also wrote to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment on the degazettement of the central forest reserve in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City. The Ministry of Water and Environment, in a letter dated 30 th May 2023, issued the university with guidance on how to proceed with the degazettement of part of the Gulu Central Forest Reserve and gazettement of the 500 acres in Nwoya District to aid the initiation of the process so that the ministry could also take up its subsequent role. The stakeholders are in the process of conducting a social and environmental impact assessment, land valuation and other mandatory legal and procedural requirements as guided by the Ministry of Water and Environment. I beg to submit.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the VIP gallery we have Hon. Lilly Adong, former Woman Member of Parliament in the Ninth and Tenth Parliaments, where she represented Nwoya District. (Applause) Hon. Adong has just completed her Law Development Centre clerkship at Parliament. Honourable colleagues, when you do not make it to the next Parliament, once you are well prepared, you move on strategically. She has just completed her clerkship and I would like to congratulate her. Honourable members, we have 34 matters that you intend to raise, but the moment we reach 3.00 p.m., we will move to the Order Paper. Every Thursday we shall be invoking Rule 26(4) of our Rules of Procedure where we give you two hours to address your matters. BILLS FIRST READING THE ANIMAL FEEDS BILL, 2023

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would also like to thank the minister for the twin statements that we can compare. When the matter of oil prices came here in a report presented by the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, one of the issues that were identified was the gap in the transportation of fuel from Kenya to Uganda. And that Uganda was relying on a more expensive means of transporting oil products with fuel tanks on the roads. It was identified as a problem that was making impact. In the same report, it was identified that the railway transport would reduce this cost and it would even reduce further if a combination of rail and water was applied. In the two reports, if you compare the first and second one, you find that there is a comprehensive strategy to transport the oil products in our oil industry internally to Tanzania and also to bring it to Kampala. And this is lacking in the first report. May I seek clarification from the minister about what they are going to do in the medium- term to reduce the cost of transporting oil to this country, especially from Kenya. I represent a district with the most oil, Nwoya District. Tilenga Project is largely in Nwoya with the most productive wells and people have all sorts of questions. One of them is expectations that I would like the minister to clarify: Are we getting cheaper oil of our own than the one we are importing or what? Thank you.

