Kween District

Mr Speaker, our brother is aware that we had a meeting; himself, I and the President in Mayuge sometime back. I was with him in Kween a few months ago and we agreed that we would relocate the people that were affected by the landslides in that camp. The President wrote a letter to allow regulated grazing of cattle by that group in the nearby national park. Today, I engaged the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to allow regulated grazing in Pian Upe. As far as food is concerned, Mr Speaker, we are starting a financial year. Money was warranted, I think, yesterday but one by this man of finance. We shall get access to the money to buy food supplies next week. When we get the money, we shall provide food for that camp. Thank you so much.

Mr Speaker, in 2023, I remember we all agreed; both the Government and Parliament, that the way forward for our people who live in the enclaves of Mount Elgon; those risky areas, is that they should be relocated to safer places. We have so far relocated 1,200 people. We all agreed to give these people two acres of land and Shs 100,000 so that they can relocate to safer places. Mr Speaker, getting a big chunk of land in Mount Elgon is next to impossible. We bought some land last year around Kween, and we relocated people there. On Monday, we have a Cabinet sitting and a Cabinet paper is ready for discussion so that we can change the approach. We want to give our people money for two acres, so they can look around their areas of origin. [Mr Nsamba] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

161 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 come. Maracha, people are – I do not know what happened there. I was in Bukwo or Kween, I think it was Kween, and it was the same problem. Here in Kampala, Kawempe and Buwambo, PDM money was being stolen. What is the Member of Parliament doing? Even the Opposition ones. The ones of the NRM, I will struggle with them, but even the Opposition ones, as long as you are getting an allowance from Parliament and you do not go to check what is happening, I will ask the Attorney-General to see how I can deal with you. If you do not want to monitor, do not take the allowances. Say so. Go to the Clerk - But then why should you get a salary in the first place? It seems I have got a legal basis where to demand performance from both the NRM and also the Opposition. As long as you are getting money from the Government, you must check, because some of the Opposition say – they do it maliciously. They say, let the programmes not work so that the NRM is blamed. That is not good enough for you because these programmes are not for NRM; they are for your own people. Therefore, this service delivery: the drugs in the health centres, justice, corruption, security, law and order. The infrastructure of leadership is there. Member of Parliament for every constituency, LC III for every subcounty. Those are paid. The ones who are not paid, like the LC II, I do not want to blame them so much. However, the LC III, the Members of Parliament, the councillors are all paid people, and they have to monitor. Local government must monitor – the Chief Administrative Officer. That is why I put in local government – some people have been saying they are cantankerous, quarrelsome, like Hon. Barugahara and Hon. Nameere. Hon. Nameere is famous for quarrelling, so you go and quarrel with - ( Laughter ) When I went to Masaka to defend Hon. Nameere, because I had to go there, they said, “ Oyo omwana oba bamukuza batya, talina mpisa .” I said that if the lack of mpisa is to - because in Uganda, if you see a thief and call them a thief, they say tolina mpisa. They say you should have kept quiet. They call that mpisa . This is how you are going to destroy the country. Please, both for the economy but also for service delivery, the leaders must do their work. Fortunately, apart from this money which Hon. Musasizi is getting from all those taxes, we are going to get oil money. Government will be getting an extra $1.5 billion per year as its share of Government money. I will discuss with you how to save this money, first of all, to create a sovereign fund so that it can earn money because that is how some countries like Norway have used their money well. Instead of using it to buy perfumes and whiskies, they put their money somewhere and it gains interest. We need to use some of it to do the crucial infrastructure like the railway. We need to have the railway with Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, South Sudan and Rwanda, the ones near us, so that all heavy cargo moves from the road to the railway. Then the petroleum products move from the road to the pipeline. That will leave only the light cargo and passengers on the road. The economics there - you heard Hon. Musasizi telling you that it will bring down the cost of transport of cargo from 3,000 to something much less. I am saying all this so that we harmonise and do not have to waste time arguing, because sometimes we waste time. We have done well, but we can do much better. Uganda is a rich country. Finally, I will get time and talk about the environment and the trade order where we had to remove some of our people from the road sides and all that chaos, which was here. I want you people to support this. Do not go on with the cheap politics of misleading our people because a country is like a human body. This human body has got many systems, which must work in the way God designed them. There are whole systems aiding how you breathe, blood gets circulated, seeing, eating and hearing. Each system is separate but coordinated by the command post; the brain. The systems are diverse, specialised, but coordinated.

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

102. Maganda Julius Wandera Samia Bugwe County South Busia NRM 103. Malende Shamim Woman Representative Kampala NUP 104. Mayanja Moses Busiro County North Wakiso NRM 105. Mbalibulha Christopher K. Taban Bughendera County Bundibugyo Independent 106. Monday Julius Rude (Dr) Bukonzo County East Kasese NRM 107. Lule Eria Erick Kiboga West County Kiboga NRM 108. Meeme Sylvia (Col) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 109. Lwansasula Sarah Woman Representative Jinja City NUP 110. Modoi Isaac Lutseshe County Bududa NRM 111. Mpaata Salleh Bunya County South Mayuge NRM 112. Mubangizi Dedan Buwekula South County Mubende NRM 113. Luyimbazi Nalukoola Elias Kawempe Division North Kampala NUP 114. Masaba Muhamood Mutenyo Bungokho Central County Mbale NRM 115. Mbabazi Jacqueline Older persons Representative Western NRM 116. Migadde Robert Ndugwa Buvuma Islands County Buvuma NRM 117. Mudukoi Fred Oduchu Butebo County Butebo NRM 118. Namatovu Mastula Kamuli Municipality Kamuli NRM 119. Mugenyi Joseph Burahya County Kabarole NRM 120. Mudiobole Abedi Nasser Iganga Municipality Iganga NUP 121. Mugira James (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 122. Mugisa Margaret Muhanga Fort Portal North Division Fort Portal City NRM 123. Malinga Isaac Maikut Soi County Kween NRM 124. Masiko Henry Moses (Maj. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 125. Mushabe Rujoki Ruth Woman Representative Kiruhura NRM 126. Mpindi Bumali PWD N/A Independent 127. Maseruka Robert Mukono County South Mukono NUP 128. Musinguzi Patrick Kashari North County Mbarara NRM 129. Muhenda Ronald Fort Portal Central Division Fort Portal City Independent 130. Muhooza Desire Woman Representative Kiboga NRM 131. Mujungu Jennifer K. Woman Representative Ntoroko NRM 132. Mujuni Asensio Maari Isingiro County South Isingiro NRM 133. Mukisa Robina Hope Woman Representative Namayingo NRM 134. Mukhaye Miriam Woman Representative Mbale NRM 135. Mulemya Ismail Sowed Busia Municipality Busia NRM 136. Mukiibi Eriasa Sserunjogi Butambala County Butambala Independent 137. Mulindwa David Isimbwa Busongora County South Kasese NRM 138. Mirembe Lydia Daphine Woman Representative Butambala Independent 139. Mugabe Robert Kitagwenda County Kitagwenda NRM 140. Mugabi Muzaale Martin Kisule Buzaaya County Kamuli NRM 141. Musa Noah Koboko North County Koboko NRM 142. Musanje Moses Njeru Municipality Buikwe NUP 143. Musasizi Henry Ariganyira Rubanda County East Rubanda NRM 144. Musila John Bubulo East County Namisindwa NRM 145. Musisi George Kira Municipality Wakiso NUP 146. Mutasingwa Diana Nankunda Woman Representative Buikwe NRM 147. Mutego Ronard Hangujja Bunyole East County Butaleja Independent 148. Nakku Fiona Female Workers Representative N/A Independent 149. Mutekanga Zadock Buhweju County Buhweju NRM 150. Mutonyi Rose Masaaba Woman Representative Manafwa Independent 151. Muyonjo Hussein Jinja North Division Jinja City NUP 152. Mwesigwa Mathias Rubabo County Rukungiri NRM

