Busia District

Mr Speaker, Hon. Francis is my friend. I met him in Busia when I was an RDC and he has now found me here in Parliament. I welcome you to Parliament of Uganda. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, when we weighed all options, we realised that NEC is an arm of UPDF. They already had food. By the way, it is not only NEC; there is also Prisons. We are going to use Prisons because they already have food. The private people want to sell us beans at Shs 4,500 per kilogramme; NEC is giving us a kilogramme of beans at Shs 4,000. They already have the beans and are near. The army is giving us posho at Shs 2,800 yet our private suppliers in the Office of the Prime Minister want to supply us at Shs 3,500. The National Enterprise Corporation has got transport. Our private people want to bring the food stuffs and put it at our store. We are cutting costs so that we can get more food to save lives. (Applause) Prisons has got a store in Gulu and they have started milling the maize grain they have in the stores. We saw it fitting because these people already have this food in the stores and can supply the quantities we want. By the way, regarding the process of procurement, if we started advertising now, we would have that food procured or delivered in two months but it is now Government to Government. The Solicitor-General signs the agreement and they start delivering. In fact, that is why I have told you we have already started delivering. We just need a Memorandum of Understanding. So, if we go private, it will take us two more months before we deliver. This is an emergency; we cannot wait.

Thank you so much, Mr speaker. Before I came to Parliament, there was a drainage system; a trench that was put up by the Ministry of Works and Transport in Idudi Town Council. Mr Speaker, Idudi Town Council is on the highway going to Busia at the border. That road is so busy, and we get accidents almost on a weekly basis. Mr Speaker, I talked to the ministry before I came here - actually, it was Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) at that time. However, they kept on promising that they would put it in the budget, which they have not done. (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I urge the Government to address the issue of Busia Town congestion and prioritise the construction of the Mulwanda Border Point. The congestion in Busia Town has paralysed local businesses, stifled cross-border trade and threatened human life. Accidents happen every other day. I seek your response.

91 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 4 JUNE 2026 Some of the communities in the cattle corridor did not ask for capital. They moved without capital and used their own money. The only thing we gave them was advice. In other areas, because they had indigenous cows, many of them converted them and got capital but in other areas, it was not so easy. That is why we started with the Entandikwa , the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Operation Wealth Creation and now the Parish Development Model. This is for the small people. The question now is: how about the big farmers and manufacturers? We have not forgotten those. With the big farmers and manufacturers, the Government has put a total of Shs 1,600 billion in UDB. The interest rate for that money is 12 per cent per annum. The interest rate for PDM is 6 per cent per annum and payable after two years. Hence, for Shs 1 million, the borrower will return Shs 1.2 million for PDM. We are always creating other funds for the ghettos, musicians, etc., so capital is not a problem. Unlike the colonial agents who never wanted to plan for Africa, we have told Ugandans that our economy has potential in four sectors: services, commercial agriculture, manufacturing and ICT. The President is here. Parliament is here. Once people have woken up from sleep and want low-cost capital, if the Shs 100 million per parish per annum or any other funds are not enough, we can increase the money by adjusting in other areas. With the cattle corridor, we did not wait for low-interest capital. As already said, our only contribution to them was the “word”. In the cattle corridor, the work there was ekigambo , like that of the Bible. “In the beginning, there was the word. The word was God”. We just used the word there. In the other areas, we use the “word” and the capital is there. Small capital for small things; big capital for big things. The advice was to go from nomadism to sedentary agriculture, from okukolera ekida kyonka to working for the stomach and for the pocket, and do so with ekibaro . Additionally, in the cattle corridor, I gave 20 milk coolers that had been brought by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). That was all. They converted their indigenous Ankole cattle into half-breeds, ebiihwa with Friesians and their businesses took off. However, wealth creation cannot take place if there is no peace, no law and order, and supportive infrastructure in the country. The UPDF always guarantees peace in the country. The police and Judiciary must ensure law and order. The NRM has struggled to tarmac - so with infrastructure, our scorecard is clear and must not be allowed to be spoiled. The NRM has struggled to tarmac the core national roads from the north at Oraba, Aruu, Nimule, and Musingo, which are all linked by tarmac roads. They are continuous from the north through the Kampala area to Kagitumba, Katuna, Kyanika, and Bunagana in the south. The mistake by the Ministry of Works and Transport is allowing these roads to deteriorate and then starting heavy work afterwards. The new ministers must ensure - I do not want to see what happened to some of the roads, like the Fort Portal Road, but there is a story of corruption in that road. I hope the new team will deal with that issue. We have tarmacked the road from east to west, from Busia, Lwakhakha, Suam, Amudat, all the way to Mpondwe, Busunga, and Ishasha in the west. This does not include the tarmac roads linking to the water bodies that are also transport connections, such as Jinja, because when you have the tarmac road up to Jinja, you go into the water and cross by ferry to Mwanza, to Kisumu, to wherever you want to go. Majanji, Port Bell, Butiaba, Kaiso - Tonya, Bukakata. There are tarmac roads going up to these water bodies. We are revamping the meter- gauge railway and building the standard-gauge one. We are working with Kenya and Tanzania on pipelines for crude and refined petroleum products. This will move heavy cargo away from the roads to the railway, and petroleum

59 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 28 MAY 2026 the Republic of Uganda, and Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament: “ WHEREAS Article 108A(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides that there shall be a Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament by a simple majority from among Members of Parliament or persons qualified to be elected Members of Parliament; AND WHEREAS under Article 108A(2)(a) of the Constitution, the Prime Minister is the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of Government policies across ministries, departments, and other public institutions, and performs such other functions as may be assigned to him or her by the President or as may be conferred to him or her by the Constitution or by law; AWARE that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda has, in exercise of powers conferred upon him by Article 108A(1) of the Constitution, appointed Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, District Woman Representative, Kakumiro District, as Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament ; NOTING that Hon. Nabbanja Robinah possesses the requisite qualifications for appointment as Prime Minister as set out in Article 108A(1) of the Constitution, since; (a) she is a citizen of Uganda, having been born on 17 December 1969 at Kamusenene, Nkoko Town Council, Kakumiro District; (b) she is a registered voter in Kakumiro District, and (c) she completed a minimum formal education of advanced level standard and obtained the following academic qualifications: i) She is a PhD student of Public Administration specialising in monitoring and evaluation from Nkumba University; ii) She holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation from Nkumba University, Entebbe; iii) She has a Bachelor’s degree in Democracy and Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University; iv) She holds a Diploma in Democracy and Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University; v) A certificate in Audit Management from ESAMI, Arusha, Tanzania; vi) Certificate in Policy Formulation and Management from the Islamic University in Uganda; vii) Certificate in Leadership Skills and Management from Uganda Management Institute; viii) Certificate in Leadership, Economic Management and Transformation from NALI, Kyankwanzi; ix) Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education from St Edward’s, Bukumi Senior Secondary School, and; x) Uganda Certificate of Education from St Edward’s, Bukumi Senior Secondary School; FURTHER NOTING THAT Hon. Nabbanja Robinah has the necessary experience to execute the duties and functions of the Office of the Prime Minister, having held the following key positions of responsibility in the Cabinet, Parliament, and in the Local Government of Uganda, including: a. Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda and Leader of Government Business from June 2021 to May 2026. b. Minister of State for Health (General Duties). c. Parliamentary Commissioner in the 10 th Parliament. d. Treasurer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus in the Ninth Parliament. e. Woman Representative, Kakumiro District, from 2011 to date. f. Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for 10 years, serving in the districts of Pallisa, Budaka and Busia. g. Deputy Resident District Commissioner (Deputy RDC) Pallisa District. h. District Councillor representing the people of Nkoko Subcounty in Kibale District

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

17 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 151. Ssentayi Muhamad Bukoto County West Lwengo NRM 152. Rugumayo Edison Ntoroko County Ntoroko NRM 153. Senteza Richard Lugazi Municipality Buikwe Independent 154. Wakooli Godfrey Matembu Butiru County Manafwa NRM 155. Suubi Kyinyamatama Juliet Woman Representative Rakai NRM 156. Wabusani Steven Makwa Bushigai County Bududa NRM 157. Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi Elgon County Bulambuli Independent 158. Wanyama Richard Samia Bugwe Central County Busia NRM 159. Wanyoto Lydia Mutende Woman Representative Mbale City NRM 160. Zaake Francis Mityana Municipality Mityana NUP 161. Wokuri Geofrey Bungokho County South Mbale NRM 162. Wakabi Pius Bugahya County Hoima NRM 163. Tumwesigye Elioda Sheema County North Sheema NRM 164. Sserunjogi Hassan Mukiibi Bukomansimbi South County Bukomansimbi Independent 165. Wekomba Sarah Nambozo Woman Representative Bulambuli NRM 166. Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa Nansana Municipality Wakiso NUP 167. Uhuru Nelson Maracha County Maracha NRM 168. Wembabazi Beatrice Woman Representative Hoima NRM 169. Zawedde Victorious Woman Representative Nakasongola NRM The Uganda National Anthem The East African Community Anthem (The House rose at 4.15 p.m. and adjourned until Friday, 15 May 2026, at 8.00 a.m.)

102. Maganda Julius Wandera Samia Bugwe County South Busia NRM 103. Malende Shamim Woman Representative Kampala NUP 104. Mayanja Moses Busiro County North Wakiso NRM 105. Mbalibulha Christopher K. Taban Bughendera County Bundibugyo Independent 106. Monday Julius Rude (Dr) Bukonzo County East Kasese NRM 107. Lule Eria Erick Kiboga West County Kiboga NRM 108. Meeme Sylvia (Col) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 109. Lwansasula Sarah Woman Representative Jinja City NUP 110. Modoi Isaac Lutseshe County Bududa NRM 111. Mpaata Salleh Bunya County South Mayuge NRM 112. Mubangizi Dedan Buwekula South County Mubende NRM 113. Luyimbazi Nalukoola Elias Kawempe Division North Kampala NUP 114. Masaba Muhamood Mutenyo Bungokho Central County Mbale NRM 115. Mbabazi Jacqueline Older persons Representative Western NRM 116. Migadde Robert Ndugwa Buvuma Islands County Buvuma NRM 117. Mudukoi Fred Oduchu Butebo County Butebo NRM 118. Namatovu Mastula Kamuli Municipality Kamuli NRM 119. Mugenyi Joseph Burahya County Kabarole NRM 120. Mudiobole Abedi Nasser Iganga Municipality Iganga NUP 121. Mugira James (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 122. Mugisa Margaret Muhanga Fort Portal North Division Fort Portal City NRM 123. Malinga Isaac Maikut Soi County Kween NRM 124. Masiko Henry Moses (Maj. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 125. Mushabe Rujoki Ruth Woman Representative Kiruhura NRM 126. Mpindi Bumali PWD N/A Independent 127. Maseruka Robert Mukono County South Mukono NUP 128. Musinguzi Patrick Kashari North County Mbarara NRM 129. Muhenda Ronald Fort Portal Central Division Fort Portal City Independent 130. Muhooza Desire Woman Representative Kiboga NRM 131. Mujungu Jennifer K. Woman Representative Ntoroko NRM 132. Mujuni Asensio Maari Isingiro County South Isingiro NRM 133. Mukisa Robina Hope Woman Representative Namayingo NRM 134. Mukhaye Miriam Woman Representative Mbale NRM 135. Mulemya Ismail Sowed Busia Municipality Busia NRM 136. Mukiibi Eriasa Sserunjogi Butambala County Butambala Independent 137. Mulindwa David Isimbwa Busongora County South Kasese NRM 138. Mirembe Lydia Daphine Woman Representative Butambala Independent 139. Mugabe Robert Kitagwenda County Kitagwenda NRM 140. Mugabi Muzaale Martin Kisule Buzaaya County Kamuli NRM 141. Musa Noah Koboko North County Koboko NRM 142. Musanje Moses Njeru Municipality Buikwe NUP 143. Musasizi Henry Ariganyira Rubanda County East Rubanda NRM 144. Musila John Bubulo East County Namisindwa NRM 145. Musisi George Kira Municipality Wakiso NUP 146. Mutasingwa Diana Nankunda Woman Representative Buikwe NRM 147. Mutego Ronard Hangujja Bunyole East County Butaleja Independent 148. Nakku Fiona Female Workers Representative N/A Independent 149. Mutekanga Zadock Buhweju County Buhweju NRM 150. Mutonyi Rose Masaaba Woman Representative Manafwa Independent 151. Muyonjo Hussein Jinja North Division Jinja City NUP 152. Mwesigwa Mathias Rubabo County Rukungiri NRM

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

18649 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 This project intends to ensure the connection of 1,073,500 new connections of people to the electricity grid. The distribution is as follows: Central Region, 497,106; Eastern Region, 216,616; Northern, 140,337; and Western Uganda, 219,441 new connections, all amounting to 1,073,500 new connections. Under the mineral exploration and beneficiation projects, there is exploration and support for the mineral value chains. This is to improve the value of the minerals that are being obtained by the various artisanal as well as developed miners. This is planned for in Ssembabule, Buhweju, Iganga, Luweero, Kyenjojo, Ntungamo, Kazo, Kiboga, Kassanda, Mubende, Nakasongola, Mityana, and Nakaseke districts. On the Kilembe redevelopment and mineral value addition, the Government intends to support mining, processing, and mineral value addition under the Kilembe project. This will be located in Kilembe, which is in Kasese. There will also be Busia, Mbarara, Iganga, Jinja, Tororo, Rubanda, Kampala, and other mineral processing points in the country. Observations on Vote 017 The committee welcomes -

18417 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 26 MARCH 2026 In the VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have Members of Parliament-elect. They have come to observe the proceedings. They include: 1. Hon. Alex Ekoro Irukan - Bunya County East 2. Hon. Jane Frances Amongin – Kaberamaido District 3. Hon. Jeniva Arinaitwe Nalongo – Rubirizi District 4. Hon. Patrick Musinguzi – Kashari North County 5. Hon. Wilfred Babanga Erima – Terego East County 6. Hon. Johnson Nyeko – Lamwo County 7. Hon. Harriet Joyo – Obongi District 8. Hon. Adrine Katusiime – Sheema District 9. Hon. Peter Ojiit – Pingire County 10. Hon. Noel Matilda Kataike – Budaka District 11. Hon. Peace Tibyase 12. Hon. Etilu Margaret from Amuria 13. Hon. Ogwal Joseph Jones from Dokolo 14. Hon. Kiyimba Emmanuel from Bukoto County West 15. Hon. Kibaju Charity, Mbarara City 16. Hon. Nabaduka Annet from Kibale 17. Hon. Acom Esther Lucy from Serere 18. Hon. Kasule Ismail, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) from Hoima West 19. Hon. Twinamasiko Onesmus – Old Boy (OB) (Applause) 20. Hon. Ahebwa Wilber from Nakaseke 21. Hon. Ssewagudde Robert, representing Persons with Disability and; 22. Hon. Mulemya Ismail Sowedi from Busia. Join me in welcoming them. You are all most welcome. (Applause) Honourable members, can we now hear from the minister because this is a serious matter?

Madam Chairperson, we would concede to the amendment of clause 103(i) to read “where the Authority is satisfied that the product regulated under this Act is on testing and analysis found.” However, the practicality of this means that if I have products I have found in Busia, tested them and they are not wrong, they must come to the Authority, it first sits because here we have courts everywhere. What we have taken away is the authority of the inspector to destroy your goods. If the inspector finds that they are not fit and proper, we have put another avenue where you can go, a neutral arbiter who is the court; it is only the court that can order, but the determination of whether the goods are not fit should not be made by the Authority. Otherwise, we are centralising all the work in one place. The proposal will become impractical. Secondly, if the destruction is under a court order, you cannot then make regulations on how they will destroy them. It is the court that directs you on how. You cannot say I have come to you for an order to destroy, but if you order me to destroy, this is how I want to destroy them; no. The moment you submit to the jurisdiction of the court; the court must be able to give you directions. I am proposing that clause 103 of the Bill do stand as it is in the Bill. It has addressed all the issues that the committee would like to address, but what the committee is proposing will become impractical, and it will create an onerous burden on the users of these services if you centralise everything in just the Authority. I beg to submit.

Madam Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, before coming to Parliament, Hon. Stella Isodo was a very active person in the Ngora and Teso community, in mobilising farmers. During the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), she formed groups for women in agriculture, and she is one of the people in Teso who encouraged women to get involved in agriculture. Many people got to know that agriculture was not just about going to the garden, but involved everything from the garden to the processing part, and making agriculture a business. For the first time, women who never used to go to Busia to take oranges as business got involved, and there was value for money through agriculture. When Hon. Isodo came to Parliament - we who always attended the meetings of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries -she advocated for the increase

Under Annex 1, we summarised the amount of money which is budgeted for DUCAR, KCCA and road maintenance. There are national roads upgrades and rehabilitation. There are also ferry operations of about Shs 12 billion. Therefore, some of the roads like Fort Portal- Bundibugyo-Lamia - we all know that road. There was an estimate of Shs 118 billion. The requirement to do the phase for this year is Shs 50 billion. However, there was nothing provided in the budget. There is also Gulu-Atiak-Nimule Road – it is in bad shape. The other roads are Mubende- Kyenjojo Road and Ntungamo-Rukungiri Road. There is also the completion of the section of Tororo-Busia Road. We also have Najjanankumbi-Busabala Road and Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road - Hon. Omara, thank you for lobbying. We also have Luweero-Butalangu Road. There is Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo – that road when you leave Koboko via Yumbe headed to Moyo. It is for upgrade. Money is being provided. There are also Yumbe-Ure, Kisubi-Nakawuka, Nakawuka-Maya, Nakawuka-Nateete, Nakawuka-Kasanje-Maya and Nakawuka- Buwaya – all those roads. The money is here. Once we approve, we are in business. There are also critical oil roads like Kabwoya- Buhuka, Kihura-Rwamwanja, Kahunge-Bwizi- Mpara, Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu - these people of Mbale, the road is there to be completed. We have Moroto-Lokitanyala Road, Kira- Matugga Road – Hon. Ssemujju, thank you for lobbying - (Laughter). There is also Kabale- Bunyonyi Road – that is a tourist road, going up to Kisoro-Mahinga. We have Busega-Mpigi Expressway. We need that one badly. There is a road from Muyembe to Nakapiripirit as well as Lusalira-Nkonge- Lumegere-Ssembabule Road. Hon. Kabanda is in business. Thank you for lobbying. Hon. Namugga, the NRM Government does not discriminate. There is also Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli – you will connect properly. This is for the former Speaker, and the current Speaker has implemented it. Thank you for lobbying. There are also critical roads like Kabale- Kiziranfumbi, Nyairongo-Kyarushesha and Masindi-Biiso. It seems nobody is excited about this one. This is an oil road.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Honourable minister, thank you for the statement, but as people who come from the islands, I want you to help us. Like my colleague from Kalangala stated, moving from one island to another – for example, moving from Lolwe Subcounty headquarters to Hama, Siro or Wayasi – these people need fuel but they are not facilitated. That is a serious issue. Secondly, in the case of Namayingo. In the statement, you have stated these people have uniforms they wear for identification; I have not seen any. Was it in isolated places, or it is country-wide? And then finally, I would like to know from you, minister, about Ojambo who was arrested in Busia but you stated that he is on bail. In fact, Ojambo’s case is a serious one, and I would like to know, and for you to tell the country, what was the cause for Ojambo’s arrest, and what steps have been taken because people were there, gave their statements, and to date it has not been handled. Thank you.

17657 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2025 Madam Speaker, allow me to go back and work on this and report to you, and in particular Hon. Biraaro, I would like further and better particulars of the case so that we follow through, because if it is NIRA staff, then it is up to us to correct the error. But if it is an error by the person - the client, who made the error while registering – that is why I think there is even a charge, because you made an error and it is up to you to rectify it, but you need to go to the headquarters. Unfortunately, we do not do corrections at the district centres in this exercise. Then the islands people; fuel, logistics are all provided. This Parliament provided money for this exercise. There is no excuse at all why islands or other hard-to-reach areas are not accessed. The honourable member from Busia talked about uniforms. I said uniforms were not there now. But because we need to identify people, that is why we are going to issue uniforms to NIRA staff with tags for ease of identification of those who extort from the public. Ojambo’s case; he is on bail, but he is also interdicted. However, the case is not fully dealt with. He was taken to court, charged, and released on bail. That is what I can say about Ojambo. Places without internet and distances We need to make clarification on the whole process thus far because you have raised a number of things. Some we can rectify immediately, but some, like those places without internet, we need to get stopgap measures, and share the same with the public on the alternatives we have for places without internet, and especially for old people who cannot move up and down. Then, Hon. Acon, is your ID still valid? Yes, up to 2031. However, since the new ID has more enhanced features, including the iris, you can still apply to change. There is that provision.

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.

17523 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 JNUE 2025 time for processing driving licences to 45 minutes in Kampala and 48 hours in upcountry stations, from a period of one month. To support Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the Government has licensed over 50 companies that have created over 10,000 jobs mainly for the youth that provide online services internationally. Madam Speaker, with regard to the creative arts, the Government provided Shs 10 billion to the creative arts industry. This was to support the artists to recover from the effects of COVID-19, and create a revolving fund to support young talents to create wealth and jobs. Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 835.98 billion for Science, Technology and Innovation, including ICT and the Creative Arts Industry. Of this amount, Shs 388.23 billion is for STI, Shs 381.75 billion is for ICT and digitalisation, and Shs 66 billion for the creative arts. Madam Speaker, these funds will be utilised for: i. establishing a hi-tech city to support development of technologies and innovations; ii. taking STI products to the market, especially Kiira motor vehicles, coffee, Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines, and banana products; iii. additional investment in research and development and innovation; iv. increasing coverage, reliability, and affordability of Internet; v. enhancing digitisation of Government services and e-commerce; vi. promoting BPO for job creation; vii. acquiring a home for creative artists for their productions and innovations; viii. fast-tracking the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act to protect intellectual property and artistic works; and ix. further capitalisation of the revolving fund for artists with an additional Shs 18 billion, bringing it to a total of Shs 23 billion. Infrastructure Development Madam Speaker, this priority area includes both transport and energy infrastructure. During this Financial Year 2024/2025, some of the following achievements were realised: Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services Madam Speaker, the road network that is tarmacked now stands at 6,287.6 kilometres, representing about 30 per cent of the national road network, compared to 3,112 kilometres in Financial Year 2010/11. With this improved road network, the travel time, for example, from Malaba to Kisoro by road, reduced from 48 hours (two days) to about 10 hours. This will further improve with completion of the Kampala-Jinja and Busega- Mpigi Expressways. Uganda is now connected by tarmac roads at all its major international border points, from the South Sudan border (Kitgum, Nimule and Oraba) in Acholi and West Nile to the southern border of Tanzania (Mutukula), Rwanda (Mirama Hills, Katuna and Cyanika) and the Congo border (Bunagana) and from the Kenya border (Lwakhakha, Malaba and Busia) to the Congo border (Mpondwe, Busuunga, and Kaisotonya) in the West. Madam Speaker, despite the challenges faced in the road sector this financial year, we continued to make progress as follows: i. Rehabilitated a total of 125 kilometres on several ongoing projects; ii. Upgraded over 100 kilometres of roads to paved bituminous standards on several ongoing projects; iii. The government fully disbursed Shs 579 billion which was used for maintenance of National, District, Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR); THE TAX PROCEDURES CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

17524 BUDGET SPEECH iv. The government is revamping the road and drainage infrastructure within the entire Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), to the extent that the entire city is now a construction site. Banange bebale. A total of Shs 1.4 trillion has been dedicated to improving roads and drainage within GKMA. To deal with traffic congestion arising out of the gridlock generated by roundabouts, all major junctions are being improved and signalled with traffic lights. The Kampala Flyover and Road Upgrading Project has been completed. v. Construction of 10 bridges is ongoing at an average of 74.7 per cent progress. Madam Speaker, next financial year, the Government has significantly increased the budget for road infrastructure development. I have allocated an additional Shs 790 billion, bringing the total budget for roads to Shs 4.28 trillion. The following will be prioritised next financial year: 1. Start construction and complete ongoing works for road projects as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. In addition, the roads which had been left out to be prioritised are: Puranga-Acholibur (65 kilometres); Kampala- Gayaza-Kalagi (33 kilometres); Lugazi- Buikwe-Kiyindi (28 kilometres); Kabwohe- Bwizibwera-Nyakambu-Nsika-Nyakabirizi (92.2 kilometres); Kisubi-Nakawuka-Natete- Kasanje-Mpigi-Mawugulu-Nanziga-Maya- Buwaya (71 kilometres); Busega-Mpigi (10 kilometres); Najjanankumbi-Busabala (11 kilometres); Lusalira-Nkonge-Lumegere- Sembabule (97 kilometres); Karugutu-Ntoroko (50 kilometres); Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi (15.1 kilometres), Kisoro-Nkuringo-Lubugiri-Muko (70 kilometres); Laropi-Moyo-Afoji (39 kilometres), including a bridge at Laropi, Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo (105 kilometres); Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu (33 kilometres); Tororo-Busia (25 kilometres); Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi (104 kilometres); Moroto-Lokitanyala (42 kilometres); Hamurwa-Kerere-Kanungu (47 kilometres); Lyantonde-Kashagama-Nyabitanga-Ntusi road (57.7 kilometres); Isingiro-Rugaaga- Mutukula-Ngarama-Kashumba-Kasese on the border with Tanzania (164 kilometres) – I hope my friends who were talking to me yesterday, I have satisfied you. Masindi Bridge; and Karuma Bridge. 2. Start construction and complete ongoing works for bridges as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. 3. Commence implementation of the Kampala- Jinja Expressway through a Public-Private Partnership framework. 4. Prioritise maintenance of the core national road transport network and DUCAR. Railway Transport Madam Speaker, in November 2024, His Excellency the President launched construction of the 272-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Malaba to Kampala. The SGR is a strategic investment for our country. It will cut cargo transport cost by half from the current $120 per ton, and reduce transit time from Mombasa to Kampala from seven days to one day, turning Uganda into a land-linked country as opposed to being landlocked. The initial works for the construction of the SGR have started. Madam Speaker, Government has completed the refurbishment and commissioning of the Mukono-Kampala Metre Gauge Railway line. In addition, rehabilitation of the 375 kilometres of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will be completed by February 2026. Madam Speaker, next financial year, priority interventions will include completing the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway line; refurbishment of the Mukono-Jinja Metre Gauge Railway line; and construction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Kampala to Malaba.

