Kitgum 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:

Yes, the Office of the Prime Minister presented a Cabinet paper on Monday which was urging the Government to provide support. I want to inform you, Members, that the President has already acted and told us to use the army to supply food to the most affected areas. We already have stores of the army in Kigumba. National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) has been contracted by the Office of the Prime Minister, first to supply food to those areas in Karamoja where we have reported deaths of people and that is starting tomorrow. What I can urge Members to do is to mobilise, especially in those areas where we are going to start delivering food; Karamoja and surrounding districts of Kitgum and Agago because of what you heard here and then these other surrounding districts. I will take another Cabinet paper to inform the President that other areas also need support. We have so far been [Mr Longoli] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

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.

7. Nankwanga Stellamaris Woman Representative Bugweri Independent 8. Nanzala Metrine Namisindwa County Namisindwa NRM 9. Nassolo Eugenia Rubaga Division South Kampala NUP 10. Nawe Molly Kamukama Woman Representative Kazo NRM 11. Ndeezi Alex PWD Representative N/A NRM 12. Ngabirano Charles Rwampara East County Rwampara Independent 13. Ninsiima Evelyne Woman Representative Rubanda Independent 14. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama Woman Representative Buhweju NRM 15. Nyakato Asinansi City Woman Representative Hoima City PFF 16. Namujju Cissy Dionizia Woman Representative Lwengo NRM 17. Nyakato Dorothy Woman Representative Kitagwenda NRM 18. Namutaawe Joan Woman Representative Masaka NUP 19. Nayebale Sylivia Woman Representative Gomba NRM 20. Naziiwa Margret Woman Representative Kagadi NRM 21. Nkunyingi Muwada Kyadondo County East Wakiso NUP 22. Nuria Hafsa Teko Woman Representative Kotido Independent 23. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North County Bulambuli NRM 24. Nyeko Johnson Kezekiya Lamwo County Lamwo NRM 25. Obong Peter Acuda Maruzi County Apac UPC 26. Obong Vincent Shedrick Lira West Division Lira City UPC 27. Okiding Sam (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 28. Ofwono Opondo P’Odel Older Person’s Representative Eastern NRM 29. Ocen Geoffery Kioga North County Amolatar UPC 30. 3Ogwal Joseph Jones Dokolo North County Dokolo NRM 31. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi Bardege-Layibi Division Gulu City NRM 32. Nameere Justine Woman Representative Masaka City NRM 33. Nkrumah Roland Bufumbira County East Kisoro NRM 34. 3Ojiit Peter Pingire County Serere Independent 35. Ntabazi Harriet Bwamba County Bundibugyo NRM 36. Ocan Patrick Apac Municipality Apac Independent 37. Ogwang Patrick Obura Oyam County South Oyam NRM 38. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot Kumi County Kumi NRM 39. Oketcho George West Budama County South Tororo NRM 40. Oketcho John Francis Bugiri Municipality Bugiri NRM 41. Okeyoh Peter Bukooli Island County Namayingo NRM 42. Okot Peter Tochi County Omoro DP 43. Okumu Gabriel Okoro County Zombo NRM 44. Omara Paul Otuke County Otuke NRM 45. Omoding Emmanuel Serere County Serere NRM 46. Onek Hilary Obaloker Palabek County Lamwo NRM 47. Oneka Lit Amere Denis Kitgum Municipality Kitgum FDC 48. Ongom Patrick Erute County North Lira NRM 49. Ongu James Kwania North County Kwania NRM 50. Opito Vincent Dokolo South County Dokolo UPC 51. Nankabirwa Ann Maria Woman Representative Kyankwanzi NRM 52. Nantongo Fortunate Rose Woman Representative Kyotera NUP 53. Natumanya Flora Woman Representative Kikuube NRM 54. Naturinda Eliab Ndorwa County West Kabale NRM 55. Ngompek Linos Kibanda North County Kiryandongo NRM 56. Ninkusiima John Paul (Dr) Ibanda County South Ibanda NRM 57. Niringiyimana James R. Kaberuka Kinkizi County West Kanungu NRM

103. Ruhindi Fredrick Nakawa Division East Kampala NRM 104. Taban Aate Sharifah Woman Representative Koboko Independent 105. Ouma Willy Namayingo South County Namayingo Independent 106. Orone Derrick Gogonyo County Pallisa NRM 107. Tete Chelengat Everline Woman Representative Bukwo NRM 108. Tibyaze Peace Woman Representative Jinja NRM 109. Tom Aliti Candia Maracha East County Maracha NRM 110. Rwakimari Beatrice Ruhaama County Ntungamo NRM 111. Tumuramye Genensio Kashongi County Kiruhura NRM 112. Tumusiime John Bosco Kashari South County Mbarara NRM 113. Teira John Bugabula County North Kamuli NRM 114. Oryema Simon Peter Adum Chua West County Kitgum NRM 115. Turyahikayo Kebirungi Mary Paula Woman Representative Rukungiri NRM 116. Sebamala Richard Bukoto County Central Masaka DP 117. Tiyo William Taylor Odaa Ayivu Division East Arua City NRM 118. Ssebbugga-Kimeze Berunado Budyepo County Nakasongola NRM 119. Tayebwa Thomas Ruhinda North County Mitooma NRM 120. Otto Edward Makmot Agago County Agago NRM 121. Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore (Lt Col Rtd) Isingiro County North Isingiro NRM 122. Tebandeke Charles Bbaale County Kayunga NUP 123. Tukahirwa James Byenjuru Hunter Kajara County Ntungamo NRM 124. Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu (Lt Gen. Rtd) Rukungiri Municipality Rukungiri NRM 125. Tumwesigye Anthony Isingiro West County Isingiro Independent 126. Ssenyonyi Joel Basekezi Nakawa Division West Kampala NUP 127. Osoru Mourine Woman Representative Arua City NRM 128. Ossiya Solomon Alemu Toroma County Katakwi NRM 129. Shyam Jay Tanna Tororo Municipality Tororo Independent 130. Twalla Fadil Tingey County Kapchorwa NRM 131. Waluswaka James Bunyole West County Butaleja NRM 132. Tumwebaze Mwine Youth Representative Western NRM 133. Twinomujuni Francis Kazini Buhaguzi County Kikuube NRM 134. Otafiire Kahinda (Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Ruhinda County Mitooma NRM 135. Silwany Solomon Bukooli County Central Bugiri NRM 136. Otim Bernard Maruzi North County Apac NRM 137. Waiswa Joel Azalwa Busiki County Namutumba Independent 138. Ssemwanga Gyaviira Buyamba County Rakai NRM 139. Wakida Patrick Godfrey Kabweri County Kibuku NRM 140. Walyomu Moses Muwanika Kagoma County Jinja Independent 141. Wandera John Paul Samia Bugwe County North Busia Independent 142. Saazi Godfrey Gomba East County Gomba NUP 143. Wanyenya Shafiga Bungokho County North Mbale NRM 144. Twesige Stephen Buyaga East County Kagadi NRM 145. Twinamasiko Onesimus Bugangaizi East County Kakumiro NRM 146. Wandera Sadala Bugweri County Bugweri NRM 147. Tayebwa Didas Kabumbuza Kooki County Rakai NRM 148. Wanyama Judas Thadeo Youth Representative Eastern NRM 149. Sserukenya David Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality Wakiso NUP 150. Sekindi Aisha Woman Representative Kalungu Independent

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

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.

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 -

Let me go to the piecemeal rehabilitation of general hospitals. The committee noted, with concerns, the piecemeal and adhoc nature with which government was coming up with the rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping of this general hospital, yet many of the old general hospitals across the country were in dire need for rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping, with the exception of a few general hospitals recently renovated, such as Kayunga, Kiryandongo, Yumbe, and Kawolo general hospitals. The Government, through the minister responsible for finance, intimated to the committee that it plans, in the medium term, to prioritise, among others, the construction and rehabilitation of more health infrastructure and the provision of medical equipment to improve quality of care, and the provision of specialised health care services. These include, among others, completion and refurbishment and the equipping of general hospitals that include Abim, Apac, Atutur, Bundibugyo, Kiboga, Kagadi, Kitagata, Kitgum, Pallisa, Itojo, and Masindi. Members noted the need to come up with a project model funding targeting all old and dilapidated general hospitals for rehabilitation. It is recommended that Government designs a comprehensive project model for the rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping of general hospitals across the country in a systematic way as opposed to carrying out piecemeal arrangements. This help us to match the current practices and technologies which were adopted in the new National Standards Designed for health centre facilities 2012. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the committee has noted the Government efforts to address health systems bottlenecks and improve the effectiveness of the health sector. This project aims to enhance the quality of care in Bugiri General Hospital by upgrading and equipping it with the modern medical equipment and [Mr Ikojo] RESOLUTION TO BORROW

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I request the minister to consider and put this as an emergency - the Kitgum Matidi-Wol-Kalongo Road is impassable. It is a murram road, and for almost two to three years, we have struggled, especially when the rain is too much. Then also there is the Pajule- Pader-Kalongo Road, which also needs an emergency response. Madam Speaker, there is a spot in a place called Adjumani, then Ora Ka Tuk in Wol area - I do not know why they cannot put real murram, instead of grading it. It is better to put good murram, so that it can help us. Finally, there was a design in the Financial Year 2013/2014 to consider putting tarmac on the road from Pajule, via Pader, to Kalongo, but it is as if all those plans have gotten lost somewhere. May you consider bringing those on board because it is only Agago that does not have any tarmac in the Acholi Subregion?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. Honourable Minister of Works and Transport, I would like to find out the status of the road from Kitgum to Ngomoromo via Padibe because this road was also included in the World Bank project under the refugee window. The people of Lamwo have been yearning and waiting. Lamwo, being a border district bordering South Sudan, is also the food basket for this country, yet the road is really in a deplorable state. For so many years, we have been waiting for when the road is going to be done. Being aware that the Government of Uganda is supposed to do the design, and the money for working on the road will be given by the World Bank, it will be very prudent for you to give us clarification. In addition to adding on what my brother, Hon. Mapenduzi, stated, the road that goes to Atiak via Palabek from Kitgum; those are the two roads that, when worked upon, the people of Lamwo and East Acholi will really be very grateful.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Gen. Katumba, the Minister of Works and Transport. However, regarding one road that connects Kwania District Headquarters to Nambieso subcounty where a health centre IV is being constructed, in the Financial Year 2023/2024, under UNRA, a budget was put in place but work was not done. In the last Financial Year 2024/2025, a budget of Shs 72 million was put but no work was done on this road. Honourable minister, what plan is there because the road is lying along Lake Kwania and it is flooded. Two, the President had directed that a ferry be put connecting Kwania to Amolatar District but to date, no action has been taken. What plan is there for this ferry? Finally, the construction of Rwekunye-Apac- Lira-Kitgum road is ongoing but there are still persons affected who have not been compensated, including me. What plan is there and when are we going to have our money? 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?

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

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

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to thank Members for coming back. As the minister brings the report, there is a road I think they have forgotten about and for the last five years, it has become a death-trap, never maintained. That is the road that leaves Corner Minja up to Cwero; the road to Kitgum. It is the road that connects Omoro to Kitgum. That road has become a death-trap. I would like to remind the minister that, that road exists and it is in a very bad shape. Madam Speaker, they have talked so much about the issue of maintenance of roads but the Moroto Road that you mentioned slightly

17523 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 JNUE 2025 time for processing driving licences to 45 minutes in Kampala and 48 hours in upcountry stations, from a period of one month. To support Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the Government has licensed over 50 companies that have created over 10,000 jobs mainly for the youth that provide online services internationally. Madam Speaker, with regard to the creative arts, the Government provided Shs 10 billion to the creative arts industry. This was to support the artists to recover from the effects of COVID-19, and create a revolving fund to support young talents to create wealth and jobs. Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 835.98 billion for Science, Technology and Innovation, including ICT and the Creative Arts Industry. Of this amount, Shs 388.23 billion is for STI, Shs 381.75 billion is for ICT and digitalisation, and Shs 66 billion for the creative arts. Madam Speaker, these funds will be utilised for: i. establishing a hi-tech city to support development of technologies and innovations; ii. taking STI products to the market, especially Kiira motor vehicles, coffee, Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines, and banana products; iii. additional investment in research and development and innovation; iv. increasing coverage, reliability, and affordability of Internet; v. enhancing digitisation of Government services and e-commerce; vi. promoting BPO for job creation; vii. acquiring a home for creative artists for their productions and innovations; viii. fast-tracking the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act to protect intellectual property and artistic works; and ix. further capitalisation of the revolving fund for artists with an additional Shs 18 billion, bringing it to a total of Shs 23 billion. Infrastructure Development Madam Speaker, this priority area includes both transport and energy infrastructure. During this Financial Year 2024/2025, some of the following achievements were realised: Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services Madam Speaker, the road network that is tarmacked now stands at 6,287.6 kilometres, representing about 30 per cent of the national road network, compared to 3,112 kilometres in Financial Year 2010/11. With this improved road network, the travel time, for example, from Malaba to Kisoro by road, reduced from 48 hours (two days) to about 10 hours. This will further improve with completion of the Kampala-Jinja and Busega- Mpigi Expressways. Uganda is now connected by tarmac roads at all its major international border points, from the South Sudan border (Kitgum, Nimule and Oraba) in Acholi and West Nile to the southern border of Tanzania (Mutukula), Rwanda (Mirama Hills, Katuna and Cyanika) and the Congo border (Bunagana) and from the Kenya border (Lwakhakha, Malaba and Busia) to the Congo border (Mpondwe, Busuunga, and Kaisotonya) in the West. Madam Speaker, despite the challenges faced in the road sector this financial year, we continued to make progress as follows: i. Rehabilitated a total of 125 kilometres on several ongoing projects; ii. Upgraded over 100 kilometres of roads to paved bituminous standards on several ongoing projects; iii. The government fully disbursed Shs 579 billion which was used for maintenance of National, District, Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR); THE TAX PROCEDURES CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

