Bunyangabu District

342 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS [The Deputy Speaker] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME it to the drought. Therefore, this drought has denied people at Kisoro Hospital water. Honourable colleagues, what I am saying is simple: let us stick to the topic. We have already finished the questions for the ministers and the Prime Minister. We are now on the statement from the Minister of Water and Environment, on the prevailing weather conditions over Uganda in July. Elder, I will come to you later. Colleagues who have spoken, I told you; I know you. Honourable member from Bunyangabu, then Mubende.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and congratulations. I would also like to thank the minister for the statement. I have realised that my people in Bunyangabu are suffering from drought and in the next few months, we are going to lack food. We are Matooke growers and it is ripening every day, meaning in the next few months, we will have no food. I request that we get cold rooms and preserve this Matooke for the coming months, because it is very possible to get cold rooms. If people who have money can afford to buy these cold rooms for themselves, how about the Government? Let us look into this, and we will preserve this Matooke and other foods for our people.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise to raise a matter of national importance in Bunyangabu. We have a very big problem, and I do not know if we can call it an outbreak of cancer. Two weeks ago, I lost my son, and I thank the Members who came to condole with me. In the same week, we buried over 12 people who also died of cancer. We have two sub-counties of Kiyombya and Rwimi, where people are still drinking crater lake water.

THE STATE OF THE NATION, 2026 There is a river called Ntabago. If you sip water from that river, your teeth become rusty immediately. People in those areas are still taking bilharzia tablets monthly. These bilharzia tablets are given according to the size and height of the people. So, tall people like some of the Members you were referring to yesterday would be taking about 10 tablets, and shorter ones like me would take about four or five tablets. I imagine that the water that is actually causing bilharzia could be the same water that is causing cancer. One, I pray that the Ministry of Health intervenes and finds out because we have 49 people on palliative care in Bunyangabu. They are waiting for the day of death. Many people are going to hospitals when it is too late; when cancer is at stage four. I am praying that the Ministry of Health intervenes. I also ask that clean water is provided as a matter of emergency, especially in the areas of Kiyombya, Rwimi and Kabonero sub-counties because we suspect that the water there has dangerous minerals that could be causing cancer and bilharzia. I pray that the responsible ministries intervene.

140 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 a) Agro-industrialisation; b) Tourism development; c) Mineral-based industrial development including oil and gas; d) Science, technology, and innovations including ICT and the creative arts. These sectors are deliberately selected because they represent Uganda’s strongest comparative advantages and possess the greatest potential to generate exports, jobs, incomes and investment. Together, they form the engine of the Tenfold Growth Strategy. The objective is simple: To convert Uganda’s natural resources, human capital and innovation into wealth, jobs and prosperity. I would now like to detail each. Agro-industrialisation Mr Speaker, agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy. It employs millions of Ugandans, supplies raw materials to industry, produces exports and sustains livelihoods across the country. However, Uganda’s future prosperity will not come from producing more raw commodities alone. It will come from increasing productivity, expanding value addition, strengthening agro- processing and improving market access. The Government, therefore, continues to invest strategically across the entire agricultural value chain. Agricultural research and innovation Mr Speaker, agricultural transformation begins with science. This year, the Government made significant advances in agricultural research and genetics. The anti-tick vaccine facility at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute in Nakyesasa was completed and is now operational, producing about 36 million doses, serving 18 million livestock in the first year. The Government also produced Foot-and- Mouth Disease vaccines and continued to advance research on disease resistant crops and livestock breeds. These investments will reduce production losses, raise productivity and increase farmer incomes. Water for production and irrigation Climate change continues to expose farmers to significant weather-related risks. The Government is, therefore, accelerating investment in irrigation and water for production infrastructure to reduce dependence on rainfall. Progress was registered on several major irrigation projects including Kabuyanda Dam in Isingiro District, Atari in Bulambuli District, Wadelai in Pakwach District, Acomai in Bukedea District, Namaitsu in Bududa District, Chembombai in Bukwo District and Sipi Irrigation Scheme in Bulambuli District. Solar-powered irrigation schemes are also being rolled out across the country. These investments will support all-year-round production, increase resilience and improve agricultural productivity. Mechanisation and animal health The Government continued developing Regional Agricultural Mechanisation Centres and Animal Disease Control Centres to improve efficiency and productivity in the agriculture sector. Progress was registered in Kiruhura, Mbale, Kiryandongo, Bunyangabu, Nakaseke, Katine and several other districts. These facilities are improving access to modern agricultural equipment, veterinary services and disease surveillance systems. Expanding commercial coffee production Mr Speaker, coffee remains one of Uganda’s most important export commodities. The Government has, therefore, expanded coffee cultivation into northern and eastern Uganda. During the year, two coffee mother gardens were established and over 1.4 million coffee seedlings distributed to 7,532 farmers in

