Kumi District

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate His Excellency for the address that was made to this nation. Everyone is aware of the President’s key message on wealth-creation. Recently, on behalf of the President, Her Excellency the Vice President launched coffee-growing in the Teso sub-region. Now there is a massive number of farmers interested in setting up coffee demonstration farms. Also, as the Teso Parliamentary Group, we resolved that as leaders, we should be at the forefront. Mr Speaker, based on the fact that the President is interested in wealth creation and Teso is embracing coffee growing, I would like to implore the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to supply adequate coffee seedlings to the Teso sub-region when the rains take off. Mr Speaker, we have Lake Bisina bordering Kumi and Katakwi districts. Yesterday, we were in a meeting concerning some planned irrigation for Karamoja and neighbouring areas. The plan is on. Lake Bisina can be for

387 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 JULY 2026 fish farming. Lake Bisina water can be for irrigation. However, when the Government gave us the water project in Kumi, by then I was at the district; we were given information that Lake Bisina is having a problem with siltation. I also wish to challenge the Ministry to have this lake desilted, and related lakes so that this irrigation can benefit the entire country as we struggle to fight poverty. The President, in his address, talked about skilling the youth, and he has made every effort to ensure that every sub-region gets a skilling hub. Mr Speaker, I would like to report that for the case of Kumi District, we have 14 sub- counties and four town councils, altogether 18 lower local governments. The number of 20 children per district is not adequate. In my district, we now realise that it is one child per sub-county benefiting. I would like to really implore the team supporting the President to increase the numbers so that we can address the unemployment problem. As I wind up, for us to realise the real wealth- creation, mindset change – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Member for Kassanda and then Member for Kumi.

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

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

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

Madam Chairperson, the information that I want to give my brother is this. Yes, we are aware of the high-impact investments, but in terms of location, if you come to a district like Kumi, you hardly find a factory. Nobody wants to invest there. We want to motivate people to invest in all parts of the country, not only Namanve or Kampala. For me, that is the thing. Location should move with the pricing. The two should be intertwined.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. My condolences to the family, on behalf of the people of Kumi and on my own behalf. I used to call the late my namesake. She was one of the members of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria. We had to divide ourselves in the forum, where she took the lead in being a role model for mosquito repellents. Every time we were in an engagement, she would say, “I want to be a champion of mosquito repellents.” She had promised that she would establish nurseries for mosquito repellents so that our people would benefit but now Stella is lying here. This is a challenge to the rest of the members of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria on how that can move on. Madam Speaker, the late, I want to say because of our big numbers, there are people who like dodging sessions, but Hon. Stella would always be available. Where we had field work, Stella would be available, and she would always contribute for the good of this country. She would always refer to cases in Ngora. Hon. Stella, yes, she formed the forum on cooperatives, but she was equally active in other fora, very dedicated and concerned about the progress of those fora. Madam Speaker, allow me to thank you for always being there for us. When I was almost dying, you came to my rescue. (Applause) If you had not been there, I would not be speaking. May the good Lord bless you. The time I was very sick is the same time Hon. Stella Isodo developed complications. When I started improving, I learned that my namesake was equally very sick, and I saw the sores. There was a time when my namesake could not put on shoes, but I did not know that she also had diabetes. However, in that condition where we had lost weight, we had darkened. Hon. Isodo was very courageous. She would not behave as if she were sick, but rather like a normal person. She did not want to talk about her health. She wanted to behave as if she were very healthy. My dear friends, the Stella lying before us here - we need to emulate her courage and strength. You can imagine if she were not courageous, Madam Speaker, she would not contest, but because she knew everything happens out of the will of God, Stella went ahead, in that condition and declared her candidature. I beg that we give glory to God and thank her. She loved her party, the FDC. Every time Hon. Amuriat Patrick Oboi would have programmes to move around Teso, Hon. Stella Isodo would be there and would speak strongly about the FDC. Madam Speaker, I thank you so much.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Kumi Municipality, the people of the greater Kumi, which includes Kumi, Bukedea and Ngora, and on behalf of the people of Teso, I am here to convey sincere condolences. It is a huge loss. For us in Kumi and Ngora, we have a family kind of relationship because Ngora was born out of Kumi. Equally, Bukedea was born out of Kumi, and whatever happens in those two districts affects us directly. The departure of Hon. Isodo affects us, the people of Kumi, directly. We feel the gap, and I feel it on behalf of the people of Kumi, particularly Kumi Municipality. Madam Speaker, the last time that I had enough time to chat with Hon. Isodo was when she was launching the Parliamentary Forum on Cooperatives at Hotel Africana. The colleague who said that she was there alone did not know that after she had left, we came in and many Members turned up. That is the day I realised that Hon. Isodo was a woman of material.

17878 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT the Members and NPA’s guidance, they were pushed from 41 to 55 districts benefiting from this project. We also looked at the RELIV Implementation Manual, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development’s letter dated 21st on the financial implications of the loan and the RELIV Appraisal documents; the procurement plant, the management structure and the Physical and Financial Progress Report on externally-funded projects. Madam Speaker, the committee went ahead and looked at the performance of previous projects that were under the sector, and more specifically, the one for Uganda’s Climate Smart Agriculture, which is actually not doing very well. The loan was approved on 25 June 2024. The closure is supposed to be 2028 and the loan amount is $325 million. To date, the disbursement is only $26.51 million, translating to 7.6 per cent of the loan amount. We were also looking at loans that are not doing very well in the project. For example, the one for irrigation for climate resilience, which was approved in December 2020. To date, the disbursement is only 21 per cent. We looked at the National Oilseed Project, which was approved in July 2021, which was $99.59 million. The disbursement is only 19 per cent. Madam Speaker, the committee looked at the project’s target population of 200,000 households. That has been stated by the minister. The minister has gone through the objectives and the beneficiaries of the project. Like I said, the project will be allocated in 55 districts. An annexure is attached. Some districts were not part of it, but with the intervention, a few other districts were also included. The annexure has 51 districts, but the districts of Kumi, Kabale, Kasese and Namutumba were added while looking at other parameters – (Interjections) - we shall find out from the minister.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the minister for the responses. Aware that this Parliament passed a loan to work on the Kumi- Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road, the Rt Hon. Speaker went ahead and informed the people –

To the voters out there in Kumi and Kagwara, the road is going to be worked on. The loan was approved by this House; it is in the plan and the NDP IV. We are going to work on that road.

17706 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT own resources. The challenge, of course as I said, is resources but we know the roads. Masindi-Gulu potholes were filled by our people. For Masindi-Biso, we owe the contractor, China Railway No.7, Shs 111 billion. It was in my report. Therefore, we need to pay the contractor so that they can finish the road. Regarding Koboko-Yume-Moyo, I have talked to the Minister of Internal Affairs and I think that will be addressed. Laropi Ferry and Laropi Bridge. We have finished the design for Laropi Bridge and it has been approved by an independent consultant and the bank is willing to fund it. We are now in the final negotiations to fund the Laropi Bridge and then we shall remove the ferry. Possibly, we will take it down to Obongi where we have a challenge with its ferry. Talking about the ferries, we are actually in advanced stages of doing a detailed and comprehensive rehabilitation of the ferries. Most of them are not doing very well but we are going to rehabilitate them. This will answer the Bussi Ferry which has been doing some work under the Pakwach Bridge which was being threatened by the floating island. We had to take the Bussi ferry there. I am in talks with the Bussi team and we are soon finalising the landing site, and the ferry will come back. On the Katine-Ochero Road, we had moved to the final stage but then we got a whistle-blower. Now, when a whistle-blower comes in, the bank stops everything. The company that had been selected had issues and the bank stopped the process and advised that we re-advertise and get new contractors which has been done. We are going to the selection process. Madam Speaker, the bank has a system that for every stage, they must get a no objection from their headquarters, which has been delayed but I think it is now on the right course. Therefore, the Katine-Ochero Road will soon be completed. Regarding compensation for Nyakambu- Nyakabirizi-Nsika at Kabwohe, the compensation of these people has not yet been done and we need about Shs 29 billion. This is what I told the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; that if we get Shs 29 billion, we can start the compensation so we can acquire some land for the contractor to start as we get more money. As I said in my report, compensation is one of the biggest challenges we face on the project. I have already answered Atiak. On maritime, we are keeping an eye on maritime transport. We are not neglecting it. We have rehabilitated MV Pamba and it is now plying between Port Bell, Mwanza and Kisumu. MV Kawa, which was also grounded, is now about 85 per cent ready. We hope that by September, it will be back sailing. Madam Speaker, there is a private player who has also put a big ferry on the waters of Lake Victoria called Mpungu, which can take 20 trailers. It is a drive-on and drive-off. You can put on 20 trailers of cargo and it moves up to the other side. We are cognisant of the fact that Tanzania is aggressively developing the standard gauge and very soon, it will be in Mwanza. Therefore, traders may be moving towards using that corridor. So, we must be able to evacuate the cargo if dropped at Mwanza. We are developing that capacity within the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC). Of course, URC is still challenged with no funding; they are just struggling. We have a project under the African Development Bank moving slowly but we will be moving. The Busongora—Nyakalingijo Road is a national road. We cannot tarmac it as of now. However, I will make sure we maintain it. Madam Speaker, Kumi-Serere-Kagwara Road project is under the Islamic Development Bank and mostly everything has been done. The Islamic Development Bank is in talks with the finance ministry to finalise the financing terms. One of the new issues that the bank is bringing up is that they want to pay everything, including land compensation so that we do not

17707 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025 waste time getting counterpart funding but get it as a package, a matter which Finance is still discussing to see how practical that will be. Otherwise, we are ready for the Kumi–Serere- Kagwara Road. Madam Speaker, this will also be picked up by the Bukungu-Kagwara-Kamuli (BKK); the two ferries and they should be ready by October. What delayed them was the landing sites because the contractor who had been contracted lacked money and deserted the construction landing site. Hopefully, we shall be able to finish that. Kyabakuza-Matete Road -( Interjections ) - No, no. We know about Kalungu.

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

17636 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME of lower voltage and those ones can easily be replaced so long as they are not blown up. If a request is made specifically that in this area, the power is dim, we can now easily remove the small transformer and bring you a bigger transformer. We do not lose anything and there is some little funding which we have under UEDCL, where we are buying new transformers for replacement because of the rapid development of our country. So we can actually take those ones on a case- by-case basis. We now have regional offices; you do not have to come to headquarters. You can make a request. Recently, in Kumi for example, they got some transformers in areas where there was rapid development. You can make that request and we take care of it. Now Obongi, with stranded lines- stranded lines are our priority. We are actually going to provide transformers for those stranded lines and string them. However, stranded lines are of two types. There are certain lines which were constructed by politicians and we do not have a record of them. Therefore, for those, we are going to look for new money. However, for the lines where there was a project, we are actually going to take them up. Obongi is our priority. Obongi, is about 13 kilometres and we are actually going to provide connected electricity to Obongi, possibly before the general elections. (Applause) Yes, we are going to do that. The President was recently there and he gave a directive- we are going to deliver power to Obongi. So Obongi, you are on top of our priority. Bukomansimbi, we carried out a survey, Madam Speaker. You sent him and we carried out a survey of Bukomansimbi. Some of the areas- but not every village is going to be connected to electricity. We are going to focus mainly on schools, and health centres. It is very difficult and very expensive for us to take power to every village. We have not yet reached there.

