Bugweri District

Honourable minister for agriculture, and then the Member for Bugweri will follow -

Thank you. Hon. Achia, the Member for Bugweri, and then the Member for Kassanda.

Member for Bugweri?

7. Nankwanga Stellamaris Woman Representative Bugweri Independent 8. Nanzala Metrine Namisindwa County Namisindwa NRM 9. Nassolo Eugenia Rubaga Division South Kampala NUP 10. Nawe Molly Kamukama Woman Representative Kazo NRM 11. Ndeezi Alex PWD Representative N/A NRM 12. Ngabirano Charles Rwampara East County Rwampara Independent 13. Ninsiima Evelyne Woman Representative Rubanda Independent 14. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama Woman Representative Buhweju NRM 15. Nyakato Asinansi City Woman Representative Hoima City PFF 16. Namujju Cissy Dionizia Woman Representative Lwengo NRM 17. Nyakato Dorothy Woman Representative Kitagwenda NRM 18. Namutaawe Joan Woman Representative Masaka NUP 19. Nayebale Sylivia Woman Representative Gomba NRM 20. Naziiwa Margret Woman Representative Kagadi NRM 21. Nkunyingi Muwada Kyadondo County East Wakiso NUP 22. Nuria Hafsa Teko Woman Representative Kotido Independent 23. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North County Bulambuli NRM 24. Nyeko Johnson Kezekiya Lamwo County Lamwo NRM 25. Obong Peter Acuda Maruzi County Apac UPC 26. Obong Vincent Shedrick Lira West Division Lira City UPC 27. Okiding Sam (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 28. Ofwono Opondo P’Odel Older Person’s Representative Eastern NRM 29. Ocen Geoffery Kioga North County Amolatar UPC 30. 3Ogwal Joseph Jones Dokolo North County Dokolo NRM 31. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi Bardege-Layibi Division Gulu City NRM 32. Nameere Justine Woman Representative Masaka City NRM 33. Nkrumah Roland Bufumbira County East Kisoro NRM 34. 3Ojiit Peter Pingire County Serere Independent 35. Ntabazi Harriet Bwamba County Bundibugyo NRM 36. Ocan Patrick Apac Municipality Apac Independent 37. Ogwang Patrick Obura Oyam County South Oyam NRM 38. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot Kumi County Kumi NRM 39. Oketcho George West Budama County South Tororo NRM 40. Oketcho John Francis Bugiri Municipality Bugiri NRM 41. Okeyoh Peter Bukooli Island County Namayingo NRM 42. Okot Peter Tochi County Omoro DP 43. Okumu Gabriel Okoro County Zombo NRM 44. Omara Paul Otuke County Otuke NRM 45. Omoding Emmanuel Serere County Serere NRM 46. Onek Hilary Obaloker Palabek County Lamwo NRM 47. Oneka Lit Amere Denis Kitgum Municipality Kitgum FDC 48. Ongom Patrick Erute County North Lira NRM 49. Ongu James Kwania North County Kwania NRM 50. Opito Vincent Dokolo South County Dokolo UPC 51. Nankabirwa Ann Maria Woman Representative Kyankwanzi NRM 52. Nantongo Fortunate Rose Woman Representative Kyotera NUP 53. Natumanya Flora Woman Representative Kikuube NRM 54. Naturinda Eliab Ndorwa County West Kabale NRM 55. Ngompek Linos Kibanda North County Kiryandongo NRM 56. Ninkusiima John Paul (Dr) Ibanda County South Ibanda NRM 57. Niringiyimana James R. Kaberuka Kinkizi County West Kanungu NRM

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

Mr Speaker, I am very positive about the purpose of the loan because when I look at the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when they talk of Bugade, she is saying that of all people. Hon. Muwuma is hesitant for Bugade. The people of Bugweri need water supply but the issues highlighted in the body of the report need to be addressed before we approve. That is my -

Okay, let me give you the summary if that is what you want. Commitment fees paid on these undisbursed loans in the financial year under review is Shs 73 billion. The committee observed that the total commitment fees was - Let me give you another figure that will really throw you off balance. Let me take you to another - (Interjection) – now you are disorganising me. When I look at contracting incompetent companies - you wanted us to say - during interaction with the accounting officers, the committee established that the causes of undisbursed funds were majorly due to: i) Failure to meet project milestones and timelines by implementing agencies; ii) Contracting incompetent companies; iii) Weak contract management and supervision by accounting officers; iv) Variations in project scope from approved plans without approval from a government development committee; v) Commencing project without feasibility studies; vi) Delayed acquisition of right-of-way by infrastructure projects; and vii) Poor conceptualisation of projects, among others. During the rice project implementation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries in two districts of Bugiri and Bugweri, the Auditor-General noted the inadequate capacity of a contractor - he has put a figure here - this was a contractor advanced Shs 15 billion to do mobilisation of equipment, among others. We have a list of the equipment this fellow mobilised and their functionality. He mobilised equipment that are not even functional but this is a contractor on a project –

