Obongi County

Thank you. Woman Member of Parliament, Obongi District, Hon. Harriet Joyo, is she there?

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Obongi District, I want to say that we are mourning a giant, a statesman, a father, and the lion of the people of Madi sub-region and West Nile. He served this country throughout his life, from the bush to Parliament, from war to peace, and from controversy to reconciliation. He served this country in uniform with a lot of dedication and commitment and served the Chamber in various portfolios. Most importantly, the late was a unifier and a voice for the voiceless. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, sacrifice, survival, and service for the nation. A great tree has fallen; its shade still remains. May I therefore urge all of us to mourn him with a lot of commitment and serve this country with a lot of dedication. Above all, for the people of Madi Sub-region, we shall remember him and commit ourselves to ensure that the issue of the construction of Laropi Bridge is concluded in his memory. May his soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, the local governments with additional local revenue are the following: Arua City, Jinja City, Lira City, Mbale City, Apac Municipal Council, Agago District, Budaka District, Bugiri District, Buhweju District, Bulambuli District, Bushenyi District, Dokolo District, Jinja District, Kalilo District, Kasese District, Kyikube District, Koboko District, Kyegegwa District, Kyenjojo District, Kyotera District, Mbarara District, Mitooma District, Moroto District, Nakapiripirit District, Nakasongola District, Namisindwa District, Obongi District, Pallisa District, Rubanda District, Rubirizi District, Rukiga District, Sironko District, Tororo District, among others. (Interjections) Madam Speaker, we have also provided Shs 72.9 billion as additional disbursement by the World Bank for the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises(GROW) project. The World Bank approved and disbursed additional funds for GROW project. These funds must be utilised, or the grant will be cancelled at the end of this financial year. Madam Speaker, I now come to the supplementary expenditures that are above the 3 per cent legal limit that require additional financing. The total is Shs 463.15 billion, and the particulars are as follows: i. Shs 56.95 billion for LC1, LC2, and Women Council Committee elections countrywide as directed by the Cabinet. These funds are required to support the Electoral Commission in fully implementing the electoral roadmap, as already approved by the Cabinet. ii. Shs 29.57 billion for AFCON 2027 preparatory activities. Honourable members, the Cabinet directed that we fully fund AFCON 2027, beginning with the immediate requirement in this Financial Year 2025/2026. These funds are required to implement the urgent preparatory works, reduce implementation risk and keep the overall AFCON 2027 preparation programme on schedule. The activities include the following; i) Shs 14.1 billion for preliminary works at Kabalega International Airport. This one will go to the Ministry of Works and Transport. ii) Shs 8.03 billion for priority road works and associated support activities in Kira Municipal Council. iii) Shs 3.06 billion for pitch improvement at Kadiba Football Stadium. iv) Shs 0.31 billion for branding of host cities and content production for the Destination Uganda documentary. v) Shs 1.0 17 billion for Hoima City and Masindi Municipality to finance sanitation and road safety interventions. vi) Shs 1.02 billion for meteorological and aviation safety support system. vii) Shs 1.8 billion for water utility preparatory works for the Hoima cluster. Madam Speaker, we also require; COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

18417 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 26 MARCH 2026 In the VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have Members of Parliament-elect. They have come to observe the proceedings. They include: 1. Hon. Alex Ekoro Irukan - Bunya County East 2. Hon. Jane Frances Amongin – Kaberamaido District 3. Hon. Jeniva Arinaitwe Nalongo – Rubirizi District 4. Hon. Patrick Musinguzi – Kashari North County 5. Hon. Wilfred Babanga Erima – Terego East County 6. Hon. Johnson Nyeko – Lamwo County 7. Hon. Harriet Joyo – Obongi District 8. Hon. Adrine Katusiime – Sheema District 9. Hon. Peter Ojiit – Pingire County 10. Hon. Noel Matilda Kataike – Budaka District 11. Hon. Peace Tibyase 12. Hon. Etilu Margaret from Amuria 13. Hon. Ogwal Joseph Jones from Dokolo 14. Hon. Kiyimba Emmanuel from Bukoto County West 15. Hon. Kibaju Charity, Mbarara City 16. Hon. Nabaduka Annet from Kibale 17. Hon. Acom Esther Lucy from Serere 18. Hon. Kasule Ismail, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) from Hoima West 19. Hon. Twinamasiko Onesmus – Old Boy (OB) (Applause) 20. Hon. Ahebwa Wilber from Nakaseke 21. Hon. Ssewagudde Robert, representing Persons with Disability and; 22. Hon. Mulemya Ismail Sowedi from Busia. Join me in welcoming them. You are all most welcome. (Applause) Honourable members, can we now hear from the minister because this is a serious matter?

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to support the motion for approval of the Budget Framework Paper. I have three observations. Observation number one is related to the performance of externally financed projects. Whereas on the one hand we blame ourselves, the ministries, departments, agencies and Parliament, on the other hand, there are certain practices within the donor conditions that constrain us. A case in point is the World Bank- funded projects. An example is the Uganda electricity scale- up project that was supposed to extend power to a number of communities that have not been connected. A case in point is Obongi constituency where the project started two to three years ago and a resettlement action plan has to be approved by the bank. The ministry is waiting for that approval from the bank, which to me is micromanagement. As Government, we need to sit down with our partners to review some of those micromanagement conditions. Two, external financing to the humanitarian community has grossly reduced, especially in refugees hosting districts. This has resulted in laying off of many Ugandans in the social service delivery sector. Our schools and health facilities are understaffed because UNHCR, OPM, and many international and national organisations have laid off staff. We would like to see, in the Budget Framework Paper and the ministerial policy statement, the ultimate allocation of resources for wages to recruit staff who have been laid off or made redundant. Last but not least, Mr Speaker, while the President was traversing the country, he made many pledges; for example, he promised a hospital for Obongi District. These are social contracts that should be considered in the annual work plan and budget, in the ministerial policy statements, and in the Budget Framework Papers that we look forward to. I thank you.

18027 THE E LEVENTH P A R LIAMENT OF UGANDA W E DNESDAY , 17 SEPTEMBER 2025 sufficiently using energy. I thought it would be in a way of sensitising Ugandans that when you leave your cooker or fridge on, you are incurring an unnecessary cost rather than coming up with a penalty. Mr Speaker, other than that, it looks like this law is targeting our traders, probably not importing certain kind of equipment like cookers or fridges. What will happen if we pass this law this week and tomorrow it comes into effect? What will the traders that have these cookers and fridges in their stores or for some of us with these cookers and fridges in our houses, what will happen? What is the Government going to do with their provision for compensation? Two, like what Hon. Okeyoh said, some of our districts or parts of our districts have no electricity. For example, in Obongi District, the people there have never even seen an electricity pole. So, how are you passing a law that every Ugandan will have to use or benefit or work against them and yet you have not reached every area of Uganda? Even where you have reached in Pakwach, half of the district has no electricity. Why don’t we do the first things first and then come up with other things later? Again, the minister needs to clarify as they harmonise because the minority report clearly spelled out the concern about driving costs. We, the people of Uganda, are struggling with whatever kind of business and there is no law that we should pass in this House that will drive the cost up. Rather, we should bring it down so that our private sector can thrive beyond the Ugandan economy. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, early last year, when you were presiding over this House on the matter of connection of electricity in the districts in West Nile, I did raise a concern about an island of darkness in the West Nile called Obongi District that has not had a single pole of electricity since time immemorial. You directed that the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, in collaboration with the Members of Parliament –

Sorry, you guided. Thank you. You guided, Mr Speaker, that the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development liaise with the Members of Parliament from Madi Sub region to come on the ground to have a first-hand assessment of the situation of connection of electricity to Obongi District. While West Nile was being connected to the National Grid, the people of Obongi wanted to boycott coming to participate in the connection of West Nile to the National Grid. There was an assurance made by the President that before the end of this year, Obongi would be connected to the national grid. To date, there is no evidence of action being taken for three consecutive years. The connection of Obongi has appeared on the budget, but no action has been taken. Is it procedurally right that you guide the minister, and no action is taken to first track the connection of Obongi to the National Grid? I submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to raise a matter of urgent national importance about a strategic bridge referred to as Kochi Bridge, located in Waka Parish, Itula Subcounty of Obongi District, funded by the World Bank through a project commonly referred to as the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) –

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. When my colleagues are talking about transformers and money being collected from people during connectivity, in Obongi, I am still pleading that we want to see an electricity pole in the whole district. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, through you, to the Prime Minister, when are we seeing an electricity pole in Obongi District? Thank you.

Madam Speaker, Dr Bhoka Didi George is my name. I am the Member of Parliament for Obongi Constituency, Obongi District in West Nile. I am also the Vice- Chairperson of the West Nile Parliamentary Caucus. Thank you.

There is a procedural matter. Honourable members, before the procedural matter comes, in the VIP gallery we have Mr Milton Odongo, the RDC of Pader, and Mr Wadri Sam Nyakua, the Mayor of Arua City. We also have, Mr David Kennedy Odongo from Alebtong District, Mr John Nangiro from Nakapiripirit District, Mr Stephen Obitre from Maracha District, and Mr Abibu Bulia Khemij Awadi from Obongi District. We also have Mr Hassan Ringitho from Zombo District, Mr Michael Ivan Ocaya from Kitgum Municipal Council – he is the Deputy Speaker, and Ms Vanessa Anyako, the Female Youth Councillor, Laro Pece Division.

13973 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 AUGUST 2024 His prayers are: 1. When will the OPM in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport implement the plan to have the damaged bridges and roads in Bundibugyo and other flood-prone districts? 2. Can the Office of the Prime Minister help in finding a permanent solution for River Kirumya in Ntotoro Subcounty in Bundibugyo District which has continuously displaced communities living near the river? Mr Speaker, my response is that it is true my office has been coordinating the interventions funded and supported by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Bundibugyo District towards the construction of low bridges where possible. In the Financial Year 2023/2024, the finance ministry through the roads maintenance grant established Shs 1 billion to support the construction of low-cost bridges and so far, two small bridges have been constructed in Bundibugyo. However, there has been a challenge of availability and timely release of funds to implement the necessary activities, an issue that is being addressed. Two arch bridges were constructed using the Shs 1 billion road grant. Additionally, three cable bridges at rivers Tokwe, Sandila and Nyahuka were constructed by a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) called Bridges to Prosperity and it has also supported the district by constructing bridges for pedestrians, cyclists and animal use. 3. On the flood mitigation in Ntoroko, my office, together with the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO) have supported the district with technical supervision and funds to implement mitigation interventions in the form of flood embankment construction along the river bank areas of River Ssemiliki. The WFP provided Shs 377 million to the district for works supervised by the department of works and engineering of the district. Mr Speaker, my office, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the World Food Programme, FAO, Uganda Red Cross Society, together with the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese, Ntoroko, and Kisoro are currently developing a multi- hazard early warning to increase resilience and enhance early and anticipatory actions of communities to disaster incidents. Lastly, in addition to the construction above, my office has constructed a new health facility after the old one in Bundibugyo got flooded in 2020. 4. Hon. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, Member of Parliament, Omoro County His prayer is that we appeal to the Government to take an interest in prioritising the setting up of seed secondary schools in war-affected areas in addition to technical vocational institutions and coding and aid-granting community schools. My response, Mr Speaker, is that Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP) targets refugee-hosting districts, war-affected communities, and those with no Government-aided secondary schools in a subcounty. We have 32 new schools in the refugee hosting districts and 61 schools to be expanded, totalling 93. These are supporting the war-affected populations. 5. Hon. George Didi Bhoka, Member of Parliament of Obongi County. He says the leaders and people of Obongi District appreciate the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for benefiting from the agro-mechanisation programme. Obongi District, according to him, received one four-wheel tractor and six hand-operated tractors from the agriculture ministry eight

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Obongi District, as known by each and every one in this House, is a new district. It is four years old now, but it does not have a general hospital. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when shall we have a general hospital in Obongi for us to reduce on that number that has been referred from Obongi to Moyo on a daily basis? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise to thank the minister and her team. A week ago, the minister sent her team to West Nile to find out the most shining and best district built. It so happened that Terego was the best and they launched electricity in Terego. I am so grateful. Mr Speaker, I would love to behave like Oliver Twist. The electricity went straight to the district headquarters but elsewhere, we are still in darkness. I pray after launching in the district headquarters, let us spread it to the subcounties and schools so that Terego, which shines at the district shines elsewhere. Last week, I was in Obongi. I will do a disservice to West Nile if I do not say this. The people of Obongi almost locked eight of us, Members of Parliament asking, “What are you coming to do here when you people cannot allow us to have light?” Mr Speaker, the Obongi District Chairperson was supposed to travel and he needed to apply for an online visa. However, due to power shortage, and rain, he could not use the internet to apply for a visa, so he failed to travel. I am here to say that Obongi should be the number one priority. Lastly, I attended a meeting of SynBio Africa. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - of this very important scientist, is a Ugandan but now he heads synthetic biology at the eighth-best university in the world, which is in Singapore, that can turn all the waste we are complaining about in Kitebi into electricity –

\;. ,, ,- 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$*\

12587 THE E L E VENTH P A R L IAMENT O F U GANDA THURSDAY , 11 A P R IL 2024 (i) African average is 636 kW (ii) Sub-Saharan Africa is at Mr Speaker, if we do not invest in energy, we lose the focus even on development. I would like to also point out that we are implementing an energy strategy for transition because we are careful on the environment. We have got to move out from fossil fuels, although we have petroleum, we should be moving out of it. We should move away from using biomass which is destroying our environment, including charcoal so we should be very careful. I was getting worried, but we shall discuss with the chairperson if we are pursuing a transition plan for energy. One of the safe sources of energy is liquid petroleum gas so there is need to be very careful about this. We shall also discuss moving money from liquid petroleum gas and converting it to electricity. I would, therefore, advocate for additional money to take the two fronts forward. We should be worrying more about our environment and climate change and whatever we are proposing as a ministry, we have that in mind. What I will be asking for is an affirmative action for the energy sector like we did for infrastructure, that is, the roads. This is what we need, if we are to achieve our target. Look at where we are; at a per capita of 215 v other countries which have developed. On petroleum, we need additional resources. We do not have a benefit of time. If we are to benefit from petroleum production, it must be now because within the energy sector, we are saying, “look, we have got to move out of fossil fuels”, but we need to get the money from petroleum and to do that, we need to invest heavily to speed up the extraction of fuel and put it into the market. If we delay –2025 - If we remove any money from the petroleum, especially the Petroleum Regulatory Authority, then we would be contradicting ourselves. Let us retain that money and reallocate it within the petroleum. What are our priorities? Can we put that money there for now to enable us to get the petrol out of the ground within the time that we have? There are questions that have been asked, but I will generally answer them. We are committed to providing electricity and this can only happen when you give me the funding that I require or else we shall be moving in circles, blaming me for not delivering and I will be blaming you for not supplying. The loan that you provided is spent. You all have allocations per district and when I look at what I have allocated - You all know it – when I tell you that for example Hon. Okiror’s district, I am giving you 20 Kilometres of extension, but he is demanding a lot more than that. Therefore, the resources that I am asking for are to increase the allocation that I have given you. Consider the project which you gave me, spent money. To give you what you desire I need additional resources. This time we are trying to equitably supply electricity to every district and therefore, it goes to every constituency. We have a plan. Initially, we wanted electricity to go to the district headquarters. I am comfortable except for one district headquarters. It is only Obongi that has not been given electricity at the district headquarters. It is the commitment of the ministry to provide electricity to Obongi District Headquarters.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from Obongi District Local Government. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Zumura Maneno and Hon. George Bhoka Didi. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House, and because of that, let me allow Hon. Bhoka to make a comment because he has been standing up. Please, stand up for recognition so that we can welcome you. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to thank you for receiving and recognising the presence of my district leaders, led by the Speaker as well as the district chairman in this august House. (Applause) I am equally very happy that they had the opportunity to listen to the debate on the issues and concerns on refugees and host communities. Obongi is one of the districts in Uganda that hosts Palorinya Refugee Settlement. Unique amongst refugee hosting districts in Uganda is that whereas the district has only a population of about 55,000 nationals, 135,000 people in Obongi District are refugees and therefore, as we discuss and debate this important issue of equity in access to opportunities for host and refugee communities, know it touches our hearts. Refugees and host communities have a right, the Government and the international community has a duty to protect, provide and facilitate the progressive realisation of the rights of refugees for quality services. However, within this context, we need to be guided by the global compact on refugees that requires us to see to it that there is safety and security for the refugees wherever they are. That demands that we have access to services but importantly, it requires that host countries and communities are supported by the international community to ensure they provide, in an equitable way, services for both the hosts and refugees. I thank you once again for giving me this opportunity. I submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker and the minister for the report coming from a bordering district. Just a couple of weeks ago, Obongi District underwent a similar situation where the use of small arms by errant individuals that are reported to have come from South Sudan, happened. They threatened the lives of people, looted and to some extent became a security threat. My prayer is that we intensify surveillance because of the porosity of the border. Community policing and security mechanisms are key and the local defence systems used to be very important. We request the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the security apparatus to intensify community security mechanisms. Last, but not least, indeed South Sudan is a neighbouring country. The men and women from there are brothers and sisters. Within the spirit of the East African Community, I pray that we strengthen cross-border engagement - political, civic and military, including business engagement - to ensure we create an enabling environment for us to operate between South Sudan and Uganda. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a point of national importance regarding an unresolved land conflict between Obongi District and Yumbe District. This land involves the villages of Mureliam, Kali in Kali Parish, Itula subcounty in Obongi District. This is a protracted matter that has been on right from the time Obongi was under Moyo District. Efforts were made by Moyo District Local Government to have this matter resolved and an inter-ministerial committee was set up. Recommendations were set to resolve this border matter but to-date, Government has not taken any action. Consequently, farmers have been evicted from using this land. There are Government programmes that have been planned by Itula subcounty and the most recent was the land fill under Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) that was stopped by security operatives from Yumbe District Local Government. Mr Speaker, this same land resulted in bloodshed and loss of property. My prayers are: 1. That the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development expedites the process of resolving this border conflict – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a point of national importance regarding an unresolved land conflict between Obongi District and Yumbe District. This land involves the villages of Mureliam, Kali in Kali Parish, Itula subcounty in Obongi District. This is a protracted matter that has been on right from the time Obongi was under Moyo District. Efforts were made by Moyo District Local Government to have this matter resolved and an inter-ministerial committee was set up. Recommendations were set to resolve this border matter but to-date, Government has not taken any action. Consequently, farmers have been evicted from using this land. There are Government programmes that have been planned by Itula subcounty and the most recent was the land fill under Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) that was stopped by security operatives from Yumbe District Local Government. Mr Speaker, this same land resulted in bloodshed and loss of property. My prayers are: 1. That the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development expedites the process of resolving this border conflict – (Member timed out.)

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In Obongi District, we have 28 par - ishes meaning that we have 28 SACCOs that are supposed to benefit from the Parish Devel - opment Model funds. Funds are being given to the parishes, but the beneficiaries are not ac - cessing these funds. I wonder why. We need to do something so that the beneficiaries are in position to access their funds. Secondly, everyone in this House knows the amount of money that a parish chief gets as a salary. They do not have gadgets, transport and computers for keeping the data of the Parish Development Model. I request that the ministry provides computers and transport for the parish

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

6741 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 6 JANUARY 2023 iv. On the local revenue performance, most district local governments can hardly meet their target thus misleading in the planning and budgeting for services to be provided to the population. Accordingly, accounting officers should ensure that local revenue enhancement committees are strengthened. v. The local governments devise effective measures to address the leakages and hold accountable revenue officers who abuse their powers. vi. The accounting officers should ensure that an updated revenue register is in place to track and enhance the revenue performance of the respective entities. vii. Accounting officers should ensure that an effective revenue mobilisation and tax education plan is in place to help local governments perform better. 3.2 Payroll management in local governments. (i) Management of payroll deductions The audit report noted that accounting officers effected payroll deductions from employees’ salaries to be remitted to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Consumer Lenders Association (UCLA), United Bank for Africa (UBA) and other beneficiaries. It was done contrary to Paragraph B-a (17) of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders 2010 as there were vivid cases of over and under remittances and non- remittances in some cases. Overall, as per the audit report, whereas 84 local governments deducted Shs 259.65 billion to be remitted to the different beneficiaries, there were over-remittances of Shs 2.16 billion and under-remittances of Shs 7.33 billion. Additionally, there were delays in remitting funds for over 55 days as reported in Obongi District Local Government. Mr Speaker, for purposes of saving time, I will take you through the committee observations. The committee observed that accounting officers do not conduct verification of staff lists to ascertain the right amounts of money to be deducted in favour of various beneficiaries. Also, the committee observed delayed and non-remittances of deduction to UCLA and UBA as a breach of paragraph 4.1.6 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019. Local Government staff risk being subjected to penalties associated with failure to settle or meet their contractual obligations to credit lending institutions. We have provided recommendations as indicated and I will request Members that for purposes of time, we also provided a report on unauthorised loan deductions, where the committee observed that the audit report noted that 48 local governments made unauthorised loan deductions totalling to Shs 11.1 billion and deductions were from 6835 employees that lack letters of consent or undertaking. You can look through, Mr Speaker and Members; you will see the irregularities as indicated. The committee made additional observations, but for purposes of saving time, I will request you to look through the observations and I will take you directly to recommendations. Recommendations The accounting officers or entities should play a central role in the initiation, processing and approval of all loan deductions. All loan deductions should be backed by adequate documentation. The responsibility of loan recovery cases, to be a duty of local governments and that the Minister of Public Service should terminate the requirements for undertaking with lending institutions as a policy measure. Finally, the Government should institute more protective measures to cap multiple and over- borrowing by employees. Mr Speaker, we also detected delayed deletion of staff from payroll as reported by the Auditor-