Bukedea District

Thank you. Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa followed by Bukedea followed by Lugazi.

Then you can answer on Thursday in written form. Yes, Bukedea.

Thank you. Mr Speaker. As you may know, Bukedea District is the open gate to Teso. We have been having a challenge of River Sironko where water floods to Bukedea District. However, there is a bridge between Sironko and Bukedea, which has become a death trap. Almost every week, whenever people try to cross to Bukedea for business purposes, we end up registering a lot of deaths when people fall into water. We request the Prime Minister to see that this is taken into – (Member timed out.)

To cut the story of Apio short - she had been married for 20 years, and she has got adult children, like 18 and so on, teenagers, but she had never handled Shs 1 million in her life. She did not have land. When she got the land, when she got the Shs 1 million, she did not have her own land. She had to go and hire three acres from somebody else, grow maize, sell the maize, put some of the money back into agriculture, and then buy those sheep the ones you saw. When I was there during campaigns, she told me she had now 60 sheep. For me I did not know about sheep. Who buys sheep? She is the one who told me that, “No, South Sudanese like sheep, they buy.” Therefore, our people are clever when supported. They even know things we do not know. I did not know anything about sheep. Even in my dreams, I cannot dream about sheep, but she knew that sheep have a market in South Sudan. Nabutono, I do not know who buys Ssekkokko. I have no idea. But they know. So what they lack is support. Therefore, I want the Kisozi model. I do not want to live in a parish with poor people. That is what I told them. N’abe Kikisozi nabagamba nti sagaala kulirana baavu. Njagala kugenda mu ggulu (I want to go to heaven.) I do not want the angels to block me, saying, “ You were in Kisozi, you had neighboring poor people, and you kept quiet.” I must tell you - I told them. Now, you saw the house of Lule - let us watch that video with that man - show it to us again, his house and the coffee plantation. ( A video presentation was made.) - The man of Kisozi - see the house, car, coffee - that is how they are now. Therefore, leadership is not for ego, but for the people and the country. In agriculture, it is possible to have a Pan-Ugandan rural transformation. In the Kisozi area, I have nine villages with 2,048 homesteads now. As of today, all 2,048 homesteads have joined the money economy with coffee, bananas, dairy farming, goat rearing, and poultry. You did not show us the video with my manager at Kisozi, Nalwanga. Don’t you have her video? I have got a girl whom I have educated from P2. She went to Ndejje, and she is the one managing - Nalwanga - these people do not like my useful people. Nalwanga tebamwagala wano . In the cattle corridor, most of the original families have joined the money economy through dairy farming. In order to stabilise agriculture, we are addressing the issue of irrigation. Apart from the big irrigation schemes such as Mobuku, Doho, etc., we are developing many micro solar-powered irrigation schemes, working with a British group known as Nexus Green. As we speak, they have worked with the Government to put solar-powered irrigation schemes in Ngora, Serere, Bukedea, Amolatar, Kwania, Apac, Kassanda, Masaka, Mukono. Those are some of the irrigation schemes. In conclusion, however, the two residual problems with the peasantry are, as I pointed out above, some of them still rely on okusetura , free range, which underutilises the land. A square mile of a well-cleared farm, no bushes, no muteete , no shrubs, no acacia, will cater for 300 long-horn cattle, including the calves. With pasture growing and zero grazing, a square mile will cater for 6,000 cattle.

2 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 6. Abeja Susan Jolly District Woman Representative Otuke NRM 7. Abigaba Cuthbert Mirembe Kibale County Kamwenge NRM 8. Acamfua Topista District Woman Representative Zombo Independent 9. Acan Joyce Okeny PWD Representative N/A NRM 10. Achayo Juliet Lodou Ngora County Ngora NRM 11. Achia Lokiru Gabriel Jie County Kotido NRM 12. Achola Catherine District Woman Representative Pallisa NRM 13. Aber Lillian District Woman Representative Kitgum NRM 14. Acom Alobo Joan City Woman Representative Soroti FDC 15. Aayoo Joyce Makamoe District Woman Representative Abim Independent 16. Acon Julius Bua Otuke East County Otuke NRM 17. Adeke Anna Ebaju District Woman Representative Soroti FDC 18. Adidwa Abdu Bukooli South County Namayingo Independent 19. Agaba Gilbert Workers Representative N/A Independent 20. Agaba Peter Ibanda Municipality Ibanda NRM 21. Ahebwa Wilber Manyisa Nakaseke North County Nakaseke NRM 22. Akello Beatrice Akori District Woman Representative Agago NRM 23. Aine Godfrey Kaguta Mawogola North County Ssembabule NRM 24. Akello Lucy District Woman Representative Amuru FDC 25. Akello Rose Lilly District Woman Representative Karenga NRM 26. Akol Anthony Kilak North County Amuru NRM 27. Akorikin Francis Kapelebyong County Kapelebyon NRM 28. Aguti Sarah District Woman Representative Dokolo UPC 29. Akugizibwe Aled Ronald Buruli County Masindi NRM 30. Akumu Catherine Mavenjina Older Persons Representative Northern NRM 31. Alenyo Marshall Godfrey Jonam County Pakwach Independent 32. Alioni Yorke Odria Aringa South County Yumbe NRM 33. Among Anita Annet District Woman Representative Bukedea NRM 34. Magogo Moses Hassim Budiope East County Buyende NRM 35. Opolot Isiagi Patrick Kachumbala County Bukedea NRM 36. Okwere David Beecham Bukedea County Bukedea NRM 37. Namulondo Sarah District Woman Representative Buyende NRM 38. Pedun Josephine District Woman Representative Ngora NRM 39. Aeku Patrick Soroti County Soroti NRM 40. Alyela Denis Omodi Lira East Division Lira City NRM 41. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano District Woman Representative Kisoro NRM 42. Akugizibwe Lawrence Mwenge County North Kyenjojo NRM 43. Amanya Cohen Kyampene Igara County West Bushenyi NRM 44. Achia Cathy District Woman Representative Kaabong NRM 45. Acom Esther District Woman Representative Serere Independent 46. Amaniyo Draville Sheilah District Woman Representative Mukono NUP 47. Aceng Jane Ruth District Woman Representative Lira City NRM 48. Ajilo Maria Gorretti Elogu District Woman Representative Kalaki NRM 49. Adome Francis Lorika Moroto Municipality Moroto NRM 50. Ameede Agnes District Woman Representative Butebo NRM 51. Amongin Jane Frances Okili District Woman Representative Kaberamaido NRM 52. Angura Fredrick Tororo South County Tororo NRM 53. Angwech Colline Kioga County Amolatar UPC 54. Anifa Bangirana Mawogola West County Ssembabule NRM 55. Anyakun Esther Davinia District Woman Representative Nakapiripirit NRM 56. Acheng Sandra District Woman Representative Kole NRM

18805 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 APRIL 2026 I also have a contribution of Shs 1,000,000 from the Government Chief Whip. It was sent to Hon. Ssekabira, who, in turn, gave the money to Hon. Kirumira. I also have a condolence letter from the Inter- Parliamentary Assembly of the Orthodox church, sent to the Speaker, and I will still give it to Hon. Kirumira. We also have a condolence message from Kibuli Secondary School. Allow me to read this one. It is addressed to the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda. The reference is Namirimu Melanie Suubi - Senior One, and it reads: “We express our heartfelt condolences to the Parliament of Uganda for the loss of the Member of Parliament and mother of our student, Melanie Suubi, Senior One, Hon. Helen Nakimuli. Namirimu Melanie Suubi is a student in our school in senior one. School name, Kibuli Secondary School, and her account number is…” They have put the account number. So, they are indirectly saying that here is your child. I have a condolence message from the Parliamentary SACCO. I know we are all friends with the Hon. Nakimuli, aren’t we? I would like to thank you for turning up in big numbers; the House is full. I would like to thank you for loving Hon. Nakimuli. Hon. Nakimuli has left us with a flower. Hon. Nakimuli is not dead; Hon. Nakimuli has left a daughter behind. On receipt of that letter, we thought twice, I, together with my family, decided that under our school, to pay the school fees up to Senior four. We have paid the fees, and here is the receipt. The money was paid in by Hon. Kirumira himself, up to Senior four. This was done under the Bukedea Comprehensive School and the Anita and Magogo Foundation. (Applause) Honourable members, a problem with one of us is a problem for all of us. Today it is happening to Hon. Helen, tomorrow it could happen to any of us. Any reaction to my communication? There is no reaction. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. HELEN NAKIMULI, FORMER WOMAN REPRESENTATIVE, KALANGALA DISTRICT

Madam Speaker, the information I am giving the House is that your school imported sports equipment. You had to write letters and call Hon. Matia Kasaija, but the minister for finance refused to give a waiver to Bukedea Comprehensive School for sports equipment. Why is it that others get waivers easily, yet Madam Speaker cannot get a waiver? What do those people do behind the scenes to get waivers?

Honourable members, actually, a constituency in Ntungamo is the size of my district, Bukedea. Do you understand? Why would Bukedea be given Shs 1 billion and a district like Ntungamo is also given Shs 1 billion? We should be looking at the size and the population. Yes, Member from Ntungamo?

18647 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 Luwero, Nakasongola as well as water supply schemes in districts such as Terego, Moyo, Lamwo, Zombo, Agago, Pader, Namutumba, Mayuge, Ssembabule, Mityana, Isingiro, Kazo, Kyenjojo, Bukedea, Kanungu, Moroto, Kakumiro and Abim, among others. Colleagues, I can see that some of you are trying to keep pace. I jumped into the executive summary, which is on page, Page 3. However, the committee also notes material implementation constraints, particularly funding gaps, delayed counterpart funding, stalled contractor obligations, weak operation and maintenance financing, land acquisition delays, environmental compliance burdens, and institutional capacity limitations, which, if not addressed, will undermine the political credibility of the budget. Madam Speaker, the context of this report is that sectors and Votes under the committee’s purview are central to the Government’s broader economic growth for various reasons. First, energy powers production and industry, while the extractives are expected to create fiscal space and employment. On the other hand, water supports life and production, while environmental management protects the natural resource base on which the growth ultimately depends. The committee notes that the significance of these Votes is not abstract. In many constituencies, the Government is judged by whether power reaches the households, trading centres and industrial parks; whether piped water reaches institutions, towns and villages; whether boreholes and small schemes remain functional; whether the first oil is obtained and is properly regulated; and whether wetlands, forests and the fragile landscapes are actually protected for the benefit of all. This means that the budget scrutiny in these sectors must go beyond the aggregate figures and focus squarely on whether planned projects are financed, implemented, and sustained in actual locations where Ugandans live and work. Madam Speaker, I will go straight to Item 7.0: Programme budget allocations for Financial Year 2026/2027. Analysis of Vote 017 Vote 017: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development contributes to the sustainable energy development programme and a sustainable extractives industry development programme of the National Development Plan IV (NDPIV), with policy priorities covering electricity generation, transmission, distribution, clean cooking, petroleum infrastructure, minerals development, geothermal development, and strategic industrial energy investments. Madam Speaker, the committee notes, from the updated submissions of the budget estimates, that the total budget allocation for vote 017 rises from Shs 1.844 billion, in the Financial Year 2025/2026, to Shs 2.282 billion, in Financial Year 2026/2027, representing an increase of Shs 438.11 billion. Table two thereby gives you, colleagues , an overview of how these resources have been allocated. The committee further notes that the ministry’s functional allocation reflects a major emphasis on transmission, distribution, petroleum, and administration-related land acquisition and institutional costs, alongside continued support to generation, minerals, and clean cooking. Colleagues, table 4 gives us an allocation of resources by major functional areas. Madam Speaker, the committee notes that the ministry has identified substantial project outlay for Financial Year 2026/2027, and the medium term, and many of these projects are location-specific and visible. Colleagues, the major planned projects under Vote 017 represent the following, which I believe is a point of critical concern to most of us here. There is a project of Mutundwe-Buloba- Kabulasoke-Masaka and Kabulasoke-Nkonge-

18653 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 and development partners, namely SCAP 100, Kampala Water-Lake Victoria and Sanitation Project, the Southwestern Cluster, the Integrated Water Management and Development Project, and the Wakiso West Water Sanitation Project. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation funding gap in the Financial Year 26/27 is provided for under Table 19. In particular, you note that there is a funding gap of Shs 62 billion for SCAP 100, 45 in the seven towns water project between Karuma and Gulu. As you might know, a multi-million thirty million cubic water supply project was set up at Karuma to supply Oyam, Gulu, and the neighbouring districts of Northern Uganda. Therefore, this money is necessary for the distribution of this water. There is need to undertake urgent but critical water projects in Nakawuka, in Kakumiro, and in Bukedea, which remains one of the only districts in Teso currently not covered sufficiently by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. These provide us with a requirement of about Shs 50 billion, to be specific. Madam Speaker, the committee remains deeply concerned about the continued accumulation of the government water arrears owed to National Water and Sewerage Corporation because this undermines the corporation’s cash flow, weakens its creditworthiness, and constrains its capacity to sustain service delivery and finance new infrastructure investments. The updated arrears information submitted to the committee shows that as at the end of March 2026, the outstanding arrears stood at approximately Shs 75.37 billion. The committee notes that a significant portion of the verified water areas owed by the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to National Water was accumulated over two Financial years and amounted to Shs 24.42 billion as of February 2025. Madam Speaker, you might note that with your leadership and with the work of this Parliament, the Government provided money to clear the outstanding arrears that were owed to National Water by the MDAs. I wish to note here that the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, in particular, and the Uganda Police Force -

18655 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 Recommendations under the National Water and Sewerage Corporation i) The Government should prioritise the additional Shs 86 billion required under the Government of Uganda component of the National Water 26/27 capital program; ii) The responsible MDAs should immediately remit the outstanding water areas owed to National Water, and persistent non- remission should attract budgetary sanctions; iii) Parliament should use its appropriation power to reallocate part of the recurrent budgets of votes that persistently default on water payments to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation; and iv) Priority counterpart financing should be directed towards the Nakaoka, Kakumiro, Bukedea, and Karuma Gulu transmission mains and south-western cluster obligations because these affect highly visible public water projects. Vote 150: National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) i) The budget of the National Environment Management Authority for inspections, field mobility, laboratory services, digital monitoring systems, and specialised oversight in oil, gas, mining, and urban pollution hotspots should be enhanced; ii) The minister responsible for the environment should and should make quarterly reports on NEMA’s processing of national, environmental, and social impact assessments, compliance inspections, restoration orders, extractives monitoring, and coordination with sector ministries and local governments; and iii) The Government should support the filling of critical staffing gaps to bring the authority closer to its approved establishment. The Summary of Budget Estimates for the next Financial Year The committee proposes that the following budget estimates be allocated to the various votes under its mandate Vote 017: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Recurrent expenditure The committee proposes Shs 205,740,000,000. Development expenditure The committee proposes Shs 2,077,050,000,000. The total is Shs 2,282,790,000,000. Vote 139: Petroleum Authority of Uganda Under recurrent expenditure, the committee proposes Shs 61,380,000,000. Development expenditure - Shs 44,840,000,000. Total of Shs 160,870,000,000 -

You can also add Bukedea there, I have seen -

Yes, Bukedea Stadium can also be added. (Laughter)

Thank you. Honourable minister, start with the connectivity in Bukedea. (Laughter)

Honourable member, you are saying it is countrywide but what I am seeing, is in urban areas and what is being done is a trade order. Although for me, I have not seen it in Bukedea. So, when you say it is countrywide - what we can do is to include it on the business of the next sitting so that we debate and discuss the issue. However, before we debate it, we will ask the minister to come with a report. We will not adjourn the House or any matter. Now, let us continue with the proceedings as it is. But we will set a date - Mr Okema, put it on the Order Paper of the next sitting, the minister must bring a report to that effect.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The reason I am using rule 66 is because by the time you put it on the Order Paper, people’s structures will not be returned. People are crying. They may not be crying in Bukedea, but I have seen the ones here who are also crying for cattle. These ones are crying for businesses that are being demolished. They cannot pay school fees and the rule says this matter should be debated today, not at the next sitting. That is why the rule is there.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also join my other colleagues in thanking the committee members for this report. However, as the chairperson of the committee has mentioned here, I still have an issue. Yes, we have not reached the committee stage, but I have an issue with Clause 9, where the committee suggests that if Mama Bukedea FM and Sure FM radio stations want to play songs of either Mpenkoni or any artist, they have to pay the artist. Madam Speaker, I think, yes, the radio or the television may benefit from playing these songs, but also the artists –

If I played “Obangaina” on Bukedea radio, how would you know?

Let us say Mama Bukedea is playing to entertain the public.

Yes, for free. When you advertise on Mama Bukedea, it is free.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Kumi Municipality, the people of the greater Kumi, which includes Kumi, Bukedea and Ngora, and on behalf of the people of Teso, I am here to convey sincere condolences. It is a huge loss. For us in Kumi and Ngora, we have a family kind of relationship because Ngora was born out of Kumi. Equally, Bukedea was born out of Kumi, and whatever happens in those two districts affects us directly. The departure of Hon. Isodo affects us, the people of Kumi, directly. We feel the gap, and I feel it on behalf of the people of Kumi, particularly Kumi Municipality. Madam Speaker, the last time that I had enough time to chat with Hon. Isodo was when she was launching the Parliamentary Forum on Cooperatives at Hotel Africana. The colleague who said that she was there alone did not know that after she had left, we came in and many Members turned up. That is the day I realised that Hon. Isodo was a woman of material.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to join the rest in remembering our sister Hon. Stella. I joined the Committee on Agriculture with Hon. Stella in 2021, and we have been close. She treated me like her maid because each time I sat next to her and did something wrong, she would bark at me. If I tried to find out what somebody said, she would tell me to be attentive. I remember that of Hon. Stella. She also made me join the forum for cooperatives. I come from Ngora. Madam Speaker, I remember when we went to Bukedea, she picked me from your home and took me to Ngora. We had lost someone dear. She introduced me before the people, saying, “Christine -” she used to call me “my voter.” “Please, do not come and vote from home”, - my dad comes from Ngora – “You’re my voter.” I told her, “I do not know the language, so I will not come to Ngora, but I will contest in Lango.” That is Stella; we have lost a friend and colleague. I would also like to bring to your attention, Madam Speaker, that on the 12 th , I was going to die before Hon. Stella during the just concluded elections. I was picked up by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). They raided and drove me for 30 kilometres on a pickup and with bullets. I made noise to be rescued. Police pursued us - (Member timed out.)

LOP, actually what you are saying is correct because even when we empower, most of the empowerment is within the Kampala youth; your voters. You find the Bukedea people complaining. You are one of the beneficiaries of this empowerment. You see this kind of thing.

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

Thank you, Hon. Ameede. Honourable minister, we share the health centre she is talking about. We are neighbours. Part of it is from Bukedea and the other from her constituency. Committee chairperson, you now understand why I was telling you to structure your report in a way that Kachuru Health Centre is on this and that date. When we come to debate this, we would specifically look at the status of those promises.

Honourable minister, I also got a call from children from Bukedea stating that they had been sent back and that they were over and above the required numbers. I asked for the criteria for sending those back. There is information here.

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

Therefore, Bukedea is a very friendly district.

Bukedea is a good neighbour, and it has been helping us. However, it is sad that Mbale City has to look at Bukedea District to help with some of these services. Lastly, is the issue of garbage. Madam Speaker, we need to look at how we can relocate –

Honourable members, you will recall that yesterday various issues were raised in regard to the hosting of CHAN. The person who raised this issue, the Shadow Minister for Sports, clearly said that we are lighting our candle and keeping it under the bed. The issue that he raised was on the visibility of hosting, and pursuant to Rule 54(1) of the Rules of Procedure, I will allow the minister responsible – that is Hon. Peter Ogwang – to present a report on how ready we are, as a country, to host the CHAN. How do we know that our teams are playing on a particular date? Are we playing as Uganda, and if we are, when is the game? How will people in Katakwi, Bukedea and Buyende know that there is CHAN in Uganda? Basically, we are using CHAN as a precursor to AFCON 2027 and to promote our country. Over to the honourable minister.

Honourable minister for Sports, first, I would like to thank you that Uganda is hosting CHAN. We are saying, “You cannot light your candle and leave it under the bed.” It will not serve the purpose. So many people do not know that we are hosting CHAN. Apart from the other day - I think on Friday - when the President went and launched the ball and the jersey, the people deep down in Bukedea do not get to know what is happening in Kololo.

Lastly, I would like to point out that this entire budget is corruption-led. Hon. Ssemujju has done justice in pointing out the areas. When you examine the items proposed to this Parliament for financing which he listed – donations, corporate social responsibility and etc. – it is just money we are passing for people to enjoy. I would rather support that these monies are allocated to, for example, the education sector. If you go to Kwarikwar Subcounty in Bukedea –

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

17262 THE HIDESAND SKINS (EXPORT DUTY) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 Margaret, Hon. Acuti, the Member of Parliament for Butaleja, Dr Kamara, Hon. Akello, and the Members of Parliament for Mitooma, Mbarara and Ibanda. The others are: Hon. Jennifer, the Member of Parliament for Maracha, Dr Emily, Hon. Betty, Hon. Atima Lee, Hon. Goli, the Members of Parliament for Bukedea, Alebtong and Zombo, Dr Ayume, Member of Parliament for Ngora, and the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Budget, Hon. Achia and Hon. Leku. Even mama Mavenjina and Hon. Hellen. Speak to your motion.

The letter was written to me and the amendment says, “to the Speaker.” Do you want me to delegate to the Minister of Kampala? what we can do is to give our committee to go and see that land, give us a report before we approve. The issue is referred to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure and will report back immediately. Next item? Hon. Nathan, I want to ask, if I am to sell the land in Bukedea - if the district wants to sell land - do they have to come and ask for permission from Parliament? That is what the amendment of your law says.

No, it is not only Kampala City. It is any Vote holder. An accounting officer in Bukedea has to come and seek for authorisation in Parliament. Next? MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO AUTHORISE GOVERNMENT TO BORROW UP TO UNITED STATES DOLLARS (USD) DEVELOPMENT BANK AND (USD) FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF KUMI-NGORA-SERERE- KAGWARA ROAD (98KM)

17124 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 [Mr Awany] cargo has on the country’s national roads, and consequently recommends that the ministry be allocated additional funding to the tune of Shs 4 billion to enable it to complete the first phase of the project. The committee also urges the Government of Uganda to always honour its commitment to counterpart funding. Rural Bridges Infrastructure Development The committee was informed that the ministry is implementing a Rural Bridges Infrastructure Development project intending to enhance rural connectivity and access to essential services, focusing on trail bridges, for safe passage in areas where traditional bridges were lacking. The committee was further informed that in the Financial Year 2024/25, the ministry had planned to carry out various bridge constructions in the districts of Bundibugyo, that is, Nyahuka-Mirambi Bridge, Bulambuli-/ Bukedea-Taja Bridge, Pallisa-Aleles Bridge, Kasese-Karujumba Bridge, Sironko- Bujibundi-Buna-Dasa Bridge-

Thank you, committee chairperson. Thank you for the comprehensive report. It will be captured in full on the Hansard . Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this morning, we have students and teachers from Bukedea Comprehensive School, Bukedea District. They are represented by our very own, the Rt Hon. Speaker, Anita Annet Among and the Hon. Ngoya John Bosco. They have come to observe proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) You can stand up. They are very smart. Thank you. The minister for gender is here so debate can start. I will start with Hon. Noeline Kisembo, followed by UWOPA, followed by Hon. Aogon. Three minutes each.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Allow me to take a minute to welcome the students of Bukedea Comprehensive Academy. You know, I studied in Mbale Comprehensive, so I had to welcome the students. I worked in Bukedea from 2006 to 2015, before I resigned to enter politics. These are our home products. Mr Speaker, a few comments here. One is on the issue of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project. I agree with the committee. We need to support the Government to get money for counterpart funding and what have you. The issue is whether the money is reaching us. For instance, in Kumi, I would love the committee to tell me how many women from my place have benefited. That is critical. We do not want to fund what we do not know. Two, there is this issue of rent for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Until then, Mr Speaker? It is high time we committed ourselves. If we are constructing offices, let us do that. The amount of money that we are putting into rent is too much, in my opinion. We must stop this kind of bleeding.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join you in welcoming the students of Bukedea Progressive Academy. Students, you are welcome and this House needs you and me after your education. This is where you are supposed to come to legislate. When we grow up, you are the ones to take over. Mr Speaker, I will talk about the GROW Project. Last year, we were called for capacity building as Members of Parliament and in that training, we were told that it was a program meant for everybody. Two weeks back, I was surprised when somebody said, “This is the programme that I have brought for the people”, and yet this is a Government program for Ugandans and not by an individual. We need maybe to update some of our members. Even if we are going for votes, we need to get the votes rightly because that is killing the program. The other thing I would like to talk about is the issue of street children. In the Soroti district and City, we have street children who have become a very big problem and if the Government does not intervene, they can be used by any other person because they are capable of doing anything. Even now they have their organisation and their chairperson. If you ask yourself, where does their chairperson take reports, although, I have not heard the intervention of Government from the report. I thank you.

Madam Speaker, the women referred to you as an Iron Lady, if I remember very well, on that day. Indeed, thank you very much for making our women feel very comfortable. You are one of the champions when it comes to empowering the girl child. You have given so many scholarships to girls. We thank you as a country. You are actually a role model to many outside there, Madam Speaker. As we talk of financial inclusiveness of women in economic empowerment, Madam Speaker, the women, I remember, commended the Parish Development Model. However, when it came to the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, there was a general problem. Last week, the presiding officer requested the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development to come and lay on the Floor of Parliament a comprehensive report. In fact, Members cried out loud that they just hear about GROW for women, but they do not know how many beneficiaries they have in their districts. In Arua City, we do not have any beneficiary. We wondered how this GROW Project was designed. Madam Speaker, in refugee camps, the NGOs are doing very well when it comes to training the girl-child in making reusable sanitary towels. Our parents in the ancient days did not use pads. They used clothes. Today, Madam Speaker, women cannot even afford - that rural person in Bukedea, and Arua City - to buy a sanitary pad of Shs 3,000. Why can’t the Government come up with a programme in every school to train our girl-child to make reusable sanitary towels, in order to curb them from dropping out of school?

16699 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 11 MARCH 2025 for the report. Many years ago, I went to Bukedea Secondary School, and I remember in my S.1, we did not have a Bunsen burner and it is part of the reason why I failed to become a scientist. That situation has not changed with computers. Computers remain a mystery for rural schools. This year, my only school, Kaberamaido Secondary School, took a computer exam for S.4, but we had to hire computers. This should stop. We cannot talk about a competency-based curriculum without equipment like a computer. I hope that the ministries responsible can take this seriously so that these computers are available to our young people so that they can be very creative. The closest our young people have gotten to computing is using a phone. All the creativity we are talking about in a competency-based curriculum is in computing. I think the committee was spot-on. Related to that is the issue of electricity, and I couldn’t agree more that most rural schools are having problems with access. Power is there once a week, and the teachers are labouring. Even where there are computers, they cannot do anything because the cost of running generators, which most of the schools do not have, remains a challenge. They were also spot-on on the issue of taxation. I think the tax regimes have to be reviewed to allow - there was a time in this country when we were allowing computers to come, and that enabled them to come free and access increased. If we could go back to that just because of this curriculum that we are implementing so that schools can access more computers. The committee did not say anything about the integrated health system, which is also now computerized - that doctors can access information which is available at the centre, even from the rural areas. This relates both to the internet and access to computers. I thank the committee and hope that the responsible ministries can take it up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. We can also have a Committee of the whole House to agree that we need Shs 1 billion for power in Bukedea, Kakumiro and other districts. Those in favour say, “aye” – (Laughter) – Hon. Patrick?

Bukedea.

Oh, I know Bukedea. I have been to Bukedea many times. Madam Speaker, I request the honourable member to help us and put in the writing so that I can put the Minister of Works and Transport to task to make sure that those people are paid.

16501 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2025 candidate classes, they are sent away to other schools because these schools only want cer - tain grades. We must appreciate – but we need to deal with the challenge of the A’s, because I saw, even in trying to, you know, pick the stu - dents who are going to A-Level, some schools zeroed on only A’s. We need to stop that, Madam Speaker. We need to mix these students because a student who scores a C in a certain school, when they move to sit with these other children who have the A’s – The C’s from Bukedea, perform better than the A’s here.

No, the ones from Bukedea get A’s. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We need to actually educate the population. Not on the A’s and B’s, but rather tell them that a child who has got Result 1 and Result 2, has passed. That is what we need to tell them. Oth - erwise, we will end up with another challenge. The increasing suicide is another issue. Parents are moving their children from certain schools to other schools, because they believe they need to get A’s, if they move to Seeta Schools, to Bukedea Secondary School and others, to get those –

Why do you talk about Bukedea and not Tororo or TGS? (Laughter)

Madam Speaker, I am only giv - ing examples, but thank God that Bukedea is one of them. The other issue is the children who have failed; 6,974 is a big number. Can the Government tell us what they plan to do for these students? That is a huge number of people going to sit in the villages. They have failed; what next? Can we see how to empower them, maybe, through skilling? We have vocational schools; are they eligible to enrol into these vocational schools? These are the things that we need to know. I thank the ministry, but also plead; Commu - nity schools are struggling with coding. They apply to the ministry to be coded, but you will find in a community there is no Government school. That community has actually put up a school, but struggle with the coding. Can I plead and request that-?

Absolutely! It could even be on another day and that is okay. She can go for the national one, first, and then organise her own, to be able to connect with her voters and tell them about the work that they do here in Parliament. Madam Speaker – (Interjection) - an honourable colleague wants to give information. If the Woman MP for Bukedea allows that information – (Laughter)

When I am seated here, I am not a Woman MP for Bukedea -

Madam Speaker, we are guided by our Rules of Procedure and we know how to address the person presiding over Parliament. I have heard, my friend, the LOP mention the Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea, allowing a Member to give information. Therefore, is he in order to disregard what the rules of procedure dictate? Is this a market?

16407 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2025 from these lenders. Interest on loans has left many Muslim brothers and sisters out of the money economy since they cannot borrow on interest. In line with inclusivity, we ought to consider those who are against interest borrowing and this opportunity of borrowing from Muslim countries can help to that effect. 2.4 Inadequate information on UDB project beneficiaries Madam Speaker, before this House approves the funding, the Committee on National Economy needs to physically visit funded projects and real beneficiaries. Many times, this country has financed ghost projects, ghost workers and ghost pensioners, among others. The UDB credit is designed to benefit all regions in the country, but in many instances, it is the rich people in Kampala and the surroundings who benefit from these cheap finances to raise their storied buildings and arcades. I am not sure how many people from Luwero, Bukedea, Soroti and other areas of the country benefited from UDB. The committee finds no reason to visit a sample of the project beneficiaries before Parliament approves this loan. Madam Speaker, we recommend that though such loans do not directly impact Government debt, we can leave the aims and objectives for the inception and creation of Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDB) in saving the wanainchi through: i) The ministry responsible for finance updating the House on the exact loan amount needed to recapitalise UDB instead of going for a piecemeal loan as per the main committee report; ii) The ministry of finance, through the Bank of Uganda (BOU), recommends a single- digit interest rate to borrowers; iii) The Committee on National Economy visiting the UDB project beneficiaries and ascertaining the exact impact of these loans on the wanainchi; iv) The House being informed on how the Shariah permission clauses within the agreement will be employed to customers under the Bank of Uganda. Madam Speaker, we all agree that we are supposed to borrow as a country as per our budget, but borrowing needs to be a matter of necessity and it must follow the rules and procedures. I beg to submit.

Honourable members, when you start making noise; procedure, what - If you want to say something, must you shout? My ears hear, if yours are blocked. Honourable members, Hajji has raised very pertinent issues and the fact is, we need to capitalise UDB. However, before we do so, I know that UDB and its clients have a fiducial relationship; we can have a limited number. I can look at the documents alone; we look at the schedule of borrowers because Hajji is talking about what the people in Kanungu may not be getting. For us in Bukedea, we get. Let me have a schedule of the borrowers and know the exact portfolio. There is an information gap; let us have the documents that are not provided for be given to the committee. What Hon. Hassan says is that it is a good thing for us to give UDB the money. Let us not give UDB money in bits. If we decide to give, let us give. However, what is important is to have the information. Let us have an approval from the Board; the due diligence then we will have these loans approved such that we have a report on the borrowing and a report on guaranteeing. Is that okay, minister for finance?

Honourable member, the peasant from Ik or Bukedea is represented in the House. It is the Member of Parliament representing that peasant who is not doing his or her work.

From Bukedea. (Laughter) We saw you doing work in Bukedea, and we want to welcome you back.

Thank you. I bring you greetings from the mighty people of Bukedea.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the Government for coming up with this program on compensation. However, I have noticed that the people of Teso Subregion were partly compensated. Mr Speaker, we have the Sabiny people who live in Teso. During the selection process for the compensation, they were not included yet some of them live in Ngora, Bukedea et cetera. I want to know if the selection process was done based on tribe because some of these people still live in Teso to date. Mr Speaker, the entire Sebei Subregion has suffered with all the civil wars that have occurred in this country but we have never been included anywhere – whenever there is war compensation they keep telling us to wait for another plan, yet we have suffered a lot, and up to now, we are still suffering. Therefore, I want to know from the Government whether we are part of this great nation Uganda or not. If yes, then why do you do this to the people of Sebei Subregion? I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. This is an emotive matter. I am a victim of this. We suffered because of cattle raiding. We suffered because of the activities of Lakwena. This is an emotive question, and our hearts are bleeding. Our people have really suffered. Now that they are resettling, they are asking, when shall they be compensated by the Government, not only on the question of cattle but on the collapsed institutions of Government such as schools, health centres, roads - name them. We have suffered. Let me tell you a story. In 1987, the Government by that time said, “We have now captured power and civilians should hand over the guns.” You remember that very well – (Interjections) – honourable members, I do not want interference. I said this is an emotive matter. The people handed over the guns. The Government of Obote by that time had recruited militias among the civilians who were protecting their property. When the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came in and said we are now free of this, people handed over guns. The following day, raids occurred. Over 50 kraals were raided of over 200 cows in Soi – (Interjections) – some honourable members may take it as a joke but this is the truth. If you go to Serere Bugiri, Soroti, or Bukedea, right now, those Sabinys are there. For those who survived with their cows, as they were moving on the way, their cows were confiscated by the security forces again and taken. Their names are appearing now on the compensation list of Teso but the names “Che…Che” cannot again be compensated in Teso. This is where the problem is. How do we really manage this situation? Attorney-General, you have said that Sebei is not part of your mandate. Do you need a law for it? Do you need a law? We appreciate the fact that you have talked about the issues to do with the Acholi. Yes, very right; they suffered. Teso suffered. Equally, other subregions suffered the way Members have raised concerns, we are talking about equity in terms of the distribution of resources in this country. If we had regional referral hospitals, then we would be happy. If we had health centres iv, we would be happy. If we had ambulances, we would be so happy because that is the process of compensation of resources and equity in this country. Thank you. (Applause)

Like I had earlier said, the investment has been partially by the private sector and one of the private sectors before us here is the Speaker. I want to confirm she has constructed a swimming pool in Bukedea; the first of its kind, which we use during the Federation of the East African Secondary Schools competitions here in Uganda. Madam Speaker, I congratulate you for leading. So, you and others have made it possible. That is why now I am saying as a Government, we are now beginning to invest. Thank you.

We are proceeding rightly. It is common knowledge that in the Constitution we have a Contingency Fund from where that money is supposed to come. The Minister of Disaster Preparedness cannot respond without knowing what the problem is because she is also here. She does not know what is happening in Bukedea, and she may not know what is happening in Amolatar, Bududa, Sironko, and Sembabule. So, let us determine the issues, and then the minister will respond.

Thank you. Honourable members, we need to leave behind something. People should be able to read about you, what you have been, how you have been, how you came from that village of Bukedea and now here-. There are people who have gone- the encyclopedias of this institution have left nothing.

Much obliged, Madam Speaker. The House, on its own emotion, has elected that the commission will sponsor these young people up to Senior Six. It is a very good thing. The challenge is sustainability because, then, we are raising expectations. Now that we have the minister for finance and the minister for education in the House, will they clarify on what became of sports scholarships in this country? There seems to be no clarity as to how they are accessed. If you go to Bukedea and ask an ordinary student who is a very good athlete, do they know how to get a sports scholarship in this country? Do they still exist? Are they competitive or by selection? We really need to know whether they exist and in which areas, Madam Speaker, so that we can do something in the future without impeaching the House’s decision, but also have an idea of the nature and sustainability of sports scholarships in this country.

Thank you. Honourable members, one thing I need to clarify is that I had a meeting with the committee, headed by its chairperson. I was just sitting in as a Member of Parliament of Bukedea. One thing I found out is section 25(2), which gives powers to you and I to chair the district road committees, was not tampered with. We still have it. (Applause) Honourable chairperson – let us first get the report.

Thank you, the House will be waiting for your feedback. Based on that, Government Chief Whip, I request we have a meeting tomorrow. I want to have a meeting with the Prime Minister, your good self, the Attorney-General, Public Service, minister for agriculture, minister for works, minister for ICT, minister for constitutional affairs, minister for finance, minister for water and environment, all the chairpersons and vice chairpersons of RAPEX Bills at eleven in the conference hall. That is number one. Professor, these chairpersons of sectoral committees do not attend the House and yet they wanted leadership badly; I want a list- Professor is my whip, I give him to -I want a list of the chairpersons who attend the House. At least I am happy with my Chairperson of Bukedea. Honourable members- Hon. Baka is also there, defence is there, ICT, Innovation, and equal opportunities. Dr Acuti- Honourable members, I really want to thank the Committee of PAC- Central for a very elaborate good report; I am impressed. All we wait for is a response and we will debate on that report exhaustively. I now adjourn the House to 2.00 p.m. tomorrow. (The House rose at 6.12 p.m. and adjourned until Thursday, 17 October, 2024 at 2.00 p.m.)

Honourable minister, as I said before, all the Members, including myself, who have roads that need to be worked on- you have an example of the bridge between Bukedea and Bulambuli where children have even died in Kamutur-Bulambuli but nothing was done. We only need a marram Bridge not even need tarmac. Therefore, let us get all that written. I can compile all of them in writing, sign it off, and give it to the minister for Monday, including the ferries; let us simplify it that way. Let us go to the next item because you know Jajja might need to go, but before Jajja goes – the potholes? Yeah, he is going to handle them. There was a question raised by Hon. Alex on the issues of census. (Members rose_) Members, you, first, allow Hon. Alex to get a response. Government?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Before I submit, I would like to thank you so much, on behalf of the basketball team, for hosting us in a noble corporate engagement in Bukedea. (Applause) You are truly an asset to Uganda and the people of Bukedea. Madam Speaker, I want to speak to two things. One is on Non-Tax Revenue (NTR). From the Auditor-General’s report, we realise that the Uganda Investment Authority projected that they had a surplus of 10 per cent in NTR collection. However, in their reporting, they noted that Shs 0.41 billion is what they had actually issued out in the form of receipts to the tenants and occupants of the Authority land. They also noted that they had arrears. Whereas the auditor captured that Shs 0.46 billion was money that they collected, out of that, Shs 0.23 billion was not disclosed, neither was it transferred to the Consolidated Fund. Madam Speaker, my concern is that in the statements that were reviewed, that money was not seen as money in transit, neither was it reported on. Therefore, is it an issue of collusion at the Uganda Investment Authority? Where is the Shs 0.23 billion? My prayer and recommendation is that we include that Shs 0.23 billion be refunded by the agency. I would like to also speak to the issue of the implementation of outputs. The Uganda Investment Authority had two outputs and each output had five activities. As an agency, their money was all warranted and released, but in the report, we realised that they did not fully implement the activities as they had earlier planned. Is it a question of poor workmanship or you do not follow your work plan as an institution? My recommendation is that we ensure that a proper work plan and due diligence are done to ensure that the money warranted and received is put to good use. Madam Speaker, allow me to receive information from Hon. Dr Apea. Thank you very much - (Interjection)

When you cut trees in Nakapiripirit, it affects me in Bukedea.

Thank you. In the COSASE report that was presented by the Leader of the Opposition now, Bukedea had only one like this. Even the name of that one who was coming from Bukedea was not a Kiteso name. (Laughter)

Madam Speaker, I beg for your indulgence- because you are the woman MP for Bukedea does not mean that the people of Bukedea should not benefit from the services of the Government of the Republic of Uganda. I am aware that my senior minister is the Minister of Education and Sports and she comes from Ntungamo. It should not be said that because the Minister of Education and Sports, comes from Ntungamo, then people from Ntungamo should not benefit from the service of this Government. I want to put this on the record. Hon. Kivumbi, for the student’s loan scheme, they applied and they are entitled to.

Honourable members, I have already referred it to the Committee on Education and Sports. At the same time, it is not a crime for the minister to come from Ntungamo. If anyone from Ntungamo qualifies, let the person benefit. Shouldn’t I get in Bukedea? Now, let me also ask about issues from Bukedea. My MP -(Laughter)- Hon. Jenifer, I will come to you-

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question for the Prime Minister. I have two issues. One, over ten years ago, the Ministry of Water and Environment carried out a design for Bukedea Gravity Flow Scheme. This scheme was to be implemented in three phases; In 2015, the Government of Uganda procured a loan from the African Development Bank to implement phase one of this scheme. The Government had promised that the three phases would be completed by 2025, but

Hon. Prime Minister- Bukedea-

The scheme was meant to benefit over 262,000 people from the Districts of Sironko, Bulambuli, Bukedea, and Kapchorwa. Since the implementation of that scheme, the ministry has never shown any effort or come to this House to tell us the fate of the other two phases, two and three. Can the Prime Minister tell us when the people of Bukedea are getting phase two and three? That was meant to be constructed in the greater subcounties of Malera, Bukedea, Kachumbala, and Kidongole. Secondly, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, two years ago, the Ministry of Works and Transport did a procurement for the contractor to construct a bridge to ease transport between Bulambuli and Bukedea Districts, around Tajar. Up to date, there is nothing on the ground. On the same note, the same ministry did the procurement of a contractor to rehabilitate a road from Bukedea Town Council, up to Malera roundabout. Up to date, there is nothing on the ground. People are expecting these two ministries to respond to that. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we are interested in knowing the fate of all three projects. Thank you.

Thank you so much, my MP. You mean I should not benefit. They are saying Bukedea has a stadium. It is a personal stadium, not for the Government.

Hon. Okin, if I understood the minister well, he is not restricting. You need to grow what presents you with the best opportunity possible. For instance, you cannot tell people in Bukedea to grow coffee because it does not do well there. They should do what is good for them; what grows well, where they feel they can market easily for them to be able to sell and earn an income.

13525 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 JULY 2024 Makerere University gender equality project, Shs 1.2 billion. Uganda Tourism Board was given Shs 1.8 billion. National Citizenship and Immigration Control Shs 10 billion for border posts, technology and so on. National Animal Genetic Resource Centre and Data Bank (NAGRIC&DB), an additional Shs 10 billion, to kick start a demonstration farm in Bukedea District - (Interjection) - That one, yes. I also come from there, that is my district, honourable colleagues. Vote 410 - Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. It has been struggling to construct a surgical complex for about five years. It is not going far and they need Shs 5 billion to complete it. Mbale region covers a big area; that is Pallisa, Bukedea - Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), Shs 4 billion. Uganda Microfinance Regulation Authority, Shs 3 billion. Uganda Export Promotions Board in order to participate in Expo 2025, Osaka, Shs 4 billion. Kisoro District was allocated Shs 1.3 billion for construction of Kanyamatekye Bridge, and rehabilitation of Buhoozi Health Centre III, Shs 350 million, Nyarusiza Health Centre III Shs 350 million. Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital. Ever since that hospital was upgraded from a district hospital to a regional referral hospital, the budget stayed constant. We had allocated an additional Shs 3 billion to Entebbe regional referral hospital. Uganda consulate in Mombasa, Kenya. They are supposed to host the Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference Centre in Kampala, November 2024. We had allocated Shs 1 billion. Vote 609 - Mbarara City, Shs 5.2 billion had been allocated for construction of Katete Bridge in Mbarara City that is going to connect to Isingiro and others. 1. St Helen Primary School refurbishment, Shs 100 million, 2. Kakoba Muslim Primary School, Shs 100 million, 3. Kagaga Primary School, Shs 100 million, 4. Nyamitanga Secondary School Shs 100 million, 5. Nyamityobora Health Centre II Shs 400 million. Sheema Municipal Council -

Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to the process that we have gone through. One, you are a Member of Parliament from Bukedea and all these are members of Parliament apart from the ex- officio members and we have been –

Honourable members, I am putting the question – you first sit, Hon. Ssekikubo- honourable members, I want you people – I am putting the question whether we should recommit and delete those taxes and if you are in support of recommittal, you say “Aye”, if you are not in support of the recommittal, and move as it is – by the way, I am on third reading – you say, “Nay”. Hon. Sarah – I am putting the question. By the way, I am also gender, the person speaking is gender. Honourable members, I want you to understand one thing, whatever we are doing has an implication on this country, and tomorrow, as we pass this budget, it affects both you and I, and everybody outside there. Tomorrow we should not come here and say that floods have swept Bukedea or we should also not bring bailouts – I am guiding not debating. I want to remind you people that I am a Member of Parliament from Bukedea. Honourable members, as we do all this, what hon. Ssemujju is saying, that much as we are doing this, you should not also come for bailouts that are not justifiable. That is what he is saying. At the same time, we also have to be – Lubowa is working – we should also be mindful of the services we need to provide to our people down there, the hospitals, roads and whatever. (Applause) I put the question that clause 3 be recommitted as proposed by Hon. Ssemujju.

Did I say out of the country? “For further examination.” I did not say “out of the country.” I am saying - listen, sit down. Hon. Amos Kankunda was very sick and was admitted to Nakasero Hospital. I sent Hon. Musasizi to go and assess the situation. He called me saying the situation was not good. I told him, “Let us refer him.” Where did we refer him? We took him to Mulago National Referral Hospital and after a few days, he was able to walk. When I say “referral”, it does not mean - maybe it means from Bukedea to Tororo.

13255 THE E LEVENTH P A RLIAMENT OF UGANDA MONDAY , 6 MAY 2024 Dokolo, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Bukedea, Bulambuli, whereas landslides were reported in Kasese, Kisoro, Bulambuli, Sironko, Bududa, Bunyangabu districts. Some claimed lives; we lost seven people. Recently, Uganda National Meteorological Authority released a 10-day rainfall forecast from 1 st to 10 th of May 2024, which indicates a continuation of wet conditions over most parts of the country. The heavy to very heavy rainfall events were expected over southwestern in some of the areas in Kigezi and greater Bushenyi districts. In the northeastern, in districts of Karamoja and Teso subregions and neighbouring Acholi subregions. Other areas expected to receive enhanced rainfall are in mid-western subregions in the districts of Masindi, Kiryandongo, Kagadi, Kabarole and Elgon Highlands. The 10-day rainfall forecast by Uganda Meteorological Authority indicates that very heavy rainfall events are expected to cause potential hazards, such as flash floods, debris flows, landslides, in addition, water logging, contamination of water sources due to increased surface rain off into such sources. Disruption of traffic flow along transportation routes as some bridges may be washed away or collapse, an example of the bridges you have already mentioned earlier. Moreover, these heavy rainfalls are expected to damage critical infrastructure- like schools-

13199 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 3 MAY 2024 UK. Unfortunately, I have only been to the UK once. I do not even have a pussy cat in the UK. (Laughter) Honourable members, these sanctions are politically motivated. The Bill that you passed in this House – I am carrying a cross for the 48 million Ugandans. The Anti-Homosexuality Act is what is causing all this. This may not be the only ban. Another one will come in the pretext of corruption, theft and whatever. All those kinds of things will come but we serve a living God and we will always not allow bum-shafters in Uganda. If they want to do it, let them do it in their bedrooms not in public. The law is there; it will be implemented. Let whoever feels hurt go ahead. I do not need to go there. I have said I have a permanent passport to Bukedea and Buyende. (Applause) I do not need a visa. Therefore, honourable members, you need to be very firm and fight for your people. Just imagine it is your child being sodomised tomorrow. Regarding those sanctions, I have had an interaction and we have got to know what the sanctions are about. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is here but at an appropriate time, the Head of State will respond to it because that is an indictment to Parliament of Uganda. Honourable members, you passed the law. I did not even vote. I chaired but you voted. I am not worried. If they think I have property, they should go and freeze them and see if I will complain. Even a pussycat can - I would like to categorically tell you that, international backlash will continue but one thing we need to do is to respect each other and people’s values; and respect for traditions and cultures of countries. Honourable members, we are a sovereign country. Those writing reports are writing them because they want to do accountability. (Member spoke off the microphone. ) I have not said National Unity Platform (NUP). I have not said it – One day, I will allow you people to start boxing. (Laughter) Honourable members, we need to safeguard the sanctity of this House and this country. If we cannot do that, then we will not be doing what is expected of us and whatever we are doing is for the 48 million Ugandans. On a special note, I would like to thank the Parliament of Uganda for passing that law. (Applause) I thank the religious leaders, the Judiciary for upholding the decision and the President for assenting to that law. (Applause) That shows how much he upholds family values. I also thank all Ugandans. Honourable members, there is an outcry. Much as we passed the law on fisheries, people around the waters have continued being mistreated. Yesterday, I received information that a fisherman was killed at Lyingo Landing Site. Government needs to come in and see the enforceability of the law that was passed by this House because the people who are being killed are our people and those are the same people who will vote for us tomorrow. We need a response to that effect. Honourable members, this is not only happening in one island or one fishing area. You will find that - Hon. Mulimba cannot talk because he is a minister but he is suffering in his place; we need a response from Government to that effect. Today, we are going to look at the tax Bills and as you are aware, we are at the tail end of the budgeting process. Remember, I told you that we have already gazetted 13 June 2024 for the Budget reading. So, we should be able to look at where we are getting the money from for us to be able to fund the Budget that we are talking about. Let us look at where the money is coming from and then we will appropriate that money effectively. We would like to get a statement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is the chief diplomat. Some of us may not be diplomats but we want a statement from the chief diplomat. We will also hear from the Leader of the Opposition on the World Press Freedom Day. I think he has a message for the press today being World Press Freedom Day. Hon. Akol -

13208 THE VALUE-ADDED TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 We also call upon the employers of these journalists – because as the State brutalises them, their employers, in one way or another, ill-treat some of them. Poor pay and all of these issues need to be addressed. Hopefully, this day is a good reminder to all the stakeholders to treat journalists with respect and to empower them as they execute their mandate. Madam Speaker, on the issue of sanctions, in your communication, you said that you are not bothered and that you do not care about these sanctions. In fact, you mentioned that the only visa you are concerned about is the visa to Bukedea and, so, you do not care about the visas to the US and the UK and so on. I am now surprised on why, then, you seem very bothered because if you say you only care about a visa to Bukedea, why do you seem very bothered and angry about this issue? I think it should not bother you, Madam Speaker.

I do not know why someone wants to put the Speaker on order. Madam Speaker, no one has said that you get handouts – [Mr Katusabe: “Order!”]- from these countries. (Interjections) We are talking about the sanctions, which indicated corruption – mabaati theft and all of these different things – and that, which you are talking about, is a different matter. I do not know – if somebody is accusing you of getting handouts from these countries, that has not come up and that is not the issue. My concern is: if you are saying that you are only bothered about a visa to Bukedea, then, you should not be consumed by this issue, Madam Speaker. You should not be – because you seem to be rallying us to join you in being angry over this matter – (Interjection) - because your concern is Bukedea -

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. Madam Speaker, I agree with you on the catastrophic disasters of floods. I witnessed them even when I passed through your constituency of Bukedea – I saw that the floods had ravaged crops and even entered people’s houses. Besides that, Bududa, which is synonymous with the other form of disaster – landslides – is equally hard-hit. In my constituency of Manjiya, for instance, and that of my neighbour, Lutseshe, so far, we have witnessed seven landslides. We are lucky that these particular ones have not claimed lives, but they have destroyed crops and livestock. Madam Speaker, I was listening keenly to the former minister of disaster preparedness and refugees. You know very well that you responded to questions of how disasters claimed lives in the city of Mbale. Now, that you are in that docket of works and transport, you made a pledge that you have not honoured – of working on the infrastructural developments – which were the cause of the floods. Up to now, that has not been addressed. We are afraid that any time, if because of the heavy downpour that is pounding, these rivers burst their banks, again, those same culverts will be overwhelmed and the repeat of what happened maybe even worse. I expected you to say something about it because you made a commitment here. You had made an undertaking to ensure that those culverts and the other technical terms you used – gabions - were going to be widened. Up to now, they have not been deepened and widened. I do not know what you are waiting for, honourable minister – (Interjections) – information? (Interruption)

As I conclude, Madam Speaker, I will seek your indulgence to lay on the Table the reports that have already been compiled by the chief administrative officers of Bududa, Elgon and that of Bukedea. The ones of Elgon are not yet here, but I know my colleagues –

It is a submission of a disaster report and a request for relief by the chairperson of the district disaster management committee of Bukedea, who is the chief administrative officer. I beg to lay.

Can I have a team? Now I am also being mean - much as I am conflicted, I am a Member of Parliament for Bukedea - can I have a team in Bukedea tomorrow? The Leader of the Opposition -

Even Bukedea is getting less –

On what matter are you bringing a motion? Honourable members, on the procedural matter that Hon. Odur raised and as I said, this is an Executive Order. And in the way we are getting derailed - some people are saying that we should have prisons in the city so that you do not have to go very far for you to go to court. Others are saying that you should take them to Bukedea or to wherever and we are playing into the hands of these letters. We would rather have a motion in this House and say, “Since the land of Uganda belongs to the people of Uganda, it is in our considered opinion that the land that is being occupied by Uganda Prisons remains the property of Uganda Prisons.” (Applause) Then you get the options from what the minister has given in the motion and this House will vote on that motion. Okay? Next item.

Hon. Bakkabulindi, we said we are a people-centred Parliament. If we all got into buses today and said we were going to Kiruhura to walk, everybody would be interested to see who these MPs are and people would take your message more seriously. Unlike when I go alone and walk in Bukedea, they will say, “she is looking for votes.” If we got united as Members of Parliament, and said this time we are having a walk in Kiruhura, Ruhama, Pakwach or Nyendo, the whole public will appreciate it. However, if you say that you are walking alone in Kayunga, then you are basically politicking.

That is why we have always said that when we pass a law, make people aware of what is expected of them. We have all these radios here. Putting an office in Kikuubo or Masaka, a person in Bukedea will not reach that office. But if you go on the radio and start popularising what you have passed and agreed upon, these people will pay because they want services, but they lack information. Yes, Attorney-General. All of you are going to speak.

Hon. Oguzu Lee, the current Leader of the Opposition brought a report to this House and he was quoting four to five people from Bukedea , whose names were from another region. There is no equity because those people did not benefit from Bukedea.

Thank you. Honourable members, when you listen to what the committee chairperson said on the issue of the cancer institute- you find the patients lying down; they even have nowhere to be accommodated. It is too congested. Therefore, if we love Ugandans, we should be mindful of what we should do in Uganda Cancer Institute. I visited the dialysis centre, as you heard the chairperson say, I went to the Intensive Care Unit, the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Women’s Centre – we have the best equipment in Uganda. Some of our people have been saved from Mulago National Referral Hospital and if you want to go to a hospital where you can get equipment, go to Mulago. We have the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) equipment but we do not have the staff. Can’t we provide money for staff recruitment? When you look at the issue of the interns, we are failing. We are going to continue with that issue day in and day out - generally the staffing issue. Dilapidated hospital structures from subcounty to the regional level – then you find somebody drawing a picture; “This is a dilapidated hospital in Bukedea” as if I am the one supposed to renovate it. I am not the Government; so, we must work on these hospitals. Even the projects that we have started have not been completed. Can we have them completed? By the way, Lubowa Specialised Hospital project has started. (Laughter) I went there. Then you have unstable power. How can you have unstable power in a hospital? Assuming an operation is taking place, what happens? There are people in the ICU and children in the intubation centre. You find no water in the hospital. Women are delivering and there is no water, what happens? Imagine a dilapidated regional referral hospital! Members, we must take issues concerning our health sector very seriously. When you are talking about such, it is not about your constituency. Honourable member for Nakaseke, first tell me - the ambulances - Honourable minister, there was an issue; that you gave out ambulances and some constituencies got three and others never got. Since you are going into the budgeting process, it is high time constituencies that have not, got ambulances. Hon. Allan Mayanja?

What should I say for Bukedea?

For Bukedea, you are fairly okay. (Laughter) When it comes to Ssembabule, it is unique. For example, for the rains that have just – (Interjections)- no, Ssembabule has almost been swept away. When it comes to roads, if other districts are getting Shs 1 billion, Ssembabule should be given an additional 10 per cent, considering the nature of its location. That is the truth, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

You see the problem is that Hon. Gorreth did not do Geography of Uganda because when you talk about the lowlands, where floods collect – floods come all the way from Bududa, Elgon, and Karamoja and end up in Bukedea. Hon. Eric, one minute. Then, Hon. Kasolo and the Member for Aruu.

The Speaker has already submitted her areas in Bukedea and next week, I will send the technical team to do the assessment. (Laughter)

Bukedea stadium. Thank you.

When the President also came to Bukedea, he also identified one. Bukedea and Sebei should be included. You were there, Hon. Goli Ogwal.

That is the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Association, which is going to be hosted in the Bukedea District between Amus College and Bukedea Comprehensive. I thank you. (Member rose_)

For your information, the bid was won by Bukedea Comprehensive School. The co-host is Amus College. Mukono is very far from Bukedea. How much are you adding on FEASSA games?

Yes, that is the clarification I am seeking because Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College, are going to host and they will promote the Government of Uganda’s image. Therefore, the Minister of Sports needs to assure us now because we need some support to the two institutions that are going to host these East African Games. It has not been easy to host this game because we had eight countries that competed. This is a very serious matter; we want to know how much money as a subvention that the Ministry of Sports is going to extend to the two schools.

However, there is a criterion, which the Department of Physical Education and Sports of the Uganda Secondary School Sports Association has set. Teams which want to host this specific elite tournament apply to that secretariat then the bids are open. Criteria teams are selected to go and carry out the opening of these bids and look at the infrastructural development of the specific schools. Do you qualify? Because we are talking about having about 15 games, which include swimming, football, netball, basketball, volleyball. These are all games which are competed in the region. However, I want to confirm that Uganda is the powerhouse of East Africa. Even as I speak now, out of 21 previous competitions, which were held in Kigali, we were able to get 17 gold medals. That tells us that we are a dominant power as far as sports in our secondary schools are concerned. Madam Speaker, the challenge which has been there is that Government gives me about Shs 6 billion which helps me - as we speak now, there are competitions taking place across the country for football. Then with the same little money, I have to prepare and present these teams at the regional level. I want to say this: To a big extent, we have been trying to appeal to the private sector, to some of the schools which qualify to cater for their own school competition in terms of supporting and sponsoring the teams, which by the way, has also a disadvantage because you find teams selected by Government- have a certain limit, funds. Then we have those teams which go on their own and represent the country; they tend to suffer. That is why I guided that it is important for all teams which qualify to be fully supported by the Government because they represent Uganda. Whether, it is Budo, Bukedea Comprehensive or Amus, they represent Uganda. That is why I even guided that once they qualify for that, I do not need a Bukedea Comprehensive uniform because I want Uganda to be seen. That is what will be marked from the other side. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the chairperson of the Committee on Education and Sports. Investment in sports infrastructure is one of the things that we need. You can see the amount of money Mr Hamis Kiggundu spent on that stadium in Nakivubo. It was amazing and we should thank and commend him. In the same spirit, at least we can galvanise something and invest it here in Lugogo. The more multiple pitches that we have, the more the chances for us to host international events, which in return, bring more revenue. We can start with that and then move regionally to have one in Soroti or Bukedea – (Laughter)- the Speaker has started a very good - and I would like to thank and commend you for taking individual initiative for sports. You will see the reward.

It is not me; it is Bukedea Comprehensive School.

Yea, Bukedea Comprehensive School, but you are their representative here in the august House. There is nothing to shy away from. This credit goes to you as a leader, that you have mobilised your community. Even Mr Mulindwa in Kitende. I can assure you that we will reap something in future. You might never know how much a player is valued internationally until you know how much it takes to produce a single professional that can turn around the fortunes of the nation. For example, people like –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report on climate change. However, even what they have allocated is not, in my own assessment, enough. This is because mother planet Earth is in a serious fever. With the advent of reconditioned cars – and Africa, Uganda inclusive, has become a dumping ground for all manner of gadgets that emit greenhouse gases – we need to have massive planting of trees. So, the plan should be even bigger than what I see. Mr Speaker, Hon. Okiror comes from the plains of Teso Subregion, and he has expressed the concern of water stress, which is equally in mountainous areas such as Bududa. We can take the case of people who are on mountainous terrains, where you cannot drill boreholes and they have to walk for hours downhill, to collect water. The focus has shifted to gravity flow schemes. That is why in Bukedea, they are a beneficiary of a gravity flow scheme, courtesy of Mount Elgon. So, if serious focus would shift to gravity flow water, these plains would not be crying of water stress. I share your concern –

Honourable members, you know my principles; I do not like noise making. When I ask for evidence, I speak for you. I want evidence of the money sent not just to Bukedea, but all the districts. I will know when the release is made. Leave it to me and I will follow it up with the finance ministry. (Applause) Next item.

Thank you. When we are looking at this, let us not personalise it to constituencies or districts. Let it be general like the contracts of LCIs will be renewed in 2026. Let it not be only for the ones of Bukedea or whichever.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on the subject matter of the budget for the coming financial year. You mentioned that issues at times come to the committee to provide hospitals; among others and those who are not on the committee are at a loss. Now, let us get to know that the right provisions of the law state that Parliament will do oversight of all the funds approved. At the same time, it becomes so complicated to do the monitoring and oversight when we are just lamping up the money. For example, the entities provided by the technocrats; money for roads, but we are providing a budget for a financial year. That means you must have mentioned, which roads are supposed to be done in the financial year so that when you mention, you must justify why it has to be done according to the Munyarwanda , that they have left a certain section of the road. (Laughter) It must be justified at that point in the budget. Why you are constructing this road to Kalungu and you are not constructing the road from Bukungu to Kagwara, must be clear. If we are going to construct health centres, tell us how many health centres you intend to build and their location. If you are building a school, tell us we need money for classrooms, how many classrooms, where and why? Why are you building classrooms in Bukedea yet you are not doing the same in Ntungamo? You must justify. Why

Committee chairperson, that is being corrupt. (Laughter) Honourable members, I would like you to listen. It is in this same House where a complaint was raised that all the hospitals that were given were for only Members in those committees. We are saying that we should have the names of the hospitals and schools, but it must cover the whole country. (Applause) Let the roads not only go to Bukedea because the chairperson and the Speaker come from Bukedea. Let it be in the entire country. We shall have a list, but national in character.

Honourable minister, you have heard what the woman MP has said on the issue of zebra crossing. There is also an issue of bad driving on some roads, where you need to have humps. We have a very bad spot on the road between Mbale and Bukedea, which needs to be worked on.

Thank you, Leader of the Opposition. In the public gallery this morning, we have students and lecturers from Kyambogo University. You are most welcome. Join me in receiving them. They are represented by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi and the Hon. Shamim Malende. Thank you, for coming. Stand up and we see you. You are most welcome, and this is your Parliament. In the public gallery on this side, we have a delegation from Bukedea Subcounty Women’s Choir. Please stand up. Have you seen my women, they are all yellow? They are represented by: (i) Hon. Opolot Isiagi, Chairman of the Committee on Budget; he is a good man, you should bring him back; (ii) Hon. Ikojo John Bosco, who is the “chairman of borrowing” –( Laughter )- he is a good man; (iii) Hon. Anita Among –(Laughter)- the one who is unopposed. Thank you, for coming and this is your Parliament. Honourable members, can we have an explanation from the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the issue of certificates? Hon. James, I am going to give you a chance to talk because I know you are going to talk on that one. There is a procedural matter? Is it on “unopposed”?

But those are exhibits. Hon. Agnes, for those laboratories, I want you to go to Kasole in Kamuli, Makerere, and Serere, you will get one. Actually, honourable minister, I pray you place one in Bukedea.

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am rising on a matter of national importance - and you had guided on this matter –I am requesting that when I highlight it, I will give the reason I am bringing it back. Mr Speaker, there is Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the cattle corridors. It is not only in Western Uganda, but I have also heard that it is even in Bukedea. And this has been happening every time, now and again. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has been on record that they cannot afford to vaccinate animals as it is required from the government coffers. Now, they have issued a circular for total quarantine on animals and animal products. Mr Speaker, we are talking about children going back to school, people with bank loans that they need to clear. We are talking about people going to hospitals for treatment yet you are telling them, you are issuing total quarantine on animals and animal products! My constituency of Kazo and Kiruhura entirely depend on animals for survival. Mr Speaker, what hurts me most is that the commissioner issuing this quarantine is seated in Entebbe. From the time of the outbreak, she has not stepped there and none of her technical team has come to assess, behaving as if we are still in the protectorate, getting directives from the United Kingdom to Uganda on what should happen without even any assessment on the ground. Mr Speaker, when you talk about total quarantine, you are talking about people losing money. It is the responsibility of the Government to vaccinate these animals. If it fails, one of my prayers is that they should consider compensating people for the lost business because it is the responsibility of the Government. (Interjections)

My second prayer is that there should be a consideration by this Government to compensate people for what they lose out of its failure to carry out its responsibility. My last prayer is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should go on the ground immediately to carry out an assessment and address issues from the technical point of knowledge, and not sit in Entebbe to address issues of Kazo, Kiruhura, Kotido and Bukedea where animals are being affected. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I saw the letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and I saw the districts of Budaka, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Butaleja, Fort Portal City, Gomba, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kassanda, Kayunga, Kazo, Kiruhura, Kumi, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyotera, Luuka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rwampara - This is what I was talking about: when you have such interventions, use a platform of Parliament to engage because these Members of Parliament will be questioned in their constituencies and they will be stuck. As Parliament, you do not want to have a situation whereby one day, you will be accused of fighting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We put a quarantine, Parliament came and stopped it and therefore, we allowed it and it went on. This is why I felt that it would be imperative for the minister to bring a statement here and then we debate it and put him on the spot-on issues of the law and what he would have told us here. But then again the urgency of it - I know some of these districts depend on cows and their children are going back to school. What are we going to do about it? Honourable colleagues, are we going to resolve that go and lift the quarantine so that people sell cows and you cause another crisis? You know! It is better we have ministers here and they give us clear information. Hon. Kivumbi, do you want to guide on the same? COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

11270 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2023/2024 I thank the President of the Republic of Uganda for assenting to that law. Some people thought that the President was not going to assent to it. I am proud and happy with what the President did. We will continue protecting the family, the rights of our children, our country and we will not live on handouts because you want to buy a visa; my visa was cancelled. Have I died? I have said as long as you do not cancel a visa to Bukedea, I have my home- and Buyende. I will go there freely - You can cancel the other visa, which is okay. We will not - the blacklist that they are talking about; do not care nor worry about that. You have all what you need in Uganda, as long as your kids are not being sodomised. your kids are living a life - this business of saying that you are going to use people’s children must stop. Honourable members- on the same issue?

Thank you. Honourable members, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from Arlington Academy of Hope. We have Ms Faibe Lubango. Please stand up. You are welcome. We have Ms Anne Nabutale, Ms Rose Nakintu Birungi. You are most welcome. Thank you very much. They are represented by none other than Hon. Nambeshe. (Applause) Hon. Nambeshe is a very good leader. I thank you very much for supporting him in his constituency. Arlington supports children who cannot afford school fees; they give them scholarships in his constituency. They also happen to be my parents in Bukedea Comprehensive. You are welcome and continue bringing your children to Bukedea. (Applause) Honourable members, in the Distinguished Strangers Gallery this afternoon, we have a former Member of Parliament who was replaced by Hon. Ogwang. She was one of the youngest Members of Parliament then. That is Hon. Proscovia Alengot Oromait. You are welcome, and thank you for coming. She is here to witness the proceedings - (Applause)- They are saying that you have grown; please do not listen to them. (Laughter)

11274 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2023/2024 Honourable members, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of district leadership from Bukedea. It is the District Security Committee of Bukedea. They are: 1. Mr Tukei William Wilberforce. Please stand up, my Resident District Commissioner (RDC). You are welcome. Leader of the Opposition, wave to my RDC. 2. Ms Namono Loy Gift 3. Mr Asiimwe Richard 4. Mr Araali Jude, and 5. Mr Mugenyi Charles. You are most welcome. You can see how we are a ‘United Nations’. Thank you so much for coming. They are here to witness the proceedings. (Applause) Yes, Hon. Aber?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Since you have introduced the team from Bukedea, allow me to take this opportunity to tell them that they must bring you back unopposed. (Laughter)

11236 THE OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO MINISTERIAL STATEMENT she had taken a record of the security vehicle, she would be unable to live to tell the story as a witness. I refer the House to the 25 July 2023 Daily Monitor report which I have attached entitled, “Army stray bullet kills woman going to her garden.” Besides, security is fond of switching registration number plates upon accomplishing their missions. This was evident in the tenure of Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi, as the Deputy Inspector General of Police, when his vehicle number plate was switched to a Toyota Hiace drone for an operation; this is a deputy IGP switching number plates. The police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, came out in defence of the saga and stated that it is their tendency, as security, to switch number plates, depending on the magnitude of the operation they intend to conduct. I also reflect on the various by-elections like Omoro, Soroti, Bukedea, among others, where security forces concealed their vehicle number plates with cow dung to evade detection. (Laughter)

Were you in Bukedea to see that? Remove Bukedea from your list. (Laughter)

Much as I am not supposed to defend my district, I am defending it; Bukedea was not involved.

Madam Speaker, this is a House of record in Parliament. I rarely interrupt very decent men like Hon. Mpuuga. However, listening to him and reading through, I am wondering whether it is a rejoinder or a new statement. Because - and some of the people whom I do not want to put on record, like now Bukedea, can he refer to which page the Minister indicated that? Because in a rejoinder, you do not bring new things. But there are a number of new things that have been brought. Now, like on this one of cow dung and- when a dung is on the number plate, you may not even know whether it is a human dung or a cow dung. Going into the specific –

Honourable Leader of the Opposition, you are making a rejoinder on what the minister responded to, and in the report of the minister, I did not see my district and I am the Woman Member of Parliament for that district; I will defend it to the latter. Let us talk about abducted people because there is nobody abducted from Bukedea.

Honourable, Bukedea was not included. (Laughter) You can withdraw Bukedea.

Leader of the Opposition, listen to your attorney. Bukedea was not involved; let us not go into something.

Madam Speaker, for the sake of tranquillity and peace and to avoid interruption by Hon. Oboth, who is deliberate on disrupting my presentation, we shall use other examples and drop Bukedea.

So you withdraw Bukedea?

No, he has withdrawn Bukedea. Honourable members –

Honourable members - now you, you just came and your children were here looking for you - first wait. Honourable members, the Leader of the Opposition brought a report to this House and the Government was asked to respond item by item. Now, after the Government responded item by item, they felt they were not satisfied with Government’s response - strictly on what was brought on the Floor. A rejoinder is a response to the response that was given. So, the rejoinder that you are giving is responding to what Gen. Muhoozi gave, and strictly, it should be to what Gen. Muhoozi gave not bringing in the issues of Bukedea, cow dung-

Thank you, Madam Speaker – (Interjections) – I need your protection. First of all, I thank the honourable colleagues for raising questions. I will begin by answering Hon. Tinkasiimire’s question. It is true that the National Council of Sports trains and inducts presidents of the respective federations and it is done not once or twice. It is also true that the Government, under the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association, and the Ministry of Education and Sports, with the money you provide as Parliament, continues to promote talent identification and development. It is no wonder that secondary schools; Bukedea Comprehensive Academy and Amus College are going to host the Federation of the East African Secondary Schools competition in eastern Uganda. Madam Speaker, as the director of that school, congratulations. We will have the entire East Africa –

One thing I am aware of is that all the towns where the pipes are passing benefit. Unless you are talking about a certain village like mine, instead of Bukedea town, deep down there, that is a different case.

Honourable members, the importance of water for production in agriculture cannot be overemphasised. Right now, most parts of the country are receiving a lot of rainfall, but within few months, some of these areas will be water strained, like my place in Karamoja. This calls for functional water for production, storage facilities, among others. Whether or not, it is being done, the committee will now present its report. My brother, Hon. Frank, will tell you that he has put up a dam in Bukedea, but it will be the committee to tell us whether it is there or not. Committee chairperson, can you present your report?

11138 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT viii) There is poor coordination during implementation, shoddy and incomplete work in most of the facilities. Madam Speaker, like I said, the committee visited the two sub-regions of Karamoja and Teso based on the background information that is highlighted below. Karamoja’s prevailing pastoral and agro- pastoral production systems are characterised by long dry spells and cyclical droughts that are exacerbated by climate change. The scarcity of water associated with the drought is considered the greatest risk to agricultural development. In addition, a considerable number of valley tanks - up to 20,000 cubic metres and wells - have been constructed across the sub-region, but most have dried up due to the long dry season. Much of the existing water storage infrastructure suffered from consequences of years of utilisation without proper operation and maintenance. Furthermore, water catchment areas supplying water to the water storage sites are under threat due to overgrazing, forest destruction, bushfires and increasing charcoal production. Like in other regions, Teso sub-region depends on agriculture as a key economic activity. However, the area has been experiencing erratic and unpredictable rainfall, which has resulted into frequent floods, water logging and severe prolonged drought, contributing to food insecurity. The Government has established a number of water-for-production facilities, but the demand is still high. It is against this background that the committee conducted a field visit to Karamoja and Teso, to assess the selected water-for-production facilities. The objectives of the field trip are captured under 3.0, the methodology is under 4.0. After the field trip, the committee had an engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Ministry of Water and Environment and; Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The sites that were visited are in 4.2 that is; in Moroto, Nakonyen Valley Dam; Amudat District, Katotin Small Scale Irrigation Scheme and Kosike Valley Dam. In Kaabong, the committee visited Longoromit Valley Dam and Usake Valley Dam. In Kotido, the committee visited Kaoyangorok Valley Dam and Kailong Valley Dam. In Abim, the committee visited Kawomeri Valley Dam and Kanu Valley Dam; in Soroti, the committee visited Alere Small-Scale Irrigation scheme; in Bukedea, Acomai Irrigation Scheme and Akero Valley tank. In Kumi, Amosingo Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme and Agurut Valley tank; while in Serere, the committee visited Opapa Small- Scale Irrigation Scheme. Findings in Nakonyen, Moroto District. The committee was informed that work commenced in January 2023. The facility, after completion, would have a capacity of 1,580,000 cubic metres and would serve the people of Tapac and the neighbouring communities. The committee was informed that a cost of Shs 9.1 billion was to be spent. Committee observations The cost of the project has been increasing over time. The original cost was Shs 8.1 billion, but at the time of the committee visit, it had increased to Shs 9.1 billion. As of October 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries had revised the cost to Shs 10.9 billion. After nine months, the project is behind schedule and may not be completed within the planned activities.

11142 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT facility was constructed by the Ministry of Water and Environment. The facility has a valley tank with a capacity of 20,000 cubic metres, a solar abstraction system, irrigation network, and a modern nursery bed, among others. The committee observes that the facility has not been handed over to Soroti District Local Government, yet it is being utilised. The committee also observes that farmers lack skills in good agricultural practices and agribusiness management. Recommendation The Ministry of Water and Environment should hand over this facility to Soroti District Local Government. The district, through the production department, ensures that farmers are trained on irrigation practices, agribusiness, and supported to maintain the infrastructure. Acomai Irrigation Scheme, is located in Kamutur Subcounty, Bukedea District, and is still under construction by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries under the Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVCDP). According to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, construction of this project commenced in November 2021 and is expected to be completed in July 2024. It is supposed to have a number of projects within it; construction of six secondary canals, 6.4 kilometres of steam roads, storage building, residential and office buildings, drop structures, flood protection works, storage tank, embankment filling, and compartment, and construction of a bridge over River Sironko at the intake site to connect Bukedea and Bulambuli districts. The scheme is a large one and is estimated to cover 1,608 hectares, where the net irrigable area will be 1,480 hectares with its water resource from River Sironko, at the estimated cost of $37,807 million. Observations The project implementation is slow. Whereas the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development reported that the progress of the work had reached 47 per cent –

Thank you, Madam Speaker, I thought I would talk about everything about Bukedea, but my brother is stopping me. He does not know that Bukedea is Nalongo’s district of. Recommendations The committee recommends that a provision be made to retain Tajar Valley Tank operational so as to save Government money from getting wasted. The committee was informed that the facility was established at Shs 2 billion, and the committee wishes that another project like Tajar would be given to the local community as the other major project goes on. The committee also recommends that Government undertakes deliberate efforts to source market for the scheme produce when operational to motivate farmers. Akero Valley Tank in Bukedea Observations Akero Valley Tank infrastructure is dilapidated and needs to be rehabilitated.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of my family, happy birthday to you and the twins. I congratulate you and the people of Bukedea. I am happy that the Government Chief Whip has spoken firmly here, but I would like to remind you of some of us who have joined Parliament. When I joined the Ninth Parliament, I found a strong foundation by the Hon. Obua’s then. As of now, I do not know whether we interest ourselves in listening to what the population talks about the institution of Parliament. It is true today, in this Parliament, we have the nearest big building here which has almost reached Parliament. Madam Speaker, forgive me for mentioning here that if you do not stand firm, this institution is becoming like the national theatre. Why am I saying so? We used to admire legislators and the debates of this institution when we were young people, and it is the reason I endeavoured to be here irrespective of where I come from. Fundamentally today, are we doing what the people of Uganda sent us to do here?

Madam Speaker, you directed me last Thursday to have a meeting with Members of Parliament so that they can bring their concerns and you told me not to report back here. We had that meeting on Tuesday this week. A number of Members came and we have done the compilation. If the Member concerned had written to us early, her concern would have been taken care of. I promise that we shall handle it, including those who brought their issues last Tuesday. Madam Speaker, your issue of the Bukedea flooded roads was also brought to our attention, and many others. I brought all the ministers concerned; we had the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Katumba Wamala, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) was present, the Minister, Office of the Prime Minister (Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees), Hon. – (Hon. Kwizera Eddie rose_)

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Soroti County, I wish you a very happy birthday. The rains have come and they have been good. The orange trees have dropped the old leaves, they are flowering and bearing a lot of good fruits. However, there is a big problem; these fruits never mature on the tree because there is a serious pest that has affected the oranges in Teso. I am not speaking only for Soroti but the entire Teso region, from Katakwi down to Kumi, Ngora and back to Bukedea and within the city area of Soroti. There is also good news that a miracle has happened. There was communication from the fruit factory that now they can consume over 72 tonnes of orange. However, the question is, are they going to consume the rotten oranges? My prayer is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries - We had locusts; we fumigated them and they went. These trees must be fumigated. Let us provide - because even when the farmers maintain the trees, the rot continues and spreads from one tree to another. We are talking about the economic basket of Teso; the household income. I pray that as these new rains continue and the trees are bearing new fruits, we can protect this and we shall see a change in household income. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madan Speaker. I thank my senior, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, for ably answering some of these questions about disaster preparedness and management in the country. Honourable colleagues, you need to bear with us. We have been trying our best to see how to respond to some of the disasters. As we compile all the disaster reports that we have, in the last two weeks alone, we have a bigger bunch of 27 reports from the El Nino, including Bukedea, Nakasongola and Buvuma -

Honourable members, the floods that I get in Bukedea come from Nakapiripirit and Sebei subregions. All the water comes from Hon. Chemaswet’s place and Hon. Anyakun’s place and ends up in Bukedea and Katakwi.

Madam Speaker, I agree with you that all the water that comes from the mountains of Elgon, Napak and Moroto slope toward Teso and that is why we have many floods in Katakwi and Bukedea. Honourable colleagues, I just want you to be patient with us. The Prime Minister has just announced here that we are making preparations to get some money from the supplementary to be able to respond. I am going to bring a report here and you will see how many schools our ministry has tried to support at your constituency level, because of you. We are trying our best to see how to support you, Members, amidst - Even this morning, I was in the stores. The Prime Minister sent me to the stores this morning to confirm what we have in terms of iron sheets and relief and what quantity we can take to the people. Madam Speaker, we are going to support all the Members, constituencies and the districts that have been affected by the floods. That is my word.

11021 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023 the list of Members who have logged in, stayed out and pretended to be in the House, and I will publish the names of the people who do not have integrity in the newspapers. You are either inside or not. They should come to the House; nobody chased anyone out. Come back at will; free entry, free exit. Let us not pretend to be in when we are not. We should be accountable for taxpayers’ money. I have heard Rastaman saying, how much money are we paid per day? We should account for that money by being in the House. If you are not in the House, you are voted all the way from Bukedea and you are not in the House, so, where are you? Those who go on social media, televisions and radios attacking me over what I am supposed to do; telling you to be in the House, do not waste your energy because I am now immune to your attacks. (Applause) All I want are Members to be in the House to do the work that they were sent to do. Be productive, you are here to serve the nation. If you cannot be here to serve the nation, then the rules will apply. When we discipline one person, we are not disciplining a party. It will be personal liability. Honourable members, over the weekend I was driving around Kampala and I could see how the town is littered. I was surprised to see someone who was driving ahead of me throwing out a bottle of water. People need to learn how to keep our town clean. Now that the rains have started, issues of climate change are a reality. Roads are getting blocked, water is stagnated, bridges are breaking down and there is a lot of corruption in terms of fiscal planning in the city. We need to be responsible enough to have a good city, a good country and ensure that as representatives of the people, we take the lead in preaching the need for environmental conservation. I am waiting for a report from the Committee on Physical Infrastructure on the flooding in Kampala, and how people are building in the trenches. I hope we get it this week. It is just indiscipline that people start building in the trenches. I would like to welcome all of you, members and thank you for coming. I am happy, Hon. Anite, that you are trying to cut the 15 days off. (Laughter) Thank you so much, members. I wish you nice deliberations.

Thank you. I can actually give you a better context from Bukedea because it is also a village constituency. All the bridges there are broken down and need to be worked on. It is not that I stay in Nakasero only. I am a village girl and stay in the village as well.

Minister of investment, I have an investor who has encroached on land between Bukedea and Bulambuli. He has taken it and they are growing rice massively, yet it is a swamp. That is just one of them. Hon. Onzima has talked about another. It is all over the whole country. Namanve –

I have a very peculiar issue as per your communication and that regards the swamps bordering Lake Bisina up to your home in Bukedea. These swamps have been invaded by hippos. I contacted the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to come and sort out the situation. The hippos are killing cows, goats and sheep and even destroying crops, especially potatoes. One retired civil servant called Mr Otim Pampus and his four cows were killed. When I asked the UWA team for a solution to this and they said that they could not relocate these hippos to any other area and they do not have a solution. I do not know how these people can be assisted because as I speak, there is too much rain, the number of hippos is increasing and they are causing total destruction. I submit.

11047 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023 14) There are districts that were performing exceptionally well, for example, Kisoro, Tororo, Rukungiri, Ibanda, Kumi, Apac, Kakumiro, Bukedea, and others, with performance standing at above 90 per cent.

At least clap for Bukedea. (Applause)

Thank you. Actually, the skilling project is very good. The last time there was a function in Kololo, there were over 10,000 youth under the skilling project. That is Kampala. The question is: when will it reach Kachumbala, Bukedea, Kinkizi, Rubanda and Kween? Can we have it throughout the country so that we engage all our youth in doing that? We provide our youth with skilling materials, welding machines and sewing machines so that we engage them and stop them from being idle. That should be done throughout the country. Much as we talk about the Parish Development Model (PDM), it benefits only 39 per cent. Where is the 61 per cent? Emyooga is also for a limited number, not for everybody, but we have the most active, the youth. What do we do with the youth? Government, what is the way forward?

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.

Honourable members, I want us to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Hon. Opolot here will say the CAO is only serving me, but they are supposed to serve the district; the people of that area. I want to request the Minister of Local Government - I see all of them here; Hon. Abwooli and Hon. Magyezi are here. Please, get the information from Hon. Abeja because she is a little emotional. Where the CAO has a problem, carry out an investigation. If he has a problem, as is being said, do not “shop” the way she has said it and do not transfer. Let us not rotate around with these problems. Today, you are removing someone from Otuke; another day, Kole or Bukedea. Don’t we have educated people? Just fire that person. (Applause) I want a response on that issue, but not on the Floor.

Actually, include Bukedea. (Laughter)

Bukedea! (Laughter) Let me request Members that we meet in the Conference Hall of the Office of the Prime Minister so that we can handle the issue. I will mobilise other stakeholders. I wish that you come with written submissions so that we can have a record for follow-up. I will mobilise the ministers concerned; works ministry is here, we even have energy ministry- because some poles of energy -

What is on that document is what made us win the bid. I want us to differentiate the local games that we have in Uganda; in Bukedea, Soroti with the international games. Honourable minister, can you respond?

10911 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U G ANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 N O V EMBER 2 023 patching only where they think visitors are going to pass. The biggest visitors in this country are us. (Applause) First start with us because all of us come from outside Kampala. We are visitors in this city. Patch up everywhere since we have given you money - not only for a road going to Munyonyo. We know that there are a lot of inconveniences that happen when a road is being worked on; there is a diversion and you cannot pass. We also currently have too much rain. I request KCCA to consider all Ugandans as visitors as we wait for the others who are coming. We want a beautiful city; we do not have to segregate. We do not work on our house only when we know that there are visitors coming. We gave out money and it is for the whole city. Honourable members, this morning - and I am saying this painfully. I should not have said it, especially when the chairperson of Lango Parliamentary Group is my very good friend. I saw a press conference where the Lango Parliamentary Group was addressing the nation. I have also seen T-shirts and a number of posts on social media saying “No Akii-Bua, no AFCON; no Akii-Bua, no vote.” I would like us to distinguish between presidential pledges and what was put in the AFCON bid. The bid had requirements that have to be fulfilled whereas a presidential pledge also has to be fulfilled. There is Akii-Bua and Buhinga, which must be fulfilled. Let us not jeopardise our bid for AFCON. This is an international bid; let us not localise it. (Applause) I also come from a different subregion; do you want us also on Sunday to say, “No Soroti/ Bukedea Stadium, no vote”? There was a decision by Parliament that – Dr Chris, do you remember the decision of Parliament on putting up stadia all over the country? You will give it to us. We are not going to tolerate this. Why didn’t you make that noise when we were bidding? Because we were on tension when we were bidding for AFCON. Please love your country. The fact is that Akii- Bua must get its stadium at whatever cost. Buhinga will get it. It was a presidential pledge. That is why I am not asking for it in Bukedea because it was not pledged there. I want us to desist from that and look at what is good for our country. That kind of cheap politics will not take us anywhere. Let us love this country. I will only need to hear from the minister on the position of the Cabinet on that issue. For you to have the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), you needed to have an airfield in your area; that is when they would use your stadium, and the only places that qualified were Hoima and Kampala. Therefore, for us who do not have – (Laughter) - honourable members, let us accept that we do not have them. It is not until they are put there that we can have it. Let us first host this one and not attach politics to it – no vote! Vote for who? I hope you have votes for yourself, first. Honourable members, let us desist from such because if these people of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) hear that, it is bad publicity for this country. I believe the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Cabinet and the Government are going to do the right thing, following what was in the bid and the presidential pledge. Let us differentiate between presidential pledges and what is in the bid. The checklist is in the bid – what was put there. That is why places like Nakivubo and Namboole are going to host matches. There is going to be a stadium put up in Arua, but not for AFCON. I would like to thank you very much and request that as you enter and later exit, please, clock in and out. Today is the second day – I started counting yesterday. I am checking the list every day, of people who attend the House.

10914 THE EXPLOSIVES BILL, 2003 The issue of the environment which has been raised - and my Chief Whip has referred to - as Government, we have already got the presidential directive and as the Cabinet, we have already made a decision. The challenge is that we have a lot of forged certificates which are given out there; certificates by the so-called National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The cancellation process is on and the process by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has started. Since the directive of the President, NEMA resolved, officially that there is no issuance of any certificate allowing anybody to construct in a wetland. We have gone ahead to ensure that those who are in the wetlands - we have classified them as directed by the President - those who fall under the category of Bukedea and other areas that are using the wetlands for livelihood, we have gone ahead to plan and implement alternative sources of livelihood. We are shifting them but the biggest challenge is the illegal degraders. Honourable members of Parliament, through you, Madam Speaker, I pray that we, as a country, take responsibility. Anywar cannot be everywhere. We are all Government. Let us take this responsibility and report those illegal people. Another challenge is that it is the very people we are talking to - the so-called untouchables - who are also degrading the environment. Let us take on this mantle and blacklist them; show them out because we have now the action to be taken as directed by the President. We are in action, Madam Speaker.