17494 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION In Tororo, where we have got large deposits of limestone, and Kabale, where we have got iron ore, the Government has facilitated the use of these minerals for making cement and steel, respectively. In Kabale, we have put in place the infrastructure for mining the iron ore from which domestic steel manufacturers have started making high- quality steel. There are now 10 gold refineries in the country producing gold, which is refined to 99.9 per cent purity. There are gold mining activities in Busia by a Chinese company called Wagagai, and the Government embarked on the registration of artisanal miners in Buhweju, Busia, Mubende, Kassanda and Karamoja. Registration will be expanded to cover all artisanal mining areas in the country. In Moyo, there are gold reserves and huge limestone deposits, apparently, which are raw material for cement production in Madi- Manzora. We currently have three cement manufacturing plants, namely Tororo, Hima, and Simba Cement, a high-quality tin smelting plant in Mbarara with an annual capacity of 1,600 tons. A number of cement factories are coming up in Karamoja. The Government is also facilitating the establishment of a modern mineral laboratory in Entebbe, which is in the final stages of accreditation to international standards. This financial year, the Government started the capitalisation of the Uganda National Mining Company. This company will take an equity stake of up to 15 per cent in all medium-scale and large-scale strategic mining operations in the country. This is to ensure that as we attract foreign direct investment capital, the country benefits directly, in addition to monitoring what is happening in the sector. The company will be capitalised to a tune of Shs 500 billion over five years. Oil and gas With regard to oil and gas production, the Government is investing in the requisite infrastructure for commercial production. Kabalega International Airport is near completion, and 700 kilometres of tarmac roads have been constructed in the Albertine area. The civil works for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) are scheduled for completion next financial year, both in Uganda and Tanzania. The Ugandan National Oil Company commenced the petroleum bulk trading business in August 2024. The objective is to ensure the security of fuel supply, reduction in the petroleum pump prices, and ensure the quality of petroleum products on the market. Since the Government started implementing this initiative, Uganda has experienced some reduction in fuel pump prices. We rejected the old mistake of a whole country like Uganda buying petroleum products from middlemen in Kenya. Can you imagine? Your people were buying petroleum for the Republic of Uganda, a member of the United Nations, from middlemen. Can you imagine? You cannot believe what happens in Africa. I did not believe it. And you know, in these ministries, there are people called commissioners. Have you heard of them? Commissioner of ignorance or what? (Laughter) When I came to know of it, I said, “This would not happen. Why not buy from refiners? Don’t you know where the refineries are or the bulk suppliers?” You can’t believe it. Africa is really a continent of wonders; a whole country buying petroleum from middlemen! I did not know of this, and I was sitting there, “President, President.” (Laughter) In the minerals sector, the Government’s investment next financial year will prioritise the following:

17497 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 Ssembabule-Mateete-Mbiriizi with a branch to Kibinge-Kyabakuza; Myanzi-Kasanda-Kiboga – abantu bange abe Kassanda akalulu mukatereeze; Kikagate Kitwe-Mirama Hill – Mama was about to kill me on this one here. Kati mponye; Kabiingo-Rugaaga-Magabi-Rakai; Luweero-Butalangwa-Ngoma-Bulyamusenyi- Masindi; Kayunga-Bbale-Galiraya. I am going to get additional money for these roads because we have been talking about them for a long time. These will be in addition to the completion of the following roads: 92km Muyembe- Nakapiripirit and 25 kilometres of service roads; 21km Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions, 26 kilometres of Tororo-Busia Road and Mayuge and Busia Town Roads, 6.6 kilometres of Kawuku-Bwerenga Road, the 100-kilometre Apac-Lira-Puranga road – these are already being worked on. They are going to be finished – and 1.6 kilometres to Namugonde-Bugiri fuel tank reservoir. The roads for maintenance or reconstruction include – 1. Kampala-Jinja Highway – 72 kilometres; 2. Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima – 145 kilometres; 3. Mityana-Mubende Road – 86 kilometres; and Mubende-Kyenjojo Road, 95 kilometres; 4. Mityana Town roads – 14 kilometres – ab’eMityana mutereze akalulu banange. Buno obuli eyo tebulina kyebukola, butabula. Muleta obusajjasajja – 5. Alwii-Nebbi Road – 33 kilometres – this is in West Nile - Pakwach and Nebbi Town roads; 6. Olwiyo-Pakwach Road – 62 kilometres; 7. Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka – 41 kilome - tres – (Applause) Waliyo akasajja eyo e’Nakaseke. Abantu bange, mutereze ebigambo ebyo, obusajja obwo bugende bukole ebirala. 8. Tororo-Mbale-Soroti. This is a long one. 9. Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini Road – 189 kilometres. These are ongoing already. 10. Karuma-Olwiyo – 43 kilometres; 11. Masaka-Kyotera-Mutukula Road – 89 kilometres; 12. Nyendo-Villa Maria Road – 11 kilometres; 13. Access Roads – 7 kilometres and rehabilitation of 166 kilometres equivalent of national roads that have reached their service life. What they call “service life” is zikadiye . The strategic bridges to be prioritised – there is a road in Mpigi, Kasanje – aka’town akalala bakayita batya? Kisubi. Waliwo aka town eyo munda akalala; Nakawuka. Elyo sirilabye wano. Tulina okuriteekako nalyo. Naye abantu batereze obululu banange. The strategic bridges - so I will have to add that road. I thought we had started on it. The strategic bridges to be prioritised in the next financial year include the Sezibwa Bridge along Kalagi-Kayunga Road, Katonga Bridge, Lwera Swamp, and Kalandazi Swamp. Electricity In 1986, the whole country had only one hydropower plant; Nalubaale, formerly called Owen Falls Dam, built by the British in 1954, and commissioned by our late auntie, Queen Elizabeth, with the maximum capacity of 150 megawatts of hydroelectricity. There are now four large hydropower plants at Nalubaale, Kiira, Isimba and Karuma, with a combined generation capacity of 1,163 megawatts. Other sources such as Kigwabya and XsaboKonge Solar Power in Mubende have added another 888 megawatts. This brings the total installed electricity generation capacity to 2,052 megawatts. However, given the growing electricity demand arising from the new manufacturers, this is very inadequate and the available capacity will run out in about five years from now. When people talk of surplus, there is no surplus. It will very soon be overtaken.

Voh OccaAUoo t hmt{UexoOOl 538 ru Mission in o00 Local Gwcraroatr 601 Arua city 42,627,79L @2 Fort-Fortal city 24.409.O33 603 GUU city 30.o16.334 604 Hoirna city L6,320.994 605 Jinja citv 48,585.173 606 Lira city 32.637.923 607 Masaka city 32,L23,397 608 Mbale city 4L.146.292 609 Mbarara cibr 39.917.390 610 Soroti city 22,695,436 70L Apac Municipal Council 9,229.883 702 Bueiri Municipal Council 6.521.357 703 Bushenyi- Istralra Municipal Council 13,883,756 704 Busia Municipal Council 8.729.34L 705 Eqtebbe Municipal Council L4.992.O40 706 Ibanda Municipal Council L7,O36,2LO 707 Iganga Municipal @rlncil 8.179.080 708 Ihbale Municipal Council t7.830.374 709 I(anuli Municipd Council 8,837,237 7LO I(apchorwa Municipal Council 10.959.904 7LL IGscse Municipal Council L6.2L9.979 7L2 Kira Municipal Council 26,4L3,268 713 Kisoro Municipal Council 5,652,058 7L4 Kitgum Municipal Council 8.661.003 7t5 Koboko Municipal Council 10.108.ele I 716 Kotido 97 n r 1 I N\ F a J rj; -iz- G ,s

Yoto Oo*ttnttec rm*|uGtrmo] 816 Buikwe District 29.OO7.649 8t7 Buledea District 32.070.566 818 Bukomansimbi Distrist 20,843,921 819 Bukwo Distric{ 29,903,022 820 Bulernbuli District 28.423.678 82L Buliisa District 17.598.564 822 Bundibuso District 39,387,931 823 Bunyangabu District 25.L62.958 824 Bustrenyi District 33.454.206 825 Busia Distrist 44,489.383 426 Butaleja District 39,776,276 827 Butanbala District 30.754.023 828 Butebo District 20,o39,759 829 Burnrma District 15.991.120 830 Buyende District 26.906.353 831 Dokolo District 25,699,646 832 Gomba District 22.803.54L 833 Gulu District 23.531.301 834 Hoima DisEict 24,263,480 835 Ibanda District 29.69L.O7L 836 Imnm District 43.204.562 837 Isingiro District 58,063.351 838 Jinja District 38.577.730 839 IGabone District 19,792,798 840 IGbale DisEict 40,769,459 841 IGbarole District 21.563.389 . 842 Ihberamaido District 20.586.216 -l 843 Ihsadi District 40,821,563 844 IGkumiro District 31,795,417 845 ) 1C.547.241 : I I , I 7,

YotL OcaOmr Aror4tffiml 519 Usanda Embass!, in ltaly. Rome 520 Upnda Embasgrr in DRC, Kinshasa 521 Usanda Embasor in Sudan, IGrartoum 522 Uganda Embass]r in France, Paris 2.000.000 523 Ugands, Embassfi in erermanfi, Berlin 390.000 524 Ugarura* Embassy in Iran, Tetrran 525 Uganda Elnbasrv in Russia, Mosconr 526 Uganda Embassy in Australia, Canbera 527 Uganda Embasqr in South Sudan, Juba 528 Uganda Embassrr in United Arab Emirates. Abudhabi 3.O00.ooo 529 Uganda Embasst, in Burundi, Bujumbura 530 Uganda Consulate in China, Guangzhou 531 Uganda Embasgy in Turkey, Ankara 532 Uganda Embasgy in Somalia, Mogadishu 542.000 533 Uganda Embasgy in Mataysia, Kuala Lumpur 390.OOO 534 Ilmnda Consul,ate in l(errya, Mombasa 8.000.000 535 Ugerrda Embasry in Algeria, Algiers 390.OOO 536 Uganda Embassy in Qatar, Doha 537 Usanda Mission in Havana, Cuba 538 Mission in Locrl Govcranoatt 601 Arua city 3.898.842 602 Fort-Portal citlr 2.784332 603 Gulu city 3.319.911 604 Hoirna city 3.21O.937 605 Jinja city 6.885.624 606 Lira city 3,342,673 607 Masaka city 6.620.770 608 Mbale city 3.912.27L 609 Mbaramcitv l- 5.986.198 610 Soroti city 2.202.259 ) 701 Apac Municipal Council T 1.311.041 702 EUEIi Municipal Council \ 853.432 703 Buetrenyi- Istraka Municipal Council ' 1.315.O43 704 Busia Municipal Council l- 1.154.104 705 Entebbe Municif4 Council 'lw 575 ( \s a s4 I

Madam Speaker, it is sometimes difficult to speak after my brother, but I agree with you that we have a very big problem of overpopulation in our prisons. I give a reference of Masafu Prison in Busia District, which was built to accommodate up to 30 prisoners, but it has almost 800 now. It is terrible. The structures were built in the 1960s. They are very old. They do not give a true picture of modernity. I do not know whether it is a problem with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The same case applies to the police station of Busia. If you go to Busia, the Ugandan side, and look at the police station, compared to the police station on the Kenyan side, you might think we are still living in the Stone Age period. Therefore, – (Interjections) - Madam Speaker, the chairman is saying that smugglers are arrested there, but there is no smuggler in Busia. All those people are “cross-border traders”. There is no smuggler in Busia at all. The market in Kenya and the market in Busia are for cross-border traders. Even Hon. Ecweru, the state minister for works, was a cross-border trader. (Laughter) Therefore, Madam Speaker, as they work on the construction of Masafu Prison and the police station of Busia - (Hon. Ecweru rose_)

Therefore, it is my prayer that the police station of Busia, which is a gateway to Uganda, be considered among the police stations that are going to be constructed this year – even Masafu Prison. However, honourable minister, I have just remembered that you were a freedom fighter. Thank you.

17249 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA W EDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2025 cost, compared to waiting until the road requires full rehabilitation later on down the road. If no periodic maintenance activities are done on the national road network in the Financial Year 2025/2026, projections indicate that, in addition, 500 kilometres of paved roads, currently in fair condition, will degrade to the point of requiring full rehabilitation. This loss in asset value, Madam Speaker, has been estimated at around Shs 1.007 trillion over that financial year, that is, 2025/2026. My prayer, Madam Speaker, is that, together, the challenges I have described require urgent intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of the current funding shortfalls. I propose the following strategy to help mitigate this, and we have shared this with the different committees: 1. Provide additional resources to enable contractors on the ongoing projects such as Mityana-Mubende, Kampala-Jinja, Karuma- Pakwach, Najjanankumbi-Busabala, Kira- Matugga, Tororo-Busia, to complete them on schedule; 2. Providing funds for land acquisition and counterpart funding for ongoing externally financed projects to ensure the external resources are not left lying idle. For example, Rwekunye-Apac, Lira-Puranga, Muyembe-Nakapiripirit, Kiruhura-Kamwenge, Namagumba-Budadiri, just to mention but a few; 3. Provide funds for key maintenance projects such as in Mbarara-Ishaka, Nebbi-Arua, Mubende-Kyenjojo, et cetera, and emergency bridge repairs; 4. Provide funds for payment of outstanding arrears to reduce the accumulation of interest and maintain the service providers’ confidence in the Government’s commitment to pay for works done; 5. Prioritisation of funding for maintenance and ensuring funds are released in a predictable manner to enable proper planning for maintenance activities. Assurances Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Transport commits to conducting road safety inspections at all work zones to ensure that adequate warnings in the form of signage and other safety devices are installed. The ministry will also continue to conduct inspections of black spots across the road network to install mitigation measures to ensure that the safety of our road users is guaranteed. Madam Speaker, I would like to assure you and all the honourable members that the Ministry of Works and Transport is committed to utilising the allocated resources in the most effective manner possible for reliable and safe works, transportation infrastructure and services. I beg to submit.

Thank you. Hon. Macho, Hon. Atkins Katusabe belongs to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. I do not know which faction he belongs to, but I know it is the FDC. The person he is talking about is someone he is very close to. Sometimes, empathy comes in – it becomes difficult for me to stop a Member when something touches him so much. I request honourable colleagues, please stop interrupting. I request that the Member concludes his point. We have also taken note that Busia has no electricity, and you wanted it on record, through Hon. Atkins. (Laughter)

Mr Speaker, I thank the chairperson and the committee for the good job. I expected to hear from the chairperson about the Standard Gauge Railway connectivity from Malaba to Majanji via Busia Municipality. They have been very silent on that matter. Moreover, it is one of the key burn - ing issues that will make President Museveni get more votes in Busia Municipality. At the same time, there is a lot of anxiety among the people of Busia. They want to hear from the Government on the 18 kilometre road from Lumino-Buhehe connecting Mulwanda for the new customs border post. In Kenya, they have already put up a very good tarmac road from Funyula up to Mulwanda. As I talk, the Minis - ter of East African Affairs has promised people that any time, the customs entry point is going to be open. At the same time, Busia Municipality, where I lead, is the gateway to Uganda but we have very few roads that are tarmacked. I am happy that the Minister of State for Works and Transport (Works), Hon. Ecweru, has one leg in Busia and when he was there, he promised my people that we shall be given more kilometres of tarmac roads but I have not heard anything about this. Moreover, with the large number of trailers that cross via Busia Municipality to Kenya, I do not know what answers we shall give our people. I, therefore, seek his attention on this matter because the committee is silent about it. Lastly, the Government should be sympathetic to the people who use the Jinja-Kampala Highway - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. I would like to address myself to the Uganda Road Fund. Some time back, after rationalisation, the hardworking Minister of State for Finance, Hon. Musasizi, rushed here with a motion to reallocate money, especially for those agencies that had been rationalised to ensure that service delivery is not disrupted. Mr Speaker, I remember you were the Chair of the session at that time, and you urged us to quickly consider the motion. I am the Chairperson of the Busia Roads Committee, and we were recently informed in a meeting that the Uganda Road Fund money had not been released. Unfortunately, the Minister of Finance has just stepped out, but the Minister of Works and Transport is here. We need confirmation. Since that money was reallocated but not released, the district is asking whether we should re-plan for the roads that have been affected by non- release of that money because right now, we are doing the budget for next financial year for the district. Are you going to release money for Quarter 3 that was not released but was approved by this Parliament through a supplementary or should we consider it under the new financial year, such that we can have those roads planned for the next financial year? Thank you. (Applause)

17006 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 iii) The Ministry of Health should allocate specific times and days when the boat ambulances should move so that the public is aware of the schedules. iv) More funds should be provided to complete and add more regional call dispatch centres. 8) The organ transplant council The Human Organ Donation and Transplant Act was assented to by the President, but we do not have a council. Therefore, we need to set up a council and if operationalised, it will be responsible for sanctioning applications of donation and transplant, setting guidelines, quality control, supervision and monitoring of organ donation and transport industry. This reduces the cases seeking these services abroad. The recommendation The committee strongly recommends that Shs 5 billion be provided to the Ministry of Health to operationalise the Uganda Organ and Donation Transplant Council. 9) Underfunding for public health emergency preparations Under the public health and emergency preparations, I go straight to the recommendation. i) We need Shs 3 billion to be provided to the Ministry of Health for it to get prepared for any emergency outbreaks by establishing and functionalising the point of entry health units at Entebbe, Malaba, Busia, Vurra and Cyanika. ii) Shs 4 billion be provided to support the Ministry of Health in operationalising the national and regional public health emergency operation centres to respond to outbreaks. 10) Inadequate counterpart funding under Global Fund On inadequate counterpart funding under the Global Fund, the committee recommends that Shs 9.6 billion be provided as the counterpart funding for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria control projects because this is a requirement. 11) Status of mortuaries On the status of mortuaries in health facilities, most of our facilities do not have mortuaries, and those which have are dilapidated and lack equipment. Recommendation The committee recommends that the Ministry of Health should prioritise modernising mortuary facilities by providing necessary equipment, expanding their capacity and ensuring adequate training for personnel to improve the overall quality of mortuary services in most health facilities. 12) Support to the Uganda Red Cross Uganda Red Cross supports the Ministry of Health in emergency services, like outbreak responses and blood donation mobilisation. Recommendation The committee recommends that an additional Shs 3.7 billion be provided to the Uganda Red Cross Society to enable them to - the committee recommends that an additional Shs 3.7 billion be provided to Uganda Red Cross Society to enable them to support the Ministry of Health in emergency services, disease outbreak responses and blood donation mobilisation. On page 24, on Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), the Ministry of Health reports that an increment of Shs 2 billion is required, as counterpart funding, for the CHEWs programme that is currently supported by donors, to strengthen disease prevention and promotion of public health activities. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 2 billion be provided to the Ministry of Health for counterpart funding

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I applaud the committee for the report. Mr Speaker, when the ministry for finance was shifting from the sector-wide approach of planning to the programme approach of planning, they told us that the budgeting was going to focus on outcomes as opposed to outputs. Looking at the committee report on pages 20 and 21, the committee has noted that the ministry procured 115 ambulances, but, first of all, not all of them were deployed. Therefore, we do not really see much of the outcome. The few which were deployed were not facilitated to function. There is no money for fuel and maintenance. Some of them are not functional. Busia District was supposed to get one for Samia-Bugwe South but we have not received that ambulance. I support the committee’s recommendation of Shs 17 billion, which is requested for here to make the ambulances functional by providing for some fuel and maintenance. Otherwise, the number of procured ambulances does not translate to improvement in the livelihood of our people, which is the focus of the budget. Secondly, Mr Speaker, towards the end of 2023, the Ministry of Health procured x-ray machines under the Global Fund. However, these x-ray machines have not been deployed to date. I have been on the Floor of Parliament over this. The Prime Minister told us that the x-ray machines, including those for your hospital in Busia, have been procured. However, they have not been deployed, so there is no outcome on this one. We have budget performance reports from ministries but there is no outcome that our people are getting from this budget. I implore the House that when it comes to budgeting and oversight, let us focus on the outcomes of these decisions. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

16912 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 We started the data bank in the ministry for the emigrants who are out there. This financial year, which we are ending, we did not get the money to continue with the process. We pray that the funding for the data bank be enhanced so that we can continue with the process. In fact, we have already launched. As you enter the ministry now, just last week or two weeks ago, we have launched an area where we are going to be receiving the issues of emigrants, listening to them and for those who need support. The staff have already been recruited. They are going to be getting all the information. Unfortunately, some of our people, because of the porous borders, keep going on their own. When they have a problem, they come back to the Government. Those are very difficult to track. The ones who go through the right system, we can track them. Just as in her case, we have been able to track the matter because we got in touch with the institution that took her there. However, some of our young people, especially those from Busia and Bugisu areas, then those from the other side of Karamoja, just cross and then you hear them stranded because they do not have any documentation. And then for some young people who, after the two-year contract, because we give them two years, and they come back to their community. But after the two years, they begin thinking that they know that country and change to other areas different from where they were initially taken. We cannot track such a person because they were supposed to come back, but instead remained moving throughout the United Arab Emirates, and when they meet the Speaker, they say, “I am stranded here,” yet they have not come back to Uganda to apply afresh. So, there are also such cases. On the issues of negotiations, my minister is really busy with this. We are even trying to get to the European market to see how we can talk about professionals. How do we take them out there? We have also come up with bilateral agreements, which are strict, so as to help the immigrants who are out there. It is work in progress and we shall give a report here on what has come out of the meetings. On the issue of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) - some people said, “It is not in my village.” I agree that all the money that we put in the first round went out and got finished. It is also true that the money did not go to all the regions. All of you will agree with me that the headquarters of banks are in Kampala. Some of those banks already had women’s facilities because that was one of the conditions for them to support us. For example, Finance Trust Uganda, DFCU Bank, and Centenary Bank have programmes for women. So, when they received the money, they already had women who were in businesses who grabbed 10 per cent because that was a very good deal for a businesswoman who already had a business. While we who came from Serere, like Hon. Asamo, were still waiting to move to the bank, we realised that the money had gone out. When we reported to the Cabinet, the President directed that we should regionalise this, and we are working on this. The remaining Shs 185 billion has to go to the regions. But we shall start with the 19 regions. The money will be allocated at that level through the same banks. The money will, therefore, be going to those districts in the next phase. This week, my GROW office met with the World Bank, and we agreed on the modalities. We are also negotiating for areas where there are no banks. For example, if people have a good cooperative society, money can be deposited there because we know districts – for example, in the Bukedi Subregion, where I come from, Butaleja District does not have a bank.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. Allow me to thank the committee chairperson for the wonderful report. I have two issues to raise: One is the issue of construction of police stations in the country, and I want to thank the ministry for prioritising this. However, when you look at the Busia Police Station, Busia is strategically located because it is at the border. We have been asking the police to prioritise the construction of Busia Police Station. When you move from Kenya to Uganda, you are served at Busia Police Station. It is very dilapidated, the opposite of the Kenyan side. The Minister of Internal Affairs has been promising to prioritise the construction of this station, but this has not been put in the budget and I hope the minister has a comment about this. Secondly, Mr Speaker, I want to talk about the congestion in prisons. To curb congestion in the prisons, the Government introduced a community service and community service orders have been issued from time to time. Just like Hon. Modoi has said, maybe, it is now time to do an audit on this community service, is it serving the purpose? We have been funding it, but the issue of congestion in prisons is still increasing. So, honourable minister, you need to look at this,