17544 BUDGET SPEECH are there – the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is there but is quiet, the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) is there, the Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) are there – I will go for them and they will have to answer. (Applause) If the Shs 1.3 billion is not enough, tell us, because the feeder roads are very crucial. I found out that in the case of Bunyangabu, they were mixing up issues: The Shs 1.3 billion is to maintain the roads which are already made, but they were saying, “Oh, we want to make bridges across swamps.” No, you cannot do that with the Shs 1.3 billion. That is new money for a new project. Maintain the present roads the way they are, so that you have the murram there and gravel, they are compacted, drainage – this is a must. I will check and if I find – there will be casualties among the Local Government people there, even the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs). Why should this be the case when all these people are there? Now for the voters – that is why you need to vote for people who care, not the ones who give you money. On the issue of the implementation, so much money has already been availed for so many roads; I have a whole list here. Masaka-Mutukula, the money is there. The money for Lusalira-Kasambya- Nkonge-Lumegere. Roads like; Moyo-Afoji, Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi, Kumi-Ngora- Serere-Kagwara, Kampala-Malaba metre gauge, Kitgum-Kidepo, Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area roads. The MPs should follow up on this money which is already provided. I have a long list here of the money already provided, some of it from loans – even for education and health – all this money is here. Now, finally, you get misinformation. For instance, the other day I was in Lyantonde and some of the Luweero veterans were talking about some issues but when I checked, we had already provided Shs 218 billion or something like that for the a kasiimo and the a kasiimo was supposed to be Shs 5 million for each of the leaders and Shs 1 million for supporters. Now, Shs 218 billion, which has already been provided, is too much money. So, what happened? Who took this money? And yet I heard some of them were complaining – we are going to dig up the whole thing. Then you get the cattle compensation for Teso, Lango, Acholi. We have already spent Shs 200 billion on that. Who got this money? And we have now budgeted for another Shs 80 billion. You heard it being read here. So, you, the leaders should follow up on this money. Of course, I will also follow up now that I am involved. Then, you have things like the stadiums. Quite a bit of money has been sent to some of these stadiums. So, the National Council of Sports needs to explain to us. I hear some money has gone to stadiums like Kakyeka – a number of them, to do this and that. Others are going to be done massively, like Akii-Bua et cetera. So, the National Council of Sports should also come and brief Mama about all this money. Finally, I saw some issue about the digital number plates of vehicles – about fines, fines, fines – that people are being fined for I-do-not-know-what. But the issue about the number plates is not fines but rather anti-crime. I would like my people to put on the projector a picture I saw in today’s newspaper – put that picture, if you have it. (A photo was displayed on the screen.)

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;

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

17005 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 3) Oxygen plants Page 18, the committee recommends that additional Shs 8.6 billion be provided to the Ministry of Health to complete and commission the remaining oxygen plants and additional Shs 11.85 billion be provided to procure transformers that will stabilise the power supply for the oxygen plants and newly acquired medical equipment. 4) Medical equipment The Ministry of Health reported that it had acquired new imaging equipment, like CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound machines, for regional referral hospitals. This equipment requires constant maintenance that can cost Shs 7.7 billion annually. The committee recommends that additional Shs 7.5 billion be provided for the maintenance of that equipment. 5) Upgrade of health centres We can go to the recommendations on page 19. i) We need Shs 60 billion to complete the upgrade of health centres that had already been started. ii) We need an addition of Shs 7.6 billion for equipment that will be required to functionalise the upgraded health facilities. 6) Inadequate funding for the renovation and equipping of health facilities. In the second-to-last paragraph, the Ministry of Health reported that in 2024/2025, it had planned for the partial rehabilitation of 13 general hospitals. These include Kambuga, Masindi, Apac, Koboko, Kotido, Kamwenge, Kitgum, Katakwi, Amuria, Kasana Luweero, Kapchorwa, Itojo, and Muko. The total budget was Shs 39 billion, but the cumulative release from quarter 1 to quarter 3 was only Shs 12.7 billion, which is only 32 per cent. Recommendations on page 20 (i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should provide additional funds amounting to Shs 46 billion to complete rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping of Masindi, Kambuga, and Itojo General Hospitals, which are currently very old and dilapidated. (ii) The Ministry of Finance should provide Shs 20 billion, which is required to commence the rehabilitation of the foreign general hospitals, Apac, Koboko, Kotido, Kamwenge, Kitgum, Katakwi, Amuria, Kasana Luweero, Kapchorwa, in a phased manner. The Ministry of Finance should prioritise the release of the transitional development grant to address the issues of delayed rehabilitation completion. Hard-to-reach areas, such as Mayuge, Namayingo, Kalangala, Buvuma, and the rest, should be given affirmative action regarding health service delivery. 7) Status of ambulances There are 158 constituencies that have not received ambulances. The honourable members are complaining. Also, we have 14 boat ambulances, but very expensive to maintain in terms of fuel and servicing. The recommendations i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development provides additional Shs 54 billion to procure 158 ambulances for the remaining constituencies, including mine. (Laughter) ii) Additional funds amounting to Shs 17 billion, that is, fuel – Shs 12.8 billion and Shs 5.6 billion for servicing, be provided for the maintenance and functionalisation of the current fleet of ambulances under the National Ambulance Call and Dispatch System.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues to thank the chairperson of the committee. Mr Speaker, to start with, you have been emphasising the Positron Emission Tomography machine (PET) for testing of cancer. There is also the dialysis machine for those who are - all of us are victims of kidney failure and the associated problems it comes with. I, therefore, recommend that we should put aside some funds so that most of our regional referral hospitals get this machine. For example, Kitgum and Agago - everybody has to run and go towards Oyam. Secondly, there was a project which the minister had to fast-track. It is about the teaching

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

Mr Speaker, the President directed me and we have a meeting tomorrow. Remember, Parliament last week, under the Speaker, directed that we have a meeting involving the districts of Kitgum, Abim where he comes from, the other district that was carved out of Kitgum; Agago, with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities so that we can come up with solutions. [Mr Aeku] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Yes, and people do change parties. I will not talk about the presiding officer. (Laughter) Let me proceed with the issue I was raising. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the families of these people, together with our lawyers, went to police stations from all the areas where they were abducted from, here in Kampala and Mpigi. A group of our election management committee members went to bury the mother of one of them in Rakai. On their way back, they were kidnapped from Lungala in Mpigi. All those police stations nearby said they did not know what we were talking about. Madam Speaker, today, the Uganda Police Force, on its verified social media account, has put out a statement saying, they are not the ones who arrested these people. Can the Government then account? If it is not the Government, then it is probably some rebel outfit within town. The Government needs to tell us whether it is no longer in charge. Nevertheless, as far as we are concerned, Madam Speaker, of course, it is the Government because many people have been abducted in a similar fashion and they end up at the military court, wherever, in torture chambers and so forth. Madam Speaker, as I wrap up, on Sunday, the Government was celebrating the Janani Luwum Day. The Prime Minister led government officials to Kitgum to celebrate an incredible man who fought against injustice in this country. The government officials kept talking about how Idi Amin’s regime was abducting people and it was evil, but you people are doing the same thing. The law prescribes if you want to arrest somebody - how you get to do that.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Member for the question. I am going to inform and also direct UWA to make sure that that is covered. Secondly, we also had a problem in northern Uganda to mention, Kitgum and Agago in the Kidepo area. We are also struggling to make sure that we fence it. We are lucky that we have tried to fence, but those small loopholes will be covered I promise.

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

15820 STANDING COMMITTEE R E PORT should at least amount to the value of a cow. A top-up of Shs 1,050,000, which is a unit cost per cow, was made for all claimants and beneficiaries who had received less than the unit cost. In Financial Year 2023/2024, the above claimants and beneficiaries in the affected districts of Agago, Pallisa, Kitgum, Serere and Kaberamaido were given a top-up amount of Shs 307 million on top of the district’s allocated amount of Shs 1.7 billion. The committee in clause 3.4 on page 14 of its report observed that according to the Attorney-General, the outstanding liability for compensation claims, as at 30 June 2024, was at Shs 472 billion. However, upon the analysis of the same, they arrived at an outstanding liability of Shs 208 billion, leaving a variance of Shs 264 billion from the original liability, as was reported by the Attorney-General to the committee. Further, it is reported that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has so far paid out Shs 119.2 billion, while the committee discovered that the Ministry of Justice had actually paid out Shs 114.7 billion, leaving an unexplained variance of Shs 4.4 billion. Here, below, is an extract of Table 3 from pages 14 and 15 of the committee report. In response to that, we have observed that the committee, in its report, considered Financial Year 2023/2024 partially and only extracted payments and outstanding liability assessed at 50 cows, owing to the threshold set by the ministry of paying at least a minimum of one cow and not more than 50 cows for the first phase, leaving out the total claim in excess of amounts payable or assessed at 50 cows and the information relating to the claimants’/ beneficiaries’ entire claim. Mr Speaker, had the committee extracted the entire information presented to it by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, they would have arrived at the outstanding liability of Shs 472.72 billion as shown in the sample table below. The sample table is there – (Interruption)

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

Thank you. Representing 77 per cent of the budget released. To that effect, Shs 446 billion remained unutilised and hence was returned to the Consolidated Fund as a result of the failure to absorb the resources. Madam Speaker, the absorption of funds by the local government was affected by a number of factors, including late release of funds, delays in procurement, delayed accessing of civil servants onto the payroll, change in design of construction works, among the cases cited. Notably, the local governments with the least absorptive capacities or those that returned huge sum of funds were Kitgum Municipal Council at 43 per cent, returning Shs 15 billion; Oyam District Local Government performed at 57 per cent thus returning Shs 25 billion; Pakwach District Local Government performed at 58 per cent returning Shs 14.5 billion; Agago District Local Government absorbed 60 per cent of the funds, returning Shs 17.6 billion; Lira District Local Government absorbed 54 per cent of the funds released to it returning Shs 17.6 billion and Arua City absorbed 74 per cent released to it, returning Shs 17.6 billion. Madam Speaker, on the other hand, the local governments that absorbed to near target were Gulu District Local Government (DLG) posting 100 per cent utilisation of all funds released to it, Arua DLG 94 per cent, Mityana DLG absorbed 96 per cent of the funds released to it and Mityana Municipal Council performed at 89 per cent, Moyo DLG at 87 per cent, and Yumbe DLG at 87 per cent. Those are among the best performing local governments. Madam Speaker, as I stated earlier, these are just samples we picked. The main reports are in this book. The Members will pick interest and look at their district one by one; how they performed in the Financial Year 2022/2023. Committee observation The committee observed that: i. Local governments were unable to carry out the planned activities because they did not get all the funds from the approved budget; ii. The unspent balance was attributed to a number of factors including failure to recruit, delayed deployment of teachers [Mr Olanya] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the 20 th of October, every year, the entire Uganda - the majority of the people who are 99 per cent Christians - go to Panyimur to celebrate and pray as pilgrims. This is because there are two martyrs; Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello. This coming Sunday on the 20th, many people are going to move to Panyimur for the same. However, all the roads that lead to Panyimur in Agago North, are impassable. Whether you come from Karamoja, Kitgum, Pader and Lira side. And this year’s celebration is going to be led by the diocese of Kotido. Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Transport should take urgent action so that on the 20th people can go and pray in Panyimur Shrine. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am here to second the motion. The Acholi people have been searching for sustainable and permanent solutions to cattle rustling for a very long time. The rustlers have caused a lot of suffering for the people of Acholi, especially in the districts of Agago and Kitgum. Economic activities have been disrupted, and Mr Speaker, we need a comprehensive and sustainable solution for cattle rustling. You will never be at peace when your neighbours are not at peace. Education is the only comprehensive and sustainable mechanism to put an end to cattle rustling in the regions of Karamoja and Acholi. Mr Speaker, research shows that there are cumulative benefits of education in ending any conflict. There are clear links between education and improved child ability to protect others. Indeed, it has been noted that children and young people in the Karamoja Subregion who have low education levels are the ones who are more involved in cattle rustling than their educated counterparts. It is the lack of education that is driving this particular group of poor young people into rustling. Therefore, there are thousands of children and young people in Karamoja, right now, who are not going to school and they have become professional raiders. Mr Speaker, the raiders would have worked themselves out of poverty to respect and dignity if they were educated. Therefore, we need to use multiple strategies to combat cattle rustling in the Karamoja Subregion. I beg to submit, thank you.

It is okay but I was saying that because the committee is in charge of Tourism, Trade, and Industry. Anyway, lastly, I have a humble petition from the Kitgum NGO forum, which stipulates the challenges of wildlife in Kitgum District; the challenges of the elephants, and the game park, which is situated on the eastern side of the Acholi sub-region. I would like to lay this on the Table to inform the committee and beef up the recommendations that they have so far mentioned.

