Gulu District

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the elders and people of Northern Uganda, whom I represent, to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Gen. Moses Ali, Parliament, the Executive led by His Excellency the President, the Judiciary, and the whole country. The late Moses Ali was our icon and had a big heart. In 1986, when the First Lady founded Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), Rt Hon. Moses Ali was one of the donors and a great supporter of the organisation because I personally used to go to his farm, together with my late sister, Ms Angela Kaba, to get bulls for our orphans. In 1994, Gen. Moses Ali and I were campaigning for the Constituent Assembly (CA). On my way back to Nebbi, I had to pass through Moyo and Gulu, but we were abducted by rebels in Pabbo. Fortunately, our Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) were nearby and quickly came to our rescue, but all our things were looted. When I reached Adjumani, I had to report to Gen. Moses Ali, who was also busy with his campaign. He gave me more money than I had raised in Kampala or what had been looted. I am very grateful to him. Mr Speaker, Gen. Moses Ali worked with me when I was appointed to the Cabinet. He guided and mentored me when I was a junior Minister of State – (Member timed out.)

I think let us agree that – Hon. Mapenduzi Ojara, is Gulu at any border? He could be telling us he was in DRC. Let him be the last on this matter, and we move on. However, what is important is that the leaders from those areas need to be met by the Government so that - The cases were in Kampala, but Hon. Martin Mapenduzi, please.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. For those who know, in 2000 when we had the Ebola outbreak, over 200 people died in Gulu. Therefore, I speak from that very informed point of view, having had that terrible experience. I would like to very sincerely thank the Minister of Health. Much as some people think that how they communicated could have affected the economy, Mr Speaker, you may have a vibrant economy, but it is more important to save lives before we talk about generating more money. If the Ministry of Health had not acted the way they acted, by now the story would have been different. We need to appreciate them, and that would help to encourage the Minister of Health to do more. Mine is to commend the Minister of Health and also encourage them to do more. We have a duty to encourage and to support our people on the front line, and as Parliament, we need to do everything possible to support the Ministry of Health. Thank you.

413 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 JULY 2026 10. Support the upgrading of selected hotels in Hoima and Masindi through a special credit facility in accordance with CAF standards. In preparation for AFCON 2027, the Government, in consultations with CAF, has shortlisted prospective hotel owners whose facilities will be upgraded to meet the required accommodation standard. A total of Shs 101.1 billion has been earmarked to support hotel improvement works in Hoima City and Masindi. The funding will facilitate renovation works and provide interest rate support through the Uganda Development Bank for approved service providers. Regarding the proposed new hotel at Kabalega International Airport, a number of developers have expressed interest, and the evaluation of bids is scheduled to commence on Thursday this week. Mr Speaker, as of this morning, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister chaired a meeting between the hotel owners and Uganda Development Bank to agree on the modalities regarding the timeline for the line of credit versus the position the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the bank have given. I want to say the consultations are ongoing. I am also saying that we are cognisant of the time. 11. Construct a Passenger Terminal at Kabalega Airport. This intervention is awaiting the award of a contract and confirmation of financing for the outstanding funding gap to facilitate commencement of works. Government earmarked Shs 185 billion for that project to have a terminal in Kabalega Airport in Hoima. 12. Upgrade designated health facilities in Hoima, Masindi, and Buseruka to provide intensive care, accident and emergency Services. Hoima Regional Referral Hospital: Construction has reached the superstructure stage; Masindi Municipal Hospital: excavation works have been completed, and foundation concrete works are underway. Buseruka Health Centre III: Walling works are progressing towards the ring beam level, with roofing scheduled for completion by the Ministry of Works and Transport. These works are all undertaken by the UPDF’s Engineering Brigade. 13. Upgrade and maintenance of railway infrastructure servicing Kampala, Mukono, Namamve and Namboole. Construction of a passenger boarding and drop- off station at Kampala, Namboole, Namamve and Mukono, and refurbishment and retrofitting of locomotives to support passenger transport during AFCON 2027. 14. Deploy improved ICT infrastructure at the airport, hotel, stadia, training facilities, and hospital supporting the tournament. Installation of the Wi-Fi and CCTV systems at Mandela National Stadium, Hoima City Stadium, Akii Bua, 8 training facilities across Kampala, Hoima, Masindi, Gulu, and Lira, selected hospital tourism sites, and CAF headquarters in Kampala is ongoing. Mr Speaker, I wish to assure this House that the Government remains fully committed to delivering a successful AFCON 2027. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the required infrastructure, services, and support systems are completed within the agreed timelines. As preparations progress, Government will keep this House regularly informed on implementation progress, key milestones achieved, and any emerging issues requiring attention. Before I conclude, Mr Speaker, allow me again to say Akii Bua Olympic Stadium is our backup stadium. 65 per cent of its work is done. It is

414 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Ogwang] ready to be completed by 31 December 2026. Training facilities in Akii Bua in Lira City, Lira University, Gulu University, and Pece Stadium are ongoing. We intend to have a four-nations tournament, and countries that are ready to come to Uganda early to acclimatise to the weather for part of the competition will be able to go to Akii Bua. I want the people of northern Uganda to know that Government is fully committed to ensuring AFCON 2027 is for all of us. What I have not said is that the $7.5 million for branding destination Uganda is already given to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. In a special way, let us thank the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development who is here. Hon. Musasizi, we thank you for accepting to help the country host this competition. I thank you very much. I say all this for God and my country.

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, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I would like to believe that the 67-kilometre road stretch that is referred to as the Ayer-Bobi Road, which is part of the vital infrastructure of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is still part of the AFCON works. I say this because there is not a single bit of work that has taken off on that stretch of road. I would like to hear your commitment, on behalf of the Government. Is that stretch of road, which is the vital connection between Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City and Gulu Airfield in Gulu City, still part of the AFCON works as scheduled?

Rt Hon. Prime Minister and honourable members, I welcome you to today’s sitting. As I was about to come to this House, Hon. Mapenduzi gave me very sad news that last night, a bus belonging to OPIT Travellers Company, traveling from Kampala to Gulu, had a head-on collision with an Actros trailer at Bobi at around 9.30 p.m. According to preliminary reports from Gulu police, 15 people have been confirmed dead and 24 sustained injuries. I know the Rt Hon. Prime Minister usually intervenes, and the Government knows what to do. Road safety is a very big issue. We have lost colleagues here before; we have lost relatives; we have lost our constituents; many people. It is an issue to which all of us need to come and put our hands together to see how best we can promote road safety. In the meantime, honourable colleagues, I request that we stand up and observe a minute of silence for the victims. (Members observed a moment of silence.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On the issue of road accidents, I recall that in the last Parliament, we came up with a committee under the Office of the Speaker which came up with clear resolutions and action items. I would appeal that those action items be retrieved so that the Ministry of Works and Transport and the necessary agencies can follow up. Related to that, on that Gulu highway where the accident took place, there is a section from Kamdini proceeding to Lira up to Soroti. That road is under construction and is being finalised. Unfortunately, where the bends are and where you have the trading centres, the road markings allow for overtaking. I have raised this issue several times, even to the contractor, but they have not taken action. Two weeks ago, we had an accident there, and we are going to continue having more accidents if that is not addressed. There is a need for the Minister of Works and Transport to urgently intervene. Last week, the police also raised the same complaint concerning misleading road signs by the contractor on the road. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Alluding to some of the submissions of our honourable colleagues, for the entire stretch along the northern route going all the way to Gulu, the biggest accidents right now are due to potholes which are not being filled by the Ministry of Works and Transport. We have a high volume of passengers now travelling at night, and because of little lighting along the road, these buses do not see some of these potholes. That is how they end up swerving towards another vehicle, and we get head-on collisions. Can we have those potholes actually filled to make sure that the road is safe? I would also like to inform the Minister of Works and Transport that we are still getting accidents and deaths along the Jukia road. We passed a loan of $20 million for works to begin on the Nebbi-Goli Road; the 16 kilometers. Nothing is happening on the ground. What are you going to do? Lastly, Rt Hon. Speaker, you remember in the 11 th - (Member timed out.)

239 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 08 JULY 2026 and diabetes. They can also check your eyes to see whether your eyesight is okay because there are those drivers who cannot see during the night. Therefore, let us advise our communities to take advantage of the already existing facilities in our regional referral hospitals. Secondly, on the Kampala-Gulu Highway where we lost 64 lives, I request my brother to provide me with a list of the deceased, the next of kin, their contacts, the districts where they come from, and the villages where they were buried. Then, we shall take it to the President. Our President is a parent, and he will definitely support those families with Shs 5 million, and Shs 1 million for those who went for treatment. However, for those that sought treatment, we will need evidence to see they were treated in the hospitals. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit.

147 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 ii. To date, 297 kilometres of roads have been paved, several roads have been rehabilitated and maintained, and eight major road junctions have been signalled to improve traffic flow and road safety. iii. Mr Speaker, Kampala made history as the first city in Africa to be inducted into the International Network of Tree Cities in the world. The Government will continue building on this heritage and global recognition. iv. In this regard, the Government has prioritised implementation of a clean- up exercise involving restoration of wetlands and green spaces, enforcing integrated physical planning including pedestrian-friendly roads, enforcing trade order and restrictions on all forms of pollution, especially noise. Water transport Mr Speaker, the Government has constructed, maintained and operated 15 ferries to connect island communities to markets and services. The Buyende-Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) ferry has commenced operations. Two ferries on Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale are under construction and are expected to begin service by June 2027. Preliminary works for the Bukasa inland port are nearly complete, paving the way for the commencement of the actual construction. Railway transport Mr Speaker, the Government has commenced construction of the 273-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway from Malaba to Kampala. Upon completion, container transport costs from Mombasa to Kampala are projected to fall from about $3,500 to roughly $ 1,600 and transit time from five days to one day. Rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Meter Gauge Railway reached 66 per cent completion, while the Kampala-Mukono section has been completed. Air transport Mr Speaker, about air transport: a) Physical works for Kabalega International Airport are complete. The Government is now finalising operational requirements to get the airport ready for the first oil and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. b) Construction of Kidepo International Airport is underway to boost tourism in Karamoja. c) Phase I of Entebbe International Airport’s rehabilitation and expansion is complete. With a new passenger terminal and expanded cargo facility, the passenger terminal capacity has risen from 2.0 million to 3.5 million travellers per year. d) Twelve regional aerodromes have been maintained to support regional connectivity for tourism and trade. e) The Government is strengthening Uganda Airlines as critical transport infrastructure to enhance international connectivity for tourism, trade, investment, and the diaspora. In order to enhance operational efficiency, expand and modernise the fleet, the Government is further capitalising the airline by acquiring eight additional new passenger aircraft. The Financial Year 2026/2027 priorities for transport Mr Speaker, Shs 8.79 trillion has been allocated next financial year for transport infrastructure development. The priority areas will include: i. Construction of the Malaba-Kampala Standard Gauge Railway and completion of rehabilitation of the meter gauge railway. ii. Construction, upgrade and maintenance of national, city, district, urban and community access roads. iii. Construction and maintenance of strategic bridges. iv. Development of water transport systems such as ferries and ports. v. Operationalisation of Kabalega International Airport and continued upgrade of regional aerodromes. vi. Expansion of the Uganda Airlines.

148 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 Energy development Mr Speaker, reliable and affordable energy is essential for industrialisation and socioeconomic transformation. The Government continues to invest heavily in electricity generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Government achieved the following in energy development: a) Continued development of hydro, solar and other energy projects alongside preparatory work for future nuclear investments. Installed generation capacity now stands at 2,098 megawatts. The Government’s medium- to long-term target is 52,482 megawatts to support industrialisation, urbanisation and economic growth. b) Completed and continued construction of multiple lines, including the Kole-Gulu- Nebbi-Arua line 132 KV, the Kampala Metropolitan transmission line 132 KV, including two associated mobile substations, Mbarara, Kabarole 132 KV, Karuma-Tororo 400 KV, Tororo resource 400 KV, Mutundwe-Entebbe 132 KV and Lira-Gulu-Agago 132 KV. Good progress has also been made on substations serving industrial parks in Mbarara, Kapeeka, and the Kabalega Petrochemical Industrial Park. c) The share of households in rural areas connected to grid electricity has nearly doubled in the three years from 6.8 per cent in the Financial Year 2021/2022 to 11.4 per cent in the Financial Year 2024/2025. d) Through the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company, Government commenced construction of four small mini-hydro power sites expected to generate 5 megawatts of electricity. These sites will be completed in March 2027 and will provide reliable power to very hard- to-reach and remote areas. Further, under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, 419,592 off-grid solar connections have been made countrywide. Financial Year 2026/2027 Priorities for the Energy Sector Mr Speaker, the Government has allocated Shs 2.07 trillion to energy development and the priority interventions include: i) Expansion of generation capacity by commencing the 380-megawatt Kiba hydro-electricity plant, a floating solar plant at Isimba, and 500 megawatts of utility scale solar in the Elgon and Acholi subregions; ii) Preparatory work for nuclear energy generation at Buyende; iii) Expansion of transmission and associated substation infrastructure; iv) Rural electrification; and v) Industrial power connections. Investing in People Mr Speaker, economic transformation is ultimately about people. A healthy, educated, skilled and productive population is indispensable for sustained growth and shared prosperity. That is why the Government continues to allocate a large share of the discretionary budget to human capital development, i.e. health, education, water and sanitation, and social protection. During Financial Year 2025/2026, the following milestones were achieved: Health Under health, Mr Speaker, the Government sustained its policy of progressively increasing investment in essential medicines and health supplies. Accordingly, funding through the National Medical Stores was increased by Shs 145.33 billion to Shs 862.93 billion in Financial Year 2025/2026. The Government will continue to increase domestic financing for essential health commodities with the aim of substantially

149 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 reducing reliance on donor support. This will guarantee uninterrupted access to essential medicines like anti-retroviral medicines, anti-malarial drugs, vaccines, immunisation supplies, laboratory commodities and anti- tuberculosis medicines. The Government continued to modernise healthcare infrastructure and equipment. During the year, 17 regional referral hospitals and 25 general hospitals were equipped with Neonatal Intensive Care Units. In addition, 14 regional referral hospitals received CT scan machines. Construction and upgrading of 31 health facilities across Karamoja is ongoing. The Government also completed high-capacity medical waste incinerators in Fort Portal, Gulu, Mbarara, KCCA and Lira. Busolwe, Gombe and Kawolo hospitals were also rehabilitated. Mr Speaker, the Government continued to promote preventive healthcare through immunisation, disease prevention and nutrition programmes. Immunisation coverage for children under one year reached 94 per cent, while first-dose measles-rubella coverage reached 93 per cent. Government also conducted nationwide campaigns against malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, cholera and yellow fever, and promoted nutrition education for children, pregnant women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Government also continued to expand specialised healthcare services in oncology, cardiology and other fields, reducing the need for treatment abroad. The Uganda Heart Institute conducted 634 cardiac interventions, including open-heart, closed-heart, vascular and catheterisation procedures. In April 2026, the Uganda Cancer Institute successfully performed the country’s first bone marrow transplant. Specialised healthcare services will be further strengthened by ongoing investments. The 250-bed capacity Cardiac Hospital in Naguru, Kampala is 44 per cent complete and expected to be completed by June 2027. The International Specialised Hospital of Uganda at Lubowa is 75 per cent complete and will be completed in December 2027. (Applause) Mr Speaker, I wish to repeat this one: The International Specialised Hospital of Uganda at Lubowa is 75 per cent complete and will be completed in December 2027. (Applause) The first phase of the Nuclear Medicine (PET) Centre for cancer treatment is 95 per cent complete with radiotherapy and advanced molecular imaging services. Phase II of the PET centre is 10 per cent complete. Regional cancer centres in Mbarara, Arua and Mbale are under construction, while the Gulu centre is fully operational. Other achievements in the health sector include: a) Expansion of the National e-Health Digital Infrastructure to support telemedicine, health information management, medicine tracking and monitoring of health worker performance; and b) Strengthening the National Ambulance and Emergency Care System through the deployment of additional ambulances. 2026/2027 Priorities for Health The Government has allocated Shs 5.23 trillion for the health sector in Financial Year 2026/2027. The funding will focus on: i) Maternal and child health; ii) Nutrition improvement; iii) Expanded immunisation; iv) Prevention and treatment of non- communicable diseases; v) Provision of essential medicines; vi) Strengthening specialised healthcare services; vii) Improving emergency response systems; and viii) Exploring feasible pathways towards universal health coverage.

152 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 Hoima (145km) and Matugga-Semuto- Kapeeka (41km), among others. UDC also invested in ETATS Construction Company, currently constructing the Bugiri-Namutumba Road (24km) and the Buwenge-Kaliro Road (48km), among others. d) The Government completed the Special Economic Zone at Entebbe International Airport to promote high value exports. Several firms, particularly in the fresh produce exports and light manufacturing, are setting up operations. e) Continued expansion of Presidential Zonal Hubs, which are tackling youth unemployment by providing practical industrial and vocational skills. To date, 82,790 youth have been trained and the number of hubs has grown to 28 nationwide. Mr President, thank you very much for this initiative. Financial Year 2026/2027 priorities for manufacturing and industrial development Mr Speaker, the Government has allocated Shs 1.03 trillion to the manufacturing programme for FY 2026/2027. Priority interventions include: i) Additional capitalisation of UDC to drive industrial development; ii) Industrial infrastructure development, particularly industrial parks including new fully serviced plug and play parks; iii) Value addition to agricultural raw materials and minerals; iv) Supporting market access for Ugandan manufactured products; v) Strengthening the functionality of special economic zones; vi) Industrial research including the establishment of regional industrial incubation hubs. Market access for wealth creators Wealth creators need access to both domestic and export markets. Expanding the domestic market requires higher household incomes and increased purchasing power to stimulate demand for locally produced goods and services. Export growth, on the other hand, requires deeper regional integration to access larger markets within the East African Community, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. These opportunities are complemented by preferential and duty-free market access arrangements negotiated with key partners including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia and the countries in the Middle East. To expand both domestic and export markets, the Government will continue investing in standards, quality assurance, certification and market intelligence to enhance the competitiveness of Ugandan products and services. To this end, the Government has so far implemented the following: i) Strengthened certification services to enhance efficiency. Additional personnel have been recruited and trained to increase capacity of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to undertake certification, surveillance and enforcement of standards. Following automation, the turnaround time for import inspection reduced from three weeks to four hours. Product testing was reduced from 30 days to 14 days and product certification reduced from 180 days to 45 days. ii) Decentralisation and modernised certification services to enhance access. Construction and equipping of engineering testing laboratories are ongoing and expected to be completed by September 2026. The Government also commenced construction of regional laboratories in Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara. iii) Developed 450 standards for products and services and issued permits to 4,500 products.

153 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 iv) Trained 750 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in value addition and processing and certified 750 products. v) Completed construction and equipping of an international accredited National Metrology Laboratory at Uganda National Bureau of Standards. The laboratory is being used to calibrate equipment used in the National Food Safety Laboratory and other agro-food processing laboratories and industries. vi) Commenced operations of the petroleum laboratory in January 2026. Over 40 product samples of petroleum products have since been tested. Priority interventions for Financial Year 2026/2027 include: i) Development of quality assurance infrastructure under the Euro 163.56 million Enhancing Agriculture Production Quality and Standards for Market Access Project; ii) Strengthening the capacity for development of standards and certification of products and services; iii) Completing construction and equipping of the engineering laboratory and continuing construction of regional laboratories; and iv) Accrediting private laboratories to increase access. Environmental protection and disaster management Sustainable management and use of natural resources, land, water, and environment, as well as effective response to climate change, are essential for boosting productivity and value addition. To cushion Ugandans and our economy from climate shocks, the Government invested Shs 9.6 billion this financial year in early warning systems, hazard mitigation and emergency relief items for affected households. The Government also invested heavily in water for production facilities to protect our farmers during drought. In order to protect and restore wetlands, the Government undertook the demarcation of 104 kilometres of wetland boundaries and restored 15,000 hectares of degraded wetlands. A total of 8,319 hectares of degraded central forest reserves were demarcated alongside 404 kilometres of forest boundaries to enhance the protection and management of forest resources. To safeguard our environment and adapt to climate change, the Government has allocated Shs 494.08 billion next financial year. These funds will protect 1.26 million hectares of forest reserves and wetlands; restore 10,000 hectares of degraded wetlands; and demarcate critical riverbanks and lakeshores, particularly along the Nile. We will also upgrade meteorological services and early warning systems to deliver accurate forecasts for agriculture, aviation and climate monitoring. In addition, Shs 361.88 billion has been allocated to the Contingency Fund to strengthen our national disaster response next financial year. I now come to Administration of Justice. Mr Speaker, under the Administration of Justice programme, the following achievements were recorded: i) Expanded access to justice with the proportion of districts having complete justice service points rising from 79 per cent in the Financial Year 2020/2021 to 89 per cent. This was achieved by operationalising new High Court Circuits, now at 29 and establishing 10 additional Magistrates’ Courts, now totalling 268, including in the island communities; ii) Decentralisation of the Court of Appeal is underway in Mbarara and Gulu to improve regional access to appellate justice; iii) Judicial capacity has been strengthened with the appointment of additional Justices of the Court of Appeal (now 20) and High Court (now 88), along with more magistrates to reduce case backlog and serve high demand areas; iv) Resolution of commercial disputes has improved. Between 2023 and 2025, the Judiciary disposed of 38,102 commercial and land cases worth Shs 14.47 trillion, unlocking capital and boosting economic

Thank you. After the approval, she will make a statement. Right now, she does not have a locus as a nominee. Hon. Alenyo and then my brother. Can we have just about four more people on this side? Honourable member – I may not know the name – Hon. Ocen, then Hon. Kirumira, Hon. Betty Aol from Gulu, and the Member for Amuru.

Your Excellency, the President, and My Lord, the Chief Justice. My name is Peter Okot, Member of Parliament for Tochi County in Omoro District. I rise under Rule 5 (8) of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure to move that Hon. Norbert Mao, Member of Parliament for Laroo-Pece, do take the Chair of this Parliament as the Speaker. My Lord, the Chief Justice, let me give a brief background and qualifications of Hon. Norbert Mao. Hon. Norbert Mao was born in 1967 to a mother from Isingiro and a father from Gulu. He spent most of his formative years in Jinja and had most of his secondary education in the central region. That is why he is commonly referred to as “Uganda Made Simple.” My Lord, Norbert Mao had a humble childhood in Lacor and Bwobo, where he benefited from the kindness of many, some of whom were total strangers. As a little boy, he herded goats, helped on the farm, and worked as a cobbler, bicycle repairer, and as an apprentice to a tinsmith. His primary school then had no P.7 class, but on account of his natural brilliance, he went on to do his Primary Leaving Examination at Magwa Primary School, from where he moved on to Wairaka College for two years and then went to Namilyango College, where he sat for both his O and A-level examination before joining Makerere University. His exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills were recognised early by his peers. While in primary school and even at secondary level, he participated in many debates and seminars where he excelled on account of the courage, clarity, and conviction with which he presented his case. At Makerere University, he was elected President of the Student Guild at a time when coming from Northern Uganda carried a big stigma. He overcame that stigma and rallied students to champion a campaign against the World Bank-inspired policies, referred to as the Structural Adjustment Programme. However, in reality, it required the Governments in the underdeveloped countries to drastically reduce spending on health, education, and livelihoods. The byword of those policies was cost-sharing. The fierce disagreement with the Government led to a strike in which two students lost their lives and many were seriously injured when the police was deployed on campus on 10 December 1990. One of those who was seriously injured was our own late Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah. May his soul rest in peace. Hon. Mao is ever a bridge-builder and peacemaker. Norbert Mao at just 23 years old at that time, reached out to State House and secured an appointment to meet President

15 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 58. Niyonsaba Alex Bufumbira County South Kisoro NRM 59. Nsamba Patrick Oshabe Kassanda County North Kassanda NUP 60. Ntale Nsereko Madina Kawempe Division South Kampala NRM 61. Obigah Rose Woman Representative Terego NRM 62. Ochai Maximus West Budama County North Tororo NRM 63. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah Omoro County Omoro NRM 64. Okello Patrick Onguti Aswa County Gulu DP 65. Okot Boniface Henry Kole South County Kole NRM 66. Odwori John Kagoma North County Jinja NUP 67. Oboth Marksons Jacob West Budama Central County Tororo NRM 68. Onzima Phiona Ayivu Division West Arua City NRM 69. Ongalo-Obote Clement Kenneth Kalaki County Kalaki NRM 70. Okia Joanne Aniku Woman Representative Madi-Okollo NRM 71. Nsegumire Muhamad Kibedi Mityana County North Mityana NRM 72. Okullo Francis Ochero County Kaberamaido NRM 73. Opio Samuel Acuti Kole North County Kole NRM 74. Okwi Constantine Kibale County Pallisa NRM 75. Waako Joy Peggy Older Persons Representative Female NRM 76. Ongiertho Emmanuel Jor Nebbi Municipality Nebbi Independent 77. Ssekitoleeko Robert Bamunanika County Luweero NUP 78. Ogwang Peter Ngariam County Katakwi NRM 79. Ongorok Richard Usuk County Katakwi NRM 80. Olanya Gilbert Kilak South County Amuru FDC 81. Okoya John Calvin Chua East County Kaberamaido NRM 82. Okello Geoffery Charles Nwoya East County Nwoya DP 83. Ogama Alli Ismail Lower Madi County Madi-Okollo NRM The House was suspended at 11.12 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. On resumption, at 1.00 p.m. 84. Wanyoto Godfrey Budadiri County West Sironko Independent 85. Nyamutoro Phiona Woman Representative Nebbi NRM 86. Opio Denish Geoffrey Nwoya County Nwoya DP 87. Origumisiriza Enid Atuheire Woman Representative Kabale NRM 88. Ottober Wellborn Odiya Aruu North County Pader NRM 89. Ssewagudde Robert PWD Representative N/A Independent 90. Otimgiw Isaac Ismail Padyere County Nebbi NRM 91. Ruteraho Lillian Woman Representative Isingiro NRM 92. Ssemwanga Joseph (Brig. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 93. Sange Jackline Woman Representative Kween NRM 94. Opolot-Okwalinga Simon Peter Kanyum County Kumi NRM 95. Owere Richard Machika West Budama North East Tororo NRM 96. Paparu Lillian Obiale Woman Representative Arua NRM 97. Paak Peter Pex Dodoth East County Kaabong NRM 98. Rwakoojo Robina Gureme Woman Representative Gomba NRM 99. Rwashande Emmanuel (Brig. Gen. Rtd) Lwemiyaga County Ssembabule NRM 100. Sekabira Denes Katikamu North County Luweero NUP 101. Ssewungu Joseph Gonzaga Kalungu County West Kalungu NUP 102. Owino Nicholas Simon Tororo North County Tororo 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

18875 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MAY 2026 Vote 015 - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Shs 37.90 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation as an additional investment in Atiak Sugar Factory. The second category is self-financing and budget-neutral supplementary requests over and above the 3 per cent legal limit, which require prior approval by Cabinet and Parliament. Of a total of Shs 586.16 billion for Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No.5, which is above the 3 per cent legal limit. A total of Shs 123.03 billion is self-financed and thus budget-neutral. The self-financing/budget- neutral supplementary includes the following: Reallocation of Shs 40.21 billion to cater for additional wages for recruitment of health workers under 19 referral hospitals. Honourable colleagues, there is a need to allocate the wage of Shs 40.21 billion currently budgeted for under the Ministry of Health to 19 referral hospitals. This is required to cater for the recruitment and absorption of critical health workers who were previously supporting these hospitals before the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for essential health services. The beneficiary referral hospitals are the following; i. Butabika Hospital, Arua Hospital, Fort Portal Hospital, Gulu Hospital, Hoima Hospital, Jinja Hospital, Kabale Hospital, Masaka Hospital, Mbale Hospital, Soroti Hospital, Lira Hospital, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Naguru National Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kayunga Referral Hospital, and Yumbe Referral Hospital; ii. Shs 9.92 billion for various local governments, which are also detailed in Annex I; iii. Shs 1.44 billion as unspent balances under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme (UgIFT), which were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their outstanding contractual obligations under the programme for this year; iv. Shs 2.22 billion for the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project as unspent balances that were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their contractual obligations and avoid - (Interruption)

18936 THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (NO.2) BILL, 2025 requirements. You needed to have been in the committee and seen the fidgeting of NRM MPs; they can’t even touch a comma, because of what happened to Parliament. As a result, for example, the Ministry of Health asked for Shs 60 billion to buy ambulances but has been given only Shs 40 billion. Therefore, some of your constituencies will have no ambulance. The ministry wants to buy 158 ambulances for your constituencies. The Ministry of Health also asked for Shs 20 billion for maintenance of ambulances, but it has been given Shs 10 billion. I saw the vice chairperson presenting and he is very happy. This means that in some constituencies, your ambulances will not be maintained. Maintenance is Shs 20 billion, they have given you Shs 10 billion and you are saying, “you clap”. That is what the vice chairperson said. “Clap for Shs 10 billion”. Let us remove Shs 30 billion from State House, since the president has Shs 130 billion for donations, buy these ambulances, and maintain them for the rest of the country. No money for the new curriculum The National Curriculum Development Centre has asked for just Shs 6 billion to develop syllabuses of 32 subjects of A-level curriculum; assessment, guidelines and training of teachers, but only Shs 2.5 billion has been given. This is scandalous. Our children are being taught on guesswork because the development of the A-level curriculum has not been concluded. The Uganda National Examination Board has asked for Shs 8 billion to train examiners on how to mark this new syllabus, but they have been given zero. What crime has Uganda committed against the NRM and its leadership? Already the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are saying that children who are in school today, their productivity level will not go beyond 39 per cent. The world average is 50 per cent. Why are we condemning our children? The trouble is that their children do not attend school here. We now ask you to review the annex outlining the unfunded priorities. It comes as an annex. You cannot find Shs 6 billion for curriculum, but you have Shs 130 billion for donation, and the vice chairperson is asking NRM Members of Parliament to clap. Your children and the children of the people you represent are in secondary school with no money for the curriculum. Look at the human resources in public health facilities. We have just lost a colleague here, Hon. Nakimuli. There are people who advised her to go to public facilities – collectively, we would like to determine whether it was negligence or incompetence. Let us also think about the thousands of people we represent who go to these public facilities and find no human resources. The Committee on Health reported this scandal to this Parliament, and we discussed it in the budget committee, but NRM MPs have feared recommending the movement of money to finance these critical requirements. And please, I invite you to look - this table is from your committee. I saw the majority committee. Our work was to reconcile and consolidate. There is nothing they have consolidated in the main report. What they have done is actually to massage the budget. In fact, in the future, this Parliament should not waste its time because they are not making any recommendations apart from passing the budget. I do not know why they are wasting your time. As soon as the Hon. Musasizi tabled the estimates, you should have said “aye”. But we even went to a hotel to consolidate, and there was no consolidation. Look at this table; the referral hospitals, and I will go through some of them because some of you who are clapping have health facilities with no human resource. Entebbe, approved 1,195, but they have only recruited 260 and their human resources are at 21.8 per cent, but the vice chair says “clap”. Gulu - I hope there is nobody from Gulu who has signed the majority report and is clapping.

18811 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 APRIL 2026 Kalangala, they tell you that this is the main island. There are many millions of islands. One time, she told me how she nearly drowned while taking children or a patient from one island to another in a boat. To speak on an occasion like this when we have lost a young legislator whom I met many times in the Orthodox Church – I met her at St Nicholas three times, Jinja Orthodox Church once, Gulu Orthodox Church once, when I would go there to articulate messages of His Excellency the President. She was a very committed Christian. ( Applause ) She was not only a Christian by word but by action and she was extremely respectful. She would call me “Mum” when receiving me in the church. She knew the history and the culture of the Orthodox Church deeply. She was always with Hon. Ssekikubo. When he was not present, she would be uncomfortable until Hon. Ssekikubo arrived. When you find Hon. Ssekikubo before she arrives, he would also be uncomfortable until Helen arrives. Madam Speaker, the Orthodox Church and indeed the Christian faith have lost a committed Christian. I am glad, Madam Speaker, you have given me an opportunity to pay tribute to her. I thank you for extending support to the young girl. Madam Speaker, I am willing to make a contribution to support the young girl who is in senior one, if the clan allows. (Applause) I would like to call upon that child to be strong, because there are many orphans out there, including myself. (Laughter) Madam Speaker, my dad died when I was a second lieutenant. I was relatively young. In Africa, a parent, even at 100 years, is still a parent, and you cannot compare. Therefore, look up to us who are orphans. We will give you a platform, the guidance that you need, role modelling, and mentor you to the logical conclusion. May the soul of the late - Nakimuli means flower. I used to joke with her and ask, “Which flower are you? Are you a rose, a sunflower or a lily?” She would say she will unveil the name of her flower at an appropriate time. She has not done it. May her soul rest in eternal peace. (Applause)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to bring condolences from the people of Amuru. Helen, in heaven, you will no longer have the title of honourable, but you are a daughter of God. Madam Speaker, I want to say that on Sunday at 9.51 a.m., Helen sent me a message wishing my mother a quick recovery because my mother was hospitalised. When I reached Gulu, I received the news that Helen had passed on. When I showed the message to my mom, she was really devastated. Helen, I am here to bring my greetings from my mom, who was discharged from the hospital yesterday. Thank you for praying for her although I did not know that you were sick. Madam Speaker, today I woke up and I bumped into – ( Member timed out )- I bumped into this documentary of a great saint who died at the age of 15 years; Saint Carlo Acutis. On 12 October 2006, Fr Macellino, who gave him the last blessing, asked him whether he was afraid of death, and this is what the 15-year-old boy said on his deathbed. He said, “Are you afraid of going home after a long journey? Are you afraid to meet somebody you love so deeply?” That is how I see death. It is going home to meet Jesus. I remember in one of the clips of Hon. Helen, she even talked about death. She said, “We should not fear death…” and I could not get a better documentary – (M ember timed out ) – to remember Helen by, apart from watching this one of Saint Carlo Acutis.

18618 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Accumulation of arrears has remained a structural challenge within Uganda’s road sector. The absorption of the former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Uganda Road Fund (URF) into the Ministry of Works and Transport has further consolidated the arrears liability across previously separate institutional structures, creating a single and growing pool of outstanding debt. The committee was informed that the Ministry of Works and Transport closed the Financial Year 2024/2025 with total arrears of Shs 1.4 trillion, comprising Shs 649 billion from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Shs 840 billion inherited from the former UNRA and Shs 0.5 billion from the former Uganda Road Fund. Although Shs 541 billion have been paid so far in the Financial Year 2025/2026 through supplementary expenditure, the outstanding balance as at the time of the Ministerial Policy Statement submission stands at approximately Shs 948 billion. Madam Speaker, the committee notes with concern that out of an approved arrears budget of Shs 218.4 billion for the Financial Year 2025/2026, no resources were released by the half year mark. This complete non-release directly caused the suspension of works on a number of national road projects and triggered additional interest charges. The committee further notes that instead of restoring the arrears allocation, the proposed Financial Year 2026/2027 budget slashes it from Shs 218.4 billion to only Shs 39.6 billion, a reduction of 81.9 per cent despite the outstanding stock having grown. This is compounded by the absence of any fixed medium-term clearance schedule. The committee, therefore, recommends and urges the Government to: 1. Restore the Financial Year 2026/2027 arrears allocation to a minimum of Shs 300 billion and commit to a legally binding three-year clearance schedule published to Parliament by end of the first quarter of the Financial Year 2026/2027; 2. Ensure that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development releases both the arrears budget of Shs 218 billion for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and the remaining balance of the approved supplementary budget of Shs 1.69 trillion; and 3. Cease approving arrears budget lines that are never released, as this creates a false impression of fiscal responsibility while contractors remain unpaid, works remain suspended and interest accrues. Persistent delays in land acquisition and Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) compensation The committee was informed that as at the time of the Ministerial Policy Statements (MPS) submission, a total of 7,767 PAPs (41 percent), remain unpaid under the Government-funded projects; a) Bukasa Port; b) The Standard Gauge Railway; c) Tororo-Gulu Meter Gauge Railway; and d) Gulu Logistics Hub, representing outstanding compensation of Shs 533.2 billion. Under donor-funded projects, 6,597 PAPs (18 percent) remain unpaid Shs 320.1 billion. Land acquisition across 32 ongoing civil works contracts has progressed to only 209 of a required 711.5 hectares, a coverage rate of 29.4 per cent. The committee notes a significant positive development where the land acquisition Project II (Project 1771), has received a significant budget increase from Shs 113.1 billion to Shs 689.5 billion. This signals a belated recognition that land acquisition has been the principal bottleneck to infrastructure delivery. However, the committee cautions that a budget appropriation alone is insufficient. The history of approved but unspent counterpart allocations shows that appropriation does not guarantee release or utilisation.

18621 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 be carried out at source quarterly. Further, the affected MDAs are also urged to incorporate within their budgets specified funds in order to enable them clear arrears accrued towards UCAA. The committee was informed that in regards to funds owed by the UN to the Uganda Civil Aviation, there is an MOU that states that the UN will operate at Entebbe International Airport at no cost and that UCAA will be compensated for the foregone income. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry of Works liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Office of the Prime Minister to have the matter resolved and report back to Parliament in the medium term. 7.1.6 The relocation of NAGRIC from the airport The committee was informed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority that it acquired 67.4 acres of land formerly owned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)/ National Animal Genetic Resources Centre (NAGRIC) to facilitate the expansion of Entebbe International Airport. In order to facilitate the acquisition, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority paid Shs 2.4 billion on 20 August 2019 to MAAIF, which would enable them to relocate to land measuring 76.5 acres in Kyanuma village, Busiro. In respect to that, the committee noted that this issue was raised in the committee report of the Financial Year 2025/2026, urging MAAIF and NAGRIC to relocate and pave the way for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority given that funds were received in lieu of the land by NAGRIC, but the status quo remains the same. The committee recommends and urges the ministers for Works and Transport and Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, in consultation with the Office of the Prime Minister, to come up with an amicable solution to the land under dispute and report back to Parliament in the medium term. 7.1.7 Ferries and inland water transport safety Ferry services in Uganda are primarily managed by Uganda National Roads Department in the Ministry of Works and Transport and private operators. They are critical infrastructure in connecting rural communities and bridging road networks across Lake Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, and the River Nile. These services significantly reduce travel times for people and cargo by serving key areas like Kalangala, Buvuma, and the Buyende-Kaberamaido route. The committee noted that inland water transport has been neglected over time with concerns about limited connectivity, ferry breakdowns, and makeshift boat use, persisting with up to 5,000 deaths occurring annually on Lake Victoria alone due to boat accidents. Madam Speaker, in respect to that, the committee takes into cognizance the ministry’s efforts towards construction of the Search and Rescue (SAR) centres and recommends that SAR centres be evenly distributed, constructed across all major water bodies. Further, island communities should be regularly sensitised on safe water transport usage given that most accidents are due to human error, like overloading, and most boats being in poor mechanical conditions. Further emphasis should be placed on regular vessel inspections in order to ensure compliance with set standards. 7.1.8 Operationalisation of the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) Project. The committee noted that the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is in the process of rehabilitating and upgrading the aging MGR network, including Malaba-Kampala, Tororo- Gulu, and expanding the commuter passenger services in the greater Kampala Metropolitan area under their strategic plan for Financial Year 2025/2026-2029/2030. Madam Speaker, the committee noted that in Financial Year 2026/2027, the Government has allocated Shs 161 billion to the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) towards the

18622 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 full operationalisation of the Tororo-Gulu line, including rehabilitation of 600 wagons, rehabilitation of locomotives, and wage support. The committee recommends that the URC prioritises the full operationalisation of the meter-gauge railway, as this will go a long way in alleviating congestion in both cargo and passenger services on the already struggling road network. Road Fund Management The committee noted that while the Road Fund Management Department, formerly the Uganda Road Fund, is mandated to finance routine and periodic maintenance of public roads in Uganda, it is grossly underfunded. The Fund is supposed to raise monies independent of general Government taxation regimes and disperse those funds to repair and maintain roads based on an agreed work plan. Madam Speaker, the agencies that repair and maintain Uganda’s roads and therefore benefit from the monies accrued by the Road Fund Management include Kampala Capital City Authority and other designated agencies responsible for maintenance and repair of district, urban, and community-access roads. Recommendations i) The committee recommends and urges the Government to fully operationalise the Road Fund to enable it to operate with the resources drawn from the second- generation fund, as resolved by Parliament; ii) Further, the committee recommends that road and drainage maintenance under the Uganda Road Fund be allocated additional resources to enable it to fully carry out its mandate; and iii) The committee also recommends that the Government come up with a programme specifically geared towards sensitising the populace on proper garbage disposal and enforcement of attendant penalties. This may help curb the poor culture towards garbage disposal. Vote 122: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) The reduction in infrastructure budget allocation under Kampala Capital City Authority The infrastructure budget for Kampala Capital City Authority is on a downward trajectory at a time when the city’s road network and drainage systems require expanded investment. The reduction in the KCCA’s budget under the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services (ITIS) programme undermines KCCA’s capacity to address the growing urban mobility and infrastructural maintenance challenges confronting the capital city. The committee was informed that KCCA’s total allocation under the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services programme has decreased from Shs 621.8 billion in the Financial Year 2025/2026 to Shs 529.7 billion in the Financial Year 2026/2027; a reduction of Shs 92.1 billion – that is 14.8 per cent. The committee notes that this reduction is principally driven by the removal of Shs 140 billion allocated for the commencement of the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project, funded by the UK Export Finance in the second Budget Call Circular. In respect to that, the committee, therefore, recommends the reinstatement of the Shs 140 billion allocated for the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project (KCRBUP) in the Financial Year 2026/2027 to enable timely project commencement, given that the UK Export Finance facility is already secured and further delay risks lapsing of the credit arrangement. Critically Low Absorption of External Financing Under KCCA’s Infrastructure Budget External financing constitutes the single largest component of KCCA’s infrastructure budget, and its effective absorption is the primary determinant of whether the Capital City’s Strategic Road Rehabilitation and Urban Development Programmes deliver tangible results.

Madam Speaker, in respect to the regional mechanical workshops, we had an extensive discussion on the subject matter with the ministry for works that currently, the regional mechanical workshops do not offer efficient services to the rest of the region. For example, you find that in the Karamoja Subregion, we would expect to travel all the way to Gulu mechanical workshop. In West Nile, we will have to travel all the way to Gulu. Then, Hoima, Fort Portal, we will have to travel all the way to Mbarara. Therefore, we recommended the creation of subregional mechanical workshops born out of the stations that were formerly manned by UNRA.

Madam Speaker, the committee welcomes the modest increase in the funding for Vote 017, especially in domestic development and non-wage allocations, because the energy sector remains one of the clearest enablers of industrialisation and constituency-level economic activity. However, the committee is concerned that the ministry still carries major unfunded obligations, including Shs 300 billion required to settle and complete the inherited Rural Electrification Agency projects, Shs 22 billion for land acquisition along the electricity access scale-up project corridor, Shs 50 billion for the liquefied petroleum gas regional storage infrastructure, Shs 177 billion for Buyende Nuclear RAPs, and further gaps in geothermal drilling and Kiba feasibility works, as well as mineral market establishment. The committee also expresses grave concern over the protracted delay in compensating and relocating the project-affected persons associated with the Karuma Hydropower Project. It has been over 10 years since the construction commenced. The affected land is located in Karuma and Awo villages, which are in Mutunda sub-county in Kiryandongo, and the Akurida and Nora villages in Kamdini. This impacts a total of 414 households. While the Government owes the PAPs approximately 70 billion, the budget for the financial year 2026/27 has allocated only Shs 10 billion, leaving the majority unaddressed, and these vulnerable communities remain unattended. There is a need for the Government to be more intentional and increase the money to settle these PAPs, especially in light of the report that this committee presented before this House in Gulu, where the Government undertook that by October 2024, money would have been found to settle the PAPs in Karuma. Madam Speaker, the unfunded projects are provided for under that table 6. I will go

18652 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 The gravity-piped water schemes are intended for Mbunga-Nyakazinga and Bughema in Kasese, and Mpunga in Kanungu. The climate-span smart wash clusters for Rwere in Kateretere, Bugarama-Karweru and Kagarama-Bushura-Kibuzigye in Rubanda, Kabale and Kisoro areas. Karamoja region schemes Under the institutional water schemes, Nadunget SS in Moroto, Amita Prisons in Abim. Public sanitation facilities There shall be two institutions in Karenga and one in Ngora. Additional water schemes in Kalapata, Lorengedwat, Tokora, Kathile listed under the broader solar and service expansion. The committee notes that the ministry’s water for production portfolio is particularly important in the drought-prone and livestock- dependent areas for expanding irrigation agriculture. Colleagues, we have selected water for production projects, which you will all see. I want to allow you to see them by yourselves. Under table 16, in Isingiro, Kanungu, and then those in Karamoja. Another area that will be covered is Agule in Kalaki, Soroti District, Bulusambu in Mbale, Biduku in Nakaseke, Kiryandongo, Masaka, Oyam, Gulu, Nwoya, among others. There will be solar-powered irrigation water systems also cited in the numerous areas across Central, Eastern, Northern, Karamoja, and Southwestern regions. Colleagues, the other aspects are those that I believe we will go through. I just would like to invite you to the aspect of the unfunded priority under Vote 019. Madam Speaker, the committee notes that under the project 2041- this is 7.6 colleagues: 100 per cent Service Coverage Acceleration project, (SCAP 100, Umbrellas Phase II), the Ministry of Water and Environment has identified critical financing gaps for targeted investments in water pipeline extensions, power extensions to pump stations, off-grid solar installations, and pump stations and drilling of production wells in small towns, rural growth centers, and the six umbrella and water and sanitation projects countrywide. Colleagues, in totality, the SCAP 100 project was in response to His Excellency, the President’s promise that every village in Uganda should have at least one clean water source. So, SCAP 100 was intended to ensure that water sources are placed in districts and in administrative units such as sub-counties, so as to distribute water using piped water systems. So SCAP 100 is crucial because it responds to the Government’s undertaking to the citizens. Here, the committee identified a funding gap of Shs 35.85 billion for Financial Year 26/27, which would support the undertaking of rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation skip schemes, as well as extend 5,000 kilometers of pipeline water to provide for 5,000 new water connections in the various communities of the country. The committee further notes an unfunded requirement under the water and sanitation development facilities that are responsible for the design, construction, and setting up of infrastructure for rural water supply. Colleagues, the unfunded priorities under Vote 019 are provided for under table 18. Madam Speaker, permit me to conclude with National Water and Sewerage Corporation. National Water and Sewerage Corporation remains central to urban water service delivery and to several other sectors, most visible investments in towns and municipalities. The committee notes that National Water and Sewerage Corporation medium-term financial and investment plan covers five projects currently supported by government

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

18654 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 iv) Jinja Hospital, Shs 43 billion; v) Mulago Hospital, Shs 4.3 billion; vi) Kyambogo University, Shs 3.4 billion; vii) Gulu Hospital, Shs 1.3 billion; viii) Nebbi Hospital, Shs 963 million; ix) Soroti Hospital, Shs 819 million; and x) Entebbe Hospital, Shs 530 Million. I conclude by raising the observations and recommendations Vote 017 i) The committee recommends that the Government provide an additional Shs 300 billion for the Financial Year 26/27 to clear priority inherited rural electrification obligations and restore visible implementation under the last mile service delivery; ii) The Government should reconsider the decision to restructure the Rural Electrification Agency and reinstate a rural electrification agency or any other institution that is dedicated to providing rural electrification in a non-traditional ministry format, especially in light of the low progress since the rationalisation of the previous institution ; (Applause) iii) We should strengthen the anti-vandalism enforcement and accelerate reform in scrap market regulation and protect, and protect critical infrastructure; iv) Government allocates Shs 10 billion to establish a formal mineral market and buying centre; v) Government prioritises the full compensation and relocation of the 414 affected households in Karuma and Awo villages by allocating the outstanding 60 billion; vi) The ministry submits to Parliament a district-by-district implementation matrix of electricity transmission, distribution, and industrial parks electrification projects, showing the financing, the contractor status, the completion timelines, and the expected beneficiaries. This is because for many times, colleagues are asking the Ministry of Energy about electrification projects without clear responses; and vii) The Ministry prioritises delivery in named localities already committed to its prioritised delivery in named localities, especially those mentioned in its policy submissions, like the industrial parks, the transmission corridors, where economic and political expectations are high. Recommendations under the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) viii) The committee recommends that sustained financing for the real-time monitoring centre, the primary data centre, and the disaster recovery infrastructure, cross- border monitoring, and remaining staff gaps be provided for before Uganda enters into full petroleum production; ix) PAU, through the minister responsible for petroleum, should make quarterly reports to Parliament on first oil readiness, production monitoring capability, national content performance, employment outcomes, and coordination with the Uganda Revenue Authority, the Auditor- General, Uganda National Oil Company, and the Uganda National Environment Authority; and x) Additional budget consideration should be given to unfunded recruitment and technical monitoring tools required for the production of the first oil. Recommendations under Vote 019 i) The Government should increase predictable domestic financing for the operation and maintenance of rural water facilities, small pipe schemes, and rehabilitation of non-functional systems. Colleagues, this will help to remove the burden of repair of boreholes, spring wells, and small water schemes from members of Parliament; and ii) Counterpart funding for strategic towns and other schemes for water production should be protected from disruption during the financial year. Additional resources should be mobilised to narrow the Shs 361 billion financing gap, which threatens universal safe water, climate-resilient, and ecosystem targets.

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

It was only a coincidence. I will tell you, Karamoja, Gulu and West Nile did not have electricity. Therefore, when we say we had electricity everywhere, it is not true. If anything, it is now the department - because of our insistence on equity - that is taking electricity to those areas which are underserved. What we require is money. REA never came here to tell you that by district, I am going to give this electricity. The department came and actually talked about what is required to deliver electricity to the various parts of this country. Going backwards, it has taken us four years to enable rural electrification to settle. Going back to REA, I assure you we shall take another five years without distributing electricity. We are gaining trust from the development partners, money is coming back, and that will enable us to deliver electricity. The most important thing is equity of distribution. If I brought you a map - When I went to the ministry, I said, I want to go to the moon and look down at Uganda. You will actually find that there are completely dark areas -

18701 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 On page 27, we have several votes: i) Vote 013, Education and Sports Ministry, where we observed that external funding to development projects of Shs 138.21 billion and Shs 69.01 billion for the operationalisation of UNITE and the TVET council; ii) Vote 164, National Council for Higher Education, and there we observed that Shs 18 billion was for infrastructure development; iii) The National Council for Sports for AFCON preparation activities was Shs 122.89 billion, but that one has been revised; iv) Vote 169: Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board; v) Vote 170 for UPAB, Shs 9.1 billion; vi) Makerere University, we looked at the infrastructure development, where it required Shs 67.01 billion; vii) Vote 302: Mbarara University, Shs 3 billion for construction; viii) Vote 303: Makerere University Business School. We looked at the support for infrastructure development for research, Shs 23 billion; ix) Vote 304: Kyambogo University, for evidence-based research of Shs 3 billion. Busitema University supported research and innovation, also Shs 3 billion; x) Muni University, Vote 306 of Shs 30 billion for the teaching hospital; xi) Vote 307: Kabale University for the expansion of Medical School, Shs 5 billion xii) Vote 308: Soroti University, construction of the School of Engineering, Shs 10 billion; xiii) Vote 309: Gulu University, infrastructure development of the Senate Building, storage facility, and lecture theatres at Shs 10 billion; xiv) Lira University: Vote 310, completion of university infrastructure at Shs 10 billion; xv) Mountain of the Moon University, for construction of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Shs 10 billion; and xvi) Vote 612 for local government, which was a salary enhancement for primary and the arts teachers, which was Shs 500 35.01 billion. When we move to page 29, I think those are narrations. Page 30 has tables you can read. I am rushing to the recommendations. I will Key planned activities of Financial 2026/2027 Vote 013: Ministry of Education and Sports, the narration is there. Vote 111: National Curriculum Development Centre. We have the narration. Vote 128: Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Here we note that no funds were provided for marking of the new secondary school curriculum papers. Last time, the markers rioted and there is a need to add UNEB money like we are going to make proposals. Education Service Commission The committee was informed that the Commission is also working closely with Chief Administrative Officers to ensure that human resources - there is that coordination between the Ministry of Education and Sports, CAOs’ offices, and the Education Service Commission when it comes to human resource recruitment. On National Council for Higher Education, the narration is there. On Vote 169: Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, the narration is there. About National Council for Sports, operationalisation of Hoima City Stadium and related facilities, the narration is there. Vote 170: Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board, you will look at the narration. Vote 301: Makerere University also has the details there.

18702 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology - you can read. Vote 303: Makerere University Business School - you will read on that page. Kyambogo University - the same story. Busitema University - we have such narration. Muni University - you will look at the construction of the multi-purpose health science lab and the rest. Kabale University, Vote 307 - the narration is there. Soroti University, Gulu University, Lira University, Uganda Management Institute, Vote 313 for Mountain of the Moon University - you can read the narration. Observations Madam Speaker, we had general observations, and it was observed that the sub-programme was allocated Shs 989.82 billion at the time of the finalisation of the draft estimates. Of course, we have the ULEARN project, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - the narration is there. However, there are key critical activities within the sub-programme that remain unfunded, yet they are critical in the attainment of the set targets within the five-year National Development Plan (NDPIV). This is the implementation of free and compulsory Universal Primary Education (UPE), which continues to be underfunded at Shs 309.16 billion. Recommendation The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development funds the various votes under the sub-programme in time within the first half of the financial year, to ensure timely financing towards the planned activities in order to achieve the set targets. The finance ministry is also urged to allocate additional Shs 309.16 billion towards the implementation of free and compulsory primary education and Uganda shillings 14.95 billion towards the implementation of free Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET) Education. The Ministry of Finance is also urged to allocate an additional Shs 66.30 billion and Shs 21 billion towards the grant-aiding of 100 secondary schools in subcounties without government support, and 300 primary schools in parishes without government ones, respectively. The Ministry of Finance is also urged to release funds to the Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) Council, to promptly avoid any challenges in the transition to the TVET Act because of limited funding to the council. Vote 013, Ministry of Education and Sports Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that an additional Shs 5.11 billion be provided by the Ministry of Finance to cater for these increments, and supplement its efforts towards vocational skilling as envisaged by the National Development Plan IV. The re-purposing of non-core Primary Teachers College (PTCs) into the eight health training institutions and eight TVET institutions. Recommendation The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates Shs 65.78 billion towards the re-purposing of the 16 non-core PTCs into eight Health Training Institutions (HTIs), seven TVET institutions, and one seed secondary school. Increment in unit cost of the training grants and indentures, internship fees in health training institutions

18708 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Flats, and Shs 7.55 billion towards outsourcing cleaning and security guard services. Kyambogo University On Kyambogo University, the committee recommends that the Uganda Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development undertake a comprehensive land audit to resolve overlapping tenure conflicts. Two, the committee also urges the finance ministry to allocate Shs 28.58 billion in a phased manner for the recruitment of academic staff in the medium term to bring the staffing level to at least 50 percent. Gulu University The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates an additional Shs 2.902 billion to cover shortfalls arising from salary harmonisation, Shs 18.643 billion in the mid-term to increase the university’s staffing level to at least 50 per cent. Secondly, that the finance ministry allocates Shs 28.41 billion for the completion of the construction of Gulu Constituent College in Moroto, and Shs 12.815 billion to complete the construction of the Business and Development Centre. Muni University For Muni University, Madam Speaker, we recommend that the Finance Ministry allocates Shs 14.698 billion towards the completion of the various construction projects which have stalled at the university, and Shs 15.302 billion towards kick-starting the construction of the teaching hospital. Mbarara University of Science and Technology The committee recommends that the Finance Ministry allocates an additional Shs 35.43 billion towards the recruitment of staff in the medium term to increase the staffing level to at least 50 per cent. Shs 0.491 for salary scale harmonisation for non-teaching staff. The Finance Ministry is also urged to additionally give Shs 2.8 billion towards retooling of labs and workshops, with specialised machinery and equipment for teaching, research, and innovation. Soroti University The committee recommends that the Finance Ministry allocates Shs 5 billion for the procurement of the necessary equipment and machinery for instruction of the three new engineering courses. Lira University The committee recommends as follows: i) That the Finance Ministry provides Shs 5.0 billion to promote additional critical staff, and Shs 1 billion to cover shortfalls; and ii) Shs 1 billion to cover shortfalls within the welfare facilities and NSSF; and Shs 1.5 billion for the research and innovation fund. Vote 307: Kabale University The committee recommends that an additional Shs 3 billion be allocated to the university to support its research agenda for Financial Year 2026/2027. Vote 305: Busitema University The committee recommends that the ministry for finance provides an additional funding of Shs 14.862 billion to increase on its staffing levels from 10 per cent to at least 50 per cent. Shs 5.23 billion for strengthening labs and ICT to provide in the provision of its services in IT. Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute (UMI) The committee recommends that finance allocates an additional Shs 15.2 billion for the construction of a new purpose building at Kampala branch, new classroom office at Mbale branch, and new classroom office block at Mbarara branch.

18562 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 need to get its update, the Iceme-Ngai-Bobi road - that AFCON road that goes up to Gulu. We also want to find out when the Busunju- Hoima Road will be ready. We need those facilities ready. It is outside your ministry, but you are the coordinating minister.

Madam Speaker, it is true we are coordinating as Chair of the Inter- Ministerial Committee on AFCON 2027. To begin with, the road between Kampala and Hoima, I want to confirm - We discussed this road because it was within the CAF report when they came and visited us. They identified it and we notified the Ministry of Works and Transport. I last passed that road last evening at around midnight. There are works going on, and I want to pledge that we will continue to monitor and inform the House, working closely with the Minister of Works and Transport, to ensure that the road is completed on time. Regarding the road of Corner Yeri-Iceme-Bobi, I wish to state that during the retreat, a question was raised, and I informed the retreat. I want to inform the House that His Excellency the President directed that the road be fast-tracked. I want to confirm that there were meetings between us, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development with the President regarding the financing of that road. If you heard the answer I gave, I want to repeat that this matter is before the President, and he directed his Principal Private Secretary to ensure that he signs that letter, which allows us, as the Government, to do the work. The question that will come is, “Will they be able to do the work?” The contractor who was identified has pledged that once this is done, they are ready to commit and begin work on the roads on time. The same applies to the Gulu Airport. I led a team, under the directive of the President, to visit the airport with the contractor. The contractor has committed to ensuring that the work that is required is done. But remember, I am talking about a backup. In terms of the sporting area, friends, the training facility for Gulu University, Pece Stadium in Gulu, Lira University, and Akii-Bua Stadium, which has two training facilities, will be ready as far as we are concerned. I already have money under the current budget to ensure that those stadiums are worked on. I have already finalised the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who is the contractor for the training facilities. I will soon invite my colleagues for the commissioning of the ground-breaking of the training facilities in Gulu and Lira. I symbolically did so for all of those facilities here in Makerere University. I want to say we are good to go in that line too. Thank you.

18596 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 In terms of absorption, nearly 50 per cent of the budget was released, and 76.7 per cent of the released amount was utilised, resulting in an absorption of about 23.3 per cent. The ministry had arrears amounting to Shs 100 billion, and Shs 50 billion was released to settle some of them. Of the Shs 50 billion released, Shs 37.7 billion was spent to settle the Posta and UTL former workers, translating into 75.5 per cent performance. This is in the table. Kindly allow me to skip the table, and I will speak briefly on the achievements. On matters of policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks, the ministry ensured that the Cabinet approved the National Communication Policy. The ministry managed to develop and operationalise standards for Optical Fibre installation, maintenance, protection, and disposal. The standards require operators to prioritise deployment within the available underground infrastructure facilities provided by cities, municipalities, authorities, and other Government Agencies. In ICT infrastructure development, and through NITA-U, the ministry was able, under phase five of the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) project, to install 1,567 concrete poles and maintain 4,387 kilometres of optical fibre cable, serving various Government Agencies. Successfully initiated infrastructure sharing amongst the industry players, including base transceiver stations, tower spaces, power systems, and ducts. The ministry developed a georeferenced postcode database for all parishes and wards across 27 districts in Central Uganda. This is in preparation for the National Addressing System, which the ministry is trying to implement. On research and innovation, the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with Gulu University and Mbarara University to establish innovation hubs at both universities. The ministry assessed the Artificial Intelligence landscape to ascertain the AI ecosystem to facilitate the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Framework. On Communication and National Guidance, the ministry conducted civic education awareness campaigns in the Rwenzori and Ankole Subregions and produced documentaries on socio-economic transformation initiatives such as PDM and Emyooga . On E-services, the ministry commenced development of the Government Digital Registry, which will serve as a central registry for all Government E-Systems. So far, the ministry has registered 624 systems, which are already on the register. Key challenges highlighted by the ministry include inadequate complementary utilities and services, such as electricity and road access, that support the rollout of ICT infrastructure. Madam Speaker, you know that for us to extend ICT, we need this complementary infrastructure - the electricity and the road access. We also have the challenge of a lengthy consultative and approval process for police formulation and projects. The lack of an application programming interface for some of the systems has constrained system integration. We have inadequate space at the National ICT Hub to accommodate the increasing number of innovators and start-ups, and the high cost of commercialisation and low uptake of local ICT solutions. Madam Speaker, I want to now speak to the proposed budget for the next financial year. Basically, the ministry has seven objectives that it will achieve with the funds provided for the next financial year. These include: i) The automation and rollout of e-government services, including PDMIS and smart city solutions. The ministry intends to develop user applications for the wider government;

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise together with my colleagues from Oyam North, Kole South, Omoro County, and Tochi County on a matter of national importance in regard to construction of the Corner Aboke-Corner Ayer-Icheme-Bobi road as part of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) project. Madam Speaker, in the next one year, Uganda will be hosting the AFCON, and part of the Government’s commitments involves certain critical infrastructure projects. One of them is the Akii-Bua stadium, which will be linked to the Gulu Airfield through the Corner Ayer- Corner Aboke-Icheme-Bobi road. We are aware that the process for procurement was initiated, and the contracting process also went ahead. We had approval by the Ministry of Works and Transport, clearance by the Solicitor-General - the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. However, the process stalled in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and we have been informed by the ministry of works that there has been a change in priority and this project is going to be dropped. Procurement has been done, contracting was ongoing - it is like reaching at the marriage altar, you have exchanged the vows, then you are told there is no ring to put on the finger. Madam Speaker, we call for an urgent intervention on this matter and we pray that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and economic Development clarifies whether this project has indeed been dropped because it was cleared by the ministry of works, cleared by the Attorney- General’s office and the Solicitor-General’s office, and now we are told at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and economic Development that it has been dropped, yet there was already a contractor that had been put in place. Madam Speaker, I would like to give a chance for information from my colleague from Oyam North, Dr Eunice, where the road also traverses, and Hon. Okot.

18349 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026 iv. Vote 116 – National Medical Stores; v. Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute; vi. Vote 134 – Health Service Commission; vii. Vote 151 – Uganda Blood Transfusion Services; viii. Vote 401 – Mulago Hospital Complex; ix. Vote 402 – Butabika Hospital; x. Vote 403 – Arua Regional Referral Hospital; xi. Vote 404 – Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital; xii. Vote 405 – Gulu Regional Referral Hospital; xiii. Vote 406 – Hoima Regional Referral Hospital; xiv. Vote 407 – Jinja Regional Referral Hospital; xv. Vote 408 – Kabale Regional Referral Hospital; xvi. Vote 409 – Masaka Regional Referral Hospital; xvii. Vote 410 – Mbale Regional Referral Hospital; xviii. Vote 411 – Soroti Regional Referral Hospital; xix. Vote 412 – Lira Regional Referral Hospital; xx. Vote 413 – Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital; xxi. Vote 414 – Mubende Regional Referral Hospital; xxii. Vote 415 – Moroto Regional Referral Hospital; xxiii. Vote 416 – China-Uganda Friendship Referral Hospital, Naguru; xxiv. Vote 417 – Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital; xxv. Vote 418 – Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital; xxvi. Vote 419 – Entebbe regional far hospital; xxvii. Vote 420 – Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; xxviii. Vote 421 – Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital; and xxix. Vote 422 – Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. I beg to lay.

Madam Speaker, I move under Rule 153(1) of the Rules of Procedure Parliament of Uganda and in accordance with Section 12(13) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. I rise to lay on the Table, the Ministerial Policy Statement for Financial Year 2026/2027 for the Ministry of Education and Sports Vote 013 and 19 – other Votes under the education and sports skills development sub-programme, namely; i. Vote 111 – National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC); ii. Vote 128 – Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB); iii. Vote 132 – Education Service Commission; iv. Vote 164 – National Council for Higher Education; v. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; vi. Vote 169 – Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board; vii. Vote 170 – Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board; viii. Vote 301 – Makerere University; ix. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; x. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; xi. Vote 305 – Busitema University; xii. Vote 306 – Muni University; xiii. Vote 307 – Kabale University; xiv. Vote 308 – Soroti University; xv. Vote 309 – Gulu University; xvi. Vote 310 – Lira University; xvii. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; xviii. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and xix. Vote 612 – Local Governments. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay on Table.

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.

Mr Speaker, we are truly developing nuclear energy, mainly to enhance the electricity we generate in the country to meet the projected demand. It is also true, one of the sites that we have identified as suitable for the development of nuclear power is in Nakasongola. It is also true that we are creating awareness. We have Buyende for our Phase 1, and Nakasongola for Phase 2. We also have Gulu as our Phase 3. When we started planning this, we created awareness, and that awareness is what is causing what he is saying. We are actually going to enhance the awareness; Nobody is going to be evicted from his land, especially when you are far off from the implementation. We are going to engage the communities and create more awareness about it so that they do not have fears. In case that time comes, they will be compensated. We have a provision for compensation of the project-affected persons. We shall engage them.

17867 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 Madam Speaker, looking at the procedures of borrowing the equipment, we have regional offices in Gulu, Mbarara, Mbale, and Soroti. However, whenever the districts go to borrow the equipment, the regional offices do not supply them, and we discovered that many of them are hiring out the railroad equipment. In fact, they are making money instead of helping the government offices. Madam Speaker, the minister needs to be very serious.

17900 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT On the Agago-Gulu transmission line, there was a loan of €40 million, which is a huge amount of money; undispatched is 18 per cent and undispatched is 21 per cent. The Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation loan amount is of €224 million. Dispatched stood at 58. Then, 169 undispatched, and you can go on and on - Project per project to 16. The committee observed that most of the loans will not be absorbed by the end of their tenure. For example, Mbarara-Masaka had performed at only 3 per cent. Luwero-Butalanga Road had performed at 23 per cent. Madam Speaker, I sympathise with the President. You find him at the State of Nation Address reading about roads saying, these are done, these are going to be done. Money will be borrowed but remains on the account. Some of the grants are not being done, and you are busy on a budget day, reading all kinds of roads, power lines, water for money that will not be dispatched, and my sympathy goes to the old man. Generally, the committee observed that the average undispatched loan performance stands at 37 per cent, far below average, indicating significant under performance in project deliverables, and yet those undispatched loans continue to attract commitment charges, which increase the cost of debt servicing. Review of the Auditor-General’s report by the committee revealed an increase in undispatched funds of Shs 1.90 trillion at the end of June 2024, from Shs 14.6 trillion in the financial year to Shs 16.49 trillion. Of the money which you, Madam Speaker, defied all odds to ensure you pass to these government offices, Shs 16 trillion of this money remains undispatched out there. You have done your part, cleared them to go and implement but every day, this Parliament is approving loans for which - you cannot feed an animal that cannot consume the food you feed it. That is why, Madam Speaker, you should at least be cautious in placing those questions because they have no absorption capacity, representing a 22 per cent increment. Also, commitment fees –

17908 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General reviewed 71 human rights awards, court awards, ex-gratia and compensation ordered by courts and reported that awards worth Shs 1.98 billion remained unpaid for the period ranging from two years to over 10 years. We have these pending and the committee recommends that the accounting officer should budget for the awards, and the Government should provide the requisite funds. The accounting officer, together with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, should establish the details of the beneficiaries for quick settlement to avoid the accumulation of interest. Madam Speaker, whenever we delay payment of these arrears, interest is paid on these arrears. So far, the Government is going to pay Shs 159 billion as interest on these arrears that have not been paid on time. Madam Speaker, the other report is the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) on national regional referral hospitals and other specialised hospitals. Honourable colleagues, I am going to summarise. We are looking at the details of the following hospitals in summary. We are looking at the following: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Fort Portal, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kabale, Lira, Gulu, Moroto, Hoima, Arua, Butabika, Mulago, Kawempe, Kiruddu, Soroti, and the Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital. Implementation and budget performance Madam Speaker, for all the regional referral hospitals we observed - I will begin with the implementation of the approved budget. Regional referral hospitals are expected to collect Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) to support the Government budget. Honourable colleagues, the total NTR was supposed to be Shs 20.406 billion, and there was an over performance of Shs 21.924 billion. However, this should be noted. From the table, the Government projected to collect the above, but Shs 21.924 billion was collected, meaning there was an over-performance. Honourable colleagues, as a committee, we noted that all accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted Non-Taxable Revenue (NTR) targets, or failed to realise their NTR contravened instructions 4.102 of the Treasury operations. The committee noted that less/non-transfer of NTR to the treasury deprives the Government of revenue and also noted that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide revenue targets to some of these entities. That is why there was an over-performance and also an underestimation of NTR by these entities. Therefore: (i) The accounting officer should ensure that NTR targets are set based on strong assumptions and benchmarks to enable realistic NTR. (ii) The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that a billed NTR is fully collected. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests of NTR revisions by entities. (iv) The accounting officers should incorporate all NTR sources during the budgeting process. Performance of the Government of Uganda warrants Madam Speaker, a total of Shs 475.44 billion was budgeted to be released to these referral hospitals and national specialised regional hospitals. However, a total of Shs 470.65 billion was released. From the above table, the Government

17913 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 The accounting officer concurred with the observation and explained that the implication of salary enhancement on pension and gratuity were equally highlighted by the ministry, budgeted for and presented to Cabinet for consideration. The committee recommends that the Government should conduct reforms on the policy for enhancing salary for all the calibres of teachers. I, therefore, beg to submit. Long outstanding subscription fees These are payables. We have challenges with subscription fees. The Auditor-General observed that the ministry had arrears of Shs 2.27 billion under the ministry, out of failure to pay for the agreed texts of the Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations and this is the ministry for tourism. I beg to submit this as a report of a summary of the ministries as highlighted under. Lastly, this is a report of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) on universities. I am just going to read them: Kyambogo University, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Makerere University, Gulu University, Uganda Management Institute, Kabale University, Lira University, Muni University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Soroti University, Busitema University, Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) and Law Development Centre (LDC). Budget performance for universities and tertiary institutions It is the same story of budget cuts across all these universities. There is also a challenge of underutilisation of warrants, where Shs 21 billion remained unutilised across all entities. Recommendations The accounting officers should strictly adhere to the annual budget performance. Performance of Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) In all the universities there is underperformance, where the annual approved budget for all of them was Shs 290 billion, but only Shs 265 billion was collected. The issues of domestic arrears cut across. Issues of students’ halls of residence The students’ halls of residence are very old, dilapidated and there is a limited budget for repairs of these halls. On accumulation of domestic arrears, it is the same story. Under long outstanding receivables, it is the same story. Irregularities in supplementary funding This was submitted by the committee chairperson during the consolidated accounts, where entities received supplementary budgets that they had not requested for, from the humble Ministry for Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Delayed projects were highlighted in the report for projects. Dilapidated structures cut across the board. Madam Speaker, I am trying to summarise in the interest of time. That has been a summary of these reports. I kindly beg that we pick interest and time to read through. I thank, you, Madam Speaker, for the time and thank colleagues who have enabled us to have this work completed. Thank you for listening in.

17730 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT construction. Yet, even the projected space looked insufficient for the overwhelming patient population, given that the old ICU building was also under renovation. Gulu Regional Referral Hospital The committee uncovered ambiguities in the receipt and usage of the supplied ICU Bed Units. The committee was informed that the hospital received 10 ICU Bed Units, but had only installed four in the ICU. The in charge of the ICU, who was not a qualified intensivist, could not account for the other six beds at the time of the committee’s visit. On being probed further, she disclosed to the committee that the balance of beds was in different locations, including two in the stores due to missing parts, while others were being used in the wards. The committee visited the wards and established that one of the beds had been dismantled and used in the orthopaedics ward, while another was being used in the nutrition room. The committee further engaged the store assistant, who denied having received any ICU Bed Units during his term of office. He, however, disclosed that two beds had been brought into the stores on the day the committee visited. We do not know where these beds were, but when they saw us, they brought them. The committee observed that - I can skip that one and read the recommendations. Committee recommendations The committee recommends that: 1. The minister responsible for finance should provide adequate funds to regional referral hospitals in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the construction/ completion of the infrastructure meant to accommodate ICU bed equipment to ensure their installation and utilisation. 2. The Ministry of Health should train and recruit specialised medical workers to manage the ICUs in regional referral hospitals. 3. The Ministry of Health should investigate the handling and management of ICU equipment delivered to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, including donations from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and report back to Parliament in two months from the time this report is adopted. 4. The Ministry of Health should conduct an inventory of all ICU bed equipment delivered to the regional referral hospitals and report back to Parliament in three months from the time this report is adopted. Installation of oxygen plants in regional referral hospitals and the distribution of oxygen cylinders up to health centres IV The Ministry of Health reported to the committee that the Government procured and delivered 20 new oxygen plants to national referral hospitals, regional referral hospitals, and Bombo Military General Hospital. The procurement of four new oxygen plants for Hoima, Lira, Mbale, and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospitals had not yet been concluded (see Annex IX). In addition, the Government had procured and distributed 10,000 cylinders across the country to all levels of health facilities up to health centres IV, as indicated in Annex X. However, the committee found out that none of the newly procured oxygen plants at the various regional referral hospitals visited was operational. For instance, in Buhinga, the plant was yet to be installed; in Mbarara, Masaka and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, construction of the infrastructure meant to accommodate the Oxygen Plants had not yet been completed. The UPDF Engineering, in the case of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, handled this. Additionally, the Ministry of Health indicated to the committee that the newly procured oxygen plants could not operate on the low- capacity transformers currently in the regional referral hospitals. It required Shs 13.7 billion to upgrade the transformers and voltage stabilisers to a capacity sufficient to run the oxygen plants in all regional referral hospitals. Of this, the

17685 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025 Honourable members, you will also recall that you heard His Excellency the President publicly communicate about the matter of the roads. Some of the things that he mentioned are: 1) The dangers of excessive reliance on external financing for all the development projects, citing abrupt and disruptive donor decisions that may impede the realisation of planned projects; 2) The need for self-reliance in financing development projects; He categorised the projects into three: i) The well-done new roads, such as the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Kampala- Gulu Highway, the oil roads in Bunyoro, and excellent roads in municipalities such as Hoima, Gulu, Masaka, to mention but a few; ii) The very important roads that were initially good but have now deteriorated, such as Mityana-Mubende-Kyenjojo, Mukono-Jinja, Ibanda-Mbarara, and Mbarara-Ishaka highways. He attributes the deterioration to under-budgeting. iii) The local government roads used to be good, but have deteriorated because of the misuse of the Shs 1.3 billion allocated for maintenance. The President has directed the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to allocate Shs 3.2 trillion required for these roads alone. The President further undertook to have the following roads worked on: i) Mityana-Mubende-Kyenjojo; ii) Ibanda-Mbarara; iii) Ishaka-Mbarara; iv) Mukono-Lugazi-Jinja; v) Mpondwe; vi) Nebbi-Arua; and vii) Ntungamo-Rukungiri. His Excellency the President also indicated that the next manifesto will indicate other planned roads. In light of this, I will request the Minister of Works and Transport to explain to the Members, and then we will open the debate based on the President’s guidance.

17686 MINISTERIAL S T ATEMENT Hi-Speed Group Co. Ltd. They will be working on those two sections of the road, and they are already working with the finance ministry on the pre-financing arrangement. I think they are finalising the financial terms with the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Others will start mobilising equipment to be on those two sections of the roads. The Gulu-Atiak-Nimule Road also needs attention. We are soon hiring an MTF contractor to work on it. Regarding Malaba-Jinja-Kampala-Masaka to Katuna, this is our artery, and as a ministry, we have decided to focus fully on those roads to address whatever requirements there are. We have been addressing those bad spots with our in-house team. However, as far as the Mukono- Lugazi-Jinja-Malaba Road is concerned, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is fully committed to that road. Right now, we have called the Katonga Bridge, and it is going to concentrate on that section. They have already made the estimates for Masaka to Kampala. As they are doing the bridge, they will also be doing the bad sections as we address the Kalandazi and Lwera swamps, which they are working on now. We hope that once we get the money, we will pay and encourage Abubaker Technical Services to speed up the Busunju-Kiboga- Hoima Road. He is doing a good job, but he needs our full support to pay him in time. This is a local contractor who has proven himself that if supported, he can do good work; he has already proven this on the section we are seeing between Busunju and Kiboga, but he is supposed to complete up to Hoima, including the Kafu Bridge. We are also rehabilitating the Ssezibwa Bridge on Kayunga Road, which is already being worked on by, again, a local company called Dynaco Engineering that is now doing the remaining stages. They have already done the box culverts to take the extra water, and they can do the bridge. On the northern side of Katonga from Kabulasoke, a local contractor called Rodo Contractors Limited is building the bridge. I can discuss these efforts, and we have images of Rodo Contractors Ltd, which even the Minister of Water and Environment can confirm.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I seek clarification from the honourable minister. Thank you for your report. You beautifully mentioned the roads and contractors that have been awarded. Unfortunately, for Gulu-Atiak-Nimule, which is a death trap and a very bad road now, I have not had any commitment in terms of the contractor who is going there. Secondly, honourable minister, I mentioned our bad road, from Awer to Rhino Camp. This road was managed by the then Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and now the Ministry of Works and Transport. The section from Awer to the town council, where the district headquarters is, even as the station manager is doing his best - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As regards your question on the NDP IV, Gulu-Lalogi-Opit-Moroto Road is number 257, which is scheduled to start in 2029. However, as we speak, that road is in a deplorable state. That bridge will soon be washed away; the bridge that connects Odek to Awere. What can the minister do in the meantime? Because you cannot wait for four years for maintenance. Secondly, on the issue of forced account, the biggest challenge has been budget cuts. There is a road that leaves Corner Minja to Cwero Kitgum Road. It has been planned for the last five years, but budget cuts are becoming a problem. Just last financial year, they cut 75 per cent of the budget. That is according to the station manager there. Therefore, I request that the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development avails the funds to help us maintain these roads. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the Government for the effort they have put into the road sector. The new districts have received equipment, but it is incomplete. Therefore, we have to seek from the region. The region for Northern Uganda is in Gulu. West Nile is very far from Gulu. I would like to implore the minister to have special consideration for West Nile. Can we have equipment there? West Nile should be a region of its own. The people of West Nile love the people of Gulu and Lango, but we do not want to always be bundled up. Please have consideration for the people of the West Nile. Number two, there is a road which His Excellency – I am in possession of a copy of a written directive to your ministry, honourable minister, directing for not tarmacking but high- grade marram from Pakwach, Rhino Camp up to Difule. This is from 2023, 2024; we are now almost reaching 2026. Please, let us have the high-grade marram as we wait for tarmac. I thank you.

Thank you. Honourable minister, West Nile is very far from Gulu. Please handle the issue of West Nile. Is the equipment in West Nile?

Madam Speaker, I totally appreciate the challenges with these regional workshops. I reported on this Floor that we have already come up with a new list of equipment where cities, municipalities, and these big regions are going to be addressed. The President has directed that we use the same method of procurement as the one we used for the 1,951 pieces of equipment, which we distributed. We are already in talks with the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. I know that there is also a delegation going to Japan soon. One of the things we are going to discuss is the issue of that equipment. Hopefully, with financing and the financing arrangements being agreed on between the two governments, we should be able to get that equipment, and then we shall decentralise the regions. For example, as you said, Gulu takes care of Karamoja up to Kaabong. You can imagine Gulu handling Karamoja and then West Nile up to Koboko. It is really overstretched. We hope that once this procurement is through, we shall decentralise and create mini-centres in these regions. (Applause)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mine is a little bit outside the NDP IV. When UNRA was rationalised, there were liabilities that were transferred to the Ministry of Works and Transport, including pending compensation. On the road from Gulu to Olwiyo, which is 66 kilometers, 80 people have not been compensated. I would like to seek clarification on that matter. Madam Speaker, whenever the minister is speaking about roads, I get worried when he makes no comment on the progress of railways. One of the ways our roads can last for some time is to try to offload heavy equipment and things like cement from the main roads to the railroads. Could the minister also brief us on the progress so far made on rail transport? I thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on 27 November 2019, the honourable minister came to Gulu to commission roads that were funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and at that event, he made a public statement committing that the road from Gulu- Lamwo-Kitgum would be tarmacked. The people of Northern Uganda have waited for that road in vain. Fortunately, it is part of what - last year, he issued a statement in this House, that the Government was already in the final stages of design. It would be good, Madam Speaker, for the honourable minister to clarify. Secondly, he also directed Hon. Musa Ecweru, last year, to go and look at the status of the road from Bank of Uganda through Customs Corner to Juba, which has cost many lives. It would also be good for him to clearly help us understand how far he has gone with that. Thank you very much.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I would like to appreciate the senior minister, Gen. Katumba. Early last year, I received a commitment from the ministry, signed by the General himself, saying, under the refugee roads, Gulu-Patiagu Road must be done concurrently with the road joining Atiak and Lamwo. Each time the minister makes a statement, he seems to be silent about the refugee roads. May we know, from the ministry, what is -

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I would like to thank the honourable minister and the team for the work done, amidst a lot of challenges being faced. He talked about stations, which are not active, and that is where the Madi Subregion lies, because we have our station in Moyo. Can he elaborate on the challenges that are preventing these stations not being active and how and when he is going to ratify, so that our challenges are addressed? Two, on the Sinyanya-Obongi Road, some of our learners study from the Obongi side. The Sinyanya road is cut off; therefore, many learners are not going to school. Can the Government prioritise this road? Lastly, the honourable minister promised to decentralise the regional mechanical workshops, and I agree. However, before we do that, can the honourable minister bring a report on the status of these workshops so that we can jointly provide remedies or recommendations on how to make them more active, especially the one in Gulu? Thank you so much.