I read the report. Now you know I read the report. Under the rice project implemented by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in the two districts of Bugiri and Bugweri, the audit noted that the contractor was advanced Shs 15.049 billion on 23 February 2023 to enable the contractor to mobilise sufficient equipment for execution of works. The funds were advanced as follows - the details are put there. During inspection, the Auditor-General

Thank you, Hon. Panadol, for the information. Madam Speaker, one other road in Iganga that initially belonged to UNRA is Iganga-Nakigo to Bugweri. It is impassable, as we speak. It is a Ministry of Works and Transport road and I also need an update on this.

17543 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 JNUE 2025 the victims of corruption. The population that is deprived of these services are the victims of the corruption. In the 1960s, we would go to the people. They had all the information. The big changes that are happening in Uganda are being led by the following actors: 1. The National Resistance Army (UPDF) that liberated the country and has been ensuring peace ever since. 2. The wealth creators in the four sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT; 3. The Government scientists who make innovations, and 4. The members of the political class are responsible for supporting the NRM programmes. It is, therefore, not fair for some actors to spoil these successes. Some people say that they give bribes because Mr Museveni is giving the khaki envelope to members of the population – mureke okutaha amizi ne byondo. (Do not draw water mixed with mud.) Do not mix up issues. The brown envelopes I give are part of the ancient tradition here. It is called Okurongora . It is the king who does that, to the singers or wrestlers, etc. The President is the modern king. (Laughter) You are not kings. I have a budget for that; I do not sell my cows to get money for the Okurongora singers. Mulekerawo omwenkanonkano. This is a Luganda word. It summarises the whole thing – omwenkanonkano. Stop trying to be like the one who is bigger than you. Tell those people that Museveni gives the envelope because he has a Budget for it. He is the President. Why do you want -? Fundraising was and is premature. The healthy fundraising is okusonda whereby you make small equal contributions but by many contributors. In the 1950s, Mzee Kaguta, sometimes, would participate in okusondera to contribute to enzoga , which is a potful of banana alcohol. At that time, enzoga , a potful was Shs 5. Five people would contribute Shs 1 each. That is the okusonda (fundraising). You contribute equal small amounts that you can afford. What is happening now with the rampant fundraising is that the MPs carry the whole burden. It is really extortion but it was instigated by the MPs who created the impression that they had that type of money when they did not have. Church leaders and other elders should ask those young mistake-makers the following question: “ Naye mwana wange, sente ezo zona ozijawa?” That is what I would ask my people, if I saw young people throwing around money. That is what a responsible parent should ask a son or daughter or a muzukulu (a grandchild), if he or she sees him or her throwing around money. The translation of that question is: “My child, where are you getting all this money that you are throwing around?” Responsible parents should not accept stolen gifts or mabanja from their children. This is what I wanted to comment on regarding the issue of political corruption and other corruption. Now, I am getting information about obutalondola (not supervising Government work). I keep hearing, for instance, of bad feeder roads – that feeder roads in some areas are not good. Yesterday, I was in Kakumiro, and the feeder road I rode on looked good when I was going to Kagadi. It was a short one, but it was good. The other time I was in Obongi and the feeder roads there were very good and we rode on them. The other time I was in the Bugweri area of Budaka, Pallisa, from the cassava factory – I think we were going to Kamonkoli; the feeder roads looked good but when I drove from Busunju to Mityana, the murram road there was bad and also the other road connecting to the tarmac road, but that one is being worked on. And when we were in Bunyangabu, this issue came up. The question is; what are the districts doing with the Shs 1.3 billion we are sending to them? What is happening? I am going to quietly send my spies to check on some of these roads and once I find that the road is not worked on and yet the Government people

