Vurra County

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Arua District, I rise to extend my condolences to the family. Mr Speaker, I stand to pay tribute, as a daughter of a military person whom Gen. Moses Ali recruited during Amin’s time and who rose to the rank of a Colonel because he had to bring him back from exile to join the UPDF. Gen. Ali Moses is a household name in West Nile. There are younger people who have never seen him but they know that there is a father, a “cock” in West Nile called Gen. Moses Ali. Gen. Moses Ali served for many years in this country but you would never see his name riddled in scandals. He served with dedication. When you hear about corruption, you would never hear about our great father in those issues of corruption. We thank him for that. He has been a model to us and he was a humorous person. One time, when he was not well and had returned from treatment abroad, we did not go to see him as the West Nile Parliamentary Caucus. Later, we had a meeting for the caucus with the Equal Opportunities Commission and he was the first person in the room. When we arrived, he jokingly said, “You people thought I was gone. I am around. You did not come to see me, so I have brought myself”. He was a friendly person to all ages. Mr Speaker, one of the things Gen. Moses Ali stood for was connecting West Nile to the national grid. We thank the Government for that achievement. He has been looking forward to the last-mile connections. We have enough power in the West Nile, but many institutions are not connected - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to second this motion because nations have bridged gaps between the poor and the middle-income earners through provision of education. Uganda has made strides by introducing Universal Secondary Education and Universal Primary Education, but access to higher institutions is limiting beneficiaries from the rural or poor communities. We know that in this country when you get two principal passes, you have actually passed A’ level. However, for the poor, even if their students get two principal passes, they cannot afford to pay for their children under the private sponsorship scheme. Mr Speaker, the tuition at universities is at about Shs 3 million per semester. We have parents who can pay for their children to attend good schools in this country, and they pay about Shs 3 million per term. These are the students who are the cream; they perform very well and are the ones admitted to universities for medicine and all that. When you see the courses for which students are admitted under the quota system, you will realise that some of these courses are not highly marketable. There will be very few people doing medicine or engineering under the quota system. Our environment for learning is different. In rural places, people are congested, and they are day scholars. However, in good schools, people attend morning and evening preps and sit for the same standard exams. If a student in this rural area can afford to get two principal passes, we pray in this motion I am seconding that the number for the quota system is increased so that those who are resilient in the rural areas can benefit from those courses. (Applause) Mr Speaker, since the cities were created, the ministry has maintained the quota for the mother districts to be shared with the cities. I am from Arua District and our quota is merged with that for Arua City. For two consecutive years in the past five years, Arua District has not been able to compete with the students in the city and we have missed out completely. We have eight slots, with Arua city. However, at times we get one or none. I think the ministry should also look into that. Therefore, I stand to second this. Let - (Member timed out.)

First of all, in the public gallery, we have children and teachers from St Kizito Ediofe Orphans Primary School, Arua District. They are represented by Hon. Osoru Mourine and Hon. Lematia John. You are most welcome, all the way from Arua. Thank you so much for coming. Hon. Avur, the chairman, is going to present this report. What we did was to upload it to the system. We will debate and approve it. We will make sure that we have the report because tomorrow, we will have another report. Let us go through this report and debate it. Yes?

I have no powers. I was going to say, who gives you the power to do this kind of thing? Going by estimates of the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Shs 13.3 billion cost of rehabilitating a two-point road in Arua District would have constructed 4.32 kilometres at a cost of Shs 3.1 billion, while the Shs 21.4 billion cost of constructing 2.86 kilometres Fort Portal Road would have constructed 6.9 kilometres at the above cost. The committee, therefore, notes that these variations in cost overruns resulted in inflated road project costs and loss of public funds. High consultancy and professional fees amounting to Shs 770.98 billion was paid during the financial year. The committee observed that at the time of designing the project proposal documents, they factored in high costs of consultancy and professional fees. The committee further observed that in the audits consolidated estimates of financial performance, the Government paid a total of Shs 770.98 billion as consultancy and professional fees across Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). For example, under the Resource Enhancement and Accountability Programme (REAP) implemented by the finance ministry, the project had a total budget of Shs 72.8 billion during the financial year, out of which Shs 62 billion was funded by the Government while Shs 12 billion was by development partners. Out of the Shs 12.0 billion budgeted by development partners, Shs 7.62 billion was spent on consultancy fees alone, leaving a mere balance of Shs 4.4 billion only for implementing other project components. Comparatively, out of the Shs 60 billion received from the Government of Uganda, that is Shs 20 billion, was spent on staff salaries and related costs, leaving a balance of Shs 39.3 billion to the project itself. The committee observed that this is an obnoxious amount to be spent just on salaries. Madam Speaker, that is what the committee notes. The committee recommendations are there for all to read. Madam Speaker, that sums up the presentation of projects, units, and one of our recommendations is that projects be rationalised under RAPEX to go into the main ministries, other than the so-called consultants. What hurts is that irrespective of the huge fees, no single project in Uganda is on schedule. Then, we also noted something small which I will not read. You find one project officer controlling trillions of shillings in three different projects; multitasking and some of these officers are in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. We found one under the private sector coordinating three huge projects; one gentleman, and these things hurt the country. Madam Speaker, for the second part of the audit on ministries –