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

17519 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 JNUE 2025 Agro-Industrialisation Madam Speaker, the interventions in agro- industrialisation this financial year and next financial year have prioritised research, an increase in productivity, commercialisation, and value addition in agriculture. Madam Speaker, some of the key achievements in this financial year include: 1. Research and genetic development of selected value chains. The National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Databank has introduced superior animal genetic resources for breeding, multiplication and distribution to farming households under PDM. NARO has completed the manufacturing facility for anti-tick vaccines at Nakyesasa in Wakiso District with the capacity to produce over 20 million doses of the anti-tick vaccine per year. NARO has also developed agricultural technologies that increase productivity such as water-saving cultivation technology, drought-resistant varieties, and integrated pest, disease and weed control technologies, among others. Research in coffee by NaCORI has contributed to increased national coffee production, productivity and export earnings. 2. Increasing agricultural production and productivity. The capacity of water for irrigation has increased to 54.76 million cubic metres. This is on account of Government investment in small and large irrigation systems, including solar-powered irrigation. In particular, seven large-scale irrigation schemes have been completed. These include Ngenge in Kween District; Rwengaaju in Kabarole; Tochi in Oyam; Mubuku II in Kasese; Olweny in Lira; Doho II in Butaleja; and Wadelai in Pakwach. Another three irrigation schemes are currently under construction. These are: Acomai in Bukedea District; Atari in Kween/ Bulambuli Districts; and Namatala, covering Budaka, Mbale and Butaleja Districts. Madam Speaker, another 145 solar-powered irrigation and water supply schemes have been completed across the country. In addition, 157 solar-powered irrigation and water supply schemes are under construction. Furthermore, 4,300 micro- scale irrigation facilities were constructed in 135 districts across the country and have benefitted smallholder farmers of less than 2.5 acres. Madam Speaker, in addition, the Government completed Usake Dam in Kaabong, and Ongunga Dam in Katakwi for livestock, irrigation and fish farming. In addition, 5,251 small- and medium- scale irrigation schemes were established in 135 districts. Madam Speaker, the Government established five zonal agricultural mechanisation centres in Namalere, Buwama, Bungokho, Agwata and Sanga to support equipment access and tractor hire services; procured and distributed 260 assorted four-wheeled tractors and implements to farmer groups in 60 districts countrywide, 750 power tillers (single-axle tractors and implements), and two pieces of dredging equipment for water hyacinth and weed control; and trained 2,150 youth and women as operators, artisans and mechanics for tractors and implements. Beginning this financial year, the Government introduced the large-scale commercial farmer interest-free credit facility of Shs 175 billion. This facility will help to increase production and productivity for improved food security and exports. The loan facility can be accessed through Government-owned banks, namely Post Bank, Housing Finance Bank, and Pride Bank Limited. 3. Agricultural value addition and marketing. NARO completed setting up an Aflasafe facility at Namulonge with capacity to eliminate aflatoxin contamination in grains. The facility has capacity to clean five tons of produce per hour. This will save the country an estimated $38 million per year, which is lost in export rejections due to aflatoxins and, most importantly, save the lives of Ugandans. Madam Speaker, to add value to agricultural produce, the Government constructed 11 agro- processing and storage facilities to increase opportunities for value-addition and access to high value markets. These include Rwimi Rice Processing Facility in Bunyangabu; Kasina Maize

