Alebtong District

kings, were captured is in my constituency. That is in Kangai Subcounty. The site is under construction. I must appreciate the Government for doing that. However, a historical site without infrastructural development is not going to work out. When this road is tarmacked, it is going to connect us to other parts of the world. I would also pray, if possible, we connect this road to Alebtong, and from Alebtong, we connect to Otuke. Our people of Otuke can use this road to access medical services from Abim. Those who are far from the Otuke centre go up to Abim General Hospital and Morulem Health Centre III to access medical services. It is a shortcut for us. I personally use that road when I am connecting from Dokolo to Kampala via Nakasongola. Secondly, Mr Speaker, the Head of State mentioned an issue about development of health services. Dokolo Health Centre IV is a referral hospital to us, simply because all the health centre IIIs in the different subcounties refer to this health centre IV. However, the number of patients that are being attended to on daily basis is very high. Bearing in mind that Dokolo Town Council does not have a health centre III, all the residents within the town council move to the health centre IV as their initial facility seeking medical attention. Kongai Subcounty is a new subcounty, and it does not have a Health Centre III, and yet it is a Government policy that all the sub-counties at least would have a Health Centre III. It is my prayer that if this is done, then we shall move forward. Lastly but not least, Mr Speaker, Dokolo Health Centre IV does not have a maternity ward, and this is an alarming situation. They do not have a female ward, yet it is a referral hospital to us. I would pray, if possible, that the concerned ministry, the Ministry of Health, makes an intervention so that we leap forward.

Mr Speaker, on the 4 th of June, the President delivered the State-of-the- Nation Address. What captured my eye was wealth creation and the money economy. The President clearly put 67 per cent of Ugandans under the money economy. Mr Speaker, to the NRM Government, I am saying: we celebrate that success. However, from the economic perspective, this has got serious implications that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development needs to take note of. An economy which has graduated into middle-income status, number one, no longer qualifies for concessional loans. That is why the loan we passed here for irrigation a few weeks ago was not concessional. Hon. Keefa tried to say it was semi- concessional, but, from an economic point of view, it was a commercial loan. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development needs to prepare for this because we are likely not to get more concessional loans. Secondly, the drugs to support our health sector may have a significant reduction in donations by the donors. As a country, how are we prepared for this? Then, to the people of Ajuri and Alebtong, the subsistence economy is not at 33 per cent, as the Government said, but rather 48 per cent. Mr Speaker, to the whole country, it is one in three. We cannot celebrate this when one in three of Uganda - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker for giving me this opportunity. Allow me to draw the attention of the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. Mr Speaker, Oyam District is the food basket for Lango subregion. As we talk, the abandoned national road, especially the one connecting from Minakulu-Mitakyo-Kamdini-Loro to Oyam District headquarters is not accessible. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Lango Subregion is supportive of other areas in terms of food. These roads are impassable. Trailers and trucks are stuck inside those subcounties. We call upon you to do something. Relatable, the road from Namasale, Ochero, Dokolo to Alebtong needs the attention of the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have two seed schools in Moroto County, which are in cataclysmic state. One is Agora Seed Secondary School, coded by the Government in July 2018. Up to now, no construction has taken place. I really feel bad for the girl-child in that school. Secondly, Alebtong Comprehensive Seed Secondary School was put in the budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 but one year down the road, no construction has taken place. My question is, when will the construction of the two seed schools start? Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. About the seed schools the Member has talked about, that is Moroto and Alebtong Seed Schools, I will make a follow- up on them. Thank you.

9 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026 56. Kirungi Annet Pamela Woman Representative Kabarole NRM 57. Kyogabiirwe Jackie Muganda Woman Representative Kyegegwa NRM 58. Lanyero Christine Awany Woman Representative Nwoya NRM 59. Logose Sarah Annet Woman Representative Butaleja NRM 60. Lokii John Baptist (Dr) Matheniko County Moroto NRM 61. Lokoru Albert Tepeth County Moroto Independent 62. Lokoru Stephenson Yoyo Chekwii East County Nakapiripirit NRM 63. Longoli Simon Peter Chekwii County (Kadam) Nakapiripirit NRM 64. Lubega George Willy Bugangaizi South County Kakumiro NRM 65. Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira Nyendo-Mukungwe County Masaka City NUP 66. Lugoloobi Amos Ntenjeru County North Kayunga NRM 67. Kiwanuka Sulaiman Nakifuma County Mukono NUP 68. Kuteesa Mary Kamuli Mwenge County South Kyenjojo NRM 69. Kyeyune Ivan Nakasongola County Nakasongola NUP 70. Lakisa Mercy Faith Woman Representative Alebtong NRM 71. Lenia Charity Kevin Vurra County Arua NRM 72. Mutebi Benard Mugoya Bulamogi County Kaliro Independent 73. Katooko Sylivia Damba Woman Representative Kibuku NRM 74. Kayogera Yona Busiki North County Namutumba Independent 75. Kiti Peter T’oo County Bukwo NRM 76. Lolem Micah Akasile Upe County Amudat NRM 77. Locap Peterkhen Bokora East County Napak NRM 78. Linda Irene City Woman Representative Fort Portal City NRM 79. Lokubal Emma Woman Representative Nabilatuk NRM 80. Katusiime Adrine Woman Representative Sheema NRM 81. Loluk Fidelis Logwee Napore West County Karenga Independent 82. Komakech Christopher Aruu County Pader NRM 83. Muzaid Khemis Arua Central Division Arua City FDC 84. Lamwaka Catherine Woman Representative Omoro NRM 85. Kiwanuka Abdallah Mukono County North Mukono NUP 86. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo Kyotera County Kyotera NRM (The House was suspended at 11.42 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.00 p.m., the Deputy Clerk, Parliamentary Affairs presiding.) 87. Lokwang Hillary Ik County Kaabong NRM 88. Lowila CD Oketayot Woman Representative Pader NRM 89. Lugoloobi Willy Bageyente Bujumba County Kalangala NRM 90. Lugwar Benson Agogo North County Agago Independent 91. Lukyamuzi David Kalwanga Busujju County Mityana NUP 92. Kiwanuka Keefa Kiboga East County Kiboga NRM 93. Maala Zahrah Luyirika Makindye Division West Kampala NUP 94. Makumbi Henry Kamya Mityana County South Mityana NRM 95. Mariam Seif Woman Representative Iganga NRM 96. Mafabi Asha Nabulo Woman Representative Sironko NRM 97. Mamawi James Adjumani East County Adjumani Independent 98. Masaba Karim Industrial Division Mbale City Independent 99. Matembu Chriss Wataka Bubulo County West Manafwa Independent 100. Matovu Emmanuel Magoola Busiro County East Wakiso Independent 101. Mawanda Micheal Maranga Igara County East Bushenyi NRM

4 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 103. Kalenzi Victor Bunyangabu County Bunyangabu NRM 104. Basajjassubi Nsereko Charles Nakaseke South County Nakaseke NRM Kawuma 105. Baseke Fred Ntenjeru County South Kayunga NRM 106. Bright Tom Amooti Kyaka Central County Kyegegwa NRM 107. Bazaanya Matayo Bugabula County South Kamuli NRM 108. Begiira Samuel Youth Representative Central NRM 109. Begumisa Protazio Ndorwa County East Kabale NRM 110. Bagiire Aggrey Henry Bunya County West Mayuge NRM 111. Baryayanga Andrew Aja Kabale Municipality Kabale NRM 112. Bassajja Iddi Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Bushenyi NRM 113. Bigirwa Norah Nyendwoha District Woman Representative Buliisa NRM 114. Bingi Patrick Nyanzi Butemba County Kyankwanzi NRM 115. Birungi Annet Workers Representative N/A NRM 116. Birungi Carolyn Nanyondo Kyamuswa County Kalangala NRM 117. Banya Emmanuel Natal Koboko County Koboko NRM 118. Biara Emmanuel Wepukhulu Bulambuli County Bulambuli NRM 119. Kabarokole Sarah District Woman Representative Bunyangabu NRM 120. Bisaso Abdul Kassanda County South Kassanda NRM 121. Bakashaba Christopher Mbarara North Division Mbarara City NRM 122. Oleru Huda Abason Aringa East County Yumbe NRM 123. Kabanda Minsa Nabbengo Kampala Central Division Kampala NRM 124. Bebona Josephine Babungi District Woman Representative Bundibugyo NRM 125. Baguma Spellanza Muhenda District Woman Representative Kyenjojo Independent 126. Batuwa Timothy Lusala Jinja South Division West Jinja City NUP 127. Byamukama Fred Bugangaizi West County Kakumiro NRM 128. Kadaga Rebecca Alitwala District Woman Representative Kamuli NRM 129. Byamukama Rogers Masindi Municipality Masindi NRM 130. Byanyima Nathan Bukanga North County Isingiro NRM 131. Byibesho Sam Kisoro Municipality Kisoro NRM 132. Byuma Oswald Dez Mawogola County Ssembabule NRM 133. Cadet Benjamin Bunyaruguru County Rubirizi NRM 134. Challa Elma Kapel Youth Representative Northern NRM 135. Chandia Benadette Kodili District Woman Representative Moyo NRM 136. Chemonges William Kween County Kween NRM 137. Chemutai Phyllis District Woman Representative Kapchorwa Independent 138. Cheutich Rufina District Woman Representative Amudat NRM 139. Dramviku Eric Sabiti Terego West County Terego NRM 140. Driwaru Jennifer District Woman Representative Maracha NRM 141. Echodu David Calvin Soroti West County Soroti City NRM 142. Edakasi Alfred Elalu-Olale Kaberamaido County Kaberamaido NRM 143. Ediau Samuel Amuria County Amuria NRM 144. Edopu Peter Edeku Dakabela County Soroti NRM 145. Ekoro Alex Irukan Bunya County East Mayuge NRM 146. Elem Leo Moroto County Alebtong UPC 147. Emaju Peter Paul Kasilo County Serere NRM 148. Eron Tonny Kwania County Kwania NRM 149. Etilu Margaret District Woman Representative Amuria NRM 150. Bagoole Ngobi John Luuka North County Luuka NRM 151. Eunice Otuko Apio Oyam County North Oyam UPC 152. Kamuntu Ephraim Sheema County South Sheema NRM

5 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026 153. Ezama Siraji Brahan Aringa County Yumbe NRM 154. Fungaroo Kaps Hassan Obongi County Obongi FDC 155. Gashaija Shyaka Steven Entebbe Municipality Wakiso NRM 156. Goire Moses Budaka County Budaka NRM 157. Gonyi David Robert UPDF Representative N/A N/A 158. Guma David Gumisiriza Ibanda County North Ibanda NRM 159. Habyara Fortunate Bufumbira County North Kisoro NRM 160. Ibaseret Josephine Nkibs Agule County Pallisa NRM 161. Ibrahim Ibrahim Aisu Pallisa County Pallisa NRM 162. Ikiriza Knight UPDF Representative N/A N/A 163. Drito Martin Andi Upper Madi County Madi-Okollo NRM 164. Ilukol Emmanuel Bokora County Napak Independent 165. Isamat Abraham Kapir County Ngora NRM 166. Isingoma Patrick Mwesigwa Hoima East Division Hoima City Independent 167. Ismail Muhammad Lomwar Kotido Municipality Kotido NRM 168. Itungu Sarah Masereka District Woman Representative Kasese NRM 169. Jalameso Fred Ajuri County Alebtong UPC 170. Joyo Harriet District Woman Representative Obongi Independent 171. Kabaasa Balaba Bruce Rubanda County West Rubanda NRM 172. Kabanda David Kasambya County Mubende NRM 173. Kabasharira Naome Rushenyi County Ntungamo NRM 174. Kabuye Kyofa Nakaseke Central County Nakaseke NRM 175. Kafuuzi Jackson Karugaba Kyaka South County Kyegegwa NRM 176. Kaheeru Vincent Freedom Kyaka North County Kyegegwa NRM 177. Kahima Moses Mugabe Ruhaama East County Ntungamo NRM 178. Kajwengye Twinomugisha Wilson N y a b u s h o z i C o u n t y Kiruhura NRM 179. Kaka Lubega Ismail Uthuman Kakuuto County Kyotera NRM 180. Kakooza Joseph Buwekula County Mubende NRM 181. Kaliisa Jovrine Kyomukama District Woman Representative Ibanda NRM 182. Kambale Ferigo Kasese Municipality Kasese NRM 183. Kampanya Abdu Swaibu Iki-Iki County Budaka NRM 184. Kanaabi Jimmy Buikwe County South Buikwe NUP (The House rose at 4.18 p.m. and adjourned until Thursday, 14 May 2026 at 8.00 a.m.)

Madam Speaker, the biggest issue with SAGE all over the country has been the question of age. Elders have always insisted that the age limit of 80 years is on the higher side, and Government is already progressing on reducing the age limit to 65 years. On the question of the distance, that may need to be discussed by the Government because this is the first time a sitting Government has taken a decision to at least give a token to the elders. Hon. Ssewungu, you know how we used to move when we were growing up. That also talks about the mind set of our community. If there is an elder in a community and it is time for that elder to go and pick his or her money, don’t we really have people who can volunteer to take this elder? What about the banking system? Madam Speaker, a district like Alebtong does not have a single bank. If this money was to be picked from a bank, it would require that elder to travel from Alebtong up to Lira, where the majority of the banks are. Madam Speaker, the Government may not be in a position to do all things; to decentralise it to the village or the parish. For now, let us allow the Government to work on the reduction of the age limit so that more elders can be enrolled into this programme.