Vot Dcnljtloa tmillUOxOOO| 7L7 Kumi Municipal Council 10,187,986 7L8 Lttffi^ Municipal Council 9.351.388 7L9 Makindve.Ssabambo MuniciDat Council 15,#o,7L6 720 Masindi Municipaf Council 12,665.581 721 Mityana Mtrnicipal Council 12.658.962 722 Moroto Municipal Council 6,850,672 723 Mubende Municipd Council 12957.3L7 724 Mukono Municipal Council 24.'LO.782 725 Nansana MuniciDal Council 27.496.367 726 Nebbi Municipal Council 6.115.006 727 Nieru Municipal Council 15.34L.297 728 Ntunsamo Municipal Council 6.592.735 729 Rukuruiri Municipal Council 12,562.835 730 Sheema Municipal Council 16.140.486 731 Tororo Municipal Council 11.941.028 801 Abim District 24,678,573 802 Adjumani District 38.784.017 803 Asago District 33.692.572 804 Alebtong District 25,987.41O 805 Amolatar District 23.785.271 806 Amudat Distriet 13.077.618 807 Amuria Distric't 27,488,129 808 Amuru District 22.202.541 809 Apac District 26.403.359 810 Arua District 19,164,690 811 Budaka District 30.600.919 8L2 Bududa District 34.758.340 813 BuEiri District 38,222,8L5 814 Bugreri District 23,784,357 District 1 D \$ F ,r =

Votc Dcfclpt*rr Anrurd |UGXOOO'| 706 Ibanda Municioal Council L.232.L52 707 Iganm MuniciDat Council 497.83L 708 IGbale Municioal Council 2.413.306 709 IGmuli Municiod Council 1.508.152 I(aochomra MuniciDal Council 1.140.129 7LO 7tt Iksese Municioal Council 923.66L 7L2 Kira MuniciDal Council 8.168.523 7t3 Kisoro Municipal Council L.232.446 714 Kitsun Municioal Council r.040.555 715 Ibboko Municipal Council 1.349.879 716 I(otido Municipal Council 596.380 717 Kumi Municipal Council 1.059.786 7t8 LvcE.zj Municipal Council t.075.923 7L9 Malcindve-Ssabagabo Municipal Council 15.639.553 720 Masindi MuniciDal Council 1.848.406 72L Mitvana MuniciDat Council L.840.299 722 Moroto Municipal Council 468.386 723 Mubende Municipal Council 1.990.O70 724 Mukono Municipal Council 10.464.554 725 Nansana MuniciDal Council 9.753.903 726 Nebbi MuniciDat Council 460.063 727 Nienr Municipal Council r.516.439 728 Ntunsamo Municipal Council 684.105 729 RukunEiri MuniciDal Council 1.403.150 730 Sheema Municipal Council 1.903.114 73L Tororo Municioal Council 726.683 801 Abim District 2.350.879 802 Adiumani District 2.901.938 803 AEaso District 5.t49.726 804 Alebtonc District 3.305.496 805 Amotratar Distrist 2.952.94L 806 Amudat District 2,53t.739 807 Amuria District ,,_-}{R 4.131.956 808 Amuru District k-nT/ 3,261,950 809 Apac District \ <) r*s 2,876,L67 810 Arua District /, (tffif ,a /V 2,6TL,ssT 811 [ 3.ses.2sz Budaka District /v) ru \gr7 8t2 l/\./ \tfll Bududa District ^a. 4.20L.546 Yt s 55 lPage ,ft €= ] r I

