Iganga District

Mr Speaker, you know that in my sector, most times, I am privileged to address the Head of State. I want to sincerely apologise to you. Mr Speaker, on my own behalf, allow me to congratulate you upon becoming the Speaker of the 12 th Parliament. Congratulations! In line with the presentation of the minister, allow me first to confirm and agree that this statement was a consultative process between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports. However, I have one area where the record should be corrected. In Katakwi, where I come from, and in the constituency I represent, the alleged death of a child is not true, for the record. Secondly, one driver of a school bus of Amuria High School indeed died when they were transporting our children for a school excursion to Entebbe Airport. That school is called St Paul’s Comprehensive Secondary School in Ngariam County, Katakwi. I want to thank the health team from Iganga and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for attending to our children, some of whom, up to now, are still receiving treatment, but none has died. That is for the record. I thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern is on the issue of the stalled development of the modern markets that the Government had started on for all municipalities. Now that there is the issue of the trade order implementation, many have been displaced, but without an alternative space for them. When are we getting the modern markets for municipalities that did not get an opportunity, like Kamuli, and Iganga?

Thank you. Honourable members, it is very painful for the young man who was very promising and did not know anything about theft. It is very tragic to lose a life under such circumstances. It reminded us about somebody who wrote about a similar mob justice in Iganga. The area MP is here. Several years ago, a young man was sent by his father to the nearby shop, not far away from Hon. Kaluya’s home, to buy something in the evening. The young man decided to escape from home and look for his mother, who had left a long time ago. They could not find him. The parents went after three people who were suspected of being witch doctors and that they could have killed the boy. They over-powered police and killed the three people. After a few days, they heard news that the young man was with his mother. How do you administer justice to those who killed? Until recently, I think some of them were arrested and given about 10 or 15 years but is that adequate? How do you take the law into your hands? These days, as he said, it is just enough to say, “ Wuyo, wuyo” and they will pounce on you. Even the Speaker is not safe. Security also has its limits. They can stone you from the car. The Speaker also walks; so, everyone is threatened. Prime Minister, what comment do you have to make about this undertaking by the Ministry of Internal Affairs? It is a bit of reassurance. It is very painful.

legislative drafting, and conflict resolution, making him the best-suited Member to lead the 12 th Parliament as its Speaker. Furthermore, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth has had an illustrious and distinguished career, serving in various key positions in the political and the Public Service of Uganda, including: a) Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs from 2024 to date; ii) Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs from 2001 to 2028; iii) Member of Parliament from 2011 to date; iv) The Chairperson, Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs from 2016 to 2021; v) The Chairperson, Committee on Rules, Discipline and Privileges in the Ninth Parliament; and vi) The Chairperson, Committee on Natural Resources in the Ninth Parliament. Your Lordship the Chief Justice, he was the chairperson of an ad hoc committee investigating the energy sector in Uganda (2011 to 2013) and a member of the parliamentary Business Committee in the Ninth and 10 th Parliaments, where he was also a Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association from 2011 to 2021, and the national President, Parliamentarians for Global Action – Uganda. Your Lordship the Chief Justice, he was the Acting Principal State Attorney/Head of Mbale Regional Office at the Attorney- General’s Chambers, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, overseeing eastern and north-eastern Uganda, covering 24 districts of Iganga, Kaliro, Namutumba, Bugiri, Budaka, etc. He was the Deputy Attorney-General of Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution in 2003 to 2010, and a part-time lecturer at the Islamic University in Uganda (in the Faculty of Law) from 2007 to 2010. He was a board member in several civil society organisations between 1999 and 2010, and was a founding member and board chairperson, Community Aid CAN Uganda, an NGO serving the people in eastern Uganda. Your Lordship the Chief Justice and distinguished Members, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth is a diligent leader who has immeasurably participated in shaping the destiny of Uganda and served Uganda with dedication and patriotism. The past leadership positions held by Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth as cabinet minister, state minister, Member of Parliament, chairperson of committees and civil servant have significantly shaped Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth and prepared him for service as Speaker. Honourable members, the person I present to you today for election as your Speaker in the 12 th Parliament of Uganda, Hon. Oboth Marksons Jacob, has been endorsed by the NRM Party, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and other senior national leaders. Since the announcement of his candidature for the Office of Speaker, he has received support from Members of Parliament across the political divide and the general public. This endorsement reflects confidence in his ability to lead the 12 th Parliament effectively. I, therefore, have the honour to nominate Hon. Oboth Marksons Jacob for election as the Speaker of the 12 th Parliament of Uganda. I do this for God and my country. Thank you very much for your kind attention. (Applause)

8 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 5. Kansiime Annah Woman Representative Rwampara NRM 6. Kanyesigye Mercy Youth Representative Female Independent 7. Kapyagon Brian Kongasis County Bukwo Independent 8. Karim Musa Aringa North County Yumbe Independent 9. Kasajja George Patrick Bulamogi North West County Kaliro NRM 10. Kasigwa Gerald Bihemaiso Kigorobya County Hoima NRM 11. Kasirye Nganda Ali Makindye East Division Kampala NUP 12. Kasukaali Methuselah Mwenge Central County Kyenjojo NRM 13. Kariisa Johnbosco Koy Buhweju West County Buhweju NRM 14. Katushabe Ruth Woman Representative Bukomansimbi NRM 15. Katusiime Annet Mugisha Woman Representative Bushenyi NRM 16. Kawalya Abubaker Rubaga Division North Kampala NUP 17. Kasaija Matia Buyanja County Kibaale NRM 18. Karuhanga Gerald Kafureeka Ntungamo Municipality Ntungamo Independent 19. Khalayi Peace Woman Representative Namisindwa NRMK 20. Kiirya Grace Paddy Wanzala Butembe County Jinja FDC 21. Kiiza Andrew N. Kaluya Kigulu County South Iganga NUP 22. Katushabe Doreen Birungi Woman Representative Lyantonde NRM 23. Kiyonga C.W.C.B. Bukonzo County West Kasese NRM 24. Muhwezi Jim Katugugu Rujumbura County Rukungiri NRM 25. Kenan Opio Busiro South Wakiso NRM 26. Kateshumbwa Dicksons Sheema Municipality Sheema NRM 27. Katusiime Jovia Woman Representative Kiryandongo NRM 28. Kiiza Kenneth Nyendwoha Bujenje County Masindi NRM 29. Kikabi Edward (Dr) Ntwetwe County Kyankwanzi NRM 30. Kinalwa James (Maj. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 31. Kinobere Herbert Tom Kibuku County Kibuku Independent 32. Kinshaba Patience Nkunda Woman Representative Kanungu Independent 33. Kiruluuta Yusuf J. Nkerettanyi Kalungu County East Kalungu NUP 34. Kirumira Hassan Katikamu County South Luweero NUP 35. Kisekka Salim Bukomansimbi North County Bukomansimbi NRM 36. Kitiyo Patrick Kapchorwa Municipality Kapchorwa Independent 37. Kiyimba Emmanuel Bukoto County Mid-West Lwengo NRM 38. Kasule Ismail Hoima West Division Hoima City ANT 39. Khainza Agnes Shiuma Woman Representative Bududa NRM 40. Kugonza Emely Buyanja East County Kibaale NRM 41. Kungu Samuel Bamuteeze Kigulu County North Iganga NRM 42. Kwizera Eddie Wa-Gahungu Bukimbiri County Kisoro Independent 43. Kyambadde Amelia Ann Mawokota County North Mpigi NRM 44. Kyarampe Rebecca Woman Representative Mitooma NRM 45. Kyarikunda Loydah T. Woman Representative Mbarara NRM 46. Kisa Stephen Bakubalwayo Luuka South County Luuka NRM 47. Kavuma Samuel (Lt Gen.) UPDF N/A N/A 48. Kitanywa Sowedi Busongora County North Kasese NRM 49. Kizza Hakim Sawula Bukoto County South Lwengo NUP 50. Kuteesa Patrick Kimanya-Kabonera Division Masaka City NUP 51. Kwiyucwiny Grace Freedom Ora County Zombo NRM 52. Kibaaju Charity Kamuhanda Woman Representative Mbarara City NRM 53. Komol Joseph Miidi Dodoth North County Kaabong NRM 54. Karubanga Jacob Ateenyi Kibanda South County Kiryandongo Independent 55. Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama Mbarara South Division Mbarara City NRM

9 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026 56. Kirungi Annet Pamela Woman Representative Kabarole NRM 57. Kyogabiirwe Jackie Muganda Woman Representative Kyegegwa NRM 58. Lanyero Christine Awany Woman Representative Nwoya NRM 59. Logose Sarah Annet Woman Representative Butaleja NRM 60. Lokii John Baptist (Dr) Matheniko County Moroto NRM 61. Lokoru Albert Tepeth County Moroto Independent 62. Lokoru Stephenson Yoyo Chekwii East County Nakapiripirit NRM 63. Longoli Simon Peter Chekwii County (Kadam) Nakapiripirit NRM 64. Lubega George Willy Bugangaizi South County Kakumiro NRM 65. Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira Nyendo-Mukungwe County Masaka City NUP 66. Lugoloobi Amos Ntenjeru County North Kayunga NRM 67. Kiwanuka Sulaiman Nakifuma County Mukono NUP 68. Kuteesa Mary Kamuli Mwenge County South Kyenjojo NRM 69. Kyeyune Ivan Nakasongola County Nakasongola NUP 70. Lakisa Mercy Faith Woman Representative Alebtong NRM 71. Lenia Charity Kevin Vurra County Arua NRM 72. Mutebi Benard Mugoya Bulamogi County Kaliro Independent 73. Katooko Sylivia Damba Woman Representative Kibuku NRM 74. Kayogera Yona Busiki North County Namutumba Independent 75. Kiti Peter T’oo County Bukwo NRM 76. Lolem Micah Akasile Upe County Amudat NRM 77. Locap Peterkhen Bokora East County Napak NRM 78. Linda Irene City Woman Representative Fort Portal City NRM 79. Lokubal Emma Woman Representative Nabilatuk NRM 80. Katusiime Adrine Woman Representative Sheema NRM 81. Loluk Fidelis Logwee Napore West County Karenga Independent 82. Komakech Christopher Aruu County Pader NRM 83. Muzaid Khemis Arua Central Division Arua City FDC 84. Lamwaka Catherine Woman Representative Omoro NRM 85. Kiwanuka Abdallah Mukono County North Mukono NUP 86. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo Kyotera County Kyotera NRM (The House was suspended at 11.42 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.00 p.m., the Deputy Clerk, Parliamentary Affairs presiding.) 87. Lokwang Hillary Ik County Kaabong NRM 88. Lowila CD Oketayot Woman Representative Pader NRM 89. Lugoloobi Willy Bageyente Bujumba County Kalangala NRM 90. Lugwar Benson Agogo North County Agago Independent 91. Lukyamuzi David Kalwanga Busujju County Mityana NUP 92. Kiwanuka Keefa Kiboga East County Kiboga NRM 93. Maala Zahrah Luyirika Makindye Division West Kampala NUP 94. Makumbi Henry Kamya Mityana County South Mityana NRM 95. Mariam Seif Woman Representative Iganga NRM 96. Mafabi Asha Nabulo Woman Representative Sironko NRM 97. Mamawi James Adjumani East County Adjumani Independent 98. Masaba Karim Industrial Division Mbale City Independent 99. Matembu Chriss Wataka Bubulo County West Manafwa Independent 100. Matovu Emmanuel Magoola Busiro County East Wakiso Independent 101. Mawanda Micheal Maranga Igara County East Bushenyi NRM

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

Just a small clarification, Madam Speaker. Maybe we can request the minister to write to the different town clerks of the different town councils in the country. He is saying they have suspended but it is still going on. Even yesterday, they evicted people in Iganga and Bugiri districts. Since the minister has committed that they have stopped, I request that the ministry write a letter officially and give a copy to Parliament so that the different civil servants are aware and –

18633 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 of deceased persons, and inspection of law chambers, as its mandate. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 7.2 billion be provided to the development budget of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for the coming financial year to procure 24 vehicles to improve the dispensation of justice and access to justice in various areas. Madam Speaker, the committee noted that state attorneys in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), do related work. However, those from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs are taxed, while those in DPP are not. We note that to remove this discrimination, there is need for a tax waiver for state attorneys in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs as well. The committee strongly recommends this. Construction and facilitation of regional offices The committee was informed that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has continued to face challenges in delivering effective services due to inadequate infrastructure, and limited tools and equipment. With only seven regional offices serving an average of 25 districts each, workloads and case backlogs remain high, and access to justice, especially for vulnerable groups such as orphans and widows, is constrained by long- travel distances of up to even 400 kilometres. Effective Financial Year 2025/2026, the ministry established five more regional offices in Iganga, Masaka, Hoima, Kabale, and Lira. These offices are currently in rented premises. There is a need to construct a permanent regional office over the five-year period, and this would require at least Shs 8 billion. The committee recommends that Shs 8 billion be considered for the phased construction of these offices over a period of 5 years, to enable the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to execute its mandate across the entire country. Madam Speaker, the construction of offices for the African Humanitarian Agency In 2024, the Government of Uganda bid and won to host the Secretariat for the African Humanitarian Agency. However, the condition was that the hosting country construct offices and residences within two years. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development signed the commitment on behalf of the Government. This included providing office and residential accommodation as the construction takes place. This, altogether, required Shs 360 billion over a period of two years. However, the ministry requires Shs 200 billion for the first year to commence the construction of the African Humanitarian Agency offices. Presently, no funding has been allocated. The committee observes that the failure to provide these funds for the construction of the headquarters means that the country loses the opportunity to host this very strategic agency. We, therefore, recommend that Shs 200 billion be provided in this Financial Year 2026/2027, to enable the ministry to start construction of the office project to fulfil the commitment made by our Government. Under Vote 101, which is the Judiciary, the committee noted a need to fund the timely disposal of cases both civil and criminal, facilitation of court sessions, daily hearings and daily court operations in the 269 operational courts, management of election petitions, facilitation of court-summoned witnesses who are at least not less than 60,000 in total, conduct of locus visits at various court levels to facilitate the minimum of at least 55,112 visits and facilitation for court assessors, at least three per judge. To achieve timely disposal of cases, the Judiciary requires an additional Shs 48.57 billion, and the committee makes a recommendation that these funds be made available to enable the mandate to be achieved.