17520 BUDGET SPEECH Processing Facility in Kyenjojo; Kigoyera Maize Processing Facility in Kyenjojo; Itojo Maize And Rice Processing Facility in Ntoroko; Nombe Coffee Processing Facility in Ntoroko; Apala Oil Seed Processing Facility in Alebtong; Gatyanga Coffee Processing Facility in Bunyangabu; Ocorimongin Rice Processing Facility in Katakwi; Kajamaka Rice Processing Facility in Kumi; Kikwata Coffee Processing Facility in Nakaseke; and Kiwoko Maize Processing Facility also in Nakaseke. Madam Speaker, the Government is strengthening partnership with the private sector through Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) to support local value-addition and manufacturing in a wide range of agricultural value chains. These investments include Soroti Fruit Factory, Budadiri Arabica coffee, Mabale Growers Tea Factory, Kayonza Growers Tea Factory, Bukona Agro Processors, Atiak Sugar Factory, and Yumbe Fruit Factory. Madam Speaker, as part of the effort to increase access of Uganda’s products to international markets, we dispatched the inaugural exports of coffee and milk to Serbia and Algeria, respectively. The milk exports to Algeria have potential to fetch Uganda export earnings worth $500 million. Madam Speaker, I have allocated a total of Shs 1.86 trillion next financial year towards deepening agro-industrialisation. These funds will support investments in: 1. Agricultural research; 2. Agricultural inputs, including fertilisers; 3. Water for irrigation; 4. Extension services; 5. Agro-processing and value addition; 6. Post-harvest handling and storage facilities; and 7. Inspection, surveillance, certification, enforcement of quality standards and market access. Tourism Development Madam Speaker, Uganda’s tourism sector continued to recover with tourist arrivals increasing by 7.7 per cent to 1.37 million in 2024, from 1.27 million in 2023. Similarly, tourism earnings grew by 26 per cent to $1.28 billion in 2024, up from $1.02 billion in 2023. Madam Speaker, the following achievements were registered: 1. Promoted and marketed Uganda through international “ Explore Uganda” promotional campaigns in high-value market segments in USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. As a result, the year-on-year growth of interest in Uganda by tourists is 33 per cent for the United Kingdom, 19 per cent for Canada and five per cent for the USA. Additionally, through the theme “ Uniquely Ours”, we have promoted domestic tourism. As a result, domestic tourism in national parks increased by 15.7 per cent in 2024, reaching 244,843 visitors. 2. Continued to innovate and modernise tourism products to make them more competitive. This involved maintenance of 1,300 kilometres of trail tracks and roads in tourism protected areas; increasing the cumulative coverage of electric fencing to 177 kilometres in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks; continued construction of the pier and related infrastructure at the Source of the Nile; continuing to upgrade the Uganda Museum and Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrines; construction of 3,521 meters of climbing ladders and boardwalks on the Rwenzori Mountains to make hiking safer and fun; completion and commissioning of Kikorongo Equator Monument in Kasese; and the construction works of Karamoja Museum, which is nearing completion. 3. The Government invested in a world-class convention facility in Munyonyo. This has promoted Uganda as one of the regional destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Consequently, Uganda now ranks seventh in Africa in MICE tourism.

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

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.)

Vot Dcnljtloa tmillUOxOOO| 7L7 Kumi Municipal Council 10,187,986 7L8 Lttffi^ Municipal Council 9.351.388 7L9 Makindve.Ssabambo MuniciDat Council 15,#o,7L6 720 Masindi Municipaf Council 12,665.581 721 Mityana Mtrnicipal Council 12.658.962 722 Moroto Municipal Council 6,850,672 723 Mubende Municipd Council 12957.3L7 724 Mukono Municipal Council 24.'LO.782 725 Nansana MuniciDal Council 27.496.367 726 Nebbi Municipal Council 6.115.006 727 Nieru Municipal Council 15.34L.297 728 Ntunsamo Municipal Council 6.592.735 729 Rukuruiri Municipal Council 12,562.835 730 Sheema Municipal Council 16.140.486 731 Tororo Municipal Council 11.941.028 801 Abim District 24,678,573 802 Adjumani District 38.784.017 803 Asago District 33.692.572 804 Alebtong District 25,987.41O 805 Amolatar District 23.785.271 806 Amudat Distriet 13.077.618 807 Amuria Distric't 27,488,129 808 Amuru District 22.202.541 809 Apac District 26.403.359 810 Arua District 19,164,690 811 Budaka District 30.600.919 8L2 Bududa District 34.758.340 813 BuEiri District 38,222,8L5 814 Bugreri District 23,784,357 District 1 D \$ F ,r =

Votc Dcfclpt*rr Anrurd |UGXOOO'| 706 Ibanda Municioal Council L.232.L52 707 Iganm MuniciDat Council 497.83L 708 IGbale Municioal Council 2.413.306 709 IGmuli Municiod Council 1.508.152 I(aochomra MuniciDal Council 1.140.129 7LO 7tt Iksese Municioal Council 923.66L 7L2 Kira MuniciDal Council 8.168.523 7t3 Kisoro Municipal Council L.232.446 714 Kitsun Municioal Council r.040.555 715 Ibboko Municipal Council 1.349.879 716 I(otido Municipal Council 596.380 717 Kumi Municipal Council 1.059.786 7t8 LvcE.zj Municipal Council t.075.923 7L9 Malcindve-Ssabagabo Municipal Council 15.639.553 720 Masindi MuniciDal Council 1.848.406 72L Mitvana MuniciDat Council L.840.299 722 Moroto Municipal Council 468.386 723 Mubende Municipal Council 1.990.O70 724 Mukono Municipal Council 10.464.554 725 Nansana MuniciDal Council 9.753.903 726 Nebbi MuniciDat Council 460.063 727 Nienr Municipal Council r.516.439 728 Ntunsamo Municipal Council 684.105 729 RukunEiri MuniciDal Council 1.403.150 730 Sheema Municipal Council 1.903.114 73L Tororo Municioal Council 726.683 801 Abim District 2.350.879 802 Adiumani District 2.901.938 803 AEaso District 5.t49.726 804 Alebtonc District 3.305.496 805 Amotratar Distrist 2.952.94L 806 Amudat District 2,53t.739 807 Amuria District ,,_-}{R 4.131.956 808 Amuru District k-nT/ 3,261,950 809 Apac District \ <) r*s 2,876,L67 810 Arua District /, (tffif ,a /V 2,6TL,ssT 811 [ 3.ses.2sz Budaka District /v) ru \gr7 8t2 l/\./ \tfll Bududa District ^a. 4.20L.546 Yt s 55 lPage ,ft €= ] r I

No, it is not only Kampala City. It is any Vote holder. An accounting officer in Bukedea has to come and seek for authorisation in Parliament. Next? MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO AUTHORISE GOVERNMENT TO BORROW UP TO UNITED STATES DOLLARS (USD) DEVELOPMENT BANK AND (USD) FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF KUMI-NGORA-SERERE- KAGWARA ROAD (98KM)

Madam Speaker, I beg to move a motion to authorise the Government to borrow up to US $106 million from the Islamic Development Bank and US $25 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for development for upgrading of Kumi- Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road (98 kilometres). I beg to move.

Madam Speaker, the actual name of the road is Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara- Kasilo Road.

17293 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA W EDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2025 do you want to debate? I put the question that Parliament approves the request by Government to borrow $106 million from the Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for upgrading of Kumi-Ngora- Serere-Kagwara-Kasilo Road (98 kilometres). (Question put and agreed to.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to also thank the Members of Parliament for even approving the loan before the committee lays it before the House. That shows that there is need for this road to be worked on. Madam Speaker, this road has been pending from the Third National Development Plan (NDPIII). Now we are in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). I am happy that the Government of Uganda was in position to secure funding from the Islamic Development Bank, $106 million and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the upgrade of Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road. The committee scrutinised the loan and we made our recommendations. I also want to thank the area Members of Parliament from Serere, Ngora and Kumi who attended the meeting with us as we were scrutinising this loan. I, therefore, want to take this opportunity, to lay the report of the Committee on National Economy on the proposal to borrow up to $106 million from Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the upgrade of the road. Madam Speaker, while we were scrutinising this loan, we realised that the town councils through which the road was passing were not catered for. As a committee, we recommended that whatever contingency that will accrue from the loan should be utilised to upgrade roads within the town councils in which the project is going. These include; Kasilo Town Council, Kadungulu, Kagwara, Serere, Ngora Town Council, Ocaapa and Kumi Municipality. I beg to lay the report of the committee.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Be - fore I give credit to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for a good report, there is an is - sue that relates to road equipment and mainte - nance. I do not know why they have decided to centralise the repair centres and workshops. I wanted the committee to have fully captured and recommended the issue of decentralising the repair workshops. In Kumi, we have to come up to Jinja for repair and there is a long queue of repairs taking place. I do not know why they cannot increase the purchase of this road equipment so that the districts are compli - ant; whenever they need any work, it is easily accessible. Secondly, whereas I appreciate the Govern - ment for a very good road, the Tirinyi-Palli - sa-Mukongoro-Kumi is causing accidents al - most every week. This is because there is no control over speed. There are no humps and I am told you are saying that this is a highway. Does a highway pass through peasants’ homes? Are peasants not residents of the area? Therefore, you cannot say it is a highway. If it is a highway, put it underground or in the sky, but you cannot endanger the lives of our voters. Who will be voting for His Excellency Yow - eri Kaguta Museveni and Opolot, the guardian himself? (Laughter)

Mr Speaker, I rise on three issues. First, I appreciate the committee chairperson. On page 37, he reports that the Aleles Bridge is complete. I am here to report and also inform the minister that the Aleles Bridge is still not passable. It is wrong to report that it is complete. That is connecting Pallisa to Ngora. Secondly, Tirinyi-Pallisa-Mukongoro-Kumi Road. On Saturday, the 12 th of this month, I was travelling back to Kampala and three people were knocked dead at the junction of Mukongoro to Ngora. I add my voice to that of the area Member of Parliament that we need speed limit checks or humps - the minister knows the language very well. Lastly, Mukongoro-Ngora-Kapiri-Soroti Road needs to be upgraded because it is a Central Government road. I beg to submit.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Allow me to take a minute to welcome the students of Bukedea Comprehensive Academy. You know, I studied in Mbale Comprehensive, so I had to welcome the students. I worked in Bukedea from 2006 to 2015, before I resigned to enter politics. These are our home products. Mr Speaker, a few comments here. One is on the issue of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project. I agree with the committee. We need to support the Government to get money for counterpart funding and what have you. The issue is whether the money is reaching us. For instance, in Kumi, I would love the committee to tell me how many women from my place have benefited. That is critical. We do not want to fund what we do not know. Two, there is this issue of rent for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Until then, Mr Speaker? It is high time we committed ourselves. If we are constructing offices, let us do that. The amount of money that we are putting into rent is too much, in my opinion. We must stop this kind of bleeding.

16913 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 In those districts – for example, instead of travelling to Tororo, we could think about a cooperative to serve people in that community. I hope that when the minister is presenting the other report, the information will be given to members. The other question on jua kali was from Hon. Aogon, about Kumi, but it is a national program. It might not reach everywhere but it is a very good initiative. Those who have benefited – I think Hon. Linda said it is a good programme. How do you get information? Let us not wait for information here. When you pass these things, follow up with us to see whether we are implementing them in the way you gave us money, and see how we run it. Otherwise, this is a very good program because it supports the young people who are out of school, like these young girls who, unfortunately, get pregnant before they are 18 years old. They cannot get the youth fund because when they go there, they are told “No, you are now a mother” and when they come to the women fund, they are equally told “No, you are not yet 18 years”. They are in the middle there. So, we have that category of people who do not have a sense of belonging, which is a critical issue. I would like to say something about the issue of street children. Recently, there has been a growth in street children. This time, they are organised and are becoming gangs. One of my friends from Soroti talked about it. In Soroti, they call them “ owok owok ”. These children can even undress you, get your bag and pour out everything. When you have organised a party, they come and carry away all the food. It is going to be a very critical thing in society. The reason we are asking for money is to see how we can build capacity for the parents, children and the community before we talk about enforcement. So, the ministry needs this money to begin building confidence in the community. Many parents have become - I will not call it carelessness but they are not responsible for their young people, and because they are dropouts, they have been left on their own. The others were proposals, which we are going to take on as a ministry but I think I need to see what other things were brought in. Hon. Kwizera, I think your suggestion was more on what we can generally support and see how we can work on them. I would like to give Hon. Atkins hope that we are working. We are not a white elephant; we might not have reached Kasese, but we will. The money for the old persons is already being disbursed. Sometimes they give them Shs 75,000 per quarter instead of Shs 25,000. but I would like to remind the House that you passed the Parish Development Model (PDM) money, which has percentages. Can we follow up and know whether the percentages are working? Ten per cent is for the old people. Go back to your parish and know whether the Shs 10 million has been given to 10 old people, Shs 10 million to 10 disabled people, and Shs 30 million must be given to the women at the parish level. This is again our responsibility, as members of Parliament, to do the tracking. Where is the money? We have just left this money to go and I hope my brother, Hon. Magyezi, will agree with me - recently, I was with him and he asked: “How many disabled have received?” For me, they have only given 1 per cent. So, I am still asking about my 9 per cent because I am both a minister and a Member of Parliament. When you look at the records and you see only 1 per cent, you wonder about where the other money is, yet it is over. So, Hon. Okot, let us follow up on what the wazees are supposed to receive. What I am reporting here is that they have gone beyond theirs because according to the report from the Local Government, they are at

16958 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 I want to share with this House that in the case of Kumi, we have Nyero Rock paintings that the primary Social Studies (SST) teachers used to talk about as they taught the children. Many people used to visit it, but for so many years now, not much has been done to do advocacy, advertise and develop the site so that more money can be generated for the Government. I am aware that a certain percentage would benefit the local government, and the other would benefit the centre. How I pray that this funding is increased so that the local potential tourism sites can be equally developed. Mr Speaker, I am happy about the statement on export promotion and import substitution. As a member of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the issue of kaveeras in this country is giving us a very big threat –

Hon. Osoru Mourine and hon. Christine from Kumi.