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the recommendation for a policy on how foreigners can get treatment or medical attention in our country. I come from a district bordering a neighbouring country; we normally budget for Arua District and I know that includes other districts that border other countries. And with the porous borders that we have, when we get drugs, our neighbours, especially from the DRC, for my case, get this information. The population increases and within a week or two, the medication is done. So for me, that is a big point to note. We need a clear policy on how foreigners can get medication within our country. I want to concur with the committee on issues of equipment. We have been making some progress in improving health services in the country. In my district, we finally had a health centre III upgraded into health centre IV. There were some infrastructure developments done but there is no equipment and the staffing is limited. We now have a health centre IV, that is Bondo health centre IV. It is supposed to have 87 staff but we currently have only 18. I think that is something we should take note of so that we can make sense because we need the chain to the end so that the last person can receive treatment. Finally, on the issue of the USAID funding, the committee has recommended that the Government should absorb some of these activities that were funded under that project. That is important because I know under USAID funding, there were staff that were paid in the health centres or hospitals. Now that this money is not there, we cannot be here sitting without filling that gap. That will mean some staff will not be working and it is going to create a big gap in the country.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on matters of boundary conflict between Arua District, Madi-Okollo District, Terego District and Arua City. It seems no proper demarcation on the boundaries was done after the creation of the districts and city. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, my request is that you send the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development to intervene and make proper demarcations on the district boundaries to avoid conflicts among the people. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to join my colleagues in congratulating you on behalf of the people of Vurra constituency, Arua district. I have one matter of national importance. Alaa River which connects Obaru, Ombokoro and Nyirivu villages in the Ajia subcounty, Vurra County, Arua District burst and cut off a health centre III, Ajia market and Ajia subcounty. My prayer is that the responsible ministries should kindly consider visiting the area for an assessment and intervene in this matter. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will consult the honourable colleague to be specific on whether it is a national or district road. If it is a national road, we shall send our team on the ground and if it is a district road, we shall work together with the Arua district team to guide them on how to quickly intervene in the problem. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. Ajai Forest Reserve and Ajai National Game Park are in Madi-Okollo, on the border between Arua District, Vurra Constituency. Last week, animals crossed to Arua District in Vurra and destroyed a lot of crops. I am requesting the minister to go on the ground and inspect the area and also fence that line because many people of Vurra are suffering a lot. These animals always cross, destroy very many crops and it is going to cause a lot of problems. I request the minister to consider Madi-Okollo; this is Ajai Forest Reserve in West Nile. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The committee reported that we continue to pay commitment fees on loans that we borrow. From the time we joined this Parliament, especially us the first-timers, this has been reported, and the question that has been asked i: “Why do we borrow when we are not ready to utilise the money?” Instead, we are continuing to spend on some monies that we have borrowed. I think the Minister will explain to us why this is happening and why it is continuing to happen. I am from one of the remnant districts, that is Arua District. Until now, my headquarters staff are sitting at the city centre. Last year, the Government allocated a small amount of money to the remnant districts. We started putting some foundation and latrines to see that we could move. However, this financial year – the logic was that they are giving some small money and they will continue adding some money every financial year but this time around, there is no allocation for the remnant districts. The people of Arua District cannot continue to move far to the city to access services. Therefore, let the ministry take priority on this so that money is allocated for the remnant districts to help them move to their location. I think there is a correlation between the fact that the commercial banks are not giving enough money to the private sector; and the private sector is affected by the domestic arrears. I think there is a correlation there. That means internally, we are killing our private sector. It is reported here that the amounts that the commercial banks give to our business people are reducing. It is because our local business persons are affected by the domestic arrears that they are not getting. If we cannot balance that, then we are going to kill the local businesses that we have in this country. I urge the ministry to have coordinated budgeting. We have stalled projects. These universities – let me give an example of universities – have projects that started 10 years ago, probably they are on the first floor or second floor, but we go ahead to allocate new structures to other institutions without finishing or completing the ongoing ones as if we do not have a record of where we started and where we are going. If we cannot fast-track and have coordinated planning, we are just deceiving ourselves. For 10 years, a structure is there and you are allocating money to start new structures? Also roads, Mr Speaker, we have been crying here as West-Nilers on our road. The road between Pakwach and Nebbi was supposed to be constructed within two years. It is almost four years. Now Nebbi-Arua; we are here crying over it when that stretch is not yet even completed yet we are jumping to allocate for other roads when these are not completed. Let us have coordinated planning and, I think that way, we shall have quality delivery and have the trust of the people in us who are appropriating. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance. Business-owners in Arua, Koboko, Yumbe and Moyo have expressed their frustration over the continuous robbery of their goods in a village called Enzeva, in Arua District along the Kampala-Nebbi Road. Usually, the buses and lorries carrying people and goods along this highway are waylaid by robbers wielding guns, arrows, pangas, and so on. They normally take advantage of the darkness, the steep climb, and the potholed section of the road at Enzeva. As the vehicles slow down, they are waylaid, and all the goods are taken. Our prayers, Mr Speaker: May I request the police to have routine security patrols? Secondly, may the police also set up a station at that black spot? Thirdly, the minister of works is here; may that section of the road be worked on so that the vehicles move smoothly. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to speak about the people of Lower Madi. The issue I would like to raise as a matter of national importance is about the reinstatement of the wage bill for Madi-Okollo District. Madi- Okollo is a new district, which was carved out of Arua District. When we came out, Arua gave us staff to start with. For the past three years, consecutively, the wage bill has been allocated by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for Madi-Okollo District. However, every time the District Service Commission would wish to advertise to recruit people for different positions, three things happen: One, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development always delays clearing the District Service Commission for recruitment. THE CONSTITUTIONAL (AMENDMENT ) BILL, 2024

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join honourable colleagues to congratulate this committee and thank you for this opportunity. In Arua District, we have a lot of problems in our health sector especially poor service delivery at the health centres with no legal supervision. If you go on the ground, you will know that people are suffering at the health centres. In Arua District, Vurra Constituency specifically does not have a Health Centre IV. We have Health Centres II and III - Pondo Health Centre III, Logiri Health Centre III, Lazebu Health Centre III, Nyadri Health Centre III, and Ayaayah Health Centre III. The distance from Vurra to Arua City, where the Referral Hospital is, is very long yet we do not have means of transport. We have only one ambulance, which is at Arua City. From Vurra to Arua City; people are suffering. In case of an emergency, getting transport becomes a problem. Our people are suffering because Vurra borders Zombo. From Zombo border to Arua Referral Hospital is very far. On the ground, there is a problem of stealing drugs by the technical staff. The Government will send the drug but after two to three days, the drugs will be over. This means there are some technical people, who are always on the ground stealing Government drugs. We are near the DRC border, and the number of people who get the services from Uganda is big. People are always lining up to get the services.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. On behalf of the people of Moyo District, I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives, friends and the people of Bukwo, Uganda, Members of Parliament and everybody on the demise of Sergeant Rebecca. We always say that “God gives and God takes”. Mr Speaker, during the days I was the Chairman for Athletics in Arua District as well as the