16848 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 authorities. Indeed, like you said, there are some inmates who do not have family, and it is the duty of the State to provide for their specific requirements, which they cannot afford to cater for themselves. The other one was from Hon. Nyangweso; construction of police stations in Busia. I think the comprehensive plan will provide an answer to this one. Community service, congestion in prison, and an audit of community service. Yes, indeed, why not? What has it done? However, I think in addition to community service, you need to be alive to the question of the gravity of the offence which matters, because it is mostly those with light offences that go for community service. Therefore, the gravity of offences also matters. We need to look at issues of remission, expediting court cases to ensure that – and the screening that Hon. Frank talked about; that we decongest in a meaningful way. Hon. Auma said we should go down to the parish from the subcounty. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. We are grappling with the problem of the subcounty; so I think we need to be dedicated at one level, before we trickle down to the parish. We need to start somewhere before we go in an ambitious way to the parish level. Hon. Ssasaga talked about IDs. I think I need to present a comprehensive report on the matter of enrolment. I would like to announce that we are finally about to embark on enrolment within the month of May. Our plan is to do a pilot on some government persons, starting with the ministry and National Identification and Registration Authority maybe, and then we launch it nationally. We have tested all the things; equipment came and all the requirements that we received through the funding you provided, are all in place. Data and software issues have been sorted. Finally, we are going to start, although I need to give you a more comprehensive report because as parliamentarians, you are key in the communication regarding this very important exercise. Students who are registered and their IDs have not been issued; I think we also need to address this. However, if their IDs are still valid, they will still get the old IDs, unless they elect to enrol and get the new ones, which, of course, have more enhanced features, including the iris. On Mutufu Prison construction, I think we need to look at this in the comprehensive plan for construction of prisons and then give a more authoritative answer. Somebody spoke – but I think the Speaker said that we should not talk about the UPDF Bill. It will come because Cabinet passed it, and when it does, Members will be at liberty to comment about the scope and contents of the amendments that are planned in that very important Bill. Hon. Nsamba talked about the capstone on additions in the budget by committees. That one is a question addressed to Hon. Wilson Kajwengye and I think he will answer that one. However, for me as a beneficiary, I am glad that Hon. Kajwengye and his committee, in their wisdom, saw the logic of making additions to our budgets. The other one was from Hon. Muwuma on salary enhancement – That some people get it and others do not. That one is not acceptable. Salary is even property, as decided by court – I hope everybody knows that. Therefore, we shall investigate it and ensure that those, for whom the enhancements were done, get their dues. If it is arrears, they must get their dues. There is no way around that one. I will need some substantiation from Hon. Muwuma for me to follow up with the police leadership. Expansion of accommodation for prisoners; minimax at Luzira, wards at regional headquarters, preferably to match the court circuits. I think this is important for us to work as the entire Government, instead of working in silos. I will interrogate the idea of the prison

16864 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 Therefore, not updating a Schedule does not mean that a district is not efficient or legally in place. That needs to be put clearly because a Schedule is a list, which needs to be updated. What is critical is a clause – and Parliament was given the power to create districts, under Article 179(1) of the Constitution. So, when you are waving the Constitution, wave it in its entirety, not in bits. I had allowed the Member for Busia. I will then allow two more people; Hon. Kyooma and Hon. Lee. Hon. Noeline, you will be the first on the next item.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have two observations. First, I am going to talk about recruitment processes. Mr Speaker, I do not understand how we recruit workers in this country. For example, in Busia district, we have many workers in acting capacity in our offices. When we apply for jobs – For example, many of the people who are working in our district local government do not come from Busia but rather from different districts. I keep on wondering about the criteria they use. Secondly, I would like to talk about education. Last month, during my district tour - just like our President is doing his PDM country tour (Laughter) - I came to realise that we have an inadequate number of teachers in Government schools. When some teachers are transferred, there is a delay in replacing them. I was in a Government primary school where I found only two teachers. Imagine two teachers in a primary school teaching from P.1 to P.7. What kind of education is that? I have been sitting in schools and having meetings of PDM and other things. I will update the Speaker – I will table it in his office because I do not have it off the top of my head. Finally, we should do things after we have planned. We need to plan because we are the light and leaders of this country and the young people are always watching Parliament. We should not just come here and talk. I like how Ugandans or Africans like talking a lot and expressing ourselves too much in English, but we do not want to act. We need to plan ahead. Thank you.

16867 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 as the Ministry of Local Government, going down using our Commissioner in Charge of Local Council Development to establish our own numbers. We shall base on those to advise the ministry for finance to increase the funding. Subdividing the parishes will not help because the numbers are the reason why we need more money. Hon. Asiimwe talks of a cash bonanza. I wish to express my anger over such a comment from a Member of Parliament. When we see these people eating money, we should take action there and then. If you see them in bonanzas and giving you fake documents, we should work very hard to ensure we curb thieving of government funds in our constituencies. Mr Speaker, we have been advising that the mother district, out of which the city was curved, should lend the machines to the city. Most cities are doing that, as we work out their own road equipment, having supplied 15 new sets of road equipment to the newly created districts. Local revenue collection. During our visit – I am the one who covered northern Uganda. I was in Kole, Arua, and others - Yes, there are delays but I want to confirm that the money will come. However, when the money comes, the problem is the district. The Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) - I went to Kole and found a very big scandal. The money was coming back but it was not being given out. Check on your CAOs. The money may come late and the ministry for finance has an explanation, but giving out money should be supervised by all of us. On the roads that hon. Patrick Bingi brought up, we have decided to supervise the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Program (USMID) funded roads. However, the nature of the roads is not ordinary. They install culverts and they make pavers. The quality and the amount of murram put is not just a matter of mere scattering. Hon. Bingi, you should go, look at the bills of quantities, and then come and bravely say 120 is too much because the quality of the work is bad. If it is bad, we shall reprimand them and make them repeat it. For Hon. Kwizera, the Speaker has answered you ably. I do not need to go through that again. I am touched by Hon. Hellen Auma’s comments. How do they recruit? Why recruit people outside Busia? We should avoid tribalism. We recruit considering qualification, suitability of the work, and expressing that physically in the interviews. These days, they do written and oral interviews. You are free to work in Kabarole, and my people are free to work in Busia, if they meet the qualification demands. For only two teachers, I do not think it is true. For local government, the district service commissions are open and the CAO’s duty is to give information and submit the vacant positions. The Minister of Public Service will allude to that but I know our CAOs submit. Where they do not submit, bring arguments and then we will hold them responsible. Regarding reduction of our budget, we are complaining to Mr Musasizi. Honestly, when you reduce the money, you reduce the services and it means our people will not get the required services. For Hon. Amos Okot of Agago, we are compiling the list and the Speaker gave me time to present. My turn is coming next Tuesday. I will provide the list, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank the Committee of Public Service and Local Government and the Chairman for articulating our issues. Acting positions in local government. Members have shown concern that some people remain acting forever. Some act for years, and indeed it is true. We are supposed to have an acting position for six months and are renewed once. It is supposed to be one year, then you advertise the position. Mr Speaker, the problem is that some of these people who occupy these positions do not want to leave them. Some of them go ahead even to bribe those people who are supposed to declare their positions, and they remain acting forever. Secondly, some of our people in the local government do not want to advertise these positions. They want their children or relatives to finish school. They keep postponing advertisements. What are we doing as the Ministry of Public Service? We have decided to go and do technical backstopping in local governments so that we can check who has been acting. If it is a critical position, why are you not advertising it? Now, at the Ministry of Public Service, we are not going to allow any recruitment without critical positions first. Secondly, the honourable Member of Parliament from Busia said that she sees employees who are not born in Busia. Busia is at the border. It is a district for everybody-

Honourable minister, sorry for the interruption, but I wanted to put it the way I understood her point. Kindly allow me a minute. I want to give you an example. My district Mitooma, especially my constituency for colleagues who have visited it, is one of the hard-to-reach areas. What situation am I getting? Teachers and some of the schools use it as an opportunity to get on the payroll but immediately move out. We are a stepping ground. I was in the constituency last week. You find schools and all teachers have been taken away. They just came and lobbied because there were gaps. We pushed and recruited, but people find their way and go out. Parish chiefs. Now, you get a parish chief from a district which is a hundred miles away to come and be a parish chief in a parish deep in my area, where he will need a house and transport to work, yet the money they earn is little. What do you end up having? You end up having people who are moving around and looking for small deals and all that, to top up what they get. Therefore, to me, what I understood was that some of the jobs in local government should be taken by the locals who understand the local situation. (Applause) I do not think that if you have schools in my constituency and you gave them teachers from Mitooma District, they would run away from the conditions of Mitooma. That is where they are going to be buried, and that is where their homes are, and they work while developing their area. (Applause) Therefore, I do not want us to look at it from an angle of saying that the honourable member for Busia is saying they do not want people from other districts to work in Busia. No, why did we decentralise recruitment? I thought it was to make sure that locals in the area are given an opportunity because; (i) The pay is low. (ii) They easily adapt to the conditions in the area. However, now, you bring people who do not even understand the language of the area, and they move around looking for interpreters. That

16837 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 20 MARCH 2025 Lamwaka, Hon. Amero, Hon. Mariam, Hon. Joan, the Representative of Workers, Hon. Odero, Hon. Tusiime, Hon. Okot, the Member for Kumi Municipality, Hon. Mbwatekamwa, Hon. Yusuf, the Member for Butaleja, Member from Busia, Hon. Acrobat, Hon. Kasolo - I always fear mentioning your name- (Laughter). Hon. Akamba, Hon. Muwuma, Hon. Tonny, the Member from Kaabong, the Member from Karenga, Hon. Ssekikubo, Hon. Mzee Kagabo, Hon. Ibanda, Hon. Esther, Col. Nekesa, Maj. Alanyo, Hon. Okwalinga, Hon. Okumu, Hon. Wilson, the Member for Abim, the Elders, the Generals and the whole of this side. Can you speak to your motion?

Madam Speaker, a minister in the ruling Government is shedding political crocodile tears to the extent of explaining that for the 21 years that she was on the Committee on Natural Resources and appointed as a minister, her area has never received electricity. Is she in order, yet she sits in the Cabinet but her area has no water? They are using water from Sofia in Busia. Is she in order to come in front of the august House and lament, when the NRM government is saying it has achieved its manifesto since it came into power? (Laughter) Are you not exposing the Government that you are serving? Are you in order?

Madam Speaker, with due respect, I accept your guidance but something must be on record. It is not for somebody to say that I have been in Government for 21 years and he is confused. I have just been appointed; I am in my fourth year. On Thursday, I am supposed to go and launch big things in Busia. Is he also in order to come here and confuse the House? (Laughter)

I put the question that a total sum of Shs 2,489,823,488,735 be provided for as supplementary recurrent expenditure for the Central Government for the Financial Year 2024/2025. (Question put and agreed to.) Local governments (recurrent expenditure) 1. Vote 601 - Arua City – Shs 64,613,108; 2. Vote 602 – Fort Portal City – Shs 348,225,108; 3. Vote 603 – Gulu City – Shs 116,433,601; 4. Vote 604 - Hoima City – Shs 62,006,925; 5. Vote 605 - Jinja City – Shs 233,784,000; 6. Vote 606 – Lira City – Shs 484,320,000; 7. Vote 607 – Masaka City – Shs 203,216,400; 8. Vote 608 – Mbale City – 10,533,056; 9. Vote 609 - Mbarara City - Shs 81,600,000; 10. Vote 610 - Soroti City – Shs 169,800,000; 11. Vote 701 - Apac Municipal Council - Shs 18,350,000; 12. Vote 703 – Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal Council – Shs 57,960,000; Vote 704 – Busia Municipal Council – Shs 7,249,302; 13. Vote 715 – Koboko Municipal Council – Shs 24,318,144;

Most obliged, LOP. Madam Speaker, you are always spot-on. (Laughter) I would like to once again appreciate Hon. Ssewungu, for this statement. For the competency-based curriculum to become a dream come true, we should follow your words, Madam Speaker, that we should all own it. In addition to that, the Chief Opposition Whip has given a reference to Kenya and true, as a witness from the border of Busia, Kenya started implementing the competency-based curriculum beginning from early childhood. It has changed the setup of education at the border to a point that every morning we have more than 10 buses collecting our children from Uganda to take them to Kenya because of the quality of implementation, and yet we were, in fact, the hub of education in the East African region. Hon. Mpuuga has summarised it all by saying that the most important thing is facilitation. In fact, NUP, you lost Hon. Mpuuga; you really lost him – (Laughter) - because the words he has ushered here give us a solution. Madam Speaker, I seek your protection from a foot soldier called Hon. Namugga; she is not giving me time to air out my views. (Laughter) If something can be done, this dream will come true. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is an honourable Member of Parliament. The word “honourable” must show in the calibre of a person. In his submission, the LOP has used a very bad word to call the forces of this country; a word that I cannot mention because if I do, my people of Busia will say I am not an honourable member. Therefore, can the LOP withdraw that word - ( Interjection) - I cannot mention the word because I may be considered not to be an honourable member, Madam Speaker. Can he withdraw the word he mentioned?

Honourable Member for Mbarara, Member for Busia and Member for Agago.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I take this opportunity to thank the honourable minister for the statement. I have just landed from Busia Border where I was mobilising for this exercise. I got three concerns. First, was that many stations lack electricity; so, people were bounced and referred to far places. My voters were complaining. Most of them said, “Honourable member, we shall not go there unless you get for us means of transport.” I could not afford to transport those people to those stations. Our second concern was about the registers. When I went to some stations to find out, there were no registers. Also, I failed to check my name up to now until I left home – (Interjections) – I am not a Kenyan. Those are the concerns I have for my area. Thank you.

I will speak in Busia style. I join my colleagues and the rest of the country to pay tribute to the lost hero. Hon. Ssegirinya was a great friend because he had character of the people of Busia border. (Laughter) I would say so because he was a leader who had qualities that voters want. Madam Speaker, you have given me one minute but in Busia, heroes do not die. Hon. Ssegirinya, Hon. Update , I want you to update God about this situation. That Uganda is a country which, in this century, is still talking about denying our people bail and bond. Hon. Ssegirinya, the second update to God, tell him that this is a country which is still taking civilians to military courts. (Applause) Hon. Ssegirinya, update number three, report to God how you have been belonging to a mingled political party which is not organised (Laughter). Lastly, I want you to request God to bless the Speaker and the Commissioners for the support they have given you. I also request God to allow the Speaker to be the second National Vice Chairperson for our party because of her good heart. Lastly, Madam Speaker, words uttered by people when they are alive must be taken seriously, even after death. Hon. Ssegirinya, when he was still alive, there are some people he swore should not be at his grave. Those people are now crying more than the relatives of Ssegirinya. Moreover, before he died, Hon. Ssegirinya told them, “you authored a letter saying I am not sick, do not step on my grave”. (Interjections)

Madam Speaker, basing on the procedural matter submitted by Hon. Tinkasiimire, I would like to call my sister to be calm. Let me use that language from Busia border- to be calm. I know, that always, my brother has a problem with the English language, but my sister I want you to be calm, and I want you to make our time here very useful because, truly speaking, the chairman of the committee read the report, and the report had issues. You make Macho of Busia look a fool if you begin reading a report of a long time ago, not basing on the submission of the chairperson. I

15266 THE NATIONAL TEACHERS’ BILL, 2024 provided Annex 2 gives a list of all the districts connected to the NBI. We have 146 districts, but we have so far connected 53, but the proj - ects I am going to present are going to enable connection to the rest of the districts that have not been connected, which include Kanungu. Kanungu is not yet connected. That is where I come from. I have provided a table, which summarises the various agencies and departments that have been connected- the MDAs, the local govern - ments, the city councils, the municipal coun - cils, town councils, sub-counties, universities, tertiary institutions, hospitals, and the other agencies. All these are in the annex, but here I have given a tabular presentation of the sum - mary of these agencies. b) The NBI has been extended to 10 major border points of Uganda with neighbour - ing countries with Kenya at Busia and Malaba; South Sudan at Oraba and Elegu; the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at Vurra, Goli, and Mpondwe; Tanzania at Mutukula, and; Rwanda at Katuna and Mirama Hills, respectively. We have con - nected this fibre optic to the neighbouring countries so that we are able to have seam - less services at the border points facilitated by IT. These border points have been connected to enhance access to services, customs clearance, immigration and e-visa applications, and com - munication at the border points, especially with the establishment of the one-stop border points at these locations. There are 32 transmission NBI stations that have been built across the country. In addition to that, 300 Wi-Fi hotspot sites have also been implemented across the country. Madam Speaker, I have provided annex 3, which has a list of the last mile Wi-Fi sites across the country. These sites are where you can go and access the internet for free, and you are able to transact. I have a list of the various spots across the country where we have established these Wi-Fi hotspots. The NBI is also currently utilised by 21 major internet service providers to deliver their respective network traffic. The sites connected to NBI are now able to access and utilise the various e-government services such as Internet Bandwidth, Integrated Financial Management Services, Data Centre Hosting Services, Human Capital Management System, e-government Procurement System, e-passport, e-visa, Health Management Information System, Education Management Information System, the Parish Development Model Online System, Building Industry Management System, and Unified Messaging and Collaboration System, among others. Over the years, the cost of internet bandwidth has been reduced from $300 in 2014 to the current $35 per megabyte per second per month. That is the unit of measure we use. The Government, through our ministry, is committed to ensuring that the cost of the internet continues to get lower in order to create an environment where all of us can transact digitally. I am sorry the map which was sent is black and white. It should have been coloured. I apologise. It should have been coloured to show this because that map is supposed to show the current connections of the NBI - because of the black and white - I had provided one which is coloured. I do not know whether the error was in Parliament or from my office, but I will endeavour to circulate a hard copy to all Members later, which currently shows where the NBI infrastructure is and what will be covered under phase 5 and what will be covered under the UDAP project. So, I apologise; the map there cannot be helpful because everything is dark. The NBI is vital for ensuring that all regions benefit from the digital economy. Last mile connectivity, the final segment connecting the NBI to end users, is essential in achieving comprehensive access to e-government services. What the map was basically intending to show - and I will share a copy later - is that we have MINISTERIAL STATEMENT [Dr Baryomunsi]

Madam Speaker, as a reader, when reports are presented, I do not want to bring other matters. That is why I confined myself to the text. I confirm to you that I did not sign the main report; my signature is only on the minority report. I want to persuade Hon. Lee that the Attorney- General is a lawyer like one of us. He can misguide the House as they have done before many times. (Laughter) Contravention of Article 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda is the supreme law of Uganda and shall have binding force on all authorities, in our opinion, including Parliament and persons throughout Uganda. (See Article 2(1) of the Constitution.) Article 2(2) of the Constitution states as follows; “ If any other law or any custom is inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail, and that other law or custom shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void .” Madam Speaker, Article 152 of the Constitution provides for taxation, and specifically under Article 152(3) states: “ Parliament shall make laws to establish tax tribunals for purposes of settling tax disputes.” The emphasis underlined is ours. It is important to note that this Article not only commands Parliament to establish Tax Tribunals but also prescribes the nature of Tax disputes that can be lodged before the Tax Tribunal. The deliberate use of the word “Tax” before the “Tribunal” signifies the intention of the framers of the Constitution to baptise it as a “Tax tribunal.” This Constitutional provision in Article 152(3) can be contrasted with Article 243(1) which establishes land tribunal and states as follows; “ Parliament shall by law provide for the establishment of the land tribunal.” Our emphasis is that; the name “land tribunal” means you cannot call it by any name other than the land tribunal. The use of plural rather than singular, in our opinion, was deliberate and purposeful to allow flexibility in allowing Parliament to create tax tribunals directly or through delegation to address broad geographical coverages, specific categories of taxes as well as appellant jurisdictions, if required. For example, a tax tribunal on the subject matter of Rental Tax, Income Tax or Broad Customs or Domestic taxes. In geographical scope, the tribunals could be per Uganda Revenue Authority district offices, regions or even at border entries like Entebbe Airport, Malaba, Busia, Elegu, Mutukula etc. This would allow the Government to expeditiously resolve tax disputes and free the resources involved to the benefit of both the state and taxpayers. It is, therefore, critical to note that taxation is an important tool available to the Government to raise resources to deliver services to the taxpayers. The framers of the 1995 Constitution were alive to this fact, and in their wisdom, which we do not doubt at all, gave taxation an entire article of its own under 152 with the heading “Taxation.” The majority report in paragraph 2 on page 9 states that Article 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda is in plural and envisages an appointment of more than one tribunal for settlement of a tax tribunal, and further finds, the tribunal is not a tax appeals tribunal. THE NATIONAL TRIBUNAL BILL, 2024

Is the Bill seconded? It is seconded by the Prime Minister, the Government Chief Whip, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Minister of Education and Sports, the Minister for Public Service, Elder Representative, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Commissioner, Hon. Shartsi, Hon. Alayo, Hon. Nekesa, Hon. Grania, Hon. Noah, Hon. Acuti, Hon. Apea, Professor, Member from Busia, Hon. Achayo, Hon. Opolot, Hon. Davis, Dr Isamat, Hon. Loki, Hon. Feta, Hon. Wanda, Hon. Wilson, Hon. Faith, Hon. Tembo, Hon. Wandwasi, Hon. Oulanyah, Hon. Achan by all Members With Disabilities and the Members representing the elderly (Laughter) . Would you like to speak to your motion?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I presented a report for the committee on the Dairy Industry (Amendment) Bill, 2024, I beg to report- I had already laid it at the Table but I beg to report to the House that the committee sat and this is the report. The Dairy Industry (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was read for the first time on 24 September 2024 and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in accordance with Rule 129(1) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. The Bill aims at: a) Mainstreaming the functions of DDA into the ministry responsible for Agriculture, and b) Abolishing the Dairy Development Authority and transferring its functions to the ministry responsible for agriculture. The committee scrutinised the Bill in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of Parliament and now begs to report. We all know the background of rationalisation, but it is important to know that DDA was established by the Dairy Industry Act, Cap. 84 and operationalised by the Dairy (Marketing and Processing of Milk and Milk Products) Regulations, 2003. The mandate of the Authority is to develop and regulate the dairy industry in Uganda by providing development and regulatory services that will ensure increased production and consumption of milk, a sustainable and profitable dairy industry that will contribute to economic development and nutritional standards in Uganda. DDA has its presence at some of the main dairy entry and exit border points, including Malaba, Busia, Mutukula and Entebbe International Airport, with access to Uganda Revenue