4 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 103. Kalenzi Victor Bunyangabu County Bunyangabu NRM 104. Basajjassubi Nsereko Charles Nakaseke South County Nakaseke NRM Kawuma 105. Baseke Fred Ntenjeru County South Kayunga NRM 106. Bright Tom Amooti Kyaka Central County Kyegegwa NRM 107. Bazaanya Matayo Bugabula County South Kamuli NRM 108. Begiira Samuel Youth Representative Central NRM 109. Begumisa Protazio Ndorwa County East Kabale NRM 110. Bagiire Aggrey Henry Bunya County West Mayuge NRM 111. Baryayanga Andrew Aja Kabale Municipality Kabale NRM 112. Bassajja Iddi Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Bushenyi NRM 113. Bigirwa Norah Nyendwoha District Woman Representative Buliisa NRM 114. Bingi Patrick Nyanzi Butemba County Kyankwanzi NRM 115. Birungi Annet Workers Representative N/A NRM 116. Birungi Carolyn Nanyondo Kyamuswa County Kalangala NRM 117. Banya Emmanuel Natal Koboko County Koboko NRM 118. Biara Emmanuel Wepukhulu Bulambuli County Bulambuli NRM 119. Kabarokole Sarah District Woman Representative Bunyangabu NRM 120. Bisaso Abdul Kassanda County South Kassanda NRM 121. Bakashaba Christopher Mbarara North Division Mbarara City NRM 122. Oleru Huda Abason Aringa East County Yumbe NRM 123. Kabanda Minsa Nabbengo Kampala Central Division Kampala NRM 124. Bebona Josephine Babungi District Woman Representative Bundibugyo NRM 125. Baguma Spellanza Muhenda District Woman Representative Kyenjojo Independent 126. Batuwa Timothy Lusala Jinja South Division West Jinja City NUP 127. Byamukama Fred Bugangaizi West County Kakumiro NRM 128. Kadaga Rebecca Alitwala District Woman Representative Kamuli NRM 129. Byamukama Rogers Masindi Municipality Masindi NRM 130. Byanyima Nathan Bukanga North County Isingiro NRM 131. Byibesho Sam Kisoro Municipality Kisoro NRM 132. Byuma Oswald Dez Mawogola County Ssembabule NRM 133. Cadet Benjamin Bunyaruguru County Rubirizi NRM 134. Challa Elma Kapel Youth Representative Northern NRM 135. Chandia Benadette Kodili District Woman Representative Moyo NRM 136. Chemonges William Kween County Kween NRM 137. Chemutai Phyllis District Woman Representative Kapchorwa Independent 138. Cheutich Rufina District Woman Representative Amudat NRM 139. Dramviku Eric Sabiti Terego West County Terego NRM 140. Driwaru Jennifer District Woman Representative Maracha NRM 141. Echodu David Calvin Soroti West County Soroti City NRM 142. Edakasi Alfred Elalu-Olale Kaberamaido County Kaberamaido NRM 143. Ediau Samuel Amuria County Amuria NRM 144. Edopu Peter Edeku Dakabela County Soroti NRM 145. Ekoro Alex Irukan Bunya County East Mayuge NRM 146. Elem Leo Moroto County Alebtong UPC 147. Emaju Peter Paul Kasilo County Serere NRM 148. Eron Tonny Kwania County Kwania NRM 149. Etilu Margaret District Woman Representative Amuria NRM 150. Bagoole Ngobi John Luuka North County Luuka NRM 151. Eunice Otuko Apio Oyam County North Oyam UPC 152. Kamuntu Ephraim Sheema County South Sheema NRM

Hon. Joel, some areas cannot use the other kind of tractors. If you look at places like Hon. Musasizi’s, Sebei, and Kween, you do not need the big tractors. You need those hand-held hoes.

Just a minute. In the public gallery this afternoon, we have teachers and pupils of Kisiek Junior School, in Kween. You are most welcome. They are represented by Hon. Chemonges William, and Hon. Cherukut Rose Emma. Welcome, thank you for coming, but do not travel back at night. Make sure our children are safe. Join me in welcoming our children from Kween. (Applause) Yes, Hon. Asuman.

Yes, Kween, representative?

Madam Speaker, he is too tall, so for people who are short like me, when you take a photo with him, you look like a dwarf. (Laughter) In brief, he should prepare a stool. Thank you so much. Madam Speaker, I have another question from Hon. Veronica Nanyondo, the District Woman MP of Bukomansimbi. Her prayer is that there is an effect on the implementation of the new lower secondary school curriculum on primary school leavers. Can the Government update us on this matter? My response is that at the moment, primary school leavers transition from the knowledge- based curriculum to competence-based curriculum in secondary school, under the revised lower secondary school curriculum. The process of revising the primary school curriculum to make it competence-based has already commenced to harmonise curriculum designs across primary and secondary level education. Once this is complete, the learners will be introduced to competence-based teaching and learning from primary school and progress with it to secondary education. I got another question from Hon. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, MP for Nakawa Division East. He says that Uganda has very many experienced jua kalis, but they have no industrial parks and have continued to operate in a domestic setting, with very high electricity and water domestic tariffs. This is something that has crippled their businesses, yet they compete with investors who operate in Government industrial parks. These investors in Government industrial parks have always been incentivised in the form of tax exemptions, low electricity and water tariffs. This makes it harder for the jua kalis to compete favourably with them in the same market. His prayer is; When is the Government going to set up jua kali industrial parks? My response is that in this principle, for all Ugandan investors - if they all go through the Uganda Investment Authority, industrial parks have been designed with spaces specifically planned for setting up Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs), which cater for jua kali artisan activities. SME parks of 20 acres have been planned in all the operational industrial parks of Namanve, Soroti, Kasese, SINO-Mbale, and others. The Uganda Investment Authority also acquired the Mbarara SME Park of 12 acres that has been handed back to Gatsby Group, the SME artisans from Mbarara. The Government’s vision is to develop new industrial parks in phases, depending on the availability of resources in Gulu, Nebbi, Arua, Madi-Okollo, Yumbe, Pader, Paidha, Dokolo, Rukungiri, Isingiro, Oyam, Lira, Hoima, Buliisa, Kisoro, Kakumiro, Nakasongola, Luwero, Nakaseke, Mubende, Mityana, Masaka, Kabale, Bushenyi, Tororo, Rakai, Kamuli, Kween, Busia, Soroti, Gomba, Kayunga, Kyegegwa , and Iganga, where land has been mobilised by districts and already offered to Uganda Investment Authority for industrial development to foster innovation and equitable, sustainable industrial growth. Madam Speaker, the major infrastructure, for example, workplaces with shared common user facilities such as production equipment, showrooms for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to use as they sell and grow their businesses, will be constructed within the said industrial parks. 10. Hon. Lucy Akello, the District Woman Member of Parliament for Amuru, raised an issue on the lack of radiologists in the regional referral hospitals like Gulu, Soroti, Mbale and others.

