Jinja City

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

Mr Speaker, you know that in my sector, most times, I am privileged to address the Head of State. I want to sincerely apologise to you. Mr Speaker, on my own behalf, allow me to congratulate you upon becoming the Speaker of the 12 th Parliament. Congratulations! In line with the presentation of the minister, allow me first to confirm and agree that this statement was a consultative process between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports. However, I have one area where the record should be corrected. In Katakwi, where I come from, and in the constituency I represent, the alleged death of a child is not true, for the record. Secondly, one driver of a school bus of Amuria High School indeed died when they were transporting our children for a school excursion to Entebbe Airport. That school is called St Paul’s Comprehensive Secondary School in Ngariam County, Katakwi. I want to thank the health team from Iganga and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for attending to our children, some of whom, up to now, are still receiving treatment, but none has died. That is for the record. I thank you so much.

391 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 JULY 2026 to inform the Member that the Government already has the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training College in Jinja. It still has a lot of capacity. I would implore you to have your team join. It is a Government school, and it awards diplomas, certificates and degrees. When need arises, Government can always look into that. However, considering the limited resource envelope, it might not come soon. Nonetheless, we appreciate that Kabale contributes a lot towards the tourism sector. Hon. Muhenda commented about Fort Portal being a tourism city. It is very true, and Government is putting special attention on Fort Portal. A lot of money is being invested in that region, especially when it comes to AFCON, and a lot more is going to be invested. Take heart; Government is working on it.

142 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 Ugandan products, attract strategic investors and mobilise the diaspora to support national development. 6. On tourism infrastructure, the Government continued to invest in tourism infrastructure and attractions. Progress was made in the development of museums and cultural heritage sites in Moroto and Dokolo. Investments are also underway in the Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail, Kitagata Hot Springs and visitor facilities at the Source of the Nile in Jinja, including an observatory deck and a modern restaurant. The Government also established a new wildlife education centre in Mbale. These investments are enhancing visitor experiences and strengthening Uganda’s competitiveness as a tourism destination. In Financial Year 2026/2027, the priorities under tourism are the following: Mr Speaker, the Government has allocated Shs 567.32 billion to continue developing the tourism sector next financial year. The priority interventions will include: i) The branding and marketing of Uganda as a tourism and investment destination; ii) Tourism infrastructure development; iii) Construction of highway sanitation facilities and tourism site refreshment centres; iv) Improving and enforcing hospitality standards and training; v) Conservation and wildlife protection to increase wildlife population across the national parks; vi) Health tourism; and vii) Economic and commercial diplomacy. I now come to mineral-based industrial development. Mr Speaker, Uganda is richly endowed with minerals. However, sustainable transformation will come not from extracting minerals, but from processing and adding value to them. The Government’s strategy is, therefore, to transform mineral wealth into industrial wealth, and the following steps have been taken in that direction: i) The Government intensified mineral exploration and quantification. Geochemical surveys for gold were undertaken in Kassanda, Kiboga and Mubende districts. Exploration confirmed an estimated 300 million tonnes of iron ore in Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kisoro, Kanungu, Kiruhura and Hoima districts. Surveys of copper prospects were conducted at the Bukusu Carbonatite Complex, which also has the potential for rare earth elements as well as at the Boma and Lwensankala sites. Evaluation of uranium, manganese, lithium and nickel deposits is also ongoing across the country. ii) To add value to Uganda’s limestone, a new clinker factory was commissioned in Moroto District to produce inputs for cement production. The factory operates a 6,000-tonne-per-day clinker production line with annual production capacity of two million tonnes of clinker and three million tonnes of cement. The project is expected to save the country up to $260 million, annually, in clinker imports and create up to 4,000 jobs. iii) The Government continued to make substantial progress towards the first oil. Construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Central Processing Facilities is at advanced stage and nearing completion. The Tilenga and Kingfisher upstream development projects also registered significant progress despite logistical challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. During the year, 51 additional wells were drilled, bringing the cumulative number to 199 wells, exceeding the 189 wells required for first oil production later this year. iv) The Government completed the first phase of Kabalega International Airport, providing critical logistics infrastructure to support oil and gas development, tourism, trade and investment in the Albertine region.

143 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 v) Through Uganda National Oil Company, the Government continued the bulk procurement of petroleum products. This has strengthened fuel security and ensured uninterrupted supply despite disruptions in global energy markets. Consequently, Uganda experienced minimum fuel price volatility compared to several countries in the region. vi) In addition, the Government, through the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), acquired a 20.15 per cent stake in the Kenya Pipeline Company. This is a strategic investment to strengthen Uganda’s energy security and enhance the reliability of fuel supply. Given that over 95 per cent of Uganda’s refined petroleum products are imported through the Kenyan corridor, this investment will help secure access to critical petroleum infrastructure and support more predictable fuel supply and pricing. Financial Year 2026/2027 priorities for minerals and oil and gas Mr Speaker, Shs 473.51 billion has been allocated for mineral-based industrial development, mining and oil and gas. The priority areas include: i) Continued mineral exploration, quantification and certification; ii) Continued capitalisation of the National Mining Company; iii) Establishment of the mineral market and buying centres; iv) Operationalisation of EACOP; and v) Development of the oil refinery. Science, technology and innovations Mr Speaker, no country has achieved rapid economic transformation without innovation. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), including ICT and the creative arts, are critical drivers of productivity, industrialisation and competitiveness. They provide the tools to modernise production, create high-value jobs and expand Uganda’s participation in the global knowledge economy. For Uganda to achieve a 10-fold expansion of the economy, STI is going to be at the centre of our development strategy. Mr Speaker, commissioning the Kiira vehicle plant in Jinja marked a major milestone in Uganda’s industrialisation journey and demonstrates the country’s growing technological capabilities. The plant has the capacity to produce up to 2,500 buses annually. Despite being in its early stages of operation, Kiira Motors has already made bus sales worth Shs 21.6 billion and received orders for 450 buses from Uganda and the region. The quantity, quality and reliability of its products were further demonstrated through the successful “Pearl to Cape” Electric Expedition, during which the Kayoola Electric Bus traversed more than 13,000 kilometres across Africa. Mr Speaker, to date, more than 25,000 electric vehicles, including buses, motorcycles, and bicycles have been produced locally with up to 40 per cent local content. In a further boost to the sector, Soleil Power completed the construction of East Africa’s first production scale lithium-ion battery assembly plant in Uganda. This has strengthened domestic manufacturing capacity and positioned the country as a regional hub for electric mobility and clean energy technologies. On pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, the Government continued to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology as part of the efforts to build a competitive pathogenic economy. Uganda is deliberately supporting the domestic production of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health products, while promoting research, innovation, import substitution, export growth, and resilience in the health sector. Significant progress was registered through strategic investments in and the Government procurement from local pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Microhaem Scientifics, Dei BioPharma, Jena Herbals, and other emerging manufacturers.

That is the testimony of Chelimo. I did not get time to calculate the whole kibalo; the milk, Shs 900,000 per month - That would be like Shs 10 million in a year. Then you have the bananas, 200,000 per - - you have the coffee - but he started benefiting from Operation Wealth Creation. Let us now see Kazibwe of Jinja. (A video presentation was made.)

Kazibwe, who lives near Jinja, has cows and sells 80 litres of milk a day. He has coffee, cocoa and bananas, as you can see. I think he even had pigs, but we do not have time to see all that. He got some of them from Operation Wealth Creation when it was giving out some of the seedlings. There are others, including my favourite from Abim, Karamoja. Let us see that one. (A video presentation was made.)

91 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 4 JUNE 2026 Some of the communities in the cattle corridor did not ask for capital. They moved without capital and used their own money. The only thing we gave them was advice. In other areas, because they had indigenous cows, many of them converted them and got capital but in other areas, it was not so easy. That is why we started with the Entandikwa , the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Operation Wealth Creation and now the Parish Development Model. This is for the small people. The question now is: how about the big farmers and manufacturers? We have not forgotten those. With the big farmers and manufacturers, the Government has put a total of Shs 1,600 billion in UDB. The interest rate for that money is 12 per cent per annum. The interest rate for PDM is 6 per cent per annum and payable after two years. Hence, for Shs 1 million, the borrower will return Shs 1.2 million for PDM. We are always creating other funds for the ghettos, musicians, etc., so capital is not a problem. Unlike the colonial agents who never wanted to plan for Africa, we have told Ugandans that our economy has potential in four sectors: services, commercial agriculture, manufacturing and ICT. The President is here. Parliament is here. Once people have woken up from sleep and want low-cost capital, if the Shs 100 million per parish per annum or any other funds are not enough, we can increase the money by adjusting in other areas. With the cattle corridor, we did not wait for low-interest capital. As already said, our only contribution to them was the “word”. In the cattle corridor, the work there was ekigambo , like that of the Bible. “In the beginning, there was the word. The word was God”. We just used the word there. In the other areas, we use the “word” and the capital is there. Small capital for small things; big capital for big things. The advice was to go from nomadism to sedentary agriculture, from okukolera ekida kyonka to working for the stomach and for the pocket, and do so with ekibaro . Additionally, in the cattle corridor, I gave 20 milk coolers that had been brought by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). That was all. They converted their indigenous Ankole cattle into half-breeds, ebiihwa with Friesians and their businesses took off. However, wealth creation cannot take place if there is no peace, no law and order, and supportive infrastructure in the country. The UPDF always guarantees peace in the country. The police and Judiciary must ensure law and order. The NRM has struggled to tarmac - so with infrastructure, our scorecard is clear and must not be allowed to be spoiled. The NRM has struggled to tarmac the core national roads from the north at Oraba, Aruu, Nimule, and Musingo, which are all linked by tarmac roads. They are continuous from the north through the Kampala area to Kagitumba, Katuna, Kyanika, and Bunagana in the south. The mistake by the Ministry of Works and Transport is allowing these roads to deteriorate and then starting heavy work afterwards. The new ministers must ensure - I do not want to see what happened to some of the roads, like the Fort Portal Road, but there is a story of corruption in that road. I hope the new team will deal with that issue. We have tarmacked the road from east to west, from Busia, Lwakhakha, Suam, Amudat, all the way to Mpondwe, Busunga, and Ishasha in the west. This does not include the tarmac roads linking to the water bodies that are also transport connections, such as Jinja, because when you have the tarmac road up to Jinja, you go into the water and cross by ferry to Mwanza, to Kisumu, to wherever you want to go. Majanji, Port Bell, Butiaba, Kaiso - Tonya, Bukakata. There are tarmac roads going up to these water bodies. We are revamping the meter- gauge railway and building the standard-gauge one. We are working with Kenya and Tanzania on pipelines for crude and refined petroleum products. This will move heavy cargo away from the roads to the railway, and petroleum

Mr Speaker, my name is Ephraim Kamuntu, and I represent Sheema South Constituency in this Parliament. I am humbled, Mr Speaker, to have the singular honour and privilege of moving a motion for a resolution of Parliament, approving the appointment of Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, District Woman Representative, Katakwi District, as the Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda. (Applause) I am moving this motion under Article 108 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure of this Parliament. “ WHEREAS Article 108 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides that there shall be a Vice-President of Uganda appointed by the President, with the approval of Parliament by a simple majority; AND WHEREAS under Article 108(4) of the Constitution, a person qualifies for appointment as Vice-President if the person possesses the qualifications prescribed for the Office of the President by Article 102 of the Constitution, being that the person is a citizen of Uganda by birth, is a registered voter and has completed a minimum formal education of Advanced Level standard or its equivalent; AWARE THAT His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda has, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Article 108 of the Constitution, appointed Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, District Woman Representative, Katakwi District, as the Vice- President of the Republic of Uganda; FURTHER AWARE that Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel was born on 23 May 1974 and is a mother, a commercial farmer, a Pan-Africanist, a self-driven, humble, down- to-earth lady, a result-oriented and output- focused person who prioritises and allocates more time to the performance of her duties and attains results; NOTING THAT Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel is a determined scholar who believes in continuous learning through both informal and formal settings, and possesses the following education qualifications, which make her eminently suitable for appointment as Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda: a. Currently pursuing a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at Makerere University; b. An honorary doctorate degree from the Islamic University in Uganda on 20 December 2025; c. An Honorary PhD in Science awarded by Shenyang University in China on 27 May 2015; d. A Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from Makerere University from 2010 to 2013; e. A Master’s degree in Management Studies from Uganda Management Institute from 2009 to 2010; f. A Bachelor of Arts Degree (with honours) in Political Science and Religious Studies from Makerere University from 1994 to 1998; g. A Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Management Institute; h. Uganda Advanced Level Certificate of Education from Ngora High School from 1992 to 1994; i. A Uganda Ordinary Level Certificate of Education from Kangole Girls School from 1988 to 1991; and j. A primary school certificate from Apuuton Primary School, Katakwi, from 1981 to 1987. NOTING THAT Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel is a patriot who served in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and retired at the rank of Major, and attended the following army courses: a. Officer Cadet Course at Jinja Military Academy, intake 05 Long – not short – (Laughter)- from 1998 to 1999;

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

now Shs 800 million per parish and per ward across Uganda. Therefore, if you say you are a leader, minister, or Member of Parliament of the NRM – the Opposition, I cannot control them; they can do their own things - but for the NRM, I really demand that you go back to these parishes and ask where the Shs 800 million is. By now, it should have covered 800 families per parish. In the manifesto, we are going to increase the money. We are going to make it Shs 200 million per year instead of Shs 100 million. Therefore, as of now, if all of you do your work - when you go back, call all those wonderful parish chiefs and demand data on what has been happening in each parish and each ward, because in the rural areas, it is the parishes; in the towns, it is the wards. Very soon we shall - if we start in this kisanja and add Shs 200 million per year, that will be an additional Shs 1 billion in five years. What will be brought back in five years will be Shs 600 million. By the end of this kisanja, you will be having more than Shs 2 billion in each parish. I do not want to hear that there is poverty in any homestead that has not accessed this money if they have the land. I demand this. Anybody who is a minister, if I come to your area and I find that you have not done it, I will sack you. There is no need for - I am polite, I do not want to embarrass people. Ministers are mature people. You talk, thinking that they will act, but if people do not care about their own people, why should I care about them? There is now capital in each parish - low- cost capital, which can get our people out of poverty. At the constituency level, you have the Emyooga Fund. I do not have the figures. When I come for the State-of-the-Nation Address, I will bring the figures. Where is that Emyooga money? What is it doing? Every Member of Parliament should take interest in that. There are other funds like the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) and money for the Ghetto people here in Kampala, Jinja and other areas. This money must be used to deal with poverty and jobs. There is also money for infrastructure going to the districts. Some of the people were arrested in many of the districts because money for the roads was being diverted to do other things because of corruption. Therefore, I want to inform everyone that all this time I have been monitoring. Normally, I do not want to embarrass mature people; I talk and act. I do not just talk. Put this money on the ground, struggle - it is not always easy, but fortunately, we have the money now, it is on the ground. Let us use it to get all our people out of poverty. When I see people going to Dubai to look for jobs in a desert, when paradise is here, rain and everything is here - Why should people in the desert have more jobs than us? For the NRM people, I have shown them how you can create jobs very easily and quickly through these PDM programmes. Show them Basangwa again, just briefly. You are quoting the Bible, which has been quoted many times. Let me also quote it. (A video was played.)

15 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 58. Niyonsaba Alex Bufumbira County South Kisoro NRM 59. Nsamba Patrick Oshabe Kassanda County North Kassanda NUP 60. Ntale Nsereko Madina Kawempe Division South Kampala NRM 61. Obigah Rose Woman Representative Terego NRM 62. Ochai Maximus West Budama County North Tororo NRM 63. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah Omoro County Omoro NRM 64. Okello Patrick Onguti Aswa County Gulu DP 65. Okot Boniface Henry Kole South County Kole NRM 66. Odwori John Kagoma North County Jinja NUP 67. Oboth Marksons Jacob West Budama Central County Tororo NRM 68. Onzima Phiona Ayivu Division West Arua City NRM 69. Ongalo-Obote Clement Kenneth Kalaki County Kalaki NRM 70. Okia Joanne Aniku Woman Representative Madi-Okollo NRM 71. Nsegumire Muhamad Kibedi Mityana County North Mityana NRM 72. Okullo Francis Ochero County Kaberamaido NRM 73. Opio Samuel Acuti Kole North County Kole NRM 74. Okwi Constantine Kibale County Pallisa NRM 75. Waako Joy Peggy Older Persons Representative Female NRM 76. Ongiertho Emmanuel Jor Nebbi Municipality Nebbi Independent 77. Ssekitoleeko Robert Bamunanika County Luweero NUP 78. Ogwang Peter Ngariam County Katakwi NRM 79. Ongorok Richard Usuk County Katakwi NRM 80. Olanya Gilbert Kilak South County Amuru FDC 81. Okoya John Calvin Chua East County Kaberamaido NRM 82. Okello Geoffery Charles Nwoya East County Nwoya DP 83. Ogama Alli Ismail Lower Madi County Madi-Okollo NRM The House was suspended at 11.12 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. On resumption, at 1.00 p.m. 84. Wanyoto Godfrey Budadiri County West Sironko Independent 85. Nyamutoro Phiona Woman Representative Nebbi NRM 86. Opio Denish Geoffrey Nwoya County Nwoya DP 87. Origumisiriza Enid Atuheire Woman Representative Kabale NRM 88. Ottober Wellborn Odiya Aruu North County Pader NRM 89. Ssewagudde Robert PWD Representative N/A Independent 90. Otimgiw Isaac Ismail Padyere County Nebbi NRM 91. Ruteraho Lillian Woman Representative Isingiro NRM 92. Ssemwanga Joseph (Brig. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 93. Sange Jackline Woman Representative Kween NRM 94. Opolot-Okwalinga Simon Peter Kanyum County Kumi NRM 95. Owere Richard Machika West Budama North East Tororo NRM 96. Paparu Lillian Obiale Woman Representative Arua NRM 97. Paak Peter Pex Dodoth East County Kaabong NRM 98. Rwakoojo Robina Gureme Woman Representative Gomba NRM 99. Rwashande Emmanuel (Brig. Gen. Rtd) Lwemiyaga County Ssembabule NRM 100. Sekabira Denes Katikamu North County Luweero NUP 101. Ssewungu Joseph Gonzaga Kalungu County West Kalungu NUP 102. Owino Nicholas Simon Tororo North County Tororo NRM

103. Ruhindi Fredrick Nakawa Division East Kampala NRM 104. Taban Aate Sharifah Woman Representative Koboko Independent 105. Ouma Willy Namayingo South County Namayingo Independent 106. Orone Derrick Gogonyo County Pallisa NRM 107. Tete Chelengat Everline Woman Representative Bukwo NRM 108. Tibyaze Peace Woman Representative Jinja NRM 109. Tom Aliti Candia Maracha East County Maracha NRM 110. Rwakimari Beatrice Ruhaama County Ntungamo NRM 111. Tumuramye Genensio Kashongi County Kiruhura NRM 112. Tumusiime John Bosco Kashari South County Mbarara NRM 113. Teira John Bugabula County North Kamuli NRM 114. Oryema Simon Peter Adum Chua West County Kitgum NRM 115. Turyahikayo Kebirungi Mary Paula Woman Representative Rukungiri NRM 116. Sebamala Richard Bukoto County Central Masaka DP 117. Tiyo William Taylor Odaa Ayivu Division East Arua City NRM 118. Ssebbugga-Kimeze Berunado Budyepo County Nakasongola NRM 119. Tayebwa Thomas Ruhinda North County Mitooma NRM 120. Otto Edward Makmot Agago County Agago NRM 121. Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore (Lt Col Rtd) Isingiro County North Isingiro NRM 122. Tebandeke Charles Bbaale County Kayunga NUP 123. Tukahirwa James Byenjuru Hunter Kajara County Ntungamo NRM 124. Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu (Lt Gen. Rtd) Rukungiri Municipality Rukungiri NRM 125. Tumwesigye Anthony Isingiro West County Isingiro Independent 126. Ssenyonyi Joel Basekezi Nakawa Division West Kampala NUP 127. Osoru Mourine Woman Representative Arua City NRM 128. Ossiya Solomon Alemu Toroma County Katakwi NRM 129. Shyam Jay Tanna Tororo Municipality Tororo Independent 130. Twalla Fadil Tingey County Kapchorwa NRM 131. Waluswaka James Bunyole West County Butaleja NRM 132. Tumwebaze Mwine Youth Representative Western NRM 133. Twinomujuni Francis Kazini Buhaguzi County Kikuube NRM 134. Otafiire Kahinda (Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Ruhinda County Mitooma NRM 135. Silwany Solomon Bukooli County Central Bugiri NRM 136. Otim Bernard Maruzi North County Apac NRM 137. Waiswa Joel Azalwa Busiki County Namutumba Independent 138. Ssemwanga Gyaviira Buyamba County Rakai NRM 139. Wakida Patrick Godfrey Kabweri County Kibuku NRM 140. Walyomu Moses Muwanika Kagoma County Jinja Independent 141. Wandera John Paul Samia Bugwe County North Busia Independent 142. Saazi Godfrey Gomba East County Gomba NUP 143. Wanyenya Shafiga Bungokho County North Mbale NRM 144. Twesige Stephen Buyaga East County Kagadi NRM 145. Twinamasiko Onesimus Bugangaizi East County Kakumiro NRM 146. Wandera Sadala Bugweri County Bugweri NRM 147. Tayebwa Didas Kabumbuza Kooki County Rakai NRM 148. Wanyama Judas Thadeo Youth Representative Eastern NRM 149. Sserukenya David Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality Wakiso NUP 150. Sekindi Aisha Woman Representative Kalungu Independent

8 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 5. Kansiime Annah Woman Representative Rwampara NRM 6. Kanyesigye Mercy Youth Representative Female Independent 7. Kapyagon Brian Kongasis County Bukwo Independent 8. Karim Musa Aringa North County Yumbe Independent 9. Kasajja George Patrick Bulamogi North West County Kaliro NRM 10. Kasigwa Gerald Bihemaiso Kigorobya County Hoima NRM 11. Kasirye Nganda Ali Makindye East Division Kampala NUP 12. Kasukaali Methuselah Mwenge Central County Kyenjojo NRM 13. Kariisa Johnbosco Koy Buhweju West County Buhweju NRM 14. Katushabe Ruth Woman Representative Bukomansimbi NRM 15. Katusiime Annet Mugisha Woman Representative Bushenyi NRM 16. Kawalya Abubaker Rubaga Division North Kampala NUP 17. Kasaija Matia Buyanja County Kibaale NRM 18. Karuhanga Gerald Kafureeka Ntungamo Municipality Ntungamo Independent 19. Khalayi Peace Woman Representative Namisindwa NRMK 20. Kiirya Grace Paddy Wanzala Butembe County Jinja FDC 21. Kiiza Andrew N. Kaluya Kigulu County South Iganga NUP 22. Katushabe Doreen Birungi Woman Representative Lyantonde NRM 23. Kiyonga C.W.C.B. Bukonzo County West Kasese NRM 24. Muhwezi Jim Katugugu Rujumbura County Rukungiri NRM 25. Kenan Opio Busiro South Wakiso NRM 26. Kateshumbwa Dicksons Sheema Municipality Sheema NRM 27. Katusiime Jovia Woman Representative Kiryandongo NRM 28. Kiiza Kenneth Nyendwoha Bujenje County Masindi NRM 29. Kikabi Edward (Dr) Ntwetwe County Kyankwanzi NRM 30. Kinalwa James (Maj. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 31. Kinobere Herbert Tom Kibuku County Kibuku Independent 32. Kinshaba Patience Nkunda Woman Representative Kanungu Independent 33. Kiruluuta Yusuf J. Nkerettanyi Kalungu County East Kalungu NUP 34. Kirumira Hassan Katikamu County South Luweero NUP 35. Kisekka Salim Bukomansimbi North County Bukomansimbi NRM 36. Kitiyo Patrick Kapchorwa Municipality Kapchorwa Independent 37. Kiyimba Emmanuel Bukoto County Mid-West Lwengo NRM 38. Kasule Ismail Hoima West Division Hoima City ANT 39. Khainza Agnes Shiuma Woman Representative Bududa NRM 40. Kugonza Emely Buyanja East County Kibaale NRM 41. Kungu Samuel Bamuteeze Kigulu County North Iganga NRM 42. Kwizera Eddie Wa-Gahungu Bukimbiri County Kisoro Independent 43. Kyambadde Amelia Ann Mawokota County North Mpigi NRM 44. Kyarampe Rebecca Woman Representative Mitooma NRM 45. Kyarikunda Loydah T. Woman Representative Mbarara NRM 46. Kisa Stephen Bakubalwayo Luuka South County Luuka NRM 47. Kavuma Samuel (Lt Gen.) UPDF N/A N/A 48. Kitanywa Sowedi Busongora County North Kasese NRM 49. Kizza Hakim Sawula Bukoto County South Lwengo NUP 50. Kuteesa Patrick Kimanya-Kabonera Division Masaka City NUP 51. Kwiyucwiny Grace Freedom Ora County Zombo NRM 52. Kibaaju Charity Kamuhanda Woman Representative Mbarara City NRM 53. Komol Joseph Miidi Dodoth North County Kaabong NRM 54. Karubanga Jacob Ateenyi Kibanda South County Kiryandongo Independent 55. Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama Mbarara South Division Mbarara City NRM

18875 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MAY 2026 Vote 015 - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Shs 37.90 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation as an additional investment in Atiak Sugar Factory. The second category is self-financing and budget-neutral supplementary requests over and above the 3 per cent legal limit, which require prior approval by Cabinet and Parliament. Of a total of Shs 586.16 billion for Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No.5, which is above the 3 per cent legal limit. A total of Shs 123.03 billion is self-financed and thus budget-neutral. The self-financing/budget- neutral supplementary includes the following: Reallocation of Shs 40.21 billion to cater for additional wages for recruitment of health workers under 19 referral hospitals. Honourable colleagues, there is a need to allocate the wage of Shs 40.21 billion currently budgeted for under the Ministry of Health to 19 referral hospitals. This is required to cater for the recruitment and absorption of critical health workers who were previously supporting these hospitals before the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for essential health services. The beneficiary referral hospitals are the following; i. Butabika Hospital, Arua Hospital, Fort Portal Hospital, Gulu Hospital, Hoima Hospital, Jinja Hospital, Kabale Hospital, Masaka Hospital, Mbale Hospital, Soroti Hospital, Lira Hospital, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Naguru National Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kayunga Referral Hospital, and Yumbe Referral Hospital; ii. Shs 9.92 billion for various local governments, which are also detailed in Annex I; iii. Shs 1.44 billion as unspent balances under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme (UgIFT), which were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their outstanding contractual obligations under the programme for this year; iv. Shs 2.22 billion for the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project as unspent balances that were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their contractual obligations and avoid - (Interruption)

I am giving all of you 35 minutes. Honourable members, before we continue, we have Hon. Otim Bernard, MP- elect for Maruzi North County and Hon. Tibyaze Peace, MP-elect from Jinja. You are welcome. Honourable members, join me in welcoming our new Members.

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

18924 THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (NO.2) BILL, 2025 1. Full monetisation of the Uganda’s economy with a proposed allocation of Shs 2.49 trillion for the various wealth creation programmes including the Parish Development Model (PDM,) which was allocated Shs 1.084 trillion. Export guarantee schemes is Shs 180 billion. Funds for women in business, the GROW project, Shs 75.9 billion; Uganda Development Corporation Shs 454.1 billion; Uganda Development Bank, Shs 442.2 billion; Emyooga Shs 100 billion; Youth programs under the State House Shs 58.5 billion; Microfinance Shs 48.5 billion; and the agricultural credit facility Shs 50 billion. 2. Towards maintaining peace, security and the rule of Law, the Government is proposing an allocation of Shs 10.202 trillion. 3. Towards capital development There is a proposed allocation of Shs 13.521 trillion. And this will specifically go where we are proposing enhancement in a phased manner, starting with 25 per cent. I have already mentioned this; the salaries for arts teachers, primary school teachers, secondary school teachers, and businesses, business technical and vocational education training institutions, with a total financing of Shs 554.4 billion. The Government also proposes to allocate an additional Shs 496.3 billion to finance multi- sectoral interventions towards the preparedness - This is beyond the specific money to AFCON, but there are sectors surrounding AFCON’s success and they are giving an extra Shs 496.3 billion to finance multi-sectoral interventions towards preparedness for AFCON 2027. 4. Infrastructure development, that is roads, railways and energy. There is a total allocation of Shs 10.85 trillion, of which roads, railways, water transport and air transport have been allocated Shs 8.788 trillion, and electricity Shs 2.068 trillion. Priority areas include the SGR, meter-gauge railway, road development, especially express highways, including the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, rehabilitation and maintenance of both tarmac and marram roads, the Bukasa port and ferries, and electricity generation, transmission and distribution lines. 5. Manufacturing, with a proposed allocation of Shs 1.048 trillion. The priority areas include the continued development of infrastructure in priority industrial parks. 6. Environmental and natural resource conservation and protection, there is Shs 514.08 billion for environmental protection and restoration. 7. Administration of justice with a proposed allocation of Shs 651.55 billion. 8. Legislation and oversight with a proposed allocation of Shs 1.226 trillion. Number 6.6 Multi-year commitments. Section 12(3) of the PFMA Cap 171 requires the Honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to present to the House, for the next financial year, a company with a statement for the multi- year commitments to be undertaken by the Government in the subsequent financial year. Furthermore, the statement seeks to require Parliament to authorise Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies responsible for implementing development projects that span more than one year to enter into multi-year obligations in order to properly implement projects within the available fiscal space. Accordingly, the multi-year commitment statement for the Financial Year 2026/2027 indicates that Uganda’s Public Investment Plan (PIP) for the Financial Year 2026/2027 to Financial Year 2030/2031 contains 357 projects, of which 306 are ongoing, and 51 are new, with a total investment value of Shs 138.18 trillion. THE VALUE ADDED TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026 [Mr Achia]

18811 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 APRIL 2026 Kalangala, they tell you that this is the main island. There are many millions of islands. One time, she told me how she nearly drowned while taking children or a patient from one island to another in a boat. To speak on an occasion like this when we have lost a young legislator whom I met many times in the Orthodox Church – I met her at St Nicholas three times, Jinja Orthodox Church once, Gulu Orthodox Church once, when I would go there to articulate messages of His Excellency the President. She was a very committed Christian. ( Applause ) She was not only a Christian by word but by action and she was extremely respectful. She would call me “Mum” when receiving me in the church. She knew the history and the culture of the Orthodox Church deeply. She was always with Hon. Ssekikubo. When he was not present, she would be uncomfortable until Hon. Ssekikubo arrived. When you find Hon. Ssekikubo before she arrives, he would also be uncomfortable until Helen arrives. Madam Speaker, the Orthodox Church and indeed the Christian faith have lost a committed Christian. I am glad, Madam Speaker, you have given me an opportunity to pay tribute to her. I thank you for extending support to the young girl. Madam Speaker, I am willing to make a contribution to support the young girl who is in senior one, if the clan allows. (Applause) I would like to call upon that child to be strong, because there are many orphans out there, including myself. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, my dad died when I was a second lieutenant. I was relatively young. In Africa, a parent, even at 100 years, is still a parent, and you cannot compare. Therefore, look up to us who are orphans. We will give you a platform, the guidance that you need, role modelling, and mentor you to the logical conclusion. May the soul of the late - Nakimuli means flower. I used to joke with her and ask, “Which flower are you? Are you a rose, a sunflower or a lily?” She would say she will unveil the name of her flower at an appropriate time. She has not done it. May her soul rest in eternal peace. (Applause)

Madam Chairperson, Kampala is an urban area. Let me give an example – Hon. Kateshumbwa should listen to this. Is Kisoro, where Bwindi is, urban? It is rural. Yet, the tourists go there more than they go to Mbale Town or Jinja, because of the gorillas and whatever. We have to be very careful about what is urban and where the tourist attractions are.

Madam Chairperson, Hon. Nandala is my chairperson somewhere. I thank him for being a Christian in the discussion of these matters because he has expressed feelings for the country and the desire to see this economy sustain itself by encouraging domestic production. Our proposal is in line. As you have said, let us make these decisions progressively, whereby now we do 30 per cent, then after one year, if one or two more factories come and we have enough domestic production, we can close completely, but I am proud. I have to put this on record, Hon. Brenda Nabukenya. When I was in primary school in my village in Rubanda, I was wearing a uniform from the Nyanza Textile Industries Limited (NYTIL). In our village, we did not know NYTIL; we knew it as Jinja. It was a new uniform, you would buy, they tailor it and you put it on. So, it is not true, Madam Chairperson, that uniforms cannot be produced by our factories. I thought this would be -

18787 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 APRIL 2026 vehicles that were previously affordable for social workers, essential workers, and small traders unattainable. In this way, the policy imposes a hidden burden on the public even as it is presented in environmental reform. Such a policy should not be allowed to increase transport costs to citizens already struggling with high fuel prices and living expenses. Calling it an environmental measure risks reducing serious reform to mere justification for higher taxes. Clause 3: Environmental Consistency Madam Speaker, sound environmental policies value the principles of reuse, repair, refurbishment, and extended product life. Many older vehicles can be properly maintained and upgraded which is often a more responsible environmental choice than premature replacement. Mechanics, spare parts dealers, and garage workers depend on a steady market for repairable vehicles. Should the Bill further restrict the import and affordability of older vehicles, it will undermine these trades and weaken the culture of repair that supports both livelihoods and sustainability –(Interjections)- Yeah, fire entire gas in such case. Purchasing a new product does not necessarily advance environmental sustainability. In many instances, it encourages consumer waste, extending the lifespan of repairable vehicles, which is often more sustainable and an economically prudent path. Clause 3: effects on existing vehicles Madam Speaker, although the Bill does not directly impose new levies on vehicles already in use, its effects will be borne by current owners. As importing affordable used vehicles becomes more difficult and costly, replacement becomes impractical. Spare parts, too, are likely to become more expensive and harder to find as the market for older models contracts. A taxi operator in Mukono or Wakiso may find that replacement car spare parts have become prohibitively expensive. A small business owner in Jinja may be forced to postpone necessary repairs due to the scarcity of car spare parts. A family that would otherwise replace an ageing vehicle with a modestly priced imported car may find themselves compelled to continue using a deteriorating car. These are not hypothetical concerns, but the real burdens that this policy will impose. Even in the absence of direct taxation, the law will still penalise those who rely on existing vehicles by driving costs up, reducing options and forcing prolonged use under increasingly challenging conditions. Clause 3: goods vehicle exemptions Madam Speaker, the decision to exempt goods vehicles from the levy undermines the Bill’s environmental rationale. If vehicle age and environmental impact are truly issues, there is no credible reason to exclude goods vehicles, which contribute significantly to emissions and environmental strain. Trucks and lorries used for goods and construction also contribute to pollution and road wear. Their exclusion from the Bill strongly suggests that the policy is driven by convenience or political considerations.

Do you know why I am asking about how much has been allocated? This is because even after that allocation, we do not find the roads being worked on. What did you say about the Kampala-Jinja Expressway? As you look for that, we also need to synchronise the issue of the regional mechanical workshops. You find a district like Bundibugyo with a regional workshop in Fort Portal – It is in Mbarara, not even Fort Portal. You find the one servicing Soroti in Bugembe. We are wondering what happened to the – because Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) used to be very organised. They had regional offices. What happened to those offices? What happened to the equipment that they had? Where are the regional labs? Before we start talking about the roads and whatever, how do we test the materials? Where are those labs or the regional mechanical workshops? Then, what happened to the UNRA roads? Honourable chairperson, you may need to enlighten us on that because we are giving you a lot of money. Now, the fact that you have a lot of money, tell us which roads you are going to give us – when we are doing appropriation – which roads are we working on? I told you about the road leading to Buhweju. You cannot even think of passing there. There is the road from Lira-Otuke-Abim up to Karenga; it is very bad. When you look at Kachonga-Butaleja-Tororo- Namutumba road, it is terrible. Look at where Hon. Joan comes from, Madi-Okollo. That road of Madi-Okollo connecting to Arua - I can tell you all the roads now. Let us look at the critical roads and make sure that we use the money effectively. With all this money that is being given, we must achieve what we need to achieve. You find the roads in Kampala – like my road, somebody is working on McKinnon Road, but I have failed to pass there for a whole two weeks. Nothing is moving. I was wondering why they removed my little tarmac which was there; they should have left it the way it was. Therefore, honourable chairperson, there is a big problem in your sector.

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

18651 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 intended for Laropi and Lefori in Moyo, Akoro and Pangila, and Padibe West in Lamwo. The institutional water supply and sanitation project This one is intended to supply the Arocha prison in Apac and the Iceme health centre and surrounding areas in Oyam. The rural growth centre schemes in Ewanga in Madi-Okollo, Edrayo in Terego, Rodo and Nyori in Yumbe. The gravity and piped water schemes are intended for Ambe GFS in Zombo, the Ogili water supply and sanitation scheme in Agago, as well as Pader. The solar-powered schemes for Achukudu solar RGC in Napak. Colleagues, I am sure that the Hon Faith Nakut is now going to give me a bit- Table 12, in the Eastern region. There are rural growth centre piped water projects that are intended for Bulange in Namutumba, Nango in Mayuge, Bubugo- Itanda in Jinja, and Kagumba in Kamuli. Additional rural growth centre schemes, one intended for Oyama RGC in Kaberamaido. The institutional water supply and sanitation schemes in Ivukula prisons and the surrounding areas in Namutumba. The public sanitation facilities are intended for Mulatsi S.S. in Mbale and Lubani SSS in Jinja. The urban and small town water system schemes under the Water and Sanitation Development Facility East. In Manafwa, Bulangira, Bukumi, Kaproron, Kadungulu, Iyolwa, Mukura, Atutur and Mbale Industrial Park. Central region The ministry intends to undertake piped water schemes in Nankondo in Ssembabule, Moone in Nakasongola and Bulera in Mityana. The institutional water and sanitation schemes - Masaka Army Barracks. The solar-powered water schemes in Kyegegwa, Rakai, Namayingo and Buvuma districts. Then the other additional schemes and extensions are intended for Ngoma, Nyanseke, Busaale, Lunya, Kapeeka Industrial Park extension and Kikuube. In Western and Southwestern regions The major towns and cluster water systems. In Nyakashaka and Rubaya in Buhweju and Mbarara, Mabira, Bukiro, and Nyabisirira, Ntungamo Industrial Park, among others. The integrated water management and development schemes Kaliro-Namungalwe and Kyegegwa-Mpara- Ruyonza-Kabagore. This is the learned DAGs area. Isingiro water and sanitation scheme That is for the Isingiro District. Institutional water schemes in Butanda Secondary School in Kabale, Rugazi Health Centre IV in Rubirizi, and Ishekye School of the Handicapped in Sheema. The rural growth schemes Kyampangara and Nyamushojwa in Kazo, Kasaba in Kyenjojo, Rwentuha in Kyegegwa and Buhanda in Mubende. The solar-powered scheme Bikone and Isule-Katebenyangorongo in Kasese; Kagunga Iremera 1, Iremera 2 in Kisoro; and the Rubanda extension scheme.

18654 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 iv) Jinja Hospital, Shs 43 billion; v) Mulago Hospital, Shs 4.3 billion; vi) Kyambogo University, Shs 3.4 billion; vii) Gulu Hospital, Shs 1.3 billion; viii) Nebbi Hospital, Shs 963 million; ix) Soroti Hospital, Shs 819 million; and x) Entebbe Hospital, Shs 530 Million. I conclude by raising the observations and recommendations Vote 017 i) The committee recommends that the Government provide an additional Shs 300 billion for the Financial Year 26/27 to clear priority inherited rural electrification obligations and restore visible implementation under the last mile service delivery; ii) The Government should reconsider the decision to restructure the Rural Electrification Agency and reinstate a rural electrification agency or any other institution that is dedicated to providing rural electrification in a non-traditional ministry format, especially in light of the low progress since the rationalisation of the previous institution ; (Applause) iii) We should strengthen the anti-vandalism enforcement and accelerate reform in scrap market regulation and protect, and protect critical infrastructure; iv) Government allocates Shs 10 billion to establish a formal mineral market and buying centre; v) Government prioritises the full compensation and relocation of the 414 affected households in Karuma and Awo villages by allocating the outstanding 60 billion; vi) The ministry submits to Parliament a district-by-district implementation matrix of electricity transmission, distribution, and industrial parks electrification projects, showing the financing, the contractor status, the completion timelines, and the expected beneficiaries. This is because for many times, colleagues are asking the Ministry of Energy about electrification projects without clear responses; and vii) The Ministry prioritises delivery in named localities already committed to its prioritised delivery in named localities, especially those mentioned in its policy submissions, like the industrial parks, the transmission corridors, where economic and political expectations are high. Recommendations under the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) viii) The committee recommends that sustained financing for the real-time monitoring centre, the primary data centre, and the disaster recovery infrastructure, cross- border monitoring, and remaining staff gaps be provided for before Uganda enters into full petroleum production; ix) PAU, through the minister responsible for petroleum, should make quarterly reports to Parliament on first oil readiness, production monitoring capability, national content performance, employment outcomes, and coordination with the Uganda Revenue Authority, the Auditor- General, Uganda National Oil Company, and the Uganda National Environment Authority; and x) Additional budget consideration should be given to unfunded recruitment and technical monitoring tools required for the production of the first oil. Recommendations under Vote 019 i) The Government should increase predictable domestic financing for the operation and maintenance of rural water facilities, small pipe schemes, and rehabilitation of non-functional systems. Colleagues, this will help to remove the burden of repair of boreholes, spring wells, and small water schemes from members of Parliament; and ii) Counterpart funding for strategic towns and other schemes for water production should be protected from disruption during the financial year. Additional resources should be mobilised to narrow the Shs 361 billion financing gap, which threatens universal safe water, climate-resilient, and ecosystem targets.

18575 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 APRIL 2026 people with a medical background and other specialties working for them, or will they just rely on people from NDA on that point so that we do not have double recruitment? We can borrow the speciality from NDA but have some permanent medical staff also in UNBS. On the issue of industrial parks, we have noticed that investment, at the moment, is not widely spread across the country. You find most of the investment along the Kampala- Jinja Road and now stretching up to the Mbale corridor, leaving the rest of the country untapped properly. For example, an area like the West Nile has a population of almost 4.5 million people without any industrial park. We did have an industrial park in Nebbi that is in -

18520 THE FORENSIC AND SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL SERVICES BILL, 2025 Madam Speaker, I beg your indulgence, in three minutes, to summarise what I have laid. The Budget that I have just laid has been prepared under the theme, “Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialisation, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access.” The projected total draft annual Budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 is Shs 84,294,163,572,986 only. The Budget has been prepared in line with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), the 10-fold growth strategy, and it will be the first budget to implement the next National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto for the period 2026/2027 to 2030/2031. The budget has, accordingly, prioritised investment in agro-industrialisation, tourism development, mineral-based industrial development, and science, technology, and innovations, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the creative arts industry and the enablers (ATMS). Madam Speaker, under the ATMS, we have categorised the following in summary: Under agro-industrialisation, our focus is on agricultural research, inputs, irrigation, extension, value addition, post-harvest management, storage and enforcing quality standards for market access. On tourism development, we are aiming at promoting Uganda through branding, infrastructure upgrades, sanitation facilities, hospitality standards enforcement and investment in specialised facilities, including health tourism. On mineral-based development, our priorities are quantification, strengthening the Uganda National Mining Company, transparent markets, and projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. On science, technology and innovations (STI), we propose to increase financing to support the commercialisation of STI products like the Kiira Motors Corporation, Dei BioPharma Ltd, coffee and banana; establishing a high-tech city, increasing research and development, affordable and reliable internet, digital government services and e-commerce, the promotion of business processing outsourcing, enforcing of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act to protect intellectual property and artistic works. Madam Speaker, the enablers of these ATMS include: i) Peace, security, and rule of law; ii) Transport infrastructure, including roads, rail, air, and water transport; iii) Electricity; iv) Industrial-park development; and v) Human capital development – here we talk about education, health, water irrigation, environment, and wealth creation funds; that is, Parish Development Model, Uganda Development Bank (UDB), Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), and Emyooga . The key expenditure drivers for the Financial Year 2026/2027 Annual Budget include increased investment in key NDP IV flagship projects such as the standard gauge railway, the meter gauge railway, the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, the construction and maintenance of critical roads, and electricity for industrial parks, among others. The budget has also provided resources to support readiness activities for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 and enhancement of salaries for primary school teachers and Arts teachers in secondary schools and Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) institutions. Madam Speaker, we have also proposed the tax policy measures amounting to Shs 1,741 billion to finance the budget. [Mr Musasizi] LAYING OF PAPERS

Madam Speaker, most obliged, but could we get some report about the challenges we are facing? Even Jinja City had the same issue recently. I think it was the Jinja Market.

18349 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026 iv. Vote 116 – National Medical Stores; v. Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute; vi. Vote 134 – Health Service Commission; vii. Vote 151 – Uganda Blood Transfusion Services; viii. Vote 401 – Mulago Hospital Complex; ix. Vote 402 – Butabika Hospital; x. Vote 403 – Arua Regional Referral Hospital; xi. Vote 404 – Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital; xii. Vote 405 – Gulu Regional Referral Hospital; xiii. Vote 406 – Hoima Regional Referral Hospital; xiv. Vote 407 – Jinja Regional Referral Hospital; xv. Vote 408 – Kabale Regional Referral Hospital; xvi. Vote 409 – Masaka Regional Referral Hospital; xvii. Vote 410 – Mbale Regional Referral Hospital; xviii. Vote 411 – Soroti Regional Referral Hospital; xix. Vote 412 – Lira Regional Referral Hospital; xx. Vote 413 – Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital; xxi. Vote 414 – Mubende Regional Referral Hospital; xxii. Vote 415 – Moroto Regional Referral Hospital; xxiii. Vote 416 – China-Uganda Friendship Referral Hospital, Naguru; xxiv. Vote 417 – Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital; xxv. Vote 418 – Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital; xxvi. Vote 419 – Entebbe regional far hospital; xxvii. Vote 420 – Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; xxviii. Vote 421 – Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital; and xxix. Vote 422 – Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. I beg to lay.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I also take the opportunity to congratulate honourable colleagues who went through and thank those who participated. I think the Minister of Internal Affairs has commented on many of the issues related to arrests. Just to recap what I told the country, as the Minister of Information and National Guidance, no charges are being preferred against Hon. Kyagulanyi. The State is not looking for him; he is a free man. That is the point I made. He chose, on his own volition, to go into hiding. The State is not interested in him. Otherwise, the State would pick him from wherever he is because you know we have technology to trace people. We are not interested in him; that is why I said that he is free to be at his home. Yes, at the moment, he is not at home, but Mr Kyagulanyi and other members of his family are free at any time to go there. There is light deployment at his home, not to harass anybody, but for Ugandans not to use the home as a public disorder hub, for purposes of security. There are security interests. Therefore, there is some access control because again, when the head of the home is not there, you would not want the whole crowd of Ugandans to swarm there. There is some control, but it is harmless. Leader of the Opposition, your leader is not wanted by the State and we advise him to be at home, provided he does not engage in law- breaking; there is no problem with that. Secondly, it is not true that I have ever been abducted by this Government. In 2012, we had an issue in this House where a colleague died in circumstances that were not clear. I was tasked by the House, as a Commissioner of Parliament, to be part of the team to find out what had happened. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding between the Government and us in Parliament, and I was arrested on my way to Fort Portal and detained at Jinja Road Police Station, produced in Buganda Road Court, and given bail. For nine months, we battled with, defeated, and forgave the Government - (Laughter) - yes. Actually, Gen. Kale Kayihura apologised to me officially because I also told the President that I am a qualified medical doctor and I knew what I was doing in that investigation. I remember we had an argument before, and I told him, “I will defeat you in court because I am a senior doctor, highly qualified by the way, and there is no law I have broken”. Indeed, the court agreed with me. On the insinuation that I was abducted, I know Hon. Ssemujju and the Opposition usually want to use it all the time, but that one is long past. So, I wanted to clarify. I was working as a Commissioner – (Interruption)

Mr Speaker, first of all, I have not said anything since I came here - (Laughter) - but Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, who was charged for stealing Hon. Nebanda’s body parts – (Laughter) - wants to draw me into an argument where I am not a party. I went to see him at Jinja Road Police Station, where they had denied him even sandals. I followed this matter up to court and stood with him. Is he in order not to thank me – (Laughter) - but to keep dragging me in his submission and create an impression that I have said something, yet I have said nothing?

18313 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2026 Many of the projects for which we have borrowed gross sums of money are either behind schedule or have completely stagnated. Here we are being asked to recklessly approve further borrowing. I now turn to the ministry of finance report on externally funded projects. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has been monitoring performance of these projects and done some reports. The latest report samples 66 externally-funded projects, as the table below illustrates. We have borrowed money to finance projects. Even in this budget, they are saying we should borrow another Shs 10 trillion. But look at the table. The projects in Agro-Industrialisation; seven projects here, only two have been completed. One is on track, others behind schedule. Digital Transformation: two projects, one on track. Human Capital Development: 14 projects, only one completed, one on track, 12 are behind schedule. Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services: 12 projects for which we have borrowed money, only two completed, one on track, 18 behind schedule. I do not need to go on, but the total below is that you have a total of 66 projects sampled by the finance ministry. Only six are completed, five are on track, 55 of these projects are behind schedule, including the ones that you will see that have stagnated. I will give a list here. I will be very brief because this is not my list, it is a list of Hon. Musasizi: Kampala-Jinja Expressway. We borrowed money to do this road. Let me go to the last line. This is how the finance ministry has assessed this. The physical progress of the project is zero. Money borrowed; progress is zero. They are saying let us borrow more. That is what is in the Budget Framework Paper. Busega-Mpigi Expressway. Construction is at 46 per cent. This road was supposed to have been completed years ago. They are at 46 per cent. Part of the reason you will see, they are saying they do not have counter-funding, and then they are saying let us borrow and begin more projects. That is why I said you even offend common sense. Entebbe Airport Rehabilitation. This one, there is progress but the point is because of the delays, we are now required to pay to the contractor the total sum of $34.9 million because we delayed. The contractor says you delayed here and here, pay me money. Even this one, although progressing, it was never delivered on time. The Development of the New Bukasa Port Project. This one has not started at all, still in the preliminary. Kampala Flyover Construction. The Finance ministry says it has stagnated. Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project. They are now revising it. Time elapsed. They are revising it, yet you know each revision comes with money. Multinational Kapchorwa-Suam-Kitale and Eldoret Bypass Road Project. This one has almost been completed but after a delay. Kyenjonjo-Hoima-Masindi-Kigumba Road. The project has not been completed; more money is needed. Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communication and Transport Project. Here, the overall progress is from 37 per cent by the end of April. All these projects have delayed, no counter-funding, they are contracting more. Luweero-Butalangu Road. Work is at 67 per cent. A road that they started nearly 10 years ago, they have not completed a short stretch. Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko Road Project, and you keep asking why the President repeat these roads in every budget? The progress, as you have seen, on some projects, is zero. Every

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This facility is being sought to finance the operations of the Uganda National Oil Company. This is for purposes of financing. It is really about our fuel security. The development of the Kampala storage terminal, development of the pipeline jetty and associated terminal at Jinja storage terminal, acquisition of a storage facility for gas oil at Mombasa Port, at least one year’s financing towards the refinery project, acquisition of shares in the Kenya Pipeline Company and the extension of the pipeline projects from Eldoret to Kampala. If you may recall, when we were discussing an amendment to the Public Finance and Management Act (PFMA), we did mention to the House at the time that, at times it is very important and difficult for commercial arms of Government to consistently come here. As we speak, UNOC is ready to start investing in all these projects. It has found very cheap financing, which is available now and is on an overdraft basis. It is now going to be available to them to use as and when these projects come on stream. If Parliament breaks off and any of these things come on stream, then we cannot deal with them. We request that Parliament really consider this because it is a commercial business of UNOC. Mr Speaker, for example, we have the Kampala storage terminal. Right now, all the products that we import have to be released into the stations. We do not have any fuel security; the same applies to the Jinja storage terminal. Currently, all our oil that is transported through the pipeline has to be evacuated at Eldoret and then trucked here. An effort is being made to do the pipeline to Kampala. This is quite urgent. We request that you allow UNOC to carry out its operation even when Parliament is on recess. I beg to submit. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As a way of background, in August 2023, the Government, through the Uganda National Oil Company, entered into a petroleum products supply agreement with Vitol Bahrain, a global leader in crude oil and petroleum product supply and marketing, for sole importation of all of Uganda’s demand for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel. UNOC, together with Vitol, commenced sole importation business in July 2024 and has, as of December 2025, successfully delivered this mandate, attaining the principle objectives of market supply stability and competitive prices while generating revenue. To date, UNOC has generated a gross profit of up to a net of $150 million. In addition to the sole importation mandate, UNOC is engaged in several projects across the petroleum value chain, which include the following: 1. Development of the Kampala storage terminal. 2. Development of pipeline jetty and associated terminal enhancement at Jinja storage terminal. 3. Acquisition of Mombasa storage to handle gas oil through the purchase of a terminal. 4. At least the first year of construction of Uganda’s refinery. 5. Acquisition of shares in the Kenya Pipeline Company. 6. Extension of the finished products pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala. In addition, there is an urgent need to revamp and build key national roads to support the 10- fold growth strategy, inclusive of enabling and facilitating oil and gas infrastructure to ease the movement of petroleum products across the country. On the backdrop of the successful partnership on sole fuel importation, Vitol indicated willingness to provide financing support for the implementation of UNOC projects and other critical Government infrastructure. In May 2025, UNOC and Vitol concluded a memorandum of understanding for financing cooperation to explore the potential funding of UNOC projects and critical infrastructure projects. Since the signing of the Paris Agreement at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change conference of parties, COP21, in Paris, France in December 2025, the global energy systems have experienced a policy shift, what they call energy transition, away from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources that are considered to have a lower carbon emissions footprint and by some measures more sustainable in the long term. The outcome of this energy transition has been a shift in public policy and global capital investment away from traditional petroleum investments, as well as increasing climate activism against fossil fuel investments. Honourable colleagues, the mentioned Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) projects have not been insulated from this global policy shift and its repercussions. For example, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the flagship project of Uganda’s oil and gas

18257 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2025 sector, experienced significant environmental activism and challenges in raising finances to achieve Financial Close and yet EACOP has maintained the highest international environmental and social standards, enjoys the support of the host Governments of Uganda and Tanzania, as well as significant investment from internationally-recognised companies such as Total Energies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation(CNOOC). Mr Speaker, Government infrastructure has equally faced challenges, whereby the sources of financing for infrastructure have become increasingly expensive, and several infrastructural projects have experienced a slowdown or stoppage due to limited funding. Therefore, the purpose of the VBA financing proposal presents an opportunity to access non-traditional financing to implement UNOC projects and support the Government in developing national infrastructure. Whereas VBA is not a traditional lender, it has become common practice for global commodity traders and other investors who have strong cash flows, balance sheets, and access to cheaper capital to enter into similar tailor-made financing agreements with host governments and national parastatals worldwide. In accordance with Section 34 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015, I present to the House the details of the loan facility that include the terms of the facility, additional conditions, and investment priorities. The proposed $2 billion will be used to finance the following projects: 1. $1.2 billion will be utilised to finance the following UNOC projects; 2. Development of Kampala Storage Terminal; i. Development of Pipeline Jetty and associated terminal enhancement at Jinja Storage Terminal; ii. Acquisition of Mombasa storage to handle gas oil through the purchase of a terminal; iii. At least the first year of construction of the Uganda Refinery; iv. Acquisition of shares in Kenya Pipeline Company; v. Extension of the finished products pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala. B. $800 million will be utilised to finance national roads infrastructure projects. Financing Terms VBA will provide UNOC with a loan facility amounting to $2 billion, on the following terms: 1. The lender is Vitol Bahrain E.C. (BVA); 2. The borrower is Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC); 3. The repayment party is UNOC through capitalisation from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development; 4. The loan facility is $2 billion; 5. The tenure is 84 months (seven years), including a grace period; 6. The grace period is 24 months (two years); interest accrues, i.e., instead of being paid on each disbursement, this interest is deferred (“accrued”); 7. The repayment profile - after the two- year grace period, the Government will pay $100 million of principal plus interest every quarter on the utilised amounts only; 8. The interest rate is three three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate(SOFR), currently at 3.92 per cent plus 1 per cent margin, which brings it to 4.92 per cent all in; 9. Other fees are nil; 10. Other key features: i. Cash flows up to an agreed minimum amount from UNOC projects funded by the facility are deposited in Escrow Accounts as security for the term of the loan (seven years); ii. Option to increase the loan amount; iii. Utilisation to be made within five years after the execution of the facility.

Mr Speaker, if I may seek clarification from the Attorney-General, who is in control of the Jinja storage terminal now? Who is controlling that facility? Thank you.

Mr Speaker, it is actually UNOC that is managing the Jinja storage terminal. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, to me, because we took a decision here that we should not deal with the middlemen. I think that is when we formed the Uganda National Oil Company. So, the infrastructure that needs to be built or rehabilitated in Jinja, I support it. The issue of building a facility in Mombasa, I support it. The issue of doing the pipeline from Eldoret to Uganda, we support it. I think what needs more clarification is on the operations, because if Uganda National Oil Company is making a profit, how is it treated when we are budgeting? Because it is not the first private or public company the Government is involved in. I think that is where more clarity is needed; how do you handle these issues? I think that is what needs to be clarified. How is it going to be reflected in our budgeting and appropriation? I think that is what you need to clear. Otherwise, I support it. But we need to clarify that, because that has helped us stabilise the price of fuel in this country. So, can you provide some clarification, especially the minister for energy and the minister for finance? The Attorney-General is handling the legalities of this, but can you, the finance people and the energy people help the Attorney-General on those operational issues?

