Kapelebyong District

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to also emphasise the registration bit. I lead a county that borders Abim, Kapelebyong and Kotido. There are villages like Aolio that are shared. Sometimes, you find that the LC1 chairperson does not know where he belongs. Therefore, he registers people from Abim and Napak, so we often find confusion about where it belongs. My prayer to the Minister of Local Government is to find a way for them to open the border for us so that we can know where some of our LC1 areas belong.

3 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026 57. Alum Santa Sandra Ogwang District Woman Representative Oyam UPC 58. Akoth Angella Nzokire District Woman Representative Tororo Independent 59. Alero Tom Aza West Moyo County Moyo NRM 60. Anywar Ricky Richard Agago West County Agago NRM 61. Aogon Silas Kumi Municipality Kumi Independent 62. Aol Betty Ocan City Woman Representative Gulu City PFF 63. Arinaitwe Jeniva District Woman Representative Rubirizi NRM 64. Arinaitwe Rwakajara Katambuka Workers Representative N/A NRM 65. Aseera Stephen Buhaguzi East County Kikuube NRM 66. Asiimwe Florence Akiiki District Woman Representative Masindi NRM 67. Attan Okia Moses Soroti East County Soroti City FDC 68. Kiconco Katabaazi Patrick Rukiga County Rukiga NRM 69. Atuhwereire Arthur Kazoora Ruhinda South County Mitooma NRM 70. Atukunda Rebecca Mubangizi District Woman Representative Kassanda NRM 71. Atuto Jacinta District Woman Representative Kapelebyong NRM 72. Atwijukire Boaz Katerera County Rubirizi Independent 73. Alupo Jessica Rose Epel District Woman Representative Katakwi NRM 74. Atwijukire Dan Kimosho Kazo County Kazo NRM 75. Acora Nancy Odonga District Woman Representative Lamwo NRM 76. Atyang Stella District Woman Representative Moroto NRM 77. Auma Janet District Woman Representative Amolatar UPC 78. Auma Kenny District Woman Representative Kwania UPC 79. Avako Melsa Naima Gule District Woman Representative Yumbe NRM 80. Anyango Janet Hope District Woman Representative Busia NRM 81. Ayagalachi Jamali Bukooli County Bugiri NUP 82. Achia Remigio Pian County Nabilatuk NRM 83. Ayepa Michael Labwor County Abim NRM 84. Ayoo Janeth Phoebe Obol District Woman Representative Gulu NRM 85. Apolot Christine District Woman Representative Kumi Independent 86. Ayume Charles Koboko Municipality Koboko NRM 87. Avur Jane Pacuto District Woman Representative Pakwach NRM 88. Atugonza Allan Buliisa County Buliisa NRM 89. Baatom Ben Koryang Dodoth West County Karenga NRM 90. Babirye Kityo Sarah Bukoto County East Masaka NRM 91. Babirye Milly Babalanda Budiope West County Buyende NRM 92. Ariko Herbert Edmund Okworo Gweri County Soroti NRM 93. Kakooza James Older Persons Representative Central NRM 94. Awor Betty Engola District Woman Representative Apac NRM 95. Engola Sam Erute County South Lira NRM 96. Baryomunsi Chris Kinkizi County East Kanungu NRM 97. Nabbanja Robinah District Woman Representative Kakumiro NRM (The House was suspended at 11.38 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.29 p.m., the Clerk presiding.) 98. Auma Linda Agnes District Woman Representative Lira NRM 99. Babanga Wilfred Erima Terego East County Terego NRM 100. Babula Noel Kataike Matilda District Woman Representative Budaka NRM 101. Bahireira Sylivia Tumwekwase District Woman Representative Kamwenge NRM 102. Bakireke Nambooze Betty Mukono Municipality Mukono NUP

Is Schedule No.2 seconded?? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Charity, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Ssentayi, Hon. Elwelu, Hon. Daudi Kabanda, Hon. Rwakajara, Hon. Atyang, Hon. David, Hon. Daudi, Member for Ntoroko, Hon. Bright, Hon. Margaret, Hon. Wilson, Hon. Nathan Byanyima, the Elders, Hon. Agaba, Member for Amuria, Member for Nebbi, Hon. Herbert, Member for Kapelebyong, and the whole side. Justify your motion.