Yes, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Let me correct that impression that the road is going to end in Jinja. That road, as I said, is our artery. It is the aorta of this country. It goes up to Malaba. The road is going to be joined with the rehabilitation of the road from Kamdini- Lira-Soroti-Mbale-Tororo. You can see the whole network will be linked. Remember, we are also rehabilitating the railway line from Tororo. So far, the old meter gauge has reached Soroti heading to Gulu. The railway line from Kampala to Malaba is already functional. The standard gauge will start as soon as the contractor finishes the mobilisation and setting his camps for the works to start; so we are addressing the whole country. On the issue of liabilities from Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), I agree. When you inherit, you inherit liabilities and assets. There are some liabilities we inherited. Among them was the issue of compensation of the Project

17705 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025 Affected Persons (PAPs). I think somebody also raised the issue of the land titles. On the issue of the PAPs, the compensation is still very big, as has already been observed by an honourable member, but we are going to try. Our idea and decision is that we focus on compensation now for mainly projects where we have contractors, so that they do not charge for idle equipment. These include the Nakawuka complex, the Kira-Matugga, Rwenkunye-Apac Road and those other areas. We are going to concentrate the compensation there so that we have the contractors able to move. On the land titles, I have already instructed our land acquisition team to get all the land titles, which they have, on project by project basis. Very soon, we are going to be handing back these land titles after severing off what is required for our projects. It has been unfair for us to hold land titles for more than even 10 years because then, you deny the owner the use of his land and the rest. On Kitgum-Karenga-Kidepo Road, we already signed the contract. It was already being funded by UK Export Finance (UKF). The only challenge which we had was the precondition that we must confirm that we have five per cent as Government contribution. That has now been confirmed, it is in this year’s budget. Therefore, the Kitgum-Orom-Karenga-Kidepo Road will start. On the issue of the compensation for the PAPs, we also have the money in this year’s budget, once we start the releases. The first quarter was not so good, but we have been assured by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development that the second quarter will be better. Hopefully, we shall start compensating the people. On Gulu-Lamwo-Kitgum road, which is that one?

Honourable minister, this road runs from Gulu via Patiko to Lamwo to Palaro.

That one will be done when we are doing Atiak-Palaro- Palabek-Kitgum Road. We shall do Gulu to Patiko to Palaro to join. That road is under the refugee project by the World Bank. The World Bank wanted to check whether we are going to effectively do the Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road under the refugee project. If we do that well then they will be able to fund this project so this is what we are doing. I know that the Gulu-Patiko-Palaro Road is not even accessible but I have instructed my Gulu team to have that road opened up – (Interruption)

That is the one I said that the Gulu-Atiak-Nimule Road will be under reconstruction because it has deteriorated. To that, I will also answer with the road from Kitgum-Palabek-Ngomoromo. It is also under the refugee project. However, because of trade between Palabek, Kitgum, Ngomoromo and South Sudan, we are trying to maintain it so far using our own resources. On Moroto-Lokitanyala Road, it is about 85- 90 per cent ready. We are only left with a very small stretch to finish, but the compensation is lagging. As I said, if we get the money in the budget, we shall compensate. The Nadunget to Moroto stretch has been a disappointment because it failed before the time of the road. However, we have already got a company; China Railway No.3 (CR3) doing Moroto-Lokitanyala and we contracted them to cure and treat the Nadunget-Moroto stretch. That will be done. Madam Speaker, regarding Moroto- Lukilinyama on the border; that is a murram road, which we should be able to do using our

17706 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT own resources. The challenge, of course as I said, is resources but we know the roads. Masindi-Gulu potholes were filled by our people. For Masindi-Biso, we owe the contractor, China Railway No.7, Shs 111 billion. It was in my report. Therefore, we need to pay the contractor so that they can finish the road. Regarding Koboko-Yume-Moyo, I have talked to the Minister of Internal Affairs and I think that will be addressed. Laropi Ferry and Laropi Bridge. We have finished the design for Laropi Bridge and it has been approved by an independent consultant and the bank is willing to fund it. We are now in the final negotiations to fund the Laropi Bridge and then we shall remove the ferry. Possibly, we will take it down to Obongi where we have a challenge with its ferry. Talking about the ferries, we are actually in advanced stages of doing a detailed and comprehensive rehabilitation of the ferries. Most of them are not doing very well but we are going to rehabilitate them. This will answer the Bussi Ferry which has been doing some work under the Pakwach Bridge which was being threatened by the floating island. We had to take the Bussi ferry there. I am in talks with the Bussi team and we are soon finalising the landing site, and the ferry will come back. On the Katine-Ochero Road, we had moved to the final stage but then we got a whistle-blower. Now, when a whistle-blower comes in, the bank stops everything. The company that had been selected had issues and the bank stopped the process and advised that we re-advertise and get new contractors which has been done. We are going to the selection process. Madam Speaker, the bank has a system that for every stage, they must get a no objection from their headquarters, which has been delayed but I think it is now on the right course. Therefore, the Katine-Ochero Road will soon be completed. Regarding compensation for Nyakambu- Nyakabirizi-Nsika at Kabwohe, the compensation of these people has not yet been done and we need about Shs 29 billion. This is what I told the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; that if we get Shs 29 billion, we can start the compensation so we can acquire some land for the contractor to start as we get more money. As I said in my report, compensation is one of the biggest challenges we face on the project. I have already answered Atiak. On maritime, we are keeping an eye on maritime transport. We are not neglecting it. We have rehabilitated MV Pamba and it is now plying between Port Bell, Mwanza and Kisumu. MV Kawa, which was also grounded, is now about 85 per cent ready. We hope that by September, it will be back sailing. Madam Speaker, there is a private player who has also put a big ferry on the waters of Lake Victoria called Mpungu, which can take 20 trailers. It is a drive-on and drive-off. You can put on 20 trailers of cargo and it moves up to the other side. We are cognisant of the fact that Tanzania is aggressively developing the standard gauge and very soon, it will be in Mwanza. Therefore, traders may be moving towards using that corridor. So, we must be able to evacuate the cargo if dropped at Mwanza. We are developing that capacity within the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC). Of course, URC is still challenged with no funding; they are just struggling. We have a project under the African Development Bank moving slowly but we will be moving. The Busongora—Nyakalingijo Road is a national road. We cannot tarmac it as of now. However, I will make sure we maintain it. Madam Speaker, Kumi-Serere-Kagwara Road project is under the Islamic Development Bank and mostly everything has been done. The Islamic Development Bank is in talks with the finance ministry to finalise the financing terms. One of the new issues that the bank is bringing up is that they want to pay everything, including land compensation so that we do not

17708 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT that the roads we are doing are resilient to the environmental changes. Of course, it is a big challenge because, as you can see, it is unpredictable. I think you saw what happened in Texas recently. Within 45 minutes, things had changed. However, we have ESIA in all the projects which we do. Hon. Ssewungu, your road. I can bet with you that we can go and see the progress of the bridge on Upper Katonga. It is being done by a company called Rodo. Even as I leave here, I can give you their contact and you can check with them. They have done some work. They have now put up the pillars and are now doing the box culverts for relief. So, the two bridges are being done concurrently; the bridge downstream and the bridge upstream. (Interjections) The tarmacking may come later. (Laughter) Bobi-Iceme-Corner Aboke-Corner Ayer That road is under the AFCON project. Yes, it is under the AFCON project and we hope to do it together with Gulu Airport, which is going to be expanded. AFCON is planning to use Akii Bua Stadium, which is being done. We think that if they land in Gulu, they can drive shortly through Bobi-Iceme-Corner Aboke to Lira. It will be a faster movement. Training of operators and maintenance team Madam Speaker, we have established a training centre, again, with the assistance of JICA and the Japanese Government at Luweero and the centre is called the Mechanical Engineering Training and Advisory Centre (METRAC). This is where we are going to train operators and maintenance teams for our machines. It will be useless for us to keep buying machines if we cannot maintain them properly. They will not last. Therefore, we have that being done. We are also working with the National Council for Higher Education so that the people trained there can have certified certificates and they can be able to work anywhere within East Africa. Kitgum-Palabek-Lagoro, I talked about that. Iganga-Bulopa-Luuka The contractor who has now been identified for that role is Arab Contractors, the one who did Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi-Kamonkoli Road. He is going to be on site by the end of September to start setting. This time, the equipment will not walk away (Laughter) -(Interjections) – the railway to Masaka - good thought. I think we will think about it. There are a number of things we have been thinking about; how to link Masaka, including developing ports like Bukakata Port and Lambu Port and the bridge to Kalangala. (Interjections) - Yes, I have not yet promised that, but it is something we are investigating. Yes. (Laughter) Kyegegwa-Hapuyo-Kakumiro This is the road which is commonly known as the Liberation Road. It starts all the way from Kazo to Kabogole, Kyegegwa through Hapuyo to Kakumiro up to Kisiita - (Interjections) - Yes, it has been earmarked for tarmacking, but I am not sure whether we shall be able to do it in National Development Plan (NDP) IV. However, we are going to maintain it as good murram. Rescue Centres Yes, we have established the rescue centres. In Misonzi, we had a challenge because there was over-flooding and we could not put the - and when we got the contractor, he did not measure up and so we stopped him. We are re-engaging a new contractor. We had another site at Mwena, but we could not also work at Mwena because of the rising of the lake. However, the rescue centres are now functional. I agree with you that we need to mark the lake, but we are having a project under East Africa because, as you appreciate, Lake Victoria is an East African facility. It is for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Therefore, working with our partners, we have moved and also convinced the African Development Bank, which is supporting the

Okay. Gulu- Awel-Opit-Rwackoko-Atog to Moroto and Abim, that is commonly known as the Moroto Road. I accept that it is not in a good state. It is not on plan yet for tarmacking, but we are going to maintain it as a good murram road. I make a commitment.

Madam Speaker, our scope covered 10 areas, which I am going to go through in summary form. We looked at the legal and regulatory framework of these cities. On 28 April 2020, the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi, tabled a Motion seeking Parliament’s approval of the proposal to create new cities, which Parliament approved on 28 April 2020. The new cities were to be operationalised in clusters beginning 1 July 2020 to July 2023 with Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Fort Portal and Masaka, taking effect with the new Financial Year 2020/2021. Madam Speaker, I beg to go to the observations and recommendations. 1. The Legal and the Regulatory Framework The committee observed that despite the fact that the Attorney-General provided his opinion, the minister failed to present regulations to address contradictions between cities and districts. The regulations are intended to streamline the operation of the Local Government Act Section 175(1). Section 175(1) requires the minister to make regulations for effecting the provision of the Act. 2. Whereas the creation of the new cities does not violate any provision of the Constitution of Uganda, their management and administration need to be harmonised. The committee recommends that the Government should introduce an appropriate Bill to govern cities in their uniqueness in operation, structure, and service delivery. Alternatively, the Government should amend the Local Government Act to incorporate administrative and governance legal frameworks for cities. The Ministry of Local Government should come up with regulations on the governance of cities and table them before Parliament within three months from the time this report is adopted. The physical development plans of these cities Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government classifies gazetted cities, municipalities, and town councils as urban areas. The Local Government Act Cap. 243 empowers the ministry to declare an area urban if it satisfies the following criteria; a. Has a minimum of 25,000 people for a town council, 100,000 people for municipality, and 500,000 people for a city. b. Has a master plan for land use. c. Has available water sources and can meet the cost of providing services. d. Preparation of urban physical plans. Madam Speaker, again, allow me to go to the observations. The committee observed that whereas the cities have approved physical plans, developments are not guided by those plans. The ministry has not yet provided funding for new cities to develop physical development plans. For those that have plans, funding was provided by development partners. The majority of the residents in these new cities live in unplanned areas and, as a result, experience development problems that put more strain on the already existing infrastructure. According to the Building Control Act Section 28(3), the chairperson for the planning and development committee of the district council shall be the chairperson of the district building committee. Subsection (5) provides that the chairperson of the urban planning and development committee of the urban council

No, they are ten cities. They are: Arua, Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Hoima and Lira. Those are operational, out of the 15. Now, five cities are the ones which are not operational.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank the committee for the report, and I support the recommendations. Most importantly, urbanisation is very significant in the development of a community and any area. We would like to support Government and this Parliament. I was in the last Parliament, and we supported the creation of these cities. When you now look at most of these towns, which are being supported because they have become cities and municipalities under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme, for example, you notice that they have changed in terms of the structures and lives of people. The economic activities increase and social services in terms of education, health, innovations, and business get better than before. I would like to give you an example of Apac Town. After the support from USMID, the whole town has changed; it is beautiful, and businesses have increased. It is the same when you get to Masindi and Gulu. The main issue here is that this will require a lot of support from the Government and Parliament, in terms of guidelines, resources , and budget, so that where there are gaps and challenges in urbanisation, we are able to put in resources and support them to grow. So, the general principle here is that we should support the urbanisation process that the Government has undertaken, supported by Parliament. Resources are now needed, and that should be the centre of our discussion. How do we prioritise the support, as per the report of the chairperson and the committee, to push these centres, cities, municipalities, and even the rural growth centres? Employment has increased as a result of having these cities, which Parliament must support. I would like to thank the committee, and we should concentrate on what we need to do, going forward, because we know that there are challenges. Thank you, Madam Speaker. (Applause)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank the Chairman, for presenting a good report. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to the issue of the regional maintenance workshops for road equipment. In West Nile, like the chairman had alluded to, the issue of equipment maintenance, our regional equipment workshop is 300 kilometres away, that is in Gulu. Therefore, the turnaround time of the caterpillars, the bulldozers, the tractors is as long as six months. We have to wait for up to six months for the technical team to come all the way from Gulu to repair our equipment. Finally, I did not hear anything about the issue of sewerage. Most cities have now resorted to septic tanks and soak pits, but I think what the colonial government left here, in terms of the sewerage grid, has not been improved over the last 50 years. If you look at what they left in Kasolo, Naguru, Bogolobi, and Nakasero, it is still the same sewerage grid. I hope that in the new cities, national water can also improve the sewerage network as opposed to septic tanks and soak pits. Thank you.

17673 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2025 bridge between our districts and the ministries. For example, the one in Gulu - I am in touch with the workshop, but the maintenance is so poor. I, therefore, recommend that the ministry responsible for the workshops should come up with a comprehensive report so that we get to know the challenges that are always causing our equipment to be down, and we see how to address them. Lastly, the town councils are not operational. Can we have a report? I have the Pakelle Town Council – (Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. I support the motion but would like to use the same opportunity to seek clarification from the Honourable Minister of Health. About four years ago, His Excellency the President wrote a letter directing that a specialised medical facility be established in Gulu and several letters, including from the First Lady, have been written and sent to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Unfortunately, it looks like there is an attempt to frustrate the President’s good intentions. It would be good that the honourable minister clarifies the fate of this specialised medical facility that should be established in Gulu City. Thank you.

17623 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 31 JULY 2025 Madam Speaker, on 12 July 2023, I received a letter from His Excellency the President, together with a proposal from an institution called VAMED that was interested to design, finance, and build a 324-bed capacity specialised modern teaching hospital in Uganda. The President thought the hospital should be built in Gulu University and he directed that the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sports work together with guidance from Attorney-General, and enter a memorandum of understanding with VAMED Engineering to construct that facility. Accordingly, Madam Speaker, Gulu University confirmed availability of land worth 20 acres in writing to the Ministry of Education and Sports. Another letter from the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Gulu University, also confirmed the same. Madam Speaker, I wrote to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the 3 rd of October submitting the proposal from VAMED. In my letter, I asked him to receive the proposal from VAMED and I requested him to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding as directed by His Excellency the President so that we could begin work. Madam Speaker, on 23 November 2023, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development wrote back to me, and I request to read his letter. The heading is: “Proposal by VAMED to design, finance and build a 324- bed capacity specialised modern hospital in Uganda.” He says, “Honourable Minister of Health, I acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject matter. Whereas the proposal is appreciated, its financing mechanism would require Government to acquire an additional commercial loan. The implication is that this will worsen the debt service to revenue ratio, which is already above what is contained in the Charter for Fiscal Responsibility. In light of the above, this is to recommend that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is deferred until the debt service obligations have reduced to manageable levels and local revenues increased. By copy of this letter, the Attorney-General is informed accordingly.” That was the letter of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Subsequently, Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister, as well as the Chancellor of Gulu University, also wrote to me. I responded to them and attached the letter of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. I wrote back to him asking whether the situation had changed and whether we should proceed. The response is that the situation has not changed. Therefore, it is not me blocking that facility. Until the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development gives me a go-ahead, my hands are tied. I beg to submit.

Thank you. Honourable minister, when you got the letter from the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, did you have an engagement with the stakeholders for them to understand what could have gone wrong? You needed to go to Gulu and tell these people the position.

Madam Speaker, the Chancellor of Gulu University is the Rt Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda. We held a meeting in Gulu in the presence of many people and stakeholders. We had meetings in my office where we involved everybody. We are looking for a concessional loan so that we can handle that project.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. Actually, I am hearing this for the first time, and it is my prayer that indeed, as you put it, the honourable minister needs to engage further and have interactions with the key stakeholders. The President made very clear pronouncements in his letter. This is not just about Gulu University. When you look at the President’s letter, it is not a facility only for Gulu University. It is important that we are engaged and informed on these matters. Thank you.

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.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was in Lacor Hospital recently for their celebration. They questioned me on the CT scan machine. This was a pledge from the President right from, is it 2019? Hon. Ojara tried to correct me that it was in February 2020. It is also close to 2019. It was pledged in the presence of the minister for finance, and it is almost six years down the road. Why the delay? You know, if this CT scan is in Lacor Hospital – the one at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital fails us all the time, probably because of these radiologists, or sometimes it is completely down — yet it is also still a new facility. Why? Our people have to be referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital all the time? Mulago is too far from the north and for poor people. Why is it that this presidential pledge is not being fulfilled? According to Lacor Hospital, they said it costs Shs 1.9 billion. Hon. Mapenduzi, has corrected me and said it is Shs 1 billion. Even if it is Shs 1 billion, I believe that if this pledge is fulfilled, it will help Lacor Hospital to help the people better. Why is the delay? Thank you.

17594 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS The ministry currently requires Shs 843 billion in total to complete land acquisition obligations in the Financial Year 2025/26 on all ongoing projects, including those funded by donors, and the list is in the annexes, which I have provided. Impact on ongoing projects, arrears, and claims Madam Speaker, the under-allocation in the Financial Year 2025/26 has further compounded certified arrears carried forward from the previous year, which, as I stated earlier, is Shs 1.71 trillion. These arrears relate to completed or ongoing works for which certificates were issued and approved. Failure to clear these obligations has resulted in the following: 1. Suspension or reduced performance on 27 ongoing projects. The lists are in the annex; 2. Accrual of commercial interest on delayed payments estimated at over Shs 48 billion in Financial Year 2025/26 alone; and 3. Delays in the execution of co-financed projects potentially affecting Uganda’s credibility with development partners. Additionally, the continued accumulation of unpaid certificates discourages private sector confidence, increases future unit costs, and may result in the Government being classified as a high-risk client in the infrastructure contracting market. The impact on paved roads Uganda’s paved road network, now standing at 6,312 kilometres, is experiencing increasing structural distress due to insufficient maintenance, deferred interventions, increased traffic and climate change, and according to the latest technical assessment, 2,460 kilometres, which is 39 per cent of the network, require urgent intervention as follows: 1. 1,993 kilometres require periodical maintenance - like what we did on the Northern Bypass; 2. 260 kilometres require rehabilitation; and 3. 270 kilometres have deteriorated to the level of reconstruction. These include roads like Gulu-Atyak-Nimule, which need total reconstruction. Madam Speaker, periodic maintenance intervention costs about Shs 888 million per kilometre if you do it within time. If not implemented -

17522 BUDGET SPEECH resources, starting with iron ore, gold and copper, and strengthening their tracking systems; (ii) capitalisation of the Uganda National Mining Company; (iii) establishing mineral markets and buying centres to enable transparent mineral trading; (iv) expediting finalisation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline; and (v) prioritisation of the construction of the oil refinery and refined products pipeline, among others. Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), including ICT and Creative Industry Madam Speaker, STI including ICT and creative arts provide an important avenue for the country to develop high-tech exports and add new sources of growth and jobs. Madam Speaker, this financial year, the following milestones have been achieved in the development of the knowledge economy: 1. Completed and operationalised the Kiira Motors vehicle plant in Jinja. The plant has an annual capacity of 2,500 vehicles. So far, 41 buses have been produced, out of which 29 are electric. The electric buses produced can run up to 500 kilometres when fully charged. The plant has signed a letter of intent to supply more than 3,700 electric buses to West Africa. The plant has signed a letter of intent to supply more than 3,700 electric buses to West Africa. (Applause) Kiira Motors has created 800 jobs and has the potential to generate more than 14,000 direct and indirect productive jobs. 2. Invested in vaccine development and commercialisation as well as innovations in therapeutics, diagnostics and other healthcare tools. The Government has cumulatively invested a total of Shs 724 billion in the Dei BioPharma manufacturing facility located at Matugga in Wakiso District. The facility is now licensed by the National Drug Authority and has started manufacturing generic drugs such as tablets, capsules, powders, non-antibiotic drugs and antifungal drugs, among others. Madam Speaker, the Government is making progress in development of vaccines for the Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever and Rift Valley virus. We also completed accreditation of the Alfasan vaccine manufacturing facility to produce anti-tick vaccines. Scientists at Makerere University developed a PCR kit that has been used to conduct more than 2 million tests at 50 per cent of the cost of imported alternatives, saving the country $37 million. Gulu University developed highly effective rapid testing kits for crop diseases for cassava and sweet potatoes. 3. Madam Speaker, the Government has invested in a coffee factory in Ntungamo to fast- track local value addition to coffee. The factory will have three processing lines for roastery, freeze dry and spray dry technology to produce instant, roast, and ground coffee, respectively. The roastery line has started production, and other processing lines are at 50 per cent installation. 4. The banana value addition facility in Bushenyi has started production. Katonda yebazibwe! The plant is producing several value-added products like banana flour used in bread, cakes, biscuits and baby food. The plant is increasing automation and capacity to 140 metric tons from 14 metric tons. It has started penetrating the local and international markets with orders from South Korea, the Middle East, South Africa, Italy, and the USA. Madam Speaker, with regard to ICT, the Government has continued to expand Internet connectivity and digital infrastructure across the country. The geographical coverage of broadband Internet connectivity stands at 72 per cent of the country, covering 4,387 kilometres. The Government has increased the digitisation of service delivery to improve efficiency, promote transparency, and reduce bureaucracy. Madam Speaker, a total of 36 electronic services have been developed and rolled out. Some of these include the Online Business Registration System (OBRS), Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP), and the online passport, visa, national ID and driving licence application system. The Uganda Driver Licensing System, which was introduced in 2021, has reduced the turnaround

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.

17528 BUDGET SPEECH Administration of Justice The following achievements were registered: 1. The Judiciary has significantly scaled up Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms like mediation, plea bargaining and small claims procedures, reducing justice costs and speeding up dispute resolution. For example, in 2024, a total of 3,391 cases were resolved through mediation. In addition, plea bargaining achieved a success rate of 87 per cent; 2. Completed the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Rukungiri High Court, and Budaka and Patongo Magistrate Courts. Five new High Court Circuits in Wakiso, Entebbe, Kumi, Lugazi, Patongo and 10 Magistrates’ Courts were operationalised, bringing the total to 268 courts countrywide. Construction is ongoing of regional Appeal Courts in Gulu and Mbarara, Soroti and Tororo High Courts, and Karenga Magistrate’s Court. This will further reduce travel distances for justice; and 3. There is increased use of technology in the delivery of justice. The Electronic Court Case Management System is now operational in 20 courts, boosting filing rates by 20.6 per cent. Additionally, 20 courts have video conferencing systems, enabling online case handling which has improved efficiency. Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 602.7 billion next financial year, under the Administration of Justice Programme, for strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution, increased use of technology in justice delivery, building more courts to improve access to justice and increasing the civil jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts. Legislation and Oversight The Legislature has registered several achievements during Financial Year 2024/2025. Parliament held 75 sittings and passed 35 Bills, concluded three petitions, passed 45 resolutions and adopted 53 reports. Most importantly, the turnaround time for enactment of legislation has reduced significantly. Banange , Parliament tugikubire mu ngalo . (Applause) I commend you, Rt Hon. Speaker, for this tremendous achievement. Madam Speaker, I have provided a total of Shs 1.03 trillion next financial year for legislative processes, public engagements and outreach, providing parliamentary oversight of democracy and governance, ensuring accountability for public funds and implementation of public programmes. Management of Natural Disasters Madam Speaker, to protect Ugandans from disaster, this financial year, Government invested Shs 200.3 billion in early warning systems, mitigation interventions, the provision of relief items to the affected households and communities in the disaster-prone areas. In the next financial year, I have provided Shs 20.7 billion plus a contingency fund of Shs 169 billion to support disaster management. I have also provided Shs 12.4 billion for improving meteorological services and early warning systems to improve efficiency and accuracy of weather forecasting for agriculture, air travel and climate change tracking. Elimination of Domestic Arrears Government has put in place a strategy to eliminate domestic arrears in three financial years starting FY 2025/26. Payment of domestic arrears will prioritise suppliers of goods and services, contractors and compensations for land and to all claimants. I have increased the allocation for domestic arrears to Shs 1.4 trillion from Shs 200 billion provided this financial year. To prevent accumulation of new arrears starting next financial year, my ministry shall implement the following measures and they are not easy measures: 1. enforcement of the commitment control system; 2. sanctioning accounting officers responsible for creation of any arrears;

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

17496 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION 6. The PCR kit developed by scientists at Makerere University to conduct more than two million tests at 50 per cent of the cost of imported alternatives. This has saved the country $37 million in imports per year; 7. Gulu University developed highly effective rapid test kits for crop diseases – for cassava and sweet potatoes; 8. The engineering development and innovation centres in Rwebiteete, Kiruhura District and Namanve are enhancing capacity for industrial technology, metallurgy, electrical and electronics, civil engineering, automotive technology, agricultural mechanisation, and construction machinery. 9. The Presidential Initiative on the Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) plant in Bushenyi – can you show us that one? Bushenyi banange! If you don’t want to die from a heart attack, you eat our bananas. They have got potassium for your heart muscles. The Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development plant in Bushenyi has significantly increased commercial production capacity to 140 metric tonnes of fresh Matooke – “Matooke” is bananas – per day. The plant has sales orders from the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Italy. Over the last 17 years, the NRM Government has prioritised infrastructure development, especially the roads, railways and electricity. We now have a solid foundation to support industrial development. All parts of the country are interconnected using tarmac and good murram roads. This means that whatever is produced in the country can easily reach the markets. It also means that the cost and time of moving goods has reduced significantly, facilitating both investments and trade. The stock of tarmac roads is now 6,199 kilometres, compared to only 1,900 kilometres when the NRM took power in 1986. Of these 1,900 kilometres, only 114 kilometres were in fair condition, while the rest, totalling 1,786 kilometres, were in poor condition. The roads to commence construction to tarmac standard next financial year include: 1. 23.6km., Yumbe-Ure Road and bridge. Are my people from Yumbe happy? Awadifo. (Applause) 2. 69.3km., Katine-Ochero Road – apwoyo, apwoyo, apwoyo – and 2.9 kilometres of town roads in Kaberamaido and Kalaki towns. 3. 105km. of Kyenjojo-Kihura-Bwizi-Rwamwanja- Kahunge and Mpara-Bwizi. Mwebale muno. 4. 56.3km., Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli-Jinja. Mwebale ino . 5. 127km Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu – at long last. 6. 10km., Jinja City roads. 7. 115km., Kitgum-Kidepo. Apwoyo, apwoyo! (Applause) 8. 88km, Ishasa-Katunguru Road. Mwebale munonga . 9. 65.3km, Luku-Kalangala-Mulabana Road. Do the bassesse have their own language? Bogera Luganda? Kale bagenderawo. 10. 10.67 kilometres on the seven town roads in Kalangala. 11. 72km, Nabumali-Butaleja-Namutumba. 12. 73km, Karenga-Kapedo-Kaabong. 13. 69.6km, Kotido-Kaabong Road. Alakara noi noi . 14. 25km, Bubulo-Bududa Circular Road. Akaguto ako banange. Aba Masaaba. 15. 21km, Mbale-Nkokonjeru Road . 16. 46.4km, Kabwohe-Nyakambu-Bwizibw - era and Nyakambu-Nsiika Road. Abany - abuhweju, at last. The Government is repairing the 78.9km road from Nebbi to Arua and I am also negotiating for more money to tarmac other roads, namely: Kabujogyera-Kitagwenda-Kamwenge Road – a batagwenda bangye mutebwo amastiko; Muhaanga-Rwamuchuuchu-Kisiizi-Rubaare Road with a branch to Nyakisheenyi and another one to Kebisooni – Abahooro, Abakiga tindabasa kubebwa; Lyantonde-Lumbugu- Rakai – abakooki baffe eyomunda eyo;

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for that guidance. As we speak, apparently we have lost most of this public land due to a lot of fraudulent processes that have been done to dispose of them. Development happens on land, not in the air. Therefore, for purposes of this particular request by KCCA that has been brought to the attention of the Parliament, I ask honourable colleagues that we support and authorise them to go ahead and dispose them off because due diligence has been done by the committee, and the purpose for which it is going to be disposed of is very clear to us. In the cities of Mbarara, Kampala, Lira, Soroti, Gulu and Arua, most public land has been fraudulently disposed of. We should put our feet on the ground and form a committee so that we are able to go through them. If we do not do that and this process of disposing of public land in a fraudulent way continues, the Government will lose a lot of public land. Madam Speaker, it is also true that we cannot leave this public land in the cities redundant for long, yet we can authorise investment on it. You cannot talk about development when there is no land. As long as there is due diligence and

Voto D.slgth flant{5ffi@Ol 151 Umnda Blood Ttansfusion Service ruBfSl 40.012.930 153 Rrblic Pnocuremerrt & Disposal of Assets PPDAI 25.382,O74 154 Uganda National Bureatr of Standards (UNBSI 96.3L9.774 156 Usanda Ianrd Commission rurcI 77.483.347 t57 National Forestry AuthoritvNFAl 25,372,421 158 Internal Securitv Organization (ISOI 223.119.370 159 Extcrnal SesuriU Organization (ESOI 138.055.477 163 Ueanda Retirements Benefits Reculatory Authoritv L2,544,833 L64 National Council for Higher Education 15.040.773 166 National Council of Sports 51.686.604 t67 Science, Technolorry and Innoration 320.645.439 168 Uganda Fneezones and Drport Pnomotion Authority 13.407,400 169 Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessrnent Board 59.364.482 301 Makerere UnftrcrsiB 352,491,158 302 !4barara University 66.L28,263 303 Makererre Uni\rersity Business Sctrool 152.792.270 304 Kyanbogo Unftrcrsitv L47,329,059 305 EUsiterra Unftrcrsity 61.397.305 306 Muni Unft/crcity 35.646.403 307 I(abale Unftrcrsitv 66,494,406 308 Soroti Unirrcrsity 41,489.749 3(x) Gulu UnftrcrsiB 77.349.889 310 Lira Unftrcrsitv 41.429,L35 311 law Development Ccntte. 33.826.230 3L2 Uganda Management Instihrtc 40.390.085 313 Mountains of the Moon Unftrcrsitv I 4t.o97.366 401 Mulaso National Rcferral Hospital 103,968,487 402 --, Butabika s a I

Votc ' . '- _-':i'- UculnUo rmrt(UGXOOOI RGfGrrl Horpltdt 403 Arua Hoqrital 11,525,914 404 Fort Fortal Hospital 12.943.6L9 405 Gulu Hospital L4.57L.970 406 Hoima Hospital 13,313,426 407 Jinja Hospital 18.335.966 408 Kabale Hospital 12.100.368 409 Masaka Hospital 13,452,7L2 410 Mbale Hospital 16,738.569 4Lt Soroti Hospital 9.9t2.492 412 Lira Hospital L5.522.676 413 Mbarara Recional Hospital 18,645,268 4t4 Mubende Rcsional Referral Hospital L2.292.t33 415 Monoto Resional Rcferrd Hospital 11.150.847 4L6 Nacuru Referral Hospital L4,902,927 417 Kinrddu Refenal Hospital 27.401.331 418 I(awern c Rcferral Hospital 26.564.466 4t9 Entebbe Reeional Referral Hoepital 17.281,838 420 Mulaso Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 30.925.771 42L Karrunga Referraf Hospital 14.772.948 422 H Yumbe Referral ffudoar Abroad 1 501 Ugqnda Mission at the United Nations, New York 18.306.699 502 Uganda High CotDrlission in the United Kinedom L5.640.947 503 Uganda High Comrnisaion in Canada . Ottawa 10.323.859 504 Uganda High Cornrnission in India. New Delhi 8,877,777 505 Qgrnrniggign i11 1 506 in Tanzania , Dar es gnlaarn \ 12.790.806 507 Ugand**IiEh Qsrnrnisgiqn in Niqeria. Abuia /'a^, \ 6,699,770 ( ,$ t 2,A # -ffuT a8e

Votc eoAf,iltoa rmil|Uq*omT t46 Rrblic Service Counission (PSCI 2,541,500 t47 Local Crovemmcnt Finance Corraission(LGFCl 1,500,000 148 Judicial Service Corrmission(JSCI 2,496,31O 150 Nationd Envinonment Manasemcnt Authoritv NEMAI 8,130,148 151 Uganda Blood Ttansfirsion Service (LrBTSl 4,L26,676 153 Rrblic Procurement & Disposal of Assets IPPDA) 1.295.400 154 Uganda National Bureau of Standards fi.INBSl 35,550,000 156 Ustnda I:nd Cornrnission rurc| 26,920,OOO 157 NAgeqd Forestnr AuthoritvNFAl 2t.287.691 158 I4tE41tel Security Organization (ISO) 10,241,000 159 External Security Organization (ESOI 702.O72 163 qp4dajgtir€Eents Benefits Rcgulatory Authoritv 720,OOO L64 Natiorml Council for Highcr Eclucation 100.000 166 National Council of Sports 45t.226903 167 Science, Technologtr and Innovation 40.998.100 168 Usanda Freezones a4d Drport Pnomotion Authority 2.357.698 169 Uganda Vocational end Technical Assess"rent Board r0.330.876 301 Makerere U4iircrsity 33.9L9.237 302 Mbarara UnfuersiB 34.740.706 303 Makerere UniversiBBusiness Sctrool 1.881.595 304 Kyanbogo Unftrcrsity 3.989.831 305 Busitema Unfuersjty LL.404.826 306 Muni Unftrcrsity 3,768.286 307 IGbale UniversitV 2.056.269 308 Soroti Unftrcrsitll 10.987.980 309 Gulu Unftmsity 2L.836.718 310 Lira Unfuersity 4.412.239 311 law Derrclopment Centne. 4.357.193 3L2 Uganda Mana8ement Instihrte 313 Mountains of the It@oqUnfurcrsity 5.151.599 401 Mulago National Rsferral Hospital 23.3t5.487 402 ffi Butabika R.fcErl 403 Arua 4,790,096 404 Fort Portal Hospitel A ) 114,518 405 ) Gnlu Hospitat -^ /-K ',lJ w_ 108,000 52 lPa \s & ^*dE'. It

17244 THE UGANDA PEOPLE’S DEFENCE FORCES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 2014 and 2015, the Synod on the Young People in 2018, the Synod on the Pan-Amazonia region in 2019, and the Synod on Synodality in 2024, through which the Pope consulted the world- wide Catholic Church on matters affecting the Catholic Church; APPRECIATING THAT His Holiness Pope Francis lived a life of distinction, exalted, unique compassion and kindness, exhibited charity, selflessness, humility and wisdom, and led a humble life free from the trappings of power and gave up most of the privileges attached to the Papacy; FURTHER APPRECIATING THAT His Holiness Pope Francis advocated for the protection of the environment, migrants, women and children, and preached reconciliation and inter-religious tolerance and advocated for world peace and the peaceful resolution of the wars and conflicts in South Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other parts of the world affected by war and conflict; COGNISANT THAT His Holiness Pope Francis visited Uganda in November 2015 to commemorate the 50 th Anniversary of the Canonisation of the Uganda Martyrs, during which visit Pope Francis preached reconciliation, unity, peace, harmony and urged leaders to work for the common good of the people; FURTHER COGNISANT THAT His Holiness Pope Francis recognised and bestowed upon Fr. Guiseppe Ambrosoli of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, the rite of Venerable at an event that took place on 20 November 2022 in Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that: 1. Parliament collectively conveys its deep condolences to the Catholic Church and the people of Uganda for the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis. 2. Parliament takes cognisance of the distinguished, selfless and dedicated service of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Catholic Church and humanity. Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

Thank you. Honourable minister, please give us an update in two weeks’ time, as you requested. Next item? MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE DEGAZETTING OF LAND OCCUPIED BY GULU UNIVERSITY

I am happy, as directed by you, Mr Speaker, to give the status on the degazettement of Gulu Central Forest Reserve. Gulu Central Forest Reserve was among the 16 selected forest reserves that underwent assessment and possible recommendation for degazettement and gazettement. To date, my ministry has guided the process and Gulu University, while working with both Gulu

17215 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 17 APRIL 2025 City Authority and Nwoya District Local Government, has provided alternative land in Nwoya District which has been converted into freehold title in the name of Gulu University. Both the lands have been surveyed, including boundary opening and are now in the final process of doing valuation, in accordance with sections 8 and 11 of the National Forest and Tree Planting Act, 2003, which provides for amendment of the order declaring the forest reserves. Mr Speaker, the pending intervention is for the National Forestry Authority, Gulu City Authority and Gulu University to complete undertaking the Environment and Social Impact Assessment for both the Gulu Central Forest Reserve and the alternative land in Nwoya, which shall be submitted to NEMA for final approval and subsequently, this status shall be submitted to Cabinet for approval. Upon Cabinet approval, my ministry will submit the outcome to this Parliament for further consideration. That is the status of the Central Forest Reserve in Gulu. I beg to submit.

No, Hon. Nambooze; first take your seat. Honourable colleague, we have a clear subject matter on Gulu. If you have an issue which you want to bring up as a matter of national importance, kindly bring it that way. Please, Hon. Nambooze. Honourable colleagues, this is your House. Let us not take shortcuts and say these matters are cousins or related. (Laughter) It can be a critical matter, and I will give you space for it specifically, so that we give it attention. (Hon. Kaaya rose_) Is it on Gulu?

Mr Speaker, thank you so much. I have read the statement, and we are happy about the procedure because it is in line with our Forest and Tree Planting Act, 2003. However, the Environment and Social Impact Assessment must be done by Gulu University and the recipient district. So, Nwoya must also give us a response because they are the ones to host the alternative forest reserve. All these proposals must come into play when the forest reserve is already standing, not to pass a resolution here when the trees are not already standing. That is the clarification I wanted to give.

I was in the Committee on Education that was sent for that exercise. Mr Speaker, I thank you for making it clear that this House has never degazetted that forest because some people have been peddling lies that the Gulu Forest Reserve was degazetted; that was misinformation. We saw two pieces of land. One had some eucalyptus, and another was still vacant. I think it is appropriate that the ministry is following the right procedures to execute this degazettement.

Honourable colleagues, let me make it very easy for you. I received a petition when I was still a Government Chief Whip, I received a petition and I shared it with the minister. The minister said that they had not yet followed the procedure, and they were going to support them in doing so. When we had our sitting in Gulu, the university hosted me. They again asked, “Please, we request that the Government expedite the process. We have the land ready, we have planted the trees, and we need the Government to assess and see whether indeed we have met the conditions.” Since the minister has updated us, let us wait; honourable minister, help the University so that we can expedite the process. Thank you. Do you want to say something?

Thank you, Mr Speaker and thank you, colleagues, for your input. I want to be very clear from the submission of Hon. Okot Ogong, my friend, that the Minister of Water and Environment has never been on this Floor of Parliament, moving a motion to de-gazette the Gulu central forest reserve. We are happy that colleagues have seen, and I would like to thank my shadow minister, who has also noted that the Government follows procedures. It is not because we are frustrating the efforts of Gulu University; the mandate we were given is to follow the law strictly.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Compliance with the law All the ministerial policy statements under the committee’s purview complied with the requisite laws and regulation. Therefore, it is in order that the honourable member peruses through some of those annexes. I invite Members to focus on Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport, as I give observations and recommendations. Unpaid certificates Delayed payment to contractors has been and continues to be one of the major factors negatively affecting the construction industry in the works and transport sector. Long outstanding payables are an indication of poor budgeting and cause a risk of litigation and payment of penalties for delayed periods. Consequently, contractors lose the properties they use as collateral to acquire loans to execute government projects. Commercial banks, who are the main financiers of the industry, are losing confidence in government- funded projects, making these projects less competitive. The committee noted that the proposed budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 has a budgetary requirement of Shs 1,735 billion, that is Shs 1.7 trillion towards areas and unpaid certificates for the National Roads Department, and yet only Shs 150 billion has been allocated, leaving a funding gap of Shs 1.5 trillion. The committee, therefore, recommends and urges the Government to provide additional resources to a tune of Shs 1.5 trillion to clear the outstanding debt, in order to avoid paying interest, which creates an additional financial burden to the taxpayers. Rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Railway Line The committee was informed that on 13 April, 2023, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Railways Corporation, as the implementing agency, signed a contract with the China Roads and Bridge Corporation to rehabilitate the 382 kilometres of Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway at a cost of Shs 199 billion. This project is fully funded by the Government of Uganda and was supposed to take a period of two years, with the completion date set at July 2025. The metre gauge railway will support the Government’s efforts to increase stock and quality of strategic infrastructure in order to accelerate Uganda’s competitiveness. The committee noted that while the ministry had budgeted for Shs 90 billion towards compensation, rehabilitation and supervision of civil works along the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway, only Shs 46 billion was provided, leaving a funding gap of Shs 44 billion. The committee takes cognisance of the crucial role that the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will unveil for northern Uganda and Uganda as a whole, upon completion, in terms of boosting economic growth through facilitating trade and transport, connecting the region to global markets and boosting key value chains like agriculture, cement, oil and gas. Therefore, it recommends and urges the Government to provide an additional Shs 44 billion for the metre gauge railway, if it is to be completed by the end of 2025. The committee further recommends that the metre gauge railway to Gulu be extended to Pakwach because the railway line infrastructure originally terminated at Pakwach and is still in existence, although it needs rehabilitation.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I also join others in thanking the committee for the good report. My observation is that the extension of the meter-gauge railway from Gulu to Pakwach is a very good idea. But I will implore the committee to extend this railway to Arua City because we have a value-addition facility there that needs raw materials from the Acholi Subregion and Teso. That will serve the value- addition facility with raw materials.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My observation is that the committee only captured Shs 44 billion for the compensation of the Tororo-Gulu Meter Gauge Railway Project, without indicating the compensation for the few landlords in Arua City that vacated their land for the construction of Arua Airfield. I pray that the committee also captures that, such that the few landlords who were not catered for, are catered for. Secondly, Arua-Biliefe Road - I am raising this again - and the Arua-Lia-Odramacaku Road are generating a lot of revenue for this country. We have border markets there. However, the roads are not in a good state, and I do not know how long they are going to take to work on them. The electorates keep asking us, and we are heading towards the campaign period. I pray that the ministry can provide an answer, or help us to work on those roads. Those are my two observations.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Kwania has three subcounties that have not been benefiting from the Uganda Road Fund for the last four years, and they are very bitter. Last time I went there, they told me to take them back to their original subcounties because they were created when I was the district chairperson. The issue of coding does not work because these are gazetted subcounties. Secondly, the Gulu Regional Workshop was created way back when some of us were still kids, and the Lango Subregion had two districts; now we have ten. These people cannot do miracles. Regional workshops should be in every subregion if we are to realise any results. Kwania District Local Government, among other districts, was partially given road equipment: a grader and an excavator, but without the roller and the water booster. I thought that in this budget we were going to hear something about that, but the minister is silent, and even the committee is. Lastly, Mr Speaker, I think you need not regret for not having Central Government roads. Kwania has two Central Government

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I would like to find out from the Minister of Works and Transport: when the Uganda Road Fund was an entity on its own, the Government was not giving them the money that was due to them as Uganda Road Fund. I would like to find out how easy that is going to be now that it is a department within the Ministry of Works and Transport. Secondly, the road that my sister, Hon. Joan, talked about, from Pakwach to Rhino Camp, that road actually starts from Panyimur. Honourable minister, you know about it. It starts from Panyimur, and as we speak, if any heavier rains come, that road is going to be cut off completely. Therefore, honourable minister, you need to look into that. Thirdly, committee chairperson, you mentioned the meter-gauge railway from Gulu to Pakwach as a by-the-way because the initial issue you talked about was that railway line from Tororo to Gulu. Pakwach was now mentioned as a by- the-way. I would like to appeal that the one from Gulu to Pakwach does not become a by- the-way; it should become something that is looked at more seriously. Finally, Mr Speaker, I said it here one time that we are in an election period - for the Nebbi subregion - from Pakwach up to Zombo - that road, even if repeatedly, we are going to talk about it; the one from Nebbi to Goli and Zombo, and whatever. That road for us in the Nebbi subregion – (Member timed out.)

17176 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 Soroti University The committee recommends that finance ministry allocates Shs 10 billion to Soroti University to support the new academic programmes that the university intends to run in the 2025/2026 Financial Year. Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development continues to support the university in the medium term with additional funding in order to complete most of the construction projects. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Water and Environment provides a solution to the degazettement of the Gulu Central Forest Reserve to enable the establishment of the university hospital. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Education and Sports, in liaison with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, process the land title and the finance ministry avails funds in a phased manner with an initial allocation of Shs 7 billion. Lira University The committee recommends that finance ministry provides Shs 9 billion for the completion of the main administration block and Shs 10 billion to kick start the Lira University infrastructural project. The Uganda Management Institute (UMI) It lacks funds to improve infrastructure in its different campuses. Recommendation The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates to UMI a budget of Shs 15.2 billion, in a phased manner starting next financial year, to enable the institute to undertake its capital development, and Shs 2 billion to disseminate its research outputs. Mountain of the Moon University The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates: i) An additional Shs 5.19 to increase staffing levels, especially the number of professionals at the university from the current; ii) An additional Shs 6.5 billion for contractual obligations for the construction of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Science lecture complex; and iii) Shs 4 billion for full implementation of the Mountain of the Moon Research Agenda, to enable the university to conduct transformative and scientific research for community, national development, as well as establishment and provision of materials and equipment for the incubation centre. Mr Speaker, the rest are details and I would like to conclude. I beg to move that the budget for the education, sports, and skills subprogramme for Financial Year 2025/2026 be approved. I beg to move. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I rise on Gulu University. I remember a petition was presented here about the degazettement of part of the forest land, yet the university had already developed that land, and there are buildings, which are existing. I remember having passed a resolution in that favour that the university was going to hand over certain land for a tree plantation. I am surprised that the issue is still in the report and requires a resolution from the ministry. It is supposed to be the Parliament here to degazette; to approve the degazettement, which I remember we already approved here. I wonder why it still exists in the report. Mr Speaker, there is an issue that the President has always been echoing now and then, about the restriction of fees in Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools. Can the minister come out clearly and tell the nation, which fees are supposed to be paid by parents or students? Otherwise, there is a lot of havoc in the schools. The parents are about to fight with the management of the schools. On the recruitment, I beg the honourable minister that we consider recruiting teachers

17196 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 from the indigenous districts; the teachers coming from those very districts, so that we can maintain them in the schools. When you recruit teachers from far districts, for example, a teacher to operate in Gulu but coming from Kampala, the chances of this person leaving, not operating in Gulu, are high or going there one day only – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Now, for the record, we have never passed a resolution for the degazettement of Gulu University land. Please, we have never because in the process of degazettement, the motion must come from the minister. What we said here was, Gulu University has met all the requirements. However, the Government is refusing to bring a motion here. So, we urged the Government to expedite the process. Sometimes I ask myself, who is behind this because - and why I am asking this is that Gulu University is a Government university. We borrowed money from the African Development Bank, built infrastructure in a forest reserve and applied for it to be degazetted. The university went, bought land and planted trees that would offset the carbon footprint of the area they had taken. Now, even if you go to where they are, you do not see any trees to say it is a forest. However, we remain on it with the Government buildings. The university is operating, but for purposes of records and all that, the university needs that area to be degazetted. It is like the forests, which we have in town. In the middle of town, you hear there is a forest. There is no forest, but we just hold on to it. For a Government institution, I really wonder. I visited Gulu University. They explained to me where the main building is. I wonder why the minister cannot - maybe we should now call the minister here to explain; the Minister of Water and Environment. Yes, we are going to call the Minister of Water and Environment to come and explain why. Hon. Onzima, is it on the same?

Okay, that one is left to the House. Lastly, we have never de-gazetted that forest on the land for Gulu University. We were trying to tell the ministry of education to alert the ministry for environment that the matter was done – (Interjections) - yes, so the Speaker has directed. I thank you very much.

17007 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 for the community health extension workers programme, to strengthen disease prevention and promotion of public health activities. Vote 134 – Health Services Commission The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development provides Shs 3 billion for the procurement of vehicles for the board members of the Health Services Commission, in a phased manner, starting with Shs 1 billion in the coming financial year. Vote 127: Uganda Virus Research Institute The committee was informed that the Uganda Virus Research Institute has five acres of land at Kamwanyi in Entebbe, which is occupied by bonafide occupants, who have made it impossible for it to develop. The committee recommends that Shs 5.4 billion be provided to Uganda Virus Research Institute to pay off the bonafide occupants, and secure the land for development. On page 25, there is inadequate funding for research. We can go straight to the recommendations. They need an additional Shs 1.6 billion for research. The second is that the Uganda Virus Research Institute mandate should be amended to cover bacteria, viruses, protozoa, insects, and other microorganisms. You may think that they deal only with viruses, but there are also some other microorganisms. Uganda Heart Institute We can go to page 26. The newly approved staff structure is understaffed, and wages are an issue. The committee recommends that an additional wage amounting to Shs 22.89 billion be provided to Uganda Heart Institute to enable them to fully operationalise the new approved staff structure, and enable timely functionalisation of the newly expanded Heart Institute complex, located in Naguru. Super specialised training The committee recommends that an additional Shs 0.56 billion be provided for the training. The training takes about three to five years. On the regional cardiac centres, there are two established cardiac centres. There is land in Hoima and in Mbarara, but they need - if you can go to the recommendations, you will see that Shs 51 billion for the construction of the two cardiac centres. Power connection to the new home in Naguru The committee recommended that Shs 2.8 billion be provided to Uganda Heart Institute to connect the new Naguru Centre to a dedicated power line. The Uganda Cancer Institute It has two centres, one in Gulu and the other in Mbarara. The committee recommends that Shs 7.1 billion be provided to enable the Uganda Cancer Institute to operationalise the Gulu and Mbarara centres. This will help bring cancer services closer to the people in order to decongest the main cancer centre in Mulago. Inadequate medical supplies for the Cancer Institute They need Shs 15.9 billion to be provided. There is the issue of funding for the Fred Hutch Centre. The Uganda Cancer Institute Fred Hutch Centre in Kampala was established with funding from the US Government. The committee was informed that USAID funding for the Fred Hutch Research Centre had come to an end. They needed Shs 6.5 billion, and only Shs 1 billion was provided. In the recommendations, they need Shs 5.5 billion extra. Staff wages - they are understaffed. The committee recommends that Shs 42 billion be provided to Uganda Cancer Institute, in a phased manner, beginning with Shs 10 billion.

17029 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 hospital in Gulu University; to construct that wing. We held several meetings about it and the subregion acquired land waiting for that project to be launched. Maybe you will get some time and fast-track it. Thirdly, I support the idea of turning Kitgum Medical Hospital into a regional referral hospital. Many people who come from eastern Acholi have to go - not even go to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, but instead to Lacor. That tells us even the services at regional referral hospitals - Much as we are emphasising the private wings of hospitals to be developed into proper services, those services at regional referral hospitals have to change and improve. The Government has changed the policy of health centres II into III. I think they have to revisit this policy. We have parishes without health centres II and those with health centres II have not been changed to health centres III. Some parishes are as big as subcounties and a point in case is in my county. Finally, as I conclude, I have written to the Ministry of Health. They have talked about it. Kalongo Town Council, for all this period, does not have government facilities like health centres III or whatever kind of health centre unit you want to place. Why don’t you put some small money aside for this? This is because it is the centre of Agago North County. Besides the ambulances, which you have not given to us, let us roll it out. Many of us are now talking about those things – (Member timed out.)

“We”, but because I am a minister in the sector of education, I only wanted to make that - Madam Speaker, before I sit down, allow me to say thank you to the House for always supporting the sports subsector because what AFCON has brought for Uganda is not only going to benefit football. It is benefiting even other sports, which are not football-related. Mine is to thank you, honourable colleagues, that – I call upon you, Madam Speaker, to invite Members to visit some of the facilities that we have worked on. I also invite you to visit Hoima, Akii Bua, and we are going to Gulu, Kyambogo and Lira. All these facilities are going to be worked on. Thank you and you are most welcome. We are open to visits. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My matter of urgent and national importance is the closure of the Karuma Bridge. Allow me to begin by thanking your good office for the wise ruling during the parliamentary regional sitting in Gulu where you directed for immediate repair of the Karuma Bridge –

16673 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 MARCH 2025 communicable diseases, you will find that death on the roads is actually the highest. Joe Walker walked from Kampala to Gulu advocating for road safety and they arrived yesterday. Pedestrians and cyclists are not catered for and yet we have school children who cross the road to go to school. On Monday, a four year old boy, Joshua, was knocked by a vehicle. Akena a 12 year old from Gulu was also buried yesterday - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. You are spot on. Honourable members, since 2021/2022, Government came up with a policy and that is why you see that all roads now under construction have a pedestrian lane or a walk- away. That will maybe reduce - but we still have to sensitise our drivers and road users. Hon. Betty Aol and I were both district councillors. She was a district councillor in Gulu and I in Kibale. She is my close friend.

16676 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION solution we are implementing now is removing heavy trucks from the roads by constructing the Standard-Gauge Railway (SGR). It is going to take some time, but once we have it from Tororo, where Hon. Ekanya comes from, to Kampala and from Kampala to Gulu and the rest of the country, the road accidents will definitely reduce. It is long-term. These other immediate measures are continuous sensitisation.

16612 THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MEDIATION AGREEMENT BILL,2024 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Mr Migadde] and analysis of the labour market needs for the health sector and the development of the East African Community non-communicable disease registry. Component three is project implementation which will involve providing resources to ensure effective project management at the country level. Under this component, additional financial resources will be used for effective projects at UCI and other public partner institutions for training and research, including Makerere University of Health Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Gulu University. As the minister has already highlighted, the loan is concessional. Allow me to proceed with observations and recommendations. One is an increase in the number of additional financing requests. The Committee notes that of late, the Government has tabled before Parliament a number of proposals requiring additional financing to the already ongoing projects. A case in point is the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji- Katuna-Muko- Kamuganguzi Road Project, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Project loan, Masaka-Mutukula Road Project; addition to this one and the Masaka-Mutukula Road Project, in addition to this. This has been attributed to delays in the implementation of the projects, lack of adequate planning and preparedness for these projects, and variations in the scope of work, among others. These lead to cost overruns resulting in requests for additional funds, ultimately increasing the financial burden on the Government. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should minimise variations in, therefore, recommends that Government should minimise variations in projects except in unavoidable circumstances, such as changes in scope or design, which may necessitate requests for additional funding. A case in point, in terms of infrastructure, the scope changed by 80 per cent for this project. The plan was not to build a new structure so they ended up building a new one. Two, the performance of the projects in the health sector. The committee noted that most of the ongoing projects in the health sector have faced slow progress and this is attributed to low disbursement rates. Delays in the procurement process, incomplete or errors in designs, and compensation issues that make sites inaccessible. Bureaucracy, delayed payment due to lack of funding mostly brought by conditions precedent to disbursement, among others. Delays in implementing or executing critical health projects have a significant impact on service delivery. The committee recommends that for efficient and effective implementation of this project, the implementing agency should ensure adequate identification and evaluation of risks that occur throughout the project cycle so that they are adequately mitigated to avoid further delays. As the committee was considering this request, we toured the Mulago Cancer Institute, we saw the situation there with patients on the floor, in the corridors and everywhere. Based on that, in addition to what the minister highlighted, as noted, the Government’s efforts to improve health outcomes in the country and in the East African community, at the regional level, the proposed projects provide a vehicle for implementing key disease control strategic priorities of regional level, the proposed projects provide a vehicle for implementing key disease control strategic priorities of regional institutions. Mr Speaker, the committee, therefore, supports and recommends to this House to approve the Government’s request to borrow up to

16571 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 4 MARCH 2025 Yes, Rukiga and then Gulu.

Thank you. Gulu?

Honourable members, let us avoid some kind of embarrassment in the House. From the documents I looked at, there are people who did interviews and three of them were subjected to the final interviews. They went through the senate, had a written interview, and from the written interview, they had to go to a secret ballot. Consistently, one person was leading in all three interviews. However, when it came to giving the instruments, they said, “You are not the right person.” Let us see how to settle this thing quietly without embarrassing ourselves further because if it is a person we had earmarked or who was earmarked who did not go through then – (Laughter) Rt Hon. Prime Minister, as you come in, I also got a petition from Mbarara University. There is a strike at Mbarara University. There was also a strike at Kyambogo. Save for Hon. Musasizi, who acted on Mbarara very fast, there is still a strike at Kyambogo. Look at all these universities and see what you can do best and how you can handle the issues. (Member rose_) What we want is a solution . Excuse me, do not switch on the microphone, my son. There is also Gulu.

Sure! It is not true that you do not get something to show that you have sat Senior Four. Madam Speaker, this must be a competency- based examination. Nobody should be shielded from whether she has scored well or failed. My request to the minister is to clarify those grades: A, B, C, D. It must be very clear and precise, because as you go for the examination — and it is a competency-based curriculum, you want to be number one, number two, and the best in the country, this should be very clear. Lastly, the honourable minister told us last year about the training of teachers and in the report, she said there were regional trainings. One was at St. Joseph College, Layibi, in Gulu. It was the training of trainers(TOT). However, Madam Speaker, after the TOT, the trainers were never facilitated to take this training -

16502 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION One of them needed a simple machine for mak - ing ice cream. Another one needed a machine for making concentrates from tamarind. When I asked them where they learned this from, they said they learned it from school. There are many stories that you learn from the students, and this is coming from the new cur - riculum that is currently being implemented. It is a very commendable step that the Minis - try of Education and Sports, and Government, have taken. The new changes come with new responsi - bilities. Now, we need to make sure that the schools have the things that are required to ef - fectively implement the new curriculum. We need the libraries. We need the laboratories. We need a lot of things, but you know, many schools – and I can use examples in Gulu. Many schools are struggling to have what it takes to have the new curriculum implement - ed. The teachers bear the heaviest burden. It is, therefore, important that Parliament gives us special attention in supporting the Ministry of Education and Sports in making sure that this curriculum is implemented effectively. Finally, permit me to use this opportunity to thank the Members of Parliament who repre - sent the UPDF in this House. They put together about Shs 200 million – and I need to have this on record: Madam Speaker, each one of them contributed over Shs 20 million. They put it to - gether and were able to have this money build a laboratory in Gulu. I want to –

Yes, a small Theodore. He is on a three-country visit, starting with Nairobi, Kenya, and will be arriving in Uganda on the 18 th of this month – next week. We hope he will have audience with His Excellency, the President and, thereafter, he will be received at the Church. On the 19 th , Madam Speaker, the Pope will be having his patriarchal visit to St George and Andrew Church, Lwemiyaga – that will be a Wednesday – before proceeding to Gulu on the 20 th . He will conclude his visit with the eastern region in Jinja. We hope we will have his itinerary arranged, but the bishops of those areas are well-informed and are coordinating well. I take the opportunity, Madam Speaker, to invite you, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and all the honourable Members of Parliament. Let us meet the Pope and take the blessings. It is non- partisan. We are all one in God, and that is his message. He comes at a time when the country needs his message, and we look forward to the support from Members of Parliament, with your presence and in every way. I am glad that Hon. Elijah Okupa is heading the protocol at the reception of the Pope and I hope he will work tirelessly to ensure that everything goes well, together with the other members. I beg to submit, Madam Speaker. I thank you for the opportunity and blessings from the church.

16213 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2025 The main commemoration event will start with a church service at the late Archbishop Janani Luwum’s burial ground at Wii-Gweng, Mucwini Ceremonial Grounds in Kitgum District, followed by speeches as usual. The chief guest is expected to be His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda. The main celebrant will be the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, while the guest preacher will be Rt Rev. Ass. Prof. Dr Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Bishop of Ankole Diocese. Other commemoration activities, which the Church of Uganda has organised will include evangelical missions within Kitgum Diocese to mobilise the believers. Furthermore, pilgrims will walk from Kampala, Lira, Gulu and other areas up to Mucwini in affirmation of their faith. A football competition has been organised among the youth at the archdeaconry level and the finals will be played at Mucwini on Friday, 14 February 2025, tomorrow. The winning team shall be given a trophy. On the night of 15 February 2025, there will be an open-air crusade of praise and worship. Consisting of groups from various parishes. Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I invite all Ugandans to attend the 48 th commemoration of Saint Janani Luwum Day on Sunday, 16 February 2025 at Wii-Gweng, Mucwini in Kitgum District. The church service shall begin at 9.00 a.m. sharp. This is a national holiday involving all stakeholders including believers from all denominations, government, diplomatic corps, civil society, the media, the private sector, and the international community. Janani’s martyrdom provides a powerful message of forgiveness and reconciliation among all believers in God and therefore, let us turn up in large numbers to honour, celebrate and provide thanksgiving for this martyr of the 20 th Century. For God and my country. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of very urgent national importance regarding the absence of radiologists at our regional hospitals. Last week, I had a patient who was referred to do a CT scan. He went to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. It was conducted, and they asked him to provide a phone number on a smartphone so that they could give him the video. Unfortunately, he had no smartphone. Therefore, the video had to be sent to another person who had a smartphone. Eventually, it was sent to me. They told him to go back after four days and get the results. At first I did not understand why it takes about four days until I asked a friend, an OB actually, who works in Mulago Hospital. That is when he explained to me that the policy has now changed: all the results are analysed centrally from Mulago yet there are very few radiologists working on those issues. Indeed, it took four days for the results to come. However, I was lucky that I had somebody who could interpret the results immediately and I got the results of my patient immediately. How about the other Ugandans who are unable to get people to help them interpret the results quickly? This is, to me, a very big problem, because emergency issues are not handled immediately. My plea to the Minister of Health is that this issue must be urgently handled since we are now in the budgeting process. Can we have radiologists employed and deployed? I am reliably informed that it is not only in Gulu. Even Soroti, Mbale, and Arua Regional Referral Hospitals have nothing. This is a crisis and many Ugandans are actually suffering silently. Madam Speaker, Ugandans need an urgent answer. Thank you.

16125 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2025 Aisha Kabanda, and I think it is very healthy, we have had scenarios where sometimes some Members decide to abscond or to walk away when there are very critical matters of national importance to be discussed. At times when we are sitting in other spaces, for example in Kololo, as a space for Parliament to sit - we have had scenarios where we were sitting at the regional sitting in Gulu and the issues to be discussed were very pertinent - we do not feel comfortable to leave the front rows empty. Therefore, I would like to agree with the proposal by the chairperson of the committee that based on the discretion of the Speaker, when she finds it necessary, the Speaker can guide on free sitting. Thank you.

15976 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The CDF, who is one of the supervisors of the General Court Martial, has said that Dr Besigye can only get out of prison in a coffin. He had even arranged to kill him and went ahead to identify a tree in Gulu - and that is why I sympathise with you. Sometimes, these jobs - I think one time we may need – one time, the late Prof. Khiddu Makubuya was asked to offer advice to the President and he said, “ In law, you may or may give no advice ”. That is how he used to talk. “In this case, I choose to give no advice.” That is what he told the President and that is one of the reasons he was eventually sacked. What advice do you give to a person who has made the statements that the CDF has made? Then, the President, who went to Luweero to fight, killing people because he wanted power – (Interjections) - Yes, in Luweero they were not hunting; they were killing. He even speaks about how he was robbing guns from different barracks in Kabamba, Masindi to Hoima. He lights up. The trouble is that you support him but you do not read his books because if you did, you would find all this information. He went to Luweero, killed, robbed banks, including one in Kabale, and then he said he was fighting point number one of the NRM, which is democracy. He has now said that judges do not rule. So, who rules Uganda? Is it the President and his son? That what they say is sacrosanct and even the Attorney-General is wasting his time. So, I would like the Attorney-General to help me understand whether you can advise two military men who have already expressed themselves. Finally, Mr Speaker, the Constitution does not allow Parliament to take any decision whose effect will alter a judgement of the court. In advising these military people who are not listening, the Attorney-General was talking about an amendment. Can he tell us- I listened to Hon. Fox Odoi very carefully and I want to thank him; he said there was nothing to amend. However, the Attorney-General said that they advised him to amend. What are you advising them to amend, Sir? Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

15882 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 ii. The committee also noted that the Judiciary and the DPP run different digital E-Systems, yet their products are linked. The committee proposes that digitalisation of the two entities should be centralised to save money. iii. The committee was concerned about the high failure rate at the Law Development Centre. iv. The committee noted that the Uganda Human Rights Commission was advocating for a salary enhancement, yet it is due for merging with the Equal Opportunities Commission, where their salary will be enhanced based on the salary of the Equal Opportunities Commission. The committee recommends that the Uganda Human Rights Commission should await the implementation of the merger. J) Committee on Physical Infrastructure i. The committee was concerned that the Government was planning to compensate individuals who knowingly encroached on land belonging to Uganda Railways Corporation. There is a request of Shs 550 billion to compensate the people on the Tororo-Gulu railway line. We were concerned that this is an old railway – I am told the Government has a different opinion. ii. The committee was concerned that there is selective granting of contracts to former employees of UNRA. They say some are working and others are not working. iii. The committee noted that the Government was looking at Uganda Airlines purely as an infrastructure development, yet we also need to maximise the economic benefits therefrom. For example, we need to deliberately find market for Ugandan cargo at the destinations where Uganda Airlines flies. Our airlines go to different places but they do not carry cargo because we have not negotiated with the different countries to which we carry the different cargo. The standards are still an issue. iv. The committee raised concern about foreigners operating Uganda Airlines flights. That was answered. v. The committee was concerned that there is paralysis on road projects that were being worked on by UNRA and called upon the Government to expedite the process of settling the sector once and for all. K) Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries i. The committee called for the establishment of a clear seed production strategy for Uganda. We have not come out clearly. Who is in charge of certification of seeds – whether it is coffee, maize or beans – for the country? ii. The committee noted that all areas of the country should be encouraged to grow perennial crops because they are better at creating wealth than the short-term crops. iii. The committee was concerned about the fact that there is an increase in fish catches, but a decline in fish exports. The Government should look into that matter. iv. The committee was concerned that there are many unqualified people posing as extension workers. v. The committee noted inconsistencies between the Certificate of Financial Implication on the rationalisation of entities and the budget under consideration. What is said under RAPEX, as savings – I think this matter will come in detail in the RAPEX paper. We have problems there. L) Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs i. The committee was concerned that the army was asking for funds to monitor elections, yet it is the mandate of the Uganda Police Force (UPF). The committee recommends that this situation should be harmonised.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I also thank the chairperson and members of the Committee on Budget, and the Shadow Minister for the report. I have a few comments. The first is on the priority areas of the budget strategy. When you look at the priority areas of the budget strategy and compare them with the budget allocation per programme, it looks like the word “priority” is losing meaning. When you look at the priorities, you realise that agro-industrialisation is number one, but the allocation to the programme is just 2.9 per cent of the budget yet this programme is supposed to implement many other activities and programmes, including mechanisation, irrigation, fighting pests and diseases, and extension services, which is, of course, the fulcrum of agriculture. So, I feel this programme should be given more money. I also agree with the committee on the issue of encouraging all areas in the country to produce perennial crops. These perennial crops can be more economically rewarding and good for improving soil health, which is already eroded. In its submission, the committee also alluded to allocating money to two different ministries; the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Water and Environment - that is water for production. This is the time for us to make a pronouncement on this because this has even sometimes caused conflict. You find that these two ministries even conflict on sites. A case in point is Nakonyen Dam in Moroto District, where the Ministry of Agriculture went for it; the Ministry of Water also went for it. So, the best we can do is put that money for water for production in a pool. Mr Speaker, on the issue of infrastructure development for universities, I thank the committee. We need money for those universities. I am also happy that the Government has taken a step that every subregion gets a university to support the education of our children. However, it is unfortunate that in some areas, land has become a problem. Whereas this is so, the Government has goodwill for such universities. However, in the case of Karamoja where we have 773 acres of land for constructing a constituent college of agriculture under Gulu University, we do not have money for that. I was there when the Vice Chancellor was requesting just Shs 10 billion; the land is

But you do not have time. You can only give what you have; your time was already up. – No, honourable member, the clarification I was making was simple. These clubs do not even make money. In fact, golf clubs all over the world do not make money, but they protect the area through green spaces. Go to Fort Portal, Arua, they are the only ones – Mbarara, Kampala or Entebbe. I played golf with the Speaker of Singapore, and he said, “I really cannot believe it; I am next to a zoo, and I am in a very green area”. The oldest club in East Africa – Tororo. But in the end, if you do not support their maintenance, they will be stolen like the one of Gulu. They did not see any value; so they shared it. They built houses even in Lira. You are going to lose them. Now, they are being protected using the little money that comes from members. If you tax it, then you are taxing the land, and it will be gone. That is it. These clubs will be nowhere. In fact, you do not budget for them. They are just held in trust and protected by the public. Hon.

Thank you very much , Mr Speaker. I want to thank the chairperson of the committee and Hon. Ssemujju Nganda for their presentations. Mr Speaker, a number of issues have been tackled by this Parliament. I have not heard of the issue of land funds being discussed here. I come from the central region, and the challenges of the different regions vary. When you come to the central region, a number of Ugandans are being evicted by the rich people every day and night. When you sit at home every evening and watch TV news, you will see Ugandans crying, “The Prime Minister and minister of lands, come and help us.” Go to Kiboga, Nakasongola and Luweero – the issue of the land fund has not been considered. I want to urge and implore the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to consider empowering the Uganda Land Commission so that they have money to secure land for Ugandans who are becoming landless every day and night. Secondly, Mr Speaker, is about connectivity roads. The Government is planning to connect the road from Dokolo-Ochero-Namasale. That is the same road which comes to Zengebe, Sasira up to the Gulu highway. Why do you work on one part of the road and leave the other? I think the finance ministry could be isolating Nakasongola and leaving it as an island. They need to tell us. Lastly, Mr Speaker, for some years, the President has been pledging to tarmac the Zirobwe-Kikyusa-Bamugolodde road. Ever since I joined Parliament, it has been a presidential pledge but you do not see it in the development plan, the budget or anywhere else. I would like to ask the ministry of finance

Fr Onen? FR CHARLES ONEN (Independent, Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting me this opportunity. I join my colleagues to thank the chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Hon. Ssemujju. There should be consideration for the Local Governments. In 2021, new administrative units were created – new cities, divisions, municipalities and districts – and yet in all these cities, only administrative units are operating without road equipment. For nearly four years, they have been hiring that equipment. If the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development could consider giving road equipment to the new cities. People have been talking about the cancer issue. Last year, I was with my brother at Uganda Cancer Institute for six months; eventually, he passed on. I was with him and the issue of crowding – I am a witness. We need an infrastructure expansion policy for the cancer centre. So far, the Government has prioritised regional centres in northern, eastern and western Uganda like Mbarara, Mbale and Gulu. At the same time, all these centres are

15957 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 30 JANUARY 2025 overcrowded because cancer is one of the serious silent-killer diseases in this country. For example, people are now moving from Mulago to Gulu, and Gulu is now overcrowded. We need more land for the expansion of these cancer centres. Finally, on the issue of the elderly people. At one time we are all going to grow old and I have not heard about how the elderly people are going to be catered for in our budget. We need money to be prioritised for the elderly people so that they can age gracefully.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am pleased to inform this House that it is the Government’s policy to pay all war debt claimants and beneficiaries irrespective of whether they went to court or not. I want to believe that you still remember the contents of the report which was presented while we were in Gulu; so, I am beginning from there. Our mandate, as far as compensation of all the claimants is concerned, is limited to Acholi, [Mr Asiimwe] LAYING OF PAPERS

15819 THE E LEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY , 29 JANUARY 2025 Lango, and Teso Subregions. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs awaits Cabinet guidance on whether other regions that were affected by insurgencies can be brought on board. Parliament made a total budgetary allocation of Shs 200 billion over the past four financial years, namely Shs 50 billion in the Financial Year 2021/2022, Shs 30 billion in 2022/2023, Shs 80 billion in 2023/2024, and Shs 40 billion shillings in 2024/2025. The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, in the Financial Year 2021/2022, released Shs 50 billion, in the Financial Year 2022/2023, there was no release at all. While in the Financial Year 2023/2024, Shs 71.28 billion was released and in the Financial Year 2024/2025 has so far released Shs 18.2 billion, making a total of Shs 139.49 billion. Out of this, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has so far paid out Shs 136 billion as follows: i) Shs 49.323 billion has been paid out to 17,934 people in the Financial Year 2023/2024; ii) Shs 16.14 billion has been paid out to 11,250 people in the three subregions of Acholi, Lango, and Teso in the Financial Year 2024/2025; iii) A total of Shs 1.19 billion in the Financial Year 2021/2022 and 2023/2024 bounced back to the ministry accounts due to various reasons such as closed accounts, dormant accounts, inaccurate names or inaccurate account numbers, among others. Whereas on 5 August 2024, we reported to the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation that Shs 119.24 billion was paid out, the figure has since increased to Shs 136 billion n’obugwaamu due to – ( Laughter) Let me repeat that Mr Speaker. I wanted the attention of Hon. Namugga; she was not following. Whereas on 5 August 2024, we reported to the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation that Shs 119.24 billion was paid out, the figure has since increased to Shs 136 billion due to the release of more funds for compensation in the Financial Year 2024/2025. Honourable colleagues, the information relating to the payment of all claimants/ beneficiaries is readily available on the ministry’s website, that is, www.justice.go.ug/ livestock–compensation . Please note this was last updated in September 2024. I am talking about the website because the information you find there should tally with what I am saying. It was last updated in September 2024. Quarter 2 for the Financial Year 2024/2025 is still pending upload owing to the reconciliation of the figures being undertaken by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. While in Gulu, the report presented by the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation raised a number of issues. My intention here is to respond to those specific issues. Issue number one; the committee in clause 3.22 on page 11 of its report recommended that livestock compensation rates should relate to established rates of Shs 1,050,000. Honourable members, when His Excellency, the President launched payments of war-debt claimants and beneficiaries in the Financial Year 2021/2022, the ministry was allocated Shs 50 billion, which was prorated to 27 districts and two cities in the three subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso, with each district receiving an allocation of Shs 1.72 billion. At the beginning of the payment process, the amounts payable were computed on a pro rata basis. This resulted in some payments made falling below the Shs 1,050,000, which is the value of a cow. This was later reviewed to ensure that the minimum payment amount

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The genesis of compensation, or, can I say, in the Eighth Parliament, the Acholi war- debt claimants went to court, and they said that this should be settled outside court. I brought the file here in Parliament during the Eighth Parliament. The Langi came in after us and Teso, which is why the three subregions are being discussed. The epicentre of the war was really the Acholi Subregion, as the number of internally displaced people’s camps shows. A lot of our people died without seeing this compensation. Just last week, I was in Gulu. Some elderly people came to me with tears rolling down. You find that somebody with 30 heads of cattle is cut to 10, and the 20 is taken away. Why do you cut when they were supposed to even add more? All these people are going to die before they receive their compensation, yet in the Eighth Parliament, we resolved that the compensation would be there. You decided to take this to VISO, PISO, DISO, or is it the GISO? Why do we use those structures when we know that they are structures specifically for the NRM and they are very corrupt? At least some other people even agreed to give testimonies to prove that they were being asked to pay money for the yellow cards. Why don’t we also involve the people who took the Government to court? You just brushed them away, the Acholi war debt claimants from the Acholi sub-region. I do not want to be selfish that we should not expand this to other areas. We can expand it. But we should even expand beyond livestock because it was not only livestock that people lost during the war. Acholi sub-region is very, very poor because of losing livestock. We used to use it for cultivation. We used it for cultivation but all the land has now gone because it is left fallow and free since we lost the animals, which were used for farming. Acholi used to be the food basket of the country; it is no more because there is poverty. People are buying land off. If a poor person does not put something on the land to protect it, they will just give away the land and remain completely in abject poverty. We need to be a little bit considerate because people are dying out of frustration.

Thank you once more, Mr Speaker. For the record, in Gulu, it was I who stopped the Attorney-General from continuing with the report because West Nile and Karamoja had not been included.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I request the Attorney-General to travel to those areas and address those people because as we were travelling, his officials could not even continue to Gulu –

15842 STANDING COMMITTEE R E PORT For me, who represents a border constituency that became a corridor of movement for those who were fleeing to Kenya, and those who settled in the nearby district in Kenya, they were benefiting from raiding in Uganda for purposes of surviving the other side. This is because they could not raid the Kenyans. I have gone to the Attorney-General’s office several times; he is aware. I have presented lists of those along the borderline – the Force Obote Back and many other groups. All these people were just leaving. If Hon. Ecweru was here - he has time and again, whenever he is in Tororo, talked about their movement, the coordination, the areas that were affected, and the areas that benefited them. He has always been very frank. He has enumerated this. People have listened attentively. They even kept saying “I remember it was even your group that took my animals” and many other things. I thank my colleagues who have raised the position of a comprehensive policy that should take care of all of us. Time and again, when people hear that compensation has started in Gulu, Lango, and Teso, they ask questions. Some of these people who have been compensated on that side were also among those benefiting from our side. Let us look at how we can take care of all these areas. Now it – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much for the time. I remember in Gulu, I raised two things; First, I gave 40 per cent for the committee because they only covered three regions and yet the whole country suffered. Two, I question why we are calling it ex-gratia instead of compensation. Any Government that comes in place must take responsibility, and I want to thank the Government of Uganda for

15856 STANDING COMMITTEE R E PORT categories. This meant that if you had 400 animals, you were given a maximum of 250. That is how they did it. That is the system they used. If you had 700 animals, you were only given 250. Two hundred and fifty was the maximum number of animals. There were two categories. The capping was 50. If you had 30 animals, you were capped under 50 below. If you had animals above 50, you were capped 250 animals below. Therefore, no person on this list is going to be paid beyond 250 animals. That is the system. Where did the double counting come from? When the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was computing - I am going to give an example of someone in Gulu. Her name is Anek. Her claim was 21 animals. This means she was capped at 50 below. The total amount of money that she was supposed to be paid was Shs 22,050,000 but she was paid Shs 17,900,000, and the outstanding is Shs 4,150,000. That is the outstanding. When the ministry captured the outstanding, they captured it under the outstanding amount for the cap 50 but they also captured the same figure for the cap 250. They did not do it for only that but for almost everyone. The same figure is on the cap 250, and the same figure is on the cap 50. That is double counting. Therefore, when you compute, you will find that there is a variance of Shs 272 billion, which they are saying is outstanding, yet they already included it. So, they did double counting. Go back to the ministry and ensure - I felt that the internal auditor-general should be the one to look through these figures. The actual amount of money that is outstanding is not Shs 472 billion. You must deduct this from what you did as double counting. That is the variance and we computed it - (Interjection)- that is the work of your accountants. We should not be involved. These are very easy figures to look at. We looked at them and I can give you. I have all that you submitted. That was the difference and it is a very big difference; Shs 272 billion. (Interjection) He knows who did it. There is no way someone in accounting does not know what double counting is all about.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The second issue that the Attorney-General needed to clarify is about the many claimants that were left out in these three sub-regions. Teso, 20,500 claimants who belonged to Julius Ochen’s leadership were left out—and they are known. We met them in Soroti. In Gulu, 5,733 claimants were left out, and they are verifiable. In Kole, 8,471 claimants were left out of the program—and these are verifiable figures. So, we thought that we would comment. In Karamoja - for the honourable members, I listened to them and some of them - we went to Karamoja, West Nile and Sebei. We did not stop in the other three sub-regions only. In Karamoja, you supplied data cards but you never picked them and the people are still there, waiting. When is the minister going to pick up those data cards? They filled them and are waiting, nobody has picked them. West Nile needs to hear you clearly. Some of them have even gone to court, and we met them. It is the same situation in Sebei. You need to be clear. In both West Nile and Sebei, there are some entries by the Prime Minister’s office. The Prime Minister’s office acts as if it is involved in compensation. It promises people that they will be paid, but no work is going on. I thought that you needed to clarify that. Mr Speaker, allow my deputy - just one issue she would like to clarify and then that will be all from us.

15705 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 23 JANUARY 2025 12. Vote 006 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Shs 488.205 million. The committee observes that Shs 488.205 million was required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for contributions to the Commonwealth Secretariat. This was to ensure Uganda honours its commitments to the Commonwealth Secretariat and enable Uganda’s effective participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which took place in Apia, Samoa from 21 to 26 October 2024. The committee recommends approval of Shs 488.205 million to Vote 006 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 13. Vote 008 - Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development: Shs 6.311 billion The committee observed that Shs 6.311 billion was required by the minister for Operational Shortfalls for Uganda Telecom Limited (UTEL) which is a requirement for the administrator to release the land titles to facilitate the financial closure of UTEL investor. The Committee recommends approval of Shs 6.311 billion to Vote 008 - Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. 14. Vote 016 - Ministry of Works and Transport: Shs 50 billion The committee of the Shs 50 billion was required by the ministry for the completion of rehabilitation of the Tororo - Gulu Railway Line Project (Meter Gauge Railway). The committee recommends approval of Shs 50 billion to Vote 016 - Ministry of Works and Transport. 15. Vote 018 - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development: Shs 4.882 billion. Committee observations: i) Shs 3.038 billion is required to meet the shortfalls for hosting the Ateker Reunion festival, which took place in Soroti. The funds were to cater for accommodation, and the attendant facilitation of the VVIPs invited to the festival; ii) Shs 1.292 billion is required to meet statutory expenditure and operational expenses, expenditures for subventions under the ministry, such as Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Uganda Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) operations of the National Women’s Council; iii) Shs 551.601 million is required for contribution to the Commonwealth Youth Programme. This was to ensure Uganda’s commitment to the programme and enable effective participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM), which was held in Apia, Samoa, in October 2024. The committee recommends approval of Shs 4.882 billion to Vote 018 - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. 16. Vote 020 - Ministry of ICT and National Guidance: Shs 11.33 billion. The committee observes that Shs 11.33 billion is required in order to facilitate wage requirements and operational shortfalls for Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). UBC was not provided funds in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 for these wage requirements and operational shortfalls. The committee recommends approval of Shs 11.33 billion to Vote 020 - Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, as subvention to UBC. 17. Vote 023 - Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs: Shs 7.36 billion. The committee observed that Shs 7.36 billion is required to facilitate the operations of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Affairs GKMA Urban Development Project with detailed designs for roads and markets and

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon Prime Minister, I thank the Government for commencing the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium to host AFCON. It came as a Christmas gift to the people of Lango. However, the hosting of AFCON by Akii-Bua Stadium is also premised on the upgrade of Gulu Airfield to an airport and the construction of the Corner Ayer-Corner Aboke-Icheme-Bobi Road, which is the shortest route connecting Gulu City to Lira City. However, we have just two-and-a-half years, and these processes have not begun. I just wanted to know when that upgrade of Gulu Airfield to an airport and construction of Corner Ayer-Corner Aboke- Icheme-Bobi Road is going to start. Thank you.

Thank you. Recently, we signed a contract with Tecnovia Company to tarmac a road from Lusalira- Kasambya-Nkonge-Sembabule, where Kabamba is and we are very grateful for that, as the people of Mubende. (Applause) As we talk now - I know most of you will be coming to Mubende – you will see the road from Mityana up to Kasambya is under reconstruction by Energo Company Limited. (Applause) The road from Mubende, Kakumiro up to Hoima was tarmacked by the NRM Government. You can cross from Gulu, go to Masindi, go to Hoima, and come up to Mubende without passing through Kampala. The Government is now going to work on a road that I have just mentioned. So, you will be able to connect from all parts of the country through Mubende without driving on a murram road. That is a contribution by the National Resistance Movement. Lastly, Mr Speaker, I want to join the minister and the Government in inviting you to Mubende on Sunday, the 26 th of January. Come and sleep there so that our hotels can get visitors. Come and eat our food - (Member timed out.)

Honourable, we have just come back from Gulu for our Parliamentary session and we enjoyed meat-

2 TERMSOFREFERENCE: The General objective of the oversight was to assess the general status of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. The Specifrc Objectives included: i. To assess the functionality and suitability of the facilities, infrastructure. ii. To establish functionality of utilities (water, electricity, sanitary facilities). iii. To establish the functionality of the waste management and disposal processes; level of sanitation and hygiene, waste disposal and management. iv. To assess the availability and competences of the human resources. v. To determine the availability and compliance to the legal and regulatory provisions. vi. To establish the quality assurance processes followed by abattoirs 3 METHODOLOGY: In execution of the Instruction, the Committee; a! Constituted regional teams. b! Developed a structured observation checklist that was used to obtain information about key parameters in the selected abattoirs/ slaughter houses. cl Conducted oversight visits to slaughter facilities in selected districts and cities that included; Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Masaka, Fort portal, Hoima, Masindi and Kampala. dl held meetings with stakeholders such as District, Municipal and City Veterinary Officers, facility owners, traders and workers to obtain detailed information about the operations of the slaughter facilities. el Held meetings at Parliament with: i. Ministry of Water and Environment ii. Ministry of Health Rg

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ON THE OVERSIGHT VISIT TO ASSESS THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS/SLAUGHTER FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY No Name Constituency Party Signature 1 Hon. Dr. Ruyonga Joseph Hoima West NRM 2 Hon. Dr. Opio Acuti Samuel KoI"ffSh, Ind .#q#|- 3 Hon. Bebona Babungi Josephine Bundiburyo NRM 4 Hon. Laker Sharon Balmoyi DWR-Gulu NRM 5 Hon. Isaac Otimgiw Padyere NRM \ I 6 Hon. Nebanda Andiru Florence DWR-Butaleja NRM 8 Hon. Kayagi Sarah Netalisire DWR- Namisindwa NRM r\a__,/ 9 Hon. Rutahigwa Elisa Rukungiri NRM 10 Hon. Ayebare Margaret DWR-Mbarara NRM w{* 11 Hon. Dr. George Didi Bhoka Obongi NRM @' t2 Hon. Chelain Betty Louke DWR-Amudat NRM 13 Hon. Sekyanzi Benard Kirya Budyebo NRM T4 Hon. Dr. Ninkusiima John Paul Ibanda South NRM sill 15 Hon. Nandagire Christine Ndiwalana Bukomansimbi North NUP 16 Hon. Dr. Kagabo TWaha Mzee Bukoto South NUP l7 Hon. Dr. Kamara Nicholas Thadus Kabale Municipality FDC 18 Hon. Dr. Batuwa Timothy Jinja West FDC llPage

) ) LIST OF ABATTOIRS THAT HAVE SUBMITTED ESIAS TO NEMA LOCATION PRO]ECT NAME No roval ca fi of te c IA rti e rs ES with tto a Ab PI ot Ki he Cel rd s uth IVIS M ba Ci Ruti ra n lo ra D a 0 re 5 n e Road in Kirehe Abattoir alo N 1 Block 479-480, Plob 95 and 9 Nankonge Cenkal Cell, Nanko 6 along nge Wa Nsaggu-Nankonge Road in rd, Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District Abattoir in Nankonge 2 Nakiwaate Village, NakanYonYi Pa Nabbaale Sub-CountY, Nakifuma Mukono District Coun rish, Piggery Abattoir in Nakiwaate 3 istr ita h B 7 N ka em Sch e Ra nchi ya Fo 6 kol An ng B 60 1 82 6 0 6 lot P OA, r D ct Ki h ru u a u s n bcou hash s ra a ka ns a h N kah P ta vi8 e Abattoir in Ankole Ranching Scheme 4 Plot 2665, block 99, kiti B Zone, Wattu ba Ward, Kasangati Town Council Wakiso District Pig Abattoir in Kiti 5 Nambi Villa Kamen o Coun i District M e Abattoir in Nambi 6 Bulera East Kyantare Ward Mparo Divis ion Hojma MuniciPalitY, Hoima District Abattoir at Bulera 7 Dembe LC1 Zone, West Ward, Migeera Town Council, Nakasongola District Slaughter House I Buseruka Sub-Coun B n seru U ka r I se te Hou h u Sla 9 Plot 376, Kigunga Village, NYenje P arish, Goma Division, Mukono Munici Chicken Broiler Processing P hter House in lanV Slau UN 10 Kalerwe Kawem e Division Kam la Slau hter House 11 Plot 149, Block 2722, in Ban enderaddala Village, KYabalogo Mukono District a Sub Coun da- Bug Parish Nakisu Abattorr in Banda- Bugen deraddala L2 Kathero Cell, Kambukama Ward, Mpondwe Lhuribiha Town bwe Cruncil Kasese District Abattoir in Kathero 13 Ari o Rwot Villa bi Division Gulu Munici li Gulu District La Abattoir in Arin o L4 Bu Ce nd ustri vts b M ti Mbale District n u M a e a D on I e wer Abattoir in Bu 15 rd ked ct n Cou T Bu own ea a m Ta u Abattoir 16 1 6 lo ck Esta te a ro SW B u ezl m BU 94 7 B 62 P ots r I a r Abatto n d Ce ce te n Re re ou VC Li stock L7 8

I had not switched on. Mr Speaker, when we had the Sitting in Gulu, we had a report from the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation, on the compensation. That report was read and it was not adopted. We are waiting for that opportunity so that Parliament can fully debate that report and we come up with a resolution. In that report, the issues of West Nile are included. The other parts of the country – they are waiting for our report and that resolution, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to pay tribute to a colleague. My deepest condolences to the family. I would like to speak about two issues: Firstly, what do I learn from this friend of ours? When God gives you an opportunity, use it to the fullest. You do not need 100 years to make a change and that is exactly what Hon. Muhammad did. (Applause) Secondly, I would like to repeat the words of the Archbishop Emeritus, John Baptist Odama. On 14 December 2024, when he was celebrating his 50 th priestly anniversary in Gulu Cathedral, this was his appeal to the Government of Uganda; that in the interest of peace in this country, release political prisoners who have been in prison without proper trial. These were his words. When you go back, you can watch this video. This was an appeal from the man of peace himself. On that day, he also launched a very important book entitled, “Stop Fighting, Start Talking.” How I wish as a country, we would talk more and stop fighting; we would have less death. I know my brother had an illness but if he was properly helped, maybe, in time, he would not be where he is. I personally visited some of the political prisoners in Kitalya and I am telling you, if you are not strong-hearted, you will not stay there for long. None of us wants to be there and I pray that none of us ends up there. What you do for yourself - actually, we should practice what we call self-love. If you do not want it to be done to you, do not do it to somebody else. As a Catholic, I am proud of my brother. Yes, he converted to Islam but I am reliably informed -

Yes, Mr Speaker. As a presiding officer, I cannot cross to 2025 without appreciating you. You are a blessing to this country and therefore – (Applause) At the same time, I want to appreciate the parliamentary sports team that went to Mombasa of “Gulu” where my sister and good friend, Hon. Namugga, was one of the best players. In fact, I appreciate the Leader of the Opposition for having allowed your people to go to “Gulu” to play all the sports. This is –

We had no sports in Gulu. It was Mombasa.

Mr Speaker, I am calling it “Gulu” because Mombasa is nearer than Gulu of Uganda. I want to appreciate the National Unity Platform for having allowed its members to go and participate in the parliamentary games. This is a demonstration that they are people who are patriotic and love their country. The trophies that we have brought, I believe, will make the flag of Uganda fly high. Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, in March 2020, the Government commenced the construction project for the Gulu Logistics Hub, a very strategic facility serving the entire Northern Uganda, Uganda and the neighbouring countries. However, the project affected several families. The Government had made a commitment to pay them in the form of compensation and severance packages. Some were paid but families that are mainly tenants of Uganda Railways Corporation were not paid. We made several attempts to have them paid. I have personally travelled to the Ministry of Works and Transport more than 12 times; I have been counting but we have not heard any positive feedback. Therefore, I would like to ask the Rt. Hon Prime Minister, if she can very kindly, as usual, compel the Ministry of Works and Transport to have these affected persons, who have been struggling for almost five years now. Some of these families have nowhere to stay. They are in Gulu City. You can imagine the life! My request to the Rt. Hon Prime Minister is to prevail over the Ministry of Works to pay these people. Thank you.

Sorry, I am reacting to your communication in regard to the floods that are ravaging the entire country. As you are all aware, yesterday in Northern Uganda experienced terrible floods. So many people were stranded for hours that they were not able to cross, and I also send my condolences to the family of the engineer who died in the flood. I always wonder, for how long are we going to keep on acting on emergencies? Why don’t we prepare ourselves as a country to curb such emergencies? When it comes to the Tangi River, which bursts its banks every year, the Uganda National Roads Authority just goes and piles hard-core and marram, and that is it. In a matter of days, it is washed away. Why can’t we get a lasting solution to this bridge or river that keeps on bursting its bank over the years so that, at least, it does not surprise us when such national calamities happen? This has happened time and again and if you drive along that road, - because that is the route we are currently using, to and from northern Uganda, or Gulu in particular - the bridge is washed and much as it is no longer being used, the railway is hanging. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) should wake up from its sleep and - Ministry of Works and Transport - sorry, forgive me, I am still used to UNRA.

I thank you for your indulgence, Madam Speaker. I also want to take this opportunity to welcome the executive members of Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to Parliament. This is a mode of parliament, which is only in four hospitals: Moroto; Gulu; Lira; and Masaka. These are representatives of the workers in the hospital. They include heads of departments, the in-charge and top management. The only thing they do not do is to make laws. However, they do oversight, debate and also represent their members. Madam Speaker, they have also told me to thank you and the entire Parliament for the appropriation that Parliament has done because Kabale Regional Referral Hospital now has a modern CT scan. Through your appropriation, Members, Kabale Regional Referral Hospital also has a modern ICU under construction. On top of that, I also want to thank you, Members, for your appropriation, which has enabled Kabale Hospital to have three oxygen plants. (Applause) However, they still have challenges and one of the top challenges is the staff structure. Under the new structure, Kabale Hospital always comes lowest. Its staffing level is at 22 per cent. Since we have started the budgeting process, my prayer is that, at least, Kabale Hospital gets the budget to raise its staffing level, at least, to 50 per cent, such that it can be at the level of other hospitals. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Appreciate that these questions come from members. So, I try to make sure that we answer them and give answers satisfactorily. Thank you so much. My response is that the National Seeds Project (NOSP) is a seven-year initiative that started in 2021 to 2028, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Local Government. Building on the successes of the Vegetable Oil Development Project(VODP) Phase 2 that started in 2010-2020, NOSP operates in 81 districts, clustered into hubs, that is West Nile, Northern, Eastern, Mid-Western and Karamoja. In Northern Uganda, the project is active in 17 districts including Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Omoro, Agago, Kwania, Otuke, Lira, Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Oyam Dokolo and Kole. The project aims to address the shortfall in domestic oil seed production and increase the local output of vegetable oil and related by- products. Its primary development objective is to accelerate commercialisation in the key oil-seed value chain, thereby improving livelihoods and resilience of smallholders involved in oil-seed production and marketing. Actual implementation of the project activities commenced in the financial year 2023/2024. The following have so far been carried out: i) The National Oil Seed Project has provided inputs such as soybean foundation seed and fertilisers to 48 clusters in the region for multiplication to ensure availability of quality declared seed closer to the farmers. This in turn supports farmer groups in growing the seed as grain to increase production and productivity, improve nutrition, and enhance backward and forward linkages within the region; ii) Extension service. The project has provided refresher training for 273 district extension staff to support farmers in the implementing seed value chain activities and to enhance production and productivity. iii) MAAIF, through the project, procured and distributed 162 motorcycles per district to ease mobility - two motorcycles per district- enhance service delivery, and boost the production and productivity of agricultural commodities; iv) Clustering and formation of farmer groups to enhance oilseed production and productivity, contribute to crushing [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I would like to agree with the Attorney-General that when we were in Gulu, I talked about the suitability and capability of our soils. And this was a study done in Uganda. There are areas in Uganda that are not growing coffee yet, but are suitable for certain types of coffee. Those are the areas we are talking about. When you take a place like my district of Zombo, we are a high-altitude area, of 1,300 metres to 2,300 metres above sea level. It is only suitable for Arabica, but there are areas

Honourable members, I welcome you to this morning sitting. As you are aware, yesterday, there was a tragic accident, where a fuel tanker overturned in Kigogwa, on Kampala-Gulu Highway, and later exploded into flames, leaving scores dead and destroying various roadside buildings and businesses. Over the last few years, we have witnessed similar cases, notably: in January 2021 at Namungoona, on the Northern Bypass, where at least 33 people died; and in Rubirizi in 2019, where 20 people died. Such incidents point the need to sensitise our locals on public safety during such incidents. We condole with the bereaved families and pray that the Lord comforts them during this trying time. It was such a bad moment, but God’s timing is never our timing. May we rise and observe a moment of silence for those who lost their lives. (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

Madam Speaker, I beg to first put on record that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has three ministers: i. Hon. Norbert Mao - is appearing before a court in Gulu; ii. Hon. Attorney-General - is on official duty in Washington, DC meeting with the World Bank; and

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am going to read the executive summary. The report is quite big. Because of time, I will deal majorly with the executive summary. This is the report of the Committee on Public Accounts, on audited reports of 37 district local governments, 3 cities, 6 divisions and 10 municipal councils for the financial year ended June 2023. Madam Speaker, in accordance with Article 163(5)(a) of the Constitution and Rule 182(5) of our Rules of Procedure, the Committee on Public Accounts (Local Government) considered the report of the Auditor-General for the Financial Year 2022/2023 and wishes to report its finding to this House. Madam Speaker, the report covers the key issues in the report which will be categorised into two sections, namely; key issues in local government and key audit matters, both general and cross-cutting queries in the local government. This report, which covers 56 local governments under Kampala, Gulu, and Arua has been compiled based on the findings of the Auditor-General and observations of the committee mainly to show the state of the local governments and to aid policymakers in improving the performance of the local governments as highlighted below. Madam Speaker, we are looking at the key audit issues in local governments, general and cross-cutting. We are starting with the budget performance. The committee has considered audit reports of 56 local governments for the Financial Year 2022/2023 that were appropriated public funds and this includes three cities, 37 district local governments, 10 municipal councils and six city divisions.

15092 THE NATIONAL COFFEE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 Total appropriated budget to local governments for the Financial Year 2022/2023; Parliament appropriated a sum of Shs 5,220 billion to all local governments in the country, out of which Shs 4,750.2 billion, equivalent to 99 per cent of the approved budget, was warranted to the local governments for service delivery. The shortfall in revenue was Shs 469.8 billion. During the year, based on warrants for the 56 entities, Madam Speaker, that forms Kampala, Gulu, and Arua audit regions, they had an approved budget allocation of Shs 2,131.453 billion, equivalent to 41 per cent of the budget allocated to all local governments during the fiscal years under review. During the financial year, a sum of Shs 1,940.37 billion was released to the 56 entities for the implementation of various Government programmes - of the approved Shs 2,131.45 billion. Thus the entity had a revenue receipt shortfall of Shs 191 billion, which is equivalent to nine per cent unrealised funds. Further, of the availed resources amounting to Shs 1,940 billion, only Shs 1,493 billion was utilised, leading to a balance of Shs 446.8 billion thus translating into absorption of 77 per cent of the availed resources. 5.1.2 Local Government Absorption Capacity The 56 local government reports considered were warranted or released a sum of Shs 1,940.37 billion equivalent to 41 per cent of the total warrants to all the local government budgeted during the Financial Year 2022/2023. Out of the resources warranted to the 56 local governments, Shs 1,493 billion was expended -

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to say something small about Compassion International and the journey I have walked with them. My story with them started when I was just in Primary four, a pupil at Kyambogo Primary School. I had just come from a very devastating, difficult journey and life in Gulu then, as a result of the LRA conflict. I was among the many children, or few, who were picked up by Compassion International who paid my school fees up to senior six. By the grace of God, I got Government sponsorship to go and study in Makerere University. That is how my sponsorship ended. I actually thought that was the end of my journey with them until I attended the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States. As God had planned, I actually sat next - because when you are there, you are given a number to sit on the table. Where I sat, next to me was actually the founder and the director of Compassion International. When I turned to introduce myself, he introduced himself first to me. When I heard about it, it was so emotional and from that time, they decided that my story and the work that I do would be documented for the rest of the world to see and also support their work.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am happy that the honourable minister is here because yesterday, I raised an issue. Madam Speaker, you are aware that for the last few weeks or months now, the Uganda Investment Authority has been in the media, not for very good reasons. Even yesterday, the media got flooded with different kinds of negative stories. We are aware that the Uganda Investment Authority plays a very critical role, especially in promoting and facilitating investment plans, as well as advocating for a competitive business environment. I would like to hear from the honourable minister whether this constant negative energy that we see being written daily in the newspapers, is good for the face of the country, especially as far as the promotion of investment is concerned. It is important that the ministry addresses some of these issues because it has very bad implications, especially for those who want to invest in this country, but are reading and seeing only negative stories. Finally, I know that some years back, when I was chairman of Gulu, the Uganda Investment Authority got in touch with Gulu District Local Government. At that time, we were not yet a city. The intention was to establish an industrial park. We did our best and provided land. Unfortunately, 13 to 14 years down the road, the whole thing went quiet. Recently, I started hearing goalposts being shifted that we are going to have the industrial park in Nwoya. It would be good for us to be assured where exactly we are going to have this industrial park. Do we still have a plan of having an industrial park in Gulu City and if so, what do we need to do? How far has the ministry gone in trying to handle that? Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, allow me to rush to save time for the Prime Minister’s Time. There was a question from Hon. Juliet, that the project at Namanve is not being done in time. That is true. The project is lagging. It is at 50 per cent. It should have been completed by the 19th of January this year, but we are behind schedule. Today we are in October and the project is only at 50 per cent. When you speak, they say you are bad. Madam Speaker, Hon. Tumusiime, asked a question about the Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) of 10 per cent, and that we have not released the money. On that point, I agree with the committee’s recommendation and observations. Hon. Dr Atim, that we appropriated a cash budget and they did not spend the money. I also agree with the recommendation that the Accounting Officer should be held responsible – (Interjection) - yes because you did your part and released the money, which was not utilised. Madam Speaker, you did allude to that fact too. Hon. Mapenduzi, I would be very excited if you told me where the land is in Gulu because there is a huge interest from people who actually want to do an industrial park in Gulu. The last time I wrote to the Gulu District Local Government, they told me they did not have land and in the Acholi Subregion, the only land that was availed to us was in Pader. Madam Speaker, the unfortunate bit of it is that as Government, we have not gotten money to do the infrastructure development in Pader. I apologise to the people of Pader. We will make good by making sure that we mobilise more resources to do the project there.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As my colleague has stated, the Constitution of Uganda, Article 95 and rules 121 and 122 provide a Member of Parliament the mandate to raise a Private Member’s Bill. Mr Speaker, based on those rules and the Constitution of Uganda, I raised a Bill which –(Interjections)- notice is coming - for the amendment of the Administration of Parliament Act in relation to the voting of Parliamentary Commissioners. I gave a notice to the Speaker’s office last year on 17th October. Since then up to date, the Speaker has not responded to me. This is a sign of dealing with the matters selectively. We are entitled to be heard. Mr Speaker, what is so special with this amendment of Hon. Lumu, which was generated in Gulu just within a month, and is now on the Order Paper? Are you fairly ruling this Parliament? Mr Speaker, I think things are running out of hand, legally. I think the Speaker, Rt Hon. Among, is taking the law into her hands - Mr Speaker, listen to me. Listen. It is my right to call you by any name -

Mr Speaker, last week as I was driving from Gulu to Kampala, I saw the debate especially when my good friend Hon. Ssekikubo brought a serious issue here about the same – (Interjection) - you see, in my Luo accent, we do not have “S”, we do not have “Z”, okay? We do not have “X”. So, when a person from my sub-region say, “recharge” – (Interjections)- don’t mind. Because we do not have “S”, we do not have “H”, we do not have the what– So, that is okay. Therefore, when the matter was being discussed on the Floor here - unfortunately the presiding person is being disorganised. When the discussion was here, I was actually watching on my phone, what came very clearly is that you ruled on that day that, “On this matter, whoever is not satisfied with it should go to court.” I find that we are just moving in the same circle. I read a book, “ Who moved my cheese” ; and some of you who have not read it, please take the opportunity to read it. There are issues which you should not be relying on - the same issue all the time. Since you ruled on this matter, are we proceeding well to again discuss the same issue here? Mr Speaker, is it procedurally right?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is very sad when we talk about health - it is important that we improve the facilities within the country instead of focusing outside the country. Whether you are as big as what - those resources should be used in the country to benefit more people. Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, which I visit regularly - sometimes my hands get stuck behind my back because of - first, the staffing level is just about 23 per cent. This is sad. How can I demand from nurses what to do better when they are not enough? How do I demand it? It is difficult! Gulu Regional Referral Hospital would even attract more staffing there if only we could have considered completing the buildings, which should host up to over 50 staff. That would be

14457 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2024 an incentive for the staff of the regional referral hospital. This building has stayed on - yet if you look at the building - I am sure - if not PAC, then the Committee on Health could have seen that it is left with a small percentage to be completed. It has been left there for about eight years without it being completed. This is very unfortunate. The biggest problem right now is with our transport. Karuma Bridge has been closed, yet we have hospital equipment, which we are supposed to use in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital to help our people better. There is also a CT Scan there but sometimes we have to bring our people up to Kampala because the CT Scan is not working. Why should we allow equipment that do not work to be taken to regional referral hospitals? We need to plan better to serve our people better. It is not only hospital equipment sometimes if you go to facilities like the mental health units or the mortuary, you will know that they are all wanting. We need to do better for our people; we must prioritise social services for them. Thank you.

Thank you. Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) Okay, it is seconded by Hon. Silas Aogon, Hon. Susan Abeja, Hon. Philiphs Lokwang, Hon, Flavia Kabahenda, Hon. Christine Kaaya, Hon. Agnes Taaka, Hon. Ssolo, Hon. Rose Obigah, honourable Member for Terego, Hon. Kakande, Hon. Mushemeza, Hon. Kirumira, Hon. Dr Bwanika, the honourable Member for Mukono, honourable Member for Gulu, honourable Member for Oyam, honourable Member for Kyamuswa and all colleagues. Thank you. Honourable, in three minutes, speak to the motion. It is very direct; I give two minutes to each colleague.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the precarious situation in Kochili Subcounty in Nwoya District resulting from the attacks of elephants. Mr Speaker, on the morning of the 12 th , that was Thursday, Omara Elvis, a 22-year-old man, was killed by an elephant just in the morning as he was digging in his garden. Mr Speaker, as you may also recall, three days before we sat in Gulu, we had lost a young boy to the marauding elephants. In the last three years alone, we have lost five people in Nwoya District to the problem of elephants. None of the killing animals have been identified and or relocated, and so, communities in this village are in a dire situation. The threat level is just too much, and as a result, even the opening of a school called Ogelo Primary School has become very difficult as parents have fled and by yesterday, only 30 children had reported. My prayers: 1. Number one; that Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) does something scientific, first of all, to identify the killer elephants and remove them. 2. Number two; that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities should expedite the issue of electric fencing with a view of covering the communities that are so vulnerable. Mr Speaker, number three; that the ministry should make it simpler for families to claim compensation. We have the law, we also have the statutory instrument, but the other processes are too long and too complicated before people become uncivilised. I thank you.

14366 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT House to recall that sometime last year, the Kafu Bridge on the Hoima Kampala Road over flooded. Actually, it necessitated us to change route and take the Masindi route up to Hoima. When you summoned the Minister of Works and Transport, he stood here and promised that after the rains stopped, the Ministry of Works and Transport would engage whoever was necessary and whatever was needed to ensure that they do constructive work on the bridge. Many dry seasons have come, Mr Speaker, and the ministry is nowhere. If you passed there today, the water is dangerously rising and it is being worsened by the traffic diversion on the Gulu-Kampala Road because of the Karuma Bridge; all the heavy traffic now has gone to Hoima. It is dangerous. I am here with my prayers: i. That the minister explains to us why he did not live up to his word when he stood here on the Floor and told Members what he was going to do when the rains subsided. ii. The honourable Minister of Works and Transport is among the most disciplined ministers we have. Why would he lie to the House? What programmes does he have? I thank you.

Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General reviewed the staff establishment of the following public universities to ascertain their completeness and relevance to the entity established and noted the following: Universities This is how it is presented: approved structure, filled position, the gap, and the percentage of the field position. 1. Soroti University has an approved structure of 1,312. The number of positions filled is 242, the gap is 1,700, and 18 per cent of filled positions. 2. Busitema University has the approved structure of 3,559, filled positions are 503, the gap is 3,056, and 14 per cent percentage filled. 3. Kabale University has approved structure of 2,076, filled positions are 506, the gap is 1,570, and 24 per cent filled. 4. Kyambogo University which was a bone of contention, the approved structure 2,598, filled positions are 913, the gap is 1,685, and 35 per cent filled. 5. Makerere University, Kampala has approved structure of 5,835. Filled positions are 3,141, the gap is 2,694, and 53 per cent. That is why our boss was once there in that department. It is the best university - ( Interjections ) - No, there is Law Development Centre (LDC). 6. Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has an approved structure of 2,609, filled positions are 581, the gap is 2,042, and 22 per cent. 7. Gulu University has an approved structure of 1,568, filled positions are 571, the gap is 977, and 36 per cent. 8. Lira University has 991, field positions are 265, the gap is 726, and 26 per cent. 9. Law Development Centre (LDC) 202, field positions 135, the gap is 67 and the percentage is 68. Mr Speaker, from what I have just read, it is only Makerere University that is staffed at over 50 per cent of the approved staff structure. What this means is that for the other universities, there is very little they can do to achieve the output. For example, Busitema and Soroti Universities as well as Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), which have 14, 18 and 22 per cent staffing levels respectively are depriving learners of the much-needed services. We are aware - the rest is history. That is the information that fills the staffing levels of all public universities drawn from a special audit done by the Auditor-General on the directive of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am not speaking as the Vice-Chairperson, Budget Committee. Before coming to the Budget Committee, I was the Chairperson of the Committee on Information, Communication and Technology. You sent us to all the public universities in the country and we found three key things: One, some of these universities collect more NTR and they budget for it, but when they - you know, you made a statement yesterday – finance minister - when they request for this money, that money is not forthcoming. We found dire situations in Kabale, Mountains of the Moon, Soroti, Gulu, Muni, and Busitema Universities. The report was presented by the current Chairperson of the Committee on Information, Communication and Technology, Hon. Alex Niyonsaba. There is a problem of the return of NTR and some of these universities have stagnated because they do not get their NTR in order to expand their facilities. Some of them are teaching students in tents. Two, because of the ban on recruitment, universities like Mbarara lost very senior PhD staff who had just qualified and had come back from Europe. However, because they did not have a wage, they could not recruit and we lost them to the neighbouring countries. It was painful. Others went to the United States of America. I think there are more issues that we could discuss with respect to these universities. There is the question of the responsiveness of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in returning NTR - even to expand the facilities that are there. Secondly, the question of ban on recruitment. We are losing the most senior cadre staff - and even the application of retirement to professors in universities is dangerous because you find some of the young professors who have just come from abroad, but just because they have reached 60 years, they are treated as civil servants. Most of them are forced to retire at a time when they should provide support to young academics in the universities. How do you retire a professor at 60 years, when he is still able to support this country? They are being treated as civil servants. Mr Speaker, I think we need a more comprehensive analysis of some of the issues facing the universities today.

14376 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Makerere University had a budget of Shs 377.35 billion. It got a warrant of Shs 368,910 billion. Unwarranted amount of money was Shs 8 billion. The warranted money was 98 per cent. The unwarranted one was two per cent. Gulu University had a budget of Shs 78.482 billion. It got the warrant of Shs 69.291 billion. The unwarranted amount was Shs 9.19 billion. The warrant performance was at 88 per cent. UMI had a budget of Shs 36.93 billion. The warranted amount was 36.718 billion and the unwarranted one was only Shs 182 million. In terms of percentage, it is 100 per cent. Kabale University had a budget of Shs 63.2 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 54 billion. Unwarranted amount was Shs 8.55 billion. The warrant percentage was 86 and the unwarranted was 13.5 per cent. Lira University had a budget of Shs 30.815 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 30.776 billion while the unwarranted was Shs 39 million. The warrant, in terms of percentage, is nearly 100 per cent. Muni University had a budget of Shs 25.940 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 24.733 billion and the unwarranted amount was Shs 1.207 billion – a warrant percentage of 95 per cent. Mbarara University of Science and Technology had a budget of Shs 59.4 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 57.547 billion and the unwarranted amount was Shs 1.85 billion. The warrant percentage was 73 per cent. Soroti University had a budget of Shs 24.758 billion. The warranted money was Shs 22 billion, while the unwarranted was 2.73 billion. The warrant was at 92 per cent. Busitema University had a budget of Shs 61.5 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 52.44 billion, while the unwarranted was Shs 9.1 billion. The warrant percentage was 85 per cent. Mountains of the Moon University had a budget of Shs 45.9 billion. It was warranted at Shs 44 billion. The unwarranted was Shs 1.8 billion. The warrant percentage was 96 per cent. LDC had a budget of Shs 29.663 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 29.651 billion and the unwarranted was just Shs 12 million. This was a 100 per cent warrant. Mr Speaker, the total amount of money budgeted for universities was Shs 1,058,000,000,000. What was warranted Shs 1,010,902,000,000. The unwarranted was Shs 47 billion. The percentage of the warranted amount was 96 per cent, while the unwarranted was 4.4 per cent. The accounting officers attributed the shortfall to non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Committee’s observations The committee observed that the shortfalls in revenue imply that these public universities could not fully finance their programmes, which, in turn, affected service delivery. The committee further observed that a total of Shs 47.116 billion remained unwarranted across the universities. For example, Busitema, Kabale, Soroti and Gulu Universities had the biggest percentage of annually leased budgets of 14.8 per cent, 13.5 per cent, 8.4 per cent and 11.7 per cent respectively, as illustrated in the table above. The committee, however, commends the Government for the 100 per cent release to Kyambogo University and Lira University including Uganda Management Institute and the Law Development Centre. Recommendations The committee recommends as follows: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funding to public universities as appropriated by Parliament to enable the implementation of planned activities.

So, we can go to Makerere University Business School. Mr Speaker, for Makerere University Business School, we have already established that it diverted Shs 5 billion, for which we have made a recommendation. The detail of what is in here is what we are trying to establish, so I do not need to read it. The same applies to Gulu University, Lira University, which I have spoken to, and Muni University because I have established the figures. Mr Speaker, can I read a little bit of Mbarara University?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the two committees for bringing these important reports to the Floor of Parliament. Mr Speaker, I would like to interest this House that it is not our failure as leaders that Lira University and probably other universities are not taking in many students. I have realised that some of our universities in Northern Uganda do not have some courses. For example, the Universities of Muni, Lira, Gulu and Soroti do not have engineering courses. Mr Speaker, I have written a motion to that effect and I have submitted it to the Clerk to Parliament and I wish to be granted leave to present it here on the Floor of Parliament in form of a motion so that we urge the Government to interest themselves and introduce some of these courses to the public universities in Northern Uganda. This is a fact that we have to take. On the issue of money, first of all, according to the report that has been presented by Hon. Kivumbi, money is a very slippery thing. I have seen many universities diverting money. We want further investigations done on this money. Probably, there is what is called virement. What did they do with the money, anyway? Was it spent or was it in some people’s pockets? This is a very serious matter. Our universities must develop. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The strength and quality of the nation depends on the educated people. I am happy that this time, Uganda graduates more than 65,000 students every year. This is the positive way to go – (Interjection) – What is your problem, again? (Laughter) Mr Speaker, protect me from the Government Chief Whip – ( Laughter ) – To our dismay, I recall the other day in Gulu when we were discussing education, students from Gulu University brought up a very serious concern about the deployment of the intern doctors. Regarding the few intern doctors who were deployed among those who completed last year, none was taken out of the 66 students who finished from Gulu University. All of them are still home. From Muni University, none was deployed. The students from northern Uganda tabled in their special consideration because many of them completed it. They are now two years at home. You remember, COVID-19 disturbed their education. This year, if they are not deployed again, it means our intern doctors shall have wasted two more years on top of the five years that they spent at the university. Mr Speaker, I pray that the Government should take serious and special consideration of the intern doctors from northern Uganda. About the pay – (Member timed out.)

14406 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Listening to what the report says - and I want to thank Hon. Kivumbi for this – I will definitely agree with Hon. Kabanda. We must forward this report to the relevant authorities that have other action points. The CIID should sanction the Inspector General of Government (IGG). We cannot just talk and then leave at this point. We must take action like we have done with a few other reports. Number two, as a matter of policy, let the Minister of Education and Sports come out clearly that our young professors should not be retired at the age of 60 years. This is also in this report. Lastly, there is a constituent college of Gulu University in Karamoja. Ten years ago, the President established Mount Moroto University and wrote a detailed note on what kind of university he wanted in Karamoja. He said that: this university must specialise in water resources management and must look at the issue of minerals because Karamoja has over 50 commercial and industrial minerals. You should be asking us where the minerals are. We have also started on limestone. The limestone we have in Karamoja is said to be the quantity that can take Uganda 300 years. It is over 300 million metric tonnes and we have been relying on Hima with 23 million metric tonnes to handle this country. Why don’t we put that national university – (Member timed out.)

14414 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT hospitals is the charge being placed on basic medical services that could ideally be so critical in diagnosing diseases; the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), other equipment and the scanners. They now charge everything to be accessed. This increase in NTR is basically because basic accessible medical equipment in all hospitals, today, is charged and that is a key point. It is not a positive on that note. People should not cheer up that NTR is in hospitals where you are charged when you want an x-ray, MRI and whatever equipment; those who cannot afford it, know what happens. NTR transfers to the Treasury The Auditor-General noted that two entities, including Uganda Blood Transmission Services and Moroto Regional Referral, did not transfer their NTR to the Treasury. On the other hand, only six entities, including Mbale, Jinja, Gulu, Hoima, Kawempe, Soroti regional hospitals and the Uganda Cancer Institute transferred all their collected NTR to the Treasury. The committee observed that underperformance in NTR negatively affects the implementation of planned activities. The committee further noted that accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted NTR targets or budget for NTR at all contravened Instruction 4.10.2 of the Treasury Instructions, 207. Further, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide proper revenue targets to some regional referral hospitals. In other instances, low NTR targets were set ignoring other revenue sources like hospital private wings. Committee recommendation 1. NTR targets should be set in consultation with both the accounting officers and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to enable realistic NTR budgeting; 2. The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that all billed NTR is fully collected during the period in which it relates; 3. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests for NTR revision by entities; and 4. The accounting officers should consider all their NTR sources at NTR budgeting to avoid cases of NTR under collection. Performance of Government Warrants The Auditor-General reported that the Government had allocated a total budget of Shs 558.107 billion to 19 regional referral hospitals and five specialised health institutions, out of which Shs 584.681 billion was warranted, which is 98.31 per cent, implying a shortfall of Shs 9.426 billion, which is only two per cent. The detailed breakdown of this figure per hospital is under Table 2 of the main report. The committee noted that 16 entities received less than their budget. These include Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Mulago National Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda Heart Institute, Kiruddu, Butabika, Masaka, Entebbe, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Kabale, Mbarara, Gulu, Lira and Moroto Regional Referrals. The committee observed that revenue shortfalls inhibited the effective implementation of the entity’s planned activities and thus affecting service delivery. Revenue shortfalls further place spending pressures on entities, which promotes diversion and mischarge of funds. The committee recommends that the Government should always fully release funds as approved and in a timely manner to all referral hospitals. Utilisation of warrants Many accounting officers attributed their underutilisation of resources - where we put ACT - you go to the main report - to late releases of resources from the ministry for

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The Government has prioritised tourism as one of the key sectors to grow the economy of this country. During the regional sitting of Parliament in Gulu, the issue of lack of artefacts and attractive features at the regional tourist sites was raised. On the 28 th of June this year, the Government received 39 artefacts from the United Kingdom (UK). Those are artefacts, which had been taken by colonialists and they are part of about 1,500 artefacts from Uganda that are lying in the University of Cambridge, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in the UK. These returned artefacts, as it was indicated, are the property of the Museum of Archaeology in the UK, yet these are Ugandan artefacts though they have been loaned to Uganda for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of extension. Now, we have taken tourism as a key sector that we need to develop. This, therefore, means that we need to think of returning all the artefacts from all over the world to help us develop the tourist sector. My prayer is that the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, should brief this House and the nation on the arrangement of returning the 39 artefacts and clarify, if indeed these artefacts are the property of the University of Cambridge, Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. Secondly, I wanted the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to brief us on the stock of artefacts from Uganda that are lying outside the country - in Europe, Britain, the UK and other countries. Thirdly, I want to know the preparations - the Government should brief us about the preparations for taking these returned 39 artefacts to their different locations, because these are artefacts from Ankole, Lango, Buganda and so on. The plan is to have these [Mr Olanya] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

But, honourable colleagues, universities have somehow made some progress. I remember when we were studying – I am trying to see those who were my classmates. Martin Muzaale could sometimes attend class. (Laughter) There are some who are here. There is what we used to call “studying by rumour” at that time. Now, “studying by rumour” – we would be very many and the lecture room was small. For some lectures, you would stand in the compound and then you keep asking: what did the lecturer say? Now, if you landed on a stubborn person like Hon. Muzaale, the notes he would give you would be the opposite of what the lecturer had said. (Laughter) So, we “studied by rumour”. However, now, like on infrastructure, we are doing well with the ADB project. In fact, honourable minister for environment, I will be waiting, again, to hear from you – I had told my people to write - on the issue of Gulu University, where we built, using ADB money, on the land and we have failed to give that title to the university. We are the ones who borrowed the money, as the Government, and built there and then, after, we say it is a forest! We have to sort out that issue. When we came from Gulu, it was a big issue – I visited the university. However, that will be for later, honourable minister. So, honourable colleagues, there are some improvements. I do not know who else studied by rumour. Hon. Ongiertho?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I hope that out of the “learning by rumour” we do not have “MPs of rumour” also. (Laughter) The point I want to bring here is that we are talking about Kyambogo University, but this problem is in all universities. I do not think there is another time when we are going to be talking about Muni University, Gulu University and others. I think we should talk about all these universities now. (Applause) By the way, the 30 per cent teaching staff in Kyambogo is even better than in some other universities, particularly the fairly new ones. For the fairly new ones, the majority are at 25 per cent in terms of the teaching staff. In that case, if we are going to take a decision on whether to do an audit, particularly the way you guided, Mr Speaker, it has to be done for all public universities. Mr Speaker, there is one thing that I have also noticed. It is not only the universities, but the other higher institutions of learning also have similar problems. We have a Uganda College of Commerce (UCC) in Pakwach, and it has a similar problem. Some years back, actually, they were using the part-time. To me, this is to perpetrate even dictatorship in these universities. You have to be very submissive; you should not even be reasoning. And, immediately you start to argue with the university, even on the right things, you are sent away. That is because there are many others out there, who want to come in.

14322 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT to right now, but I want to thank them for acknowledging the fact that there is a critical budget gap. The need is critical, but the finances are not adequate to meet the funding gap. As I presented, there were budget cuts under the allowance budget line, which could not cater for the payment for the part-time staff. Mr Speaker, this afternoon I talked with my colleague, Hon. Margaret, my dear sister, who raised this issue and in her presence, I called the Vice Chancellor, because the matter is not simple. We agreed that especially for those part-time staff who have taken a long without being paid, we should look at the matter case by case, together with her providing the necessary documents and the Vice Chancellor, the University, and us try to see how this matter can be handled. We discussed that as a way forward. Number two, I do not know whether you got this Mr Speaker, you agree with Margaret. Thank you so much for acknowledging that. The matter of probably providing more resources as a way forward, I have discussed with my colleague here looking at the coming Financial Year 2024/2025 the university should be able to cater for some of these gaps in the budget line where there was a lot of cuts, how this can be factored into their budget to cater for these arrears that have accumulated. Lastly, I want to say, I think as the Minister of Education and Sports we have tried to balance the quality of education and the quantity in terms of the numbers. Where we have moved, there is a lot of improvement. I want to say yes, my brother, the Leader of the Opposition, has raised the issue of quality, but as a ministry, this is what we are addressing day in, and day out, to improve the quality and make sure the standard of education is improved for the children of Uganda. Lastly, thank you, Mr Speaker for the fact that we should invest much more in the education sector by providing more funds in this sector. I thank you for that because the Head of State made a special appeal while we were in Gulu that let us put more money into comprehensive universal education, and the entire sector so that we improve on the quality. I beg to submit.

Honourable chairperson for the Committee on Defence- After the chairperson, I will request the Chief Whip to clarify on the issue of Gulu University land, you remind me.

Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the committee for a great job. Even though the committee sampled three districts out of nine, we associate ourselves with the recommendations that cut across the region. As we said while in Gulu, there is a way our government has continued to prove that insecurity in Karamoja and the neighbourhood can be subdued. This is the evidence given out by the committee in their report. What has remained a challenge, which the recommendations of the committee seek to address, is how to sustain that peace. By the time the UPDF secured the region, the next issue of transformation and sustaining the attained peace has continued to be a challenge. So, the recommendations, as given by the committee, are very useful. I will only add a small thing on the issue of developing a skilling programme. We already have an industrial hub in Napak. The idea of industrial hubs in the country is good because it opens room for those Ugandans who have not had formal education to be skilled. However, the capacity of that industrial hub is so small it cannot manage the entire region. We only take about 20 per district in a season, and it is not enough. It is my appeal that another industrial hub is opened in the northern part of Karamoja.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This report was presented in Gulu and we did part of the discussion. I think this is just a continuation. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The procedural point I wanted to raise is, that when we were in Gulu, there were many matters that were raised concerning health. I recall you guided well that the minister was absent at that time. I really feel, Mr Speaker, if it is okay, let the minister respond to those concerns. For example, we raised a matter about the absence of drugs in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.

You are right but other things are more urgent. There are indeed others that can be solved over the long term period. There are other urgent issues, for example, the supply of drugs whereby the National Medical Stores should be supplying drugs, but in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, doctors only prescribe and all patients are sent to buy drugs

I had asked for a statement last time because every time, colleagues talk about national drugs, not only in Gulu but also in other places. I think we will receive a monthly report on drugs delivered so that it is shared with Members of Parliament. Honourable minister, what do you think about that?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to make the record clear that I had notified the Office of the Rt Hon. Speaker that I would be out of the country on official duty so, my colleague, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, went to Gulu and I think she also had permission. The only report we have received as a ministry is this one. Once the questions that were raised are tracked with the Clerk, I shall come on this Floor and respond to them. As of now, we have not received them. Once we get them, we shall respond to them immediately. About the drugs, in this report they are also raised. I pledge that I will come on this Floor and give a comprehensive report about National Medical Stores in line with the drugs supply. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I take this opportunity to welcome you and all the colleagues back from Gulu. Mr Speaker, on your communication about the loss of our sister, the late Hon. Sarah Mateke, given the sudden death of our sister, whereas we may look so healthy, it would be good that the leadership makes it mandatory that after a certain period of about three or six months, we do - I know we have insurance but if we had medical personnel coming to check on us, because there are certain diseases - (Interjections) - Mr Speaker, please protect me.

14252 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. SARAH MATEKE NYIRABASHITSI She was a Christian and did not discriminate anybody. She was also very accommodative. One time I asked her, “ Do you really come from Kigezi ?” She said, “Yes, I am a proud woman from Kigezi” and then she asked me, “ Why do you ask ?” I said, “ The answer is that obviously in Kigezi, some people use politics and religion in a not-so friendly way ” . She then told me that she was playing the middle role. How I wish that we could emulate her. (Applause) I thank Hon. Sarah Mateke for her dedicated service to this nation. As a person who worked with the children and youth, when she came to the ministry, she paused the question, “ Who is attending to the spouses and children of the soldiers? Can I get permission to engage?” The Top Management Committee of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs agreed with her. Unfortunately, before she could start that, she is gone. I had been in the ministry for about two and a half years but I never had that in mind. She knew all the people who are not providing for their children in this House - those who have children carelessly. She was very passionate about every parent being responsible and I know nobody was her client in this House. So, we shall miss her intervention on the spouses and the children of the uniformed men and women. We do not know - because she was yet to start, after the events that we have this month. We shall miss her greatly and I do not know - at 50 years, she is gone. In that ministry, I was about two or three years older than her. She was the same age as the Chief of Defence Forces. We were really basking on things - that we are witnessing a transition in our lifetime; transition in such a way that, how else would you term it or say that an Oboth from Tororo is a Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, another one from Kigezi and another one from West Nile? I do not know which other president would have made me a minister in Defence, when we know the critical role that the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs plays. Hon. Sarah, you played your role; you smiled with all of us. The last time she came to my office was the other Tuesday, before we went to Gulu and she said she would not attend that sitting. She said, “I feel bad” - because I had delegated her to go to the East African Community event in Nairobi and then I had a thanksgiving, so we had a discussion. She walked in and said , “What do we do?” Then I said, “No, we shall delegate Hon. Huda not to go anywhere but Gulu”. She said, “ I will come back on Friday, but I will come to the function in Tororo”. Therefore, she came back on Friday and travelled to Tororo. During the last public event she attended in the east, her words were, “God is good all the time.” I did not know Hon. Sarah meant that even today I should say, “God is good.” Rest in peace. (Applause)

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I want to welcome you to this Sitting. Thank you for coming. Today we shall finish by 4.00 p.m. so I would like to go straight to the Order Paper. The rest of the issues will be carried over to Kampala. Yesterday, I visited Gulu University and I found one critical pending issue. I do not see any minister from the environment sector but I would like to request my brother, Hon. Kenneth Omona, to follow up on the issue of degazettement of the land for Gulu University which the Government offered to the university. The presidential directive was very clear. The university did all it could; it has fulfilled its part. I know this issue has been lagging on for long. The Ministry of Water and Environment must bring the motion for degazettement of that land so that we have it sorted. This is Government property. Government borrowed money from African Development Bank and built structures and now it cannot come around and say, no, we are not completing the circle. PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

Much obliged, Mr Speaker. As guided, pursuant to rules 159(c) and 189(e) of the Rules of Procedure, the Sectoral Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, between the 13 th and 15 August 2024, conducted a field activity to appraise the state of the following tourism sites and to consider related matters: The first is Kabalega and Mwanga Monumental Site in Dokolo District. The others are Barlonyo Massacre Site in Lira District; Mary Mother of the Church Shrine in Iceme, Oyam District; Aboke Massacre Site in Oyam District; Sir Samuel Baker`s Fort, Patiko, Gulu District; and Amuru Hot Springs in Amuru District. The committee also acknowledges and prioritises, for subsequent oversights, the heritage sites in Gulu-Gulu Hills in Amuro; Napak Fossil Site in Napak; Emin Pasha Fort Site in Wadelai in Pakwach; Karamoja Museum in Moroto; Dufile Heritage Site in Moyo; Tien Olum footprints site in Ibuja-Kokoro in Lango; Palabek in Lamwo; Lototoro in Lamwo; Agoro Hills in Acholi; Abiyam Memorial Site in Lango; Nziri Tomb in West Nile; Winam Old Palace in West Nile; and Arua Museum in West Nile. Those are 19 sites in total. The terms of references, I already indicated. To save time, I will go straight to the methodology. But okay, I will also not go through it, but it is important to mention that the committee conducted a desk review on a comparative analysis of investment sites in three East African community countries. One, the committee noted that for the management and administration of museums and monuments in Uganda, we are guided by the Museums and Monuments Act of 2023. Mr Speaker, Uganda also has a tourism policy of 2015, which prioritises four areas, national parks, cultural heritage sites, Lake Victoria, mountains, and community-based tourism. The focus of this report is on cultural heritage sites. We also compared the tourist visits to museums and monuments in East Africa. We noted that in

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would also like to thank the committee, for the very good report presented. Much as tourism brings something to us, we allocate very minimal resources comparatively. Here in the North, efforts have not been made to develop tourist sites. I would also like to remind the committee about Aruu Falls. They are much loved by the young people. Much as they are a little bit dangerous most of the young people go there during holidays. So, we need to develop the site; there are birds there. I have seen this missing in the report. I wish you could take an interest and put Aruu Falls to be the 20th so that they can also be allocated resources to develop it as a good tourist site. There are very many sites here such as Sir Samuel Baker’s Fort, but the road going there from Gulu to Patiko and then onwards to Kitgum through Palabek is not very good. I think that big trunk road has to be considered as a tourist road because it leads people to Fort Patiko. I beg to submit.

Yes, honourable chairperson of the committee? As the chairperson comes, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils and teachers of Credo Nursery and Primary School, Gulu and Omoro branches. They are represented by Hon. Onen Charles, Hon. Aol Betty Ocan, Hon. Okot Peter, and Hon. Lamwaka Catherine, respectively. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them (Applause) They are in that corner looking very smart. Thank you. You can take your seats, our visitors.

In the interest of time, I shall just read the highlights of the committee findings because this matter has been on the Order Paper since Wednesday. I am sure the honourable colleagues have addressed themselves many other issues in the report. On 12 September 2023, the Rt Hon. Speaker directed the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to study and revert to Parliament on a petition submitted to her office by the Environment Governance Institute on behalf of the Project-Affected Persons of the Karuma Hydropower Project. The committee considered the petition in accordance with Rules 30(6) and (7) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament and hereby wishes to report. Karuma Hydropower Plant is a run-off river plant located along the River Nile, northwest of Uganda. It is 23.5 kilometres upstream of the Masindi-Gulu Highway. The project area falls within the Kiryandongo and Oyam districts, located in the vicinity of Karuma Village and Murchison Falls protected areas, including the Karuma Wildlife Reserve. The project utilises a gross head of about 700 meters and a design discharge of 1,098 cubic meters for the generation of 600 megawatts (six units of 100 megawatts each). It has six different generation turbines. In a letter dated 5 September 2023, the Environment Governance Institute petitioned the office of the Speaker on behalf of the Project-Affected Persons who were affected by the works on the Karuma Hydropower Plant and requested that the Speaker sets up an inquiry to look into how compensations of these persons had been done by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The petition by the Environment Governance Institute recognises that in 2021, the Government of Uganda, facilitated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, initiated the acquisition of 465.52 hectares of land in Karuma and Awoo villages in Mutunda Subcounty of Kiryandongo District and Nora and Akurudia villages in Kamdini Subcounty of Oyam District to make way for the construction of the hydropower plant. Energy Infrastructure (PVT) Limited was contracted in 2010 to prepare and carry out a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and a livelihood restoration assessment for the Karuma Hydropower Project. Consequently, between October and November 2011, it undertook a population census and land survey on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to assess the socioeconomic characteristics and property evaluation of the affected individuals. This data was used to compile a Resettlement Action Plan report that was finalised in 2012. Notable is that the Government set 16 January 2012, as the cut-off date, signalling that any development made on the affected land after that date would not be compensated and that the Government had taken over the property of the Project-Affected Persons (PAPs). The grievances of the PAPS in the petition included: i) Failure to relocate vulnerable APAs; ii) Lack of social services; iii) Uncertainty about the proposed relocation areas in Lapono Village in Nwoya District; iv) Unfair land acquisition; v) Lack of a grievance reporting platform; and vi) Presence of ghost landlords. Mr Speaker, the prayers of the petitioners included, among others: [Mr Ariko] ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, when you are seated in positions like we are, you should avoid making resolutions in vain. You have to be cautious. Either you want to appease the public that you talked and you resolved, or you have to be practical. That is why your resolution is advisory. Even if I tell the minister that tomorrow, I want her to go and compensate and she has no money, how will it help? Did you include this money in the budget? No. Therefore, if it is to be paid urgently, she has to go process a supplementary, come back here, and you approve it. That is why I was very cautious. If you heard me after your resolution, I said, honourable colleagues, this is an urgent matter. Honourable minister, come back within one month. That is why there is a window. Where someone finds the route through Parliament short, they may take the one through court. There are those who have taken the one through court because the one through Parliament is advisory. The route through court is mandatory. Honourable colleagues, I do not want to sit here and direct that they should pay tomorrow and the money will be released. No, I know I do not have that power unless I want to lie to myself. I want us to remain within the limit of the kind of power we have. We should not give false hope. By the way, even if the court declares that go and pay, it will bring in the element of interest because it knows someone might not be able to raise money. Therefore, they say, for the time you have not paid, please pay interest until you get the payment. Let us work together, honourable colleagues. Let us be harmonious. Let us support the minister in her endeavours. In one month, we shall call her back to come and explain what they have done because some of the items are budget-neutral. For those that are budget-neutral, she should be able to expedite the process. For those which require money, she will come here, and we shall support the budgeting process. Honourable colleagues, I can tell you I do not know whether you have a shop where I will go and buy time. Direct me to a shop in Gulu where I will buy more time to complete these matters, if we are to continue with matters of procedure.

14221 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 On junior staff in an acting position, the committee discovered in local government that junior staff are often appointed to high- level positions due to favouritism and political interference, despite the presence of qualified senior staff. This practice has been observed in districts such as Gulu, Pader and Nwoya, and is detrimental to staff morals and career development. These junior staff make blatant errors while acting in such positions because they lack the requisite expertise for such offices. Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that assignments and acting duties should be based on seniority, experience and merit. The impact of low pay and discriminatory -

14223 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 service infrastructure, the human resources, availabilities of medicine and supplies, and the diagnostics. Methodology I will not go through the details, but we met with the regional referral hospitals that gave us a representative report of the different districts. We also engaged the District Health Officers (DHOs) to give us reports of the key issues within their districts. In addition, we sampled several general hospitals, health centres IV and health centres III. Findings I will begin with the Acholi Subregion, which we had an overview on table three of the health facilities; the 214 health facilities. However, within the subregion, we also got information on the different causes of morbidity; that is the most common diseases, and also mortality. Key to note is malaria, where they registered 1.4 million cases in the last financial year. Secondly, in terms of mortality, malaria is also the leading cause of mortality, followed by several conditions that affect neonates, anaemia, neonatal conditions, and neonatal sepsis. Nodding disease syndrome The committee was informed that where there were no new cases of nodding disease syndrome reported in the Acholi Subregion, the current patients affected by the syndrome are in dire need of nutritional, and psychosocial care and rehabilitation. Sickle cell disease The committee also noted that sickle cell disease presents a big burden to the population with challenges of accessing sickle cell testing and medication. In the specific findings in terms of: 1) Distribution of health facilities Acholi Subregion has a population of 2,047,118, and it has one regional referral hospital, Gulu, located in Gulu City, two general hospitals; Anaka General Hospital and Kitgum General Hospitals, are Government and two private not-for-profits, which are Lacor Hospital and Kalongo Hospital. The ministry guidelines on designation for upgrading health facilities require that for every population of 500,000, there should be a general hospital and it also provides for every 100,000, there should be a health centre IV. We noted that there are eight health centres IV in the subregion, serving 19 constituencies and there are several subcounties without a health centre III, contrary to the ministry guidelines where every subcounty must have a health centre III. For example, Amuru District only had four subcounties. Recommendations i. The Ministry of Health should plan and add more general hospitals in the Acholi Subregion; ii. They should also have an additional health centre IV to cover the remaining areas; and iii. They should ensure that those subcounties that need to have health centre III are also provided. 2) Infrastructure and utilities Whereas a number of infrastructure had been constructed within the subregion, there were several facilities with old dilapidated structures, incomplete structures, stalled projects, and inadequate scarce, among others. Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, for instance, had a project of 54 units of staff accommodation that started 10 years ago and is still incomplete with stalled works due to the non-release of funds for the previous three financial years. They require Shs 3 billion to complete this project, whose total cost was Shs 6.8 billion at the time it began in 2014.

14224 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT On health centres IV, we visited Awach Health Centre IV and noted that they do not have enough infrastructure. However, we were informed that a supplementary budget amounting to Shs 400 million, which was released in 2023/2024 for remodelling the general ward, was reportedly, as informed to us, diverted by the Ministry of Health after the procurement process had reached the Solicitor General’s office, and since then all works have stalled. We also noted that there are some of the health centres III that have been upgraded, but do not have an outpatient department section to make them fully functional. We also visited the Uganda Cancer Institute, which has a regional branch located in Gulu, and we were informed that they need 15 acres for land expansion and staff accommodation. However, the in-charge informed the committee that there is government land, which was identified and titled under Omoro District Local Government, yet it currently falls under Gulu City. Therefore, the institute is facing challenges in acquiring this additional land for expansion. Recommendations i) The Government to appropriate funds to the tune of Shs 3 billion to complete the 54 staffing units at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital that has taken over 10 years to complete. ii) The Government appropriates funds for completion of the maternity units that have stalled in the different health facilities. iii) In addition, we recommend an upgrade of health centres to make them fully operational and the construction of OPDs in health centres III where they are lacking. iv) The Shs 400 million supplementary budget for Financial Year 2023/2024 for remodelling of the general ward at Awach Health Centre IV that was diverted should be reinstated. We also noted that one of the theatres had been damaged and destroyed due to a fire. We, therefore, also recommend that the Government should further institute fire prevention measures across all health facilities and should also engage the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to address the issue of additional land for the institute. In regard to the status of human resource, Mr Speaker –

14225 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 On the status of diagnostic services, there were concerns in relation to functionality of different machines, such as the x-ray machines and the ultrasound machines. In Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, we found that they were non-functional and in Kitgum, one of the ultrasound machines was also not functional. Very key to note was that the facility does not have a sickle cell electrophoresis testing machine for confirmatory testing. As a result, patients have to have their samples sent to National Public Health Laboratory in Kampala, which takes two weeks and that leaves a long turnaround time for treatment. Our recommendation, therefore, is that there should be arrangements to ensure that they are equipped with these machines. On West Nile sub-region, I will go directly into some of the key specific findings. The distribution of health facilities, still the guidelines indicate that for every 500,000, there should at least be a general hospital. They have a population of 4,283,000 and, therefore, there is still a gap in general hospitals. There is also still a gap in health centre IIIs that are required. On the status of infrastructure and utilities in the region, again there were similar observations of old and dilapidated infrastructure but notably was Arua Regional Referral Hospital, which had a seven-storied, 21-unit staff housing project that has been under construction since 2018 and 2019. This has stalled and it is at 85 per cent it has not been completed due to challenges of funding. We also noted that Arua Regional Referral Hospital does not have a mortuary and utilises the one at Nebbi General Hospital. Our recommendations are again in increasing and provision of budgets to expedite the process of completion of stalled and on-going projects. As regards the diagnostics and medical equipment, notably, was in Nebbi General Hospital where the X-ray machine, which only requires Shs 1.2 million to repair, has been down for the last one year. The reason was that the hospital indicated that the health guidelines require that the maintenance should be done by a service provider from the Ministry of Health. That has led to a delay in operationalising or repair of the old x-ray machine at Nebbi General Hospital; together with a number of other x-ray machines and orthopaedic equipment that was not available at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, or not fully functional. Human resource is a general challenge at 40 per cent and the same recommendations apply. As regards to availability, supply and utilisation of medicine and supplies, we noted the same observations of stock-outs. The recommendations are for National Medical Stores to ensure that they commit to the timelines. To address the issues of theft of medicine, which was strongly highlighted, the ministry should expedite the digitalisation of medicine supplies and utilisation in order to mitigate theft and diversion. Notably, West Nile Region has a strong and large refugee population and therefore, there is need for strong surveillance systems, including screening of travellers for symptoms of communicable diseases and other related illness. I will now go to the third subregion, which is Lango Subregion. In the overview, again, malaria is noted as one of the key causes of mortality and morbidity. In addition, there has been a big burden of epilepsy. There is also still a burden of nodding disease syndrome, majorly in the areas that border Acholi, such as Lira, Oyam and Kole districts. They also have a big burden of sickle cell disease, with challenges of accessing sickle cell testing and medication.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I would like to join and identify myself with the committee’s report, which was well presented by my senior brother, Hon. Dr Opio. Mr Speaker, sometimes you just ask yourself questions. An appropriation is done, specifically to execute a duty towards service delivery - like what happened to Awach Health Centre IV. Money was allocated - Shs 400 million – but, all of a sudden, the money disappears, yet the work has already begun. Then, the work stalls and nobody can give a clear explanation, either to the people on the ground or to the district local government. You wonder why. Number two, Mr Speaker, looking at the Government policy of having a health centre III in all the sub-counties that we have – I want to plead with the committee and the whole House. In my own district of Gulu, up to now, you find that Paibona, Pukony, Owalo and Bungatira subcounties are still lacking health centres III, giving a big load to the health centre IV, which is serving a population of 135,000 people. If the Government wants to walk the talk, let us implement the policy the way it is on paper and the way it is in the country. Mr Speaker, up to now, in Awach Health Centre IV, when a patient dies, you need to come up to Gulu City to access the mortuary at Gulu Referral Hospital or you beg and access the mortuary at the UPDF 4 th Division Barracks. I would like to plead, again, that that should be taken into account so that our population gets the services down and near where they are. I beg to humbly submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Good job to the chairperson and his team - the committee - for that report. I would like to draw my attention to the issue of the ICU. Mr Speaker, you have seen how far Northern Uganda is from the Central, where most of the functional Intensive Care Units are. If you look at Moroto, Lira, Gulu and Arua regional referral hospitals, these are very far places and we all know what an ICU does. What we have in place are not ICUs. The equipment is there, but we have high- dependency units. A few months ago, we lost a patient in Karamoja, and in my opinion, as a doctor, we should not have lost that lady. We had to transport her all the way from Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, and Jinja, regional hospitals, without functional ICUs until Mulago. She was still alive by God’s grace, but she eventually passed on. Therefore, these are the things we need to be addressing ourselves to. The other one is dialysis. The health committee two years ago set up dialysis in Mbarara, Mbale and Lira, and the plan was to eventually roll out, but I think because of funding this financial year, it was captured as an unfunded priority. As a matter of urgency, we need to have dialysis at regional level hospitals. Adjumani General Hospital, like the woman MP said, is operating in a very dilapidated structure, and it needs urgent attention, at least the maternity unit. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I am happy that the Committee on Public Service will address the issues of recruitment, but some of these health centres IV, like Pajule, have medical officers who have not been formalised into service, and they want to leave. When you ask the district local government, there is local government politics involved. Honourable members, we need to also discern the fact that part of the health system, the biggest bulk, is in the local government. Therefore, recruitment is a function of the District Service Commission. The contractor of the seven-story building in Gulu is being taken to court because of Shs 3 billion that has not been paid out by the Government. As a matter of urgency, can we please find this money for both Arua Regional Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospitals, for their staff complexes. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues to thank the committee for the good report. However, I would like the chairperson of the committee to include the following. When I heard you read out the areas affected by the Nodding Disease Syndrome, you left the main area with the disease - that is the districts in East Acholi. These districts are; Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Omoro, and Gulu. Pader is the district with the highest number. We have over 5,000 children affected by the nodding disease. Pader District has about 10 subcounties affected by this disease. So, I request that you include them on your list. Secondly, when the President visited Atanga Subcounty to assess the Nodding Disease Syndrome issue, he made promises. One, he said he was going to give iron sheets to all the families affected by Nodding Disease Syndrome. This was because some of the children, because of mental disturbance, kept on burning their parents’ houses. The other promise he made is that Atanga Health Centre III should be elevated to a Health Centre IV, to cater for the children suffering from Nodding Disease Syndrome. I know the policy is that every county should have one health centre IV, but this is going to be a special case.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am grateful for being taken out of the Katebe by you, because I have been struggling to catch the eye of the presiding officer for the last three days. I will go ahead. There are three things that I would like to highlight, Mr Speaker. The first is curative services abroad. Yesterday, the public heard from the presiding officer that the Minister of Health was going to leave abruptly to clear a patient for travel abroad. The whole night, I received a number of calls from people from my constituency, who have similar cases, and they were wondering if such a service - which some of them know can go up to half a trillion shillings in the country every year - can be open to the general public. One of them has a four-month-old baby, Jasmine, from Oyam. Baby Jasmine was referred to India, by Mulago, for treatment. Like other cases that were earlier referred, Jasmine’s parents are waiting in vain. They are waiting for their baby to die. I would like this case to be taken up and explained to the public. Is this funding that is available every year for curative services abroad open to ordinary Ugandans or not? Two, we have an ailing health system in Oyam. We have sung about this for years, Mr Speaker. Oyam District has a population of more than 500,000 people, and one health centre IV, which we have begged the leaders to upgrade to a hospital. We need at least one general hospital, and another health centre IV, to serve the people who currently have to travel to Gulu and other districts, to access such services, which is really expensive. We have other issues in the district. One, we have an inadequate Wage Bill amounting to about Shs 1.6 billion this year, and we hope that it is taken up, so that we have enough staff

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My name is Okello Geofrey Charles. I am the Member of Parliament for Nwoya East County. Let me join my colleagues to thank the presenters and the committee for bringing us up to speed with health issues in Northern Uganda. Issue number one that I thought they could have recommended would have been feedback from the ministry on policy matters that are under implementation. This includes the phasing out of all health centre IIs to upgrade them to health centre IIIs. Two, there are specific health centre IIIs that were supposed to have been upgraded by now to health centre IVs, and we need feedback from the ministry, so that we do not debate the same thing again, without mentioning the one in my constituency. The other general issue is also an ambulance for every constituency. This is a policy matter that should just be implemented and we only need feedback so that it spares us. There is one general problem across Uganda, not just Northern Uganda; the mismatch between equipment and personnel. Just next to us here, the Government of Uganda has invested a lot of money in establishing a cancer treatment centre for Northern Uganda here in Gulu. The information we have is that the equipment that is here is adequate to serve Northern Uganda, but the personnel are missing. The ministry needs to assure us that they are focusing on trying to harmonise between equipment and personnel. There are several health centres that are lacking electricity in order to do so much. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development should work with the Ministry of Health and we have it on record of Parliament and the Government, so that we do not spend a lot of time. Finally, in my constituency, there is a problem of coded health centres that should be receiving drugs but they do not receive them. Why are they coded? Can we have a policy paper on that from the minister responsible? Thank you very much. Welcome to Northern Uganda.

Mr Speaker, I take this great opportunity to thank you. I also thank you, Members, for your patience and deliberations during this very historic and auspicious occasion, when Parliament sits in the region of northern Uganda, particularly on Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City. Mr Speaker, I thank you, again, for giving a lot of attention to the matters pertaining to this region. I know very well that time has not been enough and, also, that we do not have to ignore the rest of the country as we debate matters of northern Uganda. However, I am very confident and happy that much as not everything about northern Uganda has been exhaustively discussed here, at least, a substantial number of issues have been raised here and they have brought to light an emphasis on matters of northern Uganda. I was told that for these last three days, everywhere in northern Uganda here, people were either glued to the TV channels or listening to radio, paying great attention to the debates of the matters of Uganda and, particularly, northern Uganda. I thank, very much, the people of northern Uganda, for also giving attention and listening to the matters concerning their region. A lot has been said here, but like you have heard, many issues in northern Uganda here are historical. Therefore, I implore and call upon the leaders of northern Uganda – elected, appointed, opinion and religious leaders to take it very seriously to guide the people, especially on matters of wealth creation. Wealth creation is a personal effort. Here in northern Uganda, particularly here in Gulu, we have started calling the campaign for wealth creation as “ giri giri” . Giri giri is an Acholi expression, meaning “it is yours” – what is yours is personal. It is a personal effort. I call upon all the leaders in northern Uganda to take it very seriously. Secondly, Mr Speaker, I also call upon the leaders of northern Uganda that since many of your issues here are historical, please, tell your children about your past; tell your children about your history. Pleasant or bitter, good or bad, your society and your children must know your past. This is very important; it will guide your future. Mr Speaker, I cannot thank you enough, but I call upon all the people of northern Uganda, especially those who have been watching and those who have been following on radios and other channels, to take it seriously that this has been an opportunity to highlight the issues of northern Uganda. I hope it will also help you to follow up on matters of your country in all your areas; communities and workplaces so that you help the Government and your leaders [The Deputy Speaker] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank the people of northern Uganda. We have been here, but some of us do not want to leave because this area has fresh air. I have not polished my shoes ever since I came from Kampala. (Laughter) So, I would like to thank the people of northern Uganda for the hospitality. The food has been very good. The hotels have been very exceptional. You sleep and rest well. Mr Speaker, even the garbage collection is very good; there are no landfills to collapse here. The experience we have had in northern Uganda, for these few days, shows that these people are good people, and we should appreciate them. (Applause) If only one could think like me, I would even move a motion and we leave Kampala to be a commercial city and we make Gulu a business city. ( Applause) Mr Speaker, as I conclude on thanking the people of northern Uganda, even at night, we have been peaceful. We have been walking and moving around. These people are friendly. None of us is injured. There is no case registered. They are hospitable. Indeed, if we are looking for tourist attraction areas, also, let us enhance northern Uganda. Tourists like good roads. Tourists like good hotels. Tourists like good food. We have put on weight, you can see, Mr Speaker. This is not my original size, but I am sure because of being in Gulu City, I am now a better person. Finally, I congratulate all Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda for being hospitable. Some of us did not have cars and they were able to provide and we could move around because we could not move with our coasters. I thank my colleagues also for the hospitable reception they have given us. I wish everybody a safe journey. Those who are still around, the holiday is still on; we are still in Gulu and then we shall return officially on Monday. I beg to submit. (Applause)

14090 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Thursday, 29 August 2024 regions check and get back to us because we need action taken on what we have resolved. Similarly, I hope the Sectoral Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries embraces the guidance that the House extended to it and the scope of its oversight undertaking so that we have a comprehensive report. We picked some ideas from what we talked about here – from the guidance that we gave – and we will transform those ideas into our communication to the President. As northern Uganda, we have a lot of land. We will not go into a four-acre model. All we need is mechanisation, irrigation, agricultural enterprise selection and seeds. Much as we are saying that we want people to plant coffee in Gulu here, we need seedlings and dairy. I was shown a milk coolant, which has been here for a long time without being used. We need value addition in agriculture. We have market for the products, but how does what we produce reach Sudan? We need the roads to be worked on for our goods to reach their destination. Honourable members, yesterday, we spent a significant amount of time debating the report on physical infrastructure. This was expected to last a short time, but it became a catalyst to all that is going to be presented. On today’s Order Paper, we still have a fairly significant volume of pending business, which we should handle as fast as possible. IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FOURTH SESSION - 14TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 9.02 a.m. at Kaunda Grounds, Gulu City. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Annet Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Honourable members, much as we are sitting in Gulu, this is a normal sitting. As I said, let us not act in anticipation. There is no fight. The law is not made for one person. Today, I am the Leader of the Opposition, tomorrow another person will be a leader. I do not see any fight in this, and you may reject it when it comes at the second reading. We should not deny a Member his right which is enshrined in the Constitution. Yes, a brief one.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Enactment of a National Transitional Justice Law represents a significant opportunity for Uganda to have a holistic approach to confront its past and build a future grounded in justice, peace and reconciliation. I, therefore, ask you and all the Members of Parliament and ministers, that we use our esteemed offices to advance this critical legislation. This law was badly needed yesterday, but better late than never. Since Independence, as I stated in the motion, since 1962, our country has experienced cycles of violence, political instability and gross human rights violations, especially as mentioned during the regimes of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, and worst of it all, during the protracted LRA insurgency in northern Uganda, among other conflicts. The different episodes of political instability have left deep scars and trauma on the nation. Most of those who lost their lives have never been heard and justice has never been given to them. Madam Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, the ICC convicted an LRA rebel commander, Dominic Ongwen. The victims of Dominic Ongwen are going to be compensated by the ICC. A few days ago in Gulu, another LRA commander, Kwoyelo, was convicted by a Ugandan court. However, these victims are not going to be compensated, this is a big contradiction. We need this law so that victims of violence in the future may have an opportunity to be compensated, listened to, and this cycle of violence ends in this country. Thank you.

Please take your seats. Your Excellency, as Parliament of Uganda, we are immensely privileged to benefit from your presence in today’s special sitting in the northern region and specifically in Gulu. This sitting is covering the issues, challenges and opportunities that are from West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja. Your Excellency, the sitting of Parliament in Gulu, northern region, in Uganda is a historic milestone in the legislative history of Uganda. As it is the first of its kind, it is the first sitting we are having at regional levels. Your Excellency, the 11 th Parliament appreciates your immense support for decisions to take Parliament to the people in regional settings. I remember we came and discussed this with you. I came with the Deputy Speaker and you okayed it. You welcomed the idea and it is really a very good idea. We thank you so much for that. Embracing of regional sitting is in pursuit of the legislative vision of, “A transformed, independent, and people-centred Parliament.” Contrary to what the critics are raising, that the regional sittings of Parliament are costing us a lot, that is not true. The Parliament sitting is legally and procedurally grounded in Article 95(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 and Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament which empowers the Speaker to convene Parliament at such a place and time through a proclamation. The regional sitting will exhaustively deliberate upon the most urgent matters that are intricate to the growth and development of a particular host area. For this case, it is the northern area. Indeed, during yesterday’s sitting, the House applauded your leadership in pacification, unification and development in northern region. Twenty years back, this region was not what it is today. You brought security to this region. A round of applause for His Excellency. (Applause) Your Excellency, the northern region has witnessed remarkable transformation as witnessed in the urban infrastructural growth, especially under the Uganda Support to Municipalities Infrastructural Development (USMID), the establishment of the public universities in Gulu, Lira and Arua, the health sector infrastructural growth and the progressive growth of the private sector.

14107 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 We also recognise and appreciate the decision to elevate three municipalities into cities. These are notably; Gulu, Lira, and Arua cities plus Moroto which is not yet operationalised, but it was passed. This elevation status has created immense opportunities for the region, which, if properly harnessed, will bolster the development of this area. Your Excellency, we also recognise that northern Uganda is not a homogeneous society. The different subregions within northern Uganda have peculiar realities which impact on their growth and development. However, there are cross cutting realities notably; the post war recovery, the high level of poverty and ever growing youth population a fair number of which are unemployed, a large track of arable land, averse national resources, the high influx of refugees, environmental degradation, limited transport infrastructure, heavy reliance on subsistence agriculture, limited value addition to agricultural output, retrogressive cultural practices such as cattle rustling, and the subjection of women and girl child, the enormous water resources, lack of health facilities and lack of enough schools. For instance, if you look at Gulu, Gulu City does not have a Senior five, A-level school. While we have a number of issues that affect each and every area that is; West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. Then delayed compensation of war victims and lack of compensation for the land that was taken over during the insurgency. Your Excellency, the sitting specifically took cognisance of the need for mindset change as a major catalyst for increased production and social-economic transformation in the northern region. In addition, the House recognised the need to embrace viable cash crops, livestock agriculture, agricultural mechanisation and value addition, and sustainable organic farming, among others. The Sitting recognised the importance of reliable transport and communication infrastructure as an enabler of growth and development. To this end, Members raised the need for the rehabilitation and development of strategic national roads infrastructure in the different regions notably; Moroto-Kotido- Kaabong-Karenga Road, Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road, Kitgum-Kidepo Road, Nebbi- Goli-Paidha-Zombo-Warr-Vurra Road. They are very many of them plus bridges and we shall hand it over to you. Including our famous Karuma Bridge that is about to give way. Your Excellency, at the end of this Sitting, I will submit to you a memorandum detailing the specifics of the areas of concern that this House has passed, that the committees found on ground and need to be worked on in the northern region. Members noted the need to work to ensure the success of the prevailing government development initiatives such as Emyooga . The 4-acre model may not be vital in this area because we have all the land. What we need is to do mechanisation, provide some funds in societies, create market for these products, identify the cash crops to be grown in this area to have a participatory approach to what is being done in this area and have a micro- credit scheme by adapting such programmes to local realities in order to achieve meaningful outcomes in the region. Your Excellency, at the end of the Sitting, we will transmit these resolutions for your relevant action as the Chief Finance Minister of this country. All these relate to finances. Our work is to find out what is lacking but at the end of the day, it all comes back to the Chief Finance Minister who is none other than your good self. As the leadership of the Legislature, we intend to have the regional sittings as a salient aspect of our legislative culture and vision of taking Parliament to the people. We, being a people- centred Parliament, we believe in evidence- based legislation and this can ably be done by our committees who go to the ground and find out what is happening there and report back to Parliament. Your Excellency, I now take the singular honour to invite you to address the House and

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, when we started the first ever regional parliamentary meeting, while I was seated in the tent, I had a reflection on what was happening here. In my mind and heart, this is extraordinary, not because we are in Gulu and that Parliament has come here, but because of what used to be here, and what it has taken to put in place what is in northern Uganda and in Gulu in particular. Madam Speaker, it has taken extraordinary effort of the visionary leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, guiding the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), a force that has sacrificed over 20 years, trying to stabilise the northern region. I reflected on a situation where they used to tell us that guns would sing in different tones; alto, bass, and soprano, from morning to evening; that there would never be a convergence of family in this place, because people were on the run; and on the pictures we used to see of people with padlocks on their lips. Madam Speaker, it dawned on me that this cannot be taken for granted, and that this effort ought to be recognised and appreciated by Parliament and Uganda at large. Yesterday, we had forces of less than a hundred UPDF and police combined, and everyone was secure. In the evening, we walked up to 10 kilometres on the streets of Gulu, for jogging and health fitness purposes. Everyone was enjoying themselves. The road is tarmacked and more exemplary than most of the towns in this country. You cannot imagine that, that happened naturally. This happened because there is purposeful and visionary leadership of both the nation, and UPDF as an institution of Government. Finally, Madam Speaker, we need to appreciate the extraordinary, patriotic and the visionary spirit of the President. When some of us, Members of Parliament, and the other big rich men in town get money, we think of transferring their homes to those other countries. For the President to have fought for peace since the 1960s, integrated his son, who is a general, into the army, and who made the last assault on Kony in Garamba and delivered the tranquility that we see, it is worth thanking the President for. Our appreciation goes to all the UPDF commanders, and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for the last assault and effort he made in Garamba. I beg to move, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Akol, we are proceeding very well. If you heard my opening remarks, I talked about the post-war, the issue of compensation, land, and where I said I will hand over the memorandum to the President because these are issues that must be handled even after us achieving peace in this area. When you see a woman defending what happened during that time – personally, I was in Gulu, you know it very well. Where you would go and sleep in Bobi here just for one week, you could not come back to Gulu nor proceed, you would be under siege. And I am allowing only women to second because women would be raped by you people. Yes, can you conclude?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your wise ruling. As I conclude, yes, we have achieved peace but I want to state very clearly that we are in the process of managing the peace and there are salient challenges that, colleagues, you agree with me, need to be attended to. For those of you who have been to the town of Gulu City, when you move late at night, in some other parts of the suburb of the city, we have so many young people; children and youth who are stranded and living in the streets. This is as a result of the armed conflict that has been in the region. According to the statistics that you have got, Madam Speaker, so far, we have about 2,000 children and young people who are stranded on the streets, snatching women’s handbags and grabbing money around the local markets. We are getting back to a state of where there is no actual peace in the real community where these women are living. We need to deal with how to address the plight of these children who are living on the streets. I want to implore Parliament and Your Excellency the President, to ensure a special programme for these street children in Gulu and the neighbouring districts of Gulu City and to settle these children who are on the streets. Secondly, there are special programmes of Government coming in the area but when you look at the impact and how they are being received by the community, there are a lot of gaps. This is because of a mindset problem. Many people have talked about mindset; this is as a result of the armed conflict. After the war, they brought in the programme of Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) but PRDP had a component of ensuring that we address the question of psycho-social support and this was not dealt with comprehensively. For this reason, we rushed quickly to implement development programmes and left the aspect of psycho-social support. That is why, today, when we are living in our community, we have so many children who have returned from captivity, who were born in captivity but they have nowhere to belong and yet these are people who need to be attended to very closely psychologically.

Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Madam Speaker, Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker and the entire House, I am seconding the motion to recognise, appreciate and celebrate the efforts by our Head-of-State and other patriots for the peace, security and sustainable governance that Uganda is enjoying. I am a child of the soil so I want to first appreciate the peace at hand which we never had, the security at hand which we never had and good governance at hand which we never had. Madam Speaker, we thank His Excellency, with the other patriots, so much for the work well done. Leadership is given by God in the book of Psalms 13:14. Therefore, we want to thank God for the son, His Excellency, who has been ordained and given to this country so that we get liberated. As West Nile, we were refugees in South Sudan and in Congo. The President did a very remarkable work. When he took over power, he requested us to come back to Uganda. If you did not do that, Your Excellency, probably, we would have changed our nationality and remained in Congo or South Sudan. Your Excellency and the patriots of Uganda helped us to have peace which we did not have, security which we did not have, because we were in the hands of people who did not recognise human rights. We got tortured, we were massacred. We vividly remain indebted to you because we remember the Ombaci massacre, the Atiak massacre, and because of the peace, Madam Speaker, though with a lot of pain, we organised memorial services for the victims. This region was labelled with a lot of negative names. As we are seated here, those who are in Gulu, in our region, have now changed mindsets. We were called Anyanya because this region was characterised with bloodshed. Here we are seated comfortably deliberating because of the fruits of His Excellency the President and other patriots of this country. Your Excellency, allow me to say this: we leaders and people of West Nile have listened to you carefully for all these years. We are changed people. We have learned from you. We appreciate the systems you have put in place. We are requesting you and your team to help us to have economic liberation. We have learned; we are your ambassadors; we are your disciples. We are ready to lead our people. I want to end by giving special appreciation to you and the entire Government because the compensation we are asking from you is not because of your bad deeds. You are acting fatherly to compensate people because of the bad deeds of other people. Therefore, Your Excellency, we plead with you to continue with

Your Excellency, we want to congratulate you so much and to thank the team that was able to come here. We want to thank Gen. Salim Saleh who is here; a resident of Gulu. Where is he? Gen. Salim Saleh, you are most welcome. We want to thank you so much for coming. In our VIP gallery, we have: 1. Hon. Richard Todwong – When you are addressing, know the people who are here; 2. His Grace, the Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu, Rt Rev. John Baptist Odama; he has been very influential in this region; 3. Mr Obitre Stephen, LCV Chairperson, Maracha District; 4. Mr Atul Sam, Mayor, Lira City; 5. Mr Orach Emmanuel, LCV Chairperson, Nwoya District; 6. Mr Okwonga Alfred, Mayor, Gulu City; 7. Mr Opio Moses, Chief Administrative Officer, Abim District; 8. Mr Tolit James, Town Clerk, Laroo-Pece, Gulu City; 9. Mr Martin Okumu, Deputy Prime Minister, Ker Kwano Acholi; 10. Rev Fr Matthew Okun Lagoro, Project Manager of the Cassava Programme in northern Uganda, for value addition; 11. Mr Ojok Samuel Kitang, District Speaker, Agago District; 12. Mr Arwai Christopher Obor, LCV Chairperson, Kitgum District; 13. Mr Okwir Patrick, City Speaker, Lira City; 14. Mr Wadri Sam Nyakau, Mayor, Arua City; 15. Mr Lotee Paul, LCV Chairperson, Kotido District; 16. Ms Akello Alice Opio, RDC, Gulu District; 17. Mr Okello Francis, RDC, Amolotar; 18. Mr Okwir Semei, Gulu District, Retired RDC; and 19. Mr Otim Otto Denis, the Chief Administrative Officer, Lira. We will continue announcing as they come. We have the RDC of Gulu, Ms Amongin, a ‘yellow’ girl.

14118 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT We have been telling you and everybody since the 1960s that whatever you do, if you want the people to develop, start with the homestead incomes. We are now talking of roads, what, and what. They are where roads are good. The road from Gulu to Kampala is good. The problem of the bridge is a recent one. It has just come now. Otherwise, the road was good all the way from Bibiya. It was tarmacked all the way to Kampala. The one from Musingo-Kitgum all the way to Kampala, what are you selling along that road? I know there is some sim-sim from Kitgum, but what else? From the 1960s, we have been telling all those who care to listen to us that, “Please, seek first the homestead incomes and the rest will be added unto you.” In 2018, I made a country- wide tour, zone by zone. I give you this booklet where I talked of the four sectors and the seven ways for wealth and job creation. I heard the Speaker – do not bring new confusion by saying that the four-acre model does not apply here. It does. I do not agree with that line. In this booklet, I made it clear that the four-acre model was a rescue operation for the parts of the country that had already fragmented land. That is why I said, since you have very few acres, do not make sure the cura - I normally use our words here - the cura, the aimar, the otita, the ekibaro is correct. If you do not, you will never get out of poverty. That is why I said that for the four acres and less, put seven enterprises: i) Coffee - one acre; ii) Fruits - one acre; iii) Pasture for dairy - one acre; iv) One acre for foodstuff like cassava; and v) In the backyard, you put poultry for eggs and piggery for pigs. If you are near a wetland, fish farming. When you do that, you get millions of shillings, even if you are doing it on a very small scale. We have given you the examples of the Nyakanas and so on. I call this, in this booklet, “Intensive agriculture”. Use intensive agriculture with high-value enterprises to get out of poverty using the small piece of land which you have; four acres or less. But, even if you have got more, there is no harm. Instead of having one acre of coffee, have four. What is the problem? You can still use the same even if you have bigger land. The 10 acres you are talking about - because I want you to make the “ cura ” not just talk. No, I want the “ cura ” of the average landholding in the North. When I fly over, like this morning, that land - if you look at the gardens, especially from Lango, I am not so sure how many people - Lango, the southern side, the Maruzi and those areas near Akokoro, Amolatar. The population seems to be heavy because, from the air, I can see garden after garden. You do not see much bush anymore. Even coming here, the areas of Minakulu, all the way coming here, the areas where I see some emptiness are the areas after Bardege going to Agago. Yes, I see some space there and some parts of Kapelebyong on the other side of Teso. But, like Teso - Serere, Ngora the population seems to be quite high. So, what “ cura ” are you using? Do not waste our time again by bringing confusion here no, please. Even if you say 10 acres - because there are two strategies. Intensive agriculture is the four acres I am talking about. However, if you have 10, you can use the same for more land. You will be very rich. The other one is extensive agriculture. When I was in Adjumani, my brother Gen. Moses Ali was talking about cotton. Then I said, “Okay, how much do I get from cotton in an acre?” They said, Shs 1 million without deducting costs. So, if it is true - and when you are discussing here, please go into those details. Do not just talk and pass a resolution and deceive yourselves. I am really no longer interested in that type of approach. [Gen. (Rtd) Museveni] ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

Therefore, please, I beg you - I do not want Gulu confusion; that Parliament met in Gulu and confused our people and said, “Forget the four acres. In northern Uganda, we have a lot of land.” No, you do not. 10 acres is not a lot of land because if you are going to get Shs 1 million per acre for maize or cotton, even if you have got 10 acres, how much is that? You will not get out of poverty, but with the fruits, the return is very high. In some areas, it is much higher. You can get the figures. There is a group at Kakooge - is it Kakooge? They have got a factory there for fruits and we are supporting them. You check with them how much they are earning from fruits per acre. Cotton - because some of the areas in the North here can grow coffee. In the West Nile, they can grow coffee. Even some areas here can grow coffee so please, my document is here. God got a copy long ago. Please study it very carefully if you want the people to get out of poverty. This is my first point. The roads – yes, but the roads which are there are not being used fully. Yes, I know the areas which do not have good roads because I always go there but even where the roads are good, they are not being used fully. So, please, seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven, seek ye first homestead incomes, and the rest will be added unto you. Now, secondly, this is for the political class. Yesterday, I was having a meeting with the religious faith, with Mama Janet, about the schools. One of the issues we were discussing with the foundation bodies is the school charges. The NRM, since 1996, has been pushing for ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

14121 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 free education in government schools, but other people are pushing for charges for this one, for that. Please, if you want those children whom you say are street children - they are street children because many of them did not go to school. What is blocking them? School charges. So, the political class, all the elite, please, if you say you care about your people, support my position on free education. If you do not want to support that, then keep quiet, and let the children suffer. Do not just talk. This is the second point. Seeking for homestead incomes and free education in Government schools. We have been begging since 1990, it is almost 30 years now. UPE, they put charges. If there are unmet costs, bring them. You are Members of Parliament, I am President here, you are there, and we budget together. You come from those areas. Come and we budget. Let us block all these other expenditures and provide free education for the children in the Government schools. Do not go and say, I am paying for children in my constituency. How many are you paying for? 10. How will 10 children in a constituency solve the problems apart from putting you in debt? You are killing yourself, you are killing the children, you are doing nothing. Listen to NRM. Just have free education in the Government schools. Those who have money to build private schools can go to private schools, the children of the rich. I started my school in Okwang, near my village in Baralegi. I had calculated there that if I could give capitation grant of so much, there would be no other school costs that are not met. The capitation grant is set, but I think they still charge school fees. I have got free schools in Kisozi. They do not pay any cost. They study. It can be done. So, free education, if we want our people to get out of poverty. About the infrastructure, I agree, especially the railway. Have we not repaired the railway line from Tororo to Gulu? Is it not repaired? They were repairing it. What happened? Works minister, Hon. Ecweru -

Your Excellency, as you guided in Cabinet, work on the Malaba-Soroti- Lira-Gulu Railway metre gauge is on. We have reached Kumi so far. There was a small technicality between us, the office, and the team working, which we have also resolved after consulting you and Mzee Matia Kasaija. So, they have resumed. The first phase will bring the metre gauge up to Gulu here. Then the second phase will be from Gulu to Pakwach.

To come up to Gulu, Mzee , it will take us a few more months. I do not have it readily available.

14127 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 When I met the Indians in that place called Ladot, they assured me that if I did that, they would be able to upscale the processing so that the problem would be addressed. In the meantime, the reverend could tell me, what happened to our factory in Acholibur. We were also meant to have our factory here in Gulu. What happened to that factory?

That is why I wanted us to have a dialogue and see what the issue was. I will call a meeting and we will discuss with the Members of Parliament from the area, plus the elders, so that you can tell us what is up because as hon. Kafuuzi said, the numbers keep changing. Lawyers initially took some of the money. So many problems, but we are resolved. Now finally, on the issue of the skilling hub, we have skilling hubs in Gulu, Adjumani and Lira (Lango Subregion). Maybe what we can do is to - because what I do, my state house comptroller takes equal numbers from each district. Maybe we can increase the numbers who come from each district. (Applause) We are moving - the only other issue, people, if you support me, the issue I had was that you train and give kits to go back with, instead of training and then you go back with empty hands. Therefore, we can fine-tune that. I thank you for coming and holding the meeting here and you have heard my views. I submit.

14135 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 the increased resource allocation to West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja subregions for livestock farming to accelerate socio-economic transformation. Madam Speaker, when you listen carefully to the State-of-Nation Address last financial year – not this particular financial year – the President of the Republic of Uganda told the country about areas that have really accelerated growth in the country. I still remember that number one was coffee, number two was dairy cattle or dairy farming and number three was about beef. That shows you that this sector of livestock is very key for the development of these areas. Madam Speaker, these areas – West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja – have been doing very well in livestock. In particular, some of these areas lost the cows or livestock because of the war. However, you realise that in the planning and budgeting for the country, more resources, in terms of livestock, have not been given to these particular subregions of West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. As a result, even the existing ranches like Aswa Ranch, which is located in Pader – not in Kitgum – has not been receiving the resources needed to make sure that they do their work to prioritise so that the farmers in these areas go back to their original way of farming. Madam Speaker, when we talk about poverty in the country, you will notice that the contributors to poverty in this country have been in these four subregions, and it is very dangerous for our local community to contribute to poverty in the country other than contributing to its development. You all realise that when we talk about the poverty levels in the country, the levels in the Acholi Subregion went up, from 68 per cent in the recent Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) figures, to 70 per cent. While Karamoja is stagnating at around 65 per cent, West Nile at around 35, Lango - so basically, if the Government wants to achieve development in this country - this particular part of the country is not doing well because they have not been prioritising the issue of livestock farming and perennial crops, yet these are key to the development of this country. Therefore, I second this motion and think that the Government must take serious actions to make sure these particular subregions receive the necessary budget, which is the only way through which we can take our people out of poverty. When you look at the problems in the country now - the prices of the crops that the people produce - soybeans and maize - keep fluctuating daily. While the prices of milk and meat keep increasing. As I talk, a kilogramme of goat’s meat, for example, is about Shs 18,000 in Gulu yet a person who cultivated maize will sell a kilogramme at about Shs 400 or Sh500. How many kilogrammes of maize does one need to sell for them to buy a kilogramme of meat to eat with their family? These are some of the challenges that our local people have been facing because they have been engaged in crops that one has to work for three or four months and they have to go back. I was surprised yesterday when a Member of Parliament, my colleague, Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika, told us that the leaders of this subregion have not been guiding the community well. This is not the case. The Government has not prioritised livestock farming in northern Uganda while at the same time, the people who come with animals from other regions are grazing the animals here, getting a lot of milk, and also getting a lot of meat from this subregion. I beg to move and thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank you - because I had not submitted on the Floor of the House - and your team, for having thought about these regional settings. I had an interaction with people from northern Uganda in the evening, particularly from Gulu. A number of them were very appreciative of this initiative. I am looking forward to when this will be in my sub-region, Bunyoro. Certainly, our demands are very clear, and we expect that the people from northern Uganda will also support us. May God bless you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I stand to support the motion. Madam Speaker, we must believe that cattle rearing is not a political activity; it is an economic activity. Every other month, the Bank of Uganda publishes export volumes, and you see coffee, meat, beef and milk. If we are to reduce poverty in the different parts of the country, we should be measuring different regions as per their contributions to those different export volumes. Many years ago, the President launched one of the biggest beef-processing facilities in the country, owned by the Egyptians. It is in Bombo, on Kampala-Gulu Road. It requires 400 heads of cattle per day. But it is producing far below capacity. It is only important - and the duty of the Government to facilitate northern Uganda to join livestock farming, because it is one way of helping this factory, which is not far from northern Uganda, to produce at half capacity or full capacity. Madam Speaker, it is disturbing to see animals being moved from different parts of the country, coming to Bombo on Kampala-Gulu Road, when there are no animals, which can come from Gulu to Bombo as well. At the same time, Madam Speaker, cows can thrive anywhere. I cannot mention that they can also thrive in the islands because I am in northern Uganda; that will be for another day. However, we must accept that there may be reasons why certain areas are where they are [Mr Lokii] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This House has already taken note that before the conflict, farmers here had a lot of animals. And so, before we delve into how the Government can support, we need to look at what happened and what is happening now. Madam Speaker, many things have happened but, currently, there are many things that impede the growth of livestock in northern Uganda, especially cows in Acholi. One of them is that the quality of veterinary drugs that are available here cannot be trusted by the farmers. You buy drugs to control ticks, but when you apply them, they do not control them. So, we urge the Government to try and control the quality and make the environment for livestock better than it is. Madam Speaker, also, for a farmer to improve the breed, they should avoid inbreeding. To avoid inbreeding, you need to buy cows of other breeds from elsewhere. As we speak now, Madam Speaker, it is very difficult for a farmer in Acholi or even West Nile to buy cows from across Karuma. You need eight different approvals, which makes it entirely difficult, especially for the local farmers. Madam Speaker, also, when we talk about livestock farming, we are not just talking about cows. So, in this motion, the Government should look into the whole livestock industry, including birds. About two weeks ago, Madam Speaker, in this city of Gulu, there was very little supply of eggs. Traders had to rush to Kampala and other towns to bring eggs to serve the needs of Gulu City. That means there is also a wide market for other forms of livestock. Madam Speaker, while we have institutions being strengthened now, it is important that we strengthen continuous research into farming because all that farmers need is a good environment, quality drugs and seed money to begin with. I thank you and I support this motion.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Honourable Minister of Health should note that in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital – and this has been going on for quite long - when patients go to the hospital, doctors only prescribe and the patients are supposed to buy medicine from out. It has been there for so long and so, you cannot say it has just started recently; that is out. We come from here and we know what is going on in this region. The minister should also note that the CT scan that was given to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has never worked. The medical superintendents told us that there are no technical people to operate the CT scan. The problem here is quite enormous. Finally, I would like to thank the President. He committed the other day that he was going to support the students from northern Uganda majorly in sciences. Right now, all the intern doctors from northern Uganda were not deployed and more so, COVID-19 interfered with that deployment. If they fail to be deployed this time to the medical health centres, they shall have taken more than two years without completing their studies. Madam Speaker, I pray that the President and Parliament take very special consideration of the people of northern Uganda. Let the intern doctors be deployed. I beg to move.

I have been informed of the current update. There are four confirmed cases of mpox in the country. Out of the four cases, two are from Congo and they were admitted in Bwera General Hospital; they improved and were discharged. The two other cases came from Kampala. They were detected, confirmed, and right now, they are admitted in Entebbe Hospital at the isolation unit. Madam Speaker, as I sat down, I immediately got a message from the Director General confirming that the case in Amuru District that was raised by Hon. Lucy Akello has been confirmed positive. So, we have got a total of three active cases of mpox and all of them are admitted. For the one in Amuru District - of course, each district has an isolation facility - they will be isolated, given supportive care, given conservative care, until they improve then they will be discharged, like those in Bwera General Hospital. Like I said, the ministry has developed a case definition already. There are probable suspected cases and confirmed cases. Therefore, let us continue to be vigilant so that we detect these cases early, refer them to the appropriate surveillance system within the district in order for them to do the needful, and take care of them. Madam Speaker, permit me, lastly, before I sit down to say this. There was an issue raised by the Member of Parliament for Amuru, Hon. Olanya, on the interns. I thought I should say something since he said that no interns from northern Uganda were deployed. I wish to inform this House, like the Minister of Health has already informed us, that indeed it is true, in the country this year round, there were a total of 2,860 interns. They included: the medical doctor interns; the nurses and the pharmacists. The medical doctors have both the dentists and the other line. The ministry so far deployed 1,590 medical interns. The remaining, from the stock that were not deployed, is a total of 1,270. The criteria that has been set is very clear. All medical schools, which are quite many, have trained doctors, nurses and pharmacists. The priority for those that were deployed was given to those that completed in 2022, including medical doctors from Gulu Medical School, interns from Arua and nurses from Lira University. I want to allay the anxiety that all those interns from northern Uganda, especially from Arua, Muni, Gulu and Lira University, who completed before last year, were equally deployed. It is true, Madam Speaker, when these doctors, nurses, pharmacists complete their training, they need to translate the theory into practical. The longer they stay, the more they are de-

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay the minutes of the meetings of the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation. From 1987 to 2005, the northern and eastern regions of the country were ravaged by several wars and insurgencies, which led to loss of lives, livestock and properties. In 2003, Cabinet placed a moratorium on ex- gratia payment for compensation claims by persons affected by wars and insurgencies. Consequently, claimants and beneficiaries from Acholi, Lango and Teso Sub-Regions filed numerous lawsuits against the Government in the high courts of Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Arua and Mbale. In 2008, His Excellency the President directed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to amicably settle court cases and verify all claimants irrespective of whether they took Government to court or not. In 2016, the inter-ministerial committee conducted a verification exercise of war debit claimants/ beneficiaries in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions. In 2020 the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. In 2021, the verification exercise was devolved to the district structures. On 29 July 2021, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister confirmed to the Parliament that Government was in the process of verifying livestock compensation claims for the areas of Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions including Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions that were affected by the insurgency. On 3 August 2021, the Attorney-General also assured Parliament that he would give a report, in a fortnight, on where the Government was going and in what direction it was taking so that Parliament could know what Government was thinking. On 18 August 2021, the Deputy Attorney- General reaffirmed before the Parliament that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was conducting verification of livestock compensation claims in the areas, which were affected by the insurgency. He also informed the Parliament that other sub-regions affected by the insurgencies were to be incorporated in the next phase. These included Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions. He also informed the Parliament that all livestock claims and compensations would be settled within the Financial Year 2021/2022. He informed the Parliament that livestock compensation rates would be harmonised across respective sub-regions. He informed the Parliament that a report with the final assessment was to be submitted to the Cabinet and Parliament for consideration. Madam Speaker, allow me to go to the committee findings, observations and recommendations. We looked at the registration and verification of the claimants/beneficiaries. In 2020, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso and displayed the lists of the claimants at the district headquarters and subcounties. The verification exercise intended to confirm the genuine claimants/ beneficiaries. The following were the numbers of claimants/ beneficiaries recorded: Acholi Subregion – 16,946 verified claimants Lango Region – 42,024 Teso Subregion – 33,664 Giving a total of 92,634 claimants. The committee found out that the registration and verification exercise was marred by

Madam Speaker, first, permit me to apologise for being absent when you opened the House yesterday. I was obligated to welcome delegates from 22 countries attending the first ever Africa Women’s Conference on Intellectual Property, and I had to be there to welcome Her Excellency the Vice President. This morning, though I arrived late, I was in time to listen to the speech of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda. Please, kindly accept my apology, and I welcome everybody else to the warm heart of northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika for being the most eloquent spokesperson of those who are victims of broken promises. I hope some elders will be identified to give him a name from northern Uganda because of the eloquence with which he spoke. This shows that even though, geographically we are in Gulu in northern Uganda, we are articulating national issues and our aim is to integrate the whole of Uganda. In relation to what has been presented, let me stress that these payments are ex-gratia. Ex- gratia is a Latin word which means that the payments are made out of a sense of moral obligation rather than because of any legal requirement or arising from an admission of liability. It is a gesture of goodwill. It is part of the national reconciliation process. Therefore, on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, I wish to inform the House, Madam Speaker, that the Cabinet has discussed this matter, and I do believe that since, with your permission, we may be given up to six months to come back with a comprehensive response, I believe that by that time, we will have held the consultation that His Excellency the President talked about. We are supposed to bring together all stakeholders, and we tackle this problem together. I want to assure you that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is not hiding any information, and we will abide by the resolution contained in the report. Like the Deputy Attorney-General said, I wish to request, Madam Speaker, that the real debate should take place when we come with our response. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the issue we are dealing with is in the middle and at the heart of the issues that people want to listen to in northern Uganda. This issue started with some of the things that happened in 1986. Madam Speaker, if there is anything that people have been telling us, the leaders of northern Uganda, that must come out clearly in this regional sitting of Parliament in Gulu City, is the issue of compensation. The Deputy Attorney-General has been at the centre of this issue for a long time, and is a source of confusion as per our knowledge as leaders from northern Uganda. If there is anything that he wants - I thought he was going to ask you for only this night to consult his technical team so that the debate takes place tomorrow when he is here presenting the facts he has found from his technical team. Madam Speaker, if we leave this place in Gulu without discussing this particular report which is at the heart of –

Madam Speaker, when we sit in a place like Gulu, we begin to debate better. And I appreciate this current location. If it were possible, we would extend our stay here to even one month, so that Gulu feels us and Parliament feels Gulu.

Actually, for you to feel Gulu, after this debate, you will just turn your back behind and enjoy the evening.

It was Makmot Kibwanga & Company Advocates and Bashasha & Company Advocates whereby members spent money to process their claims. Some members even went to court to get the affidavits and also administration of their estates. Madam Speaker, I want to appeal to you and this House that our people have waited for too long. Parliament, let us decide today. Let the matter be concluded in Gulu and we refer to it as the “Gulu Declaration,” that all the claimants be paid. Madam Speaker, our people have been waiting for too long, as I said. Some of them died. For example, my father was the biggest cattle keeper with over 1,000 cattle. He lost all of them during war. He died without getting his claims. When I decided to claim on his behalf, they said it was a frivolous claim. I was claiming on behalf of the family. Even then, it was even approved. I went through all the processes and they approved 600 cattle for my father but up to now, they have paid only 10. Madam Speaker, I am not saying I should put my interest before the interest of the people. My interest is that the people of Lango, Acholi, Teso who have genuine claims be paid their due. Hon. Attorney-General, it was me –

14005 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 It is the first time, in post-colonial times, that the Parliament of Uganda is sitting outside the Capital City of Uganda - Kampala. In a special way, please join me in thanking the lovely people of Gulu City, for the warm welcome and the extraordinary hospitality they have accorded to us while we are here. Thank you so much, people of Gulu. I would also like, in a special way, to thank the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for endorsing and equally supporting our sitting in Gulu. We will be forever grateful to him. Further, let me also commend the Clerk to Parliament and his staff for ensuring the success of our sitting. Thank you, my wonderful staff of Parliament. In a very special way, I would like to thank the Members of Parliament; you are very gracious people. Travelling from Kampala to Gulu means you are leaders who love your country, Uganda. You travelled all the way from the West, East and Central to sit in Gulu; thank you, for coming. Honourable members, the decision to hold Parliamentary sittings in Uganda’s traditional four regions is a strategy to bridge the gap between Parliament and the people. This decision was based on an elaborate cost-benefit analysis and attention to the specific and varying nature of the distinct realities affecting the different regions of Uganda. We have always sat in Parliament and made decisions for the country forgetting the difference from one to other. They have distinct issues that need to be handled, region by region. Contrary to misinformation by some members and sections of the public, the regional sittings of Parliament are budget neutral; we are not incurring additional costs. A strategic decision was taken to upgrade the always budgeted-for parliamentary outreaches into fully-fledged House sittings, which will deliberate upon matters that are distinct and pertinent to specific regions hosting the sittings. Unlike outreaches, the deliberations during these sittings will culminate into parliamentary resolutions that will require Government action. We have money that is always available for outreaches. In these outreaches, we could only go and invite the leaders of the area and discuss with them. However, in this case, we said that instead of calling the leaders in these areas only, let us go and have a sitting in those specific regions, get the issues affecting them, have the resolutions and forward them to the Executive for action to be taken in those particular areas. When you look at the budget of Parliament, you will notice that no money was added for this sitting. So, the people moving with the misinformation just do not like the northern region. Parliament is not a stationery building; the building in Kampala is not Parliament. It is an Arm of Government that can convene in any part of the country, and this is not unique to the Legislature; it is also being done by the Judiciary. It is prescribed under Article 95(2) of the Constitution that the Speaker shall proclaim, at any one time, where Parliament should sit. Where Parliament is, is where the Speaker is and is where the Speaker proclaims that “this will be Parliament”. So, this perception of saying that Parliament must always sit in Kampala is selfish. Next time we can sit anywhere - we can even proclaim the middle of Kampala Road to be Parliament and we shall sit there . A people-centred Parliament must be responsive to the needs of its citizens or else society will be without effective parliamentary representation. Remember our roles, as Parliament, are: representation, legislation, appropriation and oversight. The 11 th Parliament, right from inception in 2021, vowed to put the people at the centre of the legislative process and its decisions. That is why we are bringing Parliament to the people;

14006 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT we have brought Parliament to the people. We do not want people to come to Parliament; we have brought it to them. Legally and procedurally, the regional sittings of Parliament are anchored in Article 95(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995. Some of us were not even there, but the framers understood that at one time we could decide to sit in Gulu, Mbarara or Masaka. Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda also empowers the Speaker to convene Parliament at such a place and time through a proclamation – which we have already done. You may recall that at the start of today’s sitting, a proclamation was made – and it has always been done. That is why we always sit in Kololo. It is the same legal basis upon which Parliament sits in Kololo Ceremonial Grounds and Kampala Serena Hotel. In any case, Gulu City, where we are holding this historic sitting, is part of Uganda. Therefore, no one, in their right state of mind, can attempt to deprive the beloved people of Northern Uganda of the opportunity of hosting this landmark sitting. How I pray that those who are boycotting, do not come to Gulu or the greater north only when it is campaign time. Honourable members, this is the first of the planned four regional sittings that Parliament will host this financial year. In the second quarter, we shall go to another region. The next sitting will be communicated – where we shall be sitting. It may be in the east, west or central. At all these regional sittings, Parliament will prioritise matters of urgent and utmost importance to the specific region hosting the sitting. Honourable members and the local communities of Northern Uganda will confirm that over the last few weeks, various parliamentary committees have been conducting oversight roles on various areas of service delivery in the region. The relevant committees will present their reports in the course of the next three days. We will discuss them and appropriate action will be taken by the Executive – and, to confirm all this, that is why the President will be here tomorrow to hear the issues that are arising out of the northern region. Remember, we have been budgeting for most of these activities. We now need to understand whether there is value for money in whatever we have been appropriating money for. These reports, alongside the various motions, will be exhaustively deliberated upon by the House and resolutions will be passed and transmitted to the relevant Government agencies or departments for action. Pursuant to Rule 220 of the Rules of Procedure, the House will require actions taken on the reports from the relevant agencies of Government on the status of implementation of the findings from the committees that have been on the ground – and from what we have discussed in this session. I, therefore, urge Members of Parliament from across the political divide to actively debate and deliberate on the issues affecting this region. We can find solutions for the benefit and well- being of the people of the greater north. In the spirit of constructive engagement, we encourage all stakeholders to desist from opposing progressive initiatives aimed at fostering cohesion and growth, and embrace unity and cooperation in the furtherance of inclusive decision-making and progress. Unity is strength. Let us build a Uganda that will work for everybody. You cannot be seen fighting the decision of holding a sitting in an area or Gulu - Gulu – Kaunda Grounds – where the Pope was in 1993 and Gulu, which is on the map of the political history of Uganda, and you say, “We are boycotting”! Well, while it has been boycotted, I see all the Members of Parliament here. I salute you, Members of Parliament. (Applause) [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Madam Speaker, Anthony Akol is my name. I am the Member of Parliament for Kilak North in Amuru District. I am from the FDC Party. Thank you and you are welcome to Gulu and Northern Uganda.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Margaret Lamwaka. I represent the people of Chua East, Kitgum District and I am an independent Member of Parliament. Thank you very much and you are welcome to Gulu.

Madam Speaker, Theodore Ssekikubo is my name. I represent the people of Lwemiyaga County in the Parliament of Uganda. Thank you. Madam Speaker, as you are aware, I am the chief petitioner of – (Laughter) - the motion that was properly processed and handed over to your office. I am glad to be in Gulu because as I sought for signatures with my colleagues, we set up camp here. The people of Gulu, I have come back to you to show you that I never ended up in shame. The signatures were obtained. Madam Speaker –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Santa Okot, Member of Parliament for Aruu North Constituency. And, you know that I am the greatest Member of Parliament because I represent the whole country. I am the colleague of President Museveni because I am the Acting President of the People’s Progressive Party, the Whip of the People’s Progressive Party and a shadow minister for special regions. One of these special regions is Northern Uganda. The other areas are Karamoja, Teso Affairs, Luwero triangle, Bunyoro, and recently Busoga was added. Thank you so much and welcome to Gulu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Peggy Joy Waako. I represent all old persons in Uganda, and thank you, Gulu, for welcoming us.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Hon. Busingye Peninah Kabingani. I represent all the old people in the Buganda Region. Thank you, Gulu people for welcoming us. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. My name is Abdu Katuntu, the District man, MP for Bugweri District from Busoga Subregion. Thanks to the people of Gulu for welcoming us.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, my name is Ojok Andrew Oulanyah. I represent Omoro County in Omoro District, the last-born child of Gulu District. We were very honoured to have you yesterday, and Omoro is very happy to host you in Gulu.

Madam Speaker, I thank you so much. I am Nakadama Rukia Isanga. I am the Woman Member of Parliament for Mayuge District in Busoga. I am the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without a Portfolio. And right now I am representing the Office of the Prime Minister. I thank you. People of Gulu, thank you, for welcoming us.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Avur Jane Pacuto. I am the Woman Member of Parliament for Pakwach District. Madam Speaker, I humbly beg that the proposed sitting in the middle of Kampala Road be taken to Pakwach District, along the Nile so that our economy can as well improve, like the one of Gulu. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for making this wonderful decision. Gulu has always been the headquarters of the northern region. Today, we are able to realise this wonderful opportunity of COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Dr Emely Kugonza, Member of Parliament for Buyanja East County in Kibaale District, Bunyoro Subregion. I am very pleased to be here in Gulu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Rwaburindore Bishanga Tarsis is my name. I represent the people of Ibanda Municipality. Thank you for bringing us to Gulu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is John Lematia. I represent the people of Ayivu Division West, Arua City in the West Nile Subregion. I am happy to be in Gulu.

We shall discuss that. Hansard, please have everything recorded. We need to know the people who are in Gulu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Amos Kankunda. I represent the people of Rampara County in Rampara District in Greater Ankole. I am the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Parliament. I am glad to be in Gulu and be blessed for spearheading this decision. Thank you

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for affording us this opportunity in Gulu. I am Thembo Gideon Mujungu. I represent the people of Busongora South Kasese, Rwenzori Subregion. I belong to the mighty party.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Wakikona David. Coming back to Acholi, Gulu where I worked - we stayed for five years here and they called me Munu . Thank you. I represent the people of Bushigai Constituency, Bududa. And the years, I cannot imagine. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Bigirwa Norah Nyendwoha, representing the people of Buliisa District in Bunyoro subregion. Madam Speaker, I request that we handle the issue of animals and the problems facing the fishing communities while we are in Gulu. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I am Wandwasi Robert, Member of Parliament representing the people of Bungokho County South in Mbale District, Bugisu Subregion. I am happy to be in Gulu. [Mr Awany] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Laker Sharon Balmoyi, the Woman Member of Parliament for Gulu District. I would like to thank you and His Excellency, for allowing this first historical event of bringing Parliament to the people; to Gulu City. Warm greetings from the people of Gulu. We have been eagerly waiting for this day and it is good it has come to pass. We love you, Madam Speaker and honourable colleagues, for making it here. Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to thank the President, you, the Speaker, honourable ministers and colleagues for having stood with me when I lost my husband last month. Thank you all for the support that you rendered to my family. We will forever remain grateful. May God bless you all. Thank you for coming. Feel at Gulu, feel at home.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Sarah Opendi, Member of Parliament for Tororo District, Bukedi Subregion. I would like, in a special way, to thank the people of Gulu for enacting the Alcohol Ordinance in 2017. They noted the dangers of alcohol; how alcohol was negatively affecting their people. I hope that this Parliament, in future, can reconsider the Alcohol Control Bill.

Honourable members, we are going to have this annually, by God’s grace. Now, if this time we have sat in Gulu, next time we will sit in another place in the North. After the first round of four regions, the next one will be in another place. We shall not repeat it in Gulu. So, you never know, it may come to Moroto or Lira. We can even take it to Hon. Avur’s constituency.

Madam Speaker, my name is Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, Member of Parliament for Bardege-Layibi Division, where Parliament is sitting today. I also chair the Committee on Public Service and Local Government. Madam Speaker, thank you very much for bringing Parliament to the North and welcome to Gulu where God lives. I am very happy that the honourable minister, Musa Ecweru is here today. He had promised to come to Gulu to see the road that was poorly designed by UNRA and claims lives almost weekly. Honourable minister, the road is right there on your right and it runs from Bank of Uganda to custom corner. Probably, you will take time to work with your team to do the needful. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is Kisos Chemaswet, Member of Parliament for Soi Constituency in Kween District. Madam Speaker, you did well to bring me back to my home in Gulu. Unfortunately, I reached the barracks and my house was not there anymore and it was not secured. On 20 August 2024, I wrote a letter to you. Remember very well, in any move, there is a remove. Madam Speaker, as Hon. Ssekikubo was speaking, I was still waiting for your reply that I informed you that I am withdrawing from that motion that was moved by him. There are various Members who have volunteered to withdraw based on the fact that the court had already decided on it.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Tubo Christine Nakwang, the Woman MP, Kaabong District. I am also the Vice Chairperson, Karamoja Parliamentary Group, and a senior member of the mighty NRM Party. You are welcome back and thank you for being in Gulu. Madam Speaker, Kaabong District, because of its porous borders requires a brigade to beef up security. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I am called Betty Chelain Louke, Member of Parliament representing the people of Amudat, Karamoja. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for bringing us to Gulu. Some people here have never seen big trees, so we are really exploring the country. Because of this Government, we are now at peace. Twenty years ago, you could not sit here. Therefore, we need to thank the President. Thank you.

Thank you. By the way, I worked in Gulu for six years. I was a bank manager in Centenary Bank. Those who think that I am coming from nowhere, I am coming from somewhere. Yes. Then we can have the Frontbench.

I know why that microphone failed to work. I think it is because God wanted me to use the yellow one because I am affiliated to NRM. I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Jane Bainomugisha, I am the woman Member of Parliament for Ibanda District. I would like to take this honour to thank, first of all, His Excellency, the President of Uganda, for bringing peace in Gulu. We have seen peace. I express my gratitude to him and all the people of Gulu. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Cosmas Elotu is my name, Member of Parliament representing the people of Dakabela County in Soroti. Thank you for this great initiative. While on the way to Gulu - and I think all Members may have realised the infringement on the road reserves. As you approach Gulu City - I do not know how we shall expand those roads because of the incoming pipeline. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for coming to Gulu. I am Engineer Hilary Obaloker Onek, Minister for Disaster Management in the Office of the Prime Minister. My constituency is Palabek County in Lamwo District. We appreciate your innovative and good leadership in the party and in Parliament. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I thank you so much for being a true African woman; very resilient, courageous and principled. Even when many people spoke, you stood your ground, and we are here in the Gulu -

Madam Speaker, once again, I am Nakadama Rukia Isanga. I am the Woman Member of Parliament for Mayuge District. I am also the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio in the Government of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. I bring greetings to the people of Gulu, from the Office of the Prime Minister and from the Rt Hon. Robina Nabbanja, who is out of the country on official duties. Thank you, for welcoming us to Gulu, the cleanest city.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to communication from the Chairperson and subject to the provision of Rule 25(2)(e) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, I rise such that the record of Parliament sitting at Gulu City captures three fundamental facts, which are aimed at paying glowing tribute to you as the leader of the institution of Parliament and the entire parliamentary leadership upon bringing this parliamentary sitting here, in Gulu City, Northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to you and the entire leadership of Parliament because, first and foremost, historically, in the post- and pre- independence history of Uganda, this is the first time that the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda – from the First Parliament to the 11 th Parliament that you preside over – is sitting outside Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. We need to commend you, on record, for this. (Applause) Historically, again, after the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution, there is no single moment that the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda is recorded to have sat outside our capital, Kampala. Again, this is another glowing tribute to you. Secondly, we have been hearing people talking about the regional Parliament. I would wish to state that, legally, in the minds of the framers of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, as amended, they envisaged a situation where the Presiding Officer would take Parliament to any part, as long as it is within the Republic of Uganda. So, legally, our sitting in Gulu is anchored on the provision of Article 95(2) of the Constitution, implying that for any Member of this House who refuses to be in Gulu, that act should be termed as unconstitutional and against the spirit of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. So, we want to thank you and the leadership of Parliament for, for the first time in our history, operationalising Article 95(2) of the COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

14035 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 Constitution of Uganda, by bringing this Parliament to Gulu – which is within Uganda. Finally, Madam Speaker, you should be commended, together with the leadership of Parliament because, economically, this sitting in Gulu is a big boost to the Gulu economy and to the northern Uganda economy. Over 10 committees of parliament, in the last two weeks, were deployed to West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. All these Members were sleeping in hotels within this region, and, for these days, we are sleeping in hotels in Gulu, eating from restaurants in Gulu and fueling cars from fuel stations in Gulu. This implies that a farmer growing cassava within a village called Tegwanda, in Gulu City here, benefits because we are eating food that is locally grown. So, the sitting, termed as “regional”, has three fundamental importance that must go on record: legally; economically; and historically. The multiplier effect is huge. Very finally, I wish, again, to thank His Excellency the President who accepted, under Article 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, to come to Gulu tomorrow and address this Parliament and, by extension, address the country through this sitting in Gulu. Madam Speaker, it is imperative that this tribute be attributed to you because you will live in the history of our Parliament to have set a record of taking Parliament to the people because legislative power is derived from the people. Madam Speaker, I beg to submit. Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, the guns have gone silent in this region save for some isolated cases of cattle rustling but the poverty levels in this region are still tingling. According to recent household survey, 2019/2020, poverty levels outstood at 67.7 per cent for Acholi, 23.4 per cent for Lango, and 16.9 per cent for West Nile. Let me quote Karamoja in the neighbourhood, which stands at 65.7 per cent. From the data, Acholi Subregion is the poorest in this region and actually is the poorest region in Uganda. I have held meetings and discussions with leaders and the biggest question of our engagements has been how to deal with the question of lingering poverty and low income levels in this region. Madam Speaker, following the introduction that you have just conducted here, a number of issues were raised; others could have been captured in my statement - I request that later, through my Leader of Government Business that the honourable ministers who are here leading different sectors also make reference to some of those issues raised. I am also aware that there are issues which are captured in the reports that are supposed to be presented and debated in the sitting in Gulu here. So, what I may not be able to raise in my statement, I hope are captured in those reports and any other that can be raised by the honourable colleagues in this sitting. Madam Speaker, I would like to therefore, delve in some of the pertinent issues raised by the honourable colleagues and leaders of the people to me, as the coordinator of Government activities in this region. I have

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Article 90 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and rules 159(c), (d), (e), (f) and 189 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda, the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure is mandated to exercise oversight and ensure effective utilisation of resources and implementation of policies related to physical infrastructure development. In fulfilment of this mandate, the committee embarked on a field visit to Northern Uganda from the 4 th to 10 th August 2024, to assess the status of roads, bridges, aerodromes and railways in the region. The visit aimed to evaluate the condition, usage and maintenance of transport infrastructure, with a focus on roads, bridges, aerodromes and the railway. The committee sought to gather fast-hand information on the progress of the ongoing projects, identify challenges and determine necessary interventions to improve the region’s infrastructure. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the committee aligning with its oversight role and contributing to informed decision making for the development of Northern Uganda transport infrastructure. The committee visited the following sites: a) Karuma Bridge; b) Pakwach Bridge; c) Masindi Port Bridge; d) Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach Road; e) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga-Acholi Bur Road; f) Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Lira-Kamdini Road; g) Tororo-Gulu Railway Line; h) The Regional Mechanical Workshop and Logistics; and i) Moroto Road. Madam Speaker, this report presents a critical opportunity for lawmakers to address the transportation challenges in Northern Uganda. The committee’s field visit focused on evaluating the current state of integrated transport infrastructure and services, identifying key bottlenecks, and engaging with local stakeholders to understand their experiences and perspectives.

14047 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 The committee recommends that NEMA expedites its approval process to enable timely implementation of the project and prevent additional costs that could arise. Madam Speaker, an issue that demands attention, is the scale-up use of force account for maintenance of national roads. The committee appreciated the fact that in June 2012, the Government of Uganda instituted a policy shift from contracting road maintenance works to the use of a force account. The force account policy for road maintenance applies to district, urban and community access roads. We refer to them as DUCAR and the national roads under the Uganda National Roads Authority. This was after the Government of Uganda acquired 1,425 new equipment through a $100 million loan from China. According to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA)Act, the force account mechanism means undertaking the work of procuring and disposing entities using the personnel and equipment of the procuring and disposing entity or of another procuring and disposing entity. To ensure value for money in the application of the force account mechanism, the PPDA Act guides that the accounting office of a procuring and disposing entity shall make available material, employees, tools and equipment adequate for the works, ensure that the works are executed as per the applicable technical standards, that a qualified supervisor supervises the works, the employees and supplies used for the works are commensurate to the works, and maintain and manage the records, equipment and supplies that works for the Public Finance Management Act. The committee noted that the UNRA team, under the force account, uses Shs 5 million per kilometre to maintain the unpaved murram roads, and Shs50 million per kilometre to maintain the same category under the framework contract. The committee was concerned that Government spends a lot of money on framework contracts vis-a-vis what would have been used on force account. In response, UNRA team informed the committee that the team is always constrained by staffing gaps and lack of adequate and reliable equipment among other challenges to cover the vast network. In addition, the committee was informed that the staff in the UNRA stations on the level of fleet assistance are inadequate. For example, the current ratio of fleet assistance to vehicle is one to two in Kitgum station, five to three for Lira station. Consequently, staff are multitasking on the vehicle making them inefficient. The committee was informed that UNRA needs to recruit more fleet assistants for effective service delivery. However, there is a ban on recruitment. The committee recommends that UNRA should ensure effective and efficient road construction and maintenance. That the Government provides additional equipment and review the staff structure to accommodate more fleet assistants, among others. The inadequate funding of the maintenance of national roads The committee noted that in recent years the budget for road maintenance under Uganda Road Fund had been declining, save for financial year 2023-24, when the budget for the local government increased by Shs 1 billion per local government. Madam Speaker, here we need to thank you and the House for having availed through the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, the Shs 1 billion to districts, municipalities and cities. The committee observed that inadequate budget allocation is affecting the maintenance of national roads. For example, the quarter one financial year 2024-25 release of Shs 90 million had been received by Gulu-UNRA Station for maintenance. Only Shs 90 million and yet it supervises seven districts.

14049 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 Atiak-Apyeta-Lamwo-Kitgum Road This road links Lamwo and Kitgum to the regional economic hub at Atiak and provides a key route for cross-border trade with South Sudan. Developing this road to high-grade standards will not only improve regional connectivity, but also boost economic activities, enhance service delivery and reduce travel times between key districts. Madam Speaker, Members earlier on alluded to Nebbi-Goli and other networks of the roads in West Nile that should also be given due attention. The committee recommends that: 1. The Government and relevant authorities should prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of oil roads in Nwoya District to align with their policy commitments. This is because in Acholi subregion, the oil roads have not been optimally worked on, as you would see in other regions. 2. The Ministry of Works and Transport conducts feasibility studies on the above- mentioned strategic roads and have them tarmacked. 3. The Government should allocate sufficient funds and resources to ensure timely and quality construction and maintenance of these roads so as to enhance economic and social growth to the region. The District Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR) The committee observed that the network in most local governments was in fair to poor condition. The committee observed that in Financial Year 2023/2024, the Government allocated Shs 1 billion to local governments for rehabilitation of roads and, this year, the same amount has been allocated for road maintenance following a parliamentary recommendation to rename the grant. During oversight, the committee established that the Shs 1 billion had enabled Gulu City to rehabilitate some roads and construct two bridges (box culverts), improving the condition of the network in the city. In Apac, the funds enabled them to rehabilitate roads which had not happened in over 10 years, and similar reports were received from other local governments across northern Uganda. The committee noted that only districts have road equipment, while cities and municipalities rely on bureaucratic processes of requesting for equipment from the Executive Director of UNRA, since the district equipment is always utilised with the provision of Shs 1 billion and money is released at the same time. Further, the committee observed that while the Government shifted to the policy on Force on Account and districts are now using Force on Account for maintenance of roads, the works departments have no supervision vehicles. This makes it challenging for the staff in the works department to supervise equipment and ongoing works in the field. The committee recommends that; 1. The Government provides additional funding towards maintenance and rehabilitation of roads. 2. The Government provides supervision vehicles to the works departments to facilitate supervision of road works and equipment. Madam Speaker, allow me to make this footnote: northern Uganda has only one regional mechanical workshop – which is stationed here in Gulu – that supervises the entire northern Uganda. The committee recommended that at least each subregion be funded to have its own mechanical workshop. USMID roads The committee noted that the USMID roads completed under phase I were being maintained by the respective local governments. However, the life span of most of the solar lights expired.

14050 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT In Gulu City, 162 lights had been replaced using local revenue from property tax. However, vandalism of the solar batteries was reported as a major challenge experienced by the USMID project during phase I. Gulu City alone had 15 criminals arrested and are being prosecuted The USMID project has no component for land acquisition and, so, the local government depends on the goodwill of the people. Where the people refuse, the carriageway is reduced since there is no provision for land compensation in the project. Further, the committee was informed that, often, road construction works involve relocation of utilities. However, during the process of implementation, the utility companies demand that local governments replace them with upgraded and more expensive installations. The committee recommends as follows; 1. Local governments should continue sensitising the population of the individual benefits of paved roads to increase on the goodwill of project-affected persons. 2. Utility companies that are upgrading their utilities should work hand in hand with the relevant stakeholders. 3. Concerned government ministries, departments and authorities should work together and come up with clear guidelines and engage with one another so as to address disagreements between local government entities and utility companies. Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to thank Gulu City for the good management of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) Project. I thank Gulu City, because in other parts of the country where we went for oversight, there is a delay. For example, in Mbarara, Ntungamo and Kabale, there was a serious delay. We can say that Gulu City is a benchmarking point for successfully implementing the USMID Project. Madam Speaker, allow me to touch briefly on the regional mechanical workshop, then I will conclude. I will invite Members to go through the report because of time constraints. Gulu Regional Mechanical Workshop was established in 2001, as a regional workshop servicing 12 districts at the time, in the subregions of Acholi, Lango, Karamoja and West Nile. The beneficiary districts have since increased to 38. The workshop’s primary responsibility is major repairs on equipment since the districts have a percentage of road maintenance budget to cater for the minor repairs. The committee was informed that the workshop does not have sound supervision vehicles, making it difficult to supervise equipment. Like I noted earlier on, Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that at least each subregion should have its own mechanical maintenance workshop. Madam Speaker, the committee also interested itself in the rail lines. The rehabilitation of the Meter-Gauge Railway from Malaba- Soroti- Lira is ongoing. What is concerning is the pace at which the project is being undertaken. We visited the logistic hub in Gulu. We thank the Government for this beautiful facility, but this logistic hub can only function when it is well fed by a properly rehabilitated rail line. Madam Speaker, we visited Gulu Airport and we interfaced with officers from the Civil Aviation Authority. The committee recommended that this particular airport facility should be upgraded to an international airport. We also got information from Arua Airfield, which is being upgraded under a public-private partnership. Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that the Government expedite completion of Arua International Airport by fully compensating projects affected persons in addition to providing the necessary funds. Other aerodromes that the committee interested itself in are the Kitgum Airfield; the Kidepo Airfield which is being upgraded to an international standard; and also Pakuba. [Mr Awany] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Madam Speaker, by good chance, as I was going to phone my permanent secretary, I met two people who said, “Minister, do not waste your time. Money has been sent.” I quote Nebbi District; this money is sent quarterly. So, in the first quarter Nebbi has got Shs 250 million, Pakwach District has got Shs 250 million also. Even Kibale and Gulu, is now being told. I think that I have answered the question.

Madam Speaker, additional information. Thank you, Madam Speaker. And I want to thank Father Charles Onen for reading my mind ahead of my submission. Madam Speaker, on Gulu- Patiko Road, which is 72 kilometres, is a national road. I raised this during the caucus meeting in Kyankwanzi and the President himself said, “This is my road. And it is a road that leads me to a very important historical road.” That is Fort Patiko. And when he came for the burial of Brig. Gen. Okoya, I again reminded him in Palaru, my constituency and he promised me that he was going to work on this. Madam Speaker, it was an omission from the Committee on the Physical Infrastructure. They put it there but I wondered how it skipped the mind of the presenter. In Onyama sub-county, when Gulu City was carved, some of the parishes was obtained from Onyama sub-county. And since 2020 up to now, Onyama sub-county has never received a car fund. That has limited the work that Onyama sub-county is supposed to give as service delivery to the people of Onyama sub- county in my constituency. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In a special way, on behalf of the FDC, I would like to welcome this sitting in Gulu and Northern Uganda, and I am proud that we are the first in the region. I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker. On the Karuma Bridge, I would like to appreciate the committee but the closure of the bridge has brought down the development and the businesses in northern Uganda. I am happy you are here. Most of the bus owners have parked their buses, big trucks that transport heavy goods from Kampala; are no longer bringing commodities like tiles in northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, there is a new bridge which was reconstructed and it is operational near the electricity plant in Karuma. I pray that the minister directs that the bridge be used temporarily. The bridge is very strong and is working very well. Madam Speaker, when we do that, it will ease the transport to Northern Uganda. Number two, Madam Speaker, is about the maintenance of roads in the district. Government provided equipment - graders, the lorry - but most of that equipment is down. Many of the districts are crying about roads. The feeder roads across the district in Northern Uganda are down because the districts do not have power and road equipment. I pray that the Ministry of Works provides new equipment to all the districts, or get a special mechanic to repair the road equipment that was provided to our districts. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

14064 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT have started. This would have provided us an opportunity to have the shortest route to Arua. Secondly, this is a strategic road in terms of agricultural input that comes from that side. If you see the magnitude of the goods that come from there, it is really a lot. In addition, I would also like to highlight a strategic road - part of the great north road, which starts right here from Lacor up to Elegu. Madam Speaker, much as this road is tarmacked, it is now a death trap for so many people. The road is quickly getting destroyed and causing accidents on a daily basis. I have not heard this in the report of the committee and I do not know what plan is in place by the Ministry of Works and Transport in regard to this road. I want to get this – Finally, I would like to re-echo about the aerodromes that have been highlighted both in Arua and Gulu. These are all very strategic areas. When I was the vice-chairperson of the Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) committee, we visited Arua and I must say we were very impressed by the traffic that comes – actually, it is a very busy aerodrome and needs a lot of support. So, I still emphasise that money should be put in these two areas to really help the people of northern Uganda. Thank you, Madam Speaker. You have set history in northern Uganda.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I have been following the report of the committee and I want to thank the chairperson for the very elaborate report. However, on one of their recommendations, talking about periodic assessment of bridges on some of the major roads in the country, I thought it would be very important for us to have a recommendation that covers all the bridges on the national roads in this country to avoid us operating in a manner that we are in now, especially regarding Karuma Bridge. Secondly, I want to comment on the issue of roads under Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The Ministry of Works and Transport should really improve on their coverage and as far as their assessment on status of roads is concerned, there are roads under UNRA that have not been worked on for the last five years. In Omoro District, I want to cite two cases. There is a road from Minakulu that connects Omoro to Nwoya District via Okwui. That road is in a very sorry state. Four days ago, the community around there and connecting to Nwoya were demonstrating. It is only your arrival in Omoro yesterday that calmed the situation down. We nearly lost two mothers who were in labour pain trying to access health facilities connecting to Kampala Road. I have written several times to the minister, and Hon. Musa Ecweru is aware of this, but nothing has been done on this road. Another road is Minja connecting Omoro District to Gulu and Kitgum. This is also another national road that has never been worked on. Even simple maintenance has never been done on the road, Madam Speaker. I want to implore the Ministry of Works and Transport - now that UNRA is no longer going to be there, let the Ministry of Works and Transport take care of all the roads under UNRA properly. I want to add my voice on the allocations for roads under Road Fund, Madam Speaker. It is very absurd. When Parliament is considering additional funding to the districts to take care of roads, you again find that they are reducing some of this funding that was there earlier on. I am not impressed with this move. The Shs 1 billion allocation by Parliament is really supporting local governments a lot in terms of maintenance. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am going to be very brief by asking questions. Number one, I would like to ask the Ministry of Works and Transport; you went to Pader and made a bridge called Watlac, which is from Atar to Kigwer Corner. After two months, the bridge collapsed, stopping children from going to school at Wipolo. We informed you several times, but you have not gone back to correct that bridge. When are you going to correct the bridge? The second question is, there is a programme called Rural Development and Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC). It has taken two years. I heard about this programme. It is supposed to make a road from Puranga-Awere- Bolo Agweng to come and put a bridge on Aruu Falls. It will help the people to access the main road. When are you going to take on this project? One of the roads is supposed to leave Lapul through Oweka to Okia. To date, we have not seen you doing this programme. Two years have ended. Can you explain to the people in Pader when you will do that, now that you are seated in Gulu Parliament? The last one, Madam Speaker, is that you have said we should not speak about community access roads. However, they are very important because the community access roads are the ones that help our people undertaking economic activities to come to the main road.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Christine Akello, a Member of Parliament from Erute North Constituency. Allow me to thank the committee for the report they have presented. I just want to add on about the few bridges. We have bridges that have taken seven years. These are the national roads. There is a bridge called Adyangoluto; it connects Kole up to Gulu. It has to be worked on. And we have Aler-Akor-Alebtong, which goes up to Teso. Then we have Aler-Akangi- Alebtong that connects up to Teso. We have Apuce-Ayile that connects Oyam up to Gulu. This one was being constructed by the Agriculture Cluster Development (ACDP) Project and it collapsed before they could even commission the project. Madam Speaker, we have lost so many lives. Just last month, three people died as they tried to cross from Oyam to Lira District. Therefore, I am requesting the Ministry of Works and Transport to take this seriously. I am also in support of the UPDF being given the mandate to construct the bridges. Lastly, the road that comes from Rwekunye, Apac up to Kitgum has issues, especially in Aler, my constituency, where they are quarrying rock. The people are complaining and they need to sign a new agreement concerning the compensation and the future of the people’s land. This is because there is conflict of interest between the district and the community. I request the chairperson of the roads committee to investigate that.

14075 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 petition. In 2017, the Minister of Works and Transport gave assurance to the people of Gulu that the Government had put in the budget and had planned to build a road from Kitgum to Lamwo, Lamwo to Palaro, Palaro to Gulu City and Palaro to Atiak. This has been for over five consecutive financial years. It would be important, Madam Speaker, that this matter is clarified and we would love to hear from the honourable minister why this promise has been continuously - Finally, Hon. Betty raised a concern on the plight of the people who got affected by the construction of the logistic hub. I have personally gone to the Ministry of Works and Transport and asked when these people would be paid. The story we hear from the Ministry of Works and Transport is that there is no money. Wouldn’t it be okay to have it included now in the budget for the next financial year so that these people are paid?

14077 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 in Paten where majority of the area was for that community. They failed to agree with the ministry, especially on the compensation aspect, where titled land was being compensated at Shs 3,000,000 and untitled land was being compensated at Shs 2,000,000. This brought a lot of back-and-forth conflicts that made this project not to move as it was expected. Madam Speaker, there were observations that the committee came up with. They were that: i) There was no community ownership of the land. ii) The outstanding work on the scheme was partially stopped due to the flooding and conflicts. iii) There was also failure to restore borrow pits by the contractor which poses a big threat to the life of the humans. iv) Even the money that was needed for bush clearing was not handled. v) Madam Speaker, there was also poor coordination between the district and the Ministry of Water and Environment. That is why the community was in conflict – because the district would have been the link. vi) The community was also not sensitised much on the importance of this project. Recommendations i) The Ministry of Water and Environment should ensure that the dispute is resolved within three months to pave way for completion of the project. Madam Speaker, the conflict in this project reached up to the World Bank. Through some NGO, they formed a Gulu conflict resolution team, which failed and the matter is now in court. ii) There should also be an investigation instituted on the level of completion of this work. Madam Speaker, this project is not yet working, although they are saying that it is at 93 p er cent. It is not yet completed because of the unresolved conflicts, yet the Government had put a lot of money, which is a loan that has a time frame. iii) Madam Speaker, as I stated earlier, there was a Gulu roundtable, mediation efforts were made and this ended up in court. We also recommend that the ministry, through courts – because this matter is now in court – should expedite the process of resolving this conflict. iv) The Ministry of Water and Environment, the Chief Government Valuer and other stakeholders should also expedite the negotiation mechanism to settle and compensate PAPs, not only in Wadelai – because this challenge is very common in most of the projects. v) The community should be sensitised and this should be from the inception of the project so that they own the project in order to avoid conflicts that arise in the middle of the project. Madam Speaker, also, on the same issue, the committee observed that the districts were not facilitated. Most of these hybrid projects that are being contracted by the ministry are very difficult to handle at the district level because there is no provision for facilitation, monitoring and supervision, which makes the districts tend to leave the contract. They fail to own it and this is one of the reasons that is failing the majority of these hybrid projects, despite the significant Government investment and loan funding. The issue of ministries not facilitating districts in the monitoring of these projects is causing a lot of failure. This is an emphasis. Itek–Okile Rice Scheme Madam Speaker, this is a project in Lira District, located in Itek Subcounty. This project was implemented by both Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Ministry of Water and Environment, but mainly sponsored by the ministry for water. It had 6,000 acres of land but only 1,500 acres were irrigated. It had 13 dams, but only seven dams were constructed. The six dams that had remained were existing dams that just needed to be desilted, but, currently, are non-functional.

Mr Speaker, I congratulate the minister for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been credited as a minister who has risen above the occasion and we congratulate her. Just like my colleague, Hon. Musana has said, I come from a district that borders the DRC. All of you are aware that in West Nile, we have just been 110 years in Uganda because we were part of DRC, and so, we have a very strong link with the people of DRC; we have relatives, we have marriages and our people interact. That points to a risk that because of our regular interactions, there is the likelihood that whenever there is a problem there, we will bring it to this country - aware that ambulances are needed for emergency responses that may arise in this kind of situation. Honourable minister, you are aware that the President redirected the budget for ambulances to ROKO Construction Limited, which was not our priority. If this kind of issue arises, how are you going to help a district like Maracha that does not have any ambulance? I have written to you several times that our border is very porous and risky, the border road is insecure, it has never been rehabilitated. The Ministry of Works and Transport cannot pay attention even when we report that it is a security risk; because the people who are supposed to intervene on the border including security people, cannot. I do not know, should we now go and state these matters in Gulu during those regional meetings for the matter to be listened to? Two, honourable minister, the issue you addressed to us on requires risk communication which was very elaborate during the COVID-19 time. For a district like Maracha, what preparation have you put in place to empower the health workers and people who manage our healthcare systems on risk communication? How will the population know that there is a risk and they are supposed to conduct themselves in a particular way in that part of the region; since they may have challenges with the language? I mentioned that some of them speak Lingala which is a Congolese language. How do we help our people at the border to appreciate those challenges? I would love to hear what frameworks you have put in place to address the emergency response, behavioural and other risk communications. Thank you.

13975 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 AUGUST 2024 a. Through the line ministries, that is the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Government will support farmers to register the cane fields through cooperative societies. This will enable them to receive Government support through our already established programmes like the Parish Development Model, extension services from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), NAADS, joint marketing of cane, and self-regulation. b. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives will support the industry to produce other products such as ethanol, paper and fertilizer to increase the incomes of our farmers. 7. Question number 7, Hon. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah , Member of Parliament, Omoro County. He says that we appreciate the Government’s prioritisation of the Gulu- Opit-Rachoko Road. Government should consider it in the next financial year since the feasibility study and technical design will have been concluded by October 2024, according to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). His prayer is that the Government should update the House on the status and timeliness of this road. My response, Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, the road is a national road which is managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport through Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and that UNRA has always included the resources for the maintenance of this road in their budget and will continue to undertake the maintenance works of the unpaved road within the maintenance budget. The feasibility studies and detailed design for the upgrading of the Gulu-Opit-Rachoko Road, that is 91 kilometers, are ongoing and are planned for completion in this financial year. The construction works will subsequently be done once these studies and designs are completed. I would therefore like to assure the honourable members that the Government of Uganda is committed to ensuring that the road network is developed and maintained to a high standard to support the social economic transformation of that part of the country and Uganda as a whole. 8. Question 8 by Hon. Naluyima Betty, District Woman Representative, Wakiso. Her prayer is that the Government should update the House on the delayed mass renewal of national identity cards. Mr Speaker and colleagues, below is an update on the status of the mass enrolment of unregistered citizens and the mass renewal of the national identity cards that are due to expire starting 26 August 2024. The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) scheduled a countrywide exercise aimed at renewing the 15.8 million national IDs that are due to expire on 26 August 2024 and registering the 17.2 million unregistered citizens. The same exercise aims to facilitate the extraction of the electoral register by 30th November this year. Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, the exercise had been scheduled to commence on 1st June this year, but experienced delays and challenges regarding the procurement and implementation of the new National Security Information System, which system is the backbone of the exercise to be implemented. The procurement process for the vendor to deliver and implement the system was concluded and a contract was signed on 8 th July this year. The contract signing marked a key milestone and kick-off of the mobilisation phase. The following statistics are key to the planning and successful delivery of the mass renewal and mass enrolment exercise; (i) Unregistered citizens, the ones I told you about, the 17.2 million people.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am one of the few Ugandans who have been privileged to move the entire country. However, now that the Parliament of Uganda is coming to the Acholi subregion, we are peaceful but the roadblocks we have from Kampala to Gulu - I have lost count. On these roads, we have policemen and military officers and they are not trailing private cars; they are trailing vehicles that are meant to harbour businesses in the region. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, what is happening in the northern region to have those many barricades that hamper business? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, our women from Gulu Main Market ask me, especially those fishmongers, that they want to demonstrate – marching to Kampala – because their children are at home. The good thing is that Parliament is even going to Gulu City. The women in the market join hands with the women from Kitgum Main Market over the issue of silverfish. The women have loans.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Much as the honourable minister has committed, wouldn’t it be procedurally correct that he gives a definite period within which he will meet the Members of Parliament? This is because for almost two years, I have been waiting for the honourable minister in Gulu. He will tell you that they will meet you, and that will become a story. It would be good for him to be specific on what step is being taken and when, so we can measure. Thank you.

Honourable colleagues we are debating and I want you to bring out all these questions because, in the end, this is a matter which must go to the Natural Resources Committee. When they bring these risks here, it is very difficult to scrutinise deeply. I know the minister can engage with the committee very well. They scrutinize, in detail, and then Members can appear before the committee, for those who have issues. Then we have this matter well concluded. I have picked mostly men; I want to pick ladies first. Therefore, I request all men to sit. I will start with ladies who have been here, not those who just entered. The ones who just entered know themselves. Honourable members for Kiboga, Kalangala, Dokolo, Gulu, you are very many. Honourable member for Mukono, because you have complained, honourable member for Mbale. This is time for ladies, you are men. Honourable members for Masindi, Buhweju, Sheema, Kumi, Napak, Bugiri, Fort Portal, Jinja, Abim, and Adjumani.

Dokolo and Gulu –

Gulu and Bukomansimbi –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to also thank my honourable minister who is very active and always visible on the ground. Thank you for the report. In law they say, justice delayed is justice denied. Concerning connectivity, it looks like it is a song, but we don’t see this happening to our people. The one-pole and no-pole service – you know our people complain. For us in Gulu City, we have this substation established and the generation in Aswa 1 and Aswa 2. At least, we are surrounded by generation and we even thought that connectivity should be there. People ran away from Gulu, especially those in industry because of poor supply and insufficient electricity. We pray that they come back, but we should be very effective and vigilant on the ground.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. You had given us an early assignment and together with this- we are processing the report on the activities of going to Gulu, we would request that you give us one full month to handle it.

We are very sad as the people of Kyadondo East, Kiteezi and Lusanja, but I would like to bring it to your attention, Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, that a number of these victims are from your areas. Actually, when I was on ground overnight, I saw a family of 20 stranded outside. I got interested and inquired and they told me that they had travelled from Mbale. Another family had travelled from Gulu. These people were saying that their family members were still missing, buried in the sand. When the Prime Minister visited Lusanja yesterday, I brought it to their attention that some of these families are not from here, but have come to identify the bodies of their people. The rescue exercise has been delayed: how do we support them? The Prime Minister said we cannot support them. These are your people. They are there waiting for the bodies of their relatives. They travelled from your areas. I pleaded with the Prime Minister to allow some of these people. I said that they can screen and allow them to shelter in the tent because they were staying outside. When you see them, you may think they are residents of our area, but they travelled from your own areas. When I brought it to the attention of the Prime Minister -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister of state in charge of disaster for giving us the report which showed that there were steps being taken. I condole with the families and the country at large. This unfortunate occurrence should help us as a country to broaden our perspective. Just like it has been stated, I have been to many districts and local governments, and the problem of waste management is real across the country. I will give an example of Gulu City where local governments are struggling and are not even able to manage waste. Sometimes, when you approach them, they tell you, “We do not have resources.” Even when they have planned and budgeted for it, it is extremely difficult for them to get the resources because of what we have in the law. The resources generated are sent to the Centre and getting it back is a struggle. We need to deal with that. However, the other problem is the question of how we look at the issue of health and safety. I believe that before such a facility is established, there could have been an environmental and social impact assessment carried out. I will give you another example. There are many projects across the country where people’s lives have to be protected but because there is laxity and people do not take their work seriously, we continue to lose lives. Recently, in Gulu, a barrow pit that was dug by some Chinese company, even after carrying out an environmental and social impact assessment, they were supposed to restore it. You find these pits not restored. There is a problem across the country. I think that as we look at solving this problem, we need to hold the people responsible accountable. By now, some people should be in jail and others should have lost their jobs. For how long shall we continue to lose lives as [Ms Amero] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I sympathise with the colleagues who accept being appointed as ministers. (Laughter) Why do I sympathise? When you asked the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs to respond, she was crying like any other Member of this Parliament. She said, “We did this and this.” I do not know why you accept to be ministers in a Government like this. (Laughter) I am saying this deliberately because I have seen the Vice President and the Prime Minister here after their appointment going to Gulu to thank Gen. Saleh. You have all contributed to creating this disaster of one man making every decision. That is why all the Cabinet here is crying. Why don’t you convene a Cabinet meeting and make a decision? You come to Parliament to cry? What do you want us to do? (Laughter) Mr Speaker, Kiteezi was one of the villages I represented in the Ninth Parliament. The solution cannot be transferring that particular problem to Mukono, like my colleague, Hon. Abdallah Kiwanuka, has said. The people who lived in Kiteezi even before the death - because the waste you put there is not processed, it has attracted all the dogs and flies in the world. [Mr Opolot] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. My condolences to the families that lost their dear ones. I do not know whether the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs knows what waste management means. I picked up an interest in waste management three years back when my daughter was in year four and had a home assignment on waste management. I think waste management starts with waste collection, then transportation, and treatment. I want to thank the Attorney-General, for the information he has just given, that the Government has already approved the project for generating electricity in the area. My humble request - we have a problem; rescue those who are still down there yet we already have challenges of resources. We do not have resources because of corruption in the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). Therefore, my prayer is: can Parliament be exemplary? You have a budget to move around this country to hold regional parliamentary sittings. I am told though yet to confirm - I know it is very difficult even now, for us as Members of Parliament, to know the budget of this Parliament because we do not have access to it. I am told you have a budget to host regional parliamentary sittings in Gulu, Mbarara, Mbale, and Masaka. My prayer is: can we be exemplary and sacrifice that money to rescue the people in Hon. Muwada’s constituency? That is my humble prayer. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, about three months ago, the Speaker and the staff of Parliament invited Members of the Greater North Parliamentary Group, especially from West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja to a meeting down in our conference hall to inform us about the planned programme of the Parliament having sessions in the North. All Members from the north were invited. We were informed that the meeting is going to be in Gulu and the reason is to take Parliament to the people. The second is that we need visibility with the people because the power belongs to them - (Interjections)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. A while ago, the Minister of Local Government was also introduced as acting Government Chief Whip. I refer to one of the issues I raised with you recently when you were assigned by the Minister of Education and Sports, yet in the hierarchy, you are higher than ministers. Mr Speaker, we have a problem and I need to be reassured that the Government is still functioning. The President of Gabon has been in the country. This country has a hierarchy of the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister on the side of the Executive, but the President of Gabon was made to trek a whole journey to Gulu, to go and meet President Yoweri Museveni’s younger brother, Salim Saleh; a whole President of a country. What they were discussing were issues of Government; that about issues of agriculture,

13799 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 8 AUGUST 2024 go to my younger brother. Can we be told what position Saleh holds? Is he the number two, three, or four in the country that you get a whole visiting Head of State - you remember, we nearly had problems here when Gen. Garanga crashed in a helicopter? I have also seen the Vice President and the Prime Minister trekking to Gulu to meet a person they should be supervising. Therefore, can we be told what position Gen. Saleh holds, such that visiting Heads of State if they do not see his elder brother, they go to see him such that if the Vice President and Prime Minister when appointed go to visit him? Mr Speaker, last time I told you that I fear, but you may end up one day - (Member timed out.)

13812 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Barugahare] Affairs) needs to work on together with the Parliament so that these matters are addressed as soon as possible so that these children’s homes get cars. I am inspecting the homes - I was in Mbale two days ago, Fort Portal the other day, and Masindi on Friday, I intend to go to Gulu next week and Arua a week after and then Kampiringisa. So let Parliament and Cabinet work together to have this budget for the juvenile and rehabilitation centres increased so that – (Interjections) - I will give you an example of Fort Portal remand home. It has a block with asbestos and these are condemned materials. So, why don’t we remove the asbestos and put iron sheets? We need to work jointly as Parliament and Cabinet to have this addressed. Hon. Nakato of Buyende raised the issue of having only Nakabango where 16 youths were selected from every district. So far the Government has started with 18 skilling centres country-wide in every sub-region but out of those 18, they allocate every district – like in the central region -Buganda, you have one in Kayunga but the capacity to hold so many is not there. That was a Presidential Initiative; the budget has not been expanded for the same. Hon. Okot Boniface thanked the President and the Government for celebrating International Youth Day on the right day. I want to thank the President as well for having allowed this to happen. Hon. Namugga raised the issue of the Shs 43 billion that was meant to be revolved as per the Auditor-General’s report and it has not been revolved. This will be investigated and we shall report back to Parliament.

Thank you so much. Hon. Kakembo talked about the new cities. That new cities were created and approved by the Tenth Parliament. There is need to operationalise these cities to enable us prepare for the forthcoming general elections and demarcation of constituencies. He asked, when will we operationalise Entebbe City? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the Government in April 2020, created 15 cities in Uganda to be operationalised in a phased manner. The 10 cities of Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Lira, and Soroti, took effect on 1 July 2020. These were to be followed by the five cities of; Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso, meant to be operationalised as follows: On 1 July 2022, it was supposed to be Entebbe City. 1 July 2023, it was supposed to be Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, and Wakiso cities. However, in August 2020, the law (The Local Governments Act Cap 138) was amended, and midterm operationalisation of administrative units and local governments abolished. The newly created administrative units and local governments can only take effect six months before the general elections, and this amendment affected the next phase of the five cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the technical studies and consultations with stakeholders in the five cities, to prepare them for the operationalisation of 1 July 2025, subject to the guidance by Cabinet. Question number 6 is still from Hon. Ojok, Member of Parliament, Omoro County. His prayer is; what is the status of Government intervention in realisation of transitional justice law, to address the question of war reparations in Acholi Subregion? My response is that on 17 June 2019, Cabinet under Minute 239 (CT-2019), (Cabinet Memorandum CT (2018)38), approved the National Transitional Justice Policy as follows: a) Noted the key aspects of the National Transitional Justice Policy. b) Approved the National Transitional Justice Policy. c) Approved the wide dissemination and publication of the National Transitional Justice Policy. d) Approved the fast-tracking of the legislation on the National Transitional Justice Policy. e) Directed the ministers of Internal Affairs and Justice and Constitutional Affairs, to provide a transitional period between the implementation of the National Transitional Justice Policy, and the enactment of the relevant laws on the transitional justice to give the Government ample time to identify the most sustainable source of funding for the undertaking. The National Transitional Justice Policy is an overreaching framework of the Government of Uganda designed to address peace, justice, accountability and reconciliation needs of post conflict Uganda. Mr Speaker, it is therefore, seeking to engage with all parts of the country that have been affected by civil strife, conflict, and not only the Acholi Subregion. Since the approval of the policy, it has been disseminated and efforts are being undertaken to present principles for a proposed Transitional Justice Law. It should be noted that the principles for the policy were withdrawn from the Cabinet in February 2023, to enable the responsible ministries to harmonise certain issues, including administrative arrangements for the law.

When will operationalization of Entebbe City take effect? RESPONSE: Rt. Hon. Speaker and Honorable colleagues, Government in April 2O2O Created 15 Cities in Uganda to be operationalized in a phased manner. The 10 Cities of Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fortportal, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Lira and Soroti took effect on l"t July 2O2O. These were to be followed by 5 Cities of Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso meant to be to be operationalized as follows: l"t July 2O22-Entebbe City l"t July 2023- Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, Wakiso lities. However August 2O2O, the Law (The Local Governments Act Cap 138) was amended and midterm operationalisation of Administrative Units and Local Governments abolished. The Newly created Administrative Units and Local Governments can only take effect six months before the General elections. This amendment alfected the next phase of 5 Cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the Technical Studies and consultations with stakeholders in the 5 Cities to prepare them for operationalization on l"t July 2025, subject to the guidance by Cabinet. 11

Annex lb: List of Specidized National & Regional Referral Hos itals # Name Level Local Gorft 1 Arua Hospital Regional Referral RRH Arua City 2 Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital RRH Fort Portal City 3 Gulu Hospital Regional Referral RRH Gulu City 4 Hoima Hospital Regional Referral RRH Hoima City 5 Jinja Regional Hospital Referral RRH Jinja City 6 Kabale Hospital Regional Referral RRH Kabale District 7 Kawempe National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala 8 National Referral Mulago Hospital NRH Kampala 9 D Mulago SWN Hospital Specializ ed Hospital Kampala 10 Uganda Cancer Institute Specializ ed Hospital Kampala 11 Uganda Heart Institute Specializ ed Hospital Kampala t2 Kiruddu National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala 13 Butabika National Referral Hospital NRH Kampala l4 China Uganda Friendship (Naguru) Hospital NRH Kampala 2l

13756 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT post-harvest handling inputs through the e-voucher system, capacity building for target beneficiaries, and farmer organizations and development of agricultural input markets. The farmers were supposed to register and the Government was co-funding 70 per cent and the farmers 30 per cent and it was in all these areas. E-Voucher The e-voucher is a component that involves support towards the intensification of this program through the provision of subsidised inputs, as I had stated. The project had provided 67 per cent, 50 per cent, and 33 per cent respectively of the total cost of the inputs during the first, second, and third seasons while the farmer contributed the difference, as I stated. The farmer is weaned off the subsidiary by the 4 th season because it is anticipated that by this time, the farmer would have known the value and adopted the use of quality agro- inputs for commercial farming. The committee learnt that most of the farmers were faced with challenges in accessing and operating the e-voucher system. In areas where there are no networks - I even saw this before I became a Member of Parliament because I participated in monitoring. The system encountered frequent breakdowns and network failures, sometimes during critical times of the cropping season, which delayed enrolment, placement of orders, and serving of farmers. The farmers asserted that the e-voucher system where inputs were to be requisitioned and delivered using the Internet, was not working, which resulted in members not receiving their inputs despite paying for them up to the time of the committee visit. Some farmers reported that they did not know how to operate and how the system works. This delayed other farmers from participating in commercial farming. Most districts reported failure of the e-voucher system, as stated above. The committee learnt that the contracted bank, that was UBA, was the service provider for the e-voucher system in some districts, but due to system failures, some farmers’ money got lost in the UBA system. This discouraged many potential farmers from getting enrolled. Mr Speaker, I was in Amuru when this happened, because UBA was not in Amuru. They would go up to Gulu. That is how the funds were lost. Mr Speaker, it was unique in Nebbi. The committee was informed that the Government had withheld the co-funding part of the e-voucher system for 11 months, hence redemption was cut off for some farmers’ money that was locked in the e-voucher system. Furthermore, there were reports of missing balances on farmers’ e-voucher accounts due to system inefficiency, which was very frustrating to the affected farmers. The committee received complaints from some farmers about the quality of some of the agricultural inputs supplied through the e-voucher system, stating that the products received through the e-voucher system were counterfeit/fake. For instance, in Kalungu, there were complaints from the farmers stating that they had received counterfeit fertilisers and seedlings that did not germinate. The committee also received complaints from Balikosa Balibona Biwere Farmers’ Cooperative Growers’ Union Limited in Bugweri District, of adulterated fertilisers. The same were alleged to have been distributed out of season. There were very many complaints, Mr Speaker, I cannot mention all. Like in Hoima, there were complaints. Recommendations 1. The committee recommends that all farmers who were supplied with counterfeit agricultural inputs through the e-voucher system should be compensated and the suppliers of those inputs blacklisted. 2. Farmers who had paid for the e-voucher services and had not received agricultural inputs through the system should be refunded. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) [Ms Auma] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

ROID CI|OXEAT U!&r thb coapoacrt, thcrc l r prrt lor rc6oe.l of .cholc., rlon! irrD/EraLct lccoar rordr. MAAIF report d that rehabfitauve works for road chokcs on communtty access roads aie categonzed mto 3 phascs, Phlrc I: ? Plot dt trlct. . Ongorng rehab rtahon works (254 Kml m the 7 p ot dlstncts at 98 6010 overa.tl physrcal progress Works ln l(alungu, lganga. Buguen. Amum, Nebbr. and Pakwach and 1 contract ln Ntungamo were completed and handed over to the dtstncts for marntenance The contract for thc constructron of a bndge m Nturrgarno was ongomg at 55o/o Phr.c II: 2l rollout dLtdctr . The lvorks ln these dlstncts cover 105 road chokes spread over 376 9 km . lg drstnct slgned cont!'acts of whrch 13 had commenced tvorks These rnclude, Rakal, lslngrro, Bushenyr, Kakumro. and l(abale whrch were procured loca.lly by the dlstncts and Kyotera, Masaka, Bugm, Gulu, N!r.oya, Ruloga, Maracha and Krbale procuied cent ally bI. the Mmlstr)' . The contracts for Madt-Okollo and Mplgr were recommendcd for retendenng by the Mrnrstry Contracts Commrttec and were at redesrgn stagc Phrtc m: 29 Ro[out dlrttlct. . Thc procurement process for 145 road (hokcs sprcad over 487 7km rs at contract 8rgnng and slt hand over stage . 16 contracts had bcen srgncd and wcre rn the process of stte handov.r for t.llc contractors to commence works, except for thc contracts for ButaleJa, and Tororo that were strll under constderatron bJ. MCC "ffir4" N 2....< N F .E .€_ t7

!. ,:t|c Ml^(st ! of Agricl4ltwre, A^t na,l l^dtBtry a d Dbrt",tlcs should 24Adltc t E prccess oJ canncc,tl,ng t E p?otcct to t'tw ^atto al gdd ln ordc" to cnab,, lt tcLto .rlttg oI the cqlltprrld, t th4,t rcqul". co rt]z,nt prrEr ln o"dcr to be fully operqtlo'AaL B. ROID CIIOKEA: The Commrttee leamt that the prolect Pas rntended to provlde support to drstflcts to make access roads [t focused on ehmlnaoon of key choke potnts that regularly lmpeded the rnllow and outflow of farm lnputa and produce Such choke pornts rncluded stretches of roads rn swampy areas Selectron of whlch roads was to be worked on was based on connectlons to hlgh productron areas and processrng faclhty and acccsslb lty to markets The Commrttee notes that lf thc rchablhtahon of the roads rs rndeed done as rs spccrfied, lt w l bnng down the cost of transportatlon of produce and generally rnake lfe easrer for the communrtres As reported above several drstncts werc ldcntrfied to benefit from the component by removal of chokcs along farm/market accesa roads MAAIF reported that the road chokes works u,ere ln three phas€s wrth works elther complete, ongorng or conLracts were bcrng srgncd The Mmrstry reported that works rn Kalungu, Iganga, Bugwen Amuru, Nebbr, and Pakwach and one contract rn Ntungamo were complcted ard handed over to thc dlstrlcts for malntenance The contract for thc constructron ofa bndgc rn Ntungamo was ongorng at 55o/o whrle 19 dlstncts had srgned contracts of whrch 13 had commenced works thcsc lncludc, Rakar, Ismgro, Bushenl l, Kakumro, and Kabale whrch were procured tocalty by the dlstrlcts and Kyotera, Masaka. Bugtn, . centrally by the Mlnlstry Gulu, Nwoya, Rukrga, Maracha and Krbale p rocured x M -:h 30

however, notes that the uptake of thesc scrvlcea la st l low because some e-workcrs do not have the necessary gadgets whrlc rn aome areas therc are challenges of accesslng and uslng lT The mobrle sorl testng apphcatron Thls rs aorl testrng to rdenbfy mlssii'lg nutnents and lnform fertlhzer use A So[ Nutnent Data Collectron Mobrle 'i Apphcahon was developed and used rn 12 dlstncts Samples were collected from 7,098 farmers m 12 dlstncts and so[ fertrlEatron plans wcre developed. The next step is thc drssemrnatron of the results to the farmcrs . MAAIF contractcd Jabba Engmeenng Lmrted to customrze a so testrng apptrcatron, undertake garden profilmg and sorl nutrlent testlng for benehcraqr farmers and supply soll test krts so as to rncrease adoptron of precrse opUmal fertrlEer apphcatron for rmproved crop productlvlty . Specrfically, Jabba was cxpected to, r Produce gardcn profiles and offer so testrng scruces to 7,2OO b€neficrafles rn 720 sub countues, ll Dcvelop a data collechon tool (a mob e App) that fac rtates soll tcstrng for mdlrduals irl Carry out sof nutnent data analysrs modcl for lntegratron $1th ACDP MIS of NAFAS rv Provrde 24O crop specrfic fert zatron plans and 12 nutnent drstnbutron geo-mapa, v Supply 14 mobrte dlgrtal soll tcstmg klts and provrde tra_rnlng to ACDP prolect focal persons and MAATF on klts usage . Under (v) Jabba Engneenng (U) Ltd dchvered Sorl Test Krts wrth complete rcagents to 12 drstrlcts as rndrcated rn the table bclow Dl.trlct Cluttcr Focal pcrtoa Co.trct Patrlck 075193403s Ogaz,a 07427? t696 Emmanucl o?0672334t I Kalungu tganga Palhaa 2 3 4 Mbale Rose Nablryc 5 Sorotr Odcny James Peter 6 Gulu o7726737a9 07?5619409 Codfrey Anywat o774454040 .#1,ft-rJ ry N

13662 THE OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION So, we agreed in the Cabinet - I remember we even came here and said “Let the light trucks be the ones to pass because they are not heavy”. Then the heavy trucks can see how to navigate - others come and reach Karuma, others to Gulu and these other places. Then others can use the other long route through our park. Lastly, colleagues, we secured funding through the Government of Japan (Japan International Cooperation Agency- JICA) and we are going to put a new bridge. But as we wait to put up the new bridge, we needed to repair the existing one so that we continue using it until the construction of the new one is completed. Honourable colleagues, I will also request for patience. The NRM Government is committed. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern is about the distribution of iron sheets through the Office of the Prime Minister. I applied for iron sheets to be given to a special needs School in Vara, the District Union of Persons with Disabilities in Moyo, and the District Union of Persons with Disability in Gulu, Lira, and Apac. I was promised 540 iron sheets in the first quarter of the last financial year. However, to date, I have not received those iron sheets. What criteria is being used for the distribution of those iron sheets? I have heard that some Members of Parliament have already distributed these iron sheets in their constituencies. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I would like Members to know that I knew Hon. Betty Aol when she was a councillor in Gulu. At the time I was also a district councillor in Kibaale. So, we know each other and I give her respect because of that. Concerning the issue of compensation, I would like to allay the fears of my sister. The National Resistance Movement Government is committed to ensuring that those people who lost cattle during the war - and we regret the war - will be compensated when the funds are available. Thank you.

13515 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 JULY 2024 and these are funds required to commence establishment of mineral regulations, revenue collection infrastructure and implementation of the minerals law. These include weighbridges and Government regulated markets for precious stones et cetera. Under the same vote - Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, there was a reduction of Shs 15 billion from rural electrification and connectivity projects. These funds are required to kick-start works on the seven major construction roads, which include the following: 1. Under Batch 1; the Eastern Service Territory, including West Budama South, Tororo South and Tororo Municipality in Tororo District, Pallisa County, and Gogonyo in Pallisa District; 2. Under Batch 2; still in the Eastern Service Territory, it covers areas of Busiki in Namutumba, Bukooli South in Bugiri, Kamuli District, Kachumbala in Bukedea District, Mbale Northern Division, Bungokho in Mbale and Serere District; 3. Lot 3; Northwest Service Territory for Buyanja East in Kibaale District, Bugangaizi South in Kakumiro District, Buhaguzi in Hoima, Hoima City, Kikuube and Buyaga East in Kagadi District; 4. Under lot 4 of West Nile, Central North and North Service Territory for Ora area in Zombo, Gulu; Aringa South in Yumbe, Dokolo District and Lira East in Lira District. 5. West, South and South Western Service Territory for Sheema, Ruhinda in Mitooma, Isingiro, Rubanda, Ibanda, and Kisoro Districts; 6. Western, Central, and Rwenzori Service Territory for Busongora North in Kasese, Fort Portal Central in Kabarole, Kyankwanzi and Bunyangabo Districts; 7. Central Service Territory for Bbale in Kayunga, Mukono South in Mukono, Butambala, Bukoto East in Masaka and Kiboga Districts. Madam Chairperson, in addition, these funds are required to commence works of enhancing the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) framework priority interventions for small factories and cottage industries across the country. (Interjections ) The SMEs framework intervention is aimed at reducing the turnaround time for electricity connection to SMEs.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson, under UBOS - I am reading No. 2: production of labour market statistics as high frequency indicators produced on a quarterly basis. This intervention was a response to the demand by Government and in line with the NDP III target for UB0S to update the national employment indicators on a quarterly basis to advise policy action and employment and under employment levels across the sector. The cut will, therefore, affect UBOS’s capacity to undertake labour market surveys and production of required statistics. Under Vote 405 - Gulu Regional Referral Hospital; under a line item called “Pension and Gratuity”, Shs 1.0 billion was reallocated and our justification for reinstatement is that the Vote had excess or unutilised pension worth Shs 1.0 billion in Financial Year 2023/2024. The Vote, therefore, requested that these excess funds be reallocated to wage. This corrigenda request was approved in that regard and to have pension funds reduced. Madam Chairperson, in total, all these figures I have read, both recurrent and development, totals to Shs 750.47 billion, which we seek this Committee of the Whole House to consider for reinstatement to where it was budgeted for originally. I beg to submit.

13454 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 of Excellence for Cardiovascular Care at the Uganda Heart Institute located in Naguru and fast-tracking the completion of the East African Centre of Excellence for Oncology in Kampala and associated regional centres in Gulu, Mbarara, Arua and Mbale . (Applause) Iyii, engalo ezo nga si z’amaanyi; they do not encourage me. (Laughter); ii) Under the Uganda Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) Programme, 371 health centres II were planned for construction and upgrade to health centres III status. So far, 261 health centres II have been upgraded to health centres III and are fully operational. I hope the Minister of Health can certify this. An additional 110 are ongoing at different stages. Meanwhile, 11 hospitals were rehabilitated in Busolwe, Kapchorwa, Kambuga, Buwenge, Koboko, Amuria, Kotido, Kaberamaido, Kawolo and Kitgum Districts; iii) Three regional blood banks in Arua, Soroti and Hoima have been completed; iv) The Government distributed a total of 25 million long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito bed nets countrywide for the prevention of malaria; and v) The Government also provided 116 new ambulances to 100 constituencies, another 10 ambulances for the regional referral hospitals and six for the Command Centre at Naguru, among others. Madam Speaker, to further enhance the health of Ugandans, a total of Shs 2.946 trillion has been provided for the next Financial Year 2024/2025. The following interventions will be prioritised; i) Promotion and implementation of interventions for the disease prevention and health education initiatives against communicable, non-communicable and neglected tropical diseases and injuries. ii) Provision of essential medicines where an additional Shs 100 billion has been provided; iii) Improvement of the welfare of the health workers including medical interns and doctors designated as senior house officers. I have provided more wage allocations to facilitate the recruitment of staff for the upgraded health centres III; iv) Construction and rehabilitation of more health infrastructure and provision of medical equipment to improve quality of care and provision of specialised healthcare. These include, among others, the Uganda Cancer Institute and Regional Cancer Centres, the Uganda Heart Institute, Intensive Care Units and an imaging centre for referral hospitals; v) Digitisation of the national health system to facilitate service delivery and tracking of medical supplies and health workers’ performance; vi) Construction, rehabilitation and equipping of dilapidated hospitals across the country including the Kampala Metropolitan Area; vii) Strengthening of the network of medical reference laboratories including the establishment of the East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Virology at the Uganda Virus Research Institute and the National Public Health Institute in Uganda; and viii) Establishment of a pharmaceutical industrial park and strengthening the National Drug Authority Regulatory Framework. Education The Government considers education as a key opportunity equaliser for all Ugandans, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required for productive employment as well as enabling them to live longer, happier and affluent lives. For this reason, the following

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);

13467 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2024 things we aspire to achieve. It is the bedrock for socio-economic transformation, democracy, and all the human rights and freedoms we all cherish. Accordingly, as we have done before, the Government will continue to prioritise peace, security, and the rule of law. Next financial year, I have provided a total of Shs 9.588 trillion, of which Shs 481.4 billion will be for the administration of justice to ensure that Uganda remains a peaceful and accountable country with law-abiding citizens. Some of the priorities in these programs include: Security of person and property i. Strengthening the capacity of security agencies to address emerging security threats and ensuring combat readiness of security agencies to protect life and property; ii. Enhancing military capacity through the acquisition of various assets and strengthening the surveillance infrastructure; iii. Supporting joint military operations in the region; iv. Building an effective crime response system targeting sophisticated crimes such as terrorism, other transnational crimes, arms proliferation, illegal entry into our country, money laundering, cybercrime, espionage, smuggling of contraband, human trafficking, and others; v. Supporting the civil authorities in combating threats as well as managing the refugees in line with our refugee policy; and vi. Improving the welfare of the military, police, prisons, ISO, and ESO personnel through salary enhancement. Justice Law and Order Strengthening justice, law, and order service delivery systems by: i. Recruiting 10 more High Court judges in commercial and land divisions to enhance adjudication of commercial and land cases to eliminate the backlog; ii. Recruiting five more justices of Court of Appeal in line with the Judicature (Amendment) Act, 2024; iii. More investment in court automation to cover an additional 10 courts to enhance efficiency, reduce human contact, and by extension reduce incidents of corruption; iv. Promotion of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to complement the formal adjudication of cases; v. Starting construction of regional Courts of Appeal in Mbarara and Gulu; High Courts in Hoima and Masindi; Chief Magistrate Courts in Amolatar, Bubulo, Rakai and Katine; and Magistrates Grade I Courts in Busembatia, Nyarushanje, Rubuguri and Adwari; vi. Promoting the use of scientific evidence in the investigation and prosecution of cases, including the construction of the National DNA Data Bank at the Government Analytical Laboratories at Wandegeya; vii. Mass enrolment for and renewal of national IDs and the automation of immigration and business registration services; and viii. Reforming laws and due processes to ensure faster and expeditious resolution of disputes, among others. Natural Disaster Response and Management Madam Speaker, I am about to close. During the Financial Year 2023/2024, the Government supported 53,930 households with relief food

13475 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2024 We need low-cost money for the wealth creators, which is already available in the forms of PDM, Emyooga, and Uganda Development Bank loans(UDB). I really want to render irrelevant these money lenders and all these people who suck our people. We shall continue putting money in PDM, Emyooga , and UDB, so that the people who want wealth creation, have soft money; money that is not very expensive. On labour, we have electricity is going to be cheaper. Money for wealth creation will be cheaper. Labour is still not expensive. However - and those are the crucial factors when you are producing a good or a service; the cost of electricity; the cost of the money you borrow; the labour costs or the wages and the salaries, which are being paid to the workers. However, to further handle the issue of the cost of production that renders products and services competitive, correct this in my speech. This should be uncompetitive, we must reactivate rail and water transport for cargo. This is what is missing now. Electricity is being worked on, money for borrowing or production, not for importing - we are not giving you soft money for importing. If you want to import, you go to the moneylenders. You go to these other fellows, the commercial banks. Otherwise, if you are a wealth creator, we have money for you. The cost of labour is still low. But how about the cost of transport? Transport, not for people who are going to nightclubs. Those can pay whatever cost they are charged; it is up to them. If you do not want to pay, you stay home. So, when I say the cost of transport, I am talking about transport of goods and cargo. That is why the railway is our next big target. Railway for the goods and - especially for the goods, even people, but mainly for cargo. We must reactivate rail and water transport for cargo. We have repaired the old metre gauge from Malaba to Kampala, and also from Tororo to Gulu and Pakwach. We are going to start building the Standard Gauge Railway(SGR) from Malaba to Kampala, and from Kampala to Mpondwe in Kasese. Later we are going to expand the SGR to Gulu-Nimule. The railway will transform our capacity to create wealth. ‘Because once the railway is fully operational, then, the transport of goods from here up to Mombasa will be cheaper. From here up to Dar es Salaam, from here up to South Sudan and from here up to the Democratic Republic of Congo, it will be cheaper. It will also save the roads - because this crowding you see on the roads by the heavy trucks is because the railway is not working. When the railway starts taking off the trucks from the road – then the pipeline. We are also making pipelines for petroleum. Now, the passengers are on the road, the cargo is on the road and you also have the petroleum products on the road. That is why the road is under such pressure. The railway and the pipeline for petroleum will solve that problem. That means that only the passengers or light trucks will remain on the road. It will also cause less pollution and consume less fuel. This is because, on the road, you spend a lot of fuel due to slow movement. We are moving forward on the issue of introducing electric cars and electric boda- bodas – as you saw here. Therefore, these are the two additional strategic interventions: the railway and the pipeline for petroleum products. The other strategic intervention, which we need, to stabilise our economy forever, is irrigation for agriculture. The minister talked a bit about it here, but we need to put more emphasis on it. You know we are lucky that we have rains, but sometimes the rains delay and sometimes we have less rains and then we get a crisis of lack of food. So, to remove that occasional disturbance, we must have supplementary agriculture arrangements. Much of the time, we shall have the rains, but if the rains do not come, there should be standby irrigation. With these, plus what I said in the State-of-the-Nation address and what has been said in the budget, there is nothing that will impede us. Remember that in the State-of- the-Nation Address, I addressed the issue of

13431 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 JUNE 2024 that while differences in perspectives are inevitable, they should always be approached within a framework of friendship, co-operation, co-existence and mutual understanding. Your Excellency, Uganda’s position in this important conference was not just as a host, but also as a guide, a mediator and a friend to all nations represented. Our efforts in organising such meaningful and successful conferences were not in vain, as they had a significant multiple effect on the local economy and left a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all the participants, Uganda being the Pearl of Africa. Your Excellency, we thank you for gracing that conference and sharing the words of wisdom with all the speakers and delegates who came to Uganda. We thank you very much; we do not take this for granted. Your invaluable support was very instrumental in ensuring the success of all these conferences; we do not take that for granted. All the finances came from you and we cannot thank you any more than that. As we embark on the F ourth S ession of the 11th Parliament, we will continue to count on you, on your inspiration and guidance, which at the same time is bettering efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of the L egislature. I love your saying; you always say, “These are young people, they are all learning.” Indeed, we are all learning. Pursuant to Article 94(4)(a) of the Constitution of Uganda and Rule 25(1) of the Rules of Procedure, priority will be accorded to Government business. This will require the timely introduction of Government business for Parliament’s scrutiny, by the Prime Minister. Your Excellency, the Parliament of Uganda is a people-centred legislature. This implies that the common Ugandan is at the centre of the parliamentary processes and decisions. In furtherance to this, therefore, and in furtherance to Article 95(2) of the Constitution of Uganda and Rule 17(1) of the Rules of Procedure, during the Fourth Session, Parliament will hold regional outreach sittings that will cover four traditional regions in Uganda - North, East, West and Central. Your Excellency, we take this opportunity, first to thank you for accepting Parliament to have those regional sittings and secondly, we want to take this opportunity to invite you to grace the first sitting that will be held in Gulu. The inaugural outreach sitting will be from 29 to 30 August 2024 at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, northern Uganda. That is where we are requesting you to come to and open the sitting in Gulu. I take this singular honour to sincerely invite you for and on behalf of Parliament and the people of northern Uganda. We will have a sitting there so that we can be able to address various matters of public importance, especially those affecting that particular region. Honourable members, allow me in a special way to appreciate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and the First Lady, Mama Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports, for the enormous support they have given to sports. We thank you so much. This support is demonstrated in various ways; for the first time, our national team, Uganda Cranes, is going to play in Namboole tomorrow and that is because of the support that you have given to Namboole National Stadium. We also thank you, Y our Excellency, for ensuring that Uganda wins the hosting of AFCON. Uganda will be hosting AFCON and we thank you for providing money for all the infrastructure development that is required by AFCON. I invite all of you to go and support our national team, the Uganda Cranes, which will be playing tomorrow. I have been informed by the State Minister for Sports that the chief guest will be my brother, Gen. M.K. Please join him in supporting our young people while they play. Your Excellency, the return of these home games to Namboole would not have been possible if you did not have passion and love for your country and if Mama, did not have

13390 THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 feed at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Kajjansi; establish and/or upgrade seed storage, threshing and drying facilities to ensure sustainable supply of quality seed under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries - Shs 134 billion. Transport infrastructure development The Government plans as follows: 1. Start construction of the SGR and continue implementing preparatory activities for SGR; that is update of feasibility studies for the western and eastern routes, and undertaking environment, social, economic impact assessments; acquisition of right of way for SGR (206 acres) of land are already acquired in seven districts. That is Tororo to Mayuge, among others – Shs 2.221 trillion; 2. Maintenance of 13 aerodromes; that is Arua, Gulu, Pakuba, Masindi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese and Kisoro – Shs 3 billion; 3. Construction and upgrade of national roads and bridges – Shs 1.27 trillion. Some of these include – (Interjections) - colleagues, this is on roads. The Government plans to spend Shs 1.27 trillion and I will mention some of the roads: a) Hoima-Wanseko Road – Shs 141.1 billion; b) Kampala Flyover – Shs 69.8 billion; c) Construction of 66 selected bridges – Shs 54.2 billion; d) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road – Shs 238 billion; e) Kisoro-Mgahinga National Park Headquarters Road – Shs 83.26 billion; f) Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko Road – Shs 180.6 billion; g) Upgrading of Kyenjojo-Kiruhura-Bwizi- Rwamwanja-Kahunge, Mpara-Bwizi – Shs 50 billion; and 4. Upgrading of Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli- Bukungu Road from gravel to paved standard – Shs 34.5 billion. Continuation of the rehabilitation of over 450 kilometres of national roads. Some of those roads include: a) Kampala-Jinja Highway – Shs 20 billion; b) Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima – Shs 25.05 billion; c) Mityana-Mubende Road and Mityana Town Roads inclusive – Shs 42.38 billion; d) Alwii-Nebbi road and upgrading of Pakwach and Nebbi Town Council roads in total – Shs 17 billion; e) Rehabilitation of Karuma-Pakwach Road – Shs 20.05 billion; and f) Reconstruction of Matugga-Semuto- Kapeeka Road – Shs 61.12 billion; 5. Rehabilitation of district, urban and community access roads will continue under the Ministry of Works and Transport. There is Shs 142.3 billion; and 6. Shs 1 billion to each district, city and municipality for road grading, murram and compacting. In total, Shs 176 billion has been allocated for this purpose; Colleagues, in the last financial year, they are roads that the Ministry of Works signed contracts for and work has started. Those ones are worth Shs 33 billion, but they are not yet completed and not even paid. There are those where contracts have been signed but work has not commenced. They are worth Shs 33 billion. There is a whole list in the annex. There are also roads where the contracts have been procured but have not been signed, worth about Shs 13 billion. In the last cash release, the Government gave this particular vote Shs 19 billion, whereas the total requirement is Shs 79 billion. So, the budget at base is Shs 26 billion. We must recommend Shs 34 billion to cover those roads. The list of those roads covers the whole country. 7. The following ferries development/ construction will be undertaken. The total for this ferry is Shs 11.8 billion. That is: a) Substantial completion of two Bukungu- Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) ferries and their landing sites; SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Achia]

13424 THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 – they have never seen – they look at Hon. Ssekikubo, but they want to see him physically. If we can have a session in four different regions. (Applause) We are going to have four regions - our first sitting. We are going to have four regions. We will have Northern, Central, Western and Eastern regions. In Eastern, Hon. Masaba will host us. In Central, we shall take you to Masaka. In the West, we will take you to Mbarara and in the Northern, we are going to be in Gulu, Lukiiko Hall. Honourable members – [Honourable members rose] - I am still communicating. After the reading of the budget, the sitting that we are going to have will be in Gulu, then we will move on. Let us go to the people. If we are going to, say, a region like Gulu, we must capture everything that affects the northern region and discuss them. The ministers responsible – so, Hon. Omona, I am tasking you to ensure that all issues concerning the northern region are captured, and you must have all the ministers present to respond to all that people in that region want. THE MINISTER OF STATE, OFFICE OF

ry.n'v &e o[l- ,tn \ "si ;NN .s t i t: i. t. I 8 (: t Amouat (OOO'f Vote Descrlptlon 63,620,755 160 Uganda Coffee Development Authority(ucDA) 4,831,755 161 Uganda Free Zones Authority Uganda Microfinance Regulatory AuthoriW to,466,294 162 163 Uganda Retirements Benefits Regulatory Authority 15,381,657 t64 National Council for Higher Education t5,891,289 31,529,180 165 Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board National Council of Sports t78,684,L72 t66 t67 Science, TechnolF5/ and Innovation 3r7,742,939 301 Makerere UniversiW 340,375,803 302 Mbarara University 56,499,64t t2t,453,L76 303 Makerere University Business School ) so+ Kyambogo UniversiW 131,616,555 305 Busitema UniversiW 5t,495,729 31,269,650 306 Muni University 307 Kabale University 58,701,033 308 Soroti University 28,662,468 309 Gulu University 63,844,236 Lira University 34,420,tO4 310 311 Law Development Centre. 25,425,r45 35,504,266 3t2 Uganda Management Institute Mountains of the Moon UniversiW 38,842,2L9 313 i 401 Mulago National Referral Hospital 92,708,Ot9 402 ) Butabika Hospital 17,515,837 13,679,781,851 Sub total -Central Votes ( Errcl. Referrals and Missionsl Referral Hospitals Arua Hospital ro,592,846 403 404 Fort Portal Hospital tt,654,O7t Y. .--:\ - A It ,i'r f.Fft i. "l ',I\.

-+, ,L'{ r Anount (OOO') Description Vote L2,19t,793 405 Gulu Hospital tt,309,247 406 Hoima Hospital t8,467,606 Jinia Hospital 407 tt,o77,oto 408 Kabale Hospital 10,487,888 409 Masaka Hospital t7,694,t3t Mbale Hospital 410 9,79t,927 411 Soroti Hospital t5,682,495 4t2 Lira Hospital 16,559,583 4t3 Mbarara Regional Hospital 12,256,956 4L4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 10,943,300 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital LL,824,457 4t6 Naguru Referral Hospital 25,160,483 Kimddu Referral Hospital 4t7 22,589,r92 t 418 Kawempe Referral Hospital 13,062,585 419 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 27,646,183 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 12,368,354 Kayunga Referral Hospital 42r tr,429,3t7 422 Yumbe Referral Hospital 292,789,423 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Missions Abroad 20,806,699 Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 1t,840,947 502 5,955,050 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa 503 7,677,777 504 Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 5,341,493 505 Uganda High Commission in Kenya ,Nairobi 9,273,94t Uganda High Commission in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam s06 4,023,569 507 Uganda High Commission in Nigeria , Abuia i .i +.- . t,' :,' r Il-, ,I -4 M\L 9 I ,l \.. . .!: # i\r.i I I '11 .t --.ts----- \

)frr f i lir ' e .30 Ii"' Y. \' Amount (OOO'I National Po Council Descriptlon 104,150 t49 5,530,148 150 National Environment Management E Au t,674,302 151 Uganda Blood Transfusion Service 152 National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) 639 064 1 295 400 Public Procurement & Disposal of Assets (PPDAI 153 Uganda National Bureau of 154 4 545 900 Standards NBS 270 oo0 155 tion Cotton Development 16,920,000 Ueanda Land Commission (ULC) 156 t57 National Forestry Authority(NFA) 53 203 692 10 680 ooo 158 Internal Security Organization (ISO) 32.OO2.960 External Security Organization (ESO) 159 3,32L,274 Uganda Coffee Development 160 Authori C 161 U Free Zones Authori 2,335,606 215,900 \ 162 Uganda Microfinance Regulatory AuthoriW 2,867,169 t--165 Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board 103,850,000 2,99A,LOO National Council of S Science, Technologr and Innovation 166 r67 rts 13,835,429 Makerere University 301 3,862,443 302 1,9L2,977 303 Mbarara Universi Makerere University Busrness School 3,320,992 304 Kyambogo University 5,383,896 -305 Busitema UniversiW 4,276,400 Muni University 306 2,327,gLt 307 Kaba-le U 10,128,600 308 Soroti UniversiW 7 043 350 309 Gulu Universi Lira Universi 4 553 t23 310 311 Law t Centre. 4 050 ooo ,xt'k- \(.. i --Y q

ait r [.' ,, .K .m- lir 2 I { ,&- .2 4l=# . '.t t. li ,',) .\ ,Lt Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 2,006,435 313 Mountains of the Moon Universi 12,339,276 Mulago National Referral Hospital 401 2,262,036 402 Butabika Hospital 14,973,335,870 Sub total -Central Votes ( Drcl. Referrals and Mlsslonsf Referral Hospltals 108,000 Arua Hospital 403 109,81 1 404 Fort Portal Hospital 108,0o0 405 Gulu Hospital 108,000 Hoima Hospital 406 tt6,276 407 Jinja Hospital 108,000 Kabale Hospital 408 108,000 409 Masaka Hospital 5,109,39s 4LO Mbale Hospital 108,000 Soroti Hospital 4tl 108,000 4t2 Lira Hospital I 108,000 Mbarara Regional Hospital 4t3 L42,LO2 4t4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 108,000 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital 216,OOO \ 416 Naguru Referral Hospital l,377,OOO \+rz Kiruddu Referral Hospital 810,000 Kawempe Referral Hospital 418 810,000 4t9 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 2,O4t,200 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 11,7o3,784 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Mlssions Abroad Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 2,90t,9r8 502 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 9,700,000 503 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 504 I , li , '.'; I i l, --l-l t ./' \1,. \: Ii \ ,,- H 4:-

'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

Thank you, Madam Speaker, especially for your communication as far as Karuma Bridge is concerned. There are two things: one, last year when I raised this matter, Gen. Katumba Wamala made a commitment that the Government would embark on carrying out an assessment and doing a design for a new bridge. Madam Speaker, as they have embarked on rectifying the defects that they have detected, it would be good for us to understand from Gen. Katumba Wamala how they have gone in designing the new bridge. Can we get to know when they will start working on the new bridge because what they are doing is a temporary measure? Two, last year when we went - there was an event next to Karuma Dam where the Government put in resources to extend clean water from the Nile to Gulu. When we went for the commissioning, we got to know that there is a bridge that was built as part of the Hydropower Project that connects to the other side of the Nile. I would like to know because as I speak, UNRA has provided an alternative route for heavy trucks and buses that puts an additional burden on road users of over 100 kilometres. The question I am putting to the Government is whether the bridge that was built as part of the hydropower project can be used as an alternative route to reduce the burden on road users. I would like to understand from the Minister of Works and Transport the strength of that bridge and whether it can be used as an alternative. From what I see, much as UNRA is saying that heavy trucks will use the other road, there is a possibility from the magnitude of the work that even light vehicles will have to take an alternative route. Wouldn’t it be okay for us to understand whether the other bridge can be used as well? Thank you.

13249 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA MONDAY, 6 MAY 2024 Hon. Afidra - but the issue Hon. Odur raised on getting another ferry and increasing on what is there and the timing is very important because it will help us for people going to Lango region, even Acholi. You just go, when you reach Kungu, you now branch back to the main road and go to Kamdini and continue to Gulu. From Kamdini you can also go to Western Nile. That would be one of the best solutions, so that you are not limited because you are interfering with the animals. They are telling you 7.00 am to 7.00 pm, do not move in the night. It is for your safety. You are interfering with animal rights. Yes, Hon. Afidra -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I again rise on your communication regarding the upcoming weather conditions that are within this country. We are going to be faced with, the harsh rains and the Karuma Bridge reconstruction. Allow me to make these three observations. One, Karuma Bridge and Park are the routes to West Nile, which I use very often. Indeed, at this point, I want to give thanks to the Government, that our Government in the few years comes up with alternatives as far as the bridge infrastructure in this country is concerned. If the ministry now decides that Karuma is stopped for large vehicles and an alternative goes through the park, this is coming from the fact that a new bridge has just been constructed across the River Nile, that is in Para. We are glad that this has been opened. However, Madam Speaker, as alluded to earlier on, the Pakwach Bridge connection to Gulu will be faced with these heavy rains once the River Tangi floods again. Why am I saying so? The junction between entry to Nwoya Road going to Gulu will automatically be cut off. We have experienced this earlier on before, and the work done on Nwoya Road is not as to the quality expected when these rains come. My fear is, will the people of Gulu not be cut off if this alternative route is used for them if the rains come? The second issue is; I am grateful to the bus companies we have in the Northern region. The fares I would cite; Nile Star has not increased in fares to use the alternative route. This is crucial for us and I want to urge the bus companies within that they should not take advantage of this calamity that has befallen Karuma so that the travellers can be able to travel through very well. The last one is, Madam Speaker - (Member timed out.)

13187 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 30 APRIL 2024 Vote 309: Gulu University

I put the question that a total Shs 1,102,336,197 be provided for Gulu University for under Vote 309 as a supplementary current expenditure, for the Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 403: Arua Regional Referral Hospital

13102 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT [Gen. Wamala] Masulita to Mawale. That is the technology we are using. The project started in July 2021 for a period of 5 years and it had the following major targets: (i) 5,000 kilometres of district roads Rehabilitated; (ii) 420 kilometres of low-volume roads Sealed; and (iii) 175 kilometres of medium volume roads Sealed. Madam Speaker, the above outputs were estimated to cost Shs 991.4 billion. As of February 2024, Shs l90.4 billion had been released and the following achievements have been registered: (i) 873.6 kilometres of district roads have been rehabilitated and 583.9 kilometres are under construction; (ii) l60.9 kilometres of low-volume traffic roads were sealed and 95.28 kilometres are still under construction; and (iii) Kilometres are still under construction. Construction of another 22 kilometres has started using the stage construction modality. The details of the roads under this project are in Annex 8. 4.2.4 Project 1705 - Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Urban Roads Madam Speaker, this project was developed to reduce mud and dust in urban areas and improve their ascetic conditions 21.7 kilometres of medium-volume roads were sealed, and 4.3. It mainly focuses on tarmacking of roads in urban areas. It started in July 2021 for a period of 5 years. The project had the following targets: (i) 34 kilometres of roads in 10 municipal councils tarmacked and (ii) 60 kilometres of roads in 25 town councils were tarmacked. The above output was estimated at the cost of Shs 715.5 billion. However, in the Financial Year 2022/2023, this project was re-scoped to include the presidential directives of tarmacking 90 kilometres of urban roads in the Bukedi and Busoga subregions. This required an additional Shs 465 billion. The preliminary engineering designs of the 90 kilometres were completed, but the ministry has not yet received any funds to start construction works. The beneficiary urban councils are eager to have the work started due to the likely political ramifications during the 2026 elections. As of February 2024, Shs 74.2 billion had been released and the following achievements have been registered: (i) l9.2 kilometres of roads in six municipal councils are tarmacked, 4.l kilometres are still under construction; (ii) 18.5 kilometres of roads in 15 town councils were tarmacked, and 3.7 kilometres are still under construction. The details of the roads under this project are in Annex 9. 4.3.1 Support Services to District Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR) Projects Regional Mechanical Workshops Madam Speaker, my ministry operates four Regional Mechanical Workshops (RMWs) – definitely, these are few compared to the size of the country and the demand, they are in Kampala, Gulu, Bugembe and Mbarara whose main function is to extend maintenance support to district and zonal road equipment Because they require heavy-duty equipment, like excavators and bulldozers. We know that this equipment is not at the district, but can be requested from the regional mechanical workshop once they are ready to use. Many people here have benefited, and Hon. Nabukenya here, can testify. The count of district road equipment has incrementally expanded beginning with road

13104 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The total requirement for the requisite road equipment units for this purpose is $70 million, which we hope can be funded through debt financing using the same scheme under which we got the 1,115 units in 2017. My ministry is in the process of procuring road construction equipment for the new districts, as I have said, but we need another Shs 29 billion for the vibro rollers, tippers and water bowsers. These were not included in the tranche which you gave us last time. We shall continue engaging through both the Budget Committee, Committee on Physical Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to avail Shs 29 billion so that we can complete the purchase. Zonal equipment centres Madam Speaker, the zonal equipment centres are currently housed within the premises of the regional mechanical workshops. The ministry had planned to create nine zonal centres in Moroto, Mbale, Jinja, Gulu, Arua, Luweero, Hoima, Mbarara, and Kabale at an estimated cost of Shs 45 billion. We shall continue engaging the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on this endeavour. The zonal equipment centres operate shared road equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, backhoe loaders, self-loaders and low beds. While the shared equipment is insufficient to cater for the requirements of the entire country, its availability has been greatly reduced due to insufficient maintenance funding. That is a requirement for additional money. Mechanical Engineering Training and Advisory Centre (METRAC) Madam Speaker, since 2017 when the ministry acquired the new equipment, the ministry has implemented several regional training sessions for district operators. While this training format was not sustainable, it was the only option given the circumstances. In 20l8, the Government of Japan, through the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), gave a grant of $2.3 million to the Government of Uganda for the construction of the Mechanical Engineering Training and Advisory Centre in Luwero. Phase I of the project, comprising a gatehouse, classroom block, maintenance block, and administration block, have been completed and the project has been handed over. It is just a few kilometres from Luweero town. Here, we shall train and retrain operators so that we have - because the machine performance will be as good as the man behind the operation. If we have a bad operator – and, in most cases, what we have seen is that people have drivers, not operators. In this centre, we are going to train operators and we are working with the Ministry of Education and Sports so that they can also be tested under the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) and given certificates of equivalent so that they can be able to be employed outside. Madam Speaker, phase 2 of METRAC requires Shs 9.8 billion, which began this financial year. So far, the Government has availed Shs 1 billion for the construction of a few of the amenities. Mt Elgon Labour-Based Training Centre Madam Speaker, Mt Elgon Labour-based Training Centre (MELTC) is a national training centre under the Ministry of Works and Transport for applying labour-based technology (LBT) in the rehabilitation and maintenance of national, district, urban and community access roads. The training centre is located 20km from Mbale City, along the Mbale-Budadiri Road and adjacent to Uganda Technical College, Elgon. Madam Speaker, MELTC provides training and capacity building in developing, maintaining, and utilising critical road infrastructure assets in the District, Urban, and Community Access Road (DUCAR). Its contribution to the DUCAR network includes:

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?

Thank you, General, for the information. But it is also to tell you, General, that I saw in Gulu, when they were trying to build the immigration office. It would have offered our poor people the opportunity to participate in the building but it was UPDF, and you know how UPDF already has salaries. I do not know but it is subject to discussion. I wanted to go-

12895 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 APRIL 2024 honourable ministers need to know that we have traders all over Uganda. So, the people in Mubende, Gulu and Mbale also need to be educated. We have many traders who are not able to write or readbut these people who invest a lot of money in the suburbs of Uganda, let me call it that. They need to be guided on how to use this machine. It is not that they are not willing to complybut do not have the capability to operate these machines. This means that they have to employ someone literate to help them operate the machines and you never know, it is another expense and yet some of these people that they employ may end up cheating them. The other issue –

12734 THE KARAMOJA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (REPEAL) BILL, 2024 1. Mr Godwin Kayangwe, the President; 2. Peter Mr Odongo, the honorary Secretary; 3. Isaac Lutwama, the CEO; 4. Winnie Atyang, the Coach; 5. Leonard Lubambura, Chairman, Eastern Uganda; 6. Daniel Canawira, Chairman, Pirates; 7. Daniel Tabaruka, Chairman, Kyadondo; 8. Jonan Manzi, Chairman, Hippos; 9. Adam Kabalega, Chairman Eagles; 10. Kevin Nyeko, Chairman, Buffalos; 11. Feter Lubulwa, Chairma, Rams; 12. Emmanuel Fudribo, Chairman, Warriors; 13. Farouk Watmon, Representative, Gulu Rugby Union; 14. Andrew Cohen; and 15. Yasmin Mohammad. They have come to listen to the motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the Government of Uganda for the successful bid to host the 2024, 2025 editions of the Rugby Africa Cup. You are most welcome. Hon. Ibrahim, I went through Namboole on a fact-finding mission, not on the issue of the progress. The commissioners of Parliament are your members; so, there is no problem with you asking a commissioner of Parliament. They are actually supposed to work for you and give you information on what is happening for us to be able to check Government. Therefore, let us get a report from a commissioner on what happened. Where we have an issue, then we can ask the minister to respond. Yes, Hon. Jonathan –

12602 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS (i) An additional Shs 8 billion be provided to increase the medicines and sundries by the Uganda Cancer Institute. This will also cater for the new sites like the one in Gulu. (ii) Shs 10.87 billion be provided for functionalising the regional centres in Gulu and a satellite one in Mbarara, to bring cancer services closer to the people. Mbarara is already doing cancer services as an outpatient service. (iii) The Government of Uganda should explore a possibility of acquiring a loan or grant for the construction and operationalisation of the Arua and Mbale cancer regional referral centres. In the manifesto, it said four; Gulu has taken off, so we need money for these three. (vi) Shs 62 billion be provided for clearing the outstanding obligation on establishment of a nuclear medicine facility/PET centre. Madam Speaker, we do not offer PET scanning services in the country, and many people who can afford them have to go to Aga Khan or Kenyatta Hospital. This money can be paid back in 10 years because it will not be free. Most likely Shs 500,000 to Shs 1 million. Vote 116 - National Medical Stores (NMS) I would like to draw your attention to page 34. Table 14 shows the funding gap of NMS in billions of shillings. That is self-explanatory. The committee recommends that: (i) An additional Shs 262.19 billion be allocated to the National Medical Stores to enable the entity boost supplies of essential medicines and health supplies in a phased manner, beginning with Shs 87 billion this financial year. (ii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should front load operational funds to National Medical Stores to facilitate timely delivery of essential medicines and health supplies in advance to avoid delays. Madam Speaker, the paradox is that we have drugs in the warehouse of National Medical Stores in Kajjansi. The issue is money for operations and I think the House needs to make a pronouncement on that. (iii) The committee reiterates its earlier recommendation that an additional Shs 4 billion be provided to NMS for the procurement of kits of glucometers, BP machines and thermometers for the 3,000 health facilities across the country that belongs to the government. It is very common to go to Health Centres IIIs and IVs, and there is no BP machine. You cannot even measure your blood glucose. (iv) Shs 25 billion be provided for procurement of rapid diagnostic kits for malaria, HIV and other diseases. (v) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Health should clear the Shs 52.2 billion domestic arrears for service fees for handling donated supplies, COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies. Therefore, costs for handling donated supplies should be factored in the funding negotiations and arguments. Madam Speaker, NMS also makes some money through warehousing and surcharge services. That is the amount of money the Government owes them. (vi) Funds should be provided to National Medical Stores for retrieval and destruction of expired COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies. (vii) Shs 20 billion be provided for procuring of PPE supplies for the country. (viii) Health facilities should enforce strict controls governing stock management practices. Health facilities should provide accountability for essential medicines. This will safeguard theft, irrational prescription and poor stock practices.

12603 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 Vote 151: Uganda Blood Transfusion Services The committee recommends that Shs 2.6 billion be provided to Uganda Blood Transfusion Services for purchase of eight centrifuge machines and Shs 600 million for assorted blood collection and IT equipment to equip the regional blood banks in Arua, Gulu, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, and Mbarara. Three regional blood banks are more than 90 per cent complete. That is Soroti, Arua and Hoima. They were built with funds from the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project (UCREPP), meaning there will be a need for money for wage and operationalisation. The committee recommends that Shs 12.276 billion required by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services to recruit 164 staff be provided. This will raise the staffing levels to 41 per cent and solve the challenge of heavy reliance on voluntary services. Vote 418: Kawempe National Refinery Hospital Kawempe National Referral Hospital, the issues are self-explanatory, but the major challenge is: 1. Inadequate staffing levels This hospital delivers 60 to 100 mothers daily and 27 Caesarean sections with a staffing of 37.4 per cent. The committee recommends that Shs 6.1 billion be provided for the recruitment of additional staff to enable Kawempe National Refinery Hospital to reach the 68 per cent staffing level. 2. Overhaul and remodelling of the hospital plumbing system This is an issue the committee has noted in the hospitals of Kawempe, Kiruddu, Naguru and Entebbe. These hospitals are as old as 10 years but the plumbing has given way. We need to take an interest in value for money because plumbing giving way after 10 years is very unacceptable. Vote 417: Kiruddu National Referral Hospital 1) Inadequate wage for recruitment of health workers which is the same as Kawempe. 2) Inadequate funding for the burns and surgery unit. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion be provided to mitigate the shortfall because patients under plastic surgery and burns require a lot of specialised attention and treatment. 3) Purchase of land The committee reiterates its recommendation that Shs 5 billion be provided to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital for the purchase of 5 acres of land to enable expansion services, namely wards for burns and plastic surgery, ophthalmology, general dialysis and ward expansion. To underscore that point, Naguru, Kiruddu and Kawempe were health centre IV on a one-acre piece of land. The Government built upwards of seven stories. There is a need for land for the expansion of these hospitals. Vote 401: Mulago National Referral Hospital 1) Staffing in Mulago National Referral Hospital can be underscored by the intensive care unit. The hospital was expanded and increased to 44 ICU beds, but 21 are working. In the adult ICU of the 27 beds, only 14 are working. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 529 million be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital for priority recruitment of 10 ICU critical staff. That is the annual cost. 7) Incomplete renovation of Lower Mulago Hospital The committee recommends that Shs 15.5 billion be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital to complete civil, electrical, plumbing and IT works to ensure full functionalising of the hospital.

12606 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Madam Speaker, bullet (7) on page 56 is on incomplete construction of oxygen plants. There is a table there, which shows the status of oxygen plants across the regional referral hospitals. The committee recommends that: 1. The UPDF should finalise with the construction and equipping of all oxygen manufacturing plants at all regional referral hospitals; and 2. The Government should provide an additional Shs 1.5 billion for the maintenance of oxygen plants at regional referral hospitals. Unstable power supply Madam Speaker, the issue of unstable power supply is across all health institutions. The committee recommends that: 1. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development should ensure that hospitals are connected to dedicated power lines and charged industrial rates; 2. A cost-benefit analysis of solar-powered hospitals should be undertaken by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development; 3. Shs 9 billion should be provided to the Ministry of Health for procurement of power stabilisers for 15 regional referral hospitals. To put this into context, there was a power surge last year at the Uganda Heart Institute. People who were on critical life support machines were left in a very critical state and we had to borrow machines, overnight, from two neighbouring countries, thanks to air transport. When the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development gave us money to replace the machines, we returned them, in the spirit of Pan-Africanism. However, this should not be the case. We need these power stabilisers. Madam Speaker, on page 58, Table 21 shows the incomplete projects in regional referral hospitals. We put it in table form to show you that there are projects that we started in 2017, but have not been completed. There are many challenges, in terms of variation in costs, due to inflation and contractors being on site outside their contract duration, which can present legal challenges. The committee, therefore, recommends that: 1. The Ministry of Health should not authorise any new project for regional referral hospitals until the stagnated projects are complete and fit for use. (Applause) For any exceptional case, Parliament should be provided with evidence of availability of funding until completion; 2. The Government should avail the Shs 79.123 billion required to complete the listed projects. Going forward, all new projects should be undertaken with consultation from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Ministry of Health. Madam Speaker, when you look at that table, Masaka Hospital, for example, requires Shs 590 million - that is the cost of a brand new car - to complete its Intensive Care Unit. Gulu requires about Shs 3 billion to finish the interns’ hostel – and so forth. So, we can start with the low-hanging fruits. General observations Non-tax revenue collections This is self-explanatory, but on bullet (1), under non-tax revenue collections, the committee recommends that: 1. The Ministry of Finance should adjust the NTR ceiling and also return NTR funds to the hospitals; 2. Funds collected from NTR can be used by hospitals to improve service delivery, especially in the private wing, and to maintain hospital equipment.

Yes, and this will definitely affect the River Nile as well and for some of us from districts neighbouring water bodies, this will cause health issues like waterborne diseases. In districts like Pakwach, we have the challenge of Bilharzia. In the Health budget, I expected to hear more of blood banks being taken to such districts that are affected by bilharzia because we are losing many people and many are sick; vomiting blood every other day and we have to take them to Arua and Gulu. Madam Speaker, if this is not addressed, coupled with the issue of other diseases, we are going to lose young productive Ugandans. We need blood banks in places like Pakwach District.

Thank you very much. Madam Speaker, the information I wanted to give is in line with what the committee has left out. In 2014, the Government started a huge construction project at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital to accommodate 54 staff and injected Shs 7 billion but the project has stalled for the last seven years. And there is a balance of-

Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing this. The former LOP raises an important issue, which points to the procurement plans of the various votes, which this House needs to pay attention to. Unfortunately, this was not brought to the fore yet is likely going to affect how we move. My clarification is on stalled projects that the ministry initiated in regional hospitals. For example, in Arua Regional Referral Hospital, in 2018, you initiated the construction of about 21 staff houses, which now require Shs 4 billion to finish. The honourable MP for Gulu also raised a similar issue. This has not been ably catered for. Secondly, the second Indicative Planning Figures, which the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development sent to the various votes show that money for utilities like water and power – (Member timed out.)

12667 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 the subregional level, especially for West Nile. We have the regional workshop at Gulu, but which serves all four regions: Lango, Acholi, Karamoja, and West Nile. However, accessing the equipment by the district or repair services is very difficult. I support the recommendation that we should have mechanical workshops – (Member timed out.)

Yes, and that is my worry because when you look at that road from Gulu to Rwackoko, through Opit, it has been pledged so many times by the President. The Prime Minister went on record here and said it is a priority road. I am wondering how those translate into the budget appropriations. It is my prayer, therefore, that the ones that are under feasibility study can also be prioritised so that the appreciation does not affect the compensation. I appreciate you.

12686 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Inspectorate of Government (IG) (i) Digitisation and digital transformation of the Inspectorate of Government. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 1.7 billion be provided to kick start the digital transformation of the institution. (ii) Insufficient wage allocation. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 0.27 billion be provided to restore the IG’s budget to the current operating level. (iii) Completion of the IG head office building project The committee recommends an additional Shs 27.718 billion be provided to the development budget of the IG to complete the construction of the head office by June 2025. (iv) Replacement of the old and damaged fleet of vehicles The committee recommends that an additional: (a) Shs 1.260 billion be provided to replace the six damaged vehicles during the bomb blast which occurred on 16 November 2021 (b) Shs 2.940 billion be provided to procure 14 double cabin vehicles. (v) Additional wage recruitment of critical staff The committee recommends an additional Shs 4,804,756,400 be provided to cater for recruitment of critical staff and additional operational costs. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (i) This talks about completion of the first phase of the JLOS House. The committee recommends that Shs 30 billion be provided during Financial Year 2024/2025 to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to cater for the completion of the first phase of the JLOS House as this will go a long way to save the Government from spending Shs 30 billion on rent annually. (ii) Recruitment of state attorneys The committee recommends that Shs 11.407 billion be provided during the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the recruitment of state attorneys to increase the capacity of the ministry in handling numerous cases before them. (iii) Payment of outstanding court awards and court award arrears The committee recommends that the Government prioritises payments of court awards and court arrears to reduce the principal amounts that attract interest by providing Shs 232.875 billion to cater for settlement of the outstanding areas. (iv) Cattle compensation to war-debt claimants The Government had agreed to compensate the war date claimants in Teso, Acholi and Lango subregions for loss of livestock and other properties during the insurgency in the north. The committee recommends that the entire outstanding bill of Shs 463.211 billion be settled across three financial years of 2024/2025, 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. (v) Representation of Government in the East African Court of Justice and community meetings The committee recommends that the ministry’s travel abroad budget line be unfrozen and a provision of Shs 1 billion to facilitate Government’s representation in the East African Court of Justice and East African Community meetings be made. (vi) Operationalisation of 13 regional offices The ministry currently operates regional offices in Gulu, Moroto, Arua, Mbale, Fort Portal, Soroti, and Mbarara against the Judiciary’s 23 high court circuits.

12723 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 16 billion, for renovation of the College of Health Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Shs 3.4 billion for the restoration of funding for the Infectious Disease Institute and Shs 2.4 billion for restoration of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre. Then Shs 12.3 billion for reinstatement of the budget for scholarships, education materials, research outstanding, in- house retirement benefits arrears and contracts gratuity, and Shs 14 billion for increase in Government-sponsored students’ food and living-out allowances. Vote 304: Kyambogo University The committee recommends that Minister of Finance, planning and Economic Development commits additional Shs 6.39 billion for wages, Shs 0.5 billion for research and innovation, Shs 9 billion for renovation of student`s halls of residence, Shs 2 billion for removal of asbestos sheets from buildings, renovation of 20 accommodation facilities. You cannot believe that this still exists in our universities, Madam Speaker and some schools in Kampala Capital City Authority. The committee also recommends that the finance ministry provides Shs 9 billion for construction of a boundary/perimeter wall. Madam Speaker, there are threats already of land grabbing at that university and people have started building houses. The university always fights with those squatters day and night. Vote 309: Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits a total additional Shs 5.6 billion for salary harmonisation, Shs 2 billion for the gazettement of the Gulu Central Reserve Forest and degazettement of Gulu University Land in Nwoya. Then, Shs 17 billion for construction of a business and development centre and teaching facility in a phased manner, Shs 3.36 billion for repurposing of Kotido Primary Teacher`s College (PTC) as a learning centre. Shs 2 billion for procurement of five new transport equipment, Shs 4.7 billion for construction of a multipurpose building and Shs 2 billion for preparation of architectural and engineering designs and production of bills of quantities for the proposed Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori Memorial Law Studies Block. Vote 306: Muni University The committee recommends that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Social Development commits additional Shs 2 billion for the construction of the University Administration Block, Shs 4.8 billion for salary shortfalls, Shs 5 billion for renovation and expansion of Madikola farm. Vote 308: Soroti University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits Shs 25 billion for completion of the anatomy block, which has stalled for quite a long time. Commit Shs 8.8 billion for shortfalls in living out allowances for Government sponsored students, outreach services and clinical placement for students in the school of health sciences and Shs 7.2 billion to address the wage shortfalls. Vote 321: Uganda Management Institute (UMI) The committee observed that the institute struggles with a number of challenges and it recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Social Development commits a total of Shs 10 billion for construction of a new multipurpose building at Kampala branch, Shs 4 billion be provided to construct a new classroom block at Mbale branch, Shs 1.32 to address salary shortfalls, and Shs 2 billion for research and innovations. Vote 310: Lira University The committee recommends that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits an additional Shs 11.5 billion to address the recruitment of critical staff.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the committee chairperson for their good report. I will start with the issue to do with SAGE. I do not know whether we are sentencing older persons. This is because, if you look at the budget that was given last year – or in the running year – vis- à-vis what is being provided, we feel that the finance ministry is living on planet Mars, not Earth. Mr Speaker, last weekend I was visited by a mzee who was moving on crutches, crying and saying: “Kindly, go and tell President Museveni that he promised us money for older persons, but I am going to die without getting this money.” The number of eligible people are growing because the life expectancy of Ugandans has improved. Now we, who are in charge of allocating resources, are cutting what should be due to them. I appeal to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to be sensitive and sympathetic to these older persons because this is where we are all headed. This programme of SEGOP, which is looking at people between 61 and 75 years, is a grant. Whereas they have been having Shs 5 billion, now, they have removed Shs 4 billion and there is a provision of Shs 1 billion only. What are we telling these older persons? Mr Speaker, when I heard my colleague talking about removing the Shs 5 billion, again, from children – my sister from Lyantonde is just being sensitive. Last year, the issue to do with the children was given Shs 20 million. The Ministry of Youth and children was given only Shs 20 million to remove children from the streets in the entire country, not Kampala alone. Now, we are proposing for them to get at least Shs 5 billion to be able to remove children from Mbale, Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu and everywhere.

(4) Branded promotional materials produced and distributed to stakeholders (UGX 0.435 billion) (5) Cluster support provided through marketing promotions and advertisement at special National events i.e. World Tourism Day, World wildlife D"y, International Museum d"y, Mart5rrs D"y, etc.(UGX o.l4g billion) (6) International media houses engaged in production of positive media stories for improved destination image (ucx 1.2 biflion) (7) Destination Uganda represented at 4 expos in the African and European markets (UGX 0.932 biflion) (8) Uganda's position as a MICE destination strengthened through: Bids prepared in partnership with stakeholders; MICE advertising undertaken in international media; Incentive buyer inspection visits coordinated; Capacity building programmes undertaken for private sector associations and public bodies in business tourism promotion (UGx 0.758 billion) (9) Product Development and Investment Promotion undertaken: City tourism product profiled for Arua, Gulu and Mbale; Product signage established for Uganda Mart5rr's Trait and cultural sites across the country; Tourism Business Service Directories developed (UGX 0.631 i h & billion) L* CnYv'fl- 30

(9) Concluded round one of the various trade protocols under AfCFTA and COMESA including RoO, Trade in goods, Trade in services, Investments. (10) Published and printed 650 Copies of the draft Competition Bill and submitted them to Parliament (11) Finalized the draft Consumer Protection Bill in engagements with the First Parliamentary Counsel. (12) Finalized proposals for introduction of Tobacco Cess and access of competition merger fees competition commission NTR from coMESA in Consultation with MoFpED and MoJCA. (13) A draft Trade Licensing Rates and Grades for the new Cities were developed in consultation with key stakeholders. (14) Finalization of the development of the Grain Trade policy Implementation strategr and the National MSMEs Implementation stratery (15) Mobilized 180 MSME in Mbale, Gulu, Arua, Hoima, Mbarara and Kampala to participate in the stakeholder consultations for the formulation of branding and packaging strategr. (161 522 MSMES Mobitized, vetted, registered and participated in the 22na EAC Exhibition in Uganda to show case their innovations and discuss business with their counterparts from other countries from 8th to 18th December 2022. (l7l 245 MSMEs trained on making Business Plans, Financial Literacy, Resource Mobilization, Business Negotiations and Record the following Districts. A{V! *a. ,C l; t M' ,i'['r

(2) Popularizing of PDM Marketing strategr and branding and packaging strategies.in the country includes Karamoja and west Nile. (3) Acquiring and scaring up of the use of international recognised bar GIS bar code for promotion of Ugandan products in the market and support L2O MSMEs to formalise their business in south western, Rwenzori, West Nile, and Sebei sub region. (4) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 100 MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (5) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 1oo MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (6) Facilitate, support, Sensitization 120 MSMEs, Youths, women, pLWHA and PWD to formalise their businesses. in West Nile, Rwemzori and Busoga Region. (71 Conduct 3 stakeholder (Academia, SMEs, Policy makers and tegislators) workshop on Circularity and Circular economy (Resource efficiency, cleaner production and industrial in symbiosis in central region. (8) Facilitating, the preparations, Mobilization, training, vetting of 250 MSMEs including women and youth, through and guiding them in packaging branding, and requirements to participate in the regional, international and domestic trade fairs and expos. (9) Training of 100 processors in Leather-and agro processors Mukono and Jinja, Greater Bushenyi, Mbarara, and formation of clusters in each district I tr- 1-. ft h 51 &

Procurement of land in Western and Northern Uganda for the constmction of UNBS Regional Laboratory in Mbarara (UGX 2 billion) and Gulu (UGX 2 billion) 4.O Total 31.72 4.O obsenrations and Recommendations on Trade and Industry vote o15: Ministry of rrade, Industry and cooperatives (MTIcl The Committee is concerned that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives was supposed to have operationalizedlaws such as the Accreditation Services Act, 2O2I and the Sugar Act, 2O2O. However, none of the two have been operationalized. These laws require operational stmctures. However, ro structures have been proposed in the current rationalization of Government Agencies, €lrl implication that they might remain on the shelves yet they are important to the economy. Recommendations of the Committee The Committee recommends that MTIC should have in place stmctures to operationalise laws in the Trade Sector that were passed by parliament. 6.12 subvention to uganda cooperative Alliance Limited The committee observed that in the FY 2023 /24 MTlcwas allocated ucx 3 billion to Uganda Cooperative Alliance Limited (UCAL) without a legat framework or cooperation agreement and Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their relationship. The Committee further observed that MTIC did not have in its possession an instnrmentlegalizing its relationship with ucAL since ucAL is a limited company ,\ - ifr't /" , l1 h" N I 62 .fu,- ,Y

of Nwsc in UGX Billion Source: NWSC Recommendations o The Committee recommends that Government provides additional UGX. 95.4 billion to NWSC to clear outstanding financial obligations. o Government should provide UGX 47.5 billion for critical co-financing new obligations next financial year. (kf Prospective Donor linancing for Projects under NWSC The Committee was informed that Government is in the process of approving donor funding for various Donor/GoU funded projects under NWSC as summarized in the table below. This includes part of the Euro 45 million additional financing that is being pursued for KW-LV WATSAN. A cabinet paper has been submitted and subsequently a request for approval by Parliament will be presented. The target is to have financing agreement signed before the end of the financial year. Donor for NWSC Source: NWSC tawL <, 37 ( l. Projects Outstanding obligations Obligation s next N 6^ r.SE Total Requiremen Water Service Acceleration Project (SCAP 100) 45.8 25.7 7L.5 Kampala Sanitation Proiect (KSPI 45 0 45 Integrated Water Management and Development Proiect (IWMDP)-Gulu 4.6 0 4.6 KW-LV WATSAN o 15.8 15.8 Mbarara- Masaka-lsinsiro (SWCTI 0 6 6 Grand Total 95.4 47.5 r42.9 Projects Amount (Shs Bnf Integrated Water Management and Development Project (IWMDP)-Gulu 141.0 KW-LV WATSAN 181.1 Mbarara- M asaka- Isingiro (SWCT) 266.5 Wakiso West Water and Sanitation Project (!V!VWSP) 8.3 Grand Total 596.9 -l..

t I 5 Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project (STWSSP) t2.o 1 6 Water for Production Project Phase II 40.0 1 7 Inner Murchison Bay Cleanup project 22.5 1 8 Water resources measures implemented in priority catchments 20.o 1 9 Restoration of the environment through tree planting 15.0 2 o SCAP 1OO - Umbrellas project (Project code 1532) 25 NWSC 2 1 Water Service Acceleration Project (SCAP 100) 7 t.5 2 2 45.0 Kampala Sanitation Project (KSP) 2 3 Integrated Water Management and Development Project (IWMDP)-Gulu 4.6 2 4 KW.LV WATSAN 15.8 2 5 M barara- Masaka-I singiro (SWCT) 6.0 NFA t42.9 2 2 Forest reserves boundary resurveyed 1.6 3.1 2 3 demarcation of forest boundaries 2 4 provision of tree seedlings 5.0 NEMA 5.9 2 5 Wage Bill for planned recruits under the New NEMA approved structure 2 6 Wage Allocation for NEMA 6.6 2 7 Procurement of an Environment Information and Licensing System 10.6 to.7 2 8 Insufficient funds for Purchase of Environmental Monitoring fleet 2 9 Establish and Equip NEMA Regional Offices 24.O UNMA 3 o Procurement of a super computer 10.0 1.0 3 1 Dissemination of weather forecasts *), 0.3 3 2 Revamp and operationalize tlle upper air station at Entebbe International Airport I - Y s' i J 48 il, a -t I ^N, .i \ //' ".T1

Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. I also want to thank the committee for having presented a wonderful report before this August House. Indeed, the concerns of mycotoxins have become a problem in this country. Recently, Gulu University, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, carried out research, especially in areas of Lango and Acholi subregions. They found out that 90 per cent of mycotoxin is found in grains. I think the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) efforts need to be supported even if it means funding UNBS.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this great opportunity. I also join honourable colleagues to thank the two committees for the comprehensive report. This issue of mycotoxins is a very serious matter because it directly affects lives. Our honourable colleagues have correctly mentioned that when you visit hospitals, it is so worrying that our citizens are dying of cancer. When I read the research reports, the findings are so worrying. Like she said, findings of the research carried out by Gulu University revealed that 90 per cent trace of this mycotoxin is found in grains. Therefore, I strongly agree with the committee report that we need to strengthen UNBS and the other agencies so that they continue to support the quality of food safety so we save the lives of our people. I thank you so much.

That is a statutory vote. If the President has approved the budget of the Judiciary, I do not see why the PS/ST should come and say he is cutting the – we have just passed an Act where we agreed to increase the number of judges. We are supposed to have two branches of the Court of Appeal, that is, in Mbarara and Gulu, where the minister comes from. If they are asking for an increment in the money and it has been approved by the President, we need to see how to support them. You are the same people complaining of a backlog, yet you are not supporting the Judiciary. Go ahead and lay your documents.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On three different occasions in this House, I have raised to the Ministry of Works and Transport a very serious matter, where UNRA poorly designed a road in Gulu, stretching from Bank of Uganda to Custom Corner. As a result of this poor design, many lives have been lost. We have accidents on that section of the road almost daily. The honourable minister repeatedly stood up here making commitments that he would dispatch a team to assess, redesign and work on this road. It is painful that we are losing lives. We have repeatedly said this and the Government has committed, but it hurts every time we speak about it, but do not see any action being taken. Madam Speaker, would it not be procedurally right for you to now direct that action be taken immediately and that this road be worked on so that we stop losing lives weekly and the accidents that happen almost daily? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I beg to lay on the Table the Ministerial Policy Statement for the Ministry of Education and Sports for the Financial Year 2024/2025 for: 1. Vote 013 – Ministry of Education and Sports; 2. Vote 111 – National Curriculum Development Centre; 3. Vote 128 – Uganda National Examinations Board; 4. Vote 132 – Education Service Commission; 5. Vote 164 – National Council for Higher Education; 6. Vote 165 – Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board; 7. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; 8. Vote 301 – Makerere University; 9. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; 10. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; 11. Vote 305 – Busitema University; 12. Vote 306 – Muni University; 13. Vote 307 – Kabale University; 14. Vote 308 – Soroti University; 15. Vote 309 – Gulu University; 16. Vote 310 – Lira University; 17. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; 18. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and 19. Vote 612 – Local Governments. I beg to lay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. From what we have just gone through, there are clear signs that the country is adequately gearing towards the Africa Cup of Nations and the other games. Madam Speaker, it would be procedurally correct for the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as we look at these facilities that will be built, to also begin considering some of the areas that are near, for example, when you look at Akii-Bua in Lira, a stadium like Pece War Memorial Stadium would be the best place for the players to prepare as they go for the tournament. Again, we have Gulu Airport, which would be the best place for the players to fly in. So, we need to look at places like Gulu –

Exactly, places like Gulu, Soroti, Arua and nearby places; we need to invest and prepare those places. Therefore, it would be procedurally correct for the ministry to pull resources -

Madam Speaker, I just wanted to give information to the honourable member that plans are underway to expand Gulu Airport and do the road from Corner Ayer to Corner Aboke, Corner Iceme to Bobi so that if the team lands in Gulu, they can take a shortcut to Lira.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was following up on a matter that my brother, Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi raised. The Minister of Transport and Works gave us a very good response as far as Gulu, in terms of the airport and the road are concerned. However, Madam Speaker, Soroti Flying School, which is the East African School of Aviation, is probably one of the oldest aviation facilities, other than Entebbe, that we have. I seek clarification from the minister that as we plan for these additional ones in other places in the country, what is the plan of the ministry, as far as ensuring that we harness the best possible use of Soroti Flying School, which has the second longest tarmac runway other than Entebbe, in the country – which probably has some of the biggest aviation facilities and equipment in the country after Entebbe? I do not hear this. Secondly, Mr Minister, I know that you are looking at the visitors flying into Gulu, but as you know, Soroti is only one hour away from Lira. We would be glad for you to also tell us what you are thinking in terms of road infrastructure around this sub-region. I thank you.

Hon. Santa, the committee report on page 4 shows that they visited families in Gulu and Omoro districts. They also visited the health centres in Omoro, Pader and Kitgum, meaning that they did not go to Lango. What is very important, honourable members, is getting a full picture even if the committee does not go there. We have a way of getting it. During budgeting, we will ensure that all these issues are looked at. Hon. Komakech –

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker and all Members who have contributed to this report. From the onset, I would like to note that I feel so much pain when I listen to Members who have come across these children and seen them suffering. I have come across them, not in a rehabilitation centre but in a home. I have seen the pain of a mother who has a child with Nodding Syndrome. I want to commit that the Minister of Health is doing all it takes under the circumstances and with the limited resource envelope to make sure this ends. It is so sad for everybody. None of us may have that child but most of us are parents and we know what it means to have a condition that is not treatable and is out of your control. However, I would like to clarify a few things. As the Ministry of Health, we know that this Nodding Syndrome is in eight districts and two of them are in the Lango Subregion. Oyam and Lira are in Lango, isn’t it? The Ministry of Health is already there. They are working with Omoro, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Amuru, Oyam, Lira and Pader. Regarding this Nodding Syndrome, the Ministry of Health has a number. There are 2,200 children who have been reported and are under care and treatment. Out of these, some healed completely. Others even got married and have had children. We have others who sat senior six exams. Actually, their performance was not very good because of mental retardation but they grew into useful human beings. So, they need to get that treatment and also live productive lives. In one of the letters that the Ministry of Health wrote to the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury requesting for funds -most of you people from Northern Uganda are aware that the money that came through the Ministry of Health was not sufficient. It was little money. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health at least provided treatment for these children, which is their core mandate. Mr Speaker, Nodding Syndrome requires a multi-sectoral approach. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has got to come in. The Office of the Prime Minister

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to congratulate my fellow golfer for making it to the cream. Golf is one of the best games we have on earth. One, it makes you physically fit because you move such a distance. For this, our Golf Course of Gulu was distributed to the leaders and the technical staff of Gulu District Local Government. We have leaders in this House, who benefited from the land from Gulu Golf Course. Right now, we have nowhere to train from. If we want to train, we normally travel up to Lira. Gulu does not have a golf course, yet it used to be the best golf course in Northern Uganda.

12079 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA T HURSDAY, 29 F EBRUARY 2024 to explain the circumstances under which she acquired the gold land from Gulu. I would like also to request that the honourable Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs also explain to the ministry. We have so many technocrats from Gulu. Golf is very important I pray that the minister should acquire other hectares of land for our golf course of Gulu. The land of Gulu was distributed to our technocrats and the leaders. I beg to request, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to explain this. I was given a forest land near North View Hotel when I was not yet a teacher. Those who have been in Gulu know where North View Hotel is situated. The Forestry Department somehow continued to discuss and they said, “No, we are not giving this forest land to a very simple person like that.” I questioned them: “If you gave the proprietor of North View Hotel land, then, why not a teacher like me?” They said that I was too small. The person who was given land – actually, that person who was given that forest land is my uncle. They said they discussed it in Parliament at that time. They removed me from the forest land and gave me that as an alternative, without me knowing whether it was forest or golf course land. It was very bushy. It was way back in 1990. The home that people go to – where I stay - I was given that land. I almost said “no” to it, but my late husband said: “Let us take it like that.” So, we took it. I did not know. (Laughter) Therefore, nobody should accuse me. Hon. Olanya, stop that. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I got a question from Hon. Nyamutoro Phiona, the National Female Youth Representative. She said that she recently got information about the Government’s plan on the replacement and upgrading of Karuma Bridge, which is one of the critical gate-way to Northern Uganda. Her Prayer is that I update the House on the status of the replacement or upgrade of the Karuma Bridge? My response, Mr Speaker, is that Karuma Bridge is located 270 kilometres north of Kampala on the main Kampala-Gulu Highway. The bridge is the main connection between the Northern and Southern regions of Uganda and is managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

11888 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The Uganda Police helicopter (Aircraft Fixed Wing 5X PEF/P180 Piaggio Avanti Evo) was bought in June 2019 at a price of $7.48 million. However, it is now being sold at just $4 million. His prayer is: can the Prime Minister update the House on this matter? Mr Speaker, my response is that the Uganda Police Force has a police airwing whose function is to support policing within the country. It currently runs four aircrafts; three helicopters and that one: the Aircraft Fixed Wing aircraft. The aircrafts were intended, primarily, to assist in the maintenance of law and order by conducting aerial patrols and surveillance, aerial search and rescue, rapid response, force transportation and, sometimes, medical and casualty evacuation. When not required by the police for the stipulated duties, they may be used as a charter service by the Government, on payment of the prescribed fees. Mr Speaker, the fixed wing aircraft, which is a nine-seater aircraft, was acquired in June 2019 at a cost of $7.48 million and, since then, it has only flown for less than 200 hours. This is mainly due to its operational limitations, which includes designs that limit it to only paved or tarmacked runways, as well as high maintenance and operational costs. The aircraft is serviceable and has all the necessary requirements to operate. Mr Speaker, due to the above-mentioned limitations, Uganda Police Force management has been considering options of how the aircraft could be effectively and efficiently utilised in advancing the police mandate and, where possible, be linked to working domestically in the aviation industry, with a possibility of leasing it to the national carrier among other options. Disposal of the said aircraft has never been an option taken by police management as a way of ‘ utilisation ’ of the side aircrafts. In any case, if any disposal was to be considered, the due process would be diligently followed by all key stakeholders regarding the disposal of such an asset and in that respect, value for money would certainly be a key consideration to take into account. The Hon. Eunice Otuko Apio, Member of Parliament of Oyam North raised a question on the exclusion of Oyam North in the distribution of water by National Water and Sewerage Corporation under the on-going projects in the districts of Gulu, Omoro and Oyam. Prayer: Can the Rt Hon. Prime Minister update the House on the matter? Response: The Integrated Water Management and Development Project is a follow-up project being jointly implemented by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and the Ministry of Water and Environment. The scope of work under National Water and Sewerage Corporation entails the following: 1. Gulu Water Supply and Sanitation Project This is jointly funded by the World Bank and a German development agency called KFW, implemented in two packages, (package 1 and package 2). Package 2 is financed by the World Bank and it involves laying of 70.2 kilometre DN-500 500 ductile iron transmission pipeline from Karuma to Gulu. 2. Mbale Water Supply and Sanitation Project This project targets the population of Mbale and the neighbouring areas, including the towns of Butaleja, Busolwe, Kibuku, Kadama, Tirinyi, and Budaka. The project scope under National Water Sewage Corporation entails expansion of the production capacity of Bunghoko and Manafwa Water Treatment Plants from 4,000 cubic meters per day to 18,000 cubic meters PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Ms Nabbanja]

11889 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 per day, and 6,000 cubic meters per day to 9,000 cubic meters per day, respectively. The project also entails laying of 85 kilometres of pipe network, construction of a 2,000 cubic meter capacity reservoir, and the rehabilitation and expansion of the sewage system. The scope of work under the neighbouring towns is being implemented under the Ministry of Water and Environment. 3. Adjumani Water Supply and Sanitation Project This project targets Adjumani Town Council, Pakele, Zaipi and Ciforo, among others and involves the construction of water intake structure of capacity 12,000 cubic meters per day, water supply plant of capacity of 4,000 cubic meters per day, laying of 51.8 kilometre of water distribution network and installation of the water storage capacity of 1,150 cubic metres and construction of sanitation facilities. iv. Source protection measures in Arua, Gulu, Mbale and Bushenyi areas Works under package two of the Gulu project are currently at 61 per cent and the project is expected to be completed by the end of October 2024. Contracts for Adjumani and Mbale were signed on 21 December 2023, and the contractor is currently mobilising to commence works; this is expected in March 2024. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and Gulu City are jointly implementing the integrated program to improve living conditions in Gulu through grant financing from KFW. This program is being implemented in two phases. The works under phase 1 were completed in 2020 and the system is operational now. The scope of works included the following: 1. Rehabilitation and expansion of Oyitino Dam, raw water intake and Gulu water treatment plant run raw water intake and good water treatment plant from 4,000 cubic metres per day to 10,000 cubic metres per day. This also included development of ground water capacity of 2,000 cubic metres per day; 2. The rehabilitation and expansion of the sewage system; 3. The construction of a faecal sludge treatment facility at Pece–Cubu; 4. The construction of 20 water-borne toilet facilities in public places; and 5. The construction of 30,000 cubic metres per day water intake in the River Nile at Karuma. The scope of work under phase 2 includes the following: 1. Construction of a Water Treatment plant of capacity 10,000 cubic metre per day at Karuma; 2. Construction of 5,000 cubic metre capacity reservoir at Customs Corner in Gulu City; 3. Installation of reservoirs in the six small towns along Gulu Highway, namely Karuma, Kamdini, Minakulu, Bobi, Koro- Abili and Palenga; and 4. The construction of a sludge storage facility at Pece-Cubu. Works under Phase 2 are at 43 per cent progress, and the project is expected to be completed by July, 2024. Ongoing projects scope includes only towns that are en-route to Gulu along the highway (Karuma, Kamdini, Minakulu, Bobi, Kolo- Abili, Palenga). Apparently Oyam North is not en-route and will only benefit from other National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC) budgetary arrangements that are gazetted by the Ministry of Water and Environment. The Hon. Gorreth Namugga, Member of Parliament, Mawogola South Ssembabule District, said: According to 3 rd National

11891 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 Question No.5 From Hon. Agnes Kirabo, Youth Representative, Central Region. That Mulago National Referral Hospital has started a kidney transplant. However, free services have been given to a few people. The rest of the patients have to pay over Shs 46 million, which is too expensive for an ordinary Ugandan. Prayer What is the Government’s plan to ensure this service is available for all? Response Mr Speaker, in December 2023, Mulago National Referral Hospital conducted Uganda’s first kidney transplant successfully, by a team of medical experts from Uganda with counterparts from Yashoda Hospital in India. Mr Speaker, the Government has allowed at least five patients with End-Stage Renal Failure who are on dialysis to have kidney transplants at Mulago National Referral Hospital, free of charge before the fee for the lifesaving procedure is determined for all patients to start paying. The costing of this procedure can then be deduced more accurately rather than estimating from a single or maiden renal transplant. Mr Speaker, Shs 46 million for a kidney transplant is a media-generated figure and not a Government position. The Government has not yet set the cost and our plan through, the Mulago team, is to determine the price after more transplants have been made to get the right picture of the cost implication. The cost of running specialised services is extremely expensive and such services have Ugandans over $18,000 on average, excluding costs of ticket and maintenance abroad. This cost does not include post-operative follow- up treatment which is also very expensive, especially in the first months. All investigations to prepare the patient for transplant were done in Uganda, except for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing where samples were sent to South Africa through Lancet Laboratories. This was more cost effective to do for now until we scale up organ transplant services. Mr Speaker, the success story of Mulago National Referral Hospital in correcting this health condition, will save Ugandans from travelling to India and other developed countries for kidney transplant. The Government of Uganda is committed to saving the lives of Ugandans through such innovations and lessons learned from Mulago. Therefore, after thorough assessment of all that entails the entire process of kidney transplant and full recovery of a patient, a reasonable figure shall be derived and Ugandans shall be informed accordingly. Question No.6 From Hon. Dr. Abed Bwanika, Member of Parliament, Kimaanya- Kabonera Division, Masaka City. He says that on 28 April 2020, the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda approved the creation of 15 news cities and 10 became operational on 1 July 2020, including Jinja, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Hoima, Fort portal, Mbarara, Masaka and Mbale. Section 188 of the Local Government Act, instructs that at the creation of a new local government unit, the minister shall assure the equitable sharing of property between the original and new governments. It is now three years since the operationalisation of the 10 cities without clear guidance on asset sharing. The Ministry of Local Government continues to handle ad hoc by engaging case by case, which has caused a lot of confusion and not desirable. This has negatively affected service delivery in the affected local governments. Some district leadership continue to insist on compensation out of the transfer of assets despite that these are public properties held in trust.

11892 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Prayers: 1. When is the Minister of Local Government concluding on the guidelines for asset sharing and laying the same on the Table in the Parliament of Uganda? 2. How much provision has the Government provided to support establishment of new headquarters for districts that were affected by the creation of new cities? Mr Speaker, my response is that funding to finance the settlement of 10 districts of Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Fort portal, Soroti and Jinja that gave birth to cities was requested for by the Ministry of Local Government during the budgeting period for the current Financial Year 2023/2024. However, funds were not allocated and this remained as an unfunded priority. The matter has been presented to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in the next Financial year 2024/2025 Budget Call Circular. Prayer 2: When are the subcounties that host new district headquarters going to be gazetted as town councils as part of the Local Governments Act? The Ministry of Local Governments has compiled the necessary data from the eight district local governments which have already determined their new locations. We are still waiting for submission from two district local governments. Town councils will be gazetted once the Ministry of Local Governments has received all the information from the two remaining local governments. Prayer 3 That since there are lacunas in the Local Governments Act about the governance of new cities, when is government coming up with a Bill on governance of new cities? My response is that the proposed Amendment Bill for Local Governments Act, Cap 243 has been prepared and will soon be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval, and then be brought here for approval. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My matter of national importance refers to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on Monday, I was honoured to be a guest of honour receiving a donation that came from the United States (US) to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. For the record, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is the only regional hospital; the rest, Mbale, Lira, Gulu, and Mbarara, among others, that has never got a facelift. It has buildings from 1944, a lot of congestion, and a lot of limited infrastructure in terms of even medical equipment. However, the problem was land. I would like to inform the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and

11821 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2024 which is attracting many people especially the youth. This theme is intended to draw people to God, other than following worldly trends. In the midst of the many challenges that we face, there is need for unity and to stick to the truth, which is the word of God. The main commemoration event will be a church service at the late Archbishop Janani Luwum’s burial ground at Wii-gweng, Mucwini in Kitgum District, followed by speeches. The chief guest is expected to be His Excellency the President of Uganda. The main celebrant will be the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu. Preparations for the liturgy are being led by the dioceses of Madi and West Nile. The outcomes of the previous commemoration of St Janani Luwum Day are increased enthusiasm of Ugandans to participate in the commemoration event. Pilgrims trek from all the nearby districts as well as from Kampala to Mucwini, and spend several days in singing, prayer and communion. The event has fostered reconciliation and unity. This year, a group of four-foot pilgrims led by Thomas Tokwiny Mussolin walked from Kampala to Mucwini. They started their foot pilgrimage at the Church of Uganda Provincial Office at Namirembe Hill on Wednesday, 31 st January, and arrived in Gulu a week later on Wednesday, 7 February 2024. In Gulu, they met up with the second group of 300 pilgrims, who were led by Mr Apollo Oola. The entire team was flagged off by the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, the Rt Rev. Godfrey Loum on Friday, 9 February 2024, and are marching together in unity and fellowship. They are expected to reach Mucwini on 15 February 2024, on the eve of the commemoration. The expected outcome of the commemoration is increased commitment by Ugandans in adhering to the truth, which is the word of God, other than being influenced by materialism. There is also expected increased unity, so that Ugandans can work together with a common aim, for development. Mr Speaker, it is my honour and privilege to invite you, the honourable members of this House, to the 47 th Commemoration of St Janani Luwum Day at Wii-gweng, Mucwini in Kitgum District on Friday, 16 February 2024, starting at 9.00 a.m. I beg to move.

So, it is redeployment, in short, to other areas. (Members rose_) The problem under Prime Minister’s time, we do not have that chance. Honourable colleagues, sub rule 41(8) which provides for Prime Minister’s time says that we cannot exceed one hour, but rule 26 requires me again to appoint a time for Members’ issues on Thursday. I started today with Members’ issues but I want to appoint another hour. However, I would like to beg for your indulgence, we have items to lay and then we continue with the issues. I will give you enough time. The Prime Minister has said that she is here and that she must answer your issues before she goes. LAYING OF PAPERS (I) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ON OVERSIGHT FIELD VISIT TO SOROTI UNIVERSITY, LIRA UNIVERSITY, GULU UNIVERSITY, KABALE UNIVERSITY AND MBARARA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wish to lay a report of the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation on oversight field visit to Soroti University, Lira University, Gulu University, Kabale University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology; under Rule 34 of our Rules of Procedure, I wish to lay.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the committee for the report. However, there is a bigger problem in this country. Today, we live in a country where people try to compete on how to break laws. We even have leaders who try their best to side with criminals. Mr Speaker, the problem of encroachment on forest reserves, encroachment on wetlands, and destruction of the environment is becoming unbearable. In this country, it seems more people are interested in cutting trees than those interested in planting and growing them. Sadly, we have agencies that are mandated to make sure these laws are implemented to the letter. I am disappointed with the ministry and NFA. Recently, Mr Speaker, the President issued an Executive Order banning the indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal business. However, when you see the number of trucks - and these violators keep on changing tricks. Now they have changed from carrying it on open trucks and are using box trucks. The law enforcement agencies have roadblocks. They know what is going on but they side with the criminals. Who is going to handle this? Mr Speaker, apart from implementing the President’s directive, the ministry is supposed to help this country come up with alternative measures. We have repeatedly told the ministry to come up with policies on introducing fast- growing trees so that we protect the indigenous tree species while we plant the ones that grow faster and they become the alternative. We have been talking about promoting the use of briquettes and other alternative energy sources but you do not see any effort being made. Therefore, much as we applaud the committee for doing a wonderful job, there is a need for the ministry and the law enforcement agencies to stop implementing the laws selectively. There are places where they close their eyes. There are places where - and there are also government officials whose trucks are involved in carrying charcoal. It is painful when you drive from here to Gulu, passing via Nakasongola. It is difficult to see mature trees in Nakasongola; indigenous tree species. You find pine trees and these that are now being brought from elsewhere. If we are not – (Member timed out.)

I am only saying that we should give credit where it is due, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, history tends to repeat itself. In 1988, in Northern Uganda, especially Acholi Subregion, saw the birth of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency that claimed thousands of lives in Acholi Subregion. Currently, in my district, we have juvenile delinquencies popping up every day and these children are as a result of the insurgency that occurred in Northern Uganda. You will not believe this, but due to lack of work and lack of rehabilitation, these children, our own children, our own blood, have resorted to breaking into shops, breaking into houses, and stealing salaries of civil servants. I will give an example of Puranga Sub-County in Ogonyo trading centre. Just last week, a fight brewed up and five people got seriously injured and they were admitted in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. Mr Speaker, we are requesting the Minister of Internal Affairs to come to Pader District and solve the issue of lack of police stations in Pader District. Puranga Sub-county, Pokor Sub-county, Lunyiri Sub-county, all these are sub-counties without any police stations yet these juvenile delinquents are taking advantage of that. Secondly, Mr Speaker, I would also want to implore the Minister of Gender. We have heard of Juakali projects coming up. Such projects do not come to Pader District. There are very many projects coming up such as the Presidential Initiative for Skilling Youth. We are benefiting, but the numbers are less. Can the minister come to Pader District and handle that issue? Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Okay, thank you, Mr Speaker. (Laughter) Vote 309: Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits a total of Shs 5.6 billion for salary harmonisation; Shs 2 billion for degazettement of Gulu Central Forest Reserve and Shs 3.36 billion to the Karamoja University for the preparation of architectural and engineering designs and production of Bills of Quantities for the proposed Constituent College of Gulu in Karamoja. Vote 306: Muni University The committee recommends that Shs 2.7 billion be provided for the renovation and expansion of Madi-Okollo farm. Vote 310: Lira University The committee recommends that Shs 9 billion be provided to complete the main administration block. Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University The committee provides Shs 5 billion for the construction of the Faculty of Science and Technology. Vote 004: Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Land Acquisition The committee recommends that UPDF be provided with Shs 157.3 billion to compensate for all claims brought against it. Vote145: Uganda Prisons Services (UPS) The committee recommends that an additional Shs 5 billion for the implementation of Phase II of the Prisons Information Management System be provided for. Relocation of Prison’s Headquarters The committee recommends Shs 3 billion for rent during the Financial Year 2024/2025 and Shs 40 billion over the medium term for UPS to procure new premises for its headquarters. Prisoners feeding The committee recommends that the provision of Shs 79.973 billion budget be provided to pay for the outstanding arrears for prisoners feeding during the Financial Year 2023/2024. Land Surveying and Boundary Opening The committee recommends a provision of Shs 2 billion in Financial Years 2023/2024

Thank you. There is a vote on Posta Uganda Limited, which is provided for. Vision Group We have provided Shs 2.9 billion to revive vernacular newspapers namely Orumuri, Etop and Rupiny . Uganda Media Centre We have provided Shs 134 million towards the recurrent expenditure for the things that they do not have. The Committee on Public Service and the Local Government Finance Commission - we have provided some money. Vote 014: Committee on the Ministry of Health The committee recommends that Shs 3 billion be provided for setting up the Organ Transplant Council. Inadequate funding for regional equipment maintenance workshops - Shs 12.3 billion Inadequate Funding to support the Renovation and Equipment of Hospitals The committee recommends that an additional Shs 16.2 billion be provided in the Financial Year 2024/2025 to facilitate the renovation and equipment of hospitals and health facilities, Shs 16.61 to upgrade health centres IIIs to health centres IV and health centres II to health centres IIIs and the renovation of existing ones and Shs 7.7 billion for completion of CT-Scan housing, as had been planned. The other provisions were provided to the Ministry of Health on the commitment of non- functional ambulances. We have recommended that Shs 54.69 billion be provided for procuring 157 ambulances for the remaining constituencies. ( Applause) Primary Care Services Money has been provided on human resources for health. We recommend that the Government should lift the stay-onrecruitment moratorium imposed on waiver on the recruitment of critical human resources, especially for heath. Government should continue with building houses for health workers. Government should ensure that adequate financing is provided to fill the vacant positions in all health facilities at least to the level of 70 per cent. Uganda Red Cross applied for money for that - Uganda Cancer Institute money has been provided. An additional Shs 8 billion was provided for medicines and sundries. Shs 12 billion for the functioning of the regional centres in Gulu, an additional Shs 3.16 billion for cancer prevention and detection and Shs 20 billion for establishment of a nuclear medicine facility/ PET centre. Uganda Heart Institute - money was provided. An additional Shs 51 billion be provided for the establishment of four regional cardiac centres. National Medical Stores There are a number of recommendations here - Mr Speaker, the country may need to know. An additional Shs 435.7 billion be given to National Medical Stores to boost the supplies of essential medicines and health supplies in a phased manner starting with Shs 87 billion in the coming financial year.