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

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;

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

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to support most of the recommendations that they have indicated in the report of the committee. Allow me to thank the village health team. Many of them are doing very wonderful work, especially during immunisation time. In most cases, they do the work and sometimes they do not even receive the small allowances that are supposed to be given to them. I recommend that this Parliament passes a resolution so that the Ministry of Health does something great to these people. If anything, support them with good transport means. Number two, the Government has come out with a policy of upgrading all the health centre IIs to health centre IIIs, which is good. However, in the north, many of our subcounties are big and when you look at a parish, it can even be the size of a subcounty. But you find that these health centre IIs before the policies were changed, they were in some parishes and others were not having health centre IIs. I support the idea, but there are those remaining health centre IIs which have not yet been upgraded to health centre IIIs. For example, in Agago North County, I have Okwadoko, Paluti, Toromo, Kasasiro in Ominya Pacwa, Abilinino, Amyel and others that are supposed to be upgraded to health centre IIIs. I request that the Ministry of Health rolls out these health centre IIs to health centre IIIs. On the other hand, subcounties like Kalongo Town Council is big to the level that can even accommodate a municipality. However, this is a place which does not even have a Government health centre and people in Kalongo town have to travel to a subcounty which is neighbouring them. I even made a request on that, on 26 May 2022, I wrote a letter to the Ministry of Health. They received it but kept quiet. I wish they could respond to a bigger town like Kalongo to give us a health centre III. Finally, as I conclude, Agago North deserves a constituency health centre IV. This is the time the ministry should help us. It is in the report of the committee, that is supposed to be implemented. I also request this to be included: CT scan to Lacor Hospital and Kitgum Hospital to be upgraded to Kitgum Regional Referral Hospital. As we speak, there are now two subregions in Acholi Subregion; Western Acholi and Eastern Acholi. I thank you for the opportunity, and may God bless the Parliament and Uganda.

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

14235 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 We thank the President because he gave one ambulance in the name of these children. Mr Speaker, sometime back in May, the Acholi Parliamentary Group moved around all the five districts, to do an assessment of these children affected by Nodding Disease. When we met the parents, they came out with the following requests: i. The parents want to know what made their children get Nodding Disease. This is because it affected them when they were in the camps, and after. The Ministry of Health has got the report, but they want to get it on the ground. ii. The parents requested that the two care centres, one in Omoro and another in Kitgum Tumango, which were constructed by a certain white lady in collaboration with the Government, should be revamped because they have collapsed. If they are opened, they can take their children there during the day so that they can do some economic activities. iii. The Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, sends food to these children. However, they sometimes send food once every six months. Their request is that the Government pays them money quarterly, so that when the season for food is on, they buy and stock it instead of waiting for the five kilogrammes of posho, and 10 kilogrammes of beans. Those are the few issues I wanted to inform you about the children with Nodding Disease Syndrome. Maybe –

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;

Thank you, Madam Speaker, I am raising two issues. We have the roads that link to Agago North County. One of them comes from Kitgum Corner Alango, Kitgum Matidi Wol to Kalongo, and then it proceeds to Paimol. Another road comes from Pader, Pajule-Pader to Kalango. On the other hand, there is a road that comes from Otuke-Patongo to Kalango. [Mr Ngoya] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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

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

“… to urge the Government to increase resource allocation to northern region for livestock farming to accelerate socio- economic transformation; 2. To urge the Government to strengthen market access by linking livestock farmers in the Karamoja subregion to international meat markets, including the opportunities offered by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area and other international partnerships with the Middle East; 3. To strengthen the scope and functionality of the Nwoya animal breeding and fattening facility and open at least one more such facility in the Karamoja subregion; 4. To introduce a livestock breeding, fattening and management skilling course in the existing industrial hubs in the four subregions of West Nile, Lango, Acholi and Karamoja to enhance the skill of youth in the livestock sector; and 5. To support the growth of beef production in northern Uganda by functionalising Aswa Ranch in Kitgum and Iriiri Ranch in Napak district, plus opening similar ranches in West Nile and Lango subregions to complement the strides attained in dairy production in Western Uganda.” I submit, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also support the motion on increasing resource allocation to northern Uganda. I would like to bring your attention to the National Special Grant that is being given to people with disabilities every year. This grant has helped people with disabilities to purchase animals. When we visited the groups in Palaro, Atiak, and Namukora in Kitgum, we realised that they were doing very well. However, as their hopes were increasing to add on more livestock, the money for the National Special Grant in the budget was reduced, and the money given to them now, is so meagre. We pray that this money is increased. Madam Speaker, they also aim at getting Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to get more livestock. However, when they fill the forms to access PDM money, they are chased away because they have funds from the National Special Grant. I, therefore, request that when this money is disbursed to northern Uganda, people with disabilities should also be considered. I submit.

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

14048 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT This implies that under Force Account, the money can maintain 18 kilometres, while under framework contract, all the money would maintain only 1.8 kilometres of the entire road. The committee recommends that the Government prioritises the maintenance of national roads to reduce on rehabilitation costs of early reconstruction of non-maintained roads. Encroachment on road reserves Madam Speaker, on encroachment on road reserves, like the honourable colleague mentioned, the committee was informed by UNRA that one of the challenges faced by the station is encroachment on road reserves and other property, especially those under the Kitgum station. The committee was concerned that, currently, the mitigation measures by UNRA are encouraging staff to be more vigilant in identifying encroachers during the inspection. The committee was further informed that the UNRA enforcement unit did not have staff at every station and, therefore, there was need for them at all stations for faster response to encroachment. The committee recommends that UNRA provides enforcement staff at each station and, where necessary, evacuates some encroachers from its property as a deterrent example to prospective encroachers. Madam Speaker, allow me to briefly get to the recommendations of the committee in that respect. 1. UNRA should consider engaging public- private partnership – this is in respect to the request which was placed by the Karuma business community about the health facilities – the restroom facilities – at the town council. They said that UNRA should consider engaging public-private partnership to establish restrooms along national roads to ensure that Ugandans and tourists along the roads do not get embarrassed. 2. UNRA should consider establishing bus stop sheds along the roads. Oil roads and other strategic roads in northern Uganda The committee observed that the oil roads in Nwoya District have not yet received the requisite attention and maintenance. The poor condition of these roads is not only hindering the smooth transportation of oil equipment and personnel but also affecting the livelihoods of local communities who rely on these roads for their daily activities. Through sharing with stakeholders, the committee was informed that there are a number of strategic roads that need to be attended to, so as to enhance interconnectivity of the road network in the northern region. These roads offer substantial economic and social benefits to the region. Awer-Amuru-Otwee-Kololo Road – the gateway to West Nile at Rhino Camp This road serves as a vital link connecting Nwoya and Amuru districts to the West Nile region. By connecting communities to the ferry at Kololo and providing access to Rhino Camp, this route is essential for boosting regional trade, enhancing market access, and catalysing cross-district commerce. Moroto Road (through Omoro to Pader, Agago, and Abim in Karamoja) This road is key to unlocking the economic potential of the subregion, connecting Omoro, Pader, Agago, and Abim districts up to Moroto. Upgrading it to a high-grade tarmac road will facilitate the efficient movement of agricultural produce, lower transport costs, and stimulate regional trade. This road is essential for attracting investments in agriculture, education, and other key sectors, driving inclusive growth, and enhancing socio-economic outcomes for communities in these districts.

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

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

14059 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 However, Madam Speaker, the road from Kitgum through Chua West, Kitgum-Matidi, going to Kidepo, passing through Chua East, has been in the National Development Plan for a long time. The people constructing the road went there for an assessment, but as we speak now, not even a hectare of a single work is being done. The compensation, which was promised to the people there, was not done completely. Can we consider the road from Kitgum District passing through Kitgum-Matidi going to Kidepo, which is also a tourist road? Lastly, there are some strategic bridges. They may not be the main bridges, but they are strategic bridges, which the district cannot work on; two of them are in Kitgum District. There is one connecting one subcounty to the centre of nodding- There is a river baring the nodding syndrome children from passing through to get health facilities in a different subcounty. That bridge has been promised and budgeted for; it is in the National Development Plan (NDP III), but no work has yet begun. Similarly, there is one connecting Kitgum- Matidi to a particular parish and it is also a nodding disease-infested area. Those bridges are supposed to be considered, Madam Speaker. Lastly, recently we had an engagement with the district through the District Local Government Public Accounts Committee. We had recommendations –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to begin by thanking the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for the good report that they have given us. I have admired the form and content. I would like to touch on the matter of the aerodromes – the airfields. Six months ago, we held a meeting with the Civil Aviation commissioner-general on Kitgum Municipality airfield. Kitgum Municipality airfield was scheduled to be among the top seven, including the Kidepo Airfield. We had agreed that the commissioner-general would send staff to Kitgum to survey the status of Kitgum Airfield so that it could be revived to the standard needed. Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister for Works and Transport how far they have gone with the issues of Kitgum Airfield. It was supposed to be surveyed and the report given so that the work begins. Secondly, there is the issue of Karuma. I also admired the report given on the issues of Karuma Bridge. The business community in the northern region are incurring many losses due to the long routes and a lot of time the buses take crossing from the park. The committee laid a very vivid idea of creating a waiver but it did not specify the kind of waiver. I would like that to be clarified; whether the waiver will be in terms of giving some fuel or compensation to the bus companies so that they can cut the costs of the bus fares. At the moment, the cost is double than what it was before. In that way, our business community that crosses that bridge will be supported very well. Madam Speaker, the Karuma Bridge was constructed in 1963, one year after Independence. It is saddening for us, the people of the North, to find ourselves having the only bridge closed. All these years, the Government would have taken a step to construct an alternative bridge. We cannot wait to do a post mortem. Therefore, Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Transport needs to be clear –

Madam Speaker, indeed we are aware about the encroachment. That is why we wanted the Civil Aviation Authority to come and analyse the status quo on the ground. However, as Kitgum, we have another alternative land that we can actually give to help put the airfield. It was discussed in the council –

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 –

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

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

Anything that is not protected by security becomes a problem. The security roads in Northern Uganda, from Odom to Kitgum, and from the Karamoja part of the region - The UPDF is doing a lot of good work in the area. However, there are challenges that need to be mitigated. The minister for works should be able to work on the issue of security roads to allow the UPDF to do deployment, execute their duty effectively and efficiently, for the protection of the local people in the community. That means that the Government’s implementation of the projects in the area will not be jeopardised by the cattle raiders. I expected the community to work on that very seriously.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I have been sitting for a long time. Madam Speaker, I remember history very well. When this Government came into power, the first thing they did was to secure the country. In other words, without security, there cannot be any business, touring, or economic development. I come from Lamwo County, which borders South Sudan. Recently, I made a submission in Parliament in respect to border insecurity whereby South Sudanese have been robbing and terrorising the people of Lamwo. It resulted into one big thing, which was the positioning of a whole brigade of 5,000 UPDF soldiers in Lamwo, my constituency. Now the problem arises that, in case of supplies and other things, the road from Kitgum-Padipe to Ngomoromo-Lokung needs to be tarmacked to fasten communication quickly for the army personnel to supply the border posts. This is because there are now 5,000 UPDF men and women guarding the people of Lamwo, for which we thank the commander-in-chief of this country. Secondly, there is another road from Aweno Olwi to Lamwo, which also needs to be addressed, preferably by tarmacking. I do not have a lot of words. We need to secure this country. We need the borders to be calm. We are in the North right now and we want the northern parts of the country to be secured. Right now, South Sudan is a hotspot for insecurity. I would like this Parliament to address this.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I would like to add to what my colleague, the male MP for Lamwo County, has said. Kitgum to Ngomoromo via Padibe Road is about 67 kilometres and is a number six priority road under the World Bank Refugee Funded Project. By the grace of God, the money for the construction is available. What is needed from the Government of the Republic of Uganda is the money for designing it. Therefore, it is my humble plea, on behalf of the people of Lamwo District, to not just coordinate and connect the refugee district, but to connect us to South Sudan. Being a border district, this has been long overdue. His Excellency promised the people of Lamwo this road in 2018 when he visited our side. Secondly, Lututuru Hill was one of the tourist sites in the history of this country. When His Excellency, by then, President Idi Amin Dada, was in power, he had his site at Lututuru Hill. So, I also want to interest the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry to take keen interest and make that site valuable to give some credit to the economy of Uganda. Last but not least, Madam Speaker, we need a security road that borders the Kitgum people and Lamwo District. Recently, we had a land dispute where my people lost lives in a land conflict between the community of Mucwini East and the community of Madi Opei subcounty in Lamwo district. I request the Ministry of Internal Affairs to give us a security road to clearly demarcate the landmark. I beg to submit.