Seconded by Hon. Huda, Hon. Okumu, Lt Col Alanyo, Col Dr Nekesa, Hon. Ricky, Hon. Mutembuli, honourable member for Aruu, Hon. Joan, Hon. Isaac, Hon. Basil, Hon. Peter, Honourable member for Mitooma, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Annet, Hon. Noah, Hon. Mourine, Hon. Max, Honourable member for Pallisa, Honourable member for Gogonyo, Honourable member for Kumi, Hon. John, Honourable member for Kyankwanzi, Hon. Acan, Honourable member for Ibanda, Honourable member for Dokolo, Honourable member for Sheema, Hon. Feta, Hon. Jessica, Honourable member for Ibanda, Dr Mushemeza, Hon. Acrobert Kiiza, Hon. Omoding and honourable member for Abim. Would you like to speak to your motion?

Thank you. Let us have Hon. Faith Kunihira, the Member for Kumi and then Hon. Melsa. Any man who is not a member of UWOPA will be in trouble today; I will not pick you. (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the honourable minister for the statement, however, I would like to also implore the minister as she writes to districts about the Shs 3 million for International Women’s Day Celebrations she should remind them that Uganda is under a multi-party dispensation. In those districts, we have the Opposition women MPs who also need to celebrate with their women. Ngora District has never celebrated the International Women’s Day. I hope this time, we shall celebrate. Therefore, I request the minister to write to the Resident District Commissioners who are blocking us. On the GROW project, honourable minister, we need another meeting to review it. The conditions of the project do not allow the rural woman to get this loan. I looked at the report the other day from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and noted that so far, only 87 districts out of 146 have benefited, and Ngora is not one of them. This is because the loan has stringent conditions of a minimum of Shs 4 million, a land title - honourable minister, remember, we had a meeting, and one of the women in Kumi got a land title from her husband to get a loan for just a stationery business. Yet, you know they sell silverfish, tomatoes etcetera. So, why don’t we meet to review this project to benefit the local women? I beg to submit.

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, whereas we appreciate the Government for the construction of Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi and Pallisa-Kamonkoli roads, there are outstanding issues where many Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) along the Pallisa-Kamonkoli road were valued, disclosed, and many of them were not paid. They have become a problem when I go for my holiday weekend; they are ever in my compound and ringing me. It is a bigger issue, especially when they hear that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is no more. Can you clarify where they can go? They are already listening in to hear from you on how you can guide them. Thank you.

Honourable member for Kumi and honourable member for Pallisa.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join the rest of the Members in thanking the chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Hon. Ssemujju for his minority report. I want to speak on the health and agriculture sectors. Unfortunately, the health sector has not been considered so much, bearing in mind that “Health is wealth”; when you have health, you have wealth. I want to bring to the attention of this House a key point: Pallisa District; as we speak, the district hospital is a post-independence hospital. The infrastructure has never been renovated and as I speak, male, female, and children are sharing wards; there is a lot of congestion in the hospital. Pallisa District neighbours several districts like Ngora, Kumi, Butebo, Kibuku, and part of Kamuli. They all come to Pallisa District. It is too congested; people are sleeping on the floor because there are no beds. I urge the Minister of Finance to consider us during this budgeting process – to at least construct new buildings. We have a unit for sickle cells but they meet under a shade every Tuesday and yet they are very many. As I speak now, because of the accumulated water bills, the hospital cannot afford to pay the water bills. We do not have running water in the hospital – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. I think it is very important for us to note that this is a sovereign right of the United States whether to give or not. What is important is our readiness to plug the hole. I would not want this issue to come and take much of our time. Let us have it at that. Honourable minister, what is the level of our readiness to fill the gap that will be created by the withdrawal of this aid? The minister for finance is not here. Let us handle this issue when we are handling the Budget Framework Paper. Isn’t it? Because we shall be - no, I know the two people I am not mentioning. I do not want us to escalate this. No, let it be at this at this level. I do not want us to start here issues - either supporting the US for withdrawing aid or attacking it or what? No. Honourable colleagues in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from Marera Archdeaconry, Church of Uganda, under the Diocese of Kumi. They are represented by Hon. John Bosco Ikojo and the Rt Hon. Anita Among. They have come to observe proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Next item? STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER ON THE ONGOING VOTER VERIFICATION EXERCISE

Thank you. The report is accordingly referred to the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development. (III) THE PROPOSAL TO BORROW UP TO UNITED $ 106 MILLION FROM THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK AND $ 25 MILLION FROM THE ABU DHABI FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF KUMI-NGORA-SERERE- KAGWARA ROAD

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay on the Table the proposal to borrow up to $106 million from the Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for the development of the upgrading of the Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road, 98 kilometres. I beg to lay.

My question is: Kumi Municipality has been lucky to receive quality tarmac under the NRM Government. We are celebrating you, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, in particular. You gave a directive and it worked. I now call upon you to direct on the issue of giving us traffic lights because there are several accidents happening there. (Interjections) Yes, there are several accidents between Tirinyi, Pallisa and Kumi. In town, over six trucks got [Mr Okot] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt. Hon Prime Minister, the people of Toroma, whom I represent, have requested me to ask you about the policy on the establishment of a technical school. Katakwi District has three counties; Ngariam has one technical school, Usuk has one technical school but Toroma has none. However, the new Permanent Secretary has been misguided by the planning department to establish again a new technical institute in Ngariam, moreover in a remote area with only one sub-county and one school under construction - Toroma County has six senior secondary schools that can feed this technical school. Rt. Hon Prime Minister, can you direct, as you have directed in Kumi, that this technical school be built in Toroma because the district council has rejected the use of those funds to build a technical school in Ngariam - (Member timed out.)

Member from Kumi, Hon. Noeline and then the Member from Lyantonde.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. If we do not protect our soils from these Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the so-called biotechnology seeds, one day the soil that we have in Uganda will be favourable only for construction and not agriculture. Therefore, it is very pertinent. This is a hearty matter that we must take seriously. Secondly, these days we lose the market because we cannot preserve whatever we have got when we have a bumper harvest; within six months, everything is gone. The prices are low; you cannot wait until the prices are up. This is a matter which is not only of Ugandans but East Africa and Africa as a continent. I front to this House that we must ban the importation, promotion, multiplication and everything to do with GMOs. If we do that, we are safe and if we do not, we are doomed. One day, God will raise a point of procedure and a point of order on us for not preserving His will. (Laughter) The indigenous food is the will of God and we must preserve it. This House needs to pass a policy and law that preserves the indigenous seeds. Come to Kumi and taste the chicken that we roast and then compare it to yours from this end in Namawojjolo and tell me the difference. (Laughter) Go and get fish from the fish pond and compare it to the one of Lake Victoria and you see the difference. Mr Speaker, you will come back and agree with me and say, let us second the motion. This motion is for seconding and everybody must support it. I beg to move.

Your Excellency, as you guided in Cabinet, work on the Malaba-Soroti- Lira-Gulu Railway metre gauge is on. We have reached Kumi so far. There was a small technicality between us, the office, and the team working, which we have also resolved after consulting you and Mzee Matia Kasaija. So, they have resumed. The first phase will bring the metre gauge up to Gulu here. Then the second phase will be from Gulu to Pakwach.

14159 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 However, in many instances, the number of livestock previously verified was significantly reduced by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, without providing any explanation to the claimants/beneficiaries. Such cases were reported across Acholi, Lango and Teso subregions. The current market price per head of cattle in today’s open market could be slightly higher. No information on the current compensation rates used for other categories of livestock, such as goats and sheep, has been provided. Where we went, apart from cattle, people lost sheep, goats, donkeys and, in some cases, pigs. The committee observed that: i. Whereas the compensation package for claimant/beneficiary was determined through a verification and validation exercise, many complained that the number of livestock validated by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs did not reflect the exact losses incurred during the insurgence. ii. The rate used for compensation was not based on the current market price. Committee recommendations i. The ministry for Justice should base its payment to the claimant/beneficiaries on the exact number of livestock lost, as determined by the respective verification committees at the local government level. ii. The livestock compensated should relate to the established rate, for example, Shs 1,050,000 per head of cattle. This amount should be uniform throughout the subregions. Madam Speaker, we discovered that in some cases, people were paid Shs 500,000 or Shs 300,000, instead of Shs 1 million, for a cow. iii. The Inspector General of Government should investigate the varying payments per head of cattle in the different regions, against the agreed amount as per the verification exercise. iv. The Government should revise the compensation value per animal, to meet the current market price per head of cattle, goat, sheep and donkey. Government funding for compensation claims In Financial Year 2021/2022, His Excellency the President directed that Shs 150 billion be provided to kick-start – and the keyword is “kick-start” – compensation. However, the committee found out that during Financial Year 2021/2022, only Shs 50 billion was made available to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, for payment of the verified claimants/beneficiaries, in three the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. According to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, these funds were distributed equally among the 27 districts and two cities, which are listed. Every district/ city received Shs 1.72 billion. Further, funds totalling Shs 676.3 million bounced due to various reasons, including invalid bank account numbers, irregular title of the bank accounts, closure of the bank accounts and dormant accounts. This led to the return of these unpaid funds, to the Consolidated Fund. Omoro and Kumi districts did not receive payment during Financial Year 2021/2022, due to what the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs termed as “defective submissions”, which were returned to the respective districts for remedial action. Consequently, the allocations to these districts, with defective submissions, were pulled together and reallocated to other eligible claimants/beneficiaries. The committee established that in Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs had a budget provision of Shs 30 billion, for the compensation of verified claimants/beneficiaries, but those funds were not released for that purpose.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. God indeed chooses leaders, the ones he knows are able. That is why he chose you and put you in that seat. Thank you so much. In Financial Year 2021/2022, Kumi and Omoro did not get the money. The claim was that the forms were not handled properly, according to the report. Who, then, was responsible for guiding the process, Attorney-General, if you really think things went well? Madam Speaker, we want to believe and accept that, yes, they put in effort but something went wrong, and there is no way the committee will hide the truth. I want to appreciate the Hon. Bwanika and the team, you have done your part. I know, for the last eight years I have been in Parliament, that you first allow us, the Members of Parliament, to pour out our hearts, then you come and respond to our cries later, but do not try to stop the debate. I want to beg of the Attorney-General and the team; allow Parliament to be Parliament, and then your house will be in order. Madam Speaker, when you look at what has happened, we are talking about compensating people for the loss of animals, personally, I lost my father. Probably if he was still alive, and those days when I was struggling with education, he was there, I would have been on another level of protocol politically. (Laughter) I failed on that because I lost my father. Nobody is talking about compensation for the loss of lives. When are we going to do it? The Transitional Justice Bill (T.J) is what is supposed to be summarising all these matters that we are talking about. Why did the Government list the T.J. Bill and leave it up to now? Because the policy that the report is talking about should have been this one, on T.J.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Apollo Christine, Woman Representative, Kumi. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the minister for the statement. Mine is related to what Hon. Dr Ayume has said. I do not want to hide this; in my district, that is Kumi - although you cautioned us yesterday against referring to particular districts - whoever dies now and suffers from any disease, everyone is saying “It is the Yellow Fever vaccine that is killing us.” Across the district, it has been very difficult to explain to the people about it. I want to plead with the honourable minister to have avenues through which we can clear the misconception about these vaccines among the entire public. I also expected the minister to give us an expectation as to when we should expect this vaccine. Also in the report, I thought that the minister would have summarised for us briefly the signs and symptoms of this disease. Sorry, I withdraw that; the answer has already been given. Thank you for your attention. Let me now talk about - because the doctor was giving us the preventive approaches, the way forward, and the rest - I want to suggest that the Minister of Health liaise with the Minister of Internal Affairs and see how we can restrict movements between countries – (Interjections) - yes, now that we have registered two cases of Mpox in the country and also to see a follow-up mechanism of the two. Although the Minister said the two have been discharged without serious complications, we need serious follow- up, and then a report available to Parliament, so that we conclusively say that the two who tested positive are now free of the disease.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Madam Prime Minister, I would like to appreciate you. The people of Uganda are enjoying the road between Tirinyi, Pallisa and Kumi and we are happy. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has performed. The question is now about the humps. The Members of Parliament from the region have consistently asked the same question. We know you for directing and people acting. What are we going to do about this issue? Lives are being lost on this road. We need humps. Secondly, we need traffic lights in Kumi Town. The town looks beautiful with the new road but the accidents are many. When are you acting Rt Hon. Prime Minister?

13914 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT project, adding 3,202.46km of medium voltage, and 6,827.82km of low voltage to the national grid as well as installation of 1,744 distribution transformers that were fully completed, commissioned and handed over to the various network operators like UMEME, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Kilembe Investments Ltd., and West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO), for operation and connection of customers; (ii) In addition, the project procured connection materials to connect 180,228 electricity customers in the entire country. Currently, pre-paid metres were supplied and connections are ongoing across the country. This was to support the Government’s Electricity Connections Policy (ECP) free connection policy. The contractor completed Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) studies across all regions, and the reports have been submitted to the Chief Government Valuer for review and approval. To date, the Chief Government Valuer has approved the Resettlement Action Plan reports – this is about compensation to project-affected persons – totalling Shs 38 billion for the compensation of project-affected persons. Furthermore, the project constructed a warehouse at Kakiri in Wakiso District and handed it over to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The ministry is now using this facility for the storage of connection materials and other power line equipment. Although construction works have been completed, as a contractual obligation, the contractor remains on the ground to rectify any defects that may occur until my ministry issues the Final Completion Certificate envisaged during the second quarter of the calendar year 2025. Challenges faced during the implementation of the project Mr Speaker, the project has faced a number of challenges that we continue to address as we implement the defects liability period. The challenges are highlighted below. The contract did not cover transformers needed for the construction of 11kV networks. However, some of the subcounty headquarters selected for electrification are situated in areas with existing 11kV networks. As a result, 11kV schemes, comprising 78.9km of medium voltage and 176.9km of low voltage lines, have been constructed but are pending the installation of 30 distribution transformers. These schemes are located in the districts of Manafwa, Kumi and Soroti. The necessary 11kV transformers are currently being procured by the ministry, with delivery anticipated by the end of next month – September. The responsibility of compensating Project- Affected Persons (PAPs) for the crops and trees damaged during construction works falls on the Government of Uganda. We are unable to compensate PAPs due to budget constraints, as I will be explaining further. Currently, the obligation for compensation on this project amounts to Shs 35.5 billion, but no funds have been provided in the Financial Year 2024/2025. The rampant vandalism of project materials, mainly wires from completed schemes, has severely compromised the functionality and reliability of constructed networks, leading to frequent power outages and increased repair costs. Theft and/or deliberate damage to essential components, such as power lines and transformers, disrupts service delivery and imposes a financial burden on the ministry. Addressing this issue requires enhanced security measures, community awareness and strict legal penalties to protect the infrastructure and ensure the continued benefits of these projects. Let me now embark on the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP). Mr Speaker, the EASP builds upon the Government’s earlier interventions to directly support the expansion and strengthening of the electricity distribution network and scale up consumer connections by facilitating at least one million electricity connections, covering households, commercial

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

That is the financial language, Mr Speaker. (Laughter) It crossed lines and went to the other side. The minister should explain to us exactly why we have these debts with the contractors who worked with REA and yet you got over Shs 520 billion, which moved sides to the other side. That is a big issue. Mr Speaker, municipalities need attention. Let us stop talking just about rural areas. Municipalities need attention because the populations are surging into towns. The towns are expanding, but there is no support. We are living in darkness, and crime is increasing. Come to Kumi now, the town has increased and the Government has given us some tarmac but it is in the darkness. When are you bringing security lights to municipalities?

Honourable colleagues we are debating and I want you to bring out all these questions because, in the end, this is a matter which must go to the Natural Resources Committee. When they bring these risks here, it is very difficult to scrutinise deeply. I know the minister can engage with the committee very well. They scrutinize, in detail, and then Members can appear before the committee, for those who have issues. Then we have this matter well concluded. I have picked mostly men; I want to pick ladies first. Therefore, I request all men to sit. I will start with ladies who have been here, not those who just entered. The ones who just entered know themselves. Honourable members for Kiboga, Kalangala, Dokolo, Gulu, you are very many. Honourable member for Mukono, because you have complained, honourable member for Mbale. This is time for ladies, you are men. Honourable members for Masindi, Buhweju, Sheema, Kumi, Napak, Bugiri, Fort Portal, Jinja, Abim, and Adjumani.

Member for Napak, Shema, Buhweju and Kumi then I pick Bugiri, Terego, Jinja and Fort Portal. For areas where you do not see your Woman Member of Parliament, you can declare yourself a woman and then I will see what to do. (Laughter)

Let us have the Members for Sheema, Buhweju and Kumi. Now, Honourable colleagues, you do not know the reason - you know I follow up on our WhatsApp groups. I saw the ladies complaining that as men, we are recycling suits. (Laughter) They gave me a list. So, today, I have decided to punish men. They said that we buy at least six pairs of suits so that we stop recycling. I have a list. So, if you know you have been recycling – (Laughter)- I will forgive you when I do not see you recycling. That was on a light note. (Laughter) Now let us hear from Hon. Nyakikongoro.

Buhweju and, then, Kumi.

Kumi and, then, Bugiri.

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.

13761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2024 Recommendations The committee recommends as follows: i. The Government through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should improve on the selection criteria and capacity of the beneficiaries group to enhance ownership and sustainability; ii. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should sign a Memorandum of Understanding with suppliers to provide maintenance of the machinery and equipment because most of these, on which the Government spent a lot of money, are no longer functioning; and iii. The chairpersons and signatories to the accounts on which the farmers’ associations matching grant was deposited should be held accountable for the funds disbursed. Mr Speaker, the issue of lack of electricity and water connectivity is so much that most of the projects were not connected. The electricity was not connected to this project or factories to operate this machinery. This has made this project a white elephant. On that, the committee recommends that in the future, in case of a similar project, the Government should ensure collaboration between the relevant ministries so that they coordinate well to ensure that the project succeeds. Project monitoring and evaluation had weak linkages, as Members have said. The committee recommends that accounting officers of district local governments, like the focal point person, should arrange for regular capacity building. On the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP), the monitoring and evaluation unit should provide adequate guidance or a template to the local governments to help in the supervision for effective implementation. The respective local governments should prevail over grantees’ management and institute mechanisms that would ensure regular monitoring. For future projects of a similar nature, the Government should, through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies adequately prepare to offer guidance and support to project beneficiaries to implement the project effectively. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should expedite the process of connecting the projects to the national grid to enable the functionality of this equipment. Road Chokes I would like to go straight to the observations. In Kyotera, 21 road chokes were identified, but only nine were prioritised for rehabilitation. At the time of the committee visit, only two roads under Lot 1; in Kateera-Minziiro, and Kasanvu- Kyakaluuma, had been approved and construction was ongoing. In Ayer that is Kole, that is Ayer-Bala-Akalo Road in Kole District was only 10 per cent completed. The road projects connecting two sub-counties, Ongino-Kanapa in Kumi, were not completed. The rest of them in Nebbi and Pakwach districts were also delayed. The recommendations, I cannot read all, honourable members. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Local Government should –

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Kumi District benefited from the ACDP. By then, when I was at the district, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries gave us an Insurance Premium Financing (IPF) of Shs 8 billion to work on the road chokes. The council went ahead and identified the road chokes, based on the guidance of the engineer. All that was not done. My recommendation, because of time, is that in the near future when we have similar projects, the line ministries should communicate the right IPFs to avoid this scenario where a council ends up identifying many projects, yet the money is not enough to handle them. Number two, we now have cassava in Kumi District and the entire Teso. The people of Kumi are pleading with the Government that if possible, let us have the cassava processing plants. When we have the processing plants, there should be a clear marketing strategy since even the vision and the point at hand by the Government is to reduce the 39 per cent. Mr Speaker, there is no way we can say we are reducing the 39 per cent when farmers are producing a lot and there is nowhere they can sell it to. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Ayume? Then Kumi, Hon. Christine.

You are debating in anticipation. Honourable members, as I said, I am going to read the President’s letter. The letter is addressed to the Right Honourable Speaker, Parliament of Uganda, Kampala. It is dated 22 June 2024. The Reference is: “Budget Reallocation by Parliament.” The letter reads: “The recent case of the Members of Parliament that were arrested for some alleged offences has again highlighted the mistake of Members of Parliament interfering with the constitutional mandate of the President of budgeting for the Country by reallocating monies budgeted for the core sectors of the economy. In the last four financial years, the Members of Parliament have reallocated a total of Shs 3.71 trillion. This is real sabotage. When we reconstructed the Kampala-Masaka Road, we used Shs 440 billion. Therefore, diverting Shs 3.71 trillion in four years is equivalent to aborting nine big roads of the Kampala-Masaka type, or a much larger number of smaller roads. You know very well the important roads that we have been struggling with. You have seen how much the Tirinyi-Pallisa- Kumi Road has helped the people of the area by avoiding the need to pass through Mbale City when they are travelling to Soroti. You have seen how the Musita-Mayuge- Namayingo-Busia Road has helped the people of that area. You have seen how the Mukono- Katosi-Nkokonjeru-Nyenga Road has helped the people of that area. Yet, for the Tirinyi- Palisa-Kumi Road, we used Shs 443.42 billion only. How much happier would Ugandans be, if we had tarmacked the Kumi-Ngora-Serere- Bugondo Road; the Soroti-Amuria-Acan Pii- Patongo-Abim Road; the Kanoni-Mityana Road; the Myanzi-Kassanda-BukuyaKiboga Road; the Ssembabule-Lyantonde-Rakai Road; the Luwero-Butalaangwa-Ngoma–Masindi Road; the Bwizibweera-Nsiika-Nyakabirizi Road; the Nakivaale-Rakai Road; the Fort Portal-Kijura Road, etc.? I have written on this issue - see my letter dated 28th April 2020. The Attorney-General has guided on the matter. The courts have guided, yet the practice goes on. There are three mistakes involved here and these are: (i) Indiscipline in budgeting; (ii) Sabotaging national priorities; (iii) And now the suspicion of massive corruption. I am, therefore, writing to request that this practice stops. As per Article 91(3)(c) of the Constitution of 1995, I decline to assent to the Appropriation Bill, 2024 and return it to Parliament, and request that no reshuffling of the Budget should ever happen again without the input of the Executive. Apart from the legality and constitutionality of the issues involved, there is common sense. Sprinkling money by MPs to get cheap popularity in constituencies will make us lose to focus on core items. How can patriots be part of this mistake? Signed by the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.”