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.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to comment on the issue raised by Hon. Didi Bhoka, particularly relating to help extended by the Public Service Commission to the district service commission. When I was still the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government, the Public Service Commission used to organise regional induction programmes but the major challenge was funding. They would organise an induction which would only take one and a half days. We need to also look into the funding to the Public Service Commission to intensify the element of induction and training. That will be one way of helping them because the issues that have to do with the political influence of the district chairpersons are real. Sometime back, Bushenyi District for five years could not recruit because the district service commission was not constituted. There were around three members but two were rejected because the chairperson said, “No, I cannot work with these.” The same also affected Busia where the council rejected the whole team that was elected.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We passed money here for the recruiting of teachers in the grant-aided seed schools, but to date, despite the Education Service Commission conducting interviews, the teachers have not been deployed. May we know why that is so? Two, on the issue of universities, my belief is that when they talk about these regional universities, it is just by location. Any Ugandan should be able to go to any of them regardless of the location. That is how we shall be able to build nationalism in this country. However, people think that when a university is in Soroti, it is only meant for Iteso. No! It is only based in Soroti, but any person should be able to go and study from there. I think that mentality should change. The location of a university does not mean you must have a quota. You should be able to go anywhere in this world. Some of us who can crisscross and study across this country feel so comfortable and free because from Teso to Kabarole to Mbarara to Kampala, you feel all round; this mentality of taking universities as a local government should stop. Mr Speaker, on the issue of the Student Loan Scheme, I want you to give me time next week. I have a list here of students who have benefited from the loan scheme. How can Moroto District have only one student being given? Then you find a district like Tororo has been given 47. How? Karenga, one. Is that a quota? When you look at Butambala, six. Look at Serere, it has eight. But you find some districts have 75. Ntungamo has 65. How can this be a loan scheme that is based on a quota system? Mr Speaker, next week, give me time. I will read the list to the House, district by district, and you see whether this is really a quota system. This is unfair and these were the matters that were raised. You find a district like Busia has

Mr Speaker, I want to thank God for your wonderful communication today, which includes the birthday of President Yoweri Museveni. Mr Speaker, together with the people of Busia, we joined the rest of the country and I want to appreciate all the statements that were made on that day. Although my friend, Hon. Kirumira, is not agreeing, it is worth it to celebrate the life of a president, moreover an honest president. We have President arap Moi who died without us knowing his age, but here is a president who declared that he is 80 years. ( Laughter ) Mr Speaker, in Busia culture, we have a proverb saying that, “If you steal from the basket of an old man, it is a curse.” When Hon. Kirumira was complaining, I remembered the words of our President when he said that at the age of 75 years, these people of National Unity Platform (NUP) stole his one million votes. (Laughter) I do not know what the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) is thinking because if you steal from an old man of 75 years, you cannot wish him a good birthday. (Laughter) As a country, we must agree that President Museveni is a gift to this country because of the stability and the peace he has brought in this country, and the development majorly. With what I have witnessed in Busia Municipality, I believe he is still strong enough. We have seen younger people, although they have grown up in the cities and ghettos, doing more mistakes than the elder. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, there are very many accidents on the roads. Although we are talking about the two generals, it is important to point out that accidents on these roads have increased. On very many roads; Masaka Road, Jinja Road, Tororo Road, Busia Road, Entebbe Road – there is a spot on Entebbe Road, I think around Nkumba, that has claimed very many people; at the university stage. We have seen buses of students - even in town here. Last year, in July - I think it was the 13 th of July - this matter came in this very House and the Rt Hon. Speaker then convened a meeting between Minister of Works and Transport, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the LOP, I think there was Minister of Internal Affairs - Mr Speaker, I have a copy of the Hansard here. After that meeting, very many interventions were agreed upon in the immediate, medium, and long-term. Mr Speaker, some of these interventions were to do with: 1. Initiating pop-up messages by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance; 2. Replacing the missing road infrastructure; 3. Towing abandoned vehicles; 4. Immediate removal of roadside markets; 5. Compliance with the right-of-way and use of lead cars; [Mr Ruhunda] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

14180 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT in Karamoja. In Karamoja, the biggest burden of household welfare is shouldered by the women. They must ensure that there is food, a home, and that the children go to school so, you can imagine the burden our women are carrying. When they are overwhelmed, the children automatically support and they become labourers. The rate of child labour in our region is so high. When they are overwhelmed, they end up in the streets begging. The children do it to support their mothers. We have repatriated a number of our children from the cities in our country. Two years ago, there were women and children here in Gulu City coming from Kotido. About 60 of them had come to look for a living. We sent them back to Kotido. There was another group that came from Kaabong to Busia. We sent them back to Kaabong. There are thousands of children from Napak who are begging in Kampala. The reason is this: because of our cultural dynamics, the mothers are overwhelmed. They cannot afford both household welfare and now the cost of education. I support this motion and I appeal that you support us in this one, honourable colleagues. When you do it, you will liberate not just the children who cannot access education at the moment, but also the women so that they will be able to focus their energy on other welfare needs, because the burden of tuition, in addition to what they are already carrying, is too much. I plead with you, colleagues, that we allow this to pass. It will be good for the region. For every woman in Karamoja who does not have an income or even a living to sustain this burden, that burden is multiplied by six because we produce six children. And then you produce six children who will also be poor. The multiplier effect on the economic burden for this country is so high if we cannot have these children access education. I submit.

Mr Speaker, I got a written question from Hon. Wandera Auma, Woman Representative, Busia. She stated that Busia Municipality has one secondary school (Busia Secondary School in Western Division). She said that in 2018, the President, while at Madibira Primary School, at a function, offered to help the people of Eastern Division to start a secondary school under the Government policy of having a secondary school in every subcounty or division. She stated that in 2019, the community of the Eastern Division, Busia Municipality, mobilised for the school and started it. Currently, according to her, the school has over 800 students. Her prayers are; 1. When is the Government grant-aiding the school? 2. When is the construction commencing? 3. When will the recruitment of staff, who have been volunteering since 2019, begin? Honourable Speaker, my response is as follows. The community school mentioned provided a land title with an area of 1.4 acres. However, on ground, it is 1.7 acres, which is still insufficient. The minimum area for the construction of a seed school is five acres in an urban area such as Busia Municipality. However, there is a primary school neighbouring the site, which has enough land. If it is acceptable to the community and local leadership, the ideal solution would be to process one land title for both the primary and secondary schools. Then, the buildings for the secondary school would fit within the 1.7 acres, while the staff houses and playground would be located on the land near the primary school.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. To our workaholic Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health procured X-rays for various hospitals, including Masafu General Hospital, which you are very aware of, because you were our RDC one time. The Ministry of Health has been telling us that they cannot supply the X-rays because certain civil works are to be done in those hospitals. When is the Ministry of Health commencing the civil works such that the X-rays can be installed and save our people, especially in Busia, who are accessing X-ray services from Kenya? Thank you.

It is my humble appeal that Busia people get electricity since we already have poles. Otherwise, we do not have electricity in some areas.

Mr Speaker, I was in Busia for almost 10 years so Busia is part of me.

Thank you, Mr Speaker . I would like to comment by saluting the Rt Hon. Prime Minister for the rare ability to think and quickly respond to questions, especially during this Q&A. Mr Speaker, I would like the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to remember that the question you started with is part of the unfulfilled presidential pledges, and it is becoming a matter of grave concern. If you go by reports - and soon you will get a report from the Committee on Government Assurances - the most appalling is putting the President at 817 unfulfilled pledges. If Busia has issues with land acquisition then - the one million dollar question I would like to ask, who keeps the President accountable on these pledges? Is it the Vice President, Prime Minister, or Parliament?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, why is the Government not coding Busia Seed Secondary School after several pledges by the President and the follow up by the district? I have detailed information here and I request you, Mr Speaker, to allow me to Table the information for the Prime Minister.

My question is, why is the Government not coding Busia Seed Secondary School?

Mr Speaker, I am part of Busia having stayed there for close to 10 years as a Resident District Commission (RDC). So, I request the Member to avail those documents she talked about so that we can help Busia.

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.

Mr Speaker, I am happy that the NRM Government has made people rich, including in Bukomansimbi. These issues that have come up because our people are now economically empowered will be handled, including prosecuting those prostitutes. We are going to make sure that we send there – (Interjections)- even Busia? –

Hon. Macho wants you to send them to Busia. (Laughter)

Do you want me to send them to Busia? Mr Speaker, the issue at hand is not a simple matter, because prostitution brings in these communicable diseases. So, we need to help our people. We shall use the LCs, together with the local police, who will be assisted by [Ms Naluyima] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

My brother, I will give you time. Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity you have availed to me. Over the weekend, I was in Busia and I was lucky to cross to Kenya. We had a function on the other side to promote cross-border cooperation. I was introduced by the title of honourable and in Swahili it is called Mheshimiwa . When I was introduced as Mheshimiwa , there are some Gen Z young boys who changed my title from Mheshimiwa to Mwiziwa miwa, which means a cane thief. That was a very big embarrassment because the Parliament of Uganda is tainted with corruption. I agree with you and all the speakers that it is high time we spoke about what has attacked our august House. Mr Speaker, whereas they are

13574 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR speaking about the Speaker, Commissioners and you, we also have the writings on the wall speaking about the LOP of Shs 1.7 billion. Truly, I agree with you that almost everybody is talked about. Even Hon. Alioni, it is known one time they spoke about him. My mentor, Hon. Ssekikubo, I do not know where he is, but they call him land grabber. Therefore, give us enough time so that we talk about this matter and we clean ourselves as leaders, so that we build confidence of the august House before our voters. How will Hon. Ssekikubo look for signatures and when he comes to Busia they say he is a land grabber? How will Hon. Alioni come to talk to his people and they say he had a scandal with PAC? These are matters that we should speak about here publicly for Ugandans to know and gain confidence in the august House. People keep calling saying, Madam Speaker, Deputy Speaker and commissioners, you must resign. We should also call in Finance; there are issues there and other agencies of Government. I, therefore, thank you for this opportunity. Mr Speaker, you are a wise man. (Laughter)

You are debating in anticipation. Honourable members, as I said, I am going to read the President’s letter. The letter is addressed to the Right Honourable Speaker, Parliament of Uganda, Kampala. It is dated 22 June 2024. The Reference is: “Budget Reallocation by Parliament.” The letter reads: “The recent case of the Members of Parliament that were arrested for some alleged offences has again highlighted the mistake of Members of Parliament interfering with the constitutional mandate of the President of budgeting for the Country by reallocating monies budgeted for the core sectors of the economy. In the last four financial years, the Members of Parliament have reallocated a total of Shs 3.71 trillion. This is real sabotage. When we reconstructed the Kampala-Masaka Road, we used Shs 440 billion. Therefore, diverting Shs 3.71 trillion in four years is equivalent to aborting nine big roads of the Kampala-Masaka type, or a much larger number of smaller roads. You know very well the important roads that we have been struggling with. You have seen how much the Tirinyi-Pallisa- Kumi Road has helped the people of the area by avoiding the need to pass through Mbale City when they are travelling to Soroti. You have seen how the Musita-Mayuge- Namayingo-Busia Road has helped the people of that area. You have seen how the Mukono- Katosi-Nkokonjeru-Nyenga Road has helped the people of that area. Yet, for the Tirinyi- Palisa-Kumi Road, we used Shs 443.42 billion only. How much happier would Ugandans be, if we had tarmacked the Kumi-Ngora-Serere- Bugondo Road; the Soroti-Amuria-Acan Pii- Patongo-Abim Road; the Kanoni-Mityana Road; the Myanzi-Kassanda-BukuyaKiboga Road; the Ssembabule-Lyantonde-Rakai Road; the Luwero-Butalaangwa-Ngoma–Masindi Road; the Bwizibweera-Nsiika-Nyakabirizi Road; the Nakivaale-Rakai Road; the Fort Portal-Kijura Road, etc.? I have written on this issue - see my letter dated 28th April 2020. The Attorney-General has guided on the matter. The courts have guided, yet the practice goes on. There are three mistakes involved here and these are: (i) Indiscipline in budgeting; (ii) Sabotaging national priorities; (iii) And now the suspicion of massive corruption. I am, therefore, writing to request that this practice stops. As per Article 91(3)(c) of the Constitution of 1995, I decline to assent to the Appropriation Bill, 2024 and return it to Parliament, and request that no reshuffling of the Budget should ever happen again without the input of the Executive. Apart from the legality and constitutionality of the issues involved, there is common sense. Sprinkling money by MPs to get cheap popularity in constituencies will make us lose to focus on core items. How can patriots be part of this mistake? Signed by the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.”

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.

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

13464 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 iii) Maintenance of 13 aerodromes, including Arua, Gulu, Pakuba, Masindi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese and Kisoro. Madam Speaker, with regard to water transport, the following were accomplished during the financial we are talking about - we are winding up: i) Completed the construction of three strategic ferries, namely; Amuru-Rhino Camp Ferry and two ferries for Bukungu- Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) route on Lake Kyoga; ii) Completed the construction of the Maritime Training Institute in Namasagali, and commenced construction works for the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Mwanza; iii) Completed 46 per cent construction works for search and rescue centres at Kaazi and 25 per cent at Kaiso, Panyimur and Zengebe landing sites; and iv) Continued with the development of new Kampala Port at Bukasa. With regard to railway transport, the following were accomplished during this financial: i) Acquired a 161-kilometre corridor for the standard gauge railway between Tororo and Mayuge; ii) Twenty eight per cent completion of rehabilitation of Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway; and iii) Completed emergency refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Malaba-Kampala- Namanve Metre Gauge railway. Madam Speaker, during Financial Year 2024/2025, more focus will be put on maintenance of the roads we have built, building a few new strategic roads, accelerated rehabilitation of the metre gauge railway and commencement of construction of the Standard Gauge Railway. I have provided a total of Shs 4.989 trillion for that purpose. In particular, the following transport infrastructure will be undertaken: Roads and Bridges i. Tarmacking of an additional 306 kilometres of roads under the ongoing projects; ii. Completion of upgrading of 210 kilometres of the following roads: Muyembe- Nakapiripirit (92 kilometres) and 25 kilometres of service roads; Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions (21 kilometres); Tororo-Busia Road (26 kilometres) and Mayuge and Busia town roads (18 kilometres); Kawuku-Bwerenga Road (6.6 kilometres) and Namugonde- Bugiri Road (1.6 kilometres); selected town roads (7.5 kilometres), in Pallisa and Kumi (12.2 kilometres); and remedial works on Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna Road (65 kilometres); iii. Commencing the upgrading/construction of 643 kilometres of the following road projects: Kisoro-Lake Bunyonyi Road Kisoro-Mgahinga National Park Headquarters Road; Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road; Yumbe-Ure Road; Kitgum- Kidepo; Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu Road; Katine-Ochero Road and 2.9 km of town roads in Kaberamaido and Kalaki towns; Kyenjojo-(Kihura)-Bwizi- Rwamwanja-Kahunge and Mpara- Bwizi; Iganga-Buloopa-Kamuli; and Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu; and Jinja City roads; Kisubi-Nakawuka- Natete; Nakawuka-Kasanje-Mpigi; and Nakawuka-MawuguluNanziga-Maya- Kasanje-Buwaya roads; iv. Upgrading to bitumen standard (tarmac) 16.9 km of roads in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, and Gomba District; v. Completing the construction of 20.2 km of Kayunga-Nabuganyi Road; vi. Completing the construction of Kakiri- Masulita-Mawale Road (23 km);

-"* .l i'l tv" f. (-> 4l- * OAL t T ,,/i t:' ^"Hi-* .) \.. Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 9,877,949 531 Ankara Uganda Embassy in Tur 3,99t,682 532 Uganda Embassy in Somalia, Mo shu 8,682,632 533 Uganda Embassy in Malaysia, Kuala Lum ur 9,306,488 Uganda Consulate in Kenya, Mombasa 534 6,787,857 535 Uganda Embassy in Algeria, Algiers 6,t48,639 Uganda Embassy in Qatar, Doha 536 3,451,001 Uganda Mission in Havana, Cuba 537 3,475,000 538 Uganda Mission in Luanda, An 1a 264,336,145 Sub total -Mlssions Abroad ( Local Governments 40,679,88O 601 Arua city 2t,529,439 '\ 602 Fort-Portal city 28,O30,761 Gulu city \os 15,154,886 604 Hoima city 43,319,158 605 Jinja city 30,495,727 Lira city 606 30,239,526 607 Masaka city 39,177,649 608 Mbale city 36,031,699 Mbarara city 609 20,o6L,624 610 Soroti citv 8,879,420 70t Apac Municipal Council 6,476,93O 702 Bugiri Municipal Council 13,604,742 Bushenyi- Ishaka Municipal Council 703 8,671,010 704 Busia Municipal Council 15,990,314 705 al Council Entebbe Municip 16,424,644 Ibanda Municipal Council 706 7,638,634 707 Iganga Municipal Council 17,668,8r7 708 Kabale Municipal Council ,i, -\_:-- il^- 11 - --j!..ii,- "i+: 1j- \-i ' i''. --Ff" ( .\- . \

'Bi -fu* {4+-. ll Y \**--= -X +.- #, w i i- t,'l'-- i 1' 23 #-- =--(.\, K Amount (OOO'I Descrlptlon Vote 10 790 oo0 Uganda EmbassY in United Ara b Emirates Abudhabi s28 490 o00 Uganda Embassy in Burun di, Bu umbura 529 t4 043 680 Uganda Consulate in China, Guan u 530 Uganda Embassy in TurkeY, Ankara 531 2 771 r64 Uganda EmbassY in Somalia, Mo shu 532 Uganda Embassy in MalaYsia, Kuala Lum 533 4 390 000 534 Uganda Consulate in KenYa, Mombasa Uganda EmbassY in Algeria, 535 390 000 da Embas 1n U tar Doha 536 537 U da Mission in Havana Cuba 1a U Mission in Luanda An 538 63 389 068 Sub total -Misslons Abroad l.ocal Governmclta 4 257 839 601 Arua ci 6 334 764 Fort-Portal ci 602 6 o22 534 Gulu ci 603 4 472 429 Hoima ci 604 7 884 358 Jin acl 60s 4 615 413 Lira ci 606 10 038 947 Masaka ci 607 6 140 296 608 Mbale ci t4 436 983 Mbarara ci 609 2 971 183 Soroti ci 610 5 371 776 A Munici al Council 701 673 734 702 Munici Council B 847 966 703 Bushenyi- Ishaka MuniciPal Council 2 360 688 Council Busia Munici 704 11 360 922 705 Council Entebbe Munici 1 o47 7tr Ibanda Munici al Council 706 \: . !.1 f;- l\ lr I r

Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Amero, Hon. Connie, Hon. Ocan, Hon. Emmanuel, Hon. Acuti, Hon. Nancy, Hon. Sauda, the whole of the right-hand side, including the Government Chief Whip. There is Hon. Ojara, Hon. Muwuma, Hon. Rose, Hon. Patience, Hon. Ababiku, Member of Parliament for Busia, Member of Parliament from Mitooma, the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Elders’ representative. Now you know I can mention all your names. No, the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is - you know, I cannot mention her name because she is my aunt, Hon. Okori- Moe. Can you speak to your motion?

Thank you. Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Gen. Kavuma, Gen. Elwelu, Hon. Faith, Hon. Menya, Hon. Stephen, Dr Noah Musa, Hon. Gerald Nangoli- I have not said Dr Omona because he does not vote, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Solomon Chelangat, Hon. Okwalinga, Hon. Peggy Waako, Hon. Iddi Isabirye, Hon. Wanda, Hon. Awas, Maama Busia, Hon. Achayo, Hon. Annet Katusiime, Hon. Sylvia Nayebale, Hon. Donald Katalihwa, Hon. Fred Opolot, Hon. Angura, Hon. Opolot- Isiagi, Hon. Isaac Otimgiw, Hon. Rukaari and Hon. Eric Musana. Would you like to speak to it?

Seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Elwelu, Hon. Bwino, Hon. Okaasai, Hon. Busingye, Hon. Moses Kabuusu, Hon. Gerald, Hon. Dennis, Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Sauda, Hon. Mwijukye, minister for ICT, Hon. Iddi, Hon. Jenifer, Member for Ntungamo, Member for Isingiro, Hon. Feta, Hon. Victoria, Hon. Edakasi, Hon. Mamawi, Hon. Anthony Esenu, Dr Bhoka, Member of the Committee on East African Community Affairs, Member for Gulu, Hon. Phyllis, Hon. David, Hon. Opendi – even Hon. Opendi is supporting? (Laughter) – Hon. Angura, Hon. Pamela, Member for Busia and the Member for Mityana. General, would you love to speak to your motion?

Madam Speaker, I beg to present the report of the Committee on Agriculture on the Dairy Industry (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Dairy Development Authority is a semi- autonomous agency which was established by the Dairy Industry Act, 1998 and operationalised by the Dairy Marketing and Processing of Milk and Milk Products Regulations, 2003. The mandate of the authority is to develop and regulate the Dairy Industry in Uganda through the provision of development and regulatory services that will ensure increased production and consumption of milk, sustainable and profitable dairy industry that will contribute to economic development and the nutritional standards in Uganda. The authority implements its mandate through the regional approach, model approach covering south-western, eastern, north-eastern, central, northern and mid-western regions. The Diary Development Authority has its presence at some of the main diary entry and exit border points include Malaba, Busia, Mutukula and Entebbe International Airport, with access to Uganda Revenue Authority’s Automated

Okay, start with the Kampala-Jinja-Malaba-Busia Highway.

Bzsiness Deuelopment and. Qualitg Assurance (1) National business development services guideline developed for 200 men, women, and youth & mainstreamed in the BFP in Central, Northern, West Nile & Eastern Regions. (2) 220 MSMEs of men, youth and women entrepreneurs trained on making Business Plans, Financial Literacy, Resource Mobilization, and Record Keeping. Kiruhura, Rwampara, Kabale,Rubanda, Mitooma, pallisa, Serere, Oyam, Kalaki and Otuke. (3) 60 youths, women, and entrepreneurs prepared to attend trade exhibition in South Sudan Capital, Juba. (41 160 MSMEs of men, women, youths PWDs mobitized and sensitized on the importance of product certification, aud.its, food fortification, and GHp for enterprises in Kotido, Napak DLG, Abim, Amudat, Zombo, Arua, Madi-Oko1o Serere & Kole. (5) T\ryo (21 Business tinkages established between MSMEs and large-scale enterprises for men, women and PWDs. in Soroti City, Amuria, Katakwi, Kumi, Busia, Tororo and Butaleja for men, women and pwDs. (6) 850 MSMEs profiled per region of the country and MSMEs database populated for 212 youths 212 women, 25Omen and 176 pWDs. in Central, Northern and Western Regions. Process ing and. Marketing (1) A detailed study and assessment on various stages of the textile value chain in Uganda from yarn production to manufacturing conducted. ( t u , T +n {> ,.:'._J!!}.$F (\-.

12336 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT (II) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ON FIELD VISITS TO BUSIA, MALABA, KATUNA, BUSANZA, KYANIKA AND BUNAGANA BORDER POINTS TO ESTABLISH THE STATUS OF BORDER OPERATIONS AND ASSESS COOPERATION CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY INTEGRATION PROCESS

Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the report of the Committee on East African Community Affairs on the field visits to Busia, Malaba, Katuna, Busanza, Kyanika and Bunagana border points. The visits sought to establish the status of the border operations and assess the cooperation contributions to the East African Community Affairs integration process. Mr Speaker, I beg to lay. Together with the report, I beg to lay a file containing the minutes of the committee for the discussions through which we processed the report. I beg to lay. Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence, if it pleases you that you give me five minutes to highlight some of the recommendations made by the committee on this field.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for giving us a good report. I want to address my mind to the porous border points, which came out from the first report, aware that we are really thinking about integration. What does not get into my mind is, as Parliament, if we are talking of integration, and that East Africans are together, why should there be a recommendation called porous border? It means we are yet to be integrated. From their report, they have visited border points like Busia, Katuna, Malaba, and Bunagana. When I tried to look through the report of these different border points visited by the committee, the border points from Elegu up to Lia Custom, the entire West Nile was not visited. Not to say that there were not enough resources, but aware that South Sudan has become part of the East African community; that is about a population of 11 million and we are talking about DRC Congo where we trade so much with them, a population of more than 100 million. We do know that they visited Bunagana. However, West Nile is one of the regions experiencing the border points and this is where there are the highest revenue leakages in cases between the two or three countries, even including DR Congo.