14267 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) delegate for Arua District, during Lawrence Mulindwa’s regime, Sgt Rebecca would come with her peers to West Nile. Since I was the chairperson for athletics in Arua, I would always receive them, take them around and they would participate in what we called “Mayank Race”. Mayank comprises districts from West Nile. She would come and we would train them and, at times, we would also pay a visit to Kapchorwa. That is how we always interacted. Honourable minister, this is for your attention. As I speak, I have a daughter called Margaret Ejoria Aza. She has qualified to go to one of the European countries next month - her accolades are here. I hope she is going to be protected. (Applause) She is called Margaret Ejoria Aza. She is going to one of those European countries - like father, like son - (Laughter) - like father, like daughter. (Laughter) Thank you. I also have a son who is a goalkeeper, anyway. Lastly, I would like to bring this to the attention of the House. Number one, we should develop our athletics potential by using our land, not taking our runners to go and train in Tanzania, Kenya or South Sudan. We have undulating hills and lowlands where they can train from. Number two, as said by the minister, we should avoid gender-based violence in all areas of life. Mr Speaker, here was the idea of constructing 18 stadia in the country. How far has that programme gone, honourable minister? I understand Celecelea Stadium in Moyo District is one of them. Also, Barifa Stadium, in the name of Dorcus Inzikuru, is supposed to be constructed. Otherwise, I would like to congratulate and thank the Uganda Cranes, who are doing us proud. Let us pray for them and encourage them so that they qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. However, it is important to note that as I talk, there is bickering, confusion and quarrelling in the netball fraternity. What is happening there? Minister, help in that regard. Otherwise, to all of us, let us take to sports so that we become healthy, and avoid non- communicable diseases – cardiovascular diseases and diseases that affect us such as diabetes, stroke, cardiac arrest, hypertension, high blood pressure and so forth. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my honourable colleagues to pay tribute to the late Sgt Rebecca Cheptegei. This was a champion, who still had more time to shine and bring glory to this Country. It is unfortunate that at times falling in love can lead to such a bad end. For us women fall in love with our hearts and souls. At times Men probably fall in love with their heads and start calculating so many things. I would like to thank the minister who has started talking to the athletes. Most of these athletes start who are succeeding earn money at an early stage. But most of their managers focus on training but not on financial management. Someone mentioned Dorcus Inzikuru, one of the champions from Arua District. When Dorcus Inzikuru started winning, she was so young at that time and had a lot of money. People complain when they see where she was and what she is doing now but it is not only her. We have had our champions in sports shining only when they have the medals at hand. But when time goes, they are nowhere to be seen. When we started talking of the Akii-Bua when you trace their homes, what they have and yet at time T they were shining and having a lot of monies. Therefore, honourable minister, I am very happy you said are that you are taking this on… ( Member timed out. )

14220 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Mr Speaker, the committee also noted cases where jobs that should have been internally advertised were advertised externally, neglecting the existing experienced staff. Some job adverts even failed to list job experience or some important qualifications as a requirement for job positions, even at senior level. In some cases, key documents like independent score sheets were missing from their recruitment files during the committee’s interview. Mr Speaker, a general concern was noted, that local governments deliberately keep positions vacant and ring-fenced for years until their preferred candidates meet the qualifications. The committee recommends the following; (i) The Minister of Public Service should ensure that members of the District and City Service Commission implicated in corruption tendencies and investigation by anti-corruption agencies should step aside until such investigations are concluded to preserve the integrity of the Commission and to prevent inter-meddling in evidence. (ii) The police Criminal Investigations Directorate (CIDs), in liaison with the Public Service Commission, should investigate the appointments that have been highlighted in the report with a view to possible prosecution. Mr Speaker, we have attached and referred several of these matters to the police and we appeal to Parliament to ensure as recommended. (iii) The committee acknowledges that being a child or a relative of a civil servant or politician should not be a barrier to employment. However, all applicants should have equal employment opportunities based on merit. (iv) The investigation by the Inspectorate of General Government (IGG) and other anti- corruption agencies should be concluded and pending reports should be released. Mr Speaker, we realised that in many districts, there are several investigations that have taken so long. Therefore, all the processes get affected. Mr Speaker, on 3(2) factors affecting staffing in the district and cities. The committee noted the following. Failure to attract staffing in key positions. There were difficulties in filling critical roles like the district health officers and district engineers due to low wages and high qualification requirements. For example, districts like Kole and Bukwo struggled to retain staff in hard-to-reach areas. The committee recommends the following: i. The Ministry of Public Service working with professional bodies should review the requirements for recruitment of critical positions such as district engineers, with a view to addressing the challenge of failure to attract registered engineers at the local government level. This will address the gap where currently, there are only 25 substantially appointed district engineers across the entire country. The rest are all acting. There should be special consideration for hard-to-reach areas. On long-acting periods and delayed promotions, Mr Speaker, staff often remain in acting positions and on assignment beyond the period mandated under the law and also face delays in the promotion. There are local governments that have not had substantive staff for many years and local governments have no heads of department. Mr Speaker, we discovered that in Arua District there is only one head of department, substantially appointed, and is due for retirement next month. The rest have been acting. The committee recommends that local governments should, subject to the relevant laws and guidelines, enable accelerated promotion for qualified and deserving staff, especially those that have been in acting capacity and assignment for long.