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

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

17544 BUDGET SPEECH are there – the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is there but is quiet, the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) is there, the Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) are there – I will go for them and they will have to answer. (Applause) If the Shs 1.3 billion is not enough, tell us, because the feeder roads are very crucial. I found out that in the case of Bunyangabu, they were mixing up issues: The Shs 1.3 billion is to maintain the roads which are already made, but they were saying, “Oh, we want to make bridges across swamps.” No, you cannot do that with the Shs 1.3 billion. That is new money for a new project. Maintain the present roads the way they are, so that you have the murram there and gravel, they are compacted, drainage – this is a must. I will check and if I find – there will be casualties among the Local Government people there, even the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs). Why should this be the case when all these people are there? Now for the voters – that is why you need to vote for people who care, not the ones who give you money. On the issue of the implementation, so much money has already been availed for so many roads; I have a whole list here. Masaka-Mutukula, the money is there. The money for Lusalira-Kasambya- Nkonge-Lumegere. Roads like; Moyo-Afoji, Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi, Kumi-Ngora- Serere-Kagwara, Kampala-Malaba metre gauge, Kitgum-Kidepo, Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area roads. The MPs should follow up on this money which is already provided. I have a long list here of the money already provided, some of it from loans – even for education and health – all this money is here. Now, finally, you get misinformation. For instance, the other day I was in Lyantonde and some of the Luweero veterans were talking about some issues but when I checked, we had already provided Shs 218 billion or something like that for the a kasiimo and the a kasiimo was supposed to be Shs 5 million for each of the leaders and Shs 1 million for supporters. Now, Shs 218 billion, which has already been provided, is too much money. So, what happened? Who took this money? And yet I heard some of them were complaining – we are going to dig up the whole thing. Then you get the cattle compensation for Teso, Lango, Acholi. We have already spent Shs 200 billion on that. Who got this money? And we have now budgeted for another Shs 80 billion. You heard it being read here. So, you, the leaders should follow up on this money. Of course, I will also follow up now that I am involved. Then, you have things like the stadiums. Quite a bit of money has been sent to some of these stadiums. So, the National Council of Sports needs to explain to us. I hear some money has gone to stadiums like Kakyeka – a number of them, to do this and that. Others are going to be done massively, like Akii-Bua et cetera. So, the National Council of Sports should also come and brief Mama about all this money. Finally, I saw some issue about the digital number plates of vehicles – about fines, fines, fines – that people are being fined for I-do-not-know-what. But the issue about the number plates is not fines but rather anti-crime. I would like my people to put on the projector a picture I saw in today’s newspaper – put that picture, if you have it. (A photo was displayed on the screen.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I would like to seek clarification on the issue regarding delay in payments to the contractors. Time and again, this House appropriates some money, including giving some supplementary budgets. I wonder why the issue of delay in paying contractors arises. Secondly, it is as if some contractors are given more contracts than their capacity. In my area, I have Modest Company Limited. It was contracted in the year 2019 to date. It is as if these contractors have multiple contracts in Bunyangabu, Kasese, and Kabarole etc. It is the reason there are many stranded projects. In conclusion, in my constituency, we have two power plants; one on River Ndugutu and another one on River Nsongya. We have a power outage. We have a challenge that out of 14 administrative units in my constituency, only four are connected to power. I would like to seek clarification why, even when we are producing power, the 10 administrative units are not yet connected. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is not true that all local government administrative units have – I can give an example of Fort Portal Tourism City. They demand a lot of money and if there is proof that they have been paid up to-date, it can be provided. I wanted to comment and help ourselves because I had something burning that the Local Governments are not completing the works, especially the construction of schools and health centres. Mr Speaker, the programmes dictated to us, for example, the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT), dictate that the tenders or procurements are done by the mother ministries at the headquarters. Therefore, the schools that benefit from UgIFT for the construction of seed schools, their procurements are done by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Likewise, the health centres are done by the Ministry of Health. We have complained and we think the ministries are in the process of discussing with the donors to adjust these conditions because, there is hybrid procurement where someone is allocated to six schools – like the one that is building in Ntoroko is the one building in Bundibugyo, building in Kiyombya in Bunyangabu, building in Kabarole, in Kasenda. Therefore, he has five schools and he does not have the capacity. If you are not forceful, you will not complete it. (Interjection) I was, and mine is completed, but I have forwarded him for blacklisting. So, it is not our fault. Mr Speaker, we have, as Ministry of Local Government, our self-inflicted wounds, but the amendments we are making in the Act, we have proposed that all the headquarters be the same design and the same amount. I give an example of Butaleja; when we advanced them Shs 200 million, they made the foundation as big as this parliamentary building. And after two days, they were crying that the money was not enough. So, understand us; we are fighting tooth and nail to make sure that there is flexibility in the conditions from the donors. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your wise guidance. I withdraw. I meant MAAIF. Madam Speaker, the main object of rationalising asked three questions. One of them was whether the mandate of NAADS overlaps with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. The mandate of NAADS does not overlap at all with the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. Sections 5 and 6 of the Act empower the advisory services to promote food security, household nutrition and income, provide agricultural advisory services, support technology development and linkages with farmers, among others. Moreover, this has been effectively and efficiently achieved by NAADS. The minority report notes that cash crops like tea and cocoa, which have no regulation agencies, are being promoted by NAADS. As a result of NAADS interventions, production in the tea sector has steadily increased in units countrywide and it has gone to 81,675 metric tonnes of tea in 2022, worth $38.36 million in comparison with the 50,055 tonnes produced in 2017. NAADS has provided dairy heifers, beef cattle, pigs, poultry birds and associated feeds. In order to improve livestock breeds, NAADS has promoted artificial insemination by distributing 39,371 doses of cattle semen and 33,399 litres of liquid nitrogen in partnership with the National Animal Genetic Resource Centre and Data Bank. NAADS distributed livestock input to various local governments across the country in addition to the distribution of livestock, fish fingerlings for tilapia, catfish and mirror caps, as well as the fish feed for income and the Government. In a bid to support storage, value addition and agro-processing, NAADS has set up community grain stores, milk coolers with their matching generators, maize milling equipment, feed milling equipment, rice milling equipment, among others. The entity has also established the following fruit processing factories: Yumbe Mango Processing Factory, Kayunga pineapple processing plant, Kapeeka multi fruit processing plant, Floki wineries in Bunyangabu for grapes and five mini dairy processing facilities. The minority report notes that Uganda has achieved - The NAADS - Now we are answering another question of whether the NAADS services have served the purpose for which it was established. NAADS has served 100 per cent of the purpose to which it was established. The main purpose was to promote food security, nutrition and household income, provide agricultural advisory services, support technology development and link farmers. This has been fully and efficiently achieved. Given that the main report was also concurring with the minority report, I wish to go to another question; whether NAADS services costs are so high that they drain the Treasury at the expense of service delivery. The answer is a very big, no. NAADS services do not drain the Treasury because of the following reasons:

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the heavy damage that has been caused by River Nyamwamba in Kasese Town over the years. On the 7 th of September, River Nyamwamba burst its banks and flooded Kasese Town, killing people, destroying houses and sweeping away merchandise, leaving the business community with a lot of suffering. Mr Speaker, it has become common that in May, June and October, this river bursts its banks and leaves many people dead and property destroyed. And this is not happening in Kasese alone but in the whole of the Rwenzori subregion. Districts such as Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu and Kabarole are also affected. My prayer, Mr Speaker, is that you appoint a team of technocrats from the Ministry of Water and Environment to go and find out what exactly could be the problem in Kasese.

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-

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, Madam Speaker. Congratulations, more especially on the double blessings of twins and happy birthday. I would like to know which criteria a Member should use to write to the Minister in charge of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees. I have written several letters about the disaster in Bunyangabu, which is a food basket for this nation. Almost all the matooke we eat comes from Bunyangabu. However, we normally face a problem of hailstones and heavy winds. I have written letters but received no response. I do not know whether I should write letters in Chinese or Swahili, so that maybe you can respond. I pray they give me some criteria on what I should do to solve such disasters in my constituency. Thank you.

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

18 Hon. Ruhunda Alex Fort Portal Central NRM L9 Hon. Seky'anzi Benard Krrya Budyebo Counry NRM <944 '20 Hon. Wandwasr Robert Bungokho South County NRM 2r Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Neebr Municrpalry NRM 22 Hon. Maneno Zumura DWR Obongr NRM 23 Hon. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North Count-v NRM 24 Hon. Ababiku Jessica DWR Adjuman NRM 25 Hon. Wakabi hus Bugahya County NRM 26 Hon. Lrnda Irene DWR Fort Portal NRM -PJ '27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu C<.runty NRM 28 Hon. Twalla Fadil Trngey County NRM 29 Hon. NsrbambL Yusuf Mawokota South County FDC --Ta^- 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County FDC 3l DWR Aruu North PPP 32 Hon. Okot Santa Hon. Auma Kennv Kwania North UPC 33 Hon Sebamala Rrchard Bukoto Central DP 34 Hon. Okupa Elijah Kasilo Countv IND ac. Hon Mpindi Bumah PwDs Rep IND 36 Hon Nsanla Patnck Ntenjeru Counlv South IND 37 IND DWR Lamwo Iganga Munrcipality IND \ 38 39 Hon. Acora Nancy Hon Mugema Peter Hon Roland Nd1'omug.yenyr Rukrga Counlv IND $fuisn\ -t 2