18213 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2025 This schedule was meant for Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport, in order to fix various roads. Aware that there were about seven suspended projects amounting to 395 kilometres. Projects such as Moroto- Lokitanyala of about 42 kilometres, Najjanankumbi-Busabala Road, 36.5 kilometres, Mityana-Mubende Road, about 100 kilometres and Kampala-Jinja Expressway of about 72 kilometres had been suspended due to lack of funding. 11 projects were under reduced progress. There was a go-slow coming to around 533 kilometres. They include roads like Olwiyo- Pakwach, Kisubi-Nakawuka and Kasanje- Mpigi - that one, after you approve the money, work will be progressing. About nine bridges projects were affected by the constraint in financing. The likes of Katonga Bridge and Ssezibwa all went at a go- slow. Colleagues, the details of this are attached in annexes 2 and 3. Madam Speaker, I do not know whether it will be important –

18214 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR There is also a section enabling access to Kabaale International Airport of about 3.2 kilometres. There is Kawuku-Bwerenga Road – Hon. Naluyima, congratulations. Your cries have been listened to. Tell our people that the road is going to become super. Laropi-Afoji Road – that is the West Nile road – and also Laropi Bridge. Things are getting better. There is upgrading of Katine-Ochero. Hon. Ebwalu, Katine-Ochero Road is here. Kampala-Jinja Expressway – this is to clear the right of way. We also have an oil road from Karugutu- Ntoroko. I saw Hon. Ibanda. There is also Kitgum-Orom-Karenga Road. Madam Speaker, you had inquired about this road - (Interjection)- very good. Your pronunciation is better. Karenga – they wrote “…ng”. I pronounce it as “nga”. That road is 116 kilometres. Madam Speaker, we also have Kitala-Gerenge Road, Kigumba-Bulima Road and Kagandi Bridge, which is supposed to be part of this. There is Bumbobi-Lwakhakha Road and Mubende-Kakumiro-Kagadi Road. All those need improvements. Madam Speaker, those are the roads so far provided under this supplementary schedule No. 2, amounting to Shs 1,696,000,000,000. I beg the House to approve so that the General goes direct to do the work.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the House and you for the good work you are doing for this country, especially in the area of health. You know, when you have a healthy population, it means you have a good working population. Madam Speaker, as you have stated, Kamuli Hospital does not treat only the people of Kamuli. I want to assure you that even we, as the neighbouring district, people from Jinja, also go to Kamuli for the same. When you look at Busoga as a subregion, in the 12 districts, the only referral hospital that we have is Jinja Hospital. However, when you go to Jinja Hospital, it is densely populated. In addition, we have the new constituencies, Madam Speaker, like my constituency. As of now, it is the policy of this Government for each constituency to have at least a health centre IV, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - 14TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 2.01 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Somehow. Therefore, I request them to wear the red jerseys next time because they will score many goals. As we appreciate the achievements we got, allow me to mention a few challenges that, if worked upon, would help us as we are going to host AFCON 2027, so that we can have a fabulous tournament. The marketing of this tournament was an issue. Remember, we brought up that issue here but we only got money towards the tournament. Therefore, the country did not get the feel that we desired as a country. Next time, we need to plan and deal with the professionals. I remember at the opening ceremony which was in Kololo, the ball that I saw was a Premier League ball. The anthem that was sung there was for FIFA World Cup. I think next time, honourable minister, when you are organising such a ceremony, you need to involve the professionals that know football more. We also needed an opening ceremony at the pitch, at Namboole, because football is not played in Kololo, but in Namboole Stadium. Madam Speaker, I thank you for the initiative of the presidential pledge. We are very happy and I know the boys are also happy. I saw one of the players, Nicholas Mwere, from Jinja, already looking around for land to buy. We would ask the President that let this money not be taxed. Let these boys -

17908 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General reviewed 71 human rights awards, court awards, ex-gratia and compensation ordered by courts and reported that awards worth Shs 1.98 billion remained unpaid for the period ranging from two years to over 10 years. We have these pending and the committee recommends that the accounting officer should budget for the awards, and the Government should provide the requisite funds. The accounting officer, together with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, should establish the details of the beneficiaries for quick settlement to avoid the accumulation of interest. Madam Speaker, whenever we delay payment of these arrears, interest is paid on these arrears. So far, the Government is going to pay Shs 159 billion as interest on these arrears that have not been paid on time. Madam Speaker, the other report is the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) on national regional referral hospitals and other specialised hospitals. Honourable colleagues, I am going to summarise. We are looking at the details of the following hospitals in summary. We are looking at the following: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Fort Portal, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kabale, Lira, Gulu, Moroto, Hoima, Arua, Butabika, Mulago, Kawempe, Kiruddu, Soroti, and the Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital. Implementation and budget performance Madam Speaker, for all the regional referral hospitals we observed - I will begin with the implementation of the approved budget. Regional referral hospitals are expected to collect Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) to support the Government budget. Honourable colleagues, the total NTR was supposed to be Shs 20.406 billion, and there was an over performance of Shs 21.924 billion. However, this should be noted. From the table, the Government projected to collect the above, but Shs 21.924 billion was collected, meaning there was an over-performance. Honourable colleagues, as a committee, we noted that all accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted Non-Taxable Revenue (NTR) targets, or failed to realise their NTR contravened instructions 4.102 of the Treasury operations. The committee noted that less/non-transfer of NTR to the treasury deprives the Government of revenue and also noted that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide revenue targets to some of these entities. That is why there was an over-performance and also an underestimation of NTR by these entities. Therefore: (i) The accounting officer should ensure that NTR targets are set based on strong assumptions and benchmarks to enable realistic NTR. (ii) The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that a billed NTR is fully collected. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests of NTR revisions by entities. (iv) The accounting officers should incorporate all NTR sources during the budgeting process. Performance of the Government of Uganda warrants Madam Speaker, a total of Shs 475.44 billion was budgeted to be released to these referral hospitals and national specialised regional hospitals. However, a total of Shs 470.65 billion was released. From the above table, the Government

Yes, they are not in ICU, but they are very badly off. Among these is Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Those need special attention. Lastly, are the neonatal units in these referral hospitals where the young babies, the neonates, are kept. All these ones need special attention. That is just a summary of the National Referral Hospitals. Madam Speaker, this is a report of a summary of ministries, departments and agencies. I am just going to mention: We have the Office of the President, the Ministry of Public Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development,

Honourable members, I welcome you to this afternoon’s sitting. I hope you made good use of your brief break. I saw the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) busy in the constituency. During the break, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua, lost his brother, Maj. Armstrong Obua, in a motor accident in Jinja. The burial is going to be on Friday. Similarly, our colleague, Hon. Mugema “ Panadol ”, lost his daughter. On behalf of the Parliament of Uganda and myself, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Panadol , as well as all their friends, families, and relatives for the loss. We stand with you, and may the deceased find their rest in the Lord. May we rise and observe a moment of silence in their honour. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

17728 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The committee recommends: i) The Office of the Auditor-General should call out a forensic audit into the implementation of UgIFT I and II Projects under the health sector, with specific focus on the upgrade of health centres II to III and construction of the new health centres III to determine whether there was fraud and report to Parliament within six months from the time this report is adopted. ii) The committee recommends that the Ministry of Health should develop a clear roadmap on how the Government intends to address the current infrastructure gaps of health centres III at the subcounty and town council levels across the country, and report to Parliament within three months from the time this report is adopted. iii) The committee recommends that the Government ensure that the presidential directives are implemented within the confines of the law. Madam Speaker, we considered the equipping of upgraded health centres II and newly constructed health centres III. The committee found out that the Ministry of Health procured and delivered medical equipment to the district local governments across the country for installation in the health centres earmarked for upgrade or construction. However, in a number of instances, the medical equipment was delivered to health centres prior to the completion of the projects, which exposed the equipment to the risk of gross mismanagement. See attached annex 5. In other instances, the Ministry of Health delivered medical equipment to health facilities that did not have the required staff in place. Some of these cases included: i) Kyarwabuganda Health Centre II in Mbarara City, recently upgraded to Health Centre III, and partially equipped, was operating with only two staff, a registered nurse and an enrolled midwife, out of the staffing level of 55. ii) Kitabaazi Health Centre II, Masaka City, was recently upgraded to Health Centre III and is fully equipped, but was still operating as a Health Centre II due to inadequate medical staff. iii) Anyagatir Health Centre III in Lira has new infrastructure, but only one medical personnel is on the ground providing all services, including maternity services. iv) Kachuru Health Centre III had partial equipment delivered, but had no personnel to operate it. The committee observed that the Ministry of Health procured and delivered medical equipment to incomplete health centres, or without the required medical staff, which rendered such equipment redundant and at high risk of misuse and vandalism. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Health should carry out an inventory of all the medical equipment procured and delivered to the various health centres, and report to Parliament within three months from the time this report is adopted. Madam Speaker, we also looked at the installation of the Computed Tomography (CT) scans, oxygen plants, and Intensive Care Unit bed equipment. Installation of CT scans The committee was informed that the Government procured, delivered, and installed 15 functioning CT scan machines in 14 regional referral hospitals and Bombo General Military Hospital, including one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (see Annex 6). The committee found out that CT scan services were only accessible to patients at a user fee ranging from Shs 120,000 to Shs 250,000, depending on the type of imaging or investigation. The charges also varied across regional referral hospitals. For example, at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, among others, patients pay a fee ranging from Shs 120,000 to 150,000 depending on the test done. At Mubende Regional Referral Hospital,

17729 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 2025 a standard fee of Shs 150,000 was set across all tests, while in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Shs 180,000 was charged for non- contrast procedures and Shs 250,000 for contrast procedures. The committee established that in some cases, hospitals gave waivers to selected patients after thorough scrutiny and under exceptional circumstances. The committee was also informed that the charges for CT scan services were a result of the guidelines on the users’ fees provided by the Ministry of Health, after taking into consideration the input and maintenance costs of the equipment. See Annex 7. The committee further found out that in some regional referral hospitals, the infrastructure housing newly installed CT scan machines was not available and lacked trained medical personnel to operate the machines. This compromised the functionality of the equipment and the safety of the patients as well as the personnel operating the equipment. One such case was in Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. The equipment was installed in an improvised room, lacked specialised medical personnel to operate it, and had already broken down by the time we visited. The committee observed that: i) In some regional referral hospitals, the infrastructure housing the newly installed CT scan machines was not appropriate. This exposed the equipment to a gross risk of damage. ii) There were variations in the fees charged to access CT scan services, as already mentioned. iii) The user fees charged to access the CT scan services were a hindrance to the uptake of the CT scan services, especially among low-income patients. iv) There was a general lack of qualified staff to operate the newly installed CT scan machines. The committee therefore recommends that: i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prioritise the release of funds, Shs 8.7 billion as budgeted for in the Financial Year 2024/2025, for the construction and remodelling of the appropriate infrastructure to house the CT scan machines in all the regional referral hospitals. ii) The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funds to all regional referral hospitals in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the routine maintenance of the CT scanner equipment, to ensure their sustained functionality. We looked at the installation of the ICU bed equipment While the Ministry of Health reported that the Government procured and delivered 143 ICU bed units in 14 regional referral hospitals, five selected national referral hospitals, and Bombo Military General Hospital (Annex 7), the committee established that most of the ICU bed units delivered in regional referral hospitals were still boxed and kept in stores, due to lack of standard ICU infrastructure at the respective regional referral hospitals. That means they are not deployed for use. In other cases, the regional referral hospital administration had put some of the ICU equipment to other use. For instance, in Mbale and Masaka Regional Referral Hospitals, the ICU bed equipment that the Ministry of Health delivered was still kept in the stores, because works on the surgical complexes meant to house the new 10-bed capacity ICU had stalled due to a lack of funds. Similarly, in Buhinga and the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospitals, some ICU Bed equipment was still in the stores because they lacked adequate space to accommodate them. The Government had not provided for any future infrastructural development to cater for standard ICUs. Jinja Regional Referral Hospital The committee established that a new 20- bed Intensive Care Unit was still under

Thank you, Madam Speaker. If I can move to the issue of the oxygen plants, 24 high-capacity oxygen plants were procured. However, the oxygen plants for Lira, Mbale, Mbarara, and Hoima were procured by the Global Fund, not the Government of Uganda, and they came in after, not at the same time as the government ones. To date, 15 oxygen plants have been installed and are working. Nine are not. This is because each installation requires a transformer, which the Ministry of Energy was not able to provide. Parliament provided for some, and for the others, we are still waiting for the money. The Chairperson of the Committee on Health has pushed for this several times, but it is true that it consumes a lot of power. We have been pushing that the hospitals be put on the industrial line if we are to maintain them. We have yet to have a breakthrough with this request. The issue of the intensive care unit beds. Madam Speaker, you will recall that this funding was provided at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, we needed intensive care unit beds and oxygen as urgently as possible for the patients. Therefore, they were procured with the intention of having to install them in existing buildings. Some were installed, some were impossible. To date, Parliament has provided funding to construct ICUs at Jinja, Masaka, Mbale, Arua, Hoima, and Kabale. The rest, not yet. We have been requesting, and it is there in our budget. When you go through it, you will

17685 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025 Honourable members, you will also recall that you heard His Excellency the President publicly communicate about the matter of the roads. Some of the things that he mentioned are: 1) The dangers of excessive reliance on external financing for all the development projects, citing abrupt and disruptive donor decisions that may impede the realisation of planned projects; 2) The need for self-reliance in financing development projects; He categorised the projects into three: i) The well-done new roads, such as the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Kampala- Gulu Highway, the oil roads in Bunyoro, and excellent roads in municipalities such as Hoima, Gulu, Masaka, to mention but a few; ii) The very important roads that were initially good but have now deteriorated, such as Mityana-Mubende-Kyenjojo, Mukono-Jinja, Ibanda-Mbarara, and Mbarara-Ishaka highways. He attributes the deterioration to under-budgeting. iii) The local government roads used to be good, but have deteriorated because of the misuse of the Shs 1.3 billion allocated for maintenance. The President has directed the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to allocate Shs 3.2 trillion required for these roads alone. The President further undertook to have the following roads worked on: i) Mityana-Mubende-Kyenjojo; ii) Ibanda-Mbarara; iii) Ishaka-Mbarara; iv) Mukono-Lugazi-Jinja; v) Mpondwe; vi) Nebbi-Arua; and vii) Ntungamo-Rukungiri. His Excellency the President also indicated that the next manifesto will indicate other planned roads. In light of this, I will request the Minister of Works and Transport to explain to the Members, and then we will open the debate based on the President’s guidance.

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

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

17690 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT He then categorises the roads, and he says the very well-done new roads, and he talks about them. Then he talks about the very important roads that were initially good but have now deteriorated, such as Mityana-Mubende- Kyenjonjo, Mukono-Jinja, Ibanda-Mbarara and Mbarara-Ishaka. He attributes those deteriorations to under-budgeting. That is why I was saying that you give a lower lifespan because of the low amount of money, rather than giving a higher lifespan by giving enough money for those roads to be worked on. However, they said this money should be given to complete the most important roads, which are mentioned. The roads are there, which the minister has talked about. The President further undertook to have the following roads worked on: Mityana- Mubende-Kyenjonjo. I know you are very interested in the Mubende Road. Ibanda- Mbarara, Ishaka-Mbarara, Mukono-Lugazi- Jinja, Kikorogo-Mpondwe, Nebbi-Arua, and Ntungamo-Rukungiri; there are a number of them and that is why I was referring you to the NDP IV. I am happy there is only one person here, Hon. Masaba. Hon. Masaba, next is you, because you are going to talk with authority. Yes.

Madam Speaker, let me put that one very clearly. On the issue of the foreign-funded projects, yes, it was a precondition. When we were rationalising, we went into discussions with the funders: World Bank, African Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank. One of the conditions they gave us was that the project implementation units needed to be retained. We have retained all the project implementation units on all the projects. That is, Busega-Mpigi; the full project unit is there. Kampala-Jinja Expressway, the full project unit is there, and all the other projects. Even Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo, the project unit, is there. Madam Speaker, we have not stopped any project implementation unit or changed these people because that was a precondition. There are other issues regarding delays and disbursements, but it is not about rationalisation.

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

Yes, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Let me correct that impression that the road is going to end in Jinja. That road, as I said, is our artery. It is the aorta of this country. It goes up to Malaba. The road is going to be joined with the rehabilitation of the road from Kamdini- Lira-Soroti-Mbale-Tororo. You can see the whole network will be linked. Remember, we are also rehabilitating the railway line from Tororo. So far, the old meter gauge has reached Soroti heading to Gulu. The railway line from Kampala to Malaba is already functional. The standard gauge will start as soon as the contractor finishes the mobilisation and setting his camps for the works to start; so we are addressing the whole country. On the issue of liabilities from Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), I agree. When you inherit, you inherit liabilities and assets. There are some liabilities we inherited. Among them was the issue of compensation of the Project

17709 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025 rescue centres that we need to start marking the lake and also carry out a detailed survey and update of the lake to ensure that the lanes and lines are properly marked. Land titles I have now instructed my team under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development that they now put the land titles project by project. Identify, for example, the land titles on Kiboga Road, the land titles on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway (KJE), the land titles on Masaka-Sembabule Road, so that we can hand them back to the owners, and we will be communicating that. Luweero-Butalangu Road This road is progressing. It may be slow, but one of the challenges was, of course, land compensation. You know, some of the challenges we had, even with some of the local judges who are refusing us access to land. On that issue, they are progressing but Butalangu to Ngoma is not within this NDP, but I know that we need to connect that, and I know that we need to connect Butalangu to Kapeeka to Kituuma, but those connections are not within this NDP. However, I can assure you that Luweero to Butalangu will be finished. Madam Speaker, Kyabakuza-Matete road, we shall maintain. It was instructed that we have to do up to Mbirizi. We need to do that road because it is a shortcut to someone going to Mbarara if you go through Sembabule. But again, “omutaaka” the challenge is the funding. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, our scope covered 10 areas, which I am going to go through in summary form. We looked at the legal and regulatory framework of these cities. On 28 April 2020, the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi, tabled a Motion seeking Parliament’s approval of the proposal to create new cities, which Parliament approved on 28 April 2020. The new cities were to be operationalised in clusters beginning 1 July 2020 to July 2023 with Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Fort Portal and Masaka, taking effect with the new Financial Year 2020/2021. Madam Speaker, I beg to go to the observations and recommendations. 1. The Legal and the Regulatory Framework The committee observed that despite the fact that the Attorney-General provided his opinion, the minister failed to present regulations to address contradictions between cities and districts. The regulations are intended to streamline the operation of the Local Government Act Section 175(1). Section 175(1) requires the minister to make regulations for effecting the provision of the Act. 2. Whereas the creation of the new cities does not violate any provision of the Constitution of Uganda, their management and administration need to be harmonised. The committee recommends that the Government should introduce an appropriate Bill to govern cities in their uniqueness in operation, structure, and service delivery. Alternatively, the Government should amend the Local Government Act to incorporate administrative and governance legal frameworks for cities. The Ministry of Local Government should come up with regulations on the governance of cities and table them before Parliament within three months from the time this report is adopted. The physical development plans of these cities Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government classifies gazetted cities, municipalities, and town councils as urban areas. The Local Government Act Cap. 243 empowers the ministry to declare an area urban if it satisfies the following criteria; a. Has a minimum of 25,000 people for a town council, 100,000 people for municipality, and 500,000 people for a city. b. Has a master plan for land use. c. Has available water sources and can meet the cost of providing services. d. Preparation of urban physical plans. Madam Speaker, again, allow me to go to the observations. The committee observed that whereas the cities have approved physical plans, developments are not guided by those plans. The ministry has not yet provided funding for new cities to develop physical development plans. For those that have plans, funding was provided by development partners. The majority of the residents in these new cities live in unplanned areas and, as a result, experience development problems that put more strain on the already existing infrastructure. According to the Building Control Act Section 28(3), the chairperson for the planning and development committee of the district council shall be the chairperson of the district building committee. Subsection (5) provides that the chairperson of the urban planning and development committee of the urban council

No, they are ten cities. They are: Arua, Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Hoima and Lira. Those are operational, out of the 15. Now, five cities are the ones which are not operational.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank the chairperson for the wonderful report. As a Member of Parliament from Mbale City, most of the challenges we are facing surround funds, and as the minister stated, issues concerning garbage. Madam Speaker, I think we need to address it as soon as possible because, for example, we only have two trucks that have to ferry garbage in the entire city. We have dedicated one to the central market, meaning only one truck has to collect garbage in the entire city, which is not realistic. Madam Speaker, you look at the money that was sent to Mbale Municipality, it is the same money being sent to Mbale City, yet the scope of work has significantly increased. For example, roads. You will see we are covering about 150 kilometres within the municipality. Now we have over 500 kilometres to deal with, but the money does not reciprocate the amount of work that has increased. The last one concerns the assets that were shared. When you look at Mbale City - the district has taken almost all the assets. Even the land in the city, Mbale District, owns everything. We also do not have any road equipment. That is why we are facing challenges. We have to go to Jinja to bring equipment, and it is very expensive because the employees who come with the equipment from Jinja have to be paid per diem. You find that we are spending about Shs 70 million in a quarter to pay staff who come from Jinja with their equipment to help in Mbale. Look at the roller, we depend on the mercy of Bukedea District because Bukedea has come several times to help with rollers to do most of our roads –

I want to say this, that how much; it is Shs 10,000 ordinary, Shs 30,000, and Shs 50,000. Be aware that, they are most likely to have two games in a day. Therefore, when you pay your Shs 50,000, it implies that you are going to watch two games. I encourage you to come to the stadium early enough. We have given a traffic plan. I would like to repeat here; for cars heading to Jinja, there will be a cut-off from Naalya roundabout, to Namugongo, to Seeta. Cars coming from Jinja, for the purpose of the day of the game, and also, from the time of beginning at 11:00 am – because we expect the stadium to be open at midday. I would like to appeal to you to work with security for purposes of ensuring we do not cause confusion during the time of the competition. Last but not least, the rights of CHOGM, NAM, were in 99 percent Government of Uganda. CAF - Government of Uganda, their rights and obligations. That is why I thank you for understanding me – that where the rights and obligations were for CAF, we have only come in to put up a backup measure – to ensure we inform and for mobilising the event. The other one was – the one my sister talked about; the federations. I want to thank Parliament for providing a Shs 31 billion, for subvention to National Council of Sports, to support the federations. I am also happy to report, in line with the new law, all of them have undergone a check-up and registration. There were 51 in total. I am reliably informed, about five federations and associations did not meet the criteria. That now, brings us to a small number. With that Madam Speaker, I want to conclude by thanking H.E. the President, my senior minister, and all of us, for continuing to support the sports development and sports infrastructure in our country. I would like to say that the NRM Government is committed in ensuring that the sports fraternity and the promotion and identification of our children’s sports talents is achieved.

17593 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2025 that he used all that money to pay debts, suppliers, and right now needs another Shs 30 billion, which is not in the budget; and e) Kampala-Jinja Highway. We had to use the internal mechanism of the Internal Capacity unit of the Ministry of Works and Transport to intervene, and that is why you see works going on in an attempt to put some sanity on the road. The following projects are progressing, but at a reduced rate due to delayed payments or incomplete land acquisition, which is another nightmare. a) Kira-Kasangati-Matugga. There are a number of properties, which we have not yet paid for. b) Kisubi-Nakawuka-Nateete, Nakawuka- Mawagulu-Nanziga, Nakawuka-Kasanje- Mpigi, Kasanje-Buwaya and Entebbe- Nakiwogo. This is one project within that area but the challenge is mainly land acquisition because the contractor agreed to do a pre-financing arrangement, which was agreed upon with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for two years, but he needs land for him to work.

17595 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2025 we have been urging that for every $10 we invest in construction, we should invest $3 in maintenance. It has not worked, but we have made this very clear to the finance ministry. Impact on unpaved roads and routine maintenance The national gravel road network, spanning over 14,000 kilometres, is also facing significant pressure due to poor funding and recurring climate shocks. The current condition assessment indicates that 48 per cent of these roads is in good condition, 35 per cent in fair condition, and 17 per cent in poor condition. Maintenance efforts are hampered by: a) Unreliable and inadequate risk for grading and spot improvements; b) Depletion of gravel materials in highly demanded districts; and c) Infrastructure degradation due to flooding, landslides, and prolonged wet seasons. The Ministry’s capacity to respond to routine maintenance demands has been overstretched. Without predictable funding and mechanisation support, rural access and road connectivity are likely to deteriorate further. Strategic recommendations and priority actions Madam Speaker, in light of the impacts outlined above, the ministry proposes the following measures to safeguard the value of the ongoing investment, restore the project’s momentum, and prevent further deterioration of the road network. 1. Prioritise and ring-fence funding for periodical maintenance The most economically prudent intervention is to protect roads still in maintainable condition. Periodic maintenance should be prioritised and ring-fenced in this financial year to prevent 1,933 kilometres from degrading into high- cost rehabilitation or reconstruction categories. This alone could avert a fiscal loss of Shs 850 billion. 2. Clear certified arrears to enable resumption of works The ministry recommends that a substantial portion of the Shs 1.071 trillion in arrears be cleared early enough in the financial year to: a) Prevent further contractor demobilisation; b) Avert accumulation of commercial interest; c) Avoid prolongation costs arising from claims by contractors; d) Restore momentum on suspended or slowed-down sites. Priority should be placed on fully suspended Government of Uganda-funded projects such as Mityana-Mubende, Kampala-Jinja, Busega-Mpigi Expressway, among others. 3. Allocate a dedicated fund for land acquisition On this matter, Madam Speaker, we have resolved that we are not going to accept any project to be directed to commence a project if the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has not provided money for land acquisition going forward, because land acquisition is a recurring constraint affecting both donor and Government-funded projects. Therefore, we need an immediate allocation of about Shs 843 billion in this financial year. This would enable us to access the sites and avoid breach of contract obligations. Projects under disbursement pressure from development partners must be prioritised to protect Uganda’s credibility. Assurance and conclusion Madam Speaker, our road network remains a critical national asset that underpins economic growth, regional integration - fortunately or unfortunately, we are in the centre of the region and our network not only serves Uganda, it also serves our neighbours - and the delivery of services. Its total replacement value is estimated at Shs 37.4 trillion.

Honourable minister, yesterday, I talked about the road from Mbarara to Bushenyi. It is basically potholes. As we wait for money to work on the whole road, why don’t you work on those small potholes so that the road is usable, the way you are working on Kampala-Jinja Road?

Madam Speaker, we are now in that process. We started with Gayaza-Kalagi Road, which had also deteriorated. Now, we are doing Jinja; we are left with only one or two sections at Bulyantente and somewhere near Kigombya. Mabira was done. I think there is a section in Mabira where the Kenyans had an accident when they were doing the pilgrimage. So, we are in that process. We want to reduce on contracting for every simple work. I remember we had potholes between Mijera and Kafu and those were done by ourselves. The unit went and treated those potholes. When we move from Jinja Road, we intend to move to Kyegegwa, between Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo, because that section has also greatly deteriorated – (Interjection) - no, the Kabale- Mbarara Road has a contractor who is working on it.

17547 Tuesday, 29 July 2025 During this season, I have been able to move throughout the country, and I found out that the roads are in a sorry state, especially after these rains. You find that some roads are impassable. I went to Hoima, and they were working on the road since the takeover of UNRA, but the dust on the road, you cannot even see a car in front of you. That will cause accidents. Most of the roads that were being worked on have been abandoned. We may need to have a report from the Ministry of Works and Transport. (Applause) The issue has always been that we do not have money. You find that Kampala-Hoima Road is terrible, Kampala- Jinja Road is terrible, Mityana-Mubende Road, Moroto Road, Kafu – all those roads. We would like to understand what is happening. Masaka Road - even connecting from Mbarara to Sheema, the road is bad. You wonder what is happening. We allocate money but the roads are not being worked on. Where is the money going to? Therefore, we need a statement from the Government on what is happening with the roads. The accidents that are happening – You find that there is a truck that maybe has a mechanical problem, parked with no signs informing road users of an accident or a parked truck, and that causes accideSnts. We need to handle that to avoid the accidents that are happening in the country, because we are losing a lot of people. Honourable members, as you may be aware, Uganda, alongside Tanzania and Kenya, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - 3RD SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 1.59 p.m. at Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

17522 BUDGET SPEECH resources, starting with iron ore, gold and copper, and strengthening their tracking systems; (ii) capitalisation of the Uganda National Mining Company; (iii) establishing mineral markets and buying centres to enable transparent mineral trading; (iv) expediting finalisation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline; and (v) prioritisation of the construction of the oil refinery and refined products pipeline, among others. Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), including ICT and Creative Industry Madam Speaker, STI including ICT and creative arts provide an important avenue for the country to develop high-tech exports and add new sources of growth and jobs. Madam Speaker, this financial year, the following milestones have been achieved in the development of the knowledge economy: 1. Completed and operationalised the Kiira Motors vehicle plant in Jinja. The plant has an annual capacity of 2,500 vehicles. So far, 41 buses have been produced, out of which 29 are electric. The electric buses produced can run up to 500 kilometres when fully charged. The plant has signed a letter of intent to supply more than 3,700 electric buses to West Africa. The plant has signed a letter of intent to supply more than 3,700 electric buses to West Africa. (Applause) Kiira Motors has created 800 jobs and has the potential to generate more than 14,000 direct and indirect productive jobs. 2. Invested in vaccine development and commercialisation as well as innovations in therapeutics, diagnostics and other healthcare tools. The Government has cumulatively invested a total of Shs 724 billion in the Dei BioPharma manufacturing facility located at Matugga in Wakiso District. The facility is now licensed by the National Drug Authority and has started manufacturing generic drugs such as tablets, capsules, powders, non-antibiotic drugs and antifungal drugs, among others. Madam Speaker, the Government is making progress in development of vaccines for the Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever and Rift Valley virus. We also completed accreditation of the Alfasan vaccine manufacturing facility to produce anti-tick vaccines. Scientists at Makerere University developed a PCR kit that has been used to conduct more than 2 million tests at 50 per cent of the cost of imported alternatives, saving the country $37 million. Gulu University developed highly effective rapid testing kits for crop diseases for cassava and sweet potatoes. 3. Madam Speaker, the Government has invested in a coffee factory in Ntungamo to fast- track local value addition to coffee. The factory will have three processing lines for roastery, freeze dry and spray dry technology to produce instant, roast, and ground coffee, respectively. The roastery line has started production, and other processing lines are at 50 per cent installation. 4. The banana value addition facility in Bushenyi has started production. Katonda yebazibwe! The plant is producing several value-added products like banana flour used in bread, cakes, biscuits and baby food. The plant is increasing automation and capacity to 140 metric tons from 14 metric tons. It has started penetrating the local and international markets with orders from South Korea, the Middle East, South Africa, Italy, and the USA. Madam Speaker, with regard to ICT, the Government has continued to expand Internet connectivity and digital infrastructure across the country. The geographical coverage of broadband Internet connectivity stands at 72 per cent of the country, covering 4,387 kilometres. The Government has increased the digitisation of service delivery to improve efficiency, promote transparency, and reduce bureaucracy. Madam Speaker, a total of 36 electronic services have been developed and rolled out. Some of these include the Online Business Registration System (OBRS), Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP), and the online passport, visa, national ID and driving licence application system. The Uganda Driver Licensing System, which was introduced in 2021, has reduced the turnaround

17523 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 JNUE 2025 time for processing driving licences to 45 minutes in Kampala and 48 hours in upcountry stations, from a period of one month. To support Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the Government has licensed over 50 companies that have created over 10,000 jobs mainly for the youth that provide online services internationally. Madam Speaker, with regard to the creative arts, the Government provided Shs 10 billion to the creative arts industry. This was to support the artists to recover from the effects of COVID-19, and create a revolving fund to support young talents to create wealth and jobs. Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 835.98 billion for Science, Technology and Innovation, including ICT and the Creative Arts Industry. Of this amount, Shs 388.23 billion is for STI, Shs 381.75 billion is for ICT and digitalisation, and Shs 66 billion for the creative arts. Madam Speaker, these funds will be utilised for: i. establishing a hi-tech city to support development of technologies and innovations; ii. taking STI products to the market, especially Kiira motor vehicles, coffee, Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines, and banana products; iii. additional investment in research and development and innovation; iv. increasing coverage, reliability, and affordability of Internet; v. enhancing digitisation of Government services and e-commerce; vi. promoting BPO for job creation; vii. acquiring a home for creative artists for their productions and innovations; viii. fast-tracking the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act to protect intellectual property and artistic works; and ix. further capitalisation of the revolving fund for artists with an additional Shs 18 billion, bringing it to a total of Shs 23 billion. Infrastructure Development Madam Speaker, this priority area includes both transport and energy infrastructure. During this Financial Year 2024/2025, some of the following achievements were realised: Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services Madam Speaker, the road network that is tarmacked now stands at 6,287.6 kilometres, representing about 30 per cent of the national road network, compared to 3,112 kilometres in Financial Year 2010/11. With this improved road network, the travel time, for example, from Malaba to Kisoro by road, reduced from 48 hours (two days) to about 10 hours. This will further improve with completion of the Kampala-Jinja and Busega- Mpigi Expressways. Uganda is now connected by tarmac roads at all its major international border points, from the South Sudan border (Kitgum, Nimule and Oraba) in Acholi and West Nile to the southern border of Tanzania (Mutukula), Rwanda (Mirama Hills, Katuna and Cyanika) and the Congo border (Bunagana) and from the Kenya border (Lwakhakha, Malaba and Busia) to the Congo border (Mpondwe, Busuunga, and Kaisotonya) in the West. Madam Speaker, despite the challenges faced in the road sector this financial year, we continued to make progress as follows: i. Rehabilitated a total of 125 kilometres on several ongoing projects; ii. Upgraded over 100 kilometres of roads to paved bituminous standards on several ongoing projects; iii. The government fully disbursed Shs 579 billion which was used for maintenance of National, District, Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR); THE TAX PROCEDURES CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

17524 BUDGET SPEECH iv. The government is revamping the road and drainage infrastructure within the entire Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), to the extent that the entire city is now a construction site. Banange bebale. A total of Shs 1.4 trillion has been dedicated to improving roads and drainage within GKMA. To deal with traffic congestion arising out of the gridlock generated by roundabouts, all major junctions are being improved and signalled with traffic lights. The Kampala Flyover and Road Upgrading Project has been completed. v. Construction of 10 bridges is ongoing at an average of 74.7 per cent progress. Madam Speaker, next financial year, the Government has significantly increased the budget for road infrastructure development. I have allocated an additional Shs 790 billion, bringing the total budget for roads to Shs 4.28 trillion. The following will be prioritised next financial year: 1. Start construction and complete ongoing works for road projects as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. In addition, the roads which had been left out to be prioritised are: Puranga-Acholibur (65 kilometres); Kampala- Gayaza-Kalagi (33 kilometres); Lugazi- Buikwe-Kiyindi (28 kilometres); Kabwohe- Bwizibwera-Nyakambu-Nsika-Nyakabirizi (92.2 kilometres); Kisubi-Nakawuka-Natete- Kasanje-Mpigi-Mawugulu-Nanziga-Maya- Buwaya (71 kilometres); Busega-Mpigi (10 kilometres); Najjanankumbi-Busabala (11 kilometres); Lusalira-Nkonge-Lumegere- Sembabule (97 kilometres); Karugutu-Ntoroko (50 kilometres); Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi (15.1 kilometres), Kisoro-Nkuringo-Lubugiri-Muko (70 kilometres); Laropi-Moyo-Afoji (39 kilometres), including a bridge at Laropi, Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo (105 kilometres); Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu (33 kilometres); Tororo-Busia (25 kilometres); Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi (104 kilometres); Moroto-Lokitanyala (42 kilometres); Hamurwa-Kerere-Kanungu (47 kilometres); Lyantonde-Kashagama-Nyabitanga-Ntusi road (57.7 kilometres); Isingiro-Rugaaga- Mutukula-Ngarama-Kashumba-Kasese on the border with Tanzania (164 kilometres) – I hope my friends who were talking to me yesterday, I have satisfied you. Masindi Bridge; and Karuma Bridge. 2. Start construction and complete ongoing works for bridges as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. 3. Commence implementation of the Kampala- Jinja Expressway through a Public-Private Partnership framework. 4. Prioritise maintenance of the core national road transport network and DUCAR. Railway Transport Madam Speaker, in November 2024, His Excellency the President launched construction of the 272-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Malaba to Kampala. The SGR is a strategic investment for our country. It will cut cargo transport cost by half from the current $120 per ton, and reduce transit time from Mombasa to Kampala from seven days to one day, turning Uganda into a land-linked country as opposed to being landlocked. The initial works for the construction of the SGR have started. Madam Speaker, Government has completed the refurbishment and commissioning of the Mukono-Kampala Metre Gauge Railway line. In addition, rehabilitation of the 375 kilometres of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will be completed by February 2026. Madam Speaker, next financial year, priority interventions will include completing the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway line; refurbishment of the Mukono-Jinja Metre Gauge Railway line; and construction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Kampala to Malaba.

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

Temulina motoka zaffe? Mulina bakulu bokka? Abakulu tubamanyi. Ah! Bannange, Kiira mugirabye? Kiira , our visitors – freeze it there – Kabagirabire ddala – laba bano – (Laughter)- bagiteekako ne bagijjako ! Freeze it there. Now, those buses are electric buses manufactured by your children here; from zero to the whole thing. They are called “Kiira”. “Kiira” is our name for the Nile. The Nile – other people call it the Nile but we call it “Kiira”. Even the South Sudanese use the same name. That is why His Excellency, Salva Kiir’s name means Nile. His name means Nile. These people are making the buses, the smaller cars, and all other vehicles. Thank you. You can now show the big people. Obalabye ab’ebitiibwa? So, I want to commend the Ugandan scientists for nurturing our nascent knowledge economy. Our scientists have been active in developing automobiles, vaccines, electronics, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other healthcare tools. The innovations include: 1. The Kiira vehicle plant in Jinja, which has an annual capacity of 2,500 vehicles and an employment potential of 12,000 direct and indirect workers. There are 39 buses operating on our roads from Kiira; and 30 buses are under production. The plant has secured a market in West Africa to supply about 3,700 electric buses; 2. Dei Biopharma Manufacturing Facility in Matugga. Can you show us that one there? That one is a clever Ugandan who is heavily supported by the Government, but he has also attracted some support from other places. The Dei Biopharma Manufacturing Facility in Matugga has filed more than 100 patents in the United States, including a cancer treatment technology based on the gene therapy; a highly potent gene therapy technology for red blood cell generation by the bone marrow, an mRNA vaccine that treats brain degenerative tissue disease, an anti-malaria vaccine, a vaccine for HIV, a one-month insulin shot; a type 1 diabetes vaccine, a universal foot and mouth disease vaccine, and a biological molecule for penicillin. All these patents are there. You can check them with your people. Magoola, I do not know whether – is Magoola here? If he is here, he can stand up and you see him; 3. Developing the vaccines for the Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever and the Rift Valley virus; 4. Accreditation of the Alfasan Vaccine manufacturing facility to produce anti-tick vaccines for the second phase of clinical trials; 5. Professor Ogwang’s clinical trials of his natural therapeutics. He is also establishing an internationally certified production facility in Soroti Industrial Park;

17496 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION 6. The PCR kit developed by scientists at Makerere University to conduct more than two million tests at 50 per cent of the cost of imported alternatives. This has saved the country $37 million in imports per year; 7. Gulu University developed highly effective rapid test kits for crop diseases – for cassava and sweet potatoes; 8. The engineering development and innovation centres in Rwebiteete, Kiruhura District and Namanve are enhancing capacity for industrial technology, metallurgy, electrical and electronics, civil engineering, automotive technology, agricultural mechanisation, and construction machinery. 9. The Presidential Initiative on the Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) plant in Bushenyi – can you show us that one? Bushenyi banange! If you don’t want to die from a heart attack, you eat our bananas. They have got potassium for your heart muscles. The Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development plant in Bushenyi has significantly increased commercial production capacity to 140 metric tonnes of fresh Matooke – “Matooke” is bananas – per day. The plant has sales orders from the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Italy. Over the last 17 years, the NRM Government has prioritised infrastructure development, especially the roads, railways and electricity. We now have a solid foundation to support industrial development. All parts of the country are interconnected using tarmac and good murram roads. This means that whatever is produced in the country can easily reach the markets. It also means that the cost and time of moving goods has reduced significantly, facilitating both investments and trade. The stock of tarmac roads is now 6,199 kilometres, compared to only 1,900 kilometres when the NRM took power in 1986. Of these 1,900 kilometres, only 114 kilometres were in fair condition, while the rest, totalling 1,786 kilometres, were in poor condition. The roads to commence construction to tarmac standard next financial year include: 1. 23.6km., Yumbe-Ure Road and bridge. Are my people from Yumbe happy? Awadifo. (Applause) 2. 69.3km., Katine-Ochero Road – apwoyo, apwoyo, apwoyo – and 2.9 kilometres of town roads in Kaberamaido and Kalaki towns. 3. 105km. of Kyenjojo-Kihura-Bwizi-Rwamwanja- Kahunge and Mpara-Bwizi. Mwebale muno. 4. 56.3km., Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli-Jinja. Mwebale ino . 5. 127km Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu – at long last. 6. 10km., Jinja City roads. 7. 115km., Kitgum-Kidepo. Apwoyo, apwoyo! (Applause) 8. 88km, Ishasa-Katunguru Road. Mwebale munonga . 9. 65.3km, Luku-Kalangala-Mulabana Road. Do the bassesse have their own language? Bogera Luganda? Kale bagenderawo. 10. 10.67 kilometres on the seven town roads in Kalangala. 11. 72km, Nabumali-Butaleja-Namutumba. 12. 73km, Karenga-Kapedo-Kaabong. 13. 69.6km, Kotido-Kaabong Road. Alakara noi noi . 14. 25km, Bubulo-Bududa Circular Road. Akaguto ako banange. Aba Masaaba. 15. 21km, Mbale-Nkokonjeru Road . 16. 46.4km, Kabwohe-Nyakambu-Bwizibw - era and Nyakambu-Nsiika Road. Abany - abuhweju, at last. The Government is repairing the 78.9km road from Nebbi to Arua and I am also negotiating for more money to tarmac other roads, namely: Kabujogyera-Kitagwenda-Kamwenge Road – a batagwenda bangye mutebwo amastiko; Muhaanga-Rwamuchuuchu-Kisiizi-Rubaare Road with a branch to Nyakisheenyi and another one to Kebisooni – Abahooro, Abakiga tindabasa kubebwa; Lyantonde-Lumbugu- Rakai – abakooki baffe eyomunda eyo;

17497 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 Ssembabule-Mateete-Mbiriizi with a branch to Kibinge-Kyabakuza; Myanzi-Kasanda-Kiboga – abantu bange abe Kassanda akalulu mukatereeze; Kikagate Kitwe-Mirama Hill – Mama was about to kill me on this one here. Kati mponye; Kabiingo-Rugaaga-Magabi-Rakai; Luweero-Butalangwa-Ngoma-Bulyamusenyi- Masindi; Kayunga-Bbale-Galiraya. I am going to get additional money for these roads because we have been talking about them for a long time. These will be in addition to the completion of the following roads: 92km Muyembe- Nakapiripirit and 25 kilometres of service roads; 21km Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions, 26 kilometres of Tororo-Busia Road and Mayuge and Busia Town Roads, 6.6 kilometres of Kawuku-Bwerenga Road, the 100-kilometre Apac-Lira-Puranga road – these are already being worked on. They are going to be finished – and 1.6 kilometres to Namugonde-Bugiri fuel tank reservoir. The roads for maintenance or reconstruction include – 1. Kampala-Jinja Highway – 72 kilometres; 2. Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima – 145 kilometres; 3. Mityana-Mubende Road – 86 kilometres; and Mubende-Kyenjojo Road, 95 kilometres; 4. Mityana Town roads – 14 kilometres – ab’eMityana mutereze akalulu banange. Buno obuli eyo tebulina kyebukola, butabula. Muleta obusajjasajja – 5. Alwii-Nebbi Road – 33 kilometres – this is in West Nile - Pakwach and Nebbi Town roads; 6. Olwiyo-Pakwach Road – 62 kilometres; 7. Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka – 41 kilome - tres – (Applause) Waliyo akasajja eyo e’Nakaseke. Abantu bange, mutereze ebigambo ebyo, obusajja obwo bugende bukole ebirala. 8. Tororo-Mbale-Soroti. This is a long one. 9. Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini Road – 189 kilometres. These are ongoing already. 10. Karuma-Olwiyo – 43 kilometres; 11. Masaka-Kyotera-Mutukula Road – 89 kilometres; 12. Nyendo-Villa Maria Road – 11 kilometres; 13. Access Roads – 7 kilometres and rehabilitation of 166 kilometres equivalent of national roads that have reached their service life. What they call “service life” is zikadiye . The strategic bridges to be prioritised – there is a road in Mpigi, Kasanje – aka’town akalala bakayita batya? Kisubi. Waliwo aka town eyo munda akalala; Nakawuka. Elyo sirilabye wano. Tulina okuriteekako nalyo. Naye abantu batereze obululu banange. The strategic bridges - so I will have to add that road. I thought we had started on it. The strategic bridges to be prioritised in the next financial year include the Sezibwa Bridge along Kalagi-Kayunga Road, Katonga Bridge, Lwera Swamp, and Kalandazi Swamp. Electricity In 1986, the whole country had only one hydropower plant; Nalubaale, formerly called Owen Falls Dam, built by the British in 1954, and commissioned by our late auntie, Queen Elizabeth, with the maximum capacity of 150 megawatts of hydroelectricity. There are now four large hydropower plants at Nalubaale, Kiira, Isimba and Karuma, with a combined generation capacity of 1,163 megawatts. Other sources such as Kigwabya and XsaboKonge Solar Power in Mubende have added another 888 megawatts. This brings the total installed electricity generation capacity to 2,052 megawatts. However, given the growing electricity demand arising from the new manufacturers, this is very inadequate and the available capacity will run out in about five years from now. When people talk of surplus, there is no surplus. It will very soon be overtaken.

Madam Speaker, when I presented this case – I was approached as I was travelling to Tororo over the Easter period. I stopped over in Jinja –

Votc ' . '- _-':i'- UculnUo rmrt(UGXOOOI RGfGrrl Horpltdt 403 Arua Hoqrital 11,525,914 404 Fort Fortal Hospital 12.943.6L9 405 Gulu Hospital L4.57L.970 406 Hoima Hospital 13,313,426 407 Jinja Hospital 18.335.966 408 Kabale Hospital 12.100.368 409 Masaka Hospital 13,452,7L2 410 Mbale Hospital 16,738.569 4Lt Soroti Hospital 9.9t2.492 412 Lira Hospital L5.522.676 413 Mbarara Recional Hospital 18,645,268 4t4 Mubende Rcsional Referral Hospital L2.292.t33 415 Monoto Resional Rcferrd Hospital 11.150.847 4L6 Nacuru Referral Hospital L4,902,927 417 Kinrddu Refenal Hospital 27.401.331 418 I(awern c Rcferral Hospital 26.564.466 4t9 Entebbe Reeional Referral Hoepital 17.281,838 420 Mulaso Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 30.925.771 42L Karrunga Referraf Hospital 14.772.948 422 H Yumbe Referral ffudoar Abroad 1 501 Ugqnda Mission at the United Nations, New York 18.306.699 502 Uganda High CotDrlission in the United Kinedom L5.640.947 503 Uganda High Comrnisaion in Canada . Ottawa 10.323.859 504 Uganda High Cornrnission in India. New Delhi 8,877,777 505 Qgrnrniggign i11 1 506 in Tanzania , Dar es gnlaarn \ 12.790.806 507 Ugand**IiEh Qsrnrnisgiqn in Niqeria. Abuia /'a^, \ 6,699,770 ( ,$ t 2,A # -ffuT a8e

Voh OccaAUoo t hmt{UexoOOl 538 ru Mission in o00 Local Gwcraroatr 601 Arua city 42,627,79L @2 Fort-Fortal city 24.409.O33 603 GUU city 30.o16.334 604 Hoirna city L6,320.994 605 Jinja citv 48,585.173 606 Lira city 32.637.923 607 Masaka city 32,L23,397 608 Mbale city 4L.146.292 609 Mbarara cibr 39.917.390 610 Soroti city 22,695,436 70L Apac Municipal Council 9,229.883 702 Bueiri Municipal Council 6.521.357 703 Bushenyi- Istralra Municipal Council 13,883,756 704 Busia Municipal Council 8.729.34L 705 Eqtebbe Municipal Council L4.992.O40 706 Ibanda Municipal Council L7,O36,2LO 707 Iganga Municipal @rlncil 8.179.080 708 Ihbale Municipal Council t7.830.374 709 I(anuli Municipd Council 8,837,237 7LO I(apchorwa Municipal Council 10.959.904 7LL IGscse Municipal Council L6.2L9.979 7L2 Kira Municipal Council 26,4L3,268 713 Kisoro Municipal Council 5,652,058 7L4 Kitgum Municipal Council 8.661.003 7t5 Koboko Municipal Council 10.108.ele I 716 Kotido 97 n r 1 I N\ F a J rj; -iz- G ,s

Vot :, utilttfffm frffid(UAXmO'l 406 Hoima Hospital r08.000 407 Jinja Hospital 108.000 408 Kabale Hospital 108.000 409 Masaka Hospital 108.000 410 Mbate Hospital 1.408.000 4LL Soroti Hospital 108.OO0 4t2 Lira Hospital 108.O00 4L3 Mbarara Reeional Hospital 108.000 4L4 I&leode Reeional Rcferral Hospital 135.000 415 Moroto Regional Referrat Hospital 130.139 4L6 Nqgq4LLReferral Hospital 7.2L6.OOO 4L7 IEryddfr Referral Hospital 1.377.O00 418 I(awem.pe Refql Hospital 810,OOO 419 Entebbe Resional Beferral Hospital 810.000 420 Mulaso Specializd Women and Neonatal Hospital 2,O4L.200 42L Kanrnm Referraf Hospital 300,000 422 I flrloar Abrocd 501 Uganda Mission at the Unitcd Nations, New Yo,rk 1.092,000 502 Umnda Hish ConEission in the United Kinsdom 503 Usanda Hish Commission in Canada. Ottawa 17,687.4L3 504 Umnda Histl ComEission in lrdia. New Deltri 505 Uganda Hisb Commission in lGtrya,Nairobi 3,390.O00 506 Usanda Hinh Commission in Tanzania . Dar es Salaam 6,390,000 so7 Uganda High Cpmmission in Nigeria, Abuja 508 Uganda High Commksion in South Africa, Pletoria 150,000 509 Uganda Hiih Commission in Rtrnanda, Kigali 510 Uganda Embassy in the United States , Washington 511 Upnda Embassy in Egrpt, Cair! 5L2 Ueanda Embassv in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa 513 Uganda Embassy in China. BeiiinE lt. 514 UFnaa Embassrr in Snilzerlsnd. Geneva utl 400,000 515 Uganda Embassy in Japan. Tokyo WD 516 5L7 Uganda Embassy in Denmark, Copenhagen ,f -H I 7 518 uganda EmbaEsrrin Belsium, Brussels /V \ ' 7 \-- 4.g68.s87 N s N$ a 53 d

Yotc drlhi- rrmdlUcXm0l 813 Bugiri District 3.942.420 814 Bugweri District 1.554.438 815 Buhureju District 3.228.651 816 Buikwe District 2.288.L42 8L7 Bukedea DisEiet 6.929.676 818 Bukomansimbi DisEict 1.587.386 819 Bukwo District 2.282.346 820 ButaEhli District 3.977.tO4 82t Buliisa District 2.271.496 822 Bundibugro District 5.452.O75 823 Bunyangabu District 3.177.556 824 Bushenyi District 2.452.23t 825 Busia District 4.602.736 826 Butaleja District 5.037.683 827 Butambala District 2.4@.773 828 Butebo District 2.553.114 829 Burnrma District 2.321,680 830 Buyende District 3,199.135 831 Dokolo District 3.603.294 832 Cromba District 2.LO9.4L 833 Gulu District 1.860.357 834 Hoioa District 2,473,660 835 Ibanda District 3,L75,902 836 Iganga District 3,266.O74 837 Isingiro District 6,739,455 838 Jinja Distfict 3.285.405 839 I(aabons District 2,68L,221 840 IGbale District 4,454.290 841 I(abarlole District 5,518,603 842 I(aberamaido District 2,492,506 843 Ikgadi District 4.825,013 844 IGkumiro District 7.553.407 845 IGlaki District ^^/F\ 2.L62.O23 846 Iklangala District \=*T ,', 1.285.413 847 I(alilo District s-\\ 7It 2.859.350 848 IGlungu District ,^A Jlh L.770.657 849 IGmuli Distuict r\( ) $A[/ 4.O98.749 850 IGmwenge District -^. Y\F-vl\ 4.6L2.349 -s ft s6 I t

Madam Speaker, I appreciate that you have followed up on the matter that I raised yesterday, so that we get to see justice prevail in our good country. Yesterday, I focused quite a bit on Edward Sebuufu – Eddie Mutwe, who was abducted, tortured. He was eventually produced in court as opposed to being produced and taken to a hospital - but there are others who are missing too. Kassim Ssebudde was abducted on the same day, the 27 th of April, as Eddie Mutwe. He is still missing to date. Michael Mpalanyi was abducted from Matugga on 18 March 2025. Shakur Ssentongo was abducted from Jinja on 5 March 2025. I call them abductions because these were not arrests. During an arrest, an officer shows up, saying, “I am officer so-and-so; I am arresting you for this offence,” and they take you to a police station. These ones were abducted by gunmen, put in drones, taken to no-one-knows- where, up to now. Police deny knowledge of them; so it is not known where they are. However, we believe that like all these others, they are in the hands of the Government. Can the Government account for these people? More importantly, we are saying this for the umpteenth time; when shall this stop? Why IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FOURTH SESSION - 31ST SITTING - THIRD MEETING Parliament met at 1.59 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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

17249 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA W EDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2025 cost, compared to waiting until the road requires full rehabilitation later on down the road. If no periodic maintenance activities are done on the national road network in the Financial Year 2025/2026, projections indicate that, in addition, 500 kilometres of paved roads, currently in fair condition, will degrade to the point of requiring full rehabilitation. This loss in asset value, Madam Speaker, has been estimated at around Shs 1.007 trillion over that financial year, that is, 2025/2026. My prayer, Madam Speaker, is that, together, the challenges I have described require urgent intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of the current funding shortfalls. I propose the following strategy to help mitigate this, and we have shared this with the different committees: 1. Provide additional resources to enable contractors on the ongoing projects such as Mityana-Mubende, Kampala-Jinja, Karuma- Pakwach, Najjanankumbi-Busabala, Kira- Matugga, Tororo-Busia, to complete them on schedule; 2. Providing funds for land acquisition and counterpart funding for ongoing externally financed projects to ensure the external resources are not left lying idle. For example, Rwekunye-Apac, Lira-Puranga, Muyembe-Nakapiripirit, Kiruhura-Kamwenge, Namagumba-Budadiri, just to mention but a few; 3. Provide funds for key maintenance projects such as in Mbarara-Ishaka, Nebbi-Arua, Mubende-Kyenjojo, et cetera, and emergency bridge repairs; 4. Provide funds for payment of outstanding arrears to reduce the accumulation of interest and maintain the service providers’ confidence in the Government’s commitment to pay for works done; 5. Prioritisation of funding for maintenance and ensuring funds are released in a predictable manner to enable proper planning for maintenance activities. Assurances Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Transport commits to conducting road safety inspections at all work zones to ensure that adequate warnings in the form of signage and other safety devices are installed. The ministry will also continue to conduct inspections of black spots across the road network to install mitigation measures to ensure that the safety of our road users is guaranteed. Madam Speaker, I would like to assure you and all the honourable members that the Ministry of Works and Transport is committed to utilising the allocated resources in the most effective manner possible for reliable and safe works, transportation infrastructure and services. I beg to submit.

Madam Chairperson, there is a problem. Glue stock is cooking and exporting hides. Now, we are saying that we must promote value addition. Then we should also tax value addition. And since you have brought it now, I am now trying to agree with my elder brother Hon. Nathan because we have Jinja Tanning Industry. Let us have it take the hides to make shoes and whatever. In short of that, anything which is being used to be exported out should be liable to tax.

17127 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 In respect to that, the committee recommends that KCCA should: i) Expedite its proposed interventions to create paved walkways by covering existing drainage channels as per the design, in order to enhance pedestrian safety and mobility in Greater Kampala areas; ii) Develop and implement a requirement for buildings located near roads to pave any undeveloped space in front of the building extending up to the road, including the drainage channel. This would address the challenge of open drainage channels alongside roads and enhance pedestrian safety and mobility. 0. Design Reviews In respect to that, the committee recommends that the Ministry of Works and Transport should: i) Review and update design standards and guidelines in light of the changing environmental and demographic factors. In this regard, it should promote the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure with the capacity to withstand the changing climate. ii) Ensure prioritisation of project planning and design to reduce costly reviews once implementation commences. 11.1 Delayed Absorption of Loans from Development Partners Mr Speaker, there has been scrutiny on the delayed absorption of loans from development partners. I am not going to go through this, as you guided, but allow me to give our recommendations in respect to this. The committee, therefore: i) Recommends and urges the Government to adopt automated procurement processes to reduce delays in the procurement of contractors for civil works and corruption- related syndicates that lead to lengthy project approvals; and ii) Recommends that the Government ought to ensure timely disbursement and utilisation of project funds. This will save the Government from incurring huge sums of money in commitment fees. 11.2 Non-compensation of Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) In respect to that, the committee recommends and urges the Government to ensure prompt compensation, pursuant to Article 26 of the Constitution of Uganda, of all outstanding PAPs, and prioritise the release of funds for outstanding compensation. This will mitigate costs associated with compensation delays and ensure that Uganda’s rights are protected. 11.3 High Cost of Financing for Local Contractors In respect to that, the committee recommends and urges: i) The Government to enhance the current Uganda Development Bank Limited’s Ugandan Contractors Financing Initiative to make it more inclusive by increasing the annual limit from Shs 150 billion to Shs 500 billion, and offer both contract and trade financing solutions at an interest rate of at least 5 per cent per annum; and ii) That the Government ought to facilitate the acquisition of a construction guarantee pool of Shs 500 billion in state-owned commercial banks to enable national providers recommended by the Contractors’ Association to access the required bid, performance and payment guarantees to secure work. 11.4 Delayed Government Projects Kampala-Jinja Expressway The procurement process for the Kampala- Jinja Expressway was initiated in May 2018.

17128 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 The project remains incomplete to date due to delays in approving the Partial Risk Guarantee requested by pre-qualified consortia. In respect to this, the committee recommends and urges the Government to prioritise this project and ensure that land acquisition is strongly prioritised in the short term. The project is very crucial due to the fact that it is meant to decongest the Kampala-Jinja Highway. The Standard Gauge Railway The committee noted that the Government’s commitment to providing and releasing adequate funds for Project-Affected Persons’ compensation on this project remains sluggish, years after the launch in 2014 and its implementation since 2016. Delayed acquisition of the right-of-way has financial implications, since some Project- Affected Persons may require revaluation of their land. This has cost implications for the taxpayer. This is evidenced in the way that there is an ongoing reassessment of sections between parts of Buikwe to Kampala. Busega-Mpigi Expressway The committee recommends and urges Government to reduce risk of payment and contractor accumulation of interest claims on delayed payments by acting expeditiously. Works on the new Kampala inland port at Bukasa The committee recommends that the Ministry of Works and Transport should: i) Expedite the completion of all outstanding Phase 1 works, (including the dredging and swamp reclamation) in order to pave the way for the commencement of other project phases; ii) Ensure that the Ministry of Finance completes payment of all affected persons, fully secures the project site from access by all compensated Project-Affected-Persons (PAPs), unauthorised occupants and evicts any illegal occupants; and iii) Establish a full resource technical PIC to facilitate progress on the project and clear any outstanding claims by the consultants. 1.5 Loopholes in the provision of ferry services The committee recommended the following: i) The Government should undertake long-term, comprehensive, countrywide planning, including needs assessment, demand projection and cost implication to inform prioritisation and optimisation of ferry service provision; and ii) Regularly assess and compare the efficiency of ferries across Uganda, to identify opportunities for improvement and optimisation. 1.6 Upgrade of Bridges in the country The committee recommends the following: i. That the Government provides timelines on the proposed new bridge over Karuma, including: expected completion of feasibil - ity studies, necessary approval processes, preliminary and final designs, leading to the commencement of works in June 2026; and ii. Immediately implement the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), indicating the land acquisition for the bridge, funding for the RAP and compensation to the project- affected individuals. 1.7 National road projects with minimal budget provision The committee recommends that the Government avails additional resources for the implementation of these crucial projects. Mr Speaker, as I had earlier indicated, the committee also scrutinised the budget performance of the Sustainable Urbanisation

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Be - fore I give credit to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for a good report, there is an is - sue that relates to road equipment and mainte - nance. I do not know why they have decided to centralise the repair centres and workshops. I wanted the committee to have fully captured and recommended the issue of decentralising the repair workshops. In Kumi, we have to come up to Jinja for repair and there is a long queue of repairs taking place. I do not know why they cannot increase the purchase of this road equipment so that the districts are compli - ant; whenever they need any work, it is easily accessible. Secondly, whereas I appreciate the Govern - ment for a very good road, the Tirinyi-Palli - sa-Mukongoro-Kumi is causing accidents al - most every week. This is because there is no control over speed. There are no humps and I am told you are saying that this is a highway. Does a highway pass through peasants’ homes? Are peasants not residents of the area? Therefore, you cannot say it is a highway. If it is a highway, put it underground or in the sky, but you cannot endanger the lives of our voters. Who will be voting for His Excellency Yow - eri Kaguta Museveni and Opolot, the guardian himself? (Laughter)

Mr Speaker, I thank the chairperson and the committee for the good job. I expected to hear from the chairperson about the Standard Gauge Railway connectivity from Malaba to Majanji via Busia Municipality. They have been very silent on that matter. Moreover, it is one of the key burn - ing issues that will make President Museveni get more votes in Busia Municipality. At the same time, there is a lot of anxiety among the people of Busia. They want to hear from the Government on the 18 kilometre road from Lumino-Buhehe connecting Mulwanda for the new customs border post. In Kenya, they have already put up a very good tarmac road from Funyula up to Mulwanda. As I talk, the Minis - ter of East African Affairs has promised people that any time, the customs entry point is going to be open. At the same time, Busia Municipality, where I lead, is the gateway to Uganda but we have very few roads that are tarmacked. I am happy that the Minister of State for Works and Transport (Works), Hon. Ecweru, has one leg in Busia and when he was there, he promised my people that we shall be given more kilometres of tarmac roads but I have not heard anything about this. Moreover, with the large number of trailers that cross via Busia Municipality to Kenya, I do not know what answers we shall give our people. I, therefore, seek his attention on this matter because the committee is silent about it. Lastly, the Government should be sympathetic to the people who use the Jinja-Kampala Highway - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I would like to thank the committee for the report. I am glad that Hon. Musa Ecweru, the minister, is here. He promised to come to West Nile; he has never come one year later. I hope you will give us a report on your plan for the Nebbi-Arua Road. I almost died on that road yesterday morning as I was coming here. It has life-threatening potholes. Give us a report of what your plan is. Secondly, Mr Speaker, the committee reported that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has budgeted Shs 10 billion for the maintenance of upcountry aerodromes. The available money is Shs 1.8 billion, yet they need about Shs 8.2 billion to do it. Last financial year, CAA budgeted Shs 20 billion to work on the Arua Aerodrome runway. The ministry stopped them. They took their company called East of Eden to do a feasibility study. One year and three months later, there is not even one page of a feasibility study. The money that was budgeted was later diverted to Jinja. The ministry needs to tell us what their plan is. Are they doing it deliberately? That airport is the second busiest domestic airline airport after Entebbe. What is your plan? Are you frustrating us? What do you want us to do? Do you want us to walk to Kampala so that you feel these guys are really strong? Honourable minister, the country should improve all the transport systems so that we can grow. If you go to Tanzania, the domestic routes are operating very well because all the airports in the regions are working very well – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. However, when you look at the Bugisu sub-region and you see the terrain – yes, for example, last year you provided Shs 7 billion per district. When all that is put, the following day it is all swept away by the rains. We have always asked in our plan, and why can’t we provide low-cost sealing for those roads? We can go slowly, but we shall reach there because you put it there today, and the following day it is all washed away, and we go back to zero. That should inform our planning as a ministry so that we can use our meagre resources for the good of our country. Secondly, I wonder, honourable minister, what road you use when you are going to Soroti or Teso. If you use the Jinja highway, I think it is important that we get timelines about the Jinja- Kampala Highway so that we know what we are talking about. The road that brings every good into this country, and you sit there overnight trying to access the city. It is embarrassing, honourable minister. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Mr Speaker, well aware that you are a student of economic law, the traffic jam in Uganda is becoming a serious issue. We have bankable projects. The Kampala-Jinja Expressway is one of the most bankable projects that we have in the country, just like the Entebbe Expressway, one of the most expensive roads in Uganda. By the time they were thinking about the Entebbe Expressway, they thought it would generate a mere Shs 2 billion per month. To date, as I speak, Entebbe Expressway generates over Shs 3.8 billion every month. I believe that the Kampala-Jinja Expressway would be even four times higher. In a traffic jam in Uganda, we lose 240,000 man-hours every day, according to Colas Limited, a UK-based company. This comes to Shs 10 trillion every year. Some of us are economists. Just think about that. For the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, up to now, we do not know how much we are supposed to compensate people. When you look critically at the recommendation of the committee, just urging the Government to prioritise this without even noting how much the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) require is a mess. Therefore, I thank you, but also request you to give details on the expressway. We spend – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the committee and the chairperson, my brother, Tony Awany, for presenting an elaborate report. Mr Speaker, for the first time, I would like to appreciate the Minister of Works and Transport and his ministry as far as Karuma is concerned. This time, you kept your word and followed the exact timeframe you had given. (Applause) I pray that for all Government projects like roads and bridges, the timeframe should be kept the way you did for that one. We have many roads across the country. The committee should have prioritised the roads in an equal and balanced manner. All districts need good tarmac roads. His Excellency, the President, promised very many roads across the country. For example, in my district, His Excellency promised to construct the Awer- Amuru-Rhino Camp Road, together with a constructing ferry at Rhino Camp. However, up to now, we are not seeing the work done. The committee should have looked at the important roads across the country. Some roads connect districts, but are not all that important because the traffic is not heavy on those roads. You should have prioritised the heavy traffic roads. On the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, I recall that in the 10 th Parliament, we borrowed money for this – (Member timed out.)