Thank you very much, Your Excellency. My name is Yovan Adriko, MP for Vuura Constituency, Arua District. In Lugbara, we say: “ Were were.” Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Paparu Lillian Obiale, the Woman Member of Parliament for Arua District.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Yovan Adriko, representing the people of Vurra Constituency, Arua District. Greetings from West Nile. You are welcome.

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Yes. Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me chance to speak, especially in reference to your communication as regards to the accident where our colleague, Hon. Katuntu’s brother, lost his life. All of us are quite aware of the way accidents happen in this country to the extent that - some of our colleagues - met their demise through it. The day before yesterday, in Arua District, a staff of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Solomon Abenika, who was riding his OPM motorbike, was knocked on the streets of Arua City and sustained three fractures in the limbs. As he was being prepared to be operated on, he breathed his last. Today, his body is in St. Philip’s and all that was due to reckless driving in Arua City. In Madi-Okollo yesterday, the chairperson for a SACCO group, George, again was knocked by a reckless driver. He also broke both his limbs and he is being prepared for an operation. You are aware that the police in their Easter message brought to the attention of this country that during Easter alone, Ugandans who lost their lives through accidents were more than 80 and there were more than 200 accidents. I am bringing this in reference to your communication because it is the proper time for us to review the traffic laws in this country. I do remember that Rwanda revised the speed limit within the city, bringing it down from 120 to 80 km per hour and that will reduce the accident rates in this country to 60. My appeal through you, Mr Speaker, is that this Parliament considers reviewing the speed limit for different vehicles on the streets of this city, leaving alone even the motorbikes that are rampantly killing us. If it pleases you and more so on the side of Government, it is time for us to review, move forward and then we see over time how that can impact on the accidents. Finally, this is related to the road infrastructure that we have in this country. My Madi-Okollo is a village road. We just received Shs 500 million for the Road Fund, which you presided over that every constituency should receive. However, accidents are still happening across the constituencies in the villages. People are dying. Maybe through you, the minister can expedite the process of releasing more Shs 500 million so that we are in line with reducing the road carnage throughout the country. Thank you.

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

11645 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2024 I want to give this additional information so that these stakeholders the minister mentioned - like the African Development Bank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) based in Khartoum, and the people from Nebbi, Zombo, and Arua district or Vurra need to have a meeting to fast-track to see that we get a loan for this very important road. This area is highly - we call it actually the “food basket” for West Nile. It has a lot of coffee, the Government is promoting tea in that area; we have a lot of fruits, matooke - all these things are supplying the greater north. Related to that, we have many of the forest reserves; talk about the plantation forests. We have Lendu, Okavurero, Awang and Ossi. These are very important investments of the Government. In addition to those, we have two dams on River Nyagak. Since the road is in poor shape and the area is agro-based, it is now difficult for many people to benefit from agriculture. As a result, agriculture is not helping them. They have gone to environmental degradation and it is affecting two dams, that is, Nyagak I and Nyagak III. In fact, this is why you see Nyagak I is producing only 1.7 megawatts of electricity because of degradation. We need the road so that people can move away from environmental degradation. On the revenue side, Shs 3 billion is the estimated market in the DR Congo. With these four borders plus the three more potential borders, if they are open, we can generate a lot of money from there. Accidents on these roads are very many. Breakdown of vehicles moving on these roads is too much yet the cost of maintenance is very high. On the issue of health and emergency, the whole area does not have any referral hospital, apart from the regional referral hospital in Arua. If the road is in bad shape, how are we going to rescue our people in case of an emergency? You may recall that in 2021, when Zombo was attacked two times by bandits from the DR Congo, one of the reasons was - they tried all other alternatives but there was no market for their produce; so they were tempted to go and join those people in the DR Congo. We quelled that one because we never wanted it. But even the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) could not maintain or contain the bandits because there were no roads to cross with those machines. There are no bridges. Therefore, we need that road. This road was pledged by the President in 2010. He repeated it throughout all the elections. We have reminded him in writing and also verbally. In conclusion, the market is available if we can develop this road. From Zeu, for example, to the border of the Central African Republic, is only 750 kilometres. Imagine the market we are going to tap into in that area. Therefore, my prayer remains that we must fast track the loan with the African Development Bank, and the loan with BADEA so that we can do this very important road. The money we shall generate there will help to do internal roads in Kiboga, Nakaseke, Luwero, and other parts of Uganda. This is a very important road for the security and development of Uganda. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to congratulate this committee and appreciate them on the issues of Karamoja. Karamoja and the West Nile are, indeed, the poorest areas, where people are suffering and the Government is trying its level best to support them. For sure, the Government has done its part. What you have seen on the ground is a lack of sensitisation by the local leaders. If we are serious leaders on the ground, like the MPs are doing to sensitise the community about the danger of these problems, for sure, we can defeat the issues which are affecting Karamoja and West Nile. For example, I thank our Government Chief Whip for giving out tractors, but Arua District never received any and people are now on my neck. I got a message from my colleague, who did not receive it as well. I asked myself where the tractors were because if everything the Government gave to the community had reached, they would be used. I would like to request that we follow up on these tractors so that we can give the information to the community.