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

There is a procedural matter. Honourable members, before the procedural matter comes, in the VIP gallery we have Mr Milton Odongo, the RDC of Pader, and Mr Wadri Sam Nyakua, the Mayor of Arua City. We also have, Mr David Kennedy Odongo from Alebtong District, Mr John Nangiro from Nakapiripirit District, Mr Stephen Obitre from Maracha District, and Mr Abibu Bulia Khemij Awadi from Obongi District. We also have Mr Hassan Ringitho from Zombo District, Mr Michael Ivan Ocaya from Kitgum Municipal Council – he is the Deputy Speaker, and Ms Vanessa Anyako, the Female Youth Councillor, Laro Pece Division.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. These conflicts are causing the loss of both lives and property in terms of crops, among others. People growing crops around the parks suffer great losses every time. I think we, as the Government, have also been very slow in compensating people who have lost property and lives. We have just mentioned here that a child was killed a few days ago. So, Madam Speaker, these things should be taken very seriously, and I am happy that the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities is here. I am sure he will also give us an update on the plan of the Government in fencing these areas. Part of Kitgum, which had rested from this for a long time and had not been experiencing this, has also started experiencing damages due to migrant elephants from Kidepo National Park. Another big issue that I got in this area was the issue of governance and accountability in local governments. The question of monitoring of government activities has been very poor and in fact, there are rampant cases of corruption and poor service delivery in many of these local governments. I want to call upon colleagues to join the effort in monitoring government services to the population. Madam Speaker, I have personally taken the trouble to sit with colleagues and identify the best method by which honourable colleagues can begin to monitor services in their areas. We have done this time and again, and I want to continue urging colleagues to continue doing this because the losses incurred here are due to poor monitoring of services. Madam Speaker, we have, in this region, found out that the best way to improve communication and encourage accountability in the population is to encourage barazas. The barazas we have been conducting, as the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), were very huge and costly barazas, where a minister would come from the OPM or the Prime Minister herself and then organise a baraza. These are so costly. We have now agreed to devise and indeed my office has written to the local governments to direct all Chief Administrative Officers, to instruct all parish chiefs to begin barazas in their areas quarterly. In every parish, there must be a baraza and these must be attended to by all public servants, people who work for the Government, to account to the population so that people are also able to share, within those barazas, the challenges they have in those communities, the challenges do they have with service delivery, and the challenges they also have in relation to accessing what they need. Madam Speaker, we have got some areas where people have received money for the Parish Development Model (PDM), but they are lost on what to do with the money. They do not know what to buy, either an animal or seeds, and at what time. Therefore, we have also directed that in those barazas, all the extension workers in those subcounties must be in attendance to sensitise the people on what they can breed or what crops they can grow. From all those barazas, reports must be generated, which must be escalated upwards to the subcounties, counties and finally to the

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

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

Mr Speaker, I remember we approved a loan here to work on the Kitgum to Kidepo Road; it is a tourism road. I believe we have gone a long way to procure the contractor. I also believe once the site is handed over to the contractor, this road will be constructed. That is what I know. Kidepo to Kitgum is a priority road. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, last month, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic released funds to all entities and my district, Kitgum, received only Shs 19 billion instead of Shs 22 billion for wages. I was informed by my Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) that the money is only going

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

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

13619 THE E L E V E N TH P A R L I A MENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 25 J ULY 2024 You can imagine people fighting for a tractor. They nearly beat me. Why are you not coming to my garden? The tractor is not coming. But I was also suffering with spare parts. It is good that the Government has now earmarked money to tarmac Kitgum to Kidepo. That is a good start. Once that road is done, many investors will reach there. Now we are going to add an international airport, it is a good thing to go with. In fact, Karamoja will develop. Mr Speaker, in this coming budget every parish in Karamoja - and do not forget my constituency because they also attacked me so much. That is why they call me a Kenyan. Do you know the reason why they call me a Kenyan? I ran away to Kenya, not because of Hon. “ ASPRO” but I think it was because of Hon. Moses Aleper who is my neighbour. Thank you so much.

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

13462 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 modern geospatial centre, to be able to obtain data from a broad spectrum of satellites from partner nations. I have provided Shs 3.3 billion for space programme activities in the next Financial Year. I would like to commend His Excellency the President for spearheading the development of the knowledge economy through targeted funding of research and development and the scientists in general. Tumukubireko mungalo. (Applause) You are very mean. The president does this kind of thing and you do not clap for him? Nze nkankyekoleleko nzeka. (Applause) Mineral Development Madam Speaker, mineral development is another growth accelerator that has been earmarked by the Government to expand Uganda’s economy by ten-fold. It is going to support resource-based industrialisation into light manufacturing and high-tech exports. During the financial year we are ending, the following have been achieved in the mineral sector: i. The entire country has been fully mapped using airborne and ground geophysical technologies; ii. The National Mining Company has been incorporated as a commercial vehicle for investment and trading in minerals on behalf of the Government of Uganda; iii. Several key mineral development projects and mineral value addition centres have been developed, including; Wagagai, for gold mining in Busia, rare earth metals in Bugweri, a graphite project in Kitgum; a limestone mining project by Sunbird Resources Ltd in Moroto and Seven Gold Refineries in Kampala, among others; iv. M/s Woodcross Tin Smelting Company Ltd has established a tin smelter in Western Uganda to produce tin ingots to 99.95 percent tin grade. Next financial year, I have allocated Shs 41.55 billion to undertake the following interventions for further mineral developments: i. Fast-tracking quantification and market studies for all minerals for the purpose of investor promotion. ii. Operationalising the National Mining Company. iii. Further reviewing and strengthening the fiscal regime for minerals, including regulation of artisanal and small-scale miners. iv. Developing the e-government mineral production system and data bank for mineral statistics; v. Commencing construction of Busia and Moroto beneficiation centres and strengthening the Ntungamo and Fort Portal centres; and vi. Facilitating private sector participation in exploration, mining and value addition to minerals. Oil and Gas Madam Speaker, Uganda is progressing steadily toward the first oil in Financial Year 2025/2026. During the financial year we are ending, the following have been achieved: i. The Upstream Petroleum Project has advanced with drilling works in preparation for production; ii. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project is on track with 500 kilometres of pipeline delivered in Tanzania. The target is to lay 100 kilometres per month; iii. The thermal insulation plant for heating the EACOP in Tabora, Tanzania was commissioned in March this year; iv. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has issued two new exploration licences to Uganda National Oil Company and DGR Global, an Australian-based company;

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

Attorney-General, information. Recently, we borrowed money to finance the Kitgum-Kidepo Road. The contractor was procured before we even got the loan approved here. How was that? I have the evidence; I can lay it here. I want to follow up with what Hon. Ekanya says. Under Rule 175 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda talks about the functions of the Committee on National Economy. We are supposed to examine any guarantees you sign on behalf of the people of Uganda before you go and execute it. Therefore, when you talk of guarantees being executed on our behalf, I do not know how you do it and where you get those mandates from without our involvement. Thank you.

Hon. Batuwa. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO AUTHORISE GOVERNMENT TO BORROW UP TO EUROS 110,543,947.52 FROM STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, TO FINANCE THE KITGUM-KIDEPO ROAD UPGRADING PROJECT

Honourable members, as you may recall, on 18 April 2024, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development tabled a proposal for borrowing to finance the upgrade of Kitgum-Kidepo Road, that is a 115.8 kilometre road, which is a very valid connection between the Acholi and Karamoja subregions. After that connection, Hon. Felix Okot will say that there is equity. The same road connects to South Sudan. In addition, it is a vital catalyst for the realisation of a huge tourism potential; that is Murchison Falls and Kidepo tourism circuit, which is the road.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move a motion to authorise the Government to borrow up to Euros 110,543,947.25, which is approximately $117.26 million, from the Standard Chartered Bank, to finance the Kitgum-Kidepo Road upgrade project. Madam Speaker, this motion is moved pursuant to Article 159 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, sections 36 and 39 of the Public Finance Act, and Rule 155 of our Parliament Rules of Procedure. I beg to move, Madam Speaker.

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_)

Honourable members, it is a tourism road connecting – for the first time, northern Uganda is getting connected. (Applause) And you are the same people who have been complaining that there are no roads on that side. I now put the question that the motion for a resolution of Parliament to authorise the Government to borrow up to - [Member: “Procedure!”] – It is suspended – € 110,543,947.52 from Standard Chartered Bank to finance the Kitgum-Kidepo Road upgrading project to be approved by this House. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted. MOTION THAT THE HOUSE RESOLVES ITSELF INTO A COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY TO CONSIDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023/2024, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 156(2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF UGANDA, SECTION 25 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT, 2015 AND RULE 153 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Honourable minister, you have got that information. What we are going to do is to empower you. I will still insist that where people need to be fired, they should go. If you feel it is reshuffling that will help an institution, reshuffle the institution. Do not kill an institution, but let us reshuffle. Now, honourable members, in the committee, we have the Kidepo loan. You have always complained: why are they tarmacking roads in one side of the country only? Now, the minister has brought for you a loan for the tarmacking of the Kidepo-Kitgum road. We have Supplementary Schedule 2 in the committee; we have the tax Bills in the committee; and we also have the budget harmonisation in the committee. I want to give these committees time and they report back on Tuesday. Therefore, the House is adjourned to Tuesday, the 30 th of April. (The House rose at 5.36 p.m. and adjourned until Tuesday, 30 April 2024, at 2.00 p.m.) THE UGANDA ROAD FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024

13072 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS The committee was informed that according to the Expressway Master Plan, the following eight priority toll roads are expected to be constructed, those you can read through. The committee therefore recommends that UNRA be maintained as a semi-autonomous entity due to the fact that Objective 2(2)(a) of the UNRA Act (Repeal), 2004 does not apply to it citing UNRA’s contribution to revenue generation. 5.4 Technical Assistance and Support Offered by UNRA The committee was informed that due to the high technical capabilities that UNRA has developed over the years, the authority has offered technical assistance and support to other government ministries and departments including the following. a) Construction of the Kampala Flyover project. This project is located within the Kampala road network and should have ordinarily been undertaken by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). However, this was not possible due to inadequate technical capacity. UNRA took up the complex project due to its high specialised staff and has completed phase 1 and moving to phase 2, covering Kitgum Junction. b) Isimba Bridge: The committee was informed that the construction of this bridge started under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development as part of the Isimba Dam project. Due to inadequate technical capacity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, UNRA was called upon to provide for technical support and supervise the bridge construction works. The works were completed successfully and the bridge is now in use. c) Saka Bridge. The construction works for Saka Bridge were initially done by the Ministry of Works and Transport, but the works were washed away by floods. UNRA was called upon to take up the project and completed it successfully. d) Technical support to Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). Cognisant of the fact that the UPDF is currently conducting Operation Shuja inside the Democratic Republic of Congo to fight against ADF rebels. And at some point, UPDF was facing a challenge of crossing Semliki River. UNRA offered technical support by assembling two ferries, one connecting Ntoroko to DRC and the other located at Karuruma inside DRC. The technical support included training of UPDF personnel in ferry operations and maintenance. e) Technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture. You can also read about the institutions that UNRA has been rendering support to. In light of the above, the committee observed that UNRA has become a shock absorber for the road infrastructure sector and mainstreaming it may expose the sector to high risk that may result in financial losses in the medium and long term. (Interjection) The committee, therefore, recommends that UNRA should be tasked to enhance in-house technical capacity, in order to save the country from the huge costs associated with contract management. 5.5. Agency model for the road sector The committee noted that the world over, the development and maintenance of the national road backbone infrastructure is through semi- autonomous entities. For instance, all member states of the East Africa Community have adopted a semi- autonomous road agency authority affiliated to the respective ministries of works infrastructure as shown in the table below. In Kenya, it is called the Kenya National Highway Authority. In Tanzania, it is called the [Mr Atwijukire] THE UGANDA NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY ACT (REPEAL) BILL, 2024

No, we cannot read. Remove your spectacles and see if you can read them. We will need a clearer copy. You see, the Chairperson of the Committee on Budget and all the members are very old people. (Laughter) We will forward it to the Committee on Budget for scrutiny and report back to the House. [Mr Tebandeke: “Thank you, Madam Speaker.” ] Did I give you permission? Do not switch on a microphone before I give you permission. Please, first sit. II) THE PROPOSAL TO BORROW EUROS 110.5 MILLION (APPROXIMATELY US$ 117.26 MILLION) FROM STANDARD CHARTERED BANK TO FINANCE THE UPGRADING OF THE KITGUM-KIDEPO ROAD

As you are aware, tourism is a very important aspect in generating income for this country and there is a need for us to be able to work on the tourism roads. Today, we will receive a proposal to borrow money to finance such a tourism road which is Kitgum-Kidepo Road. (Applause) There is some equity now coming in. This road, if worked on, will grossly boost tourism in the northern part of this country. I now invite the honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to table the proposal. Meanwhile, I do not know where the Minister of Works and Transport has gone. There is a problem. This loan has LAYING OF PAPERS

Madam Speaker, this is a motion for Parliament to authorise the Government to borrow up to Euros 110,543,947.52, which is equivalent to USD 117.26 million from the Standard Chartered Bank to finance the upgrading of the Kitgum- Kidepo road upgrading project. I am moving in line with Article 159 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, as amended, Sections 36 and 39 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) 2015, and Rule 155 of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure for authority to borrow the amount of money that I have just described. I beg to move.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am not against borrowing, more so in the issues of the Kitgum-Kidepo road. But when you look at Article 159 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, “Powers of Government to borrow or Lend.” must be clear, in line with clause 4(a) and (b). The honourable minister has explained to us the purpose of borrowing and all the procedures followed. However, Article 159, Clause 4(b) requires that in cases of accumulated interest, the President be present in the House to explain about the accumulated interest and the provisions made for servicing or repayment of the loan. And if he is not anywhere in the House- the minister has not explained to us these provisions made in loan repayment, servicing and yet the interest is becoming a very big burden to the country. When we borrow, following all the procedures but not explaining the loan repayment measures-

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the committee for the good report that they presented. I know that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development is in charge of all the special interest groups. There is one issue that has been appearing on the Floor of Parliament every year; that is the issue of the children affected by nodding syndrome during the war. Up to today, some of them have never walked, some are limping, some are on medication and they are doing well. I believe the issue of nodding syndrome cuts across the two ministries; Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Health, for medication, welfare under Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. When the chairperson presented the budget, I did not hear any mention of these children. Some weeks ago, the Speaker the Acholi Parliamentary Group, to do assessment on this issue. We went to Omoro, Pader, Kitgum and Lamwo, we invited the people who were in Lango. When we met the community and those children, the main thing that the parents requested for was to revive the rehabilitation and habitation centres, which were opened up by some time back by a white lady. However, when she ran out of the money, the Government did not complete the centres.

12527 THE E L E VENTH P A R L IAMENT O F U GANDA THURSDAY , 11 A P R IL 2024 She handed over the centres to the districts, which were unable to handle them. Most of the parents have requested that these rehabilitation centres be reinstated. A woman told us that she has four children affected by nodding syndrome, and that she will kill them and also die. A man told us that he has seven children also affected. Most of them told us that if we were not the Acholi Parliamentary Group, they would chase us away, because several people have gone to them, but have not assisted them. The Archbishop of Northern Uganda, John Baptist Odama, put up a habitation centre in Kitgum, which has about only 10 children, whom we took there on stretchers, but they are now doing better. I propose that the issue of the rehabilitation and habitation centres for these children should be included in the Budget and financed handed over to the Archbishop because he can handle those centres very well, so that the parents who have been living with these children for all these years - information from the minister-

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Peace and security are everything for a country to grow. On this note, as a teacher, I may rate this Government at 89 per cent on security. (Applause) The 11 per cent is because they sometimes create insecurity and solve it by themselves. (Laughter) For example, in Kitgum, Acholi Subregion, the Government is allowing the Karimojong to come intentionally to rape the Acholi and then move to solve the same issue. Secondly, Mr Speaker –

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

12431 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2024 It is, therefore, our considered view that the PDM is not translating into increased household incomes and alleviation of poverty in its current state nor can it substantially improve the quality of life of citizens or contribute to an increase in production. The model is characterised by mismanagement at the point of introduction of groups. Look at how the officials in Kitgum in 2021 were arrested over the misappropriation of Shs 526 million. We still note that the model in its current state does not have a unified monitoring tool, there exists unapproved SACCOs since the inception of the model two years back and it is discriminatory in nature. As I interacted with several Muslim communities in these local governments, they said, they cannot take on this because in their beliefs they do not allow anything that attracts interest. In the very main report, we have already given the quotas- I agree with that one. But, the model is not also observing the quotas as highlighted before. This programme adopted a one-size-fits-all method of allocation of funds in total disregard of the varying population in parishes in this country. A parish like Kireka in Wakiso with over 100 people is compared to the same - and a parish like Mutungo, which has 64,663 people is also compared to the same as a smaller parish like Ibbiaworo Parish in Adjumani, which has 892 people. This is per the latest UBOS population statistics. This very model as we talk today is not considering the different things. We therefore propose that the different needs of the different societies. We therefore request that today –

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I would also like to thank the chairperson of the committee. I have two issues to raise and one of them is on the porous borders. Rt Deputy Prime Minister, when you were the Speaker of Parliament in the Ninth Parliament and 10 th Parliament, Parliament created six border points in Uganda and Okuti Border Market in Kitgum was one of them. Kitgum District Local Government gave one square kilometre of land to the Government of Uganda to build the border market, but up to date, there is nothing on the ground. We keep on asking on the Floor and are still waiting. However, Mr Speaker, the porous borders in Kitgum – between Uganda and South Sudan – is one of the places where we are experiencing a lot of insecurity. Every now and then, South Sudanese come and commit a lot of atrocities such as animal raiding in Uganda. How I wish this Parliament could provide funds as it is clearly stated here that the minister’s office is underfunded such that we would really create some – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I welcome you to today’s sitting. We have interrupted the reflection of love from Kitgum, Mama Mabira congratulating our sister, Hon. Lillian Aber. I also take this opportunity to congratulate you and your colleagues. (Applause) The Ex-Officio Members who have not yet been sworn in, we shall be doing it tomorrow so that they can join us in the House. The new breed, you know the issues we have been grappling with of the ministers not attending Parliament. I hope you will do better because you were among the people complaining. Now, it is your opportunity. I trust you and I hope that we will work together and do more for this country. Honourable colleagues, I take this opportunity to welcome you back from Easter weekend. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Those who managed went to their constituencies, but most importantly, it must have been a good time with the family; sharing a lot and feasting together, among others. I am glad to see you all back

12157 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 2024 Omoro, Hon. Joyce Acan, and the Member from Kitgum. Yes, I picked the former minister, Hon. Sarah Opendi. Therefore, colleagues, you know your order. I picked you too, Hon. Rose Obigah - the ones who have stood up, you know your order please.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. For us who come from a region, which is heavily affected by the Nodding Syndrome, each time a matter comes on the Floor regarding the Nodding Syndrome, we feel it. There were two centres, one in Omoro, and the other one in Kitgum, which were being run by private individuals to support the children with Nodding Syndrome. These organisations or private individuals ran short of funding and they handed over these centres to the Government, directly to the local government with expectations that the Government would appropriate money to support the local government which in turn would support the running of the centres. The last time money came from the Government to the district local government was way back

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

This matter is not new in this Parliament and it comes up in each term. The very last time that I handled this matter was in 2018 when it was raised by Hon. Franca Akello on the Floor of this House. It made me to go and visit all the districts to ascertain exactly what was on the ground. As we all know, Nodding Syndrome neurological disorder is severe in some of the affected children and also mild but unfortunately, some of them are completely bedridden. When I visited, the majority were falling in the last category of those who were severely affected, comprising about 74 percent of the patients. At that time, the majority of the cases were in Pader but when I visited, what I found on the ground was that there was confusion between Nodding Syndrome and Epilepsy, which is rampant in most of the districts. This is where there is need for the minister - I hope she is still here; oh, she is hiding the other side. There is need for the minister to tell us the current statistics - (Interjection) No, I withdraw that. She is not hiding; I had not seen her. The Government has done its best to support the families with the clinical care. And when the NGOs that were operating in Kitgum and Omoro closed, the Government was providing for those services at the health facilities. However, we found out that the actual number of Nodding Syndrome cases was dropping. What was going up were the cases of epilepsy. But of course, we also found the black fly in the community and Government was supposed to spray and kill them. However, the people must also cooperate and take Ivermectin because there was lack of cooperation from some of the population. If everybody took that medication, we would definitely be able to deal now with the challenge of epilepsy caused by the black fly. I need to know from the ministry the real Nodding Syndrome and Epilepsy cases because there is a mix of the two. Otherwise, I want to thank - When you meet these children, you feel sorry for the parents. It was a pathetic situation, seeing your normal child turn into something else and becoming completely helpless. The child has to be fed, some parents because they do not have anybody to leave this child with, they would either lock them in the house or tie them with some rope outside so that this child does not wander. What I can say is that by then, the numbers for the nodding syndrome were going down while epilepsy was going up. So, we need to get clarity on that. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, thank you. I was one of the seven members of a select committee constituted by the then Deputy Speaker, the late Rt Hon. Oulanyah, who visited a number of districts, including those rehabilitation centres. The situation was extremely catastrophic because parents are literally in prison. Those parents that take care of the victims of Nodding Syndrome cannot move or do anything; it is a prison. Much as proposals are being made to revamp the rehabilitation centres in Kitgum and Omoro, the report has mentioned some good Samaritans, like Archbishop John Baptist Odama. I know his centre has been overwhelmed, but it has accorded lots of psychosocial support to the victims, including nutritional support. The Government should consider giving more support to rejuvenate this centres that they are able to handle even more cases. By the way, the centre does not only handle victims of Nodding Syndrome. They also have the elderly, persons with disabilities, those with epilepsy and others. Mr Speaker, you mentioned the establishment of what is termed as “foster homes”. Foster homes would be a solution if the Government considered establishing them. A foster home is where guardianship and care is given to not only children whose parents have died, but also those whose parents are alive, but unable to take care of the children. In that way, these parents will be able to fend for themselves and even those that are maybe registered under SACCOS for the Parish Development Model programme will be able to work for their own livelihood. As of now, they are in prison, Mr Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, honourable member. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have students from Bugema University under the umbrella of Bugema University Students Association. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) You are always welcome. Honourable colleagues, for the record, when I was mentioning MPs from Zombo, I forgot Hon. Lawrence Songa, Member of Parliament for Ora County and also our very own, Hon. Catherine Mavenjina, Member of Parliament for the elderly. I mentioned Hon. Gabriel Okumu – he was seated with Hon. Esther Afoyochan. Honourable colleagues, I think we should quickly dispose of this report. It is a report that has a recommendation, which you have said is a strong one – saying we should review our refugee policy. What is the intention of closing our borders? Really, that should not be something for this House to handle at this stage. It involves a lot before you reach this kind of decision. I do not want us to break the news from here that Parliament has said: “Please, stop welcoming more refugees.” Such recommendations should be left to the Executive, after wide consultations with the international community. It is our obligation, under international law. You cannot stop someone who is running away from war from entering a country. During the debate, I hope a Member can raise the issue and we amend that recommendation. Hon. Christine Kaaya - I would like to, first, pick MPs from refugee-hosting areas. I have here the Member for Isingiro, the Member for Kisoro - we who are in Kampala are not refugees. (Laughter) You might declare me a refugee when you start saying “Kampala, Kampala”. (Laughter) We are here in Kampala, enjoying ourselves. Honourable colleagues, I will pick you; do not mind. I will start with the Member for Isingiro, Member for Kisoro and the Member for Karamoja. The whole of that line, apart from Hon. Judith Achan, is from West Nile and maybe Bugisu. So, decide among yourselves and agree on one person: I will pick one. I will pick one MP from each hosting area. I would like to have around five Members of Parliament and we conclude this, but I see around nine MPs from West Nile. So, I have picked one from Karamoja. Isingiro, you are for Ankole. I have picked one from Kigezi. I want to pick the Member for Kitgum for Acholi. Busoga, you do not have refugees. Let me pick these for now and then we see how it goes. Okay? For Kampala, it is Hon. Allan Ssewanyana who has many Eritreans. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the report. This report is very critical for us as Members of Parliament to debate. We are all candidates of becoming refugees, it depends on the time. However, when we are debating this report, we may not run away from the issues of the cost-benefit analysis simply because we may not bite more than we can chew. We allow refugees to come. That is obvious. But we also need to control the influx, depending on how we can manage them. It is very paramount, Mr Speaker. When you look at the report, it talks about the dwindling of the donation. It talks about lack of service delivery, which is actually low now, because they are very many. Therefore, it is very important for us to also put into consideration the influx. How many we can admit? It is very important. Mr Speaker, in Kitgum we border the refugee camp. When you look at service delivery, for example in the hospitals, medicines get finished very fast. The number of services that should be given to other people within the community get drained very fast. Therefore, if we are to allow the influx, as Government, we need to take into consideration equipping the service delivery to be enough to the host community. Hospitals should have enough medicines and the schools should have enough facilitation such that we have a win-win situation. Otherwise, they are very important. We are all candidates of being refugees. I submit.

