Karenga 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:

Mr Speaker, for the last week, more than 200 elephants invaded my constituency, from the Sub-county of Omiya Pachwa up to Lira Kato. These elephants not only disturb the people of Agago North County, but they stretch from Agago to Kitgum, Kabong, and Karenga. Right now, as I speak, Mr Speaker, you will not find any crops in the garden amidst the sunshine. I request the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to kindly help and guide in the process. We have seen many game parks like Murchison Falls where roads have been constructed, and live wires have been put in place to stop the elephants from crossing into people’s gardens. It would have been much better had the elephants only destroyed crops. However, people losing their lives in the hands of wildlife is very disturbing, Mr Speaker. Even if there are only two or three elephants, they are doing destructive activity, which is not allowed in the community. I beg to submit, and thank you so much.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I apologise for coming in a bit late, but I received information about a concern raised by a member regarding the 200 elephants that escaped and were ravaging the community. I would like to inform this House that the elephants came from the Karenga wildlife corridor. In this area, there is a village called Tikao village in Gule Parish, Orom sub-county. This is an area which has been encroached upon by the community. They are farming around that area. These are people who came from Orom sub-county in Kitgum and because this area is adjacent to Agago, three herds of elephants are moving around that area. This has been a common problem. The Uganda Wildlife Authority actually received funding from the Government to fence off that area, but the community resisted, saying the Authority wanted to take over their land. That is why, up to now, only around 176 kilometres of Kidepo has been fenced off. We already have the materials, but the problem is that the community resisted, including the politicians in the area. Therefore, I would like to implore the Members of Parliament from that area to mobilise the community. Uganda Wildlife Authority is willing and ready to fence off the area because we already have the materials and the funding. The only solution is for us to do an electric fence in that area. Usually we plant chillies along the borders of national parks, and when elephants taste them, they know this is a no-go zone. However, because the land harbours people’s gardens, UWA is no longer able to plant the chillies. I would like to request the members to mobilise the community, and the moment you are ready, Uganda Wildlife Authority is going to come in and fence off that area.

Mr Speaker, I presided over a function in the Ministry of Works and Transport when we provided equipment to the 16 new districts. I am wondering which district is being talked about –(Interjection) - we gave equipment to Karenga. However, there are those other two pieces of equipment that we did not give. The wheel loader and a water bowser. Those are coming.

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

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

Do you know why I am asking about how much has been allocated? This is because even after that allocation, we do not find the roads being worked on. What did you say about the Kampala-Jinja Expressway? As you look for that, we also need to synchronise the issue of the regional mechanical workshops. You find a district like Bundibugyo with a regional workshop in Fort Portal – It is in Mbarara, not even Fort Portal. You find the one servicing Soroti in Bugembe. We are wondering what happened to the – because Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) used to be very organised. They had regional offices. What happened to those offices? What happened to the equipment that they had? Where are the regional labs? Before we start talking about the roads and whatever, how do we test the materials? Where are those labs or the regional mechanical workshops? Then, what happened to the UNRA roads? Honourable chairperson, you may need to enlighten us on that because we are giving you a lot of money. Now, the fact that you have a lot of money, tell us which roads you are going to give us – when we are doing appropriation – which roads are we working on? I told you about the road leading to Buhweju. You cannot even think of passing there. There is the road from Lira-Otuke-Abim up to Karenga; it is very bad. When you look at Kachonga-Butaleja-Tororo- Namutumba road, it is terrible. Look at where Hon. Joan comes from, Madi-Okollo. That road of Madi-Okollo connecting to Arua - I can tell you all the roads now. Let us look at the critical roads and make sure that we use the money effectively. With all this money that is being given, we must achieve what we need to achieve. You find the roads in Kampala – like my road, somebody is working on McKinnon Road, but I have failed to pass there for a whole two weeks. Nothing is moving. I was wondering why they removed my little tarmac which was there; they should have left it the way it was. Therefore, honourable chairperson, there is a big problem in your sector.

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

18214 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR There is also a section enabling access to Kabaale International Airport of about 3.2 kilometres. There is Kawuku-Bwerenga Road – Hon. Naluyima, congratulations. Your cries have been listened to. Tell our people that the road is going to become super. Laropi-Afoji Road – that is the West Nile road – and also Laropi Bridge. Things are getting better. There is upgrading of Katine-Ochero. Hon. Ebwalu, Katine-Ochero Road is here. Kampala-Jinja Expressway – this is to clear the right of way. We also have an oil road from Karugutu- Ntoroko. I saw Hon. Ibanda. There is also Kitgum-Orom-Karenga Road. Madam Speaker, you had inquired about this road - (Interjection)- very good. Your pronunciation is better. Karenga – they wrote “…ng”. I pronounce it as “nga”. That road is 116 kilometres. Madam Speaker, we also have Kitala-Gerenge Road, Kigumba-Bulima Road and Kagandi Bridge, which is supposed to be part of this. There is Bumbobi-Lwakhakha Road and Mubende-Kakumiro-Kagadi Road. All those need improvements. Madam Speaker, those are the roads so far provided under this supplementary schedule No. 2, amounting to Shs 1,696,000,000,000. I beg the House to approve so that the General goes direct to do the work.

18022 THE E NERGY E F F ICIENCY A ND CONSERV A TION B ILL, 2024 In practice, large consumers who draw more electricity from the grid than they actually utilise, particularly in the form of reactive power, are sanctioned by the regulator to encourage them to install more efficient equipment. The honourable minister is aware. Mr Speaker, if large consumers are already penalised for operating inefficient equipment, it begs the question whether this new law is instead targeting smaller consumers, our wanainchi , the local people. If that is the case, then the Government is simply shifting the burden onto the ordinary Ugandans who are already struggling with high electricity tariffs and unreliable supply and the blackouts after UEDCL took over. 5. The Bill has a direct effect of increasing the cost of doing business in Uganda This Bill has the direct effect of escalating the cost of doing business in Uganda. It introduces new financial and administrative burdens on consumers classified as “designated energy consumers.” Clause 10(2)(a) obliges such consumers to establish an energy management system in a manner to be prescribed by the minister. However, the Bill does not provide a clear definition of who qualifies as a “designated energy consumer.” This omission creates uncertainty and opens room for arbitrary application, potentially exposing even small and struggling businesses to costly compliance requirements. Furthermore, clause 10(2) places an additional obligation on businesses, including the recruitment of a technical officer designated as energy manager. The engagements of licensed energy auditors to carry out periodic audits and the preparation and submission of compliance reports to the minister impose recurring costs on businesses that are already grappling with high operational expenses. Specifically, section 15 also compels every designated energy consumer to submit reports to the minister periodically. For the businesses operating in distant areas, to mention Koboko, Karenga, Zombo or Kisoro, compliance would not only be burdensome, but it would also attract extra logistical and administrative costs. Our proposal, Mr Speaker, is that at a time when businesses are struggling with not just the cost of living but the electricity tariff itself, we invite this honourable House to reject a Bill that seeks to impose additional costs on the businesses of our people. We propose that other business-friendly avenues provided in other legislative laws, like the Climate Change Act and the National Environment Act, be implemented in order to achieve the intended principles in the Bill. 6. As I wind up, Mr Speaker, the Bill will significantly raise the electricity end-user tariff. The end-user electricity tariff is a function of two variables namely; total sector financial requirement and the total expected number of units to be sold or consumed. When more electricity units are sold to customers, given the sector’s financial requirements, the tariff comes down as many more people share the burden of debt service on the dams like Karuma, Isimba, and Bujagali. The Minister of State, the Hon. Okaasai Opolot, informed the honourable committee, while we were processing that Bill at Hotel Africana, that the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill, 2024, if passed into law, would have the effect of reducing electricity consumption by up to 380 megawatts by 2030. This is a very unfortunate revelation by the minister because it has the effect of, number one, significantly raising the electricity tariff when everyone is looking for ways of having a lower competitive tariff. Two, it lowers the speed of economic expansion as lower electricity demand is expected to lower economic performance. Lastly, Mr Speaker, is the unfair transitional clause. Mr Speaker, clause 56 provides for

17941 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 Madam Speaker, you raised a couple of pertinent issues, especially those to do with the human-wildlife conflict. I wish to inform this Parliament that we are constructing an electric fence in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls and we intend to add an additional 100 kilometres around the Murchison Falls; and we have done districts of Nwoya and Oyam. We are currently doing Buliisa, Kiryandongo and Masindi. We have done Kasese, Kitagwenda, Kanungu, Rubirizi, and we are currently doing Rukugiri. We intend to add another 50 kilometres. One of the areas that has been the biggest hotspot, is the Karenga or the Kidepo Valley Community Wildlife area. Through a directive from His Excellency, the President, but also with support of this Parliament, we are going to start by doing 128 kilometres of the Karenga, that is Karamoja, Kitgum and the districts around. We believe that in the next three to four years, we should be able to have finished fencing all these protected areas. Madam Speaker, the challenge has been because of the too much demand and pressure we have put as a population on most of these areas, most of the elephant corridors have been occupied by communities. These animals do not forget where they used to go and graze from, even as babies. They usually tend to trace where their parents probably - and it is something that they have in their memory. The only solution is to have them confined and it is something we are dealing with, plus other interventions to do with conversation and the rest. On the issues of the infrastructure - I want to thank the Government. In most of the protected areas, there is some good access and I want to assure the people around Ajai that with the reintroduction of the rhinos, definitely, you will see an improvement in infrastructure, not only by the Government, but even by the private sector. That is why it is important that we have this circuit completed and Ajai is included in the tourism circuit within the country. With those few remarks, thank you, Madam Speaker, for your support in the reintroduction of rhinos and your continued support as Parliament to the tourism sector and the support this country has given, because where there is no peace, there is no tourism. I always tell my brother, Hon. Ssenyonyi, that the only way we can sell this country is speaking good about it and selling the good. Hon. Ssenyonyi, I invite you and the entire Parliament on a one-week tour around the country so that you share, but you have a free invitation so that –(Interjection)– No, on our budget, yes -

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Works and Transport to tell us what is happening - the Kitgum-Kidepo Tourism Road was in the budget from 2017. Last year, it was clearly spelled out that we are going to have the tarmac road from Corner-Lango to Kidepo. However, up to now, the persons affected by the project have not been compensated. We are not seeing any development. Madam Speaker, the tourists have been stuck since yesterday. What is going to happen to the people who always travel from Kitgum to Karenga, more so the tourists? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank the Government for its efforts in the construction and maintenance of roads. However, we still have a lot of challenges. I bring to the attention of the minister that we have the Moroto-Lokitanyala Road that is under construction, and is almost getting to completion. However, we have the majority of the Project-Affected Persons not compensated. Honourable minister, I want to know when you are going to complete the compensation of those project-affected persons before the road is completed. Thank you. Then you talked about the Moroto-Lopei and Kotido-Karenga roads. Honourable minister, we have a tarmac road that is not more than 15 years old. From the road at the Moroto-Kotido Junction up to Moroto Town, that is on Moroto- Soroti Road, we have a stretch with tarmac that has deteriorated so much to the extent that it does not even have potholes on the road, but water ponds. What are you thinking about repairing that part? And we have Moroto-Lokiriama Road, Lokiriama is in Kenya. That road has totally degenerated, and it is under the Ministry of Works and Transport. What are you thinking about the maintenance of that murram road? Thank you.

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

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

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

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 –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also join my colleagues to thank the committee for the elaborate report that has been presented. The chairperson informed us that Shs 350 billion was spent in Karamoja to solve the issue of hunger. I would like to know in which financial year and how it was spent. If it was spent in a certain financial year, it would be good for the ministry to explain to the Karamoja Members of Parliament how that money was used so that we can appreciate. Two, I want to comment on the issue of tractors. The ministry always provides tractors, but the number of tractors that are provided is too few to help the farmers to grow their crops. I want to give an example of the last financial year, when Karamoja was given 10 tractors, and they decided that they would do it district by district. They started with Karenga and the year ended with Karenga. Each district needs tractors so that they are able to grow crops in a timely manner. I would suggest that more funds be given to the ministry for the purchase of tractors so that, at least, one tractor is provided per parish. Additionally, there is the issue of water for production. We all know that Karamoja is prone to hunger, and the reason is inadequate water.

