Kaabong District

Mr Speaker, we received seven written questions from members and we have responded to them in writing. Hon. Benson Lugwar, Member of Parliament for Agago North County, raised a matter concerning the escalating human-wildlife conflict that is directly undermining our food security and economic empowerment in his constituency. His prayer was whether the Government could provide an update on the matter. Mr Speaker, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has established satellite ranger outposts. Tikawo outpost is already deployed in Agago North, and 1,300 rangers are undergoing training to improve response. The electric fencing programme is ongoing, and sensitisation is also underway because some stakeholders fear land grabbing, so we have to sensitise our people. The Government is promoting block farming, and we have recruited community wildlife scouts as volunteers where the Uganda Wildlife Authority has no presence. The three million five hundred US dollar Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project will start this Financial Year, 2026/2027. This will cover Agago, Abim, Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido, Kitgum and Lamwo to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The second question came from Hon. Osoru Mourine, Woman Member of Parliament for Arua City. She raised the matter concerning the segregative vehicle transit permits through the Bugungu Gate at Murchison Falls National Game Park, which risks potential loss of revenue to the national economy. Her prayer is for the Government to give an update on the matter. Mr Speaker, the road through Bugungu Gate is not a public road. Its use is subject to park regulations, and all vehicles must pay the UWA tariff fees. Exemptions are only to vehicles with the sick, referrals, UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prison Service on official operations with evidence. Mr Speaker, the third question came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, the Member of Parliament for Ngora County. She said that during the last cropping season, there was a severe attack on groundnuts by groundnut rosette, affecting over 75 per cent of the households in Ngora. Her prayers were that:

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have a matter of national importance concerning Kaabong District Local Government. Kaabong District Local Government advertised jobs on 11 December 2025. On 6 May 2026, they brought a list of candidates for the various positions and they were interviewed from 13 th to 26 th of May 2026. On 16 th June, a list of successful candidates was released. However, on 18 th June, the district speaker convened a district council meeting where the resolution of the council denied the listed candidates, who were successful, the job appointments. This targeted candidates who were from outside Kaabong. Some of these successful candidates were from Kapchorwa District -

Mr Speaker, you realise that this was done by the district service commission of Kaabong and the law is very clear that all Ugandans are free to work in any part of the country. Therefore, the Public Service Commission is hereby directed to go to Kaabong District and find out what truly happened.

I would like to make us a bit more uncomfortable by drawing a few more figures. It has been three months since rainfall last came to Karamoja in what is supposed to be a wet season. 1.15 million acres of crops have been decimated; 21 days of food 20 days ago was had in Kaabong; 40.5 per cent gam rates in Napumpum in Kotido; 20 people have so far died in Rengen Subcounty in Kotido and the Government has acknowledged 16; six months until the next rains in February; eight weeks for the window remaining to distribute seedlings to those communities that might have a second season in the September to December window.

Mr Speaker, the Government moved ahead of this motion and already, something is being done. We already supported the people of Kaabong, Kotido and some parts of Moroto, especially areas that are famine-stricken. My office -

Uganda’s population was about 21.2 million. The government introduced the district quota system in 2004, and by then the number of slots had increased to 4,000. But remember, again, the population at that time had grown to about 27.1 million people. Today in 2026, the slots have remained stagnant at 4,000 while the population of Uganda is hitting 50 million plus. The number of students who sit yearly - for example, last year alone, the number of students who sat A’ level was 165,172 compared to only 59,329 in 2004. The difference is over 100,000 since it was introduced in 2004. Mr Speaker, don’t you think that there is a need to consider the population growth and increase the slots for government sponsorship from the current 4,000? Secondly, as I conclude, Mr Speaker, all the records indicate that the majority of the students who qualify for this admission are mainly drawn from schools that are said to be performing much better, and most of these are congested in the urban centres, as I had indicated. As such, schools from Kaabong, Koboko, Madi-Okollo, Kisoro and elsewhere have to struggle and you can imagine the schools that are concentrated in the urban centres. I will not mention districts and cities. You may find one school alone producing 80 or 100 students admitted on government sponsorship while there are regions in this country that cannot even produce 50 students. The very bad impression is that children from poor families are not able to access this education and it appears as if we are trying to reward the rich and segregate those from poor families. My prayer is that this is supported for the good of this country and for the good of the future of our children. Thank you very much.

321 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY,14 JULY 2026 with a number of people in the cattle corridor, transforming not only the cattle corridor, but the rest of the country today. He gave an example of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Uganda of US$ 3.6 billion in 1986. Today, we are at US$ 69 billion, going to US$ 500 billion. He gave the example of life expectancy rising from 43 years to now 68 years and infant mortality reducing from 122 to 36. He mentioned that poverty had reduced from 56 per cent to almost 16 per cent. Honourable colleagues, in terms of tracing the history of NRM and the work of President Museveni, we must applaud him for the dedication to this country – (Applause) - bringing us from a state of hopelessness to hopefulness. However, the historical mission of NRM in Karamoja is not yet done. As we talk, the vulnerabilities to weather are still persistent. We appeal to this House and country that Karamoja is now in a state of dire need of food. More than 900,000 people are affected. People are starting to die in Kotido, Kaabong and some parts of Moroto because of bad weather, which is actually affecting the whole country. In Karamoja, without a cow - and most people lost animals to insecurity. There is a dire need to refocus the mission of NRM in Karamoja to equalise this country. We were talking about education and equity here, but there is still more to be done in Karamoja. In terms of monetary poverty, Karamoja stands at 74 per cent. In terms of multidimensional poverty, Karamoja stands at 56 per cent. We are the best in all bad indicators - infant mortality, life expectancy; all of these. We need to focus and find a better strategy to address the challenges that face that part of the country. Karamoja constitutes 10 per cent of this country, and it is now starting to deliver to the rest of the country in terms of minerals. We already have four new cement factories helping us. We have now got a clinker factory, so we do not have to import. We have marble; we are getting materials for tiles. Therefore, let us support Karamoja so that it can support this country. (Applause) My appeal to the Government and to this country is, let us re-focus on the historical mission of NRM under – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My name is Peter Pex Paak. I am a Member of Parliament for Dodoth East Constituency in Kaabong District. I stand to support the Motion to borrow this money. I request the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to remind themselves that Karamoja is the driest place in this country, yet there is no single district on that list from Karamoja. As we speak, the whole place is dry, and the crops are drying. I thought that is the area that requires irrigation more than the others.

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

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

2 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 6. Abeja Susan Jolly District Woman Representative Otuke NRM 7. Abigaba Cuthbert Mirembe Kibale County Kamwenge NRM 8. Acamfua Topista District Woman Representative Zombo Independent 9. Acan Joyce Okeny PWD Representative N/A NRM 10. Achayo Juliet Lodou Ngora County Ngora NRM 11. Achia Lokiru Gabriel Jie County Kotido NRM 12. Achola Catherine District Woman Representative Pallisa NRM 13. Aber Lillian District Woman Representative Kitgum NRM 14. Acom Alobo Joan City Woman Representative Soroti FDC 15. Aayoo Joyce Makamoe District Woman Representative Abim Independent 16. Acon Julius Bua Otuke East County Otuke NRM 17. Adeke Anna Ebaju District Woman Representative Soroti FDC 18. Adidwa Abdu Bukooli South County Namayingo Independent 19. Agaba Gilbert Workers Representative N/A Independent 20. Agaba Peter Ibanda Municipality Ibanda NRM 21. Ahebwa Wilber Manyisa Nakaseke North County Nakaseke NRM 22. Akello Beatrice Akori District Woman Representative Agago NRM 23. Aine Godfrey Kaguta Mawogola North County Ssembabule NRM 24. Akello Lucy District Woman Representative Amuru FDC 25. Akello Rose Lilly District Woman Representative Karenga NRM 26. Akol Anthony Kilak North County Amuru NRM 27. Akorikin Francis Kapelebyong County Kapelebyon NRM 28. Aguti Sarah District Woman Representative Dokolo UPC 29. Akugizibwe Aled Ronald Buruli County Masindi NRM 30. Akumu Catherine Mavenjina Older Persons Representative Northern NRM 31. Alenyo Marshall Godfrey Jonam County Pakwach Independent 32. Alioni Yorke Odria Aringa South County Yumbe NRM 33. Among Anita Annet District Woman Representative Bukedea NRM 34. Magogo Moses Hassim Budiope East County Buyende NRM 35. Opolot Isiagi Patrick Kachumbala County Bukedea NRM 36. Okwere David Beecham Bukedea County Bukedea NRM 37. Namulondo Sarah District Woman Representative Buyende NRM 38. Pedun Josephine District Woman Representative Ngora NRM 39. Aeku Patrick Soroti County Soroti NRM 40. Alyela Denis Omodi Lira East Division Lira City NRM 41. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano District Woman Representative Kisoro NRM 42. Akugizibwe Lawrence Mwenge County North Kyenjojo NRM 43. Amanya Cohen Kyampene Igara County West Bushenyi NRM 44. Achia Cathy District Woman Representative Kaabong NRM 45. Acom Esther District Woman Representative Serere Independent 46. Amaniyo Draville Sheilah District Woman Representative Mukono NUP 47. Aceng Jane Ruth District Woman Representative Lira City NRM 48. Ajilo Maria Gorretti Elogu District Woman Representative Kalaki NRM 49. Adome Francis Lorika Moroto Municipality Moroto NRM 50. Ameede Agnes District Woman Representative Butebo NRM 51. Amongin Jane Frances Okili District Woman Representative Kaberamaido NRM 52. Angura Fredrick Tororo South County Tororo NRM 53. Angwech Colline Kioga County Amolatar UPC 54. Anifa Bangirana Mawogola West County Ssembabule NRM 55. Anyakun Esther Davinia District Woman Representative Nakapiripirit NRM 56. Acheng Sandra District Woman Representative Kole NRM

Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Wilson, Hon. Baka, Hon. Musasizi, Hon. Aisha Sekindi, Member for Buhweju West, Hon. Kania, Hon. Acora, Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho, Hon. Eric Musana, Member from Nwoya, Hon. Ezama, Member for Gomba West, Hon. Moses Aleper, Hon. Tom Bright, Member from Kaabong,

Yes, courtesy of the Speaker. My station manager in Moroto has already sent a framework contractor to handle the Kotido-Kaabong section. The Kotido station will handle the section between Kotido and Moroto, and my station in Moroto, on the first account, will handle the section between Moroto and Lopei. Therefore, these stations are active. The station in Soroti under Olupot has been handling the work between Soroti, Katakwi, and other areas. If your station has not yet been active -