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Salutations to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure. I thank the Government for compensating my people who were affected by the standard gauge railway project. Compensation stands at 85 per cent as of today, and I pray that the remaining 15 per cent is expedited so that people get value for their money. The area where they have already compensated people and demolished houses is turning into a habitat for criminals because jungles and bushes have developed in this place. I request that you clear the neighbours that remained to be cultivating fast-growing crops instead of us having forests in this place and turning it into a security threat. I have two Roads that originally belong to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) that are costing me a vote if at all I am not helped in the –(Interjection)- Yes, because people are saying the road is not accessible from Iganga district quarters through Nakigo to Bugweri, then from Iganga district quarters to Mayuge up to Bwondha. These are formerly UNRA roads but nothing is happening and they are impassable as we speak. Honourable minister, I request that you intervene as fast as possible. Finally, on 20th December 2020, the honourable minister, with your team, including the Head of State, the Rt Hon. Former Speaker, the Rt Hon. Former Secretary General, and the former Minister for Presidency, launched the tarmacking of Iganga-Luuka-Kamuli Road. People celebrated that this was a Christmas gift then. The equipment disappeared from then to date - (Member timed out.)

13758 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Phase III Rollout districts. This was at the procurement process for 145 road chokes spread over 487.7 km. It was at contract signing and site handover by then. Mr Speaker, in the third phase, Lira District was part of it but up to now the constructed roads have no bridges. The bridges were done in a shoddy way, and the heavy rain swept the bridges, yet it was stretching, crossing from Lira to Oyama. Substandard and wrong machinery The committee observed that most grantees were small and medium scale, where pilot projects were established at lower local government structures and levels to bring together farmers’ communities to add value to their farm produce. The committee discovered that the machinery at various grantees’ sites was inadequate and out of capacity to process high-value farm produce. The committee further noted that the machinery was devoid of complete design specification requirements to handle farm produce across the complete value chain, thereby rendering some machines meant for value addition idle because of assembling and installation. The machines were also noted to have visible signs of gradual depreciation. The committee was informed by the members of the Oturukuru Produce Dealers and Farmers Association in Kumi District that they had envisaged the installation of machines with complete value chain specifications and therefore expected the machine to hurl, sort, winnow, and package rice to market standard. This was frustrating. The committee was informed by some grantee members in the district that the district focal point person - because the ministry had allocated each focal point person at the district level, was not guiding, and did not support the procurement of the machinery, meaning that they went blindly and some procured machinery beyond their capacity, others did not have knowledge on how to operate it. The committee further observed that there was a general lack of technical support and guidance as stated in the earlier submission, and this was exacerbated by inadequate budget allocation and release for procurement of machines with requisite complete value chain specification. For example, incomplete and poor workmanship was seen in some facilities that we visited in Kalungu and Rakai districts. Two, non-functional facilities due to lack of electricity in Bugweri - three, government issues in Kole District; there were fights. Non-compatibility of machines in Pakwach, Pallisa, and Nebbi District - these all hindered the well-intended objectives of the project. Recommendation The committee recommends that the Government, through the relevant ministry, especially the Ministries of Finance Agriculture, Local Government, Energy, and Mineral Development, should collaborate to offer guidance and support to grantees to procure machinery with a complete value chain of production. Matching Grants Mr Speaker, the committee found out that some of the projects in some districts that had been constructed as a result of the matching grants were complete and functional. The investment items under this component include offices, storage facilities, shelter for hullers, guardhouses, fences, ventilated improved pit latrines, weighing scales, moisture metres, and a power extension. The committee was impressed by some of the successful groups like the Katwaniza Women Farmers’ in Hoima, Abongo Women Group in Pakwach, and Kasaali Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Kyotera, among others. [Ms Auma] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

13759 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2024 The committee, however, noted that despite parliamentary approval in 2016 of $150 million from the International Development Association of the World Bank to facilitate the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP), the implementation on various sides was noted to be less than 50 per cent complete, with some having limited space to handle farm produce in preparation for value addition processes. On the other hand, there was also delayed disbursement of approved funds. The committee received a submission from some cooperative society members that despite the requisition for funds by various farmers’ groups, direct disbursement of funds to facilitate implementation was as a result, as by then, April and May 2022, which was close to the expiry of the project. For instance, Bukose Balibona Buwerira Growers, Cooperative Union Limited in Bugweri applied for a grant in March 2018, and received funds in April 2022. The committee was informed by some members of Ayer Joint Youth Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited in Kole that ever since the society applied for a grant in November 2019, no response was received from the responsible authorities. The committee received another petition from Abagalanyi Kabira Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited. That is in Kyotera, Kabira Subcounty. This cooperative signed a grant agreement with MAAIF in January 2020 to benefit from this project. According to the agreement, the grant total of the project was Shs 322,350,000. The cooperative was to receive Shs 215,974,500 from MAAIF, while the cooperative was to contribute Shs 106,375,000. According to the petition, MAAIF released only Shs 147,400,000. In January 2020, up to the time of the reporting, the Ministry had not yet paid an outstanding balance of Shs 68,574,000. The committee further learnt that there had been anomalies cited by MAAIF that they required the cooperative to first address and the anomalies had been addressed, but MAAIF was not meeting their part of the agreement. The committee observed that the approval of ACDP funds was occasioned by a bureaucratic process that oftentimes delayed effective project execution. The committee notes that delayed disbursement of funds could not guarantee a successful and effective transformation of society, whose sole livelihood was agriculture. Recommendation The committee recommended that the project coordination unit, or at MAAIF, should institute a mechanism to expedite the requisition, and approval of funds to expedite their releases to facilitate project implementation. Mr Speaker, I want to emphasise this. There are very many companies that have contracts to supply these inputs and machinery, but we have been asking up to now. It is three years, and the project is in conclusion, but some of them have not been paid. Others have already lost property, and others are even dead, which is not right. This money is there. The government was not looking for money. And Ugandans have been paying this loan for 38 years. Financial performance of ACDP MAAIF reported that the project’s financial performance has kept improving steadily following the take-off of the major interventions, like Matching Grants and rehabilitation of road chokes. The committee learnt that since the last mission in April 2022, disbursement has remained the same, however, the expenditure increased from $95.6 million to $106.6 million, which is mainly due to the functionality of the e-voucher disbursement to Matching Grants to grantees under cohort one, two and three and payment to the contractors under road chokes.

13760 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT In the table here, it shows the overall project’s financial performance as of 30 September 2022. Honourable members, I hope you have seen. Loan expenditure by subcomponent By April 2022 and 30 September 2022, the project spent a total of $106.9 million. Table 4 below shows the expenditure by sub- component. I am not going to read that. Government and management challenges The committee established that some guarantees were marred with complex governance and management challenges, including but not limited to leadership wrangles, weak management, poor record-keeping, conflict and interest, non-accountability of grants, limited members’ participation, and low firm prices. Some of the management and governance cases the committee encountered during the oversight visit were as follows: a) The Bugweri Maize Farmers’ Cooperative Union and Ayer Joint Youth Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited. The members of Bugweri Farmers’ Cooperative, made accusations of their leadership on misappropriation of this grant disbursed to the union for implementing this project; b) There were also reported cases of impersonation like the case with Limoto Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited in Pallisa District; c) Reports from Dokolo Young Oil Seed Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited of multiple special interests in the management of the grantees’ affairs on account of financial contributions made by several donors; d) Lack of accountability of funds received by some corporations was likely evident with the improper and no bookkeeping when the committee requested to see the books of accounts. Some cooperatives could not produce them; and e) Some of the farmers’ associations that received matching grants were marred with conflicts of interest within, like the signatories to some accounts of the said association. For instance, the Zambogo Farmers Group in Kalungu, which had 87 members and had a man as the chairperson and his wife. The association had received Shs 160 million. This was managed by a family. There was a lot –

13462 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 modern geospatial centre, to be able to obtain data from a broad spectrum of satellites from partner nations. I have provided Shs 3.3 billion for space programme activities in the next Financial Year. I would like to commend His Excellency the President for spearheading the development of the knowledge economy through targeted funding of research and development and the scientists in general. Tumukubireko mungalo. (Applause) You are very mean. The president does this kind of thing and you do not clap for him? Nze nkankyekoleleko nzeka. (Applause) Mineral Development Madam Speaker, mineral development is another growth accelerator that has been earmarked by the Government to expand Uganda’s economy by ten-fold. It is going to support resource-based industrialisation into light manufacturing and high-tech exports. During the financial year we are ending, the following have been achieved in the mineral sector: i. The entire country has been fully mapped using airborne and ground geophysical technologies; ii. The National Mining Company has been incorporated as a commercial vehicle for investment and trading in minerals on behalf of the Government of Uganda; iii. Several key mineral development projects and mineral value addition centres have been developed, including; Wagagai, for gold mining in Busia, rare earth metals in Bugweri, a graphite project in Kitgum; a limestone mining project by Sunbird Resources Ltd in Moroto and Seven Gold Refineries in Kampala, among others; iv. M/s Woodcross Tin Smelting Company Ltd has established a tin smelter in Western Uganda to produce tin ingots to 99.95 percent tin grade. Next financial year, I have allocated Shs 41.55 billion to undertake the following interventions for further mineral developments: i. Fast-tracking quantification and market studies for all minerals for the purpose of investor promotion. ii. Operationalising the National Mining Company. iii. Further reviewing and strengthening the fiscal regime for minerals, including regulation of artisanal and small-scale miners. iv. Developing the e-government mineral production system and data bank for mineral statistics; v. Commencing construction of Busia and Moroto beneficiation centres and strengthening the Ntungamo and Fort Portal centres; and vi. Facilitating private sector participation in exploration, mining and value addition to minerals. Oil and Gas Madam Speaker, Uganda is progressing steadily toward the first oil in Financial Year 2025/2026. During the financial year we are ending, the following have been achieved: i. The Upstream Petroleum Project has advanced with drilling works in preparation for production; ii. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project is on track with 500 kilometres of pipeline delivered in Tanzania. The target is to lay 100 kilometres per month; iii. The thermal insulation plant for heating the EACOP in Tabora, Tanzania was commissioned in March this year; iv. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has issued two new exploration licences to Uganda National Oil Company and DGR Global, an Australian-based company;

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

11360 DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT 4. Hon. Stephen Baka- Bukooli County North; 5. Hon. Rachael Magoola - Bugweri 6. Hon. Milton Muwuma - Kigulu County South; 7. Hon. Michael Wanyama- Namayingo South County; 8. Hon. Yona Kayogera - Busiki North County; 9. Hon. Godfrey Wakooli - Butiru County; 10. Hon. Paul Chelimo - Kongasis County; 11. Dr Abraham Isamat - Kapir County; 12. Hon. David Lagen - Agago County; 13. Hon. Ben Baatom - Dodoth West County; 14. Hon. Ruth Lematia - Marach East County 15. Hon. Agnes Acibu - Nebi; 16. Hon. Helen Kahunde - Kiryandongo; 17. Hon. Gaffa Mbwatekamwa - Igara County West; and 18. Hon. Caroline Kamusiime - Rukiga Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

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

10744 TRIBUTE T O T HE L ATE HON. HENRY K . M . K Y EMBA what is remembered. I see some of you trying to hide; it is wrong to hide a wrong. Please do not, for heaven’s sake. What they will be speaking about you is exactly that. If there is something going wrong in the country, we are all cooked as Ugandans. It takes sober voices, like the one of Hon. Kyemba to tell Amin “Please, there is this; why can’t you sort it out?” and a soul is saved. Regimes commit mistakes every other day but sober people in those regimes help. Sometimes they are overwhelmed and there is nothing you can do about it. However, if you are serving a regime and it is committing a mistake and you have a voice, please say, “This is wrong.” You may say it internally; you do not have to go in the newspapers or social media, but we expect you when you have an opportunity to point it out. How do you for heaven’s sake- Somebody saying one person has been kidnapped and you come to the House and say “No, it has not happened.” What is the difference between you and the one who served Amin and committed a crime? Honourable members, Hon. Kyemba was a great statesman. Why? Basoga can own him naturally because he came from our place. By the way, his first primary school - Rt Hon. Kadaga, was Busesa Primary School in Bugweri. The foundation of his education is Bugweri – (Laughter)- and indeed, many of the big Basoga personalities, it is Bugweri-founded, including Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga; she is our daughter from Bugweri. We donated her to Kamuli - (Interjection) isn’t that so? Even Rt Hon. Nakadama is from Bugweri and we donated her to Mayuge - (Interjection)- Yes, ask her. She is from Buwooya and you can go on. Whether you are talking about Hon. Wanume Kibedi, Mr Luwuliza-Kirunda, Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja, mention it –(Interjections)- and yours truly, of course. (Laughter) For us, at that time, Busesa Primary School produced some of the best and we are happy that we donated Hon. Henry Kyemba to this country. The testimony of non-Basoga because – Mr Speaker, 60 per cent of the people who have spoken today are non-Basoga; therefore, it ceases even to be a tribal issue. How many of you are beyond your small little tribes, and clans? Everybody wants to say, “I am a Musoga; I am a Munyankole ; I am Lango,” but it does not work in this Parliament. We should be saying, “We are Ugandans.” That is why that man managed to serve the Rotary movement – because it was “service beyond self.” In Rotary, they do not know their tribes and religions. That is why you see them as nationalists and statesmen. Hon. Kyemba was soft-spoken. By the way, he was not an orator but he was a communicator and very knowledgeable. That is an encyclopaedia lying in that coffin today. And my young brother, Hon. Nathan, has just talked about it; you could ask Henry Kyemba anything and he would have an answer. As a country, we have lost one of one of our finest. Hon. Kyemba, travel well and rest in peace.

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

Ordinarily, we are not opposed to borrowing. We are only opposed to unguided borrowing and poor management of these loans. With respect to this loan, you will notice that it is national in character, over basic infrastructure that we need for development. My attention has specifically been drawn to the coverage and the question of equity. Although I want the minister to correct the impression that Bugweri and Kitagwenda are in central region - making the coverage in the central region appear to be 28 districts, whereas they are actually 26. The rest reflect a national character and the equitable distribution of the benefits of this loan. We noticed equally from the terms that this is a concessional loan with an element of a grant and I kept asking: where have these honourable gentleman and ladies been all along as we were choking in the most difficult loans that we have contracted in the past? Access to electricity is key to development as well as saving the environment. The committee made a report without a minority report this time, which normally shrouds controversial issues from both sides. Therefore, we urge the people that are going to manage this loan to ensure that we have value- for-money so that when we start to pay, we are really paying for value and that this loan will encourage, increase or improve productivity. We have always complained about the absence of a debt management policy. In fact, other countries in the region have gone ahead to enact debt management laws and policy. A case in point is Zambia. There is a debt policy and plan, which must be laid before Parliament annually. I think we need to take such good examples. Finally, the honourable minister has talked about a multi- sectoral committee that is going to participate in the management of this loan. I am one of those that have consistently and persistently been opposed to the abolition of Rural Electrification Authority (REA). Madam Speaker, all the problems in REA, which have largely been managerial, could have been sorted. You must give credit to REA in the distribution of electricity. I think they got us from far. Madam Speaker, taking this back to the mainstream ministry will have its challenges that have dogged all other infrastructure issues. How I wish the Government would reconsider the decision - [Mr Ikojo] RESOLUTION TO BORROW

He specifically raised concern regarding the land acquisition process being undertaken in that area. Madam Speaker, as per your guidance, my ministry undertook to provide clarification in respect of the operations of Rwenzori Rare Metals Company in Bugiri, Bugweri, Iganga and Mayuge districts. Background My ministry carried out an airborne geophysical survey covering 80 percent of Uganda in 2005. The survey detected potential for rare earth elements in Makuutu, among other findings. Subsequently, my ministry granted an exploration licence to Rwenzori Rare Metals. Further, geological studies by Rwenzori Rare Metals, including drilling, have revealed 532 million tons of ore containing rare earth elements. The exploration activities have confirmed the existence of rare earth elements in mineable quantities in three districts of Mayuge, Bugweri and Bugiri. The rare earth element deposits found within the Makuutu Rare Earth Project Area is one of the largest in the world, after South China. Rare earth elements are essential for the manufacture of medical equipment, smartphones, laptops, crude oil processing, batteries for electric vehicles, and wind turbines, among many other uses. Rare earth elements are critical for the global transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy. Rare earth elements are key in many new and upcoming technologies; technological applications in electronics, including computers, lighting, magnets, and various other uses. With this innovation, the ministry will ensure that Uganda minerals are explored and exploited in a sustainable manner that supports the growth of the economy of the country, and uplifts the standards of living of our people. The Makuutu Rare Earth Project is one of the key projects that can lead to the industrialisation of Uganda and position the country on the international stage as one of the very few countries in the world that mine rare earth elements. Currently, the production of rare earth elements is dominated by China; so we would only be second to China. The exploration and development of the project requires land access and support from the community and the different leaders. The land acquisition laws of Uganda ensure that adequate and fair compensation will be paid judiciously to the land owners that would be affected. Compensation, land access and resettlement for Project Affected Person (PAPs) The ministry will ensure that where PAPs properties, including land and infrastructure are affected, the PAPs will be duly compensated or resettled before the company can utilise the land. There will be no evictions carried out by the company. The ministry is aware that the development of the Makuutu project will create lots of benefits to the community and the country both through direct and indirect benefits that come with such projects. The development of the project will also cause temporary and permanent resettlement impacts in the project area. Rare earth mineral is currently developing a resettlement action