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.

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?

16786 THE MORTGAGE REFINANCE INSTITUTIONS BILL, 2024 14. Vote 722 – Moroto Municipal Council - Shs 137,831,048; 15. Vote 724 - Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 157,843,584; 16. Vote 726 – Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 38,895,597; 17. Vote 729 - Rukungiri Municipal Council - Shs 11,011,184; 18. Vote 730 - Sheema Municipal Council - Shs 4,109,634; 19. Vote 802 – Adjumani District - Shs 19,860,000; 20. Vote 803 – Agago District - Shs 81,984,000; 21. Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 57,525,000; 22. Vote 808: Amuru District – Shs 1,271,000,000; 23. Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 45,500,000; 24. Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 99,504,000; 25. Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 107,555,970; 26. Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 235,603,000; 27. Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 31,440,000; 28. Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 31,633,858; 29. Vote 828: Butebo District – Shs 15,360,000; 30. Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 31,395,000; 31. Vote 836: Iganga District – Shs 37,200,000; 32. Vote 835: Ibanda District – Shs 12,000,000; 33. Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 2,633,333,265; 34. Vote 842: Kaberamaido District – Shs 31,589,664; 35. Vote 844: Kakumiro District – Shs 448,858,700; 36. Vote 847: Kaliro District – Shs 310,200,761; 37. Vote 848: Kalungu District – Shs 6,117,000; 38. Vote 849: Kamuli District – Shs 65,029,474; 39. Vote 853: Kapelebyong District – Shs 88,207,238; 40. Vote 854: Karenga District – Shs 39,240,000; 41. Vote 855: Kasese District – Shs 142,590,000; 42. Vote 857: Katakwi District – Shs 157,861,200; 43. Vote 858: Kayunga District – Shs 11,270,000; 44. Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 399,326,980; 45. Vote 863: Kikuube District – Shs 127,115,012; 46. Vote 866: Kisoro District – Shs 78,755,970; 47. Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 700,600,000; 48. Vote 868: Kitgum District – Shs 117,742,657; 49. Vote 870: Kole District – Shs 64,680,000; SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.3 FOR FY 2024/2025 [The Chairperson]

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)

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. I hope many people in Karenga are not affected. Hon. Rwebyambu?

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

14204 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT part of the Museums Department. Please write to us and we will make this consideration. Mr Speaker, the statutory instrument was signed; it should be making its way to Parliament any time soon. I agree with the committee that we have identified so many sites, around 614. Our issue is resources to have a presence in each of the sites to develop and promote them. There has been an issue of human-wildlife relations. I do not want to call it conflict, because we are going to stay with these animals and we have stayed with them since creation; we shall continue to stay with them. Just for Northern Uganda, I speak to Karamoja and the Murchison Falls National Park. Last week, in Parliament, based on the directive of His Excellency, the President, we assessed what we need to do to resolve the issues of human-wildlife conflict around the Kidepo Community Wildlife Management Area, which is Kidepo and Karenga, which is around 317 kilometres. We need Shs 20 billion to have that area fenced and have the issue of elephants getting out and destroying crops, resolved once and for all. The most interesting bit or the difficult bit is that even when we deploy more rangers with the UPDF, these elephants are very intelligent animals because they know when they come out during the day, you will easily intercept them. So, they choose to come out in the night. It is very dangerous for rangers to run after elephants in the night. Usually, they have already entered, and then in the morning, we have to go and get them out of the community. Once we fence, we will have the problem resolved. For the Murchison Falls, which is 394 kilometres, we are doing the entire boundary; we have so far faced 44 kilometres in Nwoya and Oyam. We are currently doing 10 kilometres in Nwoya and 10 kilometres in Buliisa. We have an uncovered boundary of around 330 kilometres and it would cost us around Shs 21 billion to also fence Murchison Falls and have the issue resolved once and for all. The issue is with Parliament, and the Prime Minister has been holding meetings with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to see how we resolve it. I have been to the communities, Mr Speaker, and I want to assure you, if you see how people suffer, especially when a group of elephants, let us say five, or six, goes into the gardens. I understand the pain, and this is the only solution and way out. With those few remarks, again, I want to thank the committee. But, chairperson, indeed, let us support tourism. It is a low-hanging fruit, and the revenues can come in at any time. Thank you.

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;

14233 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 When the UGIFT programme came in 2017 to address the upgrading of health centre IIs to health centre IIIs, Karamoja was not considered because of this. Now, what is happening is that after the signing of the contract, the scope of work has reduced. We expected the committee to probably look in depth at what the scope of the Italian loan is doing in upgrading the health centres in Karamoja. If you look at the gap, it is only 52 subcounties out of 150 plus that have health centres III. Now, when you look at the work that this loan is targeting in these health centres II, it was supposed to be infrastructure that covers upgrading of the health centres II to health centres III. However, what is happening is that in some health facilities, they have advertised for a general ward, but there are no maternity wards and OPDs. In others, they have advertised OPDs, there are no maternity wards and there are no general wards. Therefore, the scope has been reduced. Mr Speaker, I implore the committee to look into this in detail and come back with a report on the gaps that this loan was meant to address, and what it has not done. Finally, in Karenga, we have a health centre IV. Karenga District borders South Sudan and we receive a lot of patients from South Sudan, but we do not have a general hospital. Even the subcounties in Kitgum District that border Karenga come to Karenga to receive health support. We implore the Ministry of Health to look at upgrading Karenga Health Centre IV into a hospital. Thank you.

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

Madam Speaker, my name is Baatom Ben Koryang. I represent the people of the Dodoth West Constituency in Parliament, Karenga District. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for their report. However, Madam Speaker, as you have sent us to go to all these areas in Northern Uganda, I want to re-echo again on the issue of Kitgum- Karenga-Kidepo-Kaboong-Kotido Road, which is actually one of the busiest roads that gives us a lot of money from the tourism sector. I want to inform you that when we went on the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, there were other members of Parliament who could not cross from Moroto to Kotido because of Lopei Bridge which was flooded. At the same time, we could not even cross to Abim passing via Kotido to Aleret. Secondly, Karenga is going to host –

Yes, Madam Speaker. What I was raising is that Karenga District is going to host a gala of Ateker on the 2 nd to the 9 th . When I passed there, I also got stuck and slept in Karenga. I want to inform the Minister of Works and Transport that the road is impassable and the President is going to open that gala officially. I implore him and his colleagues - let me say Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) - to go and work. When we got stuck, we called UNRA and they did some work in some few places. However, there are so many bridges, especially in our district, which the district could not work on. Like a bridging point in Omiya-Anyima where I went one time with the Minister of Local Government and he also witnessed it. This bridge connects Agago and Omiya-Anyima Health Centre and we have only one health centre III in Omiya-Anyima which serves us. So, Madam Speaker, I would say if my –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we welcome the directive by His Excellency the President to fence off Kidepo National Park. However, at the moment, elephants and buffaloes in Kidepo are destroying crops around Karenga and the neighbouring districts. What can be done in the shortest time possible, as we wait for the fence, to make sure we save the people’s food in the fields? Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. First, I would love to appreciate the minister and the ministry. I want to congratulate her - much as she is busy with her colleagues - congratulations upon connecting West Nile. I was on that Committee on Environment and Natural Resources together with the Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker here, pushing for West Nile to be connected and it took so long. I nearly developed ulcers but I am now happy that, yes, finally, something has happened. Secondly, the issue of connecting the three places, Buvuma, Karenga, and Obongi, is something we cannot wait for forever. We must stay nationalists. How can we afford to let the whole country get connected, we start on new projects all the time, but there are three places which have not been connected to date? We do not want to demonstrate. This one should be taken seriously. I now speak as a countryman. We need to help those areas. Back to Kumi, Mr Speaker, we have had incomplete projects arising from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). In 2017, we pushed for the Government to help us with rural electrification. Some areas were given poles but to date, people are not using their power. It is now seven years down the road. I remember when REA was being phased out, some money was transported to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. Where did this money go because I thought that that money should have been able to complete for us these projects? To date, some of the places are not working. That one, I can tell you.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I remember very well when I was on that committee. Nearly every year we would be told about those three districts, Obongi, Buvuma - no, Karenga is recent because they are saying for Karenga - they transferred the district headquarters and that is what caused the problem. Then they were saying, for Buvuma, they are getting the marine cable and this was up to around 2021. For Obongi, what is the problem? In fact, I want to know what is so unique about Obongi, that we announce it every - Honourable minister, on Obongi, what is so unique that since I was a member of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, they say “Obongi, Obongi” - (Hon. Alioni rose) - Is Hon. Alioni from Obongi? (Interjection) No, for Obongi, we have Hon. Zumura. Yes, I know but Hon. Zumura is here. We have Hon. Zumura Maneno.

13600 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R Amudat to Karenga, from the Ik to Tepeth, from Pian to Abim. Mr Speaker, I thank the President of this country. Our colleague was saying why do we thank him? We as Ugandans must thank the President because of all the love, visionary leadership and strength he has put in for this country. Whether you believe it or not, it is a fact. Even somebody in the village down there who has never greeted him knows about it. (Member timed out_) I conclude by requesting -

>!ry \. d, \I' I "#t- F ,l 1, 1, -,'ts 01.L it.-' -.dh -r-t) +u!i---= ' 4" I I *- ,r1 t,r X M -6\ .I - ,. .,i,, t- Descrlptlon Amount (OOO'f Vote 840 Kabale District 37,399,826 2r,3t9,848 841 Kabarole District 19,649342 842 Kaberamaido District 843 Kagadi District 36,663,965 844 Kakumiro District 29,519,780 845 Kalaki District t6,394,928 446 Kalangala District 16,280,359 847 Kaliro District 3L,192,217 Kalungu District 28,705,355 848 449 Kamuli District 5r,729,233 850 Kamwenge District 3r,450,402 Kanungu District 851 47,21O,678 852 Kapchorwa District 22,472,086 853 Kapelebyong District 13,744,848 854 Karenga District 13,909,050 \ss Kasanda District 28,245,777 \-,, 8 56 Kasese District 80,380,999 857 Katakwi District 28,86t,256 Kayunga District 858 41,896,345 859 Kazo District 20,t37,t72 860 Kibaale District 19,010,095 861 Kiboga District 28,460,752 862 Kibuku District 25,8t4,730 863 Kikuube District 23,999,O82 864 Kiruhura District 23,t63,O54 865 Kiryandongo District 29,247,39O 866 Kisoro District 44,588,685 467 Kitagwenda District 20,597,57L 868 Kitgum District 26,464,995 469 Koboko District 22,845,14O 870 Kole District 28,306,987 <: L4 rb- irfi l

k 'I ii. #ri- - T ,? tu,*ur- r:l(- .: 26 =4 l.t ( \ l.---e-' )r Amount (OOO') Vote Descrlptlon 9,294,589 849 Kamuli District 5,106,892 850 Kamwenge District 6,153,676 Kanungu District 851 1,79o,475 452 Kapchorwa District 4,186,932 853 Kapelebyong District 2,540,91O 854 Karenga District 10,750,O50 855 Kasanda District 7,5t8,684 Kasese District 856 5,716,721 857 Katakwi District 7,805,t37 858 Kayunga District 7,725,674 Kazo District 859 7,254,6tO 860 Kibaale District 5,224,94t Kiboga District 861 4,t16,9Ll 862 Kibuku District 3,758,385 863 Kikuube District 3,866,206 864 Kiruhura District 4,506,327 865 Kiryandongo District 5,272,352 866 Kisoro District 2,t65,239 867 Kitagwenda District 3,085,928 Kitgum District 868 2,315,301 Koboko District ) eos 3,574,80L 470 Kole District 2,4t6,269 Kotido District 871 6,068,O43 872 Kumi District 2,956,24r 873 Kwania District 2,501,053 Kween District 874 5,O22,485 875 Kyankwanzi District 6,76L,447 Kyegegwa District a76 5,675,220 877 Kyenjojo District 3,579,392 Kyotera District 878 3,036,906 879 Lamwo District 3,674,946 Lira District TBBo 3,27t,477 881 Luuka District 6,O7a,216 Luwero District 842 6,840,262 883 Lwengo District 1,743,388 Lyantonde District 884 2,5t3,735 885 Madi-Okollo District i iF!": N\','" k

Madam Speaker, I came to the ministry three years ago and found that the question of Kitgum-Karenga Road had been persistent and this House decided to put it in the tourism roads. We are processing it as one of the tourism roads. I would like to tell this House that we are coming back for more tourism roads; this is just the beginning. (Members rose_)

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.