22 18 Hon. Ruhunda Alcx Fort Portal Central NRM t9 Hon. Se$anzr Benard Krrya Budyebo County NRM sffi,-. 20 Hon. Wandwasr Roberr Bungokho South County NRM 2l Hon. Hashim Sularman Neebi Municipalrty NRM Hon. Maneno Zorrlura DWR Obongi NRM 23 Hon. Nangoh Gerald Elgon North County NRM 24 Hon. Ababrku Jessrca DWR Adj uman NRM 25 Hon. Wakabi Pius Buga hya County NRM -:.\ 26 Hon. Linda lrcne DWR Fort Portal NRM 27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu Count5r NRM 2a Hon. Tw'alla Fadrl Tingey County NRM 29 Hon. Nsrbambr Yusuf Mawokota South County FDC q+ -.,1--tt 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County FDC 31 Hon. Okot Santa DWR Aruu North PPP 32 Hon. Auma Kenny Kwania North UPC .).) Hon. Scbamala Richard Bukoto Central DP 34 Hon. Okupa Ehlah Kasrlo County IND 35 Hon. Mprndr Bumali RrDs Rcp IND 36 Hon. Nsanja Patrrck NtenJeru County South IND 37 Hon Acora Nancy DWR Lamwo IND 38 Hon Mugema Peter lganga Municipalrty IND 39 Hon. Roland Ndyomuglenyi Rukiga County IND &^^.*r*i

Votc l{raa Anount lUGr ?30 Shccaa Mun cloe-t Counc l.192.a89.522 73r To.o.o Munrcrpal Councrl 503.419.619 801 Abrm DEtnct 265.226.923 eo2 Adtumanr D8tnct 4.521.S4S.30? 803 Aearo Olatnct r3.003.sr r 804 ALbtoac DBtrrct 83S.377.068 ao5 164r.560.826 ao6 Amudat DBtnct 495.4??.534 80? Amuna D8trrct r0.o53.628.537 808 Amuiu DBt.rct 795.995.822 811 Budaka Dlltnct 8.381.8,+0.288 a12 Bududa Dllt ct 2.? 5A _459 _?O9 813 Bu6fl Orstnct ?42.651.842 814 Buq\rcn Dlrtnct 3.r55.456.6?5 8rs Bubwqu Drstnct 2 .t44.419 .496 ar6 ButLw. Dt3t ct t.960.647 .922 AI? Bukcdca Dtst ct 384.r9S. 169 818 Bukoman8unbr Drstnct r,+6.835.O18 819 Bukwo Dlltnct 2.t33.? t6.82 e20 BulrmbuL Dlrt ct ?62.O34.3? t a2t Bul[sa DBtrrct r.380.206.rs5 422 Bundrbuqlro DBtnct L644.464.749 423 Bunyangabu Dl3tnct r2.6,+1.593.845 424 Buahcal.r Drstirct 1.O2S.736-O36 825 Buara Drstnct 2.88r.708.012 a2? Bute-ab;le Dlltnct 2.47 L965.? 59 a2a Eutcbo Dritrlct 465.633.199 429 Auvuia DBtnct 632.3Sq.14S 830 Euvcndc Oratnct 540.827.1SS 831 Ookolo Dt3trrct 1.465.109.32 r 832 Combe Drtnct 501.440.326 433 Oulu D8tnct r.2,r,+.396.3?0 834 Homa Drstnct 4.6?6.3? 3.t93 83S Ibanda DEtnct 2 .659 .6t6.6t2 436 I€nta Drstnct r.455.284.983 a3? Iilnsrro Drstlrct 5.233 253.939 838 Jmla Drstrrct 166.031.009 839 lGabonr Ol3tnct 1.593.988. t5a 840 Kabslc Drstn.r 4.492.270.1 t6 841 Kabarolc Dratdct t9?.?84.739 M2 Kabarrrnerdo Drltrrct 2.346.5? r.294 843 Kacadr Oratnct ?26.31t.t42 e44 Kekumrro DBtrrct,z> ?55,0?6,262 h+ ( \ \ N, ,o d,