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following Members to the standing Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government): 1. Hon. Isaac Modoi - Lutseshe County; 2. Hon. Michael Mawanda - Igara County East; 3. Hon. John Twesigye - Bunyaruguru County; 4. Hon. Xavier Kyooma - Ibanda County North; 5. Hon. Fredrick Angura - Tororo South County; 6. Hon. Florence Nebanda - Butaleja; 7. Hon. Pamela Kamugo - Budaka; 8. Hon. Joseph Ruyonga - Hoima West Division; 9. Hon. Isaac Ssejjoba - Bukoto County Mid-West; 10. Hon. Jesca Ababiku - Adjumani; 11. Hon. Wamakuyu Mudimi - Elgon County; 12. Hon. Sharon Balmoyi - Gulu; 13. Hon. Jane Awich - Kaberamaido; 14. Hon. Catherine Lamwaka - Omoro;

To the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, the following members have been designated: 1. Hon. Oshabe Patrick Nsamba – Kassanda County North; 2. Hon. Aol Betty Ocan – Gulu Municipality; 3. Hon. Namugga Gorreth – Mawogola County South; and 4. Hon. Auma Kenny of UPC from Kwania District. I beg to designate, Madam Speaker.

11334 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [The Speaker] Roads like Karuma-Pakwach, Nebbi-Arua and Gulu-Atiak-Nimule, they are equally very important. When you bring a loan request for the construction of a road on this side, you should also bring one for the construction of a road on the other side for you to balance the equation. Let us balance the ‘boat’ so that we are able to have - yes, I am not saying that we are not going to work on the road, let us work on it because it is overdue but you need to balance; please, balance.

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.

11180 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT sold at Shs 80,000 and in Kenya, they sell them at Kshs 30; that is a difference of Shs 50,000. At least, we, on the border, can plead - being cross-border traders - we can get it. What about the people in Kabale, Gulu or Kiryandongo? The cost of gas in this country is very high. Madam Speaker, it is my prayer that the Government reduces it. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. The Government, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, is currently laying infrastructure as part of the implementation for the water supply and sanitation project to Gulu City and small towns en route. The small towns en route component includes three districts; Gulu, Omoro and Oyam. This very huge project that is being funded by the World Bank and the KFW Bank is drawing its water from a place called Nora in Oyam District. Oyam is going to be hosting up to 40 kilometres of the water works, which translates to approximately 60 per cent of the entire length of the water works to Gulu City. Oyam is very happy for Gulu and the two districts in between. However, to our shock and disbelief, Oyam has been left out of the entire scheme. Not a single drop of water -

Madam Speaker, to the best of my recollection, what was submitted in Cabinet is not far from what you have stated – to the effect that all the major townships along, for instance, in this case, Kamdini and Minakulu are beneficiaries. Even some townships in Omoro District – before you reach Gulu – are beneficiaries. What I strongly believe is about the people in Oyam because her constituency is Oyam North, which is not along the major highway. Even Oyam district headquarters is not along the major highway. It appears their intention is that there should be some – what we call in electricity, tee-off point to Oyam District Headquarters including Oyam Town Council, which now falls outside the precincts of the project as approved.

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, Madam Speaker. I also join my colleagues to wish you a happy birthday. In Nakasongola District, I have got a lower local council that was created in 2012. To date, it has never been allocated any government health facility – that is Migyera Town Council. Migyera Town Council is the busiest town council in Nakasongola. It is along Gulu Highway. We have always had a lot of accidents on that road and people have ended up losing their lives because there is no facility that can handle such an emergency. Madam Speaker, when is the Government constructing a government health facility in Migyera Town Council? It is 12 years down the road without any government facility. Follow-up has been made to different offices, but all in vain. May I please know when the Government is giving us a government health care facility as per the government policy on health? Thank you, I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am also a former Minister of State for Health and I just wanted to say that we need a comprehensive debate on health and healthcare in the country one day, because a lot needs to be done to ensure that we address these issues, which are being raised. I know the Minister of Health will come and give us detailed information, but there are efforts through the Ministry of Health to decentralise most of these services, including mental health, but I just wanted to provide information on cancer briefly. Cancer is on the rise and we need to invest more in public education. It is also true that the Cancer Institute in Mulago is congested, but the institute has established a home nearby where those who come from upcountry can have a rest as they get treatment, in an effort to decongest the Cancer Institute. Also, there are plans to build cancer institutes in the regional referral hospitals. I know for a fact that the Cancer Institute in Gulu has been completed. They are now doing a dry run for it to start functioning. Construction is also going on in Mbale Hospital for a fully-fledged Cancer Institute and also in the plans, I think, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has provided resources for a Cancer Institute in Mbarara and Arua Regional Referral Hospitals - (Member timed out.)

10818 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT (b) Storied Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Personalisation Centre: A three-storied personalisation building is to be constructed at the ministry headquarters. This is to ease office space accommodation and improve service delivery. That is not yet done. 3. Regional enrolment centres and missions abroad. (a) Regions with fully furnished and equipped enrolment centres in Mbale, Mbarara, and Gulu were done. The ones which are not done are Arua and Jinja. (b) Missions abroad with fully furnished and equipped enrolment centres in Washington D.C., London, Pretoria, Copenhagen, Ottawa, Abu-Dhabi, and Beijing, were done. (c) Images of polycarbonate and paper- based passports: Comparison between old passports (paper-based passports) and the new passports (polycarbonate passports). You can see from the diagram on the data page that this was done. (d) Security features: Laser tactile feature, MCD, holothread, Magic ID, MLI, Transparent Window, OVI. The status is the optically variable ink feature and all the details there. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, honourable minister. This is an update and these are issues which the sectoral committee should follow up as we had said. Next item. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO MITIGATE ACCIDENTS ON THE MPIGI-KANONI ROAD

Thank you, honourable colleague. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils and teachers of St Michael Primary School from Gulu City. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Rev. Fr Charles Onen and Hon. Betty Aol. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. Thank you. (Applause) STATEMENT BY MINISTER ON THE STATUS OF GUNDA FOREST RESERVE, NAMYOYA FOREST RESERVE AND GULU FOREST RESERVE

Thank you. Honourable, your statement is not yet complete. You can come with all of them. Honourable minister, we have Namyoya Forest Reserve and Gulu Forest Reserve under the same statement. You can do it continuously for all of them.

Thank you. On Gulu -

Mr Speaker, during the 12 th Sitting of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 11 th Parliament held on Thursday, 13 July 2023 you guided that a joint statement by the Minister of Water and Environment, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development be presented to the House, among other things, on the status of Gulu University land. As you may be aware, on 3 April 2020, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda directed the Rt Hon. Prime Minister then, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, to degazzette 70 acres of Gulu Central Forest Reserve and avail it to Gulu University for expansion. Subsequently, the 10 th Parliament of Uganda resolved that the Minister responsible for Water and Environment urgently fulfils the President’s directive to degazzette 70 acres of Gulu Central Forest Reserve and avail the land to Gulu University for expansion. The university wrote to the Chairperson LCV, Nwoya District Local Government requesting for a council resolution of no objection for the gazettement of a forest reserve in Nwoya District. In the same vein, the Chairperson of Nwoya District Land Board requested for the application forms to convert the certificate of land titles from leasehold to freehold. On 19 September 2022, the university submitted, filled and signed application land forms for conversion of their land title Plot 63 Block 4 at Purongo, Nwoya District measuring 208.131 hectares from leasehold to freehold to the Chairperson, Nwoya District Land Board for appropriate action. Nwoya District Land Board further guided that the university submits additional forms that is form 4: grant of freehold, form 10: notice of hearing the application for the grant of a freehold and also form 23: demarcation form for the grant of freehold to enable the land

10822 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT board begin the process of conversion from leasehold to freehold with ease. The forms were fully filled and submitted to the Area Land Committee, Got Apwoyo to prepare the land for its submission to the Nwoya District Land Board for consideration and approval. Furthermore, the university leadership also wrote to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment on the degazettement of the central forest reserve in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City. The Ministry of Water and Environment, in a letter dated 30 th May 2023, issued the university with guidance on how to proceed with the degazettement of part of the Gulu Central Forest Reserve and gazettement of the 500 acres in Nwoya District to aid the initiation of the process so that the ministry could also take up its subsequent role. The stakeholders are in the process of conducting a social and environmental impact assessment, land valuation and other mandatory legal and procedural requirements as guided by the Ministry of Water and Environment. I beg to submit.

Thank you. Once the law provides the process, what is important is the process being followed. The Government itself is not following the process. A very good example is Gulu University. For the land you are talking about in Gulu University, where you built - it is not even an encroachment, [Ms Nabakooba] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

10823 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2023 because Government borrowed money from African Development Bank (ADB), built infrastructure on a forest reserve and started working backwards. So, what example is the Government setting for the local people? If the Government is doing it, why not local people? I personally went to Gulu in the 10 th Parliament as part of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. We visited Gulu University to look at this same issue. We were asking, “How did you even put an ADB project in a forest reserve, which you had not yet de- gazetted?” The same Government comes to indict people here! Hon. Oseku -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to begin by thanking the 10 th Parliament for the good work done when the issue of the land at Gulu University came to the notice of Government and Parliament. I would also like to thank the current minister for the statement made, not only as a Member of Parliament from Acholi Parliamentary Group, but also as a Masters student at Gulu University. My kind request is that they open the doors for any consultations, which will be made with the administration of the university so that we can conclusively get this done and dispose it off so that Gulu University can expand and develop.

Thank you. However, honourable member, nothing much has been done on this issue. I remember that when I was the Government Chief Whip, I received a petition on this matter and I brought it to the attention of the minister. Gulu University has done everything that it is required to do but it is the ministry for water, which is not doing its job. We need a motion here from the minister. So, I do not know why you are thanking people who have not done their job. (Applause) The leadership of Gulu University came and met me when I was the Government Chief Whip. I carried the documents to the minister. The matter was even brought to the attention of all the ministers responsible and the issue was: honourable minister, go and prepare a motion and we have a de-gazettement. However, the Ministry of Water and Environment does not want to hear anything to do with de- gazettement. Honourable colleagues, I have seen some of you who have not been attending the House, but want to speak today. You know yourselves. I will not allow you today. When you attend the next sitting, then, I will allow you – no, it is not you, our champion. I have my good friend who knows himself. (Laughter) We shall sort matters after here. I want to give a chance to people who have been attending the House. Let us have Rev. Fr and then Hon. Katuntu.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have read the minister’s statement. She referred to and quoted the 10 th Parliament. I was not in the 10 th Parliament but Gulu University sits in my constituency. I recall that the 11 th Parliament resolved the issue concerning Gulu University. You have rightly stated that the Minister of Water and Environment does not want to hear anything to do with gazettement but I think she does not have the DNA for development. Her DNA does not have the development sentiment. Mr Speaker, Gulu University -

Yes, Mr Speaker, as a Christian, I rarely read the Book of Lamentations. I always want to read either Acts of the Apostles or Revelations. You stated clearly that when you were the Government Chief Whip, there was a petition. I am happy that today, in our Father’s house, you occupy a room, which is bigger than the one you were occupying. May it please your Chair to direct the minister in question to ensure that this motion is brought? The role of my office will be to communicate the decision of Parliament through that directive to the concerned minister. This time round, I pray that the directive comes with a timeframe because it is not only Gulu University. I know we are also investing at the Teryet High Altitude Training Centre, which is also constructed on public land that belongs to the Government. Can we set the ball rolling through the bigger room that you occupy? As a commander under you, I will swing into action. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you. Honourable Government Chief Whip, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the Minister of Water and Environment and the Minister of Education and Sports, let us meet tomorrow at 10.00 a.m. over this matter, with the aim of having it sorted. (Applause) I do not know but Gulu met every criteria. How many acres were they taking? [Members: “74”] They are around 70 acres, but they planted 500 acres. They are already compensating, which is the biggest problem in such cases. Next item - Since I have ruled on what I am going to do tomorrow, that is why I have said that we should go to the next item, in the interest of time. ( Ms Sarah Opendi rose _) Procedure, Hon. Opendi -

10740 TRIBUTE T O T HE L ATE HON. HENRY K . M . K Y EMBA these days, I am now accorded the respect of an elder . (Applause) Only some years back, I thought I was active and strong but recently, I realised that I was going down. In my village, we say, “You do not know when you grow old until you begin seeing your daughter smiling at some people.” (Laughter) This is when you realise that you must change. If you have been going to nightclubs, you stop it because you know that the era has changed. (Laughter) Otherwise, at first, I did not know that these were the norms. When I first joined politics - I joined politics as a young person, not in the same style as the honourable Members of Parliament who are probably seated here in front of me. They joined politics and some of them became “honourable” immediately. For me, it took a long time to even peep in. By the way, even here, I have come to peep in. I do not know whether I am called “honourable”; I just peep in because I am an ex-officio Member. I have never acquired the title of “honourable”. (Laughter) Now that I have been sworn in – which you did, I want to pay personal tribute to the late Hon. Kyemba. Mr Speaker, I did not personally associate with him, so, I have no personal testimony to offer to you today. I saw him from the horizon of my time, rising until he reached the level where we could not fail to recognise him and it is that I would like to take a few minutes to offer as my testimony. I joined politics, not to look for positions or places in Government but to try to articulate some social affairs concerning our communities. In that process, we began associating. That is how we joined the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). I was a member of the delegates’ conference in 1964 in Gulu, where we walked out after we saw some of the things which require a lot of stories to be told. (Laughter) I do not know whether we walked out like you also did. (Laughter) I am told some of you also walk out. Ours was principled. (Applause) It was very clear that we walked out because we did not support ways of doing certain things. As a young person, this took me on a new trajectory where I met other colleagues with whom we shared the same ideas. Therefore, at that time, we did not have knowledge of people who were seen to be big, like the Prime Ministers, ministers and honourable Members of Parliament. By then, Hon. Henry Kyemba was in Government, a top-placed civil servant. We did not even know them personally. We had to keep away from them, but in the process of trying to do certain things, that was when we discovered him during Amin’s time. During Amin’s time, when a lot of atrocities happened, he did one remarkable thing which brought us into a lively debate and discussions about Idi Amin although we knew much more than that. That was his book, which you are now calling “ A State of Blood ”. His book, “ A State of Blood” is not just telling history. He was rather telling a conscience and only a few people at that time could have the conscience to tell the truth as it should be done. I do not know about now but at that time, whoever had some conscience was either killed or had to lie low like an envelope. This is what we were doing - lie low like an envelope. Though we would travel to Dar-es-Salaam to meet other few people, but connecting certain ideas with the rest of other countries. In the process, his book – (Member timed out.)

10678 STATEMENT BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Medical Store supplied drugs for three cycles at the same time. It was then that these thefts came into play. Her prayers are that; (i) There is an urgent need for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to present a statement on this well-coordinated, organised crime and the action taken so far; and. (ii) That the Minister of Internal Affairs should assess the security deployments by police and sister forces on the ground and re-organise with the focus to include the nature of the crime in their security mapping, especially planning for the security of health facilities, by respective district security committees;. (iii) That the Minister of Internal Affairs should urgently consider the establishment of police posts in some strategic locations like Palenga Town Council, which does not have a police post nearby, yet it is a fast-growing urban centre; (iv) That the Ministry of Health and respective local governments should review the recruitment of local Askaris , that is, local health facility watchmen, and their deployments. The watchmen of these health facilities, in most cases, have been suspected of either conniving with or being accomplices of these criminals. Mr Speaker, my response is that in Omoro District, on 23 June this year at Palenga Health Centre II, thieves broke into the health facility and stole 86 boxes of Coartem, 43 boxes of Malaria RDT and one box of gloves, all valued at Shs 6,627,000. The security guard was arrested for neglect of duty and to help in investigations. The case file (CRB368/2023) is with Resident State Attorney as investigations continue. On 25 June 2023, at Tegot Health Centre II in Opit Central Ward, Opit Town Council, at an unknown time, thieves broke into the store of the facility and stole drugs; Coartem, Malaria RDT and testing kits for HIV all valued at Shs 9,461,350. Three suspects were arrested. The case file number is (CRB378/2023) and it was taken to the Resident State Attorney for further management. Mr Speaker, on 1 July 2023, at around 1800 hours, a one Mackay Bua, male adult aged 40 years, was intercepted riding a motorcycle belonging to his father, a GISO in Alebtong District. He was also found with an assortment of drugs worth Shs 9,400,000 and charged vide SD REF 17/01/07/2023 at Koro Police Station. It was later revealed that he got the drugs from Janet Abonyo, a nurse attached to Koro Lapinat Health Centre III. Abonyo confessed that she had stolen the drugs from the store and was accordingly charged with stealing drugs vide (CRB394/2023). Mackay Bua was charged with being in possession of stolen drugs. The two suspects appeared in Court in Gulu and are now on remand. In Amuru District, on 14 May 2023, a one Thomas Kinyera, the in-charge of security at Kaladima Health Centre III, reported a store break-in and theft of drugs, a TV screen, a computer and two microscopes, all valued at Shs 10 million. This facility has three security guards, that is, Thomas Kinyera, Ceaser Okee and Richard Otim, who are on the Government payroll. On 13 May, Ceaser Okee who was meant to be on duty, was absent. No medical staff... On 13 th May, Ceaser Okee, who was meant to be on duty was absent. No medical staff was present on duty at night nor on standby to respond to emergencies. It was also observed that the security guards are deployed alone, according to the deployment rota. The case file CRB 239/2023 was sent to RSA for further management. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

10679 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker, on 19 June 2023, a one Morris Barry Okello a security guard at Otwee Health Centre III reported an office break-in and theft of a computer monitor valued at Shs 10 million. Mr Morris Okello locked offices on 18 June 2023 at around 1500hrs, went home and later returned at around 1900hrs for night duty. He left the office premises at around 0300hrs to rest at his home. However, upon returning in the morning at around 0540hrs, he realised that the offices had been broken into and a computer monitor had been stolen. Investigations are on- going. On 9 February this year, a one Angello Oola, a retired teacher and Chairman Atiak Health Centre IV, reported malicious damage to the fence of the health centre and the theft of 15 iron sheets valued at Shs 750,000, by Charles Okoy and Sunday Kidega. The case was registered vide reference No. SD 11/09/02/2023 and CRB 026/2023. The stolen exhibits were recovered and handed over to the health centre management and the two suspects, both the security guards of Atiak Health Centre IV, were arrested. Investigations are still on-going. Mr Speaker, in Gulu District, information was received that some Government drugs had been seen in the drug shops belonging to Vincent Omona. It is alleged that the suspected stolen drugs were from Omel Apem Health Centre III. On searching the residence of Monica Akello by the community members, in the presence of GISO in Omel Subcounty, boxes of drugs labelled “Government of Uganda, not for sale” were recovered. The drug shop was operated by a one Monica Akello, former girlfriend to Vincent Omona and currently, a girlfriend to a one Denis Oketayot who was a porter of the said health facility. The matter was reported to Paicho Police Station and the case file CRB 009/2023 was later transferred to Gulu CPS after which the suspects appeared in court. On 2 July 2023, in Nwoya District, the store at Langol Health Centre II, Koch Goma Subcounty, was broken into and drugs that included 120 boxes of Coartem, 120 boxes of malaria testing kits and one solar battery, were stolen. The incident was reported by a one Okello Wonyima, Ag. DHO Nwoya District and the case file is CRB 381/2023. When the canine section was introduced at the scene, it led to the home of a one Okello Moses. All houses within the homestead were searched. However, no stolen property was recovered. Suspects were arrested, including the in-charge of the facility and the security guard. Honourable colleagues, this was a long question, I request you to be patient because I am about to conclude. On 8 May 2023 at the same health facility; Lagol Health Centre II, at around 2000hrs, as Kabu Kenneth Guffu, the in-charge of the facility, went to the store to pick drugs to serve the patients, he realised that the door to the store was open. At first, he thought that the store could have been mistakenly left open by a one Kibwota Alfred Okot, who doubles as a security guard as well as a store man. On close scrutiny, however, he realised that the store had been broken into and the drugs plus other medical supplies had been stolen. These included 2,475 packets of Artesunate tablets, 70 boxes of rectal Artesunate for children, 40 pieces of IV Artesunate, two cartons of mosquito nets and 50 boxes of examination gloves, among others. The padlock was destroyed and two security guards did not work on that particular day, hence they were arrested and investigations are on-going, and the case file is CRB 380/2023. Mr Speaker, on 1 April, at around midnight, the store of COO-room at the health centre II was broken into by unknown assailants and drugs stolen. It was reported by Faith Akello Lagwang, the case file No. is CRB 201/2023, an enrolled midwife working at the same facility. The stolen items include 30 boxes of ACT, one box of D&T SOLI, 200 pieces of Sayana press, three pieces of aprons, 20 boxes of RDT, four boxes of thermometers, 100 pieces of mosquito nets, one tin of Panadol and 90 boxes of RDT.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As per Article 163(4), the Parliament received these reports and the scope of this report covers the education sector. This is in respect of the public universities which include, among others, under the Ministry of Education and Sports: Muni, Gulu, Lira, Soroti and Makerere University Business School, Nakawa and Makerere, Busitema, Kabale and Mbarara Universities. Mr Speaker, let me go straight to the Government of Uganda (GOU). The committee notes that a shortfall in the Government of Uganda’s revenue affects the implementation of planned activities at the Vote level and subsequently nationwide. The shortfall in releases was due to the finance ministry’s failure to fully fund the entities’ budgets citing poor economic performance. This observation should be made on the finance ministry because these entities have no powers over budget release, cuts, among others. In some entities like Kyambogo University, critical activities were affected by budget cuts and these activities had to be rolled over to the next work plan of the Financial Year 2022/2023. During this Financial Year 2022/2023, the finance ministry improved releases to Lira University and Makerere University, among others. The committee recommends that the accounting officers should always engage the finance ministry on releases and pursue the balances so as not to curtail the implementation of activities or events depriving their budget lines. Honourable members, since these reports are already uploaded and I know you have already gone through them, let me interest you to look at issues that the committee observed. The committee further observed that non- implementation of planned activities implies that expected services to the beneficiary communities were not attained. The committee notes that while COVID-19 and its effects were factual, the finance ministry be held liable for late releases and going forward, desist from making late releases to entities as it curtails efficient and effective achievement of planned activities. To further explain this, many times, as we heard yesterday, warrants are issued and the finance ministry releases funds to these entities late. You are aware that some of these funds are supposed to be for recruitment and procurement and the time available for them to absorb those funds, when released late, is not possible. In summary, it leads to non-implementation of these activities. Honourable colleagues, aware that the report is big and that you have also gone through it, as raised by the Speaker, in conclusion, it is my prayer and that of the committee that this august House adopts the recommendations contained in this report on the education sector. I hereby move. [Ms Obigah] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

10494 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Despite this stable transmission pattern, the threat of a potential COVID-19 resurgence remains, given the ongoing and successive mutations being recorded globally. The difference is that as a country, we are much more prepared in terms of oxygen supply, healthcare workforce competence and expertise, and bed capacity, including the high-dependency units and intensive care units. Mr Speaker, allow me to inform this august House that the top seven districts reporting the highest number of cases above 30 from January 2023 to September 2023 include the following: Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, Kisoro, Gulu, Mbarara and Luwero, and the numbers are as follows; Kampala – 1,020, Wakiso - 279, Masaka - 50, Kisoro - 46, Gulu - 45, Mbarara - 39, and Luwero - 30 cases. Uganda launched the COVID-19 vaccination campaign on 10 March 2021 and as of 25 September 2023, a total of 26,471,494 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to the population across the country. Of this, 19,203,485 was given as the first dose, 6,735,177 as the second dose, and 532,832 as the booster dose. To date, 59 per cent of the population, 18 years and above, have received at least two doses of the vaccine while only 6 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 years have received two doses of the vaccine. This coverage is below our target of 28.5 million eligible Ugandans; 22 million adults and 6.5 million children who are up to date with their vaccination against COVID-19. Despite these successes in vaccination, the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination has stagnated in the past 18 months. This is attributed to a significantly reduced risk perception at the population level, and as a result, by February 2024, 72,567,200 vaccine doses will expire. In regards to the Global COVID-19 pandemic perspective, on 4 May 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO), in concurrence with the International Health Regulation (IHR) Committee, downgraded the COVID-19 Pandemic from a public health emergency of International concern to an ongoing and established health issue. Accordingly, the International Health Regulation Committee (IHR) confirmed that COVID-19 is an ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Mr Speaker and honourable members, the WHO made the following recommendations to all state parties: i. Sustain the National capacity gains and prepare for future events to avoid the occurrence of a cycle of panic and neglect. WHO further encourages State Parties to improve country readiness for future outbreaks. Countries should restore health programs adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ii. Integrate COVID-19 vaccines into routine immunisation programs, maintain efforts to increase coverage for people in the high priority groups and continue to actively address vaccine acceptance. Mr Speaker, we have done this. All Health Facilities that offer vaccination have COVID-19 vaccines. iii. Bring together information from diverse respiratory pathogen surveillance data sources to allow for comprehensive situational awareness. State parties should maintain the reporting of mortality and morbidity data as well as variant surveillance information to WHO. And we have continued to do this, likewise, I have just given you the statistics iv. Strengthen country regulatory authorities to support long-term authorization and use of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Mr Speaker, the NDA Bill is stuck at the First Parliamentary Council but we are following it.

Thank you. Mr MICHAEL TIMUZIGU (NRM, Kajara County, Ntungamo ): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for Health for bringing the report at this moment, when the whole country thought; maybe COVID-19 was no more. However, I want to understand, which methodology has been used to ascertain the areas of Uganda that have got more COVID-19 prevalence. Because we have discovered that Kampala, Wakiso, Kisoro and Gulu- we might say that Gulu and Kisoro are border districts. But we have border districts in the eastern part of Uganda and they interact like any other districts. So, should we think that eastern Uganda does not have COVID-19 or testing is not being done there? This is because in most cases in Uganda, we test when the President is visiting. Eastern Uganda might have not been visited by the President for some good time-

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

10526 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr Speaker, in 2021, the ministry made a strategic decision to shift routine maintenance of road equipment to an in-house arrangement. Routine maintenance mainly entails servicing of the road equipment, that is, change of filters and oils, carrying out minor repairs and undertaking other preventive steps like greasing. The reason for the above shift in maintenance approach was to curtail the overall equipment maintenance cost while strengthening the capacity of our regional mechanical workshops with the ability to carry out minor repairs and residual capacity to remotely monitor the Komatsu road equipment using the KOMTRAX system. Major repairs like system overhauls and complicated diagnosis continued to be handled by the road equipment dealers. While this new hybrid approach to road equipment maintenance is working and, to some extent, has reduced the cost of maintenance, it has experienced a number of teething problems mostly due to financial constraints which, resultantly, has reduced equipment availability to about 30 per cent. The ministry operates four regional mechanical workshops; Central Mechanical Workshop at Kampala for the Central Region, at Bugembe in Jinja for the eastern region, at Gulu for Northern region and at Mbarara for western region. While the regional mechanical workshops are equipped with mobile capacity to carry out routine maintenance, the number of mobile workshops is insufficient to cover the entire country.

The regional mechanical workshops also act as regional hubs where road equipment can be referred in case of complex repairs, although they are not adequately equipped with requisite tools. Regarding the status of regional mechanical workshops, I would like to furnish you with the following information: Infrastructure and tools Apart from Bugembe Regional Mechanical Workshop which was built with the assistance of JICA in 1996, the other three do not have the appropriate infrastructure in place. For example, Gulu and Mbarara Regional Mechanical Workshops can best be described as parking yards while one at Central Mechanical Workshop has dilapidated structures. i. The ministry has continually engaged with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development but due to resource constraints, we have not been able to get funds for equipping/retooling the workshops. Conversely, the ministry has also engaged with development partners such as JICA for project support but this is yet to be realised. It is an area that we continue to explore and advance. A feasibility study carried out on refurbishment and retooling/equipping the region and mechanical workshops estimated the requirement is to be Shs 100 billion. Funding of maintenance for the road equipment In 2017, when the road equipment was procured, it was computed and estimated that its annual routine/predicted maintenance cost would be Shs 22 billion. In the Financial Year 2017/2018, the Government allocated Shs 10 billion for road equipment maintenance with an addition of Shs 6 billion in the Financial Year 2018/2019 and finally, Shs 6 billion in the Financial Year 2018/2019.

Thank you. Honourable members, to have the debate move very well, if you have opened your iPads, the minister was very honest. He said that apart from Bugembe Regional Mechanical Workshop, which was built with the assistance of JICA in 1996, the other three do not have appropriate infrastructure in place. He said Gulu and Mbarara Regional Mechanical Workshops can best be described as parking yards. The minister is being honest and he told you that the issue is money. The debate should be on how this can be sorted. Even if we list how our graders are not being worked on, the minister has no capacity. It is a workshop without workshop capacity. If a minister can tell you it is a parking yard, what else - And this is an official statement. It is not off the cuff and it has gone through the structures. Therefore, can we focus our debate on seeing how we can build capacity here?

Most obliged. Now, the challenge of equipment cuts across the whole country. I am from Karamoja - and Moroto District in particular - where most equipment is grounded and there is no way this equipment can be repaired because our service station is in Gulu. Honourable minister, who is responsible for transporting this equipment, say, from Moroto to Gulu, where there is a service facility? Then the other one is the good news from our dear President. He directed for allocation of Shs 1 billion to improve the roads in this country. But when we get in touch with our local governments, they say that the guidelines are not yet clear and they are fearing to touch this money. Honourable minister, when will the guidelines reach the district local governments so that the roads are rehabilitated? We are already in the second quarter- (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also thank the minister for his statement. I am also the chairperson of the District Roads Committee in my district of Apac. The main challenges as far as the regional workshop is concerned are: 1. The coverage is too wide to the extent that the scope of maintenance and repair works is very big. For example, Gulu Regional Workshop is serving West Nile, Lango, Acholi and Karamoja. How many districts are there, and how many machines and equipment can break down at a go and need repair? I request, through you, that the Ministry of Works and Transport create some maintenance branch; say in Lira and Arua to assist the western Nile districts and NIRA to assist the district in the Lango Subregion. 2. Through you, my colleagues have talked about the issue of funds. And I - (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I join others in thanking the minister for the statement. While honourable colleagues from other districts are talking about the difficulties of taking their equipment to be serviced at the regional workshops, Arua City has no equipment to be taken to Gulu, the regional centre. Arua City was formed by joining Ayivu County, which is now Ayivu Division with the former Arua Municipality. Ayivu County formerly, under Arua District has lost all the equipment. It has three road equipment units. Since Arua City does not have any equipment, what do we taken to Gulu for repair in the regional workshop? I would like to ask the Minister of Works and Transport and the Minister of Local Government to think about these cities that were created; otherwise, the money allocated ends up lying idle. The Uganda Road Fund budget for the Financial Year 2021/2022 – which the city received – Shs 600 million – was not utilised because there was no equipment to do the work. In fact, we are still investing where the money went. Mr Speaker, we hired equipment to work on roads in the Financial Year 2022/2023. I would like to implore the ministries concerned to see to it that the cities which were created have equipment. Thank you. MR MOSES ALEPER (NRM, Chekwii (Kadam), Nakapiripirit): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to look at the study that the ministry carried out. When you start giving districts Shs 140-plus billion yet the workshops require Shs 100 billion – a see-saw. Is it this very money that caused the study to come to that figure? What I am saying is that while we are trying to improve things on one side, things go down on the other side. Most importantly, I would like to implore the Government on the effect when these workshops are not functional. The effect is that it will affect the productive sector in the country because the roads and the equipment are not worked on. This, therefore, undermines – the fact that we want to create economic growth and productivity in this country – That is what we definitely have to look out for. The Government must look into this matter seriously if we are to talk about economic growth, job creation, improving agricultural

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Indeed, I am burning with an issue here: I do not know whether we have anything called Gulu equipment centre. We do not have. In Terego, the roads have closed. Mr Speaker, I invite you to Terego. You will have to fly and remain there. We do not have anything – (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues in thanking the committee for that good report. Regarding overcrowding, Government plans to have remand homes at subregional level to have these juveniles placed in the right place of detention centres, without the question of distance arising. In the plan by Government, to have these remand homes at subregional level, Moroto District was one of the districts that benefitted from that. It was given a remand home which started in 2020 and was supposed to be completed in 2022. However, up to date, the remand home has not been completed and it is stalled. I wonder when this remand home will be completed. On the lack of food, the inadequacy of food in remand homes is an issue that has to be taken seriously. Earlier this year, over 300 juveniles, who included Karamojong, were starved in Gulu Remand Home. They were actually released at an acute malnutrition stage, where many of them were skinny; some were not even able to walk and some ended up being hospitalised. Mr Speaker, the issue of food is key because it is a right to people to be provided with food. These remand homes must be centres to shape character in these children and youth, but not centres of mistreatment. Thank you.

10386 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME 1. Continuous sensitisation and enforcement of the relevant rules and regulations by relevant Government agencies. 2. Replacing missing road furniture, such as road signs, and reflectors, and the use of appropriate alternative materials to minimise vandalism and safety. 3. Towing of abandoned vehicles off the road. In the medium-term, funds have been earmarked for road safety improvement works which include; 1. Reintroduction of mandatory vehicle inspection under Uganda Police. 2. Road marking to ensure that the curves, lanes, and junctions are visible to drivers both during the day and at night after the completion of the Gulu Highway. And this will be done next month. 3. Installing humps and rumble strips to slow down the traffic along the road, especially in trading centres and areas that have been identified as black spots. 4. Adequately equipping the relevant enforcement agencies with tools to aid effective enforcement of the law. 5. Strengthening road monitoring and surveillance for timely detection and removal of abandoned vehicles from carriageways. As a long-term solution, Government has embarked on the process of constructing a new metallic bridge at Katonga so that the traffic can go back to using the main Kampala-Masaka Road, which was designed as an international trunk route. Construction works are ongoing and passenger buses have since been cleared to use the Katonga Bridge. Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the Government of Uganda, under the able leadership of His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is committed to ensuring the safety of Ugandans and all efforts are being made to improve the road safety along the Mpigi– Kanoni-Sembabule-Villa Maria route. The next question came from Hon. Kaaya Christine, Woman Member of Parliament, Kiboga District, on the irregular boundary opening and demarcation of forest reserves in Kiboga District. Her prayers are: 1. What are the criteria followed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in demarcating central forest reserves? 2. Why is the boundary opening exercise encroaching on private mailo and freehold land? 3. Can NFA avail the recent survey report such that we can compare it with the affected land titles, with a view of establishing a true ownership? My response is: The criteria followed by the National Forestry Authority in demarcating central forest reserves is as follows: (i) Stakeholders meeting The stakeholders involved are: the Resident District Commissioners, the District Police Commanders, the District Internal Security Officers, the District Local Council V, the District Staff Surveyors, the District Natural Resource Officers, the District Environment Officers and the forest adjacent communities. (ii) Reconnaissance survey (iii) This is a familiarisation tour of the central forest reserve boundary done jointly with the forest-neighbouring communities with the view to: a. Identify all the available survey marks or control extension basing on known national points in the area to guide the boundary opening; b. Identify all the available corner marks

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Masindi-Pader-Acholibur Highway tarmacking was commissioned in 2020 by the President. However, up to date, Pader-Acholibur portion has not been worked on. Can the Prime Minister give a date of when that road will be worked on? Secondly, Mr Speaker, a unit of water in Uganda is currently at Shs 4,100 and taxed, 1.8 per cent. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation is demanding Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu main Prison, Uganda Police Force a total of Shs 4.2 billion. Gulu City alone is being demanded Shs 6.4 billion. Is it not high time that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister looks into the tariffs charged on water? Why should we pay highly for water?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wanted to give Hon. Kabanda information concerning Ugandans such as Mabirizi. Much obliged, thank you so much and let us stand together. United we stand and win as Uganda. We have already qualified to participate and I know Uganda may even take the African Cup of Nations, insha-Allah. MR MAURICE KIBALYA (NRM, Bugabula County South, Kamuli: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I add my voice to whoever has congratulated those that participated in the bid to have Uganda host the AFCON 2027. There is no international gathering or conference that can pull crowds like when we host games. In 2027, I am very sure Uganda is going to host people that it has never hosted before. It is going to have a population that will disorganise the whole set up of Uganda. This is the time and we have three years to prepare for this. Mr Speaker, I have heard colleagues suggesting that the stadium should be in Fort Portal, Hoima or somewhere. This is not an event for Kampala, Fort Portal or Hoima alone. It is for Uganda as a whole. We need to see the Ministry of Education and Sports coming to do some renovation work at Bugembe Stadium so that when a participating country comes, they can go for training in Jinja and stay there for two days as they prepare to come and play at Namboole or Nakivubo stadia. We should not have all countries in Kampala alone as if Mbale or Jinja are not waiting. This is an opportunity for every region to benefit. Let it not be centralised in Kampala as if they have only come to visit Kampala. We want every region to benefit in whichever formula. We have seen countries jetting in five days, a week or eight days in advance. Take them to Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara so that they train from there. Those people will benefit from the different sectors -(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Apart from telling the finance ministry to provide whatever is needed to prepare, Ugandans are eagerly waiting to hear and know what role the Government wants them to play. For instance, in Gulu, we want to hear what role Government wants us to play because in 2017, when Government failed to get money to prepare for the East African Secondary School Games, we mobilised resources and built Pece Stadium. Therefore, we again want to see how we can position ourselves and play a role. I would also like to say, Mr Speaker, that when you go to a place like Arua City –

We were all surprised because the President of this country has so far set up about three different Commissions to try and find out the boundaries of Acholi, Amuru and Madi. The other two Commissions did not bring a report to the Floor of Parliament. Recently, the President again set up another Commission headed by the former Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe on the issue of Apaa land. However, the whole of the Acholi subregion was surprised when on Saturday, the President and one of his daughters went to Gulu to hold prayers at Boma grounds. The President made a shocking statement that the land in Apaa belongs to the Madi, even before the Commission set foot there. This was a very surprising statement because the four people who were killed in Apaa were not Madi, they were Acholi. If that land belonged to the Madi, the people who were killed should have been Madi. I think some people want to cause confusion and conflict between the Acholi and the Madi for their other intentions. That is why we want the Government to explain to us who these people are. All the Acholi are concerned despite -

I cannot rule on what I did not hear. If you were in Gulu and you heard it - The Leader of the Opposition did not hear anything but is just relying on what is -

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you, for the opportunity and also invite you to ask Hon. Kabanda from Kasambya to keep quiet. On behalf of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), permit me to present the reports after scrutinising the report of the Auditor-General in respect of the health sector and particularly the following institutions - there are quite a number, but as you guided me, I have prepared an executive summary and the reports have been uploaded onto the Members’ iPads. But before I proceed, permit me to lay, on the Table, the minutes as required by the rules in respect of all the proceedings of the committee. I humbly do so. Permit me also to lay, on the Table, as a matter of procedure and constitutional requirement, one of the annexures to the committee report. It is a report of the CID as tasked by the committee in respect to the existence of coffee shops established by the Office of the Prime Minister and a private partner, Inspire Africa Limited, in selected districts; which the committee established to be non-existent despite the expenditure of Shs 20 billion. I lay the report of the CID on the Table. With respect to the regional referral hospitals and other specialised health votes. I now proceed with the summary as guided. Article 163(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda mandates the Auditor- General to submit to Parliament an annual report on all accounts audited by him for the financial year immediately preceding. The Constitution further, under Article 163(5), requires Parliament to debate and consider the report and take appropriate action within six months after the submission of the report by the Auditor-General. The report of the Auditor-General on regional and national referral hospitals for the F iscal Y ear 2021/2022 was presented to the House on the 19th of February and referred to the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) for consideration. In accordance with Rule 174 of the Rules of Procedure of the House, the Committee considered these reports and proceeded to satisfy itself, among others, that – (a) the monies appropriated by Parliament and disbursed were legally available for, and applicable to, the service or purpose for which they have been applied and charged; (b) the expenditure conforms to the authority, which governs it; and (c) re-appropriation has been made in accordance with the provisions of the rules of a competent authority; and (d) the intended value of the expended monies was attained. Scope The report covers audit queries contained in the report of the Auditor-General for the period ended 30th June 2022, in respect of the national and regional referral hospitals, namely: 1) Mulago National Referral Hospital; 2) Mulago National Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; 3) Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital; and 4) Kawempe, Kiruddu, and China-Uganda Friendship Hospitals. Others include; Entebbe Hospital, Mubende, Kabale, Jinja, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua and Hoima Regional Referral Hospitals. In addition, the report further covers findings on other specialised health-related institutions and votes, as well as programs such as the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

In Gulu. I thought they were just doing business. (Interjections)- yes, in the Post Office; they are in a Government building, and they renovated the structure. I used to pass by and see it –

Honourable members, Hon. Lucy Akello is saying that the Auditor-General noted that except for Gulu, the coffee shops were either non-existent or in some places, non-operational. So, you are right that they exist in Gulu.

It is one in Gulu. Mama has said that the one in Gulu is now closed. The one I used to see; people would go to drink very expensive coffee –

Thank you, Rt Hon. Speaker. Inspire Africa Coffee Shop in Gulu was closed because they failed to pay rent for the shop. However, it was meant to be a youth project and it was initiated by State House and failed to manage. They ran it for close to three years. Thank you.

10238 STANDIN G C O M M I T T E E R E PORT During our interaction with the Ministry of Local Government, the committee was informed that the budget provision for ex- gratia and honoraria for local government leaders has fallen short over the last five years and that is from Financial Year 2018/2019 to FY 2022/2023 leading to an outstanding amount of Shs 9,074,258,232. These are the monies that should be paid and these leaders are struggling but they are not receiving that money. (ii) The committee also noted that in the current Financial Year 2023/2024, no provision or IPF was sent to the local governments on ex-gratia and honoraria, amounting to Uganda Shs 48.19 billion as required for the ex-gratia and on honoraria amounting to Shs 48.19 billion as required for the ex-gratia and honoraria. We have given a breakdown, you can look through page six where you will find we have 70,500 LCI and 10,585 LCII - they need this financial year Shs 9.7 billion for their payment and it is not catered for. You will look through and it gives you a total of Shs 48 billion we have provided the details in the table. The committee also looked at the arrears; we have given a breakdown on page seven and the breakdown we have provided covers only the cities and the districts that we visited, but when you look at the annex, you will find a detailed breakdown of how much money was not sent to which entity, giving the total of the Shs 9 billion I talked about. Madam Speaker, we made observations on page 8 that you will look through, and the observations, if I may just run through very quickly: (i) There were figures that were not correlating with the figures provided by the minutes of local government and what we found in the field. (ii) We also received a list of the arrears from the Ministry of Local Government that were submitted. The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development received this list and committed that they would include this in the 3 per cent supplementary since they had not included it in the budget which is a big mistake. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development also acknowledged the omission of ex-gratia and honoraria in the budget for 2023- 2024. Recommendation (i) The Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the affected local government entities should harmonise the arrears for ex-gratia and honoraria; and (ii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to expedite the verification process of the ex-gratia arrears and honoraria to ensure that the requisite funds are provided for in the supplementary budget in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act. Terms of reference two and three, I will just give a summary. Here, our intention as a committee was to establish the availability of land in the different districts from where the cities were created and also to look at their level of preparedness as far as the relocation is concerned. We went to Soroti District where we found they prepared a council resolution; it is important to inform Members that Soroti had gone a step ahead and started construction after they received Shs 1 billion from the Ministry of Finance and this financial year they expected to receive an additional Shs 800 million. However, the other nine districts of Gulu, Arua, Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Jinja, Mbale, and Kabarole: all these are the cities which were created apart from Soroti. All the others have [Mr Mapenduzi] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

That will be discrimination. How can Soroti get Shs 1.8 billion when Gulu has not got even one?

10243 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 allow me to give exactly what I am requesting from Parliament. The third, which the committee chairperson has presented is the Shs 2 billion for policy review. After 30 years of decentralisation, time has come to review the policy. I want to request that the chairperson of the committee agrees with me that at least in this year, you provide Shs 5 billion for the subcounties which are really badly off. These requests keep on coming from our own. The other one is induction of councillors. Two years down the road we have not trained them. We have trained a few, like I thanked Parliament last time. We trained the city councillors of Gulu by your magnanimity. We need Shs 15 billion. You have seen the chairs flying in the air in council meetings. These people need to be trained to understand where the councillors’ role begins and ends. The last one, which I want to emphasise is what he has presented; ex-gratia for our councillors. Friends, the political leaders in the districts, subcounties and villages have a statutory mandate so they must be paid. It is an obligation on us. Remember, we only pay these chairpersons of villages and parishes Shs 10,000 per month. It is so little that we aggregate it to Shs 120,000 a year. As I speak, the arrears for paying them have accumulated to Shs 9 billion. I am talking about arrears of two years ago. For this Financial Year 2023/2024, honourable colleagues, we have not provided for payment of honoraria and ex-gratia of our councillors because it was treated as an unfunded priority by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. We need Shs 48 billion. They are there. We keep them waiting for this. I hope the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development will confirm through you, Prime Minister, that this money will come in the next supplementary budget. Should the supplementary budget be presented without the payment for councillors, my appeal to Parliament is to put a question on that request. I would like to thank the committee. I totally agree with what they have presented here. As a sector, we shall implement, take action and present a report on actions taken, to Parliament. Thank you.

9950 RESOLUTION TO BORROW The compensation relates to crops and buildings of non-permanent structure determined under Section 59(1)(f) of the Land Act by the district land board of the respective local governments from Kampala to Tororo that are updated on an annual basis. The two RAPs indicate that the total estimated cost of compensation of the project-affected person and the cost of the implementation of the RAPs for the entire project is Shs 143.58 billion, with Namanve to Malaba Section accounting for 24 per cent of the compensation cost, while Kampala and Wakiso accounting for 76 per cent. The committee noted that out of the required Shs 143.58 billion for compensation of PAPs, the grant from the African Development Bank is only providing for Euros 15.9 million, (Shs 63.65 billion using an exchange rate of 1 dollar to Shs 4000). The Government has not committed to avail the additional Shs 79.9 billion that is required to complete the compensation of the PAPs during the project life and instead had indicated that funding is required for the Financial Year 2023/2024, living the outer years without commitment. The approved budget for 2023/2024 for the land acquisition under the project is Shs 3.915 billion and external funding of Shs 8.563 billion. The committee was concerned that the Government lost the grant funding for the EU of Euros 26 million for the rehabilitation of the Tororo Metre Gauge Railway because it did not provide the required counterpart funding of Euros 13 million. And now, the Government has to fully fund the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway. Moreover, during the budgeting process, counterpart funding always appears as a funding gap, implying it was among the priorities of the sector. Consequently, the Government is now going to spend double because the counterpart funding was not availed. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits to provide Shs 79.9 billion needed to fully compensate the Project-Affected Persons over the project life to enable disbursement of the loan proceeds as per the funding agreement and avoid a repeat of what happened to the grant under the rehabilitation of the Tororo- Gulu Metre Gauge Railway line. The Government should free all the railway land from encroachers to guarantee the timely implementation of this project. This will ultimately minimise the Government’s expenditure on compensating people who encroached the railway line. The policy, legal and institutional framework: The committee noted that the policy, legal and institutional framework of the railway sub- sector is not conducive to the growth of the sub-sector. There is need for a comprehensive policy, legal and institutional framework of the railway sub-sector with a view to making the policy, legal and institutional framework responsive to the current prevailing and dynamic needs of Uganda, characterised by the rapid economic, social and cultural development. For example, the Uganda Railways Corporation’s current organisation structure is a major constraint as a department structure is not appropriate for a modern railway as a business focus is needed. In addition, Uganda Railways Corporation Act, 1992 did not foresee the management and regulatory policy for the inclusion of other players in the railway transport. The Act is silent on the mandate, function and management of the new actor in the railway business. At present, there exist new stakeholders within the railway transport service delivery like the Standard Gauge Railway Company, which was not envisaged at the time the Act was enacted in 1992. The committee recommends as follows: Government fast-tracks the long-awaited reforms of the Uganda Railways Corporation Act, Cap 331 in order to establish and investigate

9951 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2023 the legal issues, gaps and challenges that continue to stifle operations under the Uganda Railways Corporation Act, as well as the issues curtailing the implementation of the Act over the 31-year period since its enactment. Adopt guidelines for the railway sub-sector to cover safety, security, infrastructure financing, qualified staff and quality services. The development of the railway infrastructure: The committee observed that a well-developed railway network contributes to the socio- economic development of a country as it enables connectivity, boosts trade and provides access to workplaces, healthcare services and leisure activities, among others. The development of a dependable railway transport infrastructure facilitates the mobility and accessibility of a country’s factors of production and at the same time reduces environmental degradation. This ultimately would boost and enhance trade, tourism and improve the general standards of living. The committee notes that over the past decades, the Government accorded high priority to road transport over rail transport infrastructure development. Cargoes that would ordinarily be transported on rail lines are now routed on the road network. In essence, this has contributed to high costs of doing business as well as increasing the road maintenance needs and costs. The committee was informed that limited investment in the railway network is attributed to high initial investment costs needed to set up a railway investment and management system. The East African Community undertook to invest and set up the Standard Gauge Railway, which is expected to improve regional connectivity. Whereas, the Standard Gauge Railway is a good investment, member states will still need the Metre Gauge Railway to complement the Standard Gauge Railway for purposes of last mile connectivity. In light of this, the committee noted the need to rehabilitate the existing Metre Gauge Railway lines across the country in places where the Standard Gauge Railway has not been planned to be routed. The committee was informed that it is the wish of the Uganda Railways Corporation to carry out serious development of the railway network so as to reduce the traffic burden on the existing highway roads that are narrow. This, however, requires more funding to be able to refurbish the remaining railway lines of Kampala, Kasese, Tororo-Gulu, Pakwach, which is not available at the moment. The committee was further informed that the Government of Uganda contracted a Spanish contractor to manufacture concrete slippers for part of the railway line under rehabilitation. The same company has established a railway training school located at Nalukolongo to train and equip the Ugandan engineers with railway engineering knowledge. This implies that at the end of the contract period, the company will close the business and go back. The committee recommends that: i. Government fast-tracks the implementation of the Standard Gauge Railway to enable Uganda to move in tandem with the East African partner states. ii. At the end of the contract period of Imathia Construction Company, Government invests in concrete slippers production plant, fully equipped and owned by the Government of Uganda, to facilitate production of concrete slippers for rehabilitation and construction of other railway lines across the country. In conclusion, the proposal by the Government to borrow up to UA 125.16 million equivalent to £150 million from the African Development Fund and UA 54.17 million equivalent to £65 million from the African Development Bank for the refurbishment of the Kampala-Malaba

Mr Speaker, much as we are working through different committees of Parliament, we continue to remain one House. I am seeking guidance from you on how best to proceed. Under the activities of the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation, my deputy led the committee into finding out the status of the assurance to construct the Standard Gauge Railway between Tororo and Gulu. The committee was fully funded by Parliament and it made a report that was submitted to the clerk. As my colleague was reading the report before us, I discovered that there are many areas that were touched by the Government assurance and implementation committee. Mr Speaker, the guidance I am seeking is whether it would not have been procedurally okay for the committee that is making the presentation, while we are seeking a new loan, to reconcile their report with ours. Would it please you, Mr Speaker, if the two reports could come at the same time and they are discussed together so that one could enrich the other, as Parliament takes a decision on this matter? I beg to be guided, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Chairperson. I should clarify that the entire Uganda has only one rehabilitation centre, which is in Butabika. Now, it is so important that we differentiate between psychiatric patients and drug addicts who are attaining treatment. Butabika has two units; there is an alcohol and drug unit. That is not for psychiatric patients. It is only for addicts and it can accommodate only 50 to 60 clients for the entire country. There is no other rehabilitation centre owned by the Government in this country. When they come up with the notion of establishment, the committee chairperson correctly states that the clause mandates the Minister of Health to go region by region or in whatever place, to establish new rehabilitation centres for the treatment of addicts. Currently, if you go to Masaka or Gulu Regional Referral Hospitals, what they do - more so in Butabika, they combine mentally-sick patients with addicts, which is wrong. But because of the inadequacy of resources and staff, that is how our country is operating. I just wanted to clarify. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Abdallah for raising this issue. The presidential directive came as a result of massive degradation. It followed a letter I had personally written, starting with a small area of operation. We started with Gulu, then went to the whole of northern, eastern and then the presidential directive. Mr Speaker, the Member should understand that it is for their own good. With the effect of climate change, we should join hands and conserve our environment. I appreciate Members who are doing due diligence to ensure our voters conserve our areas of operation. You should have been happy and joined hands to conserve Mukono, Kampala and the whole country. On the issue of the alternative: in the directive, which was given, we are mindful, as Government, that we do not have an immediate alternative. We actually said, “for domestic consumption”. The other one came as a result of exporting charcoal to Kenya, Saudi Arabia and China. So, charcoal had gone commercial. In fact, we have actually remained lenient on domestic use as we get an alternative. The alternatives in the offing are: i. As Government, we have promoted energy- conserving new technologies, which is actually in most of the energy-saving stoves; ii. We are expecting gas -

Madam Speaker, this is a very serious issue on the ground, for which I wanted the attention of this House. Madam Speaker, when 10,000 hectares were given to the Government, the community went to court. In the High Court of Gulu, the ruling was against the community. Again, we came to the Court of Appeal in Kampala. Before the issue was exhausted by the Court of Appeal, the President called for an amicable understanding, where a deed of settlement was signed. Upon that, in the Committee on Budget in the 10 th Parliament, money was allocated and the people were compensated. Since then, up to now, the Amuru Sugar Works has never started. What has happened is an invasion of people with cows in the area. Because of that, the people who had been compensated; some who had left the place, thought maybe that was a trick by the Government to take their land and give it to people who are coming to rear their animals. Now, these people are coming back to the land, for which some had been compensated. Madam Speaker, my prayer is: one, we request the Government to first and foremost ensure that there is an update on the issue of the payment; whether the compensation is complete or not. Two, if the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives took this land for purposes of the sugar factory, then there should be immediate action to ensure the sugar factory is in place. Otherwise, within three months, there is a high possibility, if those who have occupied the land do not leave, then the people are uprising in the area and that is going to be a great problem. I beg to move. Thank you

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like the chairperson to clarify on whether Kampiringisa is the only juvenile prison. How do we call those other ones? For example, we have one in Gulu and another in Mbale. The one of Gulu has more than 150 juveniles. Are they not juvenile prisons? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to inform my colleagues that we do not have prisons for children. We have one rehabilitation centre, which is Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre. The other places like the one in Gulu are remand centres or remand homes. These are not prisoners, but children who are in contact with the law. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Should I take it that we are now debating? If yes, I would like to comment on Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre because in the last Parliament, I was a Member of the Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development and we visited it. I would like to bring out the issue of some of the projects there, including the one on green jobs. Part of that was supposed to help our young people in their rehabilitation. However, it is not being effected. There is also the issue of the environment that the committee chairperson commented on, for example, the court environment. There is a report that I read, which indicated that most of these juvenile offenders find it difficult to actually fit in the environment. What used to be a safe environment has now been turned into a waiting room, but not an environment where they are protected as they go to court. Age is also a big problem and that is why most of the police personnel just estimate the child’s age. Most times, the children find themselves with adults. Finally, when it comes to care and service, I would like to bring in the component of mothers who get convicted and give birth while in prison, and they end up with these children there yet kind of environment in these prisons is not very good for the children. I thank Sister Rosemary, who is a CNN heroine. In Gulu, this was a big problem. What Sister Rosemary did was to create a crèche in the facility. So, every morning, mothers would take their children to this crèche and then pick them up in the evening so that the children could have a better environment, and not get mixed up with adults. They would even provide milk for these children. Therefore, the question I ask, especially to the minister for children and youth, is whether the conditions in our prisons have improved so that breastfeeding mothers are able to take care of their children – those who give birth while in prison. It may not be so comfortable, but at least it should be an environment where a child is able to attend to a crèche kind of programme and then grow up to maybe two years and then they can be removed from prison. That is the issue I thought I needed to bring up.

9703 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 2023 Gender, Labour and Social Development that is responsible for these children. We all have a stake in looking after them. It all comes to one thing - that we go back to parenting and valuing our families. If this is done, to assure you, we shall empty all these remand homes and all the streets, not only the streets of Kampala but all the streets in all the trading centres. Madam Speaker, I will address some of the issues that were mentioned in brief. On the issues of dilapidated structures and not having food, the budget we have does not allow us to do any developments. We are only given money for food and it is the same money that we use to transport these children to Court. In case a court session has not taken place, we bring them back. The whole financial year, we were given only Shs 640 million. That means that every quarter, we have to spend Shs 160 million to feed the children, transport them to Court and back. I would like to explain the number of remand homes that we have. Most of you are asking to know them. I do not think that is a solution. We have a Naguru Reception Centre for those – I am just giving information so that Members can know. We have Gulu, Arua and Mbale remand homes. Fort Portal, Masindi, Kabale remand homes and Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre. (Interjections) I will give you the clarification. Just hold on. We have nine remand homes and one national rehabilitation centre. We have one, which is under construction in Moroto, not yet complete. My sister, Hon. Connie, raised the issue of Mbale being congested and having no food because of the budget constraints, which you all know. We are the ones who pass the budget. Mbale serves the whole region in Eastern Uganda. Originally, when they were building Mbale Remand Home, they hoped that it would serve around 60 inmates. However, right now, we have more than 200 children in these homes. After the completion of Moroto, the congestion will reduce. Madam Speaker, the issue of child marriages or teenage pregnancies is something we sometimes sugar-coat. This is defilement but where are these men who are doing this? Surprisingly, I do not know whether you expect the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to go and search for these men who are doing this. If the parents do not come out and the girls do not report – surprisingly, even those who go to report, there is a way the system just plays around it and the cases “die” along the way.

9704 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT moving around. Therefore, at times, it gets tough for us. We cannot leave out the issue of poverty. Poverty does not only affect Karamoja; it is everywhere. We have to find a way of addressing this issue because it makes our children go back to the streets; it makes them drop out of school. Madam Speaker, it is very true that we have 165 children’s homes in Uganda and most of them are privately-owned. At times, it gets tough for us, especially when mothers die while they are bringing to life babies or the children are abandoned. We end up requesting the probation officers to help us trace where to place these children. Most times, we take them to the children’s homes as we try to trace their families, especially those who were neglected. The budget of the probation officers is very little. I think in every quarter, they get less than Shs 200,000. We have at least two probation officers who are supposed to handle all issues in the district related to children. So, this little money that we give them is the same money that they use to trace the families of these neglected children to help us handle the family wrangles and conflicts in homes. We should also think about them as we are budgeting because we are the ones who do the appropriation. Madam Speaker, you talked about violence against children. I cannot leave this place without talking about it. Of course, the protection of children - as a ministry, we put in place a child helpline and we have 68 district action centres. That child helpline is used anywhere in Uganda. We have tried to mobilise Ugandans and sensitise them; for any child in school, we have told them that if they are in danger, they should call Sauti 116 and we shall support them - we have supported very many children. Even if a child calls from Karamoja, we are able to trace where they are and help them. Whether the child calls from Kabale, Arua or Gulu, we always come in to support them because we have a network. Lastly, on the issue of inter-country adoption, yes, we have not yet ratified the convention, but there were reasons for that. First, as a country, we realised – [Hon. Bakkabulindi: “Order”]

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to table this motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to prioritise interventions to address the challenges of mycotoxin contamination in Northern Uganda. I move this motion under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda. “ WHEREAS the Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation recognise the worldwide occurrence of mycotoxins in human foods and animal feeds; AND WHEREAS mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites with toxic effects to humans and animals and in terms of exposure to chronic diseases, mycotoxins pose a high risk of infections; AWARE THAT mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin compromise the quality of grains produced and affects Uganda’s competitiveness in the regional and global market; NOTING THAT staple foods produced in Uganda are highly susceptible to infection by toxigenic fungi and several environmental factors and are in favour of developing toxigenic fungi during the field period, the time of harvest, or during storage; NOTING FURTHER THAT research conducted by Gulu University indicates that mycotoxin contamination is a large food safety issue in Northern Uganda and about 90 per cent of grain produced from Northern Uganda are contaminated and partly responsible for the high prevalence rate of Hepatitis B and liver cancer in the region, and the situation has been made worse due to limited surveillance; AWARE THAT the food grains produced in Northern Uganda are mainly sorghum, maize, millet and rice and also groundnuts, which are legumes, are also widely grown in the region but highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination; APPREHENSIVE THAT there is limited public awareness on mycotoxin contamination of foods and its toxicity burden among farmers in Northern Uganda; poor pre and post-harvest agricultural practices are common among the local farmers in the region that expose the grains to high mycotoxin contamination; APPREHENSIVE FURTHER THAT heavy dietary reliance by the people of Northern Uganda on locally produced staple food that is highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination exacerbates the problem of mycotoxin contamination for many small-scale farmers in the community; APPRECIATING THAT with funding from VLIRUOS Belgium Government programme, Gulu University has established a mycotoxin testing lab with GC, HPLC, PCRs and ELISA tools to support surveillance of mycotoxin

9650 DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION contamination in the Northern Region of Uganda, and the country at large; HOPEFUL THAT the control and prevention of mycotoxin contamination shall encourage farmers to practice crop rotation, proper drying of grains before storage, avoid grain storage in damp or moist areas, timely harvest of crops, avoid pest infestation and damage of grains during storage, use of fungicides and planting of improved variety of seeds; CONFIDENT THAT the prevention of mycotoxin contamination shall address the four pillars of integrated mycotoxin contamination management that involves knowledge on 1) prevention, 2) avoiding (cultural and breeding for resistance), 3) monitoring and predicting (biological, mechanical, physiological) and 4) Interventions and suppression using chemicals; COGNISANT THAT in order to address the challenges of mycotoxin contamination experienced in northern Uganda, there is a need for collective will and commitment from different stakeholders, including government agencies, politicians, religious and cultural leaders, farmers, small- and large-scale traders, health and agricultural and extension services, as well as development partners; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this Parliament that the Government: 1. Prioritises support towards post-harvest handling and management. 2. Provides support to farmers in northern Uganda and the country at large to exercise good agricultural practices, especially to practice prevention of mycotoxins at pre- and post-harvest level. 3. Provides support to Gulu University Multifunctional Research Laboratory to scale up mycotoxin testing, surveillance, dissemination and measures to reduce the burden of mycotoxins and associated implications. 4. Strengthens the regulatory framework on the quality of food in line with safety and health standards.” I beg to move, Madam Speaker. (Applause)

Thank you. Can we first get a response to that? Let us first get a response about the Gulu University Forest.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am happy you have talked about the Gulu University Forest issue. Hopefully, the minister should be able to also clarify. However, I am sure the honourable minister is reporting what she could have been told by the Uganda Prisons Forces but there is much more going on in Aswa Ranch. Very many different groups are operating there and the local leadership of Pader and the region can never access the ranch. When you try, you are beaten. There are security people who are busy on the ranch and we do not know who is in charge. There is massive tree-cutting and charcoal burning going on. Maybe the issue of Uganda Prisons is different. I was part of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and I know Government is providing support to Uganda Prisons and UPDF to do farming on Aswa Ranch. Madam Speaker, you also need to interest yourself - this Parliament should have a special team to investigate matters of Aswa Ranch because the question of land ownership is key. We know the ranch exists but there is contention on the size of the land and the population of Pader. The people are always brutalised. A lot of destruction has taken place. Finally, there are very many people who are now taking possession of the ranch. We need to know who they are. We are told there are others who have been given titles already and we are concerned.

The status of Gulu University land – yes, Mama Mabira , we want you to come with a report to that effect and we need documentary evidence.

What we found was that police had started the issue of regulating and testing boda bodas and they were moving from one region to another. They have been in Masindi. Now, they are in Gulu and they are moving to other areas. That is why we did not put it there.

9574 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Twesigye] As per that date, we have nine public universities and around 40 private universities. Therefore, we are talking about 50 universities, both public and private. One of the universities, Gulu University – (Interruption)

I am giving information. Gulu University is on record that every academic year, 2,000 students drop out of Gulu University. If you look at the 50 universities that we have –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has constructed a number of kilometres, but we have a problem with maintenance. For example, road markings – old roads are no longer marked. When you are driving at night, you do not know which lane you are in. Therefore, I implore the Ministry of Works and Transport to re-mark roads so that when you are driving at night, the visibility is clear. Finally, on the Bombo–Gulu Road Highway, every petrol station is constructed and designed with its own humps making moving on the road very unbearable. That is the issue I would like to raise. Thank you.

9489 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 JULY 2023 – today, you have the chairperson of the Uganda Land Commission, by name of so and the next day, you have another one. On another day, you hear the secretary was sacked; and the next day, there is a new secretary. There is also a problem in the Uganda Land Commission and this House has to look into it. Mr Speaker, I would like to comment on the issue of the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP). I sit on the Committee on Public Accounts (Local Government). YLP funds are not disbursed to KCCA only, but also to other local governments. We have traversed the entire country but what we find there is that there is no education being given to these groups. When the youth wake up and form a group, they go either to the district, municipality or city and say: “We want the money.” What happens is that even in those entities – those people who are dispersing the money – also want a percentage. Let me share this with you. There are youths who came as whistleblowers when we were in Arua and Gulu. They told us that when they go there, if they are giving you Shs 12 million, they tell you to sign for Shs 12 million, but Shs 3 million has to remain. Imagine I sign for Shs 12 million, but you have given me Shs 9 million, yet I have to pay back Shs 12 million. What will happen? What they do is to run away to their relatives in Congo or go to the border of Rwanda. Others disappear. So, for this money, the Government should come up with a mechanism on how it can be disbursed and the recovery plan. I submit.

9382 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT region - on the 15 th , he met the Acholi elders and on the 16 th , he met the Lango. This was one of the issues that were raised. It was observed that in the area where Dr Okullo comes from, Amuru and Gulu, there are armed herdsmen, commonly known as Balaalo” , armed with guns and forcing their animals to graze in people’s land. This is a very serious matter, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the minister who is here because he is always there, listening to our problems and acting on them. It is important that you do not only listen to what he has told you. The entire northern region is being invaded by armed Balaalo . They are no longer just Balaalo ; they are now Balaalo who are armed. Mr Speaker, I am sorry I had to raise this because it is causing insecurity all across the northern region. I beg to request.

9348 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The second issue is innovation. As a deputy chairperson of science, technology and innovation, I wish to thank His Excellency for his emphasis on science and innovation. We have just been visiting the universities in Gulu, Lira and Soroti and the scientists are doing great work and these need to be supported. They are producing a lot of prototypes. What we need is to involve the private sector to commercialise some of these prototypes. We are looking at a pathogenic economy. We looked at a number of plants - we went to Gulu University and found out that they are producing a number of medicines, where Dr Ogwang was involved. So sooner or later, if we support - luckily enough - (Member timed out.)

9348 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The second issue is innovation. As a deputy chairperson of science, technology and innovation, I wish to thank His Excellency for his emphasis on science and innovation. We have just been visiting the universities in Gulu, Lira and Soroti and the scientists are doing great work and these need to be supported. They are producing a lot of prototypes. What we need is to involve the private sector to commercialise some of these prototypes. We are looking at a pathogenic economy. We looked at a number of plants - we went to Gulu University and found out that they are producing a number of medicines, where Dr Ogwang was involved. So sooner or later, if we support - luckily enough - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the same note, I mobilised the community to donate blood in Nwoya District; we have a hospital called Anaka Hospital. I derived that from the challenge that my people are facing in the constituency because I believe it is a national issue. Madam Speaker, we have a category of children with sickle cells and Members of Parliament, including myself, are receiving phone calls every day to support the parents who are running around with their children to look for where they can access blood. Sometimes we are even forced to run to hospitals and give in our blood to be tested to see whether it matches with the patient so that we can donate. I have a hospital in Nwoya District that does not have a cold room to keep the blood yet the community is willing to donate blood. Children are supposed to be taken to Lacor Hospital or Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. We are losing children with sickle cells every month. I feel that pain as a mother. Today, we are celebrating and commemorating the children who died because of sickle cells. Madam Speaker, what is the Ministry of Health’s plan? I have written a proposal to one of the embassies to help us donate or purchase one of those cold machines to Anaka Hospital, but up to now, I have not received it.

I am sorry that I could not be in the House on time. And I will try to be as brief as possible. Madam Speaker, kindly allow me to start with the issue of blood. Honourable members, you are aware that from time to time we continue to have challenges of blood availability because we need over 400,000 units of blood on an annual basis, but we are not yet able to collect that amount. The highest we have collected is 300,000. Madam Speaker, we still have blood in our blood banks. And I have statistics in regard to that that I will quickly read. We have: Nakasero - 2,400 units; Masaka – 535 units; Mbarara – 390 units; Hoima – 200 units; Jinja – 150 units; Mbale – 400 units; Gulu – 250 units; Mengo – 100 units; Lira – 300 units; Soroti – 300 units; Arua – 200 units; Nebbi – 50 units; Kabale – 270 units; Rukungiri – 172 units; Fort Portal – 317 units; and Kitovu – 350 units, giving us a total of 6,284 units available at this point in time. PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

9230 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT district as a hard-to-reach area so as to benefit from funds earmarked for such areas. His questions are: a) What criteria is used to determine hard-to- reach areas? b) What is the possibility of including other areas in the hard-to-reach areas category? c) Which areas are categorised as hard-to- reach? My response is that the Ministry of Public Service observed that there were areas in some local governments that had consistently failed to attract and retain skilled and capable human resource, leading to inadequacies and gaps in the delivery of services. This was observed through inspection reports, support supervision exercises and payroll status reports. These areas were, therefore, defined as hard to reach. Hard-to-reach areas are defined as remote or insecure areas that are unable to attract and retain sufficient numbers of motivated staff because of difficult living conditions. They are, therefore, “hard to work in and hard to stay in.” These areas are characterised by remoteness, insecurity and poor infrastructure, among others. In the Financial Year 2010-2011, Government approved payment of hardship allowances of 30 per cent of the basic monthly salary for public officers working in the local governments defined as hard to reach. The following 24 areas are categorised as hard-to-reach: Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Moroto, Kaabong, Pader, Kitgum, Nwoya, Amuru, Kalangala, Gulu, Bundibugyo, Adjumani, Kisoro, Kanungu, Bukwo, Ntoroko, Buvuma, Lamwo, Namayingo, Napak, Mayuge (specifically Malonge Island), Bugiri (specifically Sigulu Island), and Mukono (specifically Koome Islands). Over the years, the Ministry of Public Service has received requests from various local governments to be considered hard-to-reach areas. Consequently, the ministry carried out a study, in the year 2020, in order to review the hard-to-reach and hard-to-stay areas in the country based on the criteria of remoteness, insecurity and poor infrastructure. Out of the 63 districts that had requested to be considered, 54 were found to have hard- to-reach and hard-to-stay spots eligible for payment of the hard-to-reach allowance. In total, 340 hard-to-reach spots were identified as the qualifying localities within the 54 districts. Madam Speaker, allow me to lay, on the Table, a full list of the hard-to-reach and hard-to-stay areas in the country. In the interest of time, Members can access it. Madam Speaker, based on the criteria used, I would like to inform the honourable member that Rubanda was not categorised as a hard-to- reach and hard-to-stay district. It is also important to note that the Ministry of Public Service has not yet implemented the revised Hard-to-Reach Framework. The current priority of the Government is the salary enhancement of all public officers in a phased approach. Madam Speaker, I got another question from Hon. Francis Adome, MP for Moroto Municipality. His question was to know the Government’s plan to rehabilitate government- aided schools in Karamoja. My response is that the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with education development partners, has been providing infrastructure support to both primary and post-primary institutions in the Karamoja subregion. All the post-primary institutions (11 secondary schools and two PTCs) benefitted from infrastructure support under the Irish Aid. All secondary schools in the Karamoja subregion implementing Universal Secondary Education were provided with additional infrastructure under the World Bank support and were provided with additional classrooms to attain the recommended classroom-student ratio of 1:60. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Madam Speaker, here is my justification. On Saturday, 17 June this year, we received the sad news of the death of Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko, Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda and a former Judge of the East African Court of Justice: Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko was born on 5 October 1954. She completed Ambalai Primary School, in Lira in 1968. From 1969 to 1972, she attended Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Gulu for her O’level certificate. From 1973 to 1975, Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko attended Mt St Mary’s College, Namagunga, Lugazi for Advanced Level Certificate of Education. From 1975 to 1978, she studied Bachelor of Law from Makerere University, Kampala, and in 1979, she attained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko later attained a Master’s Degree at the International Judges Academy from Haifa University, Israel. Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko had a distinguished professional legal career, which spanned over 40 years: (a) In 1979, she was Pupil State Attorney; (b) From 1990 – 1993, she served as a Senior State Attorney; (c) From 1995 – 1997, she served as a Commissioner for Civil Litigation; (d) September 1997, she was appointed Judge of the High Court; (e) In November 2006, she was appointed Judge of the East African Court of Justice; (f) In February 2008, she was appointed Deputy Principal Judge to the East African Court of Justice;

9139 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 JUNE 2023 by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). That was a tragic occurrence. It opens up the scars of the previous tragedies that have happened. In 1998, there was an attack at Kichwamba Technical Institute in Kabarole, where students were burnt. In 1991, there was the abduction of students from Sacred Heart in Gulu. In 1996, there was also an abduction of girls from Aboke in Oyam. We sincerely condole with the bereaved families and management of the school, the people of Kasese and all the people of Uganda. We condemn this loss in the strongest terms. Such actions are very unproductive and should be investigated and the perpetrators brought to book. It is a very bad incident. Just imagine you are killing your kid or grandkid. You wake up thinking your kid is at school and you just get the news that your kid has been killed! It is a bad incident. I call upon the Minister of State for Higher Education, who was at the site, to come and give us a statement on what his findings were and what the Government is planning to do. The Minister of Internal Affairs was also there. I am happy that the Prime Minister is also in the House. They should be able to give us a statement on what happened and what the Government is planning to do. Honourable members, on Saturday, 17 June 2023, we received the tragic news of the demise of Justice Stella Arach-Amoko of the Supreme Court. The deceased had an illustrious career as a judicial officer. We condole with the family, the Judiciary, the people of West Nile and all the people of Uganda. Please, accept our condolences for the loss of this very industrious lady. On behalf of Parliament, we sincerely convey our condolences to the families of the children who died, the Judiciary and all the people of Uganda. Much as the Bible says there is a time to be born and a time to die, one should die in an acceptable way, and not in the way the children were killed. We put all that in God’s hand. May their souls rest in eternal peace. May we rise please and observe a moment of silence in their honour? (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

9118 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 I now turn to detail the key actions we will be undertaking in these strategic priorities: Boosting household incomes and microenterprises Madam Speaker, the Parish Development Model will boost household incomes as well as the development of microenterprises. Since the launch of the Parish Development Model in February 2022, a total of Shs 590.2 billion has been disbursed to all 10,459 parishes nationwide, translating into Shs 50 million per parish. The balance will be disbursed by the end of this month. Next financial year, the Parish Development Model has been allocated Shs 1.1 trillion. The Emyooga Initiative will further boost household incomes and microenterprises at parish and sub-county levels by directly funding parish and sub-county enterprise groups. By March 2023, seed capital worth Shs 494 billion had been disbursed to 6,721 constituency-based Emyooga SACCOs. Over 600,000 individuals had successfully applied for credit from their parish-based associations. Nearly half (46 per cent) of these were women - abakyala mwekubire mungalo. Women are very persistent; when they say they will do something, they do it – 25 per cent were youth and 4 per cent were PWDs. These SACCOs have also mobilised savings of Shs 76 billion and a further Shs 80 billion recovered from the loans given to beneficiaries. Now, somebody said the Emyooga is non- performing; he does not know what he is talking about and I am sorry for that type of person. This demonstrates the sustainability of the Emyooga initiative. Next year, Shs 100 billion has been allocated to the Emyooga initiative. Madam Speaker, in order to grow local enterprises, 19 skilling centres have so far been established across the country under the Presidential Industrial Hubs Initiative. So far, 28,750 trainees have successfully completed training in skills programmes and 6,110 trainees are undergoing training in various fields. The skilling centres include Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Nakulabye, Luzira Prisons, Sub-Way Crested Towers, Wabigalo Parish Community, Butikirwa Kigoowa-Ntinda and Makerere Community Hall. This support will continue over the medium term. Next financial year, Shs 60 billion has been allocated for skilling the youth. Commercialising agriculture Madam Speaker, during this year, additional funding amounting to Shs 110 billion was provided for food security interventions in Government institutions with farms, including the UPDF, Uganda Prisons, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, National Agricultural Research Organisation and National Agricultural Genetics Resource Centre and Databank. The priority actions to commercialise agriculture next financial year include the following: 1. Support agricultural research for the development of climate-resilient crops and animal species; 2. Promote environmental conservation, restoration and protection of degraded water catchment areas and forest cover; 3. Construct small, medium, and large-scale irrigation schemes in water-stressed areas. These will include the construction of earth dams at Unyama in Gulu, Namalu in Nakapiripirit, Sipi in Bulambuli and Kabuyanda in Isingiro, among others; 4. Implement large-scale mechanisation and irrigation; and 5. Improve farmer mobilisation, education and partnerships with large commercial farmers for the production of strategic commodities such as coffee, maize and tea to meet national and international demand.

9121 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2023 Madam Speaker, after the on-going audit of the Government payroll, the ban on recruitment will also be lifted to enable cover the staffing gaps in education. Government will continue to support sports activities and entertainment talents and enforce copyrights for performing artists. Safe Water The national coverage for safe and clean water for human consumption now stands at 70 per cent; with 67 per cent in rural areas and 72 per cent in urban areas, but we still need more. In rural areas, gravity flow schemes have been completed at Lirima in Manafwa, Lukalu- Kabasanda in Butambala and Nyabuhikye- Kikyenke in Ibanda. Piped water systems have also been constructed at Nyakabingo in Rukungiri, Kabuyanda in Isingiro, and Orom Water Supply System in Kitgum-Lamwo. In addition, 40 solar-powered mini-piped schemes serving 173,000 persons have been constructed across 15 least-served districts including Lyantonde, Sembabule, Yumbe, Rakai, Buyende, Kamuli and Kakumiro. In urban areas, nine piped water supply and sanitation systems have been completed in Dokolo, Padibe - Lamwo, Odramacaku - Arua, Kagadi, Morulem and Alerek (Abim), and Kambuga II in Kanungu. Access to safe and clean water will be enhanced to achieve 85 per cent coverage in rural areas and 100 per cent coverage in urban areas by the year 2025. Next year, the main activities towards this goal include the construction of 1,540 boreholes in 1,050 villages and town wards; building 49 large, 67 medium and 80 small piped water schemes in both urban and rural areas, and the rehabilitation and maintenance of 50 water systems in growth centres. Interventions that build human capital have been allocated Shs 9.57 trillion, representing 18.2 per cent of the total budget. In addition, the Government, together with the World Bank, are implementing the $500 million in Uganda through the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer programme to construct health centres III, IV, seed secondary schools and micro-scale irrigation facilities in local governments that do not have these facilities. Enhancing Infrastructure Stock and Quality The stock and quality of infrastructure is a key enabler for economic growth, development and social transformation. Transport Infrastructure Transport infrastructure development has been a major hallmark of Uganda’s recent economic development. The road sector in 1986 totalled 7,900 km. Today, it has expanded twenty-fold to almost 160,000 km. While only 6,700 km of today’s road network is paved, the road network now allows access to even the remotest parts of Uganda. Next financial year, we will substantially complete 16 national road projects including Atiak-Laropi, Moroto-Lokitanyala, Kawuku- Bwerenga, Namugonde-Bugiri, Nsambya- Mukwano, the Kampala Flyover and Rushere Town and Kyamate Access roads. In addition, priority will be accorded to maintenance of existing road networks, both national and District Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR). The Bukungu-Kagwara- Kaberamaido (BKK) Ferry and related landing sites, and Lake Bunyonyi ferries and their landing sites will also be completed. Madam Speaker, emergency repairs of the Kampala-Malaba Metre Gauge Railway were completed this year. (Applause) My team will have to come and explain this. The full rehabilitation of the Kampala–Malaba and Tororo–Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will

9122 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 commence next financial year. Forty-nine per cent of the right-of-way for the Kampala- Malaba Standard Gauge railway has been acquired. The construction of the Malaba- Kampala Standard Gauge Railway will commence next financial year, for which Shs 535 billion has been provided. Madam Speaker, in the air transport sector, the redevelopment and expansion of Entebbe International Airport is at 85 per cent complete and due to be completed by July 2024. The construction of Kabalega International Airport now stands at 91.7 per cent and will be completed by September 2023. We shall also rehabilitate and upgrade the following aerodromes that are under feasibility studies: Kidepo, Pakuba, Mbarara, Gulu, Arua, Kisoro and Kasese. Madam Speaker, an allocation of Shs 4.5 trillion, representing 13.3 per cent of the total budget has been budgeted for road maintenance and construction; railway development and rehabilitation; and water and air transport development. Of particular significance, an allocation of Shs 1 billion has been provided to each district, city and municipality for road grading, murram and compacting. In total, Shs 176 billion has been allocated for this purpose. (Applause) We have also secured US$ 608.7 million, equivalent to Shs 2.25 trillion to address flooding, traffic congestion, poor road infrastructure, un- signalised junctions and unemployment in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) covering Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi districts and their municipalities. This will upgrade 504 kilometres of roads including junction signalisation in eight urban authorities; rehabilitation of 30 storm water drainage points; upgrade 23 markets and construct 25 artisanal parks, and industrial workspaces for small-scale manufacturers. (Applause) In collaboration with the World Bank, the Government is implementing a $360 million Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme to improve infrastructure and address operational challenges in the cities and municipalities. Power infrastructure Power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure have continued to expand. Generation capacity increased to 1,378.1 Megawatts as at March 2023 from 1,343.9 Megawatts in March 2022, an increase of 34.4 Megawatts, although that is again not enough. With the commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Project planned for September this year, generation capacity will increase to 1,976 Megawatts. The 6-Megawatt Nyagak III Hydropower project is also due for commissioning by end of this month. In transmission, a total of 417 kilometres of transmission lines were added to the main grid during the year, bringing the total transmission line network now to 4,011 kilometres. To enable evacuation of power from the 600-Megawatt Karuma Hydropower Project the 248-kilometre Karuma-Kawanda, the 55-kilometre Karuma-Olwiyo and the 76-kilometre Karuma-Lira lines have been completed. Twekubireko mu ngalo . (Applause) Next year, 761 kilometres of transmission lines and associated power substations will be constructed to improve the stability and reliability of the networks. We will also build the capacity of the Uganda Electricity Generation and Transmission companies to manage the generation and distribution networks after the expiry of the ESKOM and Umeme concessions. Madam Speaker, next financial year, Shs 1.3 trillion has been allocated for electricity interventions. Digital transformation Turning to digital transformation, 4,717 kilometres of optic fibre have been laid across the country. Geographical coverage of broad Band services stands at 66 per cent and 25

9096 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION The rehabilitation works of Mityana - Mubende (86 kilometres); 14 kilometres town roads in Mubende; Olwiyo-Pakwach (62 kilometres); Alwii - Nebbi (33 kilometres) are ongoing. The Government is expediting the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, starting next Financial Year 2023/2024, starting with Malaba to Kampala. I welcome the decision of His Excellency, President William Ruto of Kenya, agreeing to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba because that was a problem. In the meantime, the rehabilitation of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway and Kampala Metre Gauge Railway are underway. As regards road transport, priority will be given to the maintenance of existing road networks, especially in the urban areas, continued upgrade of selected strategic roads from gravel to bituminous surface, maintenance of national districts and community roads by facilitating each district in the country, with a minimum of Shs 1 billion to upgrade and compact the dry weather marram roads next financial year. Infrastructure priorities Government has over the years invested heavily in infrastructure. This has helped to narrow the huge infrastructure gap we had in the 1990s. However, there are still critical gaps that Government will continue to prioritise in order to reduce the cost of doing business such as lowering the electricity price. You know, these people use their mysterious language; power tariffs and all that. Mwe ba wanainchi, ekyo mukitegele bulungi, bano byeboogela ebya “power tariffs”. They simply mean electricity prices for manufacturers and other businesses. The critical infrastructure include the railway, upgrading of airports, including completion of Kabaale International Airport, which is at 91 per cent completion and Entebbe International Airport, which is at 71 per cent completion; development of new ports on our lakes; and completing the heavy investment in the energy infrastructure, for example, Karuma Dam and associated transmission lines. We also need to build new airports near the tourism destinations such as Kidepo, Bwindi, Kasese, among others. Tourists, who are the rich people, do not have time to come, land at Entebbe International Airport and drive for 700 kilometres to Kidepo. No, they do not have time. We need to build airports for the rich foreigners to land near the national park, see the animals and go away. Those airports, of course, also help with security. Like now with night operations in Karamoja, we fly very far; from Nakasongola and all those places. It is better to have a good airport which can operate day and night in those areas. Government will prioritise infrastructure that supports industrialisation, production of oil and gas, and promote tourism. These include industrial parks, electricity power substations, extending and upgrading electricity transmission lines, water for industrial use and ICT infrastructure. Energy The total electricity generation capacity is now 1,346.6 megawatts. This is from 60 megawatts in 1986. This will increase to 1,800 megawatts once Karuma is commissioned this year. This means, therefore, that the construction of the transmission lines to evacuate this power must be completed without further delays. These lines include Karuma-Kawanda (400 KV), Karuma-Olwiyo (400 KV), Karuma-Lira (132 KV) and Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua. They did not include the strength here; I think it is 132 KV. The demand for electricity is increasing by 15 per cent per year, although these figures of finance are kasoobo . You heard my figures on the milk; 193 per cent. Bano bali ku 15 per cent. Anyway, we are talking with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and I think we shall eventually agree. They are beginning to wake up because they are the ones who wrote this. Mukawulire kano . Bebawaandika bino ; Katonda yebazibwe .

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I did refer this matter to the minister for lands. We actually got the details of this case and I thought we had reported back. It is a private dispute between a person claiming the land and some people who are occupying it. We did advise our office in Gulu to follow up on the case. If any decision is to be made to remove the 1,000 people, the Government should be interested in the matter - and we did communicate to the court that the Government is interested in the matter. However, we could not take it over. Mr Speaker, I undertake to check on my record and ensure that that report is brought here.

Thank you, honourable colleague. Honourable colleagues in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have Mr Robson Magoma, Local Leader from Kasese District Local Government. He is represented by Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa and Hon. Florence Kabugho. He is here to observe proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming him. ( Applause) Thank you. Also, in the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have Hon. Lyandro Komakech, former Member of Parliament, representing Gulu Municipality. He is accompanied by his master’s students; he went to the academic field now from Makerere University Department of Political Science. They include: 1. Mr Michael Taremwa 2. Mr Pius Muhoozi, and 3. Mr Vivian Karibwende. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Thank you. Thank you, Hon. Roland. I think it was very important for us to allow both sides to be – but for the record to be corrected, the minority report was signed by eight Members and not nine. The reason is that Hon. Nathan Banyima signed both the majority and the minority reports and it is not allowed. (Laughter) The rules are clear and it is not allowed. Under Rule 204(7) of the Rules of Procedure, you cannot withdraw a signature once you append it, and the majority report came first before the minority; therefore, his signature is with the majority report. I have checked both signatures and I am observant on such matters. Honourable colleagues, I will first allow the Government side to make a response on these matters and then I will go to Hon. Sarah Opendi who brought the matter and then I open up to the rest. Government? THE MINISTER, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (SECURITY) (Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Members of the two committees; the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs and the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, for a job well done. (Applause) As you may know, when the mover of the motion, Hon. Sarah Opendi, raised this matter some time back, we have had protracted discussions all this time and we have answered most of the questions, even those raised by the minority report. In fact, I was taken by surprise because we had interacted exhaustively and I was confident that there was no minority report.

Mr Speaker, reading from where I had stopped, the staff of State House provide the necessary logistical and technical support for efficient and effective operations of the Presidency. State House, in turn, provides the necessary facilitation for the staff to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This is the mandate which informs the budgetary allocations across the various items. For instance, to explain what has been in the media as to whether the President, in State House, consumes Shs 500 million, we want to clarify that the expenditure on this electricity consumption is addressed to Entebbe State House, Nakasero State Lodge, the Vice- President’s residence and 23 upcountry state lodges distributed in the various parts of the country including Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Bardege in Gulu, Arua, Masindi, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Fort Portal, Kisozi, Masaka, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, Kapchorwa, Ngoma, Kawumu, Mayuge, and Buvuma and five administrative office blocks that support State House and many other forms of infrastructure. In the media, there has also been a discussion as to whether the President spends Shs 350 million per year to buy clothing. Our President is one of the smartest presidents according to us who see him regularly. I just want to clarify that the item that appears under the State House Budget on beddings, clothing and footwear is meant to cover the protective gear for support staff, beddings for the state lodges, which I have read, the curtains, the various linens for furniture and State House functions as well as uniforms for staff as need arises. The categories of staff include drivers, housekeepers, caterers, kitchen staff, cleaners and the regular office staff. The State House also supports skilling programmes where you have seen young people who are skilled in various vocational skills and it usually provides uniforms. Therefore, this is to dispel the misinformation that the budget caters for clothing the President. Rather, it facilitates all these functions that I have explained. I could go on and on but that is the point I wanted to make, Mr Speaker. I hope this information clarifies the issues to do with budgeting for State House and states proper the record on the Hansard of this House. I want to appeal to all of us that we should always desist from raising sensational and unsubstantiated information, which misleads the public. I beg to move, Mr Speaker, and I thank you. (Mr Ssemujju rose_)

I put the question that Shs 25,125,972,000 be provided for as recurrent expenditure for Vote 308: Soroti University for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 309: Gulu University

I put the question that Shs 61,529,303,000 be provided for as recurrent expenditure for Vote 309: Gulu University for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 310: Lira University

I put the question that Shs 11,825,481,000 be provided for under Vote 404: Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 405: Gulu Regional Referral Hospital

I put the question that Shs 13,600,351,000 be provided for under Vote 405: Gulu Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 406: Hoima Regional Referral Hospital

8764 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 Vote 302: Mbarara University – Shs 3,954,706,000 Vote 303: Makerere University Business School – Shs 2,125,530,000 Vote 304: Kyambogo University – Shs 3,710,496,000 Vote 305: Busitema University – Shs 5,892,464,000 Vote 306: Muni University Shs – 4,752,000,000 Vote 307: Kabale University Shs – 2,586,568,000 Vote 308: Soroti University – Shs 1,257,362,000 Vote 309: Gulu University Shs 5,671,020,000 Vote 310: Lira University – Shs 5,000,000,000 Vote 311: Law Development Centre – Shs 4,782,560,000 Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute – Shs 1,320,000,000 Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University – Shs 2,229,372,000 Vote 401: Mulago National Referral Hospital – Shs 16,528,858,000 Vote 402: Butabika Hospital – Shs 2,513,373,000

Honourable mem - bers, the point has been taken. Let us proceed with referral hospitals. 1. Vote 405: Gulu Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 2. Vote 406: Hoima Hospital - Shs 2,620,000,000 3. Vote 407: Jinja Hospital - Shs 3,642,471,000 4. Vote 408: Kabale Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 5. Vote 409: Masaka Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 6. Vote 410: Mbale Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 7. Vote 411: Soroti Hospital - Shs 4,120,000,000

That is exactly what I am saying. The communities we represent will not believe in us. People go to the banks every day to check their accounts, but they bounce. As MPs, we have failed to explain it because there are guidelines coming from the finance ministry and those coming from the PDM Secretariat. If a local person asks, you cannot guide. That issue is very important. On the road infrastructure in the districts – and I am sure that much of the money, which is being returned, is always for the road infrastructure. The bureaucracy in the tendering process is very long. It takes about three months for somebody to be given a contract to grade a road. In Pader, for example, we have one grader. The excavator, which is supposed to help us get murram, is in the pool in Gulu and it is meant for the whole of northern region. You cannot get that excavator. That is the delay that makes money not to be utilised. I beg that the Government comes out clearly with a solution on how we can stop this issue of keeping and returning money. No money should be given to the districts in March or April because it will not be utilised. The supplementary budget brought in March or February should not be passed because the money is always not used. Thank you.

Yes, Madam Speaker. On Tuesday, 2 May 2023, the country received the sad news of the passing on of Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, a Member of Parliament for Oyam North County since 2016 and a member of the Lango Parliamentary Group. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Engola Macodwogo was born on 12 October 1958 to the late Rwot (Jago) Nassan Engola and Ketula Engola of Awangi in Iceme, Oyam District. The late Okello Charles Engola was the grandson of Rwot Olong Adilo and great-grandson of Rwot Olwa Abelli of Iceme Village. Madam Speaker, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola attended Atura Common Primary School from 1967 to 1973. He attended Soroti Senior Secondary School from 1974 to 1978. Hon. Charles Engola, attended Kampala International University from the year 2007 to 2010 and awarded a Bachelor of Development Studies. In 2013, he acquired a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Management from Kampala International University. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo joined the army in 1980 at the rank of private. He was later promoted to the rank of Major and appointed the Commanding Officer-501 Brigade based in Opit, Gulu. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and maintained as a Commanding Officer 501 Brigade. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of colonel and retired from the army. Madam Speaker, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola joined politics in the year 2006 and was elected the LC V Apac District till when Oyam District was created. From the year 2011 to 2016, he was the LC V Chairperson of Oyam. While from the year 2016 to 2021, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola was elected the Member of Parliament for Oyam North County and in the same period, he served as the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs. From 2021 to the time of his demise, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo was the Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations). Madam Speaker, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo was married to Mrs Joyce Okello Engola and they were blessed with children; Sharon Agweng Okello, Samuel Engola Jr, Daniel Olong, Frank Okaka and Feni Brian. Madam Speaker, Charles Okello Engola answered the highest call of serving his country as a professional soldier. He was a war hero and played a fundamental role in the pacification of the northern part of this country against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel insurgency and acquired the name ‘Macodwogo”, meaning “fire has returned”. (Applause) Madam Speaker, in 2019, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo, as the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), led a team of Ugandan Members of Parliament to Arabiska Forward Operating Base in Somalia, where they interacted with the UPDF troops and the local leadership.

Much obliged, Madam Speaker. I join the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister in seconding the motion to pay tribute to the fallen son of the land of our ancestors and a very faithful servant of his people. Madam Speaker, we can never get used to death – and death is such a shameless event that has, again, robbed us of a prominent Ugandan, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola, the former Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations). On my behalf and on behalf of the alternative government, I convey my deepest sympathies to the bereaved family, the people of Oyam North, the people of Lango subregion, the Parliament of Uganda and the people of Uganda for this unfortunate loss. Madam Speaker, this is particularly true in light of the life of the fallen colonel: a life intently lived for a service. He did not only contribute to the legislation process of this country but also served in various capacities such as an army officer, district leader and minister. It is sad that Col (Rtd) Charles Engola has passed on at a critical time when we are yet to conclusively deal with the regulation of labour externalisation that was so close to his heart. We are cognisant of his contribution when he took a decisive stance in cancelling licences of non-compliant labour agents. He was courageous and we applaud him for that. (Applause) Madam Speaker, his death brings to light a sacrifice made in the past as the Commander of the UPDF 501 Brigade in Gulu, where Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola played a pivotal role in containing the LRA and restoring peace in Northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, as we pay tribute to a fallen comrade, we are reminded of a similar sitting we had in the 10 th Parliament – those of us who are here – following the gruesome murder of the late Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga and his bodyguard in June 2018. Today’s case might be a little different since the bodyguard who, allegedly assassinated the honourable colleague, also took his own life immediately. The invitation I am making, Madam Speaker, to this august House is that we should not have closed our minds to the various murders of ordinary and high-profile Ugandans such as the late Joan Kagezi, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi and several Muslim clerics, among others, that we have witnessed since 2016. Madam Speaker, two days after Hon. Okello’s gruesome murder, another Ugandan, Ibrahim Tusubira – Jajja Iculi, like you have mentioned and observed ably – was gunned down within the same neighbourhood of the fallen minister. Madam Speaker, allow me to draw the attention of this House back to the address of the President that he delivered on 20 June 2019, in which he outlined a nine-point strategy intended to deal with and defeat insecurity in the country. I will particularly single out his directive to install security cameras across the country – and the fingerprinting of all legal arms in the country.

Madam Speaker, I am privileged to say a few positive things about my very close friend, the late Okello Engola before we finally say “bye” to him. From the onset, just to add to what Hon. Mao has said to the country, that death belongs to all of us. To celebrate the death of a person even if you do not agree with them, in our humble position, is to invite a curse unto your family and people. I am happy that, much as this callous soldier cut Hon. Macodwogo’s life short, there are no more camps in Oyam District – (Applause) – and there are no more convoys from Corner Kamdini to Gulu. There are also no more convoys from Karuma Bridge to Pakwach. Madam Speaker, the Langi, Acholi – the people of Northern Uganda – have now joined the rest of Uganda in fending for their lives as normal peaceful citizens. The role Hon. Okello Macodwogo played was very critical in making this happen. I think Hon. Mao had read my mind, but even after doing all those big things enumerated by

Madam Speaker, I stand here to support the motion that was presented here by our Prime Minister. I stand here in sadness for the loss of my brother, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola. I met Col (Rtd) Engola Macodwogo in 2001 when the rebel situation in northern Uganda was very bad, that each time one would try to go to Gulu or farther north, they had to wait at Karuma Bridge in order to be escorted across to wherever destination they were going. At that time, I paid no attention to who he was; just regarded him as any other UPDF officer. Much later, when he became the LC V Chairperson of Oyam District and I was in Government, we came to know each other better. A lot has been spoken about this man but when he came into Government, we came to realise that there are some similarities between us in terms of character. This was a very noble, humble, down-to-earth gentleman that you would never even imagine could quarrel or even kill a fly; he was a wonderful person. On many occasions – I say many occasions - people mistook him to be me and me to be him; Sam Engola to be me. All the time, there was confusion. (Laughter) I do not know why. Order, Madam Speaker. (Laughter)

Madam Speaker, I would like to give you one example. During our times – those years – if a civil servant was sick or took somebody who was sick, he would be given first priority, but nowadays that is not the case. I am looking at clause 12 and clause 10. Clause 10 is repealing the principal Act whereby, where there were initial capital allowances, they are now saying there will be no initial capital allowances. Madam Speaker, the reason for initial capital allowances was to accelerate capital allowances so that a person is told to leave Kampala, Mukono and Entebbe to go and invest in Mbale or Gulu – 50 kilometres outside Kampala. That was the reasoning. If the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has certified that more people have gone upcountry, then, you cannot come to clause 12 to deal with carry-forwards. What is a carry-forward in tax? I am going to demonstrate it simply. I have invested Shs 4 billion in Gulu. In the first year, they say, “you are entitled to 100 per cent”. That means the Shs 4 billion will be allowed as a deduction from my profit. Now, I make Shs 100 million as net profit. So, as far as my business is concerned, I have made a profit of Shs 100 million, but as far as taxes are concerned, you will knock off that Shs 4 billion from the Shs 100 million profit and at the end, I will end up with a taxable loss. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is saying that since you have made a taxable loss, you should not enjoy it. You have made a law to allow me to enjoy it in the first place, so, it would take not less than 15 years before we exhaust the tax allowance. Madam Speaker, one of the reasons a taxable loss arises is the law on giving accelerated capital allowances. Since you have repealed that, then you do not need to stop this. The reason is simple; they are saying people are cheating, but we have equipped URA with tax auditors. Section 90 of the Income Tax Act talks about tax avoidance but under section 91, we have given URA a lot of powers to even reclassify some things, disallow items and deal with them at arm’s length. So, there is no way a competent tax collector who knows tax auditing would fail to know whether someone is cheating or genuinely making a taxable loss. Madam Speaker, let me inform Members of Parliament that a trading loss can happen but I can have a trading profit - which I have explained - but in the end, because of this tax regime, I end up with a taxable loss. So, URA and my brother, Hon. Musasizi, are saying that they should now tax that loss. This issue

8395 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 27 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. Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology; Vote 303: Makerere University Business School; Vote 306: Muni University; Vote 308: Soroti University; Vote 309: Gulu University; Vote 310: Lira University; Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute; and Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University.

I I I I I I t I I I I I I I ! I I I I I I h A-a6unt llror(l Vot r.ac 159.309.084 146 Publra Sarvrcc Commrs3ron 7.200,000 144 Judrcra.l S.rvrcc Codrmrssrcn ,t95.OOO.000 151 Uganda Blood Tr3nlfuston Scrvrcc (UBaSl 857.q10.OOO 152 Natronal Asrculturd AdvBorv scrucca IN^ADSI Uqanda lffd Com6r$lon 17.400.()00 r56 1.825.473.200 rs8 tntcrne.l s.cunty Organrraoon 0SOl soo.ooo 000 rsq Ertcmal Sccunty O.ge-aEatba (e.SO) l _235.OOO.OOO r6s uprnda Busncas 3nd tccbnrcsl Eranrmatron Eosrd r 6sq.q78.286 302 Mbarara Utuv€rsrh of Sarancc rnd Tcahaolo(v ?.695.Ot2.?9? 303 Mekarcrc UDrvcrsfty Busrncas School 625.?4232r 306 3.213.006.662 307 (aba-ta UmgcftrB. 1.646.60?.404 304 43r.8?S.752 309 Gulu Udrvcrsrty 3.?93.257.856 310 r.330.79S.483 312 Ucenda ManaEancnt lnsttutc s.900.000.000 313 MouatdnB of lhc Moon Utuvcrsrw 4.359.OOO.OOO 40l Mulaao Holprt .l Complcr sl2.400.ooo 402 Butab*a Hosprt l 864.I4S,100 403 Arua R.fcrral Hoaprtal 82S.000.000 404 Fort Po(al Rcfc.ral Rosp(il | .232.At6 .A22 405 Oulu Rcfcr€-t Hospltal 1.363.()43.239 406 Holma R.acrre-t Hoaprta-t 542.600.ooo 407 Jlnta Rcfcrral Ho3prti 667,644 9t2 408 liabrlc Rcfcrr.l Ho3prtat 67S,600.000 409 Masaka Rcfcrrel H6prtal es4.600.000 410 Mbalc Reacftal Ho3prt -t 637.200.OOO 411 Sorotr Rcfcrral Hdprt I r.o47.s19.737 4t2 Lrra Rcfcral Holprti.l Mbarara Rcfcrral Ho3p(al s77 200,000 ,t l3 505.800.000 414 Mubctrdc Rcfcrrs.l Hosprtal 895.423.320 4ls Moroto Rcfcrral Hosplte-t 634.200.OOO 416 Nagunr Rospltal 9ls,oo0.o00 4l? Kruddu Rcfcrral Hosp(al 4.? 3? .A2t .230 418 Kawcmpc Rcferral Hospx.-t 406.200.ooo 419 Entcbbc Rcfcrra-l Hospltal 420 Mulato SpcclalEed womcn and Neonatal Hosp(al 4 .992.O53 .292 600.o00.000 421 Ka!,unPa Rcfcrla-t HosDltal 3r0.000.000 50s U?anda Hmh Commrssron rn l(cnva. Nafobr 47? _949.420 so7 upanda Hreh Comorssron rn Nrscna. Abura sr2 UE nda Embaqqv ln EthroDra. Addrs Ababa 550.000,000 32aA59.o?? 51:t ucanda Edbas3v rn SMtzcrland, Ocncva 300 000.000 518 ln B. Bru3acls Etaba U -$y

I I I I I t I ! I I I I I I t I I I I \( E ( Votc l(.a. Ainaunt lt Gtal s21 U@nda Emba$v rn Sudan. Khartoum 200.000.000 s23 Uqanda Eabsss! m G.rarnv. Bc.lrn 3r r.665.000 528 Usa.ada E rba3sv ra Unlted Arab Emlratc8. Abudhabr 333.201.4OO 532 Ucrnda Etubassv rd Soaell,- MoEadfhu ?3r ooo ooo 601 r r.392.633.473 602 Fon-Portrl cty 3.035.3r0.553 603 Gulu crtv 7.065.OO1.270 6M Holha crw 2.O22.346.44e 605 1o.020.673.o?9 606 trr"a clty 6.552.34r.838 60? 6.44?.s)O.402 608 Mbalc otv 6.?SA A?2 S4A 609 9.660.8:l8.OO4 6lo Sorotr cltv 5.3t2.?26.663 ?or Apea Muo.rcDrl Counc 819.9,t 1.393 ?M Buon MurucrDal Councrl a99.S4t _3? | 703 Bushcnyr- lshaka Muructpe-t Councd r.7s?.?3t.26t ?04 Busra Mudcrpal Counc 635.r89.234 705 Entcbbc MunrcFsl Counc 2.202.9?O.22r ?06 lbanda Mumcrpa-t Counc 2.86e.244.4? 5 ?o? lEarga Munrcpal Counc a?2.t93.48? ?oa lAbsl. Mu .rpe-t Counc s.045.963.r69 709 (ahuh Munrcpel Counc r.3?6.148.080 710 Kap.horwa Murcrpal Counc 1.632.211.S49 7tt Ka3ala Muncrpal Couac 13.3?7.418.241 7t2 kra Mumcrpal Coutrc 2. r23.002.66r ?t3 K8oro Munrcrpal Counc 3.275.493.993 ?t4 Kltgum Mutuce.l Courc r.i10.q36.ao? 715 Koboko Muhrcrp;.I Coudcrl 609.996.,r,16 716 Kotrdo Multrcrpd Councd 53?.80?.890 ?t7 Kuru Muo.rcrDa.l Counc 850.19A. 19 ?IA Luaazl MunroDal Counc 254,6? elq 7t9 Mgkradii.-Slabtuaabo MurucrDal Counc r. r37.397.153 ?20 Malrrrdr Munrclpal Councl.t 1.34S.703.8?4 ?21 Mrtvina MungDal Counc[ 1.769.623_843 ?22 Mornto Mumcroal Counc 1.297 405 97S ?23 Mub.Ddc Muorclpal Counc 1.520.507.050 ?24 Mukono Munrcrpal Counc 2.24t.224 .X56 ?25 Nansana Mumclpal Councd 3 2tl.lla.1lr ?26 Ncbbr MurucrDal Couac,-t 483.312.O34 ?2? Ntcru MudrcDa-t Councd 1.393.052.SOS ?24 Ntu.qamo MurucDal Couac ?4 t,6?3.16? ?29 Rukuaorr MunADd-t Counc[ 2 296 . t t4 .t+)

Aaouat lUCtr o22 Ml,lrtstrv of Iourum. wddMe and Antrourtres 24L162.425 tt2 Etlrca and Intcgnt! 7.200.ooo ll4 USanda Canccr Instrtutc ?8,r 800.000 I ls USanda Hcart lnstltutc 253.200.000 120 Natronal CluzcnsluD and ldruEAuon Crarol[Nclcl r{ 400.000 r22 Ka.mpala Cap(al Clty Authonty t? .6?? .o4 t.?64 t2? Upanda Vmrs Rcs..rch laqtrtutc luvRn 137.400.{lOO t32 Educatron Scrvrcc Cofi nlaslon 7.200.ooo 133 Dr.ctorate of ArbLc Prosecuhona 1?.400.000 134 Hcdth S.rucc Commlssmn r4.400.000 r3s Drcctoiatc of Oovcmmcot A,lalvucal Laboratorv {DOALI 194.600.o00 t42 Natotril Agncultural R.s.arch Orgaruzahon (NARO) l_ooo.ooo.ooo t44 Uginda PoLcc Forc. 7.0?8.800.000 145 Ugaada Pnsoa3 2.O29.800.000 146 Arblrc S.ruc. CotrrJrlsslon 7 200.000 148 JudrcEI &rvrc. Com-tl1ls8mn 7 200.000 l5l Uganda Blood T.ansfuson Scrvrcc (lJBfSl 495.OOO.OOO 156 Uaanda land Conmrs8bn r?.,+oo.ooo r58 lntcmal Sccunty Orgaflratroo (lSOl 500.o00.000 159 D(te.tral S.cunty OrAanr.zahon (ESO) s00.o00.000 401 Mulago Hosprta.l Codplcr( 4.359.OOO.OOO 402 Butabrka Hosprt l 512.400.OOO 40i Arua Rcfcrral Hosprtal 627.OOO.OOO 4M Fon Ponal Rcfcrral Hosprtal a2s.ooo.ooo 405 Gulu Rcfcrlil Hosprtal 825.600.000 406 Homa Rclcrral Ho3pltal 890.400.000 40? Jlqa Rcfcrral Hosprtal s82.600.000 404 (abe-tc Rcfcrrra-t Ho3plta-t s6s.400.ooo 409 Mas.ka RefcrrJ Ho6pxr.l 6?5.600.000 410 Mbat Rcfcrral Hosprtal 954.600.000 411 Sorotr Rclcrral Holprtal 63?.200.000 4t2 lrr'a Rcfcaral Hoaprtal 415.400.ooo 413 Mbarara Rcfcrral Hospltal 5?? 200 000 414 Mubcndc Rcfcrra-t Hosprta-t 505.800.o00 41S Moroto Rafcrra.l Hospltal s02 800.000 416 Neguru Hosprta-t 634.200.OOO 41? loruddu Rcfcrra-t Hdprtal 915.000.000 418 (ewcmpc Rcfcrral Hosprtal 1.237.320.000 419 Entcbbr Rcfcrral Hosprrrl ,106.200.ooo 420 Mulago SpccElrred Womcn a.nd Nconat l Hosp(al 1 .,[46 000.ooo 601 3.130.961.O25 602 Fort-Pona.l clB 2. r53.656.406 601 2.O99.60a.100 I I I I t t I I t I t I I I t I t I I I (/ +r so

vota l{a.ac A.aourt IUOXI aol 1.259.698.363 1.775.413.415 ao2 Adtumam Drltnct 3.40S.4?4.139 803 Asaao Drlt ct 1.986 305.2 3 804 Alcbtoae Dlstnct ao5 Amolatar Dl8tnct 3.056.509.532 ao6 | .449 .? 54.?99 3.607 _? t? .SSt ao? Amuna Orstnct 457 09a.to3 808 Amuru Drstnct 410 Ama DEtrrct 1. r?3.193.314 811 Budrkr Dlstrlct 3.24?.O34.?Ot 3.O17.737.068 a12 Bududa Dtstrrct t.re? 319 a?? 8r3 Bulan Or3tnct 814 Bulwen Dlltrlct 890.060,304 8r5 BuhwEru lhstrlct 1.21a.424.O22 BurLurc Dlitnct s6s.269.6r? 816 | _622.?2r .923 at? Buk dca DBtnct 255.6?0.269 8r8 Bukomenarmbr D8tnct 8r9 Bul6 ro D6trrct 4.r83.r?8.33r 420 Bulrmbuh Dt3tnct 2.61l.4o1.Ot4 1.o81.149.212 a2l Bul[sa lhstrrct 3.41q.71q.O75 422 Bundrbusvo Orstrrct a23 Bunvancabu DBtnct 2.06 r.902.349 824 Bulhcnvr Dlstnct 1.652.?? 1.286 a2s Busls DEtrrct 3.r$.626.404 426 ButaLra DEtnct r.r29.15,t.38S 34t.973.2t4 a2? Butambala DBtrct 3.243.154.4?A 429 Buvuma OBtnct 431 Dokolic Dlltilct 2.564.937.59r 212 C,oabr Dlstnct 994.342,65? 433 Gulu Drstact 1.90s.81l.l t9 9?4.494.24? 834 Horma Drstnct 835 tberda Dt3tnct ,r,r0.069.4r7 436 990.?AA.?36 1.663.920.379 838 Jm|e DBtflct q l2_s2s.87q 840 lkbalc DBtnct 841 (absrole Dlarirct 2.930.34?.6?O 442 (ab..amad6 Dr3t ci 136.950.000 2.9s6-q24.30S 843 Kaeadr O8tnct 84,1 (ekuorro OBtnct t .6sr .G2.??9 445 l(alala Dlstnct t .240.64? .424 t .7 r? .r?9 .592 846 lirlrnrela OBtnct r.592.64S.544 84? Krko Dl3tnct 8,+8 tie]L.l^at D.sto:rc. ,42 ,159 163 + R t- 62 ^(

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for according to us space and amending the Order Paper to accommodate the Committee report. The Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs reported on the Floor of this Parliament the escalating prevalence rates of HIV/ AIDS in prisons that was above the national percentage. It was upon that report, that the committee took the initiative to visit these detention centres and prisons across the country to find out the facts about this. Objectives for the field visit 1. Establish the cause of the high HIV/ AIDS prevalence rates reportedly higher among inmates compared to the national prevalence rates. 2. Evaluate the existing national healthcare response services framework of these correctional institutions in comparison to other jurisdictions and between the detention centres and communities. 3. Establish the levels of adherence to the national and international obligations by providing health care within prisons equivalent to that available to the outside population and to ensure continuity of care and treatment. Findings of the committee The committee established that HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in prisons were higher than the national average. For example, Dyanga Prison in Kiryandongo District. The prison facility recorded 18.7 per cent, Gulu Main Prison 18.6 per cent, and Kitgum prison, where there was 10 per cent prevalence rates. The Uganda Prisons Sero-Behavioral Survey Report 2014 indicated there were 47, that is, 3.6 per cent new infections out of 1,315 HIV/ AIDS infected individuals among prisoners. Out of the 47 prisoners who had the recent infection 50 per cent, that is, about 23, had been incarcerated for more than six months. This means 23 prisoners contracted HIV/AIDS while in prison. The report attributes this to several factors including but not limited to risky behavior and lifestyle, injuries, violent incidents that contribute to the disease transmission. We interacted with the leadership of the prisons; the Assistant Commissioner- General who visited the committee. We were informed that despite the fact that in some prisons, they invite barbers to shave hair to the prisoners. In most of the rural prisons, prisoners are given razor blades to shave hair and then they end up sharing these razor blades. That accounts to the percentage of those that contract HIV/AIDS while in prison. Mr Speaker, we also raised the issue of homosexuality while in prison as one of the reasons or causes for the transmission of HIV/AIDS while in prison. When we met the team, they never denied the existence of homosexuality in the prisons nor did they agree to it. They said since homosexuality is rampant in the community nowadays, people that are sent to prison come or originate from the communities. So, the issues of homosexuality could be there but since there are no cameras in the areas of residence, they would not be able to identify or conclusively commit that homosexuality is one of the causes.

Mr Speaker, we recommend as follows: Whereas the above efforts are commendable, the Government should open up more prisons and police services centres with national coverage to replicate services offered at a national level. Mr Speaker, we observed that the money that they put in transporting prisoners to go and get health services or HIV medical treatment at the nearby health centre is more costly. When we went to Amuru, we found out that these people have to travel to Gulu to collect drugs. 3.1: Sufficiency of health services provided Mr Speaker, we established that some local governments were devoid of functional health units necessary in the provision of medical services to suspects and police officers. The committee, Mr Speaker, also observed that the incapacity of Uganda Police Force to provide the required healthcare services in some districts violated the policy objective of the Uganda National Minimum Health Care Package (UNMHCP). We recommend, Mr Speaker, that since the Uganda Police Force primarily offers health care services on behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Government should take deliberate actions to establish and strengthen police health care centres. [Ms Netalisire] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Highly noted, Mr Speaker. The findings: The Status of DGAL Forensic Laboratories DGAL has acquired the land title for the headquarters at Wandegeya and the designs for the DNA data bank infrastructure building have been approved by KCCA. However, there were no releases on the development budget for quarter one of the Financial Year 2022/2023. This has greatly affected the commencement of works on the building. DGAL has four regional forensic laboratories situated in Mbale for the Elgon and the entire eastern region, Mbarara for Western Region, Gulu for the northern region and Moroto for the North Eastern and Karamoja sub regions. All these have their land titles, except Mbarara where efforts to get the land title is underway. The DGAL developed an organisation plan for regional forensic laboratories as a systematic guide to operationalise the laboratories and offer more accessible forensic, analytical and advisory services to stakeholders at regional level. Recruitment of forensic scientists to staff the regional forensic laboratory has been embarked on with the 10 Government analysts recruited at the end of the financial year. Clearance for recruitment for the Financial Year 2022/2023 has been sought from the Ministry of Public Service through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, it should be noted that DGAL approved staff structures are 124 positions. As of July 2022, only 65 positions are filled, putting it at 52.4 per cent leaving 59 positions vacant. Day care facilities have been set up in Mbale Regional Laboratory to cater for breastfeeding and expectant mothers who are part of the staff and clientele. The renovations and furnishing of basic scientific equipment have been provided for the regional forensic laboratory. Parliament appropriated an additional Shs 8 billion to DGAL for the Financial Year 2022/2023 for the regional forensic laboratories to acquire modern scientific equipment to add forensic analysis in the regions. An additional Shs 6.4 billion is needed to fully equip and operationalise all the regional laboratories. [Mr Muwuma] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

8327 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. corporate governance that is accountability; issues related to cooperation, integrity, transparency, dialogue and teamwork. There is a lot of backbiting, telling lies, gossiping, rumour mongering and so on – (Interjection)- yes, there is no much work there. I for one would feel that really, there must be cooperation and teamwork; this is what should be encouraged there. For instance, Mr Speaker, more than 15 years ago, Dorcus Inzikuru won a gold medal in steeplechase in Santiago Chile, and was promised that Barifa Stadium will be changed to Dorcus Inzikuru Stadium. Up to now, the National Council of Sports has failed to follow up on this issue. The stadium is really dilapidated up to now. Not only that, Mr Speaker, there was a promise that there was going to be the construction of stadiums in all the regional centres like say Mbarara- Kakyeka Stadium, up to now it has not been constructed, Pece Stadium in Gulu has not been constructed, Moyo Celecelea Stadium has not been constructed, in Lira we have Aki Bua and so on and so forth. Please honourable minister, let us follow up on all these promises by the Government so that we have these stadiums in place. And there must be harmony and coexistence at the National Council of Sports.

8238 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. MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS & BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2023/2024 Mbarara University of Science and Technology This university has a problem of a dilapidated medical school. The committee, therefore, recommends that Shs 50 billion be allocated for the construction of a multi-purpose block at the Faculty of Medicine to house all lecture rooms, laboratories, and offices, and another Shs 18 billion will be required in the Financial Year 2023/2024 to kick-start the process. Mr Speaker, I have already talked about the wage bill for the recruitment of staff and promotions. Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Mr Speaker, Under MUBS, we recommend that an allocation of Shs 12.4 billion be allocated to enable the university clear its domestic arrears. Kyambogo University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development allocates Kyambogo University an additional Shs 34.2 billion in the Financial Year 2023/2024, to enable it address the process of asbestos-sheets roof removal - the university has buildings littered with asbestos sheets - and handle the dilapidated infrastructure. We further recommend that the university considers engaging the convocation to source funds for the initial fencing of the university to stop encroachers on its land. Busitema University Inadequate release to the Maritime Institute at Namasagali The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development allocates Shs 8.7 billion in order for it to start the implementation of the programme. There is also funding for the technology innovation and incubation centre and we are proposing Shs 1 billion to be allocated for at least the next three financial years. Funding toward completion and equipping the medical school This one is at Mbale Campus. We recommend that Shs 3.7 billion be allocated to fast-track and complete the rehabilitation of the medical school. Muni University Inadequate funding to the university We recommend that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development revises the recurrent non-wage of Muni University upwards to at least Shs 7.71 billion in the next financial year, and the MTEF period, in order to avoid a supplementary request each financial year, which sometimes is not given to the university. We further recommend for an additional Shs 8.2 billion for the completion of the construction of a multi-purpose hall to house the health science modern laboratory and administration annex building, and Shs 1.2 for Erepi Primary Teachers’ College. The university also needs more Shs 4.8 billion to recruit staff. Kabale University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should maintain the budget of Shs 9 billion, in the medium term, to enable the university to complete its on-going infrastructure development, and that it avails an additional Shs 22.6 billion for the procurement of a pre-specialised equipment and machinery. Soroti University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should allocate an additional Shs 17 billion to enable it complete the Anatomy Block. Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Mr Speaker, I am sorry. Actually, the supply table has no issues. The figures appearing here, both for recurrent and development, are the ones in the Appropriation Bill’s draft estimates. So, the figures are correct. I had reached Vote 166: National Council of Sports – let me repeat it. Vote 166: National Council of Sports Total recurrent – Shs 16,966,514,000 Total development – Shs 0 Vote 301: Makerere University Kampala Total recurrent – Shs 346,669,558,000 Total development – Shs 19,072,698,000 Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology Total recurrent – Shs 54,295,012,000 Total development – Shs 3,764,047,000 Vote 303: Makerere University Business School Total recurrent – Shs 103,103,575,000 Total development – Shs 2,125,530,000 Vote 304: Kyambogo University Total recurrent – Shs 131,291,738,000 Total development – Shs 1,710,496,000 Vote 305: Busitema University Total recurrent – Shs 52,112,893 Total development – Shs 5,892,464,000 Vote 306: Muni University Total recurrent – Shs 24,080,694,000 Total development – Shs 4,752,000,000 Vote 307: Kabale University Total recurrent – Shs 56,011,281,000 Total development – Shs 2,586,568,000 Vote 308: Soroti University Total recurrent – Shs 22,879,364,000 Total development - Shs 1,257,362,000 Vote 309: Gulu University Total recurrent – Shs 61,529,303,000 Total development – Shs 1,671,020,000 Vote 310: Lira University Total recurrent – 29,983,277,000 Total development – Shs 5,000,000,000 Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute Total recurrent – Shs 35,594,073,000 Total development – Shs 1,720,000,000 Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University Total recurrent – Shs 37,702,810,000 Total development Shs 0 Vote 612: Local Governments Total recurrent – Shs 3,129,560,000,000 Total development – Shs 349,030,000,000 Vote 122: KCCA Education Grant Total recurrent – Shs 46,710,000,000 Total development – Shs 2,230,000,000 I beg to report, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the chairperson of the committee for the report. On 6 April 2023, the Prime Minister made the following statement; “The Gulu– Opit–Rackoko–Patongo–Abim-Moroto Road is a national road under the responsibility of UNRA and it is currently under maintenance.” Although the road was not listed under NDP III, it is a priority road, as stated by H.E. the President, in his pledges. As such, the road has been identified for development. Design for upgrading of this road is scheduled to commence in the next financial year. This Moroto Road has been talked about for so long and it connects over 60 per cent of Northern Uganda. Allow me to request that this is considered, as mentioned by the Prime Minister because it was not mentioned in the committee’s report. Thank you.

1.O INTRODUCTION ln consonance with Articles 90 and 155(41 of the Constitution of the Repubhc of lJganda 1995 (as amendcd), Sectron 12(l), 13(13,14,15) of che Public Finance Managemcnt Act, 2015 and Rules 146, l4?, 148 and 149 of the Rules of Proccdurc of Parhament. thc Sub-Programme on Education, Sports and Skrlls ts mandated nmong othcrs; i. Examine and commcnt on policy matters allecting Ministries, Departmcnts and Agencies (MDAsl undcr its purview; and ii. Examrne critrcally Government recurrcnt and capital budgct estimates and makc rccommendations on them. The Committce, ln fullillment of its mandate hereby presents this report for your consideratron and adoption rn respect to the pohcy statcmcnts and budgetary estima(es for the Financial Ycat 2023/24 for the following (20) Votes. VOTE: VOTE. VOTE: VOTE. VO'TE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE. VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: ot3 llt r28 132 t@ 165 166 301 302 303 304 305 306 30? 308 309 310 312 313 Mrnistry of Edtrcatron and Sports National Curriculum Development Ccnter Uganda Natronal Examrnations Board Fllucation Servicc Commrssion National Council for Higher Education Uganda Busmess and Tcchnical Examinations Board National Councrl of Sports Ma.kerere Univcrsity Mbarara Unrversrty of Science and Technologt Makerere Unrverslty Business School I(yambogo Universrl.y Busitema Unrversity Muni Unrversrty Kabalc Universrty Soroti Univcrsrty Gulu University Lira Unrversrty Uganda Managcment lnstitutc Mountains of the Moon N 3 ,! Y)

Tablc 4: Sub-Progremae - Fineacial Perforrnaacc ae Pct Votcr for FY2AZ2|2S rt Hrlf Yc.r. UShr Bn. ott {toEs tt1. Ncoc 122-XCCA I2t.UNEB 126.?3 rt2 -EsC 1,1 46 8.2. 91 47 t64. itcHE 73 165. UBTES 166 . t{cs 30r.irut( &l 49 3OGiluni Univartiv l0?-Krbrle Univs,rity 30t-So.oti UniYG.lity 65 48 9,( r0 69 95 ?3 40 3.'t33 19 1.,435 90 'r..35 90 Votao Ape.ov.d Budgot ta,dfirnS R.L... h, End O.c te.at ly ad O.c * g{dgrt !a qdlrt 'rlR.bar 8!..i i.Laa.d tF.lt 651 2S 235 36 135 18 3 11 57./ z2 125 9.58 e-t 75 ,r3 30 11 17 95 7? 72 67 :ro. 68 55 /t0 94 31 85 t3- 95'r4 8!t 25 69 87 65,18 5.12 117 37 48 30 9'l 10 805 6 38? 5 859 3225 23 58 33 733 15 1',t3 15 051 80 1162 9g 59 17 812 rO /t@ 18 408 38 s0 rm00 369 35 185.22 165 18 50 r5 4172 8S 18 302.IllUST 57 ?96 2811? 26 t48 22 1521 gt E2 30!{ua:l t 0? 3'l ,lg 061 a0 61 13?2 15 72 I l0,(. l(yrmbogo Unrvcrsrty 138 666 eo 552 686 5E 09 4e6 305. Eu!rtsma Unieat!rty 60 06 25 88 22 75 4i|.09 370a 87 91 25 12 1r 958 99r 47 60 3e,a5 82 87 63 2(X 26 495 20 763 11 g2 32 85 te 17 21 lfi 'r I 539 7 556 46 6'l 30 52 309-Gulu Univerllty 78 051 3.a 531 32 1g 4.21 41 63 12 e4 310-Llre Univc6ity 27 021 16.51E 11-576 6r.24 lt2.umr 35 632 18 82 12 37 82 3l l.lloX 20 183 10 16 50 ,a6 25,10 50 34 L6..501.t50 13 74 .15 100 00 Yr+S J trN# 11

250 staff and students vaccinated agarnst Hepatrtis B (second dosc) Initiated and awarded the procurement for supply and installation of Anti- virus softwarc; lnitiated supply and installation of network rn the new offices and supply of telerrision for the students Initiated and awarded the procurement [<rr supply of thc CBC machine for the Medical Centre Procurement for ICT Laborat<1ry equipment initrated under SET. 3o9-Gulu Univcreity . I full council meeting and 7 Councrl Commrttee meetings held; r National budget conferencc for FY 2023124 attcnded; r Provided monthly rnternet bandwidth of 133Mbps; o Procured 63 volumes of tcxt books; o Annual performance Report for FY 2O2l122 prepared; . Uganda Vice Chancellor Forum, AICAD and lnter-Universrty Council f<rr East Afrrca subscribed to; o Acquired addrtional 187 890 acres after compensattng 120 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) brtnging the total number ofacres acqured to 462.88 acres out of the 786.4 I acres earmarked; . Recommendatlon for award of contract for design and construction supervision of a Multi-purposc buildrng approved; . Tcaching Hospital and Scnate burlding Preliminary design report completed; and; o Bus body rebuilding of motor vehicle UAK 482G commcnccd. 310 . Llre Uaivcralty 0.8 Km of new road opened, l L3Kms of mechanizc'd roads maintained, 17.2Kms of roads on routine maintenance. All thesc arc to provide access to all uscrs; lO (ten) Committcc mceungs of thc council held, 10 (ten) management meetrngs held, f0 (ten) top management meetings held. Managed Payroll and Data capture of 266 (10S female) staff, recruited thrce staff two (2) mate and one, (l) female on replacement basis Coordinated prcparation of Recruitmcnt plan 2023 /2024 for submrsston to Mnrstry 102 Malc and 65 female apprarsed; Prepared and submrttcd Financial Statcments for FY 2O2l 12022, Audits done <rn above Accounts by OAG; Warrants for prcpared; Q2 for FY 2022/2 a a 3 + x #+ (-/ 28

The Table lO above show the draft estlmates for votes under the ESSSP for Fy2O23124. Thcrc is a notablc reduction in estimates in the draft cstrmates compared to the ceiling at NBFP fmm UGX 5,748.93bn to UGX 5,253.39bn hcnce a reduction of UCX 495.54bn and this was noted mainly in the votes of MoES,NCDC,UNEB,NCHE,UBTEB,Kyambogo & Gulu Univcrsities and [acal Governments. Some Unrversitres like Ma.kcrcre, Lira, Mountatns of the Moon, UMI and Kabalc received some increments in the budgetary csLimates compared to NBFP considcrations. ln the 2ad BCC, it was clearly communicatcd to the Accountng Officers that in the FY 2023124, there are no provrsions for new rccruitmcnts across governm€nt, and thercfore no VOTE will be authorizcd to recruit new staff exccpt on a replacement basis u,lth evidence that posrtions to be l-rlled have provision rn the budget for FY 2023 /24. Teblc 11: Trcad Allocetlotl to thc Educetlon end Spoits Sub Prograrnoc for thc pr.t th?.c 20 I 2L, 2O2 L I 22, 2022 I 23 Ughr bn. -t 4l ..i 3 X ) RchUec Cirlac (d-c l/ cr roo-- % volr88 FT 2o'l0l2llrl rr 202tl22tbt IT N*Zl2J,lcl FT 7U,3l21ttl Ab.olutc clr.tc ld-cl ol3-xoEa 601 364 536 905 672 X2 482 53 -la9 ?s 22 t2 5.3 242 23.3 -32 7 40 208 47.449 12 162 4A a8g ?2 6? t26 73 128 39 48 93 I 18 -23 ?4 1.66 124-urEB 11l-ict c 122-rocA t40 t 45 146 445 -l? 3 l3 l2 gl8 _r:!a-Ece- . _- l6a-rcEE o g 378 lo l8 t4 45 19 81 95 t4 74 33 73 30 57 ltts-ultci o 3195r -9.4 64 256 47 At 359 35 t? .4 367 A9 -3 16 .t 46 30.4 -25 -5 07 3{t l.xur 166-ic8 363 736 o r8 359 365 06t -04 t63 57 4a5 s? ?a 100.549 30r.xrraa 303.rrra8 304-Krl urtv to? 32 136.0I !058t t33.49 58 72 O.94 -1.5r -4 52 r40.600 s? 497 97 6as r37.38 58 2? -3 28 305- arram UIIV 5l s45 s3 s46 6l ss rH+ 34 -5.33

The commlttcc observes that thc council expenence hugc budget cuts w'lth their budgct for FY2O23|24 rcductng by 640/o compared to FY2O22 /23 from UShs 4?.tbn to an allocation of l?.387ba n fY2O23124, this budget cut is hkcly to affect a numbcr of planned activities under the Council such as preparatlonr quahficatrons and participation of Team Uganda in the 2O23 All Africa Games in Accra Ghana and thc 2O24 Paris, France Olympic and Paralympic games a.rnong others The Council seeks an additional Uahr 3O.42 bn in order to Eupport 5l reglst-ered National Fcdcrations and other activlttcs. The Councrl requires a dcvclopment budgct of UEhr t4.OSbn for the rcfurbishment and renovatton of Sports facilities at Lugogo Sports Complex and UShe 2o2bn nceded to facrlitate the refurbishment of various National Stadra regionally; Akibua Olymprc Stadium (Lira), Buhinga (Fort Portal crty)' Kakycka (Mbarara), Barifa (Arua), Pece (Gulu). Bugembe /lGkindu(Jrnja), Mbale Municipal Stadium (Mbalcl, Masaka Recrcattonal Grounds (Masaka)\, Ihbale Stadium (Kabale), Soroti Stadium (Soroti), King George Stadium(Tororo), Hoima (Boma Cround) and Masindi Stadium. Recomma,'datlons The commlttce recp,mmcnd,s f,hd:t: i. MFPED rclrwtatea that [ntdgct' of lfi$fot rZ2(ngf24 b U$rts4?.abn ll. MPPBL cualls llES a dcr*lopmeat hrdgct ol UShs Sobrt to klck scaft thc dcoclopma,I.C ol ttt ,Ib rt clrlmplcx/rrrNrna at Lugogo atd U*hs 2O2bt tor the Nat"lolnal ,tadla rcglotallg la thc medlut,za tctlra. FUBLIC T'N'IVERIIITIESI Gcacrd Obrcnatioar ead rccornnctr&tlont af Uadontafllag rnd hlgh rtrtl turnovcr: The Commrttec obscrves that most Public Universities are grossly understalled, with stafflng levels as low as 3O7o in some Universities/Colleges especially the s1

project. The Universrty rcquires UShs 17bn to complete construchon of the Anatomy block. Rccommea.d.d'tlo'^ ,:hc Conmlttee tccommands Chat MFPED a,llocatcs thc Uahnrsltg aa additioaal UShs 17ba for complctloa oJ thc Anatomg Block votc 3o9 Gulu unlncrrlty el lnadcquatc fuadlng for Ccntrel TcachlnS Fecllty The Committee observes that Gulu Unrversity had a reduction tn tts dcvelopmcnt budget of FY2O2|122 by UShe 6.O'l7bn after a supplementary budget that was approved by MFPED was indrcated as an already approvcd budget by Budget Committcc of Parliament and thcrcby not approving thcir supplcmentary which was not the casc. Thrs has caused challenges in regards to the continuatron of the constructron of the Central Teaching Facility to enable the University mect the tsasrc Requirements and Minimum Standa.rds. ln FY2o22/23, out of a dcvclopmcnt budget of UShe 11. t6bn only UShr 1.22bn had been relcased by half year further stalling the progrcss of thc central teachrng facrhty project and this has led to demobilization from site by thc contractor. ln ?Y2O23 /24, only USh! 2.L2ba- has becn allocarcd as devclopment budget for the Universrty regardless ofall the unpard certificates as a result of works on thc central tcaching facrlity. ."S.. .*-r\F Recomt^e datio n Tllr Commttt e ?eoomrnctds that MFpsD otrrt(dt " tttc 1r^tta"tlqg'r dct/€l,,pr'^e,trt bardgct ol UShs 77ba atd. tlmelg relcascs bc made to cnabl, dE A,^h,€rsltg ra€et lts conttactual obllgattoas ia tcga teaching facillty. l\l- bf Ina&quetc fuadlng for othcr kcy dc?cloprncnt proJcctt "d.s to thc Ce,[;ttal x N T 63

Total Dcvc cnt s,t92t464 VOTE 3O6: UU!tI UITMRAIaY Rccut:cnt Coaponcnt o/w Wagc 18,291,043 301,E49 6,091,500 o,/w Pensro_n and C13lt1ity o/ ul anears o/w Non-wage 24,O80,69{ Totil Rccurrcnt 4,752,000 o/ u anea?s Dctrcloprrcnt o/ ut Drternal Financmg o/ w GoU Totd Dceclopncnt VOTE 3O?: XAAALE IrrI\rERSIff 4,7S2,OOO Rccutrcnt Coa.poacnt o/w Wage 39,486, 193 18,211,469 o/ w_Penaion zmd Gratu ity o/ u' Anearc o/w Non-wage ?otd Rccurrcnt I,686,381 s6.o11,281 D6e6lopncnt Coaponcnt 2,586,568 VoTE 3O8: SOROTI III|rVERSITY RGcurrcnt ComDoa€at o/ tu Goll o/ ut arrears o/ u' Dxtema) Frnanc,.ng Tot l trt 2,586,56t 15,650,607 7.560,343 o/w Wage o/w Non-wage 336,849 5,263 22'.4?9, 4 DcvcloDment Componcnt Totel Rccurrcnt o/ w (ioU Totd Dcrr.lapnent o/u Drtemal Financmg o/ w Atears o /w Pension_{r.9-Oratuity o/ w Arrears 1,254,000 3,362 l,2s?,362 VCyrE 3O9: -GULU U TERSIIY_ Rccuraat CorD.potrcnt "k /**V 77

\ 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

Multipurposc burlding constructron at Gulu Univcrsity Conrhtucnt 13.455 Tot Collcse and 'ttach inE Hospltal 31.?1 126 Bilt w lnadc uatc rnfraatructurc facrhtrcs Shortfalls rn allowancca totd o.576 l9.lt Dcvclo bu t.3 t.2 Construcl,ion of a new cl,assroom/office block at Mbale Branch Constructron of a ncw clalsroom/officc block at Mbarara Branch t0 Constructron of the ncw multlpurposc burldi at Kam la Branch Dcvclo t Dcvelo totd 12.5 Tte Committcc rccommcnda that MFPED re-mrtate3 Mts of the Moon lJnivcr$ty development budSet of UShs 5.41bn, addrtronal UShs 5.4bn as rctoolin bu and thc PrcaidcntEl plcdge for the construction of the faculty of health ecicnccs, rnnovatron and tcch 5.4 20 Ra-rn statc dcvclo ment bu Prcsidcntial Totd 26.+ trl;"dibt l-, --ll::?tri l eto,L 6.008 Thc Commlttcc recommcnds thar MFPED allocatca Gulu Unrve rsrty an addrtronal UShs 13.455bn rn ordcr to undertaka thc conatructron of multl- purposc burldrng at the Constituent C,ol rn Moroto and tcagb{rE!{qrprtal lrq, lanel oI 2'ln/o I'hc Commrttcc rccomDcnds thst MFPED sllo(atcs thc Unlvcrsrty an crt a UShs l2.6bn for thc codrptcLpn of thc marn admurrltmtton block and paocuremc.rt of ttre ncccarao, mcdrcal cqurpmcnt for thc tcachrnS hosprtal and facultlca. l,ivin8 Out Allowanccs for Govcrnmcnt studcnts

a) Whcther the National Council for Sports has any plan for thc construction ofthc rcgronal stadia. b) Whether thc 5l federations submit thcir Budgets to Natronal Council ofSports. c) The reason as to why the Ministry docs not seek a loan to cater for the issue of infrastructure. d) Whether National Council of Sports has visited Namboole Stadium to find out what is happening there. e) Accountabrlity for thc 80 Billion Shilhngs whrch was allocatcd to thc Ministry of Sporrs to rchabilitatc Namboolc Stadium. f) Whether it is possible to avail sports materials to the Sub county Councils and be available for all schools who would wish to borrow and use them in their schools. g) An account as to why the money that was allocated to National Council ofSports (vote 166) to alloca(e to Gderations was ins(cad allocatcd by FUFA which has no mandate to allocate the abovc moncy. h) Whcther National Council of Sports has any plan conccmlng E-sports in the country. r) Thc plan the National Council ofSports has for thc construction ofthc Anti-Doprng facility. j) An account for the 50 Billion for Sports Facilitics that National Council of Sports intends to build. k) 'l'he plan National Council ofSports has for the rchabilitation ofdilapidated sports structures. Responses to the issucs/ observrtions; Netionel Council of Spor,ls [NCSI In thcr response. Nauonal Courw of Sports, a. Statcd thal thcy arc in support of thc rcgional sudia and visrted areas like Gulu. Lira. Soroti. Mbalc whcrein they confirmcd that all these areas had land. 'l'hey further rcqucstcd that thc abovc land is clcarly allocated for purposes of sporls so that it is not used for othcr purposcs. b. lnformcd thc Committcc that thcy want to come up wlth a general policy on sports in thc Ministry of Education and Sports. c. lnformed thc Committce that efforts are being madc in line with rehabilitation of Namboole. d. Requested the Committee to strengthen National Council ofSports. e. Promised to take into consideratron the issue of getting a loan so as to support (hc development ofsports in the country f. Brought it to the Notice of thc Committcc that they cntered into a mcmorandum of understanding with Uganda lnvestment Authority in relation to the Lugogo Projcct. g. Pledged to submrt a report on how much land is available in regions for thc rcgional stadra and the proposed plan of the stadia. Repr€scntative from thc Ministry of Sports. a. Ministry of Sports put in place a project management tcam and project implementation unit to supervise the actlvlties taking place in Namboolc Stadium. Min 4-Adjournmcnt

In Attendence: The Public Universities Kabale UniversitSr 1) Prof. Joy C.Kwesiga 2) Mr. Twesigye Gad 3) Mr.Baryantuma J.M 4) Mr. Twebaze Alex Mountains of the Moon l) Ms.Nakajubi Jane 2) Mr.Mutogo Ronald 3) Mr.Kagambe Edmond 4) Prof. Achanga Coxwell 5) Mr. Ndoleriire William Gulu University 1) Prof. David Okello Owiny 2) Mr.Dibele Jacqueline 3) Mr. Wesonga Emmanuel 4) Mr.Oballim Christopher 5) Mr.asafAdebua In rttendence (fhe Committee Secreteriet) l) Ms. Mirembe Barbara - Principal Economist 2) Ms. Akullo Carolinc - Economist 3) Ms. Asiimwe Flavia - Legal Officer 4) Ms. Keijagye Brenda - Policy Analyst - Lcader of Opposition 5) Ms. Namata Sylvia - Policy Analyst [LGB] 6) Ms. Nanono Veronica - Researcher 7) Ml Bugembe Sylvia - Researcher 8) Ms. Ninsiima Diana - Principal Clerk Assistant/Minute Secretary Agenda (1) Recitation of the Parliamentary Prayer (2) Communication from the Chair (3) Considcration of the Ministerial Policy Statements and Budget Estimates for FY 202312024. (4)Adjoumment 2 The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m.

Min.2 - Communication from the Chair. In his communication, the Chairperson guided that the meeting was convened to consider Policy Statements and Budget Estimates for Public Universities for the Financial Year 2023n4. Min. 3 - Consideration of the Policy Statements and Budget Estimates for FY 20,3,n024. 3.1 Kabale University. The Accounting Offrcer for Kabale University presented the University's Policy Statement and Budget Estimates for FY 202312024 (see written memoranda for details) 3.2 Mountains of the Moon University. The Accounting Officer for Mountains of the Moon University presented the University's Policy Statement and Budget Estimates for FY 202312024 (see written memoranda for details) 3.3 Gulu University. The Accounting Offrcer for Gulu University presented the University's Policy Statement and Budget Estimates for FY 202312024 (see writte memoranda for details) Observations/issues reised The Committee sottgh to establish; (a) whether Mountains of the Moon University enrolled students who were direct beneficiaries of the students loan scheme: and whether such students rec€ived funding from the University; (b) the kind of support services and facilities that Mountains of the Moon University required in order to deliver on its mandate; (c) causal factors for recurring increment on non-wage budget component for Mountains of the Moon University; (d) the status of construction of the Students' Hostel at Gulu University that was being undertaken over by a private individual; (e) whether Culu University communicated to Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on non-release of funds appropriated to the Universityl (fl on the status and fate of Kotido Primary Teachers' College (PTC) given reports that Gulu University was scheduled take it over; 3

Responses to issues ruised The Committee was informed that. (a\ for Kabale University, Govemment released Shs.2.9 billion in consideration of 100 Govemment sponsored students; and that the funding for the cunent 400 student population had remained the same giving rise to a funding gap of Shs.8.6 billion. (b) some students at the Mountains of the Moon University were direct beneficiaries of the students loan scheme that they received from the Higher Education Stud€nts Financing Board (HESFB); (c) Gulu University land reverted back in the names of Gulu University Council and that Council worked on processes of Hostel ownership revert back to the University; (d) Kotido PTC was not considered a core PTC and hence could not be phased out and owned by Government; (e) Gulu University Council expected rcceipt of funds Public Service Commission regarding issues of harmonisation; (f) Gulu University made cfforts to liaise with Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to ensure funds appropriatcd by Parliament were released. (g) School dropout rates were informed by statistical data compiled from the time of student enrolment/admission to higher institutions of leaming. The Committee was informed that' a Stated that it is as though the Ministry seelcs to collect money from Universities that it is not willing to give them back. b. htfurmed the Committee tlat there is money that s approved in the supplententary Budget and the money is not allocated the consequenl Universilies. c. Brought it to the notice of the Committee that the Ministy of Education and Sports is nol supporting Universities, d. Complained as to how the Ministry responds to the issucs of the Universities. e. Finance has taken on the roll ofthe Parliament of Uganda f. Complained on the continuous behaviour of the Ministry of Finance cutting budgets for Govemment entities and violating the mandate of Parliament by appropriating money as it wishes. g. Appreciated the Kabale University for attracting professors ln their University as part of their staff. h. Commented on the understaffing in Universities and suggestcd that something is done about it. i. Further informed the Committee that a lecturer in Gulu University is paid lesser than other lecturers in othcr Public Universities. 4

j. Stated that, the Committee should invite the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and his team to appear before Committee. k. Requesrcd them to give accountability for the 7.2 Billion for Salary Harmonisation /. suggested that Gulu University is well funded so as to support other constituent colleges. m. Supported the idea of Gulu University taking over Kotido PTC. n. Suggested that the issue of construction of a teaching hospital should also be taken into Consideration since Gulu University has a very phenomenal record when it comes to teaching medicine. o. the status and fate of over 2.000 school dropouts in Gulu University. p. Requested that the Minister of Finance is communicated to come with the formula to cut the budget of the different entities. Min.4 - Adjournment The meeting was adjoumed at l:33 p.m. Recorded by: Mo Ninsiima Diana Oleny COMMITTEE CLERK b Iohn Ntamuhiira, MP CHAIRPERSON 5

Multlpurpos€ bulldlng construction at Gulu Universlty Constituent Ho tal and Teac 13.455 Thc Commrttee recommends that MFPED allocates Gulu University an addrtronal UShs 13.455bn ln order to undertake the constructlon of multr- purpose burldmg at the Constltuent Col tal in Moroto and teachi Hos Totd 31.? 1 BiI w 6.008 uate infrastructure facrlitres 126 l,ow stalfinq level of 27o/a The Commrttee rccommends that MFpED allocates the Unlvcrslty an extra UShs l2.6bn for the completron of the mam admmrsratron block and procurement of the ncccssary mcdrcal cqurpmcnt for the teachrng hosprtal and facultres. Shortfalls in allowances o_576 Lrving Out Allowances for Government Students Totd 19.18 Develo ent bu t 13 Conatructron of a new cLassroom/office block at Mbale Branch Develo ent t 1.2 Construction of a new classroom/office block at Mbarara Branch Develo ent t 10 Constructlon of the new multipurpose bu Branch at t(am Totd 12.S Re-rn state tbu t 5.4 The Committee recommends that MFPED re-instates Mts of the Moon Unrverslty development budget of UShs 5.4lbn, addrtronal UShs 5 4bn as retoo bu and the Presrdentral 20 Presldenthl pledge for the construction of the faculty of health scrences, lnnovatlon and technolo Totel 26.4

8197 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 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. Inadequate funding for wage, cancer medicines and operationalisation of the Gulu Cancer Centre Mr Speaker, as you are aware, the regional cancer centre in Gulu is complete, but funds are needed for its operationalisation. The committee recommends that a total of Shs 28 billion be provided for: medicines and sundries (Shs 5 billion); wage shortfall for the regional cancer centre in Gulu (Shs 3.1 billion); bone marrow transplant facility (Shs 15 billion), and; non-wage for the regional centre (Shs 5 billion) for Financial Year 2023/2024. Vote 116: National Medical Stores (NMS) Inadequate funding for essential medicines and health supplies Mr Speaker, much as the NMS funding outlook for drugs looks healthy, of the Shs 74 billion that was increased, it was broken down as follows: Shs 50 billion was for ARVs, and Shs 24 billion was for the health centres III that had been upgraded under URMCHIP. There was no increment in other areas. Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to table 13, which shows the level of facilities they need, what has been allocated, the funding gap and the area highlighted grey is what the committee recommends. So, for health centres II, we recommend an additional Shs 2 billion, health centres III (Shs 3 billion), health centres III (Shs 5 billion) and general hospitals (Shs 5 billion -

8199 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 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. The committee recommends that a total of Shs 25.5 billion be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital, as a matter of urgency, to fully operationalise it. Vote 420: Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page 48 on the lack of funds for the purchase of a LEEP machine. This machine helps in early treatment of cancer of the cervix, which is the number one cause of death amongst women. We have the colposcopy machines for detection but we need another Shs 180 million provided for the procurement of two LEEP machines in the Financial Year 2023/2024. Vote for 402: Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital On page 49, bullet 6.48 on the lack of funds for completion of the perimeter wall - the patients in Butabika Hospital are not ordinary patients. We were informed that some of them have strayed out of the perimeter wall and we have lost some in the swamp. So, we want Shs 2.5 billion to construct the perimeter wall. Regional Referral Hospitals Mr Speaker, these are on page 50. There was a cross-cutting issue of understaffing - that is 6.49. There was also a cross-cutting issue of incomplete infrastructure in various regional hospitals. The committee recommends that Shs 29.81 billion be provided and allocated as follows: Shs 3 billion to Gulu for the 54-staff housing, Shs 500 Million to Masaka for the ICU, Shs 12 billion Mbale for their surgical complex; Shs 1 billion to Jinja; Shs 4.5 billion to Arua, and Shs 4 billion to Fort Portal. These projects, Mr Speaker, have been built for the last seven years and we are losing a lot of money through variation in costs. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, the committee recommends that a total of Shs 3,034,158,769,598 be provided for that excludes KCCA, Uganda AIDS Commission and the PHC that we give to local governments. Mr Speaker, the budgetary allocations for the health sector votes for Financial Year 2023/2024 are presented in a tabular format. The first table shows recurrent expenditure and the total proposed budget by the committee is Shs 1,614,000,280,648. When we when we move to page 53, the development budget is also presented in a tabular form. The proposed budget by the committee is Shs 1,419,878,000,121. Mr Speaker and honourable members, please support this report. I thank you very much. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the committee report; both majority and minority. I have scanned through the report but there is nothing on the Nodding Disease Syndrome. Mr Speaker, the Nodding Disease Syndrome is still a problem in the north. Moreover, the total budget for health is Shs 1.6 trillion. I doubt whether it is 15 per cent of our national budget as per the Abuja Declaration that we signed. Please, addition should not be a big problem. We also have a problem with dialysis. Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has not been considered. I wonder whether you can make some consideration for Gulu.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the good report. Mine is about pension irregularities. This is a very serious problem most especially with senior citizens. Someone misses his or her pension for almost four months; moreover he or she has to travel from maybe Gulu to Kampala yet when he or she reaches the ministry, they are tossed around. Mr Speaker, how I wish the ministry fast-tracks this so these pensioners are served on time. Otherwise, it is a very big problem in our constituencies. In fact, some of these pensioners are very old to the extent that they cannot even move. Honourable minister, please fast-track this and see how these people can be served well without moving long distances. I beg to submit.

8222 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. MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS & BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2023/2024 Vote 103: Inspectorate of Government Vote 119: Uganda Registration Services Bureau Judiciary Low disposal rate of cases at Supreme Court On the low disposal rate of cases at the Supreme Court, the committee recommends that the Judiciary develops strategies to improve the performance in the Supreme Court in order to stem accumulation of backlog. Construction of court buildings The committee recommends that the Judiciary be provided an additional Shs 19.96 billion to undertake the construction of court buildings in the above-mentioned areas – Court of Appeal buildings in Mbarara and Gulu as well as High Court premises in Moroto, Mpigi, Iganga, Mubende, Luwero and Kitgum. Transport equipment The committee recommends that the development budget of the Judiciary for Financial Year 2023/2024 be enhanced by Shs 8.19 billion to procure transport equipment to improve access to justice. Court sessions The committee recommends that the Judiciary be provided Shs 35 billion, during the Financial Year 2023/2024 and the next Financial Year 2024/2025 to enable it organise more court sessions. Gender compliance The Judiciary should priorities gender mainstreaming and its activities, and make provision for breastfeeding/children rooms in all premises. Law Development Centre (LDC) On allowances for part-time lectures, the committee recommends that the allowance of part-time staff be declassified in the charter of accounts as wages to protect it from possible future budget cuts. Secondly, the LDC be provided with an additional Shs 3.5 billion on its nonwage recurrent budget to cater for allowances of part-time staff. Completion of the construction of the LDC multi-storied building - Shs 77 billion The committee recommends that the Development Committee of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development finalises the approval of this project as it has the potential of generating income once completed. Two, Government provides Shs 77 billion to the LDC development budget for the completion of the multi-storied building, across the medium term, starting with the Financial Year 2023/2024. Legal aid services The committee recommends an additional Shs 1.5 billion to LDC to facilitate legal aid services. On Mbale Regional Campus, the committee recommends that Shs 6.7 billion be provided to LDC to set up a regional campus in Mbale in the Financial Year 2023/2024. Gender compliance The committee recommends that the LDC expedites the implementation of the gender policy at the workplace and also set up sign language services, and visual impairment aids for persons with disabilities Uganda Law Reform Commission On low budget absorption, the committee recommends that the commission should ensure that procurement modalities are completed so as to immediately commence printing as soon as the President ascents to the revised principle law. The commission should exploit recruitment on contract terms as they wait for rationalisation of agencies so as to fill the available human resource gap.

Mr Speaker, I want to appreciate Members for the debate they have had on this report. I just want to comment on a few areas of concern that were raised. On regional centres for UWEC, our report on page 24 clearly spells out how UWEC is moving to the different regions. In the report on page 24, you can see the list of regional proposed office establishments for UWEC. Mbale has been chosen as the first UWEC regional centre that the ministry has taken on to establish, before they move to other regional centres like Gulu and other areas that are elaborated in the report. I do not want to go into the detail, but that is on page 24 of the report. Then on the human-wildlife conflict, this is well elaborated on pages 19 to 20. Mr Speaker, that is why the Uganda Wildlife Authority is requesting Parliament to raise their ceiling so that they are able to meet the cost of the electric fence. This is well detailed on pages 21 to 22. However, also the committee observed that UWA is receiving money from the World Bank, towards that project. Mr Speaker, I think the main issue is to raise the ceiling for UWA for them to meet all that the honourable members have talked about because all these are well captured in the report of the committee. On the figures as were raised on page 10, I want to say that we have been able to harmonise. Indeed, when you add them up, they vary simply because the committee considered the superior document that was presented to this House in April - the one that came after the policy statement that was presented on 15 March. So, the figures that the honourable colleague is referring to are figures in the

Honourable committee chairperson, we shall not go into such details. Otherwise, we will sleep here. MS OKORI–MOE: The committee recommends that Shs 4 billion be provided for the programme to be rolled out. Feasibility study to establish Gulu and Soroti milk processing factories This feasibility study requires Shs 1.2 billion and the committee recommends that Shs 1.2 billion be provided. Vote 125: National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) Community breeding programme i. Poultry/fish hatcheries The committee recommends that Shs 2.7 billion for poultry hatcheries that were started in Wakiso, Bukedi and Karamoja be provided and Shs 8 billion for fish hatcheries be repurposed from item “312129: Other buildings other than dwellings – Acquisition”. ii. Fish/poultry feeds The committee observes that for sustainability, accessibility and affordability of community fishing and poultry breeding, there is need to establish corresponding fish and poultry feed factories and this requires Shs 20 billion. The committee recommends that Shs 20 billion be repurposed from the community breeding budget to establish a community fish factory. The committee also recommends reallocation of Shs 15 billion towards structures and allocates it to NARO for Agri–Engineering Research Solutions – that is, for making equipment for value addition of our products Vote 142: National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) i. Agri-Engineering Research Solutions The committee notes that NARO’s research has over time been concentrated on genetics and less has been invested in value addition technologies that can provide solutions for production, processing, food and nutrition security. The committee recommends that Shs 15 billion be reallocated from Vote 121: NAGRC&DB to Vote 142: NARO, for this purpose. ii. Conservation of indigenous genes The committee recommends that; a) NARO invests in deliberate efforts to conserve indigenous genes through establishment of a dedicated genetic bank for plants and animal genes. b) NARO takes interest in GMO-related activities in the country to avert any unregulated consequences

4.4.4 Ugan& Wildlife Coasonratloa Educatlon Ccntre (IrWECl Esta.bllshment of Reglonal Satelllb Wlldllfe Consenatlo Educatlon Centre, constntctlon of d pler and a uall fence; The Committee was informed by UWEC that, the institution is soon getting a modem 5O seater boat through the Competitiveness & Enterprise Development Project-Additional Financing (CEDP-AF) to boost the Lake Victoria tourism circuit project. The Committee was further informed that notwithstanding the commencement of the procurement process of the boat, the same will require a pier for docking. The Committee was leamt that UWEC has secured 60 acres of NFA tand in the regional cities of Mbale, Gulu, Mbarara and Fort portal for the purpose of establishing a Regional Satellite Wildlife Conservation Education Centres. The first phase of this project will start in Mbale and the other centres will be established subsequently. Furthermore, the Committee was informed by UWEC that the construction of the wall fence was a pertinent asp€ct to avoid the human-wildlife conflict, which has proved to be one of the biggest challenges that the neighbouring communities to the protected areas are facing elsewhere. As thus, the Committee observes that the matters raised above are pertinent if the country is to nurture and grow domestic tourism; enhance and strengthen the securiSr of both the wildlife and humans in the neighbourhood; bring the UWEC education and conservation service closer to the people. The Commlttee therefore recoaaende that; Thc Propoaed UGX 2O btllion be provlded to UTIEC for the iaplcoentation of the proJcctr ar followc; UGX 1 billlon for the pier boat docldng faclltty UGX 4 btlllon for constructlon of thc wall fence UGX 15 billioa for the Mbdc Itr Sate a a O [!I N \r Educetio Ce ntre 24

I{o. Requlrcncnt Budget Justlflcatloa increasing demand for these training given the number of new exporters that emerge every year. There are also a number of emerging issues especially in the market. UEPB is seeking for an increase in the exporter training budget to meet this requirement, This in tum will enhance the efhciency of these exporters and thus lead to an increase in their exporter turnover. 6 Opening Regional Export Information and Support Centres o Arua o Gulu o Mbale o Entebbe o Mbarara o Hoima 4.15 UEPB was in FY2O2O/21 cleared to establish up to fifteen ( 15) satellite information and support centers by 2025. The purpose of these centers was to bring services closer to the people - especially the producers. The centres would amongst other business development services provide guidance and information to the producers on ?roducing for Export'; support export business in upcountry locations; directly link producers with exporters and foreign buyers; and coordinate export development activities in upcountry locations. Efforts to establish and operationalize the first six (6) centres in Arua, Gulu, Mbale, Entebbe, Hoima and Mbarara were delayed due to the impending restructuring of MDAs. This should be established during the next fY 2023/24. i o (l 't 64

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. In Soroti, we have a stadium for the whole of Teso subregion called Oligoi International Stadium. I know that most of these stadia do not need a lot of money. I can give an example of Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu. The former LC 5 Chairman of Gulu tells me they spent about Shs 380 to 400 million to put it to a level where they can collect resources when they hold football matches and other games. Mr Speaker, I do not know why the Government cannot afford to put at least a stadium in every region for us to keep our youths active. The youths are becoming drug addicts because they do not have what to do. They do not have jobs so they engage in what they can afford to do. If we keep them busy, they will be tired and not do wrong things. Mr Speaker, I beg that this Government forgets about just taking two regions and giving them billions of money when we can do some work with the limited resources, and have the whole country covered and represented in the national budget. I also beg that the Government considers putting stadia in every region so that the youth are engaged because we know that work without play, makes Jack a dull boy. Thank you.

8030 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT 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. not want to invest in the sports subsector. However, fundamentally, I gave the example of Ogwang - I am now happy that in Karamoja – Hon. Adome is here. It is a first– by the way, Hon. Adome, for your information, the Uganda Secondary School Sports Association is, for the first time, hosting a sports competition for the entire Karamoja in your municipality. It is meant to be tomorrow. However, could you have hosted such a competition in Karamoja before? We must agree to look at these facts. Could you have planned to build Pece in Gulu when there was insurgency? Could you have planned to build Akii-Bua in Lira when there was insurgency? I want to say this: we acknowledge where we have come from and where we are now. I pledge, on behalf of the Government, that we will build sports infrastructure because it is the mandate of the Government. I thank you.

Mr Speaker, I am about to conclude. As the country grapples with the impact of climate change, continuous afforestation programmes and smart agriculture practices are the preferred options to mitigate these impacts. I, therefore, call upon honourable colleagues to support the Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Forestry Authority’s efforts to restore these forests. Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, Member of Parliament for Omoro, raised a concern that Moroto Road (Gulu-Opit-Rackoko-Patongo- Abim-Moroto), which is the backbone of Omoro District and many other districts in Acholi, Lango and Karamoja sub-regions is currently non-motorable. His prayer was: what are the Government’s plan to; (i) Maintain Moroto Road? (ii) Upgrade Moroto Road to acceptable standards as envisaged in the NRM Manifesto? My response is that the Gulu-Opit-Rackoko- Patongo-Abim-Moroto Road is a national road, under the management of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), and the road is currently under maintenance. Although the road was not listed in National Development Plan III, it is a priority road as stated by His Excellency the President in his pledges. As such, the road has been identified for development. Design for the upgrading of this road is scheduled to commence in Financial Year 2023/2024. I wish to inform the honourable members that the Gulu-Opit-Rackoko- Patongo-Abim-Moroto Road is a priority road and it is the plan of the Government to upgrade it to acceptable standards. Hon. Geoffrey Macho, MP Busia Municipality, was concerned about regular load shedding, which had adversely affected service delivery in Busia Municipality. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the matter is about the 21 boys who were released from Gulu Remand Home last week and had been starved. They are now in Kotido being taken care of by the Church of Uganda Health Centre II. One of the boys died and was buried. They were starved in a remand home. What are you going to do to help Kotido Health Centre II to restore the lives of those boys? Secondly, to the family that lost their dear one - because they were deliberately starved - are you going to do something to compensate or comfort the family? Thirdly, the remand homes in Uganda are many - and I am aware that they have no resources to take care of the juveniles. What are you doing about this?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. These districts were supposed to be given Shs 1 billion each to build offices in the due places they are supposed to relocate. In Gulu right now, the staff are being forced to relocate to a subcounty and while at the subcounty, they are being forced to sit under trees. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, would it not be fair to try and find the Shs 10 billion needed for the 10 districts so they can build the offices and can move and allow the cities to function well? Thank you.

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.

7880 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO. 1 FOR FY 2022/2023 Shs 6 billion is required for maintenance of oxygen plants. Shs 2.7 billion is requested for supervision of the International Specialised Hospital at Lubowa. Shs 3.6 billion is required as counterpart funding for Busolwe General Hospital Project. Members can read the details. We recommend as follows: A total of Shs 5.9 billion, instead of the requested Shs 6 billion, be provided as follows: a) Shs 4 billion be availed to procure eight transformers and accessories for eight regional referral hospitals namely: Masaka, Jinja, Soroti, Gulu, Arua, Hoima, Kabale and Moroto. b) Shs 1.5 billion be availed for repair of oxygen plants in the regional referral hospitals. c) Shs 400 million be availed for van maintenance – for the workshop. The committee further recommends that recurrent expenditure should be incorporated in the subsequent budgets. In addition, we recommend that upon installation of the new oxygen plants, the current stock of oxygen plants should be evaluated and decommissioned since they have become more expensive to maintain. For the issue of Lubowa, the committee recommends that Shs 2.7 billion for supervision of the International Specialised Hospital at Lubowa –(Interjections)- Members, listen. We decline the approval –(Applause)– because up to now, the Ministry of Health has not given accountability for what has been given so far. For the Shs 3.6 billion counterpart funding for Busolwe General Hospital - this is a grant from the Spanish Government – we recommend the approval of Shs 3.6 billion. Vote 018: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development requested for Shs 21.6 billion for Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women (GROW) project. This project is funded by the World Bank. We recommend the approval of Shs 21.6 billion to Vote 018 for the GROW project. Vote 022: Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities made a request of Shs 1.359 billion as unspent NTR for Financial Year 2021/2022 for UWEC. We recommend the approval of Shs 1.359 billion. The same ministry is requesting for Shs 3.8 billion as non-tax revenue for emergency relocation of Uganda Hotel and Tourism Institute to rented premises and establishment of students’ accommodation facilities in Jinja to pave way for smooth construction. We recommend that Shs 3.8 billion be availed to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. Vote 120: National Citizenship and Immigration Control requested for Shs 46.784 billion for the directorate to procure more passport booklets. We observed that the demand for the booklets has increased and there is a shortage of 288,000 booklets. Once the money is given, the directorate will generate an additional Shs 65 billion in non-tax revenue. We recommend the approval of Shs 46.784 billion to Vote 120. Vote 122: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) requested for Shs 34.446 billion as unspent balances for Financial Year 2021/2022 for the Second Kampala Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP II) from the World Bank. We recommend that the Shs 34.446 billion be availed to KCCA.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Gulu District has 47 parishes and so far, two parishes of Bungatira and Paicho have been enrolled to partake of the Parish Development Model funds. However, as I speak, Paicho only got Shs 25 million out of what they should have gotten. About three weeks ago, the President was in Gulu visiting the Acholi subregion. He was calling the wanainchi to come and testify about the Parish Development Model. They said that money was being extorted from them by the commercial officers and other technical people. This weekend, the State House Anti- Corruption team was in Gulu and they arrested the commercial officer of Gulu City. What the technical people are saying is that the ministry did not provide funds for the parish chiefs and commercial officers to move around, sensitise the people and carry out their other activities. That is the reason they were extorting money from members; Shs 5000, Shs 20,000 and so forth. If they do not go to the communities, they will be faulted for failure to perform their duties. I would like the Ministry of Local Government to go back to the drawing board and restructure or craft a better method of how PDM can succeed otherwise, this is already looking like a failed project.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. In line with what the honourable colleague said, about three years ago, Government made a commitment to have Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu rehabilitated. Government spent resources to have the design for that stadium done - I am told a consultancy firm was hired and they did the design. Unfortunately, to this day, we have not heard what happened with that plan. It would be fair for the honourable minister responsible for games and sports to help the people of Gulu understand whether they have abandoned this plan or it still exists. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, health is number one, but in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital - I heard that we received a CT scan a long time ago. Why are we delaying to operationalise it? We still bring our people up to Mulago yet it is very expensive. What is the problem with the CT scan that was budgeted for in Financial Year 2021/2022? I also have an issue with the remand home in Gulu. The remand home was originally built to serve Gulu District, but right now, it is serving two subregions - Acholi and Lango subregions. The staffing is not enough. The children are not rehabilitated. Why are we doing a disservice to our children? We piled them there - there were more than 150 in a very small place. Why do we do that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to appreciate Parliament for this very important day in which we commemorate our gallant son. In Acholi, the name Oulanyah is given to great people - (Laughter) - to people who are serious and it is associated with very important people, especially if you were given that name 40 years ago. Mr Speaker, our brother Jacob Oulanyah was a uniting factor. I remember when he was voted the NRM Vice-Chairperson for northern Uganda, the way he mobilised for the NRM especially - You know, in history, the NRM had not gotten the number of votes they got in that election and they acquired many Members of Parliament in the last election. He had serious mobilisation skills and we were so scared that we were going to be swept away. I pray to the NRM Members of Parliament to carry the legacy higher. If they do not work hard, we may sweep them off next time. Finally, Mr Speaker, I pray that Parliament and Government allows the family of the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah to meet the President, when they need to. A case in point: the last time we were in Gulu barracks, I witnessed how the father of the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah was struggling to meet the President. We were unhappy by the way his father was blocked. I pray that when the family has something important to discuss with the President, they should be given the opportunity. I remember His Excellency promised that he would be in touch with the family and take care of them. Therefore, let them be given chance and an opportunity. We pray for his soul to rest in peace. Thank you.

7608 ADDRESS BY H.E. GEN. YOWERI MUSEVENI beneficiaries, especially with Operation Wealth Creation. It initially worked well. Indeed, the households in the non-money sector declined from 68 per cent to 39 per cent; this was most commendable. However, I started picking up complaints from the public of “they only give to themselves” or “ baleeta ebifu”. They supply us bad quality material or “ baleeta eby’obuseere”, they bring over priced items. That is when I decided that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) personnel must get out of this effort because the image of the wider force was going to be ruined by the mistakes of these fellows who were in Operation Wealth Creation, who had lost their straightforwardness. Moreover, it is the ultimate aim of the NRM that the stakeholders - the beneficiaries of these projects - must manage their affairs. That was the debate we had in Cabinet. When people said, “No, we should continue with the army”, I said, No, these people must learn how to manage their own affairs. They are not children. We can help them to manage their affairs. Hence, the need for the stakeholders, farmers and the artisans to form SACCOs in the parishes or at the constituency levels for the Emyooga . This is the correct and ultimate solution. I have started touring and inspecting the 18 zones of Uganda. The 18 zones of Uganda are: Masaka, Mengo - what they used to call Mengo (the districts of Mukono, Luweero and all that of Mpigi) Mubende, Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, Bunyoro, Busoga, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Madi. I started with Acholi between the 23 rd and 24 th of February 2023. Straight away, the wanaichi told me of the parasites that were like flies, swarming around the PDM and Emyooga money. I will decisively follow up the attempted theft of the PDM and the Emyooga money in Acholi. And if they tampered with the money, they will pay for that treachery; they will be an example to the rest of the potential flies. Ten thousand, five hundred and ninety four (10,594) PDM SACCOs are to be formed. As of now, 9,538 SACCOs, which is 90 per cent of the target, have been formed. That is what the secretariat told us. But I have read the report of Parliament that the Speaker sent to me, and there are many observations there that point out the weaknesses. Meanwhile, I, myself, while in Acholi, heard from the wanaichi a number of bad actions. There is this group in town, in one of the wards, where somebody called a commercial officer, called a secret meeting of a few people to form the leadership for the parish model because they want to find a way of stealing the money. They did not involve the whole parish yet we said that all people in the parish, who want to engage in wealth creation, should join the SACCO as long as they are adults - that is 18 years and above. That is the plan. All producers in the parish must join or must be told and if they do not want to join, that is up to them, but they must be invited because, like the issue in Gulu, somebody announced a meeting at 9.00 a.m. in the morning and the meeting happened at 02.00 p.m. and a few people created the leadership. That is one issue, which I picked up, and of course, I will follow it up. Then in Aswa, instead of going to the parish, they were called to the subcounty so that people get tired and do not go. And when they were called to go to the subcounty, they were told, “Each parish should bring 30/30.” Who told you that? This is not indirect election of 30/30. The parish SACCO is for all members and they may be organised in their production groups: the ones of bananas or dairy - but all who want to engage in wealth creation must join. If there is anything that is not clear there, then at the right time, the Minister of Local Government, who has been heading this, should explain it. Then in another area, I think it is Aswa again, they were told to pay some money for membership. Now, we are going to follow up on all this; and I got this direct from the people.

7609 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 2023 So, these thieves are not very clever because if you steal, we shall come and find out. That is why when I went to Acholi on the first day, I visited some of these farms and I had a meeting with the leaders, and from whom I was able to get a lot of information before I went to the public meeting the following day. So, how will you steal because we are going to find out? You are wasting your time and ruining your future. However, according to the figures of the secretariat, 90 per cent of the parishes have created the SACCOs. How? Is it the Gulu way or the correct way? We shall find out because I will go there and meet the people, and I encourage you to go and meet those people. We are sending out Shs 100 million per parish per annum. Assuming each borrower takes Shs 1 million, that will account for 100 households per annum. Again, this is confusing. I do not know what the problem is. We talked about Shs 1 million as an example and the reason we talked about Shs 1 million is because we were using the example of coffee. This was last year, I think. To plant one acre of coffee, you need 450 seedlings. And we calculated, at that time, the price was something - I do not remember but to get 450 seedlings, you would spend Shs 180,000 of Shs 1 million. Therefore, the borrower would remain with Shs 820,000 to do other things. That is why we talked about Shs 1 million. However, these confused people go telling people, “You cannot borrow, unless you want to borrow Shs 1 million.” If I want to borrow Shs 200,000, why should you stop me? Total confusion! They say, “You must borrow Shs 1 million” yet people say, “I do not want Shs 1 million but Shs 200,000.” This is better because it means one can lend to more people. Why do you find that as a problem? So, this was also another issue that one must borrow Shs 1 million yet people kept saying “No, I do not want Shs 1 million; I want Shs 200,000.” And that has become an issue that people can’t borrow. Why? Because they are not borrowing Shs 1 million. Then another group came and said, “We want to borrow more than Shs 1 million” but we said “No, we cannot manage you. You can borrow Shs 1 million here, go and add other money from somewhere else.” That was our answer because some people wanted more money. We said, “If you want more money than that then you are too big for our PDM, go to UDB; you qualify for UDB. But here, we can only give you Shs 1 million and then go and top up somewhere else.” The SACCOs that were ready have been given Shs 25 million each. This money has been sent. Consequently, Shs 238.45 billion has been sent directly, from the Treasury to the bank accounts of the SACCOs. Thank you so much for doing that. Even if the money is sitting there, let it sit there until the SACCOs are ready. Much of the money is still on the accounts. According to the Treasury, another Shs 476.9 billion is at the Treasury waiting to be sent, once the original portion has been utilised. By June 2023, Shs 1,059 billion, that is about Shs 1 trillion will be sent. Last financial year, Shs 131.4 billion was released and I am glad - I read the report of the MPs, which the Speaker sent me, and learnt that Shs 131 billion is not properly accounted for because each parish was supposed to get Shs 17 million. However, according to what the Speaker sent me, some got Shs 7 million and Shs 10 million. So, where did the other money go? Anyhow, do not worry; Uganda is here. We shall get you. I do not know why you people worry. That is why you develop blood pressure. The money was sent - pesa tye kwene ? chente tye kwene ? We say in our language, sente ziriluddawa ? Essente zaja - obukadde kumi na musanvu ; where is the money? Very simple! These are just - I am very proud that the NRM as promised, sent the money. Those who “ate” the money, that money is toxic. They will get problems from it.

7568 AD HOC C OMMITTEE REPORT 7. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; 8. Vote 301 – Makerere University; 9. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; 10. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; 11. Vote 305 – Busitema University; 12. Vote 306 – Muni University; 13. Vote 307 – Kabale University; 14. Vote 308 – Soroti University; 15. Vote 309 – Gulu University; 16. Vote 310 – Lira University; 17. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; 18. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and 19. Vote 612 – Local governments. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to lay on the Table the policy statement for the health sub-programme for Financial Year 2023/2024: Vote 014 – Ministry of Health Vote 114 - Uganda Cancer Institute Vote 115 – Uganda Heart Institute Vote 116 - National Medical Stores Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute Vote 134 - Health Service Commission Vote 151 - Uganda Blood Transfusion Service Vote 401 - Mulago National Referral Hospital Vote 402 - Butabika Hospital Vote 403 - Arua Regional Referral Hospital Vote 404 - Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital Vote 405 - Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 406 - Hoima Regional Referral Hospital Vote 407 - Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Vote 408 - Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 409 - Masaka Regional Referral Hospital Vote 410 - Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 411 - Soroti Regional Referral Hospital Vote 412 - Lira Regional Referral Hospital Vote 413 - Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Vote 414 - Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Vote 415 - Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Vote 416 - Naguru National Referral Hospital Vote 417 - Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 418 - Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital Vote 419 - Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital Vote420 - Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Vote 421 - Kayunga Referral Hospital Vote 422 - Yumbe Referral Hospital Vote 612 - Local Governments and the other annex attached. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just like you have guided, on behalf of the Government, let me first of all thank the Leader of the Opposition for the statement, but also state that in conformity with your guidance, I will brief the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, who should prepare a comprehensive response on areas that require her to respond. Also, the other ministers; the Minister of Water and Environment and the Minister of Health will respond to the specifics. That said, Madam Speaker, I wish, again with your permission, and without pre-empting what the Prime Minister and the other ministers would state in their statements, to clarify one or two issues that are not in doubt. Issue number one - for purposes of stability on the Apaa land - Recently, when His Excellency the President addressed a rally in Gulu, on his first zonal -

Please, if you are not a shadow minister, free some space on the frontbench. (Laughter) I see the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) is being squeezed; create some space for the LOP. Colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of students from various universities under the umbrella of the Madi Students’ Union. That is Makerere University, Gulu University, Makerere University Business School, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University, Kampala International University, Mulago Paramedical School, Metropolitan International University, Islamic University in Uganda, Victoria University and Sharing Youth Business and Vocational School. They have come to observe proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) You can stand up and wave to Members. Thank you. Members of Parliament from the Madi Community, here is your group. Thank you. Please proceed, Chairperson.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Sarah Opendi for bringing forth this petition. In a special way, I want to thank the UPDF. To be factual, when I was growing up, our parents never wanted us to join UPDF. Even relatives along the way, when you joined UPDF, they would look at you as a loser. I am happy that today graduates are joining UPDF. I want to thank the UPDF for raising the bar high; thank you so much and continue with that. I do not have kind words for our committee unless they amend a line. In one of their lines, they came up with a finding that it is not true that the recruitment was done in former districts - Pader’s former district is Kitgum. The recruitment was done in Gulu. From Pader to Gulu, one has to travel over 100 kilometres. The advert was aired at night by the LC V asking strong youthful people to go and apply for the recruitment. How would such a poor region manage to travel 100 kilometres from Pader to Gulu yet we have a whole Division – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to use this opportunity to thank honourable members for the comments, additions and subtractions to our report. We take all the comments in good faith. Mr Speaker, regarding the distance, time and probably the cost involved – for these recruits to move to the recruitment centres – I implore the UPDF to adopt the system being used by the Uganda Police Force. The Uganda Police Force now sends out an advert. When they advertise, the DPC and the security team work and put up a shortlist and send it to the headquarters where they vet, verify the national identity cards and the shortlisted ones are again sent back to the districts for scrutiny and then they are called for recruitment. Probably, if that system is adopted, it can try to solve this matter. Mr Speaker, I implore Members that when we are making our submissions, we should make them based on the facts. Take an example of one of the Members raising an issue on recruitment, like in Pader, where the chairman LC V just woke up in the evening of the D-Day and informed people that all the able-bodied youth should now move to Gulu for recruitment. Mr Speaker, one of the documents presented and laid on Table was the advert which was sent almost a month before recruitment. Pader was part of the document, whereby they were supposed to report to Gulu as a recruitment centre. The centre also served Kitgum, Pader, Gulu and other districts. Therefore, we also need to get these facts when we are submitting. Lastly, we emphasised the issue of budget and it was to allow the UPDF ample time to go through these recruitment processes. Otherwise, the funds allocated for that particular exercise is not enough to facilitate them to take time to verify, vet and also create more recruitment teams to reach out to those districts. So, if funds are appropriated, probably, they will send out more teams to reach out to our districts for better processes. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank Members, particularly members of the committee, for this report. (Applause)

Not only that, Madam Speaker. Most importantly, the ferry normally is used for referrals - for taking those who are very sick to the hospitals in Kampala and Gulu. Our prayers: We, the Members of Parliament from Madi Subregion, therefore, jointly urge Government to provide assurance to the leaders and citizens about the following: 1. The current status of Laropi Bridge and connecting road networks - that is Laropi- Moyo-Afoji road - feasibility studies and design of the two projects since the money was borrowed by Parliament from the African Development Bank by the 10 th Parliament in June 2020 amounting to $235. 2. Secondly, inclusion of Laropi Bridge and Laropi-Moyo-Afoji Road Project in the Financial Year 2023 - (Member rose_)

6870 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Management Act, 2015, which requires that annual cash flow plans issued under subsection 1 be the basis for the release of funds to the entities. 2. Accounting officers should strictly adhere to the annual budget performance contract signed with the PS/ST pursuant to section 45 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. This contract binds accounting officers to deliver to the activities in the work plan of the Vote for the financial year submitted under section 13(15) of the Public Finance Management Act. The performance of NTR remains a challenge. The situation was not made better by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Quite a significant number of entities under the sectors under review did not fare well with NTR. The committee recommends that the entities should strictly plan for NTR in their budgeting process to avoid distortions in economic planning. A significant number of entities would tell the committee that they never planned or budgeted for NTR, yet, they are NTR-collecting entities. Others would inform the committee that the NTR was un-enforced budget plan by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. To this extent, the committee recommends that: 1) The entities in issue should liaise always with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to budget together to avoid distortions and inadequacies in that budgeting function. 2) The country should put in place a rapid response mechanism in cases of emergencies to avoid drastic and catastrophic consequences to the economy. 3) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide technical assistance to entities in areas of economic planning and budgeting. 4) Entities should further look for ways of diversifying their revenue sources to ensure that they meet their targeted NTR thresholds in addition to technological measures as a response to unforeseen disasters. The other area of significance are off-budget receipts. The committee has consistently observed with dismay that a significant number of entities receive off-budget financing but fail to declare the same to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and as a result, cause distortion of the budget. The Auditor-General reported that some entities received off-budget financing, which was not declared and accordingly not appropriated by Parliament as required under section 43(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. There was no evidence that the entities obtained clearance from the Accountant- General, as required under section 43(5) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. Such omission goes against the requirement, running an unintegrated budget and poses a risk of double financing and possible abuse. For example, Kyambogo University received donor funding of up to Shs 3,110,000,000 out of which only Shs 2,677,000,000 had been included in the budget resulting in an off- budget receipt of Shs 44,033,000,000 that was not declared. Uganda Management Institute received another significant amount of Shs 185 billion from the African Development Bank to finance staff capacity development, which was equally not declared to the Treasury and therefore, not appropriated by Parliament for the entity. There are very many examples, which include, but are not limited to, Soroti University and a number of others like Busitema and Gulu, Muni universities. All received funding that was not declared and neither transferred to the Consolidated Fund account. [Mr Ssseggona] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you. Honourable members, those who have not spoken will speak on the next one. Hon. Edakasi, you will speak on COSASE. I saw Hon. Osoru very passionate about a city and municipality living together. We need to live cordially. A city came out of the municipality and we need to live in harmony. For now, when we do not have premises, we cannot just decide to chase them away, but it is food for thought for the Government to create an office for the city or for the municipality. It is your baby that you must nurture. Do not chase away your babies. Soroti, Gulu, Mbarara, among other cities, let us learn to live together and coexist and we will have an alternative in the near future. Can we hear from the Attorney-General? A number of issues have been raised.

6742 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General. The audit revealed that on the account of delayed deletion of staff from payroll, some accounting officers authorised payment for salaries to staff who are either retired, transferred their services, absconded or died. I will give you an example of Gulu city where there was a delayed deletion of 20 staff who had left services leading to payment of Shs 64,323,558. Mr Speaker, such anomalies lead to loss of funds, and we have provided recommendations to that effect. We would also like to report on non-deduction of PAYE from political leaders. We have indicated details of our findings as a committee, where political leaders were not subjected to deductions of PAYE. We have also provided recommendations and to be specific. The committee recommends that accounting officers recover all the monies that were not deducted from these political leaders or the accounting officers will have to be held liable and they will have to make good the losses. Mr Speaker, we would also like to report on payment of salaries, pension and gratuity of IPPS. We noted for example, in Bulambuli District, where nine pensioners were paid a total of Shs 170 million off IPPS. The committee observed that payment of salary pension and gratuity off IPPS contravenes paragraph 4.5 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019 and could lead to abuse and manipulation for private gains. As a result, we recommend the following: The accounting officers should ensure to reconcile their respective entity staff lists together with the Ministry of Public Service IPPS, in order to avoid payment of salaries and pension and gratuity off IPPS. The accounting officers should desist from the practice and can only take such actions with the approval of the line ministries. Mr Speaker, under 3.3, we have off-budget receipts. We have provided those details and I request Members to look through. The committee has also provided observations, and I will take you straight to recommendations. The recommendations as follows: The accounting officers should adhere to paragraph 29 of the Budget Execution Circular for the said financial year. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should mainstream the disbursement of funds through the normal planning and budgeting cycles to avoid off- budget receipts. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the operationalisation of the new cities. The audit report noted that during the Financial Year 2019/2020, Government made a pronouncement upgrading 10 municipal councils to city status, effective 1 st July 2020. These include: Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Soroti and Hoima. The audit report noted the following: The Government did not provide funding in the budgets of the newly created entities to enable them to operate as cities. They continue to operate using the budget of the municipal councils. The cities lacked establishment structures against which the recruitment of the required human resources could be undertaken. There was no guidance on the allocation and sharing of assets. This has become a contentious matter between the councils of the newly created cities and the district entities from where the cities were created. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the capitation grant for printing. This is a matter that has been concluded and we will request Members to read through, but we have also provided recommendations that, for all the money sent to districts, there should be clear

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to pay tribute to our fallen colleague. It is indeed a devastating moment for this Parliament. I join the rest of my colleagues in condoling with the family, the people of Teso and Uganda. On 11 August, I received a message from someone whose contact I did not know before. That was the time I was planning to have a thanksgiving event in Gulu. When the message came, I read and it said, “My brother, I am not able to join you. I would love to be with you and speak to you.” He sent a contribution of Shs 1,000,000. I picked interest and called back because I wondered who sent that message. Later on, he introduced himself as Hon. Patrick Okabe. That, to me, was very touching because I had never interacted with him. I did not know him much. Later on he said, “My brother, I have been following you and when you return to Kampala, I will have further discussions with you. There are things we need to talk about”. When I returned, I met him. I saw a gentleman, a father and leader. Leadership is not about the positions we carry, the pomp or how powerful we can be. It is about responsibility. That is exactly what I saw in the Hon. Patrick Okabe. It is unfortunate that today he is lying before us. May the good Lord receive him and give him life in eternity. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My condolences to the family. I am speaking on behalf of the people of Tororo. It is said that on Sunday, while preaching, he focused his sermons on Galatians 2:20 and he spoke for a very short time. His message was, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. His sermon was just as short as that. I want to end by saying, we thank the NRM Government for constructing tarmac roads in this country, but we need now to focus on the road designs to ensure that the roads - because of indiscipline of the drivers, we should have clear demarcations for the four lanes in this country - no longer two, but four because as we can see, the roads are now a death trap. People died at the same time on Masaka road, people died on Gulu road and more people are dying on other roads. Rest in peace, Hon. Okabe. May I request that we focus on road safety as we talk about malaria and other diseases in this country. Thank you.

6669 Tuesday, 13 December 2022 Personally, I knew Justice Opio when he was a resident judge in Gulu; I worked for Centenary Bank then. He used to be a parent to all of us. He would call and talk to all of us. He was part of the fraternity of the non-Acholi people living in Gulu. He used to advise us on how to live our lives. By then, Chairman Mao was the chairman of the district. I can actually say that some of us were made by Justice Opio Aweri. Great nations are built on the sweat and values like the ones that Justice Opio has shown this country. As leaders of this country, we owe it to humanity to leave our society better than we found it. I can testify, today, that Justice Opio has left society better than he found it. He has left the Judiciary better than he found it and indeed, we must emulate his contribution to humanity, our country and the Judiciary. On behalf of the Legislature, I pass my condolences to the family and pray that the good Lord comforts the family during this trying period. Justice Aweri has fought a good fight. He has left a legacy that will be remembered forever, and as Parliament, we condole with the family. Honourable members, after this special sitting, the body is going to lie in state and depart tomorrow morning. So, the body will be here and I request Members to be kind enough to stay around with the family so that we offer our support to the Lango Parliamentary Group, Ugandans and the Judiciary. At an appropriate time, we will be calling you to lay your wreaths and we will introduce the IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - SPECIAL SITTING - SECOND MEETING Parliament met at 1.58 p.m. at Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join you and the rest to pay tribute to Hon. Justice Opio Aweri and pass my condolences to the family. I came to know Justice Aweri not under very good circumstances. At that time, around 2001, I had lost an election and had a petition before him. Like anybody else, I expected him to rule in my favour, but he did not. In my heart, this was a bad man. However, immediately after, less than a year, we had some social interaction. There is a trading centre called Migyera. When you are going to the North, it is halfway Gulu and Arua. Travellers stop there to rest and that is where I used to meet him.

Thank you; but Prime Minister, there is a contradiction. For example, the case of Gulu University; Gulu University got an African Development Bank- funded project. You built it in a forest reserve. You told Gulu University to get 500 acres of land and plant - they followed each and everything. They planted the 500 acres of land in Nwoya. Up to now, you have never – and it is a recent project after 2002.

6652 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Ntungamo Municipality are in court because the minister allowed them to get part of the park, which was in a forest reserve, in exchange for another piece of land on which they planted and the forest is up. Then you have, in cities - for example, in Gulu City, the forests you are talking about are not there; it is high-rise buildings. Instead of lying to ourselves, why don’t we be honest and say that where we have no forests, we come in, we realign, and then we stop. We need to stop lying to ourselves that we have a forest in Gulu when we do not have it; it is only high-rise buildings constructed with plans approved by Government.

Mr Speaker, there are these isolated cases and the Minister of Water and Environment will come here and give a comprehensive statement, especially about Gulu. These isolated cases will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Mr Speaker, when we gave that equipment across the districts, initially we decided to put regional workshops for the servicing. The idea was what the Rt Hon. Prime Minister has correctly observed - about the quality of the service - that we would continue to extend to that equipment. We realised that the resources could not allow us to decentralise adequately. That is why, sometimes, there has been backlog. We have had a discussion with the Minister of Local Government where we have issued a position that allows the local governments to do minor repairs like what has been described by my colleague. I think the question of Nebbi now is a question of implementation and that will be something that we are going to share again and communicate to all the districts and make sure that all the district engineers will abide by the directive that we have given. Minor repairs will be handled in the district. Only those critical ones will be taken to the region. Even in the regions, we are trying to create more workshops. For example, West Nile, very soon will not be having all their machines going to Gulu; they will be in Arua. And the same will be for some parts of – (Member timed out.)

6605 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2022 Transmission Regarding transmission losses, Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that to fully realise the envisaged benefits of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi- Arua transmission project, the Ministry of Finance, UETCL, and the Ministry of Energy, with their consultants, should consolidate all efforts to ensure that this project is completed and commissioned by March 2023 as a way of reducing technical losses at transmission. Impact of loadshedding Regarding impact of loadshedding, Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that the plant availability of the operated plants be increased, power dispatches increased and the connection of the West Nile region to the national grid be expedited to avail stable and reliable power supply to West Nile. Conclusion In conclusion, Mr Speaker, the need for adequate and reliable electricity is key in driving Uganda’s vision of transforming the whole country from a peasant to an industrialised economy. Despite West Nile being a trade hub connecting to South Sudan and the DRC, it experiences rampant loadshedding and power outages, which have hindered its contribution to the economic transformation of the country. The reasons for this unreliable electricity are attributed, majorly, to the region not being connected to the national grid, thus failing to tap into the excess electricity available from the rest of the country and the other benefits accrued from being connected to high voltage transmission networks and substations. A good transmission network ensures that sources from different loads are synchronised, transmission loads are reduced and there is easier control for remote and onsite functions. Further, Mr Speaker, the two generators in the region are dispatching far below their subcontracted and installed capacities, thus failing to meet the demand for the region. To address the rampart loadshedding in the region, the Government of Uganda has put in place several initiatives to overcome this challenge. In the short term, the Government is constructing a medium voltage line connecting Olwiyo to a substation in Pakwach. Mr Speaker, I am happy to report that West Nile has actually been connected already – since our intervention. This line was expected to be commissioned in November 2022. However, the long-term solution is the completion of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission project, which connects West Nile to the high voltage electricity backbone transmission infrastructure, by March 2023. Thereafter, Government will have to invest in the distribution network so as to increase the West Nile’s rate of electricity access. Therefore, the committee, in its findings, agrees with the prayers of the movers of the motion, except in Prayer No. 1, where it recommended that the contract of Electro-Maxx be terminated rather than the Government of Uganda providing funds to the Uganda National Oil Company to supply fuel to Electro-Maxx to generate its licensed capacity. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Yes, Madi Subregion - I understand what they are talking about. However, Madi has a separate intervention; there is a line that is going to come from Gulu - the other route is going to be strengthened and we are going to build a substation in Madi to actually bring that power down from Gulu. So, that one is going to be done; it is in the plan. Then the distribution, you cannot put a distribution line when you do not have food. Let us deliver the food and then start sharing it. If I put the lines there, they will be redundant. So, let us wait for the power to be delivered, and I said that it is going to be a priority of the ministry in the new project.

Thank you very much, chairperson, for the report. Mr Speaker, I just have two issues to raise. First, the issue of power in West Nile is an issue of Greater North, including Lango subregion, and I share the sentiments of my colleagues from Madi- Okollo so that they get the power that comes from Lira through Gulu. In Amolatar, we know the days we have power; they are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The rest of the days, we do not have power. How I wish the plans that the minister is talking about of solar - you have to be mindful that much as you have records of electricity in every district of this country, consider the issue of stability of electricity in these areas. The second issue is the costs. I want to thank the chairperson for giving us the different sessions SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

It is being taken care of using UEDCL. WENRECo was not able to do it so we had to bring in UEDCL. Finally, West Nile, we have heard your cry on WENRECo. WENRECo’s concession is coming to an end and it is not going to be renewed. The UEDCL is taking over West Nile as a Government company, to ensure that power is stabilised in West Nile. That is the last question. For the rest of the questions from other regions - one thing I wish to point out is that they have the backbone electricity. Kassanda has a backbone, but the distribution is lacking. You have those big lines going overhead - we are going to step them down and then we shall distribute power. On Abim, I share with you –(Interjections)- okay, let me answer the one on Abim. For Abim, we know your power is coming from Gulu and it is through a distribution line. There are a lot of power losses in Abim –(Interruption)

Mr Speaker, looking at the number of years and those who were affected, it is quite impossible. Finally, I would like to implore the honourable minister to support the various organisations that are supporting people living with HIV/ AIDS, for example, TASO, which has its main office in Gulu, and other offices in Lira and other places. Honourable minister, if Government supported such organisations, I really feel the implementation of the various Government programmes on ending HIV/AIDS and its spread would be easier. And so, I pray that you support those organisations. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Honourable members, in VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from the Apostolic Nunciature; 1. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Luigi Bianco - Apostolic Nuncio; 2. Rev. Fr Krzysztof Seroka – Secretary of the Nunciature. You are most welcome. (Applause) They have come to observe the proceedings, as Parliament pays tribute that Hon. Akello talked about yesterday. 3. We also have our own, the Most Reverend John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese. You are most welcome. (Applause) 4. We have Monsignor Dr John Baptist Kauta. Monsignor, you are most welcome. He is my uncle. (Applause) 5. We have Hon. Judith Franca Akello, you are most welcome. (Applause) 6. We also have Hon. Komakech, the former MP – you are welcome. (Applause) COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Madam Speaker, this is a motion for resolution of Parliament to pay tribute on the occasion of the beautification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, a professed member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, medical doctor, philanthropist and educator. This motion is being moved under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS Parliament of Uganda received with pleasure the decision of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to bestow the Rite of Beatification onto the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli on 20 November 2022 in Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese; AWARE THAT the process of canonising Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli as a saint commenced in 1999 and on l7 December 2015, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, bestowed onto Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli the Rite of Venerable, following the confirmation of his life of heroic virtue; RECALLING THAT on 28 November 2019, a miracle was attributed to Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, commencing the process for the beatification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, which process will result in his canonisation; APPRECIATING THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli lived a life of distinction and immeasurably served the people of Uganda, especially those in northern Uganda, through - Serving as a Parish Priest for Kalongo Parish in the Archdiocese of Gulu, where he paid special attention to the suffering of the people, guided by his motto, “God is love and I am his servant to the suffering people”; Revolutionising the care for leprosy patients through admitting leprosy patients to the same hospital as other patients instead of confining them to the often neglected and poorly managed leprosarium, thereby combating the stigma that existed in Ugandan society against lepers; Establishing St Mary’s Midwifery Training School in Kalongo, Agago District, to provide trained medical practitioners in order to enhance the care of patients in Uganda; and Establishing a clinic for lepers at Kalongo, in present day Agago District, which he transformed into a hospital, recently renamed DrAmbrosoli Memorial Hospital, a 350-bed facility that treats nearly 60,000 patients every year; FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli exhibited unique compassion and kindness in caring for the sick, charity, selflessness, humility, wisdom and love for God and championed the growth of the Catholic Church in Uganda; COGNISANT THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli died on 27 March 1987 at the Comboni Mission in Lira; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this Parliament that: Parliament collectively congratulates the people of Uganda, the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus and the entire Catholic Church in Uganda on the auspicious occasion of the beatification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, slated for the 20 November, 2022 in Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese; Parliament takes cognisance of the immense contribution of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli for his devotion to duty and immense contribution to the development of Uganda.” [The Speaker] TRIBUTE TO THE VENERABLE GIUSEPPE AMBROSOLI

Madam Speaker, my justification for the resolution of this Parliament to pay tribute to this powerful Father is that Pope Francis issued a concession to the Archdiocese of Gulu to conduct the beatification of Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli on 20 November 2022 at Kalongo Catholic Mission in Agago District. This will be the third Blessed after Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello who are the Blessed Martyrs in Gulu Archdiocese. Beatification under the Catholic Church is a procedure of determining and proclaiming that a deceased person is one of the Blessed or has gained the second degree of holiness and it is a stage in the process of canonisation into Sainthood. Venerable Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli was a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Comboni Missionaries. He was born on the 25 July 1923 at Ronago - that is in Como in Northern Italy. After a serene childhood and adolescence, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Milan. After having been awarded this degree, he presented himself at the Comboni Missionaries to become a missionary priest proclaiming simple, yet profound words: “God is love, they are suffering neighbours and I am their servant.” Later on, he went to London for a course in Tropical Medicine and returned to Italy, where he joined the Comboni’s Novitiate of Gozzano (Novara). Madam Speaker, on 09 September 1953, Giuseppe became a Comboni missionary by undertaking his first vows. He studied Theology and was ordained a priest on 17 December 1955 by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini - later, Pope Paul VI. At 33 years of age, on 01 February 1856, Fr Giuseppe left for Gulu in Northern Uganda. Thereafter, he went to Kalongo and founded a hospital that gained a reputation of excellence for almost 31 years. At Kalongo Hospital, he also founded St Mary’s Midwifery School, where local women received training as midwives. In 1972, he also incorporated the leprosy centres in the Mission of Alito and Morulem for victims of Hansen’s disease in the hospital’s outreach programme. The hospital, designed for the neediest people in a rural area, became famous for its leading medical practitioner and for the volunteer doctor and religious sisters, who assisted him. Therefore, not only from all over Uganda, but also from neighbouring countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and even as far away as India, people asked to be treated there. In 1963, he was awarded the “Doctors’ Mission Prize” by the Carlo Erba Foundation and in 1985, the Samuel Pozzi Prize – “A Life for Medicine” from the “Order of Doctors” in Milan. Due to his skill as a surgeon, he was asked to serve in the country’s main teaching hospital – Mulago, that is in Kampala, but he preferred to remain in Kalongo. On 13 February 1987 in the midst of the insurgency campaign being waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army, Fr Giuseppe was obliged by the authorities to evacuate the hospital of Kalongo, placing his already precarious health under enormous strain. On 27 March 1987, he died in Lira at 3.30 p.m. 44 days after having been forced to leave Kalongo and brought all the personnel of the hospital to safety. On 17 December 2015, Pope Francis named Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli as Venerable of the Catholic Church due to his heroic virtue.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join my honourable sister and Rt Hon. Prime Minister in paying tribute to Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli, a priest in the Order of the Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Christ. We are an honoured House. It happens once in your lifetime as a leader in this country, that God has given you an opportunity to speak about his servant. Therefore, I am exceedingly humbled to be invited to second this motion and I know that at the end of the day, the voice of the people is the voice of God; vox dei vox populi , so we say. Madam Speaker, Fr Giuseppe was God’s gift to Uganda. And in his veneration, our nation once again is privileged to be highlighted as a true home of faith. On this occasion of his veneration, Madam Speaker, this humble man of God gives us an opportunity to celebrate not just the opportunity to his journey to Sainthood, but most importantly, his humble service as a priest. We join the rest of humanity to celebrate the gift of priesthood in the Church and thank God, for his priests as messengers, including Fr Ambrosoli for helping us the faithful to share in the priesthood of Christ, a job he did, by administering sacraments and in particular, baptism. Madam Speaker, we celebrate Fr Guissipe who sowed this seed of faith. He multitasked as we have been advised, as a surgeon, midwife, radiologist and paediatrician. He also worked as a manual labourer. He attracted a lot of funding to the community to enable health services get delivered to the people of northern Uganda. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, the state of health services in the region he loved has not really reached the level I am sure he much aspired and desired to see. Aware that veneration is not an end in itself, but a journey to Sainthood, we too celebrate this new prince of the church, who is joining a growing list of Ugandan faithful, whom we celebrate as saints and blessed like the holy Uganda Martyrs. With such humility, Madam Speaker and dedicated service towards God and His people, I am aware from the media that over 300 people are trekking from Gulu to attend to his veneration, which is very humbling; an [Ms Nakadama] TRIBUTE TO THE VENERABLE GIUSEPPE AMBROSOLI

6285 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2022 admission that we bow to this true servant of God. Madam Speaker, like I observed, Fr Ambrosoli is a gift not only to the people of the Archdiocese of Gulu, but also to the nation and the whole world, because he served with dedication, professionalism and love. We urge the people of Uganda to emulate the life of this great missionary priest in serving God and neighbour and grant that we get the grace to grow in faith. In the memory of this great gift of God to humanity, the only physical epitaph we can erect in his memory is to pay attention to the issues that he held dear, such as justice and care for the wretched of the earth. Madam Speaker, in that tribute and epitaph, he would take care of the poor that are being chased off their land, the poor being denied medical services, persecution of citizens because of political differences, sowing seeds of divisionism through ethnicity, and other social vices. Spoken about as a man with immense spiritual transparency, as political leaders, we are invited to shed off political opaqueness and be as transparent and avoid making decisions that distance us from being men and women that the world will remember with faith that we served for God and country. We pray, Madam Speaker, that the heavenly Father will allow us through remembrance of his venerable servant, to continue receiving his blessings and exhibit the same while praying that the final canonisation of His humble servant happens in our lifetime, as an eternal lesson to the criticality of service to God and humanity. I thank you once again, Madam Speaker for enabling this motion, which is historical in our time and we pray that we all get humbled in our duty to serve without expecting return to self. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

6288 THE NATIONAL LEGAL AID BILL, 2022 However, he came up with a brilliant idea. He decided that my mother be a patient and told her to put on the clothes of a patient. He then gave my mother a room on the side in the hospital. He told us, the children to stay with him in his residence and made us dress as his altar boys. Amin’s soldiers came there on many occasions looking for us. I was young and naïve, but we would continue playing in the grounds not knowing the dangers we faced. We were in that hospital for three months and my mother was dressed as a patient for those three months due to the assistance of this wonderful gentleman. (Applause) Unfortunately, my mother, in the process of being in the hospital, came across someone who knew her. When this person saw my mother in patients’ clothes, this particular person, with a big mouth, left the hospital and went and told others that she had found the wife of Gen. Tito in Kalongo Hospital. Word went around that the family of Gen. Tito was in Kalongo Hospital. Soon the place was raided by Amin’s soldiers. It was very miraculous how we escaped that night when the place was raided. Fortunately, the soldiers went to a wrong place. Someone informed Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli and so, he ran to my mother and told her to undress and change into ordinary clothes and walk quietly out of the hospital. My mother came and picked us. We walked in the night and disappeared. This is why I am here today because of what he did. (Applause) As God would have his ways, on Saturday, I was in Gulu and I met Msgr Matthew Odong outside Boma Hotel. He asked if I was going for the beautification and I said, “Yes, that man saved my life and our family.” He asked, how? I told him the story. He then said, “Why do you keep quiet with such a story?” I said “I do not have to tell everybody”. Little did I know, that today, God would give me an opportunity to tell the world what Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli did for my family. Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli was a great man. Young as we were, we heard of stories of the miracles he performed in saving patients from as far as Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania, and these stories are being told by individuals of what his hands would do, if he started treating you. As we have heard here, he served very diligently and humbly, in very difficult circumstances. Working in Kalongo in the 1970s, during President Idi Amin’s time was not easy by any stretch of imagination. Working in Kalongo during the LRA times was not easy by any stretch of imagination. I would like to thank God for giving us Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli. I also thank God for what he did for all of us in Uganda; not only for Catholics, but even Protestants. Not only for Ugandans, but people across the board. Madam Speaker, I am not a Catholic. I am a Protestant, but I am very grateful to associate myself with Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli and maybe, what Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli did in my life, by saving me and making me what I am today is why I have a wife who is a Catholic. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We appreciate the presence of the Papal Nuncio; the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese; His Excellency, the Ambassador and our two honourable MPs who were here with us, Hon. Lyandro and Hon. Judith. Madam Speaker, it is true I represent Kalongo in Agago North County. I extend an invitation to you, my colleagues in this august House to come and we join hands in the beatification of Dr Ambrosoli. That is a nice place. We border Karamoja from the east, and Kitgum next to South Sudan, but it is still a good place. People are very loving and welcoming. I welcome all of you to come to Kalongo. Madam speaker, Dr Ambrosoli was in the centre of the social, economic and religious development. Dr Ambrosoli did a lot and the legacy that he has left has to be propelled beyond what we have seen. When he died, I was 16 years old. I was already a grown up that time. So, I can confirm that it is true what has been said to have transpired during those days. Our fathers, uncles and aunties who had been there during those days were hosting him as their own, to the extent that even – (Member timed out.) Madam Speaker, excuse me for just a minute to conclude this.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am a priest of the Catholic Church of Gulu Archdiocese. I am happy my Bishop is right here, listening to this great deliberation by Parliament. I am just imagining the day this Parliament will sit and pay tribute when I pass on. – ( Laughter ) This is what I am trying to imagine. You better learn me, before I pass on, so that next time, you do not just - The golden legacy of Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli needs to be protected. You know, I am the Deputy Chairperson of the rules committee. Therefore, I want to move a motion under rule 61, that Kalongo Hospital be raised to a medical university, where research on tropical diseases can be done and treated. This will make the great leadership of Dr Ambrosoli to be remembered forever. In your wisdom, if it is fitting, this amendment should be made to the motion brought by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister.

Let us reduce to one minute because Archbishop wants to go back to Gulu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, we would not be debating this motion if it was not for the concession by Pope Francis. I would like to thank Pope Francis for his concession and allowing Gulu Archdiocese –

I also remember how Archbishop Odama often risked his life when he met rebels. I saw this as I was growing up in Gulu. Your Grace Archbishop, I am looking forward to a time when we will pay tribute to thank the living people, not only the dead ones. (Applause) (Member timed out.)

6233 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2022 2. To analyse the type of accidents and the total admissions; 3. To conduct an in-depth analysis of the total estimated costs of road traffic accidents and to review challenges in the road safety sector in the country; and 4. To develop a policy brief and recommendation in terms of laws, training, monitoring, and specific budget allocations that policymakers can consider in addition to increasing funding. The hospitals whose data we analysed were Arua, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Gulu, Hoima, Jinja, Kabale, Masaka, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Mbarara, Mubende, Yumbe, Moroto and Naguru regional referral hospitals, and Mulago National Referral Hospital. When coming up with a cost of treatment, we interfaced with the consultants of Mulago and asked them what it costs to treat a patient who is severely injured, moderately injured or with mild injuries. We came up with the guided figures. We also looked at documents: the Annual Health Sector Performance Report, the police accident reports, reports from regional referral hospitals and so forth. Madam Speaker, let me go to some of the results on page 13. In 2018, the total number of accidents were 12,805. Of these 3,194 were fatal. In 2019, the total number of accidents are 12,858. Of these 3,407 were fatal. In 2020, 12,249 accidents occurred; 3,269 were fatal. In 2021, we had a spike, 17,443 accidents occurred and 3,757 were fatal. Madam Speaker, if I break it down to the magnitude of the injuries, and people killed: in 2018, 3,689 people died from accidents. Those seriously injured were 9,541, and those slightly injured were 1,881. In 2019, those who died were 3,880 and those seriously Injured were 9,635. Those slightly injured were 1,175. In 2020, those who were killed were 3,663, those seriously injured were 8,370, and those slightly injured were 979. Finally, in 2021, those who died were 4,159, the seriously injured were 12,589 and those slightly injured were 1,287. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to table nine. That is comparison of fatalities by road user groups. From that table - I wish the IT man could flush it - motorcyclists accounted for the biggest number of fatalities in all the four years, followed by passengers on motorcycles, followed by pedestrians. There is clear evidence to show that motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s, are the biggest cause of injuries but most importantly, deaths from road traffic accidents. Page 15: causes of the crashes. We had reckless or careless driving, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and cars in dangerous mechanical conditions; the causes are up there. I would like to draw your attention to page 21: total admissions. Table 12 on page 21 shows the highest number of cases of admissions due to motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s. If we break it down by sex, males were certainly more affected and these were males above five years, compared to females. I think it is quite clear on the table. I would like to draw your attention to table 22: again, the problem is boda boda s. Madam Speaker, on the issue of the costs that we pay, that is page 34 - Mr IT, can you please move to page 34? - We broke it down into the costs based on critical level four, critical level three and critical level one. The overall daily cost that we spend on treating accidents is Shs 877 million monthly. It comes to Shs 26 billion and annually, it comes to Shs 315 billion. That is what the sector needs to be able to treat victims of accidents. As Chairperson of the Committee on Health, I know very well that we do not appropriate this amount of money for accidents and

6234 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT emergencies. That leaves me with three fundamental questions, honourable members. The first one is, we are not appropriating enough; Shs 315 billion is a lot of money. That means people are either dying, people are not getting the service or we have increased out- of-pocket expenditure. This means that a lot of Members of Parliament and the population have to touch into their pockets to meet this shortfall. As I conclude, honourable members, I would just like to compare the problem of accidents to malaria. I have just highlighted that for accidents, we spend Shs 315 billion annually. That should be on page 35. We spent about Shs 315 billion for accidents but our malaria budget is $150 million annually, which is about Shs 550 billion. Of course, that is given mostly by donors and Uganda only contributes 10 per cent of that. Therefore, in terms of what we should be able to appropriate, we are slightly behind malaria by about Shs 200 billion. Rt Hon. Speaker, I would like to quickly run through the recommendations. Policy recommendations We need to improve the emergency response assistance to road traffic victims. That means all highways in this country should have accident and emergency units. We are looking at Jinja-Kampala, Kampala- Mubende-Fort Portal, up to Gulu. The only person who moves with an ambulance in this country is the President. Any of us could fall culpable to these accidents and we shall have to wait for our ambulances, which are not yet in full functionality. Second is proper use and enforcement of helmets, speed and regular limit enforcement, heavy fines and punishment for unfair road users, proper and standardised road surface designs - that includes signage. When I drive from here to Koboko, I would like to tell the Minister of Works and Transport that there is hardly any signage and where there used to be, it has been stolen. Therefore, we also need to penalise such people. Coordination of road safety by the National Roads Safety Council, regular on-spot inspections, speed regulation measures, insurance pay-out and claims. Madam Speaker, every vehicle in this country is mandated to pay third party insurance but most times, people do not claim it. In addition, most of the drivers do not know their rights in regard to third party insurance. Therefore, it is an area we have to explore. Are we seeing a cartel of businesspeople conniving with police to ensure that people mandatorily pay third party insurance but the service is not being given? Adherence to pedestrian crossings, enforcement of road hierarchy in urban areas, removing road sign dangers and designs for safety spaces and reduction on gazetting of speed reduction zones on highways – Madam Speaker, it is a very bulky report of about 45 pages but I quickly ran through because I was given 20 minutes to present. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to bring to the attention of the House and those who travel upcountry, especially from Kampala to Gulu, Lira and West Nile. Madam Speaker, I am concerned about the double parking of the big trailers along Migyera on the Kampala-GuluRoad. That road is very narrow, but you find big trailers double- parked and there is no path for the pedestrians and boda boda s. My prayer is that these truck drivers be allocated different space to park so that they leave the road for the drivers. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, just yesterday, I got an update report from the Ministry of Health on TB and leprosy in the country. What she is saying is true; the campaign that is ongoing is for us to end TB and leprosy by the year 2030 and a number of hospitals and health centres IV have been provided with X-ray machines. I want to allay the fears of our sister; there is another consignment that is coming. I believe Amuru – now that you have told us - but you are near Gulu and I believe some of those TB cases are diagnosed from Gulu. I want to allay the fears of Members that it is on our agenda and we are moving forward. We are also in the process of increasing Government funding. We shall bring those papers here for you to see. We are progressing very well.

Thank you very much, chairman. When you listen to the chairperson and look at his report, most of the issues are cross-cutting; there is a mismatch between recruitment plan and the actual recruitment, which is contrary to Section 13, 15(d), 15(1) and 17(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015, which is leading to a total loss of Shs 421 million. That money should have been sent to our Consolidated Fund account. Secondly, there is a lapse in the payroll management characterised by overpayment of people who have retired, people who have left the service and people who died; all those kinds of people. Maybe, these ghost workers, which is really a breach on paragraphs (L-d) (1), and Section (B-s) of the Public Service Standing Orders, 2010, section 19(1) of the Income Tax Act and the Public Finance Management Act. All these issues are being raised; payment of contractors before they finish the work, the shoddy work - Prime Minister, the tendency is that once they find that this accounting officer has this problem, they transfer them. That is recycling problems from one area to the other. How we wish, as a House this time round, that you terminate and remove such accounting officers. There are many accounting officers out there who are looking for jobs. However, if you are going to get an accounting officer from Apac and take him to Gulu, he takes the same character to Gulu. Accounting officers, then again, you take him to Kakumiro; so what are you solving? We are losing a lot of money. We are saying Government is not giving money, yet, it is individuals. Instead of spending Shs 70 million, you spend Shs 150 without authorisation from the PS/ ST. Are we still following the law? Or, are we having an ad hoc kind of work in institutions, not under your leadership? Let us start with the youth.

Hon. Mwesigwa, the MP for Hoima East Division, wanted to know why the country has delayed validation and the approval of staff structures for the newly-created cities and its effect on service delivery. Mr Speaker, in January 2022, Cabinet under, Minute 21 (CT 2022) approved the 10 cities in Uganda and the structures for the 10 cities to implement. The following actions have been taken: 1. The structures were customised to enable the cities come up with individual human resource structures that address their uniqueness; 2. The customised city structures have been adopted by the respective city councils and implementation guidelines for the said structures have been prepared and disseminated to the city authorities; 3. The job descriptions and person specifications were prepared to enable the City Service Commissions place the existing staff and recruit the right people in the right jobs; Mr Speaker, validation of the existing staff, formally belonging to the respective municipalities and annexed areas from the mother districts, was also done and successfully concluded in all the 10 cities of Hoima, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Soroti, Jinja, Mbale, Lira, Gulu and Arua.

5942 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME With the increasing burden of cancer in the country, the Government of Uganda has embarked on the development of regional cancer centres. This is in line with the National Development Plan III and the National Health Policy, Health Sector Development Plan and the Uganda Cancer Institute Strategic Plan 2022/2026. According to the Uganda Cancer Institute Strategic Plan, four regional cancer centres in the western, eastern, northern, and north- western regions are to be set up, equipped and operationalised by the end of the Financial Year 2025/2026. This is the update on the progress of the regional cancer centres across the country. Northern Uganda Regional Cancer Institute Gulu The project for the regional cancer centre in Gulu was approved by Parliament in 2020, as a Turkey project. The construction work is nearing completion. Equipment has been shipped and is on site awaiting installation. The site handover is expected by the end of the year 2022, and the official commissioning will be in the year 2023. The Eastern Uganda Regional Cancer Centre Mbale The feasibility studies for the realisation of this project have been completed and the concept was submitted to the development committee of the finance ministry. In the meantime, the Uganda Cancer Institute commenced work on start-up structures in order to have a skeleton service, while awaiting a comprehensive project that will accommodate all the cancer services. Western Uganda Regional Cancer Centre Mbarara The final report of the feasibility studies for Western Uganda Regional Cancer Centre in Mbarara has been completed and submitted together with a concept to the development committee of the finance ministry, for approval and financing. In the meantime, Mr Speaker, there is a very active cancer care service, which is second only to the services in Kampala, with over 3,000 patients attended to, in the last financial year. This has been achieved using the available infrastructure, equipment and human resource. North-Western Uganda Regional Cancer Centre Arua Mr Speaker, the feasibility studies for North- Western Uganda Cancer Centre in Arua, have been developed and submitted to the development committee of the finance ministry, awaiting approval and financing. In the meantime, breast cancer prevention and early detection services commenced in Arua using the available infrastructure equipment and human resources. Hon. Acayo asked a question: Whereas the general civilian population continues to obey and respect the traffic laws while walking or driving on the road, there are a number of vehicles and motorists of security personnel vehicles with civilian number plates, but with military jackets put on the driver’s car seats to disguise as vehicles of military officers. There are also civilians and some security elements that have sirens and flashlights similar to those of VIP vehicles. They always abuse traffic rules, force to have the right of way and even disobey the police traffic officers on the roads. Her prayer is: Rt Hon. Prime Minister, what mechanism does Government have in place to stop this abuse of the road and disruption of traffic flow that inconveniences the movement of people, especially at peak hours?” My response is that Section 123 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, (Amendment) Act, 2020, the Traffic and Road safety (Rules of the Road) Regulations, 2004, specifically, regulation 5 specifies who has a right of way.

5955 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022 people who, whenever they are referred for scanning, have to come to Mulago or go to Aber Hospital. In Financial Year 2021/2022, we budgeted for CT scans. Where are the CT scans – or where is the CT scan for Gulu Regional Referral Hospital? When are we receiving it? They are saying “even Soroti”. When are we receiving these CT scans to reduce the burden on our people? Thank you.

5658 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT that what we have done in some areas is to use the limited resources to at least make some places navigable and motorable. We may not have the resources that can go into detailed work in many places but at least we are trying to make the roads motorable. For the Reverend Father’s case, we cannot afford to wait until the meeting takes place then we do a detailed intervention. We will compare notes and direct the department in Gulu to ensure that at least some work is done and the children can access school.

5668 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT No.1, was a UPDF patient, coming from an operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That is why the epicentres were Gulu and Mbarara. The two divisions that pulled out of the DRC went to Mbarara and Gulu. Today, we are in the Democratic Republic of Congo for Operation Shuja ; the UPDF has a barracks in Mubende. I am just giving that information - that could be one of the channels of investigation as we also explore the channel of the mines. Thank you.

5676 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT students from the various medical schools in Lira and beyond. This affected their NTR collections at the time. The committee notes that such shortfalls in revenue at the Vote level results into aggregate revenue shortfalls at the Treasury level, which, in turn, negatively affects implementation of planned activities at governmental level. The committee notes that Instruction 4.10.2 of the Treasury Instructions, 2017 requires planning and budgeting to be closely linked to the budget to reflect the entity’s policies over the period covered, and should represent a statement of intent against which performance is measured. Therefore, not budgeting for NTR undermines the importance of the budgeting process that affects the posting of the entity accounts. The committee, therefore, recommends that; 1. The entities should strictly plan for NTR in their budgeting process to avoid distortion in economic planning; 2. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always provide technical assistance to entities in areas of economic planning and budgeting; 3. Entities should further look for ways of diversifying their revenue sources to ensure that they meet the targeted NTR thresholds. Delayed remittance of deductions to Uganda Consumers and Lenders Association (UCLA) and Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General noted that in a significant number of referral hospitals, statutory payroll deductions were made without making timely remittances to the lending institutions, contrary to Paragraph 4.6.1 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019, which requires payroll deductions to be remitted concurrently with salary payments. In the case of Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, for example, deductions to a tune of Shs 151 million were not remitted in accordance with the above establishment notice. The accounting officer attributed this to system challenges. The committee did not believe him. For example, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital payroll deductions of Shs 222,282,880 were not concurrently remitted with salary payments in 10 out of the 12 months, with an average delay of 11 days. Such delays to remit deductions arising out of a loan obligation create accumulated arrears that expose the staff to increased loan burden through interest in surcharge. It also encumbers their financial cards, thereby curtailing their ability to access credit facilities in future. The committee recommends strict adherence to Paragraph 4.6.1 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019, failure of which should attract sanctions to the accounting officer in question. Delayed Remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deductions to URA The Auditor-General noted that a number of entities such as Mubende, Lira, Gulu, Kabale and Moroto regional referral hospitals delayed remittance of PAYE deductions to URA for periods ranging from 13 to 27 days, disregarding Section 123 of the Income Tax Act 1997, which requires withholding agents to remit to URA any tax that has been withheld or that should have been withheld within 15 days after the end of each month in which the payment subject to withholding tax is made. The committee noted that a number of entities delayed remittances of deductions to URA, contrary to the law. Accounting officers attributed this to system failures although the committee received no evidence of this communication to URA. It is also incomprehensible that these system failures would affect all entities the same way so as to attract similar delays.

5817 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022 This model has an option of either contributing food in kind or cash for food rations. We all know that feeding is important for the health of our children and how poor learning, absenteeism and school dropout are partly caused by hunger in schools. Mr Speaker, Government started a pilot project to engage parents to start contributing towards feeding their children while at school, targeting at least one million children within Kampala Metropolitan Area – covering Entebbe, Kira, Makindye, Mukono and Nansana municipalities – and later to have it extended to the districts of Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Hoima, Kabale, Arua, Kabarole and Masaka, if well implemented. Government has secured a partnership between the Ministry of Education Sports and SNV Uganda, a Netherlands Development Organisation, which will help in subsidising the parents. As such, the parents will contribute between Shs 10,000 and Shs 20,000 each term to ensure their children are fed on milk at school. Mr Speaker, milk was chosen because it provides bone-building nutrients, specifically, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which are of high nutrition for both good health and development. Government has entered into partnership with processors who will design specific milk and yoghurt products for school children and distribute about 250mls (per quarter pint) of milk to each child per day for five days. Mr Speaker, the targeted level of school is pre- primary, primary and secondary school. We, therefore, urge honourable members and parents to embrace this programme for the better health of our children in schools and to improve their learning. Hon. Ronald Akugizibwe, Member of Parliament, Buruuli County, Masindi District. He said: “Census is a critical planning tool, which helps governments to plan for the future in terms of schools, hospitals, roads, urban infrastructure and more. For Vision 2020 to be achieved there is need to plan based on reliable statistics.” His prayer is that I update this august House on when Government intends to carry out a housing and population census. Mr Speaker, on Monday, 12 September 2022, Cabinet approved a plan to carry out a housing and population census, scheduled for 24 to 25 August 2023. The process is estimated to cost Shs 330 billion, which Government will mobilise in two financial years; that is, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The census will enable Government to establish the number of houses, the people and budget accordingly, in terms of service delivery to various regions. The census will be done digitally and data uploaded directly to the central server in Kampala. Mr Speaker, this year, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, through the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, shall be procuring information technology (IT) devices, which will be used in the exercise. After the census, the smart gadgets will be used to carry out other studies such as agricultural census and administrative statistics, among others. Question No.5 came from Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, the National Female Youth MP. She said: “There are about 13 million people in urban centres in the country. Over 50 per cent of Ugandans, by the year 2050, will be in cities, yet housing is still a challenge in urban centres. Last week, His Excellency the President launched a multi-billion housing project in Lubowa, under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).” She asked: “What is the status of Solana- Lubowa Housing Project and its benefit to the people of Uganda?” My response, Mr Speaker, is that on Thursday, 8 September 2022, His Excellency the President commissioned the first phase of the Shs 1.4 trillion Solana-Lubowa Housing Project.

Thank you. Next item. I do not have anyone on the Floor to call to order. I can see some were commenting about it - but for us we are appreciating. LAYING OF PAPERS FORENSIC INVESTIGATION REPORT BY THE AUDITOR-GENERAL INTO THE ALLEGED MISMANAGEMENT OF GULU UNIVERSITY

Mr Speaker, I beg to lay a report entitled, “Forensic Investigation Report into the Alleged Mismanagement of Gulu University”. I beg to lay.

Thank you. Now, the honourable colleague is raising serious issues. When we are looking at this commitment, Government is proposing to remove the National Forestry Authority. Now, if you make it a department in the ministry, my friend, forget about forests in this country. Secondly, I love living in a clear and known world; I do not want to live a lie. I have seen people talking about forest reserves. The area, where Gulu University is, where Government put up buildings under funding from the African Development Bank, is called a forest reserve. You know, on paper, it is called the forest reserve. But Government borrowed money from the African Development Bank to build faculties for Gulu University. Therefore now, I am concerned and the minister may tell us; where there are no forests, you are saying that they are forest reserves. Okay, there are no forests, you find completely there is no - there is only eucalyptus, maybe one or two, it is in the middle of a town and you are calling it a forest reserve. Where there are real forests, you are failing to protect. (Laughter) Between me and you, I have seen many of them. In the 10 th Parliament, I remember the issue was raised and we said, “Why don’t you be open? What does it help you, for example, to look at where Gulu University is and you deny them their title insisting that it is a forest reserve when there is a university.” Will you evict yourself? Because you are the Government and you are the one who - would you evict yourself? So that is what comes to my mind.

Thank you, Hon. Kimosho. Can we have the chairperson of the Committee on ICT and National Guidance make a presentation? Honourable members, in the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have the Archbishop of Gulu Diocese, His Grace, John Baptist Odama. (Applause) You are most welcome. It has been put here, specifically, that he had come to listen to the proceedings on Nyege Nyege. (Laughter) Unfortunately, we have finished. You are welcome, Archbishop. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister is also here to welcome you. (Laughter) Yes, chairperson -

Thank you. I hope the intention is not knowing who is where. I remember when we were at campus, we had - and he is a senior police officer now called Odur Byaruhanga. We had a situation where one senior politician on the Opposition side attacked him when they were in Gulu, saying how this Munyankore is now benefitting from the Acholi things. It turned out that Byaruhanga could not even speak “Agandi.” He was a true Acholi. That person was a senior leader here and I remember the embarrassment of following a name. They followed just Byaruhanga, not knowing he was dealing with his Acholi brother, whom he was about to slaughter. I know many Bagisu. The Runyankore that Hon. Richard Wanda speaks, some of us cannot speak it. When you hear him speak, you will slaughter him as a Munyankore, but he is a senior Mugisu who even participated in Imbalu . With some of these things, we have to be cautious, colleagues. Nonetheless, it is very important that the list should be presented so that it is verifiable. There is nothing to hide. Honourable minister, please, present that list so that it can be referred to the Committee on Education and Sports. Members can then be able to verify it. It is very important. Honourable minister, please, use a maximum of five minutes.

Thank you very much. Madam Speaker, you are aware that section 17(2) of the Public Finance Management Act requires that the vote that does not expend money that was appropriated to that vote for the financial year shall, at the close of the financial year, repay that money back to the Consolidated Fund. Madam Speaker, you recall that sometime back, I raised a concern in this House pointing to the fact that the Ministry of Public Service and the local Government ministry had taken too long to provide guidelines, including the human resource structure, for the operationalisation of the cities created. Much as, later on, the Ministry of Public Service provided that guideline which we had requested for, especially on the structures, the ministry did not go ahead to provide the job descriptions for the positions that were created. As a result, the cities were not able to go ahead with the recruitment processes for the positions provided. Madam Speaker, I am raising this because recently, Gulu City returned back to the Treasury a total of Shs 4,401,062,129. Out of this total amount that was returned, a total of Shs 2,584,589,383 was meant for salaries. Gulu and all the other cities cannot go ahead to have these recruitment exercises done unless the ministry provides the approved job descriptions for these positions created under the human resource structures that the ministry has provided for the cities. Madam Speaker, I therefore pray that: Parliament should intervene in this matter and cause the Ministry of Public Service to expeditiously provide the approved job descriptions for the positions under the approved structures for the cities, to enable these cities go ahead and carry out the recruitment. Parliament should give a specific timeframe within which these actions should be taken and a report be given back to Parliament. Finally, Madam Speaker, there is need for tougher action to be taken on those whose inactions hamper implementation of programmes that are planned for a specific financial year. Madam Speaker, I am not sure whether the Ministry of Public Service - and I do not know for how long they are going to continue with this kind of sluggishness. I am not sure whether they know how much impact this is negatively putting on the cities. My prayer, Madam Speaker, is that this Parliament will pay a lot more attention to the plight of the cities created in the spirit of enhancing service delivery to the citizens in the cities. Thank you very much. I have documents that I would like to table –

Madam Speaker, all I can say is that yes, this job description of the staff of Gulu is going to be available-

Not only Gulu. Honourable members, we want all the cities, we do not want the inefficiency of other people to be borne by you; make your people do their work.

Bring the 23 companies together with an explanation as to why you have not paid them. We made a provision in this Parliament for payment of those 23 companies. There is a lady from Gulu who came to my office crying. Her house has been sold off and her business closed. She was thrown out of the house. Therefore, we need to see how we can help these poor Ugandans. They were trying to earn a living and we are kind of trying to frustrate them. Hon. Bahati, it seems you have more information because you are interrupting my Member. Can we have that information? When do we pay the 23 companies?

2398 2399 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2022 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT As noted earlier, in most locations visited by the committee, this exercise was marred by irregularities. Officials who were assigned the responsibility to carry out the exercise negated on their duties. There was also poor co-ordination between the offices responsible and the grassroot structures as such as GISOs, DISOs, RCCs/RDCs, LCI and town agents in the supervision and verification of the beneficiaries, which led to abuse of the process. Whereas in Masaka and Lira cities, the RCCs actively participated in the exercise, in Ntungamo Municipality and Mbarara City, the elected leaders were not involved at all. In Mbale City, the Office of RCC was denied the opportunity to verify the beneficiaries in the Office of the Town Clerk. As such, about 1,500 persons were verified out of the over 9,000 that benefited. In Arua city, the RCC and the Mayor only got to receive a report on the exercise while meeting the committee. There was no structural framework involving all leaders to ensure a co-ordinated execution. This led to people, who were not intended to benefit, taking part of the fund. It is worth noting that a few random telephone calls made by the committee to the beneficiaries revealed that some persons did not receive payments whereas their names are captured as having received relief and in the list provided. The committee could not, however, establish the accuracy of such assertions as the payments were made privately through their telephones and they could have deleted the confirmation messages. A one Ssewankambo Bashir Mbale captured in the list as having been paid under the bus/taxi conductor category denied having received the money when the committee called him. A one Oloya Geoffrey from Gulu purported to have been the first beneficiary of the relief fund under the boda-boda category could not be traced. When the committee consulted the boda-boda Association in Gulu, they denied him being a member and alleged that the Oloya in question is, in fact, a builder. While interacting with the committee, the Gulu City officials informed the meeting that their efforts to reach out to Oloya were futile. The committee noted that not all persons registered received the money due to various reasons, such as disparities in the names registered vis-à-vis those that appear in their NIN, using one’s NIN to register many telephone numbers and incomplete information, among others. The Committee further noted that there was an option in the guidelines to pay persons who qualified and were in possession of NIN, but had no telephones through the bank post. However, many would-be beneficiaries with these cases were ignored and replaced hence leaving out a big number. Recommendations 1. The Ministry of Gender considers verifying and giving relief to the vulnerable who had already been identified within the quota range but were left out due to errors in the information. This should be done before the end of October 2021; and 2. In future, systems designed for this kind of exercise should cater for vulnerable persons without phones and persons with disability. Term of reference number five was on how much money the beneficiaries received. We have indicated the figures and the committee recommends that should such an intervention be necessary in the future, the rates should be based on the current cost of living. We did observe before the recommendation on how we arrive at that conclusion. Term of reference number six was to establish the roles played by the different stakeholders. We have examined the same at page 17 and came to the conclusion that the committee recommends that should such an exercise be necessary in the future, elected leaders should be involved from the onset to give it ownership. benefited under the boda boda category than food vendors, salonists and car washers. In Mbale, the committee noted that the number of support staff who benefited in private schools was more than the teachers in those schools, which is not logical. In Tororo, a total number of 1,402 slum residents benefited, representing 37 per cent of the entire threshold, as compared to three vehicle loaders. In Soroti, the committee interacted with Mr Saleh Babu Opwonya, the Chairperson Teso Coach Stage, who intimated that out of the 75 members he registered, none of them received relief. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Mr Abdu Mugisha, the Gateway Bus Company chairperson, revealed that out of the 56 members he registered, 48 benefited. In Fort Portal, at Kampala-Kyenjojo Taxi Stage, 60 members were registered and on Kampala Road Boda Boda Stage, 132 members were registered but none of them received relief. These inequities meant that certain categories benefited more to the disadvantage of others. Suffice to note that the Government was able to set thresholds for beneficiaries in all the cities/ municipalities but did not consider setting out a workable formula to be used to equitably share the quotas. The committee noted that for success to be achieved in Lira City, identification was done based on the area of operation and business location for each category. Leadership structures for each category also supported the registration and verification process. Consequently, internal structures were put in place where the compiled lists were first submitted to the DISOs’ office and both physical verification and phone call verification was done to ascertain authenticity of the submitted lists. Once approved, the list would be submitted back to the Town Clerk for data entry. Other cities and municipalities did not fully verify their lists. Cognisant of the directive of the ministry to display the lists generated in public places within urban areas for purposes of updating and verification, with supervision of warden administrators and support of village health teams, the committee noted that across all the cities and municipalities, this directive was defied. This was attributed to limited time, technicalities in the online system, bulk and sensitivity of information. In the committee’s view, the display was avoided as it would expose the irregularities and abuse of the process. Nonetheless, if a display was to be done, raw data would have been the one to be displayed as and when the lists would come through. The committee recommends, therefore, that; 1. The Ministry of Local Government should, in liaison with UBOS, support the local government administrative units to set up a more robust database for future use. 2. In future, if such an activity reoccurs, the Ministry of Local Government should ensure that Town Clerks strictly adhere to the set guidelines. Term of reference No.3: Verify the list of people who received the money Madam Speaker, the observations here are contained on pages 12 to 13. I would wish to proceed directly to the recommendations, following the observations. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should consider giving relief to residents of Ayivu Division and Northern Division of Arua and Fort Portal cities, respectively. This flows from the observations that there were no benefits to them. Term of reference No.4: Verify and establish whether the intended beneficiaries actually received the money.

Honourable minister, you are the mover of the motion, please, proceed. However, before you do, let me just do some introductions. Honourable members, in the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from the Metropolis of the Uganda Orthodox Church. They include the Head of Clergy, caretakers, church leaders and members of the family of the late Archbishop Metropolitan Yonah Lwanga and they are: 1. Archbishop Makarios Tillyrides, leader of the delegation Archbishop of Nairobi, Kenya and caretaker of the Metropolis of Uganda; 2. Bishop Sylvester Kisitu of Gulu and Eastern Uganda; 3. Rev. Fr Paul Mutaasa; 4. Mrs Annet Nalubowa; 5. Mr James Sengendo; 6. Ms Maria Nanono Asiimwe; 7. Rev. Fr Nectarious Kabuye; 8. Rev. Fr Joseph Mutokya; 9. Rev. Fr John Kibuuka Bbosa; 10. Rev. Fr Emmanuel Kiwanuka; 11. Mr Nathan Basajjakilalo; 12. Rev. Fr Christos Mukiibi; 13. Mr Dittan Mayanja Kikabi; 14. Mr Paul Kasirye; and 15. Other members of the delegation. They are here to observe the proceedings and specifically, the motion that is on the Floor now, which has drawn them to be with us as we debate on one of our own Archbishop who was called by the Lord.

1123 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2021 AND WHEREAS Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Kampala and Exarch of All Uganda under the Eastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria from 1997 until his death; AWARE THAT the Archbishop served in other various capacities as Secretary of the Orthodox Mission in Uganda under Archbishop Frumentius of the Archdiocese of Irinoupolis, a deacon, priest and vicar Bishop of Bukoba in Tanzania: NOTING THAT Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was a spiritual leader of more than 600,000 Ugandans who are Greek Orthodox Christians and it is through his able leadership that the Orthodox faith in Uganda has expanded over the years to consist of about 80 priests and 105 Orthodox communities; APPRECIATING THAT through Archbishop Jonah Lwanga’s efforts and under his omophorion, the Diocese of Gulu was established for the Eastern and Northern Uganda Mission on 26th November 2018; COGNISANT THAT under Archbishop Jonah Lwanga’s stewardship, over 20 medical facilities and a hospital were established in Uganda, as well as an Orthodox Mother’s Union to address issues of spiritual and social development of women and their children and to fight poverty, hunger and illiteracy; RECOGNISING IHAT Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was emphatic against all forms of injustice, including human rights violations and was an exemplary spiritual leader who participated in the shaping of the lives of Ugandans and served the Orthodox Church with dedication; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by Parliament as follows: 1. That Parliament collectively conveys its deep condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, friends, the entire Orthodox Church and the people of Uganda for the loss of a distinguished citizen and a spiritual leader of Orthodox Church in Uganda; and 2. That Parliament takes cognizance of the dedicated service and contribution rendered by the Late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga to the people of Uganda and the world in general.” I beg to move.

1124 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JONAH LWANGA On 27 January 1992, he was ordained Vicar Bishop of Bukoba in Tanzania. On 12 May 1997, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa, elected him as Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Kampala. He was the second Ugandan to hold this position after the death of Archbishop Theodoros Nankyama. On 27 October 2017, the Metropolitan was elevated to the rank of an Elder by the Holy Synod in Alexandria. Mr Speaker, we mourn and celebrate the life of a distinguished person who devoted his life in spreading the Gospel of Christianity in Uganda and Central Africa under the Eastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Apart from overseeing the growth of the Orthodox Church in Uganda in which more parishes were opened, churches built, and priests ordained, Archbishop Jonah Lwanga episcopate also emphasised education and empowerment of Ugandans. In his 24 years of service, he grew the number of Orthodox health facilities to 20, strengthened the Orthodox Mothers’ Union as a strategy to address issues of spiritual and social development of women and children and to fight against poverty, hunger and illiteracy. He also championed the creation of second diocese in Uganda in the Orthodox Diocese of Gulu and Eastern Uganda in 2018. In 2002, Archbishop Lwanga was one of the pioneers of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, which fosters unity, health, welfare, democracy and respect for human rights of Ugandans. As an individual, Archbishop Lwanga was widely appreciated as a passionate crusader of peace, good governance, human rights, national unity, development as well as social, political and economic justice. Mr Speaker, Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was a visionary leader. His greatest aspiration was to launch the construction of the Uganda Orthodox Cathedral on Lubya Hill in Rubaga Division, Kampala. The cathedral’s groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at the launch of the 100 th Anniversary celebrations of the Orthodox Church in 2019. The cathedral is intended to be a replica of the historical Hagia Sophia Cathedral of Istanbul, which is Turkey’s greatest tourist attraction. Mr Speaker, the Orthodox Church in Uganda was founded over 100 years and one of the founders was Obadia Basajjakitalo, a grandfather of Archbishop Lwanga. It is no wonder that his life and legacy has cemented the place of the Orthodox Church in the economic, social and political transformation of Uganda. On behalf of the Government of Uganda and on my own behalf, I convey our profound condolences to the Orthodox Church in Uganda, Africa, the world, the family, relatives and friends. May the Almighty God grant Archbishop Jonah Lwanga’s soul eternal peace. I beg to submit. Thank you.

1127 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2021 They eventually booked him on Egypt Air that touched ground last week on Thursday night and the burial took place yesterday. That could be the brief part of it. However, Mr Speaker, allow me to raise a few issues. I would like to thank the Government from the start – starting with hon. Chris Baryomunsi and the Vice-President, who were ordered to arrange for the return. That is how we attempted to go to Turkish Air but the church said: “No, we will retain him and we shall bring him to Uganda.” They said: “Stay put. We shall bring him back to your country.” That is why they could not allow – the process itself was difficult. I would like to thank you, Mr Speaker. As soon as it happened, I got in touch with you and you asked about the details and I told you all that was happening. I contacted the Deputy Speaker, too. Thank you for all the effort and assistance you gave. I would like to thank all Ugandans. The late Archbishop transformed himself from being the leader of the Orthodox Church to being the spirit of the country. (Applause) His alertness to the issues affecting this country elevated him and his shoes that he leaves behind are too big to be filled by any of us. He always spoke out strongly against human rights abuses. He spoke strongly against corruption. I do not want to say it but even when he was being approached in the heat of the campaign, with an envelope, he turned it down and chased those carrying it away. (Applause) Yet, he was a man of no much means, in my own assessment. He was the Archbishop but had only two pairs of shoes – and not new ones: old and flat-heeled pairs. When others thought that he needed more and they donated to him shoes, he would give away those new ones and retain his old ones. He has left no bank account to his name - we have checked - yet he had the means. He did not spend on his family. That is why I stand with you to mourn this great son of Uganda. The President has reached out to religious leaders – and rightly – with the view of working with them. He has extended a hand. Only that when it came to the Orthodox Church, the Government offered means of transport, but when it was brought – it was the Mitsubishi Sport – he refused to sit in it. It is still there. He said he would not sit in it. He has been driving his old Land Cruiser of 2002. He was a proud man. When you say you are going to give to leaders, you have to take into account what befits them. Giving the Archbishop a vehicle meant for shopping in the market – he turned it down and said he would not take it. (Applause) He was simple but he was very proud. I know wherever he is, he is looking back at this country. Even when his health deteriorated, he did not spare himself. I remember when we came to Gulu and specifically to Omoro, to install His Grace Sylvester Kisitu as the Bishop of Gulu and Eastern Uganda - I fondly remember your district, Mr Speaker; your chairman, the Woman MP, hon. Catherine Lamwaka and the entire team you sent us. We even had an opportunity to stay there overnight. You have a peaceful district, Mr Speaker. I am happy you represent it well. Wherever the Archbishop would go, that would be his home. Wherever he set his foot, he would do his best. I still have fond memories of the moments I was with him. To the politics – at the time when you are about to give up on President Museveni, he somehow surprises you. The way the Archbishop critiqued him openly, telling off everybody who would bother to listen, now the Government said that they were offering him an official burial, which we welcomed. That should be the way to go. Yesterday, I witnessed the Chief Mourner, the Vice-President, who was in church. We had the Leader of Opposition and hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and there was peace in the church. (Applause) How I wish we would go on to be tolerant to one another. How I wish

1128 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JONAH LWANGA we would know that we are, first, Ugandans and, thereafter, you are red and I am yellow but we are all Ugandans working for the good of this country. That should be the spirit. I know that if we had stopped hon. Kyagulanyi from speaking in the Orthodox Cathedral in Namungoona, probably, the Archbishop would have turned in his coffin. Thank God we overcame that and let it be and the function ended well . (Applause) I would like to thank all those that contributed. The Orthodox Church, where he has been the Archbishop, is the only church that was not introduced in Uganda by missionaries. The founders such as Spartas Ssebbanja were harassed by the then Colonial Government because they built the first private school at Anoonya and therein they taught English. The then Colonial Government did not want the native Africans to be taught English. They were arrested. Ssebbanja had political agitation and it was the first time the Colonial Government was arresting religious leaders. He, together with his colleagues, were banished to Karamoja because by then, Karamoja was a form of exile. That is the church I come from, Mr Speaker. I remember you visited us for prayers at Namungoona. I try many times. Sometimes, I am misunderstood by my party, but how else would I behave, as an Orthodox member? I try. I promise myself that I will keep quiet but when it pricks the eye, that blood flows and I find myself speaking my mind. In a way, it has helped me to be who I am and a very proud Ugandan, who is an Orthodox member. So Members, here we are. I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the caretaker of the Orthodox Church in Uganda; the Archbishop from Kenya. He is with us. He is called Archbishop Makarios Tillyrides. Bishop Mzee Jeronymos from Tanzania and then Bishop Sylvester Kisitu, who is the Bishop of Gulu and Eastern Uganda and also the fellow clergy. We were together with Archbishop Kazimba Mugalu, Bishop Ssemogerere, the Chairperson of the Episcopal Conference and the Deputy Mufti of the Muslim community in Uganda. Mr Speaker, the person we were seeing off was the first Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and the President of the Uganda Joint Christian Council for 12 years. So, you can imagine. No matter who you are; even if you come from a small group, you can shine. The Orthodox Church is not a major religion in this country but that smallness can make a difference, once you stand on the principles, rise on those principles and defend those principles. Therefore, Members, I urge you to continue with the same. He had wishes. He was always, as the chairman, the promoter of national dialogue. However, he reached a stage where he gave up on national dialogue and said, “I tell them these things; they do not listen” and kept quiet. Secondly, his wish always, which you could tell was yearning to see a time when President Museveni would choose his successor. He has gone without realising that. Yesterday, we were happy that we had the Vice President, hon. Jessica Alupo together with us and she has done so immensely. I was surprised, Mr Speaker, with her skills. She is good; she is a diplomat. (Applause) May I assume that this is probably the successor to the President – (Laughter) – because she handled this very difficult situation very clearly? She did it well, right from finding compromises. She executed her job very well and I was humbled, I must tell you. I must confess that she was not hard lining; she was not. Let us pray for her. Lastly, honourable members, even this Parliament was never spared the slap of the archbishop. When we changed the age limit, he stood up to castigate this House that “Again, another bunch of selfish Members”. However,

Hon. Ssemujju, I have seen the number of people who have used that microphone and I also realised that there is only one Vice President in this House. She is number two in the order of precedence in this country. That makes me number three. If I was to approach that microphone, I am sure I will be quite protected - and yet, I am the third in the order of precedence. Now, what about the second? (Laughter) Let us proceed. Your Excellency, wind up the debate. THE VICE-PRESIDENT (Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo): I thank you, Mr Speaker. I also thank the Prime Minister for moving this motion in honour of the late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga of the Orthodox Church. I would like to join many of you who have spoken in support of the Motion by also mentioning a few kind words in honour of the late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga. For instance, I would like to underscore the fact that the late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was an embodiment of unity. Mr Speaker, when we were at the Orthodox Cathedral yesterday, I was amazed at the composition of the mourners. From the messages of the representatives of the Inter- Religious Council themselves including Bishop Zziwa, Bishop Ssemwogerere and their team, they reiterated the fact that the Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was one of the very first founders of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda. Mr Speaker, that means that the late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was a national character and that the country has lost him and his wise counsel. I saw religious leaders from across the country in the cathedral and that means that the late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga touched the hearts of all the people of Uganda with his good deeds. Little wonder, therefore, that there were many people who were very difficult to control in light of the SOPs. Therefore, I would like to strongly support this motion but also urge all Members of the House - now that the Archbishop Jonah Lwanga has left - to emulate him and what he did for our country, particularly the church. I know hon. Ssekikubo talked much yesterday about how the Archbishop constructed schools, supported health facilities and the church and also the welfare of the women and the children. Archbishop Jonah Lwanga was another very strong crusader in light of ensuring the welfare of his faithful, not just in Namungoona but across the country. I looked at the presence of the Bishop of the Orthodox of Gulu who came with a delegation and I saw Rev. Fr Christos Mukiibi from Rwanda who represented the two countries. We had the Archbishop of Nyanza Tanzania. Most importantly, we had and we have him in the gallery here; His Eminence Makarios of Nairobi who is now our caretaker. I would like to thank you for your kindness in coming to sit in the gallery and watch us as we honour our Archbishop. Indeed, as I said yesterday, here in Uganda, we all respect freedom of worship. As Ugandans, we are united even when we know that we do things differently.