Mr Speaker, I thought that the fact that I came from this side, Members would know where I belong. The limited coverage of information and communications technology was in the report of the Malaba-Busia visit. We must invest money in ICT. These systems that do not communicate are a waste of Government resources. Money was invested, but systems do not speak to each other. Therefore, I request that in this budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025, money should be allocated to ensure that these systems are put to good use. Mr Speaker, when it comes to Uganda’s agricultural commodities being denied access to markets in other East African countries, I want to draw the attention of honourable colleagues to Pillar 1 of the Parish Development Model that calls for production, storage, processing and marketing. This pillar should be allocated money because this is where the whole challenge begins. The quality of the products that we take to other countries should be looked into by implementation of Pillar 1 of the model. When it comes to the ministerial policy statement, I suggest that when it comes to statutory obligations, this should take the first call on every budget. We should not come here to talk about issues of pension and gratuity. Hon. Musasizi, you are aware that under the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, you must provide adequate

Okay. The political federation is something that we desire. However, we have met – I do not know whether to call it resistance, but – lethargy because ever since the programme started for consultations, only Uganda, Kenya and Burundi have carried out national consultations. The United Republic of Tanzania has not consulted and neither has Rwanda. They have made appointments and cancelled them. South Sudan is quiet and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is completely quiet. Therefore, it is something that we are pushing and I would like to request that when you meet members from those countries, please, tell them to ask their Heads of State to ensure that consultations on the political federation take place as soon as possible. On immigration, I have been embarrassed myself. There was a time I drove from Arusha to Nairobi. Of course, I had my blue passport. The Tanzania side said they had no problem, but on the Kenyan side, they asked me where I was going and I said, “To Nairobi.” I was asked why I was going to Nairobi and I said I was going for a meeting. Then they asked, “With whom?” I answered, “With my counterpart.” Then they asked, “How long will you be there?” I said: “You man, I am the Minister for East African Community Affairs, why are you asking me how long I am going to be in Nairobi?” (Laughter) So, although we are at the top level, we still have a lot of work to do to inculcate it in the staff and the other cadres. It is an area where we need to do some work. On public participation at the games, I think we shall have to market the games a bit more and inform the population so that they are able to attend and be part of what we are doing. On the issue of Kiswahili, Mr Speaker, I am very disappointed with this Parliament. I have been here on three occasions and I have informed you that we developed the training materials for Parliament over five years ago. They are here and include the Rules of Procedure and even the prayers; everything is here. Last week, I was supposed to officiate at the forum – I do not know who the chairperson of the forum is. MP for Madi-Okollo? They invited me to attend the forum and then they cancelled the meeting. So, I do not know. However, the materials are all here and it is up to you. I am happy that the Cabinet and the Judiciary are taking lessons. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat is training 300 people who will graduate in July and it is open to all, whether you are NRM, DP, FDC or UPC. There is training every Wednesday and Saturday at the NRM headquarters and it is free. On education, Hon. Ogwang has partially answered. I would like to say that we do not have shortage of Kiswahili teachers. There are over 2,000 Kiswahili teachers in this country. Hon. Peace Mutuuzo is one of them. Yes. So, we do not have a shortage of Kiswahili teachers; all we need is to deploy them. (Interjection) Gender? No, this one is new. (Laughter) On the National Kiswahili Council, we are supposed to have in place the National Kiswahili Council – I do not know whether the law is here – to help us in propagating Kiswahili. However, we plan that in a short time, we should have five examinable subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, SST and Kiswahili at the Primary Level so that we have generations that speak Kiswahili from the beginning. Hon. Afidra and Hon. Osoru, concerning the borders in Arua, I am going to Elegu on the 9 th of this month. However, I have been to Mpondwe, Malaba, Busia and Katuna. I am proposing the opening of two border posts in Mulwanda and Buteba to decongest Busia, but I will make sure that I visit all these. I have taken note of Lia, which you say is a very active border, but has not been gazetted. Hon. Kibaaju, thank you for the compliments. Again, I am saying the materials are here in this building. If you want more, my officers are here.

12358 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT I put the question that the report of the Committee on East African Community Affairs on field visits to Busia, Malaba, Katuna, Busanza, Kyanika and Bunagana border points to establish the status of the border operations and assess the cooperation contributions to the East African Community Affairs integration process be adopted. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted.

Mr Speaker, on the 2 nd of this month, a fire outbreak occurred at Goodwill Nursery and Primary School, the same story was at the Sibirisye Primary School in Lumino, yesterday, it was also in Busia at Victory Primary School, last month and in Kayunga just in one month. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, how are you handling this issue? Thank you.

Is it seconded? Okay, it is seconded by Hon. Fox, Hon. Herbert, Hon. Bwiire, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Peter, Isingiro, foreign affairs minister, health minister, Hoima and Busia. Thank you. It is referred to the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development. BILLS FIRST READING THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2023

Mr Speaker, congratulations to you and your family upon your wonderful anniversary yesterday. I rise on a procedural matter that yesterday, you directed the Minister of Education and Sports to give a statement on why Busia Border Seed Secondary School was cancelled from the programme of schools that are going to be constructed. You told her to come today and give a report. As I talk, there is a delegation of more than 30 people from Busia that are coming to get an answer, so that they go and give the people of Busia assurance that the people at the border are also entitled to have at least one secondary school per subcounty . I, therefore, do not know whether we are proceeding well by sitting in this august House, when the minister who was given the assignment is missing. Moreover, she is in a workshop but calling it a meeting for people with disabilities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The question that I would like to raise to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister is with respect to the construction of Pongolojo Bridge that was a presidential pledge, which has delayed for well over 15 years. When our people try to cross the downstream of River Malaba, they are often mauled by crocodiles. Every year, we lose about two people. The President, while campaigning in Busia during the bi-election there, assured us that this bridge would be constructed and he directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to find about Shs 3 billion but it has taken over 15 years. Right now, my people are scared because the crocodiles have become very many and it is hampering trade between Tororo and Bugiri. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when is this presidential pledge going to be actualised? Secondly, Mr Speaker -

Mr Speaker, my honourable colleague, Hon. Zijjan, has tickled me to talk about Busia Border Seed Secondary School that was a beneficiary of the project that Hon. Shartsi Musherure talked about. I faced a rough time last week. An official from the ministry called us and all stakeholders that they are coming to visit the site where Busia Border Seed School is going to be built. To my surprise, the call came in the day and the next day, when we had gathered people in Central Parish where the school is supposed to be located, the officer was ordered by somebody from the ministry not to go to Busia. He was told that they had cancelled that school with immediate effect. Yesterday, I was surprised when the Town Clerk called me and even sent me a copy of the letter that people have been on the ground this morning, but Busia Border Seed Secondary School has been cancelled. All that is happening when we hear news that we have ministers who have allocated themselves three, four schools. I am still searching for their names. I believe the Ministry of Education and Sports officers are planning through a fire brigade system. Therefore, it is my prayer, Mr Speaker, that – (Interjections) – I am not taking information now. Through you, Mr Speaker, I would like the minister who is here to tell me why Busia Border Seed School was removed from among the beneficiary schools. We submitted a title of two-and-a half acres, the reason they are saying that they want Busia Border Seed School to have five acres – The President wrote a letter saying that they should not build schools on five acres in a town like Busia, which is turning into a city in future. Mr Speaker, I need your help to direct the Minister of Education and Sports, who is here, to go and tell the people of Busia why Busia Border Seed Secondary School was removed from the list. If not, these people from education ministry should never step in Busia unless they have reason to. This is a very important matter. It was a presidential pledge. In Busia, we have only one secondary school. Most of my youth have nowhere to go. When we do cross-border trade, they call us other names. Therefore, I need your help to direct – (Member timed out.)

I would like to conclude, Mr Speaker, by inviting the minister for trade to Busia. We are cross-border traders, but my people have never seen you. (Laughter) It is – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I have been to Iganga like five times, the issue is that we have been giving them little money. That is why they have been clamouring to be upgraded to a referral so that their budget can go up. The same applies to Mityana, Gombe and many other hospitals. The machines that we give them consume a lot of power and so, the money we give them is not enough. Secondly, I think we need to come up with a way of paying electricity directly. From the Central Bank to the – because once it goes to these corners, it passes through many hands. I was of the view that if you give me time, I will handle this matter together with the ministries concerned so that Gombe Hospital, Mityana Hospital, Iganga and even Bugiri. I have been to Bugiri and they are also complaining about the same. I have not been to Pallisa though I was there as a Resident District Commissioner (RDC). However, Masafu Hospital in Busia is suffering in the same way. Whenever they put on the machines, the electricity takes all the money. I think that we need to redesign and make sure that we give these people enough money that can run those machines. (Applause)

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.

Madam Speaker, the people of Busia are not smugglers. I need Hon. Basalirwa to withdraw that statement.

11282 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2023/2024 Public Debt Portfolio Analysis The committee observed that the preliminary country’s total nominal public debt stock stood at Shs 86.779 trillion as at the end of June 2023. This is equivalent to 46.9 per cent of GDP compared to 48.4 per cent as at June 2022. Of the total public debt stock as at June 2023, external debt constituted 60.2 per cent, which is US$ 14.24 billion while domestic debt constituted 39.8 per cent, which is US$ 9.4 billion. Preliminary findings from the annual debt statistical bulletin indicated that a total of approximately US$ 3.29 billion external debt was committed and remained undisbursed as at 30 June 2023. This debt would increase Uganda’s stock in the medium-term, even without signing any new loans. With the growing level of public debt due to its significance in meeting the country’s huge financing development needs, there is need to pay close attention to the cost of debt and the economic rate of return of projects financed through debt. The committee recommends as follows; (i) Given the existing global uncertainties (lower global growth, persistent high inflation in advanced economies, tight global financial conditions, slow growth in domestic revenue and climate change disruptions), the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prudently project and manage the funding mix as well as review its priorities to avoid escalation of debt beyond a sustainable level. (ii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should fast- track implementation of strategies to enhance domestic revenue generation for the country and reducing or rationalising government expenditure. (iii) Acquisition of additional debt should be targeted towards those sectors that trigger export growth and contribute to domestic revenue mobilisation. Criteria for selection of beneficiary districts The committee was informed that the selection of the beneficiary districts was based on the following; climate change vulnerability of the watersheds, poverty levels of sub-regional level and watershed degradation. The committee, however, notes that some of the districts which met the criteria were omitted. For example; Namayingo, Busia, Masaka, Soroti, Kwania, Lira, Gulu, Rwampara, Ntungamo, Pakwach, Kapchorwa, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Luwero, Kalungu, Kalangala and Buvuma. The committee, therefore, recommends that the districts of Namayingo, Busia, Masaka, Soroti, Kwania, Lira, Gulu, Rwampara, Ntungamo, Pakwach, Kapchorwa, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Luwero, Kalungu, Kalangala and Buvuma should be absorbed on the climate smart project due to the climate change vulnerability of the watersheds, poverty levels of sub-regional level and watershed degradation concerns in these districts. The inclusion of these districts will not alter the value chain in their respective subregions. Conclusion The committee, therefore, recommends that the request by Government to borrow up to US$ 325 million and receive a grant of up to SDR 19.5 million (equivalent to US$ 25 million) from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to finance the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project be approved subject to these recommendations. I beg to report.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Macho from Busia, who is a cross-border trader, has information about the challenge, like what my very good brother, Hon. Nsamba, is submitting is that we have some Members of Parliament who do not sit and concentrate. If Hon. Nsamba was here throughout, he would have not brought that matter because what Hon. Bwanika is submitting is true. All this is documented. (Hon. Namugga rose_) Madam Speaker, I need your protection from honourable - Who you are? From where? (Laughter) because I am talking and she is really disrupting me. There is a saying that “voters look like their leaders.” I do not know whether your voters look like you. However, to go back to the point, Hon. Nsamba has just come in; he has not concentrated, therefore, he did not follow the submission on spot. That is the reason -

Madam Speaker, we are cross-border traders in Busia. (Laughter) Whereas you have guided that the Leader of the Opposition is given five slots in this very important debate -

Madam Speaker, I thank you for bringing up this matter. Sports, majorly athletics and netball, have put Uganda on the global map and led many tourists to come because of the brand they have given us. Hon. Tonny Ayoo has brought a very good matter. What brings a problem – why is it that one person who was the chairperson of a federation has become a matter? Madam Speaker, I believe it might be an issue of character and politics of sports. My brother, Hon. Peter, I request that, through the National Council of Sports, you use an iron hand to clean the federation. Good enough, the sports Bill has empowered you and the council. Bring sanity in sports so that whenever any message is said about sports in Uganda, it is about a brand. If it is one person who is bringing the problem; why don’t you use the law to remove that person? In Busia, when one tomato is rotting in a basket, they throw it away and other tomatoes are better -

I come from the Uganda- Kenya border. I would like to be helped. Some of my colleagues must have been asking themselves this question. I have seen many times people getting free land titles in other parts of the country. How do we in this era where we have gold in Karamoja, in the East and other minerals in other areas- How can God visit other people, majorly in Busia, where we have gold so that they have free titles like the ones the Government is giving in other parts of the country? I request that you direct the Prime Minister to help so that I go with that today.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for your communication of today. Indeed, festive days are testing days in the lives of people because they are days of enjoyment and celebrations. However, they are days that need a lot of security, family care and support. Therefore, I pray that Government should come and give us the strategic security plan, majorly to the border areas. Whenever December comes, there is a lot of insecurity at the borders, and Busia in particular. True, I agree with you that as parents, we should guide our families so that as we enter the festive days, we come out of them well, still celebrating.

11169 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2023 Possibilities and opportunities have, therefore, been opened for everyone thanks to the Government’s big tent approach. In summary, the space that allows for the emergence of such diverse but special and expression can be anything but shrinking. Issues to do with the November 2020 riots and attendant loss of lives, injuries, destruction and related matters - Madam Speaker, this is yet one other additional response on this matter and all others incidental thereto. Contrary to what the Leader of the Opposition claims, an investigation was done immediately after the riots and a report to that effect was presented to the last Parliament by the then Minister of Internal Affairs. That, in addition to other subsequent numerous responses made about the subject matter, including in this Parliament, I needed to make that clarification from the onset to clear the air. That said, and by way of a recap, violent riots broke out and rocked various parts of the country in November 2020 before they were quelled by police and other security agencies. These riots covered Kampala and Wakiso, which were the epicenter of the riots, as well as Mukono, Masaka, Kyotera, Lwengo, Mpigi, Luwero, Wobulenzi, Mityana, Lugazi, Njeru, Jinja, Buwenge, Iganga, Namayingo, Namutumba, Luuka, Kamuli, Budaka, Busia, Mbale, Arua and Gulu, respectively. During these riots, extensive loss of property, (private and public) and damage to and loss of lives were registered. The destruction incidental to the riots, or directly arising from the various riotous acts, was immense. This included; deliberate acts of arson, or torching of buildings and vehicles, use of stones and other objects to hit innocent members of the public, motorists, security personnel and property, physical assault, manhandling and abuse of members of the public as well as law enforcement officers, staging of illegal roadblocks and demanding money with menaces from members of the public. There was also burning of tires to damage and block public roads and throwing petrol bombs into buildings and at security/law enforcement officers, among others. During this chaos, even ordinary sanctified places like court premises were not spared. Wobulenzi Court premises were set ablaze. Fifty six people lost their lives, including those by gunshot wounds and others whose deaths were through other causes incidental to the riots. The latter category includes those that lost their lives as a result of motor vehicle accidents, involving for example, vehicle registration number UAN 827N, whose driver lost control after being hit by a stone and knocked two people dead namely; Nalwada Kevin and Nsimbe Shafik. Forty six people out of the 56 victims were male adults and three were male juveniles. Forty eight of the victims were from Kampala metropolitan areas. This includes Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono. Two were from Jinja, two from Luwero, one from Rakai, one from Kinoni in Lwengo, one from Butambala and one from Mpigi, respectively. Madam Speaker, security operations are governed by the law to ensure and guide the participating forces on the employment of lethal force. This is ensured through a number of ways, including training, briefing before operations, and debriefing post-operations, as well as dissemination of rules of engagement, which have been distilled and reduced into pocketbooks for the tactical operators. The standard operating procedures on the use of force booklet is attached as Annex B to this statement. These are the aid memoirs to assist operators to make informed and rational judgment depending on the circumstances of each case and the prevailing situation, but mindful of the principles of necessity and proportionality in the use of force. These measures, Madam Speaker, were in place. The investigations done post the riots established the cause of death and injury without conclusive findings about the circumstances of each of the deaths and injuries; save for Auxiliary No.01700LDF Mustapha Ssali, who was charged and convicted for the killing of

Thank you. I think what the ministry needs to do is to establish the National Youth Service. That would be a remedy to unemployment because if you have the “national”, we will not be talking of only Lira. You would be giving an example and say, “Today, we have a skilling centre in Lira. Tomorrow, we shall have it in Busia”. It should be a national thing, not an initiative of only a few. As leaders of this country, we should be able to support the Government in ensuring that we have this kind of skilling centres. Yes, honourable minister?

Madam Speaker, your words are always right. True, the Commissioner- General of Uganda Prisons Service is a performer. It is my prayer that as Parliament of Uganda, we should support the Uganda Prisons Service. When I was growing up, we had Masafu Prison, which was built to handle 42 inmates, but almost all the buildings were falling down. Due to the little innovation that was done there, Masafu Prison can now be talked about. Although, we have a very big population of young people in Masafu Prison - as one of my honourable colleagues said, we should have other means to counsel our younger people so that they do not fill prisons. Madam Speaker, Minister Bahati gave a very good submission concerning us putting all our efforts to creating jobs for our young people. Unfortunately, some of us who come from densely populated areas, like Busia, do not have an opportunity to have commercial agriculture. Our prayer to the Government is that the few services that we have should be protected for our people in Uganda.

Hon. Macho, tell us what activity you have in Busia.

Madam Speaker, in Busia, obviously, we are cross-border traders. (Laughter) The cross-border trading we do has promoted the integration of East Africa and led to the growth of our border towns. My point is that Uganda should protect the small business services that we have for our people. If you go to Kisenyi right now, here in Kampala, you will find all the small businesses done by Somalis. If you go to Bunga, Buziga, Ggaba, all the small businesses are owned by Eritreans and Ethiopians. They are denying our people work. If you go to Kiryandongo - they

10801 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2023 the prescribed time to ensure the timely preparation of the treasury memoranda and timely implementation of recommendations of Parliament; NOW, THEREFORE, Parliament, in accordance with Article 163(5) of the Constitution and Section 19(4) of the National Audit Act, 2008, resolves to adopt the recommendations of the Auditor-General in respect to the following local government entities: Entities under the Public Accounts Committee (Local Government) 1. Mbale District Local Government; 2. Mbale City; 3. Namisindwa District Local Government; 4. Manafwa District Local Government; 5. Bulambuli District Local Government; 6. Kibuku District Local Government; 7. Tororo District Local Government; 8. Sironko District Local Government; 9. Budaka District Local Government; 10. Busia District Local Government; 11. Busia Municipal Council; 12. Butaleja District Local Government; 13. Kapchorwa District Local Government; 14. Kapchorwa Municipal Council; 15. Kween District Local Government; 16. Tororo Municipal Council; 17. Bukwo District Local Government; 18. Pallisa District Local Government; 19. Bududa District Local Government; 20. Soroti District Local Government; 21. Soroti City; 22. Amolatar District Local Government; 23. Kaberamaido District Local Government; 24. Kalaki District Local Government; 25. Serere District Local Government; 26. Amuria District Local Government; 27. Dokolo District Local Government; 28. Bukedea District Local Government; 29. Katakwi District Local Government; 30. Kapelebyong District Local Government; 31. Otuke District Local Government; 32. Kumi Municipal Council; 33. Kumi District Local Government; 34. Ngora District Local Government; 35. Nabilatuk District Local Government; 36. Nakapiripirit District Local Government; 37. Karenga District Local Government; 38. Kotido District Local Government; 39. Kotido Municipal Council; 40. Amudat District Local Government; 41. Kaabong District Local Government; 42. Moroto District Local Government; 43. Moroto Municipal Council; 44. Abim District Local Government; 45. Napak District Local Government; 46. Kamuli District Local Government; 47. Kamuli Municipal Council; 48. Iganga District Local Government; 49. Iganga Municipal Council; 50. Jinja District Local Government; 51. Jinja City; 52. Northern Division, Jinja City; 53. Southern Division, Jinja City; 54. Kaliro District Local Government; 55. Buyende District Local Government; 56. Mayuge District Local Government; 57. Bugiri District Local Government; 58. Bugiri Municipal Council; 59. Namayingo District Local Government; 60. Namutumba District Local Government; 61. Njeru Municipal Council; 62. Lugazi Municipal Council; 63. Luuka District Local Government; 64. Bugweri District Local Government; 65. Buikwe District Local Government; 66. Mukono District Local Government; 67. Mukono Municipal Council; 68. Wakiso District Local Government; 69. Nansana Municipal Council; 70. Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council; 71. Kira Municipal Council; 72. Mpigi District Local Government; 73. Nakaseke District Local Government; 74. Luwero District Local Government; 75. Mityana District Local Government; 76. Mityana Municipal Council; 77. Buvuma District Local Government; 78. Entebbe Municipal Council; 79. Butambala District Local Government; 80. Kayunga District Local Government; 81. Nakasongola District Local Government; 82. Masaka District Local Government; 83. Masaka City; 84. Kimaanya-Kabonera City Division; 85. Nyendo-Mukungwe City Division; 86. Kalungu District Local Government; 87. Gomba District Local Government;