Honourable members, you know the procurement issue that came with the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. It is an issue that we have been handling on the Floor.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank the committee chairperson and members for the detailed report. I will start from where my honourable colleague stopped, on the Standard Gauge Railway. I have two minutes, so I have to rap. Concerning the Standard Gauge Railway, honourable minister, I would like to find out when you are going to pay those people who have not yet been paid? On the issue of Amber Court, Budondo- Mbulamuti, as my honourable colleague, said, year in, year out, we have been hearing about it. It is number 52 on the project supposed to be worked on and we are hoping that you work on it this time you work on it. Honourable minister, I would like to inform you that right now, the road is impassable because of the rain. I thank the committee and the members for appreciating that the Jinja-Kampala Express Highway should be a priority road, but as we wait for the main express highway, the road is in a bad state, with lots of accidents and traffic jams. It is impassable. Honourable minister, we need answers. One honourable colleague talked about the contracts that were ongoing during the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) time, before we took it back to the ministry. We have the Magamaga-Iziru-Namagera Road. Honourable minister, we need answers because that road has to be worked on. The committee talked about people encroaching on the Uganda Civil Aviation land. I think most times, people sleep on the job. How do these guys encroach? We leave people to encroach on government land, build there, then we come and say, “Please vacate.” What happens? Who is responsible? When these people are encroaching, why do government people sit back and sleep on the job? Afterwards, they come and destroy people’s property and send back packing.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Government for the Shs 1 billion grant. However, some of that money is used to hire excavators. I would like this House to think about giving money for buying excavators per district. An excavator can go for Shs 500 million, and when you calculate by 146 districts, that is about Shs 73 billion; it is workable. Secondly, I have issues with roads, for example, the Lumbugu- Lyantonde Road. However, whenever we go to finance, we are told that there are no funds. Here are the funds, Mr Speaker. Everyone has talked about the Jinja-Kampala Express Highway. It is a Public-Private Partnership Project (PPP). We have to investigate and think about PPPs in this country. The Public-Private Partnership Project alone on that project, which is about $1 billion, increases the cost by about 20 per cent. Why don’t we have economic analysts from the ministries of finance and that of works to present to us when it is fully public and PPP? We shall solve the problem and save about 20 per cent. The traffic jam along Jinja Road alone contributes a 6 per cent loss of GDP in Uganda. We have to solve it once and for all. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I noticed we have read two books of the Bible. We, the Members of Parliament, have read the Book of Lamentations and understood it very well. The ministers have understood the Acts of the Apostles. I would like to look at the report and mostly the mission statement because it is very attractive. It talks about providing reliable transport infrastructure. However, I want to be very basic to the point that if we want to provide a reliable transport infrastructure, we must understand what the bottlenecks are. For a road to be worked upon, we need a grader and an excavator. We have requested the honourable minister, time and again, that the cost of repairing equipment from Katakwi back to Jinja, because all that area will come to Jinja. Why don’t we, as a Parliament, resolve that we have these graders and excavators at a subregional level? It can help us. We did provide Shs 1 billion, but right now, all the districts are struggling to utilise that money. You will find that three to five districts all want excavators. Without an excavator, you cannot advance. At the end of the day, it is counterproductive, and there is no work moving. Even where we have provided money, we are limited. You cannot go and dig without a hoe. We need to provide the hoe so that we can be able to - Otherwise, honourable ministers, I want to look at the weight you are carrying – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We want to know the fate of the land titles of the people of Amber Court, Kimaka - generally, people affected by the Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu Road. This road has been promised since 2001, it is now 25 years later, yet it had reached a high stage of procurement to make it now a bitumen class 2 road, and that was under Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). Unfortunately, UNRA is now rationalised under your docket, honourable minister, so we do not know its fate. When are you going to progress and deliver that road, or have we now seen the end of that promise? But along with that road, Jinja City was promised 20 kilometres, which were to pave the roads within the city. I cry for the road that goes to the industrial area. In that area, we find BIDCo Uganda Limited, a company that is paying a lot of tax. It is one of the 10 highest tax-paying companies in Uganda, but along with that, there are still rolling mills; there is one making iron sheets. That road serves industries. So, we would like to know the fate of this project. It was on a pre- financing arrangement, and we were ready to receive it, but we do not know whether, when you took UNRA, we also lost the project. Otherwise, people are eager to listen to you on that. Lastly, at a national level, the substances that make a road like aggregate, marram, and maybe in the near future bitumen, are going to be locally sourced. What is the cost of the road? Why is it so high? Are we paying for the skill? (Member timed out.)

Members are talking about the Kampala-Jinja Highway. But another nightmare is the road from Jinja to Nakalama. It is a 40-kilometre stretch, but you can use more than 3 hours. So, when we are planning for Kampala-Jinja, we also need to plan for the Nakalama stretch. Short of that, I do not think it is going to solve the problem. Secondly, the Government decided to forcefully acquire people’s land for resettlement in the areas of Kibaale and others. But many people are demanding money from the Land Fund, and some of these cases date back as far as the 1990s. You are compensating a person whose valuation was done in 1999, and giving them money. So, honourable minister for lands - I should divert from the roads. Really, is that value for money? Some of them are even trying to look around to get money, yet they have taken their titles. I have a family in Kakumiro. They took their title, one of the family members is very sick and wants to go for treatment abroad, yet they are not paying them; they cannot go to the bank to borrow. So, the other day, my in-law was saying - (Member timed out.)

17159 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 However, let us come to what the Constitution says in the National Objectives and Directive Principles XII on balanced and equitable development. It says in (iii) thus: “The State shall take special measures in favour of the development of the least developed areas.” That is where I concur with Hon. Kwizera’s submission when he says that it seems even when we have a whole directorate of planning, we do not seem to have had a standardised - even minimum standards of planning. There is a huge conundrum in all this. You are talking, for instance, of a mountainous terrain like the Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions. Now, a bridge that your ministry recently purported to give - they were playing on the psychology of the leaders - (Interjections) - yes, that they had dispatched a team to assess the magnitude of damage - a bridge, which connects to Bududa Hospital. Actually, it has now cut off Manafwa, Namisindwa and Kenya. When River Tsutsu burst its banks, it washed away this very important bridge. We eventually proved that you had not dispatched any team. I am sure you have not even visited it. I do not know whether, in your plans, you are about to go there. The truth of the matter is that now, Bugisu Subregion, particularly that area of Bududa, is recording the highest maternal mortality rates. Even if you talk of roads, there are places where you cannot construct them. We have seen Members here advancing for ferries. Indeed, you have done well in that area. However, in your planning, what are you going to do for areas with mountainous terrain, where you cannot ferry a mother in labour from some valley, up a hill and down to the hospital? We had earlier mooted a plan of at least an aircraft, but we do not even see it in the National Development Plan (NDP) IV. This Bududa Circular Road, which is much awaited and hyped, has appeared in the budget almost seven times – Hon. Mudimi can bear me witness – but it mysteriously disappeared, yet this is a very important road. As we talk, the cost of doing business on this road is extremely high. We get so many Kenyan trucks, and now they can no longer access Bududa. Most of the produce there, of course, is perishable. Farmers are counting losses. Mr Speaker, I have just realised how much we are spending, as Uganda, on commitment fees on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. If it is above Shs 6 billion, I do not know whether the ministry can see that as a huge haemorrhage of the meagre resources that the country needs to fix roads that are in a deplorable state – and they are numerous. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I beg to submit.

17182 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 to report and sign in the attendance book on the first day, simply because there is no accom - modation. You know, when it begins to rain in our area, it rains day and night, and you cannot even cross from here to Jinja Road. Therefore, it is very difficult for them to stay in the school without staff quarters. What plans do we have as a Government? Thirdly, on the issue of land, I know it is a gov - ernment policy that the community, through lo - cal government, must have at least 5.5 acres of land in order to have a government secondary school. What plans do we have as a govern - ment? This is because the community will run very fast simply because the services are coming nearer to them. At the end of the day, people need to be compensated because people will not just give you land and you think - (Member timed out.)

There was some wisdom I was speaking with, being the Shadow Minister of Health, that hospitals, such as Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, are given a particular amount of money to manage other things, that being one of them. However, now that these hospitals are overcrowded, they see numbers that are beyond what is planned for, and their utility bills normally go up. This year, the accounting officer of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital wanted to sink a borehole, but officials from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation wrote a very strong letter, outlining laws that limit sinking a borehole in an urban area. I believe that, inasmuch as we should give them budget support, there should be an element of policy to address this organisation. As long as their operating cost is covered from the money they collect, the Government, being their owner and – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was talking about the supply of seedlings. At the time when were we used to supply seedlings, our people were benefiting. Right now, our people have no seedlings. With the Parish Development Model (PDM), people are doing whatever they want, not necessarily buying seedlings. On this same point, when we look at - I agree with the committee that we should budget for the seedlings; the Government should provide funds for the seedlings. However, I request that sugarcane is included. Sugarcane, by default, belongs to the trade ministry, making it difficult or impossible to get benefits from the ministry for agriculture. So, as we think about supplying seedlings –because I know we supply for tea and others – sugarcane should be included. On tractors, Busoga – or Jinja – is still waiting. Some areas have received tractors, but we have not received any. So, I agree with the committee that we should provide funds to procure tractors, including for Jinja. On arrears, it is embarrassing that year in, year out, we come here talking about arrears. People have supplied to the Government, but they are not paid. These people have gone to banks, have huge debts and have lost their property. It is embarrassing for us to come here year in and out and say that the Government cannot pay arrears. It is my prayer that the Government makes it her desire to pay these people.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mine is regarding the RDCs. I have no issue with the existence of RDCs and their number if it is warranted and they are facilitated to execute their duties. My only issue is with regard to value for money. In my own observation, the appointment of RDCs is rather indiscriminate. I do not know what the minimum qualifications of an RDC, Deputy RDC or Assistant RDC should be but a case in point is Jinja which has got an assistant RDC who does not even have a Primary Leaving Certificate (PLE) and is marauding as a representative of the President who has zero regard for the order of precedence.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I travelled to my constituency on Saturday and I had a stopover in Jinja, at a fuel station. On seeing me, some police officers approached me and requested me to raise this matter; that they have not received salaries for the last - some six months, some four months and some two months and the reason is that the Ministry of Public Service was integrating their system from one to another. Mr Speaker, it left me wondering. One of them said that some people have ways of surviving but look at the majority; lower police officers - constables. If somebody takes six months without salary, how do you expect this person to survive with his family? I am raising this matter so that the Ministry of Public Service can explain where the problem is. Even if you are integrating your systems – whatever it is – it should not take six months. Maybe this is why we are having many harsh or rude police officers. What is happening? Can the Minister of Public Service or minister for finance explain why people would go without salaries? Thank you.

16835 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 On the overall performance of the budget under the UPF, we recommend reallocating funds from the assistance to Uganda Police Force projects to critical UPF areas. Uganda Police Force must create a comprehensive successor project for nationwide investments. The second recommendation is that the Uganda Police Force should expedite the preparation and approval processes of the CCTV Phase III Project to ensure its inclusion in the national plan budget. We reviewed the traffic and road safety and, therefore, recommend as follows: 1. An additional Shs 7.577 billion for transport equipment be provided; 2. Shs 1 billion for an IOV inspection lane and certification centre to be provided; 3. Shs 18 billion for 10 mobile inspection stations for IOV to be provided; 4. Uganda Police Force should link the EPS to the NIRA database; and 5. Uganda’s driver licensing system should be adjusted to capture details of foreigners who commit traffic offences. On police accommodation and the ongoing construction projects, we note that 74 per cent of the police officers lack institutional accommodation. However, the Uganda Police Force is working on a police accommodation project. This project is excluded from PIP. The Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to build 69,000 housing units for the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, and the DCIC, through a PPP arrangement. We, therefore, recommend that the Uganda Police Force accelerates the completion of the accommodation project to comprehensively address police accommodation challenges in the year 2025/2026. On the subcounty policing model – this is a flagship security solution to the country, initiated by His Excellency, the President, and it is now under implementation. The model aims to use limited resources in subcounties to improve policing services for communities, including establishing a police station in each area, following: 1. Deployment of a minimum of 18 personnel; 2. Two motorcycles per police station; 3. A counter phone and radio communication; 4. An office; and 5. Staff accommodation for at least 18 personnel. The Uganda Police Force has tested this model in Greater Masaka in the Financial Year 2023/2024, establishing 892, which is 41 per cent of the 2,190 subcounties, nationwide. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, Shs 5 billion is allocated for the construction of 30 model police stations and completing 11 in greater Masaka, along with acquiring 333 motorcycles and communication equipment. However, there is a funding gap of Shs 557 billion. We, therefore, recommend that Shs 587 billion be provided for the nationwide rollout of the subcounty policing model. On crime management, we recommend that Shs 17 billion be provided for CIID investigations and Shs 2.3 billion for crime intelligence in the Financial Year 2025/2026. On the Canine Unit, we see that expanding the Canine units to 36 locations of Budaka, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Zombo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Pakwach, Vurra, Kaberamaido, Koboko, Terego, Maracha, Moyo, Ayivuni, Buyende, Kaliro, Namutumba, Ngora, Hima, Namisindwa, Kwania, Agago, Nwoya, Amuru, Kyankwanzi, Apac, Kole, aerodromes and border points of Jinja, Soroti, Arua, Mbarara, Kisoro, Mpondwe, Katuna and Mirama Hills nationwide, requires an additional Shs 2.259 billion. The unit faces challenges with unreliable transport for sniffer dogs to crime scenes. Reliable transport is needed at the district stations, requiring Shs 28.44 billion for equipment in 29 regions.

Madam Speaker, I want to appreciate, strongly, your communication to the august House and agree with you that we are in the time of political process, that makes absenteeism or delays by some Members to take place. Truly, to confirm it, we are hearing voices that we want to settle, since we are in the time of budgeting. The other time, members of the Democratic Party were holding their national conference in Soroti, and I saw Hon. Nobert Mao, a minister in the NRM Government, crying about how his agreement with the National Resistance Movement was not being fulfilled. It is also my prayer that since he is working with the same Government, they should conclude those cooperative agreements that he made with the National Resistance Movement in the boardroom since our people are busy concentrating on using the Parish Development Model money. They should leave us to handle very important matters like issues that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister talked about yesterday of some Members who are printing ballot papers in Jinja. Bad enough, they are not here, Madam Speaker. I want to protect myself by not talking or mentioning their names. If Hon. Namugga was here, I would have mentioned it –

16769 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025 Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport – Shs 955.812 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Works and Transport requires Shs 955.812 billion to be provided as follows: 1. Shs 63.512 billion to cover the cost of terminal benefits for staff impacted by RAPEX under UNRA and Uganda Road fund; 2. Shs 61 billion for outstanding obligations on the SGS compensation for the non-tax revenue (NTR) (Shs 15 billion), Soroti Flying School/East African Civil Aviation Academy, Railways, Kalangala, and National Review Board; 3. Shs 500 billion, outstanding debt against the interim payment certificates for the National Roads Projects and the District and Urban Community Access Roads (DUCAR); 4. Shs 40.2 billion for the construction of a steel jetty at Pakwach Bridge and access roads to a cement factory in Karamoja; and 5. Shs 291.1 billion for the preliminary works for the commencement of the Malaba- Kampala SGR project to finance the works under the limited notice to proceed. The committee recommends approval of Shs 955.812 billion to Vote 016. Vote 017: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development – Shs 928.014 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development requires Shs 928.014 billion for the following: 1. Umeme buyout (Shs 725.42 billion), and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Shs 190 billion; 2. Shs 7 billion for the construction of a dedicated power line in Ntungamo, to provide reliable power to the Inspire Africa Coffee Factory and H5 Tin Factory. The line will pick its supply from the Mirama Hills substation and will be completed in six months; and 3. Shs 5.59 billion reimbursement of funds utilised from the electricity transmission infrastructure project which were used to pay for outstanding thermal power capacity charges. The committee recommends the approval of Shs 928.014 billion to Vote 017. Vote 018: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development – Shs 8.53 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development required: a. Shs 4.6 billion for the national celebrations - Women’s Day, Youth Day, Day for Older Persons and People with Disabilities and Labour Day; and b. Shs 3.88 billion to support Masuulita Remand Home. The committee recommends approval of Shs 8.53 billion to vote 018. Vote 022: Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities – Shs 3.24 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities requires Shs 3.24 billion for additional NTR. The committee was informed that the NTR collected by the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute in Jinja from school fees and hotel revenue is to be used for the payment of contractual gratuity, training, and operationalisation of the new administration block. The committee recommends approval of Shs 3.24 billion to Vote 022.

We used to attend workshops in Masaka and Jinja. They used to take us to Mbarara in Pelican Hotel. So, I would like all of us to take this as our responsibility and sensitise our communities to avoid these accidents.

Mr Speaker, last time I raised a matter here concerning the Kampala-Jinja Road and the interim measures to do with the problem on that road; a real crisis. Under your instruction, Mr Speaker, you ordered the Minister of Works and Transport to come and tell this House what they are doing. It is now weeks after and they have not returned. Now they are undertaking to bring other statements instead.

When can we get an update on Jinja Road?

We have a company, which we have not paid for a time and they have certificates that have not been made good. We are in touch with the Ministry of Finance and in the next few days, there will be some resources released that used to come through the Uganda National Roads Authority (URA). This House was very kind to change the Vote from the former UNRA to the ministry now. However, the actualisation of the cash is now in the process. The moment that is done, we are going to sort out these contractors and work will resume from Jinja up to Mabira.

16582 THE CONTRACT FARMING BILL, 2023 Contract farming is a unique arrangement that requires specific legislation, just as public procurement and disposal of public assets are unique and would not fit under the Sales of Goods and Supply of Services Act. We also scrutinised the Tobacco (Control and Marketing) Act. In 2015, tobacco farmers in the districts of Kanungu, Kibale, Kakumiro, and West Nile petitioned Parliament against Continental Tobacco Uganda Limited for failing to pay farmers who supplied tobacco leaves worth Shs 5 billion, which were sold to the company. Instead of paying the farmers, the company technical officers opted to confiscate the contract books from the farmers. The Tobacco (Control and Marketing) Act does not regulate farmers’ relationships with suppliers and contract farming. The Act regulates the supply of seeds just for quality assurance, harvesting, and marketing (sales). It does not deal with the contractual relationship with the seed supplier but rather provides the seeds with quality assurance to be followed while procuring them. The Act and the statutory instrument issued under the same Act gave the Government a big role in ensuring that seeds planted are of given standards. It was easier for the Government to control the value chain. This is no longer the case. The statutory instrument under the same Act does not clarify each party’s obligation to the agreement or address what happens when there are acts of God. It does not further envisage different interests vested in the land and how they may affect the enforcement of sponsorship agreements. The law and regulations do not provide for dispute resolution or the role of local government in settling disputes. The Sugar Act Over the last 10 years, the sugar industry has been expanding production by 20 per cent per annum. The boom has been legitimised through narratives of “Poverty eradication and prosperity for all Ugandans”. Much of the cane supply for this expansion comes from the out- grower farmers who are currently supplying about 50 per cent of the total cane required by the major sugar factories. The out-growers and smallholder farmers to sustain the supply of sugarcanes required financial support and technical expertise to improve their farms to enter commercial farming in the aftermath of state removal from the provision of agricultural services and inputs under the marketing boards and cooperative system. Thus, the sugar corporations end up having contracts with the supplies to provide the farm inputs, as farmers shall supply canes at the time of harvest. However, farmers and buyers have complained about sugarcane overexploitation, corruption, mistreatment, and missed payments, sparking friction between sugarcane out-growers and sugar corporations. Farmers in Hoima, Masindi, Mayuge, and Jinja complained. Whereas the Sugar Act, Cap 242 under section 24 provides for sugar agreements between the out-growers, the smallholder farmers, and -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to also join my colleagues to thank, especially the committee that presented this report. They raised pertinent issues and as a Member of the agriculture committee, i would like to associate with our recommendations and the entire report. The tea growers are in serious pain, as you have been hearing from my colleagues. When we went to Zombo - because there was also a petition brought to this Parliament - we found Zombo people crying, that Amin used to fly a plane every day to Zombo and take their tea to Jinja. This touched me and I was asking myself, “What are we doing?” Our citizens are in pain as a country. We, the leaders, have to push this, especially the Leader of Government Business here. Our farmers are frustrated and are uprooting their tea yet tea spoils the soil. It means that those who have uprooted their tea will also not yield anything because that soil is acidic and will not support other crops growing. I do join in another submission and recommendation that the Government should support tea growers and that they should sensitise the tea growers and give them the knowledge on how to attain quality and quantity tea production. These regulations on tea, as a committee, we have been asking that your office takes a step on this because we cannot move on without a regulation; it is very pertinent. Thank you, so much.

Madam Speaker, we received a question from Hon. Dr Ronald Balimwezo, the MP for Nakawa East Constituency. He states that during this year’s budget debate, the Minister of Works and Transport, through the Attorney-General, assured Parliament that funds for compensating project-affected persons (PAPs) along the Kampala-Jinja Expressway were available. However, it is alarming that the majority of PAPs in his constituency have not yet been compensated. According to him, further compounding the issue, is that the Ministry of Works and Transport has failed to declare the specific amounts allocated for compensating the PAPs. For over seven years, according to him, PAPs have been unable to renovate their homes or construct basic facilities like pit latrines. Many of these families have resorted to using flying toilets (kaveera ), creating sanitation and health risks, including the possibility of disease outbreaks. The Kampala-Jinja Expressway is one of the most bankable infrastructure projects and its successful implementation should be a Government priority. His prayers are: i. When will the Ministry of Works and Transport release clear details of compensation packages for the PAPs? ii. What specific steps will the Government take to ensure the affected individuals are compensated promptly so that they can resume normal lives and improve their living conditions? iii. What measures will be put in place to prevent such delays in future compensation for other national projects? Madam Speaker, following the approval of the Addendum Methodology for compensation of PAPs without legal rights or interests to the land

Thank you. Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by the Chairperson, Committee on Finance, the Attorney-General, the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service, the minister in charge of veterans, the minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Kabanda, Hon. Nekesa, the honourable member from Bunyole, the honourable member from Rwampara, the honourable member from Serere, the honourable member from Koboko, Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho, Hon. Akifeza, Hon. Avur, Hon. Faith Kunihira, Member representing the elderly, Hon. Afidra, Hon. John Faith Magolo, Hon. Patience Nkunda, my uncle – you know, we do not mention the name of an uncle - Hon. Basil Bataringaya, Hon. Donald Katalihwa, Dr Aabuka, Hon. Ochwa, Hon. Phyllis Chemutai, Hon. Atima, Hon. Maximus Ochai, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Mugisha, Member for Sheema, Member from Kyankwanzi – Kyankwanzi and Nakasongola are close to each other – Member from Buhweju, Dr Otaala, Hon. Sarah Najjuma, Hon. Faith Nakut and Member from Jinja. Would you like to speak to your motion?

Yes, a small Theodore. He is on a three-country visit, starting with Nairobi, Kenya, and will be arriving in Uganda on the 18 th of this month – next week. We hope he will have audience with His Excellency, the President and, thereafter, he will be received at the Church. On the 19 th , Madam Speaker, the Pope will be having his patriarchal visit to St George and Andrew Church, Lwemiyaga – that will be a Wednesday – before proceeding to Gulu on the 20 th . He will conclude his visit with the eastern region in Jinja. We hope we will have his itinerary arranged, but the bishops of those areas are well-informed and are coordinating well. I take the opportunity, Madam Speaker, to invite you, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and all the honourable Members of Parliament. Let us meet the Pope and take the blessings. It is non- partisan. We are all one in God, and that is his message. He comes at a time when the country needs his message, and we look forward to the support from Members of Parliament, with your presence and in every way. I am glad that Hon. Elijah Okupa is heading the protocol at the reception of the Pope and I hope he will work tirelessly to ensure that everything goes well, together with the other members. I beg to submit, Madam Speaker. I thank you for the opportunity and blessings from the church.

Madam Chairperson, we have been debating since morning to say that this is the Parliament. By the time a Member of Parliament appends a signature, he has really thought many times about the motion. How would you go to sign and tomorrow you receive a call and withdraw? This cannot be, Madam Chairperson; this is Parliament. This is not a sitting of councillors. Madam Chairperson, as I conclude, the honourable member talked about the motion. I would like to be helped by the committee chairperson. A motion, according to what he was reading, must be presented here and the signatures are in the Sergeant-at-Arm’s office. Where is the scenario where people looking for signatures come to Jinja, go to the radio and say, “Kibalya, we are looking for you; come to the Town Hall and sign?” Where have you catered for that part?

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for clarifying. I share Hon. Nambooze’s understanding of your communication: It means that Parliament is helpless. That is why I am thanking you for clarifying. I have been here for a while. There was a time when a colleague was arrested in total violation of the Constitution. The Speaker of Parliament then said, “We will suspend the sitting of Parliament until that Member of Parliament is released.” Parliament was suspended, and he was released. Mr Speaker, I fear when you say that our power stops at talking and also when you limit the judgment of the Supreme Court to the parties. This judgment is for the whole country and for everybody to do, under Article 3 of the Constitution, whatever it takes to defend the Constitution. The trouble is that we may think that this is limited to Dr Besigye, Hajj Obed Lutale and the National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who are there. There will be a time when they will be coming for you. I told you that in Luzira where I once was, Hon. Jim Muhwezi had also been there and so had Hon. Gilbert Bukenya. Hon. Kuteesa also nearly came. The other day, I saw when Hon. Akamba was being grabbed like a chicken thief. The reason we must fight these things is that they are not limited to the victims of today. Tomorrow, you will be the victim. Hon. Obua, wait when they are taking you and you will be crying. (Laughter) I visited Dr Chris Baryomunsi at Jinja Road Police Station. They had even denied him slippers, that giant man – (Laughter) – Hon. Nabukenya is the one who stood surety for Dr Chris – (Interruption)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am so grateful that you have allowed me to raise this matter of national importance. But I also want to let you know that all of us had thought that we would get an opportunity to contribute to the debate that was before us. Now that you have ruled that we proceed, I want to remind this House about the plight of travellers on the Kampala-Jinja road, which is of national importance. What is happening on that highway can no longer be classified as a traffic jam but a crisis in its own style. The point of concern now is the risk we are running as a country of trucks filled with thousands of litres of fuel stuck in a traffic jam for hours on a congested road. Some of us would not want to be prophets of doom, but it would be very bad if we did not discuss this. If it was not for the grace of the Lord, who protects Ugandans, any slight mistake would result in thousands of people and property being lost on that road. Just a little fire or something nearer to that, we would sit here if some of us are not victims and count the losses. I know that it is not easy to construct a road but I think that there are technical things we can do to mitigate the problem. For example, I remember some years back when I was young, trailers carrying goods would move at a particular time –

To mitigate the crisis on the Kampala-Jinja Highway, I pray.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Nambooze for bringing up such a question that touches everybody. I would like to inform this House and the country that the Ministry of Works and Transport is fast-tracking the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway. Secondly, Mr Speaker, the drivers on that road, especially those big trucks carrying fuel, have been advised to use Mukono-Katosi-Jinja road so that they avoid the traffic around that corner.

That is right, Mr Speaker. I agree with you, but for now, I thought I was giving information that can be used as we wait for the Minister of Works and Transport to come in. They had put a signpost to divert drivers who are using that highway to use the Mukono-Katosi-Jinja route because those are big ones. Then, between Kampala and Mukono – (Interjections) – can I finish? Between Kampala and Mukono, there is railway transport that has been improvised now so that those people can use it. I thank you.

Mr Speaker, thank you. I also rise to support both the majority and minority reports. However, as Hon. Okeyoh said, the budget allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in most cases does not address the fisheries resources yet it is a sleeping giant unexplored. I want to call upon the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to liaise with the agriculture minister because every other time they appear, they tell us they do not have the budget. We hear of agricultural support for the animal and crop sectors but our fishing communities also require that they be addressed. A comprehensive approach that will also bring on board the fishermen; fishmongers or the ones that rear fish, can raise income to support the economy, the way the Hon. Namugga has said. Mr Speaker, in the Budget, we must address the issue of water transport. I want to give an example of a water space between Ggaba and Bbule along Ggaba Road. This road can decongest Jinja Road if there was a vessel that joined Mukono and Ggaba. This route would be decongested and people would join the Nyenga route. Many other routes are shorter on the water bodies here, but the Government does less about developing water transport. Needless to mention are the songs we have been singing about water transport to the distant island constituencies. The Government should, if we are not able to do it using our Budget, give incentives to investors from nearby countries. We have been to Tanzania and Kenya, where the private sector has these vessels. They should give them incentives to come and operate on our waters such that we have safe transport on our water bodies. Mr Speaker, I want the Government to adopt an

15936 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 thanked the committee. I hope the committee will not be a scene of crime this time. Mr Speaker, you talked about vending licences. In Busoga, there is a miller who has seven licences. You wonder how he got them and what they are going to do. As you mentioned, something must be done. On the issue of unfunded priorities, how can an item remain unfunded for five years, appearing every time? We must, maybe, have a law somewhere that says that if an item appears three times – what is very interesting is that an item can appear among those to be funded this year, then the next or third year, it becomes unfunded, but it remains there. We must stop this joke and have something serious and tougher in that line and have a law. In the same spirit, as the President said that we must help him about Universal Primary Education (UPE), my honourable colleagues talked about arts teachers. We are tired of seeing cartoons in newspapers where one teacher is eating chicken and rice and the other eating cassava. One is sleeping in a big house, another in a grass-thatched one. One is driving a Benz, and the other is walking. Mr Speaker, we must do something about arts teachers. It has become the song during burial services. When an arts teacher gets space to speak, he will speak about Parliament not helping or doing anything. I pray and request that as we prepare the budget for this year, let us provide some money for the arts teachers. On Busoga University, Hon. Peter Ogwang has just left the subregion. He promised to do something about the university. In 2019, I attended a meeting where Bunyoro and Busoga universities were discussed. They told us that they were beginning with Bunyoro University and then Busoga University would come next, the following year. Five years down the road, Busoga University is just looking for a Vote. We must also do something about that. Blood bank in Jinja. During COVID-19, when Dr Ruhakana Rugunda was still the Prime Minister, he promised that they would do something about Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and that we would get a blood bank. I do not know where we are in terms of the position and what is happening. Power. On the Committee on National Economy, we – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I would like to thank the chairperson and members for the two reports. On education, my colleagues have talked about Busoga University and Bunyoro University. All we need is a Vote and we have these institutions start next academic year. The committee also recommends the completion of construction of health centres IV, but like my sister from Kiruhura said, we need to upgrade the health centres III in constituencies where we do not have health centres IV like Kagoma and Butembe in Jinja District. Mr Speaker, when it comes to electricity, the Government should prioritise this, especially in Busoga and in particular Jinja, because we produce this power. When it comes to town councils that were created in the last term, most of them are not funded. Like Jinja, we do not have headquarters. We still go to the city; we need funding to complete our district headquarters. Mr Speaker, we need more funding to the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank to support the Parish Development Model programme. When it comes to the East African Community and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; about the statutory obligations and non-payment of subscription fees, it is embarrassing to our nation. People working in these institutions must develop thick skins. You are undermined; you do not take part in decision-making. It is a mess. Some of us have been there. Mr Speaker, I believe the Government should evaluate these international organisations, and have a cost-benefit analysis to find out whether we need to continue being members of some of these institutions. Thank you.

The next issue that we should clarify is of Capt. Denis Ola. We asked the prisons service about Capt. Ola’s whereabouts when we visited Luzira. They gave us answers at that time. This morning, they again submitted their position in writing. The written submission of the Commissioner-General of Prisons is contained in the documents that I laid on the Floor of the House; their answer is on page 7; letter G. The question was: if the Court Martial directed that Capt. Denis Ola be brought to Luzira Prison, why is he being held elsewhere? The answer relates to Section 58 of the Prisons Act, which states thus: “No person shall be received or admitted in prison custody without a valid commitment or remand warrant, order or detention warrant of conviction or committal signed with a court seal or authenticated by a person authorised to sign such a warrant.” The Uganda Prisons Service has never received any of the above documents to admit the said Capt. Denis Ola in the prison’s custody. It continues to state on page 8 thus: “The remand orders for Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye and Hajji Lutale are hereby attached. As already mentioned, Capt. Denis Ola is not in our custody. We have, on our record, the detention warrants of the two prisoners. We do not have the detention warrant for Capt. Ola.” We investigated this matter further by getting the testimony of Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye to the effect that he met Capt. Ola for the first time in the dock and interrogated him. Col (Rtd) Dr Besigye said that the information he got from Capt. Ola is that he has been appearing before the General Court Martial for a very long period and is remanded within Makindye Barracks. We have not had the opportunity to verify that information. That is the reason it did not appear in the committee report. Mr Speaker, we undertake to continue making impromptu visits to police cells. During the course of last year, the Committee on Human Rights visited police cells in the whole of Eastern Uganda, starting with Jinja all the way to Karamoja. We are working on a report that we shall present very soon. I did not want to make any comments on the state of Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye, but only to state that as a Christian, I feel for every person in prison. As a human being, I know the inevitability of ending up in prison. As a human rights lawyer and defender, I have a duty to protect the rights of every citizen of the Republic of Uganda. So, to insinuate that there are some members of the committee who are better predisposed to – (Laughter) - Mr Speaker, we asked Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye to make a self-assessment of his health. When he was produced before the committee, I had even asked him to make his submissions while seated and his answer was, “I am strong enough to stand”. He stood on his own volition and made a presentation that lasted three hours. So, I do not know where Hon. Francis Mwijukye got this position that he could not even stand. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much. In fact, I was grabbed from here and dragged by the police for protesting. Hon. Amama Mbabazi complained here and asked why I was not taken to the disciplinary committee of Parliament. I saw him on Television being grabbed by the collar in Jinja. Therefore, this is a very serious matter. When rights are - that is universal. Mr Speaker, I raised here the issue of Dr Besigye being kidnapped from Nairobi, where he had gone to attend the book launch of Hon. Martha Karua. It was in November. Two months later, the statement has not been brought. Hon. Mwijukye raised the issue of continuing to violate his rights, even when he is in prison. The Attorney-General has been summoned. I do not know where his deputy has gone and all these good people are just looking at us. Why are you in the Government if you have no value to Parliament? That they come to raise issues. I saw Hon. Nankabirwa here when she was the Government Chief Whip. For every matter you raised, she would excuse herself for five minutes and she would answer. Today, they are all seated. Wait for your day.

26. Wage shortfalls – Shs 194.241 billion. The committee observes that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development received additional requests to meet wage shortfalls for both Central and Local Government Votes (see Annexure 2 for details). This followed the Auditor-General’s report on the special audit of the payroll, presidential directive to announce the wages of scientists and other critical requirements. The committee recommends approval of Shs 194.241 billion to various Central and Local Government Votes as highlighted in Annex 2. 27. Funding for Non-Tax Revenue enhancement: Shs 152.98 billion. The committee was informed that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development reviewed the Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) performance of various MDAs and noted that provision of Shs 152.98 billion to these MDAs will enable those Votes to collect Shs 400 billion to support the budget. Of this, Shs 152.98 billion; in addition, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has made the attainment of NTR revenue projections a requirement in the performance contracts of accounting officers for the Financial Year 2024/2025. The Votes are summarised below: The committee recommends approval of Shs 152.98 billion to various Central and Local Government Votes for the purpose of helping them to enhance and collect more Shs 400 billion to support the budget. The details are in that table. Number 28: National Water and Sewerage Corporation - Shs 14 billion The committee observes that a number of government institutions owe the National Water and Sewerage Corporation arrears for water supplied by the institution. In order to support National Water and Sewerage Corporation operations ensure service delivery and also reduce the stock of arrears for water, Shs 14 billion has been provided to vote in the health sector and Ugandan Prisons, as summarised. The committee recommends approval of Shs 14 billion to votes as highlighted in Table 5 below: To pay for water for: 1. Mulago Hospital – Shs 6 billion 2. Jinja Referral Hospital – Shs 4 billion 3. Mulago Specialised Neonatal Hospital – Shs 2 billion 4. Uganda Prisons Services – Shs 2 billion Total – Shs 14 billion. 29. Votes 601 to 935 – Local Governments: Shs 170.168 billion The committee observes that: i) Shs 143.989 billion were unspent funds in the Financial Year 2023/2024 for the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) reform. The details are in Annex 3. This is mainly for the construction of seed secondary schools, upgrade of health centres II and health centres III, water projects and micro-scale irrigation projects. Annex 3 has the details. ii) Shs 26.179 billion was for re-voting of USMID unspent balances that were returned to the Consolidated Fund at the closure of the Financial Year 2023/2024. The details are in Annexure 4.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me way. Rt Hon. Prime Minister Kampala-Jinja Expressway is one of the most bankable projects that Uganda has. For over eight years, the PAPs have not been paid, despite the fact that during the debate on the budget, the Minister of Works and Transport, through the Attorney-General, told this Parliament that all the money for compensation of the PAPs was available. As we speak, the PAPs cannot do renovation of their structures, they cannot construct toilets and, therefore, they are using flying toilets which may result in a disease outbreak. We are worried about the circumstances in which our PAPs live. When are you - (Member timed out.)

Honourable minister, when are you paying the Project- Affected Persons for Kampala-Jinja Expressway?

We can go to Page 20 of the report, which is on the general observations on the status of abattoirs. We start with functionality and suitability of the infrastructure. I am not going to read everything; I will just summarise. The committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/slaughterhouses in the country. It was noted that most of the local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements, which compromises hygiene and sanitary conditions. All the facilities visited had variations – some were old, some new, some moderate, and some small. Only 12 (63 per cent) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures - Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City Abattoir and Kalerwe. With the exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in poor condition manifested by the poor wall conditions, poor roofs and floors, and lacking tiles and terrazzo.

15675 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2025 Generally, the features of the facilities visited fall short of the characterisation of a modern abattoir. With the exception of the new facility under construction, that is, Kyentale Ward in Hoima City, nearly all the facilities visited had poor equipment and infrastructure establishment, which is typical of local and traditional slaughterhouses, with old-fashioned means of operation. A modern abattoir should have at least automated systems such as cold rooms for storage, pulleys for hoisting carcasses, reliable water and electricity as opposed to manual operations, which cause delays and compromise the meat quality. Abattoirs can be a source of zoonotic diseases, that is, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, and may expose workers to harmful pathogens. We go to the recommendations. i. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) should develop standard designs for the slaughter facilities at different levels, that will also cater for various categories of livestock. ii. The Government should construct more slaughterhouses and equip them with the necessary facilities. Throughout the oversight visits, the majority of the facilities were privately-owned, while the few government facilities were under the public-private partnership. iii. The Government should also undertake renovations and expansion of the dilapidated slaughterhouses to ensure that they comply with the required standards. iv. Also, the Government should equip the slaughterhouses with modern equipment for meat handling and processing. This includes equipment for cold storage, hoisting, laboratory, and transportation. v. The Government should provide incentives to abattoir owners to upgrade their infrastructure. vi. The district, municipal, and city authorities should ensure that the tenders for the slaughterhouses provide for the tenderer to operate and maintain the facility. vii. The Government should establish a public health and veterinary laboratory in line with the “One Health Approach” in the slaughterhouses to support slaughterhouses in examining the carcasses, organs, testing of drug residues, meat handlers, and other necessary tests. viii. The Ministry of Local Government’s approvals of new administrative units, for example, town councils, municipalities, cities and districts, should be premised on the availability of designated locations for abattoirs and environmentally-sensitive enterprises. Let us now go to functionality. We looked at utilities and one of them was water. Most of our cities do not have running tap water. Some are not connected to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. Some facilities such as Mbarara City and Soroti City abattoirs had water harvesting tanks. The Fort Portal facility had reserve water tanks, while others such as Jinja had extra water facilities such as boreholes. The rest such as Masaka Pig Slaughter Space, and Hoima City Abattoir, depend on water ferried using jerrycans. Some of those with connections reported intermittent connection breakdowns, for instance, in Masaka City Abattoir, where the staff reported using jerrycans when the National Water and Sewerage Corporation water is off. Other facilities such as Jinja City Abattoir, had been disconnected by National Water and Sewerage Corporation due to accumulated arrears. For electricity, the committee noted that out of all facilities visited, about 21 per cent were connected to the national power grid. These include Masaka City Abattoir, Mbarara City Modern Abattoir, Kibimba City Council Abattoir, Kalerwe City Abattoir and Jinja.

6,L9,2 Functionality of Utilities ..............23 6,19.3 Functionality of the waste management and disposal 5.2O Availability of incinerators and records 24 25 26 27 29 30 6.21 Lagoons Processes. 6,22 Environmental concern 6.23 Availability and competences of the human resources 6.24 Availability and compliance to the I provisions. egal and regulatory List of Tables Table l: Distribution of Slaughter Facilities in the country 7 6.26 The Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Act, Cap. 49 6.27 Cattle Traders Act, Cap. 52 32 6.2A Veterinary Technical Manual for Animal Movement Control in Uganda (2O19f: ......33 6.29 Public Health (Meatf Rules -Statutory Instrument ZB I-1g .. . , . . .. 33 6.30 Traceability 5.31 To establish the quality a.ssurance processes 9 Table 6: Summary of Kampala City abattoirs by 1ocation 1B List of Figures Figure 1:The Structure of Jinja Slaughter house t5 Figure 2: Goat killed and eaten by a stray dog............... ........... 16 Figure 3: Meat Processing in a dirty space 16 Figure 4: Holding area of Mbale City Abattoir ......I2 3 w

2 TERMSOFREFERENCE: The General objective of the oversight was to assess the general status of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. The Specifrc Objectives included: i. To assess the functionality and suitability of the facilities, infrastructure. ii. To establish functionality of utilities (water, electricity, sanitary facilities). iii. To establish the functionality of the waste management and disposal processes; level of sanitation and hygiene, waste disposal and management. iv. To assess the availability and competences of the human resources. v. To determine the availability and compliance to the legal and regulatory provisions. vi. To establish the quality assurance processes followed by abattoirs 3 METHODOLOGY: In execution of the Instruction, the Committee; a! Constituted regional teams. b! Developed a structured observation checklist that was used to obtain information about key parameters in the selected abattoirs/ slaughter houses. cl Conducted oversight visits to slaughter facilities in selected districts and cities that included; Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Masaka, Fort portal, Hoima, Masindi and Kampala. dl held meetings with stakeholders such as District, Municipal and City Veterinary Officers, facility owners, traders and workers to obtain detailed information about the operations of the slaughter facilities. el Held meetings at Parliament with: i. Ministry of Water and Environment ii. Ministry of Health Rg

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

Recommendations i. Ministry of Agriculhtre, Anlmal Industry and. Pisherles and the Cttg authorltles should. uork towards the expedltious completion oJ the new Jacilitg. il. The slaughter House in Kiryateete East should be closed lmmediatelg the neu facilitg is compteted and stq.rts operdtion. 6.5 Masindi District The Masindi Abattoir is located along Masindr-Kafu Road. The structure is in a poor state, with cracks on the slaughter slab, stained walls with a lot of decay, poor drainage and waste disposal. At the time of the oversight, 5.00p.m, it had rained and therefore the place was clogged with water and smelly hides. Generally there is need to overhaul the structure to achieve public health standards of clean meat and a modern municipal abattoir. 6.6 Mukono District The Committee visited one slaughter house in Mukono; Kamme Valley Slaughter House. Kamme Valley Slaughter House is a privately owned slaughter house that operates in a government owned market known as Kamme Market in Mukono Municipality. It is the main and biggest slaughter house in Mukono District. Mukono District has about five other privately owned slaughter slabs in the five sub counties. 6.7 Jinja City The Committee visited the Jinja City abattoir which is a government facility located in Jinja Southern Division. There are four privately owned slaughter slabs in Jinja City. The Jinja City abattoir was constructed around 1950, hence quite colonial and in dilapidated state. As seen in Fig. l, the abattoir was under renovation by the city council at the time of the committee visit. L4 sn

Figure 7:TLLe Sttucture of Jinja Slaughter house The abattoir receives animals from different parts of the country, especially Teso and Karamoja regions but after the long distance, there is no designated holding area for them to rest for the required twenty-four hours before slaughter. The practice at the facility is that animals arrive in the evenings and are slaughtered the next morning. The part that was formerly designated as a holding space was rented to food vendors. Recommendations Government should re-centralize the slaughter seruices in Jinja Citg in order to ease supervision and. regulation. 6.8 Iganga Municipality The Iganga slaughter house was opened on 1st November l99S as a donation by the Austrian Government. It is managed by Iganga Municipal Council but was tendered to private investors known as Iganga Cattle United Traders Association. This facility is located far away from town therefore the meat has to be transported mostly on motorcycles which exposes it to contamination 1, 5 Nlijj i I I lrr @ s-k

lv more suitdble and stdnd.drd. abattoir should be built to meet internatlonal standards of expot t. Jor Kannpala, KCCA should proulde tenders to operate and rnaintain the rrbrrttoirs and not onlg limit them to reuenue collectlon to enable mrrlntend.rl.ce of the factlities. 5.13GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS: 6,13.1 Functionalityandsuitabilityofthe Infrastructure: The Committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. It was noted that most local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements which compromise the hygiene and sanitary conditions of the facilities. AII the facilities visited had variations; some old, some new, some moderate and some small. The facilities are either owned by government, privately owned or tendered out. Most of the facilities visited slaughter at least 10 to 30 cattle and about 10 to 15 goats per day. Taken together, the number of animals handled by the facilities selected in the five regions fall in the category of small size abattoirs which sit on an average of 1-2 acres of iand and handle up to 30,000 animal units per year. Only 12 (63%) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures; (Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City abattoir and Kalerwe). With exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in a poor condition manifested by poor wall conditions, poor roofs, floors and lacking tiles and terrazzo. Al1 the facilities had slaughter spaces, however, with the exception of the new facility in Hoima City, the slaughter as for all other facilities were 20 NFJ

below the standards of a modern abattoir. Taken together, only 21 percent of the facilities had identifiable slaughter spaces, namely Masaka and Mbarara (Central and Western Uganda), Jinja and Iganga (Eastern Uganda) City abattoir in Kampala. However, the slaughter spaces were very small, lacked concrete and hard slabs. Generally, the features of the facilities visited fall short of the characlerization of a modern abattoir. with exception of the new facility under construction; Kyentale Ward in Hoima City, nearly all the facilities visited had poor equipment and infrastructure establishment which is typical of local and traditional slaughter houses with old fashion means of operation. A modern city abattoir should have at least automated systems such as cold rooms for storage, pulleys for hoisting carcass, reliable water and electricity as opposed to the manual operations which cause delays and compromise the meat quality. Further, a modern facility should have a laboratory for testing animal health and the meat products. This includes diagnosing and confirming the suspicious cases to maintain public health measures. In the current form of the abattoirs, animals and the carcass are examined on the basis of physical characteristics which may not be sufficient to make empirical conclusions. A mini veterinary laboratory will be vital for diagnosing blood and meat to confirm the suspicious cases and maintain public health measures. Abattoirs can be a source of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) and may expose workers to harmful pathogens. Further, none of the slaughter houses had specific structures for birds (poultry) and goats and only few had slaughter structures for pigs, these were in Masaka (Pork Master Ricks) Soroti and Mukono Municipalify, but all had small shelters with roofs erected on poles. Ei 21

6.L3,2 Functionality of Utilities The utilities under this section inciuded water, electricity and sanitary facilities such as ventilated improved pit latrines (VIPs). 6.13.2.1 Water Of all the facilities visited, only 6 (31%) had running (tap) water, connected to the NWSC. Some of the facilities such as Mbarara city and Soroti abattoir had water harvest tanks, Fort Portal facility had reserve water tanks while others such as Jinja had extra water facilities such as borehole. The rest such as the Masaka Pig slaughter space, Hoima City Abattoir depend on water ferried using jerricans. Some of those with water connections reported intermittent connection breakdowns, for instance, in Masaka City Abattoir, where the staff reported using jerricans when the NWSC water is off. Other facilities such as Jinja City abattoir had been disconnected by the NWSC due to accumulated arrears for water bills. 6.13.2.2 Electricitg The Committee noted that out of all the facilities visited about 21 percent were connected to the national power grid. These include Masaka City Abattoir, Mbarara City Modern Abattoir, Kibimba City Council Abattoir, Kalerwe, City Abattoir, City Abattoir and Jinja. Majority of the facilities were operating without power services because of lack of connection to the power grid while others such as Mbale City abattoir were disconnected due to unpaid power bills. The Committee observed that the lack of power connection stifles the functionality of the facilities especially during late and early morning hours where the staff are compelled to use alternative lighting facilities such as torches. The situation is made worse during busy seasons such as holidays which require slaughtering more animals than usual. The slaughtering of 23 NLJ

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ON THE OVERSIGHT VISIT TO ASSESS THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS/SLAUGHTER FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY No Name Constituency Party Signature 1 Hon. Dr. Ruyonga Joseph Hoima West NRM 2 Hon. Dr. Opio Acuti Samuel KoI"ffSh, Ind .#q#|- 3 Hon. Bebona Babungi Josephine Bundiburyo NRM 4 Hon. Laker Sharon Balmoyi DWR-Gulu NRM 5 Hon. Isaac Otimgiw Padyere NRM \ I 6 Hon. Nebanda Andiru Florence DWR-Butaleja NRM 8 Hon. Kayagi Sarah Netalisire DWR- Namisindwa NRM r\a__,/ 9 Hon. Rutahigwa Elisa Rukungiri NRM 10 Hon. Ayebare Margaret DWR-Mbarara NRM w{* 11 Hon. Dr. George Didi Bhoka Obongi NRM @' t2 Hon. Chelain Betty Louke DWR-Amudat NRM 13 Hon. Sekyanzi Benard Kirya Budyebo NRM T4 Hon. Dr. Ninkusiima John Paul Ibanda South NRM sill 15 Hon. Nandagire Christine Ndiwalana Bukomansimbi North NUP 16 Hon. Dr. Kagabo TWaha Mzee Bukoto South NUP l7 Hon. Dr. Kamara Nicholas Thadus Kabale Municipality FDC 18 Hon. Dr. Batuwa Timothy Jinja West FDC llPage

,Annex 2: Summary of the status of the abattoirs visited s/N ParaEeter Findiugs 1 Premises/ struct urc (Availability of facilities such as shade, dressing area, holding area, floor) Only 12 of 163%f of the 19 facilities had standing structures. However, with exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in a poor condition manifested by poor wall conditions, poor roofs, floors and lacking tiles and terrazzo. a 2 Slaughter Area a A11 the facilities had slaughter spaces. However, with the exception of the new facility in Hoima City, the slaughter areas for all other facilities were below the standards of a modern abattoir. Taken together, there were only 4 (21%l facilities with identiiiable slaughter spaces, namely Masaka and Mbarara (Centeral and Western Uganda), Jinja and Iganga (Eastern Uganda) City abattoir in Kampala. However, the slaughter spaces were very small, lack of concrete and hard slabs. 2 Level sanitation hygiene of and a The major sanitation facilify was VIP latrines. Out of the 19 facilities visited, only 9 (47%) had VIP latrines. However, the conditions of the Iatrines were poor, manifested by lack water supply, dilapidated structures, smelly and many lacked demarcations for the male and female staff. 4 Waste Disposal and management a With exception of the new Facility in Hoima City, no facility had an established waste disposal and management system. Very few facilities had

Abattoir, sometimes the staff use jerricans when the NWSC water goes o[f. 7 Availability electricity of I Only of 4(219/o) of the facilities were connected to the national power grid. These include Masaka City Abattoir, Mbarara City Modern Abattoir, Kibimba City Council Abattoir, Kalerwe, City Abattior and Jinja. 8 PPEs a There was good use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) the sta-ff at most facilities. 9 Government Public Health Measures a The facilities were supervised by District, City and Municipal Veterinary Officers which do the animal examination, carcass inspection and approval for public consumption. 10 Processes at Facility, holding, isolation area I Only 3 (16%) of the 19 facilities had established processes from reception. These include Masaka and Mbarara, Jinja in, City Abattoir. Most of the facilities had no adequate holding areas for livestock and while some did not have separate spaces for holding cattle and goats and most did not isolation spaces. l1 Equipment/mac hinery I With exception of the new facility (under construction), all the facilities visited lacked the required equipment for meat processing. For instance, none of them had a cold room for meat storage, functional pulleys for hoisting meat. AII the activities at the facilities are malually done. t2 ICEs o None of the facilities had visible information, communication and education materials or signposts on the dos and don'ts at the facility.

15629 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 JANUARY 2025 but not on the roads. I have always said here that, for example, people are looking for places for their children in private schools, and people will go to school. As for health, you can go to any centres - private ones, but for roads, it is a mandate of the Government. Money must be availed to the minister. I am happy the minister is here, but bambi he is helpless; he does not have the money. Money must be availed for the roads. You have seen a number of roads, for example, people who come from Ibanda; a road was done a few years ago, but because of a lack of maintenance, it is now no more. The moment you do not repair a road; it requires full rehabilitation. I think this Parliament, must get money and have these roads done. There was a road from Gayaza to Kalagi – some of us here never knew about Kalagi, but that road was very important in travelling to Jinja. Currently, there is no maintenance on the road; even people who used to take a shortcut can no longer go there because of the bad road. Even Mabira itself needs reconstruction because of lack of maintenance. I pray to you, Mr Speaker, that we resolve that money should be availed to the Ministry of Works and Transport because there is no machine in this country now on Ugandan roads.

Thank you. We will need a response on that. We will also require you to respond on the Jinja-Kampala Expressway and the Mabira road, where you are just patching. Honourable minister, just get –

Thank you. Honourable minister, I do not know where the minister of works is. The Mabira-Jinja Highway - the other day, I was traveling; I was with you. All the car tyres were cut. Can we work on just that small part? [Mr Kateshumbwa] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Okay. The industrial courts, LDC interventions that contribute to justice service delivery, court-related forensic analysis interventions, LC courts, DPP interventions that contribute to justice service delivery are more directly related to the administration of justice programme. Therefore, the committee recommends that all the interventions currently under the governance and security programme that relate to the enhancement of equitable access to justice for social economic development and the strengthening of justice service delivery systems should be transferred to the administration of justice programme. It is an issue of alignment of the 18 programmes, as highlighted above. Regionally balanced development The committee observes that although commendable progress has been registered in reducing poverty, regional disparities have, however, remained and increased vulnerabilities across regions. The chairman had mentioned it, so, I will not read it. The committee recommends that the Government prioritises the development and implementation of regional development plans, including comprehensive regional physical plans, to ensure balanced economic growth, equitable service delivery, and equitable resource distribution. I would have asked for an investment map, but the committee did not allow. Promotion of games and sports The committee observes that the National Development Plan (NDP) IV provides for several interventions for promoting games and sports but does not provide interventions relating to physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. In addition, the committee observes that the NDP IV high-impact projects focuses only on the establishment of four regional sports stadia and 14 district sports grounds in the traditional sub-regions of Uganda. These do include international and national stadia. Further, the committee observes that the desired high-level programme results by the year 2029- 2030 provide insufficient information in regard to niche sports rankings. This hinders the effective monitoring of the high-level program results. Therefore, the committee recommends two interventions. a. That the NDP IV is amended to incorporate interventions for physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. b. NDP IV high-impact projects should be amended to include three international stadia, Namboole, Hoima, and Akii- Bua, 10 KCCA artificial surface grounds (Rubaga, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Central Divisions) and 15 national stadia (Arua, Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, Tororo, Iganga, Jinja, Lugazi, Luwero, Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kasese and Fort Portal. Railway master plan The committee observed that the NDP IV mentions that in order to lower the cost of doing business, the focus will be on improving the transport infrastructure. However, the NDP IV is silent on the need to develop a railway

Madam Speaker, this statement on the Abduction of Dr Kiiza Besigye from Nairobi, Kenya, on 16 November 2024” is being presented in line with rules 25(l) and (m), 59 and 64 of our Rules of Procedure. Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye, the former President of the Forum for Democratic Change, four-time presidential candidate and now one of the promoters of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) was abducted from Nairobi, Kenya on November 16, 2024. He had travelled to Nairobi at the invitation of Martha Karua, leader of the National Alliance of Kenya (NAK) political party and former Kenyan Minister for Justice. Dr Besigye was scheduled to speak at the launch of Martha Karua’s book, “ Against the Tide.” He and Hajj Obed Lutale Kamulegeya, a senior PFF leader, were abducted from a Riverside Apartment in Westlands, where he was attending a brief meeting before proceeding to dinner for Hon. Karua’s book launch. He was then driven across borders by his captors. His passports, national identification card, wallet and other belongings remained at the Waridi Paradise Hotel, where he had been booked. Dr Besigye did not or was not made to undergo immigration protocols on the Kenyan or Ugandan immigration sides. The news of his missing started circulating three days after his abduction on Tuesday, 19 November 2024. He was then miraculously arraigned before a military disciplinary committee, commonly known as the “Court Martial”, on Wednesday, 20 November 2024. Charges of possession of two pistols - which we learnt that day is a monopoly of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) - were read to him and his co-accused. They are also charged with holding meetings in Switzerland, Greece, and Nairobi for purposes of undermining the security of Uganda. Madam Speaker, the abduction of Dr Besigye has been condemned widely by the United Nations, lawyers, human rights defenders, democracy-seeking organisations and individuals. Even the Uganda Human Rights Commission has condemned this abduction and demanded his immediate release. I call upon you, Madam Speaker and the House to join the world in condemning this heinous crime of abduction. Condemned because there are laws, both international and domestic, that govern extradition and deportation. In this case, the Ugandan, Kenyan and international laws were not followed. Only criminals can do this. You may not be concerned with Dr Besigye but be concerned with the state continuing to act criminally. I would like to emphasise that point. You may not be concerned with Dr Besigye but you should be concerned with the state continuing to act criminally. Madam Speaker, I raised the issue of the 36 PFF members that were abducted from Kisumu in this House. They were handcuffed and driven across borders in a similar manner. The three women who were part of this group were not allowed to ease themselves for 14 hours. When they were finally allowed, it was male soldiers who were pulling their knickers down and ordering them to urinate as they remained handcuffed. They were later charged with terrorism. Madam Speaker, we are concerned with the continuing human rights violations by the NRM government, including ministers walking into jails and making people confess to crimes they have not committed and then getting the NRM chairman to pardon them. All these things concern us, and they should concern every Member of Parliament. This Parliament should also demand an explanation from Kenya - even Hon. Chris was abducted, and I went to see him at Jinja Road. They had denied him simple things, including slippers - that giant you see there. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, this Parliament should also demand for an explanation from Kenya - you

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am the minister keeping these mon - keys on behalf of all of us, the Ugandans, but they are ours. Well, there are some Members who have raised the issue of monkeys disturbing them and we have assisted them. We have what we call vermin officers, at most of the local governments. If the problem is big, we will deploy wildlife officers for you to have these monkeys removed and relocated to some other areas. It is important for this House to note that these monkeys you talk about have been part of our society. They do not migrate from anywhere else. There is no monkey from Jinja to Kampala. The ones in Wakiso, probably before the forests were cut, were part of that ecosystem.

14907 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2024 Secondly, if you look at motorsports within the country – I have been participating in some of them – it is one of the biggest sports, which is able to mobilise local business tourism within an area, where they go, to a tune of almost Shs 6 billion. I have witnessed it in Masaka, Jinja and Iganga. The impact is enormous because people come in big numbers and they also mobilise other companies to come on board. From the side of the Ministry of Education and Sports, I would like to say that it is true that the budget was approved by this House. However, the challenge, which I am facing as the minister responsible for sports, is on the release of these funds. This is because, at the end of the day – I can state without fear of contradiction that for this quarter, I have been given Shs 2 billion to give to 51 federations. How do you expect me to operate? So, sometimes our hands are entirely tied. It is an area where it is not my problem, but the problem of – (Interjection) - not a bad government. (Laughter) It is the problem of the finance ministry not accepting to release money as per what is approved.