10679 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker, on 19 June 2023, a one Morris Barry Okello a security guard at Otwee Health Centre III reported an office break-in and theft of a computer monitor valued at Shs 10 million. Mr Morris Okello locked offices on 18 June 2023 at around 1500hrs, went home and later returned at around 1900hrs for night duty. He left the office premises at around 0300hrs to rest at his home. However, upon returning in the morning at around 0540hrs, he realised that the offices had been broken into and a computer monitor had been stolen. Investigations are on- going. On 9 February this year, a one Angello Oola, a retired teacher and Chairman Atiak Health Centre IV, reported malicious damage to the fence of the health centre and the theft of 15 iron sheets valued at Shs 750,000, by Charles Okoy and Sunday Kidega. The case was registered vide reference No. SD 11/09/02/2023 and CRB 026/2023. The stolen exhibits were recovered and handed over to the health centre management and the two suspects, both the security guards of Atiak Health Centre IV, were arrested. Investigations are still on-going. Mr Speaker, in Gulu District, information was received that some Government drugs had been seen in the drug shops belonging to Vincent Omona. It is alleged that the suspected stolen drugs were from Omel Apem Health Centre III. On searching the residence of Monica Akello by the community members, in the presence of GISO in Omel Subcounty, boxes of drugs labelled “Government of Uganda, not for sale” were recovered. The drug shop was operated by a one Monica Akello, former girlfriend to Vincent Omona and currently, a girlfriend to a one Denis Oketayot who was a porter of the said health facility. The matter was reported to Paicho Police Station and the case file CRB 009/2023 was later transferred to Gulu CPS after which the suspects appeared in court. On 2 July 2023, in Nwoya District, the store at Langol Health Centre II, Koch Goma Subcounty, was broken into and drugs that included 120 boxes of Coartem, 120 boxes of malaria testing kits and one solar battery, were stolen. The incident was reported by a one Okello Wonyima, Ag. DHO Nwoya District and the case file is CRB 381/2023. When the canine section was introduced at the scene, it led to the home of a one Okello Moses. All houses within the homestead were searched. However, no stolen property was recovered. Suspects were arrested, including the in-charge of the facility and the security guard. Honourable colleagues, this was a long question, I request you to be patient because I am about to conclude. On 8 May 2023 at the same health facility; Lagol Health Centre II, at around 2000hrs, as Kabu Kenneth Guffu, the in-charge of the facility, went to the store to pick drugs to serve the patients, he realised that the door to the store was open. At first, he thought that the store could have been mistakenly left open by a one Kibwota Alfred Okot, who doubles as a security guard as well as a store man. On close scrutiny, however, he realised that the store had been broken into and the drugs plus other medical supplies had been stolen. These included 2,475 packets of Artesunate tablets, 70 boxes of rectal Artesunate for children, 40 pieces of IV Artesunate, two cartons of mosquito nets and 50 boxes of examination gloves, among others. The padlock was destroyed and two security guards did not work on that particular day, hence they were arrested and investigations are on-going, and the case file is CRB 380/2023. Mr Speaker, on 1 April, at around midnight, the store of COO-room at the health centre II was broken into by unknown assailants and drugs stolen. It was reported by Faith Akello Lagwang, the case file No. is CRB 201/2023, an enrolled midwife working at the same facility. The stolen items include 30 boxes of ACT, one box of D&T SOLI, 200 pieces of Sayana press, three pieces of aprons, 20 boxes of RDT, four boxes of thermometers, 100 pieces of mosquito nets, one tin of Panadol and 90 boxes of RDT.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Between July and August 2023, the Uganda National Oil Company Limited invited applications for undergraduate scholarship programmes for students who had obtained admission from a number of universities. According to this company, this was part of the initiative to support the oil districts. The idea was that this would be in the interest of promoting national participation. However, Mr Speaker, the call to this application was restricted to the districts of Hoima, Masindi and Buliisa. I do not have a problem with those districts benefiting, but Mr Speaker, you are aware that Nwoya District is one of the oil districts and it is actually considered the district with the largest deposit of oil and gas. Nwoya has three known oil wells and those are Lyec, Jobi and Jobi East. Unfortunately, Nwoya District has never been considered in any of the programmes as far as support to oil districts is concerned. Mr Speaker, it is, therefore, my prayer that the Prime Minister calls UNOC to order so that they begin to treat all the oil districts equally. The question of equity is key. Secondly, I think there is need for the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to have discussions with leaders from the oil districts and that should include Nwoya and any other district that is involved in oil and gas. Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, I request that you allow me to invite UNOC together with the leadership of Nwoya District or Acholi Parliamentary Group to discuss this matter and have these issues settled. I promise.

Thank you, Mr Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I have heard and I am happy that the backlog is being cleared. If we go into the details of the type of cases that are being cleared, personally I imagine the issues of land still remain and take a very long time. No wonder we have cases where people are being killed because of land disputes because the Judiciary department is not disposing them off. I would like to give you an example; the Jonam have their customary land in Nwoya District. For more than 10 years, justice has not been made to our people and as a result, as we speak, in a whole subcounty, the people of Jonam have been chased away from their customary land and we feel very bitter. I am bringing this up because I think apart from the backlog being cleared, we need to be keen about the cases that still remain and take a long time, particularly issues of land. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the same note, I mobilised the community to donate blood in Nwoya District; we have a hospital called Anaka Hospital. I derived that from the challenge that my people are facing in the constituency because I believe it is a national issue. Madam Speaker, we have a category of children with sickle cells and Members of Parliament, including myself, are receiving phone calls every day to support the parents who are running around with their children to look for where they can access blood. Sometimes we are even forced to run to hospitals and give in our blood to be tested to see whether it matches with the patient so that we can donate. I have a hospital in Nwoya District that does not have a cold room to keep the blood yet the community is willing to donate blood. Children are supposed to be taken to Lacor Hospital or Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. We are losing children with sickle cells every month. I feel that pain as a mother. Today, we are celebrating and commemorating the children who died because of sickle cells. Madam Speaker, what is the Ministry of Health’s plan? I have written a proposal to one of the embassies to help us donate or purchase one of those cold machines to Anaka Hospital, but up to now, I have not received it.