17753 Wednesday, 3 September 2025 Alebtong, Amuria, Abim, Bukedea, and most parts of Soroti. The transport infrastructure and other livelihoods have been severely affected. I am told the people in Bulambuli do not have food. Their little bridge that connects Abim and Obalanga in Kapelebyong has been washed away, while the Moroto Bridge remains at risk. Gardens have been submerged. I was also told by Hon. Amero that her little coffee has been swept away, so, I do not know what she is going to use for her retirement. I urge the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees to evaluate the situation and take appropriate action to see how we can remedy what is happening. Honourable members, we may be aware that the prevailing electoral roadmap by the Electoral Commission indicates that the parliamentary nominations are going to be on 15 th and 16 th October - that is one thing a Member of Parliament would know. We need to be ready for it. Make sure you have all that is required for you to be nominated. Look at the law. Do not reach there, and they tell you that you do not have a clearing certificate. Please do that. To the committee chairpersons and Members who have work before them, can you have all the work completed before we go for nominations? This is because we are going to be sitting from now until that time. We will not have a break because we need to dispose of all the business that is before committees. I wish all of you well. I know it is not an easy time, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - 9TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 2.00 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Honourable members, the rains in eastern Uganda have ravaged various districts, notably in Kapelebyong, Otuke,

Last month, the two ships were lowered. Unfortunately, because Government owes contractors a lot of money, Terrain Services that was constructing the dock has withdrawn because they have not been paid their balance of Shs 2.9 billion. They cannot complete the work yet His Excellency the President is supposed to go and commission these ferries in November, on his tour to the Eastern side. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, can you use your powers to direct the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to release this money such that it is not an embarrassment to Government, such that the contractor goes back on site and completes this project properly? Finally, again I want to thank the Government for starting the students’ loan scheme under the Higher Education Student Financing Board. This is a list of the students who have been provided for, for this loan scheme. The unfortunate part is - when we adopted the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises - COSASE) we realised there was unfairness in the distribution. This thing was supposed to be on a quarterly basis. However, it is surprising that there are districts that have been given 65 slots and others one. We do not know where this unfairness is coming from. I can see in: i) Karenga, only one person; ii) Kapelebyong, four; iii) Lira, they are 25; iv) Mbarara, 36; v) Ntungamo is 75; vi) Wakiso, 75; vii) Amudat, three; viii) Amuria, six; ix) Buliisa, three; x) Bushenyi, 39; xi) Busia, 58; xii) Buvuma, three; xiii) Serere, eight, and xiv) Hoima, 21. Last time we said, let us be the last. I have a list for all these districts. This is very unfair because this was intended to harmonise and bring equity. When you look at where the Executive Director comes from, there are 58. Why? That was the same problem in our COSASE report. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, before they report, call these people to order and let this thing be equitably distributed on a quarterly basis. The population census has just been released today. You will get to know the population. Even where the honourable minister comes from, they are very few. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we beg you. There is even a student from Kasilo who got 16 in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM). He is admitted to Mbarara University. He applied for engineering and he was left out. We want to request you to take action. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to debate. I want to agree that the report presented by the committee is spot on and makes good recommendations. Just like Hon. Albert has indicated, if we picked it up I think we will not be able to revert back to a very insecure Karamoja. The report rightly points out the fragility of the borders. If you look at how the 2018 conflict started, it was at the grazing point in Kobebe. I wish we had actually resolved it then, it would not have spiraled down to the bordering districts. So, the quick response to incidents is what I would actually argue that could be taken by the Uganda People`s Defence Forces (UPDF) or the security agencies. In fact, I want to applaud the new designation of Gen. Don Nabasa. He has actually been very good, at working with the leaders, because that is one way through which we could actually be able to stem some of the things. The committee also recommends the desilting of dams. Most of the conflicts related to cattle rustling are because of the search for water. Severally we have actually engaged the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to see how they can desilt the dams. We in Bokora rely on the people of Kapelebyong. When they do not allow us to take the cows there to drink water, it is actually a disaster. So, we really wish that the desilting of dams is taken care of. Finally, about the security roads. Usually when there are attacks, the security agencies find difficulty in tracking down the attackers. We have also been able to present various reports about the possibility of trying to work on the security roads so that there is quick response when there is an occurrence. I want to thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Katakwi, especially Toroma, where I come from, is an immediate neighbour to Karamoja. First, I would like to thank the Commander- in-Chief of the Uganda armed forces for deploying Gen. Don Nabasa. At least the situation is improving, however, there are still some challenges. There is a security road that begins from the side of Abim, Kapelebyong, Amuria, Katakwi up to the Bugisu region. How I wish that road could be put in place and also water provided in the areas where there are soldiers because getting water in those areas is very difficult. That could improve the situation. The armed forces who are trying to sort out this problem do not even have motorbikes to arrest the situation. If they can be availed, especially in the barracks, it would be very easy. Lastly, Gen. Elwelu is also here. The solar- powered cameras that can do visual sight, even at night, can help soldiers conducting operations to net the captives. Thank you, I 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;