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

Yes, Madam Speaker. Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road is a big challenge and as it slopes down in Kalongo, the terrain is very challenging and I know the district cannot manage. We shall ensure that Kitgum station addresses the issue of the Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road. On the Pajule-Pader-Patongo Road, under the project we are doing now; Rwekunye- Apac-Lira-Puranga Road on the section of the Puranga-Acholibur Road, we are going to have a loop to Pader District through Pajule. So that will address the Pajule issue and some tarmac into Pader. Madam Speaker, Pader is just like Kalungu. There is no tarmac in Pader. Tarmac goes like this - but we will get there. Obongi Ferry is not in a very good state. We need to have a full rehabilitation of the ferry. Hopefully, when we start the construction of the Laropi Bridge, we shall relieve that more serviceable ferry and bring it downwards. The Koch Goma Bridge is under the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) in the Prime Minister’s Office so I cannot respond on that. Lira-Otuke-Abim-Kotido Road is the road in the National Development Plan (NDP) IV. We will see whether we go through Achanpi or we first go to Kotido to Abim through Lira. Otherwise, we may eventually go to Achanpi and down to Soroti. Madam Speaker, Kotido-Moroto-Kaabong Road is a tourism project. Already, the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the contractor who did the Entebbe Expressway, is in discussions with the finance ministry to pre-finance the project all the way from Moroto, Kotido-Kaabong-Karenga and up to Kidepo. Regarding the challenges of the station in Moyo, Madam Speaker, I do not think they have a lot of challenges. The challenge has been the delay to enable them to work, but that one we are resolving. The station managers who are out there are very industrious. They want to work. Once we solve this issue of them being allowed to operate their accounts, I think you will see a difference. Regarding the Karugutu-Ntoroko Road, there is already a contractor; Afcons, who is supposed to do that road. It has taken a while because, I think, again, of funding mechanisms. However, this is an oil road. It is package four of the oil road. It is going to be done soon because we are doing Lusalira-Nkonge now to Lumegere to Sembabule. So when we do that, Afcons will also come and do Karugutu-Ntoroko. Therefore, the maintenance of Fort Portal- Bundibugyo is critical because that is the only route which the people of Bundibugyo have. We have also China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) on that route to do a framework contract for maintenance up to Lamia. What are the adaptive engineering technologies which we are adopting to ensure that our roads survive the vagaries of nature? These are things which we do most of the time. All our projects, 90 per cent of them, must have the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) done and through that, we ensure

Thank you, Madam Speaker. For record purposes, Komol Joseph Miidi is my name. I rise on a matter of food shortage in Kaabong District. In my constituency, a lot of land was not opened, and no harvest has been realised. As a result, for the one month I have been in the constituency, I have made a lot of contributions to burials, and over 10 people have died. By yesterday, three people had died in three sub- counties. Madam Speaker, people do not have an alternative; it would have been selling a goat or a cow to buy food that comes from Mbale. However, some families cannot afford. As a result, these are the families that have been affected. A kilogram of maize - traders from Mbale come with lorries of food. A can of maize that contains three kilograms is sold at Shs 7,000, and people line up, if you came to my constituency; the way I saw it, people line up, and those who do not have are the ones who have been victims of death. My question to the Prime Minister is, what is going to happen in such a situation since people are nearly dying every day? Thank you.

There is a disaster in Kaabong.

Madam Speaker, through the Ministry for Karamoja Affairs, and the minister is here - Kaabong is in Karamoja. We usually support them with food. Let me ask him, very early in the morning tomorrow, to go to the ministry concerned, and then we will see how to start supplying food to Kaabong.

Thank you. It may not be Kaabong alone. Honourable Minister for Karamoja Affairs, if you can look at all the other districts, please do.

…59,901 persons with disabilities. Madam Speaker, I have provided an additional Shs 404.9 billion for social protection next Financial Year 2025/2026. Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection To improve the quality of life, the Government continues to invest in the provision of safe water, improve sanitation, and ensure protection of the environment. These include the following: (i) Villages in Uganda with at least one safe water source have remarkably increased to eight out of every 10 villages. Nationwide, 57,951 villages out of 71,225 have been served with a safe water source. (ii) Completed construction of 259 medium and large solar-powered water supply and sanitation systems and gravity flow schemes across the country. (iii) The construction of 42 large solar-powered water supply systems is ongoing in Agago, Yumbe, Amudat, Kaabong, Kasese, Kakumiro, Sembabule, Kisoro, Rubanda, Bulambuli, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Buyende, Nakaseke, Namayingo, Rakai and Buvuma. (iv) With regard to clean water, the construction of piped town water supply systems is ongoing in 32 towns. These include: Namasale, Kakingol, Kamuli, Ngoma Town, Lunya, Karogo Phase II, Ishaka (mobilisation), Nyakashaka, Bukumi, Kanapa, and Odongai. Construction is also ongoing in Palabek-Kal, Rhino Camp, Arra-Dufile, Lubeli Refugee Settlement, Bolori, Nyanseke, Busaale, Kibuzi, and expansion in two towns of Kiboga and Zigoti. Other beneficiary towns are: Lamwo, Lacekocot, Iri-Iri, Lorengecora, Manafwa, Butaleja-Busolwe, Tirinyi-Kibuku-Kadama- Budaka, Kaliro-Namungalwe, Rukungiri and Obongi. (v) The construction of various water supply systems in 26 districts is at varying levels of physical progress. These include: Manafwa Town Council and the installation of solar packages that is ongoing in Losilang, Kasawo (Phase I), Kabura-Mwizi (Phase I), Bukumi, Bulangira and Kyebando-Kasimbi, and Busaale Town. Also, the Government is starting the development of new piped water supply systems in Rubanda, Kabale, Alebtong, Nakasongola, and Kamuli districts, among others. Madam Speaker, I have provided an additional Shs 366.1 billion next financial year for water resource management, climate change mitigation, natural resources and environment. The priority interventions include: the construction of water supply infrastructure to increase service in the underserved communities in rural, urban and refugee settlements; increasing rehabilitation and expansion of existing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure; and increasing forest and wetland cover. Overall, I have allocated a total of Shs 11.44 trillion in the next financial year towards investing in the people of Uganda through health, education, social protection, and water and sanitation.

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

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to join colleagues in thanking the committee. At least I am grateful that the upgrading of Karenga- Kapedo-Kaabong Road, 68 kilometres, is in the report. However, I have two roads - Kaabong to Kalapata, Usake to New Cush. This is southern Sudan. It is just 104 kilometres only, committee chairperson. I see the minister looking at me. The second road is Kalapata to Kanyun to Oropoi, Kenya. This one is 48 kilometres. The first one was given to Zimwe Construction, but since that contractor died, the road has been left alone. It was given by the ministry –

More than 10 years ago, Mr Speaker. It has been abandoned. Honourable minister, it needs to be worked on. Then the one that goes to Oropoi is just a few kilometres, 48km away. A month ago, you would have received “RIP Tubo Christine” messages from the people of Kaabong. You have been seeing me limping. I almost died on that road. I want to appeal that it appears, and if it does not appear now, let it appear in the budget for the next financial year. Finally, we have some counties that were created in 2018. Six of those in Kaabong do not benefit from the road fund. What is going to happen to them? Thank you.

16855 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 1. The Government should provide Shs 21 billion for urban local governments that missed out on road funds. 2. The Government should provide road equipment for each of the 10 cities and 31 municipalities, while town councils should be given tractors for garbage collection. 3. Shs 1 billion be provided to fast-track physical development planning in urban local governments. Markets and Agriculture Trade Improvements Programme (MATIP III). In the interest of time, permit me to take you through the recommendations. The committee recommends that the Government fast-tracks consideration of approval for MATIP III projects and the Ministry of Local Government follows up the said approval to enable commencement of construction of the proposed modern markets. Mr Speaker, in the previous report, we had indicated the markets to be constructed under MATIP III. Counterpart funding The committee recommends that the Government should provide Shs 8.8 billion as counterpart funding in fulfilment of its obligation. Arrears and financial obligation The committee recommends that the ministry of finance should provide Shs 18.189 billion to settle the above mentioned areas. Functionality of district and city service commission The committee recommends that the Ministry of Local Government, in consultation with the Ministry of Public Service and ministry of finance, should urgently determine the salaries, allowances and emoluments for the members of the district and city service commissions, ensuring that they are fair and commensurate with the current rates. Mr Speaker, on page 50, we have the National Oil Seed Project (NOSP) Roads The committee recommends that the Ministry of Local Government should realign and reinstate Karenga District in the intervention areas for the National Oil Seed Project. This is because at the time Karenga was created, it was considered part of Kaabong District. Cross-cutting issues The committee recommends, on page 51, that the Government fulfils its commitment to availing counterpart funding of Shs 1.55 billion for the local project. Vote 147: Local Government Finance Commission I request that Members read through, since they have the details. Mr Speaker, permit me to take you through the recommendations on page 53. The committee recommends that the remuneration for the chairperson and vice- chairperson of the Local Government Finance Commission be harmonised with the remuneration of members of similar constitutionally-established commissions. Mr Speaker, we have put this because the chairperson and the deputy are the least facilitated, compared to other entities and we think this is unfair. Inadequate wage allocation The committee recommends that the Local Government Finance Commission should recruit, using the funds available in the budget. Inadequate funding for operational activities The committee recommends that an additional Shs 3 billion be provided to the Local Government Finance Commission for operational activities.

Is it seconded? It is seconded by; Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Lokeris, Hon. Huda, Hon. Gabriel Okumu, Hon. Okwalinga, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Esther, Hon. Ibanda, Col Nekesa, Hon. Mutembuli, MP for Aruu, Hon. Emmanuel, Hon. Songa, Hon. Lillian, Hon. Orone, Hon. Max, Hon. Noah, Hon. Annette, Hon. Margaret, Hon. John Faith Magolo, Hon. James Mamawi, Hon. Faith again, Hon. Wilson, MP for Ibanda, MP for Kaabong, Hon. David, Hon. Goli and the MP for Abim. Would you like to speak to your motion? Honourable members, on that day, the guarantee did not have any problem. We are guaranteeing the UDB to have that money, and they will be paying it themselves.

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and I thank the committee for a very good report. When the committee came to Abim, I was on the ground and it saw the mood of the people. In that meeting, the committee was informed that five subcounties in Abim are affected by wildlife, especially elephants. Regarding the two persons whose names were read by the chairperson, one was killed by a buffalo and the other was killed by an elephant, and this was a very young person. The honourable colleague is saying we need to weed out the old ones, but I would like to inform this House that even those old ones are very dangerous. Just yesterday, we lost two people, the bazungu , while they were doing spot hunting in Kidepo National Park. Therefore, I have sent an appeal to the minister. There was a presidential directive to fence off Kidepo National Park. Abim, for example, does not border any park. The seven affected subcounties do not border any park or wildlife reserve. However, you can imagine elephants walking from Karenga, passing through Kaabong, coming to Kotido and being residents of Abim. (Laughter) It is very unfortunate. Mr Speaker, from the time the committee left Abim, nothing has changed. The affected families do not have food; they have not been supported. I appeal to the Government to support their supporters who are going to vote tomorrow. I would also like the minister to ensure the presidential – (Member timed out)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank you for prioritising Karamoja at this time. I have received messages saying that compensation issues are being discussed, but we are not seeing any of you talking about compensation in Karamoja. This has forced me to stand constantly. I thank you for picking me. Mr Speaker, in the whole of Karamoja and allow me to be specific to Kaabong District. We suffered a lot amongst the other districts. It had 2,000 heads of cattle before disarmament and 180,000 cows by around 2010. At the moment, Mr Speaker, Kaabong District has less than 15,000 cows. In 2022, all were raided, and Kaabong District had only 5,000 cows. I want to thank the Government for the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme. With the PDM programme, Mr Speaker, the people of Kaabong have bought cows, and they have realised up to 15,000 cows. Honourable members, look at 180,000 cows, look at 200,000 cows, and now someone has remained with only 5,000 cows but because of PDM, Kaabong has raised up to 15,000 cows. It has been a contentious issue during the festive season; everywhere in Kaabong District, where we met people, no Member of Parliament will come back, if the animals are not compensated. What happened? Parliament needs to understand that we are not compensating Karamoja because of cattle rustling. Karamoja needs to be compensated because the Government that removed the gun from Karamoja did not protect the cows of Karamoja. Hon. Faith and my colleague have already mentioned that, as a strategy to remove the gun, the people were conditioned to bring all their cows to protected kraals. In turn, the UPDF was supposed to protect the cows, but the raiders came and overran all those kraals and took the cows, leaving the people without any cows. In Karamoja, actually, when you talk about hunger, you talk about food production. These are the two reasons why people cannot produce a lot of food; 1. It is because they do not have traditional oxen for ploughing. 2. They cannot afford to buy tractors because they do not have cows. One person said, “If you have to help Karamoja, give them tractors, and they will produce food.” If you have to help Karamoja, give them relief food. This has been shameful. When we come to Parliament and talk about relief food, it means we are not sensitising the people to produce food for themselves. My prayer is that - it is unfair for the Attorney- General to talk about Lango, Acholi, and Teso. We pray for Karamoja to be brought on board. Thank you very much.