Mama, I will wait for further guidance; a proper one. Thank you. Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent national importance. We have been complaining about the high-handedness of the enforcement team of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in enforcing tax collections in West Nile. As we speak, a 73-year-old lady, Ondoru Margaret, the body has been in Arua Regional Referral Hospital Mortuary since Tuesday. Chandiru Beatrice, 43 and Patrick Biliya, 27 years were injured as a result of being knocked down in the unfortunate incident as the enforcement team were subduing smugglers. Four days ago, on 11 November 2023, in Koboko, a 22-year-old boy was shot dead after the enforcement team asked him for Shs 600,000. He gave them Shs 400,000, but they wanted the motorcycle too and, in the scuffle, they shot him. Last year, in Arivu Subcounty, Arua District, a shopkeeper was shot by an enforcement officer.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I join others in thanking the minister for the statement. While honourable colleagues from other districts are talking about the difficulties of taking their equipment to be serviced at the regional workshops, Arua City has no equipment to be taken to Gulu, the regional centre. Arua City was formed by joining Ayivu County, which is now Ayivu Division with the former Arua Municipality. Ayivu County formerly, under Arua District has lost all the equipment. It has three road equipment units. Since Arua City does not have any equipment, what do we taken to Gulu for repair in the regional workshop? I would like to ask the Minister of Works and Transport and the Minister of Local Government to think about these cities that were created; otherwise, the money allocated ends up lying idle. The Uganda Road Fund budget for the Financial Year 2021/2022 – which the city received – Shs 600 million – was not utilised because there was no equipment to do the work. In fact, we are still investing where the money went. Mr Speaker, we hired equipment to work on roads in the Financial Year 2022/2023. I would like to implore the ministries concerned to see to it that the cities which were created have equipment. Thank you. MR MOSES ALEPER (NRM, Chekwii (Kadam), Nakapiripirit): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to look at the study that the ministry carried out. When you start giving districts Shs 140-plus billion yet the workshops require Shs 100 billion – a see-saw. Is it this very money that caused the study to come to that figure? What I am saying is that while we are trying to improve things on one side, things go down on the other side. Most importantly, I would like to implore the Government on the effect when these workshops are not functional. The effect is that it will affect the productive sector in the country because the roads and the equipment are not worked on. This, therefore, undermines – the fact that we want to create economic growth and productivity in this country – That is what we definitely have to look out for. The Government must look into this matter seriously if we are to talk about economic growth, job creation, improving agricultural

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I join my colleagues in thanking the President for leading this struggle. I also thank you and the President of FUFA. In the celebrations, I saw the spirit of togetherness and achievement after a very long struggle. I want to thank the leadership of this Parliament for providing that leadership. Mr Speaker, this Pamoja Bid is a result of the spirit of comradeship in East Africa and I want to appeal that we take this on so that next time we are able to work together as a team. Uganda alone will not be able to manage because of the infrastructural challenges that have been raised here. In 2005, a Ugandan called Dorcus Inzikuru won the 3000 meters’ steeplechase. In honour of that person, the Arua District Council named Barifa Stadium after her and Government pledged to construct a stadium called the Dorcus Inzikuru Stadium. 18 years later, there is not a coin spent there. I take this opportunity to ask the minister; what plan does your ministry have in this regard because the region has the second busiest airport in this country and it is lying idle? We are not using it. If you had constructed a stadium there, we would be able to host these games from there. By and large, I want to thank all the stakeholders for playing a dedicated and patriotic role. This shows that this country – (Member timed out. )

Why don’t we listen to the whole list? You said we should read the list and we are reading it. Honourable members, listen to the figures. I do not think any of these Members will take this money into their pockets. 30) Vote 720: Masindi Municipal Council – Shs 11,172,470,000 31) Vote 721: Mityana Municipal Council – Shs 10,365,633,000 32) Vote 722: Moroto Municipal Council – Shs 5,143,627,000 33) Vote 723: Mubende Municipal Council – Shs 10,465,947,000 34) Vote 724: Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 19,829,177,000 35) Vote 725: Nansana Municipal Council – Shs 24,351,761,000 36) Vote 726: Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 6,907,898,000 37) Vote 727: Njeru Municipal Council – Shs 13,394,572,000 38) Vote 728: Ntungamo Municipal Council – Shs 4,845,867,000 39) Vote 729: Rukungiri Municipal Council – Shs 9,415,996,000 40) Vote 730: Sheema Municipal Council – Shs 14,106,079,000 41) Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council – Shs 9,365,323,000 42) Vote 801: Abim District – Shs 18,295,895,000 43) Vote 802: Adjumani District – Shs 31,965,889,000 44) Vote 803: Agago District – Shs 31,061,514,000 45) Vote 804: Alebtong District – Shs 23,689,489,000 46) Vote 805: Amolatar District – Shs 19,357,798,000 47) Vote 806: Amudat District – Shs 10,632,904,000 48) Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 22,290,290,000 49) Vote 808: Amuru District - Shs 22,428,999,000 50) Vote 809: Apac District – Shs 20,739,922,000 51) Vote 810: Arua District – Shs 16,085,370,000 52) Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 25,157,873,000 53) Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 26,411,933,000 54) Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 34,828,388,000 55) Vote 814: Bugweri District – Shs 19,367,086,000 56) Vote 815: Buhweju District – Shs 15,085,933,000 57) Vote 816: Buikwe District – Shs 24,383,139,000 58) Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 26,466,423,000 59) Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District – Shs 18,428,274,000