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Atuto Jacinta. I represent the people of Kapelebyong in the Teso Subregion and by the grace of God, I am the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change. I am humbled to be here. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, first of all, congratulations upon the papal blessings that you received with the twins, and thank you for organising these innovative regional parliamentary meetings. Anthony Esenu is my name, Member of Parliament for Kapelebyong, and I am very happy to be here. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Otuke is the only district in Northern Uganda where the five Nilotic tribes departed, when God created the universe. One was Teso. Second, Acholi. Third, Acholi- Jabwor. Then comes the Karimojong. Madam Speaker, I request – each time I shall represent this side of Otuke which covers all these tribes. There is a bridge on the road from Kapelebyong; that is Alito and Ogor Subcounty. Secondly, there is a bridge on the road from Omoro to Orumo, which is in Ajuri County; Alebtong District. The third bridge, Nam Agago, is on the road from Agago District, Ogor. Madam Speaker, one of these bridges should be considered. Lastly, the Shs 1 billion which, was given to the districts has been misused in Otuke District. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the district chairperson connived to grade only nine roads, out of the 24 roads which were meant to be graded. Madam Speaker, I would like this to be put into consideration. Thank you.

13610 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R The late Hon. Aleper was a very resourceful person and leader who was very vibrant and assertive. Whenever he took on an issue, he would never give up on it. He was very principled and results-oriented. That is why the little you hear has been done for the Karamoja was his work. The late championed the promises by the Government to tarmac some of the roads in Karamoja, for example, the road from Lira via Alebtong, Otuke, Abim to Kotido although it is not yet done, it was on his agenda. He also championed the issue of the road from Soroti to Amuria, Kapelebyong via Otuke, Abim, and Kotido. Although it is not accomplished, he talked for it. Mr Speaker, from 2010 to 2015, I was the NRM CEC Member for Karamoja. In 2015, when I sought to get a second term, that was when my brother came up and two others. At the intervention of our party Chairperson and for purposes of harmony - we are a marginalized region, and at times we do not want to struggle, we all had to step down and elected him unopposed. This is the person. We knew he was capable and he did not shame us. He could consult even when he was a CEC member whenever there were issues and posted on all the WhatsApp groups. Some of us were too shy to contribute on WhatsApp groups. However, considering that I was his elder sister, he would come to my inbox and ask - He did not even call me honourable, not even my name but he would say “ Maama, what is your view on this” and we would share with him. This is the gentleman we have lost today. As other colleagues have said, to the family, these things happen. We want you to be together and united as a family and see how to champion the legacy he has left. We have seen some families when such an occurrence happens, they go into disarray but we pray that you will be together and the rest of us will be there. We are aware that most of the children are in school and like other Members have said the Government and NRM Party need to do something for the children of the late Hon. “Rock’ Aleper. With those few remarks, colleagues we want to thank you for the love, and Mr Speaker, we want to thank you. I want to thank the President, for honouring our brother, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank the committee for the report. However, I challenge the Minister of Health that in Kapelebyong, literally every health facility needs to be refurbished. Some of them need to be condemned because they are collapsing, they have broken walls and leaking roofs. The one ambulance we have is busy every day, transporting mothers either to Soroti or Amuria. Four subcounties in Kapelebyong do not have a health facility. We need them included in your budget. I thank you.