Honourable members, this is a very serious issue. I request the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to come with your team tomorrow at midday - tomorrow is Friday - we meet over this and sort it out, once and for all. We will also have a team from Lango and people from the Ministry of Education and Sports, and resolve this issue. Honourable members, in the public gallery, we have students and teachers from Jinja Central School in Jinja South Division, Jinja District. They are represented by Hon. Manjeri Kyebakutika and Hon. Dr Batuwa. You are welcome. (Applause) We also have students and teachers from Toroma Primary School in Katakwi. They are represented by Hon. Koluo and the Vice President, Her Excellency Jessica Alupo Rose Epel. You are most welcome. Hon. Koluo, do you want to greet your people?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on an urgent matter of national importance concerning the state of Kampala- Jinja Highway. This road is a major route for trade in the country -

However, it has been left in an appalling state with a lot of sections having with potholes. I am also concerned, Madam Speaker, that the maintenance works on sections of the road between Nakawa to Mukono have taken very many years. The works started around Bweyogerere, Mukono during COVID-19 in 2020, but up to today, the works are still going on. My prayers, Madam Speaker, are that: 1. The Minister of Works and Transport ensures that there is a quick response on the maintenance of the road, especially covering the potholes along the road; and 2. The minister updates the House on the maintenance plan for the Kampala-Jinja Highway and the status of the maintenance works on the road between Nakawa and Mukono.

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on the issue of the road, you could also tell us what happened to the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The matter was about the state of the Kampala-Jinja Highway. It is filled with a lot of potholes, and where they have tried to do maintenance between Nakawa and Mukono, the works have taken so many years. I do not know how long it takes to do that section of the road, Madam Speaker. My prayers are that the minister updates the House on the maintenance works between Nakawa and Mukono, and on the maintenance plan of the Kampala-Jinja Highway. May he also quickly respond by carrying out emergency works on the road by covering the potholes to allow a motorable state. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Still on that, you need to give us feedback on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway that was funded. We do not know how far it has gone. Hon. Denes, is it still on roads? I am only taking submissions on roads.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I start with an apology for coming a bit late. As you know, today the Committee on Physical Infrastructure was sitting and my senior colleague is out of the country. I am the one holding the fort. So, I had to go and explain a few things to the committee. I am happy that finally I am here. On the onset, we do acknowledge as a ministry that the state of roads across the country, especially very critical roads that link communities and link the country to other parts need urgent attention. And again, in that background, I think I can have the permission on behalf of my senior colleagues to reveal to this Parliament that my ministry has been directed by Cabinet to take a list of all those roads that have not been done and are mentioned in the manifesto of the His Excellency, the President. Initially, the thinking of the Government was that because we did not want to balloon the debt, we would have to go slow, particularly in bringing in new projects. However, on critical analysis, the Cabinet yesterday decided that on Monday we take a list of those roads - those friends and comrades who were recently privileged to sit in the meeting where His Excellency the President made a presentation. They will clearly remember the number of roads that actually the President mentioned and he repeated them yesterday, Therefore, he wants me to take those roads - they are not few, present to him and indicate the difficulties that have been encountered in implementing some of his directives and the directives of this Parliament. For example, if Parliament had said, “We have passed a Bill for Kampala-Jinja Expressway,” and it is true that a loan has been passed but there seems to have been a challenge in finding resources for compensating perhaps the people who are supposed to be affected by this project, we must indicate that. So that Cabinet will pronounce itself on Monday, and after I will come again to fill this Parliament in on what we have discussed and resolved and I can assure you comrades, the thinking that I saw yesterday is that Cabinet is going to make a decision and get resources that will fix these roads once and for all - (Interjections)- we are a Government, that is why we are here. I am also aware that again the directive that we were given yesterday was that when we are making this presentation, what has been lacking so much is money for maintenance. We have done close to 6000 kilometres now but we have not put enough resources for the maintenance of these roads. So, a directive was given that when we are coming to Cabinet we must also provide for that so that the Cabinet COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Ndeezi]

The playing grounds. Now, here we are - You have seen the Uganda Land Commission - the land title was there but it is missing. And those seated there; the accounting officers have kept a low profile by giving explanations up to the report of COSASE. Therefore, if we could achieve that and get an update – a number of schools in Kampala, Jinja and elsewhere, are going to lose land because the Uganda Land Commission has refused to issue land titles but whenever people come to take up that land, they give letters of no objection. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee as well but also, note that several things are sticking out. In this case, I would like to underscore the issue of the high runaway rate of maternal mortality at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. It sticks out because it is almost triple the national average. It is at 777 per 100,000 live births compared to 189. I am wondering what the rest of the facilities might be offering because the committee did not give us the opportunity to do a comparative analysis of maternal mortality rates. Mr Speaker, must this continue? I know this underscores the inefficiency. I think that is the mind of the committee to kind of link the outcomes at the end of the day to the inefficiency that is happening within the facilities. Also, they have underscored the mess in the referral system. I am wondering whether we are going to do anything at all about this. Seven hundred seventy-seven is a very bad case. I would like to move, Mr Speaker, that we pick out this particular aspect of the committee report and find out more. What might be at the root of this very bad figure at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital? Further, we shall find out if the situation might be any different in other regional referral

14460 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT In the PAC reports that we have just been considering, some of the deaths are occasioned -I should be particular - like in the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, most of the maternal deaths result from malnutrition, mothers not feeding well, while pregnant. And this impacts the foetus and finally, the child that is born. We have areas in Uganda - Mr Speaker, the recent reports still did indicate that Tooro, Karamoja, and Kigezi have the highest number of malnutrition and stunt cases in Uganda. It is not that these places do not have food, but what is lacking most is sensitisation, and awareness creation, whereby people do produce food, but they are not sensitised on how to use it. They are not told what to eat or how to eat it. Even post-harvest handling is not well handled. So, we feel there is a need for us, first, to look at having nutritionists in most of the districts. Members, for your information, out of the 176 local governments, only 25 have nutritionists or nutrition officers, and these are only placed in regional referral hospitals. But at the district level, we do not have any nutritionists. Therefore, people do produce - like we were in one of the districts in Tooro; Kamwenge, people produce a lot of food. But they eat – someone can decide to eat matooke from Monday to Sunday until the matooke is done. Then somebody again descends on cassava – this is because they lack information. So, we are saying that yes, we need to engage in nutrition to help our people know what to eat, in what quantities and at what time. Mr Speaker, finally, because you have given me only two minutes, the issue of us having traditional granaries, stores, and food reserves is very key. During seasons of plenty, people consume in abundance without forecasting future consumption. That is why some of our regions sell off whatever they have during harvest. Then after three or two months, they are running to the Government for a bailout and handouts. This is not sustainable. That is why we are appealing to be granted leave to process this Bill that will address some of these gaps. I thank you and I beg to move, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I just want to assure my honourable colleague who raised the matter from Jinja, Hon. Katalia Joy -

Yes, Hon. Katali Loy from Jinja. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, upon receiving the report from the disaster committee, will definitely provide the food and the iron sheets. The issue of seedlings, honourable colleagues, is in the docket of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. I will still take note and write to my colleague. However, I have to say this Mr Speaker. When we raise these issues in the House, it is not enough for me to take action. I take action on response based on a report from the disaster committee. So, please, get in touch with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to write this report and I will be able to follow up. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance, urging the Government for a speedy intervention in a calamity that is about to befall the education sector, especially in the Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools. Mr Speaker, you are aware that UPE caters for 85 per cent of the local population in Uganda, and there is a move to parallelise the whole process. How? We are having teachers, more especially in primary schools, who are registering for early retirement. It is affecting service delivery in most of the schools. As I speak now, in a school of seven classrooms, apparently, there are four teachers catering for all the classes. We are facing a challenge, not only in Butaleja, but countrywide. As a member of the forum for children, we moved to many districts – Butaleja, Jinja, Arua, Koboko and Kalangala – and they are all facing the same issues. How does this come about? The teachers, at one point, are forced to seek for contributions from the parents and we are all aware that the President came out very clearly on this matter, that there should not be any parent making any contribution towards UPE schools. We are all aware that the budget for primary schools is very small for any school to function. We are faced with a challenge on the ground, between the offices of the Resident District Commissioners (RDC) and the headteachers in school. As I speak now, in Butaleja, we have headteachers who have been arrested. All this is affecting the services, as I have said. It is leading to an unconducive environment for the schools. My prayers are; 1. Who is going to teach the children of the poor if the rate of early retirement is not deterred? 2. Secondly, is the –

14413 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 Mr Speaker, I will go to the performance of NTR in regional referral hospitals. The Government expected regional referral hospitals and other specialised institutions to collect a total of Shs 34.556 billion, as NTR, from the 22 referral hospitals as per the table below. However, there are 22 referral hospitals. We were expected to collect Shs 34.556 billion. However, only Shs 28.094 billion, which is 82 per cent, was collected, leaving a variance of Shs 5.962 billion. Out of the NTR collection of Shs 28.094 billion, Shs 26.972 billion was transferred to the Treasury, leaving a balance of Shs 1.122 billion not transferred to the Treasury. These funds are expected to be collected to support the Government of Uganda’s budget thus the collected amount are supposed to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund for appropriation by Parliament as prescribed under Section 30 of the Public Finance Management Act. So, they are entities that collected money and never transferred it to the Consolidated Fund to the tune of Shs 1.122 billion. I will not conclude in the report, but that is illegal. Absolutely illegal to collect money and you fail to transfer. On the table I have put down, Masaka Hospital had budgeted to collect Shs 472 million. It collected Shs 698 million, a variance that is the difference of Shs 226 million over and above what was budgeted. It transferred Shs 389 to the Treasury and remained with Shs 309 million, which was not transferred, contrary to the law. Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital - this is a bit confusing - had budgeted to collect Shs 1 billion but it collected Shs 681 million, which is a variance of Shs 319 million. It transferred Shs 679 million, which was lower than what it collected. Mbale Regional Referral Hospital budgeted to collect Shs 35 million. It collected it all and transferred it all. Naguru budgeted to collect Shs 36 million. It collected Shs 233 million and transferred Shs 232 million. Naguru Hospital - (Interjection)- is supposed to be Shs 360 million but not billions; it collected Shs 233 million with a variance of Shs 127 million and transferred Shs 232, which was less by only Shs 1 million. Jinja budgeted to collect Shs 886 million. It collected Shs 424 million with a variance of Shs 462 million and transferred all the money. Mubende planned to collect Shs 150 million. It collected Shs 151 million and transferred Shs 150 million. Fort Portal -

14414 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT hospitals is the charge being placed on basic medical services that could ideally be so critical in diagnosing diseases; the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), other equipment and the scanners. They now charge everything to be accessed. This increase in NTR is basically because basic accessible medical equipment in all hospitals, today, is charged and that is a key point. It is not a positive on that note. People should not cheer up that NTR is in hospitals where you are charged when you want an x-ray, MRI and whatever equipment; those who cannot afford it, know what happens. NTR transfers to the Treasury The Auditor-General noted that two entities, including Uganda Blood Transmission Services and Moroto Regional Referral, did not transfer their NTR to the Treasury. On the other hand, only six entities, including Mbale, Jinja, Gulu, Hoima, Kawempe, Soroti regional hospitals and the Uganda Cancer Institute transferred all their collected NTR to the Treasury. The committee observed that underperformance in NTR negatively affects the implementation of planned activities. The committee further noted that accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted NTR targets or budget for NTR at all contravened Instruction 4.10.2 of the Treasury Instructions, 207. Further, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide proper revenue targets to some regional referral hospitals. In other instances, low NTR targets were set ignoring other revenue sources like hospital private wings. Committee recommendation 1. NTR targets should be set in consultation with both the accounting officers and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to enable realistic NTR budgeting; 2. The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that all billed NTR is fully collected during the period in which it relates; 3. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests for NTR revision by entities; and 4. The accounting officers should consider all their NTR sources at NTR budgeting to avoid cases of NTR under collection. Performance of Government Warrants The Auditor-General reported that the Government had allocated a total budget of Shs 558.107 billion to 19 regional referral hospitals and five specialised health institutions, out of which Shs 584.681 billion was warranted, which is 98.31 per cent, implying a shortfall of Shs 9.426 billion, which is only two per cent. The detailed breakdown of this figure per hospital is under Table 2 of the main report. The committee noted that 16 entities received less than their budget. These include Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Mulago National Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda Heart Institute, Kiruddu, Butabika, Masaka, Entebbe, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Kabale, Mbarara, Gulu, Lira and Moroto Regional Referrals. The committee observed that revenue shortfalls inhibited the effective implementation of the entity’s planned activities and thus affecting service delivery. Revenue shortfalls further place spending pressures on entities, which promotes diversion and mischarge of funds. The committee recommends that the Government should always fully release funds as approved and in a timely manner to all referral hospitals. Utilisation of warrants Many accounting officers attributed their underutilisation of resources - where we put ACT - you go to the main report - to late releases of resources from the ministry for

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, there are very many accidents on the roads. Although we are talking about the two generals, it is important to point out that accidents on these roads have increased. On very many roads; Masaka Road, Jinja Road, Tororo Road, Busia Road, Entebbe Road – there is a spot on Entebbe Road, I think around Nkumba, that has claimed very many people; at the university stage. We have seen buses of students - even in town here. Last year, in July - I think it was the 13 th of July - this matter came in this very House and the Rt Hon. Speaker then convened a meeting between Minister of Works and Transport, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the LOP, I think there was Minister of Internal Affairs - Mr Speaker, I have a copy of the Hansard here. After that meeting, very many interventions were agreed upon in the immediate, medium, and long-term. Mr Speaker, some of these interventions were to do with: 1. Initiating pop-up messages by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance; 2. Replacing the missing road infrastructure; 3. Towing abandoned vehicles; 4. Immediate removal of roadside markets; 5. Compliance with the right-of-way and use of lead cars; [Mr Ruhunda] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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

Madam Speaker, like I indicated - and I am very happy that the honourable colleague who is a technical person and very professional was able to confirm that work is ongoing and that rules out what the chairperson of the committee was putting me on order for. The bridge is being worked on and two things will be happening at the same time. While we salvage the life of the old bridge, we are also working around the clock to get a new bridge which is properly aligned like the one we have done in Jinja so that after a few years, we can release this old bridge from the kind of work. We are working in that direction together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Hon. Loy Katali from Jinja.

Honourable colleagues we are debating and I want you to bring out all these questions because, in the end, this is a matter which must go to the Natural Resources Committee. When they bring these risks here, it is very difficult to scrutinise deeply. I know the minister can engage with the committee very well. They scrutinize, in detail, and then Members can appear before the committee, for those who have issues. Then we have this matter well concluded. I have picked mostly men; I want to pick ladies first. Therefore, I request all men to sit. I will start with ladies who have been here, not those who just entered. The ones who just entered know themselves. Honourable members for Kiboga, Kalangala, Dokolo, Gulu, you are very many. Honourable member for Mukono, because you have complained, honourable member for Mbale. This is time for ladies, you are men. Honourable members for Masindi, Buhweju, Sheema, Kumi, Napak, Bugiri, Fort Portal, Jinja, Abim, and Adjumani.

Member for Napak, Shema, Buhweju and Kumi then I pick Bugiri, Terego, Jinja and Fort Portal. For areas where you do not see your Woman Member of Parliament, you can declare yourself a woman and then I will see what to do. (Laughter)

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I thank you for giving us the opportunity, as women. As women Members of Parliament, we are limited to other functions, but not these important projects that affect our districts. I also thank you, minister and your entire team, because your ministry is always open. Whenever we want to approach you, you are very, very approachable. Honourable minister, electricity is one of the things that the voters look at. It is something that they consider as tangible. All these things that Members have been talking about are affecting us – and I know you are all politicians. For the poles that they were talking about – I do not know: who threw them there in 2016? Those poles are becoming a stumbling block in our politics. Mr Speaker, I want to thank you. You talked about the project that was going to be implemented without transformers. I was just talking about the transformer that has been replaced in my place. In Kigarama – Katanoga – people are demonstrating. A transformer of 100kV was removed. I do not know which team brought that one of 50kV; it is not functional. People are complaining. I want to come to your office because they have presented a petition to me, which I have not yet printed out. Mr Speaker, there is the issue of the TBEA project that abandoned certain sites. How are you going to reconcile with the ongoing projects that are happening in your ministry? Mr Speaker, there is also the issue of - you talked about WENRECO and Kilembe. I am interested in Kilembe because it supplies power to my constituency. That Kilembe power is always off – load-shedding is too much. People are losing their property, particularly those traders, who have machines for producing - the millers, the welders and others. They are really affected. They are asking us, actually, to ask you if you could change them from Kilembe to this other Jinja power – ( Member timed out. )

Honourable member for Terego and then honourable member for Jinja.

13938 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Over the weekend, other trucks came in with more poles. In Butembe County, the survey was done around March. It is my humble prayer that the contract is signed and they get to work. Regarding transformers, we have centres like Buweera in particular, where they cannot use maize mills. The transformers have low voltage. We talk about value addition, but if someone cannot add value to their maize, then it becomes a problem. My village is called Wairaka B in Kakira Town Council, but the rate at which transformers get spoilt is alarming. I do not know whether the transformers are faulty. When it comes to Government counterpart funding, it is an issue for all the loans that we come up with. I do not know what the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development thinks, but maybe we should reduce the loans and go somewhere we can fund this. As my sister from Bugiri asked, “Why wouldn’t Jinja, the host of the first dam be fully connected? Why shouldn’t Busoga be connected? I am not being selfish. I am only being realistic. When it comes to other areas, they have benefits. Electricity is what we can get from the Government as Busoga. Thank you.

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

Thank you so much. Hon. Kakembo talked about the new cities. That new cities were created and approved by the Tenth Parliament. There is need to operationalise these cities to enable us prepare for the forthcoming general elections and demarcation of constituencies. He asked, when will we operationalise Entebbe City? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the Government in April 2020, created 15 cities in Uganda to be operationalised in a phased manner. The 10 cities of Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Lira, and Soroti, took effect on 1 July 2020. These were to be followed by the five cities of; Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso, meant to be operationalised as follows: On 1 July 2022, it was supposed to be Entebbe City. 1 July 2023, it was supposed to be Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, and Wakiso cities. However, in August 2020, the law (The Local Governments Act Cap 138) was amended, and midterm operationalisation of administrative units and local governments abolished. The newly created administrative units and local governments can only take effect six months before the general elections, and this amendment affected the next phase of the five cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the technical studies and consultations with stakeholders in the five cities, to prepare them for the operationalisation of 1 July 2025, subject to the guidance by Cabinet. Question number 6 is still from Hon. Ojok, Member of Parliament, Omoro County. His prayer is; what is the status of Government intervention in realisation of transitional justice law, to address the question of war reparations in Acholi Subregion? My response is that on 17 June 2019, Cabinet under Minute 239 (CT-2019), (Cabinet Memorandum CT (2018)38), approved the National Transitional Justice Policy as follows: a) Noted the key aspects of the National Transitional Justice Policy. b) Approved the National Transitional Justice Policy. c) Approved the wide dissemination and publication of the National Transitional Justice Policy. d) Approved the fast-tracking of the legislation on the National Transitional Justice Policy. e) Directed the ministers of Internal Affairs and Justice and Constitutional Affairs, to provide a transitional period between the implementation of the National Transitional Justice Policy, and the enactment of the relevant laws on the transitional justice to give the Government ample time to identify the most sustainable source of funding for the undertaking. The National Transitional Justice Policy is an overreaching framework of the Government of Uganda designed to address peace, justice, accountability and reconciliation needs of post conflict Uganda. Mr Speaker, it is therefore, seeking to engage with all parts of the country that have been affected by civil strife, conflict, and not only the Acholi Subregion. Since the approval of the policy, it has been disseminated and efforts are being undertaken to present principles for a proposed Transitional Justice Law. It should be noted that the principles for the policy were withdrawn from the Cabinet in February 2023, to enable the responsible ministries to harmonise certain issues, including administrative arrangements for the law.

Mr Speaker, I will ask Hon. Fred to come after me but I thought I should give some information to the House about the Standard Gauge Railway. We reduced the number of stations for the Standard Gauge Railway from Tororo to Kampala to three from the original 30. Why? It is because we think 85 per cent of the Standard Gauge Railway will be carrying cargo. Of course, we shall have a few stations where we shall offload cargo; the industrial areas; in Jinja, towards Mukono and Kampala. As for the metre gauge railway, the minister for transport is here. Hon. Fred Byamukama come and assist.

When will operationalization of Entebbe City take effect? RESPONSE: Rt. Hon. Speaker and Honorable colleagues, Government in April 2O2O Created 15 Cities in Uganda to be operationalized in a phased manner. The 10 Cities of Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fortportal, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Lira and Soroti took effect on l"t July 2O2O. These were to be followed by 5 Cities of Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso meant to be to be operationalized as follows: l"t July 2O22-Entebbe City l"t July 2023- Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, Wakiso lities. However August 2O2O, the Law (The Local Governments Act Cap 138) was amended and midterm operationalisation of Administrative Units and Local Governments abolished. The Newly created Administrative Units and Local Governments can only take effect six months before the General elections. This amendment alfected the next phase of 5 Cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the Technical Studies and consultations with stakeholders in the 5 Cities to prepare them for operationalization on l"t July 2025, subject to the guidance by Cabinet. 11

s/N Hospltal Name Dlstrict 1 Abim General Hospital Abim 2 Adjumani General Hospital Adiumani 3 Amuria General Hospital Amuria 4 Apac General Hospital Apac 5 Bududa General Hospital Bududa 6 Bugiri General Hospital Bugiri 7 Kawolo General Hospital Buikure 8 Buliisa General Hospital Buliisa 9 Bundiburyo General Hospital Bundibugro 10. Masafu General Hospital Busia 11. Busolwe General Hospital Butaleja L2. Gombe General Hospital Butambala 13. Iganga General Hospital Iganga t4. Buwenge General Hospital Jinja Kaabong General Hospital Kaabong 6 15. Kaberamaido General Hospital Kaberamaido Kagadi General Hospital Kagadi Kamuli General Hospital Kamuli L9. Rukunyu General Hospital Kamwenge 20. Kambuga General Hospital Kanungu 2L. Kapchorwa General Hospital Kapchorwa 22. Bwera General Hospital Kasese 23. Katakuri General Hospital Katakuri 24. Kiboga General Hospital Kiboga 25. Kiryandongo General Hospital Kiryandongo 26. Kisoro General Hospital Kisoro 27. Kitgum General Hospital Kitgum 28. Koboko General Hospital Koboko 29. Kotido General Hospital Kotido 30. Atutur General Hospital Kumi 31. Kyegegura General Hospital Kyegegwa Annex la: List of Publtc General Hospitals in U nda 19 lz ,/ta.

Annex lb: List of Specidized National & Regional Referral Hos itals # Name Level Local Gorft 1 Arua Hospital Regional Referral RRH Arua City 2 Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital RRH Fort Portal City 3 Gulu Hospital Regional Referral RRH Gulu City 4 Hoima Hospital Regional Referral RRH Hoima City 5 Jinja Regional Hospital Referral RRH Jinja City 6 Kabale Hospital Regional Referral RRH Kabale District 7 Kawempe National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala 8 National Referral Mulago Hospital NRH Kampala 9 D Mulago SWN Hospital Specializ ed Hospital Kampala 10 Uganda Cancer Institute Specializ ed Hospital Kampala 11 Uganda Heart Institute Specializ ed Hospital Kampala t2 Kiruddu National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala 13 Butabika National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala l4 China Uganda Friendship (Naguru) Hospital NRH Kampala 2l

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I had also decided to keep quiet, after standing many times and not “catching the eye of the Speaker”. Mr Speaker, I was looking around and I could be the only person among those who were in Jinja in the last Parliament to approve the ACDP loan. Hon. Lee, last year – yes, and you, Mr Speaker; at least I have remembered – you were in Jinja to approve that loan. What was presented on paper to convince us to approve the loan is very different from what went on the ground. The minister said there are very many success stories, but we could have found only two in the whole country. The report was presented the same way this report has been presented. What happened to the other report? This is because all the sentiments that have been aired here – ours was even worse because we had even wanted to take some people to prison. The honourable minister knows – he can only hide – that one of the ministers influenced what happened a lot. He is aware. It is very disappointing that when we come here, we speak like angels – as one of the ministers said. Mr Speaker, after one week or one month, these sentiments will go away and another report will be produced in a similar way. It is very disappointing that people had good plans, but when the money arrived, the story changed and different people came. You will see them here. Some people were refusing to buy some of these machines from where they wanted them to buy them from. They said “we can buy from Katwe, which is better” and they said “no, these are instructions from somewhere”, which they do not know. It is very disappointing that we can come here and speak all the good words, promise everything but at the end of the day – that is why I was getting concerned -

Maybe for the record, honourable minister, for us, as Parliament, we expeditiously handled that loan. That is why we even had to go for a workshop in Jinja so that we could do it quickly.

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

For the record, it is Kampala–Jinja expressway.

I beg your pardon. I meant Kampala, not Karamoja. It is because I was seeing some colleagues here from Karamoja so I got to talk about our good colleagues. It is the Kampala-Jinja expressway to improve the connection between Kampala and Jinja cities. To date, Shs 0.1 per cent of the borrowed money has been utilised. Consequently, we lose 24,000 man-hours every day due to traffic jams. We borrowed money and Shs 0.1 per cent of that has been utilised. Let me skip some things since I am short of time. Let me talk about corruption, which is a malignant cancer that has got to be urgently dealt with very sternly. It is our considered view that there must be firm commitment to effective and efficient service delivery, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption. Our alternative budget priorities for the Financial Year 2024/2025 were anchored on the theme, “Fostering Resilient Communities by Combating Corruption and Promoting Efficient Service Delivery.” We were deliberate about this. Our alternative policy direction, and more so, the alternative budget, ably articulates our unwavering stance on corruption, which I would like to re-echo very briefly. Uganda established a comprehensive anti- corruption system to combat the pervasive issue of corruption within the country. However, there is a lack of commitment to this fight. The country continues to be ranked among the most corrupt in the world. This indicates underlying systemic issues that contribute to the persistence of corruption in our country. Every year, Transparency International Uganda disseminates results for the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). This CPI highlights

13588 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R She woke up in the middle of the night to get in touch with A-Plus Funeral Services, together with Captain Mike Mukula. They were able to pick the body from Iganga, have it treated, and brought to Mulago Hospital. Mr Speaker, we want to thank the Speaker and your office for that response. (Applause) Secondly, I would like to thank the Central Executive Committee and the President for being in touch throughout this terrible time and quickly deciding that at his level of a member of the Central Executive Committee, he should be accorded an official burial. I would like to correct the write-up of my brother, Hon. Ssewungu. Most of you know Tirinyi Road from that corner called Bukoona. Hon. Aleper was knocked at around 1.00 a.m. on a straight road. Before reaching where he was knocked, there are humps. He was coming from Mbale to Kampala, just 6.3 kilometres before joining the Iganga-Bugiri-Tororo Highway. In addition, it was not a head-on collision. Up to now, the front of the car – which is at Iganga Police – is intact. It seems to me – because if it had been a knock on the side and if it was a car in motion, it would have overturned. It seems to me that Hon. Aleper had foreseen a trailer coming and moved onto the side of the road. However, the oncoming trailer – we imagine it was a trailer because of the knock on his door. He was the one driving and the tyre marks are on the side of the door up to today. That trailer, or whatever it was, was very big because the tyre marks reached the window level of a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, and the side of the car bore blue and yellow paint marks. The car did not overturn. It knocked him on the side and he died on the spot. Hon. Ssewungu, please tell your Leader of the Opposition to correct this write-up. It is not true. We are mourning. It is now 72 hours later but we have not received a report on the whereabouts of the killer truck. We have been told that it is unknown and it seems to me that it is going to be like what happened to late Hon. Okabe. We want to hear from the Government how far the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the police and the CIID have gone with the investigations to apprehend the killer truck. In the circumstances, even at the entrance to Tirinyi Highway, there are cameras at that corner and along that road. How come, up to this moment, the people of Karamoja have not been told the whereabouts of the killer truck? Please, we need that statement from the Government. At the level of Hon. Aleper, a member of the Central Executive Committee, up to now, we do not even know whether there is a specialised unit of Police following up on this truck. We have not got any information - at least we, Members of the Parliament, the Chairman of Karamoja Parliamentary Group, and the family have not got any information about the killer truck. The longer it takes, the more it will give people room to start suspicious talk. Please quickly give us the report on this. Get information from the cameras – whichever camera is working – and give us the report. Mr Speaker, Karamoja has lost a voice. When Hon. Aleper joined campus in 1996, or even before that, in 1994 – Actually after finishing Moroto High School, he did not have anybody to pay his school fees. We would like to thank the people of Cornerstone Academy in Luwero; they are the ones who picked him. When he went there, he performed very well and joined Makerere University. When he finished Makerere University, he joined a cadet course. He was actually in Jinja as a cadet officer. At some point, he decided to come out and pursue active politics. He was not chased. Hon. Aleper was a counsellor who preferred dialogue. He would logically walk you through a matter, maybe because of his background of doing political science and philosophy. He always wanted to develop consensus. He did a lot in the region. When we were in this Parliament, he was the publicity secretary for the Karamoja Parliamentary Group while I was the secretary and Hon. Sam Lokeris was the chairperson. We did a lot here. [Mr] Achia

13620 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R Hon. Aleper, was very boring if you invited him for fun. And he would actually bore and irritate you if you did not want to answer questions. I am very sure those who used to be near Hon. Aleper know you would be answering questions all the time. He was always discussing matters of his area and matters of the country. He was so passionate about them that parties did not make a lot of difference to him, but it was the issues that made meaning to him. He lived a very honourable and committed short life of only 49 years; he was a very honest person, who detested corruption and dishonesty. In the National Resistance Movement CEC, Hon. Aleper was the tough pacesetter in all the CEC meetings. Like his friends have said, whenever there were any issues that others were timid to raise, they would want to raise them through the Hon. Simon Peter Aleper. He did not know how to backbite people because he always spoke very loudly. Very elegant, tall, handsome guy, very confident, and spoke what he felt like speaking, whether with the Chairman of the party, his constituents, or his friends. We will miss Hon. Simon Peter Aleper, a committed cadre of the National Resistance Movement and a great leader of this country. Mr Speaker, two things. Hon. Aleper, cannot hear us now, but his death has given us the opportunity to learn a lot from his experiences and his contribution to this country. I want to just make two quick responses to honourable colleagues who have also made submissions here in their tribute to the Hon. Aleper. One was from Hon. Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu; the “ musomesa .” Mr Speaker, we should not ignore one great point made by Hon. Ssewungu on the issue of beginning to restructure our roads. We have developed, our population has gone up and technology has improved. We need to redesign our roads like he said, to become dual carriage. For instance, Jinja Road is the only road joining the central to the eastern and other parts of the country, yet the same road remains a single-lane carriage since it was constructed. We now have vehicles that move at a speed of more than 200km per hour, but in those days we had vehicles that moved at a speed of maybe 80, and 100 was the maximum speed; we had the Peugeot and the Land Rovers of those days, but now we have vehicles, which move at rocket speed. Therefore, we need to plan for dual carriage roads that will lower the chances or risks of accidents on those roads, because they are not about to stop. In fact, on the same day and on the same road, I think there were about three road traffic accidents one of which led to the death of Hon. Aleper. Secondly, other colleagues made mention of labelling or marking the roads clearly. Mr Speaker, at night these roads are dark, and when you are confused with bright light, you cannot tell which side is the edge of the road, either right or left. Your reference point becomes the object that is approaching, whether it is a tractor, a motorcycle, or a truck. Many of these road accidents are caused because of this and I think it is a good idea. I may not agree with Hon. Ssewungu on many things, but I agree with him on this one; this is very important . (Laughter) It is true Hon. Ssewungu was a very good friend of Hon. Aleper because he was our big voice on this side; when he spoke and he was also contacted by Hon. Ssewungu on the other side, it squared up; it was a good debate and we have very fond memories of him. Thirdly is the issue of development and vision of Hon. Aleper regarding the transformation of Karamoja. Hon. Aleper had a very good vision and shared very great visions with the National Resistance Movement on the development and transformation of Karamoja. I do not want to believe Hon. Ssemujju in saying that Karamoja has been abandoned;

13460 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 v. Enhance the conservation of Uganda’s 22 wildlife-protected areas with a focus on mitigation of human wildlife conflicts. The Government is going to construct an additional 150 kilometres of electric fence and maintain the existing 106 kilometre fence, carry out boundary surveillance through more than 13,904 patrols, uproot invasive species and construct four water dams in the protected areas. Madam Speaker, apart from the Shs 287.6 billion that I have directly provided to the tourism sector, an additional Shs 1.629 trillion has been provided for several critical interventions associated with tourism, including support to Uganda Wildlife Authority, construction of tourism roads, road rehabilitation and upgrade under Kampala Capital City Authority, support to AFCON ’27 and the completion of key stadia, strengthening security, law and order in our tourism destinations and extension of internet to tourism destinations, among others. In particular, I have provided an additional Shs 55 billion to Uganda’s missions abroad to support Uganda Tourism Board to market Uganda to potential tourists, market our exports and attract more investors. Science, Technology and Innovation Madam Speaker, Government has earmarked Science, Technology and Innovation as a key catalyst for the qualitative leap to achieve ten- fold growth of our economy. This financial year, building on investments made in recent years, the following are the key achievements attained: a. Kira Motors Corporation (KMC) Government has supported Kira Motors to construct and equip a magnificent 2,500 vehicles per year manufacturing plant in Jinja Industrial Park. This facility has capabilities for bus and truck body manufacture, vehicle painting, power train manufacture, electrical, electronic key systems and trim integration, and production quality inspection and testing. The complex has so far manufactured 39 buses, of which 27 are electric and 12 are low emission diesel. The company has orders of more than 100 buses from Tanzania, South Africa, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Nigeria. This demonstrates the huge market potential for the vehicles. Kira Motors Corporation currently directly employs 168 people in engineering, production, marketing and sales, finance and administration. This number will increase to 600 once the plant in Jinja is fully operational. Madam Speaker, next financial year, the Government is going to support Kira Motors with Shs 32.5 billion to complete the plant and access working capital. b. Presidential initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) - Madam Speaker, Government has supported PIBID to establish a semi-automated plant in Bushenyi with a daily processing capacity of 14 metric tons of fresh matooke . (Interjections) This project has shown potential for import substitution by replacing wheat and providing gluten- free starch products. These have high global demand. The company has started fulfilling international orders, including from South Korea, the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Italy. The PIBID currently employs 150 staff and collaborates with 6,543 farmers. Next Financial Year, the Government has provided an additional Shs 50 billion to complete the capitalisation of the company to transition into a self-sustaining business. c. Pathogeny Economy Madam Speaker, the pathogen economy has made tremendous progress in developing vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other health care tools for our public health security and import substitution. The scientists at Makerere University developed the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic kit that has so far been used to conduct more than two million COVID-19 tests.

13464 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 iii) Maintenance of 13 aerodromes, including Arua, Gulu, Pakuba, Masindi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese and Kisoro. Madam Speaker, with regard to water transport, the following were accomplished during the financial we are talking about - we are winding up: i) Completed the construction of three strategic ferries, namely; Amuru-Rhino Camp Ferry and two ferries for Bukungu- Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) route on Lake Kyoga; ii) Completed the construction of the Maritime Training Institute in Namasagali, and commenced construction works for the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Mwanza; iii) Completed 46 per cent construction works for search and rescue centres at Kaazi and 25 per cent at Kaiso, Panyimur and Zengebe landing sites; and iv) Continued with the development of new Kampala Port at Bukasa. With regard to railway transport, the following were accomplished during this financial: i) Acquired a 161-kilometre corridor for the standard gauge railway between Tororo and Mayuge; ii) Twenty eight per cent completion of rehabilitation of Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway; and iii) Completed emergency refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Malaba-Kampala- Namanve Metre Gauge railway. Madam Speaker, during Financial Year 2024/2025, more focus will be put on maintenance of the roads we have built, building a few new strategic roads, accelerated rehabilitation of the metre gauge railway and commencement of construction of the Standard Gauge Railway. I have provided a total of Shs 4.989 trillion for that purpose. In particular, the following transport infrastructure will be undertaken: Roads and Bridges i. Tarmacking of an additional 306 kilometres of roads under the ongoing projects; ii. Completion of upgrading of 210 kilometres of the following roads: Muyembe- Nakapiripirit (92 kilometres) and 25 kilometres of service roads; Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions (21 kilometres); Tororo-Busia Road (26 kilometres) and Mayuge and Busia town roads (18 kilometres); Kawuku-Bwerenga Road (6.6 kilometres) and Namugonde- Bugiri Road (1.6 kilometres); selected town roads (7.5 kilometres), in Pallisa and Kumi (12.2 kilometres); and remedial works on Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna Road (65 kilometres); iii. Commencing the upgrading/construction of 643 kilometres of the following road projects: Kisoro-Lake Bunyonyi Road Kisoro-Mgahinga National Park Headquarters Road; Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road; Yumbe-Ure Road; Kitgum- Kidepo; Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu Road; Katine-Ochero Road and 2.9 km of town roads in Kaberamaido and Kalaki towns; Kyenjojo-(Kihura)-Bwizi- Rwamwanja-Kahunge and Mpara- Bwizi; Iganga-Buloopa-Kamuli; and Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu; and Jinja City roads; Kisubi-Nakawuka- Natete; Nakawuka-Kasanje-Mpigi; and Nakawuka-MawuguluNanziga-Maya- Kasanje-Buwaya roads; iv. Upgrading to bitumen standard (tarmac) 16.9 km of roads in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, and Gomba District; v. Completing the construction of 20.2 km of Kayunga-Nabuganyi Road; vi. Completing the construction of Kakiri- Masulita-Mawale Road (23 km);

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

13477 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2024 recommended by the NRM ever since 1995, will create so many jobs that will exceed the job levels of Uganda. Uganda does not have enough - Once we develop our full capacity, Uganda will not have enough workers. By the way, this one happened during the time of the British. When they introduced a few activities here like coffee, cotton and sugar growing, that is how Africans from Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan came here. That small money economy during the British time, created so many jobs that the internal people were not enough. That is why our brothers had to come from Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan to work here. Even now, if we all become wealth creators in the four sectors, there will be many jobs. I have given the example of Mr Nyakaana in Fort Portal, using one acre to employ 15 people. We calculated that if seven million people did that, we would create more jobs than the whole population of Uganda now. However, as of now, we already have 922,000 people employed in manufacturing. Show those factories again if you have them; show them on the screen. These are all new factories. In 1986, we had only 80 factories when we launched the Uganda Manufacturers Association, we now have more than 8,000 like those. These are already employing 922,000 people and something. The whole of the public service - army, police and civil service – has 480,000 people. So, the factories are now employing two times the number of people working in this public service. So, those saying, “Jobs, jobs, jobs”; the jobs are there, but you must be qualified for them by doing the right thing. All those are new jobs. You can see all of them are brand new factories; they are not old. These are the factories now, giving us 922,000 jobs. The services - the hotels, tourism, transport and banks - are now employing five million people. Show one of the factories; the one which was there now. Put it back; the one, which was showing - those are hotels. Go back to the one you had shown. It was a factory where workers were seated. No, there is another one, which is bigger. Anyway, they are all the same. You can see how many people – jobs are there. Look at that group now; all those young people. (Applause) “Jobs, jobs, jobs”; just talking. (Laughter) They do not listen and then they have their wonderful papers, like the wonderful - what do you call it? – Daily Monitor ; that Monitor group. Hovyo hawo, wajinga hawo . (Laughter) They are like enemies of Africa. The other day, I saw them when they tested Karuma power, 600 Megawatts. I think there was some blackout or something. So, they were celebrating in their paper, Daily Monitor , that “you see, the transmission network cannot handle the power” and I had heard that opinion. It is very interesting to see how the enemies of Africa link up. So, the logic of the Daily Monitor newspaper is like what I used to hear from some of the civil servants in the Government who are also on the side of the Daily Monitor . They were saying, “But if we have the power station at Karuma, how shall we evacuate the power?” If you cannot evacuate it, have the factories near there. They can all be around Karuma if you do not have to carry it far away. When the Owen Falls Dam was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1954, electricity was only in Jinja. That is why the original factories concentrated there. We did not have electricity in Mbarara; we did not have it in Kabale. We did not have it but it was enough that it was in one part of Uganda and all the factories congregated there. That is a step forward. If electricity is there but you cannot distribute it far away, let the people from nearby use it. That is not a problem; that is a step forward. It is not something to mourn about and demonise. Now, out of the five million employed in services, 40,000 of them are employed in ICT, then 66,000 are employed in mining and quarrying. This is just endozo . Endozo is a word

13390 THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 feed at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Kajjansi; establish and/or upgrade seed storage, threshing and drying facilities to ensure sustainable supply of quality seed under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries - Shs 134 billion. Transport infrastructure development The Government plans as follows: 1. Start construction of the SGR and continue implementing preparatory activities for SGR; that is update of feasibility studies for the western and eastern routes, and undertaking environment, social, economic impact assessments; acquisition of right of way for SGR (206 acres) of land are already acquired in seven districts. That is Tororo to Mayuge, among others – Shs 2.221 trillion; 2. Maintenance of 13 aerodromes; that is Arua, Gulu, Pakuba, Masindi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese and Kisoro – Shs 3 billion; 3. Construction and upgrade of national roads and bridges – Shs 1.27 trillion. Some of these include – (Interjections) - colleagues, this is on roads. The Government plans to spend Shs 1.27 trillion and I will mention some of the roads: a) Hoima-Wanseko Road – Shs 141.1 billion; b) Kampala Flyover – Shs 69.8 billion; c) Construction of 66 selected bridges – Shs 54.2 billion; d) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road – Shs 238 billion; e) Kisoro-Mgahinga National Park Headquarters Road – Shs 83.26 billion; f) Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko Road – Shs 180.6 billion; g) Upgrading of Kyenjojo-Kiruhura-Bwizi- Rwamwanja-Kahunge, Mpara-Bwizi – Shs 50 billion; and 4. Upgrading of Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli- Bukungu Road from gravel to paved standard – Shs 34.5 billion. Continuation of the rehabilitation of over 450 kilometres of national roads. Some of those roads include: a) Kampala-Jinja Highway – Shs 20 billion; b) Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima – Shs 25.05 billion; c) Mityana-Mubende Road and Mityana Town Roads inclusive – Shs 42.38 billion; d) Alwii-Nebbi road and upgrading of Pakwach and Nebbi Town Council roads in total – Shs 17 billion; e) Rehabilitation of Karuma-Pakwach Road – Shs 20.05 billion; and f) Reconstruction of Matugga-Semuto- Kapeeka Road – Shs 61.12 billion; 5. Rehabilitation of district, urban and community access roads will continue under the Ministry of Works and Transport. There is Shs 142.3 billion; and 6. Shs 1 billion to each district, city and municipality for road grading, murram and compacting. In total, Shs 176 billion has been allocated for this purpose; Colleagues, in the last financial year, they are roads that the Ministry of Works signed contracts for and work has started. Those ones are worth Shs 33 billion, but they are not yet completed and not even paid. There are those where contracts have been signed but work has not commenced. They are worth Shs 33 billion. There is a whole list in the annex. There are also roads where the contracts have been procured but have not been signed, worth about Shs 13 billion. In the last cash release, the Government gave this particular vote Shs 19 billion, whereas the total requirement is Shs 79 billion. So, the budget at base is Shs 26 billion. We must recommend Shs 34 billion to cover those roads. The list of those roads covers the whole country. 7. The following ferries development/ construction will be undertaken. The total for this ferry is Shs 11.8 billion. That is: a) Substantial completion of two Bukungu- Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) ferries and their landing sites; SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Achia]

As you wait for that report, I would like to take you back to transport infrastructure development. Could it be that you, by mistake, forgot the Kampala- Jinja Express Highway? I am very attentive, honourable members. The Kampala-Jinja Express Highway is different from Kampala-Jinja Highway. (Applause) Jinja Highway is the road that passes Mukono when you are going - where the minister says there is virtually no road. I am asking, could it be that it is in the annexes? Can I first get the response? In the process of reducing the jam.

Madam Speaker, what I have here is the Kampala-Jinja Highway. I do not have the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway.

Madam Speaker, Kampala-Jinja Express Highway is funded under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and is fully funded externally. The part of the Government was the acquisition of land, which was budgeted for, and 90 per cent of it, as

Ninety per cent of it has been provided for and completed for acquisition. So, there is no requirement for financing from the Government on the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway for the following financial year.

Madam Speaker, the Minister of Works and Transport has advised me that in the Financial Year 2024/2025, the works ministry does not require any funds for the implementation of the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway.

Madam Speaker, we have been here since 10.00 a.m. and we are purposed. The Ministry of Works and Transport is telling you that it does not need money for that purpose in the next financial year. Madam Speaker, the Hansard is here and we can be quoted on it when he comes back. I stepped out and spoke to the minister, he told me that he does not require funds for the Kampala-Jinja Expressway for the Financial Year 2024/2025.

I hope, Madam Speaker, that the Attorney-General did not go to court to defend it because they will win immediately and the matter gets resolved. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, because many of these initiatives on page 36 have been here, our proposal is that it is high time we stopped investing money in risky investments. I am using the word “risky” deliberately. I have put here, on page 36 – I do not have to go through everything. Look at the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development. So far, we have invested Shs 120 billion in this initiative. This initiative wanted Shs 67 billion but it had been allocated Shs 16.7 billion. Now, the corrigendum has given it another Shs 33.2 billion – this thing called a Presidential Initiative on Banana. (Laughter) There is a table showing how much money we have been investing in it. They have never exported – they were supposed to export powdered banana. They have never exported even half a kilogramme but they continue getting money. On page 37, we have investment in Kiira Motors Corporation. We have so far invested in Kiira Motors – let me begin. Kiira Motors was asking for Shs 160 billion, that they wanted to operationalise the Jinja plant. They were allocated Shs 32 billion and have a funding gap of Shs 137 billion. By April 2023, we had invested Shs 312 billion. They were supposed to have produced buses, but I do not know how many buses – I think, maybe, about 10. So, we have invested Shs 312 billion for these buses. Maybe they will come at the end of President Yoweri Museveni’s administration. We visited the plant in Jinja with the Committee on Budget. You need to take note that more than 80 per cent of the parts, in these buses, are imported from China and elsewhere. They said, by themselves, that the local raw material in these buses is 20 per cent, which is also doubtful. You are importing 80 per cent and then you tell the country that you are manufacturing vehicles! I do not have to – also, on page 36, we have Atiak Sugar. We have, so far, invested Shs 553 billion in Atiak. The factory is now under reconstruction. You see, that is how we spend taxpayers’ money. We tell you that, first, do things the right way, but you go ahead and invest and, after investing, the factory closes. They are restructuring – Shs 553 billion! In Lubowa – this wonderful hospital by an investor – we have invested, so far, Shs 476 billion but they cannot even allow you to go and see the bricks. (Laughter) If they are ferrying bricks, at least they should allow us to go and see the bricks and sand. However, even for that, they cannot allow you. Just the other day, we gave Mr Mathias Magoola - we have given Magoola Shs 723 billion. In this budget, the corrigenda brought this morning, there is Shs 75 billion for the Coffee Value Chain. This Coffee Value Chain was processed last financial year and the beneficiaries were read to the committee by Mr Odrek Rwabwogo. He told the committee that this initiative would need $100 million, and Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi warned this Parliament that the moment you begin giving, every supplementary and budget there will be money for this Rwabwogo group. They got Shs 35 billion last financial year; they have been added another Shs 75 billion. You all have followed their stories; quarrelling and some of the beneficiaries saying that this money was simply shared mainly by Mr Tugume in Ntungamo. Ntungamo was not known for growing coffee but this is where this wonderful investor is sharing money. I now go to the last part of this report. I said the bulk of these documents are annexes, you do not have to worry. Page 41 is specifically on public debt.

The list is there, Hon. Ssekikubo. When you go to the education and health sector, there is a list of money we have borrowed but it also remains unutilised. The list of the institutions that are supposed to benefit is there. Money is borrowed and not utilised. Reason, if you read the report of the Auditor-General, they first borrow, like they did with Kampala- Jinja Expressway, as the Speaker was noting. We have already borrowed money and they are looking for money to compensate for the passage. This is the NRM style of doing stuff. Go to other sectors, regional development on page 53, energy development and money borrowed for energy sector is not utilised; yet, they come here and bring more loans. When you go to page 55, natural resources, towards the end of the page, money borrowed not utilised; up to page 57. I am concluding now. Finally, domestic arrears are killing local businesses. The total, according to the Auditor- General, on page 58 - which is the last point I make - is Shs 10.8 trillion. However, Hon. Musasizi, my friend, has provided only Shs 200 billion. Hon. Musasizi is 42 years. It will take another 42 years to clear the domestic debt if we provide Shs 200 billion, yet the total amount outstanding is Shs 10.8 trillion. Honourable members, on page 59, you have colleagues who have signed this report. Since I knew there would be people who would be angry with this information, I have also provided annexes. You can look at the staff of the President, including those the Speaker told me to withdraw the word of the recently appointed RDC for Gomba. They are also on this list. The list is also provided in other booklets. I want to thank you, honourable members, for listening to me. I ask you to consider this information as you appropriate for next financial year. (Applause)

Thank you, honourable members. You have heard the report. We are yet to go for supply. However, before that, the Attorney-General was to give us information on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Ssemujju because the information he has provided here shows that under the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, 13 September 2021 was the date of borrowing. The total so far borrowed for this road is $229 million. So far, what has been utilised is 0.1 per cent. The information I wanted to give the House is that the money has been borrowed and I guess it is available. We only need to do our part as Government.

ait r [.' ,, .K .m- lir 2 I { ,&- .2 4l=# . '.t t. li ,',) .\ ,Lt Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 2,006,435 313 Mountains of the Moon Universi 12,339,276 Mulago National Referral Hospital 401 2,262,036 402 Butabika Hospital 14,973,335,870 Sub total -Central Votes ( Drcl. Referrals and Mlsslonsf Referral Hospltals 108,000 Arua Hospital 403 109,81 1 404 Fort Portal Hospital 108,0o0 405 Gulu Hospital 108,000 Hoima Hospital 406 tt6,276 407 Jinja Hospital 108,000 Kabale Hospital 408 108,000 409 Masaka Hospital 5,109,39s 4LO Mbale Hospital 108,000 Soroti Hospital 4tl 108,000 4t2 Lira Hospital I 108,000 Mbarara Regional Hospital 4t3 L42,LO2 4t4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 108,000 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital 216,OOO \ 416 Naguru Referral Hospital l,377,OOO \+rz Kiruddu Referral Hospital 810,000 Kawempe Referral Hospital 418 810,000 4t9 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 2,O4t,200 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 11,7o3,784 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Mlssions Abroad Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 2,90t,9r8 502 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 9,700,000 503 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 504 I , li , '.'; I i l, --l-l t ./' \1,. \: Ii \ ,,- H 4:-

Madam Speaker, I applaud the minister for the proposals and the committee for the report. Number one, for you as a serious expert on figures, to parade a proposal without a plan is like having somebody building a house without a house plan. It becomes difficult at the end because that house can easily collapse. I saw it in the 10 th Parliament when we were debating the issue of the Over-The-Top (OTT) tax; we told the Government that this could not succeed. Some people paraded their ideas, insisted and said we shall succeed. Where did it reach? It collapsed before it even reached Jinja. Today, we are talking about a very serious matter. I am not opposed to all the proposals because some of them are beautiful. For instance, if you are talking about exempting taxes on the transfer of shares, that is a beautiful one. So, not everything should be dumped, but I think the minister should be given time to go back, revise, and come back so that we pass what is proper. That is my opinion. Number two, like the minority -

Honourable members, just a minute. Honourable members, first sit. Hon. Ecweru, if you are not going to bring Jinja Expressway, we will do what you want us to do like – (Members rose_) Honourable members, this is not something crucial. [Mr Obua] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Madam Speaker; I will abide. The issue I am raising for your guidance is that we have a report of the Auditor-General. In that report, we have borrowed Shs 17 trillion in the last 10 years to construct roads. We have not consumed more than Shs 5 trillion and we are paying Shs 434 billion in commitment fees for money unutilised, including what Hon. Asuman Basalirwa was saying, on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. Reason? The Auditor-General is not kind to Parliament. You pass loans here without counterpart funding. As a result, that money stays there and we begin paying commitment fees. It is now

13156 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR FY 2023/2024 Shs 434 billion, including money that was given to you to do the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, which you have not done compensation. The procedural issue –

13162 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR FY 2023/2024 of interim certificates and completion of construction activities of the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre (Entebbe), Uganda Wildlife Research Institute (Kasese) and Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (Jinja). It should be noted that the World Bank has disbursed funds into the Designate Account for financing of the outstanding works. Therefore, the committee recommends approval of Shs 37.36 billion to Vote 008 - Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for the implementation of the outstanding Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project activities. Vote 010 - Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries: Shs 9.12 billion. This money is to cater for external financing for the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP) following the 100 per cent release of the project’s approved budget in quarter one by the World Bank. The funding is meant to facilitate project closure activities across the project districts, including evaluation studies, closeout meetings, infrastructure commissioning and documentation. The details, Madam Speaker, are in the table as outlined in the report, totalling to Shs 9,121,689,812. The committee recommends approval of Shs 9.12 billion to Vote 010 - Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, to cater for external financing for the Agriculture Cluster Development Project following the 100 per cent release of the project’s approved budget in quarter one by the World Bank Vote 012 - Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development: Shs 232.387 billion. It is broken down as follows: i) Shs 66 billion to be transferred from Vote 103 - Treasury Operations, to facilitate part payment of the outstanding compensation obligations under the Ranchers Restructuring Programme. These funds were provided under Supplementary Schedule 1 and approved under Vote 130 - Treasury Operations, for direct payment to the verified beneficiaries and bona fide owners of the ranches. It should be noted that the current, as of April 2024, outstanding compensation award is Shs 372.297 billion. ii) Shs 135.103 billion, which is external financing for clearing contractual obligations under the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP). It is required to finance the land component. This is required to facilitate the implementation of the land information system under Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The annexure is attached as “Annex 2” for the details of the activities. iii) Shs 31.284 billion is external financing for Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) to meet the contractual obligations. This supplementary is meant to clear contracts and avoid accruing arrears that could arise out of the project closure. The details are in Annex 3. Therefore, the committee recommends the following: 1. Approval of Shs 66 billion to facilitate part payment of the outstanding compensation obligations as per Annex 1 under the Ranches Restructuring Programme. 2. Approval of Shs 135.103 billion under the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project to meet the contractual obligations. 3. Approval of that Shs 31.284 billion for Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Project to meet the contractual obligations. Vote 018 - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development: Shs 3 billion. It is required to facilitate the commemoration of the Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations. Table 4 gives the details: i) Support to the Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, which is leading the celebrations in

13164 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR FY 2023/2024 as annexure 9 to the committee that no funds would be disbursed to the company until the evaluation process is completed and the Government’s stake in the company is formally established. In addition, the Attorney-General provided to the committee an affirmation that his office will take the lead in ensuring that the Government acquires the equity in the company, which is equivalent to the money expended to the company by the Government of Uganda and that at all times, due regard will be for the public interest. A copy of the letter of the Attorney-General is attached as annexure 10. Lastly, Madam Speaker, the committee received a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Uganda and DEI Biopharma Ltd concerning the acquisition by the Government of Uganda of equity in DEI Biopharma Ltd and a copy of the MOU is attached as an annexure 11. Therefore, the committee recommends as follows; Subject to the aforementioned undertakings and commitments by the Government, the committee recommends approval of Shs 578.4 billion to Vote 167 - Science, Technology and Innovation to support the strategic acquisition of equity under DEI Biopharma Ltd. Vote 406 - Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. Shs 115.657 million is Ugandan Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UGIFT) this is an unspent balance for the construction and equipping of the blood bank at the hospital, that was returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the last Financial Year. The committee recommends approval of Shs 115.657 million to vote 406 - Hoima Regional Referral Hospital for UGIFT programme to unspent balances for construction and equipping of the blood bank. Vote 407 - Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. Shs 30.785 million is external financing under Government-to-Government financing from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to cater for the procurement of ICT equipment. The committee recommends approval of Shs 30.785 million to Vote 407 - Jinja Referral Hospital for external financing under the Government to Government financing from USAID to cater for the procurement of ICT equipment. Vote 421 - Kayunga Referral Hospital. Shs 579.5 million is an unspent balance to support the hospital during the transitional period from a general hospital to a regional referral hospital that was returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2022/2023. The committee recommends approval of Shs 579.5 million to Vote 421 - Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital for unspent balances to support the hospital during the transition period from a general hospital to a regional referral hospital that was returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2022/2023. Vote 537 - Uganda Mission in Havana, Cuba. Shs 380 million is unspent balances from the Financial Year 2022/2023 to furnish and equip the official residence of the ambassador. The embassy was not allocated a development budget for 2023/2024. The committee recommends approval of Shs 380 million to vote 537 - Uganda Mission in Havana, Cuba, for unspent balances from Financial Year 2022/2023 to furnish and equip the official residence of the ambassador. Vote 600 - Local Governments. Shs 43.060 billion is being provided to cater for the following; i) Shs 40.445 billion is external financing for Uganda’s Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development(USMID), to be utilised by local governments to meet their outstanding contractual obligations related to urban road construction projects funded by the World Bank. Madam Speaker, the details are in Annex 4 attached. ii) Shs 2.615 billion is additional UGIFT unspent balances that were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the

13104 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The total requirement for the requisite road equipment units for this purpose is $70 million, which we hope can be funded through debt financing using the same scheme under which we got the 1,115 units in 2017. My ministry is in the process of procuring road construction equipment for the new districts, as I have said, but we need another Shs 29 billion for the vibro rollers, tippers and water bowsers. These were not included in the tranche which you gave us last time. We shall continue engaging through both the Budget Committee, Committee on Physical Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to avail Shs 29 billion so that we can complete the purchase. Zonal equipment centres Madam Speaker, the zonal equipment centres are currently housed within the premises of the regional mechanical workshops. The ministry had planned to create nine zonal centres in Moroto, Mbale, Jinja, Gulu, Arua, Luweero, Hoima, Mbarara, and Kabale at an estimated cost of Shs 45 billion. We shall continue engaging the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on this endeavour. The zonal equipment centres operate shared road equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, backhoe loaders, self-loaders and low beds. While the shared equipment is insufficient to cater for the requirements of the entire country, its availability has been greatly reduced due to insufficient maintenance funding. That is a requirement for additional money. Mechanical Engineering Training and Advisory Centre (METRAC) Madam Speaker, since 2017 when the ministry acquired the new equipment, the ministry has implemented several regional training sessions for district operators. While this training format was not sustainable, it was the only option given the circumstances. In 20l8, the Government of Japan, through the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), gave a grant of $2.3 million to the Government of Uganda for the construction of the Mechanical Engineering Training and Advisory Centre in Luwero. Phase I of the project, comprising a gatehouse, classroom block, maintenance block, and administration block, have been completed and the project has been handed over. It is just a few kilometres from Luweero town. Here, we shall train and retrain operators so that we have - because the machine performance will be as good as the man behind the operation. If we have a bad operator – and, in most cases, what we have seen is that people have drivers, not operators. In this centre, we are going to train operators and we are working with the Ministry of Education and Sports so that they can also be tested under the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) and given certificates of equivalent so that they can be able to be employed outside. Madam Speaker, phase 2 of METRAC requires Shs 9.8 billion, which began this financial year. So far, the Government has availed Shs 1 billion for the construction of a few of the amenities. Mt Elgon Labour-Based Training Centre Madam Speaker, Mt Elgon Labour-based Training Centre (MELTC) is a national training centre under the Ministry of Works and Transport for applying labour-based technology (LBT) in the rehabilitation and maintenance of national, district, urban and community access roads. The training centre is located 20km from Mbale City, along the Mbale-Budadiri Road and adjacent to Uganda Technical College, Elgon. Madam Speaker, MELTC provides training and capacity building in developing, maintaining, and utilising critical road infrastructure assets in the District, Urban, and Community Access Road (DUCAR). Its contribution to the DUCAR network includes:

Additionally, Madam Speaker, you directed me to bring to the House and lay on the Table the progress report on Kampala-Jinja Expressway. I beg to lay that on Table, and for it to be uploaded on the iPad.

The Kampala-Jinja Expressway. I beg to lay.

General, just give us a brief of it. After that, you also give us a brief on the other place, where we agreed there is no road. Just from Kampala here – Banda to Jinja

For purposes of today, let me just give you the timelines for the implementation. What we need to complete is the payments which have been approved for the Project Affected Persons (PAPs). Right now, we need a total of Shs 236.7 billion. This has been approved by the Chief Government Valuer. We need that money to finalise the payment of the PAPs. The targeted dates for acquisition of the right of way are as shown below: (i) Section 1, southern bypass. We think by the end of December 2024; we shall have completed acquisition of that section; (ii) Section 2, Kampala-Namagunga. Again by December 2024, we should have completed; (iii) Section 3, Namagunga-Jinja. We expect to complete acquiring the right of way by December 2025. Construction will commence only after the entire right of way has been acquired, following the financial closure, when the developer will obtain approvals for funds from the lending banks. Madam Speaker, this is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project. It is going to be done by the bidder or the contractor who will qualify, do the construction, do the tolling for the number of years which would be agreed upon with the Government and then hand the project over to Government when he recoups his money. This, we think, is another way in which we shall be able to develop expressways without necessarily feeling the pain in the pockets of the Government, other than doing the land acquisition. Indicative project timelines The major milestone is issuance of the final request for a proposal document which is hinged on the finalisation of the Government liquidity support for the project. This will require engagement with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. However, these are the timelines we have put out and which we have put to the finance ministry.

Madam Speaker, you asked me to answer the issue of the bad or no road, especially the section from Kampala to Mukono. It is more or less movable. The traffic is too much, I know, but we are – (Interjection) - Kyambogo is going to be addressed when we are doing the Kampala- Jinja Expressway (KJE). That is why we are not putting a lot of effort there, because the KJE starts from down here at Shoprite, through Spear, and then all those sections will be addressed during that construction. The bad section now on the Kampala to Jinja road is mainly between Mabira and around Njeru, near Nile Breweries. That is a nightmare. Madam Speaker, you have said it rightly. If we do not get money to pay these contractors who are on these roads, we do not expect them to perform miracles. Shs 1 trillion in debt –

Honourable members, can we have some silence? Honourable minister, before you bring your report, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of all the LC III chairpersons of the Busoga subregion, from the districts of Bugweri, Bugiri, Luuka, Buyende, Iganga, Namayingo, Mayuge, Namutumba, Jinja, Kamuli and Kaliro. They are represented by the Members of Parliament from Busoga, headed by the Chairperson of Busoga Parliamentary Group. All the Basoga, stand up and we see you. (Applause) Join me in welcoming them to the Parliament of Uganda. (Applause) This is your Parliament. They are here for a two-day training on capacity building for local leaders and the role of Members of Parliament. By the time the councillors go back, they will have known the role of a Member of Parliament – not buying an ambulance, doing burials – (Laughter )- you are most welcome. Thank you so much for coming. (Mr Muzaale rose_) There is a procedural matter from the Member for Buzaaya.

- to undertake major national road projects such as tolled expressways and managing toll operations, dualling of major road corridors, flyovers, and long span bridges such as the Nile Bridge, on top of the need for efficient operation and maintenance of the network. These undertakings all require more specialist skills and efficient management than what UNRA has currently and should rather be enhanced instead of being mainstreamed. The relevance of UNRA is expected to be more pertinent moving forward when more of these planned complex projects under public-private partnerships, toll roads such as the Kampala- Mpigi, Kampala-Jinja, Kampala-Southern Bypass, Kampala-Bombo Expressway, output performance-based contracts and long-span cable-stayed bridges are to be implemented. The committee further observed that a number of projects under UNRA are financed by loans whose agreements between the Government and the creditors specify that UNRA is an implementing agency. A change in the implementing agency will require a renegotiation whose outcome and duration is unpredictable. The committee is therefore, concerned that the Government is likely to suffer a setback of delayed project implementation and completion of such important and strategic road infrastructure because of shocks that come with the rationalisation process. Further, aware of the challenges that may currently be existing at UNRA, such as a bloated structure-

-inadequate stakeholder management, as well as other governance challenges, the committee notes that UNRA has served the purpose of its creation and it is still relevant given the importance attached to the development of the national road network. 5.3. Burden of wasteful expenditure Objective 2, clause 2(a) of the UNRA Act (Repeal) Bill, 2024 is to the effect that the mainstreaming and rationalisation of UNRA is aimed at relieving the Government of finance drain on its resources and the burden of wasteful expenditure. The committee noted that, much as UNRA is not entirely a revenue-generating entity, it is currently collecting toll revenue of Shs 3.7 billion per month from the Kampala- Entebbe Expressway, which is deposited into the consolidated fund after operational and maintenance costs have been catered for. The committee noted that in 2022 and 2023, UNRA collected a total of Shs 75 billion. This revenue is projected to increase upon completion of Busega-Mpigi and Kampala- Jinja Expressway, among others.

Madam Speaker, before the trade’s minister comes in, the information I want to give is that the strike of the traders is now beyond Kampala. It has taken a trend. Shops are closed in several districts and cities in Uganda specifically Jinja, Iganga and that whole region where I come from. Madam Speaker, it is true that the shops are closed, so when the honourable minister is responding, he should tell us how fast this matter can be sorted because it is now affecting the whole country. Revenue collections, of course, are totally down. Therefore, honourable minister, when you come, please give us the timelines so that we are sure this is going to be sorted.

I have said go and visit the road. That is one. Honourable Minister of Works and Transport in charge of roads, for the Kampala-Jinja Highway, we agreed that we do not have a road. At least, patch the potholes because you cannot tell whether there is a pothole or not. It is in a terrible state. Give us an assurance on that road.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I remember when we were here discussing the stages of our post COVID-19 readiness. We talked about the issue of utilities. There was unstable supply of power and water and I would like to ask honourable colleagues why would the major installations in this country be subject to paying those tariffs? Just like other countries amended it, for example, military garrisons, hospitals and prison services. Do you understand what I am saying? This should be used as a trade-off for rebate. I look at a situation where a police patrol would charge National Water and Sewerage Corporation to safeguard its installation or to do a rapid response. Why? Recently, Madam Speaker, you intervened. Naguru and Jinja Road Police Barracks did not have water and power. This is appalling. We can sit and create what we call a trade-off for the most desirable installations of society and the Government can do a trade-off so that we are not in the same conundrum –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the chairperson and the committee for the report. My concern is about the oxygen cylinders in the hospitals. While you budget for fuel for ambulances, I request that you also budget for fuel to transport oxygen from the plant in Namanve. In Kawolo General Hospital, we have many cylinders that are empty, yet many health centres around depend on it, as a referral hospital. Many victims of accidents along Jinja Road are referred to Kawolo General Hospital. When you get here, there is no oxygen –

Madam Speaker, when you go on, you will see how we are proposing to reallocate Shs 176 billion, which was proposed under local government for maintenance of roads to the Uganda Road Fund. Passenger train services The committee observed that Uganda Railways Corporation currently offers passenger services on only one route, Namanve-Kampala, and operates only twice a day. The committee notes that the alternative mode of transport has the potential to offer traffic decongestion along Kampala-Jinja Road if it is operated more trips to optimise and utilise the railway line. The committee recommends as follows: a. Uganda Railways Corporation increases the number of trips on the Namanve- Kampala route, given the potential it has to reduce on the motor traffic along the same route; b. Considers increasing the number of passenger wagons to increase and accommodate more numbers on each route; and c. Considers market segmentation for their clients and acquires exhaustive wagons to attract more passengers to utilise their rail mode of transport. In conclusion, the committee adequately considered the Ministerial Policy Statement of the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Service Programme (ITIS) and the Sustainable Urbanisation and Housing (SUH) Programme and recommends that the report

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I take the opportunity to thank the chairperson of the committee for the report. I will go straight to the issue concerning the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. Madam Speaker –

Hon. Kasolo, you start with Kampala-Jinja Road.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As you have guided, it is true. For us who use that section of the road, have a very big problem. Right from Jinja to Kampala, indeed, we do not have a road. We struggle to reach Kampala. It is risky. At some point, one may not tell who is coming from which side. (Laughter) That is the current state of the road that we are using – that is around Breweries Limited. Coming to the issue that I wanted to raise, Madam Speaker, the Kampala-Jinja Express is a project that is known, and which the

Hon. Kasolo, the loan for Kampala-Jinja Expressway was approved in 2020. Those are the loans Hon. Gorreth is talking about.

Exactly. We want the minister to assure us about how serious they are with the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. We needed it yesterday, but up now it seems there is no commitment from the Government. That puts us in a clear dilemma. We want the minister to pronounce himself that they are serious. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I would like to thank the chairperson and members for a detailed report. Just one issue concerning the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. I know Hon. Kasolo has talked about it. Just a matter of emphasis, this is the economic road of this nation. It brings in 80 per cent of business in this country. This road is in a bad state and we all know that. It is my prayer, if possible, that the Government try to leave other roads and work on this road that is bringing in business in this nation. We do not want to reach a situation where we shall go on the streets to demonstrate. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. We all know that the resource envelope is small. However, in this country, there are so many roads that are under the presidential pledges. I have a road that His Excellency pledged a long time ago. It has been appearing under unfunded priorities. Madam Speaker, as you said, we need to first look at the priorities, the Kampala-Jinja Road, and for us – (Member timed out.)

Everybody knows that Buhweju is a very bad area and honourable minister, you have to make sure it is worked on because that issue has come up again and again. Hon. Fred, are you hearing? What have I said? (Laughter) The issue of Buhweju, you must take it as a priority. Was it the Prime Minister who went there and got stuck? So, you must make sure that it is considered. I know we do not have money, but there are some things we can do - like Hon. Kasolo said, there is no road on Jinja Road! No road at all! You cannot even tell where there is a pothole, that is the road, which takes you up – it is an economic road. Leave alone economic, it is also international. Yes, Hon. Twinobusingye.

Madam Speaker, you have nailed it on the head. I know Bwebajja is a very ambitious plan that may take a bit of time or even when Jesus comes back. Anyhow, the advice would be to go by your counsel, Madam Speaker. Finally, on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, that road is the highway to the nearest seaport. The time wasted in traffic jam was calculated and the findings were such that most people would not want to operate business on the Kampala- Jinja Highway from Mombasa because it takes long - and that calculation also concluded that as a country, we lose about Shs 500 million per hour in traffic congestion. The allocation to have this loan - by the way, although it is accumulating commitment fees - works should have even commenced yesterday

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thought I should provide some information relating to Bwebajja since he mentioned it. A decision has been made to actually go ahead with Bwebajja in about four phases. So, it may not take as long as we are saying. Right now, we are involved in negotiations with the National Social Security Fund to actually lend to the Government for the construction of this project. The fact of the matter is that this is a budget- neutral intervention, in the sense that we are currently paying a lot of money through renting properties for various Government agencies. The money to repay NSSF is already embedded within the budget in phases. It is now a question of finalising the discussions and we move. Madam Speaker, if you would allow me, I also thought that I should make comments on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. This is a Public- Private Partnership involving public investment alongside private investment. Where we are today, we have acquired resources involving the African Development Bank, which is providing US$ 229.5 million. This is being negotiated and we are at the final stages. The French Development Agency is providing 90 million euros and we are also getting a grant from the European Union of US$ 90 million. The private players are expected to provide US$ 800 million. The challenge has been that the private players demand for a partial risk guarantee, which the Government is securing because they are not so convinced that by tolling, they will recover the money. So, they have asked for a partial risk guarantee for which we are negotiating with the African Development Bank. They have agreed in principle to provide for us that guarantee, so we are finalising this. In short, the Government is very committed to this project and we are doing everything possible to have the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. It is one of those critical priorities under the Government. If you would allow me also to comment about the poor performance of externally funded projects, which Hon. Namugga talked about. We recognise that there has been a very serious problem in this area. Indeed, the Cabinet tasked the Ministry of Finance and Office of the Prime Minister to deeply examine this problem. We examined every project that is externally funded and found that there are major challenges relating to things that we have not been doing well. Particularly when it comes to loan acquisition, in some projects, you find that we acquire a loan before we complete the feasibility studies and acquire right-of-way, and when we get the money, the right-of- way may not be there, and maybe counterpart funding is not available. So, we go through all these problems of preparing the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. By the time you complete them, you have lost about two to four years of the project. We are now fixing these problems. The Cabinet decided to form a committee that is going to be closely monitoring project by project, right from the stage of loan acquisition, to ensure that we provide for feasibility studies to be done prior. In fact, we have allocated some money to the National Planning Authority, which has created a unit that is going to be dealing with feasibility studies of various Government projects, to try and arrest this problem.

12673 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 pieces of equipment without the dump trucks, the vibro roller and the water bowser, yet they are going to use the Government’s money to work on those roads – they just grade and leave the roads there. We shall provide the 16 districts with this equipment, that is, on the 10 th of May, as per the arrangements with the local governments. We have decided to give them our people to drive the equipment as we train them for the period of six months. Once this money is available next financial year, we shall be able to add the missing equipment. Madam Speaker, I am also happy with the recommendation by the committee that it is high time we embarked on rail transport, not only for cargo but also for passenger services. The chairperson mentioned the Kampala-Namanve rail service. We have noted your guidance on how we should increase the number of trips we make. Leaving that, I would like to inform the entire House that we have also thought it wise that as part of decongesting Kampala, as we wait for the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, we are going to provide the passenger services on Kampala- Kyengera-Bujuko route, in addition to the Kampala-Namanve as well as the Kampala- Port Bell routes. In the long run, as we wait for the standard gauge railway (SGR) project and the rehabilitation of the metre gauge railway, we shall be there. Madam Speaker, on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, it is true and we also feel concerned that time is going by. However, the preliminary designs were made and we got three contractors; two European companies and one Chinese company. I agree with the honourable colleague who said the money provided is little; it can only compensate for about 40 hectares, as he mentioned it. Out of the 97 kilometres required for the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, we have so far acquired 45 kilometres and one would ask a question: Why don’t you start with the 45 kilometres you have already acquired? These contractors – you know, this is a public-private partnership – are to provide 60 per cent of the funds required for this project, which is about $1.2 billion. They are still engaging the finance ministry because there is something that is not clear to them. The finance minister is here and I hope he knows about it. It is high time we worked on this project because as the Speaker has mentioned, this is an international road. We get a lot of goods from other countries. For example, of all the fuel that comes into this country, the highest percentage passes on that road because we get our fuel from Kisumu. All those fuel tanks are on that road. With this project, it will ease the time in which fuel arrives in Kampala. Finance minister, we need to fast-track what those contractors need, so that the project can move on. On the Lusalira-Nkonge Road, we have a contractor – that is, Technovia – to work on it. The finance ministry is completing the financing agreements such that the work on this road can kick off –(Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Honourable minister, talking of the roads that are already in the pipeline for construction, I am aware we have been in contact with you concerning the road that passes Puranga, Pajule and Acholibur. The concern and the gap that was there was about the money. As you are requesting the minister for finance to clarify that of Jinja, I also request that you give us clarification on that which is for the Pajule-Puranga-Acholibur Road. This is because while we are told the contractor is already there, there is still a gap in funding. So, where have we reached and when are we going to see this project kicking off? Thank you.

Okay, start with the Kampala-Jinja-Malaba-Busia Highway.

12698 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS balance between the two to ensure that our debt to GDP remains sustainable. That has been the challenge. The PPP would be a viable option if we had a strong private sector. However, we have the PPP Act that presents very complicated conditions for securing a Public Private Partnership (PPP). We have been trying but success has been limited in terms of securing PPP contracts. When I was presenting this, this afternoon, I talked about the Jinja Expressway and the challenge we are facing is securing a private party into that arrangement. They are insisting that we provide partial risk guarantees. To secure a guarantee again requires the Government to incur a cost. They have also insisted that we should contribute to the project. We are looking for money but the private party is saying that we raise at least $400 million and on top of that, we guarantee their contribution. Therefore, it is also an avenue that we have an operational unit within the ministry but success in that arrangement has been limited. The other comment was about the inconsistencies in figures between the ministerial policy statement estimates as we laid them here and the Appropriation Bill numbers. I need to verify these but otherwise, the figures have to be the same assuming -

12701 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 As regards the Kampala-Jinja Expressway that you talked about, the door is still open. There are very many people that are still interested in that project, without giving such conditions.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the chairperson of the Committee on Presidential Affairs for the thorough report. Ever since Kaliro became a district all RDCs do not sleep in the district; they reside in Jinja or Iganga. When problems come, these people who are representing the image of the President are not in the district. That is why I thank, the committee, for talking about establishing residence. One day, Kaliro people wanted to demonstrate and chase them away. They asked them, “does the President sleep in Kenya to lead Uganda? Why can’t you sleep in our district?” They end up-

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I would like to thank the committee chairperson and the members for the detailed report. The chairperson of the committee noted that there are two Acts, the Accreditation Services Act, 2021 and the Sugar Act, 2020. They are wondering because they are neither part of the rationalization process nor the ministerial policy statement. As they asked, I would like to find out from the minister on when they intend to operationalise these or where they belong. Mr Speaker, Hon. Amero talked about the infrastructure in this country leading to the tourist centres. Everyone knows that Jinja is one of the serious tourist sites in this nation, but the road is a mess. These days, if you leave Kampala at 5.00 p.m., you will reach Jinja at midnight. If you leave Jinja at 9.00 p.m., you will reach Kampala at 5.00 a.m. That is the situation. On adverts, I know we need to run lots of adverts to tell the world that Uganda has good tourist sites. A few weeks ago, the Private Sector Foundation had the Women’s Day Katale in Jinja. I was privileged to meet one of the exhibitors, which was an advertising company. This company has everything you need to know about Uganda in audio and video. When I asked them why they do not work together with Uganda Airlines and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, they said, they were not interested. Maybe the minister should start with that. We could contact the

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I also would like to thank the chair - person and the committee for the report, and the Members for their contribution and sup - port. Indeed, I do not think that Sir Winston Churchill, in his book of 1908, My African Journey , didn’t refer to Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa” for nothing and I see it when you speak about her tourism potential. Mr Speaker, I agree with you: there should be a distinction between tourism and trade so that they are handled separately. I would like to respond to the issues raised in the report, the first having to do with the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, which is a training institute in Jinja, where issues were raised by the committee about how the school was spending money at source. I remember the Principal then tabled a letter – I think it is referred to in the report - to him from the PS/ST, allowing him to spend, but the most important issue is what happens - UHTTI is a training institute. It is an application hotel,

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the committee chairperson for their good report. I will start with the issue to do with SAGE. I do not know whether we are sentencing older persons. This is because, if you look at the budget that was given last year – or in the running year – vis- à-vis what is being provided, we feel that the finance ministry is living on planet Mars, not Earth. Mr Speaker, last weekend I was visited by a mzee who was moving on crutches, crying and saying: “Kindly, go and tell President Museveni that he promised us money for older persons, but I am going to die without getting this money.” The number of eligible people are growing because the life expectancy of Ugandans has improved. Now we, who are in charge of allocating resources, are cutting what should be due to them. I appeal to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to be sensitive and sympathetic to these older persons because this is where we are all headed. This programme of SEGOP, which is looking at people between 61 and 75 years, is a grant. Whereas they have been having Shs 5 billion, now, they have removed Shs 4 billion and there is a provision of Shs 1 billion only. What are we telling these older persons? Mr Speaker, when I heard my colleague talking about removing the Shs 5 billion, again, from children – my sister from Lyantonde is just being sensitive. Last year, the issue to do with the children was given Shs 20 million. The Ministry of Youth and children was given only Shs 20 million to remove children from the streets in the entire country, not Kampala alone. Now, we are proposing for them to get at least Shs 5 billion to be able to remove children from Mbale, Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu and everywhere.

12543 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 APRIL 2024 Where there are internal capacity challenges, the National Planning Authority should undertake the studies. On budgeting for Anti-Money Laundering, and Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) We recommend that the Uganda Police Force implement the strategic deficiencies under its jurisdiction on pending action items from the National Risk Assessment of 2023. Traffic and Road Safety We note that this department implements an express penalty scheme, which forms the bulk of NTR. We, therefore, recommend an additional Shs 8.6 billion for the procurement of transport equipment and installation of an IOV inspection lane and certification centre and Shs 18 billion for the procurement of 10 mobile inspection stations for IOV. Police Accommodation and Ongoing Con - struction Projects There is continued construction of 240 staff houses in Jinja and Entebbe, which requires an additional Shs 69.986 billion. Construction of eight accommodation blocks at the headquarters in Nakasongola, Sheema, Busolwe, Mitooma, Kanungu, and Kakumiro has a funding gap of Uganda’s Shs 2.24 billion, among others. These projects need independent project designs with national coverage, standardisation and ease of project monitoring? Therefore, we recommend developing a comprehensive project to undertake countrywide interventions with the same standards to ease the monitoring of such infrastructure. Subcounty Policing Model This model is premised on concentrating limited resources at a subcounty for efficiency and effectiveness in providing policing services to the communities. This requires the following: (i) Deploying a minimum of 18 personnel; (ii) 2 motorcycles per police station; (iii) 1 motor vehicle; (iv) A counter phone and radio communication; (v) An office. If this model is to be phased, starting with high-risk crime levels, taking 30 subcounties that have been planned requires Shs 36.946 billion. However, only Shs 5.6 billion has been provided in the Financial Year 2024/2025 budget for only 9 subcounties. We, therefore, recommend that Uganda Police Force first pilot this model with the existing funds provided in the budget and expand it given the lessons learned in the piloted subcounties. On crime management We note that Uganda Police Force intends to expand the Canine units to 10 districts of Nebbi, Koboko, Budaka, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Zombo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Packwach and Kaberamaido during FY 2024/2025 with a provision of Shs 0.709 billion out of the required Shs 2.968 billion, leaving a gap of Shs 2.259 billion. We, therefore, recommend providing Shs 2.259 billion for the canine unit to take its services to the above districts and closer to communities in the Finacial Year 2024/2025 budget. In addition, the Uganda Police Force should sensitize the masses on the importance of not interfering with scenes of crime to deploy canine dogs effectively in the investigative mechanism. On stationery, Mr Speaker, we note that the shortage of stationery at police units is a source of perceived corruption, dissatisfaction, loss of confidence and ultimately poor police image. A provision of Shs 2.172 billion has been made for the Financial Year 2024/2025, yet the

12550 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr Speaker, I am not going to give room for information for now because they will sit me down. Let me first say these few things. On the phased salary increment for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), I kindly request you not to forget the police, prisons - Actually the armed team. If you see what these people are paid, you will cry, yet they provide us security. What kind of security is being provided by a person who is earning peanuts? I request that you do not stop with UPDF. Phase it out for police, prisons and others. Mr Speaker, on the construction work that is taking place for accommodation, I am so embarrassed. We gave money to the police and instead of working on the areas we told them to; Nsambya, Jinja, Naguru where you see dilapidated buildings that needed to be crushed and good ones built, these people bought uniports and tents. In uniports, you find two to three families sleeping. How do you perform conjugal obligations? Are you not embarrassed? It is very bad to treat –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think this is much better. When passing around Jinja Road Police Station, it is common for one to find their beddings, like mattresses, just put around the verandas of those unipots and that is quite appalling. As a country, it is high time we addressed our minds to such realities. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, in February this year, we had a conference in Jinja where the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and Hon. Lt Gen. Kavuma presided over. He was the convener on behalf of Operation Wealth Creation. The issue was about the wetlands, whereby all Basoga who were growing rice were told to vacate the practice of growing rice. A directive was read to us verbatim and the President said that he was going to compensate people to vacate areas where they are growing rice. When the budget was read to us, I have not seen any single item that has been allocated for compensation of people. As we speak, 62 per cent of the rural population in Busoga, depends on rice growing. If they are not compensated, yet they are meant to live, how are they going to survive? Can the minister clarify on that? Secondly, in Kaliro District, they have already started sending away people from their land. I would like to interest the minister; people are coming in a pretext of vacating from wetlands, but I think they are land grabbers. You cannot tell a person that please vacate from this land. Rice cannot grow in an area where –(Member timed out.)

(iii) Vote 015 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC); (iv) Vote 154 Uganda National Bureau of standards (UNBS); (v) Vote 306 Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB); Besides the Ministry of Tourism and its Agencies, the Committee also held meetings with other MDAs that have been allocated funding within the Tourism Development Programme namely; (i) (ii) Vote L22-Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Vote O2O-Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (UBC) The Committee also considered Policy Statements for FY 2024 /25 for tlre following Government Agencies that do not have vote status- (i) Uganda Wildtife Authority (UWA); (ii) Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC); (iii) Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI), Jinja; (iv) Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute (UWRTI), Kasese; (v) Uganda Warehouse Receipt System Authority (UWRSA); (vi) Uganda Development Corporation (UDC); and (vii) Management Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC). (b) reviewed the following documents: (i) The Ministerial Poticy Statement for the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities for the Financial Year 2O2a 125; (ii) The Ministerial Policy Statement for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives for the Financial Y 2a I 25; I (,- (^ \ 2 D\ (-tIl'L- I 4 F t' # iJr .-E!*

(iii) The Approved National Budget Framework Paper and Medium Term Expenditure Framework for the Financial Years 2024/25- 2028 I 2e; (iv) The Report of the Budget Committee on the National Budget Framework Paper for Financial Years 2O2a/25-2O28/29; (") The Annual Draft Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2024/25; and (vi) Recommendations of the Sectoral Committees on the Annual Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2023/24. 3.O THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME The Tourism Development Prograrnme comprises of the following votes; and affiliate Government Agencies / Institutions : (a) Vote O22 Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities; (b) Vote 1 17 Uganda Tourism Board (UTB); (c) Uganda Wildtife Authority (UWA); (d) Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC); (e) Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute (UWRTI), Kasese; and (0 Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI), Jinja. 3.1 Compliance of the Ministry of Tourism, lllildlife and Antiquities with the Gender and Equity. hrrsuant to Section 13(1 1)(e)(i) of the hrblic Finance Management Act, 2015, The provision requires the Minister responsible for Finance to consult with the Equal Opportunities Commission, to issue a Certificate; (i) certifying that the budget is gender and equity responsive; and (ii) specifying the measures taken to equalize opportunities for men, women, persons with disabitities and other maginalised groups. According to the ficate issued by the Ministry il-' 5 v v & 6 Ad, W

(10) Tourism research undertaken: Collaborative tourism research studies for medical and education tourism product segments; and Census of accommodation facilities conducted for Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja (UGx 0.6 billion) (11) Registration, Inspection and Licensing of tourism businesses undertaken: 2OO accommodation facilities inspected; 2OO tour and travel operators inspected; 100 restaurants registered and inspected; Other 2OO tourism businesses licensed and licensed (UGX 0.698 billion) (12) Skilling along the tourism value chain conducted: 2OO tourism actors trained in tourism regulatory framework and service standards; Joint enforcement of tourism regulations conducted (UGX O.3S billion) (13) Accommodation facilities classified and graded: 100 accommodation facilities inventoried; 100 accommodation facilities graded (UGX O.glS billion) (14) Tourism investment projects developed and promoted (UGX 0.223 billion) (15) Fixed administration costs paid i.e. rent, maintenance, etc. (UGX 4.086 billion) NSSF, asset t-- - \' if' ' A,.d..i s & L^ C,wu 31

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives had an approved budget of UGX 118.264 billion. The Ministry received supplementar5r budget of UGX 51.73 billion hence the approved revised budget was UGX 169.99 billion. Out of the total revised budget, UGX 97.066 billion was released and UGX 93.09 billion was spent. Budget release, Expenditure and Absorption performe d, at 82.600/o, T8.TOo/o and 95.307o respectively. Half Year Physical Performance for Ministry of Trad,e, Industry and Cooperatives FY 2023 l2+. (1) 9 Value Addition Equipment for 11 enterprises across the country procured, Delivered and Installed. (21 Stakeholder consultations on re-establishment of the cooperative bank. (3) 1,065 cooperatives registered; 6 cooperatives inspected; 190 Cooperatives superuised. (41 70 youth cooperative members trained and 20 Cooperatives leaders trained on governance, financial management and gender-based planning. (5) 11 industrial field monitoring and technical guidance visits undertaken in the districts of Kampala, Njeru, Jinja, Buhweju and Nakaseke. (6) Commissioned Mpondwe Market as well as the one stop border at Mpondwe. (71 International Trade Missions conducted. (8) Joint stake engagements with the Key MDAs on Preferential Markets e.g. China, DRC and South Sudan and r'i- --.it. TM (^W h 43 .::trfr l/,r I

(2) Popularizing of PDM Marketing strategr and branding and packaging strategies.in the country includes Karamoja and west Nile. (3) Acquiring and scaring up of the use of international recognised bar GIS bar code for promotion of Ugandan products in the market and support L2O MSMEs to formalise their business in south western, Rwenzori, West Nile, and Sebei sub region. (4) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 100 MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (5) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 1oo MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (6) Facilitate, support, Sensitization 120 MSMEs, Youths, women, pLWHA and PWD to formalise their businesses. in West Nile, Rwemzori and Busoga Region. (71 Conduct 3 stakeholder (Academia, SMEs, Policy makers and tegislators) workshop on Circularity and Circular economy (Resource efficiency, cleaner production and industrial in symbiosis in central region. (8) Facilitating, the preparations, Mobilization, training, vetting of 250 MSMEs including women and youth, through and guiding them in packaging branding, and requirements to participate in the regional, international and domestic trade fairs and expos. (9) Training of 100 processors in Leather-and agro processors Mukono and Jinja, Greater Bushenyi, Mbarara, and formation of clusters in each district I tr- 1-. ft h 51 &

Thank you. It stands referred to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure- Honourable minister, I wanted you to lay that report because-the Kampala-Jinja Road is not a road. I am happy that you know it and we will need an explanation to that effect and a report on what you plan to do on that road. (XVI) THE NATIONAL LIBRARY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024

I apologise because I am related to the forum on East African Affairs and you know that is my House as well. Mr Speaker, a budget of less than Shs 40 billion is a small budget. Why don’t we close our eyes and give these people the money that they need? They clear the pensions; the political leaders can have their meetings and let us enable things to move. We have failed to open the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, which should be carrying vehicles from Nairobi to Kampala and back. The passengers are stuck. Accidents are happening every day. What are we doing? Mr Speaker, it is my humble prayer that this House, for the first time, makes East Africa a priority. Integration is not for leisure; it is for our good. Thank you so much.

Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, the Cabinet prioritised maintenance of the already existing roads. We prioritised these because it is of no use for us to continue making new roads when the ones that we already have are deteriorating, including the road from Rukungiri to Ntungamo, where I was on Tuesday, then this road to Jinja, and many other roads that already exist. The President brought an engineer to the Cabinet - there is a technology where even when the road is just starting to deteriorate, you just put a new layer the way is done in other developed countries.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Kampala-Jinja Expressway is one of the busy roads in this country, but immediately after the bridge, in between Njeru, the potholes are turning into dams. When you come to Mabira, there are no longer potholes, but dams. In addition, we have another road from Kimaka to Mbulamuti, which is now impassable. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, what is the Government’s plan and how prepared is the Government to manage the floods that are likely to come or affect the country?

I expected that question which is why I stated in my earlier answer that Jinja Road is one of the priority areas where we are going to put another layer. It is called an overlay. The member should be informed that Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) together with the Ministry of Works and Transport have started maintaining that road, until all those potholes are done with, then they will look at other roads across the country. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We may have to repeat this Lubowa incident because it is not the first time Parliament is going there and it is denied entry. I remember some time back, the Committee on Health went and they were denied entry. The question we should ask ourselves is: is this facility there? Is it being constructed? The answer the Government should give is yes or no so that if we have to forget about it, we forget about it. Otherwise, Madam Speaker, as the people of Jonam, we condole with the Ndiga Clan for the murder of their head. What pains me is that in this country, we value human beings less. In other countries, one death alone can cause a lot of problems. Yet here, people die and in one or two days, everybody has forgotten. Nobody cares what happens. For instance - what I am saying is not in your communication, but look at the death, which happened on Jinja Road. It is very painful. That accident - I know they are saying one person died and many were injured, but from the pictures, you could see probably more people died. So, let us value life as much as possible. When we are talking about Lubowa, we are still talking about the value of life. So, when Members of Parliament are denied, then somebody needs to answer. I want to repeat that the answer I want to hear is whether this facility is there or not. Thank you.

The money for Kampala- Jinja express highway was also borrowed, but it has never been used since 2020.

Thank you. This is referred to the Sectoral Committee on Physical Infrastructure and the timeline still applies. Honourable Minister of Works and Transport, do not forget when you are going to the next item to give us an update on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway.

Hon. Musasizi, it is not to bother you so much. We can give you five minutes to consult, then you come back and give us a position. Okay? Honourable Minister of Works Jinja- Kampala Expressway- The loan was approved, but since 2020, nothing has taken place. They said it was an issue of PAPs.

Madam Speaker, Kampala-Jinja Expressway (KJE) - as it is commonly known - is in the process; we are now in the stage of contracting. There are several steps which we have to undertake; this is not a simple project. It is a Public-Private Partnership project. There are many stages which we must qualify before the project comes into maturity. We must pay at least more than 90 per cent of the Project-Affected Persons. We have to resettle even those people who by law - and I brought that here on the Floor - even by law are not allowed to be settled, but because this is a PPP, those people who are staying in the wetlands, the ones who have no land titles, the elderly who are not able to take the money; we have to prepare for them to have a better life than what they are living now. That takes time. The last stage, which we finished, is the partial risk guarantee, which the Attorney-General has cleared. It means that we can put out the project for contracting because most of the hurdles have been overcome. That is the point.

Honourable Minister of Works and Transport, you have heard the complaints of Members. I want to see the advertisement for Kampala-Jinja Expressway.

How much time do you want for you to give us an exhaustive report on the status of roads, beginning with the Kampala-Jinja Expressway?

11885 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 manufacturers and increase the competitiveness of locally manufactured products within the region and beyond. The National industrial policy 2020 also seeks to build a fully integrated, competitive, high value and productive industrial sector through increased: 1. value addition of the local materials and products with comparative advantage for social economic transformation; 2. export of manufactured products by facilitating industries to increase production and match market demands in terms of both quality and quantity; 3. employment in the industrial sector through establishment and promotion of industries that create large-scale employment opportunities, ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable development; and 4. adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies by manufacturing subsectors. Currently, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) operates eight public industrial and business parks namely; Kampala, (Namanve), Luzira, Bweyogerere, Jinja, Soroti, Mbale, Kasese, and Mbarara Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Park. The authority also supports three operational private industrial parks namely; Liao Shen Kapeeka, MMP Industrial Park Buikwe and Tian Tang Mukono, thereby making it eleven industrial and business parks across the country. Accordingly, on 4 June 2021, His Excellency the President while addressing Parliament on the State-of-the-Nation promised to supply electricity to industrial parks directly from some of the Government dams in a bid to reduce the end-user cost of electricity for manufacturers and increase competitiveness of locally manufactured products. In particular, His Excellency the President stated, and I quote, “The cost of electricity is distorted by mistakes committed by some of the actors without my knowledge… We shall see how to get out of this mistake. One solution that I have already ordered for the industrial parks is to supply power directly from some of the Government dams to them. I will not be deflected from that…” It is on this basis, and in line with the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, 2021, that the committee scrutinised the level of implementation of the aforementioned assurance and now presents this report to the august House. Mr Speaker, I am not going to read everything. The content of the report is uploaded so Members can read. I want to go direct to the scope. This report focuses on the following key areas: 1. implementation of the presidential directive; and 2. the state of power supply to the industrial parks. Methodology Documents were reviewed and they are stipulated in the report. There were meetings with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development and there were field visits to selected industrial parks namely; 1. Mbale Industrial and Business Park; 2. Soroti Industrial and Business Park; and 3. Jinja Industrial and Business Park. Committee findings Implementation of the presidential directives In June 2021, His Excellency the President directed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development that the cost of electricity manufactured had been reduced to $0.05 per unit and the industrial parks should get power directly from the Government operating hydro power stations of Karuma, Isimba, Nalubaale, Kira, without going through Umeme distribution network where it is technologically possible.

11891 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 Question No.5 From Hon. Agnes Kirabo, Youth Representative, Central Region. That Mulago National Referral Hospital has started a kidney transplant. However, free services have been given to a few people. The rest of the patients have to pay over Shs 46 million, which is too expensive for an ordinary Ugandan. Prayer What is the Government’s plan to ensure this service is available for all? Response Mr Speaker, in December 2023, Mulago National Referral Hospital conducted Uganda’s first kidney transplant successfully, by a team of medical experts from Uganda with counterparts from Yashoda Hospital in India. Mr Speaker, the Government has allowed at least five patients with End-Stage Renal Failure who are on dialysis to have kidney transplants at Mulago National Referral Hospital, free of charge before the fee for the lifesaving procedure is determined for all patients to start paying. The costing of this procedure can then be deduced more accurately rather than estimating from a single or maiden renal transplant. Mr Speaker, Shs 46 million for a kidney transplant is a media-generated figure and not a Government position. The Government has not yet set the cost and our plan through, the Mulago team, is to determine the price after more transplants have been made to get the right picture of the cost implication. The cost of running specialised services is extremely expensive and such services have Ugandans over $18,000 on average, excluding costs of ticket and maintenance abroad. This cost does not include post-operative follow- up treatment which is also very expensive, especially in the first months. All investigations to prepare the patient for transplant were done in Uganda, except for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing where samples were sent to South Africa through Lancet Laboratories. This was more cost effective to do for now until we scale up organ transplant services. Mr Speaker, the success story of Mulago National Referral Hospital in correcting this health condition, will save Ugandans from travelling to India and other developed countries for kidney transplant. The Government of Uganda is committed to saving the lives of Ugandans through such innovations and lessons learned from Mulago. Therefore, after thorough assessment of all that entails the entire process of kidney transplant and full recovery of a patient, a reasonable figure shall be derived and Ugandans shall be informed accordingly. Question No.6 From Hon. Dr. Abed Bwanika, Member of Parliament, Kimaanya- Kabonera Division, Masaka City. He says that on 28 April 2020, the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda approved the creation of 15 news cities and 10 became operational on 1 July 2020, including Jinja, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Hoima, Fort portal, Mbarara, Masaka and Mbale. Section 188 of the Local Government Act, instructs that at the creation of a new local government unit, the minister shall assure the equitable sharing of property between the original and new governments. It is now three years since the operationalisation of the 10 cities without clear guidance on asset sharing. The Ministry of Local Government continues to handle ad hoc by engaging case by case, which has caused a lot of confusion and not desirable. This has negatively affected service delivery in the affected local governments. Some district leadership continue to insist on compensation out of the transfer of assets despite that these are public properties held in trust.

11892 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Prayers: 1. When is the Minister of Local Government concluding on the guidelines for asset sharing and laying the same on the Table in the Parliament of Uganda? 2. How much provision has the Government provided to support establishment of new headquarters for districts that were affected by the creation of new cities? Mr Speaker, my response is that funding to finance the settlement of 10 districts of Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Fort portal, Soroti and Jinja that gave birth to cities was requested for by the Ministry of Local Government during the budgeting period for the current Financial Year 2023/2024. However, funds were not allocated and this remained as an unfunded priority. The matter has been presented to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in the next Financial year 2024/2025 Budget Call Circular. Prayer 2: When are the subcounties that host new district headquarters going to be gazetted as town councils as part of the Local Governments Act? The Ministry of Local Governments has compiled the necessary data from the eight district local governments which have already determined their new locations. We are still waiting for submission from two district local governments. Town councils will be gazetted once the Ministry of Local Governments has received all the information from the two remaining local governments. Prayer 3 That since there are lacunas in the Local Governments Act about the governance of new cities, when is government coming up with a Bill on governance of new cities? My response is that the proposed Amendment Bill for Local Governments Act, Cap 243 has been prepared and will soon be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval, and then be brought here for approval. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you. Now, honourable colleagues, allow me to comment on this. You know the issues of tax; I can guarantee you the problem we are facing is that most of our businesses have not been paying taxes. Tax is never your money, it is Government money. Now, you used to hear stories that someone brings a trailer of goods in Kikuubo and sells them in five minutes. Why? It is because he has not paid the tax. How come people are rushing for your goods? Where did you get them from? How come you are discounting 20 per cent, and yet you are not a manufacturer, you are also an importer? I have talked to many business people who have visited me because I know many of them. The most profitable branches of all banks in this country were in Kikuubo, but the amount of tax coming out of them is nearly zero. That is why when the Government started tightening on tax, most of them had even abandoned the business. I know tax is painful. Maybe the transition process – a very good example, is when the Government gave amnesty some time back. We should be asking for a report of that amnesty. When you gave amnesty, how many people complied? How many people said, well, I have not been paying tax. Since you forgave me on interest and you said I pay the principal, I have paid. However, has it benefited so that we run it and transition very well? Personally, if I may confess, I have ever paid a huge penalty close to Shs 1 billion. Since then, I learnt a lesson. Issues of compliance in this country are a problem. I went with you, honourable colleagues, to Rwanda for sports. Each one of you would see the discipline of boda boda. Back here, if you touch boda bodas , Members of Parliament say you are harassing our voters. We were talking about cleanliness and accidents, you drive beyond 80 kilometres per hour, you are in. Back here, when you fine us, someone says I am a Member of Parliament. You cannot touch me. I have received some calls. One honourable colleague called me saying that he had locked himself in a car just here on Jinja Road. Why? He was caught committing a traffic offence and he said, “I am a Member of Parliament, you cannot touch me”. He locked himself in the car and said I should call the Speaker. He committed an offence; I said, “No, sort your issues. I cannot help you on this.”

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to pay tribute to the outgoing Ambassador of Japan to Uganda. The outgoing ambassador has played his part. I will give about two or three issues that the Ambassador personally played a very big role in, and that is in improving the lives and the economy of this country. The Jinja Bridge that all of us are happy about, was his effort and we thank him for that. (Applause) Right now, the bridge being planned on Karuma has been his effort. When I held an office, he told me that one of the challenges that this country is facing is the death of people on the roads. He proposed the idea of training drivers in defensive driving. I do not know whether, Your Excellency, maybe you will share with the Speaker, whether you continued with that effort because we had begun on it. He wanted to bring in machines into this country to train drivers like they train pilots, to make sure that we reduce on the road carnage in this country. He was thinking about that to save the lives of the people on the roads. Mr Speaker, it is good that you have brought him so that we pay tribute to him when he is still alive. On many occasions, we pay tribute to people when they are gone. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the elaborate report. The emergence of SACCOs in this country was for a good cause. Many entities, other than the Uganda Police Force, are establishing SACCOs in this country. I thank Hon. Macho for bringing out the issue of the Police or the Exodus SACCO. I would like to bring to the notice of this House that even local governments - I am on the Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments)- have started SACCOs in their entities. In the last meeting or engagement with the local entities, we were in Jinja, where we met Kaliro District, where staff had started a SACCO group, and the manager of the group was the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and similar issues were happening. That is just one example. So, my request is that when the Registrar of Cooperatives or the line ministry is looking into some of the recommendations, let them look further and inquire from other SACCOs. Let them sample them.

Maybe for clarity, Leader of the Opposition, I was with Hon. Peter Ogwang in Jinja. What he was wearing is not a gazetted UPDF uniform. (Applause) I have remembered that Hon. Peter bought what he wore in America and they sell it in public shops. On resemblance, that is another issue but it was not. I just want to clarify on the one for Peter because I even had to get close and ask when they recruited him. It was until I checked and found out that it was not. On the rest, the Government?

Now, honourable colleagues, the Chief Whip – (Member rose) there is no one on the Floor. No. Just a minute. This is a matter- I do not know why it is giving us so many headaches because it is one we approved in Parliament. So, maybe, we are faulting Parliament at that time. The reasons are both economic and security. I remember some Members might have voted for economic, others for security, but it was a combination. Also for clarity, that is a road that was jointly financed by the DRC Government and the Government of Uganda. So, for a project which we approved here, we should not have a lot of squabbles about it. Next . (Laughter) MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE STATUS OF KAMPALA-JINJA EXPRESSWAY

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

11651 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2024 Development and once it has been approved, the procurement will proceed with the issuance of the final bidding documents to the pre- qualified bidders. Within one year of issuance, this contract with the selected developer will be signed. In preparation for the construction works, the Government of Uganda is currently acquiring the land for the project. So far, the land required for 45 kilometres has been acquired. This includes 14 kilometres along the Southern Bypass and 31 kilometres along the Kampala- Jinja mainline. The progress of compensation has been slowed down by a lack of funds to effect payments. By December 2024, the Government targets to have acquired the full section from Kampala to Namagunga and the whole Kampala Southern Bypass. The rest of the land from Namagunga to Jinja is planned to be acquired by December 2025. This is fully dependent on the budgetary allocation for land acquisition to UNRA. Assurances Mr Speaker, I would like to assure you and the honourable members that the Government of Uganda is committed to ensuring that the Kampala-Jinja Expressway project is implemented to improve the efficiency of Uganda’s transport infrastructure. I beg to submit.

11581 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2024 Introduction Mr Speaker, FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven-hoofed (two hoofed) animals. These include cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and wild animals such as buffaloes, deers and antelopes. The disease spreads very fast, through close contact between infected and non-infected animals. The disease is transmitted through aerosols (fluid droplets) breathed out by infected animals and contact with affected surfaces. The aerosols can be transported by wind to far areas. The affected animals get wounds in the mouth, feet and teats in female animals. FMD is the most dreaded disease in international trade of animals and animal products. Countries that have eradicated the disease do not allow trade with affected countries, or those that control the disease by vaccination. The disease causes significant economic losses to the farmers and to the country due to disruption in animal production, productivity and in trade of animal and animal products. Scientists and economists have estimated the economic cost of FMD to a farmer per unit livestock to be $20 per infection. The cost can be higher with repeated infections. Our target, therefore, as Government, is to not only control the disease but eradicate it. Mr Speaker, the ideal situation that enables any livestock producing country to fully control and eradicate FMD requires the following interventions: i) Undertaking a bi-annual compulsory vaccination exercise of the entire susceptible animal herd in the country (all two hoofed animals; cattle, sheep, goats and pigs). For purposes of universal coverage, compliance and bio-security considerations (since vaccines are live organisms), governments normally offer the vaccines as a public good. This, however, varies from country to country, depending on the number of animals and the budget implications for buying the vaccines recurrently. ii) Another control and eradication approach is the “test and slaughter” followed by safe disposal of the carcasses (burning and/or burying). When the veterinary authorities confirm the outbreak, they determine the affected animals and those at risk for destruction. This, however, is followed with compensation by the government, which is a very expensive practice. This is the practice in developed livestock-producing countries like the United Kingdom, among others. You kill or destroy, but compensate the farmer. iii) In addition to the above, movement control restrictions (quarantine) are always imposed either in part or as a whole in the affected geographical location depending on the epidemiological assessment by the competent authorities. The competent authorities, Mr Speaker, are veterinary authorities. These animal movement restrictions, however, are temporary measures to disrupt transmission but their duration depends on the discipline and compliance of the different stakeholders (farmers, traders, processors and enforcement agencies) and also on the country’s ability to implement interventions (i) and (ii) above. Current situation in the country Mr Speaker, there are 36 districts currently affected and under quarantine. These are; Budaka, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bunyangabu, Butaleja, Fort Portal City, Gomba, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kassanda, Kayunga, Kazo, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kiruhura, Kumi, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyotera, Luuka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Mbarara City, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namisindwa, Ngora, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rwampara and Ssembabule. All districts neighbouring the aforementioned districts are at high risk, under strict surveillance and the authorities are advised to remain vigilant. These include; Apac, Amolatar, Bugiri, Bushenyi, Butaleja, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Kamuli,

Yes, on the roads; the issue of Kampala - Jinja Express Way, Nebbi-Paidha-Goli-Zombo Road next week. Hon. Atkins, do you have a procedural matter?

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I also stand to support the motion. I congratulate our President for the trust that he was given as the chairman of the two summits. I also take this opportunity to appreciate all the Ugandans because they were cooperative; many roads were blocked, but they adhered because we had visitors in the country. (Applause) The other thing, now that the honourable minister for works is here, is about the speed of working on the roads that was put in. I wish we could continue with such speed – especially around the Mukwano Roundabout; it looks so beautiful at night. How I wish they could extend the speed and good work elsewhere, even in Mabira, so that we do away with the potholes that are in Mabira. I was getting worried that if the delegates were taken to Jinja for a trip, how would they see the beautiful forest with such potholes? I am asking the honourable minister about the speed they used around the Mukwano Roundabout. It is nice work, but they used a shorter period, not like the way they have been doing work in the other places. Thank you. We congratulate our President for such a huge post. Thank you. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Yes. Honourable colleagues, on Liberation Day celebrations in Jinja, for those who listened to the President, he talked about the issue of charges in Universal Education institutions both primary and secondary. He said this is an issue where he is mobilising Parliament to support him to ensure that those institutions provide free education. I hope one of the things, as we process the Budget Framework Paper, the Minister will go with as an assignment is how much money is needed. These schools charge because they have insufficient numbers of teachers, issues of infrastructure and other issues. Therefore, we shall need to know - maybe it can come after because it might not have been planned for - but it is one of the issues and I do not want the President to go on record saying that Parliament should support me and then the vice continues and he says that Parliament did not support me. Okay. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

11500 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 together with the Ministry of Education and Sports said that they did not have the money. They said they would do it the following year. In 2023/2024, we again appropriated the money. However, to-date – we should be thinking about those students and pupils, because the parents, once the list was published in the New Vision , they pulled back saying that the Government had taken over. What is the fate of these children today, after hearing what the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance said? We appropriated money. Can the Minister of Finance together with the Minister of Education and Sports confirm to the parents who come from those areas, where those schools are, that this year, there will not be any money, they should just continue paying for the services of the teachers? Otherwise, without that, the schools will close. I appeal to the minister to follow up on that matter. The Equal Opportunities Commission published a damning report, a strong indictment to Government about the distribution of services and jobs in this country. Honourable minister, as you work on the National Budget Framework Paper, please, can you take that into consideration such that we do not see that reoccur in this country? We all belong to this country and we all pay taxes. Please, take note of that and incorporate it when you are doing the National Budget Framework Paper in the allocation of resources. Finally, on the issue of the infrastructure, I cannot conclude without saying, please, Kumi- Serere-Kasilo-Kagwara Road; the President promised us in 2011, 2016, 2021 and we do not want him to say the same thing in 2026 campaigns. We even got a letter in 2022, the blue letters, putting that road. They even wrote a letter in 2022 indicating the roads to be worked on: Soroti, Serere , Pingire, Bugondo, Garama and the one of Ochero. I am happy with the one of Kaberamaido- Ochero, we passed the loan here but those are the two. Those are the few roads on the eastern part of the Greater North road, if you started from Jinja up to Soroti. How many roads on the left-hand side of the road are tarmac? It is only one, the one of Tirinyi. Please, help us to sort that matter such that we can – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I address myself to vote 106 on page 110, this is the Ministry of Works and Transport. My question is derived from that sector, about the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway. I understand that UNRA has already procured a contractor. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has not allocated money for compensation for the right of way. From Kampala to Jinja, if you are to drive, it takes almost six hours because of the bad road, the potholes and the traffic. Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the minister, why are you punishing us who are using that road and all Ugandans. I do not want to say that because I come from eastern Uganda, but the road is for all Ugandans. I implore the Minister of Finance to find money so that we can compensate people and then we get the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

11454 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 The committee retreats its earlier recommendation that an additional Shs 4 billion be provided to NMS for procurement of a kit of glucometers, BP machines and thermometers for 3000 health workers across the country. Uganda Virus Research Institute - money has been provided to a tune of Shs 2.6 billion. Health Service Commission for recruitment – Shs 500 million, Uganda Blood Transfusion Shs 2.4 billion - we need blood in this country. Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital requested an additional Shs 6.1 billion for the recruitment of additional staff and also a funding gap of 0.87 be provided to Kawempe for maintenance of equipment. Kiruddu Hospital funds have been provided and the details are in the report. Mulago National Referral Hospital money was provided. Mr Speaker, generally, all the hospitals’ money was provided for including all the regional referral hospitals of Soroti, Jinja, Masaka, Fort Portal, Hoima, Mubende, Lira, Entebbe, Naguru, Kawempe, Yumbe, Kiruddu and Moroto. All these have been provided for, Mr Speaker. Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, page 180 The committee recommends that the Government should expedite the appointment of the Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB) and allocate an additional budget of Shs 9.4 billion to develop exports and discover new markets for Uganda in view of the worsening trading imbalances recently noticed after AGOA. Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should be supported to support our export sector with an additional resource. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, we have Annex 2, which provides a summary of the funding requirements to cater for critical Government programmes. Therefore, in accordance with Section 9(8) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 and Rule 145 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the committee recommends that the proposed National Budget Framework Paper of the Financial Year 2024/2025 to the Financial Year 2028/2029 be approved by this Parliament with amendments as per the committee’s recommendations. I beg to report, Mr Speaker. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following honourable members to the standing Committee on National Economy: 1. Hon. Ikojo John Bosco – Chairperson; and 2. Hon. Robert Migadde - Deputy Chairperson. The following are designated as members: 1. Hon. Joram Ruranga - Elderly; 2. Hon. Simon Peter Opolot - Kanyum; 3. Hon. Tonny Ayoo - Kwania; 4. Hon. Joy Katali - Jinja; 5. Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto - Pakwach; 6. Hon. James Baba Boliba - Koboko; 7. Hon. Geoffrey Eric Mutiwa – Bunyole West; 8. Hon. Betty Chelain - Amudat; 9. Hon. Nathan Byanyima – Bukanga North; 10. Hon. Micah Lolem - Upe; 11. Hon. Francis Kazini Twinomujuni - Buhaguzi; 12. Hon. Sylvia Bahireira Tumwekwase - Kamwenge; 13. Hon. Peggy Joy Waako – Elderly; 14. Hon. Aisa Agaba – Bugangaizi East; 15. Hon. Midius Natukunda - Rukungiri; 16. Hon. Peterkhen Lochap - Bokora; 17. Hon. Godfrey Were Odero – Samia Bugwe South; 18. Hon. Jennifer Ayoo - Kalki; 19. Hon. Jane Awich - Kaberamaido; 20. Hon. Stella Atyang - Moroto; 21. Hon. Hillary Lokwang – Napore West; 22. Hon. Joseph Komol – Dodoth North; 23. Hon. Alex Byarugaba - Isingiro; 24. Hon. Naome Kibaaju – Sheema North; 25. Hon. Moses Ogwal Goli – Dokolo North; 26. Hon. Juliet Achayo Lodou – Ngora County; 27. Hon. Simon Peter Wokorach – Aswa County; 28. Hon. Bashir Lubega – Mubende Muncipality; 29. Hon. Agnes Taaka - Bugiri; 30. Hon. Sylvia Vicky Awas - Nabilatuk; 31. Hon. Henry Maurice Kibalya – Bugabula South; 32. Hon. Oliver Katwesigye - Buhweju; 33. Hon. Stephen Kangwagye - Bukanga; and 34. Hon. Abdi Fadhil Kisos Chemaswet - Soi. I beg to designate.

11367 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 2023 5. Dr Timothy Batuwa - Jinja South Division, West; 6. Hon. Lucy Akello - Amuru; 7. Hon. Moses Okot - Kioga County; 8. Hon. Francis Mwijukye - Buhweju County; 9. Hon. Fred Kayondo - Mukono County South; and 10. Hon. Fortunate Nantongo Rose - Kyotera. I beg to designate.

Thank you so much. Honourable members, that was just to inform the debate. I will now invite the committee chairperson - however, before I invite the committee chairperson, I want to interest the minister in the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. (Applause)

11328 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [The Speaker] The Kampala-Jinja Expressway is a very critical road that takes you to our borders with Kenya, South Sudan and everywhere. The loan was approved in June 2020, but to date, four years down the road, nothing has taken place. The disbursement is at 0.1 per cent. So, how sure are we that the loan we are approving today is going to be utilised?

Madam Speaker, I request that I come on the Floor as soon as Parliament resumes, to bring an updated report on where we are on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. The demands and requirements of that project are much deeper and more complex than the ones for the Katine–Ochero Road, which is a straightforward project. However, I will bring the details. I request that I be allowed to bring more details as soon as Parliament resumes.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I thank the House for approving that loan. However, Madam Speaker, you talked about the Jinja Express Highway. I rose here -

I thought I ruled on the Jinja Express Highway.

Thank you. Much as there is a benefit in that and we are all excited about tarmacking roads that side, we need equity in the distribution of tarmac roads. When you go to some areas, you notice that they have no tarmac road(s); we need equity. And much as you have said that that is a very important road, the Kampala-Jinja-Malaba Road is equally very important. You need to ensure that you work on that road.

Madam Speaker, having listened to all those submissions, let me proceed to the observations and recommendations; they are summarised. In particular, the committee looked at the unit cost of the road, which was on the higher side, and made the following recommendations: The committee recommends that given the high unit cost of construction, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) should ensure that the contractor delivers the best quality bridges and roads in order to achieve value for money. In addition, the committee recommends that UNRA should increase places of convenience on the road, from one to two, since this is an international highway - that is within that cost. Further, given the unit cost of the project, the 400 metres from Ndegeya Primary Teachers’ College (PTC) be upgraded and street lighting should be included in the following urban areas: Masaka urban stretch to be increased to 10 kilometres; Bukunda urban stretch - 1.5 kilometres; Villa Maria-Nyendo Road - 11 kilometres; Masaka Industrial Park - 3.5 kilometres; and Kitwe Town on Kikagati- Kafunzo Road. We are recommending that within the same cost. The other recommendation is on the slow disbursement in externally financed projects but this is specific to - we are considering the Jinja Express Highway that you mentioned earlier, and I request that I read this. RESOLUTION TO BORROW

11335 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2023 The Kampala-Jinja Express Highway (KJE) was at procurement stage seven years after the project started and by June 2022, it had attracted commission fees amounting to Shs 3 billion according to the Auditor-General’s Report for the Financial Year ending June 2022 and between July and December 2022, Shs 1.1 billion was spent on commission fees. The committee was informed that the delay in the implementation is partly attributed to the Cabinet and Parliament’s loan approval conditions that delayed the project by 18 months, as well as delayed procurement of the project implementation unit due to lack of readily available skills in the region. The committee recommends that UNRA should ensure that externally financed projects are only secured - we reiterated the earlier recommendation. Further, for the Government of Uganda projects, UNRA should ensure the timely implementation to create the much-needed fiscal space that shall be required in two years, now that this loan has to be cleared within two years after implementation. The Whistle-blowers’ Protection Act, 2010 should be amended to provide for timeliness of procurement-related complaints as it is in the PPDA Act. We mentioned earlier the issue of inadequate counterpart funding. The committee observed that the budget for land acquisition under this project, is not enough. Some projects had to stall as contractors had to wait for when the sections of the road would be acquired so as to access full possession of the site. For instance, civil works for Kigumba-Bulima, under the Kigumba-Masindi-Hoima-Kabwoya Road Project, commenced works a year after contract signature due to lack of adequate right of way, which was attributed to inadequate funding for land acquisition. The committee recommends that the budget for land acquisition under UNRA should be enhanced to ensure the smooth implementation of various projects with Government commitments. In addition, UNRA should prioritise counterpart funding for this project under the land acquisition project to ensure its timely implementation, leaving no room for blame on Government for any delays. Currency breakdown of pre-financed projects The committee recommends that UNRA should consider negotiating for better currency breakdown in the various contracts – because, Madam Speaker, the breakdown was 80 per cent US dollars and 20 per cent Uganda Shillings – so as to minimise on the foreign exchange risk associated with foreign currency to preferably, a ratio of 50:50. In conclusion, the committee recommends that the proposal to pre-finance the reconstruction of Masaka-Mutukula Road (89.5kilometres) and rehabilitation of Nyendo-Villa Maria (11kilometres); the upgrading of 3.5 kilometres access road to Uganda People’s Defence Forces barracks in Masaka, 3.5kilometres access road to Masaka Industrial Park; and an additional scope of 28.5kilometres for Kikagati-Kafunzo Road at a total cost of Shs 691,680,000,000, be approved subject to the observations and recommendations herein. Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and colleagues that have said that on matters of human rights, we should speak with one voice. I have opposed Gen. Museveni all my life but I have at least had one occasion now to agree with him on certain matters. (Applause) I remember those days when Hon. Chris Baryomunsi was held at Jinja Road Police Station, in relation to the death of Hon. Cerina Nebanda. I had my first agreement with Gen. Museveni when he said, “Those who say we kill civilians are idiots.” Gen. Museveni has also told us, especially those of us who were not old enough during the days of Idi Amin, that the reason he called past leaders, “swine” was because they did not know the value of human life.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I was saying that the management of the fund seems to be somewhat intimidated on implementing some of the recommendations or the decisions that they are supposed to be making. Why am I saying this? Madam Speaker, I have a voter – I think he should be a petitioner of some sort. Why? He has been out of employment for 10 years, but he has moved severally to the Jinja regional office and to headquarters here but to no avail. He has failed to access help. His children are out of school, he is being thrown out of the house where he is residing and he is sick. He has tried to reach out to the concerned officials, but they have kept telling him: “According to the current law, we cannot help you.” I do not know, if this man dies, whether the fund will benefit him in the grave. The management should be encouraged that, yes, whereas we recommended better management of the fund, they should not deprive people who are doing badly of the chance to benefit from their fund that they worked for. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Yes, Madam Speaker. There is Mbale, Lweza, Jinja, Rukungiri, Naguru, Kabale, and Ruti land. We need a comprehensive report.