10675 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has updated its specifications and only allows robust solar systems that can work up to a minimum of l5 years. A few facilities that have so for benefited and the systems have been installed and commissioned, are as follows; 1. Kiboga - Bukomero Health Centre IV; 2. Kazo - Kazo Health Centre IV; 3. Buhweju - Nsika Health Centre IV; 4. Kamwenge - Rukunyu Government Hospital; 5. Kakumiro - Kakumiro Health Centre IV; 6. Omoro - Lalogi Health Centre IV; 7. Kapelebyong - Kapelebyong Health Centre IV; 8. Bukedea - Bukedea Health Centre IV; 9. Sironko - Budadiri Health Centre IV; 10. Manafwa - Bugobero Health Centre IV; and 11. Oyam - Anyeke Health Centre IV. Mr Speaker, these health centres have their power reliability at 100 per cent for the last two years and that is the direction that the Ministry of Health has taken to reduce the recurrent expenditure to the minimum. My response to the second prayer is that the standard for the general wards provides for separate sections for male, female and children. Once funds are realised, the required infrastructure shall be put in place at Kassanda Health Centre IV. My response to the third prayer is that on 20 September 2021, the Emergency Medical Services Policy was approved by the Cabinet of Uganda, and it spells out the allocation of ambulances to defined catchment areas. The new policy is to allocate one Type B ambulances per 100,000 population equivalent to one constituency in Uganda. The allocated ambulance serves the population in that constituency. The policy disbanded the prior arrangement of the issue of allocating ambulances to health facilities in order to serve a wider population better. Mr Speaker, the ambulance vehicle is situated at the most accessible and secure health facility in the constituency, preferably on the highway. In the year 2020/2021, Kassanda District was allocated an ambulance registration UG6859M for Bukuya Constituency. For now, though situated in one of the constituencies, the ambulance is provided with fuel to respond to emergencies across Kassanda North and Kassanda South constituencies, in Kassanda District. In the Financial Year 2024/2025, we plan to procure additional 180 Type B and Type C ambulances to fill the gaps. The Government is committed to fill the gaps in ambulance vehicles at the constituency level for the Financial Year 2025/2026. The fifth question came from Hon. Chelangat Alinga Solomon, Member of Parliament, T’oo County, Bukwo District. He stated thus: “ Bukwo District is predominantly an agricultural district. People mainly grow maize for both commercial and subsistence purposes. However, the President has been discouraging people from maize farming unless on a large scale because it is not economically viable. Therefore, our people were advised to shift to short term crops, which are more profitable. The Government of Uganda thought of giving our people some incentives through the Agriculture Cluster Development Program (ACDP), under the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I have issues of concern that have discouraged our people from taking the good advice from the President. i. Government through ACDP, procured a contractor, Bold Energy, in April 2021 to supply farm inputs, like maize seed and fertiliser. The contractor did their part, but the Government has never met its obligation of paying the contractor. This has put the contractor in a very fragile

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am almost failing to speak because it pains me. When I am campaigning in Jonam, there is one thing I keep telling those people. And maybe I should start by saying that Pakwach is 85 percent NRM, but I am in FDC. When I am finishing my campaigns, I tell the people of Pakwach that; “The day you elect me and I am going to Kampala to work, I will leave my party in the house. I am going as a national leader and not going to be putting on the lens of the FDC or of the Opposition. I am going to be reasoning on issues the way they come before me.” Based on what Professor has stated here, that even from the NRM side, let us try very much – like the Speaker said, we know that we have the numbers, but let us also try to look at issues in the ways they have come. I see that some of us sometimes want to look at issues through the lens of our parties. To me, that will not take us far, and I am appealing – I do not know if my colleagues in the Opposition are seeing – I am appealing that let us to speak to our hearts and the hearts of the issues that brought us here. That we are going to be looking at issues and ensure that we function as a Government. I personally look at myself as being part of this Government. You may say; “He is in the Opposition,” but I am part of this Government because I am here in Parliament. That is the spirit in which we should be looking at issues that come before us. You remember in my first submission today, I stated that sometimes because of orders from above, we push our security personnel into doing things that they even question in their hearts. We also need to be asking ourselves about some of these things. As I come towards the end, I am very proud to have a commissioner here who was my staff. I worked purely with international non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and that is why maybe sometimes my outlook on issues and also politics is totally different. Hon. Solomon Silwany was my staff; he knows exactly who I am, and that is why sometimes when I see him excited, I go and remind him that “I am your boss.” (Laughter) Mr Speaker, I think the joke which you made when we were in Bukedea, you remember you joked and said that, “Emmanuel, now

10720 STATEMENT BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION which FDC are you in?” That joke was about to cause me problems for some other people, but fortunately, I will never be derailed. Honourable – your neighbour, you better do something for me. You remember in one of the dailies, the New Vision of a certain Saturday, it was all about me being in a secret meeting with MK and it was just that greeting in Bukedea. (Laughter) I even do not think that MK can remember my face because I only greeted and talked to him for two or three minutes. However, coming back to what the Speaker and also Professor has stated, where we can reach out to our colleagues, let us try to. Of course, if you also see a certain age group, some of them are still very excited, but we can still try to reach out to them. Those who want to listen, fine, but those who do not want to listen, let us go ahead and make sure that the Government runs well. That is all I can say. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also want to thank the Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga for the update report that she has given us. However, the clarification I would like to seek is whether she has come across a one Professor Otimong from the East in Bukedea who claims to be holding claimants’ files. A good number up to about 400 or so he claims. And at one point when I spoke to him, he expressed that they have fears of handing over their files because they think that some people will somehow play around with their files and they get lost. The last time I spoke to him and informed him that the Minister had been to the House and a call was made for all the claimants who are able to go to the Ministry and present their cases, he said that he was headed there with a team to meet the Minister. The clarification I wanted to get is if the Minister is aware and if indeed this professor who claims to have information was able to reach her. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the committee chairperson and members for a very good report. I would like to confirm that we interacted with the committee on these matters and fully agree with them. Secondly, Madam Speaker, I thank Parliament for agreeing, in 2020, to create the new cities. We may have had a difficulty in starting, but, generally, the cities are progressing quite well. They bear a good future in terms of urbanisation in the country. I look at some urban centres that are growing. Right now, if you were to ask me if we were to create new municipalities - we are not about to do that. However, for anybody who has visited Luweero Town Council, you cannot believe that it is a town council. The size of urbanisation and level of economic activities there – it is a question of getting them to that level where we give them the necessary technical staff at the level of the municipality. Look at Dokolo and Bukedea town councils – (Laughter)-

No, do not bribe me. Honourable minister, remove Bukedea. You have not done anything.

Madam Speaker, with due respect, I have been to these local governments for some time. I have seen that little trading centre at Bukedea. When you go there now, you see the level of urbanisation – the new buildings, the streets and so on – that is coming up. The point I am making is that it is a critical decision we have to take as the leaders of our country. Uganda is one of the fastest urbanising countries in Africa – even in the world. It is at about 5.8 per cent. When you go home, you find that, all of a sudden, people have moved to what was a little town when you left. I want to make it clear to Parliament and the country that the Cabinet put a ban on the creation of new administrative units. Also, in the case of Kwizera v. the Government of Uganda, it was ruled that we do not create new administrative units in between the term of office. So, in this kisanja , the only time we can look at creating new administrative units is 2025, as we head to the next elections in 2026. Therefore, to friends who have been sending their proposals – you know, we cannot refuse what is in Article 179 of the Constitution: the will of the people. These councils sit and send the proposals, but as far as I am

Honourable minister, thank you for enduring to present. I want to know the categories: does your circular categorise these schools? We needed regulations, but you are talking about a circular but does your circular categorise them in terms of urban schools, village schools and that kind of thing? Also does it give the minimum services that are in those categories because it is from those minimum services that you determine how much school fees are paid? For instance, if you are talking about a school in Kampala, which has a swimming pool, sports ground and all those kinds of things, it should be different from a school in Bukedea, which has nothing. And, who enforces whatever you are reading in that circular? What redress do we have for parents who come complaining about school fees that have been hiked? Lastly, do all these parents know about that circular? I own a school, but I did not even know about those circulars. (Laughter) Yes, point of procedure.

Madam Speaker, still on the issue of water; the water that comes to Bukedea is from my constituency. (Laughter) Last time, these people rioted. They wanted to cut those pipes, but we went there and talked to them. (Laughter) That very sub-county that gives you water –

Honourable member, let it be on record that Bukedea people have not stolen your water. (Laughter) The water was brought by the ministry, not anybody else and you do not have a right to cut the pipes. (Laughter)

Thank you very much, Members who attended the function. I also want, on a special note, to thank the Members who came to Bukedea. (Applause) I will still welcome you anytime you feel like; feel at home, feel at Bukedea. Next item. Hon. LoP, do you have something?

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, the Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament held a thanksgiving ceremony this weekend. In the two-day thanksgiving, we had the first day at her home with Members of Parliament. On the second day, in the same district, the thanksgiving ceremony was held at a certain venue with her voters, Members of Parliament and other guests including myself. I do not know whether army officers are not allowed to attend thanksgiving ceremonies. What we had in Bukedea was a thanksgiving ceremony and the Speaker had, among other guests, some military officers. So, I do not know whether the law says military officers are prohibited from attending thanksgivings. Until I get that clarification, I will be constrained, honourable colleague, and I must say, we missed you at the party. (Laughter) Your seat was well reserved. So, next time, join us because we participate in thanksgiving ceremonies of colleagues. Colleagues, if any of you has - and I do not mind whether you call your party president – as long as it is a thanksgiving, I will come. So, the Rt Hon. Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and Members of Parliament never participated in activities of politics. We participated in thanking God and the people of Bukedea for voting their beautiful daughter to the Parliament of Uganda, where they saw her capacity and also made her a Speaker of the august House.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The issue of cattle raids is a common phenomenon, especially in Teso, more particularly the districts of Katakwi, Amuria, Kumi, Bukedea and Kapelebyong, and extending to that side of Abim to Agago, and on this side, to Sebei and Kapchorwa. Mr Speaker, many people have lost cows in my area, especially in Magoro Sub-county and in a place called Angesa. To make matters worse, these people even killed the LC1 Chairman for Angesa. The name of that chairman is Orukit. He was also the chairman for the education committee in Magoro Comprehensive Secondary School. Mr Speaker, is there a way Government can compensate the people who have lost their cows? I thank the UPDF because they have tried to recover some of them, particularly when the Third Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Nabasa, was brought in; he has done some good work. However, more effort is needed; I also applaud the Government. If –(Member timed out.)

Honourable members, I am happy the Prime Minister is concerned about the swept money. Now, that money, from an accounting view, I want to ask the Committee on Finance to do this House a favour and look at that account statement on 30 th June; how much money was there? I also want a statement on the last day, 31 st . I am speaking as an accountant now. I want us to reconcile that account. Let us have the statement before the sweeping, and then the statement after the sweeping, and then a reconciliation on the sweeping. If what was swept back is Shs 5 billion, Shs 1 billion came from Bukedea, the other one came from this and this - I am giving the Committee on Finance one week to do that. Where you need consultancy services, I am available.

What I am saying is that let us also go further and establish - if for example, money was returned from Bukedea, why was it returned? Was it due to the weakness of the local government or was it a deliberate effort from the centre not to release money on time?

Thank you. Honourable members, I would still like to reiterate the issue of attendance of the House. If you do not attend the House - I saw the New Vision showing the best Members of Parliament. I saw Hon. Sarah Opendi – because she grabs the microphone all the time. (Laughter) Much as she grabs the microphone all the time, she is here. So, be here and be seen to be here. That is why you were voted – Honourable members, you need to be in the House and I would like to tell you that when you clock in, we print the summary. Your voters are going to look at whether you are in the House or in the constituency. This is your home when you are in Kampala. So, if you are not here, where are you? Committees sit in the morning and that is why we decided to have House in the afternoon. Honourable members, I am giving you a simple piece of advice. You know the Rules of Procedure of this House: when you do not attend the House a number of times, you know what happens. I wish you good luck in today’s deliberations. (Members rose_) Honourable members, before you get up, let me introduce my children. In the public gallery this afternoon, we have the Volleyball and Netball teams that have qualified to go to Kigali. These teams are the girls and boys represented by Rt Hon. Anita Among, Hon. Opolot Isiagi and Hon. John Bosco Ikojo. (Applause) These kids are from Bukedea Comprehensive School. (Applause) Please, stand up. You are most welcome. That school is for none other than –(Laughter) Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat. Enjoy. This is your Parliament. (Applause)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank you for your communication on sports. I attended the National Ball Games in Kabale and I take this opportunity to congratulate Bukedea Comprehensive for participating and coming up as very strong winners.

Madam Speaker, while in Kabale, there are very many things I observed; most of the schools that participated, for example, Bukedea, Lugazi and Homeland College, were mainly private schools.

…that a man favoured wins to replace a noble man, the Rt Hon. Speaker. The script that the Government has recurrently read from has formed the cast to cast a grim theatre in Kayunga and recently in Bukedea. The ghastly stain on the state of democracy undermines the principle that holding regular, free and fair elections is the hallmark of building a democratic society, especially that we feature very embarrassingly on this front as a country. It is concrete proof of the failure by the Government to offer and manage the basics of an election and a vote of no confidence in the Government and its rhetoric that democracy can be a principle of reference in Uganda. The wanton electoral irregularities like ballot stuffing, voter bribery and use of force, and intimidation by security operatives and other government officials exhibit a high degree of primitivism. We, therefore, re-emphasise the need for constitutional and electoral reforms targeted at enhancing democracy, rule of law and constitutionalism in the country.

Thank you very much. When we talk about removing the trucks on the roadside, it also includes those trucks that have parked for more than 30 minutes. That is as per Section 58 of the Road Act. You have vehicles that are parked on the roadside like in Kumi, Soroti, Bukedea, Lukaya and everywhere vehicles are parked on the roadside. Let us first adopt today’s resolution so that it becomes a parliamentary document. Leader of the Opposition, do you want to amend the resolution?

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.

What about Bukedea? (Laughter) Honourable members, Hon. Hassan had a very good point. As an Economist, what is the continuity of this project? This is meant to be a revolving fund. Much as we are giving out this money, how are we recovering it for transmission to other people, to build the number of people who are going to benefit from it? That is food for thought.

We need to have an audit of the recoveries of the loan scheme amount. We also need a thorough audit on the numbers of 480, five and three - I have just learnt that Bukedea has only three. We need to make an analysis and see why. We are going to have the list laid on Table. Government?

9497 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023 Honourable members – Hon. Aza, why are you standing? I have not finished the communication. (Laughter) Honourable members, I also realise that there is too much drought. In this drought, people in all the districts, especially in the cattle corridor, are moving to Bukedea. Can I find out: what could be happening with the rains? I would like to find that out from Hon. Musasizi. We would like to know the weather forecast. (Laughter)

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the communication. Indeed, I support you. It is very funny that a trailer breaks down on the road and then, the owner goes to Nairobi to get spare parts and it takes a whole week when the vehicle is still there. What happens in other countries and what you should advocate for is equipping police. In other countries, they have road towing vehicles and you are charged highly as soon as the vehicle breaks down. I have gone severally to the Committee on Defence and Veteran Affairs beseeching them to provide the Police with better motorcycles, which can chase those who commit offences. Imagine police is riding a Boxer and they are running after one boxer as well. In other countries, Police is well equipped because there is crime, but how do you control crime? By having well equipped Police so that it manages those who commit crimes. However, in Kalungu and Bukedea, there is no single motorcycle and there is traffic.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to know if the Rt Hon. Prime Minister is aware that Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti City, Soroti District and all the areas around receive power supply, basically, for three days a week – that is, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The other days, there is no power. This affects productivity as well as businesses of the local people. Is there anything the Rt Hon. Prime Minister is going to do in order to address the problem of perennial lack of power supply in our region? I thank you.

Madam Speaker, you welcomed us from Eid celebrations, but most Ugandans did not celebrate this day because of electricity load-shedding and limited electricity supply in parts of Nakaseke, Wakiso, Butambala and even Bukedea. However -

No, minister, you will come and respond. What I am saying is that the issue that you are raising should not be there because you do not have the evidence. Bring us the evidence and tell us, for instance, “In Bukedea, the schools do not have A’level and school A B C D.”

9135 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2023 and see what I have been telling you; what you can do on 1.25 acres. I am tired of talking as if I want you to come and clean my house or look after my cows. So, I will put it in the museum - This is not my speech as a whole but this is a report by Maj. Agaba. She wrote it very well and this is how I put it in this speech. Nyakaana now employs 15 people on this 1.25- acre farm. Some time ago, I pointed out that if seven million one-acre farmers, created a mere 10 jobs each - not Nyakaana’s 15 - we would create 70 million jobs more than the population of Uganda. If you want to know if this is possible, find out how many Africans came from other countries here. We have Banyarwanda, Barundi, people from South Sudan and Tanzania came because of the few economic activities which were going on during the colonial times. There was coffee, cotton, ebikajjo (sugar cane). That is how they came and this was because the internal labour was not enough; the labour within Uganda was not enough so these Africans from other areas had to come. Even now, if we implement this, we shall have very many jobs and Ugandans will not be enough. Therefore, no games, delays, corruption, aloofness by leaders and officials on the issue of value addition, and no relenting on the PDM and Emyooga . Uganda is unstoppable. When we tell this to people politely, they do not seem to get it. On the side of agriculture, I did not talk about irrigation, or solar powered irrigation because that is very crucial to stabilise agriculture. You heard your Budget of Shs 52 trillion. While I support that Budget because there is no other solution in the short run, it is important to know - Hon. Kasaija talked about it but it should be highlighted that Shs 17 trillion of that Budget is to pay debts. He talked about it towards the end of this speech but it should be highlighted that out of the Shs 52 trillion you are talking about, Shs 17 trillion is to pay debts; amabanja . Many of these debts were being pushed by the neo-colonial public servants until recently when I put down my foot and insisted on approving every loan. This is why you hear these loans take time to be approved because I insisted on approving every external loan. Otherwise, all this money was not worth borrowing. If you audit it, it was not borrowed for a good purpose. The way forward is to borrow less - and I am glad the minister talked about it - or not borrow at all. With discipline, we do not have to borrow at all. URA is also still under collecting taxes - these URA people - I saw Mr Musinguzi on the TV but they are also not doing good work. Their tax GDP ratio of 13 per cent is not serious. In Europe, countries like Holland have tax GDP ratio of 39.7 per cent. We say in our language ekitatta muyima, tekimumalako nte (When a cattle keeper still has life, he will get new cows even if the old one dies). We shall learn from the mistakes of the past and perform better. What I want the NRM cadres to understand is, in order to do the industrialisation I talked about, we do not have to use Government money. Government money has already been used on the basic things like infrastructure, security, among others. The strategy is to handle the private sector well because it can help us industrialise our country, provided we are able to handle them well. I would like to thank all Ugandans who have been praying for me. I have been watching you pray for me at the Office of the National Chairman of the NRM Party, Hon. Babalanda, Hadijah and the Bazukkulu , praying at the All Saints’ Cathedral Church Nakasero, signing on the board here near the gate, and all others who have been wishing me good luck. I really appreciate it. It is good to know that I am not as bad as some people try to portray me, and that there are Ugandans who appreciate. I would like to also congratulate our people in Bukedea regarding what the Rt Hon. Speaker spoke about. I followed our girl there; Akol was elected as the chairperson with a big majority after the death of the former chairperson who

Do not read the Bill – actually, it has been amended. Members, I am also going to raise an issue on Bukedea. (Laughter) I put the question that the schedule be amended. (Question put and agreed to.) The schedule, as amended, agreed to. The title, agreed to. MOTION FOR RESUMPTION OF THE HOUSE

8681 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 17 MAY 2023 Namata, also of Kamusabi, was murdered the same night. The same day, a taxi with passengers was robbed on the highway between Kayunga and Kitimbwa. The matter is becoming unbearable for our people and I seek the indulgence of Government. I am also worried; my heart is telling me after Kayunga, maybe, they are proceeding to Bukedea but I pray it does not happen. I beg to submit.

In Jesus’ name, it will not come to Bukedea. (Laughter) Bukedea is too far. Government, the issue of what was happening in Masaka has now gone to Kayunga and the next day, it will go to your constituency.

Thank you very much. I believe districts around that area have machines. Therefore, it is not economically viable for a machine to come from Bukedea and be taken to that area. Let me first hear from the Government.

How do you know that you have a vehicle, land or other assets? You need to have an asset register that is updated regularly. When you dispose of an asset, it must be reflected in the asset register. So, some of the things are a problem. There is also the issue of poor local revenue collection. You will find that collections are too little in most of these local governments, yet at the same time, that is the money supposed to be used for most of these projects. However, at the same time, these people collect Non- Tax Revenue (NTR) but the finance ministry takes it. When the local governments ask for money, they are not given. We really have a problem on this with the finance ministry because it takes long to release funds. You find that garbage in Soroti is too much but you cannot even provide them with just one truck to collect the garbage, yet they have collected funds, given to you but you cannot send back the money. The local governments need to improve on capacity building of their members; people working with them. The Parish Development Model has been taken there but it is like a white elephant. The money is not being utilised; it is just given out. I think our people are making accountability. Payroll management and the accounting officers that we have are still a problem. If we have accounting officers that are not performing, why don’t we sack them? Even as Members of Parliament, when we do not perform, we are removed, not so? However, we have accounting officers who are not performing. They transfer them from Amuria to Bukedea, Masaka and Kikoni. You are simply recycling them and taking the vice from one district to the other. How shall we improve? So, there is that problem. We want these accounting officers to be removed. I remember an accounting officer who was very good. Now, because he was good, he is now a Member of Parliament. We cannot afford to have accounting officers who are not performing and you keep recycling them. At the end of the day, the vice goes through the whole country. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, we need action on accounting officers. It will be a big surprise from the finance ministry that we have fired these accounting officers. Clerk, can we have that report uploaded for Members to be able to read? Debate is open but let us start with Mbarara, the worst performing district.

Hon. Oguzu Lee, the matter regarding the under-absorption, return of funds and failure to pay the workers is what is under debate now. We are saying, doctors have not been paid because the monies have been returned and the failure to pay these doctors is because the monies were returned. I gave an example of Mulago Cancer Institute where Shs 80 billion was returned and there was no accountability. It has not been taken back yet these people have not been paid. The interns work under local governments - in Bukedea, I only have interns, but they cannot work. That is the local government report we are looking at. From the health perspective, we are within the same topic; local government. That is why we are telling her to withdraw.

Thank you. We have received it, finally – though it was supposed to have come on the 1 st of April. Honourable members, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have students and teachers of Bukedea Comprehensive School – all the way from Bukedea. You are most welcome. (Applause) They are represented by none other than my good self, Hon. Ikojo and Hon. Patrick Opolot. You can send me all your children to Bukedea Comprehensive School. (Laughter) Yes, procedure?

8474 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. STATEMENT ON THE BRUTAL ARREST OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT If you see somebody is protesting and they have a placard, you move behind that person and see whether that person can do anything. You cannot carry a woman – that woman you are carrying is either your wife, daughter, mother or sister. Hon. Nyakato told me they pressed her breasts. Honourable members, I want to guide this way: The Prime Minister is going to make a presentation, but I want us to debate this with all soberness. If you start behaving funnily – what we want is the solution to this issue. If we are going to say Members should be allowed to conduct activities in their constituencies so long as they are not harmful – holding Women’s Day celebrations… There is nobody who is going to go to Bukedea and say “I want to be the guest of honour” when I am the Woman Member of Parliament. Never! You must guard your space. (Applause) Hon. Prime Minister, there is nobody – I know you, Majegere. You can even punch somebody. (Laughter) I do not think you can even allow anybody to go to your constituency to be a chief guest. - You stopped? Very good. (Laughter) Now, you are a very good girl. Please, you are welcome. We are going to have this statement in accordance with Rule 52 (1) of our Rules of Procedure. The Prime Minister will present and our debate will not go beyond one hour. Okay? (Laughter) The Leader of the Opposition?

8426 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. THE INCOME TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 I want to thank the President for supporting us on this Bill. (Applause) And I want to ask the honourable members of Parliament to remain steadfast. No earthly thing, no handouts - those small envelopes should not be the ones to destroy you. Let us protect Ugandans; let us protect our values and virtues; we have a culture to protect. (Applause) The Western world will not rule Uganda. The aid that we have been getting is unconditional. If they are giving us a condition that they should use our children’s bums to release the money – there is a right address to be used. (Applause) We may disagree, but we disagree respectfully. Honourable members, I want to sincerely thank all of you, for being strong on this Bill, and the person I want to thank in a special way, who was attacked when he went to America, is the honourable Leader of the Opposition. Thank you for standing firm. (Applause) I also want to thank the honourable members who are here, for standing firm on our morals. (Applause) As I have always said, if you say you will deny us visas, for me, I only want a visa to Bukedea and Buyende. (Laughter) So, no amount of intimidation will make us retract from what we have done. Let us stand firm. Can we hear from the chairperson? Honourable members, listen! As you know very well, history will judge us fairly; it will be known that the 11 th Parliament did it.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am going away from Google and those modern issues they are talking about; I am going to Kalungu and Bukedea directly. On the issue of mobile money, I want clarification from the minister and the chairperson of the committee. In Kalungu – (Interjections - agent banking, there is no problem; we shall land there one day. A businessman in Kalungu carrying out agent banking has the security of the money and risks. When I withdraw or bank Shs 1 million, there is a charge of Shs 20,000 but this gentleman in agent banking gets Shs 1,000. Who is sharing the Shs 19,000 yet the risk is on the agent of the bank? This is painful and I want to find out. Lastly, I would like to disagree with the issue of tax exemption for some professionals. The answer we need is a threshold. We have requested this from the Ministry of Education and Sports. Let us raise the salaries of these people then look at the threshold for us to tax them. How can you tax teachers, LC III chairpersons, and LC III councillors? They are given Shs 20,000 per sitting and it is taxed? Then you think you are having equity in the country? I disagree with that and would pray, chairperson - you know you are from Kiboga; I will tell them directly that this is the man who has

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Indeed, the issues that are being raised this afternoon, about the ethics of our health personnel in the different health facilities, is a major concern. As a ministry, we take the concerns seriously. Mr Speaker, I would like to inform you that the top management of the Ministry of Health – which I was party to – in the last two weeks, had to carry out support supervision in the regions of Lango, parts of Teso and Bukedea. Indeed, we came across some of the issues that are being raised here. As a ministry, we have and still continue to ensure that these issues do not continue happening because we know that the medical staff must handle patients with care. The patients are our clients. Mr Speaker, when this case came to our attention, we set up an investigation team, headed by the Director General of Health Services. Of course, we condemn that act and other associated acts, especially when it comes to the mistreatment of mothers or other patients. As I was coming in, I was told that they are compiling a report. Mr Speaker, I pray that you give me time to bring a comprehensive report, indicating the actions taken. In the case of the individuals concerned, Mr Speaker, the challenge is that the District Health Officers (DHOs) are under the local governments. When we get such issues, we write to the DHO, through the Ministry of Local Government, to apprehend them because they are the ones responsible. Otherwise, raise these issues, tell them the cases and ask the DHOs, but we still move in as the supervisory entity to ensure that they are doing the right thing. I want to promise you that we are still moving to different regions. We are trying our best to bring our health personnel to act within the required standards. Otherwise, we regret that act. I ask that you allow me to come back here, in the shortest time possible, to report on the actions taken. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, National Medical Stores (NMS) supplies drugs to our health centres and hospitals in cycles. Cycles one and two are usually supplied in July and September, respectively. However, both cycles were combined and supplied in December. As I speak, Cycle three that is supposed to be supplied in December and Cycle 4, which is supposed to be supplied in February, have not been supplied. Right now, health centres in Ibanda – and this is not in Ibanda only, but all health centres in Uganda, including those in Kakumiro, Bukedea and other districts - (Laughter) - do not have even the cheapest drugs like Panadol – my nickname – in those health centres. The National Medical Stores says they are going to continue combining cycles, time after time. It is like missing lunch and you are given dinner and lunch at the same time. This results into wastage, theft and, to some extent, drug expiry. Therefore, the NMS is essentially asking whoever got sick in those previous months to be sick again at the time when they would be supplying medicines. My prayer is that the NMS should start supplying drugs as per the cycles rather than combining them. This is because, first of all, when you bring drugs for, say four cycles, you will not have stores in which to keep those drugs. So, somehow people end up stealing drugs, yet our people are suffering. Therefore, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, kindly, give us a stand as a country and what the Ministry of Health is supposed to do to make sure our poor people are able to access free health care.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Jacob loved the vulnerable community. That is why at the time of his passing, he had very many children in school that he was sponsoring. I am glad Parliament, through Members, contributed Shs 1,000,000 each towards his Foundation to ensure those children who he was supporting continue with their education. Last year, we passed a resolution that annually, we would be commemorating our late Speaker through a public memorial lecture. I do not know how far we have gone with that, but I implore you to come up with that programme so that we also celebrate his life with the general public in order for the public to also appreciate his good deeds. Finally, I would like to thank the people of Bukedea and those of Mitooma for sending the two of you to Parliament. You have ably filled the void and we are not missing anything. You are guiding us well, especially the new Members like us and we are really proud of the people who sent you. Thank you. Jah bless! (Applause)

7766 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The people of Mitooma who were here and have left, we want to thank you for the gift of Rt Hon. Tayebwa who has taken on the mantle. (Applause) To the people of Bukedea, we salute you for the gift of the Rt Hon. Anita Among, who has taken on the mantle. (Applause) The people of all constituencies in Uganda represented in this Parliament - because this Parliament is the summary - we thank you for the gift of the people you have given us. Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, we know you are watching us, but we pray that you continue resting in perfect peace. May the good Lord bless you and continue to keep your legacy alive as we proceed as the people who are still alive. Honourable members, I would like to thank you very much. This is another debate that has united the House, just like the one we had this week on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. I believe this is the spirit that we must anchor our debates on and continue to move on. Whether on the Opposition or Government side, we must know that Uganda, the country we all belong to, is bigger than all of us. Today, we are here to render a service and tomorrow, we may not be there. What will you and I be remembered for? That must be the fundamental question. Mr Speaker, thank you very much for guiding and superintending over the House today. I beg to submit, on behalf of Government, and also commit that we will remind the necessary offices and officers to ensure that the different commitments and pledges made are fulfilled; whether in phases or at once, something must be done for them to be fulfilled. I beg to submit. Thank you. (Applause)

7558 AD HOC C OMMITTEE REPORT Wednesday, 15 March 2023 Education is here today - Lands is here, Hon. Oboth Oboth is also here. So, I want to welcome you and Members, you all see what is happening now - there is too much rain. Yesterday, a boda boda rider drowned in the floods. Kampala Capital City Authority must work on the potholes. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness should also be alert given what is happening, and find solutions to this this problem. We kept crying about the dry season, now rains have come, and people are suffering; we need to work on the potholes, especially in Kampala, and of course even up country. We are not saying that work on the roads; we are saying cover the potholes. Yesterday, a boda boda rider died, I think in Bwaise. So, we really need to look at that. Minister for Kampala Affairs should look into this. As well the Minister for Disaster Preparedness should handle those issues to save the lives of our people. Honourable members, of recent, we have heard the media talking about iron sheets. And I have always said that in my district, I got a call that iron sheets had been brought, and when they were taken, I said, “Give them to the schools,” little did I know that those iron sheets were meant for another subregion. Therefore, after a thorough analysis, and looking at the fact that the iron sheets were meant for Karamoja, and not for Bukedea, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - 17TH SITTING - THIRD MEETING Parliament met at 2.01 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

7559 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF U GANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 MARCH 2023 I have taken a personal decision, as a leader, since the iron sheets had not been allocated to my district - though I had already given them out - I have decided to buy 500 iron sheets and give them back. I have sent my Personal Assistant to take back the iron sheets to the Office of the Prime Minister; I have taken personal responsibility. (Applause) I must also thank the person who thought of Bukedea - maybe it was wrong thinking - but I must thank them. But because I do not want to look like I grabbed the iron sheets, I have decided to send them back. I want to thank you so much; I do not want to be a shame to the Parliament. And I have done this for the good of the House. Thank you.

One thing - and I have always said that all the people who are mentioned did not ask for those iron sheets. But even if I asked, the discretion was yours to either give me or not. First of all, you know where those iron sheets were supposed to go, unless they come from your donation account and it is not a diversion from where it was meant to be. Therefore, you should not put the blame on other people. My action has been arrived at because I do not want Parliament’s image tainted. That is why I am doing it. I would have also said, “It was given to vulnerable people.” My people are equally vulnerable, like yours. What is the difference? They did not take it to Kenya; they took it to Bukedea and other places in Uganda. Actually, after this, I also need them in my constituency.

Hon. Ssemujju, Hon. Obua is not a suspect because he is not a Minister for Karamoja. There is nowhere reported in this country that there was theft of iron sheets. If iron sheets were given to Hon. Obua or to anybody else - I told you that iron sheets were taken to my district without my knowledge. Am I a thief? I have said several times that everybody must carry his or her own cross. Do not start diverting people. If somebody diverted iron sheets, that is his or her problem. We did not ask or apply for them. Secondly, are people in Bukedea not vulnerable? They are also vulnerable. They are poor. Do you get it? So, they served the poor. To my recollection, if the iron sheets were given to Government schools, we are complementing what Government is doing. So, Hon. Obua is a very clean man –(Laughter)– and since you are trying to divert me, I do not –(Laughter)– you are trying to divert me; let me now go to the point. Hon. Obua, I know you will talk about the cost of printing 556 ministerial statements. We will look at it and get back to you. Let us look at it and see how we can handle it. It is really good for our Members to have that information because when they are going to the committee, they should be equipped with the information. Yes, Hon. Jona?

Honourable Chair- person, why don’t you say that it shall be in Kakumiro or Bukedea?

7180 THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORTS BILL, 2022 [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR The minister responsible for Karamoja is there. If there was any diversion, it is not anybody else’s fault. I saw iron sheets in Bukedea, but I did not ask for them. I innocently ordered that they should be given to schools. I did not open a shop or sell them, but they were given to Government schools. Therefore, I do not want other ministers to be pulled into what they are not concerned about. Let everybody carry their own cross. (Applause) Let us wait for the report of the committee and this House shall take a decision. Honourable members, let us refrain from making those utterances that are not going to help; we must solve the problem in this House. Honourable members, pursuant to Section 13(13) of the Public Finance Management Act, we are meant to receive the ministerial policy statements by the 15 th of March. However, because we cannot wait up to March, I request that we receive the statements by the 14 th so that we have a day to look at what is left and what is being processed. The timely processing and submission of these reports is very important for us. Honourable members, during the recess, our two colleagues, Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya and Hon. Ssewanyana, who had been on remand for over one year, were finally given bail. We thank God for that. At an ample time, I think they will come to the House. They are still Members of this House. Honourable members, on Saturday, the 18 th of February, Ugandan long-distance runners, Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei, came first and third, respectively, in the Senior Men 10-kilometre race during the 44 th World Cross Country Championship. We congratulate them. We also congratulate the minister for sports. (Applause) That takes us back to sports: we should be able to increase the money given to sports for us to be able to facilitate these athletes. (Applause) Honourable members, you are aware that Article 91(3) of the Constitution provides for Presidential assent to the Bills passed by Parliament. I am now notifying you that The Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2022 was assented to. (Applause) Therefore, Hon. Tebandeke, your prayers were answered. The Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Bill was also assented to - that is your Bill, honourable members. Based on that, I request all of you to go and update your records in the pension office so that in case of anything, we will be able to trace the beneficiaries - not that I am praying for anything, but it is a good thing. (Laughter) Honourable members, as you may be aware, our society remains under threat over the vice of homosexuality. The media has been awash with these stories, signifying the need for us to stand up and be counted, as legislators. The only people who can make laws in this country are you and I. However, if we go quiet and do not stand up and be counted, then, we are not doing anything for this country. This matter was exhaustively discussed on 24 and 25 January 2023 in this House. However, we are also just lamenting like other people. The report that is supposed to be brought here is not going to solve the problem because we do not have a law in place. We need to have a law in place in regard to anti-homosexuality. (Applause) You will recall that in 2014, this Parliament enacted a law on homosexuality, which was later nullified by the Constitutional Court due to quorum - only quorum. Today, the vice has persisted. The people who are suffering are our children. The people who are suffering are you and I. If we cannot stand up and be counted - for this kind of vice – The Western world says they are assisting us – we do not want their assistance if they are going to destroy our morals and cultures. (Applause)

Hon. Ssemujju, the principle of presumption of innocence still stands. You cannot say somebody was given iron sheets - and I have just shared with you my scenario. They sent iron sheets to Bukedea, but they were given to students. How would I know? Let people take responsibility for their actions. I am not going to suspend the House. If you want to go for another two weeks on your own, please do so. Honourable members, let us handle serious issues. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO GRANT LEAVE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL ENTITLED, “THE ANTI- HOMOSEXUALITY BILL, 2023”

Honourable members, reconcile with the Clerk’s office as we proceed. Follow up with the Clerk’s office which report is more current. Honourable minister, reconcile with the Clerk’s office. As we proceed, it will come. In the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from the Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union. They include Hon. Bintu Jalia, Hon. Bagonza Stephen, who is the Vice Chairperson and Mr Sylvester, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You are most welcome. Still, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have family members, friends and constituents of Serere County Member of Parliament. Please stand up and wave to us. You are most welcome. You have come in big numbers; that is very good. We wish you a safe journey when you go back. This is your Parliament and we will always be here for you. Again, in the public gallery, we have Hon. Juma Emong Showan, the “ Speaker of Parliament” of Bukedea and the “ Clerk to Parliament” . You are most welcome. Also, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have the Guild Council of Soroti University on a tour visit to Parliament. They are represented by Hon. Ebwalu Jonathan, Hon. Alobo and Hon. Ariko. You are most welcome, and thank you for coming.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are getting this information of displacement today from here. We are going to expedite and find information from the Chief Administrative Officer to let us know how many IDPs we have in the area. We all know very well that in the previous season, when we had the same challenge, we visited IDPs in Kapelebyong and Agago districts; we gave them relief items. However, I speak as someone who comes from Karamoja. The issue of Karimojong going to graze in the neighbouring districts; we know it has been a challenge because of the drought. Members, the drought is coming all the way from the Horn of Africa and it is biting. When those people are coming, we expect leaders and people from Lango and Karamoja from the side of Kotido to have a meeting to harmonise. This is what we do with the Pokot. Currently, I have cows from Baringo, Kenya in my constituency. They came from Kenya to graze in my constituency. They are even right now in Bukedea in the Rt Hon. Speaker’s constituency, but we talk to each other. We need to engage as leaders to make sure that people who are affected are protected because it involves security and local leaders. Thank you.

Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of leaders from Bukedea District Local Government, the district of our very own Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament. These are the people who have supported her and enabled her to come here to Parliament and be our leader. I hope they will continue doing the same. They include: 1. Mr Imran Muluga – RDC 2. Ms Mary Akol – LC V Chairperson 3. Mr Showan Juma Emong – District Speaker 4. Ms Hellen Amunyo – Town Council speaker We also have 16 LC III chairpersons from Bukedea. They can stand up for recognition. We have 22 district councillors, 33 town council councillors, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Clerk to Council. They are attending a two-day training on governance and management of local councils at Hotel Africana in line with the Ministry of Local Government. They are represented by the Rt Hon. Anita Annet Among, Hon. Bosco Ikojo and Hon. Patrick Opolot-Isiagi. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you. This is your House and you are always welcome. Honourable colleagues, the media has been awash with stories of what has been going on at Entebbe International Airport. Some of the most painful videos I saw were of people crying and Ugandans being denied chance to re-enter their country. There are others being denied chance to go for opportunities, which IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - 6TH SITTING - THIRD MEETING Parliament met at 2.09 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Deputy Speaker, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Mr Speaker, I am very sorry. My sister was looking at me with a kind eye and that is why I brought that matter. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, this is a very serious matter. As I talk, we have many police officers who are stressed and some have divorced. They do not know how their children will go back to school because already, the money has been removed from their accounts by force. I, therefore, pray that; 1. The forceful remittances for retirement – since they are public officers and have their packages – must stop with immediate effect. 2. My request for the audit of the Exodus SACCO – that the Speaker requested for – should be brought by the Minister of Internal Affairs as quickly as possible. The people of Bukedea, thank you for voting very well. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise on a matter of national concern concerning lack of water in Kapchorwa District. Kapchorwa is a mountainous district and blessed with rivers flowing through it, going down to the plains of Bukedea, Teso and Karamoja. However, these rivers are spread far apart. The distance between each is about an average of 10 kilometres. When -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. His Excellency, the President visited Kapchorwa more than 10 years ago and promised to provide tap stand water per village through the gravity flow scheme. However, up to now, we do not have water. There is a very big pipeline from River Sipi going to Bukedea, yet the people along that line have no water. My request, kindly -

That water comes up to Bukedea and I can proudly tell you that we have tap water in almost every household. So, what happened to the source? This water comes from Kapchorwa. 30.5

It is only about the market price. The land in Lyantonde may be more expensive than the one in Bukedea.

Honourable members, we need to apportion liability on accounting officers who have been found culpable for whichever mistake that has taken place. You have heard a number of issues that have been raised by the Chairperson, Committee on Local Government and they are all pertinent issues. We have made a summary and given it to the Executive. They should be able to respond to that. Since they are coming back with a treasury memorandum, we will get actions taken. Remember, Article 164(1) and (2) of the Constitution bestows liability of management of public funds on accounting officers. That is why we are saying, these accounting officers who make mistakes left, right and centre should not be transferred to different districts. You are transferring a vice. This virus will go from Hon. Oboth’s place to Rubanda and then Bukedea. If they cannot be accountable for what they do, then we would rather have new people who are ready to work with us and we move on. I want to thank the chairperson of the committee. I thank the learned Attorney- General, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Public Service, the Government Chief Whip and the Minister of Local Government. You have answered them very well. I now put the question that the report of the Public Accounts Committee (Local Government) on the report of the Auditor- General for the Financial Year ending 30 June 2021 on 49 district local governments, six cities and five municipalities be adopted by this House together with the Auditor-General’s recommendations on all the remaining entities that were not considered by the committee. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted.

6698 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. PATRICK OKABE [The Speaker] this House is not a House for bodies; this House is for us to make decisions for this country. We ask God, if there is anything in this House that we have erred upon, we ask for forgiveness. We will not continue with this premature death of having bodies in this House throughout. God should forgive us and have this House make decisions for the people of Uganda and for us to be able to do our work, and not coming for special sessions. It is not an easy thing. Of course, death is inevitable and we have to get along with it. Hon. Okabe was in the 10 th Parliament with most of us. When he was in the 10 th Parliament, people saw what he could do. Even the Bible says, “By their deeds you will know them”. One can know what Hon. Okabe did when he was in the 10 th and 11 th Parliaments. We feel for the people of Serere because they have really lost a leader. We continue praying for the people of Serere, the family and this nation. On that note, therefore, as Parliament of Uganda, we want to commiserate with the people of Serere, the Teso Parliamentary Group and the people of Teso, the nation at large and the children of the late Hon. Okabe Patrick; a God-fearing man, a man of reason, a respectful man, a man of values, a man who has brought change, especially with the women of Serere. May his soul rest in eternal peace. We have also lost Hon. Okabe’s wife, Christine Okabe, in the same fatal accident. Our Government Chief Whip has also lost his brother, Jasper Okello. Hon. Herbert Ariko of Soroti East also lost a mother, who will be buried tomorrow. The Government Chief Whip’s brother is to be buried tomorrow as well. We, in Bukedea, also lost an LC V chairperson, Hon. Alemkan Moses. May we rise to observe a moment of silence in their honour. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

Honourable members, thank you very much for laying your wreaths and for the solidarity. In the VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have Hon. Michael Werikhe and Hon. Lyandra Komakech. They have come to witness the today’s proceedings, as we pay tribute to our beloved brother. We also have Bishop Simon Peter Emiau, the Bishop of Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG). You are most welcome. Further, in the VIP gallery, we have Hon. Capt. John Emily Otekat, Hon. Judith Mariam Amoit, a CEC member, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, Hon. Dr Francis Epetait. You are all most welcome. Thank you for joining us. Honourable members, we also have condolence messages that have come in. We may not be able to read them, but we have a condolence message from the Vice-President of Uganda, H.E, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, the Member of Parliament for Katakwi. Thank you for the message. Enclosed in her message is Shs 5 million. Thank you very much, Your Excellency, the Vice President. We also have a condolence message from the National Resistance Secretariat, signed by Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende. Thank you so much for the message. We have other messages from: the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria, signed by Hon. Milton Muwuma; the Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Limited (SACCO), and enclosed is Shs 1 million and signed by Hon. Ndugwa Migadde, the Chairperson. We have a message from the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, of Shs 10 million. (Applause) There are also other messages from: the Teso Parliamentary Group of Shs 37 million, the Buganda Parliamentary Group of Shs 1 million, and a message from the Woman Member of Parliament, Bukedea, the Rt Hon. Anita Among, of Shs 20 million. (Applause) Thank you very much for all your contributions and may the good Lord reward you abundantly. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. PATRICK OKABE, FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR SERERE COUNTY, SERERE DISTRICT

Thank you very much, Hon. Opolot, for representing the committee. Members, when you look at these issues that are crosscutting, it is not about the UK Embassy alone; it is all over. When these officers exchange the allowances that are given to them, it comes to very little money. These people are expected to be paid a little better, but what they get is less compared to the cost of living in those countries. It is about the image of Uganda and you need to look at that. On the issue of releases, just imagine somebody is living in Russia. We appropriate money here, but no money is released. How do you expect that person to live in such a country? These people need the money in order to be able to operate. You need to look at these missions the way you look at the account of Parliament because they represent this country out there. I was asking somebody in Russia how much they earn in allowances and I was surprised. I said, I would rather be in Bukedea than in Russia. This is because in Bukedea, I can dig and get money. The allowances these people are getting are not something that can motivate somebody to go abroad. In addition, most of our buildings in the Missions are dilapidated. When you look at them, they are not worth saying that they are our buildings. SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Honourable members, she is saying “Bukedi” not “Bukedea” – (Laughter)

Thank you. Honourable minister and UWOPA, why wouldn’t we have this launch in Bukedea where the percentage is very high, other than us having it in an air- conditioned place? We could also have it in Nakapiripirit where girls get married between six and 10 years. Why don’t we go and have the launch in a village setting and deal with the village women and men so that you are able to tell them that what they are doing is wrong, so that they know what we are talking about? However, when we go to an air-conditioned boardroom, they say, “They are just looking for allowances”; so, let us first clarify that. Maybe the clarification will transfer the venue to some village. Maybe just for information, there is no Ebola in Bukedea and we are ready to host.

Honourable members, two minutes each. Let us avoid talking for long. However, as you heard, Bukedi was being misinterpreted as Bukedea. We should launch this in Budaka where the rate is so high - Tororo is part of Bukedi. Honourable members, let us look at how we plan to eliminate gender based violence; we need solutions. As legislators, let us not go into lamenting. Let us look at the solutions and how we are going to create awareness, how we are going to legislate to that effect, how we are going to budget to that effect. I wish I were you; when the Speaker is speaking, I would sit down. Fr Charles Onen - FR CHARLES ONEN (Independent, Laroo- Pece Division, Gulu City): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Gender based violence affects every fibre of society and whenever it takes place, it leaves incurable scars in the society. We need to come up with a law or a policy, which can help support the victims of violence. In most cases, perpetrators of violence are or were once victims of violence. We have seen the effects of violence in our community and in our societies; the rampant cases of child mothers, the rampant cases of suicide - Gulu District - for example, last month we lost a doctor due to domestic violence. A former councillor stabbed a medical doctor and killed him. It also happened in Kole District and other places. How are we going to help victims of violence? We need psychosocial support to be given to victims of violence. Thank you.

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.

I am Seth Wambede, a neighbor to Bukedea. (Laughter)

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

Thank you. We do not have wild animals in Bukedea but we have Foot and Mouth Disease, which must be controlled.

In your opening statement, No. 3 of the districts that were reported, was actually Bukedea.

I am just reminding you that I come from Bukedea.

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

Thank you, Hon. Nakut. Madam Speaker, what my colleague has said is even affecting Teso subregion, particularly Bukedea, in Kamutur Subcounty. We have had a similar incident where we lost a number of cows. Actually, this morning, I received information that a tune of 107 cows have died in Bukedea. I request that the ministry acts upon this to save the situation. Thank you.

Thank you very much, member of UWOPA, who loves the women very much. The women of this country want those elections to take place; we were all prepared to have them. I was also standing for a position; I even travelled from here to Bukedea, wasted my fuel then the next day they said there were no elections. What happened and what is your plan, as Government?

Honourable members, some order. This statement was scheduled to be presented yesterday. However, the senior Minister of Health requested that it should be deferred to today since she was in the field in Mubende. You will recall that on the onset of Ebola, she has become a resident of Mubende. She gives us regular updates on what is happening. Most especially, we must also thank the President because he has been giving us updates and addressing the country on Ebola. I now invite the Minister of Health to give us an update accordingly. However, before you do that, today, I also have very important visitors in the House. In the Public Gallery, I have the District Executive Council Members of Bukedea. (Applause) We have: 1. Hon. Akol Mary - the Vice-Chairperson, LCV 2. Mr Emong Showan Juma - the Speaker of Bukedea, 3. Madam Tino Hellen Grace - Secretary for production. You are most welcome. (Applause) They are represented by Hon. Ikojo John Bosco and none other than the Speaker. (Laughter) Thank you for voting for the Speaker and the Members of Parliament; Hon. Ikojo and Hon. Isiagi should come back unopposed. (Laughter)

The issue of national character and equity must be respected and you can lay that before the committee. Let us leave the committee to handle the matter. We will discuss it when it comes to the House. However, when giving national character, equity must be respected. If 200 is going to Bukedea - this time, also include Bukedea. (Laughter) . Next item. IV) REPORT OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 TH JUNE 2022

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.)

Prime Minister, instruct the relevant minister to visit and investigate the allegations made against UWA to the satisfaction of the Member. Colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have students and teachers from Bukedea Secondary School in Bukedea District. They are represented by the Rt Hon. Anita Annet Among and Hon. John Bosco Ikojo. Today, she sent me to represent her. So, she is the one you see here. (Laughter) They have come to witness and observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. Thank you. (Applause) Also, in the Public Gallery, we have students and teachers from St Claver Schools Limited. They are represented by Hon. Bashir Kazibwe. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Furthermore, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of committee clerks from the National Assembly of Zambia. They are here to benchmark with the Department of Clerks and to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. Thank you. (Applause)

5651 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2022 Madam Speaker, we have schools in Bukedea that were left out. (Laughter) It is a shame that Government can facilitate schools like Ntare and Buddo – the schools that have rich parents, who can pay the bills - and ignore schools of peasants who could benefit from -

The ones in Bukedea.

Even the ones in Bukedea, Madam Speaker. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, I do not know if it is the intention of Government to make sure that they keep on supporting the rich and leave out the poor.

My prayer, Madam Speaker, is: When are we likely to get equity from Government? Can the Prime Minister come up with a list of schools that are supposed to benefit this year? Madam Speaker, allow me to table a list, which contains the well-to-do schools - Buddo, Ntare etc. - that are going to benefit this financial year, leaving out our schools like Bukedea Secondary, Kakanju Secondary and Kyamunga Secondary schools, among others. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I must appreciate Government. However, you are aware of the challenges of compensation in Teso subregion. You are aware that Government gave Shs 50 billion for the people in Teso, Lango and Acholi subregions. Madam Speaker, if you go back to our constituencies right now, you cannot talk about the NRM Government because it has been long since Government committed to compensate the people of Teso subregion. To date, we have a number of districts, including Kumi, where I come from - even from Bukedea, which happens to be in my immediate neighbourhood - the compensation has had no effect. May I get clarification from the Office of the Leader of Government Business as to whether this compensation is going to be done or not, so that if it is not going to be done, we stop talking about it? Madam Speaker, why has the Office of the Attorney-General failed to implement the recommendation of Government in relation to compensation of our people who lost cattle? Thank you.

As Members of Parliament, let us move away from analogue to digital. That should be the plan. Do not remain where you were. Let us now look at, as Parliament, how do we improve our country to go digital. I have even allowed you to attend meetings on Zoom. I have seen my Member of Parliament for Bukedea is online.

[Ms Harriet Ntabazi rose_] All of you should sit. Honourable minister, it is out of courtesy that when your colleague is talking, you do not heckle. Request for time and then respond. He comes from Busia. Maybe, you need to find out from your colleague, hon. David Muhoozi, whether it is true or not. That is what you need to do. We are not in this House to fire-fight. If he is giving information, receive it. When you receive it, you will come back to his House and say, “Hon. Macho was lying.” All he has raised is: “When you go to my constituency, please have the courtesy to inform me.” If you go to Bukedea, I will chase you; if you go to my constituents without telling me, I will chase you. (Applause)