10739 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker, I got a rare chance – I call it “rare” because there are few here who got it – to work closely with Hon. Kyemba. To make the record clear, I came to this Parliament in the Fifth Parliament, that is the National Resistance Council (NRC). (Applause) It was not the CA. Hon. “Mama Busia” says, I am the youngest. When I came to this Parliament, Mr Speaker, I was young and just from school. Therefore, I bring condolences from the National Resistances Council, the Sixth Parliament and myself to the family and the country. When I came to this Parliament, Ntungamo had just been elevated to district status and I had just finished school. People called me and I did not even know how Members were elected to Parliament. Some people told me, “It is this and that” and I ended up coming unopposed. When I came, it was through a by-election and people would normally escort you in. People usually mistake me for having come to the CA because I came around the same time. I was here for one-and-a-half-years and we went back for elections for the Sixth Parliament. When I was brought in, Hon. Kyemba was a minister. However, despite him being a minister and me being young – and I had never seen him - he was among the few people who walked me in to the Speaker. That is why I said I was honoured and I feel happy that I can now testify about his goodness. Mr Speaker, that experience tells me a lot about what I see around me. I travelled with Hon. Kyemba to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conferences. He was a diplomat and a man of good etiquette. Honourable members, especially the men, you need to emulate him. As a gentleman, when you are moving with a woman in a bus or whatever, you do not sit before a woman sits. (Laughter) You need to be gentlemen. He was a very neat and smart man. You could read it in him when you sat with him at a table. Mr Speaker, I do not want people to misunderstand me but some people do not have etiquette. When you sit at a table to eat, you need to emulate this gentleman. He was a gentleman, diplomat, neat, great and a very clever man. I knew about Rotary through Hon. Kyemba. He was a very good Rotarian. He lived and moved like a Rotarian. You would find him with neat badges every time; he was decorated. At times I would ask, “Why don’t you give me one?” He would say, “Join Rotary.” He encouraged me to join Rotary although I never joined. (Laughter) Probably, in his memory, I should join Rotary. (Applause) Mr Speaker, I benefited from him being a Rotarian. He had got some donated items – I think they were supposed to be for a certain area in Busoga. However, because he used to take me as his child in Parliament, I convinced him and he gave me very good books, which had been donated, and I took them to Ntungamo. By then, I was representing Ntungamo District. We shall miss him but he has lived a good life. As Hon. Zijjan said, he was “Mr No Scandal”. I did not know him as a scandalous person. When we had just come, we formed the Young Parliamentary Group and the qualification would be that it was either your first time to be in Parliament or you were a young person. He did not qualify because he had been in Parliament longer. However, because he associated with the young Members of Parliament, Hon. Kyemba used to move with us and advise us. Hon. Mao is there to testify. That was in the Sixth Parliament. I therefore wish him a good rest. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This question was raised by my colleague, Hon. Geoffrey Macho. I come from the border, like you have clearly stated. Namayingo, Mayuge, Bugiri, and as far as Mubende and Mityana, have been the sole suppliers of maize to the border. However, as we speak now, people are stranded with maize in Busia, and they are mainly women - I was there on Friday and Saturday. These are women who have borrowed money from the Microfinance Support Centre. They have got money from the Parish Development Model, moneylenders - and are now stranded with their maize. Maize is not going to Kenya through Busia and even through the lake - Much of the maize had been going through the lake to Busia. Actually, we cannot talk of standards because the maize we have been supplying has mainly been going to institutions like schools, but the Kenyan authorities stated that they no longer want our maize. The question is: Are we really in the East African Community? Why is it that Uganda is the one always suffering when it comes to business? When it comes to supplying maize, eggs, and even fish, we are always the victims. I think the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and our Government should find out why we are always given less, and yet we are the ones propagating the East African Community. Why are we always given a raw deal? I feel like the minister has not substantially answered the question. There is a problem and our people are likely to lose out. Even the Parish Development Model may not work.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, all the measures have been put in place at the border. Right from the gardens, our people are now drying their maize on tarpaulins. When it goes to Busia, we have people who sort the maize. The question of standards has been handled, Mr Speaker. Our only problem is that we are always given a raw deal. That is why I am saying that the trade ministry needs to negotiate for better terms for our country. Thank you. [The Deputy Speaker] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise for that. I am the type who follows competence-based legislation; I can only debate on an issue that I am competent on; I just do not talk. The chaos here was that - anyway back to the issue, Sir, I thank my minister for the submission. The border of Lwakhakha is in my constituency and there is a beehive of activity - both exports and imports - but more or less 60 percent of this is agricultural products. All the wheat that comes to Uganda and feeds into the factories in Mbale owned by private people comes from Kenya. Under local economic development, we are doing so well that at one time, I invited my sister to visit the border, which is not international on our side, but is considered international on the Kenyan side. This was to help her get an understanding of the situation so that we may also internationalise the Ugandan side. However, the small traders are the ones bearing the brunt of this. All the products, especially maize, go through the processes; the phytosanitary certificate by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in Uganda is acquired. The small traders who are below the threshold of US$2,000 meet all these requirements, but when they take it to our brothers in Kenya, it is a problem. I also wish to address my colleague’s concerns. I am from the border; it is harvest season in Kenya as well. It is a temporary situation. When the Kenyans talked of aflatoxins, in Busia, we found a way around and we smuggled the maize across unofficial borders. We did that by the way -

Thank you, Hon. Zijjan. I would like to inform you that trade barriers or bans are issued through permits and government policies. In Kenya, they have a subsidy that has given farmers fertilizers, which has enhanced their harvest and, therefore, they cannot take the maize from Uganda. It is high time the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives started issuing trade advisories to our people. Some of us are investors in maize and we have local traders in our constituencies whom we support with some money. I have a trader in my constituency who is stuck with more than five lorries of maize in Busia. I believe by the time he sells, the maize will have aflatoxins. Thank you.

Yes. (Laughter) Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I just wanted to provide information, especially for the benefit of my brother from Busia, that NRM, ideologically, believes in working with everybody for the good of this country and, even when we are allowed to go into multi- party politics, a political party different from NRM should not make an enemy of NRM. It is in that context that NRM works with DP and UPC and Members of those parties are part of the Cabinet because we are trying to build national cohesion. So, even for Hon. Nsibambi, as a Member of FDC, there is no problem at all working with NRM –(Interjections) - even NUP is a registered political party. So, NRM believes that we work with everybody for the unity and prosperity of this country. In that context, we shall work with Hon. Nsibambi and we welcome him. (Applause)

10525 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2023 of State for Lands, Hon. Persis Namuganza, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Defence, Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Maj. Gen. Masiko, Prof. Mushemeza, Hon. Wanzala, Member for Busia, Hon. Fadil and many honourable colleagues. I now put the question that the recommendations be adopted. (Question put and agreed to.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for that statement. I am the chairman of the Roads Committee in my district, Busia. We have a challenge because the district engineer told us that despite the availability of money to repair some of the road equipment for use, the workshop in Bugembe has failed to provide the technical expertise to repair some of the road equipment we have. We have the money for repair; we are guided that the repair must be undertaken by the workshop at the regional level, whereby they should come and help us utilise the money we have for the repair, but the workshop in Jinja, has declined because they do not have that expertise. We have asked the CAO to write to the ministry to allow us to contract out a service provider to repair the equipment, and this is very challenging. So, I would like to appreciate the minister’s honesty here that they lack the money in terms of even building the capacity to provide for the repairs as mandated by the ministry. Honourable members, as we start the budget process for this financial year, more money should be allocated to the ministry. I would like the minister to come up with an honest budget of how much should be funded to make these workshops help our people. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last week was a sad week for the business community in Uganda and Busia, in particular, that Kenya stopped the imports of cereals, particularly maize and wheat, from Uganda. I call it a sad week because Kenyans, as our brothers, have kept shifting goal posts. They started by banning the export of milk, went for poultry and poultry products and they have now gone back to maize. Moreover, the Government of Uganda has just given people a lot of money through PDM and everybody is involved in farming. Mr Speaker, since our brothers, the Kenyans, are shifting goal posts all the time, with the aim of punishing us and not promoting the spirit of the East African Federation, I pray that: 1. We pay them back the same way by banning the Kenyan agro imports that we import from their country so that they feel the pinch. As we speak now, Kenyan companies that signed contracts with Ugandan farmers to take the maize have cancelled the contracts. 2. The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives should come and tell the Parliament of Uganda why the Government of Kenya shifts goal posts all

10434 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME the time. They shifted from raw cane, to sugar, milk, eggs and now they have gone to maize. Moreover, they know Uganda has just given out money under PDM and everybody has bought the maize seeds and planted them. 3. Lastly, the Minister for East African Community Affairs should come to this august House and tell us the trade agreements that Kenya has made with Uganda. The people of Busia and other border areas do not know which agreements we have made with our partner countries. Kenya wakes up and bans an export, South Sudan wakes up and bans, Rwanda – it is as if they are not part of the East African Community. Mr Speaker, I would like to lay on Table a Daily Monitor newspaper of the 9 th of October that wrote that Kenya had banned the importation of maize and wheat to its country –(Interjection)- Information –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I raise a matter of national importance regarding the fishing community in Majanji Subcounty, Busia. On 17 September 2023, Kenyan fishermen crossed the Ugandan border and took off with 14 boats and an engine. This has raised a lot of tension between the two communities of Kenya and Uganda. As a leader, I have tried to intervene by involving leaders from both sides. We agreed unanimously that the boats and the engine that were looted by the Kenyan fishermen must be returned. These people came at 2.00 a.m. when the Ugandan fishermen were sleeping. They took our property and destroyed it –

In the last Parliament, we had the same issues. Now, in the 11 th Parliament, we have the same issues. Is the honourable minister in order to delegate a commander to handle issues that she once heard of and is hearing now? Moreover, she has never stepped on the waters of Busia where these problems are happening. She has never stepped in Sigulu, Kolwe and even Nekuku.

Mr Speaker, my question goes to the Prime Minister. When will the compensation of the Musita-Lumino- Busia-Majanji road be completed because it is almost done, but some of the project-affected persons have never been compensated?

Mr Speaker, fortunately, I know that that bridge separates Busia from Tororo District. You know, being a person from the grassroots, I have gone to many areas. I request that the Member writes a proposal, we shall cause a meeting with the Ministry of Works and have that bridge constructed because it is a well-situated bridge that helps to revamp business between those two sister districts. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I would like to appreciate the report as presented by the committee. However, I want to point out a few things and clarify to inform the debate, such that we talk from an informed point of view: 1. Uganda operates a liberalised downstream petroleum market, where pump prices are determined by the forces of demand and supply, as guided by the Petroleum Supply Act, 2003, this bylaw, and Petroleum Supply General Regulations, 2009, with amendments of 2012 and 2018. Being a net importer, Uganda petroleum product prices are subject to global market prices and these are fundamental issues. As a country, we are receivers not producers; we are not suppliers either. Therefore, we are actually price takers. 2. Uganda is currently supplied with petroleum products through Malaba, Busia, Mutukula and through Lake Victoria with products loaded from Kisumu Oil Jetty in Kenya over Lake Victoria using a barge that discharges the products into Mahathi Infra terminal in Kawuku near Entebbe.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. When I was a member of the Committee on Public Accounts; we travelled to Busia and Malaba. One of the reasons that took us there was the issue of fuel. We were so surprised when we interacted with UNBS at the border when they told us that their role there is on the volume of fuel, not quality. We presented it as a committee and it is on the record of Parliament. That is information I would like to share.

Thank you. Hon. Huda Oleru, Member for Adjumani and then the Member for Busia. [Mr Twinomujuni] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you. I have already picked the Members to speak. Hon. Ababiku and then Member for Busia.

10280 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR I will pick the Member for Busia, Hon. Tinkasiimire, Commissioner, Hon. Ameede and Youth Representative, eastern. Then, I will go to the other side. Honourable colleagues, I know everyone wants to speak in this debate. Can I reduce the time to one minute so that I can pick many of you?

Madam Speaker, I really want to appreciate that your communication is always spot-on, when it comes to current matters that affect the country. As a Member of Parliament from Busia Border Point, I want to say that security is key. Madam Speaker, I, therefore, have a request that the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, together with the Minister of Internal Affairs, do more deployment of police officers because as I talk, in Busia, many routes have no officers. We have complained and made several requests but no answer.

I also would like to inform the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development that Busia has a lot of load shedding, yet it is a porous border; darkness is a cause of insecurity and it is a big problem. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, sometimes I get breakfast in Uganda and lunch in Kenya. The information I have just been given is that the cost of fuel is Shs 3,950 at the border of Busia.

Mandela is closer to Busia. I have talked about Mombasa, Nairobi, Eldoret and Mandela, close to the border. When you compare Mandela’s with the price in Kampala, which is Shs 5,200 – that is the current petrol price. It shows that – (Interjections)

That includes people who get PhDs online. (Laughter) Professor is spot-on that you must be entitled; not with our cows, veterinarian. The Member for Busia does not have one.

Thank you, honourable member, for giving way. Let us be open, honourable minister. You know that people are smuggling goods into Uganda - and smugglers are very rich. They have been smuggling cigarettes and they have become rich. However, after getting them, do you go to their property -(Interjection)- you call it cross-border trade? You know, there is even a Member from Busia here. Mr Chairperson, I think we have to be very careful about that. Smuggling has been here from Amin’s time – he brought Bob Astles

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a blessing. But you make us proud in this region. In Africa, it is Uganda and Ghana that have passed that Bill- you have put our country on the map. However, I stood to respond to your communication to agree with my brother, from Bugiri, Hon. Silwany that Uganda operates by crisis. Although the Minister of Local Government is going to talk about it, yesterday, we had people who failed to buy land in Busia- Sofia because the LCI feared signing because his term had expired. This is an important matter and I think the minister should not come with lamentations but authority so that the local councils can continue working. As Government, we should stop working in crises. As I talk, there is almost a standstill in the whole country - (Interruption)

9459 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 JULY 2023 paying for lunch or paying school fees because Government says education is free. Secondly, I would like the Government to increase the money that they send to Government primary schools because the money is very little. Head teachers cannot afford lunch. For example, we were in Busia at a primary school and the teacher - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to join colleagues to thank His Excellency the President for the State-of-the- Nation Address. The President clearly indicated that the fisheries sub-sector brought to this country Shs 166.9 billion. This is a goldmine. If properly put to use, fish can turn around the economy of this country. What the fisheries sub-sector requires is to energize our people and provide them with affordable loans so that they get the necessary gear. Once this is provided, the fishery sub-sector will contribute a lot to the economy of this country. The President also talked about water for production, that is, irrigation. Some of us who come from Namayingo, Busia, Mayuge, and Bugiri have plenty of water. It is not good that we have one season in our country, yet we have plenty of water that could be put to use for irrigation. This is an area clearly the agricultural ministry and the water ministry have to look at and ensure that Uganda is a food basket for this region. Thank you.

First check the First Schedule. Let us resolve one issue at a time. The First Schedule has Kampala and districts of Uganda. Bundibugyo and Kasese are in Rwenzori; Busia, Butaleja, Pallisa and Tororo in Bukedi and Abim, Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto in Karamoja. Mbale, Sironko and Manafwa are in Bugisu, Bukwo and Kapchorwa in Sebei while Adjumani and Moyo are in Madi - Should I read all?

9123 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2023 broad-band sites have been upgraded to 3G, providing services to over 700,000 Ugandans. Free Wi-Fi hotspots have been established at nine border posts namely; Lwakhakha, Mpondwe, Mutukula – (Interjection) - no, I am still very fine. Sorry, he has interrupted me. Free Wi-Fi hotspots have been established at nine border posts namely; Lwakhakha, Mpondwe, Mutukula, Busia, Vurra, Katuna and Elegu. (Applause) Next year, Wi-Fi will be deployed to 820 locations targeting schools, hospitals and markets in selected sub-regions. The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Network will be upgraded to monitor service provision over the national backbone infrastructure. (Applause) We will also digitally transform public service delivery by connecting all essential services such as schools, hospitals, tourism sites and the police to the national backbone. Madam Speaker, an allocation of Shs 192 billion has been provided to accelerate digital transformation. (Applause) Expediting strategic initiatives The development of oil and gas, the beneficiation of minerals and investment in science innovation and research are key strategic initiatives that will significantly support that socio-economic transformation. Oil and gas The final investment decision for the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline was taken on 2 February 2022. We are fast-tracking the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the National Oil Refinery. In addition, the right- of-way for the Kabaale (Hoima) – Buloba refined products pipeline, and the financing for the refinery and associated infrastructure will be concluded. Preparatory work for the development of a petrochemical industry at the Kabaale Petro-based Industrial Park will also be expedited. I have allocated Shs 447 billion to fast-track the development of petroleum resources next financial year. Science, Innovation and Research Madam Speaker, Government is supporting several innovation and scientific research initiatives that will propel Uganda industry into the high-technology economy. These include; 1. Vaccines research and development, including therapeutics and diagnostics to enable Uganda to enter into the pathogen economy; 2. Automotive industry technology development, and 3. Chipset and robotics manufacturing. During this year, we enhanced the salaries for scientists by Shs 508 billion. We shall continue to support scientists and innovators to undertake the process of Intellectual Property registration, train and sensitise stakeholders on Intellectual Property. We have provided Shs 257 billion to support Science, Innovation and Technology development. Mineral beneficiation In order for Uganda to reap the benefits of mineral resources, Uganda’s mineral deposits will be quantified to ascertain their value before beneficiation. We shall also operationalise the recently approved mineral legislation to regulate Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASMs). For the development of minerals, an allocation of Shs 54.3 billion has been provided. Maintaining security, good governance and the rule of law Security, good governance and the rule of law are the bedrock for the success of our socio- economic interventions. In order to guarantee the security of persons and property, the capacity of security and intelligence agencies will be strengthened to address any security threats and build national defence capability.

8989 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2023 In addition, we are requesting the Government through the petition of Hon. Sarah Opendi, that the health centres that are on cross borders like Busia Health Centre IV which we call “Red Cross”, we have many mothers who cross from Kenya to come and give birth in Uganda. We have requested the Government to turn these health centres into community hospitals, but it has fallen on the deaf ear. This has infringed on the few resources that the Government gives us. Therefore, my prayer in this petition is to make sure that we have more facilities, services and a bigger budget for the health centres at the cross border because we believe in East African integration. Lastly, I want to agree with my honourable colleague that we need regional blood banks because if we had a regional blood bank or blood banks at referral hospitals like the Red Cross Health Centre – (Member timed out.)

It was also in steady progress. Uncollected mineral taxes The Auditor-General’s report on the performance of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for Financial Year 2021/2022 indicated that URA failed to collect Shs 340 billion in taxes from gold exports estimated to be recovered after the 5 per cent levy was implemented. In March 2023, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development directed the Uganda Revenue Authority to halt the recovery of gold exports tax. This was in addition to the directive of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development halting the implementation of the 5 per cent levy; $ 200 on each kilogramme of gold exported. During the plenary, the Attorney-General disclosed that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development slashed taxes on gold from Shs 616 billion to Shs 43 billion. There are other minerals whose revenue is hardly declared by Government and I want to note the following: 1. Phosphates and steel at Sukulu. The company, Dong Song Energy Group Company Ltd is fully operational but it does not pay any tax. 2. Marble from Karamoja. M/S Sunbelt is fully operational but does not pay any penny on the mineral tax. 3. Tin, African Partner Resource Ltd is also fully operational but does not pay any penny. 4. Vermiculite is dealing with minerals; I think gold in Busia but it does not pay. 5. There is also a company mining gold in Busia called Wagagai Mining Limited. It does not pay any penny. With the foregoing mineral activities in the country, one would expect a corresponding increase in revenue from the mining sector. However, there is still obscurity and unwarranted waivers thus revenue leakage.

The next one is Namankera Vermiculite Mine. Current production stands at 30,000 tons per year from 150,000 tonnes. Namekara Deposit is considered to have world class vermiculite deposit. It is true that it is world class, but look at the drop in production. The title said, “Hardly”. It means there are some taxes which are accruing from this but not to the expected level of revenue. Look at the title, “Hardly any”. That means that by dropping from 150,000 to 30,000 tonnes, it is actually something that is paying but not to the expected level. Wagagai Mining Limited It has got 9.24 square kilometres and is in Busia. That mine is actually under construction. There is no work going on and we have not even given them electricity which they had asked for. We are going to provide them with a line to enable them add value. (Applause)

Honourable members, listen. 1) Vote 601: Arua City - Shs 36,948,486,000 2) Vote 602: Fort Portal City - Shs 21,749,696,000 3) Vote 603: Gulu City – Shs 26,555,638,000 4) Vote 604: Hoima City - Shs 14,982,706,000 5) Vote 605: Jinja City - Shs 38,446,052,000 6) Vote 606: Lira City - Shs 25,298,264,000 7) Vote 607: Masaka City - Shs 28,740,158,000 8) Vote 608: Mbale City - Shs 36,977,607,000 9) Vote 609: Mbarara City - Shs 33,853,374,000 10) Vote 610: Soroti City - Shs 18,894,719,000 11) Vote 701: Apac Municipal Council – Shs 8,494,655,000 12) Vote 702: Bugiri Municipal Council – Shs 5,045,364,000 13) Vote 703: Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal Council - Shs 10,811,439,000 14) Vote 704: Busia Municipal Council - Shs 6,584,841,000 15) Vote 705: Entebbe Municipal Council – Shs 14,974,279,000 16) Vote 706: Ibanda Municipal Council – Shs 12,652,788,000 17) Vote 707: Iganga Municipal Council - Shs 6,354,604,000 18) Vote 708: Kabale Municipal Council – Shs 15,642,752,000 19) Vote 709: Kamuli Municipal Council – Shs 6,980,978,000 20) Vote 710: Kapchorwa Municipal Council – Shs 8,378,122,000 21) Vote 711: Kasese Municipal Council – Shs 14,834,120,000 22) Vote 712: Kira Municipal Council – Shs 20,650,861,000 23) Vote 713: Kisoro Municipal Council – Shs 3,648,099,000 24) Vote 714: Kitgum Municipal Council – Shs 6,670,002,000 25) Vote 715: Koboko Municipal Council – Shs 7,501,016,000 26) Vote 716: Kotido Municipal Council – Shs 7,454,417,000 27) Vote 717: Kumi Municipal Council – Shs 6,938,873,000 28) Vote 718: Lugazi Municipal Council – Shs 7,853,940,000 29) Vote 719: Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council – Shs 13,864,172,000

8685 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 17 MAY 2023 On 20 th of last month, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, travelled to Malaba and held a meeting with the stakeholders. They agreed, among others, that the community gate that had been closed be opened and the empty trucks start to exit and enter through Malaba. The blocking of the empty trucks had caused problems. For example, trucks coming to Tororo Cement Industry were taking a longer route of about 200 kilometres. However, they allowed empty trucks to exit for one day only. Yesterday, another directive was given that empty trucks should not exit, leading to a strike. As I speak, there is paralysis at the border which has affected both inward and outward movement of trucks and it will continue if we do not resolve it. Madam Speaker, the matter of national importance that I am raising is, let the Government grant the request of the people for the drivers to cross to and from Kenya at a point convenient to them. Those who want to use Busia Border should use Busia Border and those who want to use Malaba, Lwakhakha or any other border should be allowed to use them. My prayer is for the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to direct Uganda Revenue Authority – For the survival of the people of Malaba and Tororo County at large, we need freedom of entry and exit for trucks and persons because it is the livelihood of the community. The central business district of Malaba is now collapsing and we need movement to resume as directed by Rt Hon. Kadaga. I beg to submit, thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. When you only talked about my colleague, Hon. Francis Mwijukye, as the one representing the gold miners, I wondered why you were leaving out Busia yet the Gold we have in Busia is equivalent to the oil from Hoima. (Laughter) Having said that, Mr Speaker, I wonder why the minister is saying that Gold miners are being exempted from paying taxes. Go to Busia at the moment, we have too much Gold but when you look at the state of Busia town, there is nothing like corporate social responsibility.

8317 THE E L E VENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY , 25 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. Therefore, when the people of Uganda, especially of Busia hear that there is an exemption on taxes for those Gold miners, how are we benefiting from this resource, as the people of Uganda? Mr, Speaker, I want to implore the minister, especially the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, to ratify that statement to say that such miners should be exempted. This is not uncalled for and the people of Uganda are watching because they want to know how they are benefiting from their mineral resources. Thank you.

Member for Busia. Honourable colleagues, we are going to Parish Development Model. We have to clean up this Order Paper before we break off this session.

\ I a 18. t9. 22. 30 Hon Akumu Colherine Moveniino INDEP soRoTr wEsT DrvrsroN INDEP UPDF REPRESEMATIVE UPOF DWR RAKAI REPRESENTATIVE NORTHERN NRM #F NRM Hon. Erngi Polrrck Nyonzi BUTEMEA COUNTY OTUKE EAST COUNTY NRM 20. i tion. Acon Julius Buo I 21 23. DWR SIRONKO DISTRICT . NRM FOC FDC 24. DWR LUWERO NUP Hon. Nobukenyo Brendo 25. Hon. Ssewungu .Joseph KAI.UNGU WEST NUP NUP 26 llon. Nsombo Potrrck Oshobe KASSANDA NORTH NUP Hon. Kokembo Michoel ENTEBBE MUNICIPALIIY INDEP BULAMBULI COUNTY 27. 28 29 BUSIA MUNICIPLAITY INDEP GULU EAST INDEP INDEP 3r INDEP 32 Hon. Kotenyo lsooc Hon Aogon Silos Hon. Rev. Fr. Chorles Onen Hon. Mocho Geoffrey KUMI MUNICIPALITY SURUtI COUNIY KASHARI SOUTH COUNTY 33. INOEP Hon. Akugizibwe Aled Ronold Hon. ltungo Nothon Twesigye Hon. Ebwolu Jonolhon Hon. Lt. Col. Or. Jennifer Alonyo Hon Suubi Juliet Kyinyomolomo 34 35 36

Mr Speaker, on this we need to be very tough as Parliament. First, we need to investigate this minister, who after knowing that there were arrears of Shs 616 billion, still went ahead and issued an instrument and effectively because of that instrument, brought is down to 43. We need to investigate this minister. The second issue is about the whole mineral revenue. It is so suddenly, when you go to Mubende, Busia, Karamoja and everywhere - it is amazing that the minister comes to a committee and confesses that we did not earn any money from minerals. The mineral revenue for this year is zero, yet, all over the country, there is mining going on. Our people are being displaced. So, some few individuals are pocketing this money. We need to be very tough as Parliament, on this issue.