Is the Bill seconded? (Members rose _) It is seconded by Hon. Okumu, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Silwany, Hon. Charity, Member from Karenga, Hon. Nandutu, Finance, Trade, ICT, Works, Government Chief Whip, Prime Minister, Dr Ayume, Counsel Lumu, Hon. Aisha and the whole House. Thank you. Would you like to speak about your Bill?

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.

11044 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT programme, they re-echoed the same concerns. For instance, the participating banks had arrangements with the Government to avail easy access to financial support by integrating their systems with the systems of PDM, providing mobile money and agent banking services, opening savings accounts for the SACCOs and the beneficiaries, paying interest of not less than two per cent on the remaining balances on the accounts having a minimum balance of Shs 100,000. In return the banks would maintain a minimum balance of Shs 10,000 and charge the following fees; 1. Shs 3,000 as withdrawal fee 2. Shs 500 for statement per quarter 3. Shs 5,000 monthly administration fees 4. Shs 500 mobile money fees However, the presidential directive that all the PDM services are free and that the beneficiaries should get all of the Shs 1,000,000 has left the banks in a dilemma and demotivated. The committee observes that; (i) There are several guidelines and directives from different MDAs and stakeholders, despite Parliament’s resolution to the Government to harmonise and consolidate all guidelines that will help in the implementation of PDM. The varying guidelines have caused confusion across all regions; for example, the President’s guideline on the grace period of 24 months, which has been misconceived and misinterpreted. In some areas the 24-months grace period has been taken to be the period of having the money without paying it. In other areas, it is taken to be the period within which to start paying. In other areas, it has been interpreted as an additional period over and above the 36-month payment period. The valid version of the guidelines, if any, remains unclear. (ii) None of the guidelines that have been amended or overtaken by other guidelines or directives have been withdrawn. The guidelines, if not expressly withdrawn before new ones are issued, lead to confusion and increased challenges in the PDM implementation. For instance, in Karenga District, the guideline that required that each beneficiary who applies for the loan should pay Shs 5,000 to the SACCO to cater for stationery was not withdrawn. (iii) The implementers of the PDM across all regions have not yet appreciated their mandate under the PDM Implementation guidelines. A huge number of the implementers fall short of understanding what the PDM is all about. It is generally noted that the PDM programme was not effectively communicated to the masses and it was vastly misunderstood. (iv) Cognisant that banks are profit-oriented entities, they face a challenge of contradictory guidelines that interfere with their opportunity to make profit. Without making profit, the banks may lose interest in supporting the Government in the programme. Further, banks have opened many accounts for SACCOs and beneficiaries basing on the prior arrangement with the Government. The banks remain relevant in the programme if the beneficiaries and the SACCOs continue using these accounts and continue keeping them active. However, due to the new guidelines, the beneficiaries are withdrawing the entire Shs 1,000,000, leaving the accounts empty and redundant or dormant. On the other hand, repayment of the loan will be directly to the SACCOs’ accounts and, therefore, the beneficiaries’ accounts cease relevance from the time the beneficiary withdraws the Shs 1,000,000 PDM fund. Henceforth, vast accounts shall be rendered dormant in a very short period of time, thus risking closure by the banks.

11046 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT committee was informed that the CDO collected Shs 5,000 from each beneficiary for loan application entered into system, and another Shs 5,000 for loan appraisal and another Shs 2,000 for beneficiaries to receive the money. The town agent also received Shs 2,000 to collect data from each beneficiary. 5) There were cases of irregular arrests of the district commercial officer, the SACCO chairmen and some enterprise leaders on claims of stealing SACCO funds. This issue was cited in Sebei and Lango subregions. Specifically, in Kole District, the accusers failed to heed to Police summons for a month to make statements on the file of those who were arrested. The SACCO leaders are facing corruption charges in the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, while the district commercial officer who is the focal person for PDM, was stopped from his duties. 6) In most parts, the PDM funds came at a time when beneficiaries were returning children to school, and ended up diverting the money for school fees instead of the intended purpose. In some parts, especially Karamoja, the money started trickling in at a time when there was food scarcity due to the prolonged drought and the beneficiaries ended up prioritising food since the planting period had passed, instead of sticking to their business plans. 7) In some sections of the community, there is negative attitude towards the PDM money compared to other similar Government poverty eradication programmes like UWEP, NUSAF, YLP and Emyooga , among others, which are generally perceived by some people as failures. Further, some people also perceive the PDM money as a “thank you” token from the President for voting him into power. Others view it as personal pocket money. As I said, in Karenga for example, some people were reported to be referring to this money as “Personal Drinking Money”. (Laughter)

11060 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT earners are going to be paid on Saturday and you work extra hours to serve them. Therefore, if they can make a timetable for these people to be served, it would be better. Calling them may not be easy because if you get somebody from Nadunget, he may not even be having a phone. If you get somebody from Karenga, the network may be poor. Therefore, it may not be easy for you to get that person.

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)

10848 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT allocating 15 per cent of their annual budget to improve the health sector. The health sub- programme budget has been increased in nominal as well as in percentage terms. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, the allocation had reached 14 per cent. Government enhanced the salaries of scientists, mainly the medical personnel. This will push the ratio even higher. Government also reported that in the medium term, given the change in focus in the National Development Plan III to prioritise enhancing the productivity and social well-being of the population in the country, more investment is expected in the sector in the medium term. In the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, Government has prioritised the human capital development programme to which the health sub-sector belongs. Starting with the Financial Year 2023/2024, Government is committed to annually increasing the budget for antiretroviral treatment by Shs 50 billion per annum. The committee recommends the provision of adequate funds to the health sector as per the Abuja Declaration to enable the sector improve the health needs of the citizens. Recommendation 16: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funding to the National Environmental Management Authority to maintain and sustain early warning systems where applicable. The Government reported that the total budget for Vote 150 for National Environmental Management Authority has been increased from Shs 18.943 billion in the Financial Year 2022/2023, to Shs 41.360 billion, in the Financial Year 2023/2024 to facilitate recruitment of additional staff and strengthening environmental protection. The committee recommends that this should be done. Recommendation 17: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should increase funding to provide adequate accommodation to police officers - Mr Speaker, there is a long narrative that follows; I will try to summarise it. In the budget for the Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development provided Shs 26.212 billion for the following: i. The construction of seven accommodation blocks - 10 units per block - in the districts of Nakasongola, Sheema, Busolwe, Mitooma, Kanungu, Kakumiro, Katwe- Kabatoro and Ntungamo; ii. Completed the construction and commissioned seven blocks, a total of 420 housing units of the Naguru Apartments; iii. Construction of Kira Division staff apartments, 24 units is at 80 per cent; iv. Erected and installed 5,410 double- occupancy uniports out of 6,446; a total of 84 per cent across the country; and v. Constructed 45 housing units, five units each block, in Butebo, Bukwo, Namisindwa, Amudat, Alebtong, Nabilatuk, Karenga, Kwania and Obongi, pending commissioning. In the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, the budget for residential buildings is Shs 26.412 billion, a slight increase of Shs 0.2 billion from the level of Financial Year 2022/2023. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should give special consideration to the development budget of Uganda Police Force. Mr Speaker, by way of summary, permit me to state the following – that the report captures recommendations in respect to: i. The Ministry of Water and Environment (page 21); ii. The Petroleum Authority of Uganda, (page 23); iii. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (page 23);

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;

Mr Speaker, I am very glad for this opportunity. My district borders South Sudan in the north; that is Karenga District. First, I take this opportunity to thank the UPDF for bringing about change in the Karamoja Region. This change has enabled the reduction in cattle rustling incidents I am hearing about. The raiders are not getting any meaning in the activity they do because the army is present and it has made it useless for them to have guns. That is why you see some of them handing over guns voluntarily. However, I only want to say that this should be continuously carried out. They should not stop because once they get to know that it is profitable to do this, they will continue. My district borders the southern part of Sudan and my story is relatively different because I do the engagements - though it may not be official - with the Members of Parliament of South Sudan. When there is a problem, I talk to them. They come around and I also go there. However, what has happened is the absence of immigration forces - I ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are talking about a foreign exchange earner for our country – coffee – of which the whole country is proud, including even regions that do not grow it. When I learnt that coffee was earning lots of money for the country, I said that my people in Napak would not be excluded. I decided to open a demonstration farm for coffee and it has already grown. The farmers in Napak have been demanding for the seedlings. It is unfortunate that at such a time when we know where money is and where our people can earn income from, the seedlings will not be supplied to certain parts of the country that missed it because we are now developing a new strategy. That inequality alone is not good – that at such a time, the UCDA can no longer commit. I have been reaching out to them on this matter, but they can no longer commit because they also fear the issue of the arrears. So, in terms of equalising Uganda economically, we should not be shy to invest in things that will bring income to every part of the country. Coffee is one of the things to invest in and there is no competition on it because it is something we can export. No region should say, “We are being overpowered by another.” So, let that be in our mind as we discuss this thing called coffee. We should not say: “Why is Karamoja speaking?” I have planted it in Napak and it is doing well. So, if it can grow in Napak, why can’t it grow in Karenga or any other part of the country? Mr Speaker, even if we have PDM, as a matter of strategy, let us be deliberate on coffee for the economic reason of it being an equaliser so that those people who are excluded economically can also join in the market economy. Let us be deliberate. Hon Enos has explained one thing which I would like to expound on. The Parish Development Model gives you Shs 1 million. The coffee farmer requires Shs 7 million before he earns from one acre. Realistically, the two

9124 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 In order to enhance good governance, Parliament’s legislative and oversight role will be strengthened to ensure the proper use of public funds, among others. Madam Speaker, you faulted me on something; our not attending parliamentary committees, but I will comment on it in the conclusion. Furthermore, we will ensure compliance with rules and regulations in public financial management, and also implement Parliament’s recommendations on the use of public funds. To improve efficiency and effectiveness in Government, we will further automate financial management systems. These include: the Programme Budgeting System for budget preparation, monitoring and reporting; the Integrated Financial Management System for budget execution, the Human Capital Management for personnel and payroll management, e-Government Procurement, e-Passport and the one border posting, among others. The Integrated Bank of Projects has recently been re-launched to improve Public Investment Management, including the tracking of project performance. Projects whose implementation has been unduly delayed without sound reason will be removed from the Public Investment Plan. The rationalisation of Government agencies will commence in the Financial Year 2024/2025. In addition, the Government has stopped the creation of additional administrative units and agencies. To enhance access to justice, the target is to reduce court case backlog by about 6,000 cases by the end of June 2024 from the 50,000 outstanding cases. A total of 115 districts already have complete frontline criminal and civil justice service delivery points comprising a police station, court, prison, prosecution services and legal aid services, among others. The target is to have 119 districts with justice service delivery points by the end of June 2024. The construction of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings in Kampala and the Soroti and Rukungiri High Court buildings will be completed. In addition, the High Court buildings in Alebtong, Budaka, Lyantonde and the Magistrate Court buildings in Karenga, Patongo and Abim will also be completed. Madam Speaker, the functions, which include enactment of legislation, oversight and accountability role, will further be strengthened and in this regard, the construction of the Parliamentary Chambers is on-going. Security, governance, the Legislature and the administration of justice have been allocated Shs 9.1 trillion next financial year, up from Shs 8.1 trillion this financial year. Fiscal Strategy for Financial Year 2023/2024 and the medium term The fiscal strategy for the next financial year prioritises enhancing revenue collection, rationalisation of public expenditure and ensuring long-term debt sustainability. This will reduce reliance on external financing for socio-economic transformation. Therefore, the fiscal strategy will focus on the following: 1. Continued effective implementation of the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy; 2. Repurposing the national budget to achieve a high multiplier effect of Government interventions on the economy, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Government programmes and projects; 3. Mobilising external concessional loans and utilising non-concessional loans for projects with high economic and financial returns; 4. Limiting domestic borrowing to an average of 2.2 per cent of GDP in the short to medium term, to avoid crowding out the private sector through rising interest rates; 5. Reducing the budget deficit to within a maximum limit of 5 per cent of GDP, and

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;

8854 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT By the time Rt Hon. Prime Minister presented to the Committee, she gave us information the balance of iron sheets in the stores was at 81,554. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister informed the committee that the delays in the distribution of iron sheets was brought about by petitions from the various district local governments contesting the inclusion of lists from Members of Parliament. She indicated that so far, only three districts of Nakapiripirit, Karenga and Moroto had partially received iron sheets. The details are there. She further stated that she had been informed that Karenga District received 1,500 iron sheets. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister informed the committee that contrary to the information that was circulating in the media, she did not receive iron sheets meant for Karamoja Subregion, but instead received from the regular budget for donations, and subsequently, donated to different parts of the country. She further indicated that the decision to divert and reallocate the iron sheets requisition for delivery to Karamoja Subregion was taken solely by the Minister of Karamoja Affairs and not the Office of the Prime Minister. She informed the committee that it was unfair for the public to expect her to police the ministers under her docket, but expect minimum supervision given their mandate and competence. The diversion of iron sheets was not discussed in top management meetings with her ministers. She further indicated that she gets briefs during Cabinet meetings or during inquiries by the investigating agencies. The Prime Minister further informed the committee that she briefed the President on this matter. The Rt Hon. Prime Minister informed the committee that she set out to improve the management of stores and many internal issues as soon as she assumed office, including the introduction of the labelling, branding and specific wording for the items under the Office of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister further proposed that the diverted iron sheets be replaced in the following ways: (i) Iron sheets that were taken by leaders and have not been used be returned to the Office of the Prime Minister. (ii) The iron sheets taken and used by leaders belonging to other affirmative action regions, whose accountability has been filed and can be verified, be replaced by transferring an equal number of those from the affirmative ministries they belong to. She cited an example of replacing the diverted iron sheets for Karamoja Subregion with the ones belonging to Northern Uganda affairs and other affirmative action programmes accordingly. (iii) Investigations be expedited to bring out the truth and hold accountable those who misused the iron sheets. Observations: The committee observes that under Article 108A (2)(a) of the Constitution, the Prime Minister is the Leader of Government Business in Parliament and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of Government policies across ministries, departments and other public institutions. The committee observes that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister had taken prior steps to ensure that control and stopgap measures, such as branding of items distributed by the Office of the Prime Minister, and providing oversight to the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs through various engagements, meetings, specifically on the Community Empowerment Programme were held. When the Rt Hon. Prime Minister was informed about the diversion, she halted further issuance of the iron sheets. However, the committee observes that the Prime Minister did not effectively conduct adequate coordination and monitoring which affected the Community Empowerment Programme in the following ways:

8856 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Recommendations The Director of Public Prosecutions prosecutes Hon. Amos Lugoolobi for the offences of loss of public property contrary to Section 10)(3) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009. Recipients of iron sheets who made requests to the Ministry for Karamoja Affairs We established that Hon. Fred Bwino requested the honourable Minister for Karamoja Affairs, to support his constituency. Committee Observations The committee observes that Hon. Bwino directly approached Hon. Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, who asked him to put the request into writing. The committee established that the 300 iron sheets received by the honourable minister were meant for the people of Karamoja. Rt Hon. Rukia Nakadama, the Third Deputy Prime Minister, received 300 iron sheets. The details are in this table. Committee Observations The committee observes that the Rt Hon. Nakadama was wrong to address her request to Hon. Dr Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs because the relevant ministry handling disasters is the Office of the Prime Minister (Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees) managing disaster affairs. The committee established that the 300 iron sheets received by Rt Hon. Nakadama were meant for the Community Empowerment Programme under the supplementary budget. Hon. Rose-Lilly Akello, Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, received 800 iron sheets and we have a table showing how she distributed them. The committee established that the 800 iron sheets received by the honourable member were meant for the people of Karamoja affairs and it was appropriated through the supplementary budget. The committee further established that whereas there were claims that Hon. Rose-Lily Akello received additional 5,000 iron sheets for Karenga District and delivered them to CAO, the committee verified and established that they were not dispatched as confirmed from the stores. Dr Joyce Moriku, the Minister of State for Education and Sports (Primary Education): We established that the 200 iron sheets she got were meant for the people of Karamoja, especially the Karachunas . Hon. Jenipher Namuyangu, we established that the 300 iron sheets she received, were meant for the Karachunas in Karamoja Subregion. Hon. Jacob Oboth, we established that the 300 iron sheets he received were meant for the people of Karamoja Subregion, especially the Karachunas . Hon. Agnes Kirabo, we established that the 200 iron sheets she received were meant for the Karachunas in Karamoja Subregion. Hon. Judith Nabakooba received 300 iron sheets. We established that the iron sheets were meant for the Karachunas in Karamoja Subregion. Recipients who did not make any request for iron sheets include; 1. Her Excellency, Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo; she did not make any request but the committee established that she got 500 iron sheets which were meant for the Karachunas . 2. Rt Hon. Anita Annet Among; she did not make any request but we established that the 500 iron sheets she received were meant for the Karachunas in Karamoja Subregion.

8862 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT reported non-adherence to this requirement by the suppliers, as most of them resorted to makeshift grounds or military barracks to hold animals for some days, with the exception of Kotido and Amudat. Accordingly, some suppliers distributed directly to beneficiaries without holding them. For instance, Catalyst Investment Limited supplied goats to Abim District on 17 June 2022, as per the goods received note, and the beneficiary consent forms also indicate that the beneficiaries received the goats on that very day. This did not conform to the required 14 days in the holding grounds. The committee further established that some district veterinary officers assessed, verified and vaccinated the goats from the holding grounds of districts of origin. This includes the district veterinary officers of Abim, Napak, Moroto and Karenga, and yet this was to be done in each of the receiving districts at the respective holding grounds. The committee also established that some of the holding grounds did not have the capacity to hold a large number of animals. Holding of goats originating from different places in one holding ground by some districts in the region potentially facilitated the high spread of disease amongst the supplied goats; for example, in Amudat, the district veterinary officer indicated that he was overwhelmed with the 1,250 goats in one holding ground. Committee observations The committee observed that there were no detailed specifications for holding grounds in the contract, and as such, the suppliers and the districts allowed the goats to be kept in makeshift holding grounds incapable of sustaining the high number of goats due to lack of water and pasture required for 14 days. The committee further observed that with the exception of Kotido, all districts in the subregion do not have established animal holding grounds, and yet they are under the animal corridor region. The committee also observed that the entire planning process did not provide for comprehensive due diligence on the safe delivery and distribution of the goats, which is why the safe holding of the goats was so problematic. It was due to this poor preparation that many animals got infected as a result of the mix-up of the goats from the different parts of the country and Kenya at the delivery and receiving points. Recommendations 1. Comprehensive feasibility studies and clear specifications of the contract requirements for the implementation of the targeted Government projects be conducted before the commencement of projects. 2. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should construct standard animal holding grounds with the required infrastructure such as water, feeding grounds and dips per district in the Karamoja Subregion. Widespread death of goats The committee was informed by some beneficiaries during the visit to the subregion that there were widespread deaths of goats under the Community Empowerment Programme, owing to sickness, tiredness and failure to adapt to the environment. For instance, in Abim District, the LC III chairperson of Abim Town Council stated that out of the 494 Boer goats received, 455 representing 92 per cent of the goats died. In Abim Subcounty, the chairperson LC III said that out of the 450 goats, 278 died representing 62 per cent. The committee was further informed by the District Veterinary Officer of Nabilatuk that as of December 2022, out of the 4,000 East African female goats received, 2,076 died representing 52 per cent. The committee also interviewed people in Nabilatuk Town Council through random sampling from the beneficiaries who interfaced with the committee and established that 72

8863 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 23 MAY 2023 per cent of the goats delivered had died. The details are provided in Annexure 35. The committee was also informed by the Deputy RDC of Napak, Mr Fardosa Ahmed, that 583 goats died between November and December 2022. However, the district veterinary officer informed the committee that Napak received more Galla goats, which are performing well in the subregion, as compared to the East African goats. Observations The committee observed that some goats were sold and eaten by some beneficiaries, as well as raided by rustlers. The leaders from the subregion attributed this to the famine and insecurity situation. It was hard to establish the exact number of goats in this category. The committee established that though the project was highly welcomed by the beneficiaries, the low capacity to provide the necessary care for the goats exposed them to high levels of infections, leading to more deaths. The beneficiaries were concerned about the drugs which they could not purchase because of the high level of poverty in the area coupled with the famine situation in the subregion. The committee further established that the political heads of the ministry, namely Hon. Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu and Hon. Nandutu Agnes did not monitor and supervise programme implementation to prevent and control the high death rate of the goats. The committee could not find any trace of oversight for this programme, apart from the initial sensitisation conducted by the political heads. The committee observed that the beneficiaries were not well prepared before receiving the goats. The beneficiaries did not receive training on herd health management practices given the change of environment. The committee observed that the terms of reference technical specifications as per the contract on supply and delivery of goats particularly stated that the desirable attributes of the East African goats included local adaptability to the subregion and resistance to diseases or should have been bred in the subregions surrounding Karamoja. However, some suppliers did not adhere to the terms of the contract, specifically the critical attributes of procuring goats from the surrounding subregions to Karamoja, especially from Teso, Sebei, Acholi, Lango and Bugisu Subregions. For example, Kagumaho Bukanga Highlands Limited, Luck and Lark Company Limited, among others procured from Western Uganda. Recommendations 1. The ministers for Karamoja Affairs; Dr Mary Kitutu and Hon. Agnes Nandutu be held accountable for the failure in providing political leadership and oversight over this programme; 2. The Government should always ensure adequate preparation of the beneficiaries, improve the security and famine situation in Karamoja Subregion before delivering the 35 per cent of the goats for the purpose of averting the re-occurrence of sale or loss of the goats; 3. The following officers from; a. Abim District; (i) Mr Charles Omugetum, the Principal Assistant Secretary; (ii) Mr Oscar Burton Okengo, the District Veterinary Officer; (iii) Ms Janet Akello, OPM mobiliser; b. In Karenga District; (i) Acting District Veterinary Officer; (ii) CAO, Karenga District - be held liable for neglect of duty as provided for under Section 114 of the Penal Code Act Cap. 120 by failing to enforce adherence to the expected veterinary practices of verifying, vaccinating and holding goats for 14 days before distribution –

8756 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 129) Vote 844: Kakumiro District – Shs 25,000,313,000 130) Vote 845: Kalaki District - Shs 15,868,505,000 131) Vote 846: Kalangala District – Shs 14,894,914,000 132) Vote 847: Kaliro District – Shs 28,487,386,000 133) Vote 848: Kalungu District - Shs 25,170,989,000 134) Vote 849: Kamuli District – Shs 46,518,428,000 135) Vote 850: Kamwenge District - Shs 29,011,951,000 136) Vote 851: Kanungu District - Shs 41,511,765,000 137) Vote 852: Kapchorwa District – Shs 18,548,597,000 138) Vote 853: Kapelebyong District – Shs 12,049,109,000 139) Vote 854: Karenga District - Shs 10,726,827,000 140) Vote 855: Kassanda District - Shs 22,543,695,000 141) Vote 856: Kasese District - Shs 73,970,823,000

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 -

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. There is a tourism road that connects Kitgum to Karenga and to Kidepo. The state of that road is very worrying; our people can hardly travel to the next subcounty within the district, and this road was planned and budgeted for. When we consulted UNRA, we were told that they no longer have the budget and the mandate to work on the road because there is a contractor who was already contracted to work on the road. I would like to know when work will commence on that road so that our people can move comfortably. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, the Kitgum- Karenga-Kidepo Road was prioritised by Cabinet last week. And, therefore, olimukintu. (Laughter)