Yes, according to the MoFPED. c. Nyakitojo, Rwenkuba and Kitaka wards in Fort Portal City did not have elected leaders and no proof of gazettement by the MoLG. That was an explanation from the MoFPED. d. Bukasa Ward in Kampala Capital City had leadership wrangles or challenges that affected the establishment of the PDM SACCO. e. Okwang Trading Centre Ward in Otuke District did not have proof of gazettement. f. There was no explanation why Kapelebyong Parish in Kapelebyong District missed out on the SACCOs for funding. Committee recommendation The committee recommends that: (i) The MoFPED prioritises clearance of all the arrears for Financial Year 2021/2022 of Shs 17 million for all the pending SACCOs that received less and those that did not receive any funds. (ii) The MoFPED and MoLG should harmonise their figures and ensure effective coordination and management of PDM data.

Most obliged. First of all, I would to take exception to a certain kind of character, which is not me, but my particular contribution as Teso Subregion, we did make a presentation. What is very fundamental is that there are cross-cutting issues. Yes, I cannot lie to you that we picked each and every district, but we used the districts that we presented as the classical cases that would be used to demonstrate a similar experience because the implementation of PDM in Teso was the same like in most of these districts. We highlighted very exceptional issues, which were distinct to certain areas, which we submitted. The biggest challenge we faced as a region is that at the further north of Teso, in the districts of Amuria, Katakwi and Kapelebyong, the implementation of PDM was hampered by the fact that we did not have a financial institution such as a bank within the vicinity of the people. People had to trek to the neighbouring district, which is Soroti, in order to access some of this, which we highlighted, Madam Speaker. Teso was fully, adequately and effectively represented in the report presented by the Chairperson.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to pay tribute. I stand to support the motion and pay tribute from a different angle. First, I associate myself with all the positive remarks made about Maama Joyce Mpanga. For those who may not know, I hail from Kapelebyong in Teso and I am paying tribute not from the side of work or politics, but from the side of a son, a friend and her private life. I call her Maama . I got to meet Hon. Joyce Mpanga through her children. The son-in-law, Dr Ssebuyira, was my schoolmate at university and we became very good friends. Through his marriage to Dr Lydia, I got to know the family standing right there. We became very close family friends and that is when I began to interface with the lady who is lying there in state. Mr Speaker, when I met Joyce Mpanga, apart from being told who she was or what she had done in society, you could not see any airs of pomp coming out of her. She was a lady who was down to earth. She associated with us like she was our peer. The way she talked, she had an interesting way of blending her motherly nature and being like a father. My being here today is because of this lady. When I was struggling with the issue of whether to go into politics or not, having been in the NGO world, I looked around for people to mentor me and advise me and through the Ssebuyiras, I asked to meet with her. When she heard about this, she immediately called me and said, “Tony, come” and I went. Over three- I think about four different days and sessions, we sat for three to four hours. She walked me through some very interesting guidance that eventually helped me not just accept to proceed and join politics, but also determine the way to conduct my politics. Allow me to say a few things she mentioned to me. One of them said, “Tony, when you become a Member of Parliament, you are not a Member of Parliament for Kapelebyong, you will be an MP for Uganda.” I felt that was very significant and profound and she said, “You have to see this as your country and cease to focus on where you come from but think of this country as your constituency.” That was very profound for me. Secondly, she said, “Tony, live within your means.” The question of living above your financial status and entering into debt during campaigns… and beyond, she said, “If you do that, it will cripple your being a Member of Parliament.” Thirdly, she said, “Tony, you need to be a person of integrity; you should mean what you say and say what you mean and above all, keep in tune with your conscience when you are either in public or in private life.” I think she said, “You have to protect your name. Whatever happens in political life, know that it is just for a season because, beyond politics, you are going to remain who you are.” She said, “Guard and protect your name” Meaning your legacy and how you stand before the public. In that discussion - and I want to say this with all humility, I saw a woman who

Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. I rise to pay tribute to Owekitiibwa Hon. Joyce Mpanga. My honourable colleagues have spoken very much about other things but there is one aspect that I rise to speak about, as I pay tribute. The task that transcends generations and the passage of time for all of us is a struggle to forge our nationhood, and build a nation called Uganda and Africa as a proud continent who we are was forced upon us by colonial masters; who by their sheer force of coercion brought us together. Therefore, the generation of Hon. Joyce Mpanga and us share a common struggle; how to forge national unity, at the same time stay who we are. Hon. Esenu has said that he talked to a proud Muganda woman. Our biggest challenge of the day is, how do I stay Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi, a Muganda, Hon. Anthony Esenu from Kapelebyong - I do not know the tribe, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal from Lango; at the same time, be a true Ugandan in all aspects and Pan-Africanist. What we have normally seen over the years are men and women who live in self-denial. They deny that they are not tribalists; claim that they are patriotic and nationalistic but for their every intent and purpose, they find a reason to hibernate back into tribalism.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to take this time to thank the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for that wonderful report on what happened on the World Food Day celebrations. The issue that I want to tackle is the issue of food security. We are aware that that concept is different in this country. Food security in Kampala, in Central Uganda and Western Uganda is not like what we have in northern Uganda, in Karamoja and in eastern Uganda. The Ministry has the daunting task of helping areas of this country which do not have any perennial crops to supplement their annual incomes. Secondly, areas with circles of floods and droughts- and finally the challenges of insecurity in Karamoja and the surrounding areas, which affect productivity and the marketing of these products, coupled with the question of providing value addition to these crops. I want to ask the Ministry, for a place like Kapelebyong and such districts to come and we sit down and find out how best we can help a farmer in Kapelebyong, who has to work three times in a year; first season, second season, in- between the second and third season to work and produce food when he has no money, no capital and has no market. For us, it is a huge and daunting task. I want to request him to work with the Minister and our districts to find a way forward to sort out this matter. Thank you.

I agree. We are doing a baseline such that before we start on new ones, we functionalise the existing stores. Mr Speaker, as I wind up, Hon. Acon wants me to visit villages and communities. Member from Kapelebyong, we will coordinate together. Hon. Herbert Tayebwa wants more seeds. Yes, I made a case for this. Hon. Silwany, I would like to assure you that our seeds are safe. Genetically improved seeds are different from genetically modified seeds. Therefore, our researchers are improving our local seeds; the parent line is our indigenous seed. They improve it by doing hybrid breeding and they get a high-yielding variety. Hon. Kajwengye, we can desilt the dams in Nyabushozi like we have been doing in some areas in Karamoja, but as you know, most of the areas, especially in southwestern Uganda, land is individually owned. You have fenced all your dams, so, we will have to discuss with you your priority; is it more community dams or individual dams? The reason why those community dams keep silting is because they are only used by people who graze animals along the road, but most people have their own dams. Therefore, we will come with the excavators and if you think we should – we are not only desilting those dams, it is reconstruction because they were almost spoiled. We will agree with you and your leadership on the best intervention. Hon. Simon Opolot wishes to see a situation where people do not throw away food. However, I would like to tell you, honourable, that I wish to see more land opened up. Let us make a call to our people to work. A total of 35 per cent of arable land is the only one we are using. The big chunk is still not utilised. That is why I need your support to give more tractors to open more land. Hon. Atuto asked about the strategies for agriculture. Our emphasis is from research to increased production, to marketing and value addition, working together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and our embassies abroad that look for markets. Hon. Bashiisha, your comment is noted, as I have explained. Hon. Esenu, I can work with you and we visit Kapelebyong. Hon. Onzima, the quality of our products is going to continuously be improved through improving on-farm agronomical practices and post-harvest handling. Hon. Kyinyamatama, Rakai is water stressed and we have agreed to put an excavator in your area and Gomba for the farmers to dig dams. Finally, Mr Speaker, once again I invite you and the leadership of Parliament, to visit us at Nakyesasa and many other stations to see what NARO is doing and to seek your support. I thank you. (Applause)

10675 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has updated its specifications and only allows robust solar systems that can work up to a minimum of l5 years. A few facilities that have so for benefited and the systems have been installed and commissioned, are as follows; 1. Kiboga - Bukomero Health Centre IV; 2. Kazo - Kazo Health Centre IV; 3. Buhweju - Nsika Health Centre IV; 4. Kamwenge - Rukunyu Government Hospital; 5. Kakumiro - Kakumiro Health Centre IV; 6. Omoro - Lalogi Health Centre IV; 7. Kapelebyong - Kapelebyong Health Centre IV; 8. Bukedea - Bukedea Health Centre IV; 9. Sironko - Budadiri Health Centre IV; 10. Manafwa - Bugobero Health Centre IV; and 11. Oyam - Anyeke Health Centre IV. Mr Speaker, these health centres have their power reliability at 100 per cent for the last two years and that is the direction that the Ministry of Health has taken to reduce the recurrent expenditure to the minimum. My response to the second prayer is that the standard for the general wards provides for separate sections for male, female and children. Once funds are realised, the required infrastructure shall be put in place at Kassanda Health Centre IV. My response to the third prayer is that on 20 September 2021, the Emergency Medical Services Policy was approved by the Cabinet of Uganda, and it spells out the allocation of ambulances to defined catchment areas. The new policy is to allocate one Type B ambulances per 100,000 population equivalent to one constituency in Uganda. The allocated ambulance serves the population in that constituency. The policy disbanded the prior arrangement of the issue of allocating ambulances to health facilities in order to serve a wider population better. Mr Speaker, the ambulance vehicle is situated at the most accessible and secure health facility in the constituency, preferably on the highway. In the year 2020/2021, Kassanda District was allocated an ambulance registration UG6859M for Bukuya Constituency. For now, though situated in one of the constituencies, the ambulance is provided with fuel to respond to emergencies across Kassanda North and Kassanda South constituencies, in Kassanda District. In the Financial Year 2024/2025, we plan to procure additional 180 Type B and Type C ambulances to fill the gaps. The Government is committed to fill the gaps in ambulance vehicles at the constituency level for the Financial Year 2025/2026. The fifth question came from Hon. Chelangat Alinga Solomon, Member of Parliament, T’oo County, Bukwo District. He stated thus: “ Bukwo District is predominantly an agricultural district. People mainly grow maize for both commercial and subsistence purposes. However, the President has been discouraging people from maize farming unless on a large scale because it is not economically viable. Therefore, our people were advised to shift to short term crops, which are more profitable. The Government of Uganda thought of giving our people some incentives through the Agriculture Cluster Development Program (ACDP), under the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I have issues of concern that have discouraged our people from taking the good advice from the President. i. Government through ACDP, procured a contractor, Bold Energy, in April 2021 to supply farm inputs, like maize seed and fertiliser. The contractor did their part, but the Government has never met its obligation of paying the contractor. This has put the contractor in a very fragile