It is a procedural matter under rule 42. Mr Speaker, I thank you for guiding the House well. My mood is not good at all be- cause yesterday was a sad day for the people of Busia Municipality. The enforcement officers of Uganda Revenue Authority invaded a taxi park and started torturing citizens and journal- ists. Mr Speaker, I am asking whether we are pro- ceeding well when the journalists of this coun- try - first of all, the other day, we saw pepper being sprayed at journalists. Yesterday, it was at the journalist in Busia. David Owori, a jour- nalist with NTV, is missing up to now. Cameras were taken away from all the seven journalists. As I talk, even Kenyans who do cross-border trade are afraid to cross into Uganda because the rate at which the enforcement officers were shooting at Ugandans was terrible. The Ken- yans thought that there was war in our country. Therefore, I do not know whether we are pro- ceeding well by not talking about such a very important matter that concerns my people. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Hon. Allan Mayanja, Member of Parliament for Nakaseke Central, raised a matter of national concern regarding the presence of an infestation by the African Armyworm in Nakaseke District. His prayers were that: 1. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries provides chemicals and tools to Nakaseke District Local Government for the management and control of the African Armyworm. 2. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries appears and presents a status report to this Parliament. Mr Speaker, my response to this question is that the African armyworm is a migrant pest that damages cereal crops and grasses during the vegetative growth stage and can cause up to 100 per cent loss if not controlled. The pest is sporadic and its spread and impact is facilitated by environmental conditions such as high temperatures, erratic rainfall and wind currents (on which adult moths ride). Mr Speaker, last year, during the first season (March-May), there was repeated African armyworm upsurge and infestation in over 50 districts, damaging cereals (millet, sorghum, maize and rice) and grass. This invasion was put under control – like I told you last week but one – by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, working with local governments and farmers. The ministry provided over 20,000 litres of pesticide (Cypermethrin) and 120 motorised spray pumps together with protective gear to control the pests. Mr Speaker, at the onset of the current planting season (February-March this year), some pockets of the African armyworm infestation were reported in five districts (Nakaseke, Tororo, Nwoya, Busia and Pader). The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, working with local governments and farmers, suppressed the infestation to very low populations. Intensification of rainfall in the country further suppressed the pests naturally. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is continuing to monitor the pest situation and has procured 6,000 litres of the recommended pesticide and 60 motorised pumps and 100 sets of protective gear to support the control operations in case of a resurgence. Finally, we appeal to farmers and the general public to remain vigilant and report any incidents of this pest or any other to the lower local governments and district authorities to enable timely response by Government. In brief, these pests were suppressed both naturally and with the help of local government. Hon. Omara Paul, Member of Parliament, Otuke County asked that the 10 th Parliament enacted the mining law which, according to him, provided for a 5 per cent tax on a kilogramme of refined Gold exports. This law could not be implemented because there were serious disagreements between the Gold refining companies and the Uganda Revenue Authority. However, the 11 th Parliament, in 2022, repealed the Mining Act, 2003 and cured the lacuna in the law by passing a provision in the new Mining Act under Section 287(2)(s), which states thus: “A tax of Shs 200 per kilogramme of gold exported, will be applied.” The provision of the law allows for retrospective application of the tax, effective July 2021. His prayer is: why hasn’t Government facilitated the recovery of tax arrears yet we are running a deficit budget?” My response, Mr Speaker, is that revenue from the export of Gold has been included in the revenue projections since Financial Year 2021/2022. For the period 1 July 2021 to March

7921 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 2023 His prayer was: what are the necessary measures that the Government is undertaking to ensure consistent power supply in Busia Municipal Council? Mr Speaker, in July last year, Umeme Limited commenced refurbishment works on the Busia 33KV feeder, which feeds both Busia Municipality and Samia Bugwe Central, to improve the performance of the feeder. The scope of works included poles replacement, conductor upgrades, installation of line switches and isolation devices as well as re- installation and the fitting of transformers. As this was being done, outages were planned and communicated to happen three times in a week, from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. to have works completed over the shortest practical time. The works were completed in January this year and the power supply is now normal in Busia. Hon. Asinansi Nyakato, the Woman Representative, Hoima City, raised a concern about regular load shedding, which she said had adversely affected service delivery in Hoima City. Her prayer was: what are the necessary measures that the Government is undertaking to ensure consistent power supply in Hoima City? Mr Speaker, my response is that in Hoima City, a feeder fault analysis had been undertaken that showed two faults on the Hoima Town 11KV line that caused an electricity blackout, lasting a combined 1.5 hours. One was due to a broken jumper/wire and the other was a brief variation in electricity voltage caused by tree branches touching the wire. However, power supply has been restored and the people of Hoima are enjoying the power supply constantly. Hon. Teddy Nambooze, the Woman Representative, Mpigi, raised the issue of unpleasant working conditions and low pay – that is, poor welfare – of journalists in Uganda. Her prayer was: can the Government inform the House about the strategies in place to improve the working conditions and salary/wages of journalists in Uganda? Mr Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the concerns raised by the honourable member regarding the conditions under which our media personnel work. Indeed, the Government is equally concerned that most members of the fourth estate, who play a critical role in informing, educating and entertaining the public continue to work in unpleasant conditions. As Members are aware, the regulation of journalists in Uganda is partly through the Press and Journalist Act, Cap. 105 while issues of remuneration for all Ugandans are under the Employment Act, 2006. Under the current legal framework, neither the Government nor the regulators namely, the Uganda Media Council, and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) can legally force media owners to give journalists a specified amount of salary. Journalists, like other workers in the country, independently negotiate with their employers to ensure that they are paid reasonable salaries to support their well-being. Mr Speaker, the Press and Journalist Act, Cap. 105, under Part Six, empowers the Media Council to regulate media practice through the regulation of journalists and issuance of practising certificates among other interventions. Section 8 of the same Act further mandates the Uganda Media Council to exercise disciplinary control over the media: arbitrate disputes between the public and the media for public viewing. In that regard, the Council developed a media regulation strategy in 2016 to place all media practices and practitioners under effective control of the law. Through that strategy, the Government would know the quality and quantity of players in the sector, including issues of the welfare of journalists and how to address them.

Mr Speaker, yesterday, I was with the leaders from all the districts in the country - the LC V chairpersons - and they raised this matter. The LC V Chairperson and all the mayors of the 10 cities were also present. They brought up this issue. The fact is that when I was in Masaka, I noticed they are struggling. I was in Gulu and they are also complaining. I was in Hoima and they are equally complaining. So, the issue is: since this Parliament is now in the budgeting process, we must handle this together. The Ministry of Local Government is currently meeting those leaders there. The solution is that all of us - the leaders in those cities, the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development - I think I will organise a meeting to agree on how to move forward. He is talking about inducting our leaders. Mr Speaker, the turnover of our local leaders this time round was a bit high. That is why there are wars in Busia. They want to impeach - almost every district chairperson has issues. So, I request that in that meeting, we talk about it and come up with a way forward.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am pleased to provide a preliminary assessment of the situation as follows: Government has been keenly following events as they unfold in the Republic of Kenya, following the announcement of demonstrations in major cities and towns in Kenya. We have continued to maintain our warm, brotherly and strong cordial relationship with the Government and the people of Kenya throughout this period. We remain confident that the Government of His Excellency, President William Ruto will contain and return the country into normalcy, as we have seen in the past weeks. The effects of these demonstrations, according to our preliminary assessment, are that our trade and supply chains with the Republic of Kenya have continued without major disruptions. Data on our cross-border business with the Republic of Kenya for dry cargo, wet cargo - that is fuel - and units, show a steady flow from both Malaba and Busia entry points, except for minor disruptions that took place on the 13 th , 20 th and 27 th of March this year. Those are the days when the demonstrations were held. Let me go to Busia entry point. Busia’s overall daily average number of goods vehicles in February 2023, before the demonstrations started, was 473 vehicles. For the month of March 2023, by the 29 th , the daily average was 474 vehicles. It is likely to be higher when we add the numbers for the 30 th and 31 st of March 2023. Madam Speaker, from Busia border entry point, while the goods vehicles reduced on 13 March 2023 to 283 from 425 on 13 February 2023, they went up to 508 the following day on 14 March 2023 and consistently increased in subsequent days. On 20 March 2023, traffic fell again to 217 vehicles, down from 390 compared to the same day in February 2003. Again, traffic immediately picked up to over 366 vehicles the subsequent days. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Mpuuga]

Madam Speaker, the same trend happened at Malaba entry point. Members can read for themselves. Let me go to security. The joint security agencies of Uganda continue to closely monitor our borderline with Kenya from Busia, Tororo up to Karamoja areas to purposely protect our communities along the border and counter any spillover effects that could arise from the violent demonstrations. As a result, comprehensive deployments along the border have been put in place. The Government of Uganda would like to reassure the public that all residents along the border are safe and secure. Let me go to energy. Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Energy is in close contact with our counterparts in Kenya to ensure uninterrupted flow of petroleum products. Access to trade Madam Speaker and colleagues, the Government of the Republic of Uganda is working closely, like I have already told you, with our Kenyan counterparts to ensure that roads, railway and the sea routes remain open and secure to facilitate uninterrupted movement of goods. Below is my observation. Madam Speaker, from the above data, it is very clear that for the days of the 13 th , 20 th and 27 th of March, when the traffic fell due to demonstrations, the traffic flow of goods and general trade immediately picked up the following days in both Busia and Malaba entry points. The disruptions by demonstrations notwithstanding, our trade and traffic flow remain stable and there is absolutely no need to panic. Our economy still remains on course to collect its revenue from imports and the general trade, as programmed. We are also on course to attain the growth of our economy this financial year, as I am sure, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development already informed you. In conclusion, honourable members, I want to assure you and the country that we remain confident that the strong ties between the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Kenya will continue to blossom. Our two governments are on track to remove the few remaining non- tariff barriers, following bilateral discussions at all levels. These interruptions notwithstanding, our business with the Republic of Kenya and indeed, the East African Region as a whole, is on a sound upward trajectory. Madam Speaker and Members, I beg to move.

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.

7844 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT 3. The ministry should recommend the school to apply for a UNEB centre number since there is no other O’level school in the municipality. My response is that the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, secured funding from International Development Association - World Bank, amounting to $150 million to finance the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project. Of this, $90 million is a loan while $60 million is a grant from the refugee window. The project’s main objective is to enhance access to secondary education through construction and equipping of 116 new secondary schools; 84 in non-refugee hosting districts and 32 in refugee hosting districts and expansion of 61 existing secondary schools in refugee hosting districts. The project was declared effective 19 May 2022 and is expected to close on 31 December 2025. It is important, honourable members, to note that although the project was signed to the last five years in the World Bank system, the five years are counted from the date of the bank’s Board approval in 2020. This, therefore, implies that almost two years of implementation were lost due to delayed approval of the project by Parliament and the ministry. We have to utilise the project funds within the three years. Madam Speaker, the project consists of the following components: Component 1: Expansion of Lower Secondary Education; Component 2: Support education in refugee hosting communities; Component 3: Improving Teachers’ Support and Strategy Development Nationally; Component 4: Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation. Component 1 is composed of two subcomponents which include construction of new lower secondary school facilities. The subcomponent will finance construction of 116 new secondary schools in the subcounties and expansion of 61 existing secondary schools. All the new infrastructure will be furnished and equipped. The second subcomponent is ensuring safety and protection of children in the new and expanded existing schools. Regarding the status of construction of Busia Boarder Secondary School, the ministry has already identified the Eastern Division in Busia Municipality as one of the beneficiary subcounties or division. However, there are prior activities that have to be done before construction starts and these are: topography and cadastral survey, geotechnical survey and environmental and social impact assessments. These studies are critical when developing the standard bidding documents. Kyambogo University and the Ministry of Works and Transport are carrying out the topographical and geotechnical surveys, respectively, while the consultants were hired to do the environmental and social impact assessment. Madam Speaker, Busia Municipal Council submitted documents confirming that the school was granted two acres of land in Nangwe-Mugungu B, Central Parish in Eastern Division, not 25 acres as stated by Hon. Macho. Regarding the recommendation of Busia Border Seed Secondary School for a Uganda National Examinations Board –

Madam Speaker, in 2007, I was the Resident District Commissioner of Busia and I know what happened during the Mungiki issue. This Government has got capacity, my dear brothers and sisters. The route of Tanzania notwithstanding, I assure this country that no interruptions will take place.

Next item - Is it related to the passing on of the cultural leader? Okay, I will just allow that; otherwise, colleagues, it is very clear that when it is a special sitting, we never allow such things as point of procedure. But this has also been very important for the people of Busia and the community; so, let me allow Hon. Macho who might give us useful information.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Samia Bugwe, Busia District, and all the people living in Busia, I would like to bring special thanks, first of all, to your office for having allowed to give the Omwenengo of Samia Bugwe recognition to be honoured by this august House. This is a true demonstration that this Parliament recognises cultural institutions in this country and this fits well into one of the Government priorities of making sure that it uses cultural leaders to mobilise masses towards poverty eradication. Mr Speaker, the Omwenengo of Samia Bugwe, His Highness Wanyama passed away when the kingdom still had some needs and requests from the Government. It is my prayer that the ministry gives all the privileges that it promised to the kingdom so

7721 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 that the new king, His Highness Hamala, can carry on his duties of mobilising people for poverty eradication, promotion of education and also to make sure that we, the people of Busia, observe and make use of the Government programmes. All in all, I thank you, Mr Speaker and the Rt Hon. Speaker, for all the efforts that have been made to recognise our cultural leader. May his soul rest in internal peace.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. Honourable colleagues, I wish to announce the death of His Royal High- ness, Philip Wanyama Hasibante Nahama, Om- wen’engo wa Bugwe Busia. I also wish to state that the Government is going to accord him an official burial –

7688 RECONSIDERATION OF THE NATIONAL LOCAL CONTENT BILL, 2022 Wednesday, 22 March 2023 selfless work you are doing is what is going to build this country and we must leave this country better than we found it. I urge all of you to strive to transform the lives of the people you represent. I appreciate the work you do here but I also want you to do some work for the people you represent in the constituencies. You may not have money to give them but you need to encourage them; talk to them and ensure that they get into an economic activity. They need to be guided; people will always listen to their leader. So, I want all of you to come back in the 12 th Parliament. All of you should come back. (Applause) This is the best Parliament we have had and we want all of you. However, you can only come back if you are working with your constituents and you are supporting them. We have Government programmes and we should not allow them to be swindled. Let us focus our hands and eyes so that we can monitor what is being done and the people on the ground can benefit. Once again, I would like to thank you very much. The Bill we passed was the Bill of the year. (Applause) Next item. There is a point of procedure from the Member for Busia.

Madam Speaker, first of all, thank you for your communication and, I join others in thanking you for yesterday. As you appreciate for the work we are doing, we have a glaring problem at hand. As at yesterday, Ugandans travelling to Kenya with goods are stuck. Actually, I do not know how Hon. Macho missed this but from Bugiri almost to Busia, Ugandans are not allowed to go into Kenya. It is a very serious crisis that Ugandans are not allowed to enter with their goods because of the strike that is taking place in Kenya - (Interruption)

Honourable minister, I have heard that some of those culprits will transfer their services elsewhere. However, I would caution that those culprits - not those in Busia or those at any of the borders that we have - should face the full wrath of the law. Mr Speaker, those reforms should not be restrictive or prohibitive because they may even stop our tourists or visitors coming to Uganda. (Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance that has been burning and I have talked about it in this Parliament more than 10 times. Busia Municipality is flooded with trailers. Tororo road has more than 300 trailers, Majanji road has more than 80 and Kampala-Jinja Road has more than 500 trailers and the whole Customs is jammed. Madam Speaker, as I say this, the traders on Customs road cannot work because the trailers have parked in front of their shops. Whenever you pass under those trailers, there are things I cannot mention because these drivers have turned the trailers into bedrooms. These trailers have caused sanitation problems in Busia to be very bad. Madam Speaker, before I pray, these trailers have packed in Busia to an extent that in the history of this world, we have had a traffic jam of bicycles in Busia because we use boda- bodas on the border. Madam Speaker, additionally, as these trailers have been parked in Busia, we get electricity only two days and for six days, we are in total darkness. We keep asking Umeme what the problem is, especially given that we have fuel tanks at the border. It is my prayer, Madam Speaker, that the ministry or the Government - it is good that I am talking when the minister of trade is looking at me. We are saying that the journeys you made to Busia have not worked. I request the Speaker and the Government to allow my people of Busia to work by getting us a dry port, where goods can be offloaded and trailers go where they belong; and to sort out the issue of over-packing trailers because in case a trailer catches fire, we do not have a fire brigade in Busia at all. We do not have enough jerry cans, buckets and saucepans to get water to pour on a burning trailer. Therefore, please, assist us to make sure that trailers do not park in town. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. This is a very serious matter. Those trailers’ scenarios are not only in Busia when you go to my own district in town but accidents are also there all the time because the trailers park along the roadside on both sides. Honourable minister or the Government-

Madam Speaker, the information I would like to give my colleague is that Busia is a one-stop border post that largely clears fuel, which comes into this country. I am just wondering why you have trucks stopping there. What is the [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

6839 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023 incentive that is making them stop in Busia? They are supposed to cross and the fuel that comes through Busia has already paid tax. Therefore, they are supposed to be crossing and going to the pump station. Why are they stopping in Busia?

Hon. Kateshembwa, you have heard him saying they turn those trailers into their bedrooms. (Laughter) May be, that is the motivation and incentive. So, Busia must be very rich with-

I think the honourable colleague is not telling us the whole truth. However, Madam Speaker, what I would like to advise is that the rightful agency that should be looking at this matter is Customs because those trailers have a tracking system that alerts them when they overstay in one place. So, I think there must be a problem that needs to be interrogated. Stopping in Busia may have turned it into another market that needs to be looked at.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Happy New Year to you and to my colleagues. I want to thank my colleague, Hon. Macho, for raising this issue. It is very pertinent for businesses, especially those at the borders. It is not only the Busia border but there is Malaba, Mpondwe and Elegu, which have these conditions. It was a hot matter in the Cabinet and an inter- ministerial committee is already put in place, including the Ministry of Works and Transport because it directly handles matters to do with vehicles and those huge trucks. Also, the weigh bridges, the distance between the parking and the weigh bridges and then, issues to do with the fires because in case of anything, if fires broke near the border, it would be a big disaster. Then, of course, the ministry of finance is also handling matters to do with taxation, more especially now on those- because other countries are trying to lure us and take us to their countries to put dry ports when they have ports near the waters. For us, we are landlocked; we thought the idea of a dry port could be put in Malaba. Of course, Busia, Malaba and those areas where we are getting iron ore down in Kabale, we are thinking about many areas to establish a dry port. A dry port is a good idea, Madam Speaker, because it generates revenue for the country. For those parking along the road, tentatively, maybe the minister of finance can look into the idea of putting a tax so that they do not use those facilities as bedrooms. We can tax them. If you put your truck there and you want to use it for your own benefit, you pay. That would be a good idea if the minister of finance can really tax those trucks, which are misusing -

Thank you very much, my colleague. Madam Speaker, the issues of border connections are very important because cross- border trade will help our people, as a region, to curb the issue of unemployment. That is why I want to use the same opportunity to request the Government of Uganda - Kenya has tarmacked its road from Kisumu to Matayos. If that road is connected, our people will make a lot of money through cross-border trade. At the same time, the road from Tororo- Mungula –Buteba-Busia - the Kenyan side has already tarmacked its side. Kenya is like London. I wish they would tarmac this urgently. It will boost business across Busia, Uganda and Kenya. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Is it in order for my neighbour from Busia, the Hon. Geofrey Macho, a cross-border trader, otherwise known as a smuggler, to insinuate that the leadership of Kampala, which is evidently in the hands of the Opposition, is now in bed with the Government yet the matter he is referring to is already in court? Is he in order?

Thank you. Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Katoto, Hon. Kimosho, Hon. Rauben, Hon. Macho, Hon. Basalirwa. Hon. Okupa, Hon. Mwijukye, Hon. Akol, Hon. Lucy Akello, Hon. Nebanda, Hon. Otimgiw, Hon. Christine, Member for Busia, Member for Arua, Member for Butalejja, Hon. Nsegumire and Hon. Fox-Odoi. Happy to see you, Hon. Everlyn Chemutai. Hon. Amos, because you have raised the issues properly, can you use three minutes to speak to your motion.

Mr Speaker and Rt Hon. Prime Minister 2021, I want to thank the NRM regime. They gave us a Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) III market of Shs 21 billion and a value addition factory of Shs 15 billion. My question, Madam Prime Minister, is: why has the Government decided, through the Ministry of Local Government, to nationally advertise the market? Moreover, the President, in his speech that got him 79 per cent votes in Busia, told the people that the value addition factory is going to be given to the Busia Produce Dealers Association. Secondly, Madam Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, why do we still have load shedding in Busia, to the extent that nine women have died in Busia Health Centre IV and Masafu Health Centre? Moreover, load shedding continues even in a place where Hon. Oboth, the minister in charge of defence and veteran affairs, comes from. (Laughter)

Mr Speaker, NRM is a Government, not a regime. On the issue of women dying in hospitals because of lack of electricity, to me, it is regrettable. I was an RDC of Busia for more than six years. I believe those health centres, especially Masafu Hospital – it was built under my supervision. I remember we had a generator. I do not know what happened to those generators. I have been to Busia Health Centre IV about three times, even when I became Prime Minister. What I can promise is for me to investigate what truly happened.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have been informed of the issues of the market and the value-addition facility in Busia. There are two different types of facilities: there is a market, which is under the local authority and a value-addition facility, which is a regional project. I am scheduled to visit Busia Municipality to sort out the issues there, and I will inform the local authorities and the Members of Parliament. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, there was a demonstration yesterday in Busia Market –

The boy is from Busia, do not worry. He means “decorum”.

6553 THE E L E V E N T H P A R L IAMENT O F U G A N D A T HURSDAY, 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 these enterprises are welding, but they are not working because of inconsistence of power. I, therefore, I have a prayer. (Interjections) Madam Speaker, I need your protection. (Interjections) I will give you, but let me first drive this point. My prayers: 1. I request the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development to go to Busia District and tell people why there is always load shedding - because as a result, 14 women have died in Health Centre IV Busia (Red Cross) and Masafu. Hon. Denis Nyangweso, will give information on that. 2. I request that you allow us - with the permission of the Prime Minister who is here - next week when we have no power, we tie a Umeme worker on an electric pole so that we demonstrate that our people are going through a lot of pain by having their enterprises stall without making any money.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for granting me this opportunity. That issue is not only in Busia. Yesterday, at around 9.00 p.m., the entire country experienced a power outage, Hoima City inclusive. This is not the first time it has occurred because for the last two months, we have been experiencing power outages. Electricity being one of the major factors of production, as a shadow minister, I have been approached by traders, a number of manufacturers and individuals, complaining about their electronic appliances, which have been destroyed in the process of these outages. My prayers: 1. That the minister of energy brings before this House a comprehensive explanation to what could be the root cause of these outages. 2. The ministry of energy should also come out and explain to this House the immediate interventions that it has taken to permanently solve this problem. I beg to submit, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I beg that I summarise by giving my colleague because if I do not give him, it will be a problem for me in Busia.