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

8089 THE E LEVENTH P ARLIAMENT OF U GANDA TUESDAY , 18 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. i) That Shs 2.8 billion meant for the distribution of goats, Shs 1.8 billion for the supply of cashew nuts, and Shs 7.2 billion for seed, stocking, and planting material be transferred from Vote 010: Ministry of Agricultural, Animal Industry and Fisheries, to Vote 152: National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), for effective management; ii) That Government prioritises the provision of priority drops like cashew nuts, macadamia and Hass avocado to cattle corridors and North-eastern parts of the country. On affirmative action for North-eastern Uganda, the committee notes that the North- eastern region needs affirmative action to address persistent food insecurity, famine and drought, which has been experienced year in and year out, given that most agriculture sector agencies are either very thin or not present in the region. For example, DDA, NAGRC&DB in an area like Karamoja, which has the largest number of cattle that does not exist. West Nile is characterised by poor-quality livestock breeds that call for urgent improvement and an under- utilised Government ranch in Nwoya, that is, Got Apwoyo which has great potential for improved livestock, breeding, and production in the region. The committee recommends that: i) Shs 10 billion be provided to facilitate the revamping of the Karamoja Ranch by NAGRC&DB; ii) Shs 10 billion required for revamping the Got Apwoyo Ranch in Nwoya District be provided; iii) Shs 5 billion be provided to DDA for milk collection centers in Karamoja; iv) Shs 4 billion be provided to MAAIF for mechanisation centers in West Nile and Karamoja to manage and maintain significant tractors in those subregions. On agricultural extension services, the committee observes that the immense reduction of the extension services budget from Shs 245.493 billion in the Financial Year 2022/2023 to Shs 141.91 billion in the Financial Year 2020/2024, only covering the wage component. This implies that extension workers will only be paid salaries with no tools or funds to operate. Out of the required 9,275 extension workers, only 4,031 are available and face challenges of lack of transport, and inadequate training among others, while they lack performance indicators to measure the performance. The committee recommends that: i) Shs 103.5 billion that has been removed from the district local government production services to support extension services be provided to reinstate the allocation to the current level; ii) Shs 13 billion be provided to facilitate tooling and retooling of the district extension workers with iPads, computers, motorcycles, and motor vehicles; iii) The funds required for wage and recruitment of 5,244 extension workers to fill the gaps countrywide be provided. Water for agricultural production a) The committee notes with concern the continuous absence of an irrigation master plan to guide planned investments in water for agricultural production. The committee was informed that the Ministry of Water and Environment is in the process of acquiring a consultant for the activity. The committee recommends that MAAIF takes lead in the development of the master plan and works with the Ministry of Water and environment to ensure that a comprehensive plan capturing all components of irrigation is in place before the next budget

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, you will remember that on the burial day, the Archbishop (Rtd) Luke Orombi mentioned that the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah was a universal person. He said that there was one Member of Parliament from the Opposition, who upon announcement of his death, cried and I was the one. I cried for two reasons: the first is we, the Jonam people, have been struggling about our land in Nwoya District. As I speak, unfortunately, they have been chased away though they are still struggling. I cried because at one point, the late Rt Hon. Jacob helped us get in touch with one of the persons who was owning large chunks of land and we had a discussion in his office. We thought that there would be hope for us to follow up and eventually, the Jonam people would go back to their land. That is one reason I cried. Secondly, Hon. Aogon mentioned something about NUSAF IV. He told us, when we went to him as Executive Members of the Greater North Parliamentary Forum, that he had to meet with the President three times because the Government’s orientation was now – (Member timed out.)

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)