14324 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS ON THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE DISTRICTS OF MOROTO, KAABONG AND ABIM

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Before I report to the House, I would like to lay the reports of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on the security situation in the districts of Moroto, Kaabong, and Abim. I beg to lay. Together we have attached the minutes and attendance list. Thank you. We have two main bodies of this report. We have the executive summary and the main report. Therefore, I beg your indulgence on whether to proceed with the executive summary or present the full report.

Thank you. Mr Speaker, Karamoja sub-region of Uganda, home to the Karamojong people, is deeply interconnected with neighbouring communities in Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan. Despite primarily practicing pastoralism, the region faces significant challenges, including armed violence, stemming from internal conflicts and clashes with neighbouring groups. In response to the pressing issue of cattle wrestling and armed conflict, the President of Uganda issued an Executive Order No.3 of 2023. Although the involvement of the UPDF has led to some improvements in the security landscape by launching operations to counter armed raids and recover stolen livestock, persistent armed conflicts, raiding cultural practices and the proliferation of firearms from neighbouring regions continue to fuel insecurity. The unresolved border dispute between Uganda and South Sudan poses a significant threat to security and has the potential to strain their relationship further. Moreover, the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s unresponsiveness may precipitate demands for compensation from affected communities due to incidents involving stray wild animals. The committee’s findings underscore the need to resolve territorial conflicts with Sudan. Security infrastructure needs enhancement including installing a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) brigade in Kaabong, opening more security roads, and ensuring that pastoral communities can access water sources. It is also important to implement a compulsory boarding education programme for Karamoja to provide valuable education and transformation for the mindset of an entire generation, ultimately establishing stability and peace in the region. Mr Speaker, I request you allow me to touch on a few recommendations. I am not going to discuss the background. Maybe I can go to the objectives and methodology. Terms of reference Term of Reference (TOR) 1: To establish the current security situation in the Karamoja subregion and appraise the ongoing military operations in selected districts against armed cattle conflict. We came up with the recommendations that; i. The Government should develop and implement a free and mandatory boarding education programme for Karamoja. This initiative will provide crucial education for the children and reshape an entire

14325 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024 generation’s mind-set while effectively reducing the cultural sentiment of “warriorism”. ii. The Uganda Police Force should increase its presence in this region to effectively maintain law and order within Uganda’s territorial borders as mandated by law. Uganda Police Force should be provided with mobility facilities such as pick-ups and motorcycles in the subcounties of the Karamoja region. iii. The Government should expedite the joint border demarcation with South Sudan to protect Uganda’s territorial integrity and mitigate security threats from South Sudan’s armed forces. The demarcation should follow existing treaties, orders, colonial maps and coordinates to minimise conflict. iv. Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Uganda Police Force should intensify patrols along the porous borders to safeguard the border and surrounding communities and increase border security. v. Uganda Wildlife Authority should intervene to contain poaching activities and address the issue of stray wild animals to Kidepo National Park to protect the lives and property of the surrounding communities. TOR 2: To establish the causes and effects of the recurring cattle wrestling and related crimes. The committee recommends that; i. The Government should persist in supporting peace dialogues meetings and involving the Karachuna in the skilling programmes that extend beyond Moroto. This will provide alternative sources of livelihood since most of the land in Karamoja is reserved and under the control of Uganda Wildlife Authority as part of the national park. The Government should consider freeing up some arable land for the youth to engage in commercial agriculture. It should also provide machinery for those who are already skilled. ii. The Government should allocate funds for the desilting of the Morungole and Longoromit dams as they are crucial water reservoirs in the Karamoja region. Having sufficient water sources helps to minimise conflicts that could escalate into armed conflicts among pastoralists. iii. The Government should install more freshwater points required by the security forces in the strategic areas in the Karamoja region. This will facilitate the effective deployment of security forces and rapid responses in all security threat areas. TOR 3: To establish the actors that are still armed and continue to engage in armed conflicts. The committee recommends that; i. The UPDF should establish a brigade in Kaabong due to its strategic location within the porous borders of South Sudan and Kenya to curb the proliferation of illegal arms through this area. ii. The Government should increase the quota allocation for Karamoja in the UPDF recruitments to integrate more Karamojong people into the army. The Karamojong are natural warriors, and assimilating their natural abilities into the army, where they can best contribute, would reduce redundancy and potentially discourage cattle raiding and armed conflicts in Karamoja. iii. The youth who were innocently arrested and detained by the UPDF should be screened and released back into the community after reconciliation and dialogues between the UPDF and the affected families. iv. The Government should provide tractors to organised groups in Acholi, Lango and Karamoja subregions to cultivate vast lands for commercial agriculture, creating alternative livelihoods for the youth.

14326 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT TOR 4: To appraise the level of collaboration with the counterpart forces in Kenya in dealing with the disarmament and inter-communal cross-border violence associated with cultural rustling. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, the committee assessed the security situation in Karamoja to abreast Parliament. The committee found that the UPDF’s reinforced deployment has improved border security and reduced conflicts. However, unauthorised entry through porous borders still facilitate arms proliferation. The Government needs to enhance security by installing a UPDF brigade in Kaabong, opening more security roads, and ensuring that pastoral communities can access water sources during droughts. It is also essential to implement a compulsory boarding education programme for Karamoja to provide full, valuable education and transform the mindset of an entire generation, ultimately establishing stability and peace in the region. Mr Speaker, I beg to report.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I want to thank the committee for the job well done. This is the first time I am really appreciating a report from the committee. It has a touched all it takes to sustain and maintain peace in Karamoja region. The only issue is implementation of all these recommendations. All the recommendations are so beautiful, so nice and they can take Karamoja to the next level. However, when it comes to allocation of resources to implement these recommendations, look at establishing a brigade in Kaabong. It is so critical because that is the outlet where the least harms come into the country. When the people in the country are quiet, they use it for disrupting the peace. The other critical one is collaborating with the Kenyan and the Sudan counterparts in ensuring that there is total cross-border relationship. That one requires the Ministry for East African Community Affairs to work with the relevant ministry here in Uganda. Otherwise, without that, we may not proceed well. Without much to say, I only pray that these recommendations are implemented. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. For record purposes, I am Komol Joseph Miidi, Member of Parliament, Dodoth North, Kaabong District. I am not from Kwania.

Thank you very much. Mr Speaker, allow me to also thank the committee for having recommended a lot about Karamoja, and particularly in the districts of Kaabong, Abim, and Moroto. I come from Kaabong. The committee has done a lot on prevention but one fact has not come out. As a result of cattle rustling, the people of Karamoja and particularly in Kaabong, lost nearly all their animals. What is biting in the region, particularly Kaabong where I come from, is rural poverty. A family has failed to open land. Opening land is normally by use of oxen and because people have lost all their animals, no food can be produced because they have to use local tools. Mr Speaker, what has not come out here is the question of compensation. I do not know if I have ever heard about it. In Kaabong District, we had up to a tune of 180,000 cows by 2014 but by January, we had less than 7,000 cows. All had been raided to Kenya and to the neighbouring districts. The other factor is the question of giving tractors; this needs to be expedited. Mr Speaker, what could have solved the whole problem is, since I came to Parliament, we have been asking for the establishment of a deployment brigade in Kaabong. If that had been done, no animal would have gone. Kaabong District has porous borders; it is bordered by Kenya and South Sudan. With the deployment of the UPDF, the issue of guns can be contained. I want to mention two incidents that have been very painful in the past two weeks. On 27 th August 2024, at around 10.00 p.m. in Narube Primary School, armed thugs broke into the primary school and got the teacher on duty, moreover, a head teacher pulled him out of the house and shot him dead. His wife is in hospital. Before that happened, two months ago, along the Kamion-Nawontos-Kenya border, a boda boda rider who had been operating in Kakuma and then Kaabong was also intercepted. They took millions of his money and then slaughtered him. They hid his body far away from the road and he was recovered seven days later. This has not been a good thing for the isolated armed warriors. We feel that if a brigade is expedited - it has been recommended, all right, but if it is expedited, then the rest of the people can be saved. I rest my case. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Kwania borders Karamoja. It is not far because we are in the Lango Subregion. The insecurity in Karamoja has been long overdue and yet they have a whole brigade of UPDF stationed in Kaabong and in some other districts. We have to find out why it is that the insecurity in Karamoja cannot end. What could be the problem? Who is causing all these problems? These are some of the questions that we have to answer as Members of Parliament who come from Northern Uganda, because whenever there is a problem or whenever there is insecurity in Karamoja, the entire Northern Uganda is affected in terms of production, in terms of farming and all those other things. I would suggest, if possible, that we have the brigade that is stationed in Kaabong. Why don’t we put UPDF brigades in most of the districts in Karamoja so that we attain the peace that all other Ugandans are yearning for? Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will talk about, one, the killing of the LC III chairman. That one is a matter of investigation. I think it could be politically motivated or any other reason, but it is very unfortunate. Surely, Kotido has lost quite a number of LC III leaders to some criminals. On the brigade for Kaabong, I do not know whether you people know what a brigade is. You do not know. What I can assure you is that we will make - I will talk to the Division Commander because Karamoja was reinforced. Karamoja is one of our reinforced divisions and the President gave quite enough manpower. The only problem may be how that manpower is being used. I want to assure the people of Kaabong that we shall make sure that they have adequate security because Kaabong has very few raiders. Kaabong is not a raiding community, they need to be protected very well and we shall make sure Kaabong has adequate security. ( Interjections)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We shall make sure that Kaabong has adequate security to deal with the insecurity coming from other districts. On security roads, this one is being implemented, though the progress is very slow. However, I am very sure that very soon, we shall have adequate security roads to handle mobility in that area. Without security roads, we cannot deal with some of these criminals urgently but there is progress along that line. The other thing is on recruitment, where you talked about the issue of the standard of education. That one is a policy matter and I cannot commit myself to it. The honourable minister will bring his report on what he can do about it. This is what we decided; that a private soldier should have completed Senior Four and that is it. The other thing, Mr Speaker, is that this is an internal security matter, which is purely a police matter. The police are supposed to deploy 10 policemen per subcounty but that has not been implemented. I hope that with the recruitment they are carrying out, they will be able to deploy 10 police officers per subcounty. When that is done, I think they will be able to help us in curbing cattle theft within and outside Karamoja. Mr Speaker, the challenge in Karamoja is a very big one that the UPDF alone cannot manage. What we need to deal with first is education; where the committee has proposed compulsory boarding education, because we need a new generation in Karamoja, which does not understand these issues of raids. Otherwise, without doing that, we shall continue with that problem. The other thing is about water for animals, water for agriculture, and water for people. These are the two things that we need to deal with in Karamoja. That is a Government issue and I think they are working on it and it will be handled. There is always money for water. I see there is money but the problem is that it is being eaten by some people. That is where the problem is. The Government has been sending quite a lot of money to that region to handle issues of water. I think that is all. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, General. I now put the question that the report of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on the security situation in the districts of Moroto, Kaabong, and Abim be adopted. (Question put and agreed to.)

Mr Speaker, I stand here to present a motion for a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to formulate a policy on free compulsory boarding school education for the Karamoja Subregion. I am moving this motion under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS the Karamoja Subregion is located in the North Eastern part of Northern Uganda, covering about 27,000 square kilometres and characterised by a semi-arid climate, with erratic rainfall and a population of about 1,400,000 people out of the national population of about 46,000,000 people as per the 2024 National Census; AND WHEREAS the Karamoja Subregion has traditionally experienced low literacy levels with 66 per cent of the population not having any form of formal education largely attributable to the high school dropout rate caused by the inability to afford scholastic materials, lack of school feeding programme, long walking distances, cultural chores like livestock farming, digging, and historical injustices against the Karamoja Subregion; NOTING that the high school dropout rates at primary level has resulted into a minimal secondary school gross enrolment rate which stands at only 19 per cent and the lowest adult literacy rates of 25 per cent as per the 2019/2020 compared to the 73 per cent national enrolment rate. For instance, if you compare Karamoja to the rest of Uganda, the general enrolment rate for Kampala is 92 per cent, 83 per cent for Buganda South and 79 per cent for Ankole, but Karamoja Subregion stands at the bottom of the table; FURTHER NOTING that many of the male school dropouts end up being recruited into “warriorhood”, cattle rustling and armed violence while the female school dropouts end up in early marriages and/or as child mothers which has contributed to Karamoja having high indicators of maternal mortality, child mortality and under five mortality rates; CONCERNED that Karamoja’s struggle with cyclic insecurity is attributed to its low rates of education and household poverty. Many children of school going age (3-18 years) are integrated into the livestock herding economy, taking care of livestock and experiencing the vagaries of conflict, and ultimately taking roles in either defending their livestock or participating in revenge expeditions and most often becoming the victims and perpetrators of conflict; FURTHER CONCERNED that the human and economic costs of dealing with insecurity in Karamoja far outstrip the costs to the national economy of implementing high quality education. In the decade until 2010, Karamoja lost about 80 per cent of its herd to insecurity. When insecurity returned in 2019, as mentioned by Hon. Nakut yesterday, a district like Kaabong lost nearly all its herd. Therefore, investment into education is a direct investment in national economic growth, in stabilising the region and security and also cuts off the young generations from participating in criminal activities; AWARE that with Government interventions, through the UPE and USE as well as the free compulsory boarding school programme in some schools in Karamoja Subregion, the literacy rate for the boy-child has risen by seven per cent between 2016 and 2020 but that of the girl-child has only risen by 1.3 per cent and out of this total primary school enrolment of both boys and girls, only 12 per cent of the girls make it to secondary schools;

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I had requested permission to lay on the Table a copy of the minutes of the committee and a copy of the report. I beg to lay, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, this report is rather bulky, and in the interest of time, I request that you permit me to take the House through an executive summary that I have prepared. As I said, this report looks at the functionality of the district service commission and city service commission and also on personnel management in selected local governments across northern, eastern, and western regions. Mr Speaker, we already know the mandates of our committee, and in line with these mandates, the committee conducted an oversight visit to selected cities and districts of northern Uganda such as Arua, Maracha, Terego, Yumbe, Zombo, and Moyo in West Nile; Gulu District, Gulu City, Nwoya, Kitgum, and Pader in Acholi; Moroto Municipality, Moroto District, Amudat, Nabilatuk, Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido Municipality, and Kotido District in Karamoja; Lira City, Lira District, Amolatar District Local Government, Kole, and Otuke in Lango, to assess the functionality of the District and City Service Commission and to analyse the personnel management issues within local governments. Mr Speaker, the committee has made a comprehensive report with a detailed version of its findings, observations and recommendations, giving examples and scenarios from local government to bring out the issues affecting the functionality of these commissions and the staff. Without prejudice to the comprehensive report, this Executive Summary highlights the key issues as follows: Committee findings, observations, and recommendations. On the functionality of District Service Commission, Mr Speaker, 1. We looked at gaps in the commissions. The committee found out that 98.6 per cent of the District and City Service Commissions were functional by end of the Financial Year 2022/2023, and most commissions were fully constituted. However, there are some districts that are non-functional with insufficient number of commissions. For example, Amudat District had only one District Service Commission member, which severely affected the recruitment processes, leading to delays and increasing the risk of corruption. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Local Government, together with the Public Service Commission, should ensure that all commissions are fully constituted for efficient service delivery in local governments. 2. Delays in Public Service Commission approval processes The report highlights delays by the Public Service Commission in approving Service Commission nominees, often without providing reasons for rejection. This lack of transparency and delayed approvals impede the recruitment process and affect service delivery. In Moyo, delays in submitting approved names to the Service Commission were noted, attributed to negligence. The committee also noted poor grievance handling by the Public Service Commission, which has been slow in responding to appeals, leading to prolonged disputes and inefficiencies. The committee therefore recommends the following;

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, we are resuming. Next item. MOTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS ON THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE DISTRICTS OF MOROTO, KAABONG AND ABIM

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also want to thank the committee for this good report. They have rightly observed what is taking place in our health facilities and hospitals for that matter. Kotido General Hospital is just by name from the time it was upgraded from health centre IV to a general hospital. It still has the structures that were meant for a health centre IV. Kotido General Hospital has a very large catchment area, simply because the district and the constituencies do not have a health centre IV. So, the whole population goes to this general hospital. Kotido General Hospital does not have a theatre. Even the available mini theatre is not commissioned for performing surgeries in the hospital. Usually, what happens is that critically ill patients who need referral, are referred to Matany Hospital, which is 75 kilometres away from Kotido. They incur high transport costs, which also becomes a very big burden to the patients. Kotido General Hospital also does not have X-ray machines. Therefore, people still have to go to Kaabong, Matany and Abim hospitals to access these X-ray services. You can see how pathetic the situation of Kotido General Hospital is. Coming to human resources, Kotido General Hospital is being served by workers that have been seconded from health centre IIIs, and volunteers. This hospital needs very urgent attention from the Government. Lack of blood is still a serious situation that we are faced with. Mr Speaker, we have five subcounties that do not have any health facilities, not even a health centre II. You can imagine how big the burden is faced by these communities. Therefore, there is need to consider Kotido General Hospital for funding, to take care of the infrastructure, recruitment of the personnel, and the many services that the people of Kotido would get from this health facility or general hospital for that matter. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank you for setting your eye on me so that I can at least say a word or two. Kitgum District has a general hospital which handles more than two or three districts. Referrals from Kaabong, Karenga, Lamwo districts and South Sudan always come to Kit - gum District. We have been requesting, several times, for Kitgum District to be upgraded to a referral hospital, so that we are able to treat all the patients who come from these areas. Kitgum Hospital, being a general hospital that was built in 1957, down the road, it does not have a cold room or a mortuary where we could keep the dead bodies or unknown people, who normally get accidents. In 2019, Shs 1.7 billion was projected for the cold room, but to date, as I speak, the technocrats from the ministry keep on coming to survey and they go back. I do not know when the cold room will be constructed. Another issue affecting Kitgum District is the appointment of the staff. Well aware that some clinical officers upgraded to doctors and some doctors upgraded to masters and they are now consultants, the challenge that we are facing now, even when there is deployment of interns, is that Kitgum District is not receiving the interns, simply because there is nobody, according to them, who can supervise these interns. My prayer is, why can’t the Ministry of Public Service open up recruitment, especially for doctors? If we are thinking of the health and education of Uganda, we should think of recruiting doctors and making sure that our health centres and hospitals are equipped. Finally, most of our subcounties do not have health centres III, as it had been alluded to by my colleagues. More so, we neighbour Lamwo District and Development Response to Displacement Impacts Projects (DRDIP), which has some infrastructure like secondary schools. My prayer is, DRDIP should take up Kitgum District, one of the health centres or Kitgum Hospital and build at least a maternity or children’s ward to help us contain those patients who normally come and lie on the ground without mattresses or a mat. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to present the addendum as per the Karamoja region; the discussions related to the infrastructure report of yesterday. Karamoja region identified key roads that need to be included in the report as follows: i) Moroto-Kotido Kaabong-Karenga Road; ii) Soroti–Amuria–Abim–Kotido Road; iii) Nakapiripirit–Amudat–Alakas Road that is joining to Kenya; iv) Lokitanyala-Loroo-Amudat-Karita Road; v) Napak–Kapelebyong Road, opening the region to Teso; vi) Rehabilitation of Moroto-Soroti Road; vii) Moroto-Nakiloro-Nakabaat Road, opening the region to Kenya; viii) Kotido-Loyoro–Kaabong Road; ix) Kaabong–Timu–Loitanit Road, again opening the region to Kenya; x) K a a b o n g – T i m u – L o k a l a p a t a – Nawountos; xi) Kalapata–Pire; xii) Karenga–Bira, opening the region to South Sudan; xiii) Abim-Napak via Turtuko is an internal road, but very important; and xiv) Kotido-Abim-Otuke-Alebtong-Lira. The region also considered the security and trade roads as very important, namely: i) Kotido–Agago; ii) Kotido–Karenga; iii) Kotido–Nakitongo, that is opening the eastern part of Kenya; iv) Morunyang-Majimoto, again the eastern part of Kenya; v) Nabilatuk-Katakwi which is the Magoro Road; vi) Kaabong–Karenga; vii) Kaabong–Kitgum via Lolelia; viii) Lopelpel-Lokwakipi-Narengnya, that is a ring road around the mountain; ix) Namalu–Nabilatuk–Lokapel; x) Lotome–Korisae Nabwal-Magoro, that is the Teso side; xi) Amudat–Komerimeri; xii) Lokwanamoru–Amuria; xiii) Alerek-Okemer Road; xiv) Alerek–Kacheri–Karenga; and xv) Iriir-Nabwal–Natirae; The key bridges that we propose to be included are: i) Lotome Bridge, that is between Napak and Nabilatuk; ii) Lolachat Bridge, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; iii) Lions Bridge, that is between Abim and Napak, which has been claiming many lives; iv) Nakonyen Bridge, between Moroto and Amudat; v) Okemer Bridge, between Abim and Kotido; vi) Nakirianget Bridge, between Mbale and Nakapiripirit; vii) Lodoket angisigiria, that is between Kaabong and Karenga; viii) Koberyo Bridge, that is between Kaabong and Karenga again; ix) Nataa bridges, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; x) Komatheniko Bridge, between Moroto and Kotido;

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Komol Joseph Miidi. I represent the people of Dodoth North, Kaabong District, as their Member of Parliament. I am a member of the mighty NRM party. Welcome to Northern Uganda. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I welcome my colleagues to Kidepo Valley National Park for the Karamoja cultural event taking place beginning Monday for the entire week. My name is Hillary Lokwang. I represent the people of Ik County in Kaabong District, Karamoja Subregion where there is no power and network. I thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The road from Kaabong to Kidepo, Karenga, across to Kitgum is a very busy road. At the moment, in a season like this one, when the bridge floods, it becomes inaccessible and the vehicles cannot pass. In an interface with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Director, in a District Roads Committee meeting, we asked a question: “When is the new bridge going to be constructed?” The answer was that the Ministry of Works and Transport has already identified the funds to make sure that the new bridge is constructed. My question is: when is the Government going to construct this bridge to avoid it blocking – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much. I was raising the issue of problematic animals and crop-raiding in Kidepo National Park. The elephants and buffaloes are destroying crops in Kidepo, Kaabong, and all the neighbouring districts where the elephants go. They also kill people. We welcome the President’s directive to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to have Kidepo fenced. However, at the moment, we do not know when the fence is coming, but the elephants are continuing to destroy the crops and kill people. What can we do in the shortest time possible to make sure we save the food and the people? 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.

Yes. Previously, Hon. Hillary Lokwang spoke here but the Hansard wrote Philiphs Lokwang. Those names are alike and need to be told apart. Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I would like to join the rest of the speakers in paying tribute to the late Hon. Simon Peter Aleper. I knew him when I was the LC V chairperson and he was a Member of Parliament. I have one Member of Parliament here who said he is a friend of the late Hon. Simon. I knew him before I came to this Parliament. This is none other than Hon. Ochwa. In 2011, Kaabong District had a big problem of inadequate staffing in the sectors of health and education. The teachers who had been recruited were from the districts of Kitgum, Kapchorwa, Teso, generally outside Karamoja. The same to health workers. What happened is that every time adverts were placed in their districts, they went and applied, but we found that we had no teachers and no health workers in all those positions. In one regional meeting, I met my brother, Hon. Simon, and told him that I was facing a big problem. I told him that we had no teachers and no health workers. He took me aside and said, “I have a friend in Parliament. He is called Hon. Ochwa. Hon. Ochwa has a medical school and he can help you out.” Then I told him, “We have some funders, but because our school children do not pass sciences; mathematics, and English, they cannot be allowed to join medical courses. Those who happen to pass sciences are not able to come out”. He advised me and said, “Please do the following: go and mobilise all the students that have passed sciences.” He said he was going to talk to Hon. Ochwa, and Hon. Ochwa would drive to Kaabong District. I went and did that. Two weeks later, somebody called and said, “I am Hon. Ochwa. I am in the district. I want to meet you in your office.” That is when I saw Hon. Ochwa for the first time. He is a brand new Member of Parliament here. I saw him being sworn in the other day. When I got him, he first offered me five scholarships. Then I lobbied from UNICEF and others. I gave him a list of around 40 children from Kaabong who went to study at his school. Now Kaabong has no problem with

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

13456 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 Water, sanitation and environment protection As a result of Government intervention, more Ugandans now have access to safe, clean water. Coverage in rural areas is now estimated at 67 per cent and 70 per cent in urban areas. Out of the 71,225 villages, 56,617 villages have been served with at least one safe water source. In the Financial Year 2024/2025, clean water coverage will increase to 70 per cent and 85 per cent in rural and urban areas respectively. In the rural areas, the target is to reduce the distance to the nearest source of clean and safe water for human and animal consumption to less than one kilometre while in urban areas to less than 500 metres. The following are among the priorities we have budgeted for the next financial year: v. Construction of 52 large solar-powered water supply systems in 19 districts that are currently at less than 50 per cent water coverage. These are - let me mention them; Agago, Yumbe, Amudat, Kaabong, Bulambuli, Buvuma, Buyende, Namayingo, Rakai, Nakaseke, Sembabule, Kibaale, Kasese, Kyegegwa, Mubende, Lyantonde, Kakumiro, Kassanda and Kisoro; vi. Construction of another 15 solar-powered water supply systems in the rural growth centres of Lwentulege, Bugwara, Kabamba, Kikoora, Mwitanzige, Lugala, Kitenga, Bukizibu/Bumwena, Igwaya, Kidera, Bugomolwa, Kitonge - Nakasero, Kikonge, Kasese and Lubaali. This will cover a population of over 272,000 persons; vii. Completion of the construction of 31 town water supply systems and sanitation facilities in Bulangira, Kanapa, Aligoi, Opengate Kawo, Karago, Nyakashaka, Buikwe, Bundibugyo, Kapchorwa, Kamuli, Namasale, Kaliro - Namungalwe, Butaleja–Busolwe, Budaka–Kadama- Tirinyi-Kibuku, Kyankwanzi, Butemba, Ngoma, Lunya, Palabek-Kal (Lamwo), Obongo, Lamwo, Rhino Camp, Arra/ Dufile, Amuru, Kole, Alangi, Zeu, Kakingol, Iriiri and Lorengacora; viii. Construction of 17 rural water supply systems in the refugee hosting districts of Adjumani, Lamwo, Madi-Okollo, Moyo, Terego and Yumbe; ix. Progress of the construction of 26 water supply systems at various stages in Manafwa (now at 80 per cent), Mukura (40 per cent), Kidera (40 per cent), Atutur (40 per cent), Kadungulu (10 per cent), Kaproron (10 per cent), Iyolwa (20 per cent), Bukumi (5 per cent), Rubaya (50 per cent), Bethlehem - Nabigasa, Phase 1 (50 per cent), Kabura - Mwizi Phase 1 (50 per cent), Mabira (50 per cent), Bukiro (50 per cent), Nyabisirira (50 per cent), Bugarama - Karweru (50 per cent), Rwere - Kateretere (50 per cent), Kagarama – Bushura - Kibuzigye (50 per cent), Nyanseke (80 per cent), Busaale (95 per cent), Kibuzi (100 per cent), Adilang, Puranga (Pader), Kasawo, Phase 1 (5 per cent), Kyebando - Kasimbi (5 per cent), Nabilatuk and Losilang; and x. Increasing the water for production storage capacity for commercial farmers from 52.6 million cubic metres to 76.8 million cubic metres. To support the restoration of our environment and reverse the effects of climate change, Government shall undertake the restoration of 42,450 hectares of degraded wetlands along the Awoja, Kandekye - Ruhorobero, Nchwera, Chambura, Kiruruma, Naigombwa, Kibimba, Tochi, Aswa, Sezibwa, Mayanja, Muzizi, Mpanga and Lumbuye water systems. In addition, Government shall demarcate a 720-kilometre boundary with concrete pillars along the following wetlands; Kibimba, Tochi, Sezibwa, Mayanja, Muzizi,Awoja, Mpologoma, Ishasha, Kandekye, Ruhorobero, Nchwera, Chambura, Kiruruma and Naigombwa. A total of 15 million seedlings of assorted tree species shall be procured and distributed to individual farmers in several districts as well as to refugee-

\*, q , i x onL & I .-4 1. t! .L C--/ rll f:) lr /... ( t !.{ -t t I t.' r. -,: Anount (OOO'I Vote Descrlptlon 23,367,459 809 Apac District Anra District L8,397,332 810 30,127,960 811 Budaka District 32,553,O55 812 Bududa District 37,760,tr7 813 Bugiri District 8t4 Bugweri District 22,934,t60 t8,395,462 815 Buhweiu District 27,Or2,84r 816 Buikwe District 8L7 Bukedea District 3r,487,669 818 Bukomansimbi District 20,244,423 Bukwo District 27,562,7t9 819 820 Bulambuli District 28,t95,238 14,678,016 82t Buliisa District Bundibugyo District 35,O81,962 822 \ 823 Bunyangabu District 24,t30,664 $.sz+ Bushenyi District 32,544,724 39,104,258 825 Busia District 826 Butaleia District 36,872,757 827 Butambala District 29,98t,750 828 Butebo District t4,866,234 15,011,553 829 Buvuma District 830 Buvende District 25,292,570 831 Dokolo District 25,388,251 832 Gomba District 22,5L6,206 Gulu District 20,t92,982 833 = 834 Hoima District 22,441,719 \83s Ibanda District 26,593,089 836 Iganga District 40,2t3,822 56,094,4t9 837 Isingiro District Jinia District 37,533,316 838 839 Kaabong District 17,947,269 Y L3 Htr+ .4i- (:-

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also thank the committee for the elaborate report. Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Karamoja, I applaud the men and women in uniform for ushering in the peace that we are enjoying in Karamoja today. (Applause) The committee has observed rightly that the security situation in Karamoja is beginning to stabilise, but I disagree with the recommendation that the budget should be revised downwards because the security situation in Karamoja is still very fragile. A few guns have gone silent. We are still being attacked by the Turkana, especially in Kotido, Kaabong and Karenga Districts.

Recommendation . Government should provide UGX 25 billion for SCAP 1OO -umbrellas which has impact in provision of improved water supply senrices to the urban poor population countryrride. (Q Water for Production Project Phase II The Committee was informed that in order to increase access and use of water for agricultural production as envisaged in the NDP lll, Government needs to provide additional UGX.4O billion to the Ministry of Water and Environment in FY 2024125. Additional resources will be used for: o Rehabilitation of strategic multipurpose dams of Longoritopoj in Kaabong District and Kawomeri in Abim District. . Remedial works at strategic multipurpose dams of Kobebe in Moroto District Arechet in Napak District and Longorimit in Kaabong District o Desilting and rehabilitation of parish level communal valley tanks in Karamoja sub-region. Recommendation . Government should provide UGX 4O billion for the Water for Production Project Phase II in a phased manner over a three-year period starting with UGX 15 billion in FY 2o124125. (gf Inner Murchison Bay Cleanup project The Committee was informed that the Inner Murchison Bay is one of the pollution hotspots on Lake Victoria. The objective of the Inner Murchison Bay Cleanup project is to reduce pollution, restore water quality, beneficial uses and ecosystem services of the lnner Murchison Bay (IMB). In order to fast track this project, Shs 22.5 billion is required for the completion of the National Water reference lab, PIER uality research vessel and truction of Mbarara Re gional ( tu ! I t for the new water -.fl!.- ,\ 34 ( I

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the continued shortage and delayed supply of drugs in Kaabong District Hospital and other health facilities in the district. Mr Speaker, from November 2023 to-date, the National Medical Stores (NMS) has not delivered essential medicines and health supplies to Kaabong District and health facilities, being the main reason for shortage of drugs. Mr Speaker, even when NMS delivers the drugs, they deliver less supplies against the health facility orders. The NMS also delivers what is not required. Instead, they deliver condoms in quantities, gloves and syringes against the orders of the health facilities. Another reason, Mr Speaker, for shortage of drugs –

Mr Speaker, the policy under the Ministry of Health to supply drugs is known. They are supposed to supply them depending on the lines. They are four; each quarter we supply. Every two months, that is the way it is supposed to be. Mr Speaker, we agreed when I was still in the Ministry of Health that once supplies are given to facilities, Members of Parliament should be given information on their phones. (Interjections)- The purpose of that is for you to monitor and help the Government to streamline where there are issues. For Kaabong, we shall cause a meeting with NMS and find out the reason why the supplies are delayed, and I will get in touch with the Member.