8755 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 MAY 2023 94) Vote 809: Apac District – Shs 20,739,922,000 95) Vote 810: Arua District – Shs 16,085,370,000 96) Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 25,157,873,000 97) Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 26,411,933,000 98) Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 34,828,388,000 99) Vote 814: Bugweri District – Shs 19,367,086,000 100) Vote 815: Buhweju District – Shs 15,085,933,000 101) Vote 816: Buikwe District – Shs 24,383,139,000 102) Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 26,466,423,000 103) Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District – Shs 18,428,274,000 104) Vote 819: Bukwo District – Shs 22,102,420,000 105) Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 22,999,426,000 106) Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 14,874,929,000 107) Vote 822: Bundibugyo District – Shs 33,203,487,000 108) Vote 823: Bunyangabu District - Shs 19,891,642,000 109) Vote 824: Bushenyi District – Shs 28,896,953,000 110) Votes 825: Busia District - Shs 32,967,494,000 111) Votes 826: Butaleja District - Shs 33,927,473,000 112) Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 23,446,766,000 113) Vote 828: Butebo District - Shs 16,607,616,000 114) Vote 829: Buvuma District – Shs 13,321,617,000 115) Vote 830: Buyende District – Shs 22,651,177,000 116) Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 21,223,707,000 117) Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 21,231,932,000 118) Vote 833: Gulu District – Shs 21,678,185,000 119) Vote 834: Hoima District – Shs 20,331,850,000 120) Vote 835: Ibanda District - Shs 21,754,328,000 121) Vote 836: Iganga District – Shs 38,124,629,000 122) Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 43,369,358,000 123) Vote 838: Jinja District - Shs 37,285,315,000 124) Vote 839: Kaabong District - Shs 16,287,466,000 125) Vote 840: Kabale District – Shs 32,609,628,000 126) Vote 841: Kabarole District - Shs 20,343,712,000 127) Vote 842: Kaberamaido District – Shs 14,913,324,000 128) Vote 843: Kagadi District - Shs 35,348,272,000

That is Arua District; it still operates its district office headquarters within Arua City. Now, I wonder - we upgraded these cities, in this House - I remember, the Ministry of Finance said there was money, but now there is no money. How come? I think the Ministry of Finance should be realistic. Otherwise, people are questioning us every day. They think we just wasted their time by creating these cities. We thought cities would even have more money than districts, but it is to the contrary. Ministry of Finance, can you please help us - because at the border, we collect a lot of revenue, which we send this way. Arua being in a triangular form, it shares a border with South Sudan and DRC and it sends a lot of money to the Consolidated Fund; why don’t you - I remember Parliament guided last time that the money that is collected by the local governments be spent at source, but up to now, this has not been implemented, and I want to ask why. Let them answer because we are also

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I support this motion. It is true that we, the current leaders, are in problems over mental illness. For example, in Arua District, which shares a border with DRC, there is a lot of opium smoking, particularly in Vurra Constituency. Last week, a man aged 60 had sex with a three-year-old boy. The cause of all this could be opium smoking. Murder cases have also increased maybe because of opium smoking. Therefore, I appeal to this Government, particularly Parliament, to come up with serious action because in West Nile, we have problems. As we speak, murder cases are increasing. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Hon. Ronald Olema, Member of Parliament, Lower Madi Okollo County, Madi Okollo District raised an issue. He gave a long narrative. He wishes to put forward the issue of poor status of Pawor Seed Secondary School, which was constructed by the Ministry of Education and Sports at a cost of Shs 1.4 billion in 2018, and that this construction was supervised by engineers from the Ministry of Education and Sports, and Arua District Local Government, from 2018 to 2019. He further said that two different contractors, Gibo Company Ltd and Dolphins Consulting Engineers & Contractors Ltd were awarded the seed secondary school contract worth Shs 700 million each. The school, which is on the verge of collapsing due to poor and careless interior and shoddy works, is located nine kilometres away from the nearest trading centre. He indicated that on 8 September 2021, he wrote to the Ministry of Education and Sports about the poor status of the school, but to-date, the school matter has not been handed over to Madi-Okollo District Local Government by either Arua District or the Ministry of Education and Sports. He further said that during his monitoring visit to the site, together with the RDC, the district chairperson, the district councillors and the LC3 chairpersons of Madi-Okollo District, they noted that a headteacher, with a few teachers, were posted to this school and they had admitted some students who are being exposed to a death trap due to shoddy or appalling structures. Noticeable was the fact that all toilet structures had collapsed beyond repair, including four classroom blocks, the administration block and the computer room, which stand condemned for exposing students and teachers. According to him, there was no value-for-money. No assessment was done at the site, and the school could be closed by all standards. His prayer is: Can the Ministry of Education and Sports undertake an immediate assessment and major repairs done in the school before term three?