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The issue of cattle raids is a common phenomenon, especially in Teso, more particularly the districts of Katakwi, Amuria, Kumi, Bukedea and Kapelebyong, and extending to that side of Abim to Agago, and on this side, to Sebei and Kapchorwa. Mr Speaker, many people have lost cows in my area, especially in Magoro Sub-county and in a place called Angesa. To make matters worse, these people even killed the LC1 Chairman for Angesa. The name of that chairman is Orukit. He was also the chairman for the education committee in Magoro Comprehensive Secondary School. Mr Speaker, is there a way Government can compensate the people who have lost their cows? I thank the UPDF because they have tried to recover some of them, particularly when the Third Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Nabasa, was brought in; he has done some good work. However, more effort is needed; I also applaud the Government. If –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My name is Esenu Anthony, MP Kapelebyong. Last evening my workers rammed into a stationary truck and died on the spot. I just got information that even the second person has also passed on. But having said that, I want to just add that this scheme needs to be worked on seriously. I saw that in Kapelebyong, only seven people have benefited. But I am sure, if you checked the seven people you may find that they come from other districts. I want to confirm and affirm the committee’s recommendation that quotas should be put in place. And information - I was asking my colleague about how to access the loans. Where is the desk you go to? I agree with you that we should have information made available for the whole country. Thank you very much. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are getting this information of displacement today from here. We are going to expedite and find information from the Chief Administrative Officer to let us know how many IDPs we have in the area. We all know very well that in the previous season, when we had the same challenge, we visited IDPs in Kapelebyong and Agago districts; we gave them relief items. However, I speak as someone who comes from Karamoja. The issue of Karimojong going to graze in the neighbouring districts; we know it has been a challenge because of the drought. Members, the drought is coming all the way from the Horn of Africa and it is biting. When those people are coming, we expect leaders and people from Lango and Karamoja from the side of Kotido to have a meeting to harmonise. This is what we do with the Pokot. Currently, I have cows from Baringo, Kenya in my constituency. They came from Kenya to graze in my constituency. They are even right now in Bukedea in the Rt Hon. Speaker’s constituency, but we talk to each other. We need to engage as leaders to make sure that people who are affected are protected because it involves security and local leaders. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Kapelebyong and on my own behalf, I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Serere, Teso region, this august House and the entire country at large on this loss. Papa Bishop was a mentor to some of us who are first-timers in this House. For sure, he was a humble and dedicated servant of God, who served his people diligently. He was a peacemaker wherever he stepped. He was not like some of us here who want to cause commotion wherever we go; that was not Hon. – (Interjection)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join all the previous speakers and the Prime Minister to support the motion, as we pay tribute to the late Hon. Okabe. The community of Serere based in Kapelebyong, who are really a big number, are joining us in mourning and they will be joining us in Serere. I wish to thank Hon. Okabe - who has left us - for setting an amazing legacy of being a politician, accomplished religious leader - a Bishop at that - and a founder of a ministry, an academician at the level of a PhD, social entrepreneur - a number of institutions are running, a man of the people and loved by his people. I am challenged to follow him. I pray that God rests his soul in peace. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I raise a matter of national importance on the phasing out of Kotido Primary Teachers’ College. Following the on-going restructuring of teacher training institutions across the country by the Ministry of Education and Sports, Kotido Primary Teachers’ College in Karamoja Subregion has been phased out. This college was opened in 1985 as a Grade III Teacher Training College on serious demand of north Karamoja after realising that Moroto Core PTC could not meet the high training needs of teachers in Karamoja subregion. It is unfortunate that even with the long struggle to attain this college, its noticeable benefits and development to the community, it has been phased out. The phasing out of this college has left the community that gave its land pondering whether to take it back because they had offered it for education of their children to be teachers. A number of stakeholders’ consultative meetings have been held in the district with the Ministry of Education and all have resolved that Kotido PTC be retained and be upgraded to a core PTC, on grounds that it has a larger catchment area coupled with long distances, which cover districts of north Karamoja, Kitgum, Agago, Pader, Otuke, Amuria, Soroti and Kapelebyong. Kotido PTC is the nearest PTC for access of students from the above catchment areas. For instance, the distance from Karenga to Moroto Core PTC, the only college in Karamoja, is 280 kilometres. One can be able to see that the available institution that trains teachers is far apart and connecting them is very difficult, coupled with insecurity. Kotido PTC has a land area of 48 acres with many structures and facilities to support teaching and learning, hence it has room for expansion. There is evidence that there is increased access, retention and completion rates of learners from primary one to -

Yes, under the Ministry of Defence. The resolution is cast out there. That Government, in accordance with Articles 26, 209, 212 and 222 of the Constitution of Uganda, urgently and adequately deploys security forces in Karamoja and districts bordering it from the subregions of Teso, Lango Acholi, Bugisu and Sebei, with adequate logistical material and financial resources to stop cattle rustling that is illegally depriving people of their right to own property and subjecting people to torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, and thereby restore peace and security. Actions taken a. Mr Speaker, the UPDF has made commensurately robust deployment by enhancing troop levels. These have been further boosted by local defence personnel from various training wings of the UPDF. With these enhancements, each district in Karamoja has a force for zonal security supported by the intelligence. b. In the neighbouring subregions, the UPDF has enhanced troop levels in Kitgum, Agago, Abim, Otuke, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Kumi, Bulambuli, Kween and Bukwo, to prevent and curtail incursions by cattle rustlers in the respective districts. c. While recognising that adequate security calls for the participation of the public, as well as local leaders, we have integrated into our operations, the anti-cattle rustling mobilisation and sensitisation. Important to note is that His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, has traversed the subregions, leading the mindset change effort by encouraging the population to engage in other productive activities, such as goat rearing. Resolution No.2 Relatedly, that Government, in accordance with Article 17B to D of the Constitution, reinstates the local defence forces from the affected districts as a permanent auxiliary force under the command and coordination of the UPDF, with improved management and remuneration, trained, armed and deployed within their villages, communities to support and work with the UPDF and the Uganda Police Force in deterring raids, protecting lives and property, plus tracking and recovering of stolen animals from the armed raiders.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank the committee for the comprehensive report they have presented. My concern goes to the agricultural production, which is being affected by climate change. As you may be aware, climate change is one of the effects and challenges that have affected the world. Its impacts are far-reaching and devastating to countries that are less resilient, Uganda inclusive. Most of us are engaged in agriculture. When you have a project, like a school or hospital, you need to food near you. Therefore, Government should have acted a long time ago to have irrigation schemes in these prisons farms so as to solve the problem of food insecurity and to also have a resilient farm. When there is drought, you can irrigate the crops. You can mechanise the ploughing of land, other than using the prisoners to dig dry land, which is not proper. The other issue I would like to raise is the need to have prisons facilities and courts of law at least in each and every district. In my District, Kapelebyong –(Member timed out.)

Thank you very much for the response. I wanted the minister to give more clarification on the security road that borders Karamoja and Teso. It starts from a place called Ising to Olilim and to Kapelebyong. The road is impassable; there is totally no patrol and no water for the soldiers who patrol. Madam Speaker, the cause of this Karimojong inflicting the people of Teso, more especially Katakwi -

I said we also have the security road from Oketa to Angesa to Olilim and to Kapelebyong; that road is impassable, which makes it hard for the security to patrol the area. I would like the minister to clarify how best that road can be worked on so that the soldiers are able to patrol the area. Thank you.