Regarding the grabbing of land and the local government keeping quiet, I want to say that there are some roles that are multi-sectoral. Like the land issue, we have a fully-fledged Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. I think matters that clearly belong to the Ministry of Lands can be addressed. However, as an institution, if we are informed on time, we can also intervene or inform accordingly. When it comes to reviewing the Local Governments Act, I want to report to this House that today, we met the Committee on Local Government and Public Service. In that meeting, we informed the committee that we have already embarked on a major review because since decentralisation started in 1992, now 20 years down the road, we really need to make a detailed analysis, and where need be, we amend this law, accordingly. On illegal recruitment and protecting people without qualifications, Madam Speaker, I would like to be on record that the Ministry of Local Government has tried. Where we are informed on time or through our inspection and evaluation staff, we take action. This is why we nullified all the appointments of parish chiefs in Kagadi where there were a lot of forgeries and people didn’t have the requisite papers. We also nullified appointments in Ntoroko District - the Member was here, I don’t know where he has gone - but they would be a witness. We nullified appointments for all the 70 positions and requested them to re-advertise. Regarding staff serving in acting capacity, Madam Speaker, there are some rules indeed that must be changed because for one to be appointed a district engineer, they must be certified and registered. Now very few engineers can meet this criteria and to become a district health officer, one has to have the requisite requirements. Therefore, some districts fall prey because these two positions are very dear and pertinent. But I don’t know whether the money sent to districts is really sent to the personal accounts of these people. We need evidence on this because someone tagged it to this. Then when it comes to inconsistencies on payrolls, it is true, Madam Speaker, that there are some human resource officers that are on interdiction, the latest being the one for Bunyangabu District. So, when we move and get information, we give it out. The problem is that in some districts, they are not giving us such information. And I would like to report to you, Madam Speaker, that we are not exceptional at the Ministry of Local Government. Our Budget for monitoring and evaluation was cut halfway and so, conducting this exercise is not that easy. I wish Members - and I have been appealing to you very genuinely and humbly, that do not wait to bring everything on the Floor of Parliament. Those who come and whistle blow to us, we act immediately. Yes, it is our role, but let us try to inform the relevant ministries on time so that they can take action. Another problem was on the slow absorption of funds. Madam Speaker, I concur with the Members on this matter because it even appeared before Cabinet. It was brought to our attention that high-breed procurement is really deadly. For example, it was said that the person building the two seed schools in Ntoroko District at a tune of Shs 1.4 billion is the same person building schools in Bundibugyo District and others in different districts. It came to our attention that that same person was the one building Kiyombya Secondary School and St. Paul’s Kasenda in Bunyangabu and Kabarole districts respectively. The man does not have enough machines and enough workers; in totality, he does not have the capacity. I stand to join Members to refuse hybrid procurement. Let us stand on our two feet - and let it start from Cabinet level and give work to people