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

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);

xq. .d +8-- i*- n I I I I +.' ,i ,4 t,- t.. t, . i, -L4ii . *K -i- ,4 ui iri',1.,[,:-:. - I Amount (OOO'I Vote Descriptlon 8,644,O74 709 Council Kamuli Munici 10,801,134 7to Kapchorwa Municipal Council 16,156,203 Kasese Municipal Council 7LL 24,906,066 7t2 Kira Municipal Council 5,469,632 713 Kisoro Municipal Council 8,704,093 Kitzum Municipal Council 7t4 9,574,4O9 Koboko Municipal Council 7t5 a,27t,209 716 Kotido Municipal Council 8,752,t71 717 Kumi Municipal Council 9,2t6,O42 Lugazi Municipal Council 7L8 t6,295,026 Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council 719 t2,060,528 720 Masindi Municipal Council 12,404,Ot6 72t Mityana Municipal Council 6,643,756 Moroto Municipal Council 722 L2,4a7,408 723 Mubende Municipal Council 2t,545,205 Mukono Municipal Council 724 26,304,364 Nansana Municipal Council 725 6,O20,976 726 Nebbi Municipal Council 15,000,089 727 Nieru Municipal Council 6,226,394 Ntungamo Municipal Council 724 12,r32,708 Rukungiri Municipal Council 729 15,643,023 730 Sheema Municipal Council 11,894,459 73r Tororo Municipal Council 20,657,t94 Abim District 801 36,860,992 Adiumani District 802 32,872,323 803 Agago District 25,478,944 Alebtong District 804 ) 23,rO9,607 805 Amolatar District rr,2to,637 806 Amudat District 25,200,826 ao7 Amuria District 20,a92,676 808 Amuru District T 0qA- t2 4r" t-l''.-- H'.+ t t

.+_ lA*' "' - #+- I dI,\ h 24 . - l B l X Amount (OOO'| Descrlption Vote 635 o23 I Munici al Council 707 2,t84 771 Council Kabale Munici 704 2 238 353 709 Kamuli Munici al Council 801 696 Ka chorwa Munici al Council 7ro 3 374 618 7tt Council Kasese Munici 8 4tt 400 Kira Munici al Council 7t2 406 243 713 Council Kisoro Munici 2 331 982 Council Munici Ki 7L4 529 160 Koboko Munici al Council 715 629 284 Kotido Munici al Council 716 807 186 Kumi Munici al Council 717 2 9t4 388 7ta Council Munici 16 o46 686 7t9 Makindye- S sabagabo MuniciPal Council 1 454 635 Council Masindi Munici 720 1 387 188 Council Munici Mi 721 744 299 Moroto Munici al Council 722 5 462,294 Mubende Munici al Council 723 6 401 99t 724 Council Mukono Munici 10 505 394 Nansana Munici al Council J zzs 311 301 \-zzo Nebbi Munici al Council 429 909 N al Council eru Munici 727 I 910 156 728 Council o Munici N 1 o59 681 Council Rukun ri Munici 729 2 851 608 Sheema Munici al Council 730 3 528 439 73t Council Tororo Munici 9 o56 849 Abim District 801 5 061 3a2 Ad umani District 802 5 086 244 District 803 3 62L o37 District AIebto 804 7 t44 543 805 Amolatar District 2 946 471 Amudat District 806 9 513,880 Amuria District 807 3 s99 449 Amuru District --808 2 394 342 District A 809 3 190 840 Arua District 810 5 310 694 Budaka District 811 -_*3-- /{* M 'l-,1.i- t,

I put the question that the total sum of Shs 560,653,198 be provided for under Vote 713 for Kisoro Municipal Council as supplementary recurrent expenditure for the financial year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 717: Kumi Municipal Council

I put the question that the total sum of Shs 58,908,275 be provided for under Vote 717 for Kumi Municipal Council as a supplementary recurrent expenditure for FY 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 720: Masindi Municipal Council

13099 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 4 APRIL 2 024 available reduced the physical progress that could be achieved in the period. The reduction in the domestic funds available for development projects also affected the implementation of externally funded projects as domestic funding is required for counterpart funding and land acquisition. The Government had planned to upgrade roads to support tourism development, because tourism is a cash cow, and ease congestion in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area during NDP III. However, this reduction in the resources also delayed the implementation of the key interventions and they must, therefore, be prioritised in the NDP IV. The performance of national roads Despite the setbacks and the significant reduction in funding, the Government was able to register some success in the delivery of the plan. By June 2023, the status of implementation of the NDP III programme was as follows: (i) 753 kilometres of national roads had been upgraded to paved standard, bringing the total paved stock to 6,133 kilometres countrywide. This was against the targeted 1,500 kilometres in the same period because of the COVID-19 issue; (ii) In addition, UNRA upgraded 196 kilometres of town roads within various towns and municipalities across the country; and (iii) 464 kilometres of road rehabilitation and reconstruction were completed in the same period. The details of the completed rehabilitation and upgrade projects are attached as Annex 1. The annex is very big. It has Annex 1 up to Annex 8. I would request Members of Parliament, at your own time, to refer to the annexes. Due to these interventions, as of June 2023, 59 per cent of the national paved network was in good condition, while 35 per cent was in fair condition. During the NDP III period, a large percentage of the network, which was in good condition has deteriorated to fair condition. This has created a significant maintenance backlog that necessitates an increased focus on maintenance of the paved road network in the NDP IV period as opposed to coming up with new projects, in order to protect the existing assets. Madam Speaker, the construction of bridges and provision of ferry crossings was also catered for during the NDP III period. Twenty- six bridges were constructed by the Ugandan National Roads Authority in the period from 2020/2021 to 2022/2023. The following ferries were also commissioned during the period: (i) Bisina Ferry, which plies between Kumi and Katakwi on Lake Bisina. This was commissioned in 2020/2021; (ii) MV BBB (Bubembe-Bunyama-Buggala) on Lake Victoria in 2021/2022; and (iii) MV Palm (Kiyindi to Buvuma). This was done together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries under the Oil Palm Project. Madam Speaker, the analysis showed that the available Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is insufficient for the completion of the ongoing commitments under the development of national roads. Allocation of extra resources to the programme in the NDP IV period is required to achieve the objectives of preserving the road assets and increasing the stock and quality of the productive infrastructure is required if we are to achieve the objectives of preserving the road assets and increasing the stock and quality of the productive infrastructure as required. 2.2.3 Status of ongoing projects Madam Speaker, my ministry is currently implementing 26 national road development projects, covering 1,249 kilometres and 11 road rehabilitation projects, spanning 952 kilometres. In addition, construction of 27 bridges and 10 ferry improvement projects across the national

Thank you. Is it seconded? It is seconded by Hon. Faith, Hon. Acayo, Hon. Onzima, Member for Apach, Member for Kween, Member for Kalaki, Member for Kumi, Hon. Christine, Hon. Nandutu, Hon. Alayo, Hon. Katenya, Hon. Kahonda, Hon. Moses and the Member representing the elders. Thank you. Can you speak to it?

How do people in Kumi know that Hon. Aogon was in the House? (Laughter) Thank you. Clause 1

Bzsiness Deuelopment and. Qualitg Assurance (1) National business development services guideline developed for 200 men, women, and youth & mainstreamed in the BFP in Central, Northern, West Nile & Eastern Regions. (2) 220 MSMEs of men, youth and women entrepreneurs trained on making Business Plans, Financial Literacy, Resource Mobilization, and Record Keeping. Kiruhura, Rwampara, Kabale,Rubanda, Mitooma, pallisa, Serere, Oyam, Kalaki and Otuke. (3) 60 youths, women, and entrepreneurs prepared to attend trade exhibition in South Sudan Capital, Juba. (41 160 MSMEs of men, women, youths PWDs mobitized and sensitized on the importance of product certification, aud.its, food fortification, and GHp for enterprises in Kotido, Napak DLG, Abim, Amudat, Zombo, Arua, Madi-Oko1o Serere & Kole. (5) T\ryo (21 Business tinkages established between MSMEs and large-scale enterprises for men, women and PWDs. in Soroti City, Amuria, Katakwi, Kumi, Busia, Tororo and Butaleja for men, women and pwDs. (6) 850 MSMEs profiled per region of the country and MSMEs database populated for 212 youths 212 women, 25Omen and 176 pWDs. in Central, Northern and Western Regions. Process ing and. Marketing (1) A detailed study and assessment on various stages of the textile value chain in Uganda from yarn production to manufacturing conducted. ( t u , T +n {> ,.:'._J!!}.$F (\-.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mine is regarding the matter of the loans and the roads that the Minister laid. This financial year, we did pass money for the construction of the Mbulamuti-Kamuli- Bukungu Road. However, because the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development delayed bringing the loan to this House, it ended - the agreements were ready by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), but somehow within the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, that contract agreement for the construction of that road has not commenced. We again have to budget and put this road back in the next financial year. Could the Minister do these things promptly? We have wasted one year without any work, the contract was signed, but because there is some challenge in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, I want the minister to take it up. Additionally, I raised and saw - thanks to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Hon. Kasolo that you approved a loan for Kumi-Serere-Kasilo Road. I have seen it in the Budget Framework Papers, but the loan has not yet come here. We may run into the same problem. When are you bringing the loan to this House? We do not want to waste one year without work as has happened to the Kamuli-Bukungu Road. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Kumi followed by Members from Soroti and Wakiso.

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

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I saw the letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and I saw the districts of Budaka, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Butaleja, Fort Portal City, Gomba, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kassanda, Kayunga, Kazo, Kiruhura, Kumi, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyotera, Luuka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rwampara - This is what I was talking about: when you have such interventions, use a platform of Parliament to engage because these Members of Parliament will be questioned in their constituencies and they will be stuck. As Parliament, you do not want to have a situation whereby one day, you will be accused of fighting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We put a quarantine, Parliament came and stopped it and therefore, we allowed it and it went on. This is why I felt that it would be imperative for the minister to bring a statement here and then we debate it and put him on the spot-on issues of the law and what he would have told us here. But then again the urgency of it - I know some of these districts depend on cows and their children are going back to school. What are we going to do about it? Honourable colleagues, are we going to resolve that go and lift the quarantine so that people sell cows and you cause another crisis? You know! It is better we have ministers here and they give us clear information. Hon. Kivumbi, do you want to guide on the same? COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

11500 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 together with the Ministry of Education and Sports said that they did not have the money. They said they would do it the following year. In 2023/2024, we again appropriated the money. However, to-date – we should be thinking about those students and pupils, because the parents, once the list was published in the New Vision , they pulled back saying that the Government had taken over. What is the fate of these children today, after hearing what the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance said? We appropriated money. Can the Minister of Finance together with the Minister of Education and Sports confirm to the parents who come from those areas, where those schools are, that this year, there will not be any money, they should just continue paying for the services of the teachers? Otherwise, without that, the schools will close. I appeal to the minister to follow up on that matter. The Equal Opportunities Commission published a damning report, a strong indictment to Government about the distribution of services and jobs in this country. Honourable minister, as you work on the National Budget Framework Paper, please, can you take that into consideration such that we do not see that reoccur in this country? We all belong to this country and we all pay taxes. Please, take note of that and incorporate it when you are doing the National Budget Framework Paper in the allocation of resources. Finally, on the issue of the infrastructure, I cannot conclude without saying, please, Kumi- Serere-Kasilo-Kagwara Road; the President promised us in 2011, 2016, 2021 and we do not want him to say the same thing in 2026 campaigns. We even got a letter in 2022, the blue letters, putting that road. They even wrote a letter in 2022 indicating the roads to be worked on: Soroti, Serere , Pingire, Bugondo, Garama and the one of Ochero. I am happy with the one of Kaberamaido- Ochero, we passed the loan here but those are the two. Those are the few roads on the eastern part of the Greater North road, if you started from Jinja up to Soroti. How many roads on the left-hand side of the road are tarmac? It is only one, the one of Tirinyi. Please, help us to sort that matter such that we can – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am sorry if the Members do not get reports on accounts from the Consolidated Fund when the year ends. This is public information which is even audited, and the Auditor-General produces a report with all this information on an annual basis. There is a question; this is an expectation gap and any lay person would not appreciate what happens because a district loses money. We say, for instance, Kumi has returned Shs 100 million, but nobody ever gets to know what it does and how it crystallises into the system. Mr Speaker, when we adopted what we call a Treasury Single Account, under it, there is no vote, which has money. All the money is in the Consolidated Fund. When you want to make a payment, you only simply invoice and we charge your budget from the Treasury. What does this mean? When we close at the end of the financial year, we sweep everything and money goes back to balance the Consolidated Fund, which in most cases, closes in negatives. In other words, we never have money to return.

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following to the standing Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters: 1. Hon. Sarah Netalisire Kayagi – Chairperson; 2. Hon. Stephen Kisa – Deputy Chairperson; 3. Hon. George Bhoka Didi - Obongi County; 4. Hon. Melsa Avako Naima - Yumbe District; 5. Dr Elisa Rutahigwa, Rukungiri Municipality; 6. Hon. Jennifer Driwaru - Maracha District; 7. Hon. Julius Acon Bua, Otuke East County; 8. Hon. Christine Akello - Erute County North; 9. Hon. Alex Byarugaba, Isingiro County South; 10. Dr Charles Ayume - Koboko Municipality; 11. Hon. Boaz Ninsiima Kasirabo - Kooki County; 12. Hon. William Chemonges - Kween County; 13. Hon. Christine Apolot - Kumi; 14. Hon. Jackson Lee Atima Buti, Arua Central Division; 15. Hon. Pius Wakabi - Bugahya County;

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance affecting my district. First of all, I thank the Government of Uganda for constructing for us a first-class tarmac road; that is the Tirinyi - Pallisa, Pallisa - Kumi, Pallisa - Kamonkoli. However, this road has now turned into a death trap for our people. That highway does not have any humps anywhere. The road is very good. People cruise on it. Most of the ministers pass there; Our Members of Parliament, our uncles and aunties from Karamoja pass there cruising. They do not even stop. (Laughter) I bring to the attention of the House that our people are dying. We are losing people on a daily basis because the highway lacks humps. On commissioning of that road - by the way, it was commissioned by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister - we noticed that the road did not have humps and we foresaw the problem. We brought it to the attention of the Prime Minister and she promised to direct the Minister of Works and Transport to build humps, especially along the trading centres. Similarly, one of my colleagues here raised the same issue last year. We personally went with my colleagues to the Office of the Minister of State for Works and Transport and he promised to work on the road. However, up to now, the road has no humps. People are dying. We are burying people every day. People have also got permanent injuries and they are nursing them. My prayers, Madam Speaker –

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

11143 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2023 The committee recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should budget for desilting and renovation of Akero Valley Tank. This should include restoration of its banks, renovating inlets and spillways, and all the others that are listed. The committee also recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries prioritises and expedites rehabilitation of this dam as soon as can be possible. Amosingo Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme Recommendations The committee recommends that the Ministry of Water and Environment that constructed this scheme, hands over the project to the district local government for further management and sustainability. The committee also recommends that the ministry reviews the cost of renting land to the farmers with a view to maintaining profitability of the investment. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Water and Environment should harmonise the provision of agricultural extension services and personnel. The line ministries in consultation with the district local government should facilitate the formation of a facility management committee to provide a framework for effective maintenance of the facilities. Agurut Valley Tank in Kumi Recommendations The committee recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries ensures completion of the project in accordance with the design specifications. Upon completion, the ministry should hand over the project to the Kumi District Local Government to facilitate the usage of the facility by the community. Opapa Small--Scale Irrigation Scheme –

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Soroti County, I wish you a very happy birthday. The rains have come and they have been good. The orange trees have dropped the old leaves, they are flowering and bearing a lot of good fruits. However, there is a big problem; these fruits never mature on the tree because there is a serious pest that has affected the oranges in Teso. I am not speaking only for Soroti but the entire Teso region, from Katakwi down to Kumi, Ngora and back to Bukedea and within the city area of Soroti. There is also good news that a miracle has happened. There was communication from the fruit factory that now they can consume over 72 tonnes of orange. However, the question is, are they going to consume the rotten oranges? My prayer is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries - We had locusts; we fumigated them and they went. These trees must be fumigated. Let us provide - because even when the farmers maintain the trees, the rot continues and spreads from one tree to another. We are talking about the economic basket of Teso; the household income. I pray that as these new rains continue and the trees are bearing new fruits, we can protect this and we shall see a change in household income. I beg to submit.

11047 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023 14) There are districts that were performing exceptionally well, for example, Kisoro, Tororo, Rukungiri, Ibanda, Kumi, Apac, Kakumiro, Bukedea, and others, with performance standing at above 90 per cent.

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

Mr Speaker, I have left those matters alone. Let me continue with the real points. I request the ministry to handle the issue of physical planning in a phased way. Mr Speaker, I come from an urban constituency. Can you start with the municipalities? You can start with 10, help them move and finish, then get the next lot. When you start with municipalities, remember to start with Kumi because that is where I come from. That is very important; I must speak for my constituents. It is also very important for you to note, as the ministry, that you are the ones who bring these priorities to Parliament. Our people think there is nowhere they are going to eat from when it comes to physical planning; they put that under the list of unfunded priorities. It is not this House, but ministry officials and they should be held culpable. Parliament is not the enforcer, the Government enforces and implements but there is a failed lot of action from our ministries. It is not only the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development but across the board. Supervision is kneeling on the floor. How many times has the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development come to Kumi Municipality, for instance, on matters of physical planning? I am not attacking the minister; I am now talking about the entire ministry. I do not want to spoil the debate. (Member timed out)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your indulgence. On the first loan proposal, the minister has laid on the Table here for upgrading national roads. For purposes of equity, we have had issues here. Whenever the finance ministry brings loans here, in order for Members to understand this properly, they bring them with him specific roads mentioned. This time, I do not know why he has changed to generalise that the loan is for upgrading national roads, without going into specifics. We have had outstanding issues on some roads that needed upgrading, which the President has kept missing like Kumi, for example, Kumi - Serere, – Kasilo - Kagwara Road, and Serere- Soroti Road. It was in the programme but it was moved out. Apart from that, there are others in other regions. So, it is very important for other areas to equally benefit. I remember at one point, they shifted money –

Thank you. Members from Kumi, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Bundibugyo and Soroti.

So, you did not have a question? Rt Hon. Prime Minister, he asked a question. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka) Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are on course to make the payments for cattle compensation depending on the resources that have been made available to us. In this quarter, we were given Shs 9 billion. I am picking the numbers off-cuff, but I will present a written report later. In the last cycle, Omoro and Kumi did not get any compensation because their processes had not been completed and they missed out on about Shs 1.27 billion on the first payment. In this quarter, they have been allocated Shs 1.27 billion from the last quarter, and then the remaining Shs 6.8 billion has been prorated among the people who are supposed to receive this money. We have sent to every district, the list of the beneficiaries, who have been verified to receive payments in this quarter. As soon as those lists come back and the payments are made, as is our practice, we shall lay on the Table the report for this payment.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I raise on a matter of urgent national importance regarding the digital x-ray machine at Atutur General Hospital, which has taken over five years without repair. We started following up on this machine in 2018. As leaders of Kumi, we have made efforts to go to the Ministry of Health and yet, the information we were given is that the machine can only be repaired by a regional workshop. When we went to the Ministry of Health, we were given information that the contractor was procuring spare parts from abroad. However, up to date, the people of Kumi District are suffering. We do not get x-ray services neither do we get scanning services in Atutur General Hospital. I would like to find out what the Minister of Health is doing about this matter. My prayers are as follows: 1. That the Ministry of Health treats this as an urgent matter and have the machine repaired as soon as possible;

Honourable - that is still Kumi. Your Woman Representative has talked, therefore, you sit. Hon. Aogon, do you have something else?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I begin by thanking colleagues, for raising these pertinent issues. However, it is also important that I inform our colleagues, that our offices are open and we have an office here near Members. It would be prudent that some of this very useful information is given to us for action. Hon. Sarah Opendi, I just want you to tell us the names of the schools like my honourable colleague from Kumi has identified Tororo Girls. Otherwise, as the Ministry of Education and Sports, we might be issuing circulars, giving dates of when schools are going to be open meaning the proprietors of these schools do not follow the instructions in our circulars. It is important - we are going to follow up on Tororo Girls to know why they have reopened COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Ms Opendi]

Madam Speaker, Hon. Sarah Opendi and the Member of Parliament from Kumi, including myself, we are privileged that we can come to this House and talk and give you this information. What happens to a villager who is there watching this television, who is not an MP and so, cannot access you or the DEO?

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

Thank you once more, Madam Speaker, for this golden opportunity. Yesterday, you tasked me to bring to this House information concerning the Aswa Ranch where a prison officer is dealing in charcoal and no one can access the place. I beg to report to this august House that Aswa Ranch is a Government ranch. In August 2022, about 30,000 acres of land were given to Uganda Prisons Service as an intervention for food security. So far, the Uganda Prisons, under the leadership of Superintendent Gerard Kiwanuka, have cleared about 4,000 hectares, which is under cultivation for maize. Madam Speaker, in the process of clearing such land for cultivation, the trees and bushes, which were there, were equally cleared. Some of the trees and shrubs were taken as firewood to the prisons in the country to help in the cooking for prisoners, and some were used for charcoal. I got in touch with the Commissioner- General, who said that they are not engaged in commercial charcoal burning for sale. Madam Speaker, it should also be noted that this Government intervention, through the Uganda Prisons Service for food security, is not only taking place in Aswa Ranch. We have Odina in Soroti - 900 hectares under cultivation; Bingire in Serere - 700 acres under cultivation; Kumi, 59 acres, Aweyi in Alebtong, 1,700 hectares; Aloi, Ogom, Alebtong, 700 hectares and in total with other areas - about 38,709 hectares are under cultivation for food security of this country by the Uganda Prisons. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much. When we talk about removing the trucks on the roadside, it also includes those trucks that have parked for more than 30 minutes. That is as per Section 58 of the Road Act. You have vehicles that are parked on the roadside like in Kumi, Soroti, Bukedea, Lukaya and everywhere vehicles are parked on the roadside. Let us first adopt today’s resolution so that it becomes a parliamentary document. Leader of the Opposition, do you want to amend the resolution?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate your communication in relation to accidents and humps. I respect your ruling, but on the issue of Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi Road -

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On page six, on the arrears, you will realise that it is the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development that has less to clear - Shs 0.5 million. However, the rest have very huge amounts of money, and that is the reason I support what you have said. The President, on many occasions, has made statements indicating that water should be easily accessible. In my district of Kumi, we were given a project for Phase I and Phase II was supposed to be undertaken. As I speak, many people have closed their taps; they are no longer using the water because they complain of the high charges. Even though the report cites leakages and the rest, we need to do a lot to sensitise our people and give them more information about why that is happening. The challenges should be addressed to encourage people to pay so that they consume the water. About the absence of the land management committee, I support that all this land should be titled because you are aware of what is happening in the country, where people are grabbing Government land. What could have been the cause, Mr Chairperson? For the board to be in place, there is a specific period of time when it is about to expire; a new one is supposed to be put in place. What happened to NWSC that this gap continued? Possibly, it could be the reason these arrears remained in big numbers. Let us address this; water is very critical and we should encourage Ugandans to consume it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to submit on the issue of the non-quantification of outputs. Together with the observations of the Committee on Public Accounts (Local Government), all entities the Auditor-General has made a similar observation, we have discovered that it is a crosscutting problem. I see the need to have the district planners have their capacities built in this area because it is making us lose a lot and a number of activities are left out during the time of implementation. We still have districts in the country without appointed district planners; we still have districts with acting district planners and these people lack a lot. How I pray that the Ministry of Public Service prioritises this so we have all districts with appointed district planners and their capacity built. Mr Speaker, one time you talked about the retooling challenges. We now see KCCA buying 39 chairs, 14 tables, and five desks and every time, they keep buying the same things. I think it is also very prudent that we ask KCCA to provide us with evidence of actual disposal of the previous things they bought. This is because this makes us meet the same budgets every other year yet we need money for other services. I want to relate to the issue of roads. I agree with the issue of a unit cost for districts and cities. I agree with a national law now that we have cities spread across the country. Honourable members, let me share with you the issue of the low-cost ceiling projects across the country. You find a unit per kilometre in my district Kumi is different –(Member timed out.)