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

17491 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 To achieve this goal, the Government is accelerating the construction of solar-powered irrigation schemes; medium-scale irrigation schemes, earth dams, communal and individual valley tanks, and large-scale irrigation schemes across the country. The construction works for 92 solar-powered irrigation schemes have been completed, adding an irrigation area of 900 acres. These are in the districts of Apac, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukomansimbi, Buliisa, Bushenyi, Butambala, Buvuma, Gomba, Hoima, Isingiro, Kakumiro, etc. The new solar-powered irrigation schemes have benefitted 110,000 farmers and production yield from 120 schemes has increased to 3,600 tons per season. The major crop enterprises in these irrigation schemes include green pepper, onions, Irish potatoes, watermelons, tomatoes, apples, cabbages, pineapples, coffee, eggplants, vanilla, grapes, mangoes, and pumpkins. The construction works are also ongoing for 22 solar-powered irrigation demonstration sites in the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kole, Gulu, Napak, Abim, etc. In Nakaseke District, the construction works for the Kirema Phase 1, a medium-scale irrigation scheme, have been completed; thus adding a total of 124 hectares and benefitting 50 farmers engaged in coffee growing, passion fruits, maize, and bananas. The construction works for the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme, 1,000 hectares in Pakwach District, stands at 93.5 per cent. The construction works for the Namaitsu medium- scale Irrigation Scheme in Bududa District stands at 70 per cent. Kawumu Irrigation Scheme, which is in Luwero District, is at 90 per cent, among others. A mega irrigation scheme, Nyimur, covering 3,300 hectares, has been constructed in Lamwo District. Do you know where Lamwo is? You people, you do not know where Lamwo is? Lamwo is far away, on the South Sudan border. Other construction works include the Acomai Irrigation Scheme in Bukedea District, covering 1,480 hectares, and targeting 1,600 households; Atari Irrigation Scheme in Kween/ Bulambuli districts, covering 680 hectares, targeting 2,667 households; and Namatala Irrigation Scheme in the Budaka, Mbale, and Butaleja districts, covering 3,450 hectares, targets 4,923 households. The current production of milk stands at 5.4 billion litres at the end of 2024, compared to 2.5 billion litres in the Financial Year 2017/2018. We have also identified and secured foreign markets through government-to-government interventions, e.g. Algeria and Nigeria. These countries are now buying our powdered milk. This has resulted into an increase in the value of milk and milk products, as already pointed out, from $28.7 million in the Financial Year 2014/2015 to $285 million in the 2024 year. A new processing factory, Benni Foods, has been commissioned and is currently operational with an installed capacity of 10,000 litres of milk per day. The total value of fish catches from all the water bodies has steadily increased since the Government deployed armed forces to assist in fisheries enforcement. Currently, we are producing 658,000 metric tonnes of fish annually. The availability of raw material fish sustained operations of 12 fish processing factories; you know that debate. The fisheries unit has been able to stop overfishing or reduce it, although they have also been accused – once in a while – of being sinners, but we can audit their work by looking at the 12 factories that are now processing fish. Many of these had closed. I will meet the fisheries people soon; I will meet the traditional fishing communities, but this is one of the facts. Are the factories operating or not? Had they closed or not? When we meet, we shall discuss this. According to this one here, 12 factories are now operating, processing 658,000 metric tonnes.

Honourable members, I welcome you to this morning’s sitting. I apolo - gise for coming late; it will never happen again. We have learned with deep sorrow about the demise of Hon. Dr John Yeko Arapkisa, who represented Kween County in the Seventh and Eighth Parliaments. I know some of you know him. We condole with the bereaved family and the people of Kween and pray for eternal repose of his soul. Being our colleague and a gallant Ugandan, may we rise for a moment of silence in his honour. (The House rose and observed a moment of silence.)

Thank you, Hon. Migadde. Is the motion seconded? It is seconded by Hon. Suzan, Hon. Isaac, Hon. Sarah, Dr Ruyonga, Hon. Catherine, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Nekesa, Hon. Okot, the honourable member for Kween and the honourable member for Karamoja. Would you like to speak to your motion?

17201 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 colleagues, I thank you so much for your constructive contribution. It is really very useful. It will strengthen our bargaining power to lobby for more funds for the sector. Mr Speaker, I thank you so much for your patience in allowing us to discuss this report extensively. I thank the committee. They analysed the budget, and they produced the report based on the principles of equity, quality and inclusive education, skilling and sports. Indeed, they are really patriotic in analysing the budget. I have taken note of all the issues that have been raised, as I said, ranging from infrastructure, the teachers’ issue, assessment bodies, the Primary Teachers’ Colleges, research and innovation, the tournaments, stadia and policy issues. I associate myself with quite a number of your submissions, honourable colleagues, especially on issues of inadequate and a lack of secondary schools. It is true, many of you have written to and alerted us, like honourable colleagues from Kween, Nakaseke, Ngora and others. I have taken note of all those gaps, especially the issue of the lack of seed secondary schools in subcounties. The inadequate staffing cuts across all universities. On the issue of research, the Speaker has already talked about it. I do not need to emphasise it. Mr Speaker, allow me to take on two issues. One of them is on coding and the grant-aiding of the schools. True, in this 11 th Parliament, we did grant-aiding and coding of schools, but only once. We did that last financial year. We grant-aided 46 secondary schools and coded 38 primary schools. That was the only opportunity when funding was provided for coding and grant-aided. For that matter, our ceiling for the budget could not allow us to put additional schools for coding and grant aid. However, that is why the committee did the intra-allocation of the budget to cater for coding and grant aiding. The only additional funds we had this time round were for rehabilitation of primary schools. That is where you see the 95 primary schools, public schools and the 37 UPDF primary schools to be rehabilitated, but not coding and grant-aided. In line with that, I just want to say that to help all of us, this financial year, we are sending Shs 103 billion for school maintenance as grants to the local governments. We are sending, under the school facility, grants of over Shs 41 billion. These funds are meant to give a facelift to rehabilitate our primary schools. Mr Speaker, oftentimes, this money does not serve the intended purposes. I want to give a point of example. Last week, I was in Sironko. This financial year, we sent Shs 1.5 billion to Sironko Local Government. However, in an open meeting, when I tried to inquire about the schools that are under that grant, there was nothing. The LC V chairman told me openly that they were not aware of this. This means that we are going to put a criterion to enable us realise value for money. We shall provide the list for this money. In the event that we get money for grant aiding and coding, in order to meet the principles of equity, I request that we take into consideration the schools in the districts that were coded and grant-aided last financial year. We have a criterion to select those schools. Therefore, as we work and harmonise the list together, we will as well look into those criteria; whether those schools have really met the minimum requirement for it to be grant- aided and coded. Lastly, Mr Speaker, I have taken note of all the issues that have been raised. We still have room for consultation and further discussions. On the issue of presidential pledges - and the statutory instruments to allow the universities to operate, as we all know, for us to have a lawful university that can offer degrees and bachelors, we need to bring the statutory instrument to be

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues in supporting the report. However, I have noted that very critical areas in health, especially in Sebei, have been left out. I do not see anything supporting us. For example, when we came up with the policy to halt the creation of district hospitals, we accepted because we knew this would be a chance for us to have health centres III in all the subcounties, which has not happened. We already had a district hospital in Bukwo District but around 2023, it was downgraded to a health centre IV, Mr Speaker. Now Bukwo, which is a district bordering Kenya, does not have a district hospital and yet it is a highly populated area. I have also noted that the statement does not include the creation of a regional hospital in Sebei, which we were promised when we started this Parliament. We were told that the referral hospital for Sebei will be in the budget and now it is not there. Even the health centres IV that we were promised do not appear anywhere and yet they would help us, who are in areas without the district hospitals. For example, in Kween, we are patiently waiting for a district hospital which we thought would be covered by having more health centres IV and health centres III. I want to end by also adding to what Hon. Mudimi said about Mbale Hospital. The situation in Mbale Hospital is really bad and yet this is the referral hospital supporting all of us; the entire Sebei district. All of us go to Mbale Hospital. I request that even as we wait for others, help us allocate this Shs 5 billion to complete this structure in Mbale because it is highly – (Member timed out.)

16895 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 The community has been struggling. They have constructed almost all the classes. The same subcounty does not have a Government- aided school. Mr Speaker, it is almost 10 years since all the leaders from Kween have been pushing for the grant-aiding of this school. The teachers, who have been there, have now taught for 15 years and some are even now old. They have been there, teaching with almost no pay but with the hope that the Government would take them up and put them on the payroll. Our prayer is that the Government grants aid to this school so that the teachers who have been teaching can be hired since this would not be very expensive for the Government. After all, all the classrooms have been built. It is one of the biggest problems that we have in the constituency. Thank you.

16979 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 work for us, our security and the security of this country. They have gaps in their budgets regarding foreign intelligence management and retooling. We observed that the identified funding gaps of retooling of ESO constrains the organisation’s ability to address the ever-changing security environment where the new intelligence threats call for immediate responses. This of course necessitates enhanced technical capability in the form of acquisition of modern technical and transport equipment, as well as classified assorted assets for foreign missions and strategic deployments. You all know the details because you are Ugandans. The committee recommends that: Shs 29.184 billion be provided to enable ESO to acquire modern technical and transport equipment as well as classified assorted assets. ESO has also another - I skipped this because of time, but it is all about where their offices are. If you know where it is, it is now engulfed between towers. I do not know how they keep their secrets in that place. There is a big hotel over there and a multi storage building on the other side and up. Therefore, they are requisitioning that something be done, especially with some money to start at least on that structure. The money needed is put in there. The committee recommends that at least Shs 31.324 billion be provided to Vote 159 to kick- start the construction of the External Security Organisation headquarters. They already have land, the approved plans and the bills of quantities are already done. They only need Shs 31.324, those of you from the Budget Committee and Ministry of finance, partake of this very important information so that we secure our security as a country. Vote 167: Science, Technology, Innovations; Is a fairly, moderately well-funded area and just very recently under the recent corrigenda they got some extra funding and it was very well allocated to the various sub programs. (i) Facilitation to innovation fund. There is also inadequate funding for the Uganda National Council for Sports. Those are gaps. (ii) There are also gaps in priority setting in science, technology and innovation interventions but the rest are adequately funded. However, on inadequate funding for the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, the committee recommends that Shs 9.98 billion be provided to Uganda National Council for Science and Technology to undertake research registration, monitoring of STI in the country and also coordinating the regulations of STI. The mandates are clear cut. Sericulture There is another important programme and that is budget provision for trade or commercialisation of sericulture. Allow me to go a little bit on this because it is sensitive to some of the colleagues here in this House and they demand that the rest of the Members in the House should at least appreciate this. The committee under this particular subheading established that the project has faced significant challenges primarily stemming from financial constraints and legal complications and yet a lot of money was sunk into this particular project. It is currently being implemented in Kween, Chepskunya and partly in the Sheema districts. The President himself is so committed to this program and recently wrote to the effect that some funding be made available to restart this very important program. The committee observed that the directed reduction in scope has created new financial obligations, including compensations for

16877 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 would be the first and biggest water project in our district. It has never happened like that. Mr Speaker, I would like the minister for finance to help the people of Kween and this House to answer that one. Tell us, what could have caused this? Otherwise, we are almost losing track. We fail when we come to process another budget when the other is not delivered. Some of us have tried to tell the people we represent that we do not have money as a country. We cannot ask for a school here. I like the way you said it, Mr Speaker. The creation of many administration units is not what has caused us problems in financing. The problem is how we create them. For example, in my district, many subcounties were created in 2020. However, the biggest subcounties, like Kaptoyoy Subcounty from my constituency, which had over 10,000 people, was not divided. It would have created about three other subcounties. There is another one called Kitawoi, which was the biggest. You find that in the whole country, the small ones were subdivided because of interest of some people and the big ones left out. We are now saying the ministry for finance should find money to subdivide these big ones. If we fail, then we should amalgamate some and subdivide others – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I insist that about statistics of the census, we have all the numbers but getting up to the village and give you a full report requires time. However, that does not mean that the information is not available with us. As we get there, I will give you, do not worry. The rest is concerned about domestic arrears, which I have explained. Unutilised loans have increased, this is largely on account of a lack of counterpart funding, and it is lacking because of budgetary constraints but we are trying to address because we do not want to present a situation which misrepresents what we do on the ground. This is Hon. Ssasaga, budget for – Auditor- General not protected – Auditor- General’s budget is always protected and where we have encountered issues, we have discussed with him and addressed them. Hon. Chemonges is asking us to answer about the Water for Kween Gravity Flow Scheme approved in the 2023/2024 budget, but up to now, nothing on the ground. Confirm when work shall start. The 2023/24 Financial Year is closed. Meaning that this funding, if you are factual, is no longer available –

Madam Chairperson, this is more information to the chairperson of the committee. Once a petition of this nature is brought, it is about convincing Members on both sides. Let me tell you one interesting scenario that we have had here. Members who have been – Hon. Ogwang, we came together. You can even get room to hold off your Members before they sign anything – recall of Parliament or anything. One time we had the recall of Parliament and people could hide their Members. You would look for them, but not find them. You would travel up to Kween, looking for a Member to sign. So, by the time you sign – if I am trying to convince you, someone else could also be coercing you not to sign. You can even be coerced to withdraw. The best option is what the chairperson has given. You cannot be a Member of Parliament who signs a document and then says: “I was misled by Tom or Peter at the initial stage.” A whole Member of Parliament? That is why musicians like Walukagga have sung songs about Members voting in

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise to support the motion with amendments. I read this report the whole night; I think I have never read other reports like this one and thank you for giving us time. For a budget to reflect on our people or for our people to appreciate a budget like this one, we must talk about schools, power, health centres and water for domestic use and production. For example, in Kween, I have about 12 subcounties without power and eight subcounties without Government secondary schools. Recently, I visited one of my secondary schools which has 800 – (Member timed out.)

14270 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SGT REBECA CHEPTEGEI from Sebei, I do not have that talent. These are the God-chosen few. I do not know - it is unfortunate that this guy died. How I wish he was living to see what we would do to him. Honourable minister, Hon. Peter, it is my humble plea and prayer that you kindly work hand in hand with the Minister of Sports in Kenya, Mr Murkomen, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary, to see to it that justice is brought to the family of Rebecca Cheptegei. I remember when we had just concluded the burial, the burial committee wanted to get the Shs 50 million for the burial expenses. However, I would like to appreciate you so much, honourable minister, because you stood your ground and said, “No, that money is meant for the siblings. Where do you expect them to go?” I remember your words. You said, “I know what a burial entails. The moment it is done, people take off.” The bereaved family members are the ones left there with the innocent children. He said no, and it was a strong no. I appreciate you 100 per cent, honorable minister. (Applause) Regarding the High Altitude Training Centre that we have in Kapchorwa, I appreciate the Government of Uganda for that facility. It is my humble admiration. I encourage our sports fraternity to learn to love what we have. Why would we cross boundaries and borders and come back dead when we have the same facilities? It is unfortunate; it could be because of the love - but when I saw her in the casket, I said, “All the way from Kampala to Sebei, Kapchorwa, Kween, to Bukwo, she managed to cross the borders to Kenya but came back in the coffin?” It was really painful. To us, it matters. The idiot who killed our beautiful daughter just because of her money was a boda guy. To the Government, my other prayer is to support Hon. Phyllis and Hon. Twalla’s suggestion that a five-star hotel be put in the Teryet High Altitude Centre so that it can attract tourists and also the people who would want to train from other regions. Why would you train and at the end of the day, you do not have where to refresh and eat something, to get more energy? We must have a hotel at the high- altitude training ground for the betterment of the sports fraternity in Sebei. Last, but not least, let me conclude like this: I appreciate Team Uganda for always supporting our athletes each time they win the gold medals. I know so many gold medals have been won by sports people in the Sebei Subregion. When we talk about some of these roads being put or named in remembrance, at one time some of the serious athletes - talk of Joshua Cheptegei - after all the medals he has earned - even Kiprotich - they are many, but at least Joshua Cheptegei, more so in this Kampala, we may be the C’s - if our efforts have been seen, not only in Uganda or Africa alone but the world at large, why can’t we lift or appreciate this son of the soil by just naming one of the roads, even here in Kampala, as Joshua Cheptegei Road? To run is not a simple thing and we have even seen them many times collapse, but at least he has done his best, severally, to earn us medals, together with his friends. To the family of Joshua - darkness, I do not know why -(Laughter)- I think I better summarise. To the family of Rebecca - there is something I have remembered directed to the gender minister. It is very crucial for the female athletes to be talked to. They are being counseled so that they do not make errors in as far as choosing their loved ones to be -

Thank you, Mr Speaker and Hon. Chemaswet, for giving me way. First of all, with due respect, the information I have in writing is that having come to represent the Minister of Education and Sports in the homecoming of our children in Kween, your district, those are the requests I received while there and I processed them. The Ministry of Works and Transport has communicated to me in writing about their

14100 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT xi) Napiananya, between Nakapiripirit and Mbale; xii) Kocomin/Nacomin Bridge, that is between Amudat and Nabilatuk; xiii) Karita Bridge, between Amudat and Kween; xiv) Dingdinga Bridge between Amudat and West Pokot, which is a part of Kenya; xv) Nabokotom Bridge between Amudat and West Pokot, which is at the URA border point; and xvi) Dopeth Bridge between Kotido and Abim. In terms of the aerodromes, the region considered: i) Nadunget Airfield in Moroto which needs to be upgraded; ii) Amudat Airstrip; iii) Morulem Airstrip in Abim; and iv) Kotido Airstrip. This is the addendum that the region considered to be included in the infrastructure report. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Emma Rose Cherukut is my name. I am the District Woman Member of Parliament, Kween in the Sebei region. Asante Sana .

Kween representative -

Thank you, Mr Speaker for giving us affirmative action as women in this august House today. I am really delighted. (Applause) To our able Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, I also want to appreciate you for the wonderful report that you have given to us today. Being the District Woman Member of Parliament for Kween, I want to put it to you, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, that looking at the terrain of Kween - we have Soi County and the upper part, which is Kween County. The unfortunate part of it is that for the power that was given to Kween, I can rate it at 20 per cent. It is only following the Kapchorwa- Suam Road. You find that the houses that were considered can be about 20 meters away from the road but not those that are about 200 meters or a kilometre away. When you look at the schools and the health centres that we have, we are in a state of a quagmire. The women are suffering when it comes to delivery. When you look at the terrain, it is hilly. For a woman to move from Kosil up there, that is Yatui where the crops were destroyed, to the health centre is very difficult. It is, of course, very bad to reach the nearest health centre and there is no power. The nearest health centre is also far from the referral hospital, which is in Kapchorwa. In Kween, we only have the Health Centre IV. When you go to Soi County, they only have a Health Centre III. Therefore, the difficulty is to climb the hill. There is no road and so is the power. To help a woman who is about to deliver is very difficult. I would like to interest you, honourable minister; kindly have a heart for the people of Kween and consider us, more so in this rural electrification programme. My people can only see the poles when they come to the highway. However, when they are deep there, they cannot even watch the television like we are talking. They just hear stories. They cannot even afford the solar. They need to watch me presenting. (Laughter)

Honourable colleagues, I do not have any bonanza. You heard Hon. Chemonges from Kween and he said 12 years ago, the Government put up a facility; there is machinery but we have never connected power so the machinery has been lying idle for 12 years. This was on their loan. Therefore, I am coming in to say - In fact, I was guided by my brother, Hon. Edakasi to say, “Look, why can’t you use your authority as a Deputy Speaker to engage?” - I am also going to beg. (Laughter) Honourable colleagues, yesterday, or Thursday last week, we assigned the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development to submit all projects under TBEA; that was around 2018, where we passed a project that was going to connect all subcounties in the country. We said she should give us updates which will go to the committee for full scrutiny and then the committee will present on the Floor. So, honourable colleague, I request you to liaise with the Chairperson, Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to see whether your areas are captured under those to benefit. Thank you. Hon. Musana Eric and Hon. Margaret Makhoha.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. The issue I have before us today is to do with the urgent appeal to address illegal land grabbing and sale in the lower belt of the Kween District. Mr Speaker, kindly allow me to draw your attention to Soi land at the lower belt; that is in both Kapchorwa and Kween in the Sebei Subregion, which have become a toxic dispute, escalating each passing day. Due to the occasional instability that emanated before the NRM government took over power, the Karamojong cattle raiders and Pokots made the Sabiny flee their ancestral land in the lower belt. Unfortunately, as the Sabiny fled their land for peace and security to the upper belt, a group of 13 unscrupulous people grabbed their land amounting to 10,000 acres and sold it to a rice company and received a whopping Shs 17 billion. Mr Speaker, as I stand before you and the whole House, the people of Soi are bleeding because this land belonged to them. Over 20,000 people have been displaced because of these 13 people, the rich, who took advantage of their land –

I have the petition from the Sabiny Youth Land Claimants to the Inspector General of Government (IGG), which was received. I also have the – (Interjections) – Members! I also have the sales agreement, which was made between the 13 people and the China rice scheme company. I would like to lay this on the Table. I have another agreement that was entered between the 25 land grabbers against one Caroline Chemisto Twalla, still on the same land. Allow me to lay it. Last but not least, I have the petition that was written by the youth land claimants to His Excellency the President of Uganda of intention to sue. I would love to lay this. (Applause) I also have the response from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development over the disputed land in Kween, Soi County.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Whereas I agree with your ruling, Mr Speaker, in the past you ordered the responsible ministers to visit the locus and the origins of these conflicts. Many of them have never stepped there. I remember I raised the issue of Ndaiga land evictions, and you ordered - just two weeks - the matter went to the committee, but up to date, the minister has never stepped in Ndaiga. You are asking the same minister to go to Kween. I am afraid that he may never step there. Where will you leave the other honest representative of the people?

Thank you. Number one, for the record, I never order ministers to go anywhere. I do not order someone; I do not appoint or supervise. I always want that to be very clear. I believe in more of a comradeship and friendly language. It helps someone to deliver rather than issuing orders. Therefore, honourable colleagues, especially the ministers, the issues Members raise here have to do with the population and how they are looking at us as a country and as a Government. When we say, “go on the ground”, we want you to go and respond to the people. It is not about the Member; it is about the population. You might dodge a Member by refusing to go on the ground and see, but issues will not be solved that way. It is very important to go on the ground. Honourable minister, Hon. Tinkasiimire - you are old colleagues of a long time ago. Why don’t you go there and sort out the issue and commit to us that you are going to Kween?

Mr Speaker, as a ministry, we are extremely responsive to the issues raised here that require our attention and we will go to Kween. However, how this last one of my friend skipped our mind - we will get in touch with him and make sure that we resolve the matter amicably. Thank you.

13389 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 MAY 2024 parasites. That is the rollout of anti-tick vaccines, NARO – Shs 60 billion; d) Research products and services suited for food, feed, market and industry under NARO – Shs 24.1 billion; e) Develop requisite research infrastructure to support the development of products for food, nutrition and industry in order to accelerate the agricultural transformation agenda under NARO – Shs 11.39 billion; f) Support to production, marketing and extension of oil palm in Buvuma, Mayuge and Kalangala districts under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 24.88 billion; g) Supporting oil seed research, multiplication and agronomy in the oil seeds research, multiplication and agronomy in the oilseed growing districts under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has been provided Shs 72.65 billion; h) Support the certification and production of seeds, breeds and fingerlings to ensure seed quality, including the provision of machinery, laboratory and irrigation equipment for seed testing and evaluation under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 30 billion; i) Establish and/or upgrade seed storage, threshing and drying facilities to ensure a sustainable supply of quality seed (storage, drying, cleaning, grading, packaging and so on) – Shs 14.18 billion; j) Purchase of assorted animal vaccines, tick acaricides, vaccine cold chain equipment and assorted laboratory reagents, consumables, and supplies for control of animal diseases under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 18.52 billion; k) Construct disease diagnostic and analytical infrastructure for quality assurance (National Agricultural Diagnostics Laboratory and Support Centre, zonal research laboratories and compliance centres, National Veterinary Medical Stores) under MAAIF – Shs 32.4 billion; l) Revamp the National Animal Quarantine and Evaluation Centre at NAGRC&DB, Entebbe) to promote export and safeguard the national herd in case of animal imports under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 21 billion; m) Construct and equip regional agricultural mechanisation centres, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 70 billion; n) Procurement of tractors, matching implements (planters, hullers, harrows, trailers, ploughs, rippers, rotavators), walking tractors, and assorted equipment and machinery units under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 23.04 billion; o) Provision of bulk water supply for water for agricultural production to support irrigation, water for livestock, desilting of dams and aquaculture – Shs 97.5 billion; p) Construction of Acomai Irrigation Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 56.02 billion; and q) Construction of Atari Irrigation Scheme in Kween to support rice production under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 30.42 billion; and r) Construct/improve zonal aquaculture indoor hatchery and cage culture facilities for massive fingerling production; construct seed multiplication infrastructure/facilities (greenhouses, basic laboratories, nurseries) for selected value chains; refurbishment of national aquaculture broodstock hatchery; refurbish feed facilities for formulating

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?

Yes, Madam Speaker. The Government of Uganda has made interventions to ensure that we also get to space. The first initiative was when we sent our three students to Japan. The programme, or the course content, included a demonstration component. The demonstration component had a lifespan of one year, which has ended. However, we also sent our students to China, and four of them are now equipped; they have the knowledge. This is a new attempt to ensure that we can have space exploration of, at least, five years. The first was a demonstration. Therefore, we shall be in space for five years when we finance this. What we require is Shs 13 billion. On priority setting in science, technology and innovation interventions, Madam Speaker, we made recommendations that re-prioritisation be undertaken because we have too many projects and, therefore, we are spreading our resources thin though this is not helping us to achieve commercialisation as expected. Anti-tick vaccine clinical trials We are requesting for Shs 48.0 billion to do this. We met this team and we appreciate what they have done. Commercialisation of sericulture We are requesting for Shs 17.88 billion for the commercialisation of sericulture in two areas – Sheema and Kween, where we have already procured some equipment. We expect these other sites in the other parts of the country to support the two sites so that we start to produce silk. National Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation Centre For the operationalisation of the heavy investment by the Government, we are requesting for Shs 19.4 billion. Pathogen economy Madam Speaker, we are requesting for Shs 29.83 billion to support the pathogen economy – research and development component. Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development This is one of our babies, with a lot of investment so far. We are requesting that we give them Shs 10 billion. We visited the site and I encourage Members to also visit this site. Kiira Motors Corporation Madam Speaker, this is one of our best projects. To facilitate them to transit to commercialisation, we are requesting for Shs 134.14 billion. They are doing very good work. So far, we have assembled and supported the production of 21 buses. Tondeka is moving all around Kampala. I believe many people have seen it. This project is one of our best. Proposed budget allocation to the innovation fund We recommend that the Shs 37.5 billion, which is already in the Medium-term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF) ceiling, be for the existing projects, but not spread to other components, which are going to be new. We also recommend that Shs 20 billion be provided to support research development in areas of the existing projects if new challenges are discovered in the course of moving from one stage to the other. Madam Speaker, we have recommended for Shs 20 billion so that if there are other disasters or emergencies, like how COVID-19 came, we will be prepared. Ministry for KCCA and Metropolitan Affairs Our specific recommendations start from page 57. We are recommending Shs 4.2 billion to support physical planning and urbanisation.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a point of insecurity in Kween. Kween is divided into two parts. The lower part of Kween is much affected by insecurity, caused by our neighbours. I do not want to mention them - (Interjections)- you know them. My people from Soi County, particularly Kiriki Subcounty and Ngenge Subcounty, have sleepless nights. Our brothers, the Karamojong, always attack us, day and night. Even the right to have children has been denied to my people because when they are sleeping at night, these raiders come. (Laughter) In brief, they are disorganising the peace –

Madam Speaker, I had talked of insecurity in two places. The lower part of Sebei, that is, Kween, Tingey and Bukwo, in a place called Tek. The security is not good. When you come to the upper part, that is, Benet, there is a very unhealthy relationship between the UWA rangers – the park rangers – and the community. There is a lot of shooting, day and night, even without proof that someone is entering into the forest with animals. We have lost a lot of lives. So, it is my humble prayer –

Madam Speaker, the Member is raising a very pertinent issue. In March this year, the President directed the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to demarcate boundaries in the districts of Kween, Bulambuli and Bukwo, and make them clear. It has been an issue for quite some time. I request you, Madam Speaker, to allow the Member to bring this question in a written form so that I can give a concrete answer because it is quite technical. Thank you.

I thank the chairperson of the committee for the detailed report. To go straight to the point, I would like to put it that when you look at most of the regions like the mountainous areas, for example; Sebei, Kabale and Hoima, I guess the greatest challenge is to do with money. I would like to support the idea of the introduction of mobile banking that the Rt Hon. Speaker has put forward. I know that it will help the old, the people who cannot speak English. If services are brought closer, the queues at the bank will be reduced. For the district that I come from, that is Kween, we do not have a bank. I would be the number one person to request that mobile banking systems are put in place so that the PDM can be an effective project tomorrow. Asante sana.

Thank you. Actually, the skilling project is very good. The last time there was a function in Kololo, there were over 10,000 youth under the skilling project. That is Kampala. The question is: when will it reach Kachumbala, Bukedea, Kinkizi, Rubanda and Kween? Can we have it throughout the country so that we engage all our youth in doing that? We provide our youth with skilling materials, welding machines and sewing machines so that we engage them and stop them from being idle. That should be done throughout the country. Much as we talk about the Parish Development Model (PDM), it benefits only 39 per cent. Where is the 61 per cent? Emyooga is also for a limited number, not for everybody, but we have the most active, the youth. What do we do with the youth? Government, what is the way forward?

Mr Speaker, I rise on a matter of national importance concerning a matter that I have been raising since May 2021, when I came to this Parliament. I have always raised the issue of consistent conflicts within the Mt Elgon National Park, that is in Kween, and in the entire Sebei Subregion. Three months ago, I stood up in this House when Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officers destroyed the houses of people living along the boundaries of the national park. Mr Speaker, I clearly put it that these people are not trespassers; these are people who were left there by the Government to wait for resettlement. They were people who used to stay deep in the forest, but when the forest was turned into a national park, they were brought from inside the forest to the boundary. Mr Speaker, as we speak now, there are 40 families whose houses were broken down. Their maize and Irish potatoes were cut down and when I raised it in this House, you instructed the Prime Minister to handle that matter. The Third Deputy Prime Minister wrote a letter to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities instructing them to act on the matter. That letter was copied to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the report. As for us in the Sebei Region, we have the main grid which crosses three districts – Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo. However, our main problem is the extension of power from the main grid to other areas. We need transformers and more poles to reach all the subcounties of Sebei. In Sebei, we are blessed with a mini hydro- power station but our people have not accessed that power; it is produced from River Siti which lies between Bukwo and Kween. At first, we thought it was the time for all our people to access electricity. However, the ministry connected it to the main grid. Therefore, we have no power right now in all the three districts. When you look at the line from Kapchorwa Town to Teryet High Altitude Training Centre, the line (a main grid) is there but transformers are needed so that the power can be utilised - (Interruption)

Thank you. The Office of the Prime Minister is where we, the Members of this House, always run to in case of an emergency in our constituencies. I remember, last year, my constituency was swept and people lost almost everything. I made a very serious report, took it to the Prime Minister’s office, but we did not even get a kilo of mice. Madam Speaker, to sit here and listen to a very good report like this, which is showing us the expenditure of over Shs 9 billion on teaching people how to take coffee, we should all stand as one and fight it. You can imagine, we do not have health centres. One health centre III takes only Shs 1 billion to be completed, but now this is Shs 9 billion - in fact, I took that coffee in Kween, like Hon. Mutembuli said. These people had just a small corner with a dispenser. I remember buying coffee for about Shs 12,000 in a plastic cup. Then –

10046 THE VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS’ BILL, 2023 [Mr Ogwang] hours 8 minutes 53 microseconds and is the 5 th youngest Ugandan athlete in world history to win a gold medal after Dorcus Inzikuru. I want us to commend our young athlete, Kiplangat, because he has a bright future. (Applause) I also thank the entire team which participated in the just concluded event. Some of the factors, which I know, because I was there, that affected some of the athletes was the weather. Honourable colleagues, some of these children were running at temperatures of about 42 degrees. Had it been in Africa, that would have been news, but because we were in Europe, I do not think any of you saw that anywhere in the international press. That is why they resorted to making sure that the championship only happened at night, with the exception of the marathon and walking race. Even then, at 7.00 p.m., we were at 35, 36 or even 37 degrees. So, I commend them for their individual performance as Team Uganda in the just concluded championship. In a special way, I thank the coaches. Most times, they are unsung heroes. We only concentrate on the individual winners of the gold, but let me ask the coaches to stand up, if they are there. Where are the coaches? Yes, the coaches are here. (Applause) With these medals we see, the hard work comes from these coaches. They are the ones who do all the donkey work to support our athletes. Now that we have the Sports Act and a provision in the law which talks about reward and recognition of these sports personalities, can I ask this Parliament to help me to begin appropriating money in the budget for purposes of us recognising these outstanding athletes who make our flag fly in the entire world, wherever they go? That has been lacking. Finally, we have the law in place. Secondly, there are some individual requests that I am following up, we need some specific infrastructure for some of them. For instance, where they train from - I know they come from the districts of Kween, Kapchorwa, and Bukwo. There is a specific road now under construction, but there is an S road which goes from the plains of Chepsikunya, Ngenge up to the hills of Kween. That is one of the core roads which needs to be worked on. Thirdly, I know that there are other roads they have submitted to me, which Madam Speaker, I request that during the appropriation, Parliament works with my ministry and the Ministry of Works and Transport to make sure that we fulfil the construction of some of those roads for purposes of helping us develop and win more medals. Above all, is the coming in of the National High Altitude Training Centre. Madam Speaker, Phase 1 is at 97 per cent. I am now requesting for Phases 2, 3 and 4. When I talk about Phase 2 –

I want that Sebei man – the MP for Kween – to come and speak.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. First of all, I would like to thank all the Members. The way they have supported the motion is good and I am sure my people from Sebei are happy. (Applause) This is one of the motions that everybody has stood up to support. Madam Speaker, sports can be a very good unifying factor because when it comes to sports, we all come together. These sons and daughters that you see in front pass through a lot of challenges. Some of us who interact with them sometimes feel ashamed to even celebrate with them. I would like to thank the honourable minister for being very close to Joshua, Kiplangat, Kiplimo and all the athletes, including their coaches. I have always been with the minister and I try to move with him. He has always given them ample time and listened to them and I am sure he has got to know all their challenges. However, let me summarise the challenges. The honourable minister talked about the issue of roads. As we talk now, Madam Speaker, none of these athletes is able to drive up to their homes, even as they leave here. Joshua and his parents have got impassable roads. Kiplangat, who is from Kween – from a subcounty called Benet, which is far away from the main road – is not even able to drive a car up to his home.

10053 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2023 Madam Speaker, even on the issue of power, none of these athletes has power in their house. Even when it comes to water, none of these athletes has water in their homes; they move for many kilometres to get water. Madam Speaker, the road the honourable minister talked about is one of the only roads that connects Soi County to Kween and this is a road that would help them to train at high temperatures. In Sebei, we have the upper belt, which has very cold temperatures and the lower belt, which is very hot. So, this road, which the honourable minister talked about –

Madam Speaker, the second road that the minister did not talk about is the road that moves from Atar – which is the main road in Keene, ascending and passing Kiplimo’s – by the way, Kiplimo and Kiplangat are brothers. There is a road that goes through their home up to a place called Mengia. It then goes to Kitawoi, Benet, Kwosir and then slopes to Cheminy. This is one of the roads that I have discussed with the athletes. They told me this road would make them train better because it runs through an area that has the coldest temperatures. Madam Speaker, the other issue that I want to raise is on water. After these people finish training and come back, they need a humble place for refreshments or even a swimming pool – those things. (Laughter) So, we need to make sure – Getting water in Sebei is easy because you can easily tap it and it flows by force of gravity. It will not even take a lot of money to make sure that the areas they come from or even their own homes have access to water. Madam Speaker, let me conclude by saying this. I also spoke to our other medalist, Mr Moses Kipsiro. Kipsiro is the one who did wonders some years ago; I am sure all Members know this. I recently interacted with him and he looked very disappointed. This is because all the promises made were not fulfilled. Also, he would wish to mentor many people, but he says many small things are not being done. For example, Mr Kipsiro is crying that every district in Sebei should at least have a simple training ground, which should not be permanent, but of murram. It should just be a very good murram training ground; that is what he told me. Recently, Mr Joshua Cheptegei told me that his leg is not doing well and that has stopped him from participating in the next races. This happened because of training on the bad roads that are within Kween.

Madam Speaker, I am here to support the motion. I know much has been spoken by my brother, Hon. William Chemonges, but I also have something to add. To improve on athletics in my region, we need to also consider grading small fields in primary and secondary schools because most of this talent is in these schools. In considering these roads, it is not only one road in Kween that needs to be worked on. We also have Sirinda-Ngangata Road; that is the area where most of these athletes of ours train from. It joins Ngangata-Kapchorwa –

9983 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 29 AUGUST 2023 earners and finalists. As a matter of procedure, last week when we were praising the starring performance of Mr Joshua Cheptegei, the issue of the Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre in Kapchorwa came up and the minister pledged at the directive of the Speaker, to come here with a comprehensive statement refuting the claims about the shoddy works on the construction of that centre. That was supposed to be today; even the Member of Kween is in total support because his memory serves him better than my good friend here.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. As a Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, based on our mandate, we took a visit to a number of projects where TRIDI undertook the sericulture project. Sericulture is the growing of silk worms and silk worms are fed on mulberry leaves. This is a project that came into being under the Innovation Fund, which His Excellency, the President advocated for saying we should give more funds to scientists to innovate. One of the principal investigators wrote a project, which was successful, titled, “Evaluating the Utility of Sericulture and Apiculture Technologies and Innovations as tools for Household Wealth Creation and Employment Generation in Uganda.” This project was carried out in 24 districts. I am sure some of you, Members, could be having a lot of information about some of these projects, which are in your districts. So far, Government has injected Shs 31,235,912,000. As part of our mandate, we noted that there were a number of management challenges and so, we took it upon ourselves to go and visit these projects. We had also received a petition from Sheema Sericulture project because of the way the project was being handled. It is based on this background that we visited the areas of Bulambuli, Mukono, Kayunga, Kamuli, Iganga, Kween, and Sheema. The report is already uploaded. Members can have a look it. Because of time, I am going to go straight to the observations and later, I will go to the way forward.

Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Mukono, Hon. Olanya, Hon. Fred, Wakiso, smuggler , Kasilo, Kween and Hon. Martin. Honourable members, I put the question that this House grants leave to Hon. Asuman Basalirwa to introduce a Private Member’s Bill entitled, “The Anti-Counterfeiting Bill”. (Question put and agreed to.)

Madam Speaker, if records are provided well, I will do it. The area I come from, Kalungu West - even my Committee on Education and Sports is aware that I normally do not fight to get schools there because I have good schools. However, my battle always goes to areas like Amudat, Kween and others. At the right time, Madam Speaker, I will provide information on that. You know that normally, whenever I ask for that information, I bring it here, but -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I thank the committee for coming up with this report. However, the report is not comprehensive in that it has not considered the traditional schools properly because I have seen Shs 15 billion being allocated to the traditional schools. All of us, Members, have got very old schools, which have no structures but their teachers are earning. For example, I have about three town councils without schools and one has a very old school. Another serious issue is the loan scheme. We can all agree that the loan scheme is not doing us a favour in the country. When you look at the names that come, they are actually the names of people who are able to pay their school fees in the universities. In the last list that came out, the entire Kween – I even went ahead to look at the entire Sebei. The entire Sebei, I think, had five beneficiaries only. That was really shocking. Finally, I managed to move around our UPE schools last week. I got shocked. Even as we plan and say that we are improving education, we are not doing it. There are no funds for exams in the UPE schools. There is even no cup of porridge for any child there. There is completely – (Member timed out.)

Honourable committee chairpersons who are next, all these details you are giving here are critical in the Committee on Budget. Here, in plenary, we are just giving advice and it goes to the Committee on Budget. I have a deadline of tomorrow. If I did not have a statutory deadline, I would have given you all this time. My hands are tied. I am sorry for harassing you, but my hands are tied. I open up the debate to five Members. I will pick Hon. Byakatonda, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, Hon. Musana, Hon. Katabaazi and the Member for Kween.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the committee for this very good report. The budget has been reduced but when we use it properly, it can work. Shs 1.6 trillion can do something. I have noted that in two years from now, the UGiFT project and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) are not going to be working with us again yet these are the funders that have been helping us in building health centres III and upgrading health centres II. When I look at the budget that has been provided this time, with the very many sub counties that do not have health centres III - In Kween, where I come from, there are about eight subcounties without health centres II and III. In the budget, I have seen allocations of money to other areas that do not have much impact. Mr Speaker, Shs 1 billion can build a health centre III, when used properly. Therefore, I would like to request that the Shs 1.6 trillion we have allocated should be put on areas that are very critical, most especially ensuring that at least every subcounty in this country has a health centre III, before we think of having health centres IV. Otherwise, we cannot have a health centre IV when we have a subcounty without a health centre II. (Member timed out.)

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the committee for this very good ministerial statement. I have read it because I am much more interested in this matter. I come from Sebei where we border a national park on the upper side and another national park on the lower side. Members have been talking about compensating people for their crops, but in Sebei, we have instead lost people; hundreds and hundreds of people, yet in the report, I do not see any plan for compensation. We have people who need to be resettled and have been staying around the boundaries of the national park for the last 30 years. I do not see any plan by the Government to resettle them. Last year, we went to Sebei with the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. The topic that time was wildlife-human conflict. The minister got there and listened to all the people. He saw people with wounds and even witnessed graves. He got all the stories but up to now, the minister has never brought back a report to this House. Two months ago, we lost two people in Kween and one in Bukwo who were shot by the UWA officers still because of the fight over the boundary. Lastly, I want – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, the procedural matter I am raising is that whatever we say here goes on the record. Some Members are giving very good information. The honourable member from Kween has just said that they lost hundreds of people. A while ago, an honourable member from Kiboga also said that people vacated a whole subcounty. We need to understand. There are no people living in a whole subcounty because of monkeys. (Laughter) We know that there is a challenge but let these people clearly substantiate. When you talk about a subcounty being affected by monkeys and all the people vacate leaving their property plus hundreds of people dying - let us have a clear image of this so that it goes well on the record.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I only have two questions but one is very crucial. Since January, Sebei, particularly Kween District, has lost almost 30 people through cattle rustling. Only this week, over 400 cows were stolen by the cattle rustlers. As we speak, about 200 were taken last night and it seems even the UPDF has completely failed to manage the situation because yesterday, they followed 100 cows, which had been stolen up to a kraal, but the UPDF could not even attempt to open the kraal. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I am aware you know about this. When are you going to listen to the people of Kween or Sebei and get a lasting solution to end cattle rustling?

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.

Even prisons where you bring the best runners and police are usually Kween, Bukwo, Kapchorwa -

I have tried to research on the side of Police. Regarding the recruitment of assistant superintendents of police, in the entire Sebei region, from Kween I think we only have one. My colleague from Bukwo, do you even have one? I do not know. You may not have. But when you look at the people on the list, they are very many so sometimes we feel left out. My prayer, Mr Speaker, is that we should have a committee to handle this investigation comprehensively in all the sectors and agencies that I have mentioned. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me your time.

6838 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Kween, not Kapchorwa. Therefore, look at what is happening in your area and you bring a document so that we can be able to discuss this differently from region to region.

Thank you very much, my honourable colleague. What I am saying is that the entire Elgon Region is hilly. You are either sloping or climbing. When you come to the allocations we always do here for our road maintenance, even the machines you gave to districts for road maintenance - I can assure you that the one of Kween has been down for the last one year. You cannot blame us. The problem is the terrain. The machine works under very tough conditions. Even where it is flat, still, it is packed with loam soil, which is soft. When it comes to sending money to the districts in Sebei, you can only maintain the road during the dry season between November and April. However, from May to November, you cannot do anything because of the soils.

6825 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2023 Therefore, the issue of sending money quarterly does not work in Sebei. We need to be sending all the money in November – (Interjections) - yes, this is the fact and a lot of money. We should actually be given four times what people get. (Laughter) Finally, I thank Government first of all, together with the UNRA for the road that has been done from Kapchorwa to Swam. However, on this road, we were given some kilometres, which were meant to support the town council roads, but these were taken to support the terrain. Right now, for example, Kween has four town councils. All those are completely useless. You cannot use them because once it rains, you cannot connect to the main road on which we have spent a lot of money. The main road is there, but our farmers cannot transport items from the village to the main road. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just want to add to what the honourable member has just said; that the same issue happened in Sebei region. We heard in the news last year around October, that Government had come up with a policy to phase out PTCs. Sebei had only one PTC and that is Kapchorwa Primary Teachers College. It is a shock to the entire region that even after phasing out, the five core PTCs, which remain in the eastern region include one in Mbale, Tororo, Bukedi Subregion and two in Teso; there is only one in Moroto. From Kapchorwa, Kween, Bukwo to reach a nearest core PTC is about 250 kilometres. Mr Speaker, my prayers are that Government upgrades Kapchorwa PTC into a core PTC. Thank you.

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

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

Thank you very much, honourable minister. Is the motion seconded? ( Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Ibanda, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Hon. Komakech, Hon. Acrobat, Member for Kween, Hon. Solomon, Hon. Isabirye, Hon. Dan, and Member representing the Elders. It is seconded by the whole House. Would you like to speak to your motion?

6127 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 8 N OVEMBER 2022 THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES (ANIMAL INDUSTRY) (Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama): Madam Speaker, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, I wish to respond to the questions raised about the status and the actions of Government in controlling animal disease, specifically the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We have uploaded this report on the intranet. We have an introduction where we are talking about how FMD affects animals and its economic consequences, and how it is spread. I wish to state the status. From January to October 2022, 22 districts reported FMD outbreaks. These include Adjumani, Amuru, Bukedea, Ibanda, Jinja, Kalungu, Kapchorwa, Kayunga, Kiruhura, Kween, Kyotera, Lyantonde, Masindi, Mpigi, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Napak, Ntungamo, Sembabule and Tororo. It is also important to note that quarantine restrictions were lifted in 11 districts, which is 50 per cent of the affected districts since then. Action taken by the Government In Uganda, FMD prevention and control is achieved through animal movement control (quarantine restrictions) strategic/ring vaccination and awareness creation campaigns. With regard to vaccination, given its cost implication, the strategy adopted by the ministry is to conduct strategic/ring vaccination where an outbreak is reported. Ring vaccination entails vaccinating all the immediate herds surrounding the affected herd so that the disease can be contained and eventually, controlled without causing serious socio-economic consequences. Colleagues, the success of ring vaccination hinges on the timely reporting of the diseases. It is, therefore, important that disease outbreaks are reported as early as possible so that measures of prevention can be instituted in a timely manner and cost effectively since only surrounding herds will be vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease to other areas. We have insisted on this strategy because we do not get enough doses to vaccinate the national herd. You must be aware that Uganda has almost 17 million herds of cattle, 17.4 million herds of goats, five million sheep, 4.5 million pigs and all these are susceptible animals to FMD. Due to limited resources, we came up with this strategy. When it is reported early, this strategy works but we are looking forward to when we have enough resources to make sure that we do it and cover the entire national herd. Currently, a combination of animal movement regulations through quarantine restriction and ring vaccination remains the most appropriate approach for FMD control in Uganda. Colleagues, the following actions have been undertaken to contain the current FMD outbreak in these affected areas. These include: i) Institution of quarantine restriction at the subcounty level and areas within the 20-kilometre radius to prevent the spread of disease. This involves the prohibition of the movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, their products and by-products from, to, through and within affected areas. Livestock markets, slaughter places including butcheries and animal shows within the affected subcounties were also closed. This is premised on the “prevention is better than cure” adage; ii) The ministry plans to vaccinate the susceptible livestock in the affected 22 districts listed above with 930,200 doses of FMD vaccine expected in the country this week on 10 November 2022. The next consignment, which is 1.6 million doses is expected in the country in two months’ time. You must observe that this is not adequate but once deployed effectively, it does prevent FMD to some extent;