11169 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2023 Possibilities and opportunities have, therefore, been opened for everyone thanks to the Government’s big tent approach. In summary, the space that allows for the emergence of such diverse but special and expression can be anything but shrinking. Issues to do with the November 2020 riots and attendant loss of lives, injuries, destruction and related matters - Madam Speaker, this is yet one other additional response on this matter and all others incidental thereto. Contrary to what the Leader of the Opposition claims, an investigation was done immediately after the riots and a report to that effect was presented to the last Parliament by the then Minister of Internal Affairs. That, in addition to other subsequent numerous responses made about the subject matter, including in this Parliament, I needed to make that clarification from the onset to clear the air. That said, and by way of a recap, violent riots broke out and rocked various parts of the country in November 2020 before they were quelled by police and other security agencies. These riots covered Kampala and Wakiso, which were the epicenter of the riots, as well as Mukono, Masaka, Kyotera, Lwengo, Mpigi, Luwero, Wobulenzi, Mityana, Lugazi, Njeru, Jinja, Buwenge, Iganga, Namayingo, Namutumba, Luuka, Kamuli, Budaka, Busia, Mbale, Arua and Gulu, respectively. During these riots, extensive loss of property, (private and public) and damage to and loss of lives were registered. The destruction incidental to the riots, or directly arising from the various riotous acts, was immense. This included; deliberate acts of arson, or torching of buildings and vehicles, use of stones and other objects to hit innocent members of the public, motorists, security personnel and property, physical assault, manhandling and abuse of members of the public as well as law enforcement officers, staging of illegal roadblocks and demanding money with menaces from members of the public. There was also burning of tires to damage and block public roads and throwing petrol bombs into buildings and at security/law enforcement officers, among others. During this chaos, even ordinary sanctified places like court premises were not spared. Wobulenzi Court premises were set ablaze. Fifty six people lost their lives, including those by gunshot wounds and others whose deaths were through other causes incidental to the riots. The latter category includes those that lost their lives as a result of motor vehicle accidents, involving for example, vehicle registration number UAN 827N, whose driver lost control after being hit by a stone and knocked two people dead namely; Nalwada Kevin and Nsimbe Shafik. Forty six people out of the 56 victims were male adults and three were male juveniles. Forty eight of the victims were from Kampala metropolitan areas. This includes Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono. Two were from Jinja, two from Luwero, one from Rakai, one from Kinoni in Lwengo, one from Butambala and one from Mpigi, respectively. Madam Speaker, security operations are governed by the law to ensure and guide the participating forces on the employment of lethal force. This is ensured through a number of ways, including training, briefing before operations, and debriefing post-operations, as well as dissemination of rules of engagement, which have been distilled and reduced into pocketbooks for the tactical operators. The standard operating procedures on the use of force booklet is attached as Annex B to this statement. These are the aid memoirs to assist operators to make informed and rational judgment depending on the circumstances of each case and the prevailing situation, but mindful of the principles of necessity and proportionality in the use of force. These measures, Madam Speaker, were in place. The investigations done post the riots established the cause of death and injury without conclusive findings about the circumstances of each of the deaths and injuries; save for Auxiliary No.01700LDF Mustapha Ssali, who was charged and convicted for the killing of

11097 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2023 his constituency who visit health centres for antenatal care services; that they are required to make the visits along with their spouses, or provide LCI letters explaining the absence of their husbands if they are unable to go with them. That this requirement has proved to be a deterrent to young mothers without proper husbands or those who have been denied by those who impregnated them from accessing antenatal care services and is therefore, aggravating maternal mortality in the country. Prayers: 1. That the Ministry of Health should visit the health facilities in West Budama County South, including Iyolwa Health Cenre III, Poyameri Health Centre III, Panyangasi Health Centre III and Fungwe Health Centre II, among others, to assess the status of antenatal care services in these facilities; 2. That the Ministry of Health explains to the country what informed the adoption of such a policy; 3. That the Ministry of Health rescinds that policy with immediate effect and further guides health workers on the provision of antenatal care services to curb this anomaly; 4. That the Ministry of Health works out a strategy for universal access to antenatal care services in the country. Madam Speaker, my response is that antenatal care is a critical component of safe motherhood. The Government through the Ministry of Health recommends that all pregnant mothers receive eight or more antenatal care services contacts before delivery, and each contact is given different health care packages to ensure the good health of the mother and the baby. All health facilities (health centres II, III, IV and Government hospitals) in Uganda must offer routine antenatal care services to pregnant mothers. It is emphasised but not mandatory in the national antenatal care services guidelines that spouses should accompany their pregnant women to receive antenatal care but also receive health packages for the husband such as screening for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. It is therefore, against this background that the national antenatal care service guidelines emphasise spouses or husbands to accompany their women during antenatal care contacts. The Ministry of Health in a circular dated 4 October 2023, addressed to health managers in the regions and districts, emphasised the importance of strengthening the quality of antenatal health care as one of the ways to improve maternal and newborn health indicators. The Government of Uganda through the Ministry for Health will work with the district health teams to conduct technical support supervision in West Budama, focusing on antenatal care services to ensure that all facilities are offering quality health care. Question No. 4 came from Hon. Mary Nakato, Woman Representative, Buyende. She raised a matter concerning the construction of Kampala-Jinja Expressway to help decongest Jinja Highway that is always full of traffic jam. Her prayer is that can the Government update the House on this matter? Madam Speaker, the Kampala-Jinja Expressway is part of the national road network and is managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport through the Uganda National Roads Authority. The Government of Uganda initiated the development of the proposed Kampala- Jinja Expressway to improve the connection between Kampala and Jinja cities. The proposed project includes the construction of the 74 kilometres from Kampala to Jinja and 20 kilometres of the Kampala Southern Bypass.

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

Yes. The letter by the President was apparently written on the 13 th of June. The letter directing the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is dated 23 rd . First of all, we have problems with the dates because they are contradictory. It looks like the minister wrote before she got the directive from the President but then she referred to the directive of the President. Apart from that, the purported letter from the President talks about four acres to that investor. However, the letter by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development goes ahead to allocate more of the Lweza land for people with disabilities to other companies, including a company that is supposed to build accommodation for the GROW Project. We are asking ourselves, since when did we start building accommodation for Government projects? It is not only the land in Lweza. There seems to be a group of people who are after pieces of land that belong to people with disabilities. We have the same problem in Mbale, Naguru, Jinja and here in Kampala. We would like to request you, Madam Speaker, to ask the Prime Minister and her ministers to give us clarity on where those people with disabilities who have lived on those pieces of land all their lives – some were there in the 1950s and 1960s. What is the plan? If the Government is giving out this land to investors, we need to know where our people are going. We would like a comprehensive report on all those pieces of land but most especially, the one of Lweza because we have letters that the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development has already directed the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to start dividing that land. We got that information from the people with disabilities who live on that land. Thank you.

10932 THE EXPLOSIVES BILL, 2003 have even resorted to “Katwe” devices. I do not want to undermine these devices but some of them are substandard. They have had to go for them because that is what they can afford. We would like this country to commit itself to people with disabilities because the theme means that we are supposed to fulfil the promises of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and they are very specific. Let us be true to people with disabilities. Madam Speaker, controlling and containing disability has been a message from His Excellency. However, on top of the boda boda accidents every day, we now have people who have gone back to not going for immunisation against polio. When they were distributing wheelchairs in my district, two thirds of the disabled people were children. We are wondering whether people are still taking their children for polio immunisation and other immunisations. We need to control the number of persons with disability in this country. When this Parliament was processing the budget for this very running year, we put a tax on pampers. I have learned that people who live with hydrocephalus and spina bifida live on pampers. Those who do not wear pampers are catheterised so they wear them from birth to death; even older persons are using them. Madam Speaker, I would like to call for your indulgence that we possibly have a discussion very soon to rescind the tax on these pampers. The Legal Aid Bill was returned but I pray that we expedite it so that these people with disabilities can seek redress; not only access to justice but responsive justice that will assist them to sort out court issues. Madam Speaker, I do not want to challenge your ruling on the statement on the land at Lweza. However, even the Naguru land for children is under grabs. The Jinja land for older persons is also under grabs. Basically, most of the land belonging to the gender ministry is being grabbed by the very people who should protect –

I do not see properly so I am very grateful. Madam Speaker, I represent Iganga Municipality and Iganga is located on a highway along the Mbale – Jinja - Kampala Road. It serves the districts of Luuka, Kaliro, Mayuge, Namutumba and Bugweri. To our surprise, in all the arrangements – first of all, we thank the Government for renovating Iganga General Hospital to a status of qualifying it to be a referral hospital. As per the plans of the Ministry of Health, it was supposed to be upgraded to a referral hospital, but there are powerful people – I think in Iganga, we are not as powerful and supportive of the NRM government. They said that the referral hospital will be taken to Bugiri [Mr Kafuuzi] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

I am laying a copy of the agreement that a company belonging to veterans in Zimbabwe directly entered into an arrangement with a refinery called Laffan Refinery Ltd 2 and it was able to succeed and yet it was a mere private company and not a Government company. The committee noted that whereas inability to purchase directly from the refineries leads to an extra mark-up on Uganda’s fuel from Kenyan companies, insecurity in supply for petroleum products and inability to directly negotiate for petroleum prices with refiners inevitably contributes to high and unpredictable pump prices. The proposed monopoly is not a preferable option since there is no competitiveness in price against a monopolistic player, importer and supplier. The chart in the report shows the pump price per litre of fuel in recent months. The committee further noted that fluctuation and scarcity of petroleum products in Uganda is not singly attributable to the lack of a single national importer and supplier, but rather to a number of factors, all of which need to be holistically addressed and these include fuel stock levels. Although Section 26 of the Petroleum Supply Act requires every licensee to maintain minimum working stocks of petroleum products as prescribed by regulations in order to ensure continuity of the petroleum supply, these regulations are not in place. The Ugandan fuel market has numerous players with the biggest market share operated by multinational companies who determine their individual stocking and price decisions. The committee noted that UNOC’s stock levels are 30 million litres, but they lack consistency in replenishing the reserves. The chart in the report shows the volume and value of petroleum products imported by Uganda monthly. Delays in transportation due to reliance on road transport The absence of bulk and efficient transportation leaves oil marketing companies with the only option of picking products from Kenya by trucks. Although UNOC has utilised railway transport to bring products to Jinja storage terminal via the lake, the current lake transport facility ferry can only ship a maximum of 900,000 litres of diesel in five days. The transport notwithstanding, UNOC does not possess the financial muscle to facilitate trading activities. It was noted that on October

10898 THE PETROLEUM SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 31, 2022, UNOC had a trading stocking level of 6,701,604 litres of both petrol and diesel at the Jinja Storage Terminal and instead rents the premises out to other oil marketing companies. There is no evidence that UNOC currently fully utilises the Jinja storage terminal. The Tax Regime In Uganda, gasoline which is petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene attract an excise duty in form of a fixed fuel levy by category per litre imported. For each litre of fuel, there is an excise duty of Shs 1,444 for petrol and Shs 1,140 for diesel. The chart shows the tax regime and the source is the East African Tariff regime. The cost of taxation is inevitably transmitted to the final pump price contributing to the fluctuation in price. The committee noted that the lack of a sole importer to supply UNOC is not the sole ground upon which the scarcity, fluctuation in prices and non-direct participation by UNOC in the petroleum business is based. Thus, it is not a direct justification for amendment to facilitate UNOC as a sole importer for all petroleum products destined for the Ugandan market. Regional Comparison of Retail Pump Prices The figure below shows the average prices per litre of petrol and diesel in three East African Countries. These are retail-level prices, including all taxes and fees as of 25 October 2023. Comparatively, retail pump prices for both diesel and petrol were highest in Kenya followed by Uganda and Tanzania. Currently, Uganda is a liberalised economy whose fuel pricing is determined by the market forces of demand and supply with little or no involvement of Government. The committee notes that although the proposal in the clause shall eliminate two layers of middlemen from the petroleum supply chain, the introduction of Vitol Bahrain EC still creates a layer of a middleman who shall still buy from a refinery and sell to UNOC at a mark-up. The committee further noted Uganda’s commitments and obligations to equality and non-discrimination embedded in Constitutional provisions, judicial decisions, policy, regional and international legal obligations, as well as its policy on a liberalised free market economy. The committee noted that the Bill offends The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 under whose Objective IX of The National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy provides that the State shall encourage private initiative and self-reliance in order to facilitate rapid and equitable development. This objective is in line with Section 2 of the Public Enterprises Reform and Divestiture Act, 1993, the objectives of which, in part, provides for the reduction of Government equity holding in public enterprises and promotion of local entrepreneurship. Further, the Bill violates Article 2l of the Constitution which provides for a right to equality and freedom from discrimination wherein all persons are equal before and under the law in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life in every other respect and shall enjoy equal protection of the law. Article 21(2) provides that, “Without prejudice to clause 1 of this Article, a person shall not be discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.” Article 40(2) entitles every person in Uganda to the right to practice his or her profession and to carry on any lawful occupation, trade or business. The only exception to the enjoyment of these rights and freedoms is under Article 43 which prohibits a person from prejudicing the fundamental or other human rights and freedoms of others or the public interest which shall not permit -

It is to ask that UNOC should be given money so that it trades directly from the refinery. When you say, you are bringing Vitol, some of you may not know, but it is the shareholder of Vivo Energy, Shell. Vivo Energy is the one trading as Shell. They are using just a Trademark, but in short, they will go through the refinery, through UNOC to Vivo, and they control the market. I can tell you that what you are trying to do may have been done for them to make money at the expense of the people of Uganda. Madam Speaker, I have seen today’s approved Order Paper and Order 3 says, “The Rationalisation of Government Agencies (Repeals and Amendments) Bill, 2023”. This was put in question because there are some agencies that are not performing and we need to merge them. However, UNOC must have failed because if we have 30 million litres in Jinja and they do not even have one litre with which to regulate the market, they are making a mistake. Let me give an example of the Bank of Uganda. It is in the forex – I will talk about only the forex. When the dollar goes too high, it brings in money to bring it down. When the money is too low, it mops it out so that the price stabilises. UNOC should be operating like the Bank of Uganda which does not come in to remove forex bureaus, but to regulate the market so that the economy moves. I would like to explain how the economy moves in the fuel market. Oil is the first traded product in the whole world and everybody would like to trade in fuel. I would like to tell you that if you want anybody – let me ask a question that the minister will answer. How did you contract Vitol in the market? In the public, we advertise and people bid. The best-evaluated bidder is the one who takes the contract. However, with this one, I have read all the newspapers and the Economist because I did Economics, and I have not seen an advert by UNOC looking for somebody to supply – (Interjections)–(Hon. Enosi Asiimwe rose) Hon. Enosi Asiimwe, I will help you. Do not panic.

10818 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT (b) Storied Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Personalisation Centre: A three-storied personalisation building is to be constructed at the ministry headquarters. This is to ease office space accommodation and improve service delivery. That is not yet done. 3. Regional enrolment centres and missions abroad. (a) Regions with fully furnished and equipped enrolment centres in Mbale, Mbarara, and Gulu were done. The ones which are not done are Arua and Jinja. (b) Missions abroad with fully furnished and equipped enrolment centres in Washington D.C., London, Pretoria, Copenhagen, Ottawa, Abu-Dhabi, and Beijing, were done. (c) Images of polycarbonate and paper- based passports: Comparison between old passports (paper-based passports) and the new passports (polycarbonate passports). You can see from the diagram on the data page that this was done. (d) Security features: Laser tactile feature, MCD, holothread, Magic ID, MLI, Transparent Window, OVI. The status is the optically variable ink feature and all the details there. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, honourable minister. This is an update and these are issues which the sectoral committee should follow up as we had said. Next item. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO MITIGATE ACCIDENTS ON THE MPIGI-KANONI ROAD

10829 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2023 2. The Uganda-Iranian Health Centre; 3. Oscar Industries Limited; 4. YUASA Investments Limited; 5. Future Group Company Limited; 6. Justice, Law and Order Sector; and 7. The East African Community Monetary Institute. Following this discovery, the committee deemed it prudent to inquire into the management and utilisation of Uganda Police land in selected areas in Kampala and other incidental matters and make appropriate recommendations. The committee’s inquiry covered police land in and around these areas, including; i. Naguru Police Headquarters land in Naguru and Ntinda; ii. Nsambya Police Barracks; iii. Kibuli Police Station; iv. Kira Road Police Station; v. Jinja Road Police Station; and vi. Clock Tower Fire Brigade Unit, Nakivubo. Findings, Observations and Recommendations 2.1 Naguru Ntinda Land - Plot 2-96, Katalima Road measuring 140.49 acres. Committee findings The land is registered in the name of Uganda Land Commission and the user is restricted to the Police. The land had been divided into new plots and allocated to the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI), Oscar Industries, Uganda-Iranian Health Centre, Justice, Law and Order Sector, and the East African Community Monetary Institute. i. The title indicates that there are no encumbrances on the land. ii. Currently, the land is utilised as described in Table 1 of the major report. 2.2 Land allocated to UNAFRI (16.8 acres) The then Minister of Internal Affairs, the late Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja, in a letter dated 10 February 2011, to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, allocated 16.52 acres of land comprised in Plot 3, Mukabya Road, and plot 2A-8A, Katalima Road, to UNAFRI. Subsequently, a certificate of title to UNAFRI for a lease of 99 years, effective 1 March 2011, was issued on the understanding that UNAFRI would develop the land and carry out its objectives as by statute of May 1995. The land allocated was valued at $1.5 million. Shortly after UNAFRI had been allocated the land, the institute subleased it to various institutions as per the table below. The table I have put down shows the lease, effective date, duration, and size of the land and notes thereafter. UNDP lease was given on 1 June 1993, duration 10 years, size of the land 2,332 square meters. The lease ended in July 1995 when UNDP lost interest. World Food Programme (WFP) effective date 1 August 1995, duration 10 years, size of the land 3.1 acres. Notes on this is that the WFP utilised the land up to 1997 and abandoned it. Subsequently, the lease was cancelled. Trans-Saharan International (U) Limited, which is a car bond. It got a lease effective 1 June 1998. The duration of the lease was five years. Land size 3.1 acres. The lease was renewed on 1 October 2003 for a term of five years but subsequently terminated on 1 December 2004 for non-payment of rent. YUASA Investments Limited, which is also a car bond. It got a lease effective 1 February 2005 for five years. The size of the land is 3.1 acres. The lease was subsequently surrendered and terminated. A new lease of 25 years

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon we have pupils and teachers of Jinja Central School from Jinja District. They are represented in Parliament by Dr Batuwa Timothy and Hon. Katali Loy. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. First, I appreciate the minister for the two reports she has presented eloquently. I want to start with the fuel prices. Some time back, the Committee on Trade was directed to do an investigation on fuel prices and the report was presented here in the House. We noted that there were only two companies that control 75 per cent of the fuel imported into the country. That is TotalEnergies and Vivo Energy; they control most of the imports. We tried to investigate, and most of the time, we said we did not have reserves and our reserves in Jinja were empty. To fill those reserves will require $40 million, and even then, it will not take us a week when in a crisis. That option was not possible. The minister has come up with something, which I personally would support because we realise that the fuel prices even if there is no COVID-19, no Ukraine-Russian crisis, the prices continue to go up and remain the same; meaning there is an element of greed among those who import fuel. Therefore, Government is taking action to begin the importation of fuel and create a level of competitiveness. In the words of my fellow economist, the macroeconomic indices, it would help us to bring in competition and the prices would even drop. The moment they hear that the Government of Uganda is going to take action to import fuel, for them to sell, they will drop the prices. That is the only way we can help the country. (Applause) Mr Speaker, some people had alluded to the idea that we should provide subsidies. The last time I checked, this country only has $4.8 billion in terms of foreign currency reserves. We will use that money for the purposes of maintaining monetary policy, that is, managing inflation and the exchange rate. Therefore, that money can no longer be used carelessly just for the purposes of subsidy. I would like to support the recommendation by the minister of making sure that the Government of Uganda, through the UNOC, gets involved in importing oil. The only issue I put to you is that this would require a substantial amount of money. You are going to bring a policy or a law for us to consider and I think you need to consider the budget framework of how much it would cost the country to import, but it is a good idea. The second issue is in regard to the oil itself; the exploration, excavation and the enablement that we have put in place. I think that we have spent a substantial amount of money and it is over $4 billion in the process of trying to put up the airports, the roads, invest some money with the UNOC and our responsibility to EACOP. Mr Speaker, from the numbers that we have - I always give numbers. If all the fuel is being pumped out and taking into consideration that we will pay off the investors with what we call cost oil based on some calculations which I will not go into, this country will only be able to have on average $2 billion every year - in effect, Shs 7.5 trillion. Given the situation, which we are in now in terms of relying so much on debt, borrowing every financial year, this money will come in handy to help us in our budget support. What worries me is that from the statistics the minister has given us, we are only at 33 per

Mr Speaker, the motion reads: “WHEREAS the Parliament of Uganda received with deep sorrow, the sad news of the demise of Hon. Henry Kisadha Magumba Kyemba, which occurred on Thursday, 19 October 2023; AWARE THAT Hon. Henry Kisadha Magumba Kyemba had an illustrious and distinguished career, serving in various key positions in the political and public service of Uganda, where he played a crucial and immense role in the pre and post-colonial administration of Uganda; NOTING THAT Hon. Henry Kisadha Magumba Kyemba held several key positions of responsibility, which include the following – (a) Principal Private Secretary to the then Prime Minister of Uganda, H.E. the late Dr Milton Obote; (b) Principal Private Secretary to the then President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. the late Gen. Idi Amin Dada; (c) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Community Development from 1974 – 1975; (d) Minister of Health from 1974 – 1977; (e) Minister of Justice/Attorney-General in 1976; (f) Minister of State for Animal Industry and Fisheries, 1990 – 1993; (g) Member of the Constituent Assembly; (h) Minister of State Office of the President 1994-1996; (i) Member of Parliament representing the people of Jinja Municipality West, Jinja District then, from 1996-2001; and (j) Secretary and Commissioner, Judicial Service Commission; RECOGNISING THAT Hon. Henry Kisadha Magumba Kyemba was a firm advocate and promoter of democracy, good governance, peace, rule of law, respect for human rights, access to justice for all and strengthening public administration, ideas he illustrated in his book “A STATE OF BLOOD: The Inside Story of Idi Amin”; and

10727 THE ELEVENTH P ARLIAMENT OF U G ANDA T U ESDAY , 24 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker, with a career under one’s arm dating as far back as Independence in 1962, when he first joined public service, Hon. Kyemba’s life is a testament to the notion that public service is noble and he did tremendously well along the journey. He brought to life the words of Mark Twain; “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.” Mr Speaker, Hon. Kyemba would demonstrate, early in life, that there was a need to cede political space and pass on the mantle in good time, when he chose to retire honourably. He availed himself for selfless service as a member of the Rotary International movement in 1987, rising to Charter member of the Source of the Nile Rotary Club in Jinja. Indeed, at the time of his passing, Hon. Kyemba was a Past District Governor (PDG) of Rotary International District 9200; that is Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Tanzania. He has also served, from 2003, as Director of University and Technical Education for the Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation, which has impacted the lives of numerous people. (Applause) Mr Speaker, despite having held positions of advantage, Hon. Kyemba, too, knew adversity as many Ugandans across the times have. In 1977, he lost his brother at the hands of the regime he had served under, faced personal insecurity and once took a bullet that was meant to assassinate the President. For many, who may not have interfaced with him at a personal level, he is seen through the lenses of his book, “A STATE OF BLOOD: The Inside Story of Idi Amin ”, which he authored. His timeless revealing work of literature, a bold account of the failings of a government, has gone down in history as a relevant discourse depicting our own times, with accuracy. Having served as the government protagonist in the book, the late minister is a testimony that we shall have many “Kyembas” waiting to happen soon, which is more reason why we should tread carefully as we exercise nonchalance in this House. He would later, in his own words, abridge his action as below and I quote: “I can only give myself as an example. I was in sensitive positions… you know that your president is telling a lie. What do you do? You immediately say, ‘I run away and you would...’ What I grew up knowing and what I got from the British training was that as a civil servant, you had all the right to advise what was proper… but you must also be aware that the head of government… because of the enormous power they wield, can do what he wants and, if necessary, go to Parliament and amend the law.” Mr Speaker, Parliament as we know it in our times has not been spared by this assertion and I am afraid we shall one time be called to account for both our omissions and commissions. In finality, Mr Speaker, the late Hon. Henry Kyemba and his generation have done their part in building the nation. It is profoundly because of their sacrifice that we exist as an independent nation and in miniature as a Parliament. They would have died in vain if we did not stand tall on our mandate to call our nation to order. It is, therefore, time we took the mantle and amplified their call for a Uganda they have aspired for through the generations or we legislate in vain. May the soul of this great son of Uganda rest in eternity. I beg to submit, Mr Speaker. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also rise to support the motion. It is actually true Hon. Kyemba used to represent Jinja West where we shall have the vigil on Wednesday. When we go for burial on Thursday, we shall be in Hon. Aga’s constituency. So, they are both right. Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank you very much for giving us this opportunity to come here to pay tribute to our late uncle, father, and grandfather to some of the people here. Here lies the last born of seven brothers, born to Suleiman Kisajja and Suzana Babirinzangawo . Hon. Kyemba held the flag for us. He was the last man standing and now he has fallen. However, with your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the seven brothers and their descendants up there. Just briefly, they are: David James Nabeta (DJK). You can stand up, DJK Nabeta.

For the record, my name is Isabirye David Aga, a Member of Parliament where the late will be laid to rest; the Member of Parliament for the graveyard. (Laughter) Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me space to speak about the late. I got to know and interact at length with the late a few years ago when I was still working at a radio station in Jinja where I was a talk-show host of a radio program which focused on the history of this country. The late was one of the sources of information that I relied on as far as the history of this country is concerned. When dealing with him, I never found any challenges. He gave me information whenever I wanted it and at times, when I failed to get him on the phone, I could just call Mama Janet Kyemba, who is equally an exceptional woman and supporter. I remember asking him, at one point, how he managed to work in all the regimes since independence. He vividly told me that he put country before self. Whenever called upon, he was willing to serve . (Applause ) Mr Speaker, this morning as I was talking to Hon. Daudi Migereko, former MP for Butembe constituency and a great friend of the late, he told me how the late was friendly to all and a team player. He recalled when they were still councillors at Jinja Municipal Council. I was told that the late was a councillor, together with Hon. Ssekitoleko. Hon. Beti Kamya, the current Inspector General of Government (IGG), was also a councillor in Jinja together with Hon. Frank Nabwiso, Justice Egonda Ntende, among others. The late was one person who could reconcile them whenever they had misunderstandings. The late was a great debater during his legislation time at Jinja Council and here at Parliament where he mentored many, as Hon. Nabeta has testified. He valued friendship so much, not like us today who are fond of backstabbing each other. Today someone is your friend and next day, he is your sworn enemy. When the Dean was speaking, he described him as “Mr No Scandal”. Indeed, that was him. How I wish we could emulate him. I salute the late for offering the younger generation direction and knowledge and we shall always acknowledge him for that. For God and my country, may your soul rest in peace. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I represent a constituency that the late represented in the 5 th and 6 th Parliament. I lead the Opposition on matters of health and had I been making this statement in the 1970s, I would be addressing a colleague on the other side because at the time, he was the Minister of Health and we would be talking business outside the Parliament. However, that will not be the case because he is gone. I have known him as a humble and very obedient politician. He is one of the figures that Busoga, as a sub-region, is indeed proud of. He associated with people who serve above self; the Rotarians. In 1996, he participated in the launch of kicking polio out of Africa. Indeed, by 2020, Polio was kicked out of Africa. He put up a spirited fight against cancer. Sadly, I do not think it has reached where he desired. He has died at a time when Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in his constituency has made a step in the fight against cancer. We have a cancer centre that can test but cannot treat. When it comes to testing, it is weak because we are doing very weak tests like pap smear and the rapid test. We do not have a mammography and therefore cannot do breast cancer tests and all that.

10732 TRIBUTE T O T HE L ATE HON. HENRY K . M . K Y EMBA These are programs that the Government is putting in place. They are cascading cancer treatment from the National Cancer Institute down to the regional referral hospitals. I wish that Jinja was among those regional referral hospitals that are earmarked to start this program. It is our duty, in this sitting and during this motion. More than paying tribute, we should ensure that the late Henry Kyemba, a big name as eulogised by a family member and our very good politicians - Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has stated that we need to name either the cancer centre or the blood bank after him so that his memory stays with us. At an appropriate time, Mr Speaker, I pray that you put a question to the House to amend the motion to include naming the cancer centre that is about to be put up in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital after him. However, the Government should have it equipped to look like him. Last but not least, in a special way, I thank the Minister for Health, Ms Jane Ruth Aceng. I remember one time I was speaking for our senior cadres as a Member of Parliament when the only cardiologist in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital was being transferred to another hospital. I put up a spirited fight and informed him that we have senior citizens who find it hard to travel to Kampala. We discussed and she gave me her position and at the end of the day, she agreed to maintain the cardiologist in Jinja. (Applause) With limited resources, such favours do a lot towards the lives of these people. Related to the late Bishop Bamwoze, another big name in Busoga, may his soul rest in peace. Mr Speaker, I was privileged to drive him from home to hospital and as I was taking him, he insisted on going to the regional referral hospital despite having very good private hospitals in Jinja because he wanted to go where the common people receive treatment. He had a big name, family and big people to take care of him, but he insisted. It is therefore my humble request, as we are going into the Budget process, that Jinja Regional Referral Hospital - this time we have been assured that we are getting a blood bank because we have donors taking part. We showed them the land and the Kiruddu Hospital team visited and assured us that they would get us dialysis equipment. We showed them the place to house them and I pray that this does not only end on paper but is implemented and that one of those centres is named after him. This is more honourable than naming a road after him. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I pray that the soul of the deceased rests in eternal peace.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity you have given to me to pay tribute to our own; Hon. Kyemba. Mr Speaker, I was worried when you started mentioning leaders from Jinja City and you were not mentioning me. I kept wondering how you could talk about Jinja City and not talk about me, a senior leader from the city. (Laughter) We have lost a great leader who has served this country with passion in different capacities. As Jinja City, we have lost a senior resident, a wise man and a person of value to the people of Jinja. The late Hon. Kyemba has been a man of wisdom and we have been going to his home to make consultations on many matters concerning Jinja City and the country at large. He has been ready and available to offer free information whenever approached. As Jinja City, we have lost someone very senior and we shall never remain the same. The late Hon. Kyemba has served in different governments and in different capacities. During his time as a political leader, he emphasised the value of education, especially to the young people in Busoga and Jinja in particular. He helped so many people and supported the

10733 THE ELEVENTH P ARLIAMENT OF U G ANDA T U ESDAY , 24 OCTOBER 2023 underprivileged to get scholarships within and outside the country, unlike nowadays where it is the privileged who gain from scholarships. As a politician, the late Hon. Kyemba was a big inspiration to many politicians in Jinja and Busoga and he has served his country diligently. One thing I remember about him is that even after quitting active politics, he remained a humble man and he has been living a free life. He tried so much to avoid getting involved in scandals such as fighting his opponents. I want to recognise Mama Janet Kyemba. I contested with her in the recent elections but even though the late Hon. Kyemba had connections in Government, he never - I did not see him anywhere trying to disorganise the election process. (Applause) Even when I won, they congratulated me as a family. Therefore, he was a man without scandal. As a lesson to this Government, we should always try, as much as possible, to avoid persecuting and oppressing our political opponents. I am very sure and I do believe that the late Hon. Kyemba did not support the kidnaps and abductions that are currently happening in our country. Even though I believe in the National Unity Platform (NUP) and you believe in the National Resistance Movement (NRM), we should always disagree in principle; but it is very unfortunate that nowadays, Opposition Members of Parliament need to seek permission to hold prayers; you can imagine. As a country, we need to emulate a lot from the late Hon. Kyemba. Mr Speaker, I thank the Government for offering our own; the late Hon. Kyemba, a state funeral. However, at the same time, we should take the opportunity, as Busoga region, to ask Government to think about Busoga as a region. It is very unfortunate that recently, as the President was in Busoga -

10748 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. HENRY K. M. KYEMBA left politics. However, he would stay home, and gave her the opportunity to serve the community to which they belonged. I want to thank him, because not many men can do that. I would also like to bring out the issue Hon. Baba talked about – the issue of forgiveness. Hon. Baba, on behalf of us Basoga and Busoga, thank you for forgiving our great father, our great leader. I say this because he had equally forgiven the same subregion which you come from and our former President Idi Amin Dada, because it was during his leadership in this country that Hon. Henry Kyemba’s brother Lume Kisadha disappeared. His son is in the gallery but he cannot give accountability even to the grandchildren because he disappeared and yet he had a job in Nytil as a store manager. The story did not come out clear; what was the cause? Was it because of politics, the job he was doing? Because at that time, being a manager of a store meant that you could influence things by opening and things are carried to support a particular individual especially in politics. However, he forgave them, the President and he painfully went and worked with President Idi Amin because he had a mission to accomplish. God wanted to use him for certain things so that people would benefit. I thank Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, for telling us that and we appreciate it, as Busoga. When it comes to issues to do with family, Hon. Kyemba was from a very rich family. His father Suleiman Kisadha was an administrator of the Gombolola called Mayuge. That means, right from that time the family had money. For those of you who have just seen money, we saw the family of Mwami Kisadha with money in Busoga. When his brother Nathan James Nabeta would go to the Bank of Baroda to bank, that day they would lock the whole branch because a rich man in Jinja, a brother to Hon. Henry Kyemba called Nathan James Nabeta, the father to Hon. Nathan Igeme Nabeta had gone to bank. Despite the fact that they were educated and had money, they remained humble in the community. How many of us would carry both education and money and remain humble wherever we are? Let us pick lessons. You have the money; it is yours and not for everybody; keep it to yourself. Yes, you went to school; use your education to help the community as you help yourself. You do not have to throw around yourself because you carry money and degrees. We should learn from them; humility is very important. By the way, being humble is not simple; it means that you have to sacrifice and make sure you register within your mind to remain humble in the community because that is what it is looking for. Being arrogant and braggart is not useful to the community and that is not what you would want the children of others to learn from you. So, we take it from them as a family that their grandparents and parents taught them to be humble. It also brings in the issue of reading and being informed before you talk, and talk when you must. Mzee Henry Kyemba talked less but because he talked less, we are here seated and all want to talk about him, not because he talked much. He only talked when he was supposed to talk and he would have sense in what he was saying. There was a message, and that is why we are here to say, “I have this to talk about him.” Are we all the same, in our era of politics of showbiz? I sometimes say politics of celebrity, talking because you have to but are you communicating? Is there a message you are carrying? I call on Members in this House to carry important messages to the people whenever we stand up to speak. And if you do not have anything to communicate, I would request that

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I speak on behalf of the disability fraternity who live in Jinja, to pay tribute to Hon. Kyemba. We condole with the family, the people of Busoga, and with the whole country. Mr Speaker, under the leadership of Rt Hon. Kadaga- I was greatly involved in the Busoga issues. I had an opportunity to meet the gentleman we are talking about today but before I go there, Hon. Kyemba, was the Minister of Health and my mother was a nurse. Much as I recognise the government of UPC, which built the hospitals, it was under his leadership that these hospitals were commissioned and it was the first time I saw a minister. I was a young girl and those days when the President was coming, children were put on the road to line up to welcome him, to welcome a minister and ministers were ministers. (Laughter) I want to tell you, we were in Bugiri, and my mother was transferred to that hospital and those hospitals are many, Itojo, and others, those were hospitals built all over Uganda, under the supervision of Hon. Kyemba, under the wrong time of Iddi Amin but I am telling you, the hospitals were sparkling, they were smart. He was not moving around as a minister but his administration was felt even when he was not there. You find the nurses saying, if Kyemba comes - nobody would steal medicine, nobody would do anything bad. The hospitals, right from the kitchen, were smart and food would be given there. That was the administrator, in the man called Henry Kyemba. How many of us emulate that? These days, as ministers, with due respect to the ministers, we want to be everywhere. How do you put in the system, which people will feel that you are there when you are not even there? I want to give him credit. It is a lesson I learned.

Mr Speaker, this is one of those moments when I wish I were not an ex- officio Member of Parliament, so that when the question is put, I would shout the loudest. Unfortunately, I am silenced by the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. We should not reduce Hon. Henry Kyemba to the size of a school, to the size of a clan, to the size of a community. We only make those references because everything has a credo. We talk about Jesus of Nazareth, but he was not about Nazareth and his mission was universal. Just like the mission of Prince Henry Kyemba was national, Pan-African and global. Many will talk about the offices of distinction that he held but running through all those offices is one thing, Mr Speaker, it comes down to character. That is what the measure of the man is. We condole with the family, we condole with the Government of Uganda and the President, we condole with Parliament, we condole with the whole of Uganda and all the friends. We celebrate his achievements and in doing that, let us talk about his roots, and how he was formed. What was he made of? How did he view himself and how did he view the world? In the city of Jinja where I grew up and spent many happy years as a child, there is a road called Lubas Road; it was a famous road, which had two cinemas. Those who know, know.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hon. Henry Kyemba lying here has had an impact on the lives of many. A lot has been said and a lot will be said. However, from my standpoint, upon completing Makerere University, I tried to get jobs but luck was not on my side. I ventured to say that there is a tribe in Uganda that lacks literature and that tribe was the Basoga. In 1997, I went to offices and interacted with the Rt Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Alitwaala Rebecca Kadaga, I met the late Hon. Basoga Nsadhu, I interacted with the late Hon. Henry Kyemba and I told them “You are a powerful community but you do not have a newspaper.” They encouraged me and gave me the fire and the zeal to start that newspaper. The Rt Hon. Deputy Prime Minister seated here sent the late Basoga Nsadhu to launch the Lusoga newspaper and I was the Executive Director in Jinja. I thank Hon. Henry Kyemba who is lying here and Mama Janet. Kodeyo . No wonder Hon. Nabeta, a year later, started a media radio called Kodeyo, the foundation that Henry carried and moved forward. Mr Speaker, to cut the long story short - we can talk until the cows come home. The point I want to draw close to is that from that Lusoga newspaper, I would come to the gallery here

Thank you, Mr Speaker. When the elders speak for many minutes, for me who is averagely aged, I have to speak for a few minutes. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for respecting Hon. Kyemba, allowing his body to be brought to Parliament and we eulogise together. I am new in Parliament but while we were waiting to receive the body of the late Hon. Henry Kyemba in the morning, you took a few minutes to arrive. My colleague whispered to me and said, “The Speaker has delayed. I hope we shall not get the same shock as when one person died and the Speaker almost failed to appear.” Therefore, when you arrived, I was really energised. Secondly, when you extended the time of discussion from two hours to five or six hours, I assure you that Hon. Kyemba is looking at you and appreciating you. You have all the blessings. (Applause) Mr Speaker, in 2010, I was a political assistant to Hon. Gagawala Wambuzi, who is my political father. One time, we went to his house in Jinja because there was a very contentious issue in Busoga. When we sat with this man, I felt privileged to sit together with an icon of wisdom at the same table. The counsel he gave us cooled my temper because at that time, I was also angry. Before we left, he asked me, “Young man, what do you do?” I explained to him. He gave me a book titled “A Leader Without a Title”. The second person who has ever given me that book is the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah. When I won the elections, the same Hon. Gagawala took me to his place and told me, “You now have a challenge because your district has only one kilometre of tarmac. Go there and represent the people.” When a dead body is lying before you, you should never tell a lie. I have been very quiet here; most of the words that have been spoken by all Members are the truth about Hon. Kyemba. I would like to testify to you that this man has been one of the few pillars and elders of Busoga but he did not at any one- time influence who should be elected in any constituency or who should be the mayor of any municipality. The man has now left us. Hon. Kyemba, I would like to report to you that we are scared because some elders who have big offices are coming for our positions. I request that you appear to them and continue counselling them. (Laughter) Thank you very much. May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Mr Speaker, I stand to bid farewell to the late Hon. Kyemba, who I refer to as a very unique politician. Suffice to note that while Hon. Kyemba was a minister in this Government, at the same time, I was the district chairperson of Jinja and we are also neighbours. That is why I have been requesting for an opportunity to at least say a word of farewell to him. I thank my sister, Hon. Kyemba’s wife, Janet, the children and all those who have looked after him. It is also common knowledge that Hon. Kyemba served this country at the district local government level. He later on served as a Principal Private Secretary to the first Executive Prime Minister in 1962, and in the same capacity, to the first Executive President for a record time of nine years. He also served other amazing years because he served that time under President Idi Amin, both as a Principal Private Secretary and minister. His services to President Obote, President Idi Amin and the current Government qualified him to be referred to as a politician of unique character. He saw and did it all. The other aspect is that he used the power of a pen in his book, “The State of Blood”, to educate the whole world on the social, economic and political turmoil in Uganda at the time. In my district chairmanship, I respected him because he understood the decentralisation policy in detail. I used to consult him quite often while I was the district chairperson of Jinja. When he retired, he retired to a quiet life. He was not antagonistic, but consultative.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As a result of heavy traffic congestion and the economic activities, the Government earlier earmarked to work on Jinja-Kampala Express Highway. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I beg to know how far this project has reached. I come from Buyende - I would like to know how far the Bukungu-Kamuli Road has reached. Lastly, and with due respect, I have heard about 300 families that were affected by the natural catastrophe about three months ago. As a Member of Parliament, I managed to get some food, but they are disgruntled as far as iron sheets are concerned. My prayer is, can I receive your quick intervention urgently? Thank you.

Mr Speaker, we have a project or programme in the Office of the Prime Minister and Busoga is under Luwero- Rwenzori. We have over 19,000 iron sheets. I request the Member to write through the Ministry of Luwero Triangle and we shall give you iron sheets under Busoga. (Applause) On the issue of the Kampala-Jinja Highway, it is a priority road. I may not have up to date information, as of now, but the feasibility study and designs are complete. We are just looking for money to start on the civil works because I believe even the contractors are being earmarked in order for us to decongest that road. The other one is the Bukungu-Kamuli road. The Rt Hon. First Deputy Prime Minister, Alitwala Kadaga, in February this year, during a Cabinet meeting, requested the President to prioritise that road. The President directed me to chair a Cabinet subcommittee together with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Works and Transport so that, that road can also be prioritised. We have got a pre-financing arrangement and we shall have that road worked on before the year 2025. (Applause)

Right honourable, on that road, it should be Jinja- Mbulamuti-Bikungu because the other side will go to Buyende. They should ensure they reach Jinja. On the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, when you talk of financing I get concerned. The 10 th Parliament passed a loan of US$ 600 million. I remember this very well and we have never reported here that it did not materialise. It was an African Development Bank (ADB), European Union loan because that road was earmarked to be under Public-Private Partnership (PPP). To reduce on the cost of the road, they said we do a PPP. If it is between $ 1 billion and $ 1.2 billion then we should be able - Donors said we should cover part of the money so that the concessionaire does not charge a lot of money to collect it over time. Procurement went on very well and they reached a stage of financials. The President released a letter where he was saying one of the participants in the process should be removed; that is CCC. You had contracted International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank to do all this work. The IFC got stuck and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) was on the ground to remove CCC. Since then, we have been stuck. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, can we sort out the issue of procurement because the money is available, but also because of the PPP? We are paying interest on undisbursed loans from ADB for over three years. I request that you push your Minister of Works and Transport to expedite this issue so that we can have it sorted quickly. Hon. Okwalinga -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It has come to my knowledge a few days ago and this afternoon– but conclusively this afternoon – that there is a sweeping arrest and detention of cyclists in the city, who are doing commercial business known as boda boda . While some were passing Jinja Road this morning, we witnessed an accident – I think one of them was trying to evade law enforcement and was carrying a passenger. They ended up crashing into a car and what happened to the passenger was pathetic. Mr Speaker, we do not say “No” to the role of law enforcement in the performance of its duties. These young motorcyclists have come to us stating that they do not say “No” to acquiring riding licenses for their motorbikes, but the price is extremely high. To have a boda boda cyclist pay the same cost for a riding license like me, who drives a car is unfair and that comes from our legislative arm. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [The Deputy Speaker[

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I am heartbroken as I raise this matter before this august House. The matter is regarding the rampant arrests of Ugandans by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Information on the ground that still needs to be investigated indicates that many Ugandans living around national parks and game reserves are being lured by some UWA authorities to search for ivory, pangolins and other wildlife species on demand abroad. The same people who lure these Ugandans are the same who arrest them. Mr Speaker, as you are aware, under the Whistle-blowers Protection Act, whistle- blowers are exorbitantly remunerated and this remuneration has been abused by some UWA authorities at the expense of poor Ugandans. As we speak, if you go to any nearby police station like Jinja Road Police Station, Kiira Road Police Station or Luzira Prisons, you will find many Ugandans suffering there at the expense of these people - (Member timed out.)

10510 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Enactment of the Physical Planners Registration Act, 2022 was also done and we are now in the process of looking at the regulations. The Permanent Secretary requested the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the National Planning Authority to ensure that all infrastructure developments by MDAs with a special component comply with the fiscal planning. Mr Speaker, the ministry with the support from World Bank - that is Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) - prepared the first National Fiscal Development Plan and Cabinet approved it in November last year. Regional plans have also been prepared for the Albertine Region and the Northern Uganda Economic Corridor. Districts of Wakiso, Moroto, Nwoya, Kikuube, Kabarole, Bududa, Bunyangabu, Nakaseke and Budaka have physical development plans. There are a number of physical development plans still under preparation, which include the Bwebajja Physical Development Plan, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Physical Development Plan, and the Jinja/Kampala and Mpigi Infrastructure Corridor Plan. A number of urban councils have prepared physical development plans and it is noteworthy that many of these have attained high levels of implementation. They include Gulu, Arua Cities, Pader, Kagadi, Bulisa Town Councils, among others. The table below summarises the status of physical development plans in the country and the details of the specific local government are also attached as Annex 1. We have one National Physical Development Plan, two regional physical development plans, then out of the 135 districts, we have nine that have complied. Out of the 11 cities, we have three; out of the 31 municipalities, we have 17. Out of the 1,488 subcounties, we have 198; for town councils, we have 47 out of 585. Challenges While Government has made effort to support physical planning in the country, a lot still remains undone. The number of planned local governments above speak for themselves. Even where physical development plans have been prepared, their implementation still remains a challenge. A lot of the challenges are faced in the implementation of the Physical Planning Act can be attributed to the increasing land use pressures, occasioned by the country’s quest for economic development, high rate of population growth and inadequacies in physical planning. The latter is mostly attributed to inadequate funding levels and governance gaps. The following are the specific challenges that the country has to deal with in the implementation of the Physical Planning Act; 1. Most of the planning that should result in visible results is done at the local government level. Unfortunately, these local governments are grossly underfunded, resulting into low prioritisation exhibited through low budget allocations to develop, review and implement the physical development plans, especially at subcounty and district level. 2. Capacity gaps, human resource, equipment and training. Inadequate awareness creation on physical planning, hence low levels of appreciation of physical planning and development control. 4. Ineffective coordination at central and local government levels. 5. Weak enforcement mechanisms. 6. Failure to formulate ordinances; for cities and bylaws for municipalities and town

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I must thank the minister because for the first time, he has been very frank. You are a very good minister; humble, but this time you have been frank. On the regional workshops he is talking about, take a walk to Jinja. It is not a workshop; it had even been abandoned. We do not have genuine workshops. They used to get a budget of Shs 30 billion for the four regional workshops. Now, they are talking of Shs 11.8 billion for the four. One tire for a grader costs Shs 3.2 million. If they are 16 graders, multiply that. You know how many graders we have. The issue of the Ministry of Works and Transport and why they have not helped these Members of Parliament – They need to harmonise with station engineers at the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). We have 23 stations. So that in case they have an excavator, which the district does not have, they can rent because at times they do not use them at the same time. Therefore, to cut a long story short, the way we are handling roads, we are going back to 1986. The money that used to go to roads is no longer going there. That minister, for example, can tell you they have just got a third of their budget for the second quarter. Last quarter they never got any money. The Uganda Road Fund, where we used to get money for maintenance from, its money has been slashed to almost zero because the whole Government is pushing to have the Uganda Road Fund mainstreamed- (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for that statement. I am the chairman of the Roads Committee in my district, Busia. We have a challenge because the district engineer told us that despite the availability of money to repair some of the road equipment for use, the workshop in Bugembe has failed to provide the technical expertise to repair some of the road equipment we have. We have the money for repair; we are guided that the repair must be undertaken by the workshop at the regional level, whereby they should come and help us utilise the money we have for the repair, but the workshop in Jinja, has declined because they do not have that expertise. We have asked the CAO to write to the ministry to allow us to contract out a service provider to repair the equipment, and this is very challenging. So, I would like to appreciate the minister’s honesty here that they lack the money in terms of even building the capacity to provide for the repairs as mandated by the ministry. Honourable members, as we start the budget process for this financial year, more money should be allocated to the ministry. I would like the minister to come up with an honest budget of how much should be funded to make these workshops help our people. Thank you very much.

Much obliged, Mr Speaker. Findings The committee observes that the current management arrangement of the national strategic fuel reserves at Jinja Storage Terminal (JST), through a joint venture between UNOC and the consortium has been characterised by several devastations and inconsistencies from the original agreement highlighted in the committee’s findings. This raises concerns and may comprise UNOC’s ability to effectively execute its mandate. The committee further observes that under the current management arrangement, the National Strategic Fuel Reserves at JST are primarily used by the Government of Uganda, through UNOC and the consortium, to do business (trade in fuel). The committee recommends that a forensic audit be undertaken by the Auditor-General into the management and operation of the JST with the view of ruling out the possibilities of fraud and mismanagement of funds provided by the Government of Uganda to UNOC, the revenue that accrues from bulk purchases by the Government of Uganda and the revenue remitted by the consortium. A report in respect to this should be submitted to Parliament within three months from the time the committee report is adopted by Parliament. The committee observes that Government’s intervention to tackle escalating pump prices by addressing challenges associated with the import routes alone have not been able to stabilise pump prices. Also, whereas the Government of Uganda recognises the STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would also like to thank the chairperson of the committee for the report and the minister for the statement. First, my concern is on the quality. I think we get all our petroleum products from one source. However, when you go to different fuel stations, they have varying prices. So, I wonder whether the quality is different or the same. Secondly, I would like to know from the minister; we have our reserves in Jinja Storage Terminal. When fuel prices are high in the world, why don’t we use our storage terminal to stabilise our fuel prices? Lastly, I would like to talk about electricity and solar. When you compare the entire population, very few people use them for light at their households. Most of them use kerosene. So, whatever we are talking about, we are not mentioning kerosene. Regarding the reserves, you are recommending 20 million litres of diesel and 10 million of petrol. We are not considering kerosene which is used by many poor people in our population. Thank you very much.

10344 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR I run a factory nearby, but by morning all products are black, people breathing in fuel – just here in Matugga on Nkoma Close. I became tough and that is when NEMA came in and closed them – some Chinese company. These old tyres that you see, are burnt, they make fuel out of it and then they go and blend it in petrol stations. So, if he has around 60 litres of clean fuel and he blends it with 40 from dirty fuel, yet he has a government licence, as an investor. And when you complain to Government officials nothing is done, that is why we have bad fuel. Honourable minister, it is going on. I am told that there is another one in Jinja. So, honourable minister, I can volunteer to drive and show you the place because even NEMA knows it; this is not just street talk. Honourable members, I am first picking colleagues who have been here with us and have not spoken and then after, I am going to do a round of you. There is a lot of jam outside; so, I am going to give you enough- we can be here doing Government business. (Laughter) We have refreshments in the canteen in case you are-

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to also appreciate the Committee on Government Assurance and the minister for trying to explain what is happening about the fuel prices in this country. In this Parliament, we complained about the raising of school fees in private and public schools, but we did not try to analyse the causes. Now, it is coming up here that the prices are still very high and there is no way the private schools can reduce the school fees. However, we have fuel reserves, but there is no stock. If we do not plan, we shall continue having this problem. Those fuel reserves which are in Jinja should always be stocked with fuel. And I think those people dealing in fuel are doing very good business because whenever I go to Hoima, in almost every year, they are constructing a new petrol station. In other words, we have fuel in plenty, but we are failing to control the prices. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Much as we talk about prices, there is also an element of hoarding. Many businessmen may hoard the fuel in order to make a fortune. The ministry needs to start inspecting and checking out those who are hoarding fuel. For example, you can go to Jinja and find fuel, but they will tell you the fuel is not for the Government, but for a businessman; what does [The Deputy Speaker] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am a member of the committee and I want to give information, as you guided. On 5 September 2023, the same minister, my brother, Hon. Okasaai, presented a report on the fuel crisis in this country, which we debated and the issue of the fuel reserves was the main action point. The Speaker guided that you come up with an action to put regional fuel reserves in this country. Mr Speaker, as we moved around as a committee, we noted that the Jinja fuel reserve that we have as a country was rented out. The fuel in Jinja fuel reserve is owned by private people. The Government is not in charge, unlike the Prime Minister who has always assured Ugandans that they are in charge. Mr Speaker, that is the information I wanted to give.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report, particularly Hon. Ssekitoleeko, for standing in for the leadership of the committee to author this report. There have been extensions of gratitude to the honourable minister. I do not know for what, but I have heard. For being present, I thank you. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, Hon. Okaasai is a very good man and he understands the banter, he has no problem. There are global interventions in what we plan. Unfortunately, there is no global Government, so, we only have the Government of Uganda. If the Government surrenders its sovereignty to global forces, that Government is on the verge of disappearance. The local market for petroleum products is a small oligopoly market controlled by two powerful players controlling 70 per cent of the market. The rest can only follow what the two powers determine. Unfortunately, the Government seems to have surrendered responsibility to these two powers. The whole idea of controlling prices was the main thrust of the report. It has nothing to do with stopping prices from changing, but remaining within a manageable realm. When the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is reporting on economic indicators and performance, they normally give an indication of underlying and overhead inflation. Normally, overhead inflation includes the price of petroleum. This has a very huge impact on the economy because it times a lot. The backward and forward linkages with other sectors, is so expansive, which is why no Government should abdicate the impact of petroleum. First of all, petroleum products are a serious security matter for the country. If you wake up and you are a Government and you have no reserves, you are in trouble. I remember I was part of the Ninth Parliament that demanded that the Government retrieves and recaptures to manage the reserves in Jinja. We even offered money, in one of the financial years in the Ninth Parliament. Honourable minister, the questions raised here is why you allowed private actors to solely manage the reserves? You went into a consortium arrangement and in two years, you amended the consortium agreement; One, to extend the period from 10 years to another five years. Would you like to share with Parliament the motivation for extending the period from 10 years to 15 years? Secondly, in one year after the agreement, you again added an addendum to delete a clause that required that these private actors actually maintain 40 per cent of the reserves. Thereafter, you make it an objective and a duty of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC). What happened to that obligation? Thirdly, the committee is demanding for accountability over fuels that are sold out of these reserves. Do you have a plan for maintaining strategic reserves for the country so that even when prices oscillate, they oscillate within a manageable range? That is the objective. The reserves are a buffer. The Government has to get out of the box, you cannot run the Government by cram work, as you are running the private sector. A policy mix is what serious Governments do in the face of a very serious matter that impacts the performance of the economy. [Ms Kaaya] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wanted to give Hon. Kabanda information concerning Ugandans such as Mabirizi. Much obliged, thank you so much and let us stand together. United we stand and win as Uganda. We have already qualified to participate and I know Uganda may even take the African Cup of Nations, insha-Allah. MR MAURICE KIBALYA (NRM, Bugabula County South, Kamuli: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I add my voice to whoever has congratulated those that participated in the bid to have Uganda host the AFCON 2027. There is no international gathering or conference that can pull crowds like when we host games. In 2027, I am very sure Uganda is going to host people that it has never hosted before. It is going to have a population that will disorganise the whole set up of Uganda. This is the time and we have three years to prepare for this. Mr Speaker, I have heard colleagues suggesting that the stadium should be in Fort Portal, Hoima or somewhere. This is not an event for Kampala, Fort Portal or Hoima alone. It is for Uganda as a whole. We need to see the Ministry of Education and Sports coming to do some renovation work at Bugembe Stadium so that when a participating country comes, they can go for training in Jinja and stay there for two days as they prepare to come and play at Namboole or Nakivubo stadia. We should not have all countries in Kampala alone as if Mbale or Jinja are not waiting. This is an opportunity for every region to benefit. Let it not be centralised in Kampala as if they have only come to visit Kampala. We want every region to benefit in whichever formula. We have seen countries jetting in five days, a week or eight days in advance. Take them to Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara so that they train from there. Those people will benefit from the different sectors -(Member timed out.)

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you, for the opportunity and also invite you to ask Hon. Kabanda from Kasambya to keep quiet. On behalf of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), permit me to present the reports after scrutinising the report of the Auditor-General in respect of the health sector and particularly the following institutions - there are quite a number, but as you guided me, I have prepared an executive summary and the reports have been uploaded onto the Members’ iPads. But before I proceed, permit me to lay, on the Table, the minutes as required by the rules in respect of all the proceedings of the committee. I humbly do so. Permit me also to lay, on the Table, as a matter of procedure and constitutional requirement, one of the annexures to the committee report. It is a report of the CID as tasked by the committee in respect to the existence of coffee shops established by the Office of the Prime Minister and a private partner, Inspire Africa Limited, in selected districts; which the committee established to be non-existent despite the expenditure of Shs 20 billion. I lay the report of the CID on the Table. With respect to the regional referral hospitals and other specialised health votes. I now proceed with the summary as guided. Article 163(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda mandates the Auditor- General to submit to Parliament an annual report on all accounts audited by him for the financial year immediately preceding. The Constitution further, under Article 163(5), requires Parliament to debate and consider the report and take appropriate action within six months after the submission of the report by the Auditor-General. The report of the Auditor-General on regional and national referral hospitals for the F iscal Y ear 2021/2022 was presented to the House on the 19th of February and referred to the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) for consideration. In accordance with Rule 174 of the Rules of Procedure of the House, the Committee considered these reports and proceeded to satisfy itself, among others, that – (a) the monies appropriated by Parliament and disbursed were legally available for, and applicable to, the service or purpose for which they have been applied and charged; (b) the expenditure conforms to the authority, which governs it; and (c) re-appropriation has been made in accordance with the provisions of the rules of a competent authority; and (d) the intended value of the expended monies was attained. Scope The report covers audit queries contained in the report of the Auditor-General for the period ended 30th June 2022, in respect of the national and regional referral hospitals, namely: 1) Mulago National Referral Hospital; 2) Mulago National Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; 3) Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital; and 4) Kawempe, Kiruddu, and China-Uganda Friendship Hospitals. Others include; Entebbe Hospital, Mubende, Kabale, Jinja, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua and Hoima Regional Referral Hospitals. In addition, the report further covers findings on other specialised health-related institutions and votes, as well as programs such as the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

10211 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAME N T O F U G A N D A T H U R SDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 While interacting with some of these entities, the committee discovered that the majority of the affected accounting officers did not seek revision of their budget and work plans as provided for under Section 17(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. For example, Kiruddu Referral Hospital had a total warrant, for the financial year, of Shs 21.287 billion. Only Shs 20.656 billion was spent by the entity, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 0.63 billion, representing an absorption capacity of only 75.6 per cent Kawempe Hospital had a total warrant for the financial year of Shs 13.168 billion. The Hospital spent Shs 13.03 billion, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 0.139 billion, representing an absorption capacity of 99 per cent. Entebbe Hospital had warrants amounting to Shs 3.88 billion, Shs 3.35 billion was spent by the entity, resulting in an unspent balance of 0.329 billion, representing an under absorption of 1 per cent. The unspent balance of Shs 0.329 billion was on salaries occasioned by the late release of funds. And I wish to invite colleagues to underline “late release of funds”. Naguru Hospital had total warrants for the FY of Shs 10.87 billion, only Shs 9.99 billion was spent by the entity, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 0.878 billion, representing an absorption of Shs 91.9 per cent. Jinja Hospital had a total receipt of Shs 11.065 billion of which Shs 9.97 billion was spent, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 1.086 billion, representing an absorption capacity of 90 per cent. The committee also noted with concern that some of the unspent funds were as a result of late releases of funds, especially supplementary budget for salaries, which defeats the conditionalities of approval for supplementary budgets as laid down in the Public Finance Management Act 2015. The committee notes that this is one of the causes of under absorption. Section 17 of the Public Finance Management Act states that any appropriation by Parliament expires by 30 June and ceases to have any effect at the close of the financial year for which it was made. The committee recommends as follows: 1) the Accountant-General strictly enforces Section 15(2) of the Public Finance Management Act 2015, which requires that the annual cash flow plans issued under subsection (1) be the basis for the release of funds to entities. 2) That the accounting officers should strictly adhere to the annual budget performance contract signed with PS/ST pursuant to section 45 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015. The contract binds accounting officers to deliver on activities in the work plan of the vote for the financial year submitted under Section 15 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015. 3) All releases for wages must be made in a timely manner to ensure recruitment for service delivery. 1.3 is on miss classification of expenditure miss charge. The Audit established that a number of entities irregularly diverted funds from the activities for which they were budgeted and spent them on other activities without seeking and obtaining the necessary approvals. The accounting officers explained that this was due to the inadequate budget allocation to the entities yet the hospitals experienced unplanned emergencies like frequent equipment break down, water and sewerage crisis and frequent power outages that required more fuel and infections in the wards and theatres due to high patient numbers thus the need for urgent fumigation services. Other accounting officers explained that the hospitals had shortfalls in pension. But there were extra funds on the gratuity budget.