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

6145 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2022 Secondly, you talked about streamlining the markets in this country. Since Busia Market was opened two years ago, it is not operational because the Ministry of Trade has not given guiding regulations on how to run this market. I have talked to the minister concerned, but up to now, the story is: “wait for tomorrow”. (Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the honourable colleague for raising this issue and I also thank my honourable senior colleague. The honourable member from Butaleja is right. In our statistics here, Butaleja has the highest number of malaria cases, but the deaths he has reported are higher than what we have – unless people are dying in homes. However, for those who die in health centres, we always record. Since this year started, I remember in May, we raised a red flag over the upsurge of malaria cases in many districts. It has come down though, from 65 per cent to about 30 per cent. The places, which are really badly hit are Bukedi, Teso, Lango, Busoga, Karamoja and Acholi. When we raised the red flag, it was in western Uganda, especially Ankole and Toro. Right now, we have Budaka, Busia, Butaleja, Butebo, Kibuku, Pallisa and Tororo – but Butaleja has the highest number of cases. Nonetheless, the National Medical Stores has been going around, giving out mosquito nets. Also, the ministry - together with partners – has been putting out a lot of adverts for people to sleep under mosquito nets and to close their houses a little early so that we can, together, fight this malaria. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chairperson, what we are trying to achieve here is to hold someone accountable. This person is accountable. He will not be the one in Busia, Jinja and wherever but when it comes to the licensing function, the person who is accountable is an office. It is actually an office – the Chief Licensing Officer. Yes.

Mr Speaker, I would like to appreciate the time you have given us today to discuss the issues of health of this country. I am the chairman of Mental Health Forum in Parliament. We have visited this hospital many times and we have taken note of land grabbing. Parliament needs to pronounce itself on this matter, to protect that land. Secondly, the staff of Butabika need motivation. Government has given salary increment to all scientists but they could have forgotten this section of scientists. Lastly, back home in Busia, the Ministry of Health closed Sofia Market and decided to set up a regional lab testing centre. Up to now, the construction has not started. (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, with your permission, we request the Ministry of Health to help our people of Busia to complete the facility they started because who knows in future - it might turn into a health centre III and help other people who have mental problems. COVID-19 has made almost all of us mentally ill. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I sound very humble today because of the situation that I witnessed over the weekend. Last Sunday, when I was leaving Busia, I passed a place called Mbiko and I saw people beating up a woman on the roadside. I stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road and asked them why they were beating her. Good enough, since people know Macho of Busia, they said, “That is Macho of Busia.” I told them to stop beating the lady; I asked them why they were beating her. They said she had taken their chapatti without paying for it. When I asked the lady why she did so, she said she and her children had gone three days without eating. She was taking the chapatti to give to the children but people thought she had a mental illness. That is why I humbly but

Thank you. First, I want to make this bold statement: that the role that you play, as Parliament - the oversight role - adds value to the work of the Executive. I want to thank you for the work you are doing. I also appreciate the chairperson. In 2007, I was a member of the Committee on National Economy and as a Member of Parliament for Ndorwa County West, I moved a motion and Parliament supported me, that the Katuna one-stop border be added to Busia and Malaba one-stop border points that were to be constructed. It is very disturbing that delays have caused this project to take this long, from 2007 up to now. However, I appreciate the fact that you have come out with this and in fact, we have identified them, as Hon. Catheline Ndamira said, and we think that Government will

2438 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY The subsector is guided by the Petroleum Supply Act, 2003 and the attendant regulations and guidelines. Local pump prices have been competitive until January 2022 when petrol prices increased due to its scarcity. Ninety five per cent of the country’s petroleum product requirements is supplied through Kenya route using the open- tender system, which Uganda joined in 2011 after a series of engagements with the Kenyan Government. The Open Tender System stabilised supply to Uganda and the supply interruptions that used to occur during the Christmas and Easter travel festivals were addressed. The remaining 5 per cent of Uganda’s product requirements are supplied through Tanzania, which has not been popular due to the long distance and associated transport costs, which results into high landed prices per litre. Fuel Supply Shortages In the week commencing 1 January 2022, the country experienced sharp supply drop of petroleum imports, in which the 10-day stock requirement reduced to seven days for diesel, four days for Jet A-oil (A-1) and 0 days for petrol by 10 January 2022. Reduction in stock levels and the resultant stock out of petrol in the country was caused by the control of COVID-19 spread, when the Ministry of Health gave a directive that required all truck drivers to be tested. The decision resulted in a riot by truck drivers which even blocked petroleum trucks that had been given priority lanes to secure supply of petroleum products. To secure supply to the airport, my ministry had earlier got no objection from Kenya Pipeline Company to work during Christmas holidays and load Jet A-1 transit trucks to Uganda. However, during the driver’s strike, even Jet A-1 trucks to Entebbe were blocked. The issues were escalated by the breakdown of the scanners operated by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Kenya Revenue Authority to clear the goods at the entry points. I am further advised that even last week, one of the scanners again broke down. As of 24 January 2022, the vehicle queue on Malaba and Busia side were of a distance of 35km and 40km, respectively. You may note that petroleum products are highly flammable and this is being worsened by mixing the trucks ferrying the products with dry cargo. This calls for the need to beef up safety and security measures to avoid related accidents. The stock out in Western Kenya has necessitated oil marketing companies to pick products from Nairobi which requires an additional two days to deliver the products into the country. Localisation of products meant for export was the introduction of a new trucking system by Kenya Revenue Authority, which requires trucks to install new tracking devices, which also affected product supply into the country. Prior to 2016, when the KPC infrastructure was constrained, my ministry used to allocate storage space in the Kenya system to Uganda’s active Oil Marketing Companies that were importing products to Uganda. Even with this constrained storage space, Uganda was well supplied and Uganda’s pump prices were and remained competitive in the region. KPC has improved its infrastructure with a new line from Mombasa to Nairobi, improved storage space in Nairobi and completed the Jetty at Kisumu, which are in position to keep the region well supplied with no need for allocating storage space. Since taxes are paid at the loading terminals, Uganda’s Oil Marketing Companies can load petroleum products from Mombasa, Konza, Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu. Even when there are low stocks in Western Kenya, my ministry usually collaborates with the Kenyan authorities to load products in other terminals including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Jet A-1 to Entebbe. Irrespective of the current delayed clearance at Malaba and Busia, Entebbe International Airport has remained active and has not given notice to airmen.

2439 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022 However, with the current delays that have adversely affected the turnaround time for trucks, we continue to critically monitor supply of Jet A-1. From the pipeline, road transport is used for almost all products since the existing wagon ferries on Lake Victoria can only bring a maximum of eight million litres of diesel per month, yet the current normal monthly total consumption is 195 million litres. Currently, the wagon ferries cannot lift petrol because the loading facilities for petrol at Kisumu have not been commissioned. In addition, the private facility owned by Mahathi Infra Uganda Limited scheduled for commissioning in June 2022 will improve utilisation of lake transport by the oil marketing companies. Some Oil Marketing Companies still import 5 per cent of the industry requirements through Tanzania although the route is still more expensive by US$ 60 per 1,000 litres. The road which used to pose challenges was improved by the United Republic of Tanzania. In this respect, some companies are using the route. The Oil Marketing Companies have also been obligated to keep the 10 days’ operational stock as required by the Petroleum Supply Act of 2003. This move is partly responsible for the current stock levels for diesel and Jet A-1, which remained in stock irrespective of a long impasse at Malaba and Busia. Uganda’s oil marketing companies have private storage capacity at their active depots, excluding storage at service stations of 62,673,596 litres. When combined with the Government storage facility at Jinja of 30 million litres, now operated by Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in a joint venture with the One Petroleum Limited, this results in a total national storage capacity of 92,673,596 litres. The ministry has continuously requested for funds amounting to $30 million to restock the reserves, but this item has remained unfunded. The Jinja storage facility can store 20 million litres of diesel and 10 million litres of petrol. The facility can be served by both road and railway transport, and there are plans of connecting a pipeline that will supply products to the terminal from a barge on Lake Victoria. Plans are underway to develop the Kampala Storage Terminal at Namwabula-Mpigi, with a first phase of 140 million litres expected in 2024. The facility will consequently be expanded to its full capacity of 340 million litres after two years, in line with the refinery completion. Fuel prices Madam Speaker, Uganda’s pump prices have been stable and would move with the global trends until January 2022 when petrol prices increased due to scarcity. The price for petrol has increased by Shs 550 from Shs 4,450 per litre –(Interjections) – from the time the prices increased when there was scarcity. This is the year when they declared that “Do not move.” I am saying per litre as of 17 December 2021 to Shs 5,000 per litre in January 2022. Over the same period, the price for diesel has remained stable. Before the increase, things were okay. Due to the fact that pump prices are determined by the market, the price of diesel, which is available, has remained stable while petrol that is scarce forced some traders to buy from other retailers that have petrol to resell at pump prices and consequently those secondary retailers sell at higher prices to recover the money that is invested in buying at pump prices. When there was scarcity, those who did not have fuel went to those who had and then they went and took to theirs. As that happened, those who took fuel to resell increased the prices. This was very fast; speculators are very good at guessing – together with the associated handling costs. With supply anticipated to return to normal at the end of this month, prices are expected to be competitive again. You will recall that in September 2021, Kenya’s motorists were travelling to eastern Uganda to refuel their vehicles and transit trucks were all buying petrol from Uganda – (Interjections) – I have already told you the year.

2440 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY In view of the above, therefore, the high petrol pump prices of petroleum products are caused by product scarcity and once supply returns to normal, prices will stabilise. On one hand, margins of the oil marketing companies have stagnated in their efforts to keep them competitive. In addition, their return on capital employed has lowered as a result of using more money to trade in the same volumes. On the other hand, consumers have increased expenditure on petrol in conducting their daily businesses. This has, in turn, increased private transportation costs, which further impacts negatively on our travellers. Pump prices per litre for Eldoret and Kisumu in Kenya are Kshs 130.13 for petrol and Kshs.101.32 for diesel. At the exchange rate of Shs 34 per 1 Kshs, it comes to Shs 4,424 and Shs 3,785 for the two products, respectively. This implies that on average, the prevailing petroleum prices in Uganda are Shs 576 above those in Kenya due to scarcity. Eldoret and Kisumu have been used because they are the main trading terminals for Uganda’s products. From this analysis, it is evident that competition when supply is normal in the downstream petroleum subsector in Uganda has taken root and thereby, rendering the intended benefits to the population. Once supply constraints at the border are addressed, prices of all products will return to normal and competitive for the benefit of all customers. Other constraints We still have problems of supply as a result of constraints at the border clearance, thereby forcing some oil marketing companies to buy at retail prices and further retail. This has resulted in increased pump prices and declining margins for companies and dealers. This increase in pump prices ultimately increases the cost of living. Once clearance at the borders is addressed, supply, together with the pump prices, should return to normal. We are saying that they will return to normal by this month. My ministry continues to engage with the Uganda Revenue Authority on this matter. Some people say it is because of the high taxes. Actions taken In order to expedite the clearing processes at both the Busia and Malaba border entry points, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives went to the border with some of our representatives. Some rules were immediately instituted: a) The testing for COVID-19 for truck drivers has been halted until further notice. These abrupt decisions can cause problems. b) I have directed SICPA-SA, the company undertaking fuel marking at entry points, to have their services available on a 24- hour basis at the two border points, with effect from 24 January 2022. c) As a Government, we plan to put in place a priority route with one special clearance point at the border and work with URA and have trucks use the newly constructed road from the Busia Border to Lumino- Musita-Jinja Road. Instead of following the one going towards Tororo, there is a new one now coming that joins the Jinja Road. d) There is need for bilateral talks, which we have already initiated with the Kenyan authorities on issues pertaining college allocation, prioritising export market among others. We are telling them to give us enough fuel all the time. Not to waste our time and cause delays. e) Building capacity of various players in the petroleum supply chain to form associations for better communication with ministries, governments in addition to having regular meetings with various players in the value chain.

Thank you very much, honourable minister, for the statement. As we said, we will have all these statements at ago and then we will debate. Can we have a brief statement on the status of the cargo traffic flow at Busia Border that was raised by hon. Macho?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity for Government to provide an update on the status of cargo traffic flow at Busia Border. I also thank the honourable member for raising this matter for the attention of this House. We, indeed, experienced an interruption in traffic flow at the Uganda-Kenya Border, as a result of the introduction of the new COVID-19 containment measures in mid-January, occasioned by the desire by Government to stem the spread of the newly discovered COVID-19 variant at the time. The two governments of Kenya and Uganda have since worked to normalise the traffic flow. This was informed by the new science findings, which indicated that the variant was not as much a threat as earlier variants. As such, containment measures had to be relaxed accordingly. Strategically, Government conducted an engagement with the Kenyan authorities and agreed on common mitigation approaches to deal with the new variant while ensuring smooth flow of international trade. Mutual recognition of each other’s test results was upheld and this has greatly helped us normalise traffic flow. Currently, traffic is flowing normally. Thank you for listening to me. (Applause)

2442 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY for the support you gave us in executing this task. I beg to lay the minutes and supporting documents for the report of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry. In the interest of time, I will be referring you to the pages where most of the information is and I will be summarising a few details. Page 1 is the introduction. I will give a brief background. Fuel is a key economy driver since the factors of production depend on fuel. The fuel crisis in the country emanated from the alleged fuel scarcity in circulation at the various fuel pumps and stations. All that information is on page 1. On page 2, we have the backdrop of the committee’s oversight exercise. On page 3, we have the rationale. On page 4 – allow me to, briefly, give you the committee’s terms of reference: The committee adopted the following terms of reference; i) To ascertain the causes of fuel scarcity and the skyrocketing fuel prices in the country in general and Hoima in particular. ii) To examine the contribution of Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) as a Government enterprise in propelling Government’s agenda in stocking and maintaining fuel reserves that can make interventions in times of need when there is fuel scarcity in the country. iii) To scrutinise the utilisation of funds provided by the Government of Uganda to UNOC enterprise. iv) To propose recommendations to enable the efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of UNOC as a Government enterprise in a bid to support it and in achievement of its objectives and to ensure the creation of a positive impact on the people of Uganda. On page 5, we have the methodology: we carried out field visits to Malaba and Busia border points. We visited the Jinja Storage Terminal and Hoima District, respectively, and entered into the western part of Kenya at the Busia Border. We had meetings with key stakeholders. We had memoranda received from various stakeholders, the LCI chairperson, area Members of Parliament of Hoima and all the other leaders as stated in the report. We also had desk research and triangulation of findings. Allow me to go straight into the causes of the fuel crisis. COVID-19 testing at the border The first cause was COVID-19 testing at the border, which I believe the honourable minister stated was scrapped off. Therefore, I may not need to go deep into the detail. However, allow me to present the committee’s recommendations. The committee observed that, previously, truck drivers were allowed entry into the country based on negative results obtained elsewhere, within a 48-hour timeframe along their journey. However, with the change in the testing, truck drivers started a protest against the new fees, insisting on abandoning the process, hence causing a 10-day gridlock. This, consequently, reduced the fuel supply in the country, leading to the hiked prices. The committee notes that it is unclear as to how many of the trucks involved in the strike were fuel transport trucks. Much as this could be a cause, we were not sure how many of the trucks in that queue were fuel transport trucks. Depletion of super petrol both in Kenya and Tanzania According to One Petroleum Uganda Ltd, the fuel crisis was also further compounded by the depletion of super petrol in both Kenya and Tanzania. However, it was observed that diesel was not greatly affected since, aside from the diminished number of trucks available for reload, diesel stocks were sufficient in Kenya and only suffered from logistics. [Mr Mpaka] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

2443 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022 A majority of the mainland Uganda receives fuel primarily from Kenya while part of western Uganda is supplemented from Tanzania. In the month of January, both these gateway countries had vessel scheduling delays; (i) In Tanzania, owing to the increased demand from Zambia and Malawi. In the month leading to December 2021, there was accumulated backlog of super petrol vessel demand as compared to the supply. This impact was felt in January 2022 on petrol vessels delaying due to other vessels being scheduled before them. The local Tanzanian market had already received enough products in December and, as such, was spared from the shortage in January. (ii) In Kenya, there was a mix-up in the vessel scheduling which would not have been a problem if enough trucks had returned to load the fuel. In Kenya, super vessel line-up was as follows: 1. MT CLIO: Arrival date was 25 to 29 December – those were the schedule dates of the vessels bringing fuel to East Africa. 2. MT Front Future: Arrival date was 30 December 2021 to 2 January 2022. 3. MT NAVIG & Promise: Arrival date was 17 January to 21 January. Mt Front Future was scheduled to arrive between 30 December 2021 and 2 January 2022, delivering super petrol to the open tender system in Kenya. However, it was delayed by over 10 days, arriving on 12 January 2022. The committee observed that the vessel delays caused a super petrol supply shortage, which happened as companies were depleting their super petrol stocks and customers were panic- buying, resulting in faster depletion of the super petrol stocks. It should be noted that as a country, we consume about 6.5 million litres a day, yet the existing strategic stocks have the capacity of only 10 million litres of super petrol and 20 million litres of diesel, which is only equivalent to three days of the country’s stock. Hoarding of fuel According to the Uganda Revenue Authority commissioner for enforcement, URA cleared more fuel trucks in January than they did in December. Between 1 and 31 December 2021, Uganda Revenue Authority cleared an average of 122 fuel trucks per day. By 22 January 2022, the day of the committee’s oversight visit, URA had cleared, on an average, 126 trucks per day in January, which is much more than the daily average of 122 fuel trucks cleared per day in December and several months before. In June 2021, per day, we cleared 108. In September 2021, we cleared 113, on average per day. In December, we cleared 122 trucks, on average per day. In January, when we had a shortage, we cleared 126 trucks per day – which is much more and these are supported by the taxes these companies have been paying and the amount of fuel they were importing. When you look at the Busia One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) home-bound fuel truck in comparison to the months, it is the same information. When you look at 10 and 12 January when we cleared only 37, these could have been the only days when we cleared fewer trucks, but when you do the average, we had 126 trucks per day. The last table is on the companies that have been importing fuel and the volumes between 1 and 22 January. You can see Vivo Energy has brought in 31 million litres. Total brought in 22.8 million litres. What this means is that if there is hoarding, it is VIVO Energy and Total because they are the ones importing a significant amount of fuel.

Lastly, is the breakdown of the scanners at the border. The scanner at Busia border used by customs officials to check vehicles was knocked in the middle of the truck pile up between January 14 and 17. Uganda Revenue Authority has six mobile scanner trucks (NUCTECHMT series), namely; UAA 765T, UAA 766F, UBK 998T, UBK 635J, UBK 814X, respectively. When the scanner at the border was knocked, Uganda Revenue Authority had to request their head office –

When the scanner at the border was knocked, Uganda Revenue Authority requested their head office in Kampala to send a mobile scanner, UBK 814K, to help replace the Busia scanner that had been knocked. However, the above equipment moves at a standard of 30 kilometres per hour and therefore, taking over eight hours, all factors remaining constant, to reach its destination. The committee observes that the faulty scanner caused a backlog of over 400 trucks cleared daily at the Busia border, since its temporary replacement was over eight hours away, all factors remaining constant, and this is one of the possible causes of the current 50 kilometre- plus queue of trucks in western Kenya trying to go through the Ugandan border entry points in Busia and Malaba. Underlying factors that have exacerbated the negative impact of the crisis These are factors that cause it to go to the extreme, but were not the causes. The absence of fuel reserves You are going to realise we not only do not have reserves, but we also no longer own the reservoirs. The importance of fuel reserves to Uganda’s economy – I think you all know the importance. Challenges at the reserve (i) The capacity of the national reserves The Jinja Reserve was commissioned in 1988, specifically to serve Eastern Uganda and the current fuel consumption per region stands as follows in the Table I. In 2021, Central Uganda consumed 1.3 million litres. Eastern Uganda consumed 303,000 litres. Northern Uganda consumed 220,000 litres and Western and South-Western respectively. Financing The committee was informed by UNOC that there has been a resource constraint to allocate funds for procurement and stocking of strategic reserves in the country, and funding to strategic petroleum supply infrastructure. The UNOC stated that a proposal for funding reserves and strategic petroleum supply infrastructure is being discussed with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. [Mr Mpaka] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for his good submission, concerning the long line of trailers on the border which, in his statement, he said, has cleared. Hon. Minister, you are living in another country. In Busia, as I talk now, we have three lanes of trailers, and they stretch up to Busitema checkpoint. Right now, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, is in Busia. Madam Speaker, we face the problem of ministers coming to our constituencies, where we were elected with massive support, without telling us. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we need you to help us because the only job we can do is to represent our people and talk. However, the ministers meet civil servants who tell them what they want and bring that as a report in the Cabinet. I do not know how you will help us solve this problem. Nonetheless, Gen. David Muhoozi, the Minister of Internal Affairs, is in Busia right now because Tororo Road has trailers stretching almost up to Mawero. Majanji Road has trailers almost up to Madibira; Custom Road has four lanes –(Interjection)- I am a born again Christian. Jinja Road also has trailers. In case the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives wants to prove this, I refer her to the RDC and Minister of Internal Affairs who is in Busia now.

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

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for your guidance. The fact of the matter is that I left Busia at midnight to come here because of this debate today. As I talk, the business community at customs are watching trailers that have been parked for almost 14 days. They are not selling their products because the trailers have blocked their shop doors. I have a witness here; the Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. I also have a second witness, the only Woman Member of Parliament for Busia, hon. Hellen Auma. The fact is that if the people of Busia had seen you standing here to question me - let me reserve that. Lastly, Madam Speaker -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have information. Yes, I confirm that I was in Busia on Monday. There is a traffic jam of trucks; the customs are blocked. Actually, there is no way for one to cross from one place to another. It takes some good time. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am standing as the acting Government Chief Whip. First of all, there should be no room for negotiating these issues because the rules are very clear on the timelines. If the committee is constrained for various reasons, like you have guided, the rules are clear that the chairperson should come and seek extension and we allow it or not. If it is the ministers who are constraining the committees, the chairpersons should come to the office of the Government Chief Whip to ensure that the ministers, who usually [The Deputy Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR bears the responsibility for the budget formulation. We ask the Executive to help us so that we are able to support them. I hereby put the Executive on notice that the timelines of the remaining statutory timelines for the budget process are: 1. 15 March 2022. We expect the Ministerial Policy Statement for the Financial Year 2022/2023. You can even bring it before that date. 2. On 1 st April, we expect the presentation of the annual budget and tax Bills to Parliament. 3. On 31 st May 2022, this House will approve the budget for the Financial Year 2022/2023 to pave way for its operationalisation on 1 st July 2022. I, therefore, urge the frontbench ministers to adhere to the timelines, especially my brother, hon. Henry Musasizi. Honourable members, during yesterday’s sitting, a matter was raised by hon. Geoffrey Macho on delayed clearance of incoming cargo trucks by customs authorities at Busia Border. The honourable minister promised to give us a statement today on that issue. We expect a statement from hon. Bahati before we move forward. I also want to vary the Order Paper to bring forward item No.5, before item No.3. Yesterday’s debate was stayed because we needed item No. 5 to be presented to the House first so that we can verify what happened in the previous process and what should be done for this process to work out: that was on COVID-19 funds. This is a joint report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) and Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments). We will get that report first before we get a report on the cash relief. Thank you very much, Members, for coming. Your presence has enabled us to have a full House. For now, we can still have free sitting.

Madam Speaker, this is as requested about the traffic of cargo at Malaba and Busia border posts; which was raised by hon. Macho. The situation at Malaba as we speak now, is normal; all issues which were there have been resolved - according to our customs a few minutes ago. I want to thank the -(Hon. Ekanya rose_) Do you have new information?

I thank hon. David Bahati, the Minister of Trade. Whereas his statement has some degree of accuracy, the situation in Malaba and Busia border posts cannot be handled just by a statement because the customs entry points of Malaba and Busia were built in the 1960’s for a capacity of 200 trucks in a week; they have one entry and one exit. Currently, Uganda cargo transits across Malaba are 200 trailers a day and they might be more or less in Busia and Malaba but you have one desk of the revenue authority, one desk of immigration and one cargo scanning system. I stated here last week that the two heads of state engaged each other when the cargo on the Tororo side was in Busitema; the other side was about the same number of kilometres. Madam Speaker, if you are travelling to Kenya or there is a Kenyan guest travelling and there is an emergency - even in case of a fire, there is no way of evacuating. Those trailers are carrying fuel – which is dangerous - and other goods. Uganda Revenue Authority and-