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

18209 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2025 (XII) THE INVESTIGATION REPORT ON SELECT EXPENSES AND PROCUREMENTS AT IGANGA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am very happy to be doing work for the Commission today. Keep deploying me. This is an Investigation report on select expenses and procurements at Iganga General Hospital. I lay the report.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make a statement on the status of the construction works at Busoga University, Iganga Campus. On Tuesday, 16 th September this year, Hon. Milton, the Member of Parliament of Kiguli County South, raised a concern over the stalled construction works at Busoga University in Iganga District. The Ministry of Education and Sports wishes to update this august House on this matter as stated below. In collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Education and Sports developed an architectural and engineering design for the critical renovation of the university’s Iganga campus. Mr Speaker, the UPDF Engineering Brigade, under the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, was contracted to undertake these works at a cost of Shs 3,795,849,158. The project began in March 2025 and was initially scheduled for completion by the end of June 2025. The contractor received 100 per cent of the contract price.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I raise on a matter of national importance, and this is to do with the stalled construction works at the Busoga University site in Iganga. On Sunday, I paid a visit to register the progress made by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade, which was contracted to do the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the existing infrastructure. However, what is on the ground is that the works are at 70 per cent of what is expected, yet they had committed to complete it by June this year. The commitment from the Government was that in August this year, the university was due to open. Mr Speaker, as we talk, the site is abandoned; there is no work going on. There was a lot of excitement and commitment from the Minister of Education and Sports, who came to hand over the site to the UPDF Engineering Brigade. The commitment was that by August this year, the university would be starting. There was a lot of excitement and anxiety. Mr Speaker, I have two prayers. The first is that since over Shs 3.8 billion was already paid out to the construction team, let them embark on the 30 per cent that is outstanding, such that the university can start. Secondly, we want an update from the Minister of Education and Sports on how far they have gone, as far as establishing a public university is concerned. The commitment was for last month, August, yet we are in September. Some students had expected to enroll last month. They would like to know what is happening. We request the Minister of Education and Sports to come and update the country and the stakeholders on that matter.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Allow me to thank you for the communication, but also salute you for always giving priority to matters that affect Ugandans. Madam Speaker, yesterday, after passing that great loan that Hon. Nambeshe has been referring to, I got numerous messages of gratitude to you that you made commitments to Ugandans at some forum that you will always give priority to matters that affect the local person. As your contacts outside, we speak with pride that you are delivering to Ugandans. That hospital has been sick while handling patients, but as we talk, people are now smiling, that yes, we are giving hope. Madam Speaker, the other day, when Luuka- Iganga-Kamuli Road had stalled, you put the minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala, to task here, and he committed that in October, things are going to take shape. That is the tarmacking of that great road that has been long-awaited. We salute you for always addressing and presiding over a House that speaks to the plight of Ugandans. I thank you and wish you well.

Thank you. Yes, honourable member from Iganga.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Allow me to also thank the minister for the good work he is rendering to the country. Madam Speaker, on 20 December 2020, the Head of State, our President and the Minister came to Iganga and launched the tarmacking of Iganga–Walugogo–Luuka-Kamuli Road. The ground breaking ceremony was done, and everyone got excited. However, in an hour, the road unit disappeared, and to date, there is nothing, no drop of tarmac - (Interjection) – 20 December 2020. These are five years down the road. Madam Speaker, it is a season of politicking and electioneering. We are failing to explain to the four or five districts that use this road. May I request - (Interruption)

Thank you, Hon. Panadol, for the information. Madam Speaker, one other road in Iganga that initially belonged to UNRA is Iganga-Nakigo to Bugweri. It is impassable, as we speak. It is a Ministry of Works and Transport road and I also need an update on this.

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

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.

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;

17330 MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET, 2025/2026 c) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road – Shs 166.25 billion; d) Kisoro-Nkuringo-Rubugiri-Muko Road - Shs 1,260.98 billion; that is a long road; e) Moyo-Yuumbe-Koboko Road – Shs 125.08 billion; f) The rehabilitation of Mityana-Mubende Road (100 kilometres) - Shs 21 billion; g) Proposed upgrading of Kyenjojo (Kiruhura) Bwizi-Rwamwanja-Kahunge (68 kilometres), Mpara-Bwizi (37 kilometres) – Shs 109.14 billion; h) The upgrading of Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli Road (57.2 kilometres) Shs 42.55 billion. Colleagues, the list of the high impact projects is in the report; i) There is also Rehabilitation of District, Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR), which will continue under the Ministry of Works and Transport. So, DUCAR roads - Shs 91.78 billion; j) The road fund management has also been given Shs 91.78 billion. On tourism, colleagues, following the ATEINI strategy, tourism has been boosted. Tourism Development a) Shs 11.16 billion for the Mount Rwenzori tourism infrastructure. This includes improving the existing trails and establishing shorter ones, improving the existing bridges, taking into consideration the issue of the flash floods, providing eco-friendly accommodation facilities, improving the safety of tourists by establishing rest points along the trails, among others; b) Shs 21.52 billion for the development of the museums and heritage sites for cultural tourism; and c) Shs 10.15 billion for the development of the source of the Nile tourism infrastructure that includes construction of the modern piers, docking places for boats and other amenities. Human Capital Development On health, a few highlights are here. Some of the highlights include: i) Shs 1,012.19 billion for the Global Fund for Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria; ii) Shs 194.2 billion for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) vaccines and health sector development; iii) Shs 57.89 billion towards Uganda COVID-19 response and emergency preparedness; iv) Shs 65.65 billion for the construction and equipping of the Uganda Heart Institute; v) Shs 42.14 billion towards infrastructure development at Uganda Cancer Institute; vi) Shs 116.94 billion towards rehabilitation and construction of general hospitals. This is a new resource to all the general hospitals in the country. A sum of Shs 116.94 billion has been allocated for construction and rehabilitation; and vii) Shs 30.75 billion for the establishment of regional oncology and diagnostic centres in Arua, Mbale and Mbarara; viii) Shs 623.51 billion for essential medicines and health supplies for all health centres, general hospitals, regional referral hospitals and national referral hospitals. Colleagues, it is worth noting that the Ministry for Finance has restored Shs 100 billion of the fund that was removed from National Medical Stores last year. It has been restored into the budget and this is really a great development; we thank the ministry for that. Education a) Shs 244.94 billion towards the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project Phase 2; b) Shs 12.87 billion towards the development of the Primary Schools Project; c) Shs 54.44 billion towards funding the Vocational Projects Phase 2; and d) Shs 7 billion towards the Uganda National Examination Board infrastructure project.

h) Enhancing Agricultural Production, Quality and Standards for Market Access Project (MAAIF) - UGX 117.35bn r) National Oil Seeds Project (MAAIF) - UGX 83.46ba j) Uganda Climate Smart Agriculhrral Ttansformation Project (MAAIF) - UGX 176.32bt, Lf Coffee seedlings to Northern Uganda - UGX 6Obn Transpott Infrastnrctule Developneat: 1) Constnrction of Standard Gauge Railway - UGX 21175,.29 blllloa; 2) Constnrction, upgrade and rehabilitation of national roads and bridges - UGX 2r20l.g4 blllloa. Some of these include: a) Hoima- Wanseko Road - UGX 185.47 b) Constmction of 66 Selected Bridges - UGX 30.61bn; c) Rwenlnrnye -Apac- Lira -Acholibur Road - UGX 166.25bn; d) Kisoro-Nkuringo-Rubugiri-Muko Road - UGX 1r260.9tbn; e) Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko road - UGX 125.OEbn; 0 Rehabilitation of Mityana-Mubende Road (lOOKm) - UGX 2lbn g) Pnoposed upgrading of Kyenjojo (Kihura)- Bwizi-Rwamwanja- I(atrunge (68Km) /Mpara-Bwizi(37Km) - UGX 109. 14bn h) Upgrading of Iganga-Bulopa-Ikmuli Road (57.2Km) - UGX42.55ba 4. Rehabilitation of District, Urban and Community access roads (DUCARI will continue under the Ministry of lVorks and Ttansport - UGX 91.78bnf 5. Road F\rnd Management - UGX 91.78bn TbltttEntDetnloprnsnt a) UGX 11.16bn for the Mt. Rwenzori Tourism Infrastnrcture. This improving the existing trails and establishing shorter ones, the existing bridges tahing into consideration of the flush floods, providing more ecofriendly accommodation facilities, improving safety of tourists by establishing rest points along the trails, among others. b) UGX 21.52bn for the development of Museums and Heritage Sites for Cultural Tor.rrism c) UGX 10.15ba for the development of Source of the Nile tor.rrism \$ infrastnrcture that includes for boats, and other amenities. piers, docking places ag e6 q + 1 I

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Salutations to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure. I thank the Government for compensating my people who were affected by the standard gauge railway project. Compensation stands at 85 per cent as of today, and I pray that the remaining 15 per cent is expedited so that people get value for their money. The area where they have already compensated people and demolished houses is turning into a habitat for criminals because jungles and bushes have developed in this place. I request that you clear the neighbours that remained to be cultivating fast-growing crops instead of us having forests in this place and turning it into a security threat. I have two Roads that originally belong to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) that are costing me a vote if at all I am not helped in the –(Interjection)- Yes, because people are saying the road is not accessible from Iganga district quarters through Nakigo to Bugweri, then from Iganga district quarters to Mayuge up to Bwondha. These are formerly UNRA roads but nothing is happening and they are impassable as we speak. Honourable minister, I request that you intervene as fast as possible. Finally, on 20th December 2020, the honourable minister, with your team, including the Head of State, the Rt Hon. Former Speaker, the Rt Hon. Former Secretary General, and the former Minister for Presidency, launched the tarmacking of Iganga-Luuka-Kamuli Road. People celebrated that this was a Christmas gift then. The equipment disappeared from then to date - (Member timed out.)

16934 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 concern of another honourable member, who asked about where these mechanisation centres are. The 19 mechanisation centres, according to a decision of Cabinet, are in all the subregions. We are supposed to establish one mechanisation per subregion. For example, Busoga, Bukedi, Bugisu, Sebei – those subregions that correspond with the old districts at independence. I think they are 18. The 19 th is supposed to be a national referral mechanisation centre, located at Namalere. Are they operational or not? We have started on the journey of establishing those 19 mechanisation centres. So far, we have only five in place. However, even those five are not fully equipped. Some of them are not fully constructed. Therefore, it is work in progress. For example, in Mbale, there is one that we started, which we are still constructing and equipping. Another one is in Lango – in Agwata. There is one in Kiryandongo and another in Mpigi to cater for the areas near Mpigi. We have one in Busoga, specifically in Iganga. We have just started the one in Iganga. Therefore, our plan is that in each of those mechanisation centres, there will be spare parts for the tractors that we distribute to the country. We shall not stop at that. We shall also train tractor mechanics and technicians. We shall also train operators of these machines, in those mechanisation centres. On the issue of the fishing community – that they are not supported – I think I have already addressed that. Hon. Byakatonda talked about the Malabo Declaration. I think this is for all of us, because this House has the mandate of appropriation. We need to progressively increase the budget for agriculture, in view of this. Hon. Kajwengye talked about the communal water facilities that are silted. Yes, we have made a proposal but as I said earlier, it is a budgetary matter; we need to address it together. Aligning research and development and production, for example, the anti-tick vaccine. On the anti-tick vaccines, we have made a request for funds for mass production of this vaccine and we hope that we shall get those funds. Mr Speaker, you have asked us to harmonise the two centres – the one of Prof. Kahwa – Prof Kahwa is from Makerere University – and the other centre of National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), in as far as the anti- vaccine study is concerned. It was –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the mover of the motion. When you look at the money that people spend to get back their phone numbers, it is so expensive. I once lost my line and discovered later that it was in Iganga. I had to give that person transport to bring the line to Kampala and I was just lucky that the person came to Kampala. Some even refuse while others charge a lot of money to give back the phone number. Mr Speaker, when that phone number is given to another person - Imagine a phone number belongs to a politician like me, people will call that person - the person who gave me back my SIM card, gave it after being stressed. He was very stressed; he even switched it off. When I looked for the phone number – In fact, by chance, someone called him and asked, “Why are you picking honourable members’ phone calls?” He left it switched on for a week until I was able to get him and he gave me my Sim card. Mr Speaker, the amount of money we spend can actually save our people by eliminating that problem. So, I thank you for the motion and I support it. Thank you.

15901 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 30 JANUARY 2025 We rely so much on road transport and it is becoming costly because when you look at the trucks that move from Malaba to northern Uganda via Tororo, there are so many on the road and yet we do not even have enough funds to maintain the roads. We have talked of expanding the road to at least four lanes. On the eastern route, if you move now, from here, there is traffic jam all the way to Iganga. It is after Iganga that you are a bit free and you can move. Mr Speaker, over-reliance on the road sector is a challenge. Can we prioritise and ensure that the goods that come to this country move via rail? Shs 44 billion - If I look at some other wasteful expenditures like the ones I have seen, we can ensure that these funds are availed so that that metre-gauge railway line can be worked on. Mr Speaker, I want to move on to the issue of rationalisation. We sat here and we asked whether we could stagger. It was rejected and we were told it must be immediate. We had said agencies like UNRA, you know, I do not know which other one should be given at least a year or two, and then we rationalise. We said, “No” here and the agencies were rationalised. Now, seeing a gap of Shs 169 billion to pay UNRA workers, Uganda Road Fund - and I am sure others - there is that gap and that is their package. People are now confused. They are not working. If you go to most of our UNRA stations upcountry, there is only one staff and people are seated. Can we pay these people their money because we are the ones who took the decision - and this was a Government position? Therefore, honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, I want to request that the Executive prioritises that because we heard you loud and clear and we had to act based on what you told us. Mr Speaker, the other one - can I complete on the issue of domestic arrears? It pains me that people supply or do work for this Government and at the end of the day, three years or four years down the road, people are not paid. Businesses have collapsed. Can we ensure that we prioritise that in this budget? You cannot put a mere Shs 200 billion; that may be paying just one supplier or one contractor, yet what is outstanding is about Shs 5 point- something billion. The other money went to the Bank of Uganda, which according to the committee report has already been catered for. The Auditor-General has annually raised this as an issue. Can we prioritise the issue of domestic arrears so that people can continue their businesses? Let us be kind to Ugandans.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Allow me to thank the committee for the report. My concern is on how we prioritise the few resources available. Two years ago, we passed a loan here for intensification of electricity connections countrywide. This loan was national in character and every Member here supported the passing of the loan. I saw you witnessing launches in Mitooma and I also saw people witnessing launches in Teso, but to date, no connections have been made. We made people to connect their buildings – do the wiring – but nothing has happened. Iganga was allocated 16,000 connections but to date, no single connection has taken effect. How are we utilising the few available resources, as we scramble for more resources? The other one is to do with Bukoyo Senior

We can go to Page 20 of the report, which is on the general observations on the status of abattoirs. We start with functionality and suitability of the infrastructure. I am not going to read everything; I will just summarise. The committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/slaughterhouses in the country. It was noted that most of the local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements, which compromises hygiene and sanitary conditions. All the facilities visited had variations – some were old, some new, some moderate, and some small. Only 12 (63 per cent) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures - Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City Abattoir and Kalerwe. With the exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in poor condition manifested by the poor wall conditions, poor roofs and floors, and lacking tiles and terrazzo.

15676 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The majority of the facilities were operating without power services because of a lack of connection to the power grid, while others such as Mbale City abattoir were disconnected due to unpaid power bills. Sanitary Facilities The major sanitation facility was VIP latrines. Out of the l9 facilities visited, only nine (that is 47 per cent) had VIP latrines. The condition of the latrines, however, was very poor, manifested by lack water supply, dilapidated structures, smelly and many lacked demarcations for the male and female staff. Some facilities such as the Hoima City abattoir did not have a latrine facility while others such as City Abattoir, Kalerwe, and Mukono had a shared facility with the market vendors. Functionality of the waste management and disposal processes The facilities visited lacked proper waste disposal systems. By the nature of their operations, slaughterhouses generate a lot of solid and liquid waste such as rumen, dung, blood, and condemned internal organs, among others. The poor disposal poses significant environmental concerns such as pollution, operational hygiene and sanitary conditions in and around the slaughter facilities. Waste segregation and storage With the exception of the Mbarara new City Abattoir, nearly all the facilities lacked a waste storage management system. What was common in all the facilities was that the waste was cast in open spaces but segregated according to type. For example, Masaka and Mbarara city abattoirs had segregated spaces for keeping hooves and cow dung. In Mbarara, the segregated liquid was, for instance, channelled into a fish pond which was built for the purpose of consuming waste from the abattoir while the excess was channelled into the lagoon. Disposal Only three (16 per cent) of the facilities visited had drainage systems. Some of the facilities which had drainage systems and lagoons to which liquid waste was disposed include Masaka City abattoir, Mbarara City modern abattoir, Jinja City abattoir and the Pork Master Ricks in Masaka. The drainage systems for other facilities were in a poor status. The City Abattoir drainage runs into Nakivubo Channel while the drainage systems of Masaka, Kalerwe, Masindi were stagnant and visibly too old to provide appropriate drainage which caused stenches and pollution. Availability of incinerators and records The majority of the facilities had no functional incinerators to destroy condemned internal body organs, carcasses, and condemned animals unfit for human consumption. Only Iganga Municipal abattoir, KCCA, and Kalerwe had smal1 incinerators which were visibly less functional and inadequate. Considering the huge traffic of cattle, especially at the City Abattoir, the need for a modern and functioning incinerator is important for taking care of the condemned animals and inedible carcasses. Other facilities such as Iganga, Lira, and Mbale destroyed solid waste and condemned parts by burning, causing unnecessary environmental pollution. Lagoons The slaughtering process involves bleeding, skinning, dressing, and postmortem inspection. At this stage blood, urine, faecal matter, and other secretions are produced. Inadequate sanitary and hygiene conditions can lead to direct meat contamination and further expose the workers to various diseases and antibiotic- resistant strains of bacteria. Improper waste disposal and non-compliant effluent discharge can further result in water and air pollution and water-borne diseases.

15677 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2025 Slaughterhouses can, therefore, impact public health and environmental health. During the oversight, the committee observed that some facilities had lagoons into which they disposed of the wastewater. That is Lira, Masaka, Mbarara, and Masaka pig slaughter facilities, Fort Portal, Iganga and Mukono. Others such as the City Abattoir and Kalerwe did not have a natural lagoon, hence disposing their liquid waste into Nakivubo Channel and Kalerwe swamps, respectively. The cases of Kalerwe, Masindi, Masaka and Hoima were worse because the drainage had stagnated. The drainage areas were visibly very dirty and stained with black material. The Masindi Municipal abattoir drainage was blocked; therefore, all liquid waste had stagnated. The stagnated waste and water emits a bad smell and is also a breeding area for maggots, which were evident, and a constant presence of houseflies. Recommendations (i) The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) should come up with dedicated standards for waste management for the different levels of slaughterhouses. (ii) All the facilities should have functional incinerators for the destruction of both animals and carcasses unfit for human consumption. (iii) The operators of the slaughterhouses should invest in value addition so that they add value to some of the by-products like animal hides, skins, and milk. This will facilitate sustainable utilisation of slaughterhouse waste and the challenge of solid and effluent waste management will be managed. This can take the form of processing solid waste such as cow dung into farm manure and others such as inedible carcasses for fish ponds, while the blood can commercially be processed into chicken feeds. (iv) District, city, and municipal authorities should provide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to guide the personnel on the dos and don’ts of waste disposal and handling of liquid and solid waste from abattoirs. (v) NEMA should constantly conduct environmental impact assessments before construction and develop sustainable practices that minimise habitat disruption. Environmental concerns The committee notes that Section 9 of the National Environment Act (NEA), Cap 181 stipulates NEMA as the principal agency in Uganda for regulating, monitoring, supervising, and coordinating all activities relating to the environment. Specifically, the establishment of abattoirs is regulated by the Authority under Section 113, Schedule 5(7)(f) of the NEA, which provides for activities and slaughterhouses to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact assessment (ESIA) before the commencement of their activities. Therefore, NEMA has a key role to play in ensuring that abattoirs operate in a healthy environment and that they do not negatively impact the environment. The committee was informed that as of September 2024, only 21 abattoirs in different locations had conducted and submitted to the Authority, ESIAs for consideration of decision. The ESIAs identify potential significant environmental and social impacts of abattoirs/ slaughterhouses and how these impacts can be mitigated to prevent or minimise harm to the environment. Recommendations i) NEMA and local authorities such as District, City, and Municipal Health and Environmental Offices should conduct constant monitoring and supervision to ensure that all guidelines concerning

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

Figure 7:TLLe Sttucture of Jinja Slaughter house The abattoir receives animals from different parts of the country, especially Teso and Karamoja regions but after the long distance, there is no designated holding area for them to rest for the required twenty-four hours before slaughter. The practice at the facility is that animals arrive in the evenings and are slaughtered the next morning. The part that was formerly designated as a holding space was rented to food vendors. Recommendations Government should re-centralize the slaughter seruices in Jinja Citg in order to ease supervision and. regulation. 6.8 Iganga Municipality The Iganga slaughter house was opened on 1st November l99S as a donation by the Austrian Government. It is managed by Iganga Municipal Council but was tendered to private investors known as Iganga Cattle United Traders Association. This facility is located far away from town therefore the meat has to be transported mostly on motorcycles which exposes it to contamination 1, 5 Nlijj i I I lrr @ s-k

lv more suitdble and stdnd.drd. abattoir should be built to meet internatlonal standards of expot t. Jor Kannpala, KCCA should proulde tenders to operate and rnaintain the rrbrrttoirs and not onlg limit them to reuenue collectlon to enable mrrlntend.rl.ce of the factlities. 5.13GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS: 6,13.1 Functionalityandsuitabilityofthe Infrastructure: The Committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. It was noted that most local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements which compromise the hygiene and sanitary conditions of the facilities. AII the facilities visited had variations; some old, some new, some moderate and some small. The facilities are either owned by government, privately owned or tendered out. Most of the facilities visited slaughter at least 10 to 30 cattle and about 10 to 15 goats per day. Taken together, the number of animals handled by the facilities selected in the five regions fall in the category of small size abattoirs which sit on an average of 1-2 acres of iand and handle up to 30,000 animal units per year. Only 12 (63%) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures; (Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City abattoir and Kalerwe). With exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in a poor condition manifested by poor wall conditions, poor roofs, floors and lacking tiles and terrazzo. Al1 the facilities had slaughter spaces, however, with the exception of the new facility in Hoima City, the slaughter as for all other facilities were 20 NFJ

below the standards of a modern abattoir. Taken together, only 21 percent of the facilities had identifiable slaughter spaces, namely Masaka and Mbarara (Central and Western Uganda), Jinja and Iganga (Eastern Uganda) City abattoir in Kampala. However, the slaughter spaces were very small, lacked concrete and hard slabs. Generally, the features of the facilities visited fall short of the characlerization of a modern abattoir. with exception of the new facility under construction; Kyentale Ward in Hoima City, nearly all the facilities visited had poor equipment and infrastructure establishment which is typical of local and traditional slaughter houses with old fashion means of operation. A modern city abattoir should have at least automated systems such as cold rooms for storage, pulleys for hoisting carcass, reliable water and electricity as opposed to the manual operations which cause delays and compromise the meat quality. Further, a modern facility should have a laboratory for testing animal health and the meat products. This includes diagnosing and confirming the suspicious cases to maintain public health measures. In the current form of the abattoirs, animals and the carcass are examined on the basis of physical characteristics which may not be sufficient to make empirical conclusions. A mini veterinary laboratory will be vital for diagnosing blood and meat to confirm the suspicious cases and maintain public health measures. Abattoirs can be a source of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) and may expose workers to harmful pathogens. Further, none of the slaughter houses had specific structures for birds (poultry) and goats and only few had slaughter structures for pigs, these were in Masaka (Pork Master Ricks) Soroti and Mukono Municipalify, but all had small shelters with roofs erected on poles. Ei 21

5,73.3.2 Dtsposcl Only 3 (16%) of the facilities visited had drainage systems. Some of the facilities which had drainage system and lagoons to which liquid waste was disposed include Masaka city Abattoir, Mbarara city Modern Abattoir, Jinja city abattoir, The Pork Master Ricks in Masaka. The drainage systems for other facilities were in a poor status. The city Abattoir drainage runs into Nakivubo channel while drainage system of Masaka, Kalerwe, Masindi were stagnant and visibly old to provide appropriate drainage which caused stenches and pollution. The solid waste such as cow dung, hooves, skins and hides, horns and inedible meat parts were dumped in open spaces. with exception of cow dung which was reportedly collected by farmers for processing manure for banana pla,tations, the rest of the solid waste was poorly attended too due to lack of disposal management systems. In this case, the use of cow-dung by farmers is arguably the most sustainable means of disposing it off and reducing the magnitude of the problem. Further, other facilities openly burn the solid waste such as horns and other inedible meat and other solid waste. During the oversight visit to Iganga Slaughter House, horns were being burnt and this causes a lot of pollution accompanied by a very irritable smell. 6.l4Availability of iucinerators and records Majority of the facilities had no functional incinerators to destroy condemned internal body organs, carcass and condemned animals unfit for human consumption. only Iganga Municipal abattoir, KCCA and Kalerwe had smal1 incinerators which were visibly less functional and inadequate. considering the huge traffic of cattle especially at the city Abattoir, the need for a modern and functioning incinerator is important for taking care of the condemned animals and inedible carcass. Other faciiities as Iganga, 25 FI.,i

Lira and Mbale destroyed solid waste and condemned parts by burning, causing unnecessary environmental pollution. 6.15Lagoons The slaughtering process involves bleeding, skinning, dressing/ evisceration and post mortem inspection. At this stage blood, urine, fecal matter and other secrehons are produced. Inadequate sanitary and hygiene conditions can lead to direct meat contamination but further expose the workers to various diseases and antibiotics resistant strains of bacteria. Improper waste disposal and non-compliant effluent discharge can further result in water and air pollution and water borne diseases. Slaughter houses can therefore impact public health and environmental health. During the oversight, the Committee observed that some facilities had lagoons into which they disposed the wastewater (Lira, Masaka, Mbarara, Masaka Pig slaughter facility, Fort Portal, Iganga and Mukono). Others such as the City Abattoir and Kalerwe did not have a natural lagoon, hence disposing their liquid waste into Nakivubo channel and Kalerwe swamps respectively. The cases of Kalerwe, Masindi, Masaka and Hoima were worse because the drainage had stagnated. The drainage areas were visible very dirty and stained with black material. The Masindi Municipal abattoir drainage was blocked therefore all liquid waste had stagnated. The stagnated waste and water emits a bad smell ald is also a breeding area for maggots, which were evident and constant presence of houseflies. @ 26 FRr"

,Annex 2: Summary of the status of the abattoirs visited s/N ParaEeter Findiugs 1 Premises/ struct urc (Availability of facilities such as shade, dressing area, holding area, floor) Only 12 of 163%f of the 19 facilities had standing structures. However, with exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in a poor condition manifested by poor wall conditions, poor roofs, floors and lacking tiles and terrazzo. a 2 Slaughter Area a A11 the facilities had slaughter spaces. However, with the exception of the new facility in Hoima City, the slaughter areas for all other facilities were below the standards of a modern abattoir. Taken together, there were only 4 (21%l facilities with identiiiable slaughter spaces, namely Masaka and Mbarara (Centeral and Western Uganda), Jinja and Iganga (Eastern Uganda) City abattoir in Kampala. However, the slaughter spaces were very small, lack of concrete and hard slabs. 2 Level sanitation hygiene of and a The major sanitation facilify was VIP latrines. Out of the 19 facilities visited, only 9 (47%) had VIP latrines. However, the conditions of the Iatrines were poor, manifested by lack water supply, dilapidated structures, smelly and many lacked demarcations for the male and female staff. 4 Waste Disposal and management a With exception of the new Facility in Hoima City, no facility had an established waste disposal and management system. Very few facilities had

Okay. The industrial courts, LDC interventions that contribute to justice service delivery, court-related forensic analysis interventions, LC courts, DPP interventions that contribute to justice service delivery are more directly related to the administration of justice programme. Therefore, the committee recommends that all the interventions currently under the governance and security programme that relate to the enhancement of equitable access to justice for social economic development and the strengthening of justice service delivery systems should be transferred to the administration of justice programme. It is an issue of alignment of the 18 programmes, as highlighted above. Regionally balanced development The committee observes that although commendable progress has been registered in reducing poverty, regional disparities have, however, remained and increased vulnerabilities across regions. The chairman had mentioned it, so, I will not read it. The committee recommends that the Government prioritises the development and implementation of regional development plans, including comprehensive regional physical plans, to ensure balanced economic growth, equitable service delivery, and equitable resource distribution. I would have asked for an investment map, but the committee did not allow. Promotion of games and sports The committee observes that the National Development Plan (NDP) IV provides for several interventions for promoting games and sports but does not provide interventions relating to physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. In addition, the committee observes that the NDP IV high-impact projects focuses only on the establishment of four regional sports stadia and 14 district sports grounds in the traditional sub-regions of Uganda. These do include international and national stadia. Further, the committee observes that the desired high-level programme results by the year 2029- 2030 provide insufficient information in regard to niche sports rankings. This hinders the effective monitoring of the high-level program results. Therefore, the committee recommends two interventions. a. That the NDP IV is amended to incorporate interventions for physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. b. NDP IV high-impact projects should be amended to include three international stadia, Namboole, Hoima, and Akii- Bua, 10 KCCA artificial surface grounds (Rubaga, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Central Divisions) and 15 national stadia (Arua, Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, Tororo, Iganga, Jinja, Lugazi, Luwero, Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kasese and Fort Portal. Railway master plan The committee observed that the NDP IV mentions that in order to lower the cost of doing business, the focus will be on improving the transport infrastructure. However, the NDP IV is silent on the need to develop a railway

14907 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2024 Secondly, if you look at motorsports within the country – I have been participating in some of them – it is one of the biggest sports, which is able to mobilise local business tourism within an area, where they go, to a tune of almost Shs 6 billion. I have witnessed it in Masaka, Jinja and Iganga. The impact is enormous because people come in big numbers and they also mobilise other companies to come on board. From the side of the Ministry of Education and Sports, I would like to say that it is true that the budget was approved by this House. However, the challenge, which I am facing as the minister responsible for sports, is on the release of these funds. This is because, at the end of the day – I can state without fear of contradiction that for this quarter, I have been given Shs 2 billion to give to 51 federations. How do you expect me to operate? So, sometimes our hands are entirely tied. It is an area where it is not my problem, but the problem of – (Interjection) - not a bad government. (Laughter) It is the problem of the finance ministry not accepting to release money as per what is approved.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Still, on the issue of SMSs, I think that due to the demand by the MPs, NMS started sending SMSs whenever they could deliver. However, now, it is a habit that they send SMSs even when they have not delivered. When they send you the SMS and you call the hospital, they say: “We have not received anything.” (Laughter) I wanted to notify you about that. The other thing, Madam Speaker, is that the people of Iganga have been demanding that, maybe, they bring the pharmacies – because every time they are crossing the road to go and buy medicines from across the road. People who go to buy the medicines are being knocked down, leaving sick people in the hospital. They are making a request that, maybe, the Government allows for these pharmacies to be brought inside the hospital. (Laughter) Even on Saturday morning, we had an accident. On several occasions, we have been asking Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to put humps on that road, but they have been failing. However, at least, they have heard our cry and they are going to put the humps. Another issue that I brought on the Floor of Parliament was about the electricity. Babies have been dying because the electricity line is not proper. They depend on the generator, yet the money they allocate to the hospitals is small. Even the steriliser broke down. They had to go to a health centre III of some subcounty to bring the steriliser from there to the general hospital. I think that is not proper.

Madam Speaker, you are right. That is what is happening in Iganga. Sometimes, because the theatre is not operating, patients from the general hospital are referred to Health Centre III.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. About the eight industrial parks, Iganga had been identified as one of the areas, which were to benefit from this programme of having an industrial park, specifically at a place called Busowobi. The Uganda Investment Authority, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the former Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda kept visiting that place and engaging stakeholders in a bid to establish an industrial park. Recently, we were told that positions changed. So, I would like to make use of this debate today to know exactly what is happening to this industrial park. Is it there or has it died a natural death? If it has died, what is the way forward; we feel this is one way of changing

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I take this opportunity to move a motion since most of my colleagues are asking about where their industrial parks are, like in the case of Iganga, what the land should be used for. It is my humble prayer that we give the minister time to respond to whatever they have put forward - (Interjection) - since we are going to Prime Minister’s Time, such that we put in our queries because we have so many issues that we want to give the Prime Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There was a question from Hon. Milton, that I should give the status of the industrial park. He is talking about the land in Iganga. The land that the former Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda had started negotiating about with the people of Iganga, is available. However, the challenge was that we did not have money to acquire that land. To that extent, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda guided that we must go to areas where people can make local government land in their districts available free of charge. Madam Speaker, I would like to report that when we wrote to the local governments - I personally did land mobilisation - we were able to get land in 28 locations in the 18 zones of Uganda. I thank the Member of Parliament for Masaka because I was looking at a nationalistic character, regardless of the political party - I reached out to the former Leader of the Opposition, and he made land available in Masaka. I assure him that we will develop that land. Hon. Pius said that in Hoima District, land has been available but there are Government officials who are - Hon. Pius, if you can just tell us those Government officials who are - you can even come and tell me in secret; you might be fearing - I will read their names out. (Laughter ) I need to know who in Government is taking this land. In Hoima, the truth of the matter is that it is an oil region; we want to develop that industrial park. Hon. Ibanda, the Fort Portal Municipality land - we have land in Kabarole, and it is for the Fort Portal region. However, it has wrangles between the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Uganda Investment Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, especially the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). We have been wanting to solve the issue. I reached out to my senior colleague, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze and we are working on how to get the case out of court because the former Member of Parliament dragged us to court and we want to resolve that matter. Now the matter is in the hands of the Attorney-General who is here. Hon. Moses Aleper said that the Uganda Investment Authority has spent a lot of money

Honourable members, in the public gallery, we have teachers and pupils from Divine Way Nursery and Primary School in Kigulu County North, Iganga. Please, honourable wave to your people. You are most welcome. (Applause) We also have pupils and teachers from Abaler Primary School located in Amolatar. (Applause) Rt Hon. Prime Minister? [Mr Oshabe] STATEMENT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Milton Kalulu Muwuma, Member of Parliament for Kigulu County South, Iganga, NRM.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Condolences to the affected families. After attending the National Youth Day celebrations in Soroti yesterday, I travelled to Iganga to join a family that lost one of their loved one in the Kiteezi incident. I have attentively listened to the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees on the support that was given. As I was in Soroti, I kept receiving calls from that family asking for support on how to see off the young man, Kayeyera Emmanuel, who died in Kiteezi and was buried yesterday. When I hear that our good President released Shs 5 million in support, it is perturbing. I want the minister to clarify who received this money because even now the family is still asking if there is any support; there was no message from the Government. We have Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) all over the country. If at all we are burying people who have died under such situations, can we dispatch teams or call RDCs in our respective districts asking them to relay the Government’s message such that you are seen to be touched and concerned about these lives? I specifically seek clarification on who received this Shs 5 million for Mr Kayeyera because they just asked for the particulars of that person before the body was taken; they were provided and that was the end of everything. Therefore, when they said that they gave the family Shs 5 million, the family is lamenting that no support was given. I need that record cleared on the Hansard . Thank you.

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

!. ,: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

4.1,5 COUFOf,EI{T FOIrR: COORDIIATIOI{, UAIAGEUEI{t AIID ICT PLAAFOR The objectrvc of thrs component ls to provrdc support servrces to the thrcc tech ca.l components and rs responstble for thc coordmatron and management of the proJect at natronal, clustcr and dlstnct level Th€ component anms at - 1 Frnancrng thc rncrcmental op€ratrng costs for the prolccts 2 Undertakmg monrtorrng and evaluatlon actrvltles and tmpact evaluatron studres 3 Developrng and lmplemenhng web-based, gco-tagged ICT platforms for leamrng, knowledge management and stakeholder's fcedback UllIF rct)ortcd thrt rr rt .ruly 2C12, thct hrd undcrtrhea thc followlng: Frvc (OS) ICT systems had been developed and were at the field deptolment stage The ICT sotutrons support collcctron, storage, and drsscmlnatron of productron, chmate, rnarket, and advlsory rnformatron to Agnculture sector stakeholders Ihe servrces offered under thLrs component rncludc, ltrc e-voucher managcment system by MCash (financral rnclusron platform) MAAIF reportcd that thrs q'as berng used to supply mputs to farmcrs n seasons 20228 The e-extensron system Thls enables access to extensron adnsorres by farmers and the e-dEry componcnt ls for monrtonng ofcxtensron workers The Commlttee was rnformed by MAAIF that e-drary functlon had bccn deptoyed rn 16 drstncts The drstncts are, Kyotera, Kabale, lsrngro, Bushenyr, Krkuube, Klryandongo, Masrndr, Horma, Kagadl, Kyegegwa, Krbaale, Kassanda, Krkumuro, Mubende, KyenlonJo. Kuml, Serere, Sorou, Kapochorwa, Bukwo, Mba.le, Palhsa, Butebo, Namutumba, Iganga, Bugvren, Bugrn, Kalungu, Mprg, Masaka ttee, 36 o

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, last month we had a baraza by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in Namutumba District. Unfortunately, from the time they left the district, there have been continuous arrests. We have over 30 people now in Iganga Prison. When I contacted the CID Department of Namutumba District, they told me that they do not have the capacity. Under which arrangement are these people being arrested since there is not any report incriminating them? These were mere allegations during the baraza but those who made those allegations have not gone to the Police to submit facts about what they said. I would like to understand whether there is a different directive as far as this is concerned in Namutumba District. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, this is my justification. On Monday, 23 July 2024, the country received the disheartening news of the passing on of Hon. Simon Peter Aleper, the NRM Vice-Chairperson Karamoja region through a tragic road accident at Bukoona, along the Iganga-Tirinyi Highway. Hon. Simon Peter Aleper was a Member of Parliament for Moroto Municipality in the Ninth Parliament. Mr Speaker, Hon. Simon Peter was born on 26 December 1974 to the late Mr Meri Lochap Peter and the late Mrs Martha Lomuge. He; 1. Completed Kasimeri Primary School in 1988. 2. Attended Moroto High School from 1989 to 1992, and attained Ordinary Level Certificate of Education.

13587 THE E L E V E N TH P A R L I A MENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 25 J ULY 2024 sat in CEC, he has always spoken out his mind and would want to solve problems through dialogue and constructive criticism without hiding anything. As a member of the Ateker community, Mr Speaker, as you heard me call him uncle, Hon. Simon Peter Aleper always stood out to support cultural ceremonies and campaigned for the Ateker community to work together with other cultural groups across the country. He would always remind us that these cultures in diversity should be a unifying factor, but was also always quick to intervene to say that we should attract investors and tourists to the Ateker region, including Karamoja Subregion. We will miss his input in our forthcoming ceremonies on the Karamoja Cultural day, the Teso Cultural day, and most importantly, the biggest ceremony that we are going to host for the first time, where we had hoped we were going to tap into his rich experience in organising cultural ceremonies. Mr Speaker, Hon. Simon Peter Aleper detested corruption in the strongest terms possible. He spoke against it in all fora and I think this House has a leaf to borrow from the strong stance that he took against corruption. (Applause) I personally do not have the details on issues surrounding the accident; it is not very easy for me to delve into discussing issues surrounding that accident but we all heard that it was a head-on collision. We expect the police and the Ministry of Works and Transport to be working at getting a clear statement for all of us. However, on road carnage, I would like to call upon all of us to be conscious and do our part because the police will tell you that it is either due human error or that it is the road. In this case, Mr Speaker, the road between Iganga and Tirinyi is smooth; this case may have been another error. I know that some parts of the road are sometimes being widened in order to minimise the black spots. Maybe the Rt Hon. Prime Minister would like to come here with a statement on how far the Government is taking steps in addressing those black spots. Largely, I call upon all of us to pay attention and play our part to address road carnage. As national leaders, we have a greater input in curbing road carnage. I thank the President for according the late Hon. Simon Peter Aleper an official burial. To answer Hon. Ssewungu’s question, the Cabinet has already discussed the Bill that you were talking about. It is now in the First Parliamentary Council and will subsequently be presented by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister when it is ready. You raised health care and other general issues. The Government will look into all of them because they are for our good. Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity and I want to wish my uncle – may he rest in peace and may God sustain the bereaved. (Applause)

13588 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R She woke up in the middle of the night to get in touch with A-Plus Funeral Services, together with Captain Mike Mukula. They were able to pick the body from Iganga, have it treated, and brought to Mulago Hospital. Mr Speaker, we want to thank the Speaker and your office for that response. (Applause) Secondly, I would like to thank the Central Executive Committee and the President for being in touch throughout this terrible time and quickly deciding that at his level of a member of the Central Executive Committee, he should be accorded an official burial. I would like to correct the write-up of my brother, Hon. Ssewungu. Most of you know Tirinyi Road from that corner called Bukoona. Hon. Aleper was knocked at around 1.00 a.m. on a straight road. Before reaching where he was knocked, there are humps. He was coming from Mbale to Kampala, just 6.3 kilometres before joining the Iganga-Bugiri-Tororo Highway. In addition, it was not a head-on collision. Up to now, the front of the car – which is at Iganga Police – is intact. It seems to me – because if it had been a knock on the side and if it was a car in motion, it would have overturned. It seems to me that Hon. Aleper had foreseen a trailer coming and moved onto the side of the road. However, the oncoming trailer – we imagine it was a trailer because of the knock on his door. He was the one driving and the tyre marks are on the side of the door up to today. That trailer, or whatever it was, was very big because the tyre marks reached the window level of a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, and the side of the car bore blue and yellow paint marks. The car did not overturn. It knocked him on the side and he died on the spot. Hon. Ssewungu, please tell your Leader of the Opposition to correct this write-up. It is not true. We are mourning. It is now 72 hours later but we have not received a report on the whereabouts of the killer truck. We have been told that it is unknown and it seems to me that it is going to be like what happened to late Hon. Okabe. We want to hear from the Government how far the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the police and the CIID have gone with the investigations to apprehend the killer truck. In the circumstances, even at the entrance to Tirinyi Highway, there are cameras at that corner and along that road. How come, up to this moment, the people of Karamoja have not been told the whereabouts of the killer truck? Please, we need that statement from the Government. At the level of Hon. Aleper, a member of the Central Executive Committee, up to now, we do not even know whether there is a specialised unit of Police following up on this truck. We have not got any information - at least we, Members of the Parliament, the Chairman of Karamoja Parliamentary Group, and the family have not got any information about the killer truck. The longer it takes, the more it will give people room to start suspicious talk. Please quickly give us the report on this. Get information from the cameras – whichever camera is working – and give us the report. Mr Speaker, Karamoja has lost a voice. When Hon. Aleper joined campus in 1996, or even before that, in 1994 – Actually after finishing Moroto High School, he did not have anybody to pay his school fees. We would like to thank the people of Cornerstone Academy in Luwero; they are the ones who picked him. When he went there, he performed very well and joined Makerere University. When he finished Makerere University, he joined a cadet course. He was actually in Jinja as a cadet officer. At some point, he decided to come out and pursue active politics. He was not chased. Hon. Aleper was a counsellor who preferred dialogue. He would logically walk you through a matter, maybe because of his background of doing political science and philosophy. He always wanted to develop consensus. He did a lot in the region. When we were in this Parliament, he was the publicity secretary for the Karamoja Parliamentary Group while I was the secretary and Hon. Sam Lokeris was the chairperson. We did a lot here. [Mr] Achia

13589 THE E L E V E N TH P A R L I A MENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 25 J ULY 2024 How would Hon. Aleper like this country to remember him? Hon. Aleper was passionate about integrity. He was passionate about changing Karamoja. When he finished Makerere University, together with a few of his friends, they formed what we call the Forum for the Advancement and Transformation of Karamoja. Security told them, “Please go down on that. Are you trying to secede?” They talked them down. Recently, he formed Karamoja Professional Association which has been active. Mr Speaker, they came to you on the issue of Karamoja Development Agency (KDA) saying, please do not remove KDA. Mr Speaker, you actually have a write-up on his ideas on why KDA should not be relieved from the law books. His passion was to transform Karamoja. As the Rt Hon. Prime Minister said, he participated, as the - The recent reason as to why he was in Moroto was to negotiate for land for a cement factory and he succeeded. As we talk, the documents which are at the police station in Iganga are the documents that he was bringing to be signed. He had negotiated for 500 acres for a new cement factory and the documents are there. He had - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join colleagues in paying tribute to our fallen hero, the now late Hon. “ ASPRO”, the Rock . Mr Speaker, Hon. “ ASPRO” , in the first place, was my brother because we share a fence in Moroto. We are neighbours and we have been working together as brothers. Hon. “ ASPRO” was not only a leader or a politician, he had been anointed by God to lead his people to the promised land. I saw his capability when we were at Kasimeri Primary School. We then went to Moroto High School and from Moroto High School, we went to different schools for upgrading, and he already had signs of a leader. During his lifetime, Hon. Simon managed to unite Karamoja, and most especially the elites of Karamoja, to focus their attention on the transformation of Karamoja. He was also able to unite Uganda, because to become a member of CEC, you are elected by all regions in this country. He managed to enter the hearts and minds of Ugandans to be elected as a CEC member. And as you have heard from the testimonies of the CEC members, he has been a very capable and hard-working member. Mr Speaker, the challenge now is: he has left us so early. The time we needed him more is when he departed and left many things undone. Before his death, I was with him in Moroto, putting heads together to find a way of making sure that one of the companies that intended to open a factory, a clinker plant in my constituency, was to enter into an agreement with the community for the clinker to start. The documents we were discussing while in Moroto are still with the police at Iganga. We were supposed to bring those documents here, to Kampala to share with the investor, in order, to accomplish the whole mission but now he is instead here lying before us. I wonder who is going to be with that heart that he gave to speak for the voiceless people of Karamoja and Uganda. It is a big loss to the Karamoja Region and Uganda as a nation. I do not know whether we shall get a replacement for a person like Hon. Simon Peter Aleper. To the family, remain strong. Why? They say that death is inevitable, that death is not for one family, and that death is for everybody. It is only a question of time; all of us here are candidates of death. With those few remarks, Mr Speaker, may the soul of our fallen hero rest in eternal peace. Thank you.

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

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

Hon. Mugole – Hon. Musasizi, leave Hon. Mugole (Laughter) Vote 707: Iganga Municipal Council

I put the question that the total sum of Shs – listen Hon. Mugole, 1,468,322 be provided to Iganga Municipal Council under Vote 707, as a supplementary recurrent expenditure for the Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.)

Honourable members, can we have some silence? Honourable minister, before you bring your report, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of all the LC III chairpersons of the Busoga subregion, from the districts of Bugweri, Bugiri, Luuka, Buyende, Iganga, Namayingo, Mayuge, Namutumba, Jinja, Kamuli and Kaliro. They are represented by the Members of Parliament from Busoga, headed by the Chairperson of Busoga Parliamentary Group. All the Basoga, stand up and we see you. (Applause) Join me in welcoming them to the Parliament of Uganda. (Applause) This is your Parliament. They are here for a two-day training on capacity building for local leaders and the role of Members of Parliament. By the time the councillors go back, they will have known the role of a Member of Parliament – not buying an ambulance, doing burials – (Laughter )- you are most welcome. Thank you so much for coming. (Mr Muzaale rose_) There is a procedural matter from the Member for Buzaaya.

It is seconded by Hon. Iddi Isabirye, Hon. Mamawi, Hon. Chemonges, Honourable Member for Mityana, Hon. Rachael Magoola, Prof. Mushemeza, Hon. Ethel Naluyima, Honourable Member for Iganga, Honourable Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Kenny Auma, Hon. Gerald Nangoli, Hon. Veronica Nanyondo, Hon. Hanifa Nabukeera, Hon. Ekudo, Hon. Christine, Hon. Ssolo. Honourable Minister of Information, Communication Technologies and National Guidance, Hon. Bwino – the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Honourable Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Honourable Minister of Local Government, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Loy Katali, Hon. Victoria Rusoke, Hon. Edakasi, Hon. Pamela Kamugo, Hon. Auma Hellen, Hon. Chemutai, thank you. Would you like to speak a little bit to your Bill? Yes-

Thank you. Is it seconded? It is seconded by Hon. Loy, Hon. Acrobert, Hon. Tonny, Member of Parliament for Isingiro, Member of Parliament for Iganga, Hon. Olobo, Hon. Solomon, Member of Parliament for Aruu, Hon. Patrick, Hon. Oulanyah, Hon. Susan Amero and Hon. Mamawi James. Thank you. Can you speak to your motion?

Madam Speaker, before the trade’s minister comes in, the information I want to give is that the strike of the traders is now beyond Kampala. It has taken a trend. Shops are closed in several districts and cities in Uganda specifically Jinja, Iganga and that whole region where I come from. Madam Speaker, it is true that the shops are closed, so when the honourable minister is responding, he should tell us how fast this matter can be sorted because it is now affecting the whole country. Revenue collections, of course, are totally down. Therefore, honourable minister, when you come, please give us the timelines so that we are sure this is going to be sorted.

Madam Speaker, our population is 1.5 million deliveries annually. In 10 years, those are 15 million people but are we generating enough industrialisation to be able to look after that population? Sometimes it is the Parish Development Model and things like that, but we need to look at the upstream factors, address the issue of the population and a hospital like Iganga gives birth to 7,200 deliveries annually. So in three years- to put it into context, that is a subcounty.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the chairperson of the Committee on Presidential Affairs for the thorough report. Ever since Kaliro became a district all RDCs do not sleep in the district; they reside in Jinja or Iganga. When problems come, these people who are representing the image of the President are not in the district. That is why I thank, the committee, for talking about establishing residence. One day, Kaliro people wanted to demonstrate and chase them away. They asked them, “does the President sleep in Kenya to lead Uganda? Why can’t you sleep in our district?” They end up-

Isingiro, Kagadi, Nakaseseke, Nakasongola, Arua, obongi, Kitgum, Lamwo, Kamuli, Iganga, Agago, pader, Amum, and adjumani. (18) 1,800 MSMEs mobilized and sensitized on the importance of formatizing and registration of businesses. Amuru and Adjumani. ( 19) 1 ,550 MSMEs mobilized and sensitized on the importance of product certification, audits, good manufacturing practices and good hygiene practices for enterprises in Agago and pader. (20) Final draft guidelines for development, management and operation of Industrial Parks developed. (21) Draft regulations for scrap metal trade developed. (22) Draft amendment to Licensing Act Regulations devetoped. (23) Development of guidelines for the Eco-certification of industries tabled. (24) Production and trade in the pineappte sub-sector profile Table 12: MTIC Proposed Budget allocation FY 2o24l25 and Variances between Approved and proposed (UGX, Billion| Source.. Semi- A nnual Budge Performance v {, Budget Category FY 20/23124 Budget App Budget Spent by End Dec FY 2024l25 Budget Estimates Variance Between Approved and Proposed Wage 3.248 1.403 2.894 -0.354 Non-lllage 155.589 86.625 LOL.2r9 -54.37 GoU Dev't 1O.826 5.065 I 1.16 0.334 Arrears 0.335 0 0 -0.335 Total Budget 169.998 93.093 t15.273 -54.725 W -{*- fr 45 Report FY 2023/24 & ( eTrl

12423 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2024 5.1.4 Ministry of Local Governments Budget allocations In the Financial Year 2024/2025, the ministry has been allocated a total budget of Shs 202.395 billion as summarised in Table 9 below. Out of the total budget of Shs 202.395 billion, Shs 9.297 billion is to finance the Wage Bill of the ministry and Shs 43.712 billion for Non-Wage Recurrent Expenditures. The budget for the Government of Uganda development amounts to Shs 21.360 billion while that for external financing totals to Shs 127.789 billion. In addition, the ministry has been allocated Shs 0.237 billion for pension and gratuity arrears and other domestic arrears. 5.1.5 Ministry of Local Government priorities for the Financial Year 2024/2025 Based on the above proposed budget in table 9, in the Financial Year 2024/2025, the ministry has prioritised the following interventions: a) Coordination and monitoring of PDM implementation b) Rehabilitation of agro processing facilities c) Waste management d) Local economic development e) Agri-LED f) Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project. Under this, the ministry plans to review and prepare designs for eight markets of Nebbi Central, Nyahuka Town Council, Iganga Central, Kotido Main Market, Kisoro Old Market, Karuguuza Daily Market, Kibale Town Council, Mpigi Central and Masindi. In addition, the ministry will identify and prepare eight temporary relocation sites in urban centres and undertake needs assessment for value addition facilities under MATIP 3. 5.1.6 Committee observations and recommendations (i) Harmonisation of the legal framework The committee observed that the contradictions in the legal framework surrounding local government finances have affected service delivery for several years now. Committee observes that whereas the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, and the Local Government Act, Cap. 243 provide for decentralisation and the devolution of functions, powers and services and empowers local governments to levy, charge, collect and appropriate local revenues. Local revenue is instead remitted to the consolidated fund. This is attributed to the Treasury Single Account Payment Processing and Reporting System. And the directive by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to transit all local revenues collected to Consolidated Fund for subsequent allocation to the respective local governments. As a result, local governments face financial difficulties because of the increased and consistent retention of local revenue by the Central Government over time. For instance, Shs 3.1 trillion was held in the Consolidated Fund in the Financial Year 2023/2024. This has crippled service delivery at the local level in that urgent and even simple services like garbage collection have stagnated. More importantly, local governments have been demoralised and rendered powerless to effect service delivery, which has also demoralised taxpayers from paying taxes. As a result, the share of local revenue contribution to the national envelope has dropped from 13 per cent in the financial year 2022 to 9.8 per cent currently. The committee observes that decentralisation was intended to extend services closer to people and recognise the economic and social transformational frontline role that local governments play to deliver services to the people. This role should be aided and not curtailed. While the committee recognises that the previous system where local revenues would be collected and spent at source had challenges, recentralisation of local revenues is not the solution.

In the question, honourable also did not go further to give examples and that is Hon. Jonathan Odur, he is always cautious before making that statement. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I hope you picked the point seriously. Yes, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah and then Hon. Balimwezo. Procedure from the honourable member from Iganga.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern is about the unstable and interrupted power supply to our general hospital; Iganga Hospital. It is good that you know the hospital I am talking about because it sits along Iganga- Tororo Highway; it is a highway hospital. This hospital delivers around 600 to 650 babies per month –(Interjection) - that is it, even, the honourable Minister for Health can attest to that. The hospital I am talking about has been ranked the best general hospital for over five years. Mr Speaker - yes, we have a standby generator which is now acting as the major supplier of electricity instead of Umeme. It has a care unit for preterm babies, commonly known as the premature. These babies are always in oxygen concentrators - I think they call them incubators and need full-time oxygen because they are kept there for some time before they are discharged. We always get around 60 to 120 –

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

Thank you. I will pick Hon. Kazini, Hon. Aza, Hon. Anywar, Hon. Rauben and Hon. Nakut. Because of gender, I will pick the honourable member from Iganga and I am happy to see Hon. Asaba here. Thank you.

11718 THE SUGAR (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 the area. Otherwise, what Hon. Ricky is saying is that the way people react might lead to chaos sometimes. Hon. Asaba, Hon. Nakut, Hon. Rauben and the Member for Iganga.

Thank you, honourable minister. Yes, the honourable Member from Iganga.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. It becomes hard to speak after a forester, like they have said. I join colleagues in thanking the committee for their report. I also respect the cry of my colleague, Hon. Wanzala from Nakasongola, for bringing the cry of his people. I also add my voice that may his prayer be heard, but do not abuse the forest. Mr Speaker, the Government should be serious, like you said. You do not leave people - they have said, they had created enclaved people and again, they are encroaching on the forest but you just let them. Now people are asking for a path through but the Government just looks on. I also want to raise the concern of my people. We have people who are dealing in timber and charcoal in Iganga, just like elsewhere. Sometimes, these people are disturbed and arrested by police officers yet they do not get timber from the natural forests or the forests that are gazetted by the Government. It is their business. I felt it wise to bring this concern to the knowledge of the House because they are innocent but they are always disturbed. In Iganga, we have so many people who are dealing in that. In fact, they have asked me to bring it to your office, Mr Speaker. However, I got a chance to be here as the committee presented. They should come up with a measure. The Government should be serious and protect their forests instead of disturbing these people because they plant their trees and it is those trees that they cut down for timber to do business. I beg to submit. Thank you.

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

11607 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2024 Member for Iganga, Hon. Sauda, Hon. Milton, Hon. Gabriel, UPDF, Hon. Tom, Dean of Independents - Hon. Christine is saying, “Even this side, Father” – the Member from Gomba and the whole House. I see everyone standing up. The whole House has seconded the motion. This is the most overwhelmingly seconded motion. Hon. Dr Nsaba Buturo, use five minutes to justify your motion.

Thank you. Let us have the honourable lady from Iganga, honourable lady from Rukungiri, honourable lady from Kibale, honourable lady from Kanungu, honourable lady from Arua, honourable lady from Terego, honourable lady from Kiboga and the honourable lady from Butambala. (Laughter) Let me start with the ladies – and the honourable lady from Napak. Please, in that order, let us do it quickly and then I go to the honourable men. (Laughter)

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of district leaders from Iganga represented by Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga and Hon. Sauda Kauma . They have come to observe the proceedings of this House; please join me in welcoming them. Thank you. Honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development?

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following to the standing Committee on Equal Opportunities: 1. Hon. Judith Alyek – Chairperson; and 2. Hon. Dorcas Acen – Deputy Chairperson. The following are designated as members: 1. Hon. Derrick Kabuura – Bushenyi-Ishaka; 2. Hon. Ann Mary Tumwine - Ntoroko; 3. Hon. Abdul Mutumba – Kiboga West County; 4. Hon. Sauda Kauma - Iganga; 5. Hon. Albert Lokoru – Tepeth County; 6. Hon. Peter Teko Lokeris – Chekwii East County; 7. Hon. James Olobo – Kioga North; 8. Hon. John Lematia – Ayivu Division; 9. Hon. Sharifah Taban Aate - Koboko; 10. Hon. Margaret Ayebare - Mbarara; 11. Hon. Henry Nkwasiibwe – Ruhaama County; 12. Hon. John Kamara – Bufumbira North; 13. Hon. Stephen Kasaija Kagwera – Burahya County; 14. Hon. Cuthbert Abigaba Mirembe - Kibale; 15. Hon. Peninah Busingye - Kuruhura; 16. Hon. Edson Rugumayo – Youth Western; 17. Hon. Joy Peggy Waako - Elderly; 18. Hon. Yorke Alioni Odria – Aringa County; 19. Hon. Paul Akamba – Busiki county; and 20. Hon. Solomon Chelangat – T’oo. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

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. My issue concerns Iganga General Hospital -

I do not see properly so I am very grateful. Madam Speaker, I represent Iganga Municipality and Iganga is located on a highway along the Mbale – Jinja - Kampala Road. It serves the districts of Luuka, Kaliro, Mayuge, Namutumba and Bugweri. To our surprise, in all the arrangements – first of all, we thank the Government for renovating Iganga General Hospital to a status of qualifying it to be a referral hospital. As per the plans of the Ministry of Health, it was supposed to be upgraded to a referral hospital, but there are powerful people – I think in Iganga, we are not as powerful and supportive of the NRM government. They said that the referral hospital will be taken to Bugiri [Mr Kafuuzi] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

10879 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2023 because it has more supporters of the NRM government than us, yet their demand was simple; to renovate Bugiri General Hospital. Our demand, on the other hand, is to upgrade our hospital to a referral hospital. Our prayer is one; let them upgrade Iganga General Hospital and also take the extra mile – (Hon. Taaka rose_)

Honourable members, the two hospitals can co-exist. Bugiri has its own hospital and Iganga also has its own. What goes to Bugiri is for Bugiri and what goes to Iganga is for Iganga. Iganga is basically for upgrade and Bugiri is a district hospital. We need all the hospitals operational. We do not fight for one or the other. What we need is for the ministry to ensure that both are operational. You, Basoga do not have to quarrel here. (Laughter)

Madam Speaker, you have stated it rightly. Let Bugiri General Hospital be renovated and Iganga General Hospital be upgraded.

Thank you, chairperson of the committee. Honourable members, I want to remind you that if you do not agree with the person reading, or if you do not agree with the contents, keep quiet, and wait for yours to be read. At the end of the day, it is a question to be put; it is not about those arguments. Now my Iganga man is here murmuring. When you want to fight, you go to the corridor; I think you have a personal problem. Now, Hon. Akamba, read your report.

Hon. Mugema Panadol of Iganga, can you kindly sit?

10846 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Recommendation 5: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure that all ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) and local governments have specific budgets for gender equality and social inclusion, including women empowerment as per the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development reported that they are in conjunction with the Equal Opportunities Commission, which issues the Gender and Equity Certificate to each qualifying MDA after a thorough analysis of their budget. This was work in progress. The committee recommends a budgetary increase for gender equality and social inclusion of the following categories: children, older persons and persons with disabilities. Recommendation 6: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should allocate and release adequate financial resources to clear the pending pension arrears and regularly allocate, and release adequate financing to the public service pension schemes, going forward. Mr Speaker, the Government reported that Shs 38.8 billion has been provided for in the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024 to cater for verified pension and gratuity arrears. The committee recommends that accounting officers should prioritise the timely payment of pensions. All pension arrears should be cleared. Recommendation 7: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prioritise budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) to ensure the sufficient investment in agriculture to help with information gathering and research, thereby contributing to development. The budget for MAAIF has increased from Shs 564.4 billion in the Financial Year 2022/2023 to Shs 1,030.994 billion in the Financial Year 2023/2024. The funds will be geared towards supporting the mechanisation of agriculture, the establishment of irrigation facilities and supporting PDM interventions in local governments, among others, in order to increase agricultural production across the country. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development also reported that it has supported MAAIF through the Agricultural Cluster Development Project to establish the National Food and Agricultural Statistical System (NFASS), to ensure that agricultural data is reliable, timely, consistent, disaggregated and accessible to facilitate planning and decision making. NFASS has been piloted in five districts of Nebbi, Amuru, Iganga, Kalungu and Ntungamo and is being rolled out to five subregions of Lango, Karamoja, Bukedi, Teso and Elgon. The committee recommends the timely release of funds to enable the ministry and other stakeholders to effectively implement the planned activities as per their work plan. Recommendation 8: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should effectively fund remand homes. The Government reported that funds have been allocated in the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024 to fund the activities of remand homes. Recommendation 9: The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should sufficiently fund the Uganda Human Rights Commission so that it can pay competitive wages to its staff and address the challenge of high staff turnover. The Uganda Human Rights Commission has sufficient wage allocation for staff in post – this is what the Government reported. Salary enhancement awaits a comprehensive review of salaries across government entities.

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

Thank you, honourable minister, for the clear statement. Honourable colleagues, I will pick 10 Members and the criteria used will be six Members from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) side, two from the Opposition and two from the Independents. Those from the Opposition side will include the LoP. Therefore, I will pick the LoP and the Member of Parliament from Jonam. I will pick three Independent Members of Parliament because they have tried to attend: Hon. Nsereko, Prof. Mushemeza and Hon. Otuke. On the NRM side, I will pick the Commissioner, Hon. Silwany, Hon. Chemaswet, Hon. Alex Byarugaba, Member of Parliament from Iganga, Hon. Aisha Agaba who made a special request earlier that she wants to submit on this matter and Hon. Martin Muzaale. Honourable colleagues, we have other matters where I will pick you. Let us start right away, use two minutes each because we have other business to handle. Hon. Ebwalu, I will pick you on the next item. I know that you are a strong character on every topic.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would also like to appreciate the minister for the presentation she has made. I congratulate all Ugandans upon the independence celebrations. However, as we celebrate, I would like us to come and work together to fight for the Ugandans who are working abroad so that they can also feel the Independence celebrations because they are treated as slaves. As we celebrate, honourable minister, I would like Iganga to be part of these celebrations. Let us improve the health sector, for example, and elevate our hospital. In that way, we shall also feel very happy as we are celebrating our independence. Thank you.

Hon. Mugema was here raising a matter to do with green park in Iganga being sold.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. As a Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, based on our mandate, we took a visit to a number of projects where TRIDI undertook the sericulture project. Sericulture is the growing of silk worms and silk worms are fed on mulberry leaves. This is a project that came into being under the Innovation Fund, which His Excellency, the President advocated for saying we should give more funds to scientists to innovate. One of the principal investigators wrote a project, which was successful, titled, “Evaluating the Utility of Sericulture and Apiculture Technologies and Innovations as tools for Household Wealth Creation and Employment Generation in Uganda.” This project was carried out in 24 districts. I am sure some of you, Members, could be having a lot of information about some of these projects, which are in your districts. So far, Government has injected Shs 31,235,912,000. As part of our mandate, we noted that there were a number of management challenges and so, we took it upon ourselves to go and visit these projects. We had also received a petition from Sheema Sericulture project because of the way the project was being handled. It is based on this background that we visited the areas of Bulambuli, Mukono, Kayunga, Kamuli, Iganga, Kween, and Sheema. The report is already uploaded. Members can have a look it. Because of time, I am going to go straight to the observations and later, I will go to the way forward.

I just want to give information that Iganga S.S is one of those schools that has incorporated - actually, most people think the school is called Iganga Girls but it is not. It has included blind boys in the school. I thought I needed to give this example and information. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Madam Speaker, yesterday we were in Alebtong District celebrating the World Population Day. Before that, we interacted with a number of youth and discussed the causal factors of high school dropouts. The youth in those meetings revealed to us that one of the key issues is the failure to access loan schemes that are nationally provided for. A number of senior six dropouts are idling without getting access to what we are discussing now. One of the key issues that came out was the lack of transparency by the Board in selecting the beneficiaries of this scheme. Last year, I had two candidates from Iganga who applied. One of them did BCM, got 16 points and applied for medicine at Kampala International University. After getting the admission, they tried twice, but failed. These are orphans but they failed to access the loan scheme. They were advised to appeal, which they did, but there was nothing positive. As we discuss the general principles, the issue of transparency needs to be addressed because it is leaving out very many Ugandans who would be benefiting from this programme. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

9520 DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION c) Declining block tariff structures for large and extra-large industrial consumers; d) Investment in development of substation and electricity infrastructure in industrial parks like Luzira, Namanve, Kapeeka, Mukono, Iganga, Mbale, Entebbe, Mirama Hill among others; e) Investment in improvement of reliability and quality of supply; f) Change of the industrial tariff structure to provide for low retail tariff for industrial consumers that commit to increase demand; g) New connection through a hybrid financing framework is also under consideration; and h) Regional power trade. Therefore, the committee concludes that it is necessary to grant a one-year extension to Bujagali Energy Limited in order to protect the end users from high tariff while at the same time enabling Government to implement recommendations of the Parliament on the same. The committee recommends that Corporate Income Tax for Bujagali Energy Limited be waived for one year. I hereby submit.

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

Madam Speaker, I am a tree farmer in Iganga. I, kindly, request you to pass by one weekend. I have a plantation -

Thank you very much. Mr Speaker, allow me to salute Hon. Sarah Opendi for presenting the petition to this Parliament. Members have been alluding to the issues of basic necessities in hospitals, but you find that even a small drug like Ergometrine that is administered to women that are bleeding - you can visit many health centres and this drug is missing. Mothers die while bleeding and the nurses have nothing to do. It is our humble prayer that we begin addressing and reviewing what commodities are sent to health centres or hospitals. You find a hospital receiving boxes of condoms as if we are going to manufacture children in hospitals, instead of sending drugs that are required. There is a need for us to also run nationwide campaigns for blood donations. You find hospitals like Iganga General Hospital, at times you go there for three consecutive days and they do not have blood. You run to Kakira Sugar Works Hospital, Busesa Grade Two Referral Hospital which are of lower grades to Iganga General Hospital because they have run out of blood. There is no market or factory that manufactures blood. We all need to take this up and mobilise blood donations such that we are able to save mothers when giving birth. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The issue of health care in this country needs a holistic approach. If we are in a country where mothers walk 20 kilometres looking for a health facility and we expect all to be well at delivery or post-delivery, then there is a serious problem. For example, my last subcounty in the constituency is Bugobi Subcounty. The mothers walk or travel 14 kilometres to the nearest Health Centre III which also does not have storage facilities for blood. They go bleeding, for instance, to Bulange Health Centre III then to Iganga General Hospital, when they find

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I had a delegation of Arts teachers from Iganga who came on a bus. However, when I listened attentively, I did not hear anything to do with salary increments for arts teachers yet our kids are about to go back to school. There is a possibility that they will also go on strike and at the end of the day, we will end up fidgeting. I propose that we cut off some money from the budget of the Office of the Government Chief Whip, which we do not know where it goes, and put it this side to take care of the salary for Arts teachers because, at the end of the day, they are also vital.

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

Thank you. I will pick Iganga, Rakai – they have a man next to them so they need company. Honourable minister, I will pick you; do not mind. You need to first get many views so that you then guide the nation because you are the Minister for National Guidance. I picked the three that were lining up. Now, Hon. Yeri, I do not know because even when you are standing SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Committee on Health for the report. It is worrying when it comes to matters of health and the Government is not acting fast yet we know that health is wealth. If Kilembe Mines Hospital has not been given priority, yet we all know and saw what happened, then the people of Iganga lose hope in whatever they have been promised. We have written, and spoken for Iganga General Hospital to be elevated to a referral hospital because I want to assure you that Iganga Hospital is the main hospital in the subregion. It serves more than five districts of the Busoga Subregion. It is overwhelmed by numbers; patients come and there are no drugs but the Government has paid a deaf ear. My prayer is that for matters of health, the Government should not even wait for investors. There are many programmes that the Government has prioritised and given monies to; why doesn’t it come in to construct Kilembe Mines Hospital and elevate the hospitals that need to be elevated instead of looking up to investors because people’s lives are at risk? 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.

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

7223 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 1 MARCH 2023 Road reconstruction When the road condition deteriorates to a very poor state, exhibiting weak and deteriorated pavement layers with a non-functional drainage system, it requires full replacement. Reconstruction is undertaken to rebuild the road pavement and drainage system. In some instances, improvement of the subgrade strength and geometric realignment may be required – I gave examples of Matugga- Kapeeka Road and Mutukula-Kyotera-Masaka Road. The frequency of intervention depends on the state of road deterioration, which often triggers outcry from the road users for intervention. Road upgrading Road upgrading includes works that improve the level of service of the road to beyond that of its original standard. Activities like road widening, lane addition, geometric improvement, pavement works and related auxiliary works are executed – I gave the example of Rwenkunye-Apac Road. On-going national roads projects Periodic maintenance UNRA is currently carrying out periodic maintenance on two paved national roads covering a total of 93 kilometres with a funding commitment of about Shs 13 billion over the next two years. There are a number of tables there and in Table 1, you will find those roads. I request honourable Members to look at those tables as we refer to them. Rehabilitation projects There is ongoing rehabilitation of six paved national roads covering a total distance of 531 kilometres with a funding commitment of about Shs 682 billion over a period of the next three years. The roads are at different levels of implementation, as shown in table two. Further, a total of seven road rehabilitation projects covering a total distance of 324 kilometres were substantially completed in the Financial Year 2021/2022. These projects have outstanding payments such as retention funds in accordance with the contractual terms amounting to approximately Shs 55 billion. The projects which are done include: - Namunsi-Sironko-Muyembe-Kapchorwa road (65KMs), phase one and two; - Masaka Town roads (7.3 KMs); - Nakalama-Tirinyi-Mbale (93KMs) including Iganga, Busembatia and Namutumba Town roads; - Fort Portal-Hima (55KMs); - Kyenjojo-Fort Portal; and - Hima-Katunguru and Kasese Town roads and Hima service roads. Upgrading projects Currently, there are 20 ongoing road upgrading projects. These roads are being moved from gravel to tarmac. They are being upgraded to paved standards across the country covering a total of 1,083Kms with committed funding requirements of approximately Shs 1.8 trillion. The upgrading road projects are at the different levels of implementation and are indicated in table three. Further, a sum of approximately Shs 243 billion shall be required to close projects that were substantially handed over in the Financial Year 2021/2022. Bridge development projects Construction of bridges has continued across the National Road Network and progress is at different levels. The bridges are many and they are in table four. Currently, 14 bridges with a funding requirement of Shs 356 billion are under construction across the country.

6771 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2023 Iganga - the other time, I kept on yelling here about the Freedom Square and it went because some people sold it. They have started encroaching on another piece of land - a primary school in Nakavule. People are taking up the land, but Government is not putting any pressure on those who are taking the land. They do not have land titles. I tried to bring them together so that we can get land titles for most of those lands, but they end up engaging with the land grabbers. At the end of the day, it is us to lose because as leaders, we shall be seen as people who side with the fraudsters that are taking Government land, yet Government seems disinterested in it. So, I do not know what they are going to do for us to have land titles for that -

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am not actually just saying, I am reading the law that was written by this Parliament. My colleague will come and address that question. On the issue of unauthorised loan deductions, I state here and I have communicated that, that is outright illegal. You cannot deduct the salary of an employee without their specific permission. The guidance I have given to Government agencies is, I have actually asked them to pass on that duty to the banks because the Government should not become a debt collector. We are not debt collectors. So, pass on the salary to the bank and let the bank deal with its customer and they can pay whatever debts they may have. However, to deduct money without the permission of the employee is outright illegal and the person who does that should be dealt with by the local governments in accordance with the law. Hon. Ebwalu mentioned the issue of that opinion; I am going to look at it. Madam Speaker, I do not remember issuing a 50/50 opinion, but you have guided quite well, Madam Speaker. In the period in which cities are growing out of municipalities, you are actually going to find places where the facilities are not readily available. What we have guided in such instances, is that the relationship between the two should be set up properly through an agreement; rental agreement or whatever arrangements that they may come up to, so that they can have clarity on this issue. Madam Speaker, Hon. Panadol raised the issue of Iganga – (Interruption) SPEAKER: Yes, Hon. Edakasi?

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I think I could not have said it any better. Madam Speaker, on the issue of Iganga, we need to balance two competing interests that are existent. As we speak of devolution of powers to the local government, there is also the problem where you want the Central Government to get involved to deal with the local governments. For example, in this case, the local government is giving away land - which is vested in it through devolution through the Constitution - and we are asking the Central Government to come and stop them. So, are we not interfering? However, if it is done wrongfully, there is a gate which is created in the Central Government - in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development - that whatever the local governments do have got to have a final check in terms of titling by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. I undertake to take up this matter with the lands ministry to find out whether they titled that property and if they did so whether it was it done in accordance with the law. Finally, there was a question on the procurement laws. Madam Speaker, we have very vibrant laws. Some accounting officers complete a procurement in three months; others complete it in two years while others in one week. The problem is not the law. The problem is we need to go out there and make sure that whoever is the custodian of this law is implementing it to the letter in accordance with its principles. And if it is not, that is when we can come back to Parliament and say, “Let us amend it.” Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the committee for this report. I read it, I have listened attentively and we really want to thank you for the guidance you have given and we are taking note of all these issues and we can assure you that in Cabinet, we shall definitely raise these issues. I beg to submit.

6513 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2022 4. On 25 July 2022 at Kiwumpa traffic checkpoint Luweero, two police officers namely PC Josephat Twinamasiko and PC Busingye were injured. Later, Busingye succumbed to injuries and two guns were taken. Some suspects were arrested. The guns are still at large. 5. On 31 July 2022 at Buwama Town, two police officers, PC Lawrence Otim and PC Paul Nkolo were shot at. PC Otim succumbed to injuries. No gun was taken. 6. On 31 October 2022 at Busiika, three police officers namely D/IP Alex Wagaluka and PC Moses Ongol were killed and PC Stephen Ondama later succumbed to injuries. Two guns were taken and we are still pursuing the culprits. 7. On 14 November 2022 at Kyanja, there was an incident where some people on a motorbike shot at a police post. There was no loss of life or weapon taken. Investigations are on-going to get the culprits. 8. On 17 November 2022 at Gaddafi Amber Court, Small Gate – Jinja, one UPDF soldier NCOS Sgt Simon Peter Eyagu was killed and two guns taken. His colleague was an accomplice in the incident and was arrested. The two guns were recovered. One of the assailants, a one Rodgers Alisobola, was put out of action in Iganga. 9. On 23 November 2022 at Kikuube District, there were no fatalities. A UPDF soldier Pte Wycliffe Musubira’s gun was taken while on guard in Bungoma Forest Reserve, but was later recovered. 10. On 23 November 2022 at Nakulabye Police Post, an armed person moving towards the police post at night was fired at by the police and he ran away. He left behind a magazine of AK47. The police is searching for the culprits. 11. On 24 November 2022 at Bungokho, two guns were reportedly stolen. The two guns stolen seem to be the result of an insider job because there was no break in. The OC of the station is under arrest and investigations are on-going. 12. On 26 November 2022 at Kapeeka, Nakaseke, one UPDF soldier, Pte Tufeyo Obed was killed, but no weapon was taken. One gun was recovered from the assailants in the exchange and two assailants, namely Tarsisi Merengera and Denis Ssekimpi were put out of action. This gun was not from our stores, but it was recovered in that incident. It is the 11 th gun in the recoveries. 13. The last is the incident at Sanga in Kiruhura on the 27 th of November, where a rogue police officer who had lost his firearm faked a break in and theft of a rifle, which he dropped in the compound. No gun was taken in that incident. The officer is under arrest. Interventions Numerous measures have been undertaken, all intended to respond to these incidents that have taken place, but also to prevent and/or mitigate the effects of other such incidents in the unlikely event that they happen. This is to make it very expensive for those intending to indulge in these activities, and also to decisively respond to them when they happen. Police work, honourable members, is very public. However, it is not hazard neutral. Therefore, in order to reduce vulnerability of installations and personnel, we undertook the following measures: 1. Merging far-flung and vulnerable smaller police posts and booths into sizable units to improve operational efficiency and force protection. The details of these are in Annex A on the merger of police stations, attached with a detailed justification for this measure. 2. The better organisation of security installations; that is access controls, front

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister of State for Internal Affairs for an elaborate statement that he has given the House. However, within that statement, I would like to know – because when you identify the problem, you also need to look at the cause; what is causing this? The person who was put out of action in Iganga was reported to be a deserter. Does the minister or Government have a record of deserters in this country? I am aware that even a President of a neighbouring country is one of those deserters. (Laughter) I would like to know whether our Government has a record of all these deserters. (Interjection) Yes, I am telling the truth; we need to know the record of all these deserters because deserters – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Honourable minister, Ugandans are gravely concerned about the practice of the security forces arresting culprits and committing extra-judicial killings. Why is it a practice by the security forces to put out of action those that they have arrested like Alibuza in Iganga? The crystal clear case is that of Amber Court. The assailants that were arrested – among them was one who would have availed information, but he was put out of action. There are even earlier cases of say, Zebra. Let me bring that case – (Member timed out.)

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As they consider Kawolo, even Iganga General Hospital is on the highway. Sometimes, UNRA carries out some works and takes some hotspots lightly; they do not consider them. For example, on that highway, there is a place where we need a flyover. There are very many accidents that always occur. Even last month, a pupil was knocked down as she was going for her Primary Living Examinations. The LCI chairperson and everyone else has written letters but they say they have their plan. Therefore, we are asking them to consider us by putting a flyover. The place is called Kigobere and it is on the highway –(Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, there is a death trap at the junction running from Iganga around Walugogo, on the road that goes to Luuka. In 2020, His Excellency the President, with the then Speaker of Parliament and ministers, commissioned the construction of this road from Walugogo-Luuka-Bulopa to Kamuli. Road equipment were assembled from the biggest to the smallest during that commissioning. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, to-date, all these equipment were removed and nothing has taken place. I am inquiring why the road equipment –(Member timed out.)

The purpose of the parliamentary statement is to provide information to Parliament regarding this year’s International Deaf Awareness Week, scheduled to take place between 19 and 23 September 2022. The climax of the International Deaf Awareness Week will be at Iganga Municipal Primary School Grounds in Iganga Municipality on Friday, 23 September 2022. Mr Speaker, every year, during the third week of September, Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Deaf Awareness Week. This is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf and was first celebrated in 1958 in Rome, Italy. According to the 2014 Uganda National Housing and Population Census statistics, there were 1,083,649 deaf people in Uganda. From 2014, the number increased to 1,290,000 of the current population of Uganda. The International Deaf Awareness Week is in line with the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, as given in different objectives and Articles.

I am now concluding. The chief guest for this function will be the Rt Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda. And, the events that we are going to handle are activities that have been noted down - and Members can go through those activities. I would like to appreciate this Parliament of the Republic of Uganda for taking lead in sharing public messages through sign language interpreters. I know, Mr Speaker, when you were seated here before 6.00 p.m., your message is seen on TVs and the deaf appreciate this Parliament for that. I also think that other institutions should emulate this practice. Key issues, as I conclude, are: i) To note that there is need to support the Ministry of Education and Sports to have all schools staffed with sign language interpreters, to enable the deaf children access education in their localities without moving to the few specialised schools of the deaf. ii) To note the need to support the Ministry of Public Service to have all public institutions staffed with sign language interpreters for meaningful inclusion of the deaf community. iii) To note that the theme for the International Deaf Awareness Week in Uganda is: “ Building Inclusive Communities for All: Uganda Sign Language Unites Us.” iv) To invite all the honourable members of Parliament, on behalf of the deaf community, to join the deaf community in Iganga Municipal Primary School Grounds on Friday, 23 September 2022. Mr Speaker, I thank you and the honourable members; it is the first time we talk about deafness in this Parliament and I thank you for your administration. God bless you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The committee is recommending that the Meteorological Department regularly disseminates weather and climate information to decision makers. They are right. However, the credibility of the information they always release is wanting. They normally tell us, “We will be expecting rains in this season” and people rush to the gardens. However, in the end, drought hits us. I do not know whether it is the machines or the staff manning that department that have something to say. We are saying that whereas the recommendation is good, the implementers need to do more work. There is also the issue of the Ministry of Water and Environment coordinating with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Last week, officials from NFA survived being lynched in Iganga because of miscoordination. They came and began demarcating people’s land, saying it was a gazetted forest reserve. I am 47 years old. I have grown up not seeing any forest in that place called Walugogo. However, as of now, NFA is claiming it to be a forest reserve, minus informing leaders. They are encroaching on people’s land. If the LC 5 chairman had not intervened, people were becoming chaotic and rowdy, ready to sort out these people naturally. It is not the right way to go.

( Mr Mugema rose _) Honourable member, is that how people from Iganga behave? Sit down, please. What is your issue?

5397 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2022 the Partner States develop the language and popularise its usage in the EAC integration activities. Due to resource constraints, the East African Kiswahili Commission prioritises the Parliament of Uganda, the media and the education sector as key entry points. I am happy to inform the honourable members that, at least, in a number of the schools at the borders, there is a minimum amount of teaching of Kiswahili. . Parliament was selected for the following reasons; i) It has a critical role as an entry point in ensuring that Kiswahili becomes an official language; ii) It has the potential of contributing to both national and regional integration, as well as sustainable development. We need Parliament to support the National Kiswahili Council to be established in this country. We shall need the necessary policy, human and financial support for this. We shall need Parliament’s legislative, budgetary and oversight roles to support the promotion and development of Kiswahili not only as an official language, but also as the lingua franca , as already mentioned. The use of Swahili in Parliament would inspire other institutions of Government, as well as state or non-state actors, to promote the use of Kiswahili in official and unofficial domains. My ministry coordinated the development of Swahili training programmes through participatory multi-sector engagement; the key stakeholders have already been mentioned. The 16 th Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for education adopted the training programme and the manuals, and they have forwarded them to the Clerk to Parliament, for implementation. Therefore, we are going to focus first on the Members of Parliament, the Parliamentary Forum on Swahili - I hope it is there - the staff of Parliament, and the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association. The Ministry of Education and Sports coordinates the secondary schools’essay writing competition. The concept was first conceived as a wider EAC approach to create awareness among the school-going population, as part of the integration process and activities. It gives secondary school students an opportunity to learn from their own perspective, the benefits, opportunities, and constraints of the regional integration of East Africa. The students are expected to write essays either in English, Swahili or French on topics presented to them annually and focused on contemporary issues in the EAC. The regional awards for the ceremony, which took place just before the COVID-19 pandemic, had one girl student from Iganga Girls’ Secondary School, Nafula Fortunate Mugeni, who was second best in the entire community. She wrote an essay in Kiswahili and she was given an award in July by the Heads of State during the 22 nd Ordinary Summit in Arusha. Owing to that success story and guided by Article 120 of the Treaty, we are coordinating a programme to establish EAC clubs in secondary schools. The clubs promote the usage of Kiswahili among students and participation in essay competitions. We are in the process of finalising mapping and establishing a network of Swahili trainers in Uganda, who will assist the ministry to train basic Swahili to business persons to ease their business transactions in Kiswahili. At this stage, I would also add that we recently had an offer from the Government of Zanzibar; they are willing to send as many Swahili teachers as we need to this country. The ministry mobilised resources from Trademark East Africa, for a new initiative to translate into Swahili, the COVID-19 administrative guidelines for free movement of goods and services in the EAC. We engaged the Ministry for Gender, Labour, and Social

He specifically raised concern regarding the land acquisition process being undertaken in that area. Madam Speaker, as per your guidance, my ministry undertook to provide clarification in respect of the operations of Rwenzori Rare Metals Company in Bugiri, Bugweri, Iganga and Mayuge districts. Background My ministry carried out an airborne geophysical survey covering 80 percent of Uganda in 2005. The survey detected potential for rare earth elements in Makuutu, among other findings. Subsequently, my ministry granted an exploration licence to Rwenzori Rare Metals. Further, geological studies by Rwenzori Rare Metals, including drilling, have revealed 532 million tons of ore containing rare earth elements. The exploration activities have confirmed the existence of rare earth elements in mineable quantities in three districts of Mayuge, Bugweri and Bugiri. The rare earth element deposits found within the Makuutu Rare Earth Project Area is one of the largest in the world, after South China. Rare earth elements are essential for the manufacture of medical equipment, smartphones, laptops, crude oil processing, batteries for electric vehicles, and wind turbines, among many other uses. Rare earth elements are critical for the global transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy. Rare earth elements are key in many new and upcoming technologies; technological applications in electronics, including computers, lighting, magnets, and various other uses. With this innovation, the ministry will ensure that Uganda minerals are explored and exploited in a sustainable manner that supports the growth of the economy of the country, and uplifts the standards of living of our people. The Makuutu Rare Earth Project is one of the key projects that can lead to the industrialisation of Uganda and position the country on the international stage as one of the very few countries in the world that mine rare earth elements. Currently, the production of rare earth elements is dominated by China; so we would only be second to China. The exploration and development of the project requires land access and support from the community and the different leaders. The land acquisition laws of Uganda ensure that adequate and fair compensation will be paid judiciously to the land owners that would be affected. Compensation, land access and resettlement for Project Affected Person (PAPs) The ministry will ensure that where PAPs properties, including land and infrastructure are affected, the PAPs will be duly compensated or resettled before the company can utilise the land. There will be no evictions carried out by the company. The ministry is aware that the development of the Makuutu project will create lots of benefits to the community and the country both through direct and indirect benefits that come with such projects. The development of the project will also cause temporary and permanent resettlement impacts in the project area. Rare earth mineral is currently developing a resettlement action