10212 STANDIN G C O M M I T T E E R E PORT So, they would mingle in order to avoid the accumulation of pension arrears, the hospitals paid pension from the gratuity budget. The committee observed that misclassification is diversion of funds, and most of the diversions were affected by statutory expenditure lines of salary, pension and gratuity. For example, Lira, Kawempe, and Jinja hospitals registered mischarges amounting to Shs 105 million, Shs 47.1 million and Shs 75 million respectively. It was also noted that, in some instances, the accounting officers over-budgeted and concealed funds under statutory items yet they were over and above the actual requirement. The committee further observed that diversion of funds is not only contrary to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, but negatively affects the delivery of services, and negates the purpose of budgeting by distorting approved plans. We recommend, therefore, that the affected accounting officers be reprimanded by the PS/ ST for diverting funds from one expenditure item without seeking authority and a report be given to Parliament within six months. The committee further recommends that the accounting officers should utilise the PFMA, 2015, which gives guidance on the virement and reallocation of funds within a Vote, should need arise. Unauthorised loan deductions Madam Speaker, this is a matter that keeps recurring year after year. The Auditor-General noted that in most regional referral hospitals, there were unauthorised loan deductions from employees’ salaries without letters of undertaking from the responsible officers. Accounting officers explained that this mainly arose from the staff transferred to new stations without their personnel files. In such cases, employees would have active deduction accounts without complete records at new stations. In some cases, non-transferred staff faced similar predicaments, thus attracting the attention of the Auditor-General. Accounting officers further informed the committee that problematic loans were contracted before Payroll Consults Africa came into existence and were being granted at the Ministry of Public Service level. However, currently, all loans are forwarded and granted, basing on a letter of undertaking by the accounting officer. Indeed, Madam Speaker, we have raised similar concerns of loan deductions, on behalf of the affected civil servants. We have also passed resolutions about this vice, but it continues. In Lira Hospital, for example, audit established that UCLA/UBA deducted Shs 12,591,781 from 15 staff without approval of the accounting officer from the payroll deduction management system (PDMS). The 15 staff were not in the “my approval report” but in the “active deduction report.” At Hoima Referral Hospital, the same group deducted Shs 21,015,298 from eight staff without the approval of the accounting officer from the PDMS. The committee observed thus: 1) Government continues to maintain manual staff files, which are not easily movable upon transfer of the affected staff; and 2) That the practice poses a risk of causing deduction without liability, thus depriving staff of their hard-earned funds. This may also expose the Government to litigation and, in some cases, industrial action. Further, the committee is cognisant of clauses 2.1.2 and 2.1.4 of the public service agreement between the Ministry of Public Service and the Uganda Consumers Lenders Association/ Uganda Bankers Association, which requires a letter of undertaking for each Government employee before making employee reservation on the PDMS. Therefore, under the said clauses, only deductions consented to by employees, in writing, should be submitted to the Ministry of Public Service for timely monthly payroll

10213 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAME N T O F U G A N D A T H U R SDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 processing, or as advised by the employer/ entity. The committee, therefore, recommends as follows: 1) Accounting officers should ensure that all loan applications are streamlined with all data being reconciled in liaison with the PCA management and approvals done through the PDMS; 2) The hospital management should, within three months from the adoption of this report by Parliament, seek guidance from the Ministry of Public Service on the usage of the PCA and the PDMS interface to accurately manage their loan database; and 3) The Government should migrate from the manual to digital automated files and no deduction should be made without fully implementing this. Longstanding payables Madam Speaker, this is another monster. The audit established that the amount of arrears in hospitals over time and the current budget allocation do not match. For instance, at Kiruddu Hospital, management reported a closing balance of payables of Shs 458 million, Kawempe Hospital reported Shs 932 million, Jinja reported Shs 1.5 billion while Entebbe reported Shs 824 million. The accounting officers explained that accumulated arrears were mainly arising from inadequate funding for the entities as well as insufficient releases that escalated utility costs. The committee observed that in some instances, the approved budget estimates for the year under review had no provision for the settlement of domestic arrears. These entities cannot run effectively without some of these services. The committee further observed that incurring more debt is contrary to the commitment control system instituted by the Government to curb budgetary indiscipline by accounting officers. Also, the accounting officers committed the Government beyond the approved budget without authorisation, contrary to the commitment control system. The committee, therefore, recommends as follows: 1) That accounting officers should ensure adherence to the commitment control systems to minimise accumulation of domestic arrears, budget for payment of domestic arrears and also come up with a debt settlement plan with the various creditors to avoid possible litigation and associated costs; 2) That accounting officers should be held responsible for creation of arrears without authorisation; and 3) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should also be held liable for failure to clear domestic arrears, which poses a danger of insufficient and ineffective service delivery. IT governance This entails leadership structures and processes that enable an organisation to make decisions to ensure that its IT sustains and extends its strategies and objectives. However, a review of the IT governance structures in some of the entities revealed that: i) There were no specific structures that steer and oversee IT implementation; ii) Most entities had an approved IT staff structure in place, but not implemented. For instance, Mulago Specialised Hospital has one (16 per cent) out of the IT staff establishment of six. Similar findings were made in respect of Kiruddu and China-Uganda Naguru Hospital;

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes. What Hon. Karim is saying is nearly true because we got the instructions to do about 16-18 units. We have completed a few and I think even in Mbale we are on course. Maybe by the end of next month, it should be done. We are working to make sure that it is done. What is also true is that the equipment was brought as the constructions were going on. I was personally in Kabale, there is one in Yumbe, Jinja is nearly done and all these other regional hospitals. The challenges of money notwithstanding, we have made the undertaking to make sure that we complete.

10238 STANDIN G C O M M I T T E E R E PORT During our interaction with the Ministry of Local Government, the committee was informed that the budget provision for ex- gratia and honoraria for local government leaders has fallen short over the last five years and that is from Financial Year 2018/2019 to FY 2022/2023 leading to an outstanding amount of Shs 9,074,258,232. These are the monies that should be paid and these leaders are struggling but they are not receiving that money. (ii) The committee also noted that in the current Financial Year 2023/2024, no provision or IPF was sent to the local governments on ex-gratia and honoraria, amounting to Uganda Shs 48.19 billion as required for the ex-gratia and on honoraria amounting to Shs 48.19 billion as required for the ex-gratia and honoraria. We have given a breakdown, you can look through page six where you will find we have 70,500 LCI and 10,585 LCII - they need this financial year Shs 9.7 billion for their payment and it is not catered for. You will look through and it gives you a total of Shs 48 billion we have provided the details in the table. The committee also looked at the arrears; we have given a breakdown on page seven and the breakdown we have provided covers only the cities and the districts that we visited, but when you look at the annex, you will find a detailed breakdown of how much money was not sent to which entity, giving the total of the Shs 9 billion I talked about. Madam Speaker, we made observations on page 8 that you will look through, and the observations, if I may just run through very quickly: (i) There were figures that were not correlating with the figures provided by the minutes of local government and what we found in the field. (ii) We also received a list of the arrears from the Ministry of Local Government that were submitted. The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development received this list and committed that they would include this in the 3 per cent supplementary since they had not included it in the budget which is a big mistake. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development also acknowledged the omission of ex-gratia and honoraria in the budget for 2023- 2024. Recommendation (i) The Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the affected local government entities should harmonise the arrears for ex-gratia and honoraria; and (ii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to expedite the verification process of the ex-gratia arrears and honoraria to ensure that the requisite funds are provided for in the supplementary budget in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act. Terms of reference two and three, I will just give a summary. Here, our intention as a committee was to establish the availability of land in the different districts from where the cities were created and also to look at their level of preparedness as far as the relocation is concerned. We went to Soroti District where we found they prepared a council resolution; it is important to inform Members that Soroti had gone a step ahead and started construction after they received Shs 1 billion from the Ministry of Finance and this financial year they expected to receive an additional Shs 800 million. However, the other nine districts of Gulu, Arua, Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Jinja, Mbale, and Kabarole: all these are the cities which were created apart from Soroti. All the others have [Mr Mapenduzi] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

10239 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 not received a cent despite the appeal from the Ministry of Local Government that each is given Shs 1 billion. So, I have given a summary that includes how much land is available from every entity, and council resolution and we have also attached the necessary documents and proof of land ownership to show that these entities are ready to receive the money to start construction to relocate but the resources have not been provided. I have given a summary of all these other entities. However, I would like to take us - without going through each entity, because every entity has land, but it is important to mention two other entities, that is Kabarole and Jinja, these are entities that have gone ahead using their locally generated revenue to put structures for the new districts. However, all these projects have stalled because their local revenue is continuously dwindling because most of the cities took over most of the viable local revenue sources. Much as Jinja and Kabarole started construction, they cannot continue now because they do not have the resources. They need to have the money given to them. Now, permit me to proceed to general observations and recommendations to conclude on that so I do not need to repeat those other different entities. The committee made the following general observations: (i) The MoFPED noted the funds for the relocation of the districts displaced by the new cities were being disbursed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the availability of land and readiness to utilise the funds asked for. I mentioned only Soroti received this money. (ii) MoLG has not yet issued clear guidelines for the sharing of assets between the new cities and the affected entities. This is particularly because the conflicts in those local governments are unbearable. The cities and the districts are not working harmoniously because they are struggling to prove who is more powerful. (iii) Whereas the districts and the cities were coexisting, there were cases of conflicts arising from the distribution and sharing of assets as well as the location of the district headquarters. (iv) Following delays by the Government to provide start-up funds, local government through the respective council made efforts to establish new headquarters, find resources, and set up structures. However, construction works for most of the new headquarters have stalled, just as I said, due to a lack of funds; (v) Councils of the different local governments had resolved on the new locations for the district headquarters. However, there are petitions challenging some of them. (vi) Some of the districts are clinging, and this is important, Madam Speaker, Some of the districts are clinging on to assets located within the cities, especially those that were constructed using, I would call it purportedly, local revenue. (vii) Many districts are disposing of property within the cities as they prepare to relocate to frustrate the handover of these properties to the new cities. Some districts even plan to sell off or let out district headquarters. For example, the districts of Masaka and Lira are threatening to dispose of district council halls or administration blocks in the city and use the money for the construction of their new headquarters. (viii) There are disagreements between the district and the city land boards whereby some district land boards refuse to hand over files and are still carrying out transactions on land outside their areas of jurisdiction. For example, in

First of all, we need to find out what happened to our reserves in Jinja, Hoima and others. Do we have fuel in them? If you do, that should be the immediate buffer that we have.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. Yesterday afternoon, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) officials in Mayuge, specifically in my constituency, in Bugata village, Bumwena Parish, Malongo Sub- county, Mayuge District did an operation that led to the killing of one resident called Paul Kijama and another four were shot. As I speak now, two are critically injured and admitted at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. Mr Speaker, this was as a result of a conflict that has been there for long. I recently raised this matter here and the Rt Hon. Prime Minister committed herself and on behalf of Government that they were going to solve it. Mr Speaker, the directive that His Excellency the President gave was the allocation of 48 villages to the wanainchi and 14 villages to NFA to continue planting trees. But, what is happening there, you do not see trees but business being conducted. This year you see trees - as I speak now, they are harvesting trees. It would be good to plant trees to protect the environment, but you see them harvesting the trees instead of protecting the environment.

Mr Speaker, my prayers are: i. The Ministry of Internal Affairs should investigate these matters and the culprits be brought to book; ii. The committee of Parliament responsible for natural resources should interest itself in this matter, go and investigate it and bring a substantive report for the House to resolve on these matters; and iii. I request Government to treat the ailing patients who are in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital because these were poor peasants who were just found in their gardens and shot. [Mr Olanya] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also thank my honourable colleagues from Kalangala. The islands are really disadvantaged and, like my colleagues have stated, it is time that Government looked at the transport in the islands. For example, the Government has now put up a policy that you should not travel at night. These are places that, sometimes, when you are halfway the journey, the engine breaks down and you have to float. The idea should actually be that the Government should help us with a number of safe transport means. My colleagues are talking about life jackets, but there is even the issue of boats. We pay taxes, but – if the Government could inspect the boats, there is wear and tear. The islands pay a lot of taxes because even the consumption of fuel is high. What you would require to travel from here to Jinja is about 10 litres. However, on water, it would be 25 litres. So, we pay a lot of taxes. It is time that the Ministry of Works and Transport on water. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

9669 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 18 JULY 2023 When you look at the issue of refugees, we remain one of the biggest hosts of refugees. We are next after Turkey, Iran and Columbia. We still host refugees in this country, despite the numerous challenges that we have. We have tried, as a country, and we should also be given some appreciation. On the right to adequate standard of living, that is the function of productivity. On the opportunity and enabling environment, there is an enabling environment; you would not be speaking here. (Laughter) We have challenges, but we have an enabling environment – where we can quarrel, abuse everybody and disagree. The Parish Development Model is a national development strategy to try and reduce poverty. The issue is: will it reduce the poverty? It has challenges, which we all need to come in and ensure that we handle them so that we reduce poverty among our people. As leaders, we should come up and ensure that PDM works out well. If we sit back and say we are waiting for the Government, we will wait until the cows come home. Let us put in all our energy and ensure that PDM works. We put a lot of money in PDM; let us not go into lamentations. The other issue is on infrastructural development. The problem we have with infrastructural development is that when you look at our appropriation, as Parliament, infrastructure takes the biggest amount of money. We talked about the issue of having no regulations, lack of discipline and people not knowing what they are doing, yet a lot of money is being allocated to the sector. So, Leader of the Opposition, we have put a lot of money there. We now need to work together. As the minister for works said, they will come with regulations in one month – I think one month is even too much. We need the regulations to operationalise most of the laws that have been presented in this House. You cannot pass a law and fail to operationalise it. On Defence and security, of course, despite the threats of terrorism, Uganda remains the most peaceful country, as of now. (Applause) I thank the Government for one thing. Two days ago, NUP had a very successful procession in Jinja – uninterrupted. Leave these people to have their processions, uninterrupted. So, the issue of oppression – and I also congratulate UPC on winning in Oyam. That shows democracy. The MP-elect is going to be sworn in on Thursday. Honourable members, the LoP has given a report. Where we see weaknesses, we will correct them – we will get a comprehensive report to that effect. However, where we see that it is not what is being said per se and is a blanket statement; Government should also be appreciated where it has done something. Can I now hear from Members on this side? I will choose five people only. The Leader of the Opposition has said it all. If you are on this side, sit. That is how much I respect the Leader of the Opposition.

9624 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Hon. Bwiire Sanon Nadeeba, Member of Parliament for Bulamogi County raised a matter concerning the disruption in the movement of goods and services caused by the flooding of Naigombwa Swamp that connects Kaliro and Namutumba districts. His prayer is that I update the House on the interventions made. The Ministry of Works and Transport on 10 February 2023, inspected the Naigombwa Swamp crossing and prepared a plan for a permanent intervention. At the moment, a temporary intervention has been planned for implementation in this quarter (2023/2024) to restore connectivity and movement of goods and services. The Government is planning for a more permanent intervention. Hon. Zijjan David Livingstone came up with another question. He raised a matter of national concern on the failure to: i) Compensate the Standard Gauge Railway Project Affected Persons (PAPs)in Magamaga, Lwandago, Kakira, Wairaka, Wanyange, Bugembe and the resultant disruption in operations of the health facilities, education institutions and economic activities in the affected areas’; and ii) The need for an explanation on what was delaying the implementation of the SGR Project, expeditious compensation of the Project Affected Persons and revisiting the compulsory acquisition policy prior to payment. His prayer is, can the Prime Minister update the House on the matter concerning the status of the Project Affected Persons? Madam Speaker, Government commenced compensation of Project Affected Persons in the year 2016 and the total estimated cost was Shs 584 billion. As at July 2023, after a period of seven years, out of Shs 292.425 billion PAPS approved reports by the Government Chief Valuer, only Shs 109.38 billion has been paid. The project is currently re-assessing the Project Affected Persons from Jinja to Kampala who had been assessed in the year 2016 but could not be paid with the funds available at the time. Hon. Juliet Achayo, Member of Parliament, Ngora County, Ngora District stated that there is a need to operationalise the Maritime Act that was passed in the 10 th Parliament. However, government has not presented regulations to Parliament to operationalise this Act. Can the Prime Minister update the House on the measures being taken to improve road and maritime safety, and also inform the House when government is planning to lay the regulations under the Maritime Act? I request that I answer this because it involves water transport. My response is that the Inland Water Transport Act of 2021 is now in force. Draft regulations for improving safety have been prepared and submitted to the Solicitor- General for review and guidance. Government has also undertaken the following measures to improve road and maritime safety: 1. Sensitisation - this has already been taken care of. 2. The Ministry of Works and Transport prepared a search and rescue plan, which is being implemented. This plan highlights the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders on activities they should plan and implement during incidents on the water bodies. 3. Inspection, regulation and licensing are continuous activities conducted to weed out unworthy vessels. 4. Weather forecast systems have been procured and deployed. Currently, modalities of disseminating information are ongoing between the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Water and Environment. 5. Increased enforcement in collaboration with security forces is ongoing, especially after signing Operation Memorandum of Understanding with security bodies with maritime presence on water bodies.

Honourable minister, it is very important to work closely with the leaders because they face many questions. You need to involve Hon. Aga and leaders from Jinja in community mobilisation, not investigations only.

Honourable colleagues, we have a programme under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development called Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID). Under USMID, they have constructed roads, which also have street lights and walkways, in Masaka, Mbarara and other areas. So, committee chairman, you will clarify whether you tried to compare with those. They say we cannot compare with UNRA, which is on highways, but we can compare with roads in Masaka, Jinja or Soroti because the roads are the same; same design and by the same Government. The trick is simple – and I know some of you know. On roads, all these contractors you see around have brokers. So, when the entity is developing bill of quantities (BoQs), it makes the BoQs very high and then leaks the estimated cost to the companies. Now, companies start costing, based on the BoQs. So, when they advertise, you find that the companies, which have participated, are costing very highly. It is because they know the BoQs within the entity. Why would a road in KCCA, with the same design, same lights and the same walkways cost three or four times more than a road in Masaka, Soroti or Mbarara? There is a very big problem somewhere and we have to tackle it head-on, whether it means first holding on to some loans or urging the minister to go and even talk to these donors. By the way, they are not donors, but lenders; they like to be called funders, but they give us loans. We have to look into it deeply. I am telling you, it is a shame. There is no way you will defend this before people.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join colleagues in thanking His Excellency the President for the State-of-the- Nation Address. I will start by thanking him for standing firm against the intimidation and threats over the signing of the Anti- Homosexuality Act. This clearly means he still values and is ready to defend the norms and values of this nation. On the issue of education, it is automatic that most subcounties in this nation get seed secondary schools. Jinja is not complaining, and, I know with time, the whole country will be covered. When it comes to tourism, the President is the number one promoter of the tourism sector of this nation. He tells whoever cares to listen that Uganda is the best country with the best food and everything. However, my issue is that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities should try to look at other areas because we have many tourist sites that are unknown. In Jinja, we have Itanda and Busowoko Falls. We would be glad if they were brought on board. Thank you.

9339 THE ELEVENTH P ARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY , 4 J ULY 2023 years, as large part of the population joins the money economy. The industrialisation drives across the country have brought about positive results. There are eight Government-owned industrial parks, which are operational in Namanve, Luzira, Bweyogerere, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Mbarara and Kasese. The industrial parks in Karamoja and Koboko will soon commence. In addition, there are three industrial parks operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The total number of factories is now 4,008, employing 150,685 Ugandans, largely the youth, who form part of the biggest percentage of our population. This is a reflection of socio-economic transformation. The President emphasised the Parish Development Model that will accelerate socio- economic growth, where 39 per cent of the households in the non-money economy will be moved to the money economy. This approach will organise and deliver public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation. His Excellency the President launched a wealth and jobs creation initiative for those who found it difficult to access financing through banks called “ Emyooga .” This initiative has been successful in mobilising, especially the youths and women in the informal sector into productive self-employment by increasing their skills, acquiring equipment and accessing affordable capital. As at the end of December 2022, seed capital amounting to Shs 258 billion had been disbursed to 6,714 Emyooga SACCOs and Shs 1,000,000 to individual beneficiaries. His Excellency the President indicated that tourism has had a significant potential for the economy. The sector has registered key achievements. For example, it employs 1.5 million Ugandans along the entire tourism value chain and contributes 6.7 per cent of the GDP. In the year 2022, Uganda’s national parks hosted 367,869 visitors; leisure and holiday visitors stayed longer and the wildlife populations have increased. These numbers have grown and increased Uganda’s Government’s focus on infrastructure and marketing. The President stressed that social metamorphosis takes place when societies undergo modernisation. In modernised countries, a small percentage of people are involved in agriculture. A country must be supported to move to value addition and manufacturing. Thus, in order to build a knowledge-based economy using advanced scientific knowledge, the President called upon Members of Parliament support to Kiira Motors to get moving so that the production of automobiles becomes part of the economy. The President commented on the Anti- Homosexuality Bill and commended the Parliament of Uganda for passing it. He raised the substantive points that should be used to explain Uganda’s position. His Excellency the President outlined the economic priorities of the Government in the next financial year, which include peace and security of persons and property, effective implementation of PDM and Emyooga , acquisition of right-of-way for Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), investing in small-scale solar- powered irrigation to address climate change and food security, constructing transmission lines and power substations, maintenance of both tarmac and murram roads, development of industrial parks, support medical schools and scientific-based research, expediting the infrastructure of oil and gas, capitalising UDB and UDC and supporting ICT. In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for steering the NRM government to expand the economic base of the country and a strong foundation that has been built for rapid economic growth and socio-economic transformation. I beg to move.

9339 THE ELEVENTH P ARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY , 4 J ULY 2023 years, as large part of the population joins the money economy. The industrialisation drives across the country have brought about positive results. There are eight Government-owned industrial parks, which are operational in Namanve, Luzira, Bweyogerere, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Mbarara and Kasese. The industrial parks in Karamoja and Koboko will soon commence. In addition, there are three industrial parks operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The total number of factories is now 4,008, employing 150,685 Ugandans, largely the youth, who form part of the biggest percentage of our population. This is a reflection of socio-economic transformation. The President emphasised the Parish Development Model that will accelerate socio- economic growth, where 39 per cent of the households in the non-money economy will be moved to the money economy. This approach will organise and deliver public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation. His Excellency the President launched a wealth and jobs creation initiative for those who found it difficult to access financing through banks called “ Emyooga .” This initiative has been successful in mobilising, especially the youths and women in the informal sector into productive self-employment by increasing their skills, acquiring equipment and accessing affordable capital. As at the end of December 2022, seed capital amounting to Shs 258 billion had been disbursed to 6,714 Emyooga SACCOs and Shs 1,000,000 to individual beneficiaries. His Excellency the President indicated that tourism has had a significant potential for the economy. The sector has registered key achievements. For example, it employs 1.5 million Ugandans along the entire tourism value chain and contributes 6.7 per cent of the GDP. In the year 2022, Uganda’s national parks hosted 367,869 visitors; leisure and holiday visitors stayed longer and the wildlife populations have increased. These numbers have grown and increased Uganda’s Government’s focus on infrastructure and marketing. The President stressed that social metamorphosis takes place when societies undergo modernisation. In modernised countries, a small percentage of people are involved in agriculture. A country must be supported to move to value addition and manufacturing. Thus, in order to build a knowledge-based economy using advanced scientific knowledge, the President called upon Members of Parliament support to Kiira Motors to get moving so that the production of automobiles becomes part of the economy. The President commented on the Anti- Homosexuality Bill and commended the Parliament of Uganda for passing it. He raised the substantive points that should be used to explain Uganda’s position. His Excellency the President outlined the economic priorities of the Government in the next financial year, which include peace and security of persons and property, effective implementation of PDM and Emyooga , acquisition of right-of-way for Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), investing in small-scale solar- powered irrigation to address climate change and food security, constructing transmission lines and power substations, maintenance of both tarmac and murram roads, development of industrial parks, support medical schools and scientific-based research, expediting the infrastructure of oil and gas, capitalising UDB and UDC and supporting ICT. In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for steering the NRM government to expand the economic base of the country and a strong foundation that has been built for rapid economic growth and socio-economic transformation. I beg to move.

I am sorry that I could not be in the House on time. And I will try to be as brief as possible. Madam Speaker, kindly allow me to start with the issue of blood. Honourable members, you are aware that from time to time we continue to have challenges of blood availability because we need over 400,000 units of blood on an annual basis, but we are not yet able to collect that amount. The highest we have collected is 300,000. Madam Speaker, we still have blood in our blood banks. And I have statistics in regard to that that I will quickly read. We have: Nakasero - 2,400 units; Masaka – 535 units; Mbarara – 390 units; Hoima – 200 units; Jinja – 150 units; Mbale – 400 units; Gulu – 250 units; Mengo – 100 units; Lira – 300 units; Soroti – 300 units; Arua – 200 units; Nebbi – 50 units; Kabale – 270 units; Rukungiri – 172 units; Fort Portal – 317 units; and Kitovu – 350 units, giving us a total of 6,284 units available at this point in time. PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

9119 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2023 Madam Speaker, Shs 2.24 trillion has been allocated for food security, irrigation, climate change mitigation, value chain development, agricultural research and disease/pest control, among others. Supporting private sector growth Madam Speaker, the private sector has been directly supported through industrial parks’ development, promoting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and facilitating tourism. Industrial development and investment Madam Speaker, eight Government-owned industrial parks are currently operational at Namanve, Jinja, Bweyogerere, Mbale, Soroti, Mbarara and Kasese and Luzira. In addition, there are three industrial parks developed under a public-private partnership arrangement at Kapeeka, Mukono and Buikwe. The Uganda Investment Authority has acquired 12 square miles for industrial development, provided by various local governments in 18 zones across the country. Uganda’s global reputation as an investment destination has been boosted significantly in the recent past. Uganda has been named the No. 1 investment destination in East Africa by AIM Global 2023 at Dubai. In addition, our country has been ranked among the top 10 African countries for the best investment destinations in Africa by the African Development Bank. It is now also ranked the first in East Africa for capital market growth by Absa Bank. SME development Madam Speaker, SMEs in the manufacturing and export sectors will be supported with US$ 20 million under the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment Trust (INVITE Trust), which will provide grants and concessional credit to qualifying SMEs. These SMEs will access new and innovative financing products with long-term financing of up to 15 years. This intervention aims at increasing Ugandan manufactured export products, generating direct and indirect jobs for more than 200,000 workers and safeguarding existing jobs for 530,000 workers. Madam Speaker, an allocation of Shs 209.28 billion has been provided through the INVITE project next year. Tourism Uganda has increasingly been recognised as a tourism destination and is ranked by CNN as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the World. We will, therefore, promote domestic and inbound tourism, including the use of digital platforms. Uganda will also be marketed as a global and regional centre for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). Hospitality standards will be enforced through the licensing, grading and classification of tourism facilities. Shs 249 billion has been allocated for the promotion of tourism. Madam Speaker, all the private sector interventions I have detailed above have been allocated Shs 2.37 trillion. Building human capital Madam Speaker, Uganda has registered visible improvements in healthcare outcomes, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. On average, a Ugandan now lives longer – at 64 years, up from 53 years just as recently as 2015 – attains more years of schooling and enjoys a higher income per capita than ever before. Let me repeat this because it is interesting, especially to me who is working day and night to make sure that the youth and the sick are helped to recover: Uganda has registered visible improvements in healthcare outcomes, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. On average, a Ugandan now lives longer

9088 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION When the NRM took over in 1986, the economy depended on a few cash crops, namely, coffee, cotton, tea and tobacco. Since then, the economy has become bigger and more diversified. Some of the agricultural products, which were only for consumption at home such as maize, beans, matooke (bananas), fish, milk, etcetera, have become commercial, contributing to household incomes. Other crops that have joined the traditional cash crops include sunflower, from which we now make edible oil, palm oil trees, vanilla, avocado, oranges and mangoes, which are raw materials for the agro-processing factories. We now produce enough sugar - in fact, now, we have got surplus which is being exported to our neighbours – steel products, cement, other building materials such as tiles at Kapeeka Industrial Park, mineral extraction and beneficiation, etcetera. We shall soon produce oil and gas and the infrastructure development to enable - this is currently under construction, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, power and water infrastructure, and Kabale International Airport. Uganda has a vibrant economy and workforce that is transforming our economy into a digital one. There are many businesses and financial transactions taking place within the country, using the Internet and other online avenues. This is not only improving efficiency but also creating many jobs for the youth. The Fiscal Performance Domestic revenue, in Financial Year 2022/2023, is estimated at Shs 25.55 trillion. This is about 13.7 per cent of GDP. Next Financial Year 2023/2024, we plan to collect Shs 29.67 trillion as domestic revenue. Through our strategy to raise revenue, the Government is planning to raise at least 18 per cent of GDP in the next five years. When we achieve this target, we shall be able to reduce our reliance on borrowing to finance a larger share of our budget. We must avoid this problem of not being able to pay our debts, by increasing what we collect from taxes and other sources of domestic revenue such as the loyalties from our mineral development. Some countries are paying more than 50 per cent of their collection, in taxes, to service debts. We should avoid falling into this debt trap. Therefore, in addition to collecting more revenue domestically, we should also not spend what we do not have. To achieve this, the Government decided to rationalise Government departments to reduce duplication and wastage of taxpayers’ money. The Ministry of Public Service is finalising the implementation plan for this decision. Industrialisation Our industrialisation drive is bearing fruit with many factories being set up. We have got eight Government-owned industrial parks that are currently operational. These include: 1. Kampala Industrial Park and the Business Park at Namanve with 125 companies operational; 144 companies under the construction stage, and 106 companies at the planning stage, giving a total of 375 factories or companies; 2. Luzira Industrial Park with 11 companies operational; 3. Bweyogerere Industrial Park with eight companies; 4. Soroti Industrial Park with two companies operational and five companies at the construction stage; 5. Tian Shan Mobile Park with 16 companies that are operational while four are under construction stage; 6. Jinja Industrial and Business Park with one company for assembling electric buses is operational;

Mr Speaker, reading from where I had stopped, the staff of State House provide the necessary logistical and technical support for efficient and effective operations of the Presidency. State House, in turn, provides the necessary facilitation for the staff to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This is the mandate which informs the budgetary allocations across the various items. For instance, to explain what has been in the media as to whether the President, in State House, consumes Shs 500 million, we want to clarify that the expenditure on this electricity consumption is addressed to Entebbe State House, Nakasero State Lodge, the Vice- President’s residence and 23 upcountry state lodges distributed in the various parts of the country including Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Bardege in Gulu, Arua, Masindi, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Fort Portal, Kisozi, Masaka, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, Kapchorwa, Ngoma, Kawumu, Mayuge, and Buvuma and five administrative office blocks that support State House and many other forms of infrastructure. In the media, there has also been a discussion as to whether the President spends Shs 350 million per year to buy clothing. Our President is one of the smartest presidents according to us who see him regularly. I just want to clarify that the item that appears under the State House Budget on beddings, clothing and footwear is meant to cover the protective gear for support staff, beddings for the state lodges, which I have read, the curtains, the various linens for furniture and State House functions as well as uniforms for staff as need arises. The categories of staff include drivers, housekeepers, caterers, kitchen staff, cleaners and the regular office staff. The State House also supports skilling programmes where you have seen young people who are skilled in various vocational skills and it usually provides uniforms. Therefore, this is to dispel the misinformation that the budget caters for clothing the President. Rather, it facilitates all these functions that I have explained. I could go on and on but that is the point I wanted to make, Mr Speaker. I hope this information clarifies the issues to do with budgeting for State House and states proper the record on the Hansard of this House. I want to appeal to all of us that we should always desist from raising sensational and unsubstantiated information, which misleads the public. I beg to move, Mr Speaker, and I thank you. (Mr Ssemujju rose_)

I put the question that Shs 11,385,655,000 be provided for under Vote 406: Hoima Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 407: Jinja Regional Referral Hospital

I put the question that Shs 15,378,259,000 be provided for under Vote 407: Jinja Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 408: Kabale Regional Referral Hospital

Honourable mem - bers, the point has been taken. Let us proceed with referral hospitals. 1. Vote 405: Gulu Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 2. Vote 406: Hoima Hospital - Shs 2,620,000,000 3. Vote 407: Jinja Hospital - Shs 3,642,471,000 4. Vote 408: Kabale Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 5. Vote 409: Masaka Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 6. Vote 410: Mbale Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 7. Vote 411: Soroti Hospital - Shs 4,120,000,000

Madam Speaker, mine is to thank the committee. Yesterday, they left the House - Madam Speaker, thank you, first of all, and thanks to the committee for the work they have done. Sometimes we over-complain, but we do not know what those people go through and so, I want to thank them. I have one concern. Next year, remember to include the road from Kumi to Ngora and Serere to Kagwara. Secondly, municipalities do not have security lights. There is darkness throughout. There are very many robberies taking place. There are many cases of rape; there are very many crimes being committed. We need to be supported. Come to Kampala, go to Kumi, Mbale, to Jinja and everywhere; these places are in darkness. We need to drive away the darkness from these urban centres. I thank you, Madam Speaker, and I believe Parliament has done a good job. Remember that something can be done in this House. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for her statement. I just want to find out who is responsible for organising the Women’s Day celebrations. In my case – this is my second term. In my first term, I used to organise it with the district and we did not have issues. Madam Speaker, like Hon. Bagala said, we need to find out the terms of reference for these District Resident Commissioners (RDCs). In Jinja, they are harassing my personal assistant (PA). They are moving around with people who are going to stand against me. I am cool with it. Let them promote their candidates – their wives and side chicks. (Laughter) What I am not comfortable with is when they thump their chests that they will not allow me to organise the Women’s Day celebrations. When we keep quiet, it is not because we are dense or stupid; we are human and also want them to behave likewise.

8487 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 3 MAY 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. Madam Speaker, we have the mandate of the people. We will – I will send them out of Jinja if nothing is done. Thank you. (Applause)

As long as it does not go beyond a square meter. We have 3,420 square meters of potholes on 11 roads, that is, Kyadondo, Kivebulaya, Kabakanjagala, Lubaga, Butiikiro, Wills, Balintuma, Kitakule, Nsimbi, Bulange, Mugwanya, Wakaliga, Kawaala, Masaka, Kalema, Ham Mukasa and Nsibambi. In Makindye Division, we have 3,041 square metres of potholes. This was measured and assessed on 29 roads. I may not go through all the roads but at least know the figures including Ggaba Road and others. In Kawempe Division, we have 2,830 square meters of potholes on 14 roads, that is, Bombo Road, Gayaza Road, Mawanda Road, Tufnell Drive, Nabweru, Kyabando, Alice Kaggwa, Nkinzi I and II, Dwaniro, Binaisa, Kisasi and Nanfumbambi Road. In Central Division, we have a total of 1,629 square meters in the city centre starting with City Square, Bombo Road, Colville Street, Kyaggwe, Nile Avenue, Lumumba Avenue, Sezibwa, Macknon Road, Jinja Road,

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also add my voice to thank the chairperson and members of the committee for a very good report, which we support. I also thank the Members of Parliament for their overwhelming support to the sector of ICT. I think we are moving together and we should support the sector so that we realise digital transformation in this country. I have taken note of the issues. A number of them are pieces of advice, like one that my sister, the Woman Member of Parliament of Kiboga was raising; the issues of e-waste and looking at the radioactive emissions. I take note of all these issues and we shall definitely act on them, as a ministry. UBC, like the chairperson noted, inherited debts and liabilities from Uganda Television and Radio Uganda and a number of them have not been covered. I agree with you that UBC should run like a business and compete with the private sector. I have made that point to the management, but they need some support to waive off some of the debts, get some injection of resources and get going. Indeed, the President has directed that all government departments should run their adverts on UBC. Together with the Prime Minister, to whom the directive was given, we are discussing how this can be meaningfully implemented. On the other side also, if you were to put all the adverts, then UBC would just run adverts. We are discussing it to see how to implement this directive, but it is intended to support UBC to have resources in order for it to run and be able to stand on its own eventually. The challenge of UBC is the resource envelope; being cut off by the international satellite company is a challenge. That is why the other upcountry stations have been switched off. I also add my appeal to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to find money so that we take back the stations, but also we complete the migration process so that the free-to-air service covers the whole country. At the moment, like the chairperson said, majority of Ugandans have to hook on the pay TV like DSTV and GOTV in order to access UBC, and yet it is a service which everybody should access without paying through the pay TVs. There were points about UCC. Indeed, they are correct; that we raise money through UCC. The law stipulates that 50 per cent of the money is remitted to the Consolidated Fund. Therefore, we expect the finance ministry and the Government to remit back substantial amounts in order for us to extend ICT services to the country. We hope that through this engagement with the Committee on Budget and Parliament, we will be able to get more resources. On construction of data centres, we recently passed a loan which is going to be implemented by the National Information and Technology Authority - Uganda (NITA-U), supported by the World Bank. We have a provision for constructing additional data centres because we currently have one in Jinja and another one in Kampala, but as you know, we generate a lot of data. There are countries which store their data outside; in other countries. We do not

8199 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. The committee recommends that a total of Shs 25.5 billion be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital, as a matter of urgency, to fully operationalise it. Vote 420: Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page 48 on the lack of funds for the purchase of a LEEP machine. This machine helps in early treatment of cancer of the cervix, which is the number one cause of death amongst women. We have the colposcopy machines for detection but we need another Shs 180 million provided for the procurement of two LEEP machines in the Financial Year 2023/2024. Vote for 402: Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital On page 49, bullet 6.48 on the lack of funds for completion of the perimeter wall - the patients in Butabika Hospital are not ordinary patients. We were informed that some of them have strayed out of the perimeter wall and we have lost some in the swamp. So, we want Shs 2.5 billion to construct the perimeter wall. Regional Referral Hospitals Mr Speaker, these are on page 50. There was a cross-cutting issue of understaffing - that is 6.49. There was also a cross-cutting issue of incomplete infrastructure in various regional hospitals. The committee recommends that Shs 29.81 billion be provided and allocated as follows: Shs 3 billion to Gulu for the 54-staff housing, Shs 500 Million to Masaka for the ICU, Shs 12 billion Mbale for their surgical complex; Shs 1 billion to Jinja; Shs 4.5 billion to Arua, and Shs 4 billion to Fort Portal. These projects, Mr Speaker, have been built for the last seven years and we are losing a lot of money through variation in costs. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, the committee recommends that a total of Shs 3,034,158,769,598 be provided for that excludes KCCA, Uganda AIDS Commission and the PHC that we give to local governments. Mr Speaker, the budgetary allocations for the health sector votes for Financial Year 2023/2024 are presented in a tabular format. The first table shows recurrent expenditure and the total proposed budget by the committee is Shs 1,614,000,280,648. When we when we move to page 53, the development budget is also presented in a tabular form. The proposed budget by the committee is Shs 1,419,878,000,121. Mr Speaker and honourable members, please support this report. I thank you very much. (Applause)

Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the report of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry on the Ministerial Policy Statement and Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2023/2024 and proceed with the presentation. I beg to lay. According to Article 155(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Section 12(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015, and Rule 144(1) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry considered the Ministerial Policy Statement and Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2023/2024 for the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has entities with and without a Vote status. Those with a Vote status have been indicated by the committee. The report uploaded for Members to peruse elaborates all this. However, because of time, I am going to present a summary of the detailed report. The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has the following Votes: a) Vote 022: Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities; b) Vote 117: Uganda Tourism Board. The entities without a Vote status are well stated: i) Uganda Wildlife Authority; ii) Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre; iii) Uganda Hotels and Tourism Institute, Jinja; and

1.O INTRODUCTIOIT Rt. Hon. Speaker and Hon, Members; In accordance with Article 155 (4) of the constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Section 12(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2O1S and Rule l4g (l) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament; the Sectoral Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry scrutinised the Ministerial Poliry Statements and Budget Estimates for the Ministry of rourism, wildlife and Antiquities and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives for the Financial Year 2023 /24 and begs to report. l.1Scopc The committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry considered the Ministerial policy Statements and Budget Estimates for the Financial year 2023 /24 for the Ministry of Tourism, Witdlife & Antiquities and Ministry of Trade, tndustry & Cooperatives. a) The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has Entities with and without a vote status. Those with a vote status include; r Vote 022 - Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities . Vote 117 - Uganda Tourism Board Entities without a vote status include; o Uganda Wildlife Authority o Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre r Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Jinja . Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Kasese b) Likewise the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives has got entities with and without a vote status. Those with a vote status include; r Vote 015 - Ministry of Ttade, Industry a4d Coo peratives 6 F [N

. Vote 154 - Uganda National Bureau of Standards o Vote 306 - Uganda Export Promotion Board Entities without a vote status . Uganda Development Corporation . Uganda Warehouse Receipt Systems Authority r Management Training and Advisory Centre 2.O METIIOIX)LOGY While considering the Ministerial Policy Statements and Budget Estimates for the two Ministries mentioned above; the Committee utilised the following methodolory: 2.l Meetlage Erternal aecttngE The Committee held meetings with the following entities: Minietry of Tourlsrn, Wlldlife & Antiquittea o Vote O22 - Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities o Vote l17 - Uganda Tourism Board . Uganda Wildlife Authority o Uganda Wildlife Education Conservation Centre . Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Jinja o Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Kasese MtniEtry of Tradc, Iadurtry & Cooperatlvea o Vote O 15 - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Coope . Vote 154 - Uganda National Bureau of Standards ! Vote 306 - Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB) r Uganda Development Corporation (UDC ratives 7 \ M t n tNI

3.O THE TOURISM DEVEII)PMEI{T PROGRTJUME The Tourism Development Programme comprises the following votes and affiliated institutions: . Vote 022 - Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities r Vote 117 - Uganda Tourism Board Affiliated institutions : . Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) . Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Cente (UWEC) o Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Kasese o Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Jinja 3.L Tourtrm Program Half Yeer Perfornaace tA 2t22l2g Tourism program covers Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and its five subventions namely; Uganda Witdlife Authority, Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute and Uganda Tourism Board. 3.2 MTWA'a Gcnder & Equity compllance In accordance with section 13 (11) (e) (i) of the public Finance Management Act, 2015, the Minister responsible for Finance shall in consultation with the Equal Opportunities Commission issue a Certificate: a) Certifying that the Budget is gender and equity responsive; and b) Speciffing measures taken to equalise opportunities for men, women, persons with disabilities and grouPs. r marginalised The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities registered a uge decline in gender & equity compliance with a performance of 7Oo/o compared to 80.60/o 9

1O. I Propoccd Committcc Re.Allocatloas The committee observed that the Tourrsm Development program entities are grossly underfunded the committee was presented several unfunded priorities however, the following are considered very critical and should be provided for within the financral year 2023 /24 through reallocation as follows; Identllted Pr{orltlca ead of Rcalloc.tcd Funds slthln Touriam Developrnc at Progran Recurre nt Dev't UWEC- Construction of Wall fence - 3.2Bn, a Modern Pier - 2.0 and Regional Satellite Educational Center- in Mbale; Eastern region- 7Bn 12.2 UHTTI- Jinja to fully fund implementation of structure 1.5 UWTRI - Kasese to fully fund implementation of structure to conduct Wildlife related research 2 o22 Ministry of Wildlfe, Tourism and Antiquities Provide for Unfunded Priorities of Kafu tourist stop over development Consultations, land valuation and acquisition( 1.Bn) and Amuru Hotspring to conduct Appraisal, land valuation, 4 L- 1.8 39

8023 THE E L E V E N TH P A R L I A M E N T OF U G A N D A THURSDAY , 1 3 A P R I L 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. should come up with Bugembe Stadium that has been pending for a long time. These days when you go to Bugembe Stadium, you may think it is something else because it is very di- lapidated. This used to be one of the classiest stadiums in Uganda. I request the honourable minister to give us the plan as quickly as possible so that we know when they are going to give us Bugembe Sta- dium in Jinja so that we, the best footballers in Busoga – (Member timed out.)

7880 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO. 1 FOR FY 2022/2023 Shs 6 billion is required for maintenance of oxygen plants. Shs 2.7 billion is requested for supervision of the International Specialised Hospital at Lubowa. Shs 3.6 billion is required as counterpart funding for Busolwe General Hospital Project. Members can read the details. We recommend as follows: A total of Shs 5.9 billion, instead of the requested Shs 6 billion, be provided as follows: a) Shs 4 billion be availed to procure eight transformers and accessories for eight regional referral hospitals namely: Masaka, Jinja, Soroti, Gulu, Arua, Hoima, Kabale and Moroto. b) Shs 1.5 billion be availed for repair of oxygen plants in the regional referral hospitals. c) Shs 400 million be availed for van maintenance – for the workshop. The committee further recommends that recurrent expenditure should be incorporated in the subsequent budgets. In addition, we recommend that upon installation of the new oxygen plants, the current stock of oxygen plants should be evaluated and decommissioned since they have become more expensive to maintain. For the issue of Lubowa, the committee recommends that Shs 2.7 billion for supervision of the International Specialised Hospital at Lubowa –(Interjections)- Members, listen. We decline the approval –(Applause)– because up to now, the Ministry of Health has not given accountability for what has been given so far. For the Shs 3.6 billion counterpart funding for Busolwe General Hospital - this is a grant from the Spanish Government – we recommend the approval of Shs 3.6 billion. Vote 018: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development requested for Shs 21.6 billion for Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women (GROW) project. This project is funded by the World Bank. We recommend the approval of Shs 21.6 billion to Vote 018 for the GROW project. Vote 022: Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities made a request of Shs 1.359 billion as unspent NTR for Financial Year 2021/2022 for UWEC. We recommend the approval of Shs 1.359 billion. The same ministry is requesting for Shs 3.8 billion as non-tax revenue for emergency relocation of Uganda Hotel and Tourism Institute to rented premises and establishment of students’ accommodation facilities in Jinja to pave way for smooth construction. We recommend that Shs 3.8 billion be availed to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. Vote 120: National Citizenship and Immigration Control requested for Shs 46.784 billion for the directorate to procure more passport booklets. We observed that the demand for the booklets has increased and there is a shortage of 288,000 booklets. Once the money is given, the directorate will generate an additional Shs 65 billion in non-tax revenue. We recommend the approval of Shs 46.784 billion to Vote 120. Vote 122: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) requested for Shs 34.446 billion as unspent balances for Financial Year 2021/2022 for the Second Kampala Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP II) from the World Bank. We recommend that the Shs 34.446 billion be availed to KCCA.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for its report and I also thank those who signed the minority report. It surprises me that we have issues that touch our people directly. I was on the Floor of this House, crying for just Shs 5 billion for the students loan scheme, to help those students who were about to drop out of school – some were in their final year. The Government could not find Shs 5 billion. However, here we are, appropriating all these trillions of shillings to things that are not urgent. When I look at this – we are talking of Shs 86.4 billion to Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort – it surprises me. The conference is supposed to take place this year. In the report, we are told they need 14 months to construct this convention centre. So, if you are supposed to have this conference in November and you are supposed to take 14 months, when do the 14 months end? It will be next year, after the conference. Is somebody trying to fool us? I propose that we reject this. There was land – you remember when the Prime Minister of India came here, he pledged to construct a convention centre in memory of the late Mahatma Gandhi – (Interjection)- not even in Jinja; he preferred Kampala. Ten acres of land were got by the Ministry of Agriculture; why don’t we give the Prime Minister land where he wants and they build the convention centre for us? Now we want to invest money into something that is unclear – Munyonyo. Who owns it, Mr Speaker? –(Member timed out.)

There is also Akii Bua Stadium, the one in Fort Portal, another in Jinja, Mbarara - Shadow Minister of Sports, you will speak last.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am responding to the issue of Kenya. The Prime Minister said the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is in close contact with Kenyan officials and there will be uninterrupted flow of petroleum products. She also said that there will be no interruption on trade because they are in touch. Our concern was: what if there is interruption? Last time there were demonstrations at the border, which affected the flow of fuel and fuel prices went up to Shs 10,000 per litre. When we went, as the committee for trade, we found that in Jinja, the reserves were not only empty, but dry. (Laughter) Now, our concern is: what if there is an interruption? Do we have an alternative or reserve? What is in the reserves of this country? Thank you.

Permit me to make my case, Madam Chairperson. When we were discussing this, I gave an example that if a company is going to construct a road from Kampala to Jinja - assuming it is a Chinese company - and they have all the equipment, the only thing they do not have is the murram - In that respect, the minister can authorise the percentage that is supposed to be covered by the murram to be given to the local person. My proposal is that we are going to be too strict and make it literally impracticable if we put this percentage in here. What if we fail to find a local person that is able to provide this percentage?

We also undertook fact-finding missions by visiting the power plant in Jinja to assess the status of the dam. We did a comparative study in Kenya and interacted with the Minister of Energy in Kenya, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company, and the Kenya Power, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. I have laid the minutes of these meeting, among the documents. Findings, observations and recommendations The Ad hoc Committee, under TOR 1, which was to ascertain the Government of Uganda’s equity contribution in Bujagali and return on investment On 8 December 2007, the Government of Uganda entered into a shareholders’ agreement related to the operation of Bujagali Energy Limited, Bujagali Holdings Power Company Limited, SG Bujagali Holdings Limited and Bujagali Energy Limited. The project’s total equity was $199,866,000. Out of this equity, the Government of Uganda’s equity contribution was $20 million and BEL shareholders contributed $179,886,000. Government of Uganda’s contribution was issued and classified under Class C Ordinary shares as summarised in the table below. When you look at the table, you realise that we have two shareholders. We have the Government of Uganda, with $20 million under Class C and Bujagali Energy Limited, which contributed $179 million, under classes A and B. The equity contributions to the project by the sponsors were in two parts, that is, the $179 million. The expenditure incurred, between 2005 to 2007, amounted to $20.6 million that was split between Sithe Global and Industrial Promotional Services. You can see the figure. Further contribution to a tune of $159,222,833 was made between 2007, 2008 and 2012. The equity contribution of $20 million by the Government of Uganda was in kind. For the Government of Uganda, the certificate of shares issued No. 6, under the Common Seal of Bujagali Energy Limited to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, allotted a total of 360,000 Class C shares at Shs 100,000 per share. This is equivalent to a capital contribution, to the project, of Shs 36.17 billion but with no voting rights as a shareholder in the company as per the provisions in Clause 13(1) (b) of the agreement.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to lay on the Table the policy statement for the health sub-programme for Financial Year 2023/2024: Vote 014 – Ministry of Health Vote 114 - Uganda Cancer Institute Vote 115 – Uganda Heart Institute Vote 116 - National Medical Stores Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute Vote 134 - Health Service Commission Vote 151 - Uganda Blood Transfusion Service Vote 401 - Mulago National Referral Hospital Vote 402 - Butabika Hospital Vote 403 - Arua Regional Referral Hospital Vote 404 - Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital Vote 405 - Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 406 - Hoima Regional Referral Hospital Vote 407 - Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Vote 408 - Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 409 - Masaka Regional Referral Hospital Vote 410 - Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 411 - Soroti Regional Referral Hospital Vote 412 - Lira Regional Referral Hospital Vote 413 - Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Vote 414 - Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Vote 415 - Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Vote 416 - Naguru National Referral Hospital Vote 417 - Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 418 - Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital Vote 419 - Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital Vote420 - Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Vote 421 - Kayunga Referral Hospital Vote 422 - Yumbe Referral Hospital Vote 612 - Local Governments and the other annex attached. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

7222 THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORTS BILL, 2022 to re-prioritise funds allocated for development of the National Roads Network was discussed and Cabinet directed that emphasis be placed on the maintenance of the existing paved and critical unpaved National Roads Network, including critical industrial park roads and District, Urban and Community Access Roads, commonly known as DUCAR. This followed an observation that funding for national roads maintenance has been insufficient over the years despite an increase in stock of the paved road network. Therefore, the road network gains in upgrading and development of several roads across the country are likely to be lost in the short term as seen in the increased number of paved roads currently in poor condition, resulting in a huge maintenance backlog if adequate resources are not committed for maintenance. The National Roads Network comprises 21,120 kilometres in total length out of which 5,878.5, which is only 28 per cent, is paved standard and 15,241, which is 72 per cent, is unpaved. As at July 2022, the condition of the paved national roads in fair and poor condition stood at 21 per cent – that is 1,235 kilometres – which indicated a decline from 17 per cent in 2021. At the same time, the unpaved national roads were generally fair, with a percentage of the network in poor categories standing at 11 per cent as compared to 18 per cent in 2021. Due to the long rainy season experienced in the country since August last year to date, the condition of the national roads continues to deteriorate and the kilometres of paved and unpaved network in fair and poor condition is likely to increase significantly. This has further been accelerated by delayed maintenance interventions due to budget suppressions which we suffered in Financial Year 2021/2022 and the inadequate release of budget funds, especially in quarter one of Financial Year 2020/2023. The sections below provide details of disaggregated commitments on on-going upgrading and maintenance projects, maintenance backlog and requirements for the next three years. Major maintenance interventions The following terms are used in road development and maintenance – and the explanations are as below: Periodic maintenance Periodic maintenance involves all maintenance works carried out on a road section after intervals of several years; the norm for paved roads being at intervals of four to seven years depending on the growth in traffic volume and action on environment and weather. The actual frequency of intervention is further determined using the asset management system, which we are developing within the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). Typical periodic maintenance works on paved roads include thin bituminous overlays, surface resealing, shoulder repairs/reinstatement, road marking and reinstatement of road signs. Road rehabilitation Rehabilitation includes activities that restore the original condition of the road through relatively extensive works like pavement layer reconstruction, mill and replace, reshaping of the cross-section, reconstruction of shoulders, drainage works and thick overlays – I gave an example of Kampala-Jinja Road and soon we shall be looking at Kampala—Masaka Road. The frequency of intervention depends on the traffic volume and the state of road deterioration. Intervals of rehabilitation interventions are expected to range from 10 to 15 years. However, where available, the frequency is, again, determined by the asset management system. [Gen. Katumba] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

6988 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Kintu] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR background, but just briefly. We have had a non-qualified medical worker in Jinja, under “Serving His Children” centre for children. There is one case of an American missionary who has been conducting a centre as medical workers with a non-qualified medical team. This charity organisation has caused a lot of – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Cabinet and Parliament approved the loan from African Development Bank and French Development Agency to construct Kampala-Jinja Express Highway. It also secured a grant from European Union to construct the same road. It is now over four years, Mr Speaker. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) was mandated to secure the right of way of that

Mine is not a separate issue, Mr Speaker, but because I am the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on National Economy and the Member highlighted that there was a loan that was approved for Jinja Express Highway - I want to inform you that there has not been any loan, which has come before this committee right from the previous Parliament. So, maybe, you can talk about other matters, but there is no loan that was approved as far as the committee is concerned. So, I wanted to volunteer that information.

Hon. Migadde, if our memory could serve us right, I was with you on the Committee on National Economy. We passed a loan of $400 million and it was passed specifically for the Kampala-Jinja Expressway. I was a member and that road, which was projected to cost $1.1 billion – the loan came in because – in fact, it was African Development Bank and European Union, not French Agency. The issue was simple - instead of all the cost of the road being offloaded onto a concessionaire, we would mitigate that so that the money can be – I do not know why we are struggling. Hon. Bahati is the one who moved it and we passed it. He is here; then he was the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development – at that time. I need the minister to come on Wednesday and update the House.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance that has been burning and I have talked about it in this Parliament more than 10 times. Busia Municipality is flooded with trailers. Tororo road has more than 300 trailers, Majanji road has more than 80 and Kampala-Jinja Road has more than 500 trailers and the whole Customs is jammed. Madam Speaker, as I say this, the traders on Customs road cannot work because the trailers have parked in front of their shops. Whenever you pass under those trailers, there are things I cannot mention because these drivers have turned the trailers into bedrooms. These trailers have caused sanitation problems in Busia to be very bad. Madam Speaker, before I pray, these trailers have packed in Busia to an extent that in the history of this world, we have had a traffic jam of bicycles in Busia because we use boda- bodas on the border. Madam Speaker, additionally, as these trailers have been parked in Busia, we get electricity only two days and for six days, we are in total darkness. We keep asking Umeme what the problem is, especially given that we have fuel tanks at the border. It is my prayer, Madam Speaker, that the ministry or the Government - it is good that I am talking when the minister of trade is looking at me. We are saying that the journeys you made to Busia have not worked. I request the Speaker and the Government to allow my people of Busia to work by getting us a dry port, where goods can be offloaded and trailers go where they belong; and to sort out the issue of over-packing trailers because in case a trailer catches fire, we do not have a fire brigade in Busia at all. We do not have enough jerry cans, buckets and saucepans to get water to pour on a burning trailer. Therefore, please, assist us to make sure that trailers do not park in town. Thank you very much.

I rise to engage the House regarding the suffering of the Standard Gauge Railway Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) along the linear path of the proposed Standard Gauge Railway. To be specific, I am talking about communities such as Magamaga Parish in Mayuge District, Wandago – that popular place – Kakira, Wairaka, Wanyange, Bugembe, Mpumudde-Kimaka and Amber Court, touching the Nile. About three years ago, the Government earmarked the affected areas for purposes of passage of the standard gauge railway. It, as such, stopped the project-affected persons from developing their homes, businesses and social institutions among others. Notably, Madam Speaker, Fairland University’s construction was stopped. Other affected institutions were St. Monica Senior Secondary School, Guardian Primary School and Sole Hope Hospital, which was established to fight jiggers in Busoga sub region – we remember that outbreak - Kateyemba, Mpumudde, Kiresa Primary School - (Interjection)- honourable colleague, take a chill pill; calm down. I am legislating for the people, not you. These people stopped the development of their homes, businesses and social institutions. I have addressed the issue of St. Monica Secondary School, Guardian and other places such as Mpumudde, Kiresa. Others were a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church and five other churches, Airport View Hotel and 150 fish farmers in the area. Needless to mention, some of these institutions and individuals had acquired loans to develop their enterprises. They have since fallen prey to banks and lost livelihoods. It should be noted that this is not the first time the Government is doing this and leaving project-affected persons in dire straits. In 2007, the same communities were demarcated for passage of the Eldoret-Jinja Oil Pipeline. Surveys were conducted, property evaluations were undertaken and the project affected- persons were instructed to discontinue any development. Madam Speaker, it is now 17 years down the road and the Government has not compensated the project-affected persons. It did not restitute their losses or at least communicate to the project-affected persons that the Eldoret- Jinja Oil Pipeline had flopped. To date, some project-affected persons fear to develop their land because they think that the Government is still intent on implementing the Eldoret-Jinja Oil Pipeline. As a result, Madam Speaker, jobs have been lost, education opportunities of the children who were in the affected institutions have been

6802 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT affected, businesses have collapsed and the suffering continues to be perpetuated by the Government against the citizens. My prayers, Madam Speaker, are: 1. That the Government explains what is happening with the Standard Gauge Railway project and how it plans to restitute these areas where people are suffering. The same applies to the Eldoret- Jinja Oil Pipeline. 2. That the Government be compelled to pay compensation for the Standard Gauge Railway project-affected persons without further delay. We are in the budget cycle and this needs great consideration. 3. That the Government needs to explain the fate of the Eldoret-Jinja Oil Pipeline and release people to reclaim and develop their property because, clearly, the Government hoodwinked people and this pipeline project is unlikely to take place. 4. That the Government should revisit its compulsory acquisition approach so that project-affected persons are compensated in the initial stages of such projects. It defeats understanding when the Government compensates after a long time – when some of the project- affected persons have even passed on. I will quote an example of Mzee Tenywa in Mpumudde-Kimaka Division, the head of the fish farmers -

Honourable minister, why don’t you ask your team from Kaliro, Jinja or wherever to go and find an immediate solution?

6816 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Out of the 990 titles expected for the Kampala- Jinja Expressway project (KJE), for example, only 649 had been received by UNRA. On the other hand, out of the 23 titles on the Hoima- Wanseko Project, only nine had been received. It is a mixture of those that are not received and even with those that are received, the title is not transferred yet the title does give you information. I want to move to the observation, Madam Speaker. The delay to transfer titles is risky. Section 59 of the Registration of Titles Act provides that a certificate of title is conclusive evidence of ownership of land. Thus, without transferred titles, UNRA opens up itself to potential fraudsters. We recommend that the accounting officer should engage with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development on the required taxes or duties for the transfer of titles to UNRA and to make the necessary budget provisions in order to secure legal ownership of the land acquired for the various projects. Payables and advances I want to skip some of this information, Madam Speaker, and move to the observations. The committee cited the risk of incurring wasteful expenditure in form of interest and litigation costs arising out of unpaid certificates to contractors. People do work and they are not paid so they will go to court and so on. That is an expense for the taxpayer. The committee noted a large amount of advances, which were not explainable. We recommend as follows: i) UNRA should prioritise payables considering they cause losses to the taxpayer in terms of interest accrued; and ii) The accounting officer should come up with strategies to accelerate recovery of advances as a means of ensuring that UNRA rationalises the resources available. Loss of funds in interest on delayed payments to contractors We observe that the authority incurred nugatory expenditure to the tune of Shs 17 billion due to the delayed settlement of invoices from contractors, something that is totally unacceptable as it burdens the taxpayer unnecessarily. The interest expenditure was included as part of the annual expenditure for the year. We recommend that the accounting officer should ensure prudent financial management practices that prevent losses to the entity. Delayed valuation of infrastructure assets worth Shs 10.4 trillion We observed that failure or delayed valuation of infrastructure assets renders the financial accounts doubtful and misstated. Therefore, it does not give a correct reflection of their physical state. Our recommendation is that the accounting officer should, in a period of six months from the adoption of this report, revalue infrastructure assets in accordance with the laid down policy. The UNRA has got to know what it is worth. That is the only way you can follow up. We think that in six months this should be done so that that matter is taken care of. Delayed completion of road projects There is a litany of explanations. I will move to the observations. Delayed completion of road projects increases the administrative costs of delivering the projects. We recommend that the accounting officer comes up with clear remedies and strategies to improve and strengthen the timelines of delivery of projects. These remedies should be provided to Parliament in six months’ time. Parliament hopefully shall follow up to make sure we get this feedback.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The report has highlighted several issues. Our biggest challenge in discussing UNRA is that we have a matter, which is pending before us that we shall debate whether it should be merged or not, but the report highlights very pertinent issues, which need our attention on whether we are in for the adoption of the report as a whole or not. I will refer to clause 3(6) where UNRA is supposed to do road maintenance. Along Jinja Road, 16 kilometres were supposed to be worked on and only 4.6 kilometres done. I am glad the Minister of Works and Transport is here. There is a particular pothole around Lugazi. Every evening, cars queue along the road to be repaired after hitting that pothole, which has been there for a very long time. When I see in the report that the delay is not because of finances, it really baffles me. Madam Speaker, there is just a level of negligence which individual officers of the institution should be held accountable - for failure to do their work.

6761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2023 Madam Speaker, uncontrolled encroachment on forest land, illegal harvesting and titling renders the future generation vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Uncontrolled deforestation stands as number one of the major threatening factors against the sustainability of the environment. Deforestation de-stabilises the ecological and environmental functions (soil and water conservation) – we always attribute loss of soil fertility to very many factors, but the moment we have no forests, the deterioration of soil fertility will be high and so, the functions of trees render the areas vulnerable to externalities. We have significant encroachment on forestS like Budongo Forest, which has been encroached on by Kakira Sugar Works. Bugoma Forest has been encroached on by Hoima Sugar and Mabira Forest in Lugazi has been encroached on by Lugazi Sugar Works. Other forests that have been encroached on include: 1. Kisisita Central Forest Reserve in Ssi Subcounty; 2. Malibwe Forest in Ngogwe Subcounty in Buikwe South Constituency; 3. Namyoya and Namanve in Mukono; 4. Bajjo 5. Kiula and Wamale in Kayunga; 6. Mbarara Central Forest Reserve; 7. Mugomba and Kitubulu in Wakiso; 8. Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve in Kalangala; 9. Lira Central Forest Reserve; 10. Rwamunda and Walumanyi in Mpigi; 11. Luweero and Butebe; and 12. Other forests in Kabarole, Kiboga, Masaka and across Uganda. At the moment, there are over 1000 illegal land titles fraudulently created on central forest reserve land under the watch of the National Forest Authority (NFA) and Government is not doing anything enough to evict encroachers. Madam Speaker, we have a big problem created by licensees of the NFA who do not comply with the terms and conditions stated therein such that in the process of restoring degraded areas of the central forest reserves, they have instead cut down, destroyed and completely removed the natural forests in the central forest reserves and planted pine and eucalyptus trees on the bare forest land created. The most affected areas that we visited are Mabira National Forest Reserve, Uganda’s natural heritage that has been left along Jinja Road, while its integrity internally has been deplorably destroyed as NFA looks on. Natural forests and plantations play important roles, which are recognised locally and internationally, in terms of inter alia, biodiversity conservation, climate stability, carbon sequestration, water catchment, medicinal and the production of various forest products for livelihood improvement. Madam Speaker, when we retain pine and eucalyptus alone and do away with the rain forests, many of these functions and benefits can no longer be got from the gazetted forest reserves. A total of Shs 628 billion was approved in Financial Year 2022/2023 for actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The first activity was to resurvey and mark 6,200 square kilometres of boundary to increase the national forest cover from the current 12.4 per cent to 15 per cent and restore 850 square kilometres of wetlands and forests. The other provision in that budget was demarcating and gazetting of central forest reserves and wetlands and also eviction of encroachers on forests and wetlands. The process of cancellation of titles in wetlands had started. However, no significant funds were allocated for actual tree planting to restore significantly deforested areas. We have tree nurseries, but the dissemination of tree seedlings is left to volunteerism. The NEMA efforts to restore forests are selective in that major encroachers are side-lined as efforts are concentrated towards driving away small encroachers. Unless this is halted, we risk losing tree cover by 2040. There are some

6742 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General. The audit revealed that on the account of delayed deletion of staff from payroll, some accounting officers authorised payment for salaries to staff who are either retired, transferred their services, absconded or died. I will give you an example of Gulu city where there was a delayed deletion of 20 staff who had left services leading to payment of Shs 64,323,558. Mr Speaker, such anomalies lead to loss of funds, and we have provided recommendations to that effect. We would also like to report on non-deduction of PAYE from political leaders. We have indicated details of our findings as a committee, where political leaders were not subjected to deductions of PAYE. We have also provided recommendations and to be specific. The committee recommends that accounting officers recover all the monies that were not deducted from these political leaders or the accounting officers will have to be held liable and they will have to make good the losses. Mr Speaker, we would also like to report on payment of salaries, pension and gratuity of IPPS. We noted for example, in Bulambuli District, where nine pensioners were paid a total of Shs 170 million off IPPS. The committee observed that payment of salary pension and gratuity off IPPS contravenes paragraph 4.5 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019 and could lead to abuse and manipulation for private gains. As a result, we recommend the following: The accounting officers should ensure to reconcile their respective entity staff lists together with the Ministry of Public Service IPPS, in order to avoid payment of salaries and pension and gratuity off IPPS. The accounting officers should desist from the practice and can only take such actions with the approval of the line ministries. Mr Speaker, under 3.3, we have off-budget receipts. We have provided those details and I request Members to look through. The committee has also provided observations, and I will take you straight to recommendations. The recommendations as follows: The accounting officers should adhere to paragraph 29 of the Budget Execution Circular for the said financial year. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should mainstream the disbursement of funds through the normal planning and budgeting cycles to avoid off- budget receipts. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the operationalisation of the new cities. The audit report noted that during the Financial Year 2019/2020, Government made a pronouncement upgrading 10 municipal councils to city status, effective 1 st July 2020. These include: Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Soroti and Hoima. The audit report noted the following: The Government did not provide funding in the budgets of the newly created entities to enable them to operate as cities. They continue to operate using the budget of the municipal councils. The cities lacked establishment structures against which the recruitment of the required human resources could be undertaken. There was no guidance on the allocation and sharing of assets. This has become a contentious matter between the councils of the newly created cities and the district entities from where the cities were created. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the capitation grant for printing. This is a matter that has been concluded and we will request Members to read through, but we have also provided recommendations that, for all the money sent to districts, there should be clear

6649 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2022 jointly sued the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the Attorney-General in the High Court of Uganda in Jinja vide Civil Suit No.046 of 2002. The residents claimed that they were the original inhabitants of the 63 villages of Kityerera and Malongo subcounties, which now are part and parcel of the gazetted South Busoga Central Forest Reserve and returned to settle back on the land. Following the claimants’ entry in the forest reserve and heavily cultivating the forest, the NFA embarked on massive sensitisation and eviction of people from the reserve to bring it under planned management and protection. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, directed and guided as follows: 1. South Busoga Central Forest Reserve (CFR) - a) The local community takes land composed of 48 villages; b) The National Forestry Authority takes land planted with trees under 18 villages, including land for the forestry college and under the forest cover. 2. Bukaleba Central Forest Reserve (CFR) - a) 500 hectares –

6671 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2022 needed for feeds, are kept. Currently, if you go to AgroWays in Jinja, Masindi Seed and Grain Growers Association in Masindi and Kigumba, there are raw materials, which can be used for making feeds but they are not being consumed. So, the information I am giving is that we should be spending money on building the capacity of more producers instead of supporting importation through Parliament. Thank you. (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The matter of electricity in West Nile is very urgent. The DR Congo is now part of the East African Community and we need industries there in West Nile. If we do not do that, we shall do re-export of either products from Kenya or some products from Kampala. At the moment in West Nile, the Congolese line up for products from Kampala and products from Kenya. Products of simple industries that would be in West Nile. Therefore, if we do not fast-track connecting West Nile to the national grid, we are losing national revenue. At the moment, we would be getting money as part of taxes from West Nile. Secondly, we are failing to get jobs. Those people would be getting jobs from industries. Therefore, I wonder why we are not connecting West Nile using the excess power the President has been talking about. Does it mean that as power travels from Jinja to West Nile, does it disappear on the way? (Laughter) If it can move from Jinja to Rwanda, from Jinja to Kenya, from Jinja to Sudan? How can that power fail to move up to West Nile direct instead of waiting for Nyagak, which has been failing? Mr Speaker, we need to act quickly. Otherwise, we shall continue failing to get jobs and to get revenue. Thank you very much.

6513 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2022 4. On 25 July 2022 at Kiwumpa traffic checkpoint Luweero, two police officers namely PC Josephat Twinamasiko and PC Busingye were injured. Later, Busingye succumbed to injuries and two guns were taken. Some suspects were arrested. The guns are still at large. 5. On 31 July 2022 at Buwama Town, two police officers, PC Lawrence Otim and PC Paul Nkolo were shot at. PC Otim succumbed to injuries. No gun was taken. 6. On 31 October 2022 at Busiika, three police officers namely D/IP Alex Wagaluka and PC Moses Ongol were killed and PC Stephen Ondama later succumbed to injuries. Two guns were taken and we are still pursuing the culprits. 7. On 14 November 2022 at Kyanja, there was an incident where some people on a motorbike shot at a police post. There was no loss of life or weapon taken. Investigations are on-going to get the culprits. 8. On 17 November 2022 at Gaddafi Amber Court, Small Gate – Jinja, one UPDF soldier NCOS Sgt Simon Peter Eyagu was killed and two guns taken. His colleague was an accomplice in the incident and was arrested. The two guns were recovered. One of the assailants, a one Rodgers Alisobola, was put out of action in Iganga. 9. On 23 November 2022 at Kikuube District, there were no fatalities. A UPDF soldier Pte Wycliffe Musubira’s gun was taken while on guard in Bungoma Forest Reserve, but was later recovered. 10. On 23 November 2022 at Nakulabye Police Post, an armed person moving towards the police post at night was fired at by the police and he ran away. He left behind a magazine of AK47. The police is searching for the culprits. 11. On 24 November 2022 at Bungokho, two guns were reportedly stolen. The two guns stolen seem to be the result of an insider job because there was no break in. The OC of the station is under arrest and investigations are on-going. 12. On 26 November 2022 at Kapeeka, Nakaseke, one UPDF soldier, Pte Tufeyo Obed was killed, but no weapon was taken. One gun was recovered from the assailants in the exchange and two assailants, namely Tarsisi Merengera and Denis Ssekimpi were put out of action. This gun was not from our stores, but it was recovered in that incident. It is the 11 th gun in the recoveries. 13. The last is the incident at Sanga in Kiruhura on the 27 th of November, where a rogue police officer who had lost his firearm faked a break in and theft of a rifle, which he dropped in the compound. No gun was taken in that incident. The officer is under arrest. Interventions Numerous measures have been undertaken, all intended to respond to these incidents that have taken place, but also to prevent and/or mitigate the effects of other such incidents in the unlikely event that they happen. This is to make it very expensive for those intending to indulge in these activities, and also to decisively respond to them when they happen. Police work, honourable members, is very public. However, it is not hazard neutral. Therefore, in order to reduce vulnerability of installations and personnel, we undertook the following measures: 1. Merging far-flung and vulnerable smaller police posts and booths into sizable units to improve operational efficiency and force protection. The details of these are in Annex A on the merger of police stations, attached with a detailed justification for this measure. 2. The better organisation of security installations; that is access controls, front

I will not do the same, but I also represented you in your constituency and, indeed, I thank you very much. I also seriously marketed NUP there. Mr Speaker, the procedural matter I am raising is that there is something happening these days: the attack on police posts, which is happening regularly. Today, they attacked Nakulabye. Bungokho was attacked yesterday. These people who are attacking the police posts take guns. However, from the information we have heard from the Deputy Inspector General of Police, he knows these people, but he is not arresting them and the vice is continuing. Therefore, the procedural matter I am seeking is whether it would not be procedurally right for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to come to this House and give us an update on the situation. Many police posts have been closed, which is another problem affecting the rural areas. This business of attacking police posts by unknown people - even Jinja barracks was attacked, a soldier was killed and guns were taken. Wherever they attack, guns are taken. It is as if Government is silent on this matter. It can bring a lot of disharmony in the country. As Parliament, we cannot keep quiet on such a matter, which affects our security and the country at large –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of urgent national importance. This is a matter of life and death. On the 13 th of this month, we lost one of the chairpersons, LCI of Kabembe West, Budima Parish, Butagaya Subcounty, Kagama County, Jinja District. This chairperson was in critical condition that needed ICU services and so, he was referred to Jinja Referral Hospital. However, on reaching the referral hospital, the ICU was not functional. When we consulted the nearby hospital in Mbale, it was the same problem. Mr Speaker, adding to that, these people were told to buy drugs in the nearby pharmacies. At the end of the day, we lost the chairperson. Jinja is one of those districts with Ebola cases, and having no functional ICU is very dangerous. Not only that -

Honourable member, it is not in the interest of your area to say Jinja has many cases of Ebola when we are going for Christmas. You also told me that they failed to get an ambulance to bring the patient. You said that the hospital did not have an ambulance; that is what the honourable colleague told me when he came to my office. Therefore, I am presenting the case. Rt Hon. Prime Minister and former Minister of Health -

Mr Speaker, it was not Ebola, but I said since Jinja is one of those districts with Ebola cases and since we do not have ICU facilities, it is dangerous.

First of all, Jinja Hospital, like any other regional referral hospital, has an ICU facility. This Parliament appropriated money during the COVID-19 period and we established one. [Ms Nabbanja] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. About a month ago, you directed the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Security to report back to this House and also reassure the country about the status of our security and safety of our fellow citizens. It started as a trend and it has now become a pattern. Just about three days ago, we lost a serviceman at Jinja Gaddafi Barracks. Armed men stormed the gate and murdered a military officer and carried away two guns. This occurrence should worry everybody because we have to get assurance from Government. What is it they are doing? Killing our fellow citizens and robbing guns is a fatality. We have to know; who are these people? Where are they? What is it that Government is doing? One gun in the hands of a criminal is a calamity and a tragedy for any nation. Madam Speaker, we are honoured to have the Minister of Security and the Minister of Internal Affairs in the House. The families of

The districts to be connected are: Buikwe, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Buvuma, Gomba, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kampala, Kassanda, Kayunga, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kyotera, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Rakai, Ssembabule, Wakiso, Bugweri, Kitagwenda –(Interjections) - that is central. I am going region by region. In eastern Uganda, we have Amuria, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukedea, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Busia, Namayingo, Butaleja, Butebo, Buyende, Iganga, Jinja, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Kamuli, Kapchorwa, Katakwi, Kibuku, Kumi, Kween, Luuka, Manafwa, Mayuge, Mbale, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Ngora, Pallisa, Serere, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Kalaki and Kapelebyong.

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

6233 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2022 2. To analyse the type of accidents and the total admissions; 3. To conduct an in-depth analysis of the total estimated costs of road traffic accidents and to review challenges in the road safety sector in the country; and 4. To develop a policy brief and recommendation in terms of laws, training, monitoring, and specific budget allocations that policymakers can consider in addition to increasing funding. The hospitals whose data we analysed were Arua, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Gulu, Hoima, Jinja, Kabale, Masaka, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Mbarara, Mubende, Yumbe, Moroto and Naguru regional referral hospitals, and Mulago National Referral Hospital. When coming up with a cost of treatment, we interfaced with the consultants of Mulago and asked them what it costs to treat a patient who is severely injured, moderately injured or with mild injuries. We came up with the guided figures. We also looked at documents: the Annual Health Sector Performance Report, the police accident reports, reports from regional referral hospitals and so forth. Madam Speaker, let me go to some of the results on page 13. In 2018, the total number of accidents were 12,805. Of these 3,194 were fatal. In 2019, the total number of accidents are 12,858. Of these 3,407 were fatal. In 2020, 12,249 accidents occurred; 3,269 were fatal. In 2021, we had a spike, 17,443 accidents occurred and 3,757 were fatal. Madam Speaker, if I break it down to the magnitude of the injuries, and people killed: in 2018, 3,689 people died from accidents. Those seriously injured were 9,541, and those slightly injured were 1,881. In 2019, those who died were 3,880 and those seriously Injured were 9,635. Those slightly injured were 1,175. In 2020, those who were killed were 3,663, those seriously injured were 8,370, and those slightly injured were 979. Finally, in 2021, those who died were 4,159, the seriously injured were 12,589 and those slightly injured were 1,287. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to table nine. That is comparison of fatalities by road user groups. From that table - I wish the IT man could flush it - motorcyclists accounted for the biggest number of fatalities in all the four years, followed by passengers on motorcycles, followed by pedestrians. There is clear evidence to show that motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s, are the biggest cause of injuries but most importantly, deaths from road traffic accidents. Page 15: causes of the crashes. We had reckless or careless driving, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and cars in dangerous mechanical conditions; the causes are up there. I would like to draw your attention to page 21: total admissions. Table 12 on page 21 shows the highest number of cases of admissions due to motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s. If we break it down by sex, males were certainly more affected and these were males above five years, compared to females. I think it is quite clear on the table. I would like to draw your attention to table 22: again, the problem is boda boda s. Madam Speaker, on the issue of the costs that we pay, that is page 34 - Mr IT, can you please move to page 34? - We broke it down into the costs based on critical level four, critical level three and critical level one. The overall daily cost that we spend on treating accidents is Shs 877 million monthly. It comes to Shs 26 billion and annually, it comes to Shs 315 billion. That is what the sector needs to be able to treat victims of accidents. As Chairperson of the Committee on Health, I know very well that we do not appropriate this amount of money for accidents and

6234 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT emergencies. That leaves me with three fundamental questions, honourable members. The first one is, we are not appropriating enough; Shs 315 billion is a lot of money. That means people are either dying, people are not getting the service or we have increased out- of-pocket expenditure. This means that a lot of Members of Parliament and the population have to touch into their pockets to meet this shortfall. As I conclude, honourable members, I would just like to compare the problem of accidents to malaria. I have just highlighted that for accidents, we spend Shs 315 billion annually. That should be on page 35. We spent about Shs 315 billion for accidents but our malaria budget is $150 million annually, which is about Shs 550 billion. Of course, that is given mostly by donors and Uganda only contributes 10 per cent of that. Therefore, in terms of what we should be able to appropriate, we are slightly behind malaria by about Shs 200 billion. Rt Hon. Speaker, I would like to quickly run through the recommendations. Policy recommendations We need to improve the emergency response assistance to road traffic victims. That means all highways in this country should have accident and emergency units. We are looking at Jinja-Kampala, Kampala- Mubende-Fort Portal, up to Gulu. The only person who moves with an ambulance in this country is the President. Any of us could fall culpable to these accidents and we shall have to wait for our ambulances, which are not yet in full functionality. Second is proper use and enforcement of helmets, speed and regular limit enforcement, heavy fines and punishment for unfair road users, proper and standardised road surface designs - that includes signage. When I drive from here to Koboko, I would like to tell the Minister of Works and Transport that there is hardly any signage and where there used to be, it has been stolen. Therefore, we also need to penalise such people. Coordination of road safety by the National Roads Safety Council, regular on-spot inspections, speed regulation measures, insurance pay-out and claims. Madam Speaker, every vehicle in this country is mandated to pay third party insurance but most times, people do not claim it. In addition, most of the drivers do not know their rights in regard to third party insurance. Therefore, it is an area we have to explore. Are we seeing a cartel of businesspeople conniving with police to ensure that people mandatorily pay third party insurance but the service is not being given? Adherence to pedestrian crossings, enforcement of road hierarchy in urban areas, removing road sign dangers and designs for safety spaces and reduction on gazetting of speed reduction zones on highways – Madam Speaker, it is a very bulky report of about 45 pages but I quickly ran through because I was given 20 minutes to present. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I come from Lugazi on the Kampala- Jinja Highway. Yesterday, we had a serious accident because of the potholes that are at Bulyantente. In a taxi number plate UAZ 061, eight people perished there and then. I would like to bring it to your attention that all of us are candidates of Kawolo Hospital, but there is no functional ambulance in that hospital. Secondly, there are some people who cover their number plates with scary words like “MK Project 2026”. These people drive badly on the roads and even the police officers are afraid of them; they control everything. They knock down boda bodas and are not talked about because they have scary words directed at the police officers. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would also like to add my voice in applauding you. You are a Speaker of Parliament, but you have a football team of ladies. I always see you in Jinja boosting that team.

Madam Speaker, I am talking about a confirmed case, not a probable one. This case was confirmed by the ministry and the lady was buried in Butale yet now for a week, you do not have those contacts. One of the contacts is said to be in Bugiri, another one is in Jinja; I am talking about serious things.

6127 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 8 N OVEMBER 2022 THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES (ANIMAL INDUSTRY) (Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama): Madam Speaker, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, I wish to respond to the questions raised about the status and the actions of Government in controlling animal disease, specifically the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We have uploaded this report on the intranet. We have an introduction where we are talking about how FMD affects animals and its economic consequences, and how it is spread. I wish to state the status. From January to October 2022, 22 districts reported FMD outbreaks. These include Adjumani, Amuru, Bukedea, Ibanda, Jinja, Kalungu, Kapchorwa, Kayunga, Kiruhura, Kween, Kyotera, Lyantonde, Masindi, Mpigi, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Napak, Ntungamo, Sembabule and Tororo. It is also important to note that quarantine restrictions were lifted in 11 districts, which is 50 per cent of the affected districts since then. Action taken by the Government In Uganda, FMD prevention and control is achieved through animal movement control (quarantine restrictions) strategic/ring vaccination and awareness creation campaigns. With regard to vaccination, given its cost implication, the strategy adopted by the ministry is to conduct strategic/ring vaccination where an outbreak is reported. Ring vaccination entails vaccinating all the immediate herds surrounding the affected herd so that the disease can be contained and eventually, controlled without causing serious socio-economic consequences. Colleagues, the success of ring vaccination hinges on the timely reporting of the diseases. It is, therefore, important that disease outbreaks are reported as early as possible so that measures of prevention can be instituted in a timely manner and cost effectively since only surrounding herds will be vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease to other areas. We have insisted on this strategy because we do not get enough doses to vaccinate the national herd. You must be aware that Uganda has almost 17 million herds of cattle, 17.4 million herds of goats, five million sheep, 4.5 million pigs and all these are susceptible animals to FMD. Due to limited resources, we came up with this strategy. When it is reported early, this strategy works but we are looking forward to when we have enough resources to make sure that we do it and cover the entire national herd. Currently, a combination of animal movement regulations through quarantine restriction and ring vaccination remains the most appropriate approach for FMD control in Uganda. Colleagues, the following actions have been undertaken to contain the current FMD outbreak in these affected areas. These include: i) Institution of quarantine restriction at the subcounty level and areas within the 20-kilometre radius to prevent the spread of disease. This involves the prohibition of the movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, their products and by-products from, to, through and within affected areas. Livestock markets, slaughter places including butcheries and animal shows within the affected subcounties were also closed. This is premised on the “prevention is better than cure” adage; ii) The ministry plans to vaccinate the susceptible livestock in the affected 22 districts listed above with 930,200 doses of FMD vaccine expected in the country this week on 10 November 2022. The next consignment, which is 1.6 million doses is expected in the country in two months’ time. You must observe that this is not adequate but once deployed effectively, it does prevent FMD to some extent;

I will follow up the developments in Bukedea. I also want to inform the House that Bukedea is one of the high risk areas because it is a trade route and an international trade area for livestock. Bukedea, Wakiso, Jinja are high risk areas that we pay attention to, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chairperson, what we are trying to achieve here is to hold someone accountable. This person is accountable. He will not be the one in Busia, Jinja and wherever but when it comes to the licensing function, the person who is accountable is an office. It is actually an office – the Chief Licensing Officer. Yes.

Thank you. Colleagues, I want to make a clarification. Someone might misunderstand Hon. Batuwa that he has supported the removal of political term limits. No, that is not what we mean. It was just on a lighter note. This Bill is not political at all. So, I want it to go on record. I do not want someone to go and use it in Jinja that Hon. Batuwa supported the removal of term limits. Colleagues, we have two issues at hand. Let me first put the question on the first amendment – no, we shall not sleep here, colleagues. I put the question that clause 10 be amended, as proposed by the Attorney-General. (Question put and agreed to.) Clause 10, as amended, agreed to. Clause 11, agreed to. Clause 12, agreed to. Clause 13, agreed to. Clause 14, agreed to. Clause 15, agreed to. Clause 16, agreed to. Clause 17, agreed to. Clause 18, agreed to. Clause 19, agreed to. Clause 20, agreed to. Clause 21, agreed to. Clause 22, agreed to.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. I want to address myself to two issues. The first is the issue of return of money intended to recruit healthcare workers in these hospitals. Every year, and specifically in this report, a lot of money intended to recruit specialists and other healthcare workers was returned. It is noted that this has been a result of the delays in the initiation and execution of the recruitment process by the Health Service Commission and accounting officers in these hospitals. It is my prayer that moving forward, the processes for recruitment and placement of these specialists are expedited to ensure the specialists are available for our citizens to receive services. Second is the issue of recurrent stock out of blood and blood products. These are lifesaving. We are losing a number of children and mothers, especially women in labour because of the shortage of blood. One of the hospitals that recurrently has been reporting shortage is Jinja Regional Referral Hospital which does not have a blood bank. As we move towards appropriation in the Financial Year 2023/2024, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital must get the first call in ensuring we have a blood transfusion service in Jinja. I beg to submit. Thank you.

Hon. Mwesigwa, the MP for Hoima East Division, wanted to know why the country has delayed validation and the approval of staff structures for the newly-created cities and its effect on service delivery. Mr Speaker, in January 2022, Cabinet under, Minute 21 (CT 2022) approved the 10 cities in Uganda and the structures for the 10 cities to implement. The following actions have been taken: 1. The structures were customised to enable the cities come up with individual human resource structures that address their uniqueness; 2. The customised city structures have been adopted by the respective city councils and implementation guidelines for the said structures have been prepared and disseminated to the city authorities; 3. The job descriptions and person specifications were prepared to enable the City Service Commissions place the existing staff and recruit the right people in the right jobs; Mr Speaker, validation of the existing staff, formally belonging to the respective municipalities and annexed areas from the mother districts, was also done and successfully concluded in all the 10 cities of Hoima, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Soroti, Jinja, Mbale, Lira, Gulu and Arua.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of staff from the Parliament of Zimbabwe. They include the following: a) Mr Prince Daniel - Assistant Clerk; b) Mrs Sarah Chimbadzwa – Sergeant-at- Arms; c) Mr Phidmore Mappwanya – Sergeant-at- Arms; and d) Mrs Marcy Mutamba - Acting Director, Human Resource. They have come to follow and observe proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Also in the public gallery this afternoon, we have Division Clerks from Kampala Capital City Authority. They are here to observe proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Colleagues, also in the public gallery, we have students and teachers of Jinja Progressive Secondary School, Jinja City, represented by Hon. Nathan Igeme Nabeta and Hon. Manjeri Kyebakutika. They have come to observe proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you. Hon. Basalirwa, what is that procedural issue which is burning you?

5674 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT activities worth Shs 2.32 billion. Out of the six activities, only two were implemented fully, leaving four partially implemented. The same cases of partial implementation can be cited in Mubende, Entebbe, Soroti and Jinja Regional Referral Hospitals. The committee recommends that accounting officers should ensure that the planned and approved outputs are fully implemented. Submission of accurate quarterly performance reports The Auditor-General reported disregard of timelines especially in submitting quarterly performance reports by most regional referral hospitals. This contravenes Section 21(3) of the PFMA, 2015, and the Treasury Instructions of 2017, which require the accounting officers to prepare reports for each quarter of the financial year, and that it should be submitted to the Treasury not later than 15 days after the end of each quarter. Most of the accounting officers the committee interacted with showed demonstrated lack of awareness and appreciation of these timelines, and seemed not briefed by their respective hospital administrators, who, in most cases, equally demonstrated lack of knowledge of the process. Mr Speaker, lack of knowledge simply means ignorance. The committee observes that failure to submit performance reports in time and failure to prepare monitoring plans affects timely tracking and evaluation of performance. The committee, therefore, recommends that: 1. The accounting officers should prepare budget monitoring plans and reports to facilitate performance tracking within the stipulated timelines; and 2. Accounting officers should ensure that their planners are up to date with those statutory submissions in terms of timelines, and strictly adhere to them at all times. Absorption of funds A number of entities were noted in the report of the Auditor-General to have failed to optimally absorb the funds that were allocated to them, causing money to be swept back to the Treasury. These funds were mostly meant for wage, gratuity and pension that were not fully paid by the end of the financial year. Most accounting officers attributed this to delays in recruitment by the Health Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Service. The committee had a chance to interact with the Health Service Commission on the matter and noted that the long bureaucratic process of recruitment that reportedly takes an average of five months was partly to blame for the delays in recruitment. While interacting with some of these entities, the committee discovered that majority of the affected accounting officers did not seek a revision of their budget and work plan as provided for under Section 17(3) of the PFMA, 2015. For example, Mulago National Referral Hospital had a total warrant of Shs 63,573,318,357, received during the financial year, out of which, Shs 59,379,356,427 was spent, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 4,193,961,930, representing an absorption level of 93.4 per cent. Lira Regional Referral Hospital had a total warrant of Shs 11,498,592,809 received during the financial year, out of which, Shs 9,631,737,017 was spent, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 1,866,855,792, representing an absorption capacity or level of 83.8 per cent. Mubende Regional Referral Hospital had total receipts of Shs 11,297,149,897 in the financial year, out of which, 9,155,075,000, representing 81 per cent was spent by the entity, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 2,142,074,897, representing an absorption rate of 19 per cent. The committee also noted, with concern, a growing trend by the Ministry of Finance,

5678 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT officers attributed this non-payment to insufficient funding from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The committee further observed some cases of complete non-payment of pension, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Pension Act, 2014. Further, the current pension system shouldered by Government is expensive and cumbersome, and causes difficulty in tracking the growth of the fund. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Public Service should fully computerise their tracking and information management systems that should enable automatic migration from salary to the pension payroll upon retirement, without further assurance. Government should develop a system of a contributory pension scheme for Government employees, as opposed to a system where Government shoulders the entire burden of providing pension. Such a system is cumbersome and does not allow growth of pension funds for the civil servants, unlike in the private social system, where the fund grows with a period of contribution and service. Delayed deletion of staff from the payroll Mr Speaker, contrary to Section B-a (12) of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2010 that requires the payment of salary to public officers to be stopped immediately they cease rendering services to Government under whatever circumstances, including death, the Auditor-General noted that a number of entities under the health sector had delayed to delete staff who had either retired, been transferred, absconded or died. Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, for example, was reported to have paid Shs l8,438,987 to staff who could not be accounted for. Similarly, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital was reported to have paid Shs 6,149,095 to four staff who had retired. In the case of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Shs 896,977 was paid as salaries to two staff who had retired. Many accounting officers attributed these delays to transfers of some of the affected staff after the closing dates of the IPPS. The accounting officer of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital particularly explained that the transferred staff at the entity had to be delayed from reporting to their new stations because of the critical nature of their jobs. The accounting officer could not, however, provide evidence to substantiate his assertions. The committee observed that such delays are acts of negligence of duty that can cause payments for services not rendered and, thus, could result in loss of funds to Government. The committee recommends that with the help of the internal- auditors, accounting officers should regularly examine the payroll to establish cases of near retirement, and also ensure immediate removal of transferred, absconded or dead staff as soon as the cases occur. Unauthorised loan deductions Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General noted that in most regional referral hospitals, there were unauthorised loan deductions from employee’s salaries without letters of undertaking from the responsible officers. The accounting officers explained that this mainly arose from staff transferred to new stations without their personal files. In such cases, employees would have active deduction accounts without complete records at the new station(s). In some cases, non-transferred staff faced similar predicaments, thus attracting the attention of the Auditor-General. Indeed, honourable colleagues, in this Parliament, Members have raised similar concerns of loan deductions on behalf of affected civil servants. In Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, for example, the Auditor- General noted that eight employees were not in the “my approval report”, but in the “active deduction report”. In other words, not sanctioned but deductions were going on, while 39 employees were not

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On Wednesday, 25 July 2018, the Prime Minister of India together with the President of this country visited this Parliament. In the few words that the Prime Minister said in opening the State House, he was addressing the President to his people, who would have opened many strands to the Indian community. Among the issues he noted was the sacred site at Jinja, where a portion of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed, and said that in his life and beyond, he is one of the Africans; and, that at the same sacred site in Jinja, where the statue of Gandhi now stands, we will build a Gandhi Heritage Centre. And, there was high applause in this House. Mr Speaker, from that time, because he said this would be in celebration of the 150 years of the Gandhi history - Mr Speaker, you were part of that sitting and everybody was here, including the Head of State, who was very clear. This was an offer from the Prime Minister of India.

Mr Speaker, our prayer is that since we passed the Monument Bill yesterday, the minister of trade should come and tell this House and Ugandans at large what is stopping the setup of that Heritage Centre in Jinja.

Honourable colleague, I have told you to say your prayers but you have not. Honourable Minister of Security, we have insecurity in Jinja -(Ms Manjeri rose_) Please, we have two minutes. No, respect time. Honourable colleague, we have rules in this House.

No, not Nyege Nyege . (Laughter) Honourable minister, what are you doing about the general security situation in Jinja? Her people were listening and watching.

Mr Speaker, I got a question from Hon. Alex Brandon Kintu, Member of Parliament, Jinja District, Kagoma North Constituency. He said that in 2001, the President promised that Government would tarmac Jinja- Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu Road, which is also known as the Amber Court Road. The road has featured in successive budget speeches from 2001 to 2021. His question is: “ When is Government going to work on this road? Can you provide an update on any plans to fulfil the Presidential pledge on this matter?” Mr Speaker, my response is that Jinja- Mbulamuti-Kamuli Road is a national road managed by the Ministry of Works and

5817 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022 This model has an option of either contributing food in kind or cash for food rations. We all know that feeding is important for the health of our children and how poor learning, absenteeism and school dropout are partly caused by hunger in schools. Mr Speaker, Government started a pilot project to engage parents to start contributing towards feeding their children while at school, targeting at least one million children within Kampala Metropolitan Area – covering Entebbe, Kira, Makindye, Mukono and Nansana municipalities – and later to have it extended to the districts of Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Hoima, Kabale, Arua, Kabarole and Masaka, if well implemented. Government has secured a partnership between the Ministry of Education Sports and SNV Uganda, a Netherlands Development Organisation, which will help in subsidising the parents. As such, the parents will contribute between Shs 10,000 and Shs 20,000 each term to ensure their children are fed on milk at school. Mr Speaker, milk was chosen because it provides bone-building nutrients, specifically, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which are of high nutrition for both good health and development. Government has entered into partnership with processors who will design specific milk and yoghurt products for school children and distribute about 250mls (per quarter pint) of milk to each child per day for five days. Mr Speaker, the targeted level of school is pre- primary, primary and secondary school. We, therefore, urge honourable members and parents to embrace this programme for the better health of our children in schools and to improve their learning. Hon. Ronald Akugizibwe, Member of Parliament, Buruuli County, Masindi District. He said: “Census is a critical planning tool, which helps governments to plan for the future in terms of schools, hospitals, roads, urban infrastructure and more. For Vision 2020 to be achieved there is need to plan based on reliable statistics.” His prayer is that I update this august House on when Government intends to carry out a housing and population census. Mr Speaker, on Monday, 12 September 2022, Cabinet approved a plan to carry out a housing and population census, scheduled for 24 to 25 August 2023. The process is estimated to cost Shs 330 billion, which Government will mobilise in two financial years; that is, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The census will enable Government to establish the number of houses, the people and budget accordingly, in terms of service delivery to various regions. The census will be done digitally and data uploaded directly to the central server in Kampala. Mr Speaker, this year, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, through the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, shall be procuring information technology (IT) devices, which will be used in the exercise. After the census, the smart gadgets will be used to carry out other studies such as agricultural census and administrative statistics, among others. Question No.5 came from Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, the National Female Youth MP. She said: “There are about 13 million people in urban centres in the country. Over 50 per cent of Ugandans, by the year 2050, will be in cities, yet housing is still a challenge in urban centres. Last week, His Excellency the President launched a multi-billion housing project in Lubowa, under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).” She asked: “What is the status of Solana- Lubowa Housing Project and its benefit to the people of Uganda?” My response, Mr Speaker, is that on Thursday, 8 September 2022, His Excellency the President commissioned the first phase of the Shs 1.4 trillion Solana-Lubowa Housing Project.

Mr Speaker, Jinja has been a town for over 100 years - since 1907. Today, it is a city. It has only one landfill. In the last 10 days, the residents of Jinja could not access the only landfill in Jinja City. One man has seized it, and put a 40 feet container in the access route, and deployed private security

Mr Speaker, I will institute a team -(Interjections)- I cannot deceive you that I will do it today because I am still here. Tomorrow, the team will be going to Jinja to investigate under which circumstances this man blocked our road and grabbed people’s land? I will get reports from the RCC and come back here to report.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your guidance. I also want to support the committee report. For example, in Jinja, there is a house where the late Queen slept when she came to open the Owen Falls Dam; these are some of the historical monuments that we need to cherish and protect. The committee observes that there should be a creation of an independent ministry of culture. This is the time when we are rationalising ministries, departments and agencies. I do not want to agree with the committee and I think these monuments should be domiciled in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The committee also observes, like, for example, gazetting Makerere University as a monument; this omnibus gazetting, for example, for us in Namayingo-

Mr Chairperson, I thought that the minister would be very appreciative of the amendment proposed by the committee because they are including other Government ministries, departments and agencies, but leaving out very important stakeholders. You will not go to Tororo, Jinja or Bushenyi to do things without these very important stakeholders. So, the committee chairperson is helping us. I beg that you reconsider your position, honourable minister.

Mr Speaker, I join the rest of the colleagues in celebrating the life of the Queen. Personally, I will remember the Queen for two things; one being when she came to commission the dam in Jinja. Today, we are still enjoying the fruits of that dam. The Basoga here must be proud of the Queen – and the Baganda, equally -(Interjections)- okay, all Ugandans. Mr Speaker, for the many contributions that the British Government has made to this country, we appreciate the Queen. We all agree that during the time of colonialism, there was a lot of good planning in this country. For all the cities that we are enjoying now, including Jinja City, the planning was actually supervised by the British Government. We thank Her Majesty the Queen for whatever contribution she made to this country. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mine is about that swampy area in Namanve. As much as the committee talked about returning the land titles, the local authorities that give permits should also be cautioned not to give permits in areas that are swampy because I do not know what we are going to do. In Namanve Industrial Park, there are hotels and these hotels are owned by some of us. Like Hon. Migereko of Jinja has a hotel in the swamp. Then Sudhir also has a hotel in a swamp. So I do not know the mechanisms we are going to use; are we going to compensate them or are we going to break down the structures? Therefore, I want the laws to be stringent for the municipalities and the local authorities also. Thank you.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, I commit to remind the Head of State, but I want you to also note that he is an experienced President, and he has been doing this work for quite a long time. I believe he knows what he is doing. Madam Speaker and colleagues, the President can never sleep on the job; you know he is an able President. That is why he has been given the mandate year-in-year-out by Ugandans. Question 1 Question one came from Hon. Ssasaga John, Member of Parliament Budadiri East, that Busoga University was closed on 1 December 2021 by the Minister for Education and Sports, citing reasons like failure to comply with set minimum standards of the National Council for Higher Education. However, the circular dated 1 December 2017, clearly stated that the closure of the university was not going to affect students who had completed their courses by that date. Unfortunately, an update on the graduation ceremony has never been organised for the affected students, who completed, and they cannot get their certificates to enable them register with the relevant ministries to get formal employment. His prayers: 1. When will the graduation ceremony be organised for the affected students? 2. When will the affected students get their transcripts and certificates? Madam Speaker and colleagues, currently, there is no legal entity known as Busoga University. And, as such, no university organs are in place to process transcripts, issue certificates and organise graduation ceremonies. A letter from the permanent secretary will be provided later. Madam Speaker, there is a management taskforce in place as of now, to manage the establishment of the public university. As soon as the process is completed and the relevant university organs are established, then the graduation ceremony will be held and all relevant documents will be issued. Question 2 Hon. Stephen Kisa, Member of Parliament, Luuka District said that he is a regular user of the Jinja-Kampala Highway and it has been about four years since Government compensated people, and a contractor was obtained to construct the Jinja-Kampala Express Highway. His prayer is: Can Government give a progressive status on the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway?

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Most of you could have watched this on television or heard it over the radio about the Nyege-Nyege Festival, that is coming up for three days in Jinja. However, Madam Speaker, we are aware that at the previous event, there were attempts to stop it - May the soul of Fr. Lokodo rest in peace - and because the ministry of ethics then and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had conflicting positions, the previous festival was left to go on. And all of you saw what came out of that festival. People were having sex in the open and drinking. People have been told that this event will go on for three days - both day and night - and people have to drink themselves silly. Madam Speaker, while it is okay and people may look at this as normal – to leave people to enjoy - we have another bigger challenge. Our young children are being recruited into the LGBT Community. Most of you may notice that on 03 August, the NGO Board suspended the activities of one of the NGOs that has not been registered but was operating - the Sexual Minorities Uganda. Madam Speaker, when you listen to the stories of those who have been recruited by this institution, you will get to know that children are being paid Shs 500,000 – (Interjections) - yes, when you attend their meetings. Some of the people have been told to have live sex to be paid millions for such porn recordings. Therefore, about this Nyege Nyege event, can we hear from the Government what its position is on this growing immorality in this country? I am saying this because it is going to attract all kinds of people from all over the world, bringing all kinds of actions that are really non-Ugandan, into our communities. I am glad the Prime Minister is here. Can we hear from her? What is this Nyege Nyege thing that you are allowing to take place? The advert is international. Madam Speaker, if you go to the site, you will see young men holding hands together. What are they promoting? Is it okay for one to come with a fellow male partner for Nyege Nyege because this seems the message? Can we hear from the Prime Minister why and how she is going to control these gays from operating in this community? There is further information before I can –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think the minister of ethics had commented about it – that, indeed, there are conditions that should be met for this event to take place. However, the bigger picture is that Nyege Nyege is an event. As we speak, around 8,000 foreigners have already paid for tickets and have booked to come and sleep in this country. Madam Speaker, this event is going to be held somewhere in Jinja. However, I would like to agree with my colleague, the minister for ethics and integrity, that we sit together, tomorrow so that she comes and gives this House a comprehensive document –(Member rose_)

We call them half-castes; although locally, they are commonly referred to as “chotara”. They have a big problem obtaining the Ugandan National Identity Card, including those who were born in Uganda, and whose parents are born in Uganda, and can trace their origin to their great grandparents. We would like to inquire from the minister whether, even when there is reason to delay the process - which is frustrating them - it is possible to allocate a day, say in Jinja, where all those who are in Busoga subregion can converge and try to iron out issues with the Ministry of Internal Affairs that are frustrating them from getting a national identity card?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. I would like to comment on equal access to health in two areas. The first is with our children who are suffering from hydrocephalus and spina bifida. These are children who have big heads, as we locally know it. Accessing treatment is very difficult for these children. Many of our Government hospitals do not handle these cases. Parents of these children also find it very challenging to access treatment for their children. They are always referred to private hospitals like Cure in Mbale or Jinja. Therefore, I appeal to Government that for us to have equal access to health, these children should be considered. Secondly, as the Chairperson for the Committee on HIV/ AIDS, during our assessment, we discovered that there is an increase in infections in the population. However, because [Mr Timuzigu] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Madam Speaker, I told the House that the health centre that is in existence is for a non-governmental organisation despite the fact that the Government supports them with PHC funds. This one is going to be purely for the Government. You know our policy here is to have a health centre per subcounty. This subcounty had that one that was for an NGO. This time round, we are constructing a new one for the Government. Government will be the one to manage it. My brother also talked about the ambulance. Parliament passed a policy here, Madam Speaker, during the COVID-19 time. Remember it was that time when we were putting ambulances on standby to collect members of the community who would be identified with any signs of COVID-19. It was during that time when we decided here – I was a minister then – that we regionalise ambulance services and make sure that those ambulances are functional and can save lives. The other day I saw an accident towards Jinja, when I was going to Mbale. That was between Lugazi and Jinja. We saw ambulances come very quickly and they picked up the man who had got into an accident. They took him to Lugazi and referred the others, who had gotten injured, to Mulago. So, we could give them more of these ambulances and they are positioned either by road sides other than dumping an ambulance at a health facility. When the health centre does not even have fuel, it would still be useless because a health centre III has very limited funds. However, these ambulances that are managed by regional hospitals and regional centers are usually perfect. Madam Speaker, on vandalism, I had given an answer and you had already ruled. I will not talk about that.

2439 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022 However, with the current delays that have adversely affected the turnaround time for trucks, we continue to critically monitor supply of Jet A-1. From the pipeline, road transport is used for almost all products since the existing wagon ferries on Lake Victoria can only bring a maximum of eight million litres of diesel per month, yet the current normal monthly total consumption is 195 million litres. Currently, the wagon ferries cannot lift petrol because the loading facilities for petrol at Kisumu have not been commissioned. In addition, the private facility owned by Mahathi Infra Uganda Limited scheduled for commissioning in June 2022 will improve utilisation of lake transport by the oil marketing companies. Some Oil Marketing Companies still import 5 per cent of the industry requirements through Tanzania although the route is still more expensive by US$ 60 per 1,000 litres. The road which used to pose challenges was improved by the United Republic of Tanzania. In this respect, some companies are using the route. The Oil Marketing Companies have also been obligated to keep the 10 days’ operational stock as required by the Petroleum Supply Act of 2003. This move is partly responsible for the current stock levels for diesel and Jet A-1, which remained in stock irrespective of a long impasse at Malaba and Busia. Uganda’s oil marketing companies have private storage capacity at their active depots, excluding storage at service stations of 62,673,596 litres. When combined with the Government storage facility at Jinja of 30 million litres, now operated by Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in a joint venture with the One Petroleum Limited, this results in a total national storage capacity of 92,673,596 litres. The ministry has continuously requested for funds amounting to $30 million to restock the reserves, but this item has remained unfunded. The Jinja storage facility can store 20 million litres of diesel and 10 million litres of petrol. The facility can be served by both road and railway transport, and there are plans of connecting a pipeline that will supply products to the terminal from a barge on Lake Victoria. Plans are underway to develop the Kampala Storage Terminal at Namwabula-Mpigi, with a first phase of 140 million litres expected in 2024. The facility will consequently be expanded to its full capacity of 340 million litres after two years, in line with the refinery completion. Fuel prices Madam Speaker, Uganda’s pump prices have been stable and would move with the global trends until January 2022 when petrol prices increased due to scarcity. The price for petrol has increased by Shs 550 from Shs 4,450 per litre –(Interjections) – from the time the prices increased when there was scarcity. This is the year when they declared that “Do not move.” I am saying per litre as of 17 December 2021 to Shs 5,000 per litre in January 2022. Over the same period, the price for diesel has remained stable. Before the increase, things were okay. Due to the fact that pump prices are determined by the market, the price of diesel, which is available, has remained stable while petrol that is scarce forced some traders to buy from other retailers that have petrol to resell at pump prices and consequently those secondary retailers sell at higher prices to recover the money that is invested in buying at pump prices. When there was scarcity, those who did not have fuel went to those who had and then they went and took to theirs. As that happened, those who took fuel to resell increased the prices. This was very fast; speculators are very good at guessing – together with the associated handling costs. With supply anticipated to return to normal at the end of this month, prices are expected to be competitive again. You will recall that in September 2021, Kenya’s motorists were travelling to eastern Uganda to refuel their vehicles and transit trucks were all buying petrol from Uganda – (Interjections) – I have already told you the year.

2440 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY In view of the above, therefore, the high petrol pump prices of petroleum products are caused by product scarcity and once supply returns to normal, prices will stabilise. On one hand, margins of the oil marketing companies have stagnated in their efforts to keep them competitive. In addition, their return on capital employed has lowered as a result of using more money to trade in the same volumes. On the other hand, consumers have increased expenditure on petrol in conducting their daily businesses. This has, in turn, increased private transportation costs, which further impacts negatively on our travellers. Pump prices per litre for Eldoret and Kisumu in Kenya are Kshs 130.13 for petrol and Kshs.101.32 for diesel. At the exchange rate of Shs 34 per 1 Kshs, it comes to Shs 4,424 and Shs 3,785 for the two products, respectively. This implies that on average, the prevailing petroleum prices in Uganda are Shs 576 above those in Kenya due to scarcity. Eldoret and Kisumu have been used because they are the main trading terminals for Uganda’s products. From this analysis, it is evident that competition when supply is normal in the downstream petroleum subsector in Uganda has taken root and thereby, rendering the intended benefits to the population. Once supply constraints at the border are addressed, prices of all products will return to normal and competitive for the benefit of all customers. Other constraints We still have problems of supply as a result of constraints at the border clearance, thereby forcing some oil marketing companies to buy at retail prices and further retail. This has resulted in increased pump prices and declining margins for companies and dealers. This increase in pump prices ultimately increases the cost of living. Once clearance at the borders is addressed, supply, together with the pump prices, should return to normal. We are saying that they will return to normal by this month. My ministry continues to engage with the Uganda Revenue Authority on this matter. Some people say it is because of the high taxes. Actions taken In order to expedite the clearing processes at both the Busia and Malaba border entry points, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives went to the border with some of our representatives. Some rules were immediately instituted: a) The testing for COVID-19 for truck drivers has been halted until further notice. These abrupt decisions can cause problems. b) I have directed SICPA-SA, the company undertaking fuel marking at entry points, to have their services available on a 24- hour basis at the two border points, with effect from 24 January 2022. c) As a Government, we plan to put in place a priority route with one special clearance point at the border and work with URA and have trucks use the newly constructed road from the Busia Border to Lumino- Musita-Jinja Road. Instead of following the one going towards Tororo, there is a new one now coming that joins the Jinja Road. d) There is need for bilateral talks, which we have already initiated with the Kenyan authorities on issues pertaining college allocation, prioritising export market among others. We are telling them to give us enough fuel all the time. Not to waste our time and cause delays. e) Building capacity of various players in the petroleum supply chain to form associations for better communication with ministries, governments in addition to having regular meetings with various players in the value chain.

2442 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY for the support you gave us in executing this task. I beg to lay the minutes and supporting documents for the report of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry. In the interest of time, I will be referring you to the pages where most of the information is and I will be summarising a few details. Page 1 is the introduction. I will give a brief background. Fuel is a key economy driver since the factors of production depend on fuel. The fuel crisis in the country emanated from the alleged fuel scarcity in circulation at the various fuel pumps and stations. All that information is on page 1. On page 2, we have the backdrop of the committee’s oversight exercise. On page 3, we have the rationale. On page 4 – allow me to, briefly, give you the committee’s terms of reference: The committee adopted the following terms of reference; i) To ascertain the causes of fuel scarcity and the skyrocketing fuel prices in the country in general and Hoima in particular. ii) To examine the contribution of Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) as a Government enterprise in propelling Government’s agenda in stocking and maintaining fuel reserves that can make interventions in times of need when there is fuel scarcity in the country. iii) To scrutinise the utilisation of funds provided by the Government of Uganda to UNOC enterprise. iv) To propose recommendations to enable the efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of UNOC as a Government enterprise in a bid to support it and in achievement of its objectives and to ensure the creation of a positive impact on the people of Uganda. On page 5, we have the methodology: we carried out field visits to Malaba and Busia border points. We visited the Jinja Storage Terminal and Hoima District, respectively, and entered into the western part of Kenya at the Busia Border. We had meetings with key stakeholders. We had memoranda received from various stakeholders, the LCI chairperson, area Members of Parliament of Hoima and all the other leaders as stated in the report. We also had desk research and triangulation of findings. Allow me to go straight into the causes of the fuel crisis. COVID-19 testing at the border The first cause was COVID-19 testing at the border, which I believe the honourable minister stated was scrapped off. Therefore, I may not need to go deep into the detail. However, allow me to present the committee’s recommendations. The committee observed that, previously, truck drivers were allowed entry into the country based on negative results obtained elsewhere, within a 48-hour timeframe along their journey. However, with the change in the testing, truck drivers started a protest against the new fees, insisting on abandoning the process, hence causing a 10-day gridlock. This, consequently, reduced the fuel supply in the country, leading to the hiked prices. The committee notes that it is unclear as to how many of the trucks involved in the strike were fuel transport trucks. Much as this could be a cause, we were not sure how many of the trucks in that queue were fuel transport trucks. Depletion of super petrol both in Kenya and Tanzania According to One Petroleum Uganda Ltd, the fuel crisis was also further compounded by the depletion of super petrol in both Kenya and Tanzania. However, it was observed that diesel was not greatly affected since, aside from the diminished number of trucks available for reload, diesel stocks were sufficient in Kenya and only suffered from logistics. [Mr Mpaka] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

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

2445 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022 Legal and regulatory frameworks The committee was informed by UNOC that Uganda imports all its fuel through Kenya and Tanzania and the logistics of fuel supply are affected by regulatory frameworks in these transit countries. Ninety per cent of imports are through Kenya Open Tender System (OTS) where sometimes, there are inadequate allocations for fuel transiting to Uganda. This is one of the constraints to importing and supplying petroleum products in bulk to the country. Transportation The committee was informed by UNOC that the absence of bulk and efficient transportation means that the country levys oil marketing companies with the only option of picking products from Kenya by trucks direct to retail stations. Comparative analysis Different countries have employed different strategies in maintaining reserves, depending on the capabilities to adapt to different disruptions in the supply chain. I will read a few, for the interest of time. In landlocked Malawi, stocks are held by their National Oil Company in Government terminals across the country. A levy is charged on all stocks imported into the country to fund reserves and petroleum infrastructure. Ghana and Botswana use related policies to fund petroleum infrastructure and reserves. We have given examples. All these are in the report uploaded on your iPad. Analysis of UNOC management of the Jinja National Reserves and Storage terminal Uganda has a 30 million-litre storage facility at Jinja meant to hold national reserves. This is equivalent to 4.6 days of stocks, as per daily demand of 6.5 million litres. Government is meant to ensure that the national reserves have at least 12 million litres – this is 40 per cent - of the total 30 million litres capacity storage facility in Jinja. Government had, since March 2012, handed over the operations of the national reserves to M/S Hared Petroleum Limited. However, owing to the challenges encountered in restocking the facility, the operator returned the facility to Government. On 29 May 2017, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development handed over the National Strategic Reserves facility at Jinja to UNOC and entrusted it with the responsibility of restocking, operating, managing and maintaining to fulfil both national strategic and attendant commercial purposes of the facility, for and on behalf of Government of Uganda, in accordance with the Petroleum Supply Act, 2003 and other relevant policy and legislation. The ministry noted, in its handover letter dated 29 May 2017, signed by Frank Tukwasibwe, Commissioner Petroleum Supply Department, for Permanent Secretary, that it is paramount, among others, that UNOC does whatever it takes to effectively run the facility and particularly ensure that 40 per cent of the storage capacity at the facility is available and always stocked with national strategic stocks, if the facility’s objective in the Petroleum Supply Act, 2003 is to be fulfilled. On 31 May 2017, UNOC entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with a consortium of three companies, which are: One Petroleum Ltd, One Petroleum (U) Ltd and Mbaraki Bulk Terminal Limited for the management and operation of the Jinja National Reserves and Storage Terminals. On 9 May 2017, UNOC sent out invitations to companies to submit bids to manage the storage terminal. UNOC undertook a Joint Venture Agreement with a consortium. According to clause 8.3 of the Agreement, the consortium undertakes to stock the facility with petroleum products to its full capacity by 31 July 2017. When UNOC gave these reserves to this consortium of companies, clause 8.3 stated that they must stock these reserves to their full capacity by 31 July 2017, which is 30 million litres.

2446 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY Further still, under clause 8.4, the consortium was to ensure that the facility would, at all times, have not less than 40 per cent of the storage capacity, which UNOC would keep as strategic reserves. The parties signed the second addendum, etcetera. as follows. Committee observations The committee observed that whereas the Ministry of Energy handed over the Jinja Storage Terminal facility to UNOC on 29 May 2017, UNOC had, on 9 May 2017, 20 days earlier before they gave them this facility, already invited bids from companies to manage the facility, which they were not in possession of legally. The committee further observed that UNOC evaluated the bids and selected a consortium of One Petroleum Limited, One Petroleum (U) Ltd and Mbaraki Bulk Terminal Limited to manage and operate the Jinja National Reserves and Storage Terminals through a Joint Venture Agreement, signed on 31 May 2017, just two days after the handover letter and before receiving the handover report, which was due in two weeks’ time, as per the letter dated 29 May 2017 of Rev. Frank Tukwasibwe, for the Permanent Secretary. The committee observed that the agreement was signed on 31 May 2017 for a period of 10 years. The first addendum to the agreement, however, which extended the contractual period by five more years, was signed on 1 August 2018, one year into the ten-year agreement. They signed another agreement to extend for five more years. Section 23(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 provides that a vote shall not enter into a contract, transaction or agreement that binds Government to a financial commitment for more than one financial year or which results into a contingent liability, except where the financial commitment or contingent liability is authorised by Parliament. The committee observed that in the second addendum, clause 8.16.1, in the consortium was supposed to design and develop the lake transport developments at the JST for utilisation of transport of petroleum products over Lake Victoria at their own cost. So, they gave them five more years and told them to build infrastructure at their own cost. These were the facilities stated in clause 1 of the first addendum, required to enable transportation of petroleum products over water on Lake Victoria from the port of Kisumu and or any other port on Lake Victoria and over land. The committee observed that the Cabinet Minister for Energy and Mineral Development wrote to the Minister responsible for Finance on 18 January 2022, communicating a decision of Cabinet to finance UNOC to a tune of $30 million for commencing the process of procuring fuel reserves for five days and $8 million for construction of a jetty and pipeline system, so as to connect the terminal to Lake Victoria and therefore, deliver fuel by barges from Kisumu. It is the considered view of the committee that this amounts to Government undertaking an obligation of the consortium under the joint venture agreement with the UNOC, thereby attempting to duplicate and if done, tantamount to causing financial loss to Government, because they have already constracted the company to do it, yet Government is looking for money to do it. The committee observes that whereas clause 8.4 of the joint venture agreement, which was deleted in its entirety in the second addendum last year, in around August 2019, they signed another addendum and deleted clause 8.4, which ensured that that company was to maintain a certain number - 40 per cent in their reserves. Maintenance at Jinja reserve, this can no longer be achieved under the current undertaking, and is one of the reasons that exacerbated the fuel crisis in the country. The committee was shocked and dumbfounded that the second addendum to the agreement now requires [Mr Mpaka] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

2448 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY Therefore, Government should fast-track the construction of the Kampala storage terminal, which is to store about six million litres of fuel as this would treat the issue of the obsolete oil reserves in Jinja. 5. Government should also expand the road infrastructure at the border for safety especially at the current highly populated border points, towns where fuel trucks park in long queues, and improve traffic flow of the cargo trucks in and out of the country, especially in instances where they are transporting perishable or highly flammable products. This was raised by hon. Macho yesterday. The Minister of Trade does not have a solution to this problem; it is the Ministry of Works to expand the road infrastructure. 6. The committee recommends that Government purchases and installs a second scanner at all border points, to mitigate the economic impact of any seemingly unforeseen related crises. 7. Government should also implement all its directives harmoniously in consultation with all relevant ministries and agencies and take into consideration the impact assessment so as to mitigate the challenges. In conclusion, according to the committee’s findings, there are a number of reasons as to why the current fuel crisis still exists as discussed in the report. However, it is pertinent to note that Uganda has no fuel reserves/ reservoirs, currently. This renders it vulnerable to the crisis, being that the country is locked down. Also, UNOC has to up its effort to be up to its task; being a state enterprise, it should jealously guard the interests of Government and Ugandans as a whole. I beg to report. (Applause)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for his good submission, concerning the long line of trailers on the border which, in his statement, he said, has cleared. Hon. Minister, you are living in another country. In Busia, as I talk now, we have three lanes of trailers, and they stretch up to Busitema checkpoint. Right now, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, is in Busia. Madam Speaker, we face the problem of ministers coming to our constituencies, where we were elected with massive support, without telling us. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we need you to help us because the only job we can do is to represent our people and talk. However, the ministers meet civil servants who tell them what they want and bring that as a report in the Cabinet. I do not know how you will help us solve this problem. Nonetheless, Gen. David Muhoozi, the Minister of Internal Affairs, is in Busia right now because Tororo Road has trailers stretching almost up to Mawero. Majanji Road has trailers almost up to Madibira; Custom Road has four lanes –(Interjection)- I am a born again Christian. Jinja Road also has trailers. In case the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives wants to prove this, I refer her to the RDC and Minister of Internal Affairs who is in Busia now.

Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, I would like to thank you for a good comprehensive report concerning the issue of oil and fuel. (Applause) The truth of the matter is that the oil route from Kisumu to Jinja was given to one company, which I think was done in an unclear way. The oil reserves in Jinja were given away in a wrong way. My prayer, Madam Speaker, is that, at least where possible, a commission of inquiry should be set up to dig into the issues of oil hoarding and the results of this country. Lastly, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, help us to address the issue of ministers who come to our constituencies without informing us. In fact, I think they do not want us to come back. What shall we do, when we do not come here, yet our role is to talk to our people? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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