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your right and timely ruling. I actually said that we were collecting data and our technical teams were in Kassanda yesterday to pick information that we needed and that is why we are bringing this today. Secondly, this lies in my docket of Primary Health Care, and so, we have made no mistake. On the 20 th of September 2022, the Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of the Ebola Sudan Virus in Mubende District. The outbreak then spread and now, it is in four districts of Kassanda, Kagadi, Bunyangabu and Kyegegwa within a period of two weeks. Subsequently, due to movements of contacts and symptomatic individuals for health services, the outbreak spread to Wakiso District and Kampala City, bringing the total number of affected authorities to seven. All the affected local authorities had been categorised as very high risk or high risk based on the assessment done by the Ministry of Health. Madam Speaker, allow me to give the status of the outbreak. It is 43 days today since the declaration of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and the total number of confirmed cases stand at 130 of whom 43 have succumbed to the disease and 45 have been treated and have improved, and 40 are still undergoing treatment. The table, which we have already uploaded will give you the statistics from Bunyangabu to Kagadi and Kampala, and also give the subcounties that were affected and the number of people who are in those districts. Kassanda and Mubende will remain the epicentre. And now, we have a new district of Wakiso, specifically in Busiro and Nansana, as you can see in the table. Among the confirmed cases, there have also been health workers. To-date, 15 health workers have been infected, of whom six have succumbed to the deadly infection. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Out of the 15, six were from private facilities and nine were from the public health sector. This includes the team of medical students who got infected in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. We have noted that most of the cases tend to visit several private clinics for care before finally going to the public facility. This exposes the health workers to infection. We have been engaging and appealing to all health workers (public and private) to use appropriate protective gear when in facilities attending to patients. Every Tuesday morning, we do programmes to inform our people. Madam Speaker, we have been mobilising resources to respond to this outbreak. To guide response to the outbreak, a three-months’ response plan costing Shs 75 billion was developed, presented to Cabinet and submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for funding. To-date, we have not received any response. Several partners have mobilised resources but they are yet to be formally communicated to the Ministry of Health, how each have been mobilising. The partners, however, have been supporting several interventions on the ground, including surveillance, contact tracing, risk communication, case management, transport and safe burials. We are organising an accountability forum and we expect all partners to declare the resources mobilised towards the epidemic. However, to urgently support the affected districts to carry out response activities, the Ministry of Health through internal re-organisation of resources, disbursed Shs 2.12 billion to the districts as you will see in the table below. Mubende Shs 500 million, Kyegegwa Shs 305 million, Kassanda Shs 305 million, Kagadi Shs 305 million, Bunyangabu Shs 305 million and Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Shs 400 million. [The Speaker] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

6032 The moment you feel any symptoms, please, go for treatment. We are banking on you, honourable members, because when you speak, your people listen. Early treatment, as we have seen in the 45 recovered individuals, is associated with a good outcome. For most of the individuals that have died, time was lost while running from one clinic to another, including going to shrines to consult witch doctors. The population understanding the signs and symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease and avoiding exposure to it; especially, contact with the sick persons’ body fluids vomit, stool, faeces, blood, saliva, sweat, urine - all these can infect you if you are in close contact with a patient. This exposure may be through direct handling, deliberate or incidental, or even accidental of linen, surfaces, cleaning, sharing of lavatories, beddings, or through handshaking, hugging, or caring for a confirmed case. Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this House and the entire population that the symptoms of Ebola in the early phases are similar and consistent with most common febrile illnesses like malaria, where the clinical cause of the disease begins with high-grade fever, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, in the upper abdomen especially, fatigue, general body weakness, intractable vomiting and diarrhea, plus bleeding manifestations, may not be an early presentation. So, if you feel some fever, please, do not stay at home because you can be helped. This emphasises the aspect of seeking care early if you had contact with anybody who has Ebola. The outbreak epicentre remains Mubende and Kassanda specifically. In the Mubende District, the most affected subcounties are Madudu, Kiruma and East Division of Mubende Municipality. While in Kassanda, the subcounties of Kikandwa and Kalwana are the most affected. At the beginning of the outbreak, the epidemic spread to the three districts of Bunyangabu, Kagadi, Kyegegwa. Two districts have completed the 21 days of contacts follow up and even individuals have been retired from the contact list. They are back home and do not have the Ebola virus. Since there has been no second retransmission, we believe transmission may have been interrupted. However, intensified surveillance continues in these districts for another 21 days to complete the 42 days cycle before they can be cleared. A new case appeared in Kyegegwa late last week, and so, we have restarted the countdown afresh. To stop further exportation of cases into other parts of the country, His Excellency, the President of Uganda directed the restricting of movements into and out of the districts of Mubende and Kassanda. However, internal movement is allowed and transit vehicles are free to cross through to other districts; if one is going to Kakumiro, Kabarole, Fort Portal, they can cross through but not stop anywhere in Mubende. The President’s directive of restricted movement was based on optimising control effects in the same geographical area and minimising the spread to other areas. The penetration of Ebola in heavily populated areas creates a situation of rapid spread and is associated with sustained and protracted person-to-person transmission. Urban Ebola transmission is complex and Government will do it takes to ensure control of transmission in the urban settings, especially the Kampala Metropolitan Area, which includes Wakiso. To illustrate the extent of the spread in urban transmission, a single case can quickly set up several transmission lines. In short, in a very short time, as shown in this graphics, just one person in this congested city can spread Ebola to very many other people. [Ms Muhanga] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT