Buliisa District

Mr Speaker, Murchison Falls National Park covers Nwoya, Pakwach, Kiryandongo and Buliisa districts. So far, more than 100 kilometers of electric fencing has already been done. The work is still ongoing. Secondly, on compensation, especially those who live in areas with wildlife, once somebody has been affected by either elephants or anything, they need to report to the Police. Once they report to the Police, it is easy for investigations to begin.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My name is Allan Atugonza, Member of Parliament for Buliisa. Every Member here supports the loan, but they have some issues. Literally, I have been on the Committee on National Economy for the last four years; it is so painful. I think there is something here being hidden because everyone is saying that the first loan did not perform well. Why are we rushing with this one? You can hear what Hon. Waluswaka and what Hon. Kibanzanga are saying; these are our concerns. Why don’t we –? (Interjections) – No, why don’t we -?

3 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026 57. Alum Santa Sandra Ogwang District Woman Representative Oyam UPC 58. Akoth Angella Nzokire District Woman Representative Tororo Independent 59. Alero Tom Aza West Moyo County Moyo NRM 60. Anywar Ricky Richard Agago West County Agago NRM 61. Aogon Silas Kumi Municipality Kumi Independent 62. Aol Betty Ocan City Woman Representative Gulu City PFF 63. Arinaitwe Jeniva District Woman Representative Rubirizi NRM 64. Arinaitwe Rwakajara Katambuka Workers Representative N/A NRM 65. Aseera Stephen Buhaguzi East County Kikuube NRM 66. Asiimwe Florence Akiiki District Woman Representative Masindi NRM 67. Attan Okia Moses Soroti East County Soroti City FDC 68. Kiconco Katabaazi Patrick Rukiga County Rukiga NRM 69. Atuhwereire Arthur Kazoora Ruhinda South County Mitooma NRM 70. Atukunda Rebecca Mubangizi District Woman Representative Kassanda NRM 71. Atuto Jacinta District Woman Representative Kapelebyong NRM 72. Atwijukire Boaz Katerera County Rubirizi Independent 73. Alupo Jessica Rose Epel District Woman Representative Katakwi NRM 74. Atwijukire Dan Kimosho Kazo County Kazo NRM 75. Acora Nancy Odonga District Woman Representative Lamwo NRM 76. Atyang Stella District Woman Representative Moroto NRM 77. Auma Janet District Woman Representative Amolatar UPC 78. Auma Kenny District Woman Representative Kwania UPC 79. Avako Melsa Naima Gule District Woman Representative Yumbe NRM 80. Anyango Janet Hope District Woman Representative Busia NRM 81. Ayagalachi Jamali Bukooli County Bugiri NUP 82. Achia Remigio Pian County Nabilatuk NRM 83. Ayepa Michael Labwor County Abim NRM 84. Ayoo Janeth Phoebe Obol District Woman Representative Gulu NRM 85. Apolot Christine District Woman Representative Kumi Independent 86. Ayume Charles Koboko Municipality Koboko NRM 87. Avur Jane Pacuto District Woman Representative Pakwach NRM 88. Atugonza Allan Buliisa County Buliisa NRM 89. Baatom Ben Koryang Dodoth West County Karenga NRM 90. Babirye Kityo Sarah Bukoto County East Masaka NRM 91. Babirye Milly Babalanda Budiope West County Buyende NRM 92. Ariko Herbert Edmund Okworo Gweri County Soroti NRM 93. Kakooza James Older Persons Representative Central NRM 94. Awor Betty Engola District Woman Representative Apac NRM 95. Engola Sam Erute County South Lira NRM 96. Baryomunsi Chris Kinkizi County East Kanungu NRM 97. Nabbanja Robinah District Woman Representative Kakumiro NRM (The House was suspended at 11.38 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.29 p.m., the Clerk presiding.) 98. Auma Linda Agnes District Woman Representative Lira NRM 99. Babanga Wilfred Erima Terego East County Terego NRM 100. Babula Noel Kataike Matilda District Woman Representative Budaka NRM 101. Bahireira Sylivia Tumwekwase District Woman Representative Kamwenge NRM 102. Bakireke Nambooze Betty Mukono Municipality Mukono NUP

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

18634 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Madam Speaker, we still grapple with the backlog of cases in this country. The Judiciary plans to increase the case disposal rate from 58 per cent in Financial Year 2024/2025 to 60.6 per cent in Financial Year 2026/2027. This will reduce the backlog from 24.2 per cent to 22.2 per cent and dispose of 291,544 cases by the end of 2026, hence the need for an additional Shs 20.12 billion in case backlog reduction strategies, such as special court sessions. The committee, however, noted that a significant number of cases committed to the High Court remained unheard for years alongside infrequent court appearances and extended intervals between hearings. Additionally, the committee is concerned that the Judiciary’s projected plan to reduce the backlog is not satisfactory due to the minimal percentage. The committee has recommended that the funding requested by the Judiciary to tackle the issue of case backlog be deferred temporarily until a comprehensive plan is provided. Implementation of the legal representation at the expense of the state in capital offences in line with the Judiciary Legal Representation at the Expense of the State The committee noted that Article 28(3) of the Constitution requires that every person who is charged with a criminal offence that carries a sentence of death or imprisonment for life is entitled to legal representation at the expense of the state. Similarly, the Judicature (Legal Representation at the Expense of the State) Rules, 2022 have revised the rates upwards for facilitation of advocates on state briefs. To be able to fulfil this mandate, the Judiciary requires an additional Shs 31.97 billion. The committee recommends that Shs 31.97 billion be provided to the Judiciary to facilitate advocates to hold these cases on a State brief. Automation of courts to eliminate delays in the management of cases The committee was informed that the Judiciary plans to roll out the Electronic Case Management System, ECMIS, to an additional 20 court stations, which include, among others: i) Masaka High Court; ii) Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court; iii) Kalangala Chief Magistrate’s Court; iv) Sembabule Chief Magistrate’s Court; v) Kalungu/Lukaya Grade One Court; vi) Mpigi High Court; vii) Mpigi Chief Magistrate’s Court; viii) Gomba Chief Magistrate’s Court; ix) Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court; x) Nsangi Chief Magistrate’s Court; xi) Masindi High Court; xii) Masindi Chief Magistrate’s Court; xiii) Kiryandongo Chief Magistrate’s Court; xiv) Buliisa Chief Magistrate’s Court; xv) Kigumba Chief Magistrate’s Court; xvi) Mubende High Court; xvii) Mubende Chief Magistrate’s Court; xviii) Mityana Chief Magistrate’s Court; xix) Kassanda Chief Magistrate’s Court; and xx) Kyegegwa Chief Magistrate’s Court. Madam Speaker, I have read all of them to show the balanced nature throughout the country. The committee recommends that Shs 13.739 billion be provided during the Financial Year 2026/2027 to enable the Judiciary to automate case management business processes, thereby quickening adjudication and reducing person- to-person interactions, thereby mitigating corruption incidents. Budget increase and misalignment The Judiciary’s proposed budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 stands at Shs 633.97 billion, representing a 43.7 per cent increase from the Financial Year 2025/2026 approved budget of Shs 44.223 billion. The committee noted a 103.5 per cent increase in the travel budget of the Judiciary from Shs 43.79 billion to Shs 89.154 billion, with the Ministerial Policy Statement (MPS) showing extensive travel inland provisions totalling Shs 77.0 billion and travel abroad to Shs 12.2

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

17941 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 Madam Speaker, you raised a couple of pertinent issues, especially those to do with the human-wildlife conflict. I wish to inform this Parliament that we are constructing an electric fence in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls and we intend to add an additional 100 kilometres around the Murchison Falls; and we have done districts of Nwoya and Oyam. We are currently doing Buliisa, Kiryandongo and Masindi. We have done Kasese, Kitagwenda, Kanungu, Rubirizi, and we are currently doing Rukugiri. We intend to add another 50 kilometres. One of the areas that has been the biggest hotspot, is the Karenga or the Kidepo Valley Community Wildlife area. Through a directive from His Excellency, the President, but also with support of this Parliament, we are going to start by doing 128 kilometres of the Karenga, that is Karamoja, Kitgum and the districts around. We believe that in the next three to four years, we should be able to have finished fencing all these protected areas. Madam Speaker, the challenge has been because of the too much demand and pressure we have put as a population on most of these areas, most of the elephant corridors have been occupied by communities. These animals do not forget where they used to go and graze from, even as babies. They usually tend to trace where their parents probably - and it is something that they have in their memory. The only solution is to have them confined and it is something we are dealing with, plus other interventions to do with conversation and the rest. On the issues of the infrastructure - I want to thank the Government. In most of the protected areas, there is some good access and I want to assure the people around Ajai that with the reintroduction of the rhinos, definitely, you will see an improvement in infrastructure, not only by the Government, but even by the private sector. That is why it is important that we have this circuit completed and Ajai is included in the tourism circuit within the country. With those few remarks, thank you, Madam Speaker, for your support in the reintroduction of rhinos and your continued support as Parliament to the tourism sector and the support this country has given, because where there is no peace, there is no tourism. I always tell my brother, Hon. Ssenyonyi, that the only way we can sell this country is speaking good about it and selling the good. Hon. Ssenyonyi, I invite you and the entire Parliament on a one-week tour around the country so that you share, but you have a free invitation so that –(Interjection)– No, on our budget, yes -

Honourable members, I welcome you to this afternoon’s sitting. I see our numbers are reducing; I wonder what will happen in September or October. However, just know that the House will always sit. Whether there are only two Members, we shall sit and business will continue as usual. Honourable members, if you look at what is in the media, it is awash with a tragic motor accident that happened on Tuesday night along Hoima-Buliisa Road in Kigorobya, where 20 traders lost their lives and several others were injured. Whereas we strive to improve the state of the roads, we should also emphasise road safety. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 25,107 road crashes, with an estimated number of 25,808 casualties. This calls for action by relevant stakeholders in addressing all that is happening, and notably, the behaviour of all the road users. You will find that maybe there was a problem with the condition of that vehicle, the road infrastructure and the environmental conditions,

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, and thank you, Minister, for the report. First, I thank you and your team that worked on Kampala-Gulu Road, especially on those potholes, which were causing several accidents, especially the head-on collisions. That was very proactive. Secondly, as we wait for the oil, the first oil, as you know, I come from the oil region. I thank, of course, the Government for the good roads. Bunyoro is one of the subregions that has the best roads because of the oil and gas. However, there is this Masindi-Biso Road. I see several trucks heavily loaded with oil-related products, struggling to go to Buliisa, because it is shorter to pass through Masindi than Hoima. Can we know the update on that road as we wait for the first oil? Thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, he is too tall, so for people who are short like me, when you take a photo with him, you look like a dwarf. (Laughter) In brief, he should prepare a stool. Thank you so much. Madam Speaker, I have another question from Hon. Veronica Nanyondo, the District Woman MP of Bukomansimbi. Her prayer is that there is an effect on the implementation of the new lower secondary school curriculum on primary school leavers. Can the Government update us on this matter? My response is that at the moment, primary school leavers transition from the knowledge- based curriculum to competence-based curriculum in secondary school, under the revised lower secondary school curriculum. The process of revising the primary school curriculum to make it competence-based has already commenced to harmonise curriculum designs across primary and secondary level education. Once this is complete, the learners will be introduced to competence-based teaching and learning from primary school and progress with it to secondary education. I got another question from Hon. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, MP for Nakawa Division East. He says that Uganda has very many experienced jua kalis, but they have no industrial parks and have continued to operate in a domestic setting, with very high electricity and water domestic tariffs. This is something that has crippled their businesses, yet they compete with investors who operate in Government industrial parks. These investors in Government industrial parks have always been incentivised in the form of tax exemptions, low electricity and water tariffs. This makes it harder for the jua kalis to compete favourably with them in the same market. His prayer is; When is the Government going to set up jua kali industrial parks? My response is that in this principle, for all Ugandan investors - if they all go through the Uganda Investment Authority, industrial parks have been designed with spaces specifically planned for setting up Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs), which cater for jua kali artisan activities. SME parks of 20 acres have been planned in all the operational industrial parks of Namanve, Soroti, Kasese, SINO-Mbale, and others. The Uganda Investment Authority also acquired the Mbarara SME Park of 12 acres that has been handed back to Gatsby Group, the SME artisans from Mbarara. The Government’s vision is to develop new industrial parks in phases, depending on the availability of resources in Gulu, Nebbi, Arua, Madi-Okollo, Yumbe, Pader, Paidha, Dokolo, Rukungiri, Isingiro, Oyam, Lira, Hoima, Buliisa, Kisoro, Kakumiro, Nakasongola, Luwero, Nakaseke, Mubende, Mityana, Masaka, Kabale, Bushenyi, Tororo, Rakai, Kamuli, Kween, Busia, Soroti, Gomba, Kayunga, Kyegegwa , and Iganga, where land has been mobilised by districts and already offered to Uganda Investment Authority for industrial development to foster innovation and equitable, sustainable industrial growth. Madam Speaker, the major infrastructure, for example, workplaces with shared common user facilities such as production equipment, showrooms for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to use as they sell and grow their businesses, will be constructed within the said industrial parks. 10. Hon. Lucy Akello, the District Woman Member of Parliament for Amuru, raised an issue on the lack of radiologists in the regional referral hospitals like Gulu, Soroti, Mbale and others.

17487 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 subregions of Sebei, Teso, Lango, and Acholi have been maintained. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the joint Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC) – FARDC is the Congolese army, and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) operations against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are ongoing with significant achievements. Since November 2024, 223 abductees have been rescued from captivity, with some firearms and bombs captured, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The Government continues to modernise and professionalise Uganda’s security forces by improving their welfare and strengthening the cooperation between the civilian population and the security forces. The UPDF Construction Brigade has rehabilitated schools in rural communities. Together with the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), it has been involved in the rehabilitation of major infrastructure, such as Entebbe International Airport. It is paramount to jealously guard Uganda’s political and economic stability. All attempts to destabilise Uganda by internal and external actors have been thwarted and defeated. We welcome mutual and non-parasitic collaboration with everybody. Uganda’s priorities and interests are very clear. Therefore, our allies must respect and uphold them in all their dealings with us. The patriotic leadership in charge of the country’s affairs cannot deviate from its historical mission of defending and transforming Uganda and Africa on account of threats by some of our allies who misunderstand our goals and methods of work. For instance, we are soon finalising the construction of the 1,443 kilometres East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) from Buliisa on Lake Albert to Tanga, in Tanzania. This East African Crude Pipeline will take our crude oil to the international market through the sister country of Tanzania. The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) which I launched last year is soon starting and we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Alpha BMP Investment Group of the United Arab Emirates to start the construction of the oil refinery in Hoima. Many other projects in roads, energy, ICT, schools, hospitals and agriculture have continued to be implemented despite the World Bank and the United States of America (USA) suspending new financing to Uganda. Our economy remains strong and resilient. It was recently ranked seventh by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) among the fastest-growing economies in the world. The size of the economy is projected at Shs 224.9 trillion, equivalent to $60 billion, by the end of June 2025. In 1986, the economy was only Shs 42 billion (or $3.9 billion). This means that in dollar terms, the size of the economy has expanded nearly 15 times since the National Resistance Movement Government took power in January 1986. The economy grew by 6.7 per cent in the first quarter of this financial year, compared to 5.6 per cent recorded in the same period last year. This is on top of the growth of 6.1 per cent in the Financial Year 2023/2024. Economic growth is projected at 6.3 per cent this financial year, and further projected to grow to 7 per cent in the Financial Year 2025/2026. It is projected to grow faster when commercial production of oil and gas starts next year. In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, our economy is projected to be $171.6 billion, by the end of this financial year in June 2025, and next financial year is equivalent to about $65.7 billion using the Atlas method. This will be equivalent to $187 billion in PPP terms. This growth will translate into higher household incomes from $1,259 income per capita, by the end of this financial year, to $1,330 as income per capita next financial year. In the past four years, our growth has been broad-based, inclusive, and pro-poor. The latest National Housing Survey Report that was released recently by the Uganda Bureau

17491 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 To achieve this goal, the Government is accelerating the construction of solar-powered irrigation schemes; medium-scale irrigation schemes, earth dams, communal and individual valley tanks, and large-scale irrigation schemes across the country. The construction works for 92 solar-powered irrigation schemes have been completed, adding an irrigation area of 900 acres. These are in the districts of Apac, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukomansimbi, Buliisa, Bushenyi, Butambala, Buvuma, Gomba, Hoima, Isingiro, Kakumiro, etc. The new solar-powered irrigation schemes have benefitted 110,000 farmers and production yield from 120 schemes has increased to 3,600 tons per season. The major crop enterprises in these irrigation schemes include green pepper, onions, Irish potatoes, watermelons, tomatoes, apples, cabbages, pineapples, coffee, eggplants, vanilla, grapes, mangoes, and pumpkins. The construction works are also ongoing for 22 solar-powered irrigation demonstration sites in the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kole, Gulu, Napak, Abim, etc. In Nakaseke District, the construction works for the Kirema Phase 1, a medium-scale irrigation scheme, have been completed; thus adding a total of 124 hectares and benefitting 50 farmers engaged in coffee growing, passion fruits, maize, and bananas. The construction works for the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme, 1,000 hectares in Pakwach District, stands at 93.5 per cent. The construction works for the Namaitsu medium- scale Irrigation Scheme in Bududa District stands at 70 per cent. Kawumu Irrigation Scheme, which is in Luwero District, is at 90 per cent, among others. A mega irrigation scheme, Nyimur, covering 3,300 hectares, has been constructed in Lamwo District. Do you know where Lamwo is? You people, you do not know where Lamwo is? Lamwo is far away, on the South Sudan border. Other construction works include the Acomai Irrigation Scheme in Bukedea District, covering 1,480 hectares, and targeting 1,600 households; Atari Irrigation Scheme in Kween/ Bulambuli districts, covering 680 hectares, targeting 2,667 households; and Namatala Irrigation Scheme in the Budaka, Mbale, and Butaleja districts, covering 3,450 hectares, targets 4,923 households. The current production of milk stands at 5.4 billion litres at the end of 2024, compared to 2.5 billion litres in the Financial Year 2017/2018. We have also identified and secured foreign markets through government-to-government interventions, e.g. Algeria and Nigeria. These countries are now buying our powdered milk. This has resulted into an increase in the value of milk and milk products, as already pointed out, from $28.7 million in the Financial Year 2014/2015 to $285 million in the 2024 year. A new processing factory, Benni Foods, has been commissioned and is currently operational with an installed capacity of 10,000 litres of milk per day. The total value of fish catches from all the water bodies has steadily increased since the Government deployed armed forces to assist in fisheries enforcement. Currently, we are producing 658,000 metric tonnes of fish annually. The availability of raw material fish sustained operations of 12 fish processing factories; you know that debate. The fisheries unit has been able to stop overfishing or reduce it, although they have also been accused – once in a while – of being sinners, but we can audit their work by looking at the 12 factories that are now processing fish. Many of these had closed. I will meet the fisheries people soon; I will meet the traditional fishing communities, but this is one of the facts. Are the factories operating or not? Had they closed or not? When we meet, we shall discuss this. According to this one here, 12 factories are now operating, processing 658,000 metric tonnes.

I would like to give him information. Mr Speaker, I was among the members who went and supervised the activities of the oil in the 10th Parliament. When we went to Buliisa, where the Total camp is based, we were shocked to learn that as they were exploring oil from the underground, but from the northern side of Uganda, using technology. When we look at these oil projects, there are a number of social corporate responsibility activities by that these companies are doing by where of building hospitals, schools and so on. Why did they choose to explore the one from Northern Uganda underground? They should have gone live on the ground so that some parts of Northern Uganda would have also benefitted from these roads, which are constructed under oil and also other projects. I also do not understand that rationale because the congestion would not have only been in the Bunyoro area. It would have also gone to Northern Uganda. If the roads, schools, and hospitals in Bunyoro have been worked on under the oil projects, why did we choose to get the one from Northern Uganda underground using other technologies? Was it a deliberate sabotage? We are also asking these questions.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. In my constituency, some subcounties have no secondary schools, and when you look at the distance to the centre, it is about 30 kilometres. That specifically leads to high dropout rates. I am talking about a place which is near Buliisa site, 30 kilometres. Another one is near Buseruka, 15 kilometres away, especially the girl child. I am worried that the generation we are raising, which just attains primary education and cannot have secondary education is not going to be good for our country. The ministry needs to start looking at these issues of how near the schools are in relation to the existing facilities. Recently, we had a secondary school, and where it was located was within a radius of 500 metres of the existing one and which is within the town council where there are other schools. My request is that the Ministry of Education and Sports needs to look at how far these schools are in terms of serving these disadvantaged areas. Thank you.

16005 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 2025 6. UWA engages in the sensitisation of people living in districts prone to human-wildlife conflict on the cause and dangers of human- wildlife conflict as well as compensation rights and procedures under regulations in case of harm to life or property; and 7. UWA ensures the timely payment of claims for compensation that are due to claimants in compliance with Clause 15 of the Uganda Wildlife (Compensation Scheme) Regulations, 2022. Problem animals in human-wildlife conflict Mr Speaker, from the submissions that the committee received from UWA and from residents in areas where human-wildlife conflicts have occurred, wild animals that have caused mayhem include elephants, hippos, buffaloes, chimpanzees, monkeys in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park, followed by crocodiles that have killed humans and caused injuries in some parts of Buliisa, Oyam, Apac, among others. Furthermore, Caracals have been reported by some residents in Katakwi and Serere districts to frequently predate on domestic animals and birds, including sheep, goat, cows, turkeys, chicken and ducks. Mr Speaker, we have attached an image of the Caracal, for those that do not know it, on Appendix J. Mr Speaker, the committee further observed that whereas Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Act, Cap. 315, provides for compensable wildlife species whose damage creates liability for compassion, including elephants, lions, leopards, crocodiles, buffaloes, hyenas, hippopotami, gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons and bush pigs, damage to property and lives is caused by other wild animals including monkeys, caracals, squirrels, edible rats, snakes, for which the law does not provide compensation. Recommendations of the committee 1. Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that in order to safeguard communities from incidences of human-wildlife conflict, UWA should take deliberate steps to relocate identified problematic animals to gazetted national parks and game reserves; and 2. The Government should amend the Wildlife Act, Cap. 315 to include other wild species like caracals that cause destruction to human lives and property, but are currently not included in schedule four of the Act. Behavioural instincts of wild animals The committee observed that wild animals have instincts and unique behaviours. For instance, herds of herbivores like zebras, impalas, antelopes, elephants, and buffaloes will migrate to different locations following specific routes, purposely to feed, breed, and raise their young ones. Carnivores like lions, hyenas, and leopards are territorial in nature and will mark their hunting grounds with urine as a sign of their dominance over their grounds. According to research carried out on elephant migration triggers and effects on the surrounding environment, it was established that elephants’ migration is unique because elephants do not migrate innately like other species such as zebras and hummingbirds. These species are born with an innate sense to migrate every year at a certain point without fail. The study stated that elephants can make a concise decision to migrate based on when they feel necessary, and that causal factors that may lead to their migration include habitat loss, search for nutrition, and avoiding predators. Migration of elephants can be triggered in some ways and this migration causes considerable damage to the surrounding environment. Mr Speaker, the committee observes as follows: 1. Some causal factors like increasing human population that lead to habitat loss have driven wild animals like elephants out of

15954 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 health centres IV in this country were elevated to hospital levels. Unfortunately, there were no additions of infrastructure like theatres, more wards, equipment or even supplies. A case in point is Kigoya Hospital in Buliisa, the only district hospital. I am glad that among the priorities of the Government, there is an issue of disaster management, but there is something that we need to do as a country. We have had a series of areas being flooded, especially near lake shores, for the past few years. Honourable minister concerned, especially the finance minister, it is important that we budget for some of these areas which have been affected by floods. Secondly, the fishing communities in this country should be taken very seriously and given priority because we have not given them appropriate regulations to regulate the sector. I pray that this time around, the fishing sector is given priority. Mr Speaker, I would like to appreciate the Government but as we budget for this country, a needs-assessment from our constituencies and other areas should be done as we do budgeting. Priorities are very clear. Can we also make sure that the priorities we have as a country are given funds, other than saying that it is a funded priority, yet you are not giving them the exact money required. Mr Speaker, it is important that even as we budget, we get to know what studies we are basing on. As far as I am concerned, I am not very sure whether the study we have from the position that was passed – (Member timed out)

Last month, the two ships were lowered. Unfortunately, because Government owes contractors a lot of money, Terrain Services that was constructing the dock has withdrawn because they have not been paid their balance of Shs 2.9 billion. They cannot complete the work yet His Excellency the President is supposed to go and commission these ferries in November, on his tour to the Eastern side. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, can you use your powers to direct the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to release this money such that it is not an embarrassment to Government, such that the contractor goes back on site and completes this project properly? Finally, again I want to thank the Government for starting the students’ loan scheme under the Higher Education Student Financing Board. This is a list of the students who have been provided for, for this loan scheme. The unfortunate part is - when we adopted the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises - COSASE) we realised there was unfairness in the distribution. This thing was supposed to be on a quarterly basis. However, it is surprising that there are districts that have been given 65 slots and others one. We do not know where this unfairness is coming from. I can see in: i) Karenga, only one person; ii) Kapelebyong, four; iii) Lira, they are 25; iv) Mbarara, 36; v) Ntungamo is 75; vi) Wakiso, 75; vii) Amudat, three; viii) Amuria, six; ix) Buliisa, three; x) Bushenyi, 39; xi) Busia, 58; xii) Buvuma, three; xiii) Serere, eight, and xiv) Hoima, 21. Last time we said, let us be the last. I have a list for all these districts. This is very unfair because this was intended to harmonise and bring equity. When you look at where the Executive Director comes from, there are 58. Why? That was the same problem in our COSASE report. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, before they report, call these people to order and let this thing be equitably distributed on a quarterly basis. The population census has just been released today. You will get to know the population. Even where the honourable minister comes from, they are very few. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we beg you. There is even a student from Kasilo who got 16 in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM). He is admitted to Mbarara University. He applied for engineering and he was left out. We want to request you to take action. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, as you are all aware, the old Karuma Bridge was constructed in the early 50s. We are trying to rehabilitate it so that its lifespan can extend, as we put a new one, financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Due to that rehabilitation or repair, the Government stopped vehicles from using that bridge. So, there are alternative roads: i. Through Hoima-Buliisa-Para up to Pakwach; and ii. Through Murchison Falls National Park. He talked of a very complicated name – Kiko -

14204 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT part of the Museums Department. Please write to us and we will make this consideration. Mr Speaker, the statutory instrument was signed; it should be making its way to Parliament any time soon. I agree with the committee that we have identified so many sites, around 614. Our issue is resources to have a presence in each of the sites to develop and promote them. There has been an issue of human-wildlife relations. I do not want to call it conflict, because we are going to stay with these animals and we have stayed with them since creation; we shall continue to stay with them. Just for Northern Uganda, I speak to Karamoja and the Murchison Falls National Park. Last week, in Parliament, based on the directive of His Excellency, the President, we assessed what we need to do to resolve the issues of human-wildlife conflict around the Kidepo Community Wildlife Management Area, which is Kidepo and Karenga, which is around 317 kilometres. We need Shs 20 billion to have that area fenced and have the issue of elephants getting out and destroying crops, resolved once and for all. The most interesting bit or the difficult bit is that even when we deploy more rangers with the UPDF, these elephants are very intelligent animals because they know when they come out during the day, you will easily intercept them. So, they choose to come out in the night. It is very dangerous for rangers to run after elephants in the night. Usually, they have already entered, and then in the morning, we have to go and get them out of the community. Once we fence, we will have the problem resolved. For the Murchison Falls, which is 394 kilometres, we are doing the entire boundary; we have so far faced 44 kilometres in Nwoya and Oyam. We are currently doing 10 kilometres in Nwoya and 10 kilometres in Buliisa. We have an uncovered boundary of around 330 kilometres and it would cost us around Shs 21 billion to also fence Murchison Falls and have the issue resolved once and for all. The issue is with Parliament, and the Prime Minister has been holding meetings with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to see how we resolve it. I have been to the communities, Mr Speaker, and I want to assure you, if you see how people suffer, especially when a group of elephants, let us say five, or six, goes into the gardens. I understand the pain, and this is the only solution and way out. With those few remarks, again, I want to thank the committee. But, chairperson, indeed, let us support tourism. It is a low-hanging fruit, and the revenues can come in at any time. Thank you.

Yes, Madam Speaker. Allow me, now, to address my mind to the Ministry of Works and Transport. Much as UNRA took 13 years to work on this ferry crossing, the docking site on the Amuru side has never been worked on. I would like to appeal to the Ministry of Works and Transport that from next week - at least before this financial year ends – the people from Acholi – Amuru – could gladly use the ferry crossing to West Nile via Rhino Camp Ferry. This is my appeal. The second appeal is in regard to the tourism roads that we have talked about. When you go to Buliisa, it is networked with tourism and oil roads. Equally, Murchison Falls extends to Amuru, Rhino Camp and West Nile. Ajai Game Reserve is part of Amuru. I do not know how we can address the presidential pledges here. The President has always gone to the –

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

13516 RECONSIDERATION OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, 2024 Under the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, Vote 112, on a sub-programme called Ethics and Integrity, General Administration and Support, Shs 5 billion was taken away and our justification for returning it was that the funds were allocated to strengthen the adjudication of the Leadership Code Act. In addition, the funds are needed to publish the National Anti-Corruption Survey report on the perception and prevalence of corruption. The report affects the country’s credit rating score internationally, which is a benchmark for our multilateral partners. Vote 130, Treasury Operations - Under commitment fees, Shs 25 billion was taken away, and our justification to return it or reinstate it is that these are contractual obligations for the loans we have acquired for the implementation of key projects where we have not fully absorbed the funds. Therefore, the projections for the Financial Year 2024/2025 are based on existing loan stock plus agreements that will be entered in, in the Financial Year 2024/2025. Under Code 242003, an item called “Others”, Shs 300 billion was taken away, and these are funds for the Government obligations under the share subscription agreement in servicing Roko bills of exchange and payment of Electronic Financial Transfer (EFT) bank charges to Bank of Uganda, among others. Under item 242002, Interest on Treasury Bonds, an amount of Shs 100 billion was taken away, and the justification for reinstatement was that we increased Government borrowing to cater for the priorities in the corrigenda and an increase in domestic debt refinancing, which led to the increase in the interest on Treasury bond issuances. In the Financial Year 2024/2025 budget interest costs increased due to the increase in debt refinancing from Shs 8.36 trillion in Financial Year 2023/2024 to Shs 12.02 trillion in Financial Year 2024/2025, and an increase in net domestic borrowing from Shs 6.67 trillion in Financial Year 2023/2024 to Shs 8.97 trillion in Financial Year 2024/2025. Under the item of Contingency Transfers, an amount of Shs 22.74 billion was taken away and our justification for reinstatement is that Section 26 of the Public Finance Management Act (Amended), 2015, requires the Contingency Fund to be allocated an amount equivalent to 0.5 per cent of the appropriated annual budget of Government of the previous financial year. As such, Shs 169 billion was provided for the Financial Year 2024/2025 reducing the provision by Shs 22.74 billion, implying a breach of the above PFMA requirement. Under Vote 019, Ministry of Water and Environment, on a project called Integrated Water Resources, Shs 4 billion was reallocated and our justification to return it was the Government of Uganda’s counterpart funding for World Bank to finance various urban water supply and sanitation systems in the towns of Busia, Mbale and surrounding towns, Butaleja, Busolwe, Budaka, Kadama, Tirinyi, Kibuku, Namungalwe, Kaliro, Namasale, Koboko, Rukungiri, Kyegegwa, Mpara, Ruyonza, Kumi, among others. On a project called “Support to Rural Water Supply and Sanitation”, Shs 10 billion was taken away and the justification for returning it is that this is funding for the Government interventions to increase access to safe and clean water through “a source per village” in rural areas. The specific interventions include the construction and rehabilitation of point water sources in the communities, expansion of dilapidated piped water supply systems, motorising and upgrading of high-yield boreholes and solar-powered systems to expand and improve service coverage in various districts of Yumbe, Kyankwanzi, Kakumiro, Mubende, Mityana, Isingiro, Buliisa, Kasese, Amudat, Agago, Kaabong, among others. Under a project called “Building Resilient Communities, Wetlands, Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda ” , an amount of Shs 2 billion was reallocated.

13463 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2024 v. The planned 60,000 barrels per day refinery in Kabaale, Kikuube District, is progressing very well. The land for the project sites and associated terminal has already been acquired by the Government. Technical designs for the project are ready. The Government is working with Alpha MBM Investments from the United Arab Emirates to build the refinery; vi. The Government enforcement of the national content policy has ensured that up to 93 per cent of the jobs in the oil and the gas sector go to Ugandans. A total of 13,607 jobs have, so far, been given; and vii. In addition, the companies investing in the oil and gas sector are contracting locally. Since 2021, contracts worth $1.796 billion have been awarded to Ugandan companies out of the total contract investment of $7.162 billion. Madam Speaker, in a bid to ensure the security of supply of petroleum products, Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC), in partnership with the private sector, will commence the importation of all our petroleum products beginning in the first week of July this year – which is near. Madam Speaker, next financial year, I have provided Shs 920.86 billion for the oil and gas sector to prioritise the following: i. Development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline hub in Tanga; ii. Continued construction of the EACOP, including the necessary infrastructure to facilitate adherence to high-quality environmental standards; iii. Procurement and dissemination of the 57,000 liquefied petroleum gas cylinders to promote clean cooking; iv. Establishment of petroleum geoscience laboratory; and v. Equity contribution for the refinery. Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services Madam Speaker, a total of 205 kilometres was added to the paved network during Financial Year 2023/2024, increasing the total paved national road network to 6,338 kilometres, representing over 30 per cent of the national road network. The following roads were completed during the financial year: Atiak-Laropi (66 kilometres); Masindi-Biiso, Hohwa- Nyairongo-Kyarusheesha-Butoole and Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi Road (97 kilometres); Moroto-Lokitanyala (42 kilometres); Rukungiri- Kihihi-Ishasha/Kanungu (78.5 kilometres); Kapchorwa-Suam (73 kilometres); and Masindi Park Junction and Tangi Junctions- Para-Buliisa roads (159 kilometres). In addition, three bridges were completed and construction of 36 critical strategic bridges is ongoing. The completed bridges are: i) Kampala Flyover and road upgrading; ii) Lugogo Bridge connecting Nakasongola District and Ngoma in Nakaseke, via Kasozi; and iii) Saaka Swamp crossing in Pallisa. With regard to air transport, the following were accomplished during the year we are talking about: i) Ninety per cent completion of Kabalega International Airport in Hoima. The remaining 10 per cent comprises critical air navigation, meteorological communication and airport operational facilities; ii) Ninety per cent completion of the expansion and rehabilitation of Entebbe International Airport, including modernisation of the departures and arrival areas of the terminal building; and