11924 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Day. I hope we will join the Church of Uganda and other dignitaries in Kitgum, for the celebrations. I also wish you a happy weekend. The House adjourned to Tuesday at 2.00 p.m. (The House rose at 7.16 p.m. and adjourned until Tuesday, 20 February 2024 at 2.00 p.m.) PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [The Deputy Speaker]

11864 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan. Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page 5, which is about the findings, observations and recommendations. 5.1 The extent of prevalence of Nodding Syndrome in Acholi Subregion. There are five tables. Table 1 is Pader District and it has about 1,000 cases. Table 2 is Kitgum and shows that there are 527, table 3 is Lamwo, table 4 is Omoro and table 5 is Gulu District. Committee observations According to records from the district local governments –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is a statement on the 47 th Commemoration of St Janani Luwum Day due for 16 February 2024. On Friday, 16 February 2024, Uganda will celebrate the 47 th Commemoration of St Janani Luwum Day. The day has been commemorated annually since 2015 when His Excellency the President announced that 16 th February would be designated as St Janani Luwum Day, in honour of the 2 nd Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire who was brutally murdered by the military Government in 1977. The day was subsequently declared a public holiday and is commemorated annually at the late Archbishop Luwum’s burial site at Wii-gweng Village, Mucwini Parish in Kitgum District. The commemoration of St Janani Luwum Day is organised annually by the Church of Uganda in collaboration with Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, led by the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity, the Local Organising Committee based in Kitgum, and the family of the late Archbishop Janani Luwum. The commemoration falls under the mandate of the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity who has delegated me to read this statement on her behalf. This is because the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity has the mandate of coordinating and monitoring religious activities and operations in the country. Mr Speaker, the day when Archbishop Janani Luwum was brutally murdered is commemorated annually because his devotion and martyrdom was specially recognised by the Church of England, which is the mother Church of the Anglican faith. He was given a special place in the history of the Anglican faith as one of the 10 Martyrs of the 20 th Century. The annual commemoration is to honour, celebrate and provide thanksgiving for the life, testimony, martyrdom and example of St Janani Luwum as an outstanding leader, a great martyr and a compelling role model for the world, regardless of faith and background. His martyrdom provides a powerful message of forgiveness and reconciliation among all believers in God. This is a national day involving all stakeholders including believers from all denominations, the Government, the Diplomatic Corps, the civil society, the media, the private sector and the international community. Mr Speaker, on 13 April 2022, a team led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda met with His Excellency the President together with the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and discussed the development of Mucwini into an international pilgrimage and tourist site. His Excellency guided that the masterplan should include a modern sports stadium, which can generate income for the church, for sustainability and maintenance of the site. I am glad to report that as a first step towards the development, the Janani Luwum family officially donated the land on which the late Archbishop was buried at Wii-gweng, Mucwini, to the Diocese of Kitgum, Church of Uganda. We applaud the Janani Luwum family for this act of selflessness and nationalism. A Certificate of Title in the name of the Diocese of Kitgum is being processed; and after it is issued, it will be submitted together with the Bills of Quantities for the masterplan to the Ministry of Works and Transport, for approval. It is only after the requisite approval is obtained that a submission can be made to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to finance the capital development. The theme for this 47 th Commemoration is “Conforming to the Truth of God’s Word, not the Patterns of the World.” It is taken from the book of Romans Chapter 12 verses 1 and 2. There is a pattern of habits that are currently invading society and the Church of Christ, STATEMENT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. 18 months ago, we had an extensive debate here on the motion raised by the Kitgum Woman MP regarding the need for the Government to prioritise Nodding Disease Syndrome in northern Uganda. Despite all those reminders, there is no clear action being taken. Among the recommendations that are being made was the need for us to work on the rehabilitation of those centres where those children were initially housed. The second one was for them to research and share those findings. Despite all this time of 18 months, we have lost several children and we still do not know what is happening. It is my request to the Government to share what they are doing about this because we are in the budgeting period, we need to know whether there is money are allocated to those who are victims of the nodding syndrome. I want to thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the commit - tee so much for the detailed report they have come with. Nakasongola gives me a visa to go to Kitgum and when I am passing Nakasongo - la, the first thing I normally see is that there is also - Amidst the water that they do not have, there is also a high rate of charcoal burning. This is done by the big shots who have bought land there and they want to have the land for grazing and almost all the traditional trees are completely gone. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I start by thanking the committee who went to carry out an assessment on the situation of Karamoja and came up with the report. I agree with them that that is the situation in Karamoja; that is how desperate it is. I want to comment on the issue of famine. It is true that for the last three years, there has been persistent drought and poor harvest due to drought and erratic rainfall. At the moment, there are districts in the region that did not have a total harvest last year. For example, Moroto did not have a harvest last year, and apparently, they are facing famine. The lack of harvest is actually the reason many Karamojong people are going to other areas in search of survival. That is why you find street children in Kampala, some of them in Hoima, Kitgum, Acholi area, and many of them in Teso. This has brought a lot of disasters because whereas they are looking for a source of survival, they are instead suffering. Some of the children that are sent are actually losing touch with their parents. This calls for the Government, first of all, to take relief food to save these people from acute malnutrition and death due to lack of food. On the need of improvement of harvest, we have always asked for water for production, especially irrigation. If Government would actually invest money in irrigation schemes for Karamoja to provide Karamojong with food, I think many of the challenges in Karamoja would be reduced, including the current insecurity. Much as it is said to be economical, part of it is just because - it is a way of survival. So, if food is there, many things would be resolved. It is true that the Government has planned and actually put some money for water but that water is more for animal watering, and they have never put efforts in terms of promoting irrigation schemes. There is also un-streamlined planning between the ministries in Government in relation to planning for Karamoja. I want to give an example of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and the Ministry of Water and Environment. They had actually planned for water production for Karamoja, on the same site. The MAAIF goes and starts to put the mega dam, and then the Ministry of Water and Environment also comes and claims to be wanting to put money there. So, there comes conflict and at the end of the day, it is left to one ministry. But where the money for the other ministry; the Ministry of Water and Environment went, is what is special. We advised them to put another dam somewhere [Ms Ababiku] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr Speaker, you were available in the 10 th Parliament. I remember very well that we did some amendments that gave compensation. Unfortunately, up to now, the ministry will tell you that they have not operationalised the law. There are committees that were supposed to be set, according to the law, at subcounty and district level to do assessment and report to them, but nothing has been done up to now. A similar case of wildlife-human conflict has happened in Nwoya, Amuru and Kitgum districts. They were all reported here but no compensation has been done up to now. Is it not procedurally right for you to make sure that they operationalise the law first? Thank you.

Thank you very much. The ‘Ayes’ have it - (Laughter) - and the people of Kitgum will bring back Hon. Aber. I will be there for you. Next item? MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE WORLD FISHERIES DAY

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to raise a very painful matter that is affecting my constituency and neighbouring game parks. As I speak, the people in Kitgum, particularly Orom, Namokora and Kiteng Subcounties are on the run because of elephant invasion. I do not know what is chasing these elephants from the parks. Over 100 elephants have invaded these areas and are destroying everything. I am afraid that people who benefited from the Parish Development Model fund and invested in agriculture, will be tasked to pay when they do not have the money. I know that animals are not more important than human beings. We have raised this matter on the Floor and no action has been taken. We cannot keep advocating for tourism when

The equipment was taken to begin work in Agago and Kitgum.

It is opening a security road in Agago and Kitgum Districts. The equipment was taken away from one district to another.

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.

10833 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2023 remitted to the project and documentary evidence be provided to Parliament within three months upon adoption of this report. v. The Criminal Investigation Department should expedite its investigations on the proceeds that the facility generates from the services rendered. vi. The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) and other investigators should investigate the individuals involved in the fraudulent change of ownership of the health facility to a private limited liability company with a view of prosecution. 2.3 Land allocated to the East African Monetary Institute, situated at Plot 10A-14A, Katalima Road FRV-KCCA 545, Folio 4, measuring 0.9900 hectares. Uganda is a signatory to the protocol for the establishment of the East African Monetary Union, which was signed on 30 November 2013 and among others provides for the establishment of the East African Institute, which will evolve into the East African Central Bank, the East African Statistics Bureau, the East African Surveillance Compliance and Enforcement Commission and the Institution responsible for financial services. Pursuant to a Cabinet directive of a meeting held on 25 August 2021, three acres of land were carved out of Uganda Police land at Naguru Police Barracks for the East African Monetary Institute in the name of Uganda Land Commission (Ministry of East African Community Affairs). Recommendation The committee recommends that the Ministry of East African Affairs updates the Parliament on the bidding process to house the East African Monetary Institute. 2.4 Land other than that at Naguru-Ntinda Land at Kibuli, Nsambya situated at Plot 31- 51, Kibuli Road Plot 1-11 Press House Road and Plot 20-50 EVEN Kibuli Road, all under FRV 212, Folio 7, measuring 49 acres. Uganda Police Force informed the committee that this land in Nsambya houses the Nsambya Police Barracks. Additionally, the Uganda Police Force reported that it owns another 60.86 acres on lease at Nsambya from the registered trustees of St Joseph’s Mission Mill Hill detailed in a table below: a. LRV 528, Folio 17, Plot at Nsambya, which measures 45.9 acres with a tenure of 99 years with a lease period from 1 January 1954 to 31 December 2052. The remaining period is 30 years. b. LRV 418, Folio 20, Plot at Nsambya measuring 14.95 acres a tenure of 99 years, which started on 1 January 1957 and is supposed to end on 31 December 2055 remaining with 33 years. Observation During the oversight visit, the Committee observed that this land was being encroached upon. Recommendation The Nsambya Uganda Police land should be surveyed, titled and fenced off within three months from adoption of this report. 2.5 UNRA land uptake and compensations The Government of Uganda, in conjunction with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kampala Capital City Authority, is implementing the Kampala Flyover Project at the clock tower, Nsambya, Mukwano, Kitgum House and Garden City junctions. The project is being implemented in two phases: Lot 1 and Lot 2. The construction of phase 1 of the project started in May 20I9. Accordingly, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has acquired and seeks to develop

10567 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2023 On 9 October 2023, NUP leaders and supporters arranged to have a parallel Independence Day celebration in Kampala at Kamwokya. They intended, thereafter, to make a disruptive illegal procession from there in order to depict the national celebrations in Kitgum as a sham. They also intended to announce their next course of action during this function. Part of the mobilisation was under the guise of holding prayers for their alleged fallen comrades and those in prison. As a result of their proclaimed aims and anticipated consequences, security intervened and disrupted their intended illegal activities. Consequently, 14 of their leaders were arrested, detained at Kira Road Police station, charged and later released on police bond the same day. There is a prescribed way of doing everything appropriately in all civilised societies. There are also designated places for particular activities, including, by analogy, the activities of this honourable House and holding prayers. Where they are to be conducted in places that are not ordinarily where they are usually conducted, there is an official process of designating such other chosen places for these functions, as and when this is desirable or required. The Kayunga incident of 9 October 2023, involving the area MP and others, was dubbed, “Black Independence” - Ennaku Y’enfuufu celebration that was organised by Hon. Charles Tebandeke, Member of Parliament for Bbaale County in Kayunga District. He and others mobilised to hold demonstrations purportedly over the delayed tarmacking of the Kayunga- Bbaale-Galiraya Road on Independence Day, 9 October 2023. He had written to the Inspector General of Police notifying him about the intended activity and was advised by police to raise the said grievances in Parliament, where he is a representative of his people. The timing of this planned activity was also intended to tarnish the National Independence Day celebrations. The honourable MP and some of his supporters, however, chose to defiantly continue with their intended unlawful activities. Some of the groups that had been mobilised started burning tyres in the areas of Gayaza trading centre and Bbaale County in Kayunga district, which vindicated the advice given to him by the police to call off the planned activities, having anticipated riotous intentions by the organisers, as it eventually happened before they were dispersed by law enforcement and calm was restored. Two individuals were arrested and charged with inciting violence vide Bbaale SD REF: 16/10/2023, and these were: Mr Ronald Kawuzi, male adult aged 23, resident of Gayaza village and Mr Moses Dwaya, male adult aged 29 of Gayaza village in Bbaale Subcounty. Their case file is with the Resident State Attorney for perusal and sanctioning. From the foregoing, the incidents and the response of law enforcement arose from the intent and activities to cause public disorder and breach of peace in the stated places. The Police will and should fulfil their mandate and utilise their authority and powers given by the law to keep law and order and to maintain public order and peace for the common good of all. The repeal of Section 32 of the Police Act (CAP 303) and the Public Order Management Act did not remove the mandate of the police to keep law and order, as provided for under Article 212 of the Constitution, as well as the relevant provisions of the Police Act. Where there is a breach or the police detects a likelihood of breach of the law or threat to public order and safety, action should and will be taken. It is also reasonable, in some instances, to act pre-emptively where a breach is imminent, relying on available and credible intelligence, rather than waiting to react, which may be very disruptive and expensive. The law enforcement agencies, depending on the circumstances of different scenarios, will always strive to ensure that law and order, as well as public peace and safety, are safeguarded. In conclusion, the Government shall, at all times, promote human rights and the rule of

Honourable members, I welcome you to today’s sitting and from Kitgum where we had gone for the National Independence Day celebrations. I also welcome you back from State House where we had the National Prayer Breakfast. I have advised Hon. Bahati next time to prepare the theme very cautiously, because the word “repent” scared most of you and you took off. Some of you told me that you did not have any sin to repent of while others said that they were still accumulating them. However, our able group led by Hon. Bahati, Hon. Esenu, the Member from Sembabule, Hon. Mary Begumisa, Hon. Edakasi, Hon Cecilia Ogwal and the rest, prayed for you. I made a declaration and repented on your behalf. I hope the ayes have it. (Laughter) Honourable members, on a very sad note, we lost the Undersecretary, Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Mr Collins Dombo, a brother to our honourable colleague, Hon. Emmanuel Dombo.

Thank you, colleagues. I am excited to introduce our guests. In the VIP gallery this afternoon we have the Hon. Silvanus Osoro Onyiego, the Majority Whip, National Assembly of Kenya. (Applause) He is the equivalent of the Chief Government Whip at the National Assembly of Kenya and our very good brother. He led a delegation from Kenya to come and work with us during the National Prayer Breakfast and went with us to Kitgum yesterday and attended the Independence Day celebrations. (Applause) We are glad that you are here. There is also Dr Lillian Gogo of the Orange Democratic Movement. (Applause) You can see how matters of the nation are matters of the nation. She is also a Member of Parliament at the National Assembly of Kenya and she has been with us. They had a very big delegation which joined us for the National Prayer Breakfast. We also have Ms Mary Mulinde who works with World Vision in Kenya. (Applause) She was part of the delegation. I was supposed to join them this afternoon to pay a courtesy call to His Excellency the President but Hon. Bahati did a good job. We welcome you, colleagues, and thank you for joining us. We are brothers and sisters with Kenya. I wish they were here when Hon. Macho was raising issues to do with Kenya. However, I will pass on the issues we raised this evening. I will pick Dr Opio, Hon. Nambozo and Hon. Yeri Ofwono. I am going to give you a chance, honourable colleagues.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to make a statement on the forthcoming 61 st Independence Day anniversary celebrations, which will take place on 9 October 2023 in Kitgum District. On this special occasion, all Ugandans, irrespective of their religious, political or tribal differences, come together to celebrate our freedom from colonial bondage. It is on this day that Uganda attained her independence after 70 years of British rule. The theme for this year’s celebrations is: “Sustaining a United and Progressive Nation: Taking Charge of Our Future as a Free Nation”. The theme recognises our nation’s history and the compatriots who patriotically provided and sustained the leadership, ideology and momentum towards self-rule. It is rooted in the ideals of our independence founding fathers who visualised a country based on the rule of law, democracy, socio-economic transformation and good governance. This time round, the celebrations will take place in Kitgum District at the Kitgum Farm Institute, Kitgum Municipality. The Chief Guest will be His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda. He will be joined by all Ugandans and other high-profile foreign dignitaries. Mr Speaker, many activities to celebrate this day have been lined up, among which will be honouring 41 individuals with national medals for the extraordinary roles they have performed in uplifting our motherland, Uganda by His Excellency the President. The Office of the President, working jointly with a German international Non-Government Organisation called Bazungu-e.v, together with the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation have offered free eye surgical services for people with eye challenges in the Acholi Subregion. Over 1,163 patients were screened and out of these, 153 underwent eye surgeries and 557 were provided with eyeglasses, while others received treatment. All Ugandans have been invited to attend these celebrations. There are only a few guests, numbering 800, who will sit near His Excellency the President and they will be required to undergo COVID-19 tests. The tests will start on Friday, 6 October 2023 at the Kitgum Hospital for people in the Acholi Subregion and in Kampala, two testing sites have been provided: at the Office of the President and the State House Directorate of Land Matters Offices on Plot 58, Lumumba Avenue. Testing starts at 9.00 a.m. Mr Speaker, this means that the sitting arrangement has provided for both categories; those who will test for COVID-19 and those who will not. Therefore, I would like to assure Parliament that the public is not restricted from attending this function on account of the lack of a COVID-19 test. As is our tradition, a National Prayer breakfast has been organised at State House, Entebbe on Sunday, 8 October 2023 starting at 7.30 a.m. Additionally, prayers shall be held throughout the country to commemorate this important occasion. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

10363 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2023 Mr Speaker and honourable members, you are encouraged to attend these prayers in your respective places of worship and/or to preside over these functions in your respective districts on the designated dates as follows: 1. Friday, 6 October 2023 - prayers in all mosques 2. Saturday, 7 October 2023 - prayers in all Seventh-day Adventist churches, and 3. Sunday, 8 October 2023 - National Prayer Breakfast at Entebbe State House and in all other churches. I wish to inform Parliament that security agencies will put in place the necessary security measures to secure the venue of the celebrations. The Uganda Police Force will be responsible for overall security at the venue in Kitgum District and across Acholi Subregion and the entire greater North. However, they shall be boosted with specialised units like the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Internal Security Organisation, External Security Organisation, as well as the Special Forces Command. Mr Speaker, I wish to inform you that in all these preparations, the National Organising Committee (NOC) has been working hand in hand with the District Organising Committee (DOC) in Kitgum. Joint meetings of the NOC and Kitgum District Organising Committee have been held to bring the district leadership as well as the area Members of Parliament on board for purposes of proper coordination, mobilisation of the masses and harmonisation of the planned activities. Thank you for your kind attention, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the statement. This day is not totally new; it is known and we will participate. However, I request the minister to also guide because in spite of the national day being celebrated in Kitgum, the different districts may also want to celebrate, including municipalities and cities. It may not be on the same day, but what are you giving the districts or the other entities? Many times, celebrations like this come and the authorities in the local governments run to us, the Members of Parliament. It is not that we do not want to contribute, but we want to be sure that there is something from Government and then we can know how much to give. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to also appreciate the minister for the statement concerning the Independence Day celebrations. I have picked only one statement from the minister. I am known in my district as a doctor, but I am not. However, when you talked about a medical camp, I was going to carry my people to Kitgum for the eye medical camp. Now that my people have not benefited from this one, I am requesting your ministry, which is the President’s ministry with a lot of money, to do this countrywide. Otuke has suffered a lot and we do not have clean water. Our people have a lot of problems with their eyes. When you are doing something, do it uniformly so that everyone benefits from what Government is giving. Thank you.

10366 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME When God was creating the earth, He had nobody to thank Him, but He had time to say, look here, I have created this thing, it is beautiful and I appreciate it. You must always remember, know and learn how to appreciate yourselves. We have achieved a lot in these 61 years and I would like to thank Government. My major concern is about the arrangements being made by either the minister concerned or Parliament to ensure that my colleagues and I attend this important function in Kitgum. Are there any arrangements being made? If none, what can we do to make sure that we all attend? I have attended a host of functions, especially national functions, where the host members are sometimes ignored, not involved and even fail to be recognised. Yes –(Member timed out.)

10427 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2023 State House Entebbe at 7.30 a.m. COVID-19 tests are already being done. For the female Members of Parliament, we have a women’s forum, which is on Saturday at 9.00 a.m., here in our main parking lot. That is why you saw the tents going up already. Come join in the prayer. We need to come and pray. With the kind of work, we do, we need prayers. You are also invited to the Independence Day celebrations in Kitgum. Let us join His Excellency, the President, and our guests, so that we can celebrate our country. I wish you a very happy Independence Day. The House is adjourned to Tuesday at 2o’clock. (The House rose at 7.58 p.m. and adjourned until Tuesday, 10 October 2023 at 2.00 p.m.)

10152 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The underperformance in the absorption of funds by the local governments was attributed to a number of factors on a case-by-case basis, including late recruitment of teachers, delayed access of staff to the payroll among others. The underperforming local governments included Agago District Local Government, which absorbed only 77 percent of the funds released to it; Gulu District Local Government also absorbed 77 percent; Koboko District Local Government also registered 77 percent; and Lira and Apac District Local Government at 81 percent. On the other hand, the local governments that absorbed close to the target included: Kitgum District Local Government with a return of 98 percent, Kitgum Municipal Council at 96 percent, Pader District Local Government at 96 percent, and Amuru District Local Government at 92 percent. Local revenue performance The total approved local revenue budget for the local government was Shs 223 billion, of which Shs 131 billion was released back to the local governments, representing 59 percent. The warrants or releases are based on what the local governments collect and is deposited with the consolidated fund as per the requirements of Section 29 (2) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. In the same vein, the 48 entities had an approved local revenue budget of Shs 48.273 billion, and a sum of Shs 29.265 billion was availed, hence an underperformance of Shs 19 billion. A number of local governments under review posted good performance, led by Yumbe District Local Government at 137 percent, followed by Maracha District Local Government at 127 percent, while the least performance was registered by Kitgum Municipal Council, which realised only 16 percent of its approved local revenue budget, Apac District Local Government at 32 percent and Agago District Local Government at 38 percent, as per the budget performance. Committee Observations The Committee observed thus: i) Local Government did not receive all appropriated budget resources and therefore, failed to implement planned activities; ii) The unspent balance was attributed to a number of factors, including failure to recruit, delayed deployment of teachers by Ministry of Education, failure to procure contractors under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme, delayed completion of projects under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) Programme, among others; and iii) Majority of local governments reviewed, absorbed and did perform above 80 percent. Committee recommendations The committee recommends thus: (i) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development accounts for the under-release of funds to the local government. (ii) Accounting officers under whose supervision local governments failed to utilise funds released to them be held personally liable. (iii) Entities whose absorption of funds was below 80 per cent be subjected to further investigation to ascertain underlying factors of the gross underperformance. (iv) The accounting officers should develop clear revenue enhancement plans to assist the district in future revenue mobilisation. (v) The accounting officers should make follow-up with the Ministry of Finance on the shortfalls affecting service delivery. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Olanya]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is true, the climate has changed. In northern Uganda, Gulu, Eastern Acholi Subregion; Kitgum, Lamwo, Agago and Pader used to start receiving the second rain by the month of July, but now we are in August when rainfall is supposed to be intense. However, since June, we have a very severe dry spell to the extent that the crops that were planted and germinated, have withered. And if the rains start, people are expecting to put some seeds down so that at least in some three or four months, they could be in position to harvest some crops. The problem is that they lack seeds. If the rain comes, they will have nothing to plant. Now that this is becoming a countrywide issue, Government should give us some seeds as quickly as possible so as to help these people within this period. Other than waiting until the end of August or September, we are going to miss the season’s rain. You can recall that the country has been suffering because of lack of posho and beans. A similar thing is being projected if nothing is done and next year is going to be worse. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for the statement. Indeed, he has captured most of the issues that were presented to his attention. However, the illegal armed people who constantly move using a motorcycle, in that part of the country, Lamwo, part of Kitgum, even in Agago; it is not something silent. One person called Bosco Ukiru, also from that part of Madi Opei, went to do his business and indeed, he had some money. According to the information that he gave me, it was close to $3,000 and he had been doing business on his own. He was tracked down. Two guys on a motorcycle followed him and the traces of all these people are from South Sudan. The moment they commit those atrocities, they enter South Sudan area to the extent that people who are supposed to do business, fear for their lives. Mr Speaker, the activities which those people are doing are not only limited in Lamwo. Across the border, when you go to Amuru, you find a similar thing. So, we urge the Government to continue doing the work, especially the army men and the police whom they deploy, to do the work. Let them do their work and not wait until something has happened, then react to it. Doing patrols and being assertive to the issues around will help to give confidence to the people who are living there. Thank you so much. Lastly, this issue has affected production – (Interjection)– of course, you can thank in between. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am raising a matter regarding 43 secondary school headteachers who were interviewed in 2021. However, up to now, these teachers of seed secondary schools have not been given their appointment letters by the Ministry of Education and Sports, whereas their colleagues - over 100 - were deployed. There are cases in places such as Kitgum, Omoro and Bugiri. These were caretaker headteachers of these schools for about five to six years. Unfortunately, one of them, after having heard that he was not taken by the ministry, developed high blood pressure and died – His name was Ronald Nabamba from Namungo Seed Secondary School in Mityana. My prayer is that the Ministry of Education and Sports gives these teachers their appointment letters and deploys them because this is a budget-free issue, which does not require any additional money; money is always there for the headteachers. The issue of saying that they were teachers and they absconded is a matter that the ministry should have handled before they were interviewed. They should be taken on because there are precedents that some people, who were on the payroll, were interviewed and deployed. The Minister of Education and Sports should intervene. Otherwise, it is likely to be a court matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am raising a matter regarding 43 secondary school headteachers who were interviewed in 2021. However, up to now, these teachers of seed secondary schools have not been given their appointment letters by the Ministry of Education and Sports, whereas their colleagues - over 100 - were deployed. There are cases in places such as Kitgum, Omoro and Bugiri. These were caretaker headteachers of these schools for about five to six years. Unfortunately, one of them, after having heard that he was not taken by the ministry, developed high blood pressure and died – His name was Ronald Nabamba from Namungo Seed Secondary School in Mityana. My prayer is that the Ministry of Education and Sports gives these teachers their appointment letters and deploys them because this is a budget-free issue, which does not require any additional money; money is always there for the headteachers. The issue of saying that they were teachers and they absconded is a matter that the ministry should have handled before they were interviewed. They should be taken on because there are precedents that some people, who were on the payroll, were interviewed and deployed. The Minister of Education and Sports should intervene. Otherwise, it is likely to be a court matter. Thank you.

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

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

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;

9102 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION 6. Nabumali High School, Mbale; and 7. Namasagali College, Kamuli, among others. In addition, Government is constructing and equipping secondary schools with laboratories and completing the construction and upgrading of technical vocational institutions in Bushenyi, Luweero, Lira, Mbale, Nyamitanga, Rwetanga, Kaberamaido, Butaleja, Ssesse, Kitgum and Kaliro, among others. The construction of 115 seed secondary schools in the subcounties, which do not have these schools at the moment, will continue in the next financial year. To improve school learning and accountability in Government-supported schools, the following will be undertaken starting next financial year: (a) Strengthen the link between education and socio-economic transformation by promotion of Science, Technology En - gineering and Mathematics in education, research and incubation; (b) Enhancing the technical capacity and skills to support industrial growth especially manufacturing; (c) Electronic tracking of enrolment, dropout and retention, and identifying learners, teachers and institutions using ICT capabilities; (d) Improving the overall staffing levels in the schools and; (e) Development of a complete national vocational qualification framework. With our oil money, we shall be able to complete our targets of a Government primary school per parish and a Government secondary school per subcounty. The railway, electricity, technical and science education as well as some national roads, will be the elements our oil money will deal with. I intend to meet with the Petroleum Authority of Uganda and the oil companies to harmonise so that we do not miss the target of 2025 as the first oil date. (Applause) I do not want this Petroleum Authority of Uganda to delay our programme with petty things; local content. Let us start. Health Over the last three years, since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government has strengthened health systems. This included equipping regional and national referral hospitals and 225 health centres II have been renovated and upgraded to health centres III. In addition, we have strengthened the capacity of the country in vaccine development. For the Government to be able to sustainably improve health services, emphasis will be placed on transforming the health care from predominantly curative to preventive, through: (a) Timely supplies of drugs to address stock- outs as well as provision of relevant medical equipment; (b) Prevention and control of communicable diseases through immunisation; (c) Operationalising Mulago Super Specialised Hospital and expediting the construction of the Lubowa Specialised Hospital, all existing health centre IVs and health centre IIIs; (d) Strengthening the supervision and accountability role of the regional technical supervisory structures; (e) Emphasising, through radio programmes, the importance of nutrition and hygiene, among others, and; (f) Malaria prevention through killing the mosquitoes and the use of treated bed nets. Strengthening security and good governance Uganda’s borders remain secure, save for the spill-over effects occasioned by activities of negative armed groups in Eastern Congo and

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning massive tree cutting in Acholi Subregion, purposely for charcoal. As I speak now, we have people coming from all parts of Uganda based in Acholi Subregion and are cutting down trees massively, including Sheanut trees, especially in Kitgum, Pader and Lamwo. Surprisingly, the police officers are the ones protecting and encouraging those who are destroying the environment in Acholi Subregion. I remember when we raised the matter to the President, he directed that the police officers and the military personnel in Northern Uganda should stop massive tree cutting for charcoal in Acholi Subregion. Last Monday, the President issued an executive order, banning tree cutting for charcoal in Acholi, but, surprisingly, the police officers are still continuing to escort charcoal dealers right from the source up to Kampala. Mr Speaker, I would like the Minister of Internal Affairs to explain the role of the police officers and the military personnel in the charcoal deals in Acholi Subregion. [Mr Aleper] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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

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

8248 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS & BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2023/2024 My colleagues have talked about the higher institutions loan scheme. Instead of Shs 27 billion, only Shs 5 billion has been provided. This means that those who are already in universities may be discontinued, and those who have just applied will not be taken. This is a loan - and we are told those who completed are paying back very well. Why don’t we find the money for the loan scheme? The Shs 15 billion for the rehabilitation of traditional Government schools is little money. You know the traditional schools such as Nganwa High School, Sir Samuel Baker Secondary School, Kitgum High School, Lango College where the Chief Whip went, Teso College Aloet - all these schools are in embarrassing conditions. I believe this money is not enough. I have seen the suffocation of political space in universities. Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe is expelling students because of their ideologies. If people cannot have freedom at university, where will they find freedom? I know very many of you who were leaders in universities, including the Speaker and several ministers. Now, when we come here to Parliament, and they are being suffocated, and we keep quiet about it, and just give them money - we should be able to say, “Before we give you money, stop suffocating the political space because it is a learning ground.” Even a demonstration is a learning experience. I am a product of demonstrations and I am doing very well. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, you know that Mama Mabira is a product of demonstrations. Even the name came out of demonstrations. The point I am making is; these are learning institutions and people should not be suffocated or expelled just because of their political ideologies. I thank you.

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

7882 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO. 1 FOR FY 2022/2023 benefiting districts are Kitgum, Lamwo and Nwoya. We recommend the approval of Shs 288,053,805. iii) Shs 150.601 billion is unspent funds for Financial Year 2021/2022 for USMID. Members, (see annex 7). We recommend approval of Shs 150.601 billion for USMID to facilitate Local Government Votes to settle contractual obligations. iv) Shs 225.233 billion is unspent funds for Financial Year 2021/2022 for the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UGIFT) reform for the construction of Seed Secondary School, upgrade of Health Centres IIs to IIIs, water projects and micro-scale irrigation projects (see annex 8). We recommend approval of Shs 225.233 billion to cater for all that. v) Shs 28.611 billion to cater for reallocation within the local Government budgets. This is required given that the funds were allocated to non-budgetary items and the requests for virement on these items are not in line with the 10 per cent threshold stated in the PFMA, 2015 (See annex 9 for details) We recommend approval of Shs 28.611 billion to cater for relocation within the Local Government budgets. Conclusion Mr Speaker, I request the House to consider the committee’s recommendations and approve the Supplementary Expenditure under Schedule No. 1, Addenda 1, 2, 3 and 4 for Financial Year 2022/2023 as outlined in the table below and the details in Annex 1 and 2 of the proposed supply schedules. Recurrent budget: Shs 1,714,590,568,914 Development: Shs 883,184,203,925 Grand total: Shs 2,597,774,772,839. Mr Speaker, I beg to report. (Applause)

Thank you, honourable minister, for giving way. Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the minister what she is doing for flood-prone areas like Dokolo. You are aware that in 2021, about four subcounties were affected seriously by the floods, to the extent that we were cut off from the water supply treatment plant in Kacung, which supplies water up to Kitgum. I would like to know the programme you have to deal with such disasters. Secondly, there was a promise, in writing, from the Prime Minister’s office that they would look into the possibility of giving the affected persons money to shift. One of the affected persons was actually the departed Justice Rubby Opio Aweri, whose home was

Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity. I have heard the minister make a presentation of services under the disaster ministry. However, I would like to inform the minister that I did not hear anything about the distribution of food to our children who are suffering from the Nodding syndrome. These are no longer children, Madam Speaker; they are now youth who are becoming very wild in the community. I would like to report that in December, one of them hit his father to death. There were three in the family affected by this disease, but one boy - something came to his mind; he took a log and hit the father on the head. According to medical personnel, these children like to eat food most of the time and so when the parent fails to provide food, they get into trouble. This also gives me time to alert the Government that maybe at a certain time, we need to begin thinking about having rehabilitation centres. Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader and part of Omoro districts are affected. Where are we going to put these boys and girls who are a little bit mad and do not understand themselves? They will start raping girls and women on the way. We need to start thinking about that because they are not a few people; they are really many. Nonetheless, for now, I want to hear from the state minister whether there is food going to be given to them because normally, they give food to the parents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I have got the information like I did get one the other time – Mucwini-Pajong from Kitgum. I visited that institute and want to inform the august House - the MPs here can attest to it - that we are going to post teachers and also complete the construction of that technical institute. For this, I am picking up the matter here. I want to interest the Member that let me get your details and I follow it up with you at the Ministry of Education and Sports –

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish you a Happy New Year, 2023. We continue praying for you to keep safe. I rise on the same concern of roads. We appreciate the report from the committee. However, I want to be specific on the road from Puranga–Pajule–Acholibur to Kitgum. This road has been under procurement for years I cannot tell now. The road from Puranga to Awere is a very short distance. I am surprised that we always get reports about limited funds. This national cake that we have in Uganda is supposed to be shared equally. Why wouldn’t we, the people of Pader, also get the national cake to clear that short distance from Puranga to Acholibur? The President is very concerned about the issue of economic transformation, but with the poor road network, how are we going to achieve it? When you talk of connecting the country to the neighbouring countries, we see this road being the most suitable road to connect Uganda to South Sudan. However, the short distance from Lira to Acholibur, connecting to Kitgum, Kitgum – Nimule-South Sudan is not being worked on. Honourable Minister, take this as a matter of concern. This is – (Interruption)

6740 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The worst performing entities in this regard in terms of absorption capacity were Hoima City at 30 per cent, Kitgum Municipal Council at 36 per cent, Gulu City at 36 per cent and Masaka City at 37 per cent while those that absorbed 100 per cent of their releases were Arua City, Kitagwenda District Local Government, Terego District Local Government and Madi- Okollo District Local Government. (i) Cost of service in local governments The Auditor-General’s report highlighted the amount of resources spent on non-core service delivery activities such as employee costs and transfers to other units like subcounties, schools and health facilities. These amounted to Shs 1,101.75 billion, equivalent to 74 per cent of the expenditure made by the entities. In other words, on average, the Government spent three shillings on each shilling for outputs that directly affect service delivery. The entities with the highest cost of administration of over six and above, include Masaka at eight, Nakasongola at seven, Gulu City at seven, Bundibugyo at six, Mbale City at six, Kiboga at six, Mpigi at six and Arua City at six, while the most efficient local government was Kalangala and Obongi District Local Governments at 0.4 per shilling for output service delivery. (ii) Local revenue performance of Financial Year 2020/2021 The audit reports for the 60 entities reported on indicated that some local governments’ local revenue was not reported on, well aware that this is a core source of revenue for the functioning of the district councils. This denied the councils facilitation to supervise and monitor the works of local governments. These local governments included Mitooma District, Nakasongola District, Kyankwanzi District and Lamwo District. Mr Speaker, details of these are provided in Annex one. Overall, the local governments underperformed on local revenue, registering revenue underperformance of Shs 30.4 billion of the target of Shs 68.248 billion, translating into local revenue performance of only 56 per cent. The local governments that performed dismally were Kole District, Soroti City, Zombo District, Kitgum Municipal Council and Moroto District Local Government. (iv) The performance of salaries, gratuity and pensions The report of the Auditor-General highlights the planned salaries, gratuity and pensions by the entities for the financial year. The reports overall indicated that Shs 632.75 billion was approved for salaries, gratuities and pensions at the close of the financial year. And at the close of the financial year, Shs 610.543 billion was availed to pay salaries, gratuities and pensions. However, only Shs 571.3 billion was actually absorbed by the entities, causing a return of Shs 38.6 billion to the Treasury, indicating underperformance of 6.3 per cent in the budget item. Mr Speaker, the committee made observations and request Members to look through those observations. I will take you directly to recommendations: The committee recommends that – i. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development accounts for the under-release for funds to the local governments. ii. Accounting officers under whose supervision local governments fail to utilise funds released to them be held personally liable. iii. entities whose cost of administration was above six times the cost of output service delivery be subjected to further investigations to ascertain the source of the abnormality in the operation cost of the local government.

6693 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2022 in his chambers in Kampala and you again met him in Lira or Kitgum, you would not know this one was a judge. He is one of the few humble people we had in northern Uganda. Another is just behind you there. If you hear that Owiny-Dollo is making bricks for building a church - those are the types of humble people we have. (Applause) I want to implore the Members of Parliament to get time and go -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. On 5 December 2022, a private called Okawa Charles, a worker of the Uganda Wildlife Authority was killed by suspected poachers while on duty in Kidepo Valley Conservation Area. On the fateful day, when he was in the company of 11 other colleagues patrolling, the enemy fired at him and another colleague was seriously injured. They were rushed to Yokotokam Medical Hospital in Kitgum town. One poacher was killed while others fled and one gun was recovered. Tourism is one of the core foreign exchange earners of the country, fetching approximately about Shs 1.6 billion and is destined to double with all the effort that has been put in place – (Member timed out.)

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

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

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker for this opportunity. I thank the Prime Minister for this motion. I was born in Kalongo and my mother had three C-sections. After she was delivered of me, she was unconscious for three days, but I was under the care of this great man we are talking about today. I thank Government for the contribution they have made, but ask that more should be done. Our people still go to this facility, but the road network is very bad, especially from Alebtong, Kitgum and Pader to Kalongo. The network to this facility should be improved so that we can save more lives. Thank you.

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)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Congestion and overcrowding in prisons The committee noted that overcrowding is an outstanding problem for the prisons management in the country. Congestion is an average of 339 per cent with some prisons housing above five times their designed housing capacities as detailed below. Mr Speaker, that is tabulated and we made reference to some of the prisons like Bushenyi, Mbarara, Masindi, Kiruhura, Lira, Rukungiri, Ndorwa, Kakiika, Fort Portal, Kitgum, Bushenyi. Masaka Ssaza and Upper Prison. The committee observes that overcrowding in prisons relates to challenges in the judicial system. For instance, shortage of judicial staff, prosecution officers, investigators, missing court files and few high court sessions. In addition, unnecessary adjournments by judges greatly negate the trial process by cases dragging on in courts for a long time, leading to the high number of un-convicted offenders in prison custody, who eventually contribute to a rise in population in prisons. The committee further noted that another cause of congestion in prison institutions in the country is the presence of a large number of prisoners who have been sentenced to death over the years, but have never been executed. This growing prison population has overstretched existing physical facilities and puts pressure on services like water, leading to unhygienic conditions and other unacceptable behaviours. The committee noted that delivery of justice is a coordinated process in the Justice, Law and Order Sector where departments within the sector have to be aligned and coordinated simultaneously to perform all activities in the process. The committee also noted that in some prison facilities like Katojo Prison in Kabarole District, juveniles were imprisoned together with adults instead of in remand homes, thereby increasing congestion in the prisons. However, the committee was informed that this was as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic where prisoners were restricted to particular facilities to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Recommendations 1. The Prison Service development budget should be increased to enable rehabilitation, expansion and construction of more prisons to accommodate the increasing number of prisoners and reduce on congestion in the available facilities;

I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me. I also would like to appreciate the minister for the response delivered, especially on the issue of the border with Lamwo District. Madam Speaker, part of the reason the people of Lamwo, Kitgum and Agago are suffering is because of the porous border. We have reliable information - and security is very aware of this - the reason why the Government is also getting difficulty with the disarmament in Karamoja sub region is because of the porous border. Some of the cattle rustlers normally penetrate to South Sudan and buy guns and come back with those guns for raiding cattle. And I would like to find out the strategy the Government has in place in mitigating some of the porous borders because it is becoming a big problem. And then, two, the minister talked about the border conflicts. What are some of the strategies that are also put in place to make sure the conflicts on the border are mitigated? I thank you.