Madam Speaker, I want to agree entirely with the Member from Kassanda District. By the time the Government increased this grant to Shs 1 billion for districts, cities and municipalities that are making good utilisation of the money, you can see great improvement in the road network in terms of motorability. I would plead with you to give the Ministry of Works and Transport an opportunity to come and interface with Parliament regarding the justification for issuing new circulars without even informing this House. We debated this matter in a very protracted manner, guided the process, and we came up with the guidelines. The guidelines we agreed on the Floor of Parliament were communicated at that time. The district roads committee of the respective districts, where we sit, had the power to agree on how much could be covered in a kilometre. Madam Speaker, this money must really be put to good use. Let the Ministry of Works and Transport be given time; this is my prayer – also, in addition to his prayer – to come and explain to Parliament, but we want to know the justification or the rationale of Shs 8 million and Shs 20 million. In Alebtong, we were

18356 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR Madam Speaker. In the motion I tabled, I cited certain statistics that I want to highlight further to justify the motion. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Uganda ranks fifth globally in sickle cell prevalence and third in Africa. About seven million Ugandans carry the sickle cell trait, and it is found across the country’s regions. Particularly in Lango, Alebtong District is most affected. In Busoga, Namutumba District, in Rwenzori, Bundibugyo District, in Bunyoro, it is Buliisa District, in Teso, it is Amuria District, with a prevalence of about 24 per cent. Other places like Bugiri, where I come from, have about 22.7 per cent. In Katakwi, it is about 20 per cent, in Kikuube, about 33 per cent,in Buliisa, about 26 per cent. About 9,000 babies die before 5 years. Madam Speaker, the statistics I am adumbrating do not relate to forests. They are not about stones. These are statistics on human beings and “Wanaichi” affected by this disease. These statistics have been exacerbated by the inadequate funding of this disease and the fact that, increasingly, there is declining development aid towards the health sector because most donors are not interested in funding non-communicable diseases. Madam Speaker, as I highlighted, the burden on families and household income is immense, arising from the cost of treating this disease. We all recall the case of a lady, Hope Fortunate Aciro, who spent about Shs 2 billion treating her two children in India, only for them to unfortunately pass on. You can imagine spending such amounts of money, but still your children die. At the political level, there are increasing community fundraising and funding requests from even us, Members of Parliament, whose families have been afflicted by this disease. Ideally, you require between Shs 300 million and Shs 1 billion to travel abroad, especially to India, for this treatment. The burden on us, even as MPs, is enormous arising out of this disease. There is increasing stigmatisation of the affected persons and increasing domestic violence in some areas, especially among women and children who are actually looked at as the cause of the disease and ailments of this nature, in our traditional and chauvinistic families. Madam Speaker, sickle cell warriors in our schools are mismanaged due to a lack of awareness, training, and basic facilities needed to make these schools safe places for learners. Simple actions like removing sweaters from learners can deteriorate their health and potentially lead to loss of life. However, due to a lack of awareness, you find that school authorities are implementing such kind of actions to the detriment of the children. Madam Speaker, I also want to mention that there are no specialised medical doctors for adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease. Paediatricians undertake all specialised sickle cell treatment in the country. This causes more stigma to the adults that are seeking treatment and more congestion in the paediatric clinics for the sickle cell. We also noted that unlike Human Immune Virus (HIV), we do not have a sickle cell registry in the country and it is because of lack of a structured testing programme. In light of what we have mentioned, we urge Government and this Parliament to consider a raft of interventions for purposes of addressing this scourge. All this can be possible if there are resources dedicated and committed. It is therefore incumbent upon us as Parliament to consider that while debating this motion. Once there are resources, we will be able to build a national registry for sickle cell disease to facilitate treatment. The capacity of health laboratories will be enhanced and this will enable comprehensive testing and also to scale up the treatment and care across the country. As Parliament, I would also humbly submit that MOTION

Even the LOP is an influencer, Dr Bayigga Lulume and so forth. So, we need to tap into this. Madam Speaker, I would also like to salute this Parliament that in 2023, when I was the Chairperson of the Committee on Health, we allocated money for a drug called hydroxyurea: we ring-fenced it and gave it to NMS with strict instructions that they should not touch that money or do a virement. I would like to tell this august House that the drug has done wonders and alleviated suffering, and we now need to get it to our lower-level units - (Applause) - the cost of one capsule of that drug is Shs 1,000. If we allocated Shs 5 to 10 billion this financial year, ring-fence it and give it to NMS, we would be able to do wonders. As I conclude, the percentage of sickle cell disease - we have what we call the trait - the trait is higher, it is at 13.3 per cent but the honourable member told you that in Alebtong District, it is at 23 per cent. This mirrors the incidence where we get high malaria incidences. As we try to tackle sickle cell, we also need to look at the issue of Malaria. Sickle cell is not only about the budget; it is about behaviour change. So, if two adults can say, “We are not going to get married because we are carriers of the trait,” then we can wipe out sickle cell disease. The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is doing heavy research in what we call gene editing, where we are trying to see if we can delete the sickle cell gene, which is very prominent among blacks, and that is how God created us. It is less prominent among Europeans but common in blacks. About 45 per cent of Africans carry the Sickle Cell trait. Madam Speaker, it is doable, and I would, therefore, like to join my colleagues in supporting the motion. Thank you very much.

18361 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026 over 20,000 babies are born with the disease annually, to add onto the statistics. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, has adopted a proactive and comprehensive position on sickle cell disease. Just to give an example of the Lango Subregion, where I come from, because I know for a fact that the testing machine is currently available in about four health facilities; one at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, another at Apac General Hospital, then Alebtong Health Centre IV, and Amolatar Health Centre IV, being part of the proactive management of sickle cell disease by the Government of Uganda. Under the preventive focus, for us as public officers, it is important to take stock and use all the public gatherings in order to drum up support. First of all, by announcing the presence of this big lion within our midst, such that people can even move on their own to know their respective status as far as sickle cell disease is concerned, especially in health centres and general hospitals, where the testing machines are available. The issue of the sickle cell disease is also getting integrated into the national health system by the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of Uganda. The Government is also trying its best to ensure the availability of essential medicines, just like Hon. Ayume alluded to that fact. We are also encouraging and calling out for public-private partnerships. There are a number of organisations that are moving into the countryside to complement the efforts of the Government in sensitising our local communities on the presence of sickle cell disease. Therefore, all is not lost. It is a work in progress. This is a new monster that has attacked our respective villages. It is important that we make the loudest noise in order to mitigate the prevalence rate and bring it down, as we did with HIV/AIDS. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The project objective is to support the Government of Uganda’s effort to achieve sustainable provision of safe water and hygienic sanitation for the urban population by the year 2030. The project will improve the quality of service and the supply of water and sanitation facilities, as well as enhance the management and functioning of water supply and sanitation systems in the targeted towns in Uganda. The primary beneficiaries of the project would be residents of four selected cluster project areas in different regions of the country. The identified clusters are: Nakasongola Phase II cluster (Nakasongola District), Kamuli- Kasambira Phase II cluster (Kamuli District), Mayuge-Bugadde (Mayuge District) - Idudi- Busesa (Bugweri District) cluster, and Alebtong cluster (Alebtong District). The project comprises three major components, namely, i) Urban water supply infrastructure development; ii) Urban sanitation infrastructure development; and iii) Project management. The project will cost Euro 221.682 million and will be financed by; i) Sinosure Backed Term loan facility from Standard Chartered Bank of up to Euros 183,309,947, Domestic borrowing of 120.395 billion (six-month Treasury Bill), an equivalent of Euros 29.572; and ii) Government counterpart funding of Euros 8.8 million, which will be spread over five years of implementation. The counterpart funding will cover the project’s running costs (recurrent costs), land acquisition for infrastructure development, programme coordination, and joint monitoring and evaluation.

18030 RESOLUTION TO BORROW Therefore, it will be budgeted for in the Ministry of Water and Environment’s mid- term expenditure framework, and the resources will be made available starting Financial Year 2025/2026. The Certificate of Financial Implications has been attached to the detailed brief. The right of way for all the infrastructure was concluded under Phase I of the project in Nakasongola, Kamuli-Kasambira, and Alebtong. The process is still ongoing in Bugadde-Mayuge-Idudi-Busesa, with the district local government’s involvement. The progress of acquiring the right of way for the entire project is estimated at 75 per cent. What are the terms? The loan amount I stated earlier is 183.309 million. The tenure is 14 years with a four-year grace period. The interest rate is six months euribor plus margin, and the commitment fee is 30 per cent of the margin per annum, which is 0.63 per cent. The margin is 2.10 per cent. The sinosure premium is 7 per cent of principal and interest. The agency fee is $20,000 per year, the arrangement fee is 1.4 per cent paid up front, and the default interest is 2 per cent. The six- month Treasury bill issuance to cater for 15 per cent of the contract sum loan amount is 120.395 billion, which is an equivalent of Euro 29.572. The loan period is a six-month Treasury bill to be determined at the time of issuance. However, it stood at 14 per cent per year as of 12 February 2025. The justification, Mr Speaker, is that the project will contribute to the water and sanitation sector target of 85 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040. The project will provide additional access to at least 0.74 million people by 2030 and over one million people in the projected design period by 2050. The project will train 150 people in appropriate urban sanitation, masonry, mechanical artisanry, and waste management. Through this project, the sector is targeting rolling out water and sanitation services to the four future cities and the surrounding satellite town councils within selected districts to cover wider and unserved areas, bringing piped water closer to the town populations and progressively reducing the common sight of women and children carrying water on their heads for long distances from unsafe wells. The water supply services will extend to 51 towns, covering 115 parishes. The project will contribute to improved health and productivity by providing safe water and sanitation services to the target population of approximately 1 million people by 2050. The infrastructure also serves industrial areas in the region, including the cassava processing plant in Nakasongola and the proposed industrial park in Kakooge. In addition, the project will include abstract infrastructure for water for irrigation purposes and support designs for extending water for irrigation within the project areas. The envisaged direct impact of the project includes: i) Access to safe, adequate and reliable water supply to town populations, ii) Reduction in the average walking distances to the nearest public water point, and iii) Reduction in the time spent fetching water at congested water points. The water infrastructure designed for the identified cities and surrounding small towns is a direct response to Uganda’s current urbanisation rate of 5.2 per cent. Sanitation interventions in schools, institutions, and other settings, and the accompanying faecal sludge plants with dislodging units, will have a tremendous impact on the existing challenge of emptying toilets and septic tanks in schools and informal settlements. The project will also provide employment opportunities during construction and

Thank you. Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the report of the Committee on National Economy, on the proposal to borrow Euros 183,309,947.16 from the Standard Chartered Bank, UK and Shs 120,395,249,259 (approximately Euros 29,572,292) from the domestic market (Six-month treasury bill) for financing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase II. I beg to lay the committee report, the minority report, and the committee minutes. Allow me to summarise the report. The minister has already given an overview of it. The Committee on National Economy held a meeting with the technical teams from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Water and Environment technical teams. The committee also reviewed the documents that were submitted, that is: i) The ministerial brief to the proposal, the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation - Phase 2 Feasibility Study Report, ii) The draft loan agreement between the Republic of Uganda and the Standard Chartered Bank for financing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, iii) Environmental and Social Management Plan for Kamuli Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project, Kamuli District, dated 20 June 2022, iv) The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Certificate of Approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment dated 18 July 2024, for the project investments in the beneficiary areas of Kamuli, Mayuge, Nakasongola and Alebtong. v) The conditions of approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Statement for Kamuli-Kasambira Piped Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, located in Bugondha Village. vi) A document from the National Planning Authority, clearing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and the Sanitation Project - Phase 2, vii) The Procurement Plan of the Strategic Water Towns Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2

18033 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2025 project. I would like to inform this House that this is linked to the country’s strategies. The minister already talked about the components and construction of this project. The project has three components: component one included the construction of the water supply systems. It took the largest amount of funds, costing about 81 per cent of the total project cost, which is €179.27 million. This was to be invested in building on the achievements of phase one to enhance infrastructure capacity in Kamuli Municipal Council and Nakasongola districts, and construction of new water supply infrastructure in Mayuge and Alebtong districts. The provision of the piped water supply and approved sanitation in these strategic towns will trigger socio-economic transformation through stimulation of business/ commercial activities and support to end user social services. Component two takes about €20.66 million which is 9 per cent of the total project cost. It will be conducted in line with the urban improved sanitation and hygiene strategy to finance activities of sanitation and hygiene awareness creation, construction of public sanitation infrastructure, including the on-site and off-site regional faecal sludge or sewerage management facilities. Faecal sludge, haulage and service equipment will also be provided to serve the cluster towns. Component three takes a total of €21.75 million, which is 10 per cent of the project cost, and will invest in supporting the Ministry of Water and Environment towards effective implementation of the Strategic Towns Water Supply Project phase two. Mr Speaker, allow me to go direct to the committee’s observations and recommendations. The terms and conditions of the loan and the physical modalities: the committee observed that this loan, financed from external sources with the Standard Chartered Bank UK being the agent and the arranger, is being offered at a high commercial rate for a project that has no immediate revenue generation stream. However, this is being mitigated by the socio- economic returns over the medium to long term that lead to high economic returns of 19 per cent over the opportunity cost of capital of 11 per cent. Additionally, the financial modality through issuance of six-month treasury securities in the domestic market is equally commercial with the current cost of 182 treasury bill rate of 12.5 per cent. While this is an option available to the Government in mobilising resources to finance its programmes, its suitability for such projects is a major concern. Such concerns involve whether such options are part of the treasury security insurance calendar of the central bank/ Government. Furthermore, the cost of insurance premium for Sinosure of €15.7 million is nine per cent of the credit, which is considerably higher given that the risk assessment framework for the project indicates low financial and political risks. The committee recommends the following: i) The Government should ensure that high commercial loans are used to finance projects whose revenue generation capacity is in the short term; ii) Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure that domestic borrowing to finance specific projects form part of the government insurance calendar to improve coordination between the monetary policy and the physical policy authorities. Efforts to mitigate the rising interest costs for the private sector due to increased Government borrowing from the banking sector should further be explored by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development as well. iii) The Government should consider negotiating the insurance premium cost, given the minimum risk the project faces and other costs to bring them to levels that are compatible to the Standard Chartered Bank, UK terms used for Kabalega airport in Hoima that were non-concessional.

18034 RESOLUTION TO BORROW Observation 5.2, the budgetary implications of the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project II The committee observed that while a budget provision of Shs 6.93 billion had been provided for on-ongoing activities under the project in the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Strategic Towns Water Supply Systems Project phase two first year requirement of over Shs 150 billion is not provided for in the budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026. Further, the project is not part of the medium- term commitments statement for the Financial Year 2025/2026 as presented to Parliament. The domestic debt acquisition to finance part of phase two increases the financing requirement of the Government in terms of short-term interest rate payments that should be planned in the Government’s fiscal operations for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and over the medium term. The committee recommends that the Government should expedite the process of including the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project Phase II to form part of the multi-year commitment for Financial Year 2025/2026 and the medium term. As a result, the Government should adjust its fiscal framework to include any costs associated with the financing modalities of the project for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and the medium term. 5.3 Government counterpart funding The committee noted that among the lessons learned from the implementation of projects, especially those financed by externally- borrowed funds, is the untimely release of Government counterpart funding and the low absorption capacity of the project-executing agencies. The committee recommends that the Government ensures that adequate counterpart funds for these projects are timely integrated into the national budget during the implementation period. Fulfillment of the loan conditions The committee also observed that the Government has been slow in the fulfilment of the loan’s effective conditions upon the signing of the loan agreements in order to trigger the disbursement of committed funds for the implementation of the debt-funded projects. The committee recommends that the Government ensures the speedy fulfilment of the effective conditions of the financing agreements for this loan in order for the committed funds to be released by Standard Chartered Bank, UK on time, to guarantee the timely implementation of the project. High dependence on consultancy The committee observed the high dependency of the project on consultancy services. According to the project procurement plan, a total of €8,070,513 will be spent on consultancy services. The majority of the consultancy costs will finance consultancy services for construction supervision of Alebtong, Kamuli- Kasambira Phase II, Bugadde-Mayuge-Idudi- Busesa and Nakasongola Phase II Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The committee recommends that the Government scales up plans for deliberately building the capacities of MDAs in conducting studies, designing and the supervision of projects in order to cut down on the exorbitant amounts of project funds spent on consultancy services towards conducting studies, designs and the supervision of debt-funded projects. 5.6. Performance of debt-funded projects in the water and sanitation sector The committee noted that there has been an improvement in the utilisation of loans in the water and sanitation sector. Despite the improvement, some projects did not perform well. Examples are the irrigation scheme development in Unyama, Namalu, and Sipi projects -

18036 RESOLUTION TO BORROW loan fail to comply with the third condition of contracting non-concessional loans. The committee recommends that the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, renegotiate the loan terms with the proposed creditor or identify another creditor whose terms are consistent with the 2023 Public Debt Management Framework. Elimination of Ugandan and East African contractors during implementation The committee noted that during the implementation of phase one of the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project, several contractors were awarded contracts for the different clusters. For example, in Kamuli, the contractor was Vidas Engineering Services Co. Limited, with a supervision consultant: Jos Hansen and Sohene (East Africa) Limited and in Kayunga-Busana, one of the contractors was Vambeco Enterprises Limited, Supervised by Alliance Consultants Ltd. The ministry did not communicate any concerns on the ability of the various contractors to deliver similar outputs under phase two. The committee recommends that as a commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Government, through the Ministry of Water and Environment, reviews its contract of awarding all the clusters to one company, CHEC and open up implementation of the project to include East African companies in order to maximise local content, since their ability in construction and supervision was observed in phase one. Need to review the project cost The committee observed that the total investment cost under the project is Shs 802.22 billion, which is the contract sum. The committee was concerned that some of the project’s planned investment items should be implemented using Government revenues, not borrowing. For example, Shs 34 billion under the project is to construct public toilets observed in the table below. Members can read through the table. The committee, using information from the respective feasibility studies, observed variances in the unit costs. For example: 1. The diesel storage shed, whose price range was between an equivalent of Shs 72.9 million in Nakasongola and Shs 252.7 million in Mayuge-Idudi cluster; 2. Generator house that ranged between an equivalent of Shs 333 million in Alebtong to Shs 1.319 billion in Kamuli-Kasambira cluster; 3. The operation and administration building ranged from an equivalent of Shs 755.38 million in Alebtong to Shs 1.433 billion in the other cluster. The committee recommends that the cost of the project be reviewed in view of bringing down the unit costs and reducing the cost of designs and scaling down expenditure on public toilets and guard houses, among others. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, the committee appreciates that the proposed project is consistent with the objectives of NDP IV, specifically natural resources, environment, climate change, land and water programme and human capital development programme. The project has social ramifications and builds on phase one projects. The committee recommends that the proposal by the Government to borrow €183,309,947.16 from Standard Chartered Bank and Shs 120,395,249,259, approximately €29,572,296, from the domestic market-Six- month Treasury Bill for financing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project — Phase II(STWSSP II) be approved, subject to the above committee observations and recommendations. Mr Speaker, I beg to report. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I appreciate my chairperson and the Committee on National Economy for the well-presented report. I am going to be very brief. Mr Speaker, allow me to address this House to the two fundamental dissenting matters. Our dissenting matters are on two issues. One is the high cost on the loan, which subjects a taxpayer to a burden repayment. Two is non-compliance with the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. Mr Speaker, my dissenting observation is that we acknowledge the Government’s goal for 2024, especially on improving access to safe water and sanitation services to our country. Towns like Nakasongola, Kamuli, Kasambira, Alebtong, Bugade, Mayuge, Idudi, Busesa, amongst many other towns in Uganda, still lack safe water. Any good external borrowing for such social development would be much welcome. For this special request, Mr Speaker, we are completely opposed to committing taxpayers to this loan for the following reasons. The high cost on the loan Mr Speaker, the loan is purely commercial from Standard Chartered Bank (SINASURE Backed Term) with an interest rate of 6 months per cent Euribor plus a margin of 2.1 per cent - a commitment fee of 0.63 per cent of the margin per annum; an agency fee of $20,000 payable annually; an arrangement fee of 1.4 per cent; a default interest fee of 2 per cent and tentative interest of 5 per cent. Mr Speaker, 7 per cent interest fee on the premium and a 7 per cent interest fee on interest is almost double interest. Mr Speaker, Strategic Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project, phase 1 of the same project, was financed by the African Development Bank, whose terms were semi-concessional with a grace period of eight years and a maturity of 25 years. For this particular request, it is a four-year grace period against a 14-year maturity period. We also need to note that in the report of public debt grants and other financial liabilities of Financial Year 2024/2025, on page 42, there is a loan request of €214 million from the United Kingdom Export Financing, pending the Cabinet’s approval by March 2025. Any immediate approval of this loan by the Cabinet can save a taxpayer from a commercial loan from Standard Chartered Bank for this particular project. In addition, as highlighted on non-compliance with the parliamentary provisions, our hands as Parliament are tied by Rule 162(5)(b) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, which states that, “Any loan request before Parliament for approval will need a list of financing options considered when identifying the creditor.” Mr Speaker, on the presentation of this loan, there is no financial option on request that were laid before the committee by the minister for consideration. The committee, while scrutinising this request, was not provided with any list of financing options. We were left green over the criteria used to arrive at Standard Chartered Bank as a lender of this particular loan. If other options were provided, maybe we would scrutinise this loan further. Without this information being provided to the committee and this House, Parliament shall be working contrary to their constitutional mandate as enshrined in Article 159. Therefore, this is working against the rule of law. Mr Speaker, we urge this House to adopt our dissenting opinion in the spirit of saving taxpayers from this costly loan. As I promised this House to be brief, allow me to draw your attention to the following recommendations: i. The minister responsible for finance should clarify why the African Development Bank, which financed this same loan in phase one, was not able to fund the same loan in phase two. ii. We recommend that the minister present to us a list of financing options considered when selecting Standard Chartered Bank

17753 Wednesday, 3 September 2025 Alebtong, Amuria, Abim, Bukedea, and most parts of Soroti. The transport infrastructure and other livelihoods have been severely affected. I am told the people in Bulambuli do not have food. Their little bridge that connects Abim and Obalanga in Kapelebyong has been washed away, while the Moroto Bridge remains at risk. Gardens have been submerged. I was also told by Hon. Amero that her little coffee has been swept away, so, I do not know what she is going to use for her retirement. I urge the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees to evaluate the situation and take appropriate action to see how we can remedy what is happening. Honourable members, we may be aware that the prevailing electoral roadmap by the Electoral Commission indicates that the parliamentary nominations are going to be on 15 th and 16 th October - that is one thing a Member of Parliament would know. We need to be ready for it. Make sure you have all that is required for you to be nominated. Look at the law. Do not reach there, and they tell you that you do not have a clearing certificate. Please do that. To the committee chairpersons and Members who have work before them, can you have all the work completed before we go for nominations? This is because we are going to be sitting from now until that time. We will not have a break because we need to dispose of all the business that is before committees. I wish all of you well. I know it is not an easy time, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - 9TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 2.00 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

Bond. In Alebtong District, Hatewu, an office assistant was arrested. That one was taken to court, is on bail, and interdiction. In Kyankwanzi, Nabuguzi, an information technology officer was arrested and taken to court. She was remanded and also interdicted. In Kyotera District, four of them have been arrested and bonded as investigations continue. These are; Nantongo, Samula, Kisekka and Ayesiga. Kisekka is a businesswoman, not a NIRA staff. In Abim District, Mwanje, an information technology officer is under disciplinary process. 2. We are strengthening internal and external communication across all media platforms, emphasising free registration, encouraging people to report corruption, and advising all persons to desist from corruption. 3. Providing forms being sold free of charge. On that, how to get the form is included in the report: https://nira.go.ug. Some of these forms are the ones being sold, yet they are available free of charge online. 4. Providing an online service that does not require one to have a physical form, also on https://pre-reg.ncis.nira.go.ug/pre- registration . That one is also available online. 5. Sharing with the public a hotline for reporting corruption. This is 0776-501- 071. Also, sharing an email address to assist victims in detailing the issues they [Gen Muhoozi] RESPONSE BY A MINISTER TO AN URGENT QUESTION

…59,901 persons with disabilities. Madam Speaker, I have provided an additional Shs 404.9 billion for social protection next Financial Year 2025/2026. Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection To improve the quality of life, the Government continues to invest in the provision of safe water, improve sanitation, and ensure protection of the environment. These include the following: (i) Villages in Uganda with at least one safe water source have remarkably increased to eight out of every 10 villages. Nationwide, 57,951 villages out of 71,225 have been served with a safe water source. (ii) Completed construction of 259 medium and large solar-powered water supply and sanitation systems and gravity flow schemes across the country. (iii) The construction of 42 large solar-powered water supply systems is ongoing in Agago, Yumbe, Amudat, Kaabong, Kasese, Kakumiro, Sembabule, Kisoro, Rubanda, Bulambuli, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Buyende, Nakaseke, Namayingo, Rakai and Buvuma. (iv) With regard to clean water, the construction of piped town water supply systems is ongoing in 32 towns. These include: Namasale, Kakingol, Kamuli, Ngoma Town, Lunya, Karogo Phase II, Ishaka (mobilisation), Nyakashaka, Bukumi, Kanapa, and Odongai. Construction is also ongoing in Palabek-Kal, Rhino Camp, Arra-Dufile, Lubeli Refugee Settlement, Bolori, Nyanseke, Busaale, Kibuzi, and expansion in two towns of Kiboga and Zigoti. Other beneficiary towns are: Lamwo, Lacekocot, Iri-Iri, Lorengecora, Manafwa, Butaleja-Busolwe, Tirinyi-Kibuku-Kadama- Budaka, Kaliro-Namungalwe, Rukungiri and Obongi. (v) The construction of various water supply systems in 26 districts is at varying levels of physical progress. These include: Manafwa Town Council and the installation of solar packages that is ongoing in Losilang, Kasawo (Phase I), Kabura-Mwizi (Phase I), Bukumi, Bulangira and Kyebando-Kasimbi, and Busaale Town. Also, the Government is starting the development of new piped water supply systems in Rubanda, Kabale, Alebtong, Nakasongola, and Kamuli districts, among others. Madam Speaker, I have provided an additional Shs 366.1 billion next financial year for water resource management, climate change mitigation, natural resources and environment. The priority interventions include: the construction of water supply infrastructure to increase service in the underserved communities in rural, urban and refugee settlements; increasing rehabilitation and expansion of existing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure; and increasing forest and wetland cover. Overall, I have allocated a total of Shs 11.44 trillion in the next financial year towards investing in the people of Uganda through health, education, social protection, and water and sanitation.

17520 BUDGET SPEECH Processing Facility in Kyenjojo; Kigoyera Maize Processing Facility in Kyenjojo; Itojo Maize And Rice Processing Facility in Ntoroko; Nombe Coffee Processing Facility in Ntoroko; Apala Oil Seed Processing Facility in Alebtong; Gatyanga Coffee Processing Facility in Bunyangabu; Ocorimongin Rice Processing Facility in Katakwi; Kajamaka Rice Processing Facility in Kumi; Kikwata Coffee Processing Facility in Nakaseke; and Kiwoko Maize Processing Facility also in Nakaseke. Madam Speaker, the Government is strengthening partnership with the private sector through Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) to support local value-addition and manufacturing in a wide range of agricultural value chains. These investments include Soroti Fruit Factory, Budadiri Arabica coffee, Mabale Growers Tea Factory, Kayonza Growers Tea Factory, Bukona Agro Processors, Atiak Sugar Factory, and Yumbe Fruit Factory. Madam Speaker, as part of the effort to increase access of Uganda’s products to international markets, we dispatched the inaugural exports of coffee and milk to Serbia and Algeria, respectively. The milk exports to Algeria have potential to fetch Uganda export earnings worth $500 million. Madam Speaker, I have allocated a total of Shs 1.86 trillion next financial year towards deepening agro-industrialisation. These funds will support investments in: 1. Agricultural research; 2. Agricultural inputs, including fertilisers; 3. Water for irrigation; 4. Extension services; 5. Agro-processing and value addition; 6. Post-harvest handling and storage facilities; and 7. Inspection, surveillance, certification, enforcement of quality standards and market access. Tourism Development Madam Speaker, Uganda’s tourism sector continued to recover with tourist arrivals increasing by 7.7 per cent to 1.37 million in 2024, from 1.27 million in 2023. Similarly, tourism earnings grew by 26 per cent to $1.28 billion in 2024, up from $1.02 billion in 2023. Madam Speaker, the following achievements were registered: 1. Promoted and marketed Uganda through international “ Explore Uganda” promotional campaigns in high-value market segments in USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. As a result, the year-on-year growth of interest in Uganda by tourists is 33 per cent for the United Kingdom, 19 per cent for Canada and five per cent for the USA. Additionally, through the theme “ Uniquely Ours”, we have promoted domestic tourism. As a result, domestic tourism in national parks increased by 15.7 per cent in 2024, reaching 244,843 visitors. 2. Continued to innovate and modernise tourism products to make them more competitive. This involved maintenance of 1,300 kilometres of trail tracks and roads in tourism protected areas; increasing the cumulative coverage of electric fencing to 177 kilometres in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks; continued construction of the pier and related infrastructure at the Source of the Nile; continuing to upgrade the Uganda Museum and Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrines; construction of 3,521 meters of climbing ladders and boardwalks on the Rwenzori Mountains to make hiking safer and fun; completion and commissioning of Kikorongo Equator Monument in Kasese; and the construction works of Karamoja Museum, which is nearing completion. 3. The Government invested in a world-class convention facility in Munyonyo. This has promoted Uganda as one of the regional destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Consequently, Uganda now ranks seventh in Africa in MICE tourism.

17499 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 schools under the Uganda Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) programme, bringing the cumulative total to 161 seed schools, out of the 259 planned. The majority of the remaining schools are progressing well and are on schedule for completion by June, 2025. The total number of Government-aided primary schools in the country is now 12,550. People normally talk of parishes which do not have Government-aided primary schools. But how many parishes are there in Uganda? It is because some of the parishes have got more than one primary school. Otherwise, 12,000 could have covered every parish because remember, the villages are 72,000 and they are normally about five or 10 villages in a parish. The primary schools, supported by the Government, are now quite many but some of the parishes may have more than one. The total number of Government-aided secondary schools is 1,416. The technical and vocational schools are 189 and Government degree-awarding universities are 12. That is the infrastructure of education in the country now. Clean water and sanitation The proper management of our water and environmental resources is a major contributing factor to public health, agricultural productivity and climate change adaptation. The National Population and Housing Census Report of 2024 showed that at least eight in 10 households now have access to improved water sources, that is, piped water, protected springs, etc. In 1986, only 10 per cent – that is one out of 10 households – had access to a clean and safe water source. Today, 81.1 per cent of the households in Uganda are in the radius of one kilometre from a safe water source. This is on account of the Government’s prioritisation of the construction of piped water systems in both rural and urban areas. Government has constructed a number of solar- powered piped water systems in the districts of Agago, Alebtong, Kayunga, Mityana, Pader, etc. There are ongoing construction works in other districts like Buhweju – for Bisya water supply system; Kasese – for Nyamugasani gravity flow scheme; Ala-Ora water supply system to serve the districts of Terego, Madi- Okollo and Nebbi, among others. Additionally, through the District Water and Sanitation Conditional Grant, the local governments have been able to boost access to improved water sources across the country. The local governments have constructed a total of 2,564 taps, serving 452,000 persons; drilled 709 deep boreholes, serving 212,000 persons and 128 protected springs, serving 43,000 persons. They have also constructed 109 rainwater harvesting tanks, serving 654 persons and 79 production wells. A total of 1,333 boreholes and 28 piped water systems have been rehabilitated across the country, thus restoring service to 417,000 persons. Regional integration The political balkanisation of Africa created small states, many of which have small populations. Uganda, with 46 million people, is one of the bigger states. The solution to this problem is regional integration. The whole of Africa has got a very high population of 1.4 billion people but this population is broken up into small units. Small populations mean small markets. The problem is compounded by a low purchasing power because of low incomes. So you have got small populations with low incomes. How will they support business? There are also problems in the regional market such as lack of roads and lack of communication to enable us to fully exploit the regional market. That is why, for instance, Uganda has undertaken the construction of the Mpondwe to Beni highway to ease connectivity between Congo and Uganda. If we mobilise the whole of Africa to remove all trade barriers, we shall no longer worry about being shut out of markets in Europe or the USA. In the Budget speech, I will speak more about this issue of integration. I think for now, let me finish so that people can survive and go home.

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

Seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Amos, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Nekesa, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Ezama, minister for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Omara, Hon. Silas, Hon. Sarah, Hon. Ibanda, Hon. Panadol, Hon. Goli, Dr Ayume, Hon. Katesh, Member for Alebtong, Hon. Sam, Member for Koboko and Hon. Pamela. Thank you. Speak to your motion.

Is it seconded? - (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Pamela, Hon. Baka, Hon. Melissa, Hon. Betty, Hon. Ezama, Hon. Samuel, Hon. Samuel, Hon. Samuel, UPDF MP, Col. Nekesa, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Silas Aogon, Hon. Santa Alum, Hon. Sarah, Hon. Ibanda, Panadol, Hon. Margaret, the Chairperson, MP from Alebtong, Hon. Goli, Hon. Okot, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Musa, Hon. Jennifer, Bunyole MP is also here, MP from Karamoja is also here, and Hon. Moses. Speak to the motion.

Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Silas. We are granting leave. It is also seconded by Hon. Nathan, Hon. Aeku, Hon. Omara, Hon. Okot, Hon. Acuti, Hon. Betty and the honourable member for Alebtong. Would you like to speak to it? He has already spoken. Honourable members, I put the question that Hon. Mpuuga be granted leave of the House to introduce a private member’s Bill, “The Political Parties and Organisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025. (Question put and agreed to.)

Is the Bill seconded? (Members rose) The Bill is seconded by the Hon. Kateshumbwa, the Veterans, Hon. Acon, Hon. Alanyo, Col. Nekesa, Hon. Okot, Hon. Mutembuli, MP from Kabale, Doctor, Hon. Ojok, Hon. Annet, Hon. Patience, MP for the Elderly, Hon. Betty, MP from Isingiro, Hon. Sam, MP from Alebtong, Dr Ayume, Hon. Siraji Ezama, MP from Tororo, and MP from Bukedi. Speak to your motion.

Seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Kankunda, Hon. Moses, honourable member from Karamoja, Hon. Bahati, honourable member for veterans, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Nekesa, Hon. Omara, Hon. Patience, Hon. Annette, Hon. Nathan, Hon. Betty, Hon. Jennifer, Hon. Faith, Hon. Ezama Siraji, honourable member for Koboko, Hon. Enos, honourable member for Alebtong, Hon. Sam, honourable member from Pallisa, honourable member for Hoima and Hon. Goli. Speak to your motion.

17155 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 III, where work had already started. Things like valuation, the technical work that people do, but the same roads are in NDP IV. However, what is coming from the report of the committee is that some of the roads, which we had already started, have not been captured in the report, and are also not in the budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026. For example, honourable minister, you know the Lira-Aloi- Otuke-Abim-Kotido Road, which honourable Linda referred to, is 179 kilometres covering six districts of Lira City, Lira, Alebtong, Otuke, Abim and Kotido. How come after the work has been done - because we were excited. That was the first tarmac road that was going to pass through some of our places. You did the valuation, and people were waiting to be compensated - we were expecting now for the graders to start working, but they are not even in the plan. How do we defend the plan of the Government, which is in the NRM manifesto and the NDP III and IV? Mr Speaker, we need to look at the list again. As the Committee on Budget, we shall align it with NDP IV and see how we arrived at some of them – (Member timed out.)

16907 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 In Alebtong District, which I represent, there is no single beneficiary of this GROW project. I believe that it is also true for several other districts, yet we know that out of the Shs 112 billion, which was allocated, the report says 51.4 per cent was released, yet only 6 per cent was spent. This is really sad. Even as we ask for counterpart funding, we know that there was a serious underspend. I would like to urge the committee and even the ministry to put more emphasis to ensure that this GROW project can benefit the women. There should also be clarity on the information that is going out. I listened to what my colleague, Hon. Judith Achan, was talking about GROW to be start- up funding, but the information we have on the ground is that GROW is for growing your project literally. It is for those who have already started their micro businesses and are looking at expanding them to small and medium enterprises. With about Shs 4 million as the amount to be received, that information has to go out very clearly. The other is about the Gender-Based Violence shelters. Uganda has very clear guidelines for the establishment and operationalisation of the GBV shelters. However, even as we focus on setting up the shelters, we have a serious challenge with how we are doing the operationalisation. Some of the shelters we visited across the country do not support the survivors with survivor- centred services, taking into consideration the different services the survivors need. For example, under health, there is clinical care for sexual assault survivors or what they call “Clinical management of rape”. You find it missing, and there are serious gaps. Survivors are there, but they are not getting the necessary psychosocial support services required. As the Government, we need to put more emphasis on ensuring that our shelters are doing well because other countries I know are borrowing from our guidelines to set up and operationalise them. We are not doing well in the implementation. The last one is about Women’s Day celebrations. The committee and the ministry - this year, all districts did not receive funding – (Member timed out.)

16992 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 mandate of the Uganda AIDS Commission is to coordinate multi-sectoral HIV-AIDS response in Uganda, with emphasis on HIV prevention. All we are talking about, including anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, will be handled under the Ministry of Health. On the presidential skilling hubs, honourable colleagues, every journey starts with one step. It should be appreciated that His Excellency the President has established 19 presidential skilling centres in the 19 subregions of Uganda. That is journey number one. In all those, young people are recruited, although the number may not be as significant as it ought to be, or as we wish it to be, but at least we can appreciate that young people are recruited through the district local government, in every subregion. There are calls for widening to handle motor vehicle mechanics, plumbing, and electrical. As of now, what is being offered in the presidential hubs is training in welding, carpentry, tailoring, shoemaking, bakery, block laying and concrete practice, and hairdressing. What has been done is that State House is forming SACCOs for all the young people trained in our different subregions, from each and every district, city, and municipality, as we speak. These young people will be supported through the budget we are providing to the State House. I can give you that assurance. There is also a consideration for the future because currently, subject to the availability of funds, these young people are trained but not equipped. In future, funding allowing, the State House would want to fund them. In principle, the issue of the SACCOs is to enable them to get money and buy equipment and pay back the SACCOs. The State House will not be using that money. That money will remain at the district, in a SACCO for the trained youth. On the issue of presidential pledges, honourable colleagues, presidential pledges are on two fronts. Some pledges fall under the different programmes. The President will come to Alebtong; they will say they do not have a district hospital. He will say, okay, our policy is to have a hospital per district. We do not have seed schools in the newly established subcounties. He will say, okay. When that is done, these are programmes that are supposed to be implemented by the respective mother ministries. The second front is what we are calling person- to-holder. You have seen, it is now the norm that when a bishop is being consecrated, His Excellency the President provides transport to that bishop. That one is person-to-holder. For those that fall under programmes, the handlers of the President are supposed to extract that commitment of the President. If it is about a school, they write to the Minister of Education and Sports. If it is about a bridge, they inform the Ministry of Works and Transport. That should be the practice. We will not stop Ugandans because they see him as the highest authority. When they come, they want to pour out all their problems. Even Members of Parliament do so when they see the President. When your wanainchi see you, they know that the alpha and omega has arrived. They will pour out all their societal problems to you. The Afro-Arab Youth Conference - Mr Speaker, you and I are products of Afro-Arab Conference – (Interjections) - yes. When Uganda hosted the Afro-Arab Youth Conference, when the late President Gaddafi was still alive, all of us were youth leaders, I and the Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker. We both attended it in Munyonyo. I still remember how that big giant arrived with these - how he used to move. If a commitment was made to the Afro- Arab Youth Conference, first of all, Uganda accepted. There exists an office of the Afro- Arab Youth Council in Uganda. If there was any commitment made, honourable colleagues, it was made at the highest level and it shall be fulfilled. If there are no funds provided, I believe that funds will still be provided, whether through a supplementary, and it will come through this Parliament. If that commitment is made, there is no cause for alarm.

Thank you, Hon. Linda. Is the motion seconded? Okay, it is seconded by honourable - let me start with the men, Hon. Odur, Hon. Nambeshe, Hon. Ssewungu, Hon. Jonathan, Dr Baryomunsi, honourable for Tourism, Hon. Wilfred, Hon. Nyeko, Hon. Allan, Hon. Mwijukye, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana, Dr Abed, Hon. Okello, Hon. Gerald, Hon. Emmanuel, Hon. Okot, Hon. Margaret, Hon. Connie, Hon. Apea, Hon. Paska, the honourable member for workers, the honourable member for Dokolo, Hon. Santa, Hon. Akello, Hon. Lawrence from Zombo and the honourable member for Alebtong. It is also seconded by , Hon. Lillian, Hon. Patrick, Hon. Baba, Hon. Ochwa, the honourable member for Lyantonde, the whole of Arua, “Matchbox”, and Hon. Atima, honourable minister Ssenga , Hon. Victoria, Hon. Mamawi, Hon. Wokorach, Hon. David, Hon. Jane, Hon. Patience, Hon. Akumu, Hon. Mpindi, Hon. Jessica, Hon. Jennifer, Hon. Catherine, Hon. Noelina, my uncle from Bugisu, Hon. Ethel, Hon. Rita, Hon. Okot Ogong, Hon. Gen. Elwelu, Hon. Kamukama and the whole House. Do you want to speak to your motion?

Is it seconded? (Members rose_) Okay, it is seconded by Hon. Macho, Hon. Kubeketerya, Hon. Bahati, Hon. Isamat, Hon. Winfred, honourable member for Alebtong, Hon. Jennifer, Hon. Noeline, Hon. Orone, Hon. Afoyochan, Member for Butaleja, Hon. Akumu Mavenjina, Hon. Jessica, Hon. Mpindi, Hon. Musa, Hon. Rita, Hon. Mzee Kagabo, Dr Apea, Hon. Margaret, Hon. Mwijukye. Thank you very much. Honourable members, the resolutions - do you want to say something? No, the minister.

Is the motion seconded? Okay, it is seconded by Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Wilson, Hon. Biraaro, Hon. Jane, Hon. Patience, Hon. Adriko, Hon. James, Hon. Macho, Hon. Gerald, Hon. Akello, Hon. Emmanuel, Hon. Apea, Hon. Twaha, Hon. Basalirwa, Dr Baryomunsi, Hon. Bahati, Member from Sheema, Hon. Pascal, Hon. Elwelu, Hon. Afoyochan, Hon. Okot-Ogong, Hon. Rita, Member from Zombo, Member from Alebtong, Hon. Lillian, Hon. Amos, Hon. Stephen, Dr Keefa, Hon. Enos, Hon. Baba, Hon. Max, Hon. Atima, Hon. Mourine “Matchbox”, Hon. Isamat, Hon. Joel, Hon. Mutiwa, Hon. David, Hon. Akifeza, Hon. Annet Mugisha, Chairperson of innovation, Hon. Catheline, Member for Kaliro, Hon. Noeline, Member for the elders and Hon. Kamukama. Speak to your motion.

Thank you. Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for the statement. However, just like my colleagues are already raising, there are critical areas. When we hear about Women’s Day, we spend so much to organise Women’s Day. As the day is just around the corner, I would like a confirmation from the honourable minister: is the Shs 3 million that is supposed to be received by the different districts already there? We spend so much to transport women from different subcounties to the venue. We also spend a lot to organise, in various ways. Some women Members of Parliament are spending up to over Shs 30 million. We want this confirmation, honourable minister. Secondly, honourable minister, the statement that you have provided is very informative and good. I know that, as a country, we have made great strides in gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. However, we know that during the period of COVID-19, as a country, Uganda was hit by high rates of teenage pregnancies, and many girls dropped out of school. What are we doing as a country? When you look at the higher education students’ financing schemes, very few girls benefit. What are we doing to support the girls who dropped out of school so that they can also benefit from the Government programmes, besides the GROW programme, which, in Alebtong, I do not know anybody who has benefited from? Thank you.

16476 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION –section 3 or 4 – all aspirants for presidential positions are allowed to hold consultations in preparation of their manifestos, but also gathering the necessary information. One of the intending aspirants, hon. Jimmy Akena, the MP for Lira East, has kick-started his consultations. He was in Alebtong and Otuke, and the police interfered with his consultations to the extent that they fired teargas. Madam Speaker, hon. Jimmy Akena is consulting on behalf of UPC, and we plan to do further consultations in Teso, beginning on the 1 st . Yesterday, Madam Speaker, you issued a warning to NUP about how to enter Teso - (Laughter) We are now getting worried because the people of Teso have invited us to go there but yesterday, you said that certain things will not happen –

There is another piece of information from Alebtong.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Regarding the issue raised by my brother, Hon. Jonathan Odur, about the UPC team in my district of Alebtong, I have information that I would like to give. We had challenges. The UPC team was not following the guidelines issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) – (Interjections) – I am talking about what I have, which was issued in the letter. These are all our people. The tension was caused mainly because the guidelines that were issued were not being followed. Otherwise, whatever went on in my district was largely peaceful, except for two incidents involving failure to follow the guidelines.

Thank you. We need to work together for the good of this country. Member for Alebtong and then Hon. Donald. 54

Madam Speaker, I will start from where my sister from Alebtong has stopped. When you see the confusion at Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and the surprise the students got when they received UNEB results, it shows us that even at the stakeholder level, we are not yet mobilised for this new curriculum. Madam Speaker, my submission regards the competition among students. The targets our students set at O’ Level are what motivates them to read very hard. Initially, students would set to get maybe 8-in-8 and those who failed would get “9”, “9”, “9” – we called them kadenges . In the current grading system, it is very difficult for the ordinary Ugandan especially in the rural areas to celebrate whether a student has passed or not. My colleague, Hon. Milton Muwuma, hinted at it. You find somebody who got “A”, “A”, “A” and the other who got “C”, “C”, “C” all celebrating. Initially, we would know that in School X, people who got 8-in-8 are one, two, three, four and five and others have got maybe 10-in-8. We want the ministry to be very clear: who are those who have got 8-in- 8, for example? Who are those who have got 10-in-8? Who are those who have got 9s in everything, so that our communities are aware? Madam Speaker, the ministry needs to roll out the sensitisation campaigns to all communities because even at Parliament level, some of these things are still not very clear. What do you expect with our rural people in the communities? Madam Speaker, I submit.

Has anyone accessed that document on the iPad? Yes, Alebtong?

16422 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Honourable members, why don’t we look at this clause by clause? Member for Alebtong?

Is it seconded? Okay, it is seconded by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Rukia, Hon David Bahati, by the minister for finance, Avuru, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Alex, the Deputy Attorney General (DAG), Minister of Public Service, minister of Luweero, Hon. Kabanda, Hon. Omoding, Hon. Margaret, “Alebtong”, Hon. Komakech, and the chairman of science and technology, Hon. Muwuma, plus Hon. Chemaswet. Then, Hon. Betty Amongin, Hon. Achan, Hon. Lokii, the committee of defence chairperson, Hon. Esenu, and Hon. Sarah also seconded. Would you want to speak as to why you want to withdraw?

Member from Alebtong, from the Tourism City, and from Kasilo.

Honourable member for Alebtong, we are looking at separate mandates. When you talk about agriculture, it is purely agriculture. It is one mandate. That is part of agriculture. It is just the name that differs – yes, Member from the Tourism City.

Alebtong representa - tive?

Thank you. Member for Alebtong?

Yes, honourable Member from Alebtong.

Thank you. Is that seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Apolot, Hon. Itungo, Hon. Ruyonga, Hon. Agnes for Workers, Member for Alebtong, Hon. Lilian, Hon. Thomas, Member for Kikuube, Hon. Edakasi, Hon. Peninah, Hon. Annet, Hon. Atyang, Hon. Okori-Moe, Hon. Oulanyah, Hon. Linos, Hon. Kenny Auma, Hon. Apolot, Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Connie, Member for Namayingo, Hon. Emmanuel, Member for Apac, Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu and Member for Soroti East. Honourable members, I now put the question that the report of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline on the review of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament be adopted by this House. (Question put and agreed to.) Report, adopted. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Rule 2

Thank you. Honourable Member from Alebtong and then - Hon. Naboth, I am coming to you.

Thank you Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for a very clear report and agree with some of the recommendations. I would like to dwell specifically on Votes 601 to 935, which is on local governments, about Shs 170.168 billion, whereby Shs 143.989 billion was unspent funds in the Financial Year 2023/2024 for UgIFT. Mr Speaker, in Alebtong District, which I represent, we benefited from similar funding and re-voting, which was part of unspent funds for the previous financial year. That went towards the upgrade of Health Centres II and III. Recently, we commissioned Adwir Health Centre III, which provides maternal services, and supports women and children. I, therefore, would like to support the recommendation from the committee about the unspent funds for UgIFT and also for USMID. I thank you.

Appreciate that these questions come from members. So, I try to make sure that we answer them and give answers satisfactorily. Thank you so much. My response is that the National Seeds Project (NOSP) is a seven-year initiative that started in 2021 to 2028, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Local Government. Building on the successes of the Vegetable Oil Development Project(VODP) Phase 2 that started in 2010-2020, NOSP operates in 81 districts, clustered into hubs, that is West Nile, Northern, Eastern, Mid-Western and Karamoja. In Northern Uganda, the project is active in 17 districts including Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Omoro, Agago, Kwania, Otuke, Lira, Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Oyam Dokolo and Kole. The project aims to address the shortfall in domestic oil seed production and increase the local output of vegetable oil and related by- products. Its primary development objective is to accelerate commercialisation in the key oil-seed value chain, thereby improving livelihoods and resilience of smallholders involved in oil-seed production and marketing. Actual implementation of the project activities commenced in the financial year 2023/2024. The following have so far been carried out: i) The National Oil Seed Project has provided inputs such as soybean foundation seed and fertilisers to 48 clusters in the region for multiplication to ensure availability of quality declared seed closer to the farmers. This in turn supports farmer groups in growing the seed as grain to increase production and productivity, improve nutrition, and enhance backward and forward linkages within the region; ii) Extension service. The project has provided refresher training for 273 district extension staff to support farmers in the implementing seed value chain activities and to enhance production and productivity. iii) MAAIF, through the project, procured and distributed 162 motorcycles per district to ease mobility - two motorcycles per district- enhance service delivery, and boost the production and productivity of agricultural commodities; iv) Clustering and formation of farmer groups to enhance oilseed production and productivity, contribute to crushing [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As a Chairperson of the District Roads Committee of Alebtong District - I know we have many Members here who are also chairpersons and members of the committee - we agree with the honourable minister. I would like to move a motion that we move to Committee Stage. Thank you.

14467 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2024 In consultation with the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Minister of Public Service, the recruitment of staff should be rolled over to the next Budget. Mr Speaker, on the implementation of outputs, I will be very brief. Most of the budget that was allocated to this ministry, most of the items were under partial implementation. Mr Speaker, this indicates that most activities were not fully implemented and this affects service delivery. For example, the Auditor-General noted that because of non-implementation of planned activities, training of 20 trainers was not conducted and 3,500 copies of the Judicial Retirement Benefit Scheme Regulations were not printed, among others, and this affected these activities. Therefore, the committee recommends that the accounting officer should be held liable for the actions, inactions and omissions that occasioned out of failure to implement the planned activities. Mr Speaker, I will straight away go to the most critical activities for this sector. These are delivery of services from implemented activities. You may observe on page 10 that construction of the Chief Magistrate Court at Alebtong at a cost of Shs 261 million was delayed. The reason as to why there was a delay, the accounting officer attributed it to completion of works to non-payment of certified works due to delayed release of funds. Mr Speaker, still for item two, construction of the Chief Magistrate Court at Patongo, which was a contract price of Shs 360 million, the same was alluded to failure to release the funds in time, much as the certificates were submitted. Therefore, the committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure timely release of project funds, and the accounting officer should strengthen contract supervision to ensure that all outstanding works are fast-tracked to completion within three months of adoption of this report. On operation of courts, the Auditor-General undertook an evaluation of the operations of 277 magistrate courts operated by the Judiciary and noted the following challenges. (i) Operationalisation of courts. The Magisterial Areas Instrument of 2017 lists the number of courts the Judiciary is mandated to establish and operationalise under respective magisterial areas to meet the country’s justice needs. As per the instrument, a total of 391 magistrate courts and grade 1 courts were to be established. However, the Auditor-General assessed that, the implementation of this directive and observed that only 192 courts had been established and operationalised to date, signifying a performance of 49 per cent Therefore, the committee recommends that the Government should provide the necessary funding to operationalise all the planned magistrate courts. (ii) There is a challenge of inadequate transport facilities for the magistrate courts. An analysis of the transportation facilities for the magisterial courts by the Auditor-General revealed that although 52 vehicles were procured during the Financial Year 2022/2023 at a cost of Shs 15 Billion, there was still a huge transport facility gap. Out of the 82 magisterial areas, the Auditor-General found that six magisterial areas with over 20 judicial staff had no transport facility. Therefore, the committee recommends that the Government should provide money for procurement of additional vehicles for all magistrate courts. We should also note that there is inadequate access to the internet in these courts. Mr Speaker, the Attorney-General reviewed the internet coverage across the different courts within the judiciary and noted that out of the 250 courts, only 101 courts, that is a percentage of 40 per cent had access to the internet. Therefore, the committee recommends that the Government should provide adequate funds to provide the internet to enhance automation of the court system.

14202 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT the chairperson of the committee to consider Otuke as one of the greatest tourist places. In 2002, I remember a Whiteman from California flew to Otuke just to take a photograph of a red lizard; look at what Otuke can bring to this country. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, we have the coronation of our Won Nyaci in Lango on 2 November 2024, which will take place in Otuke. So, I want to urge the chairperson and committee to make sure Otuke is included. Mr Speaker, the road from Lira–Alebtong- Otuke-Abim should be tarmacked. I would also like to say this: if you climb Got Otuke, you will find footprints of all the tribes in Northern Uganda who were gathered in this place. You will find footprints of the Iteso, Acholi, Jabwor, Lango, and Kumam. These are the things I wanted to raise in this House; they were burning me and I could not hold them. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to present the addendum as per the Karamoja region; the discussions related to the infrastructure report of yesterday. Karamoja region identified key roads that need to be included in the report as follows: i) Moroto-Kotido Kaabong-Karenga Road; ii) Soroti–Amuria–Abim–Kotido Road; iii) Nakapiripirit–Amudat–Alakas Road that is joining to Kenya; iv) Lokitanyala-Loroo-Amudat-Karita Road; v) Napak–Kapelebyong Road, opening the region to Teso; vi) Rehabilitation of Moroto-Soroti Road; vii) Moroto-Nakiloro-Nakabaat Road, opening the region to Kenya; viii) Kotido-Loyoro–Kaabong Road; ix) Kaabong–Timu–Loitanit Road, again opening the region to Kenya; x) K a a b o n g – T i m u – L o k a l a p a t a – Nawountos; xi) Kalapata–Pire; xii) Karenga–Bira, opening the region to South Sudan; xiii) Abim-Napak via Turtuko is an internal road, but very important; and xiv) Kotido-Abim-Otuke-Alebtong-Lira. The region also considered the security and trade roads as very important, namely: i) Kotido–Agago; ii) Kotido–Karenga; iii) Kotido–Nakitongo, that is opening the eastern part of Kenya; iv) Morunyang-Majimoto, again the eastern part of Kenya; v) Nabilatuk-Katakwi which is the Magoro Road; vi) Kaabong–Karenga; vii) Kaabong–Kitgum via Lolelia; viii) Lopelpel-Lokwakipi-Narengnya, that is a ring road around the mountain; ix) Namalu–Nabilatuk–Lokapel; x) Lotome–Korisae Nabwal-Magoro, that is the Teso side; xi) Amudat–Komerimeri; xii) Lokwanamoru–Amuria; xiii) Alerek-Okemer Road; xiv) Alerek–Kacheri–Karenga; and xv) Iriir-Nabwal–Natirae; The key bridges that we propose to be included are: i) Lotome Bridge, that is between Napak and Nabilatuk; ii) Lolachat Bridge, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; iii) Lions Bridge, that is between Abim and Napak, which has been claiming many lives; iv) Nakonyen Bridge, between Moroto and Amudat; v) Okemer Bridge, between Abim and Kotido; vi) Nakirianget Bridge, between Mbale and Nakapiripirit; vii) Lodoket angisigiria, that is between Kaabong and Karenga; viii) Koberyo Bridge, that is between Kaabong and Karenga again; ix) Nataa bridges, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; x) Komatheniko Bridge, between Moroto and Kotido;

Madam Speaker, my name is Obua Dennis Hamson. I represent the people of Ajuri County, Alebtong District, Lango Subregion. I serve as the Government Chief Whip of the Republic of Uganda. I chair the majority party that is the National Resistance Movement Parliamentary Caucus in Parliament. I also serve as a member of the Central Executive Committee of the National Resistance Movement Political Party. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Christine Akello, a Member of Parliament from Erute North Constituency. Allow me to thank the committee for the report they have presented. I just want to add on about the few bridges. We have bridges that have taken seven years. These are the national roads. There is a bridge called Adyangoluto; it connects Kole up to Gulu. It has to be worked on. And we have Aler-Akor-Alebtong, which goes up to Teso. Then we have Aler-Akangi- Alebtong that connects up to Teso. We have Apuce-Ayile that connects Oyam up to Gulu. This one was being constructed by the Agriculture Cluster Development (ACDP) Project and it collapsed before they could even commission the project. Madam Speaker, we have lost so many lives. Just last month, three people died as they tried to cross from Oyam to Lira District. Therefore, I am requesting the Ministry of Works and Transport to take this seriously. I am also in support of the UPDF being given the mandate to construct the bridges. Lastly, the road that comes from Rwekunye, Apac up to Kitgum has issues, especially in Aler, my constituency, where they are quarrying rock. The people are complaining and they need to sign a new agreement concerning the compensation and the future of the people’s land. This is because there is conflict of interest between the district and the community. I request the chairperson of the roads committee to investigate that.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Otuke is the only district in Northern Uganda where the five Nilotic tribes departed, when God created the universe. One was Teso. Second, Acholi. Third, Acholi- Jabwor. Then comes the Karimojong. Madam Speaker, I request – each time I shall represent this side of Otuke which covers all these tribes. There is a bridge on the road from Kapelebyong; that is Alito and Ogor Subcounty. Secondly, there is a bridge on the road from Omoro to Orumo, which is in Ajuri County; Alebtong District. The third bridge, Nam Agago, is on the road from Agago District, Ogor. Madam Speaker, one of these bridges should be considered. Lastly, the Shs 1 billion which, was given to the districts has been misused in Otuke District. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the district chairperson connived to grade only nine roads, out of the 24 roads which were meant to be graded. Madam Speaker, I would like this to be put into consideration. Thank you.

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

13610 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R The late Hon. Aleper was a very resourceful person and leader who was very vibrant and assertive. Whenever he took on an issue, he would never give up on it. He was very principled and results-oriented. That is why the little you hear has been done for the Karamoja was his work. The late championed the promises by the Government to tarmac some of the roads in Karamoja, for example, the road from Lira via Alebtong, Otuke, Abim to Kotido although it is not yet done, it was on his agenda. He also championed the issue of the road from Soroti to Amuria, Kapelebyong via Otuke, Abim, and Kotido. Although it is not accomplished, he talked for it. Mr Speaker, from 2010 to 2015, I was the NRM CEC Member for Karamoja. In 2015, when I sought to get a second term, that was when my brother came up and two others. At the intervention of our party Chairperson and for purposes of harmony - we are a marginalized region, and at times we do not want to struggle, we all had to step down and elected him unopposed. This is the person. We knew he was capable and he did not shame us. He could consult even when he was a CEC member whenever there were issues and posted on all the WhatsApp groups. Some of us were too shy to contribute on WhatsApp groups. However, considering that I was his elder sister, he would come to my inbox and ask - He did not even call me honourable, not even my name but he would say “ Maama, what is your view on this” and we would share with him. This is the gentleman we have lost today. As other colleagues have said, to the family, these things happen. We want you to be together and united as a family and see how to champion the legacy he has left. We have seen some families when such an occurrence happens, they go into disarray but we pray that you will be together and the rest of us will be there. We are aware that most of the children are in school and like other Members have said the Government and NRM Party need to do something for the children of the late Hon. “Rock’ Aleper. With those few remarks, colleagues we want to thank you for the love, and Mr Speaker, we want to thank you. I want to thank the President, for honouring our brother, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

xq. .d +8-- i*- n I I I I +.' ,i ,4 t,- t.. t, . i, -L4ii . *K -i- ,4 ui iri',1.,[,:-:. - I Amount (OOO'I Vote Descriptlon 8,644,O74 709 Council Kamuli Munici 10,801,134 7to Kapchorwa Municipal Council 16,156,203 Kasese Municipal Council 7LL 24,906,066 7t2 Kira Municipal Council 5,469,632 713 Kisoro Municipal Council 8,704,093 Kitzum Municipal Council 7t4 9,574,4O9 Koboko Municipal Council 7t5 a,27t,209 716 Kotido Municipal Council 8,752,t71 717 Kumi Municipal Council 9,2t6,O42 Lugazi Municipal Council 7L8 t6,295,026 Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council 719 t2,060,528 720 Masindi Municipal Council 12,404,Ot6 72t Mityana Municipal Council 6,643,756 Moroto Municipal Council 722 L2,4a7,408 723 Mubende Municipal Council 2t,545,205 Mukono Municipal Council 724 26,304,364 Nansana Municipal Council 725 6,O20,976 726 Nebbi Municipal Council 15,000,089 727 Nieru Municipal Council 6,226,394 Ntungamo Municipal Council 724 12,r32,708 Rukungiri Municipal Council 729 15,643,023 730 Sheema Municipal Council 11,894,459 73r Tororo Municipal Council 20,657,t94 Abim District 801 36,860,992 Adiumani District 802 32,872,323 803 Agago District 25,478,944 Alebtong District 804 ) 23,rO9,607 805 Amolatar District rr,2to,637 806 Amudat District 25,200,826 ao7 Amuria District 20,a92,676 808 Amuru District T 0qA- t2 4r" t-l''.-- H'.+ t t

Can we hear from the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and then the Government? THE MINISTER OF STATE, OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER (Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees) Ms Lillian Aber): Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I would like to note that we do have a disaster risk management plan that was approved in Cabinet in July, 2022 and it was launched in September, 2022 and presented in this House in November, 2022. I associate myself with the concerns of members and as a ministry, we are trying our best to do what we can with the limited resources. As you may be aware, on 1 March, 2024, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority released the March-May 2024 seasonal rainfall outlook over Uganda and its implications. The March to May 2024 indicated a high chance of near-normal to above-normal rainfall, resulting in episodic flush floods, events and landslides in localised areas that would receive heavy downpour. We have already witnessed flooding incidents in districts including Butaleja, Alebtong, [Mr Ssenyonyi] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Honourable mem - bers, I am happy that you are the ones who are now tired. (Laughter) Because I was ready and I am ready to move. We are now moving on to districts, and they are from 804, that is Alebtong to 935, which is Zombo.

Honourable mem - bers, let me read: Vote 804 – Alebtong District; Vote 805 – Amolatar District; Vote 807 – Amuria District; Vote 811 – Budaka District; Vote 812 – Bududa District; Vote 813 – Bugiri District; Vote 816 – Buikwe District; Vote 817 – Bukedea District; Vote 818 – Bukomansimbi District; Vote 819 – Bukwo District; and Vote 820 – Bulambuli District. Is that what you want? When I say, Alebtong is Shs 848 billion, there is no difference between that and what I was doing before.

Honourable mem - bers, can I read the districts, which are includ - ed? Hon. Ssekikubo is that okay? With the amounts. Honourable members, listen. Read: Vote 804 – Alebtong District – Shs 848,733,704; Vote 805 – Amolatar District – Shs 220,815,010; Vote 807 – Amuria District – Shs 76,091,072; Vote 811 – Budaka District – Shs 569,774,320; Vote 812 – Bududa District – Shs 871,310,151; Vote 813 – Bugiri District – Shs 80,000,000; Vote 816 –Buikwe District – Shs 634,351,309; Vote 817: Bukedea District - Shs 557,998,824; Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District - Shs 138,976,150; Vote 819: Bukwo District - Shs 3,457,961,447; Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 237,021,273; Vote 823: Bunyangabu District – Shs 371,453,937; Vote 825: Busia District - Shs 2,493,045,786; Vote 830: Buyende District - Shs 325,110,681; Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 1,200,052,179; Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 132,794,807; Vote 834: Hoima District – Shs 663,105,613; Vote 835: Ibanda District - Shs 2,181,084,002; Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 3,142,687,738; Vote 838: Jinja District - Shs 2,158,144,238; Vote 840: Kabale District - Shs 122,770,149; Vote 841: Kabarole District – Shs 413,457,210; Vote 842: Kaberamaido District - Shs 1,189,601,445; Vote 846: Kalangala District – Shs 499,303,936; Vote 848: Kalungu District – Shs 1,919,206,727; Vote 851: Kanungu District - Shs 2,355,337,661; Vote 855, Kassanda District – Shs 1,076,055,328; Vote 856: Kasese District - Shs 1,428,572,362; Vote 858: Kayunga District - Shs 886,274,114; Vote 861: Kiboga District – Shs 877,544,449; Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 55,309,755; Vote 864: Kiruhura District - Shs 1,272,038,110; Vote 866: Kisoro District – Shs 1,147,709,409; Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 292,329,260; Vote 868: Kitgum District - Shs 260,346,061; Vote 869: Koboko District – Shs 1,346,133,500; Vote 870: Kole District - Shs 508,409,292; Vote 872: Kumi District - Shs 2,856,532,203; Vote 875: Kyankwanzi District - Shs 280,000,000; Vote 876: Kyegegwa District - Shs 2,218,090,875; Vote 877: Kyenjojo District - Shs 1,050,288,984; Vote 878: Kyotera District - Shs 1,273,322,749; Vote 879: Lamwo District - Shs 403,256,222; Vote 881: Luuka District - Shs 931,990,097; Vote 882: Luwero District - Shs 5,365,516,069; Vote 883: Lwengo District – Shs 1,967,438,860; Vote 884: Lyantonde District - Shs 253,488,082; Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District - Shs 676,404,553; Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 416,761,385; Vote 889: Masindi District – Shs 84,336,637; Vote 890: Mayuge District – Shs 930,316,165; Vote 891: Mbale District – Shs 1,720,742,693; Vote 892: Mbarara District - Shs 455,148,176; Vote 893: Mitooma District - Shs 505,896,701; Vote 894: Mityana District - Shs 471,519,063; Vote 895: Moroto District – Shs 165,753,246; Vote 896: Moyo District - Shs 1,293,741,625; Vote 899: Mukono District – Shs 2,529,351,767; Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 1,252,915,918; Vote 901: Nakapiripirit District – Shs 30,000,000; Vote 902: Nakaseke District – Shs 933,060,184; [Mr Ekanya] THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.2

Is the Bill seconded? Yes, it is seconded by the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Awas, Hon. Osoru, by the Minister of Health, Minister for Luwero Triangle, by the Representative for the Elderly, Hon. Sanon, Hon. Member for Aruu, Member for Alebtong, Hon. Okot - Thank you. Would you like to speak to that Bill?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the committee and its chairperson. I am touched by the recommendation of the committee on the security situation in Karamoja. In their report, they have stated that 368 firearms and 3,334 rounds of ammunition have been recovered, but Karamoja is estimated to have over 15,000 guns in circulation. Now, when we have recovered only 338 and then we say the situation is okay, let us reduce the money, I do not think this is fair. Secondly, around 2012, Karamoja was so peaceful that one could travel at night and during the day without any problem, but later on, the situation got bad. Parts of my family are in Otuke and Alebtong. I feel touched if we are thinking that because the cattle rustling has gone down a little bit then the security situation in Karamoja is okay. It is on this ground that I urge this Parliament that we do not pass this recommendation of the committee, but instead amend it and ensure that the Shs 27.5 billion is maintained - (Applause) - so that better operation - It is not only about cattle rustling, but ensuring that Karamoja is pacified and it becomes peaceful, permanently. (Applause) Mr Speaker, the committee had recommended the provision of money for traffic and road safety by providing Shs 8 billion for motorcycles and about Shs 19 billion for the inspection of vehicles by the Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV) and putting mobile stations. However, as I have been listening to presentations here, my concern is that the Government has provided the resource envelope for the budget, but our recommendations are calling for provision of additional money for additional activities under the unfunded priorities. Now, I want to understand: as we make recommendations on this, where do we expect, either the Committee on Budget or ministry of Finance to expand, yet the resource envelope has been provided for the Budget and it is limited? This is what has been puzzling me and as we move forward, this question must be answered so that we see how to deal with reality. This is because if we are providing for additional resources then it will require us to look for sources of – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by the Prime Minister, the Government Chief Whip, the trade minister, the ICT minister, Gen. Katumba , the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Peter Ogwang, the honourable member from Ibanda, Hon. Paul Akamba, Hon. Milton Muwuma, the honourable member from Alebtong, Hon. Esther Afoyochan, Hon. Macho, Hon. Stella Isodo, Hon. Ebwalu, Hon. Nathan Itungo, Hon. Stephen and the whole House. Thank you so much. Can you justify your motion?

We appreciate and we want to support the Government in commercialization, but let the Government also help the population outside. I am not complaining; I have tractors in Bukedea, but what about other people? Alebtong has – maybe because I am the Speaker, but what about elsewhere? Let us be sincere on this. Let us empower the population to do commercial agriculture.

10848 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT allocating 15 per cent of their annual budget to improve the health sector. The health sub- programme budget has been increased in nominal as well as in percentage terms. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, the allocation had reached 14 per cent. Government enhanced the salaries of scientists, mainly the medical personnel. This will push the ratio even higher. Government also reported that in the medium term, given the change in focus in the National Development Plan III to prioritise enhancing the productivity and social well-being of the population in the country, more investment is expected in the sector in the medium term. In the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, Government has prioritised the human capital development programme to which the health sub-sector belongs. Starting with the Financial Year 2023/2024, Government is committed to annually increasing the budget for antiretroviral treatment by Shs 50 billion per annum. The committee recommends the provision of adequate funds to the health sector as per the Abuja Declaration to enable the sector improve the health needs of the citizens. Recommendation 16: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funding to the National Environmental Management Authority to maintain and sustain early warning systems where applicable. The Government reported that the total budget for Vote 150 for National Environmental Management Authority has been increased from Shs 18.943 billion in the Financial Year 2022/2023, to Shs 41.360 billion, in the Financial Year 2023/2024 to facilitate recruitment of additional staff and strengthening environmental protection. The committee recommends that this should be done. Recommendation 17: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should increase funding to provide adequate accommodation to police officers - Mr Speaker, there is a long narrative that follows; I will try to summarise it. In the budget for the Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development provided Shs 26.212 billion for the following: i. The construction of seven accommodation blocks - 10 units per block - in the districts of Nakasongola, Sheema, Busolwe, Mitooma, Kanungu, Kakumiro, Katwe- Kabatoro and Ntungamo; ii. Completed the construction and commissioned seven blocks, a total of 420 housing units of the Naguru Apartments; iii. Construction of Kira Division staff apartments, 24 units is at 80 per cent; iv. Erected and installed 5,410 double- occupancy uniports out of 6,446; a total of 84 per cent across the country; and v. Constructed 45 housing units, five units each block, in Butebo, Bukwo, Namisindwa, Amudat, Alebtong, Nabilatuk, Karenga, Kwania and Obongi, pending commissioning. In the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, the budget for residential buildings is Shs 26.412 billion, a slight increase of Shs 0.2 billion from the level of Financial Year 2022/2023. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should give special consideration to the development budget of Uganda Police Force. Mr Speaker, by way of summary, permit me to state the following – that the report captures recommendations in respect to: i. The Ministry of Water and Environment (page 21); ii. The Petroleum Authority of Uganda, (page 23); iii. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (page 23);

Mr Speaker, I rise to seek your guidance in two respects; One, in order to make what you have directed much easier - and this has been our request all along - Mr Speaker. On Page 4 and 5 of the statement by the Leader of the Opposition, you see that we have always requested for better particulars of the person allegedly abducted. On these pages 4 and 5, we are only stating names. Honourable colleagues, we all have residences. In the meetings you chaired, or in the meetings chaired by Madam Speaker herself, as Government, we have always asked. State Obua Dennis Hamson, a resident of Amindit Village, Awori Parish, Abako Subcounty, Ajuri County, Alebtong District, was reportedly abducted on Kampala Road. This is what we need and we still pray for that as you guide. Number two, Mr Speaker, I have looked at the list by the Leader of the Opposition. Just like the Minister of Internal Affairs stated before, there are those that were investigated before and there are those that are still under investigation, including a committee of Parliament. There is an investigation before the Committee on Human Rights and there are cases that are in court. I want to mention the names investigated before and put it on record because I want to ask for how long shall we come here to demand for the same names? Mr Speaker, on 10 October 2023, the Uganda Human Rights Commission released a report on the alleged cases of missing NUP supporters and this was issued by the chairperson and signed by the chairperson of the commission. This is an area where a number of names are appearing on the list already investigated by a constitutional commission mandated to do that: 1. Mr Moses Mbabazi, appears on the list already investigated 2. Kirya Peter, already on the list, investigated 3. John Damulira 4. Semuddu Michael 5. Kanatta Muhammad 6. Kibalama John Bosco 7. Musisi Mbowa 8. Mubiru Hassan 9. Isma. The report is here and Mr Speaker, this is the report of a constitutional commission. I beg to lay it on the Table. I beg to seek your guidance in those two respects.

10678 STATEMENT BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Medical Store supplied drugs for three cycles at the same time. It was then that these thefts came into play. Her prayers are that; (i) There is an urgent need for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to present a statement on this well-coordinated, organised crime and the action taken so far; and. (ii) That the Minister of Internal Affairs should assess the security deployments by police and sister forces on the ground and re-organise with the focus to include the nature of the crime in their security mapping, especially planning for the security of health facilities, by respective district security committees;. (iii) That the Minister of Internal Affairs should urgently consider the establishment of police posts in some strategic locations like Palenga Town Council, which does not have a police post nearby, yet it is a fast-growing urban centre; (iv) That the Ministry of Health and respective local governments should review the recruitment of local Askaris , that is, local health facility watchmen, and their deployments. The watchmen of these health facilities, in most cases, have been suspected of either conniving with or being accomplices of these criminals. Mr Speaker, my response is that in Omoro District, on 23 June this year at Palenga Health Centre II, thieves broke into the health facility and stole 86 boxes of Coartem, 43 boxes of Malaria RDT and one box of gloves, all valued at Shs 6,627,000. The security guard was arrested for neglect of duty and to help in investigations. The case file (CRB368/2023) is with Resident State Attorney as investigations continue. On 25 June 2023, at Tegot Health Centre II in Opit Central Ward, Opit Town Council, at an unknown time, thieves broke into the store of the facility and stole drugs; Coartem, Malaria RDT and testing kits for HIV all valued at Shs 9,461,350. Three suspects were arrested. The case file number is (CRB378/2023) and it was taken to the Resident State Attorney for further management. Mr Speaker, on 1 July 2023, at around 1800 hours, a one Mackay Bua, male adult aged 40 years, was intercepted riding a motorcycle belonging to his father, a GISO in Alebtong District. He was also found with an assortment of drugs worth Shs 9,400,000 and charged vide SD REF 17/01/07/2023 at Koro Police Station. It was later revealed that he got the drugs from Janet Abonyo, a nurse attached to Koro Lapinat Health Centre III. Abonyo confessed that she had stolen the drugs from the store and was accordingly charged with stealing drugs vide (CRB394/2023). Mackay Bua was charged with being in possession of stolen drugs. The two suspects appeared in Court in Gulu and are now on remand. In Amuru District, on 14 May 2023, a one Thomas Kinyera, the in-charge of security at Kaladima Health Centre III, reported a store break-in and theft of drugs, a TV screen, a computer and two microscopes, all valued at Shs 10 million. This facility has three security guards, that is, Thomas Kinyera, Ceaser Okee and Richard Otim, who are on the Government payroll. On 13 May, Ceaser Okee who was meant to be on duty, was absent. No medical staff... On 13 th May, Ceaser Okee, who was meant to be on duty was absent. No medical staff was present on duty at night nor on standby to respond to emergencies. It was also observed that the security guards are deployed alone, according to the deployment rota. The case file CRB 239/2023 was sent to RSA for further management. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you once more, Madam Speaker, for this golden opportunity. Yesterday, you tasked me to bring to this House information concerning the Aswa Ranch where a prison officer is dealing in charcoal and no one can access the place. I beg to report to this august House that Aswa Ranch is a Government ranch. In August 2022, about 30,000 acres of land were given to Uganda Prisons Service as an intervention for food security. So far, the Uganda Prisons, under the leadership of Superintendent Gerard Kiwanuka, have cleared about 4,000 hectares, which is under cultivation for maize. Madam Speaker, in the process of clearing such land for cultivation, the trees and bushes, which were there, were equally cleared. Some of the trees and shrubs were taken as firewood to the prisons in the country to help in the cooking for prisoners, and some were used for charcoal. I got in touch with the Commissioner- General, who said that they are not engaged in commercial charcoal burning for sale. Madam Speaker, it should also be noted that this Government intervention, through the Uganda Prisons Service for food security, is not only taking place in Aswa Ranch. We have Odina in Soroti - 900 hectares under cultivation; Bingire in Serere - 700 acres under cultivation; Kumi, 59 acres, Aweyi in Alebtong, 1,700 hectares; Aloi, Ogom, Alebtong, 700 hectares and in total with other areas - about 38,709 hectares are under cultivation for food security of this country by the Uganda Prisons. I beg to submit.

Thank you so much, honourable chairperson, of the committee, for the exhaustive report. When you hear that report, it is a very disturbing report, especially where there is an aspect of lack of national character. Alebtong may not have one person, Bukedea has 10. Then the discrimination in terms of the courses, that if you are only doing sciences is when you can only get the funding. Then the other issue is the selection of these persons. How is the selection done? And the aspect of the quota system is a very important system. I want to repeat this, we are putting little money into the loan system, but we are putting a lot of money into Government sponsorship. The children we are sponsoring on Government sponsorship are children of rich people. (Applause) The rich people take their children to the best schools and these best schools produce the best students and those are the students who go on government sponsorship. Now, would you really want to pay fees for a kid of a Member of Parliament? Because it is Members of Parliament who can take their children to Kisubi and others. Why don’t you give this to all the schools? How I wish the Minister of Education and Sports was here when we are discussing this issue. Government Chief Whip, do you need to guide us, because these are crucial things and I do not want you to take responsibility. We need the Minister of finance, the minister of education - it does not matter; a minister is a minister. The Prime Minister is here, but the Prime Minister cannot handle it alone. Advise us on how should we continue.

Thank you very much. Madam Speaker, yesterday we were in Alebtong District celebrating the World Population Day. Before that, we interacted with a number of youth and discussed the causal factors of high school dropouts. The youth in those meetings revealed to us that one of the key issues is the failure to access loan schemes that are nationally provided for. A number of senior six dropouts are idling without getting access to what we are discussing now. One of the key issues that came out was the lack of transparency by the Board in selecting the beneficiaries of this scheme. Last year, I had two candidates from Iganga who applied. One of them did BCM, got 16 points and applied for medicine at Kampala International University. After getting the admission, they tried twice, but failed. These are orphans but they failed to access the loan scheme. They were advised to appeal, which they did, but there was nothing positive. As we discuss the general principles, the issue of transparency needs to be addressed because it is leaving out very many Ugandans who would be benefiting from this programme. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

9430 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Musasizi] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR 2023 World Population Day and Uganda’s population dynamics and their significance to the country. Mr Speaker, World Population Day is commemorated on 11 July each year by all UN member states in observance of the significance of Population Development Concerns. The day has been commemorated since 1987 when the population of the world reached the five (5) billion mark. This year’s World Population Day comes after the population of the world is projected to have reached eight (8) billion on November 15, 2022. Uganda has been observing this day since 1989 and has been using this occasion to raise awareness on population and development issues. Mr Speaker, this statement is to inform Parliament that: i. Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate World Population Day on Tuesday, July 11, 2023; ii. H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda will be the Guest of Honour; and iii. This year’s World Population Day commemorations will be hosted by Alebtong District at Alebtong Boma Grounds under the theme, “Prioritise Free Education: Prevent School Dropouts and Improve Household Incomes”. (Interruption)

9433 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 JULY 2023 What are the activities for the 2023 World Population Day event? Mr Speaker, the key strategic activities for this year’s commemoration include: the presidential address to the nation; the tabling of a Cabinet information paper on the commemoration of the Word Population Day 2023; this statement on the Floor of Parliament; the revised inter- ministerial dialogue; and an intergenerational policy dialogue. Other activities will be an inter-regional forum for district leaders, the national campaign against child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and school dropouts, community outreach services with Members of Parliament in the Lango Sub-region, youth dialogue, and there may be a tour of Alebtong District. The expected outcomes or results from the commemoration of the 2023 World Population Day are: 1. Engagement with the top leadership of the country on population and environments in order to elevate the profile of population issues on the agenda of policymakers at all levels to influence policy and program actions; 2. The provision of a platform for sharing population experiences by different local governments and an opportunity to articulate their population and development concerns; and 3. Sharing of prevailing population trends and patterns in the country with other stakeholders. In conclusion, Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, I would like to state as follows: 1. Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate World Population Day on Tuesday, 11 July, 2023; 2. His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda will be the guest of honour; and 3. This year’s World Population Day commemorations will be hosted by Alebtong District at Alebtong Boma Grounds under the theme, “ Prioritise free education, prevent school dropouts and improve household incomes .” I would like to invite you, honourable colleagues, to join us on 11 th July at this event. Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

9124 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 In order to enhance good governance, Parliament’s legislative and oversight role will be strengthened to ensure the proper use of public funds, among others. Madam Speaker, you faulted me on something; our not attending parliamentary committees, but I will comment on it in the conclusion. Furthermore, we will ensure compliance with rules and regulations in public financial management, and also implement Parliament’s recommendations on the use of public funds. To improve efficiency and effectiveness in Government, we will further automate financial management systems. These include: the Programme Budgeting System for budget preparation, monitoring and reporting; the Integrated Financial Management System for budget execution, the Human Capital Management for personnel and payroll management, e-Government Procurement, e-Passport and the one border posting, among others. The Integrated Bank of Projects has recently been re-launched to improve Public Investment Management, including the tracking of project performance. Projects whose implementation has been unduly delayed without sound reason will be removed from the Public Investment Plan. The rationalisation of Government agencies will commence in the Financial Year 2024/2025. In addition, the Government has stopped the creation of additional administrative units and agencies. To enhance access to justice, the target is to reduce court case backlog by about 6,000 cases by the end of June 2024 from the 50,000 outstanding cases. A total of 115 districts already have complete frontline criminal and civil justice service delivery points comprising a police station, court, prison, prosecution services and legal aid services, among others. The target is to have 119 districts with justice service delivery points by the end of June 2024. The construction of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings in Kampala and the Soroti and Rukungiri High Court buildings will be completed. In addition, the High Court buildings in Alebtong, Budaka, Lyantonde and the Magistrate Court buildings in Karenga, Patongo and Abim will also be completed. Madam Speaker, the functions, which include enactment of legislation, oversight and accountability role, will further be strengthened and in this regard, the construction of the Parliamentary Chambers is on-going. Security, governance, the Legislature and the administration of justice have been allocated Shs 9.1 trillion next financial year, up from Shs 8.1 trillion this financial year. Fiscal Strategy for Financial Year 2023/2024 and the medium term The fiscal strategy for the next financial year prioritises enhancing revenue collection, rationalisation of public expenditure and ensuring long-term debt sustainability. This will reduce reliance on external financing for socio-economic transformation. Therefore, the fiscal strategy will focus on the following: 1. Continued effective implementation of the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy; 2. Repurposing the national budget to achieve a high multiplier effect of Government interventions on the economy, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Government programmes and projects; 3. Mobilising external concessional loans and utilising non-concessional loans for projects with high economic and financial returns; 4. Limiting domestic borrowing to an average of 2.2 per cent of GDP in the short to medium term, to avoid crowding out the private sector through rising interest rates; 5. Reducing the budget deficit to within a maximum limit of 5 per cent of GDP, and

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

8754 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 60) Vote 819: Bukwo District – Shs 22,102,420,000 61) Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 22,999,426,000 62) Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 14,874,929,000 63) Vote 822: Bundibugyo District – Shs 33,203,487,000 64) Vote 823: Bunyangabu District - Shs 19,891,642,000 65) Vote 824: Bushenyi District – Shs 28,896,953,000 66) Votes 825: Busia District - Shs 32,967,494,000 67) Votes 826: Butaleja District - Shs 33,927,473,000 68) Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 23,446,766,000 69) Vote 828: Butebo District - Shs 16,607,616,000 70) Vote 829: Buvuma District – Shs 13,321,617,000 71) Vote 830: Buyende District – Shs 22,651,177,000 72) Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 21,223,707,000 73) Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 21,231,932,000\ 74) Vote 720: Masindi Municipal Council – Shs 11,172,470,000 75) Vote 721: Mityana Municipal Council – Shs 10,365,633,000 76) Vote 722: Moroto Municipal Council – Shs 5,143,627,000 77) Vote 723: Mubende Municipal Council – Shs 10,465,947,000 78) Vote 724: Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 19,829,177,000 79) Vote 725: Nansana Municipal Council – Shs 24,351,761,000 80) Vote 726: Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 6,907,898,000 81) Vote 727: Njeru Municipal Council – Shs 13,394,572,000 82) Vote 728: Ntungamo Municipal Council – Shs 4,845,867,000 83) Vote 729: Rukungiri Municipal Council – Shs 9,415,996,000 84) Vote 730: Sheema Municipal Council – Shs 14,106,079,000 85) Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council – Shs 9,365,323,000 86) Vote 801: Abim District – Shs 18,295,895,000 87) Vote 802: Adjumani District – Shs 31,965,889,000 88) Vote 803: Agago District – Shs 31,061,514,000 89) Vote 804: Alebtong District – Shs 23,689,489,000 90) Vote 805: Amolatar District – Shs 19,357,798,000 91) Vote 806: Amudat District – Shs 10,632,904,000 92) Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 22,290,290,000 93) Vote 808: Amuru District - Shs 22,428,999,000

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. The case being discussed now, about the woman working in the garden of a health worker in Soroti, is not an isolated case. Mr Speaker, last year, I lost a cousin at Alebtong Health Centre. Why? It is because they have to refer you 50 kilometres away, to Lira, to do a CT scan. When you come back, you have to pay Shs 200,000 for them to perform a C-section on you. If you cannot afford it, they delay you and, then, the referral is done at the last minute – and you lose the mother and child. Therefore, this issue is of great concern and the ministry must take it seriously. As legislators, we must provide resources to support our health facilities. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have a few burning issues. Honourable colleagues, you know that in our country when they realise that development is coming up, those near the roads begin constructing or planting trees. I would like UNRA to ensure that we put a road reserve. This is one of the key things that this country has forgotten. For example, a couple of months back in Lango or Otuke, the Chinese went to survey roads in order to construct the proposed road from Lira; Alebtong-Otuke-Kotido. The community members started planting trees close to the road so that they could be compensated. In this country, we are losing a lot of money in compensating people during road construction. This is one of the key things I really wanted to raise.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance on the raid carried out in Otuke District last night. An estimated six Karamojong cattle raiders, armed with AK-47 guns, came to Otuke last night and raided Ogwete and Olilim subcounties. The raids have been going on for the last two weeks. Very many people have been injured and an estimated 400 heads of cattle has been taken away. As of now, only 27 have been recovered. These Karamojong – they are really not just Karamojong raiders, but Karamojong thieves – are causing problems to the Government. The Attorney-General, seated there, is supposed to compensate for the last raids that took place. However, before he completes that, these same people are adding problems to the Attorney- General – the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development says there is no money to compensate our people. My prayers are: 1. The Government should provide transport to the UPDF soldiers who are there to enable them respond during the attacks; 2. The Government should improve on the security roads because when these people take off with our cows, it is hard to follow them; 3. Our ex-soldiers, who are on the ground, know all the corners where these people pass. Voices from the neighbouring districts of Alebtong, Otuke and others are that they should recruit these ex-soldiers to support the UPDF; 4. The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs should visit the area and see these corridors by himself, in the company of – mark my words, Mr Speaker - the former Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Okello Engola tried to handle these people, and two, the Minister of Internal Affairs, since he is a General - I know the current state minister, but I do not want to say anything. 5. Lastly, Mr Speaker, Otuke is a very lovely district to H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni –(Interjections) - yes, I am proud of him. He helped us during the days of the Kony insurgency on the side of Okwang. On the side of Otuke East, we also need his intervention. Thank you, Mr Speaker. [Ms Muhanga] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I have a question for the Prime Minister. In 2017, Government grant- aided Akora Seed Secondary School - it is at the centre of my constituency. However, to date, the parents struggled and erected two structures to accommodate Senior One and Senior Two students. They are now up to Senior Four, but still, the students are studying in a very funny place. Now that the rains have come, they do not have proper classrooms in which to conduct lessons. I want to know, from the Prime Minister, the plans Government has to ensure that Akora Subcounty, which houses Akora Seed Secondary School, also benefits from the funding that Government is pushing towards the improvement of secondary education in this country. Finally, Madam Speaker, heavy rains destroyed crops - I have two subcounties that are in the floodplains - that is Abia and Aloyi. Last week, two parishes of Alebtong and Amuria were destroyed completely. And I whispered to the minister in charge of disaster preparedness. She told me all activities have stalled; they are only looking at delivering food supplies for now. What is it that Government can do to also support these farmers whose crops have all been destroyed? I thank you.

Lango Subregion has nine districts and one city namely: Kole, Dokolo, Apac, Oyam, Kwania, Alebtong, Amolatar, Otuke, Lira; and Lira City, comprising 21 constituencies. Our terms of reference were: 1. To determine the exact amount of approved funds that have been disbursed to the various parishes. 2. To examine the eligibility of the various categories of beneficiaries of the PDM funds. 3. To assess the effectiveness of utilisation of disbursed funds by PDM beneficiaries. 4. To establish the extent of adherence to the PDM guidelines and procedures by the various actors in the implementation of PDM. 5. To examine any other matters incidental and make recommendations for corrective action. Methodology Our methodology involved meetings with district officials and PDM focal persons; meetings with PDM SACCO leaders; meetings with selected SACCOs; and review of PDM district reports and documentation. I now present the findings, observations and recommendations. The report is already uploaded on the iPad under the northern region reports. TOR No.1: To determine the exact amount of approved funds that have been disbursed to the various parishes Lango Subregion registered 597 parish SACCOs and 9,771 enterprise groups. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, the Government committed to disbursing Shs 17 million to each of the parish SACCOs. Out of the 576 parish SACCOs in Lango Subregion, only 175 SACCOs received the full amount equivalent to 29 per cent. A total of 277 SACCOs received

Mr Speaker, the road the honourable member is talking about leads to Alebtong from Kalaki. So, I am equally affected. I undertake to notify the Minister of Works and Transport to come and explain to Parliament what transpired on this road, with the view of rectifying what has gone wrong. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, permit me to thank you, the acting Leader of the Opposition, my brother, Hon. Olanya, and all the Members who have stayed up to now. With your permission, I would like to do two things: one, if it pleases you, to read a three- paragraph letter and; two, later lay it on the Table. This letter is from the office of the Minister of Education and Sports – and you know that I served as state minister in charge of sports. “31 August 2021 - and addressed to all LC V chairpersons, central, western, eastern and northern region. Presidential directive on excelling sportsmen and women with Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) As you may recall, on 13 August 2021, the President of the Republic of Uganda hosted a state reception for the triumphant contingent Team Uganda that represented our country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. During this event, the President directed that excelling sportsmen and women with Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) be identified, recruited into Uganda’s armed forces, and given ample time to train in order to represent the country in different sports disciplines, while they simultaneously earn a living (and participate in sports). The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to communicate this Presidential Directive and request the office of the Minister of State for sports to accordingly coordinate the implementation of this task. Yours sincerely, Janet K. Museveni First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports” The letter is copied to Her Excellency, the Vice- President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Presidency. Honourable members, there exists a standing presidential directive on excelling sportsmen and women who would wish to join the different armed forces; the UPDF, the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons, and Uganda Wildlife Authority. As you know, a number of our excelling athletes come from these four groups. Kiplimo belongs to the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Cheptegei is an officer in the Uganda Police Force. Therefore, let us take advantage of this, but we are looking at excelling, not those playing in the Juri League in Alebtong district. I beg to report and also lay on Table for the record to capture this. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, first of all, on a personal note, Hon. Okupa stated that I have investments in Kapchorwa. I want to thank him for wishing me well. If I had the capacity – but I want to state on record that I do not whatsoever have any investments in Kapchorwa. On the issue of water, I am the immediate past minister of state for sports and Kapchorwa used to be the second district that I visited regularly, after Alebtong. The Minister of Water and Environment is the MP for Kapchorwa Municipality. I will, therefore, to remind him of the challenges raised by the District Woman Representative and request him to ensure that it is worked on. I know that anytime, even before the end of this year, we will be commissioning the first phase of the Teryet High Altitude Training facility that will be attracting international athletes from other countries. I undertake to convey the position of Parliament to the Minister of Water and Environment, who

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Like I had said, out of the loan of $110 million, $22.5 million was earmarked for infrastructure - to improve infrastructure in 81 health facilities. This was divided into six lots. The lot in question is Lot 6, which was worth $24 billion - VAT inclusive. The contractor was BMK. They were supposed to construct maternity units and extras like pit latrines and placenta pits in 14 health facilities in West Nile and in Northern Uganda. The duration of the project was 16 months and it was supposed to commence on 15 March 2021, upon signing of the project contract. However, site handover was delayed to May 2021. The contract was supposed to run till 30 September 2022. The supervising architect was KK Partnership Architects. The Ministry of Health advanced 30 per cent of the total contract sum totalling to about Shs 6 billion to BMK to enable them mobilise and bring equipment to the site and start preliminary construction. BMK provided performance security in the form of a bank guarantee worth approximately Shs 6 billion and environmental and social safety guarantees of approximately Shs 1.9 billion, respectively. The objective of our visit, as a committee - which was very important - was to ascertain the physical progress of the works, among others. We had received many complaints from the citizens of West Nile and Northern Uganda, but most importantly, the politicians, about the delayed progress. In other parts of the country, they were 80 per cent and in this particular area, they had not yet reached even 50 per cent, yet we were running out of time. The committee also conducted a financial and legal analysis of the project to have a holistic scrutiny of the project. The sites visited were Panyimur in Pakwach, Kuchwiny in Nebbi, Kochi in Yumbe, Lobule in Koboko, Oluvu in Maracha, Awoo in Omoro, Akura in Alebtong, Anyangatir in Lira City and Kamdini in Oyam. Key findings from the field visit The committee found that on average, the civil works in nine sites ranged from between 55 per [Dr Ayume] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Justice Rubby Opio Aweri. As a former member of the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs under the able leadership of Hon. Oboth, the committee that, in the last Parliament, processed, on behalf of Parliament, the Administration of the Judiciary Bill, I wish to thank Parliament of Uganda for passing this Bill and His Excellency the President for assenting to this piece of legislation, which is now called, “The Administration of Judiciary Act, 2020”. Madam Speaker, in death, Justice Rubby Opio Aweri becomes the first recipient and the first test of this piece of legislation. That said, at such a moment of grief, I equally rise, on behalf of the people of Ajuri County in Alebtong District, to pay special tribute to the late Justice Rubby Opio Aweri, a senior and an experienced judicial officer who served his motherland, Uganda, with precision. In his professional and career path, in his rise to the level of a Justice of the Supreme Court, the track record of the late Justice Rubby Opio Aweri, from wherever he worked, within and without Uganda, is clean and clear. He has left a legacy; no wonder, in his family that you introduced; there are a number who are following him. From their Worships, maybe in future, they will become their Lordships, just like their father. Madam Speaker, I know that the late Honourable Justice Rubby Opio Aweri was an inspiration to many who knew him. He was a father to all. He was a counsellor. He was an advisor. He was a consultant and he was readily available. One thing that I want to pay special tribute to him about is, whenever he heard something about you, he would pick his phone and call you. That is the gentleman lying before us. Madam Speaker, he was a friend to the young, the middle-aged, the poor, the rich and a friend to all categories of people. No wonder, Heaven is looking for good people. That is why God has called him. Maybe, you and I first have to repent because Heaven is looking for good people. Such a good man has been called at 69 years. Honourable members, my message now is to you and I; before we are called, let us repent and borrow a leaf from the late Hon. Justice Rubby Opio Aweri. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Moroto County, Alebtong District, who I represent, I send our heartfelt condolences to the family, the Judiciary and the entire country. I came into close interface with the late Justice Rubby Aweri in 2021 after elections when my victory was being challenged. It was like I was drowning, looking for anything to cling onto, if I could be saved. I made the phone call. He asked me where I was and I told him I was in the village in Alebtong. He asked me if I had facts and I told him I had my facts. He told me, “If you have facts, go to any court and you will get justice. But do not go there with the wrong facts because you will be challenged.” I thought that was the end, but he allowed me to meet him. He gave me counsel and courage. I learned one thing - and many people have spoken about it here – humility. I have tried my best to copy what I saw in him. I am still trying to be humble, although it is not very –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to thank the Prime Minister for moving this motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to our gallant son, Justice Rubby Aweri Opio. On behalf of the people of Alebtong and on my own behalf, we condole with the family, the Judiciary, the entire legal fraternity, and the community of Lango and the greater North. This is our second gallant son that - within this year, a difficult year 2022 - we are paying tribute to, who will be lying in state in this Parliament. Allow me commend His Excellency, the President and the Government of Uganda, for according our son a state funeral. This is a testament in honour of the service that he has provided to this nation. For that, we say, “Thank you.” The man lying before us has been a great icon in this country, in many ways. He was able to dispense justice, without fear or favour, as has already been testified by many Members and I would not want to reiterate anything in that regard. This is the man that we are talking about. This man, in many ways, encouraged and inspired many of us and the young people of this country by walking the talk; this man has been able to uphold judicial ethics and integrity in this country; this man has been able to display foundational competencies and virtues of commitment –(Member timed out.)

6348 In northern Uganda, we have Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuru, Apac, Omoro, Arua, Dokolo, Gulu, Kaabong, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Lamwo, Lira, Maracha, Moroto, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Nebbi, Nwoya, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Yumbe, Zombo, Obongi, Terego, Karenga, Kwania, Madi-Okollo, Nabilatuk, and Obongi. In Western Uganda, we have Buhweju, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Hoima, Ibanda, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Kabarole, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kasese, Kibale, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Masindi, Mbarara, Mitooma, Ntoroko, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Sheema, Kikuube, Kazo and Rwampara. Madam Speaker, those are the areas that will be covered by the project.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to join the rest of my colleagues in thanking the Prime Minister for moving the motion. I support the motion to pay tribute to Fr Dr Ambrossoli for his selfless service to this nation. As we all know, this has left a legacy that very many of us Ugandans can emulate. As a representative of the people of Alebtong, I stand to testify that Dr Ambrossoli Memorial Hospital in Kalongo has been, and continues to be a go-to centre; a main referral centre whenever the people of Alebtong have medical emergencies that need referrals. They continue to provide excellent and quality services. I thank them for taking on the legacy of Fr Dr Ambrossoli. Madam Speaker, I also thank Government for the request that the honourable Member from Agago has presented that because of the current dwindling resources in the health sector, we know it has become increasingly difficult for donors to be able to prioritise. However, Kalongo has remained as a very great area that is providing services to the entire region of northern Uganda and beyond. We would like to call for more support to this health centre so that the hospital continues to stand the legacy that has already been started. It can continue to provide services, especially to the women. (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker for this opportunity. I thank the Prime Minister for this motion. I was born in Kalongo and my mother had three C-sections. After she was delivered of me, she was unconscious for three days, but I was under the care of this great man we are talking about today. I thank Government for the contribution they have made, but ask that more should be done. Our people still go to this facility, but the road network is very bad, especially from Alebtong, Kitgum and Pader to Kalongo. The network to this facility should be improved so that we can save more lives. Thank you.

6261 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2022 of progressively enhancing the Budget of the sector that is in charge of Justice, Law and Order. And as we speak, in a progressive manner, more magistrates are being recruited, leading to the establishment of more magisterial areas; judges are being recruited. As we speak, there are a number of courts that are being constructed in some districts, especially where I come from in Alebtong. There is a court being constructed there because we had a magistrate without a court. So, this is work in progress and in phases, subject to the availability of funds. On the question of funding limitations for Uganda Human Rights Commission, Madam Speaker, we all agree in principle that if funds were available, the Uganda Human Rights Commission would be funded to the dot. But we all know that due to budgetary constraints, we are unable to fund the Uganda Human Rights Commission to its full budget. However, this is an issue that can be handled through checks and balances both between the Cabinet and Parliament to ensure that probably in this consideration of the Budget cycle for the next financial year, we enhance the Budget of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. On the question of the refugee rights and the attendant challenges, Madam Speaker, at regional, continental and international level, it is a fact known to all of us that Uganda has been credited for its refugee policy. But if there are areas that we need to improve on, we will come to them. However, the bottom line is, we all know that even as we speak, more refugees continue to come to Uganda and through our open-door policy, we continue to entertain them because they are fellow Africans. Therefore, if there are challenges, we can be able to handle them. On the question of Hon. Atkins, Madam Speaker, I am constrained to debate a matter in court, because as far as I know, after the arrest, these people were formally charged. If there are issues in delays of justice, I believe this is a matter that we can jointly handle - including yourself - in another forum to avoid acting in breach of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. On the question of the reports that the Attorney- General delivered to Geneva; there was a question asked on whether we can get the report of the Attorney-General? Madam Speaker, I strongly believe that this report is already in Geneva. If it is in Geneva, why would Uganda fail, through the National Assembly, to get it? We shall draw the attention of the Attorney- General to lay it on the Table or to come and present this report on the Floor of Parliament. I do not think there is any rule that it offends for the report to either be laid or presented on the Floor. Madam Speaker, there was a question on subcounty courts. Again, we agreed in principle that we will move in a progressive manner but as I speak, the budget we have – because there are even districts that we created without courts. Now, how do we move to a subcounty when the mother district does not have a court? Therefore, we are progressively starting with the districts and when done with the districts, we will decentralise to that level of the subcounty. This is also anchored and pegged on the budget. On the issue raised by Hon. Mudimi on wrongful prosecution, first of all, I sympathise with you and the two but I want to say that the process, under wrongful prosecution, is very clear. I call upon you, Hon. Mudimi, to seek for some legal advice. There are a number of legal brains here who can help you in the likely event that these two were arrested, charged, convicted and sentenced and now we are saying it is wrongful prosecution. I believe there is a due process under the law that can be followed to have them out. That said, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you. I still commit that following your directive and guidance, we will draw the attention of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, represented by the Attorney-General or the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs,

6013 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2022 I note that the report he is presenting is for only four local governments; Apac, Mityana, Butambala and municipalities of Nansana and Makindye – plus Kira . Honourable chairperson, next time, we want a comprehensive report without doing it piecemeal. I may ask you: what interest did you have in Butambala? Why not Bukedea or Alebtong? Next time, let us have a comprehensive report. It helps us in receiving our Treasury Memorandum. Please, go ahead and report. Give us an abstract.

Thank you, Prime Minister. One thing I need you, Members, to know is that when you went out and followed up on Emyooga , whatever was happening changed. It is now better than any other programme because of the oversight role you play. You will be helping the people in your constituencies, but also yourselves, to ensure that you come back to the House. We want you back. When you do this oversight role, you can even own it by saying “I am the one who brought it” when it is actually a Government project. Hon. Kadogo promised to bring all of us back. (Laughter) Honourable members, I will expect regional reports on PDM from you. That will be the first thing we are going to discuss in the next meeting – how much money has been disbursed to your district, to how many groups and things like that. Hon. Prime Minister, we want the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to give us a record of how much has gone to, for example, Kakumiro, Alebtong and Bukedea. We want that report and it should be put in the Members’ Pigeon Holes for them to use as a working document. When they are making a follow up, they need to know what they are doing. Members of EALA, we expect you to, always, give us reports on what you discuss for us to keep abreast on what is happening there so that we can customise it. Honourable members, I want to, once again, thank you for the work you have done the whole day. I, therefore, adjourn the House sine die . (The House rose at 7.26 p.m. and adjourned sine die.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The committee conducted field activities in the following districts: Pader, Agago, Alebtong, Kole, Napak, Ngora, Kaliro, Sheema, Buhweju, Mitooma, Bushenyi and Ibanda - that is on page 5. We are going to the findings, observations and recommendations. These are the areas that we were looking at during our visit to those districts. However, before we went to those districts, we had a meeting with the Minister of State for Education and the management of Higher Education Students Financing Board. At a later stage, I will also come with that report and read it as it is included in this report. Therefore, I would like this House to know what we did and the observations we made. So, the following key findings, observations and recommendations have been identified for immediate action for various programmes under affirmative actions and other equalisation programmes to be implemented in the short to medium terms. Mr Speaker, the status of equal opportunities in the education sector; and the attainment of equality and inclusivity in development, is significantly predicated on the state of wellbeing, skills and competitiveness of the various categories of individuals and groups in society, as cited with the Sustainable Development Goal for quality education. While, wellbeing is dependent on the quality of healthcare services. Considering that Government of Uganda has over the past decades made significant gains in education through, inter alia, universalising primary and secondary education, according to the recently released results, the performance of Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in northern Uganda and northern subregions, for instance, is below the national average. Therefore, the committee noted the average distance travelled by students or pupils to reach their respective schools; majority of the districts visited reported that students cover a distance of more than five kilometres. And, learners complained about long distance travel from home to school. They reported that this was associated with the challenges of rape, late reporting to school, early departure and inability to complete school homework due to fatigue or late arrival at school. Therefore, regarding access to the school environment, especially for visually impaired learners, members observed that most of them could not easily reach school since they lacked landmarks. While, wheelchair users also find it very difficult to access educational facilities in these districts. Mr Speaker, the distance to the nearest facility influences access to education services. The Ministry of Education and Sports standard is that every parish should have a primary school; and there should be a secondary school in every subcounty. So, this policy would make education accessible at that level. The committee findings also revealed that, secondary and tertiary institutions were far and inadequate in many parts of the sampled areas. This made it very hard for most of the children from hard-to-reach areas to progress to secondary level. Other children keep repeating primary seven because of no access to secondary education. Sustainable Development Goals will be evaluated in the next nine years, yet districts are performing badly with only one secondary school in each district. Teenage pregnancy has also increased due to the lockdown. The committee further observed that the cost of education services is a determinant in access to education, and many people pay highly for education in private schools. And, those who did not pay any money to schools meet the cost of scholastic materials, between Shs100 to Shs150, which is very costly for the rural people. However, in private schools, especially in urban areas, the cost is much higher compared to Government-aided education facilities. The committee also observed that the dropout rate is very high. For instance, in Napak District it is at 84 percent. The committee visited special

4352 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME have gone through. It has had an impact on the parents, teachers plus the students. You will get the sad information, after the results are out, because you will get to know that a big number stayed out because of those hurdles. Universal Primary Education schools are supposed to pay nothing. If they are paying Shs 150,000 for e-registration, it is as if they have paid for UPE funds for the last seven years. Are you getting me? So, you either make it free as you gave it to them or not. Otherwise, if you put a charge on parents, children are going to stay without studying next year and they will not be paying because they cannot afford. You know very well you are not buying reports for schools and reports are paid for by parents. Those who cannot afford do not get reports in UPE schools. These are facts you cannot run away from; whether in Alebtong or Kalungu. These are known everywhere. Let us take that keen interest, as the Speaker said, and have a win-win situation. Once parents are impacted on paying, with this lockdown and the economy, that is why you are going – those are the questions. You started with one million children in P.1 but at pre- registration in P.7, you have less than 600,000 children. Where are the 400,000 disappearing to? One of the factors might also be that one. This is in good spirit.

Madam Speaker, when we state on the Floor that schools do not exist, then before even one minute elapsing, the same member says there are white elephants - Madam Speaker –(Interjections)- absolutely. A member is saying the schools do not exist on the ground but I presided over the commissioning of four of the seed schools: Apac Seed Secondary School in Apac, Aduk Seed Secondary School in Kwania, Ogor Seed Secondary School in Otuke, and Abia Seed Secondary School in Alebtong. And we dispatched a team of ministers all over the country to commission schools that had been finished at that time. Hon. Odur is here, a school in his constituency was commissioned by hon. Grace Kwiyucwiny. All the schools built under UGIFT phase one, are supposed to be equipped. For instance, computers are supposed to be 28. Honourable members, this fight against corruption must be collective. I was in Kwania and I found Shs 272 million that was cause listed for construction of a seed school, diverted. An arrest was ordered. The acting DEO is on interdiction pending investigations because I found only 14 computers. I went with a checklist. Therefore, that is the reason I am pleading with you to please give us these reports because we need to join hands so that when I come to your district and order - because the Constitution allows that on reasonable suspicion, that is a constitutional provision - please do not start calling me, honourable minister, so and so, no because I did that even in my own district. I ordered the arrest of my own DEO in Alebtong.