Thank you. You find a unit per kilometre in my district Kumi is different from the price in another district. This gives leeway to the district engineers and those responsible to vary the rate so that they save certain money for themselves. Mr Speaker, the choice of the contractors in my district - a kilometre of a low-cost ceiling project takes about Shs 350 million in my district, Shs 400 million in another district and Shs 435 million in another. However, when you look at the quality of work done, you find the road is spoilt before the financial year ends. Therefore, how do we ensure value for money for these projects? We need the engineers of

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

Madam Speaker, mine is to thank the committee. Yesterday, they left the House - Madam Speaker, thank you, first of all, and thanks to the committee for the work they have done. Sometimes we over-complain, but we do not know what those people go through and so, I want to thank them. I have one concern. Next year, remember to include the road from Kumi to Ngora and Serere to Kagwara. Secondly, municipalities do not have security lights. There is darkness throughout. There are very many robberies taking place. There are many cases of rape; there are very many crimes being committed. We need to be supported. Come to Kampala, go to Kumi, Mbale, to Jinja and everywhere; these places are in darkness. We need to drive away the darkness from these urban centres. I thank you, Madam Speaker, and I believe Parliament has done a good job. Remember that something can be done in this House. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Harold Muhindo? Let me finish with Kasese and Bundibugyo group. Hon. Acrobert Kiiza, for your information, even people from Mitooma District, it is Kilembe Mines Hospital that has been serving us, including people of Buhweju, especially on fractures. They are specialists and people from that region - now, I think people are going to Mbale and Kumi. That is a specialised hospital for the whole of the Western Region. Yes, Hon. Harold Muhindo?

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your guidance. First of all, I gave a preamble that this is a very complex matter that has a historical factor. Just this week, an MP from Kumi – Dr Okaasai – called me. In an island called Tisai, several raiders went and took a lot of cows. The second day, they did the same. The Uganda Police Force and the UPDF went there and have now closed the gaps. Therefore, we are taking – (Interjections) – Mr Speaker, I am very well informed on the issue of security. I am told that a committee of this Parliament will be going to Karamoja this month, on the 23 rd . We are looking at going on the ground with them to see the loopholes there and cover them. However, the commitment is that I have taken the concern. I am going to talk to the division commander and see how we can help – right now, as I leave the microphone. So, I was very much in order.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise on a very important and urgent matter of national importance regarding the rampant cattle raids in Magoro Subcounty and Tisai Islands in Kumi. Last week, unknown cattle rustlers raided a huge number of animals in Magoro Subcounty. To mention but a few, the following people lost cows totalling 27: 1. Mr Osirima Charles of Magoro Town Council - 10 cows; 2. Mr Okou Nico of Magoro Town Council – five cows; COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you. My prayers are: 1. The Government should compensate the victims who lost their cows as soon as possible; 2. We have a brigade in a place called Ongongoja. Some of the commanders should be taken to a very strategic place called Alereituk, which these people use to enter Magoro and Tisai Island in Kumi; 3. The UPDF is trying to do good work, but the local people are asking for a local solution. The local people should be allowed to get armed; only three sections of the locals –(Member timed out.)

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. The raids in Kumi, according to the report from the communities, started on the 6 th of March. The Government took a lot of time to respond. It was just yesterday that we learned that there was an arrangement to bring about 30 UPDF soldiers to contain the situation. However, all the same, what we have lost, as Kumi, is more than 357 heads of cattle, which is a huge number. We are already down with poverty, meaning these raids are dragging us into the worst kind of poverty by taking away all the animals. We are here crying but they have not even compensated us for the animals we lost before. The Attorney-General has been dodging us and now the Government cannot even help us; they are not responding. On the island of Tisai, where this issue is, people are complaining that when UPDF soldiers are deployed, they go asking people to feed them. Between the people and the Government, who takes the taxes? This is a very big concern, Mr Speaker In terms of prayers, the people need urgent action in terms of medicines, food, and also money. There is nothing in their pocket now because they have been going to the markets to sell these animals to raise some money; they do not have money now. When we had COVID-19 here, people were given Shs 100,000 - I hope the Prime Minister is listening and will respond to this - send

8010 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT 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. money to our people because they are doing badly. The last one is compensation. Kindly, compensate our people quickly because the people of Kumi, up to now, have not been given back their animals; their original compensation. I want to take this opportunity to ask you, Mr Speaker, through your good seat, to remind Government that we are part of the Government of Uganda – (Interjections) - trouble only; we are coming back.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Madam Prime Minister, my question is brief. On the day we met in Pallisa while commissioning the Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi Road, you clearly promised the people of Kumi Municipality that the tarmac for the roads would soon come. They have been waiting, and I think they are arranging to petition your office in Kampala. I only asked them to wait because I was going back with the right answer. (Laughter) Madam Prime Minister, what answer should I deliver to the people?

Mr Speaker, when we commissioned the roads of Pallisa-Kamonkoli and the one from Pallisa to Kumi, there are a number of kilometres of roads, and I think these are the ones we are talking about - Kumi was promised 12.5 kilometres while Pallisa was promised 7 kilometres. The challenge we had is that there was suppression in that financial year. However, this financial year, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), under the Ministry of Works and Transport has been given some money and the contractor; the Arab contractors have also been directed to go and work on your roads, and also, go and prepare - remember there was a problem around Bulangira; I do not know whether the Member of Parliament for that area is here. Bulangira is in Kibuku District. Due to the accidents that have been happening there, we are also going to widen that area. So, be patient.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to appreciate Government, the leadership of this Parliament and honourable colleagues for the love exhibited to the family of the late Jacob Oulanyah. The Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah was a man of action and friendly to everyone. One time when I was in his office, there were people who never supported him so they went as a team to apologise. He got up and said, “Don’t do that. Politics is a game. Let us remain friends.” He was a man of the people. When we were attending the Children’s Forum, as Hon. Milton said earlier, he said, “Honourable members, stop lamenting. Come up with laws. I do not want to hear people talk about issues that are not happening. We are the ones to make things happen.” Finally, one time while campaigning for CEC positions, the late Oulanyah did not take things for granted. He made it a point and physically came to Kumi to campaign. Kumi and Teso massively voted for the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah. When I was still the LC V chairperson, I told him about an old man - one of the founders of Kumi Town - who had passed on. He said, “I will spare a few minutes and reach there.” The late Speaker surprised everyone at the burial when he physically appeared to share with the mourners. Mr Speaker, we have lost a friend, but we thank you because you are now the father, and the Rt Hon. Speaker is the mother. We are comfortable that we are a family. May his soul rest in peace.

You can shout but I have to register the apology. My name is Christine Apolot, Woman MP for Kumi and present for the event.

7609 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 2023 So, these thieves are not very clever because if you steal, we shall come and find out. That is why when I went to Acholi on the first day, I visited some of these farms and I had a meeting with the leaders, and from whom I was able to get a lot of information before I went to the public meeting the following day. So, how will you steal because we are going to find out? You are wasting your time and ruining your future. However, according to the figures of the secretariat, 90 per cent of the parishes have created the SACCOs. How? Is it the Gulu way or the correct way? We shall find out because I will go there and meet the people, and I encourage you to go and meet those people. We are sending out Shs 100 million per parish per annum. Assuming each borrower takes Shs 1 million, that will account for 100 households per annum. Again, this is confusing. I do not know what the problem is. We talked about Shs 1 million as an example and the reason we talked about Shs 1 million is because we were using the example of coffee. This was last year, I think. To plant one acre of coffee, you need 450 seedlings. And we calculated, at that time, the price was something - I do not remember but to get 450 seedlings, you would spend Shs 180,000 of Shs 1 million. Therefore, the borrower would remain with Shs 820,000 to do other things. That is why we talked about Shs 1 million. However, these confused people go telling people, “You cannot borrow, unless you want to borrow Shs 1 million.” If I want to borrow Shs 200,000, why should you stop me? Total confusion! They say, “You must borrow Shs 1 million” yet people say, “I do not want Shs 1 million but Shs 200,000.” This is better because it means one can lend to more people. Why do you find that as a problem? So, this was also another issue that one must borrow Shs 1 million yet people kept saying “No, I do not want Shs 1 million; I want Shs 200,000.” And that has become an issue that people can’t borrow. Why? Because they are not borrowing Shs 1 million. Then another group came and said, “We want to borrow more than Shs 1 million” but we said “No, we cannot manage you. You can borrow Shs 1 million here, go and add other money from somewhere else.” That was our answer because some people wanted more money. We said, “If you want more money than that then you are too big for our PDM, go to UDB; you qualify for UDB. But here, we can only give you Shs 1 million and then go and top up somewhere else.” The SACCOs that were ready have been given Shs 25 million each. This money has been sent. Consequently, Shs 238.45 billion has been sent directly, from the Treasury to the bank accounts of the SACCOs. Thank you so much for doing that. Even if the money is sitting there, let it sit there until the SACCOs are ready. Much of the money is still on the accounts. According to the Treasury, another Shs 476.9 billion is at the Treasury waiting to be sent, once the original portion has been utilised. By June 2023, Shs 1,059 billion, that is about Shs 1 trillion will be sent. Last financial year, Shs 131.4 billion was released and I am glad - I read the report of the MPs, which the Speaker sent me, and learnt that Shs 131 billion is not properly accounted for because each parish was supposed to get Shs 17 million. However, according to what the Speaker sent me, some got Shs 7 million and Shs 10 million. So, where did the other money go? Anyhow, do not worry; Uganda is here. We shall get you. I do not know why you people worry. That is why you develop blood pressure. The money was sent - pesa tye kwene ? chente tye kwene ? We say in our language, sente ziriluddawa ? Essente zaja - obukadde kumi na musanvu ; where is the money? Very simple! These are just - I am very proud that the NRM as promised, sent the money. Those who “ate” the money, that money is toxic. They will get problems from it.

You are repeating the same thing. Maybe you just want people in Kumi to hear you talking.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Thank you, committee, for the report presented. There is also an observation that most schools took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Normally, for any small increment in the fees, the parents are supposed to be engaged. However, when you do research across the country, you will notice that most schools increased their fees by over 40 to 50 per cent without the engagement of the parents, which is not right. Mr Speaker, we have issues in the local governments right now; there is a new policy where schools are supposed to be titled in their own names. I want to report that there is a lot of resistance and especially in Kumi; I want to openly quote the Rt Rev. Joseph Eciru Oliach, the Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese. He cautioned us, leaders, when we attended a confirmation programme and said that he was not going to accept any school belonging to a Catholic foundation body, to get a title without the name of the foundation body. Therefore, as we discuss issues pertaining to education in this country, there is need for us to popularise any policy or new guidelines that we come across within the country. Otherwise, we shall continue contradicting ourselves as we deliver the services. Finally, on inspection of secondary schools, Mr Speaker, I have seen a tendency of secondary schools failing to abide by or respecting – (Member timed out.)

7154 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Secondly, I have heard some of the issues, which have been raised here and I want to specifically make these comments. There is a Member, my colleague from Kumi, who talked about the matter of titling of school land. We handled this matter with the foundation bodies yesterday. The minister and the First Lady met the religious leaders. We have discussed this matter and a committee has been set up. We will also come to this august House to give them the position of Government on what we have agreed on with the foundation bodies as far as issues of land are concerned. The other issue I want to comment on here is in line with a matter, in which Hon. Wanzala talked about posting teachers. I am aware that as of the beginning of today, most of them are picking their posting letters. I want to inform you that the ministry is working. I apologise for taking long, but most of them have started picking their posting letters. The other issue that I want to address myself to is about a document – and I thank you very much for clarifying - which was read by Hon. Mbwatekamwa. That document was approved by this august House. I am aware that there are all those old great schools, which some of us would have loved to study in, but we did not because of our humble backgrounds. Let us be realistic. Some of those schools are very old. The structures there call for Government’s intervention to renovate them. A case in point - I visited St Henry’s College Kitovu and where I am happy the Leader of the Opposition, if I am not mistaken, is an OB and I am aware it is in his constituency. Am I correct?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I hope the Attorney-General is taking note of it so that when it comes back to us, we do not spend a lot of time. Madam Speaker, there is an issue of PAPs that was identified by the committee. My proposal is that since you directed the minister to come up with a comprehensive statement for all PAPs across the country, we should also push that when the minister is presenting, he should bring details about the PAPs identified by COSASE. Finally, Madam Speaker, presidential directives, to some extent, work. Many times when the President visits our districts – and we are the ones who invite him – he is also conditioned by certain factors to make certain pledges. For the case of Kumi Municipal Council, there was a section of the road the President directed should be tarmacked. When UNRA came to the district, the municipal and district authorities were engaged in a meeting and UNRA confirmed that they were going to tarmac 14 kilometres within the municipality. Madam Speaker, to-date, it is about one and a half years, no action has been taken. May I find out the plan the minister has to support UNRA to have this implemented across the country? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The burial is slated for tomorrow. I want to update the House that the body has safely arrived in Soroti at the Iteso Cultural Centre, which is just 17 kilometers to the home of the late. Tomorrow, there will be transport at Parliament. Those who will use group transport should be here at 6.00 a.m. The Director, Transport, Administration and Logistics, Mr Opata, is coordinating this. For those who may drive their cars, you can go through Pallisa - as it is shorter - to Kumi, Ngora and then, to the place of burial in Ochapa Town Council. If you go up to Soroti Town, take the Soroti-Serere Road. It is 17 miles to Serere and just about three kilometers from Serere District headquarters. If you are flying, you will land in Olio Primary School, which is a more secure place that has been secured for those who will be flying. I got a request from some colleagues who were saying they may fly in a chopper; that is the place where you can land. Mr Speaker, we would like to invite you all to Serere to say farewell to our brother. However, like I said yesterday, I think the Ministry of Internal Affairs needs to come up with a full report about the incident. Please, ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to follow it up because it is something that is raising some issues.