5941 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022 Mr Speaker, my response is that the Ministry of Education and Sports has noted this anomaly and has organised a meeting between the project implementation team from Arua District and the technical team from Madi- Okollo District. The Ministry of Works and Transport has constituted a technical team too, to undertake an immediate assessment. The outcome of the above two engagements will inform the next course of action. He had an additional question: Can the Ministry of Education and Sports, together with Arua District Local Government, either consider the school condemned or handover, once major repairs are done? Mr Speaker, my response to the honourable member is that the handover will be informed by the joint structural and technical assessment report, and the outcomes of the engagement of the two district local governments; that is Arua and Madi-Okollo. He had a third additional question: Can the Ministry of Education and Sports consider additional funding for the establishment of a boarding section, since the students commute from eight kilometres away; and also provide a clean water source, that is a borehole with solar power? My response, Mr Speaker, is that all seed secondary schools are purely day and no boarding facilities are provided. Regarding the provision of a clean water source - that is a borehole - the local governments and Ministry of Water and Environment have been required to prioritise seed secondary schools in their plans for water provision. For solar power, once the operational issues are addressed, the school will be prioritised under the Electricity for Rural Transmission Project, which is within the Ministry of Education and Sports and the energy ministry. He had a fourth question: Can Government ensure that the persons involved in shoddy works, putting Government’s name to shame, be investigated and apprehended? Mr Speaker, my response is that Government of Uganda does not condone shoddy works and believes in value-for-money. Therefore, we are currently undertaking a technical assessment and the recommendations therein shall be implemented to the letter; and the culprits, if any, will be brought to book. The second Member is Hon. Christine Apolot, Kumi District Woman MP. Her prayer is that the Prime Minister informs the House on the Government undertaking to establish regional cancer centres.

5660 THE COMPUTER MISUSE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 Madam Speaker, the campaign is currently running on various media houses at national and sub-national levels. In line with the above, Government is undertaking the following interventions, specifically in Arua District and Arua City: 1. Sensitising school management to accept child mothers back into school settings, to enable them pursue their education dreams; 2. Implement a nutrition programme under the Child Sensitive Social Protection, targeting lactating and pregnant child mothers. This is intended to enable them give birth to healthy babies whom they can leave under the care of their parents and grandparents while they return to school; 3. Sensitising and encouraging households, especially grandparents and caregivers, to accept and take care of the babies of the teenage mothers to enable them return to school; 4. Strengthening the referral pathway so that child mothers are able to access education, healthcare and protection services; 5. Providing sexual and reproductive health services to child mothers, including HIV/ AIDS and sexually transmitted infections screening. 6. Promoting positive parenting among parents and caregivers, among others; and sensitising children to refrain from sexual activities at their tender age. Question 5 Madam Speaker, Question five was presented by Hon. Tumwine Anne Mary, Ntoroko District Woman Representative. She said that there is a growing concern in the Uganda Police Force recruitment and deployment in the country, which has resulted in many of them committing suicide and others becoming deserters, which puts the country at the risk of increased thuggery and killing of innocent Ugandans. The Special Police Constables (SPCs) are disgruntled over the inhumane nature in which they are being treated; denying them fundamental opportunities in the course of their duty; and warnings of being dismissed from work for speaking up on issues affecting them at work. They are denied the chance to enjoy equal privileges with their counterparts at the workplace, which include: 1. Lack of access to loans from commercial institutions for their personal development and to educate their children; 2. They are denied promotions or consideration to join other departments, yet they have trained and have the required qualifications to join the regular police force. Instead the police recruit new individuals from outside the Force: 3. They are not entitled to belong to any pension scheme, hence, have no retirement plan, yet they are always deployed within the stations and are loyal to the service in the Uganda Police Force; 4. They have no opportunities for further training to gain more skills that are required in improving services in the Uganda Police Force; 5. Whenever they open up, seeking their issues to be addressed, they are threatened with sacking and non-renewal of appointment, thus, getting frustrated; and 6. They have written to high offices in the police, but have not seen things change or improve. Madam Speaker, his prayers are: 1. What plans does Government have to ensure that this human resource in the Uganda Police Force is not wasted and their welfare is improved? [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

4329 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 JULY 2022 Hon. Isaac Joakino, MP, Upper Madi County, raised a concern over the misuse of firearms by armed personnel in areas outside their duty stations, which has led to the loss of lives in some parts of Arua District. He requested that the authorities should hold the UPDF personnel accountable, but also meet the medical and burial expenses of the affected victims. Madam Speaker, the Government regrets the death of Alioni Amos, Nicholas Drando and the injuries sustained by Odriru Alice. Private Niwamanya’s actions were not within the scope of his employment. In the spirit of civil-military relations and the need to support the families of the late and the injured victim, the Government has considered giving a start- up contribution of Shs 10 million, per family as compensation to the deceased’s family for the loss of the lives and Shs 2 million to the lady who sustained injuries; the compensation process is ongoing. I wrote a letter soon after getting this question. I beg to move, Madam Speaker.