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

11138 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT viii) There is poor coordination during implementation, shoddy and incomplete work in most of the facilities. Madam Speaker, like I said, the committee visited the two sub-regions of Karamoja and Teso based on the background information that is highlighted below. Karamoja’s prevailing pastoral and agro- pastoral production systems are characterised by long dry spells and cyclical droughts that are exacerbated by climate change. The scarcity of water associated with the drought is considered the greatest risk to agricultural development. In addition, a considerable number of valley tanks - up to 20,000 cubic metres and wells - have been constructed across the sub-region, but most have dried up due to the long dry season. Much of the existing water storage infrastructure suffered from consequences of years of utilisation without proper operation and maintenance. Furthermore, water catchment areas supplying water to the water storage sites are under threat due to overgrazing, forest destruction, bushfires and increasing charcoal production. Like in other regions, Teso sub-region depends on agriculture as a key economic activity. However, the area has been experiencing erratic and unpredictable rainfall, which has resulted into frequent floods, water logging and severe prolonged drought, contributing to food insecurity. The Government has established a number of water-for-production facilities, but the demand is still high. It is against this background that the committee conducted a field visit to Karamoja and Teso, to assess the selected water-for-production facilities. The objectives of the field trip are captured under 3.0, the methodology is under 4.0. After the field trip, the committee had an engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Ministry of Water and Environment and; Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The sites that were visited are in 4.2 that is; in Moroto, Nakonyen Valley Dam; Amudat District, Katotin Small Scale Irrigation Scheme and Kosike Valley Dam. In Kaabong, the committee visited Longoromit Valley Dam and Usake Valley Dam. In Kotido, the committee visited Kaoyangorok Valley Dam and Kailong Valley Dam. In Abim, the committee visited Kawomeri Valley Dam and Kanu Valley Dam; in Soroti, the committee visited Alere Small-Scale Irrigation scheme; in Bukedea, Acomai Irrigation Scheme and Akero Valley tank. In Kumi, Amosingo Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme and Agurut Valley tank; while in Serere, the committee visited Opapa Small- Scale Irrigation Scheme. Findings in Nakonyen, Moroto District. The committee was informed that work commenced in January 2023. The facility, after completion, would have a capacity of 1,580,000 cubic metres and would serve the people of Tapac and the neighbouring communities. The committee was informed that a cost of Shs 9.1 billion was to be spent. Committee observations The cost of the project has been increasing over time. The original cost was Shs 8.1 billion, but at the time of the committee visit, it had increased to Shs 9.1 billion. As of October 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries had revised the cost to Shs 10.9 billion. After nine months, the project is behind schedule and may not be completed within the planned activities.

11139 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2023 The project design provides for water points for livestock, but lacks a provision for irrigation, aquaculture and provision of clean water for domestic consumption. There was no seen adherence to social and environmental standards. But on a positive note, even as the contractor continued to do his work, there was a provision for watering points for livestock. Recommendations The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should ensure that the contractor expedites completion of the remaining works without compromising the quality to avoid additional costs. This should be done under close supervision of the Ministry. The project design should be revised to make provisions for irrigation, fish farming and clean water provision. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should ensure that the contractor adheres to the environmental and social safety standards by planting trees around the project site. Katotin Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme Katotin Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme, which is located in Amudat District, was started on 11 May 2021 and completed on 20 January 2022, at a cost of Shs 1.9 billion. Observations by the committee The project has not been handed over to Amudat District Local Government and this is hampering rehabilitation works for the facility. The committee also observes that the criteria for allocation of the 10 acres of land to the community members was not clear. Recommendation The recommendation is that the Ministry of Water and Environment hands over the Katotin irrigation scheme to Amudat District Local Government, which should, in turn, establish a facility user committee. Kosike Valley Dam Kosike Valley Dam, still in Amudat, is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. At the time of the visit, Shs 1.6 billion had already been spent and the cost of the project is expected to be Shs 11.6 billion. At the time the committee visited, the work was at a standstill – only the clearing of the site had been done. The committee was informed that there was a disagreement on the land ownership. The committee observes that Government is likely to lose money if the issues that led to the stalling of the project are not addressed. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, which is implementing it, did not adequately engage the community – that is what the committee discovered from the field. Recommendations The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should expedite the process of compensating the landowners so as to pave way for faster and safer project implementation. The Ministry should, as a matter of urgency, adequately engage stakeholders to resolve the diverse interests and concerns of the community – because the community reported that their cultural area was tampered with during the siting of the project. Longoromit Valley Dam Longoromit Dam, in Kaabong District, was constructed by the Ministry of Water and Environment at a cost of Shs 7.2 billion and at the same time when Arechek Dam in Napak District and Kobebe Dam in Moroto District were constructed. Apparently, in the subregion, the best dam that one can see is Arechek Dam.

11140 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT By the time the committee visited the dam in Longoromit, it was not functional and completely run down. Observations The committee observes that even the wild animals from Kidepo National Park have escalated the rate of the silting of the dam because they also drink from the same dam. We were informed that some water weeds have invaded the park and that is why the wild animals are getting scattered everywhere. Longoromit Dam is dilapidated to a large extent and would require a substantial number of resources to rehabilitate. Recommendation The Ministry of Water and Environment should budget for the fencing and rehabilitation of Longoromit Earth Dam in the coming financial year and the funds should be released during the first quarter. Madam Speaker, sometimes we appropriate monies to some of these entities, to do due diligence to water for production, but the monies are not released. The committee recommends that effective Financial Year 2024/2025, Uganda Wildlife Authority should budget for the fencing of Kidepo National Park to stop the animals from escaping from the park and also provide drinking points for the animals. Usake Dam For Usake Dam, located in Ik Constituency in Kaabong, the work is currently ongoing and it is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. It is expected that when completed, it will have a capacity of 2,880,000 cubic metres and will cost Shs 6.9 billion, of which at the time of the visit, Shs 4.7 had already been spent. Observations Progress on construction works is between 50 and 60 per cent, yet the completion date is nearing. The equipment and manpower on the site, that we saw, were inadequate. There is a permanent water source that makes that site very strategic, and the watering traps were constructed. However, there is no adherence to the environmental and social safety standards. We did not see any tree around the dam that is being constructed. There is also, of course, lack of community involvement. Recommendations The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should ensure the timely completion of the Usake Dam. The contractor should be urged to plant trees around the project site to demarcate the land and reduce soil erosion. Kaoyongorok Valley Dam Kaoyongorok Valley Dam, in Kotido, was constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries at a cost of Shs 9 billion. During the visit of the committee, the district officials reported that the dam had never been handed over to Kotido District Local Government. Observations The dam is located in the wilderness in a very remote and insecure area. The place is uninhabited, has no road and it is hard for the intended beneficiaries to access and utilise it. The committee also observed that water was covered with algae, water weeds and swamp vegetation, which made it difficult for livestock to drink from that dam. Recommendations The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should complete the project and hand it over to Kotido District Local Government for further management.

11042 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT of release of funds was expected to have a negative effect. For example, where money for agriculture enterprises came after the planting seasons had passed. In Karamoja, funds were received around the same time when a cultural festival was taking place and there were reports that the funds went into merrymaking. In Kole District, it was reported that some beneficiaries died before receiving funds applied for. In other cases, people believe it was free money from the Government; they used it for household purchases, sharing with family, construction and gambling. Some referred to PDM as “Personal Drinking Money” and this is a case in Karenga district. ln a few cases, beneficiaries declined to take the entire Shs 1 million, opting for small amounts they felt could be repaid easily. The Parish Revolving Funds available for borrowing are likely to reduce due to cases of extortion, excessive charges and operational costs. For example, those in Karenga, Abim and Napak Districts in Karamoja have to travel over 100 km either to Kitgum, Kotido or Moroto District to access banking and mobile money services, which is extremely costly to the beneficiaries. Committee observations The committee observed that: (i) It may be too early to conclude on whether funds were properly being utilised, since funds were being received in tranches and some beneficiaries had just received the money. However, incidents of misuse were noted. (ii) Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development emphasised the need for all stakeholders to ensure proper utilisation of disbursed funds by the households. (iii) Ministry of Local Governments acknowledged most of the challenges and explained that some efforts were underway to resolve them. The ministry noted that the main PDM guidelines should be followed, while others were clarifications on the guidelines that were not properly understood. (iv) It was observed that some banks have provided some gadgets to SACCOS, for example, Post Bank and Centenary Bank to ease the processes. In August 2023, Post Bank developed the Wendi platform as a mobile wallet to enable beneficiaries to access the funds without having to go to the bank. Other banks had also deployed apps for PDM and some were already rolling them out. (v) Most beneficiaries, especially in Karamoja subregion were incurring a lot of expenses in the process of fulfilling the requirements to receive the funds. For example, the beneficiaries from Abim, Karenga, Kaabong and Napak have to incur costs on transport, accommodation and feeding as they travel to either Kitgum, Kotido or Moroto to access banking and Mobile Money services. This has a far-reaching impact on the success of the programme, since they have to refund monies they could have borrowed to facilitate all these processes after receiving the PDM funds. (vi) The beneficiaries from some districts, on top of travelling long distances to access banking services, have to spend nights on the verandahs due to the large number of clients that the banks have to serve. This example is in Napak where sometimes over a hundred people have to spend a night in front of the bank, waiting to be served the following day. The committee recommends that; (i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure that all funds are released as planned and in a timely manner.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, of course, after two years - because the beneficiaries do not pay back until after 24 months. After that, they are given another 12 months. That is why we are saying you have 36 months to pay back. However, looking at the four lowest performing districts - we are talking of Namisindwa - 27 per cent, Sironko with 26 per cent and Moyo with 21 per cent. In Karamoja, we are talking of Kaabong, which we need to put some bit of emphasis on. That was because of the distance to the bank and so on. I think we are gaining ground. On the issue of the guidelines, we have taken note of your comments. We are going to make sure that when I come back, we have fresh guidelines printed and distributed to the population. I have taken your advice on the banking and on the parishes, some are big and some are missing. I give you the assurance that by the time I come back, you will have a full report on these parishes. We talk of parishes, which are coded, meaning those which are gazetted by the Ministry of Local Governments. They are 10,594. In some districts, the district council passes the proposal to create new parishes. That process is not ending. They do not think that has ended. What happens to those other parishes, which must come on board? We will have time, somewhere in 2024, to go back to the Cabinet so that they lift the ban on creation of new administrative units, especially the parishes, which were already created by the subcounties –

10999 THE E LEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF U GANDA T U E SDAY , 21 N OVEMBER 2023 Hon. Margaret Zziwa taught us girl guiding. We had a Girl Guides Association in this Parliament because a number of us were young. By then, we were only 39 women representatives and the country had only 39 districts. The late was representing Mubende and I was representing Kotido, which is the current Abim, Kaabong, Karenga and Kotido. It was such a large district. I am getting tempted - In the future when that amendment by my sister comes, we need to look at it. We have lost a great lady, a great mentor, a great educationist, a widow who stood on her own and did not leave behind shame. She has died at a time when we needed her most. We needed her as our dictionary to take us through and tell us more about harmonious living. We have lost you, my elder sister. Condolences to the family. May your soul rest in eternal peace. (Applause)

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;

Much obliged, Madam Speaker. I will use fewer minutes since a lot has been dealt with in the previous debates. My concern is on the first question from Hon. Zijjan, related to a single sign language interpreter in the courts of law. I appreciate the Prime Minister for supplying an honest response namely that there is a single person from Zombo to Kisoro. If anywhere in between Zombo and Kisoro, there is a court sitting requiring an interpreter, we will have to make an adjournment until somebody travels to Kaabong, Masaka or Nakasongola and we now know the causes of the huge case backlogs in our courts. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, you needed to give the Member hope. As the Prime Minister, take note and inform the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs that there is a problem in the Judiciary. A single person is not acceptable; it only happens in Uganda. When that person is sick – he is indisposed – in one way or another,

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I thank honourable colleagues who have raised the voice of the poor people in this House. This Government is committed to transforming this country. That is why they have set in motion the Parish Development Model to transform the ordinary person; the poor people who live in rural villages. I am proposing that these schemes - Government Sponsorship Scheme and the Government Loan Scheme - should follow the Parish Development Model, where Government increases the number of students it is sponsoring to go to every parish, such that we avoid a situation where, for example, you have people in Kaabong never benefiting from this scheme; where you have a situation of people from my place missing a complete year with no student benefiting from the 4,000. For the benefit of this House, honourable Members need to know that the number being sponsored is very small because every year, they are sponsoring 4,000 students. If you multiplied it by 20 years, that is a laughable number. If you talk about those who are benefiting from the loan scheme: 1,500 - that is a laughable number. Madam Speaker, if we have to address the issue of poverty, you must accept that education is the highest driver of chasing away poverty in our communities. (Applause) I want to give

They also claim that the hospitals do requisition for the drugs late. I think there is a contradiction here that needs to be ironed out. Like I said, the problem is budgetary but the other one critical is about deliveries. The NMS is so centralised in that to drive drugs from here to Amudat and Kaabong, among other areas and vehicles overturn on the way due to bad roads, this is to sabotage the right to health for Ugandans. I think there is also a need to restructure the managerial issues and the management of the procurement of the drugs in NMS. Even sundries like soap, some of this money should go directly to the users. Regional hospitals can procure soap and gloves, among other things. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

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

9231 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023 Additional support has also been provided under the Transitional Development Grant and constructed phase one of Ik Secondary School in Kaabong, Katikekile Seed Secondary School in Moroto District, and Nadunget Seed Secondary School in Napak District. Furthermore, Karamoja is a beneficiary of the UGIFT Project, where 16 seed secondary schools are being constructed. Madam Speaker, Hon. Alyek Judith, Kole District said that there is a problem, according to her, of rampant illegal commercial production of charcoal across the country, which is a danger to the environment. She said that we are losing important forest cover, including trees of great medicinal and commercial value like the Shea Butter Nut tree in Northern Uganda. Her question was: Rt Hon. Prime Minister, what measures has the Government put in place to control charcoal burning and its effects? My response, Madam Speaker, is that Schedule 5 of the National Environment Act, No. 5 of 2019 lists commercial charcoal production as an activity that requires mandatory environmental and social impact assessment. It is an offence, under section 157 of the Act, to commence an activity, which requires an environmental and social impact assessment before obtaining a certificate of approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). This offence, upon conviction, attracts penalties for both individuals and corporate bodies. Anybody interested in commercial charcoal production must have a sustainable source of charcoal wood with mechanisms for sustainability, as opposed to uncontrolled clearing of land. This can only be ascertained through an environmental and social impact assessment, as required by the law. It does not matter if the land is private or public, and gazetted or not gazetted. As of now, the National Environment Management Authority has not issued any environmental and social impact assessment for any commercial charcoal production. As such, the ongoing commercial charcoal production across the country is illegal. Therefore, the Uganda Police Force, district local governments, the National Forestry Authority and all other law enforcement agencies can apprehend, for prosecution, anybody found engaging in the commercial production of charcoal without an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Certificate from NEMA. Furthermore, the Government, through the Ministry of Water and Environment, put a ban on commercial inter-district trade in forest products in Acholi subregion, which had stood out as a hub for illegal sources of wood. His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, under Article 99(2) of the 1995 Constitution, has issued an Executive Order No.3 of 2023, putting a ban on charcoal burning in northern and north-eastern Uganda, except with permission from the Ministry of Water and Environment. Madam Speaker, in 2022, the Government launched a pilot project to promote the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as an alternative to charcoal use. Liquefied Petroleum Gas can protect forests from being depleted for charcoal and firewood production and use, hence contributing to the preservation of the environment. The Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, is implementing a mitigation measure to curb the high demand for charcoal. The ministry has already distributed 10,000 LPG cylinders to households in the urban areas in central Uganda, where there is high demand for charcoal. The Government has budgeted for funds to roll out the same intervention in other parts of the country in the next financial year. Madam Speaker, Hon. Peter Okeyoh, MP for Bukooli Island, stated that the Association of Fishers – (Interjections) - it is “fishers”. Madam Speaker, I beg for your protection. (Laughter) These are fishers.

9093 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2023 My people have mixed up my papers but I will manage them. They have put page 21 before 20. Let me read it the way it is. They will sort it out. Here, they are saying districts of Buhweju, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kamwengye, and Kanungu. They are talking about irrigation and saying, as a result, 2,373 acres have been added to the area under irrigation enabling 14,961 farmers to produce cabbages, tomatoes, apples, onions, pineapples, watermelons, green pepper, etc. They are still talking about irrigation. The following medium-scale irrigation schemes have been completed: Ngenge 808 hectares - Honourable Members of Parliament, get to know these things. These people may say “completed” when it is not. So, this is an opportunity for you to help them. We have: 1. Ngenge in Sebei - 808 hectares irrigated; 2. Rwengaju - 116 hectares; 3. Tochi - 500 hectares; 4. Mubuku II - 480 hectares; 5. Doho II - 1,000 hectares; 6. Olweny - 600 hectares and so on. Communal Valley Tanks The Government has constructed 44 communal valley tanks in Nabilatuk, Kotido, Amudat, Kaabong, Karenga, Soroti, Butebo etc. This has created a storage capacity of 6.6 billion litres serving 89,000 livestock. This is where they have mixed up. They put page 20 after page 21 but this is not the end of the world. (Laughter) Ekitatta muyima- ffe abaganda, tulina eddagala ly’ebizibu bino. Awo wengambila nti kasita obeera n’obulamu, ensobi zingenda kutelera. These people put page 21 before page 20. Somehow you can combine them. There has been a major disruption to transportation arising from the damage of Katonga Bridge which was washed away by floods. The floods also led to the eroding of wetland vegetation and gardens in the upstream parts of the catchment. This flooding was caused by a dam breach along the four- kilometer stretch of the Kalungu- Gomba Road in Bugomola Village, Lwabenge Subcounty in Kalungu District. The water had progressively built up on one side of the road due to blocked culverts, creating a damming effect. This created a massive force beyond the capacity of the road, creating a dam breach, which led to a sudden release of a large volume of water that moved downstream the Katonga River. As the flood wave moved downstream with a lot of papyrus and gardens causing significant damage to infrastructure. The interventions to address the problem of floods involve the protection of water catchments and the general environment so that they perform their function of storing and releasing water safely, even when there is increased rainfall. Regular maintenance of water bodies and rivers so that they perform their water storage and conveyance function. Demarcation and protection of lake shores, riverbanks and wetlands. To limit encroachment by settlements, construction of water storage facilities, agricultural activities and other developments. Strengthening of the early warning systems and enforcement of the water and environmental laws at all levels. People who damage the environment, do so at their own risk. Have we not seen enough examples? Nantabulirwa yasabala bwa bbumba . That is what we say in our language here. “The one who does not listen to advice insisted on using a clay boat on the lake and drowned in the lake”. Somebody made a boat from clay and people told him that clay cannot make a boat, do not do it but he could not listen. He made a clay boat, put it in the lake and drowned there. And that is how our people here in Buganda got a proverb, Nantabulirwa yasabala bwa bbumba . We tell people that please - in the book of Genesis- Ate bino bya Katonda - this is now

9094 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION not mine. The other one was mine, but this one now- mbigira dala mu Baibuli - In the book of Genesis 1:9, God commanded the water to separate from the dry land. Imagine, Katonda , in the Book of Genesis says, let water and dry land be separate. “Then God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place and let the dry land appear. And it was so.” That is what God said. But a Ugandan comes and says God was wrong. What was water, I will turn it into a garden- Eeeh bana Uganda tebatya . God said, this is water and you say no, he made a mistake - we shall get time and talk. All the death from landslides, floods, etcetera, come out of rebelling against God, rebelling against science and rebelling against common sense. Water bodies and their miiga - miiga is a Runyankole word for the edge of the water body, are not for human settlement. They are for water conservation. Priorities: The Government approved, the Agriculture Value Chain Development Strategy which recognises that intervention under the Parish Development Model will prioritise the following; 1. Guiding farmers on enterprise selection; 2. Ensuring adequate quantities and qualities of seed, breeding and stocking material; research and breeding; 3. Ensuring sustainable high yields through control of pests, vectors, and diseases for crops and animals; 4. Facilitating precision agriculture, that is, water harvesting, irrigation infrastructure and machinery; 5. Provision of farm power, that is the land opening, cultivation machinery and assorted post-harvest and small value addition equipment; 6. Ensuring that the materials planted survive through ensuring adequate farmer education and extension services; 7. Ensuring that there is proper post-harvest management to avoid pre and post-harvest losses; 8. Supporting primary processing through the provision of skills and assorted equipment to address specific value chain needs; 9. Supporting medium to large scale model or extensive farmers, because these create effective demand for the small scale and intensive farmers. Tourism Tourism is another area that has got significant potential for the economy. We have the best tourism sites, including our national parks of Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Elgon, Rwenzori, Kibale Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, and many game reserves across the country. Uganda’s tourism sites rank highly in international media outlets and global tourism agencies. Despite the global lockdown, we received about 500,000 tourists in 2021 and revenue of $530 million. The number of tourists coming here has recovered since the lifting of the COVID-19 lockdowns to 814,000 by December 2022 and earned us $1 billion in the calendar year 2022. To harness the tourism potential further, the Government is undertaking the following interventions in the tourism sector: 1. Ensuring the security of the country and tourism sites 2. Construction of tarmac roads from Kitgum to Kidepo - 116 kilometres. Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro-Mgahinga - 74 kilometers. Karenga-Kapedo-Kaabong - 70 kilometers. Kisoro-Rubuguri-Muko – 65 kilometres which are soon starting;

8848 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT [Ms Ababiku] The committee further established that the different stakeholders, the Members of Parliament, the district chairpersons and mayors from the Karamoja Subregion, were instructed by the Accounting Officer, OPM and the Minister of Karamoja Affairs to submit individual beneficiary lists towards the planned 3,339 beneficiaries for iron sheets, thereby resulting into parallel lists across the districts. These details are attached as Annexure 9. The committee established that although the UPDF commanders were part of the district verification committees, their involvement in the selection and verification of the beneficiaries was minimal because of poor coordination between the offices of the UPDF commanders and the district local governments. For example, in Kaabong and Kotido, the respective brigade commanders informed the committee that they were not aware of their membership and roles in the verification committees. Observations: The committee, therefore, observes that the correct list of reformed warriors should have originated from the UPDF commanders under the Third Division Command, who were taking the lead in the disarmament process in the region. The reformed warriors were registered and issued cards for ease of identification where need be. Therefore, the same registers should have been used by the district verification committees rather than generating new lists. The committee further observed that although the number of beneficiaries required by OPM to be registered as beneficiaries of goats was equal across the parishes in the subregion; some districts have more reformed warriors than others. The committee further observes that if OPM had limited the implementation of this project to 5,000 targeted reformed warriors, much of the mess in relation to the generation of the different lists by different stakeholders would have been avoided. Recommendations: 1. The OPM should set clear and consistent guidelines and mandates while engaging with different stakeholders to ensure harmony in the implementation of its planned activities. 2. Hon. Dr Mary Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs be held accountable for issuing varying guidelines on the selection of beneficiaries. 3. The existing lists of beneficiaries submitted to the OPM based on the conflicting guidelines should be discarded. 4. New lists of beneficiaries be generated with strict adherence to the definition of a reformed warrior, with the help of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces taking the lead. 5. The OPM should immediately dispatch and distribute all the iron sheets procured under the Community Empowerment Programme to the intended beneficiaries using the correct lists. Procurement and distribution of iron sheets: Mr Speaker, we have provided details on how much was spent at the time of procurement and what was supplied by the suppliers. It is on this page. Allow me to go to the release and distribution of 10,000 iron sheets. The committee established that His Excellency the President launched the Community Empowerment Programme in Karamoja on 12 June 2023. The launch involved the distribution of iron sheets and goats to beneficiaries. To facilitate the launch, a total of 10,000 pre- painted iron sheets were requisitioned by Mr Joshua Abaho, Personal Assistant to the Minister for Karamoja Affairs to be released from the OPM store on behalf of the honourable minister. The Under Secretary authorised the release of the items in the same memo and the details are

8755 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 MAY 2023 94) Vote 809: Apac District – Shs 20,739,922,000 95) Vote 810: Arua District – Shs 16,085,370,000 96) Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 25,157,873,000 97) Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 26,411,933,000 98) Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 34,828,388,000 99) Vote 814: Bugweri District – Shs 19,367,086,000 100) Vote 815: Buhweju District – Shs 15,085,933,000 101) Vote 816: Buikwe District – Shs 24,383,139,000 102) Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 26,466,423,000 103) Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District – Shs 18,428,274,000 104) Vote 819: Bukwo District – Shs 22,102,420,000 105) Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 22,999,426,000 106) Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 14,874,929,000 107) Vote 822: Bundibugyo District – Shs 33,203,487,000 108) Vote 823: Bunyangabu District - Shs 19,891,642,000 109) Vote 824: Bushenyi District – Shs 28,896,953,000 110) Votes 825: Busia District - Shs 32,967,494,000 111) Votes 826: Butaleja District - Shs 33,927,473,000 112) Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 23,446,766,000 113) Vote 828: Butebo District - Shs 16,607,616,000 114) Vote 829: Buvuma District – Shs 13,321,617,000 115) Vote 830: Buyende District – Shs 22,651,177,000 116) Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 21,223,707,000 117) Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 21,231,932,000 118) Vote 833: Gulu District – Shs 21,678,185,000 119) Vote 834: Hoima District – Shs 20,331,850,000 120) Vote 835: Ibanda District - Shs 21,754,328,000 121) Vote 836: Iganga District – Shs 38,124,629,000 122) Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 43,369,358,000 123) Vote 838: Jinja District - Shs 37,285,315,000 124) Vote 839: Kaabong District - Shs 16,287,466,000 125) Vote 840: Kabale District – Shs 32,609,628,000 126) Vote 841: Kabarole District - Shs 20,343,712,000 127) Vote 842: Kaberamaido District – Shs 14,913,324,000 128) Vote 843: Kagadi District - Shs 35,348,272,000

8379 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 26 APRIL 2023 The committee was further informed that a team composed of personnel from the Directorate of Research, Planning and Development, Human Resource Development, Human Resource and Management, crime intelligence and logistics and engineering was constituted to review the applications and come up with a short list for applicants for the post of PPC general duties and PPC drivers to be invited for interviews. Recruitment criteria for PPCs, a total of 9900 applications were received out of which 1846 including 1261 males and 585 females, qualified to be shortlisted for interviews. Of the 15 applicants Uganda police received from Buhweju District, none of them qualified, some districts failed to meet there quarter namely: Nabilatuk, Koboko, Yuymbe, Kakumiro, kibale, kikube, KIryandongo, Kyegegwa, Kitagwenda, Rakai, Lwengo, Kalungu, Kazo, Bududa, Sironko, Kaabong, Mityana, Mpigi, Gomba, Nakaseke, and Buyende. Police Force leadership explained the allocation of these quarters was in line with the constitutional requirement of nationalistic and patriotic police forces and shall ensure that members of the Uganda police force are rec recruited from every district in Uganda. It was further explained that quotas allocated to districts are based on the population projections as provided by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). The committee observed that the recruiting exercise had variances in the number of short- listed candidates per district. For example, Masaka City had 14, Masaka District had seven, Gulu City had 32, Soroti had 22 and Mitooma four. The committee queried the criteria used to allocate the said numbers. It further noted that in the circumstance where a district or a city did not meet the number for the quarter, the balance was given to the neighbouring district since districts are being cut often but stay within the geographical area. The committee was informed that variance in recruitment is based on the population quarter of which the formula is provided by the constitution and based on UBOS figures. The committee is satisfied that the variance in quarters given to different districts is justified. The committee noted that the recruitment exercise was centralised with the application being submitted at regional police offices and forwarded to police headquarters for processing. The committee recommends that whereas the Police Force conduct the recruitment exercise at the regional level due to COVID-19 pandemic, in future, the exercise should be done at the district headquarters as has been the practice. This will promote transparency in the exercise. Recruitment criteria for UCE leavers A total of 1488 applications were received and of these, 853 were found suitable for the next stage. These cut across all classes of driving permits. The recruitment exercise was in accordance with the second advert run by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The committee noted that all interested persons had to file applications accompanied by a recommendation letter from local authorities, as proof that the applicant is a resident of a particular district, a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with 4 credits including English and at least a pass in mathematics obtained not earlier 2018, a valid driving license for those applying for the position of PPC drivers and a national id card as proof of Nationality. The committee recommends that there should be a verification committee comprised of the LCIII chairperson, subcounty chief and GISO before the applicant submits the application to the police force to minimise forgeries. The committee is satisfied that the advert for recruitment was made public on print media, radio and television and therefore applicants were aware of all the requirements for the positions they applied for. Originality and Identity of Applicants It was alleged that most of the people shortlisted per district were not residents of the said district. A case in point was Masaka City

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.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance in regard to the impassable roads from Kaabong to Kenya and South Sudan borders. The roads, through Kaabong to Kenya and South Sudan borders, historically existed and were used for economic purposes such as trade, tourism and largely as the shortest routes to the external borders. These particular roads, if opened, will connect the whole of Uganda, through Kaabong, to the two international borders. The absence of these roads have resulted in poor services, poverty and increased insecurity due to poor coordination. It is as if the district is landlocked, yet it is in a strategic position to fight poverty and uphold the prosperity of its people. Mr Speaker, Kaabong District does not have any external market for its agricultural products. It does not have any cross-border coordination and it does not have tourism activities and border posts.

My prayer is for the two roads that were opened in 2011 – one of them is Kalapata-Pire-South Sudan Road. It is 80 kilometres, but only 30 kilometres were worked on. The other is from Kalapata, Kamion to Nauntos Border. My prayers are: 1. What plans does the Ministry of Works and Transport have for the border connection road network in Kaabong District? 2. What plan is there to tap into the EU funding that was meant for these roads? Thank you.

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

I rise on a matter of urgent national importance regarding the state of the roads in the new town councils of Kalapata and Kathile. Madam Speaker, the road network in these town councils is in bad shape and needs serious attention, yet roads in town councils, if well connected, will attract development and facilitate good service delivery and businesses. The Ministry of Works and Transport is mandated to ensure maintenance and improve connectivity of the roads in these sectors. In the recent second quarter release of funding to subcounties and town councils by the Uganda Road Fund, dated 17 October 2022, the two town councils did not get any money despite the bad roads. Madam Speaker, apart from the town councils, also four other sub counties across the district of Kaabong have not been funded. All these town councils and subcounties have poor road networks. I would like to say it was not right for the Uganda Road Fund to leave them unfunded. The other four subcounties are Morukori Subcounty , Lotim Subcounty, Lolelia Subcounty and Lobongai Subcounty. My prayer is that the Minister of Works and Transport should ensure that the unfunded town councils and subcounties also be funded. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, the fact that I come from Karamoja already tells Members of this House that I come from one of the most disadvantaged parts of this country. Madam Speaker, I have risen up on matters of national importance on two grounds. One of them is insecurity that pertains there. The second is compensation. It is good to make Members here know exactly what is happening inside Karamoja. It is extremely unfortunate that there is a part of this country called Uganda, where we lose over 13 people on a daily basis. It is very serious, Members. Madam Speaker, before I pray – (Laughter)– Members need to know that prayers always follow problems. You do not hurry to pray when you have not assembled the problem properly. I beg the indulgence of Members and the Rt Hon. Speaker that I alert this House briefly about what pertains on the ground so that we appreciate it. Members, there are serious problems inside Karamoja. As we speak, Karamoja has become a theatre of wars; it is now serious. It is no longer a Karamoja issue because as we talk, the Toposa who are in South Sudan, are liaising with part of the Karimojong in Kaabong. The ones in Kenya are now liaising with the ones on Moroto side and they are now fighting inside Uganda. As I talk, a lot of guns have flooded Karamoja. No wonder, the impact is now being felt in other neighbouring districts. The trouble in Karamoja does not only affect Karamoja; it affects even neighbouring districts and causes a lot of financial loss to this country.