Mr Speaker, Buliisa District has continually suffered the invasion of elephants and this has been going on for quite some time. On the night of 24 March 2024, there was an invasion in Kichooke, Buliisa Subcounty and one Katulinde lost her life. The late Katulinde was 22 years old and left behind a two-year-old girl. She was laid to rest on 28 March 2024. This is not the first time we have had this problem. In the last two years, we have lost five people to elephants and one to crocodiles. Our prayers are that: 1. The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities ensures that the process of procurement of composite poles meant for the first phase of the 20-kilometre stretch of electric fence is implemented by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA); 2. The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities should ensure that UWA speeds up the construction of the electric fence, a project whose funding was already received from the World Bank. This project is meant to cover the area of Murchison Falls in the areas of Buliisa, Nwoya and Kiryandongo. However, the speed at which – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. Emanating from your communication, I would like to send condolences from the people of Okoro Constituency to the family of the leader of the Ndiga Clan. It is very regrettable and the people of Uganda should not take the law in their own hands. We should, generally, detest the murder of our citizens in cold blood. Secondly, Madam Speaker, in your communication, you mentioned that the Leader of the Opposition visited Lubowa Hospital. It is in the interest of Ugandans that the hospital be completed and be able to serve Ugandans. The Government should know that Parliament is an arm of Government and that, together, we shall make our country successful and achieve its objectives. On the same note, we come from West Nile. Recently, they were working on Karuma Dam, which crosses into West Nile and northern Uganda. However, the alternative route is in Buliisa, through Murchison Falls. When we use the road made by the Government of Uganda – as Members of Parliament, we go to our constituencies to do our oversight role. Madam Speaker, this thing has been mentioned on this Floor. However, I would like to ask your indulgence that as we keep on crossing, at least, as Members of Parliament, the Government should allow us to cross that road without paying. We cross, weekend in and weekend out, yet it takes some big amount of money from us. I would like to ask, through your big office, for the Government to have mercy on us, especially Members of Parliament. Thank you very much for the opportunity.

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following Members to the standing Committee on Climate Change: 1. Hon. Lawrence Biyika Songa – Chairperson; and 2. Hon. Jacinta Atuto - Deputy Chairperson. The following are the members: 1. Hon. Enos Asiimwe - Kabula County; 2. Hon. Kabahenda Rwabuhoro – Kyegegwa; 3. Hon. Anthony Esenu Alden - Kapelebyong County; 4. Hon. James Mamawi - Adjumani East County; 5. Hon. Judith Achan – Nwoya; 6. Hon. Benjamin Kamukama - Ruhaama East County; 7. Hon. Christine Nakwang Tubo – Kaabong; 8. Hon. Nathan Nabeta-Igeme - Jinja South Division East; 9. Hon. Grace Kesande B. – Rubirizi; 10. Hon. John Bosco Ngoya – Bokora County; 11. Hon. Betty Engola Awor – Apac; 12. Hon. Patience Nkunda Kinshaba – Kanungu; 13. Hon. Zumura Maneno – Obongi; 14. Hon. John Faith Magolo - Bungokho County North; 15. Hon. Molly Musiime Asiimwe – Rwampara; 16. Hon. Joanne Aniku Okia – Madi-Okollo; 17. Hon. Hellen Wandera Auma – Busia; 18. Hon. Prossy Mbabazi Akampulira - Rubanda; 19. Hon. Norah Bigirwa - Buliisa; 20. Hon. James Nsaba-Buturo – Bufumbira County East; 21. Hon. Jenifer Muheesi Abaho - Woman Rep. Kazo; 22. Hon. Flora Natumanya - Kikuube; and 23. Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro – Youth Rep. Female. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The commemoration of the World Fisheries Day is happening right now in Buliisa. Being a technical paper, I request that the minister can present that paper when she is back. Right now, she is in Buliisa officiating at that function. I so pray.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your communication. I would like to respond to the issue of unity and cohesion. Madam Speaker and Members, you are aware that each year we celebrate World Fisheries Day, which is supposed to take place every 21 st of November. This year, the venue that was chosen by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries was Buliisa District. The letter to that effect was written on the 25 th of September to the CAO confirming that date but later, it was changed to the 6 th of December, which is tomorrow. This Parliament has not been able to receive any statement from the Executive. Secondly, the district of Buliisa, which is the host district, has not been able to get any funding or response coming from the Centre showing that this day is supposed to take place tomorrow. However, communication is being sent to the accounting offices from other districts, inviting them to come and celebrate this day and support the event. I would like to know from you, Madam Speaker, where is the unity and cohesion in celebrating these international days or world days? Thank you.

11106 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Rwampanga, we constructed a school that had submerged in Nakasongola, we constructed a health centre III in Butiaba in Buliisa and we constructed another health centre in Ntoroko. On the same Shs 5 billion, we bought land in Kasese and we are currently constructing and upgrading a hospital there. That money was well spent. We used the army brigade to do these facilities.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter concerning the 50-kilometre section of the Masindi-Biiso road, which has taken more than four years to be completed. Currently, there is a section at kilometre 14 to kilometre 23 which goes through Kabango Town Council. It is very impossible and has affected business between Masindi and Buliisa. On the same road, 10 per cent of the section has not been acquired in terms of right of way and this is going to extend the construction period of the road. This delay might also cause us losses as a Government in terms of expenses incurred. Currently, the work is at near standstill as workers on that road have almost laid down their tools. My prayer is that Government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, together with its agency; Uganda National Roads Authority, undertake to expedite the completion of that road and urgently attend to that section that goes through Kabango Town Council, which has caused business to come to a standstill. I submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Between July and August 2023, the Uganda National Oil Company Limited invited applications for undergraduate scholarship programmes for students who had obtained admission from a number of universities. According to this company, this was part of the initiative to support the oil districts. The idea was that this would be in the interest of promoting national participation. However, Mr Speaker, the call to this application was restricted to the districts of Hoima, Masindi and Buliisa. I do not have a problem with those districts benefiting, but Mr Speaker, you are aware that Nwoya District is one of the oil districts and it is actually considered the district with the largest deposit of oil and gas. Nwoya has three known oil wells and those are Lyec, Jobi and Jobi East. Unfortunately, Nwoya District has never been considered in any of the programmes as far as support to oil districts is concerned. Mr Speaker, it is, therefore, my prayer that the Prime Minister calls UNOC to order so that they begin to treat all the oil districts equally. The question of equity is key. Secondly, I think there is need for the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to have discussions with leaders from the oil districts and that should include Nwoya and any other district that is involved in oil and gas. Thank you very much.

10693 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Butiaba Health Centre III, which submerged in Buliisa, using Shs 800 something million. Still on that Shs 5 billion, we constructed in Rwangara, Ntoroko District. That money was supposed to buy jerry cans, bed nets, cups -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the in-laws, on behalf of the people of West Nile and on my own behalf, I want to send condolences to the family of the late; to His Excellency, the President; to the Speaker of Parliament; to the people of Uganda to the Won Nyaci of Lango. We have lost a humble but very courageous man. In the late 1980s and 1990s, it was very difficult for us, people from Northern Uganda and West Nile, to come to Kampala. On several occasions, I personally had to cross Lake Albert to Wanseko in Buliisa because the road had been blocked by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels. So today, if we are mourning someone who contributed - of course, he worked with other people - to the return of peace to Northern Uganda and the pacification, where the roads became open for us to move, we really need to thank God for him and say that may his soul rests in eternal peace. The recovery of Northern Uganda and West Nile came about because of the peace these people brought to us. Now that they brought peace and the war has stopped, the recovery is

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have a few comments to make. One is about the money provided to NFA for tree planting. Whereas I support it, more emphasis should be put on preserving the natural forests. Mr Speaker, we are talking about planting more trees, but if you visited Bugoma Forest right now, it has been totally destroyed. So, I think more emphasis should be put on preserving our natural forests. On power connections, more money has been provided, but my request is for us to have a balanced policy so that power connection is across each and every constituency because some constituencies have benefited more than others. You find that in a constituency represented by a minister, power is almost in each and every home. When you visit constituencies represented by us, it is a problem. (Laughter) I request that, this time, let us have a clear policy; if we are to connect power in 10 villages per constituency, let it be very clear. The last note is about the Petroleum Authority of Uganda. This authority is in charge of controlling and monitoring these oil companies. I visited some oil companies – like Tilenga – in Buliisa. The authority is supposed to control costs because all expenses are supposed to be recovered in the future when oil is out. I just visited the dining hall – that Tilenga project is employing 9,000 people, but when you visit them, you may think you are in Serena Hotel. I think a plate of food costs about Shs 100,000 – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will start with what my colleague from Elgon came up with - on issues of why they are leaving some districts. International organisations are now piloting the four Elgon districts. Once we are sure that we have successfully acquired this, we should be able to take to other districts including Mt Rwenzori. On the issue of bridges during floods in Elgon, the Ministry of Works did the assessment and I am sure they are working on this report. Lake Albert submerging most of the health centres as raised by Hon. David - we also have Butyaba Health Centre III. This was newly constructed by the Office of the Prime Minister in Buliisa. About the cracks in Bududa - we are doing the relocation right now with a cash transfer; we have ring-fenced all the settlements that are on those cracks. These are the people we are going to relocate by this Wednesday. Most of them are going to receive their cash in two weeks’ time - by the 15 th of April - and they have to leave the place. We are only still waiting for the Ministry of Finance to release the Shs 50 billion to top up and make it Shs 10 million for each beneficiary, since the organisation is giving us Shs 7 million for each of them. But at least, they will first receive the Shs 7 million as we give them a condition to leave. So, that is going to be taken care of. Then in Bududa alone, we are giving 2,116 beneficiaries, compared to the rest of the districts in Elgon. On the question raised by Hon. Mudimi, I think the Prime Minister has clarified the issue of Bunambutye land. On the question raised by Hon. Mpuuga, the Prime Minister has also responded – it will depend on the rationalisation. On the question by the honourable member from Kiboga, we know very well that we have district disaster management committees in each of these districts and the chief administrative officer is the chairman of the committee. So, the way we disseminate information - we know our people pick this information through the radios and TVs, but at the same time, the district disaster management committees at the districts handle the issue of training. They are all trained and they are –(Interruption)

7843 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 30 MARCH 2023 The district has designated 40 COVID-19 vaccination points and 37 Hepatitis B screening centres in all health centres in the district for six days. centres in the district for six days. The health management and response teams are handling COVID-19 as well as Hepatitis B and extending effective services to host communities and refugees. Madam Speaker, we enjoin our political leaders and other community leaders to take lead in the vaccination and screening exercise of COVID-19 and Hepatitis B so that the population embraces the exercise to save the host communities and refugees in Adjumani District. Hon. Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha, Woman Representative for Buliisa, said that many parts of the country are facing drought, which is affecting the production of food and cash crops. The farmers are entering the first season of the year and usually, it is very short with little rain. Government, over time, has been promising to support Ugandan farmers - both small and large scale - with irrigation schemes for the farmers to access water for production. However, this seems not to have taken off and many farmers are worried. Her prayers are that: I should assure this House and our farmers the extent of Government’s assurance to access water for production. When is the Government fulfilling the promise on the solar power irrigation systems? My response is that the Government has continued its efforts to invest and improve access to water for production. The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, is supervising the construction of six irrigation schemes in different parts of the country including Mubuku II, Doho II, Ngenge and Rwengaju, to mention, but a few. Construction of the irrigation schemes including Acomai in Sironko and Atari in Kween have started. The Government has supported farmers and farmer groups by installing solar-powered irrigation schemes in various sites in the districts of Ntungamo, Hoima, Mubende, Kamuli, Koboko, Kumi, Kabale, Mukono, Kiboga, Buvuma, Ssembabule, Kayunga, Yumbe, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Buikwe, Masindi, Butambala, Bukomansimbi, Kapachorwa, Iganga, Kaabong, Rukungiri, Amolatar, Adjumani, Mbale, Pader, Rukiga, Nakaseke and Katakwi, among others. This is to promote adoption of improved and efficient water for agricultural technologies for the crops and livestock. The Government has constructed over 1,555 valley tanks with a total holding capacity of 10,840,000 cubic metres in order to address the challenge of water for animals, especially in the cattle corridor and drought prone districts. Honourable members, even Buliisa will eventually benefit. Hon. Geoffrey Macho, Member of Parliament for Busia Municipality asked that Busia Boarder Seed Secondary School is located in Mukungu B Village, Central Parish, Eastern Division in Busia Municipality. The school was started in 2019 and had an enrolment of 497 students by the close of year 2022. The school was started as a response to Government’s policy of having public secondary schools at subcounty level. It also came as a result of a Presidential pledge. Though Busia Municipality donated land of approximately 25 acres, the Government has not come up clearly to ensure that people benefit from the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Programme (USEP). His prayers are that: 1. The Ministry of Education and Sports comes out clearly on the USEP in relation to this school before term one of 20 – Madam Speaker, these questions came earlier, but since we have not had a chance – it says at the start of the term. 2. The ministry should implement the Presidential pledge.

7156 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The Ministry of Education and Sports, through the National Curriculum Development Centre, rolled out the revised lower secondary school curriculum in the year 2020. One of the major components of the revised curriculum is continuous assessment - a school-based assessment. The first cohort or group of learners of this column is joining senior three in 2023. Relatedly, secondary schools, which will not have registered for continuous assessment, will not be allowed by UNEB to register their learners for the Uganda Certificate of Education examinations. UNEB will communicate to the schools on the modalities of submitting the continuous assessment scores to the board. Schools registering for continuous assessment should have registered their learners on the Ministry of Education and Sports Education Information Management System. Accordingly, the ministry has now opened the Education Information Management System portal to enable schools to register their learners. The second question came from Hon. Aled Akugizibwe, Member of Parliament for Buruli County, Masindi District. He said that in the year 2015, Uganda held its first oil block auction, which included six 2,674 square kilometre-sized exploring regions. Before that, the country distributed blocks based on who arrived there first. Armour Energy Limited of Australia and Oranto Petroleum of Nigeria took part in the first round. They both later signed production sharing agreements with Government. In 2019, the second round was announced, attracting Total, DGR Energy Turaco Uganda - SMC Limited, Uganda National Oil Company Limited and a joint venture of PetroAfrik Energy Resources East Africa Limited, Uganda and Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited from Nigeria. However - according to him - only two oil and gas firms submitted bids, namely DGR Energy Turaco Uganda Limited and Uganda National Oil Company Limited. Following the successful negotiations, the two oil firms were approved.” His prayer is; when will Government effect the signing of production sharing agreements and the award of exploration licences to the two oil companies that we approved? My response is: Cabinet approved the signing of production sharing agreements and grant of exploration licences for an initial two-year period of Uganda National Oil Company and DGR Energy Turaco Uganda - SMC Limited were approved. UNOC will undertake operations in Kasurubani Exploration Area that stretches over 1,285 square kilometres, stretching between Buliisa and Pakwach Districts. This licence was previously held by Tullow, which made some discoveries. DGR, which owns another exploration licence in the area of Kanywataba, will be operating from Turaco Block, which is a 637-square- kilometre exploration area, located in the Albertine Graben near the border with Congo, in Ntoroko District. Heritage Oil, a British company, had done some exploration in the area, but abandoned it in 2004. The block reverted to the Government as per the laws that govern this country. Mr Speaker, the signing of the Production Sharing Agreement for UNOC is scheduled to take place today - I believe it has already taken place – 2 February 2023, while the one for DGR will be done in two weeks’ time. Mr Speaker, the true exploration areas that were given out are part of the five blocks that the Government auctioned in the second licensing round, launched in 2019. The three, which have not been given out, are Avivi (1,026km 2 ), Omuka (750km 2 ) and Ngaji (1,230km 2 ). Mr Speaker, question number three came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, Member of Parliament, Ngora County. She said that Uganda [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. Allow me, on behalf of the people of Buliisa and Bunyoro subregion and on my own behalf, to convey condolences to you, Madam Speaker, to the President of this country, the Parliament of Uganda, Papa Emorimor, the people of Teso subregion, to the family, to all of us, colleagues and above all, to the Christians worldwide. Our colleague and friend, Hon. Okabe, with whom we were in the 10 th Parliament on the Committee for Gender, Labour and Social Development was such a great person and full of passion. Together with his wife, they invited us to their home, as a committee, and we dined with them. We saw the love that was between the two of them and a love for humanity. Allow me say this, Madam Speaker. In his own words, this year in October, the bishop said, “We may not, even in our own time, see the Mbale we want to see, but our children and grandchildren will see it and live in this place.” That was the prophecy that the bishop made. May you leave in peace and may you be able to receive the crown from the Almighty God.

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

I wanted to highlight – okay. But the districts of Amolatar and Buliisa benefited and the health centres are almost - but I will go and instruct the army brigade to make sure that, that staff house is constructed.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I rise on an issue of urgent public importance. I would like to bring to the attention of this House, and indeed the Government, the destruction caused by elephants and other problematic animals in Buliisa District, which has inflicted untold suffering to the people of Buliisa. The subcounties that have continued to be affected by these problematic animals include: 1. Ngwedo where we have Kilyango, Mvule Nunda, Mvule 1 and Kharatum; 2. Buliisa Subcounty where we have Nyamitete, Pondiga, Beroya, Bugana Kichoke, Bugana Kataleba, Waiga, Kijangi, Kabolwa and Kigoya; and 3. Buliisa Town Council where we have Kitahura, Tugu Lyec and the centre of this town council. The effects are the ravaging of crops of the population and even loss of lives. Madam Speaker, you recall that this Parliament passed the UWA Act in 2019. The Act contains, among other things, addressing wildlife conservation areas or protection of species, wildlife user rights and the management of problem animals. Since then, the regulations to guide the compensation have not been ratified by Parliament. The wildlife compensation scheme consists of the two per cent of monies collected by the authority from all the revenue collection and the monies appropriated by Parliament specifically for this purpose. The scheme was to be used for financing compensation claims for human life, injuries or damage to property caused by wildlife animals outside protected areas. Since October 2019, Uganda Wildlife Authority has been putting aside 20 per cent of the revenue collected to cater for the corporation. There is no mechanism as of now to disperse this money to the affected persons or communities. The delay to ratify this regulation has left our communities neighbouring these protected areas very devastated. This Parliament appropriated funds this financial year for 161km electric fence around Murchison Falls conservation area from Bugongo Gate through Nyamitete to Bugana. The trench line –

Madam Speaker, I was in Buliisa last week but one and I was informed of the same problem. I caused a meeting with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and we have come up with –(Interruption)-

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, for your wise ruling. Like I told you earlier, I was in Buliisa myself for PDM systemisation and these issues came

4314 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME up. So, I took it upon myself and wrote to the minister in charge and I was given the following responses: One, is that this Parliament appropriated money to do electric fencing in those districts that are affected by wild animals, especially those that are neighbouring the game reserves; that is the districts of Kanungu and Buliisa -

Madam Speaker, there is money we have appropriated to do exactly that. Then two, there is also some money that has been provided in this financial year’s budget to compensate all those people who are affected by these stray animals. Madam Speaker, I will make sure that I connect my sister, the honourable member from Buliisa, to the ministry so that she gets more clarity.

Actually, it should not be only Buliisa but all the areas that are bordering national parks. This House budgeted and appropriated money for the fencing; that must take place. Honourable members, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from Rubanda District Local Government. We have: 1. Mr Stephen Kashaba - LC5 Rubanda 2. Mr Alex Kwizera –Chief Administrative Officer 3. Ms Prossy Kesafari- LC5 Vice Chairperson 4. Ms Waguma Mary-Speaker Rubanda 5. Mr Mutatina Obed - Secretary for Health and Education 6. Ms Mary Bebwajuba –Secretary Production and Marketing 7. Ms Nevline Tusasirwe - Secretary Tourism and National Resources 8. Mr Kibuye Vincent –Secretary of Works and Finance 9. Mr Martin Turyagenda– Political Assistant to Hon. Musasizi. These are represented by none other than our very good Minister Hon. Musasizi, who is very hardworking; Hon. Kamuntu Moses, also a very good person and active and our Commissioner of Parliament Hon. Akampulira. You gave us very good people; please, bring them back. We want to thank you so much, you are welcome. (Applause) Again, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of youth leaders from the 54 countries of Africa and beyond. They are currently participating in the Third African Peer Review Mechanism Continent Youth Symposium under the African Union at 20 years. You are most welcome. (Applause) They are here to witness the proceedings of this House and how we process matters; that is what will shape these young people here. I want to welcome you; this is Parliament of Uganda, the Parliament of the people of Uganda that is people-centred; you are most welcome.