Thank you. I just want to say that he loved his clan. He loved Iteso and he loved everybody. I remember when Hon. Galiwango had problems, Hon. Okabe told me, “that is my daughter.” I wondered what kind of man he was. We went home in Tororo and he sat in my sitting room and said, “My daughter, next time, bring Members to Serere because I want to host you.” Every time we were in Serere, he wanted to host Members of Parliament. He made sure to use his money without pain. The man would contribute to every function that happened in a place. If you approached him, you would find the man there. No wonder, people have come to pay tribute. Madam Speaker, may God bless you. You have taken responsibility where there was nobody. When I saw the wife dead and Hon. Okabe on one side, I said, “Who do we ask for clothes and every other thing?” The family that was coming from Serere also got into an accident in Kumi. We asked ourselves what was happening; what kisirani is this? When we heard that the mother had collapsed, I said, “I think things are getting hard.” We stood with Hon. Obote and the team from the Teso Parliamentary Group and with your guidance, Madam Speaker, we have moved. I thank you that we now see the light on the road. At the end of the day, the people in Serere are waiting and they are mourning; the gap will not be filled. Rest well, my brother; till we meet again. Eyalama !

6728 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. PATRICK OKABE it is a Kenyan registration number. He cannot disappear unless he jumped onto a boda boda and boarded from somewhere, but he would have been got. Madam Speaker, the prayer from the family to the Government is that we need to do a thorough investigation to establish whether there was no foul play in this matter. We have talked about the issues on the road. I think we have the laws, but the problem, in most cases, is enforcement of these laws. Most of you that go through that road know that at that point, it is a very good road. By the way, it even has humps in Naboa. How did this happen? That is why the family is asking for that. Honourable colleagues, we thank you for turning up in good numbers. I add my voice to what the Speaker has stated here; we thank you. Madam Speaker, may the good Lord that has kept us continue to keep you. Thank you for being there for us. My mother died in your hands when I was out of this country. There are many others that you have shown that heart. May God continue to guide and protect you. It has become a habit for you to do these good things. We can only pray to God that he keeps you strong and alive, as we continue this political journey in this country to steer this country. You are welcome to Serere for the burial. I want to give directions. You can access Serere in a number of ways; by water, air or the main route to Soroti Flying School and just drive 17 miles. You will be in Ocaapa. It is not very far from Ocaapa Town Council in Serere. If you are driving, from Kumi you go to Ngora and cross to Serere. It is about 45 kilometres. However, his place is less than 40 kilometres away. The place is not very far from the road from Ocaapa. You can go up to Soroti or if you are coming from Lira - because it is all tarmac all the way to Soroti. Then you come from Soroti to Ocaapa, which is a good murram road. You can also go from Soroti to Serere and then to Ocaapa; you will not get lost. If you are from Kamuli, it is much shorter, if you do not fear water. Within only 20 minutes, you could be on the side of Pingire and you are in Serere or from Bukungwe in Kamuli to Kagwara and then to Serere. However, we advise you to come from Kumi, Ngora on that murram road or when from Soroti to Serere, you will be able to find us there. Madam Speaker, we would like, once again, to thank you. To the family, to our father, thank you for the good mentorship you gave us in the church. To the children, I know one son is arriving. He has just landed. We are expecting the daughters, but we do not know whether they will be able to make it. We thank Papa and Toto . We shall keep you in our prayers, but we remain your children, to try to comfort you. Omoding and Okabe, who are here and the whole family - if the family finds it befitting to have a replacement from the family, we are available to be deployed. (Applause) If the family finds it fit that the replacement must come from the family, I think we should be able to support. I will be leaving that with the family to do that. Finally, Psalm 73:26 is a verse I want to leave with the family and all of us. It says: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” May God bless you! May the soul of our brother, Hon. Patrick Okabe, and Toto , rest in eternal peace. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We shall continue to interact with the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation, where we are sharing all these details and maybe, when we get back here, we will have a more meaningful conversation. Mr Speaker, we only receive the money that is appropriated by Parliament. We requested for Shs 100 billion in this financial year. When the budget came out, we had nothing. The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs assisted and appropriated only Shs 30 billion, which we were advised it is coming in this quarter. As the money comes – now the verification is not complete because it is continuous. In fact, I received some from Kumi last week. Omoro did not have any of theirs in the last cycle, but we continue receiving those. We require the support of Members; if you discover that there are “ghosts”, the “ghosts” have names, and national IDs; we will deal with them. It is criminal and we need to work together and we need to rely on you, Members of Parliament, to help us to deal with those problems. That is why we try as much as possible to present here the actual list of these people who are receiving this money. Finally, Mr Speaker, the Office of the Attorney- General does not participate anymore in the verification of claimants. When I came into office, I made a decision and I cleared it with Cabinet. The Office of the Attorney-General did not have the capacity to determine the people who lost cattle in the different areas. That decision was left to the leadership of the different districts. We only receive and process; we do not even reduce what has been approved. We are going to continue sharing with the committee and I am sure when we come back, we will have a more enriched report because the committee will have gone to the ground and then, we can have a meaningful discussion. I beg to submit.

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.

Attorney-General, can you respond? What happened to Kumi’s cattle compensation? The people are asking.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We had two districts and as you see on the list that we presented, they had zero; those are the districts of Kumi and Omoro. We sent them the cards on which they were supposed to put the details. When the cards were returned, they were totally messed up; so, we sent them back and sent them a new bundle. Therefore, the money that had been allocated to Kumi and Omoro – unfortunately, because the financial year was ending – we sent it back to other districts, which had completed the registration. There are two districts which did not receive any and they are on the list; Omoro and Kumi.

Hon. Charles, you can count biologically. You do not have to count mathematically. (Laughter) Now, Hon. Charles, you are legislating in anticipation. You do not know what report the Attorney-General has. He is coming with a report. First of all, when a Bill is signed, it is addressed to me. I am the one to give you a response on whether the Bill has been assented to or not. So, why don’t you wait? You are acting in anticipation. Next item. LAYING OF PAPERS REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL ON TIRINYI-PALLISA-KUMI- KAMONKOLI ROAD PROJECT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay the report of the Auditor- General on Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi-Kamonkoli Road project for the period ended 30 June 2022.

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

Honourable Minister of Works and Transport, I think you have passed a certain place when you go to your area. In Kumi Town, you get double parking of all the trucks that are going to South Sudan. Can we have all those trucks off that road? If they want to park, they should park on one side to avoid double parking. That is what killed one of our colleagues that the Member for Rakai talked about. Hon. Helen?

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. Yes, I am a medic but I know that mental health is caused by poverty, ignorance and disease. And really, in my district, Kumi, many men are committing suicide yet the population does not know what is causing the increasing number of these suicide cases. I really want to support the motion –

Thank you. Kyoga, Hon. Aisha and then Rwampara and Kumi.

Thank you. Let us hear from Veronica, then Kumi, then I pick STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to know from the Rt Hon. Prime Minister; there is a new road that she recently launched that passes Pallisa-Mukongoro- Kanyum up to Kumi. That road is finishing my voters. It does not take a week without somebody being killed by over-speeding vehicles. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when are you putting humps, especially along trading centres and corners? This is the fourth time I am talking about this issue.

Thank you. Rubabo and Kumi.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, thank you for the work that you have so far done for the country. The people of Kumi are crying because they have not been compensated for cattle, whereas their peers in other regions - Soroti and other districts - have gotten the money. What could be their problem? And, when are they getting their money? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I must appreciate Government. However, you are aware of the challenges of compensation in Teso subregion. You are aware that Government gave Shs 50 billion for the people in Teso, Lango and Acholi subregions. Madam Speaker, if you go back to our constituencies right now, you cannot talk about the NRM Government because it has been long since Government committed to compensate the people of Teso subregion. To date, we have a number of districts, including Kumi, where I come from - even from Bukedea, which happens to be in my immediate neighbourhood - the compensation has had no effect. May I get clarification from the Office of the Leader of Government Business as to whether this compensation is going to be done or not, so that if it is not going to be done, we stop talking about it? Madam Speaker, why has the Office of the Attorney-General failed to implement the recommendation of Government in relation to compensation of our people who lost cattle? Thank you.

Thank you. We are going to debate this report for 45 minutes and debate starts now. I will start with Hon. Ndeezi. I see members of the committee standing up, but if you are a member of the committee, please, sit down. I have read through the report and so, I know the members. In addition, some of you did not sign. Members, you will allow me to first pick Hon. Ndeezi, Member for Napak, because I have seen that Napak has many issues. I have taken long without seeing Hon. Karubanga submit. (Several Members rose_) No, I am going to give you time. I am going to pick Hon. Mawanda, Hon. Kahunde and Hon. Christine from Kumi, first. Each one, two minutes. Clerk, please, set the clock.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I beg to present a statement to Parliament on the commemoration of the World Population Day, 11 July 2022. This statement is about the commemoration of the 2022 World Population Day that will be celebrated on Monday, 11 July 2022. The celebrations are used as a platform to highlight the country’s population development achievements and milestones. The occasion is also used to reflect on the challenges that confront the country regarding its population and development concerns, with a view to addressing them. The objectives of this statement are to inform Parliament that: 1. Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate the World Population Day on 11 July 2022. 2. This year’s World Population Day commemoration will be hosted by Kumi District at Kumi Boma Grounds under the theme, “Mindset Change for Wealth Creation: Ending Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy” . 3. The President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is expected to be the chief guest at the national commemoration. Every year, national commemorations for this day are marked under a selected theme and are hosted by a local government that is selected on a rotational basis. World Population Day commemorations are organised by the National Population Council on behalf of Government to take stock of the achievements so far made towards improving the quality of life and standard of living of the people of Uganda. The occasion is also used to reflect on the challenges that confront the country regarding its population and development concerns, with a view to addressing them. Uganda has been observing this day since 1989 and has been using this occasion to raise awareness and mobilise commitment and support among the country’s leadership in Government, civil society, the private sector, donor community, academia, the media and the general public, for the country’s population issues that need to be addressed. This year’s national theme of “Mindset Change for Wealth Creation: Ending Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy” is premised on the grounds that to alleviate poverty, communities need be mobilised to engage in income- generating activities. Mindset change and wealth creation will also help address the economic issues, beliefs and practices that lead to child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Madam Speaker, more than one out of every four adolescents become pregnant before the age of 19 with the rate being higher (27 per cent) in rural than urban Uganda at 19 per cent (UBOS 2016). This issue is quite alarming, for the young girls risk poor maternal and child health, dropping out of school, attempting unsafe abortions, failure to continue with school and poverty. Evidence also shows that girls from poor households and communities are more likely to marry early and become teenage mothers. In these poor households, girls are perceived as an economic asset from which families can gain wealth and an economic burden at the same time. This is because parents are unable [Mr Musasizi] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT