Lira District

413 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 JULY 2026 10. Support the upgrading of selected hotels in Hoima and Masindi through a special credit facility in accordance with CAF standards. In preparation for AFCON 2027, the Government, in consultations with CAF, has shortlisted prospective hotel owners whose facilities will be upgraded to meet the required accommodation standard. A total of Shs 101.1 billion has been earmarked to support hotel improvement works in Hoima City and Masindi. The funding will facilitate renovation works and provide interest rate support through the Uganda Development Bank for approved service providers. Regarding the proposed new hotel at Kabalega International Airport, a number of developers have expressed interest, and the evaluation of bids is scheduled to commence on Thursday this week. Mr Speaker, as of this morning, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister chaired a meeting between the hotel owners and Uganda Development Bank to agree on the modalities regarding the timeline for the line of credit versus the position the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the bank have given. I want to say the consultations are ongoing. I am also saying that we are cognisant of the time. 11. Construct a Passenger Terminal at Kabalega Airport. This intervention is awaiting the award of a contract and confirmation of financing for the outstanding funding gap to facilitate commencement of works. Government earmarked Shs 185 billion for that project to have a terminal in Kabalega Airport in Hoima. 12. Upgrade designated health facilities in Hoima, Masindi, and Buseruka to provide intensive care, accident and emergency Services. Hoima Regional Referral Hospital: Construction has reached the superstructure stage; Masindi Municipal Hospital: excavation works have been completed, and foundation concrete works are underway. Buseruka Health Centre III: Walling works are progressing towards the ring beam level, with roofing scheduled for completion by the Ministry of Works and Transport. These works are all undertaken by the UPDF’s Engineering Brigade. 13. Upgrade and maintenance of railway infrastructure servicing Kampala, Mukono, Namamve and Namboole. Construction of a passenger boarding and drop- off station at Kampala, Namboole, Namamve and Mukono, and refurbishment and retrofitting of locomotives to support passenger transport during AFCON 2027. 14. Deploy improved ICT infrastructure at the airport, hotel, stadia, training facilities, and hospital supporting the tournament. Installation of the Wi-Fi and CCTV systems at Mandela National Stadium, Hoima City Stadium, Akii Bua, 8 training facilities across Kampala, Hoima, Masindi, Gulu, and Lira, selected hospital tourism sites, and CAF headquarters in Kampala is ongoing. Mr Speaker, I wish to assure this House that the Government remains fully committed to delivering a successful AFCON 2027. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the required infrastructure, services, and support systems are completed within the agreed timelines. As preparations progress, Government will keep this House regularly informed on implementation progress, key milestones achieved, and any emerging issues requiring attention. Before I conclude, Mr Speaker, allow me again to say Akii Bua Olympic Stadium is our backup stadium. 65 per cent of its work is done. It is

414 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Ogwang] ready to be completed by 31 December 2026. Training facilities in Akii Bua in Lira City, Lira University, Gulu University, and Pece Stadium are ongoing. We intend to have a four-nations tournament, and countries that are ready to come to Uganda early to acclimatise to the weather for part of the competition will be able to go to Akii Bua. I want the people of northern Uganda to know that Government is fully committed to ensuring AFCON 2027 is for all of us. What I have not said is that the $7.5 million for branding destination Uganda is already given to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. In a special way, let us thank the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development who is here. Hon. Musasizi, we thank you for accepting to help the country host this competition. I thank you very much. I say all this for God and my country.

Mr Speaker, I am happy that everybody is now in the mood of AFCON 2027. I would like to thank the President and the First Lady who have been coordinating all these efforts. A lot has been done; we are well coordinated and doing all that is possible to make sure Uganda hosts AFCON 2027. I undertake to involve all colleagues, both in Wakiso, Kampala and Hoima, even Lira, where Akii- Bua Stadium is located. Today I chaired a meeting of hotel owners, including those from Northern Uganda, because as we speak, Akii-Bua Stadium construction is 100 per cent complete –(Interjections) - yes, they are just planting grass. Apart from a few patches – (Interjections) - information not taken. All of us wish the best for this country, and I know we have an obligation. I once again undertake to involve everybody.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I add my voice on what the President said about health issues in Uganda. As I talk, we have a rising population in Uganda that is not matching the number and capacity of the hospitals and health centres that we have. Based on what the President presented during the State-of-the-Nation Address, I urge the President that during the next State-of-the- Nation Address, he should tell the nation how many hospitals he plans to add so as to cater for the increasing population. Secondly, I would like to bring it to the attention of the Minister of Health that we have only one referral hospital in Lango subregion, which cannot accommodate all the referrals sent from the whole of Lango subregion. Therefore, I request the Minister of Health to visit Lira Regional Referral Hospital and see how it is operating. Many people sleep on the floor because there are few beds and the bulk of the beds are given to those who have been operated upon. Mr Speaker, it is my prayer that this is taken seriously because people go for treatment and end up sleeping on the floor. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I take this opportunity, first of all, to congratulate you upon attaining that high office. Secondly, in relation to the President’s address, I want first of all to commend the President for his insight on issues of income generation and fighting poverty. His Excellency, the President, is on record as a President who has put in place many wealth creation initiatives to fight poverty and increase household income. You can name them: Parish Development Model (PDM), Youth Livelihood Programme, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Project (UWEP), and Bona Bagaggawale. Still, we hope that Ugandans will heed his message of hope and change. However, despite the good insight, the President missed some key areas. First, when His Excellency the President went to Amolatar District, he acknowledged a debt of Namasale to Dokolo Road. This is a key link road; when Karuma Bridge was closed, most people passed through Namasale to Dokolo to access greater Lango. Right now, the road is in a dilapidated state. It was surveyed and put under pre- financing, but to-date, nothing has been done. We thought the President would say something about that debt. Secondly, Amolatar District is the furthest district in Lango Subregion. From Namasale to Lira Regional Referral Hospital, the distance is 160 kilometres, and so to refer a patient from Namasale to Lira Referral Hospital is more or less a death sentence. We thought His Excellency the President would say something about upgrading Amolatar Health Centre IV to a general hospital. Mr Speaker, the two hospitals in Lango Subregion are the product of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Administration. We want the NRM legacy hospital to be the upgraded Amolatar Health Centre IV. We beseech this august Assembly to support the people of Amolatar, being in the middle and a peninsular district - (Member timed out.)

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I congratulate you upon winning the seat. On page three of the State-of-the- Nation Address by the President of Uganda, the President said that by 1962, the infant mortality rate was at 128 per 1,000 live births. Today, as I speak, the under-five mortality rate is between 46 and 52 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that, as of now, the population of Uganda has increased compared to 1962. Along those lines, between 1962 and 1986, the Government led by the late Apollo Milton Obote constructed 22 hospitals across Uganda that could accommodate the population at the time, but as I speak, the population has increased across Uganda. For example, Dokolo District is still operating under a health centre IV, but we have more referral cases daily, which is overwhelming the status of a health centre IV at Dokolo District. Meaning that Dokolo District deserves a hospital capable of meeting the demand. Secondly, Lango subregion has one referral hospital, which is Lira Referral Hospital. Last week I was at Lira Referral Hospital, and they have fewer beds, so they cannot accommodate all the referrals they are receiving from the Lango subregion; they can only accommodate people who are operated on. When you are… –(Member timed out.)

304 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS [Ms Nabbanja] For those who initially resisted, teams revisited and conducted fresh assessments with additional reports released. Some still claim that the values were inadequate. The majority of tenants have received compensation and vacated. This demonstrates the Government’s commitment to transparency, disclosure, revisiting disputes and accountability through the Chief Government Valuer. I got the third question from Hon. James Ongu Tar, MP Kwania North. He stated that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, full mechanised maintenance of the 47-kilometre unpaved national road from Nambyeso Subcounty, Aduku Town Council to Inomo Town Council, all in Kwania District and connecting to Teboke in Apac was done more than seven years ago. The road is now in a very deplorable state. His prayer is: will the roads be repaired? If so, what specific timelines and milestones is set by the relevant ministry for commencement and completion of works? Mr Speaker, my response is I am confirming that the above-mentioned road is a national road under the Ministry of Works and Transport, specifically under the Lira station. The Ministry of Works and Transport has carried out the assessment and found the road to be in bad state. Maintenance has been programmed in quarter one - this quarter of Financial Year 2026/2027. Mobilisation is currently ongoing and works will commence on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. The work will include one: i) Grading the entire 47-kilometre stretch; and ii) Support gravelling or murraming, and drainage improvement works. Question IV came from Hon. Peter Kiti, T’oo County, on the issue of escalating shortage of primary school teachers, which he attributed to the implementation of the National Teacher Policy, 2019, the delayed operationalisation of Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education, the phasing out of Grade III and Grade V teacher qualifications, the closure of some Primary Teachers Colleges, and the need to restore teacher training capacity, recruitment, development, welfare and retention. Mr Speaker, the National Teacher Policy, 2019 was intended to professionalise the teaching profession by raising standards for teacher education, training, management and continuous professional development. The review of the policy is due to the process to address the raised concerns, including restoration and expansion of primary teacher training capacity. The Teachers Act, 2026, which was assented to on 21 May 2026, provides a legal basis for strengthening regulation, professional development and management of teachers. The Act also supports the restoration and expansion of teachers’ training capacity. The implementation will be undertaken through the National Teachers’ Council, whose establishment process has commenced. Government wishes to clarify that the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education is operational. Mr Speaker, the Government remains committed to ensuring an adequate, professionally trained and equitably deployed primary teaching workforce to support our human capital development. I beg to move. (Applause)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. For the record, I am Ismail Kasule, the Whip of the Alliance for National Transformation. Mr Speaker, I understand there are different projects going on, but which are not football- related, though they are to supplement the AFCON 2027 that Uganda is going to host together with the other countries, Kenya and Tanzania. My attention is drawn to the infrastructure projects like roads, hospitals and hotels, especially in areas where the tournament will take place like Hoima, Masindi, Lira and Kampala. I wish to the Prime Minister to inform us on the progress of the projects that are not football related but are crucial for AFCON to take place. Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, let me start with the hotels. You are aware that we are supposed to upgrade our hotels to meet the international standards. Shs 101 billion was put in place, through the Uganda Development Bank (UDB), and we are encouraging our hotel owners to take that window so that they can upgrade their hotels, especially in areas of Hoima and some parts of Lira. Secondly, on the upgrade of health facilities, the Government is upgrading the health facility of Buseruka to a health centre IV, which is almost at the level of a hospital, so that those who are traveling from Kabalega International Airport in case of anything - we are upgrading Hoima Referral Hospital to meet international standards. We are also upgrading Masindi Hospital because we shall have a training ground in Masindi, which is also being upgraded. We are also upgrading another facility in Hoima City.

In Lira, we are almost at 80 per cent. We have Namboole, which is almost at 30 per cent and we hope by the end of December, everything will be in place. Let me tell you, Mr Speaker, Uganda is committed under the wise leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to host AFCON in 2027. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On the issue of road accidents, I recall that in the last Parliament, we came up with a committee under the Office of the Speaker which came up with clear resolutions and action items. I would appeal that those action items be retrieved so that the Ministry of Works and Transport and the necessary agencies can follow up. Related to that, on that Gulu highway where the accident took place, there is a section from Kamdini proceeding to Lira up to Soroti. That road is under construction and is being finalised. Unfortunately, where the bends are and where you have the trading centres, the road markings allow for overtaking. I have raised this issue several times, even to the contractor, but they have not taken action. Two weeks ago, we had an accident there, and we are going to continue having more accidents if that is not addressed. There is a need for the Minister of Works and Transport to urgently intervene. Last week, the police also raised the same complaint concerning misleading road signs by the contractor on the road. Thank you.

148 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 Energy development Mr Speaker, reliable and affordable energy is essential for industrialisation and socioeconomic transformation. The Government continues to invest heavily in electricity generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Government achieved the following in energy development: a) Continued development of hydro, solar and other energy projects alongside preparatory work for future nuclear investments. Installed generation capacity now stands at 2,098 megawatts. The Government’s medium- to long-term target is 52,482 megawatts to support industrialisation, urbanisation and economic growth. b) Completed and continued construction of multiple lines, including the Kole-Gulu- Nebbi-Arua line 132 KV, the Kampala Metropolitan transmission line 132 KV, including two associated mobile substations, Mbarara, Kabarole 132 KV, Karuma-Tororo 400 KV, Tororo resource 400 KV, Mutundwe-Entebbe 132 KV and Lira-Gulu-Agago 132 KV. Good progress has also been made on substations serving industrial parks in Mbarara, Kapeeka, and the Kabalega Petrochemical Industrial Park. c) The share of households in rural areas connected to grid electricity has nearly doubled in the three years from 6.8 per cent in the Financial Year 2021/2022 to 11.4 per cent in the Financial Year 2024/2025. d) Through the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company, Government commenced construction of four small mini-hydro power sites expected to generate 5 megawatts of electricity. These sites will be completed in March 2027 and will provide reliable power to very hard- to-reach and remote areas. Further, under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, 419,592 off-grid solar connections have been made countrywide. Financial Year 2026/2027 Priorities for the Energy Sector Mr Speaker, the Government has allocated Shs 2.07 trillion to energy development and the priority interventions include: i) Expansion of generation capacity by commencing the 380-megawatt Kiba hydro-electricity plant, a floating solar plant at Isimba, and 500 megawatts of utility scale solar in the Elgon and Acholi subregions; ii) Preparatory work for nuclear energy generation at Buyende; iii) Expansion of transmission and associated substation infrastructure; iv) Rural electrification; and v) Industrial power connections. Investing in People Mr Speaker, economic transformation is ultimately about people. A healthy, educated, skilled and productive population is indispensable for sustained growth and shared prosperity. That is why the Government continues to allocate a large share of the discretionary budget to human capital development, i.e. health, education, water and sanitation, and social protection. During Financial Year 2025/2026, the following milestones were achieved: Health Under health, Mr Speaker, the Government sustained its policy of progressively increasing investment in essential medicines and health supplies. Accordingly, funding through the National Medical Stores was increased by Shs 145.33 billion to Shs 862.93 billion in Financial Year 2025/2026. The Government will continue to increase domestic financing for essential health commodities with the aim of substantially

149 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 reducing reliance on donor support. This will guarantee uninterrupted access to essential medicines like anti-retroviral medicines, anti-malarial drugs, vaccines, immunisation supplies, laboratory commodities and anti- tuberculosis medicines. The Government continued to modernise healthcare infrastructure and equipment. During the year, 17 regional referral hospitals and 25 general hospitals were equipped with Neonatal Intensive Care Units. In addition, 14 regional referral hospitals received CT scan machines. Construction and upgrading of 31 health facilities across Karamoja is ongoing. The Government also completed high-capacity medical waste incinerators in Fort Portal, Gulu, Mbarara, KCCA and Lira. Busolwe, Gombe and Kawolo hospitals were also rehabilitated. Mr Speaker, the Government continued to promote preventive healthcare through immunisation, disease prevention and nutrition programmes. Immunisation coverage for children under one year reached 94 per cent, while first-dose measles-rubella coverage reached 93 per cent. Government also conducted nationwide campaigns against malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, cholera and yellow fever, and promoted nutrition education for children, pregnant women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Government also continued to expand specialised healthcare services in oncology, cardiology and other fields, reducing the need for treatment abroad. The Uganda Heart Institute conducted 634 cardiac interventions, including open-heart, closed-heart, vascular and catheterisation procedures. In April 2026, the Uganda Cancer Institute successfully performed the country’s first bone marrow transplant. Specialised healthcare services will be further strengthened by ongoing investments. The 250-bed capacity Cardiac Hospital in Naguru, Kampala is 44 per cent complete and expected to be completed by June 2027. The International Specialised Hospital of Uganda at Lubowa is 75 per cent complete and will be completed in December 2027. (Applause) Mr Speaker, I wish to repeat this one: The International Specialised Hospital of Uganda at Lubowa is 75 per cent complete and will be completed in December 2027. (Applause) The first phase of the Nuclear Medicine (PET) Centre for cancer treatment is 95 per cent complete with radiotherapy and advanced molecular imaging services. Phase II of the PET centre is 10 per cent complete. Regional cancer centres in Mbarara, Arua and Mbale are under construction, while the Gulu centre is fully operational. Other achievements in the health sector include: a) Expansion of the National e-Health Digital Infrastructure to support telemedicine, health information management, medicine tracking and monitoring of health worker performance; and b) Strengthening the National Ambulance and Emergency Care System through the deployment of additional ambulances. 2026/2027 Priorities for Health The Government has allocated Shs 5.23 trillion for the health sector in Financial Year 2026/2027. The funding will focus on: i) Maternal and child health; ii) Nutrition improvement; iii) Expanded immunisation; iv) Prevention and treatment of non- communicable diseases; v) Provision of essential medicines; vi) Strengthening specialised healthcare services; vii) Improving emergency response systems; and viii) Exploring feasible pathways towards universal health coverage.

92 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION, 2026 products from the roads to the pipeline. In the coming years, we will no longer see petrol tankers on the road. Petrol should go by pipe; it should not compete with cars. That leaves the roads for only passengers and light cargo. The marram roads must always be maintained. Where is the Shs 3 billion per district, which we send? Cham cham - they just eat it. If it is not enough, why not bring up the matter? Members of Parliament, if you think that Shs 3 billion per district is not enough, bring it up; we can cut money from somewhere and make sure the roads are worked on. Instead of just keeping quiet, you find that the marram road from Lira to my village in Baralegi was terrible and has not been maintained for a long time. Therefore, the NRM has identified all the requirements for building a prosperous Uganda. The NRM has also provided the means for individuals, families, or companies that want to be part of the socioeconomic transformation story. As I have said before, our mission has been to ensure that individuals, families, and companies who listen to our message are assisted in becoming wealthy and job creators. Right from the beginning, we realised that the internal factors are crucial but not enough to ensure the socioeconomic transformation of Uganda. We need to answer the question, in quotes, “If the individuals, families, or companies create wealth and produce products and services in four sectors of commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT, is the internal market enough?” Is the internal market of these African countries enough? Our answer was: “No. The internal market cannot be enough.” Indeed, if internal markets were sufficient, why would a country like China, with 1.3 billion people, or India, with 1.4 billion people, look to external markets? Hence, ever since the 1960s, we have had a Pan-Africanist agenda alongside the patriotic agenda in Uganda. The Pan-African agenda was aimed at the economic integration of the whole of Africa in a continental market and for the political integration within East Africa, leading to the political federation of East Africa. The economic integration would deal with the prosperity of the African people, while the political integration of parts of Africa that are compatible would deal with the strategic security of Africa, especially defence on land, air, at sea, and in space. Therefore, for the wealth creators of Uganda, most of the factors are in place now. That is why we are saying: no more sleep, kukongola , (leaning on your hoe while others are working), kugumaaza, (diverting people’s attention), no more corruption, and no more politeness to non-performers who want leadership for ego and personal interests. We must ensure that enju ku nju , (house to house), ot pi ot in Luo language for the families with land, they get into the money economy with the ekibaro . The ones without land, their solution is Emyooga (skills specialisation). Indeed, we also need to recognise that, with an increasing population, it will be neither possible nor necessary for everyone to have land. That is why there are other sectors: manufacturing and artisanship; services (e.g., trading, transport, entertainment); and ICT (BPOs, etc.). In the developed countries, very few people own land. I saw in the negative Monitor newspaper an article by an individual known as Gawaya Tegulle, who is always writing mendaciously and maliciously, saying that Uganda has been “wandering in the desert for 40 years” like the children of Israel. Those who are wandering in the desert are partly those who listen to those liars. If you listen to the liars, you will wander in the desert. Indeed, many of the leaders do not amplify this message of how people can get out of poverty. However, those who do change their lives. I understand Gawaya comes from the Bugwere area. Let him visit Maama Nabutono and her husband of Bukodi Cell, Kasasira Ward,

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

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

18875 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MAY 2026 Vote 015 - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Shs 37.90 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation as an additional investment in Atiak Sugar Factory. The second category is self-financing and budget-neutral supplementary requests over and above the 3 per cent legal limit, which require prior approval by Cabinet and Parliament. Of a total of Shs 586.16 billion for Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No.5, which is above the 3 per cent legal limit. A total of Shs 123.03 billion is self-financed and thus budget-neutral. The self-financing/budget- neutral supplementary includes the following: Reallocation of Shs 40.21 billion to cater for additional wages for recruitment of health workers under 19 referral hospitals. Honourable colleagues, there is a need to allocate the wage of Shs 40.21 billion currently budgeted for under the Ministry of Health to 19 referral hospitals. This is required to cater for the recruitment and absorption of critical health workers who were previously supporting these hospitals before the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for essential health services. The beneficiary referral hospitals are the following; i. Butabika Hospital, Arua Hospital, Fort Portal Hospital, Gulu Hospital, Hoima Hospital, Jinja Hospital, Kabale Hospital, Masaka Hospital, Mbale Hospital, Soroti Hospital, Lira Hospital, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Naguru National Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kayunga Referral Hospital, and Yumbe Referral Hospital; ii. Shs 9.92 billion for various local governments, which are also detailed in Annex I; iii. Shs 1.44 billion as unspent balances under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme (UgIFT), which were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their outstanding contractual obligations under the programme for this year; iv. Shs 2.22 billion for the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project as unspent balances that were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their contractual obligations and avoid - (Interruption)

Madam Speaker, thank you. I am raising a point of procedure. The motion by Hon. Fox Odoi was carried in this House to the extent that, instead of the minister referring to the relevant committee, now the Committee of the Whole House is proceeding - not debating - but proceeding to interrogate the minister. My question, where I require you to guide, is: at what point do you anticipate Members of Parliament to ask the minister for documents? At what point, for example, does the minister report to us that a resolution of this House, where you, Madam Speaker, is presiding, has identified loopholes in corporate governance in Atiak? Government, which is a majority shareholder, has put in more money than the company should have spent. At what point are we going to satisfy ourselves that the figures attached and being requested of us to approve have been answered by the minister? Even on the LC1 and LC2 elections, it is not enough to come and say, “I need Shs 66 billion for LC1, LC2.” We need to see the list of all the villages attached so that every Member here can be sure that “in my village, I will not go back and they ask me questions of why village A is missing from the national list,” and even two. On the issue of the Police, there is a figure here, Madam Speaker, of Shs 56 billion, and the request is for reimbursement of Special Police Constables. I can tell you that in Lira, and I think in many parts of the country, they have not yet been paid for the services they provided, yet the request says “reimbursement.” Reimbursement presupposes that you had picked up money from somewhere and paid them, but they were not paid for the work they offered. So, at what point do we satisfy ourselves that actually this ministry paid? In terms of procedure, I am asking you, Madam Speaker.

Senior comrade and colleague, you know I have a soft spot for you, but you are just being too general. The world is waiting for data from you. You took the first one, the second one, and you are going to take others. The question is: what justification are you giving by saying that you are looking for revenue? You are saying you want people to claim credits when they are foreigners, at $10 million, and the committee agrees with you. When it comes to the locals - and these are people’s representatives - they tell you to wait a second; if you want to support our local people – remember, Hon. Ogwang was here trying to clearly tell people to invest in hotels in Hoima, Masindi, Lira, and others. There is a good proposal from the committee and it is a win-win, and we come back every financial year - the issue is that you have got a percentage of this, not in a bad way, comrade. You have $10 million for a foreigner who wishes to come to invest, and the justification is that they can borrow this money cheaply. The justification for lowering the threshold for nationals is that the cost of borrowing is high. It is just a simple justification. We are also saying that we want to promote the local people to invest, because potentially, they will have to employ local people as well. Therefore, let us grow together so that this is a people-driven financial budget that you are presenting. From the revenue, we are collecting [The Chairperson] THE VALUE ADDED TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026

Thank you for noting that. Madam Speaker, we used to grow cotton. I would have been happy if Hon. Musasizi said that he is burning second-hand clothes, reinstating African Textile Mills in Mbale, bringing back Lira Spinning Mill and Nyanza Textile. I would be happy, and we would be talking. Our bed sheets and uniforms used to come from Nytil. Yamato was from UGIL. So, you are trying to -

My suggestion is that the environmental levy on all second-hand items imported into Uganda is hereby increased to 100 per cent. The justification that this is to build our own local industries to consume our own materials. Do the budget on that one so that we can give you the money. I know Hon. Moses Ogwal will support me on this – and we can bring back Lira Spinning Mill.

Madam Speaker, the biggest issue with SAGE all over the country has been the question of age. Elders have always insisted that the age limit of 80 years is on the higher side, and Government is already progressing on reducing the age limit to 65 years. On the question of the distance, that may need to be discussed by the Government because this is the first time a sitting Government has taken a decision to at least give a token to the elders. Hon. Ssewungu, you know how we used to move when we were growing up. That also talks about the mind set of our community. If there is an elder in a community and it is time for that elder to go and pick his or her money, don’t we really have people who can volunteer to take this elder? What about the banking system? Madam Speaker, a district like Alebtong does not have a single bank. If this money was to be picked from a bank, it would require that elder to travel from Alebtong up to Lira, where the majority of the banks are. Madam Speaker, the Government may not be in a position to do all things; to decentralise it to the village or the parish. For now, let us allow the Government to work on the reduction of the age limit so that more elders can be enrolled into this programme.

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

18633 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 of deceased persons, and inspection of law chambers, as its mandate. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 7.2 billion be provided to the development budget of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for the coming financial year to procure 24 vehicles to improve the dispensation of justice and access to justice in various areas. Madam Speaker, the committee noted that state attorneys in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), do related work. However, those from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs are taxed, while those in DPP are not. We note that to remove this discrimination, there is need for a tax waiver for state attorneys in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs as well. The committee strongly recommends this. Construction and facilitation of regional offices The committee was informed that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has continued to face challenges in delivering effective services due to inadequate infrastructure, and limited tools and equipment. With only seven regional offices serving an average of 25 districts each, workloads and case backlogs remain high, and access to justice, especially for vulnerable groups such as orphans and widows, is constrained by long- travel distances of up to even 400 kilometres. Effective Financial Year 2025/2026, the ministry established five more regional offices in Iganga, Masaka, Hoima, Kabale, and Lira. These offices are currently in rented premises. There is a need to construct a permanent regional office over the five-year period, and this would require at least Shs 8 billion. The committee recommends that Shs 8 billion be considered for the phased construction of these offices over a period of 5 years, to enable the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to execute its mandate across the entire country. Madam Speaker, the construction of offices for the African Humanitarian Agency In 2024, the Government of Uganda bid and won to host the Secretariat for the African Humanitarian Agency. However, the condition was that the hosting country construct offices and residences within two years. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development signed the commitment on behalf of the Government. This included providing office and residential accommodation as the construction takes place. This, altogether, required Shs 360 billion over a period of two years. However, the ministry requires Shs 200 billion for the first year to commence the construction of the African Humanitarian Agency offices. Presently, no funding has been allocated. The committee observes that the failure to provide these funds for the construction of the headquarters means that the country loses the opportunity to host this very strategic agency. We, therefore, recommend that Shs 200 billion be provided in this Financial Year 2026/2027, to enable the ministry to start construction of the office project to fulfil the commitment made by our Government. Under Vote 101, which is the Judiciary, the committee noted a need to fund the timely disposal of cases both civil and criminal, facilitation of court sessions, daily hearings and daily court operations in the 269 operational courts, management of election petitions, facilitation of court-summoned witnesses who are at least not less than 60,000 in total, conduct of locus visits at various court levels to facilitate the minimum of at least 55,112 visits and facilitation for court assessors, at least three per judge. To achieve timely disposal of cases, the Judiciary requires an additional Shs 48.57 billion, and the committee makes a recommendation that these funds be made available to enable the mandate to be achieved.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity and the committee for a good report. The committee recommended that the Government find Shs 60 billion for the headquarters of the Electoral Commission. We are in a democracy that is not about to go away, and therefore, we need the Electoral Commission to be stable. The whole country has only one regional headquarters, which is in West Nile, and they have been looking for money to spend on rent in offices in every district. It will be important that we prioritise giving the Electoral Commission this Shs 60 billion, so that they construct befitting headquarters, but eventually, I appeal to this House to continue to give the Electoral Commission money so that they can construct regional offices. You have been consuming those services. You go there as an honourable Member of Parliament, but you are going to a squeezed place where many other people are coming. I appeal to this House to continue supporting the Commission so that it can have a befitting facility first of all, at the national level, but eventually at the regional level. We will be glad to see a regional office in Lira, Karamoja, Mbale, Tororo, Soroti, Masaka, Fort Portal, Hoima and so on because the democracy we have is not about to go away. As you all know, the NRM has come to stay, and many other political parties are going to be there. Therefore, we need a stable and befitting facility. Thank you very much.

18701 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 On page 27, we have several votes: i) Vote 013, Education and Sports Ministry, where we observed that external funding to development projects of Shs 138.21 billion and Shs 69.01 billion for the operationalisation of UNITE and the TVET council; ii) Vote 164, National Council for Higher Education, and there we observed that Shs 18 billion was for infrastructure development; iii) The National Council for Sports for AFCON preparation activities was Shs 122.89 billion, but that one has been revised; iv) Vote 169: Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board; v) Vote 170 for UPAB, Shs 9.1 billion; vi) Makerere University, we looked at the infrastructure development, where it required Shs 67.01 billion; vii) Vote 302: Mbarara University, Shs 3 billion for construction; viii) Vote 303: Makerere University Business School. We looked at the support for infrastructure development for research, Shs 23 billion; ix) Vote 304: Kyambogo University, for evidence-based research of Shs 3 billion. Busitema University supported research and innovation, also Shs 3 billion; x) Muni University, Vote 306 of Shs 30 billion for the teaching hospital; xi) Vote 307: Kabale University for the expansion of Medical School, Shs 5 billion xii) Vote 308: Soroti University, construction of the School of Engineering, Shs 10 billion; xiii) Vote 309: Gulu University, infrastructure development of the Senate Building, storage facility, and lecture theatres at Shs 10 billion; xiv) Lira University: Vote 310, completion of university infrastructure at Shs 10 billion; xv) Mountain of the Moon University, for construction of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Shs 10 billion; and xvi) Vote 612 for local government, which was a salary enhancement for primary and the arts teachers, which was Shs 500 35.01 billion. When we move to page 29, I think those are narrations. Page 30 has tables you can read. I am rushing to the recommendations. I will Key planned activities of Financial 2026/2027 Vote 013: Ministry of Education and Sports, the narration is there. Vote 111: National Curriculum Development Centre. We have the narration. Vote 128: Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Here we note that no funds were provided for marking of the new secondary school curriculum papers. Last time, the markers rioted and there is a need to add UNEB money like we are going to make proposals. Education Service Commission The committee was informed that the Commission is also working closely with Chief Administrative Officers to ensure that human resources - there is that coordination between the Ministry of Education and Sports, CAOs’ offices, and the Education Service Commission when it comes to human resource recruitment. On National Council for Higher Education, the narration is there. On Vote 169: Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, the narration is there. About National Council for Sports, operationalisation of Hoima City Stadium and related facilities, the narration is there. Vote 170: Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board, you will look at the narration. Vote 301: Makerere University also has the details there.

18702 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology - you can read. Vote 303: Makerere University Business School - you will read on that page. Kyambogo University - the same story. Busitema University - we have such narration. Muni University - you will look at the construction of the multi-purpose health science lab and the rest. Kabale University, Vote 307 - the narration is there. Soroti University, Gulu University, Lira University, Uganda Management Institute, Vote 313 for Mountain of the Moon University - you can read the narration. Observations Madam Speaker, we had general observations, and it was observed that the sub-programme was allocated Shs 989.82 billion at the time of the finalisation of the draft estimates. Of course, we have the ULEARN project, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - the narration is there. However, there are key critical activities within the sub-programme that remain unfunded, yet they are critical in the attainment of the set targets within the five-year National Development Plan (NDPIV). This is the implementation of free and compulsory Universal Primary Education (UPE), which continues to be underfunded at Shs 309.16 billion. Recommendation The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development funds the various votes under the sub-programme in time within the first half of the financial year, to ensure timely financing towards the planned activities in order to achieve the set targets. The finance ministry is also urged to allocate additional Shs 309.16 billion towards the implementation of free and compulsory primary education and Uganda shillings 14.95 billion towards the implementation of free Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET) Education. The Ministry of Finance is also urged to allocate an additional Shs 66.30 billion and Shs 21 billion towards the grant-aiding of 100 secondary schools in subcounties without government support, and 300 primary schools in parishes without government ones, respectively. The Ministry of Finance is also urged to release funds to the Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) Council, to promptly avoid any challenges in the transition to the TVET Act because of limited funding to the council. Vote 013, Ministry of Education and Sports Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that an additional Shs 5.11 billion be provided by the Ministry of Finance to cater for these increments, and supplement its efforts towards vocational skilling as envisaged by the National Development Plan IV. The re-purposing of non-core Primary Teachers College (PTCs) into the eight health training institutions and eight TVET institutions. Recommendation The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates Shs 65.78 billion towards the re-purposing of the 16 non-core PTCs into eight Health Training Institutions (HTIs), seven TVET institutions, and one seed secondary school. Increment in unit cost of the training grants and indentures, internship fees in health training institutions

18708 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Flats, and Shs 7.55 billion towards outsourcing cleaning and security guard services. Kyambogo University On Kyambogo University, the committee recommends that the Uganda Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development undertake a comprehensive land audit to resolve overlapping tenure conflicts. Two, the committee also urges the finance ministry to allocate Shs 28.58 billion in a phased manner for the recruitment of academic staff in the medium term to bring the staffing level to at least 50 percent. Gulu University The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates an additional Shs 2.902 billion to cover shortfalls arising from salary harmonisation, Shs 18.643 billion in the mid-term to increase the university’s staffing level to at least 50 per cent. Secondly, that the finance ministry allocates Shs 28.41 billion for the completion of the construction of Gulu Constituent College in Moroto, and Shs 12.815 billion to complete the construction of the Business and Development Centre. Muni University For Muni University, Madam Speaker, we recommend that the Finance Ministry allocates Shs 14.698 billion towards the completion of the various construction projects which have stalled at the university, and Shs 15.302 billion towards kick-starting the construction of the teaching hospital. Mbarara University of Science and Technology The committee recommends that the Finance Ministry allocates an additional Shs 35.43 billion towards the recruitment of staff in the medium term to increase the staffing level to at least 50 per cent. Shs 0.491 for salary scale harmonisation for non-teaching staff. The Finance Ministry is also urged to additionally give Shs 2.8 billion towards retooling of labs and workshops, with specialised machinery and equipment for teaching, research, and innovation. Soroti University The committee recommends that the Finance Ministry allocates Shs 5 billion for the procurement of the necessary equipment and machinery for instruction of the three new engineering courses. Lira University The committee recommends as follows: i) That the Finance Ministry provides Shs 5.0 billion to promote additional critical staff, and Shs 1 billion to cover shortfalls; and ii) Shs 1 billion to cover shortfalls within the welfare facilities and NSSF; and Shs 1.5 billion for the research and innovation fund. Vote 307: Kabale University The committee recommends that an additional Shs 3 billion be allocated to the university to support its research agenda for Financial Year 2026/2027. Vote 305: Busitema University The committee recommends that the ministry for finance provides an additional funding of Shs 14.862 billion to increase on its staffing levels from 10 per cent to at least 50 per cent. Shs 5.23 billion for strengthening labs and ICT to provide in the provision of its services in IT. Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute (UMI) The committee recommends that finance allocates an additional Shs 15.2 billion for the construction of a new purpose building at Kampala branch, new classroom office at Mbale branch, and new classroom office block at Mbarara branch.

Madam Speaker, it is true we are coordinating as Chair of the Inter- Ministerial Committee on AFCON 2027. To begin with, the road between Kampala and Hoima, I want to confirm - We discussed this road because it was within the CAF report when they came and visited us. They identified it and we notified the Ministry of Works and Transport. I last passed that road last evening at around midnight. There are works going on, and I want to pledge that we will continue to monitor and inform the House, working closely with the Minister of Works and Transport, to ensure that the road is completed on time. Regarding the road of Corner Yeri-Iceme-Bobi, I wish to state that during the retreat, a question was raised, and I informed the retreat. I want to inform the House that His Excellency the President directed that the road be fast-tracked. I want to confirm that there were meetings between us, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development with the President regarding the financing of that road. If you heard the answer I gave, I want to repeat that this matter is before the President, and he directed his Principal Private Secretary to ensure that he signs that letter, which allows us, as the Government, to do the work. The question that will come is, “Will they be able to do the work?” The contractor who was identified has pledged that once this is done, they are ready to commit and begin work on the roads on time. The same applies to the Gulu Airport. I led a team, under the directive of the President, to visit the airport with the contractor. The contractor has committed to ensuring that the work that is required is done. But remember, I am talking about a backup. In terms of the sporting area, friends, the training facility for Gulu University, Pece Stadium in Gulu, Lira University, and Akii-Bua Stadium, which has two training facilities, will be ready as far as we are concerned. I already have money under the current budget to ensure that those stadiums are worked on. I have already finalised the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who is the contractor for the training facilities. I will soon invite my colleagues for the commissioning of the ground-breaking of the training facilities in Gulu and Lira. I symbolically did so for all of those facilities here in Makerere University. I want to say we are good to go in that line too. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance: the incident that occurred on the 29 th of March at Uganda Technical College (UTC), Lira grounds, where Teso and Lango provinces were playing under the FUFA Drum League. Unfortunately, calamity befell our supporters, where several were injured. Many supporters were on the roofs and in the trees to watch the game. Unfortunately, a building at UTC collapsed, injuring several people. Notably, three, all from Teso - Elotu John, Emitu Michael, and Ayaka Elijah - were critically injured. Elotu John sustained several injuries to the brain, and the skull was fractured, but this surgery was made possible yesterday at 4.00 p.m. at Lacor Hospital. I have some prayers, Madam Speaker: I request that the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) team take responsibility for providing adequate support to the injured supporters from the Teso and Lango subregions. I also pray that the Ministry of Education and Sports, together with the Central Government, urgently remove all asbestos from all public institutions in the country. The negligence in allowing asbestos to remain in public institutions especially that particular one, is the reason the football supporters from Teso and Lango experienced that incident. The Ministry of Health also urgently needs to address staffing gaps affecting critical personnel, especially those managing Intensive Care Units (ICUs). We faced a problem at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, where there was no critical care staff member in the ICU to manage Elotu immediately, as she was on maternity leave. The surgery did not take place until the director arranged for the patient to be referred to Lacor Hospital, where it took place yesterday. I deeply appreciate the Lira Regional Referral Hospital team, led by Dr Odur, the director, for their commendable efforts in securing an ICU bed and the necessary facilities at Lacor Hospital, and in ensuring the safe transfer of our patient.

It is also worth noting that the Lira Regional Referral Hospital would have managed this operation, but the delay was due to insufficient staff, which could have even saved this young man’s life. I beg to submit. [Mr Obua] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

18349 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026 iv. Vote 116 – National Medical Stores; v. Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute; vi. Vote 134 – Health Service Commission; vii. Vote 151 – Uganda Blood Transfusion Services; viii. Vote 401 – Mulago Hospital Complex; ix. Vote 402 – Butabika Hospital; x. Vote 403 – Arua Regional Referral Hospital; xi. Vote 404 – Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital; xii. Vote 405 – Gulu Regional Referral Hospital; xiii. Vote 406 – Hoima Regional Referral Hospital; xiv. Vote 407 – Jinja Regional Referral Hospital; xv. Vote 408 – Kabale Regional Referral Hospital; xvi. Vote 409 – Masaka Regional Referral Hospital; xvii. Vote 410 – Mbale Regional Referral Hospital; xviii. Vote 411 – Soroti Regional Referral Hospital; xix. Vote 412 – Lira Regional Referral Hospital; xx. Vote 413 – Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital; xxi. Vote 414 – Mubende Regional Referral Hospital; xxii. Vote 415 – Moroto Regional Referral Hospital; xxiii. Vote 416 – China-Uganda Friendship Referral Hospital, Naguru; xxiv. Vote 417 – Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital; xxv. Vote 418 – Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital; xxvi. Vote 419 – Entebbe regional far hospital; xxvii. Vote 420 – Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; xxviii. Vote 421 – Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital; and xxix. Vote 422 – Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. I beg to lay.

Madam Speaker, I move under Rule 153(1) of the Rules of Procedure Parliament of Uganda and in accordance with Section 12(13) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. I rise to lay on the Table, the Ministerial Policy Statement for Financial Year 2026/2027 for the Ministry of Education and Sports Vote 013 and 19 – other Votes under the education and sports skills development sub-programme, namely; i. Vote 111 – National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC); ii. Vote 128 – Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB); iii. Vote 132 – Education Service Commission; iv. Vote 164 – National Council for Higher Education; v. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; vi. Vote 169 – Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board; vii. Vote 170 – Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board; viii. Vote 301 – Makerere University; ix. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; x. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; xi. Vote 305 – Busitema University; xii. Vote 306 – Muni University; xiii. Vote 307 – Kabale University; xiv. Vote 308 – Soroti University; xv. Vote 309 – Gulu University; xvi. Vote 310 – Lira University; xvii. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; xviii. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and xix. Vote 612 – Local Governments. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay on Table.

18361 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026 over 20,000 babies are born with the disease annually, to add onto the statistics. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, has adopted a proactive and comprehensive position on sickle cell disease. Just to give an example of the Lango Subregion, where I come from, because I know for a fact that the testing machine is currently available in about four health facilities; one at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, another at Apac General Hospital, then Alebtong Health Centre IV, and Amolatar Health Centre IV, being part of the proactive management of sickle cell disease by the Government of Uganda. Under the preventive focus, for us as public officers, it is important to take stock and use all the public gatherings in order to drum up support. First of all, by announcing the presence of this big lion within our midst, such that people can even move on their own to know their respective status as far as sickle cell disease is concerned, especially in health centres and general hospitals, where the testing machines are available. The issue of the sickle cell disease is also getting integrated into the national health system by the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of Uganda. The Government is also trying its best to ensure the availability of essential medicines, just like Hon. Ayume alluded to that fact. We are also encouraging and calling out for public-private partnerships. There are a number of organisations that are moving into the countryside to complement the efforts of the Government in sensitising our local communities on the presence of sickle cell disease. Therefore, all is not lost. It is a work in progress. This is a new monster that has attacked our respective villages. It is important that we make the loudest noise in order to mitigate the prevalence rate and bring it down, as we did with HIV/AIDS. I beg to submit.

Mr Speaker, the Kayunga-Bbale-Galiraya Road was actually prioritised for upgrading to paved standard since NDP II. Even in NDP III, it was there, and in NDP IV, it is still persistently there. We are lucky that we received a proposal that is very competitive from one of the contractors. The China Railway and Bridges Corporation gave us a very competitive proposal on a pre- financing arrangement with a grace period of two years and payment happening in the third and fourth year. The pre-financing period, or the entire period of this loan, does not carry any interest payment requirement. That is why it is very competitive. Also, the principal price for constructing this road is very attractive, with a maximum of $1 million per kilometre, including a landing site at the end of this road on Lake Kyoga. This road must have been done years ago because, considering the time taken to travel all the way to Lira in the current arrangement, I think people take more than six hours to reach MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

18249 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2025 Lira. With this road, they will be in Lira in about two and a half hours, saving about four hours. It is, therefore, a very important road because Kayunga is strategically located in the middle of the country, and this is where the road is going to be found. Whereas it is going to benefit the people of Kayunga, the people who benefit most are the ones travelling to the northern region. At the moment, the road is very busy in terms of transporting sugarcane and other products. It is a very busy road, and we have been suffering for a very long time because the maintenance of this road has to be done after every two months if it is going to remain at the standard required for trucks to move in the current arrangement of a gravel road standard. Therefore, it is very important that we upgrade the standard of this road. We want to thank the Government for taking this decision. Mr Speaker, I believe that is enough justification for the construction of this road.

Under Annex 1, we summarised the amount of money which is budgeted for DUCAR, KCCA and road maintenance. There are national roads upgrades and rehabilitation. There are also ferry operations of about Shs 12 billion. Therefore, some of the roads like Fort Portal- Bundibugyo-Lamia - we all know that road. There was an estimate of Shs 118 billion. The requirement to do the phase for this year is Shs 50 billion. However, there was nothing provided in the budget. There is also Gulu-Atiak-Nimule Road – it is in bad shape. The other roads are Mubende- Kyenjojo Road and Ntungamo-Rukungiri Road. There is also the completion of the section of Tororo-Busia Road. We also have Najjanankumbi-Busabala Road and Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road - Hon. Omara, thank you for lobbying. We also have Luweero-Butalangu Road. There is Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo – that road when you leave Koboko via Yumbe headed to Moyo. It is for upgrade. Money is being provided. There are also Yumbe-Ure, Kisubi-Nakawuka, Nakawuka-Maya, Nakawuka-Nateete, Nakawuka-Kasanje-Maya and Nakawuka- Buwaya – all those roads. The money is here. Once we approve, we are in business. There are also critical oil roads like Kabwoya- Buhuka, Kihura-Rwamwanja, Kahunge-Bwizi- Mpara, Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu - these people of Mbale, the road is there to be completed. We have Moroto-Lokitanyala Road, Kira- Matugga Road – Hon. Ssemujju, thank you for lobbying - (Laughter). There is also Kabale- Bunyonyi Road – that is a tourist road, going up to Kisoro-Mahinga. We have Busega-Mpigi Expressway. We need that one badly. There is a road from Muyembe to Nakapiripirit as well as Lusalira-Nkonge- Lumegere-Ssembabule Road. Hon. Kabanda is in business. Thank you for lobbying. Hon. Namugga, the NRM Government does not discriminate. There is also Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli – you will connect properly. This is for the former Speaker, and the current Speaker has implemented it. Thank you for lobbying. There are also critical roads like Kabale- Kiziranfumbi, Nyairongo-Kyarushesha and Masindi-Biiso. It seems nobody is excited about this one. This is an oil road.

Thank you so much, honourable members. Honourable minister, Chairperson of the Budget Committee and the members, I want to thank you so much for handling the supplementary. Honourable minister, I know you have considered a number of roads. Thank you but I have some very crucial roads that should be considered: Lira-Aloi-Otuke-Abim-Kotido road, we have Lira-Apala-Otuke, we have Buhweju road, we have Kachonga, Butaleja, Busolwe, Tororo - that tells you that I have gone through this country –Dokolo-Namasale- Otuke. Honourable minister, we need to look at those roads. Then there was part of the road that we are working on in Isingiro towards Tanzania. We also have the BKK 1 and 2 ferry. We are opening it in January. Hon. Agaba?

17999 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2025 Observations on compliance with the relevant regulatory framework. Unimplemented procurement Madam Speaker, I will be presenting pages 9 to 10. The committee observes that the failure to fully implement or plan the procurement delays the services for which the procurement of works, services, or goods was intended. We recommend that the accounting officer ensure planned procurements are executed in a timely manner and that unimplemented procurements are rolled over to the following period. Low bidder participation In accordance with Section 46 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets, Cap. 205, all public procurements should be conducted to maximise competition and achieve value for money. The Auditor-General analysed the bidder’s participation by comparing the number of invited bidders with the corresponding number of participants and noted a low bidder turn up for up to 11 procurements worth Shs 5.44 billion. The accounting officer explained that most of the services and supplies required by Uganda Electricity Transmission Limited (UETCL) are highly specialised, rendering the supply market limited. However, the company will continue to use competitive methods in accordance with the PPDA thresholds. Further, low bidder participation can be attributed to unacknowledged bid invitations, unclear instructions to bidders, and impractical requirements that affect the bidder’s ability to respond and comply. The committee observes that low-bidder turn- up limits effective competition and defeats the motive of enhanced competition to achieve value for money. We recommend that the accounting officer investigate and address the causes of low bidder turn-up to maximise competition in accordance with the basic principles of procurement. We noted delayed procurement of consultancy services and observed that inadequate funds affect timely execution of planned activities and service delivery. This depicts a lack of adequate planning on the part of the agency or entity. Recommendations: i) The Accounting officer should improve on planning and budgeting to ensure the timely execution of the planned activities; ii) The Government should increase its funding to the agency to be able to execute its mandate. Completion of the pending 34.7-kilometre Tororo-Lira 132 Kv transmission line Audit established that the company awarded a contract on 13 th December 2023 to MS Kalpataru Projects International Limited to complete the pending works of 34.7 kilometres 132 kV transmission line of Tororo-Lira at a contract price of $5,359,246 and Shs 8.22 billion under procurement reference number UETCL/WORKS/2022-23/01061. On review of the procurement file, the Auditor-General noted the following anomalies: i) Contrary to Regulation 37 of the PPDA (Rules and Methods) 2014, the statement of requirements and the bill of quantities for the procurement were inadequate. The bills eliminated items such as mobilisation, demobilisation, soil investigations due to changes in the corridor, site security deployment and reassembling of some towers. As a result of amending the bills of quantities (BoQs), the contract price was adjusted by $289,243.87 and Shs 0.71 billion ii) The procurement was initiated on 31 st January 2023; however, the bid invitation was sent out on 24 th May 2023, four months later, which indicates inefficiencies in the procurement process.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I first apologise for coming in at this time. I was in Munyonyo where we have a Ministerial Regional meeting concerning higher education. I was in charge of chairing it. I would like to congratulate the Uganda Cranes for participating in the tournament and reaching that level of quarterfinals. We thank you so much and are proud of you. I also to thank the Uganda Railways, that is the Ministry of Works and Transport, for providing the line that was taking these people from town to Namboole. They made it easier for them. At least there was not much congestion. The Government is committed to supporting sports. It has been evident that for every budget that we have come up with, the sports programme has been given the money by Parliament and as the Government. I also thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda for fulfilling the pledge of Shs 1.2 billion for each win. I know that His Excellency, the President this evening is still inviting these people for a get-together. He is showing the youngsters that “we are proud of you” and is in full support of the sports. The Government is building more stadia in the country. We have Lira, Hoima and others that are coming up. We know all that is support from the Government. Lastly, Madam Speaker, I thank you together with the Parliament of Uganda, for providing the jersey for this team, which were laid here in the House. You led the process. Many people are proud of you because as a woman, you have shown what sports is in the country. By laying these jerseys here and talking to the Members of Parliament to contribute to that was a sign of support. We know that the young team is also proud of our Speaker.

17908 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General reviewed 71 human rights awards, court awards, ex-gratia and compensation ordered by courts and reported that awards worth Shs 1.98 billion remained unpaid for the period ranging from two years to over 10 years. We have these pending and the committee recommends that the accounting officer should budget for the awards, and the Government should provide the requisite funds. The accounting officer, together with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, should establish the details of the beneficiaries for quick settlement to avoid the accumulation of interest. Madam Speaker, whenever we delay payment of these arrears, interest is paid on these arrears. So far, the Government is going to pay Shs 159 billion as interest on these arrears that have not been paid on time. Madam Speaker, the other report is the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) on national regional referral hospitals and other specialised hospitals. Honourable colleagues, I am going to summarise. We are looking at the details of the following hospitals in summary. We are looking at the following: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Fort Portal, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kabale, Lira, Gulu, Moroto, Hoima, Arua, Butabika, Mulago, Kawempe, Kiruddu, Soroti, and the Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital. Implementation and budget performance Madam Speaker, for all the regional referral hospitals we observed - I will begin with the implementation of the approved budget. Regional referral hospitals are expected to collect Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) to support the Government budget. Honourable colleagues, the total NTR was supposed to be Shs 20.406 billion, and there was an over performance of Shs 21.924 billion. However, this should be noted. From the table, the Government projected to collect the above, but Shs 21.924 billion was collected, meaning there was an over-performance. Honourable colleagues, as a committee, we noted that all accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted Non-Taxable Revenue (NTR) targets, or failed to realise their NTR contravened instructions 4.102 of the Treasury operations. The committee noted that less/non-transfer of NTR to the treasury deprives the Government of revenue and also noted that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide revenue targets to some of these entities. That is why there was an over-performance and also an underestimation of NTR by these entities. Therefore: (i) The accounting officer should ensure that NTR targets are set based on strong assumptions and benchmarks to enable realistic NTR. (ii) The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that a billed NTR is fully collected. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests of NTR revisions by entities. (iv) The accounting officers should incorporate all NTR sources during the budgeting process. Performance of the Government of Uganda warrants Madam Speaker, a total of Shs 475.44 billion was budgeted to be released to these referral hospitals and national specialised regional hospitals. However, a total of Shs 470.65 billion was released. From the above table, the Government

17913 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 The accounting officer concurred with the observation and explained that the implication of salary enhancement on pension and gratuity were equally highlighted by the ministry, budgeted for and presented to Cabinet for consideration. The committee recommends that the Government should conduct reforms on the policy for enhancing salary for all the calibres of teachers. I, therefore, beg to submit. Long outstanding subscription fees These are payables. We have challenges with subscription fees. The Auditor-General observed that the ministry had arrears of Shs 2.27 billion under the ministry, out of failure to pay for the agreed texts of the Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations and this is the ministry for tourism. I beg to submit this as a report of a summary of the ministries as highlighted under. Lastly, this is a report of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) on universities. I am just going to read them: Kyambogo University, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Makerere University, Gulu University, Uganda Management Institute, Kabale University, Lira University, Muni University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Soroti University, Busitema University, Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) and Law Development Centre (LDC). Budget performance for universities and tertiary institutions It is the same story of budget cuts across all these universities. There is also a challenge of underutilisation of warrants, where Shs 21 billion remained unutilised across all entities. Recommendations The accounting officers should strictly adhere to the annual budget performance. Performance of Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) In all the universities there is underperformance, where the annual approved budget for all of them was Shs 290 billion, but only Shs 265 billion was collected. The issues of domestic arrears cut across. Issues of students’ halls of residence The students’ halls of residence are very old, dilapidated and there is a limited budget for repairs of these halls. On accumulation of domestic arrears, it is the same story. Under long outstanding receivables, it is the same story. Irregularities in supplementary funding This was submitted by the committee chairperson during the consolidated accounts, where entities received supplementary budgets that they had not requested for, from the humble Ministry for Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Delayed projects were highlighted in the report for projects. Dilapidated structures cut across the board. Madam Speaker, I am trying to summarise in the interest of time. That has been a summary of these reports. I kindly beg that we pick interest and time to read through. I thank, you, Madam Speaker, for the time and thank colleagues who have enabled us to have this work completed. Thank you for listening in.

17728 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The committee recommends: i) The Office of the Auditor-General should call out a forensic audit into the implementation of UgIFT I and II Projects under the health sector, with specific focus on the upgrade of health centres II to III and construction of the new health centres III to determine whether there was fraud and report to Parliament within six months from the time this report is adopted. ii) The committee recommends that the Ministry of Health should develop a clear roadmap on how the Government intends to address the current infrastructure gaps of health centres III at the subcounty and town council levels across the country, and report to Parliament within three months from the time this report is adopted. iii) The committee recommends that the Government ensure that the presidential directives are implemented within the confines of the law. Madam Speaker, we considered the equipping of upgraded health centres II and newly constructed health centres III. The committee found out that the Ministry of Health procured and delivered medical equipment to the district local governments across the country for installation in the health centres earmarked for upgrade or construction. However, in a number of instances, the medical equipment was delivered to health centres prior to the completion of the projects, which exposed the equipment to the risk of gross mismanagement. See attached annex 5. In other instances, the Ministry of Health delivered medical equipment to health facilities that did not have the required staff in place. Some of these cases included: i) Kyarwabuganda Health Centre II in Mbarara City, recently upgraded to Health Centre III, and partially equipped, was operating with only two staff, a registered nurse and an enrolled midwife, out of the staffing level of 55. ii) Kitabaazi Health Centre II, Masaka City, was recently upgraded to Health Centre III and is fully equipped, but was still operating as a Health Centre II due to inadequate medical staff. iii) Anyagatir Health Centre III in Lira has new infrastructure, but only one medical personnel is on the ground providing all services, including maternity services. iv) Kachuru Health Centre III had partial equipment delivered, but had no personnel to operate it. The committee observed that the Ministry of Health procured and delivered medical equipment to incomplete health centres, or without the required medical staff, which rendered such equipment redundant and at high risk of misuse and vandalism. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Health should carry out an inventory of all the medical equipment procured and delivered to the various health centres, and report to Parliament within three months from the time this report is adopted. Madam Speaker, we also looked at the installation of the Computed Tomography (CT) scans, oxygen plants, and Intensive Care Unit bed equipment. Installation of CT scans The committee was informed that the Government procured, delivered, and installed 15 functioning CT scan machines in 14 regional referral hospitals and Bombo General Military Hospital, including one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (see Annex 6). The committee found out that CT scan services were only accessible to patients at a user fee ranging from Shs 120,000 to Shs 250,000, depending on the type of imaging or investigation. The charges also varied across regional referral hospitals. For example, at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, among others, patients pay a fee ranging from Shs 120,000 to 150,000 depending on the test done. At Mubende Regional Referral Hospital,

17730 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT construction. Yet, even the projected space looked insufficient for the overwhelming patient population, given that the old ICU building was also under renovation. Gulu Regional Referral Hospital The committee uncovered ambiguities in the receipt and usage of the supplied ICU Bed Units. The committee was informed that the hospital received 10 ICU Bed Units, but had only installed four in the ICU. The in charge of the ICU, who was not a qualified intensivist, could not account for the other six beds at the time of the committee’s visit. On being probed further, she disclosed to the committee that the balance of beds was in different locations, including two in the stores due to missing parts, while others were being used in the wards. The committee visited the wards and established that one of the beds had been dismantled and used in the orthopaedics ward, while another was being used in the nutrition room. The committee further engaged the store assistant, who denied having received any ICU Bed Units during his term of office. He, however, disclosed that two beds had been brought into the stores on the day the committee visited. We do not know where these beds were, but when they saw us, they brought them. The committee observed that - I can skip that one and read the recommendations. Committee recommendations The committee recommends that: 1. The minister responsible for finance should provide adequate funds to regional referral hospitals in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the construction/ completion of the infrastructure meant to accommodate ICU bed equipment to ensure their installation and utilisation. 2. The Ministry of Health should train and recruit specialised medical workers to manage the ICUs in regional referral hospitals. 3. The Ministry of Health should investigate the handling and management of ICU equipment delivered to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, including donations from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and report back to Parliament in two months from the time this report is adopted. 4. The Ministry of Health should conduct an inventory of all ICU bed equipment delivered to the regional referral hospitals and report back to Parliament in three months from the time this report is adopted. Installation of oxygen plants in regional referral hospitals and the distribution of oxygen cylinders up to health centres IV The Ministry of Health reported to the committee that the Government procured and delivered 20 new oxygen plants to national referral hospitals, regional referral hospitals, and Bombo Military General Hospital. The procurement of four new oxygen plants for Hoima, Lira, Mbale, and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospitals had not yet been concluded (see Annex IX). In addition, the Government had procured and distributed 10,000 cylinders across the country to all levels of health facilities up to health centres IV, as indicated in Annex X. However, the committee found out that none of the newly procured oxygen plants at the various regional referral hospitals visited was operational. For instance, in Buhinga, the plant was yet to be installed; in Mbarara, Masaka and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, construction of the infrastructure meant to accommodate the Oxygen Plants had not yet been completed. The UPDF Engineering, in the case of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, handled this. Additionally, the Ministry of Health indicated to the committee that the newly procured oxygen plants could not operate on the low- capacity transformers currently in the regional referral hospitals. It required Shs 13.7 billion to upgrade the transformers and voltage stabilisers to a capacity sufficient to run the oxygen plants in all regional referral hospitals. Of this, the

That is where I am taking you, Madam Speaker. There is this particular one with the chairman mispronounced. It is called Kyarwabuganda Health Centre III. Out of a requirement of 55 staff, they only had two. Then there is this one in Lira. It is called –

Madam Speaker, with all due respect, I would concur with you 100 per cent on my shortcomings in that second language. However, I would like to be educated here about this ghost because if the truth of the matter is that a hospital like the one in Lira has only one health worker, and is incomplete, would you qualify that to be a health facility, honestly speaking? That is a ghost. That is the kind of interpretation I am giving to this. A whole health facility has one health worker. The health facility, Madam Speaker, is called –

Madam Speaker, I do not know about Akokoro Health Centre IV. I have represented Lira municipality and Lira City. My ancestral home may be in Akokoro, but I do not know about Akokoro Health Centre IV. The point here that I want the honourable minister to fully appreciate is that I was in this Parliament –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. If I can move to the issue of the oxygen plants, 24 high-capacity oxygen plants were procured. However, the oxygen plants for Lira, Mbale, Mbarara, and Hoima were procured by the Global Fund, not the Government of Uganda, and they came in after, not at the same time as the government ones. To date, 15 oxygen plants have been installed and are working. Nine are not. This is because each installation requires a transformer, which the Ministry of Energy was not able to provide. Parliament provided for some, and for the others, we are still waiting for the money. The Chairperson of the Committee on Health has pushed for this several times, but it is true that it consumes a lot of power. We have been pushing that the hospitals be put on the industrial line if we are to maintain them. We have yet to have a breakthrough with this request. The issue of the intensive care unit beds. Madam Speaker, you will recall that this funding was provided at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, we needed intensive care unit beds and oxygen as urgently as possible for the patients. Therefore, they were procured with the intention of having to install them in existing buildings. Some were installed, some were impossible. To date, Parliament has provided funding to construct ICUs at Jinja, Masaka, Mbale, Arua, Hoima, and Kabale. The rest, not yet. We have been requesting, and it is there in our budget. When you go through it, you will

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would also like to thank the minister and the ministry, for that matter, for maintaining the Kotido-Moroto murram road under your courtesy. However, I would like to inform and remind the minister that there is a road from Kotido, via Abim, Amuria, Kotido, Abim and Otuke, which is in a very deplorable state and yet, we are now receiving heavy rains. This is a road that is mainly used by buses from Kotido to Kampala, Soroti and Lira, but they get stuck

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

Thank you. I also want to refer the honourable Leader of the Opposition (LOP) to page 310 on Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services. It does not only refer to roads but also looks at the standard gauge railway, and then the meter-gauge railway. Both the standard gauge railway and meter-gauge railway pass through the east: Tororo, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Kagwara – let us not be mean to the country. All these are in the east. As leaders, let us represent all the people of this country.

Yes, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Let me correct that impression that the road is going to end in Jinja. That road, as I said, is our artery. It is the aorta of this country. It goes up to Malaba. The road is going to be joined with the rehabilitation of the road from Kamdini- Lira-Soroti-Mbale-Tororo. You can see the whole network will be linked. Remember, we are also rehabilitating the railway line from Tororo. So far, the old meter gauge has reached Soroti heading to Gulu. The railway line from Kampala to Malaba is already functional. The standard gauge will start as soon as the contractor finishes the mobilisation and setting his camps for the works to start; so we are addressing the whole country. On the issue of liabilities from Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), I agree. When you inherit, you inherit liabilities and assets. There are some liabilities we inherited. Among them was the issue of compensation of the Project

Yes, Madam Speaker. Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road is a big challenge and as it slopes down in Kalongo, the terrain is very challenging and I know the district cannot manage. We shall ensure that Kitgum station addresses the issue of the Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road. On the Pajule-Pader-Patongo Road, under the project we are doing now; Rwekunye- Apac-Lira-Puranga Road on the section of the Puranga-Acholibur Road, we are going to have a loop to Pader District through Pajule. So that will address the Pajule issue and some tarmac into Pader. Madam Speaker, Pader is just like Kalungu. There is no tarmac in Pader. Tarmac goes like this - but we will get there. Obongi Ferry is not in a very good state. We need to have a full rehabilitation of the ferry. Hopefully, when we start the construction of the Laropi Bridge, we shall relieve that more serviceable ferry and bring it downwards. The Koch Goma Bridge is under the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) in the Prime Minister’s Office so I cannot respond on that. Lira-Otuke-Abim-Kotido Road is the road in the National Development Plan (NDP) IV. We will see whether we go through Achanpi or we first go to Kotido to Abim through Lira. Otherwise, we may eventually go to Achanpi and down to Soroti. Madam Speaker, Kotido-Moroto-Kaabong Road is a tourism project. Already, the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the contractor who did the Entebbe Expressway, is in discussions with the finance ministry to pre-finance the project all the way from Moroto, Kotido-Kaabong-Karenga and up to Kidepo. Regarding the challenges of the station in Moyo, Madam Speaker, I do not think they have a lot of challenges. The challenge has been the delay to enable them to work, but that one we are resolving. The station managers who are out there are very industrious. They want to work. Once we solve this issue of them being allowed to operate their accounts, I think you will see a difference. Regarding the Karugutu-Ntoroko Road, there is already a contractor; Afcons, who is supposed to do that road. It has taken a while because, I think, again, of funding mechanisms. However, this is an oil road. It is package four of the oil road. It is going to be done soon because we are doing Lusalira-Nkonge now to Lumegere to Sembabule. So when we do that, Afcons will also come and do Karugutu-Ntoroko. Therefore, the maintenance of Fort Portal- Bundibugyo is critical because that is the only route which the people of Bundibugyo have. We have also China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) on that route to do a framework contract for maintenance up to Lamia. What are the adaptive engineering technologies which we are adopting to ensure that our roads survive the vagaries of nature? These are things which we do most of the time. All our projects, 90 per cent of them, must have the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) done and through that, we ensure

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

No, they are ten cities. They are: Arua, Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Hoima and Lira. Those are operational, out of the 15. Now, five cities are the ones which are not operational.

Madam Speaker, we received questions from a number of Members. 1. Hon. Stella Atyang, the Woman Representative, Moroto, raised an issue that the X-ray in Moroto Referral Hospital, scanning machines, and newly constructed oxygen plants in Moroto Referral Hospital are non-functional. Her question is, when will the Ministry of Health help to repair, replace the scanning and oxygen machines and also functionalise the newly constructed oxygen plant at Moroto Referral Hospital? My response: Madam Speaker, the contract for the maintenance of X-rays and the ultrasound was awarded and the spare parts ordered for. The imaging equipment was repaired and made functional on 15 March 2025. Furthermore, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, procured a new X-ray machine, which has already arrived at the Ministry of Health stores. It will be installed in the next two weeks. Madam Speaker, the old oxygen plant was repaired and is now functional, as I have already told you. The Government is in the process of procuring an adequately sizable transformer and voltage power stabiliser under the Ministry of Energy in order for the high- capacity oxygen plant to be made functional. The current oxygen plants in Mbale, Soroti, and Lira are functional, and they are able to produce over 500 cylinders of oxygen per day, which can be supplied to Moroto in case of any high demand. 2. Hon. Akugizibwe Aled Roland (MP, Buruli County, Masindi District) The Ibaralibi-Alimugonza-Kitanyata Road (24.4 km) is in Buruli County and connects two sub-counties of Pakanyi and Kiruli, running through 11 villages. This road was recommended by Masindi District Local Government to be worked upon by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) under the Agricultural Cluster Development Project (ACDP) in 2018. The road has five major chokes and as such, is totally impassable and so far, eight people have died on this road by running water. Seven years down the road, it has not been fixed and the district does not have the resources to work on this road. That he has raised the issue of this road on this Floor more than thrice, but nothing is forthcoming. His prayer is that MAAIF should come and work on this road so that people in this area can enjoy like other Ugandans, bearing in mind that a road is one of the main enablers of development. Madam Speaker, my response is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, through ACDP, contracted M/S Doramine Enterprise to work on specific road chokes for both Kiryandongo and Masindi Districts. The contractor commenced works in Kiryandongo District but due to its limited financial capacity, they did not complete the works as required. Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has consequently decided to procure another contractor and

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

17497 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 Ssembabule-Mateete-Mbiriizi with a branch to Kibinge-Kyabakuza; Myanzi-Kasanda-Kiboga – abantu bange abe Kassanda akalulu mukatereeze; Kikagate Kitwe-Mirama Hill – Mama was about to kill me on this one here. Kati mponye; Kabiingo-Rugaaga-Magabi-Rakai; Luweero-Butalangwa-Ngoma-Bulyamusenyi- Masindi; Kayunga-Bbale-Galiraya. I am going to get additional money for these roads because we have been talking about them for a long time. These will be in addition to the completion of the following roads: 92km Muyembe- Nakapiripirit and 25 kilometres of service roads; 21km Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions, 26 kilometres of Tororo-Busia Road and Mayuge and Busia Town Roads, 6.6 kilometres of Kawuku-Bwerenga Road, the 100-kilometre Apac-Lira-Puranga road – these are already being worked on. They are going to be finished – and 1.6 kilometres to Namugonde-Bugiri fuel tank reservoir. The roads for maintenance or reconstruction include – 1. Kampala-Jinja Highway – 72 kilometres; 2. Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima – 145 kilometres; 3. Mityana-Mubende Road – 86 kilometres; and Mubende-Kyenjojo Road, 95 kilometres; 4. Mityana Town roads – 14 kilometres – ab’eMityana mutereze akalulu banange. Buno obuli eyo tebulina kyebukola, butabula. Muleta obusajjasajja – 5. Alwii-Nebbi Road – 33 kilometres – this is in West Nile - Pakwach and Nebbi Town roads; 6. Olwiyo-Pakwach Road – 62 kilometres; 7. Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka – 41 kilome - tres – (Applause) Waliyo akasajja eyo e’Nakaseke. Abantu bange, mutereze ebigambo ebyo, obusajja obwo bugende bukole ebirala. 8. Tororo-Mbale-Soroti. This is a long one. 9. Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini Road – 189 kilometres. These are ongoing already. 10. Karuma-Olwiyo – 43 kilometres; 11. Masaka-Kyotera-Mutukula Road – 89 kilometres; 12. Nyendo-Villa Maria Road – 11 kilometres; 13. Access Roads – 7 kilometres and rehabilitation of 166 kilometres equivalent of national roads that have reached their service life. What they call “service life” is zikadiye . The strategic bridges to be prioritised – there is a road in Mpigi, Kasanje – aka’town akalala bakayita batya? Kisubi. Waliwo aka town eyo munda akalala; Nakawuka. Elyo sirilabye wano. Tulina okuriteekako nalyo. Naye abantu batereze obululu banange. The strategic bridges - so I will have to add that road. I thought we had started on it. The strategic bridges to be prioritised in the next financial year include the Sezibwa Bridge along Kalagi-Kayunga Road, Katonga Bridge, Lwera Swamp, and Kalandazi Swamp. Electricity In 1986, the whole country had only one hydropower plant; Nalubaale, formerly called Owen Falls Dam, built by the British in 1954, and commissioned by our late auntie, Queen Elizabeth, with the maximum capacity of 150 megawatts of hydroelectricity. There are now four large hydropower plants at Nalubaale, Kiira, Isimba and Karuma, with a combined generation capacity of 1,163 megawatts. Other sources such as Kigwabya and XsaboKonge Solar Power in Mubende have added another 888 megawatts. This brings the total installed electricity generation capacity to 2,052 megawatts. However, given the growing electricity demand arising from the new manufacturers, this is very inadequate and the available capacity will run out in about five years from now. When people talk of surplus, there is no surplus. It will very soon be overtaken.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for that guidance. As we speak, apparently we have lost most of this public land due to a lot of fraudulent processes that have been done to dispose of them. Development happens on land, not in the air. Therefore, for purposes of this particular request by KCCA that has been brought to the attention of the Parliament, I ask honourable colleagues that we support and authorise them to go ahead and dispose them off because due diligence has been done by the committee, and the purpose for which it is going to be disposed of is very clear to us. In the cities of Mbarara, Kampala, Lira, Soroti, Gulu and Arua, most public land has been fraudulently disposed of. We should put our feet on the ground and form a committee so that we are able to go through them. If we do not do that and this process of disposing of public land in a fraudulent way continues, the Government will lose a lot of public land. Madam Speaker, it is also true that we cannot leave this public land in the cities redundant for long, yet we can authorise investment on it. You cannot talk about development when there is no land. As long as there is due diligence and

17330 MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET, 2025/2026 c) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road – Shs 166.25 billion; d) Kisoro-Nkuringo-Rubugiri-Muko Road - Shs 1,260.98 billion; that is a long road; e) Moyo-Yuumbe-Koboko Road – Shs 125.08 billion; f) The rehabilitation of Mityana-Mubende Road (100 kilometres) - Shs 21 billion; g) Proposed upgrading of Kyenjojo (Kiruhura) Bwizi-Rwamwanja-Kahunge (68 kilometres), Mpara-Bwizi (37 kilometres) – Shs 109.14 billion; h) The upgrading of Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli Road (57.2 kilometres) Shs 42.55 billion. Colleagues, the list of the high impact projects is in the report; i) There is also Rehabilitation of District, Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR), which will continue under the Ministry of Works and Transport. So, DUCAR roads - Shs 91.78 billion; j) The road fund management has also been given Shs 91.78 billion. On tourism, colleagues, following the ATEINI strategy, tourism has been boosted. Tourism Development a) Shs 11.16 billion for the Mount Rwenzori tourism infrastructure. This includes improving the existing trails and establishing shorter ones, improving the existing bridges, taking into consideration the issue of the flash floods, providing eco-friendly accommodation facilities, improving the safety of tourists by establishing rest points along the trails, among others; b) Shs 21.52 billion for the development of the museums and heritage sites for cultural tourism; and c) Shs 10.15 billion for the development of the source of the Nile tourism infrastructure that includes construction of the modern piers, docking places for boats and other amenities. Human Capital Development On health, a few highlights are here. Some of the highlights include: i) Shs 1,012.19 billion for the Global Fund for Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria; ii) Shs 194.2 billion for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) vaccines and health sector development; iii) Shs 57.89 billion towards Uganda COVID-19 response and emergency preparedness; iv) Shs 65.65 billion for the construction and equipping of the Uganda Heart Institute; v) Shs 42.14 billion towards infrastructure development at Uganda Cancer Institute; vi) Shs 116.94 billion towards rehabilitation and construction of general hospitals. This is a new resource to all the general hospitals in the country. A sum of Shs 116.94 billion has been allocated for construction and rehabilitation; and vii) Shs 30.75 billion for the establishment of regional oncology and diagnostic centres in Arua, Mbale and Mbarara; viii) Shs 623.51 billion for essential medicines and health supplies for all health centres, general hospitals, regional referral hospitals and national referral hospitals. Colleagues, it is worth noting that the Ministry for Finance has restored Shs 100 billion of the fund that was removed from National Medical Stores last year. It has been restored into the budget and this is really a great development; we thank the ministry for that. Education a) Shs 244.94 billion towards the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project Phase 2; b) Shs 12.87 billion towards the development of the Primary Schools Project; c) Shs 54.44 billion towards funding the Vocational Projects Phase 2; and d) Shs 7 billion towards the Uganda National Examination Board infrastructure project.

17350 MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET, 2025/2026 The first issue is; are people in the Government really thinking or do they go to the dictionary, pick words and give the minister to come and present here? These are the realities we have to check. Secondly, if you are talking about the strategy itself – agro-industrialisation and tourism – I want to fault the Government for thinking that tourism is national parks and watching animals. When we apply for visas to visit some of these countries, which visa do they give you? A tourist visa. If there is a place in Uganda that requires support for tourism development, it is Kampala because everyone comes here for a visit. It is the urban centres that we have and it is the facilities within the urban centres which people come to see. In Lira City, for example, we have tourists who come from Agago and Abim on a daily basis to visit Lira and go back. There are so many tourists who come to Kampala for this visit. The point I am raising is we should depart – (Hon. Amos Okot rose_)

h) Enhancing Agricultural Production, Quality and Standards for Market Access Project (MAAIF) - UGX 117.35bn r) National Oil Seeds Project (MAAIF) - UGX 83.46ba j) Uganda Climate Smart Agriculhrral Ttansformation Project (MAAIF) - UGX 176.32bt, Lf Coffee seedlings to Northern Uganda - UGX 6Obn Transpott Infrastnrctule Developneat: 1) Constnrction of Standard Gauge Railway - UGX 21175,.29 blllloa; 2) Constnrction, upgrade and rehabilitation of national roads and bridges - UGX 2r20l.g4 blllloa. Some of these include: a) Hoima- Wanseko Road - UGX 185.47 b) Constmction of 66 Selected Bridges - UGX 30.61bn; c) Rwenlnrnye -Apac- Lira -Acholibur Road - UGX 166.25bn; d) Kisoro-Nkuringo-Rubugiri-Muko Road - UGX 1r260.9tbn; e) Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko road - UGX 125.OEbn; 0 Rehabilitation of Mityana-Mubende Road (lOOKm) - UGX 2lbn g) Pnoposed upgrading of Kyenjojo (Kihura)- Bwizi-Rwamwanja- I(atrunge (68Km) /Mpara-Bwizi(37Km) - UGX 109. 14bn h) Upgrading of Iganga-Bulopa-Ikmuli Road (57.2Km) - UGX42.55ba 4. Rehabilitation of District, Urban and Community access roads (DUCARI will continue under the Ministry of lVorks and Ttansport - UGX 91.78bnf 5. Road F\rnd Management - UGX 91.78bn TbltttEntDetnloprnsnt a) UGX 11.16bn for the Mt. Rwenzori Tourism Infrastnrcture. This improving the existing trails and establishing shorter ones, the existing bridges tahing into consideration of the flush floods, providing more ecofriendly accommodation facilities, improving safety of tourists by establishing rest points along the trails, among others. b) UGX 21.52bn for the development of Museums and Heritage Sites for Cultural Tor.rrism c) UGX 10.15ba for the development of Source of the Nile tor.rrism \$ infrastnrcture that includes for boats, and other amenities. piers, docking places ag e6 q + 1 I

Voto D.slgth flant{5ffi@Ol 151 Umnda Blood Ttansfusion Service ruBfSl 40.012.930 153 Rrblic Pnocuremerrt & Disposal of Assets PPDAI 25.382,O74 154 Uganda National Bureatr of Standards (UNBSI 96.3L9.774 156 Usanda Ianrd Commission rurcI 77.483.347 t57 National Forestry AuthoritvNFAl 25,372,421 158 Internal Securitv Organization (ISOI 223.119.370 159 Extcrnal SesuriU Organization (ESOI 138.055.477 163 Ueanda Retirements Benefits Reculatory Authoritv L2,544,833 L64 National Council for Higher Education 15.040.773 166 National Council of Sports 51.686.604 t67 Science, Technolorry and Innoration 320.645.439 168 Uganda Fneezones and Drport Pnomotion Authority 13.407,400 169 Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessrnent Board 59.364.482 301 Makerere UnftrcrsiB 352,491,158 302 !4barara University 66.L28,263 303 Makererre Uni\rersity Business Sctrool 152.792.270 304 Kyanbogo Unftrcrsitv L47,329,059 305 EUsiterra Unftrcrsity 61.397.305 306 Muni Unft/crcity 35.646.403 307 I(abale Unftrcrsitv 66,494,406 308 Soroti Unirrcrsity 41,489.749 3(x) Gulu UnftrcrsiB 77.349.889 310 Lira Unftrcrsitv 41.429,L35 311 law Development Ccntte. 33.826.230 3L2 Uganda Management Instihrtc 40.390.085 313 Mountains of the Moon Unftrcrsitv I 4t.o97.366 401 Mulaso National Rcferral Hospital 103,968,487 402 --, Butabika s a I

Votc ' . '- _-':i'- UculnUo rmrt(UGXOOOI RGfGrrl Horpltdt 403 Arua Hoqrital 11,525,914 404 Fort Fortal Hospital 12.943.6L9 405 Gulu Hospital L4.57L.970 406 Hoima Hospital 13,313,426 407 Jinja Hospital 18.335.966 408 Kabale Hospital 12.100.368 409 Masaka Hospital 13,452,7L2 410 Mbale Hospital 16,738.569 4Lt Soroti Hospital 9.9t2.492 412 Lira Hospital L5.522.676 413 Mbarara Recional Hospital 18,645,268 4t4 Mubende Rcsional Referral Hospital L2.292.t33 415 Monoto Resional Rcferrd Hospital 11.150.847 4L6 Nacuru Referral Hospital L4,902,927 417 Kinrddu Refenal Hospital 27.401.331 418 I(awern c Rcferral Hospital 26.564.466 4t9 Entebbe Reeional Referral Hoepital 17.281,838 420 Mulaso Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 30.925.771 42L Karrunga Referraf Hospital 14.772.948 422 H Yumbe Referral ffudoar Abroad 1 501 Ugqnda Mission at the United Nations, New York 18.306.699 502 Uganda High CotDrlission in the United Kinedom L5.640.947 503 Uganda High Comrnisaion in Canada . Ottawa 10.323.859 504 Uganda High Cornrnission in India. New Delhi 8,877,777 505 Qgrnrniggign i11 1 506 in Tanzania , Dar es gnlaarn \ 12.790.806 507 Ugand**IiEh Qsrnrnisgiqn in Niqeria. Abuia /'a^, \ 6,699,770 ( ,$ t 2,A # -ffuT a8e

Votc eoAf,iltoa rmil|Uq*omT t46 Rrblic Service Counission (PSCI 2,541,500 t47 Local Crovemmcnt Finance Corraission(LGFCl 1,500,000 148 Judicial Service Corrmission(JSCI 2,496,31O 150 Nationd Envinonment Manasemcnt Authoritv NEMAI 8,130,148 151 Uganda Blood Ttansfirsion Service (LrBTSl 4,L26,676 153 Rrblic Procurement & Disposal of Assets IPPDA) 1.295.400 154 Uganda National Bureau of Standards fi.INBSl 35,550,000 156 Ustnda I:nd Cornrnission rurc| 26,920,OOO 157 NAgeqd Forestnr AuthoritvNFAl 2t.287.691 158 I4tE41tel Security Organization (ISO) 10,241,000 159 External Security Organization (ESOI 702.O72 163 qp4dajgtir€Eents Benefits Rcgulatory Authoritv 720,OOO L64 Natiorml Council for Highcr Eclucation 100.000 166 National Council of Sports 45t.226903 167 Science, Technologtr and Innovation 40.998.100 168 Usanda Freezones a4d Drport Pnomotion Authority 2.357.698 169 Uganda Vocational end Technical Assess"rent Board r0.330.876 301 Makerere U4iircrsity 33.9L9.237 302 Mbarara UnfuersiB 34.740.706 303 Makerere UniversiBBusiness Sctrool 1.881.595 304 Kyanbogo Unftrcrsity 3.989.831 305 Busitema Unfuersjty LL.404.826 306 Muni Unftrcrsity 3,768.286 307 IGbale UniversitV 2.056.269 308 Soroti Unftrcrsitll 10.987.980 309 Gulu Unftmsity 2L.836.718 310 Lira Unfuersity 4.412.239 311 law Derrclopment Centne. 4.357.193 3L2 Uganda Mana8ement Instihrte 313 Mountains of the It@oqUnfurcrsity 5.151.599 401 Mulago National Rsferral Hospital 23.3t5.487 402 ffi Butabika R.fcErl 403 Arua 4,790,096 404 Fort Portal Hospitel A ) 114,518 405 ) Gnlu Hospitat -^ /-K ',lJ w_ 108,000 52 lPa \s & ^*dE'. It

Vot :, utilttfffm frffid(UAXmO'l 406 Hoima Hospital r08.000 407 Jinja Hospital 108.000 408 Kabale Hospital 108.000 409 Masaka Hospital 108.000 410 Mbate Hospital 1.408.000 4LL Soroti Hospital 108.OO0 4t2 Lira Hospital 108.O00 4L3 Mbarara Reeional Hospital 108.000 4L4 I&leode Reeional Rcferral Hospital 135.000 415 Moroto Regional Referrat Hospital 130.139 4L6 Nqgq4LLReferral Hospital 7.2L6.OOO 4L7 IEryddfr Referral Hospital 1.377.O00 418 I(awem.pe Refql Hospital 810,OOO 419 Entebbe Resional Beferral Hospital 810.000 420 Mulaso Specializd Women and Neonatal Hospital 2,O4L.200 42L Kanrnm Referraf Hospital 300,000 422 I flrloar Abrocd 501 Uganda Mission at the Unitcd Nations, New Yo,rk 1.092,000 502 Umnda Hish ConEission in the United Kinsdom 503 Usanda Hish Commission in Canada. Ottawa 17,687.4L3 504 Umnda Histl ComEission in lrdia. New Deltri 505 Uganda Hisb Commission in lGtrya,Nairobi 3,390.O00 506 Usanda Hinh Commission in Tanzania . Dar es Salaam 6,390,000 so7 Uganda High Cpmmission in Nigeria, Abuja 508 Uganda High Commksion in South Africa, Pletoria 150,000 509 Uganda Hiih Commission in Rtrnanda, Kigali 510 Uganda Embassy in the United States , Washington 511 Upnda Embassy in Egrpt, Cair! 5L2 Ueanda Embassv in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa 513 Uganda Embassy in China. BeiiinE lt. 514 UFnaa Embassrr in Snilzerlsnd. Geneva utl 400,000 515 Uganda Embassy in Japan. Tokyo WD 516 5L7 Uganda Embassy in Denmark, Copenhagen ,f -H I 7 518 uganda EmbaEsrrin Belsium, Brussels /V \ ' 7 \-- 4.g68.s87 N s N$ a 53 d

17249 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA W EDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2025 cost, compared to waiting until the road requires full rehabilitation later on down the road. If no periodic maintenance activities are done on the national road network in the Financial Year 2025/2026, projections indicate that, in addition, 500 kilometres of paved roads, currently in fair condition, will degrade to the point of requiring full rehabilitation. This loss in asset value, Madam Speaker, has been estimated at around Shs 1.007 trillion over that financial year, that is, 2025/2026. My prayer, Madam Speaker, is that, together, the challenges I have described require urgent intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of the current funding shortfalls. I propose the following strategy to help mitigate this, and we have shared this with the different committees: 1. Provide additional resources to enable contractors on the ongoing projects such as Mityana-Mubende, Kampala-Jinja, Karuma- Pakwach, Najjanankumbi-Busabala, Kira- Matugga, Tororo-Busia, to complete them on schedule; 2. Providing funds for land acquisition and counterpart funding for ongoing externally financed projects to ensure the external resources are not left lying idle. For example, Rwekunye-Apac, Lira-Puranga, Muyembe-Nakapiripirit, Kiruhura-Kamwenge, Namagumba-Budadiri, just to mention but a few; 3. Provide funds for key maintenance projects such as in Mbarara-Ishaka, Nebbi-Arua, Mubende-Kyenjojo, et cetera, and emergency bridge repairs; 4. Provide funds for payment of outstanding arrears to reduce the accumulation of interest and maintain the service providers’ confidence in the Government’s commitment to pay for works done; 5. Prioritisation of funding for maintenance and ensuring funds are released in a predictable manner to enable proper planning for maintenance activities. Assurances Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Transport commits to conducting road safety inspections at all work zones to ensure that adequate warnings in the form of signage and other safety devices are installed. The ministry will also continue to conduct inspections of black spots across the road network to install mitigation measures to ensure that the safety of our road users is guaranteed. Madam Speaker, I would like to assure you and all the honourable members that the Ministry of Works and Transport is committed to utilising the allocated resources in the most effective manner possible for reliable and safe works, transportation infrastructure and services. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam speaker. I am a Catholic Christian from Lira Diocese. This is what I can say about Pope Francis; he was the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the world. He was a public figure and a world figure. What I remember about Pope Francis was that he was always concerned about the poor, about refugees and climate change. He was always concerned about Catholic projects in the world, which is a very important thing. The Pope, as I remember and it is very important that we pay this tribute because he visited Uganda. I remember where he stayed, in Mbuya; as a Catholic we would line up there in the evenings when he gets back to his residence to wave and smile at him. He urged leaders to work very hard - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I appreciate the Prime Minister for this motion. The life of the late pontiff was a remarkable one to we, who were his followers- I picked one thing; When my Bishop of Lira Diocese returned from the Vatican, I thought he had brought something very special and I visited him. However, he told us that Pope Francis requested that we should pray for him, yet I thought we needed him to pray for us. The spirit and the humility in the person of the Pope was a good lesson that all of us should look at and follow. May his soul rest in peace.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the committee for the well-elaborated presentation. On behalf of the people of Lango, we would like to thank the Government for the Apac-Rwenkunye road and the rehabilitation of the Soroti-Kamdini Road. Lango is the third highest payer of taxes in this country, but our road bitumen coverage is three per cent, and these are mainly roads that the former Governments constructed. Since the inception of this Government, it has constructed only the Apac-Rwenkunye Road. I request that the Lira-Aloi-Abim-Kotido Road be especially put in this budget. This has been in the manifesto for two consecutive terms. There was even a time we were called for a handover; the ministry disappeared up to date. This would boost business because we have enough industries to supply northern Uganda. We need a connection. Thank you so much. (Applause)

17155 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 III, where work had already started. Things like valuation, the technical work that people do, but the same roads are in NDP IV. However, what is coming from the report of the committee is that some of the roads, which we had already started, have not been captured in the report, and are also not in the budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026. For example, honourable minister, you know the Lira-Aloi- Otuke-Abim-Kotido Road, which honourable Linda referred to, is 179 kilometres covering six districts of Lira City, Lira, Alebtong, Otuke, Abim and Kotido. How come after the work has been done - because we were excited. That was the first tarmac road that was going to pass through some of our places. You did the valuation, and people were waiting to be compensated - we were expecting now for the graders to start working, but they are not even in the plan. How do we defend the plan of the Government, which is in the NRM manifesto and the NDP III and IV? Mr Speaker, we need to look at the list again. As the Committee on Budget, we shall align it with NDP IV and see how we arrived at some of them – (Member timed out.)

17176 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 Soroti University The committee recommends that finance ministry allocates Shs 10 billion to Soroti University to support the new academic programmes that the university intends to run in the 2025/2026 Financial Year. Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development continues to support the university in the medium term with additional funding in order to complete most of the construction projects. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Water and Environment provides a solution to the degazettement of the Gulu Central Forest Reserve to enable the establishment of the university hospital. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Education and Sports, in liaison with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, process the land title and the finance ministry avails funds in a phased manner with an initial allocation of Shs 7 billion. Lira University The committee recommends that finance ministry provides Shs 9 billion for the completion of the main administration block and Shs 10 billion to kick start the Lira University infrastructural project. The Uganda Management Institute (UMI) It lacks funds to improve infrastructure in its different campuses. Recommendation The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates to UMI a budget of Shs 15.2 billion, in a phased manner starting next financial year, to enable the institute to undertake its capital development, and Shs 2 billion to disseminate its research outputs. Mountain of the Moon University The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates: i) An additional Shs 5.19 to increase staffing levels, especially the number of professionals at the university from the current; ii) An additional Shs 6.5 billion for contractual obligations for the construction of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Science lecture complex; and iii) Shs 4 billion for full implementation of the Mountain of the Moon Research Agenda, to enable the university to conduct transformative and scientific research for community, national development, as well as establishment and provision of materials and equipment for the incubation centre. Mr Speaker, the rest are details and I would like to conclude. I beg to move that the budget for the education, sports, and skills subprogramme for Financial Year 2025/2026 be approved. I beg to move. (Applause)

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I thank the committee for recommending that Lira University be given an additional Shs 19 billion. This is a university with an incomplete administration block. It is a very serious issue. When we talk about research, we need a library to support that aspect, for many students who are willing to take it up. Number two, Mr Speaker, I add my voice to the skills and sports development sector, which remains lagging behind. Many times, our sports ladies and gentlemen qualify for the international tournaments, but they always lack funding. The committee is advocating for Shs 8 billion for these international tournaments. Many times they borrow money. Sometimes they run to Parliament. How I wish this time around we could close this gap. My third concern, Mr Speaker, is about the disparity between the arts and science teachers. Arts teachers get Shs 900,000 vis-a-vis the Shs 4 million that science teachers get. This is a country for all of us. There are children who have strength in arts and others in sciences. This is the right moment for us, as Parliament, to bridge this gap. Finally, on the issue of the Primary Teachers’ Colleges (PTCs) that have been closed, Madam Minister, what are we going to do with this gap left behind? Lastly, honourable minister, we have Acaba Subcounty without a secondary school yet – (Member timed out.)

16951 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 appropriating Shs 39.77 billion to Biyinzika Enterprise Limited. The committee notes that fine spinners received Shs 30 billion in the Financial Year 2024/2025 and that Shs 30 billion has been proposed in Financial Year 2025/2026, out of Shs 31 billion that was required. Other projects, like Lira Spinning Mill, which required Shs 59 billion to purchase and revamp the factory and undertake the spinning of the farmers’ cotton, have no proposed allocation despite a feasibility study being completed. The committee notes that while enterprises like Bundibugyo Cocoa processing factory have completed a feasibility study, no proposed allocation has been made for the Financial Year 2025/2026. The ministry informed the committee that UDC lacks sufficient capitalisation and requires Shs 5 billion to fulfil its mandate. Recommendations for UDC The committee recommends that Government capitalises UDC with additional funding in the short to medium term to enable term to enable it invest in appraised projects. The committee further recommends that the proposed allocation through UDC to Biyinzika Enterprise Limited and Fine Spinners be reallocated as follows: The allocation of Shs 39.77 billion to Biyinzika Enterprise will be deferred as the committee undertakes due diligence on the proposed investment. It was reallocated as follows: 1. Uganda Shs 6 billion should be reallocated to Bundibugyo Cocoa factory to support its start-up, promote the export of value- added cocoa as opposed to raw materials, and earn the country higher economic returns from the cocoa value chain. 2. Shs 4 billion should be reallocated to invest in a chlorine manufacturing plant, improving the country’s trade balance through a reduction in the cost of importing chlorine, a key ingredient in wastewater treatment, pure water treatment, and disinfectants. 3. Shs 25 billion be allocated to Fine Spinners Limited to fulfil its obligation in a phased manner and enable investment in other projects. E, page 49 4. Shs 10 billion be reallocated to Lira Spinning Mill to initiate the purchase and revamping of the factory to undertake the spinning of farmer’s cotton in Northern Uganda. 5. Shs 5 billion be allocated to Luwero Food Factory to start up investment since the feasibility study and the business plans were completed. 6. Shs 5 billion be relocated to Nwoya Fruit Factory to start master designs, environment and social impact assessment and geological studies and preliminary site preparation. 7. Shs 6.7 billion be allocated to the Iron Ore processing to save the importation of iron and improve the country’s trade balance through a reduction in the cost of importation of iron ore. 8. Shs 8 billion, be allocated to Sanga VET to purchase active ingredients, special equipment and working capital for manufacturing of animal drugs and acaricides. Management and Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) Recommendations of MTAC The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development ensures that MTAC’s budgetary provision is

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Through you, I thank the committee chairperson and members for a wonderful report. However, it gave me deep insight into Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), and especially the part the money for Luwero Fruit Factory, Nwoya Fruit Factory, Lira Spring Mill, Bundibugyo Cocoa Project and others is channelled through UDC to facilitate those particular industries. At the beginning of this political term, in Busoga, where we are challenged with sugarcane growing, we sat as MPs, we are 42, including the first Deputy Prime Minister, the second and others, and resolved that Government should help us establish a sugar mill that is owned by the people. The finance minister came and participated, and what we saw immediately was a release of about Shs 2.5 billion for a feasibility study. But even when that study has been done, I can see in this policy statement and in the report that the sugar mill that was promised to the people of Busoga is not there. We know how serious the sugar business in Busoga is. Right now, there is a war between the farmers and the millers over how much sugar you can get from 100 tonnes of cane. Whereas the farmers say it is 10 tons, the millers say it is 8. This has implications on how much you pay for the cane. These are serious things, for which the biggest solution would have been a factory owned by the people. Looking at the number of trucks that are supplied in Busoga, 2,000 trucks a day, each truck carrying 10 tonnes, if we are to charge just 5,000 shillings per tonne, we would generate Shs 100 million per day and in a year, Shs 36.5 billion would be generated.

The benefits are really many, because we are creating jobs and wealth for these people who are going to be growing cotton. We are buying 40 per cent of the shareholding in Fine Spinners Uganda Limited. For every company that we get interested in, where we know that we are going to make money, we buy shares. The proceeds from this investment are for Ugandans. We are doing business with them. That is the point. The last was about the sugar factory in Busoga. We are making good progress. We have purchased land and done all the feasibility studies. We need Shs 134 billion to start a serious sugar factory in Busoga. That is what we are proposing to have. The second was on Lira Millers Limited, which I have seen that you have recommended. Lira Millers Limited is a private company. They want the Government to purchase it at $8 million, before we do the assessment of the investment. My opinion, Mr Speaker, is that when we reallocate and invest money, Shs 10 billion in Lira Millers Limited, when it is actually not ready to receive this money, it will not be a good decision. We would rather maintain the money where it is, and then prepare to get the resources to fund Lira Millers Limited. If Parliament says that we allocate it Shs 10 billion, when we have not yet purchased it, it will not be a proper decision. Lastly –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like confirm to you that during one of our oversight visits as Members of Parliament, I happened to attend one of the functions that UDB was undertaking after giving money to a seed company called TOTCO in Lira, Lango sub-region. This company had been in operation for a long time, but needed a major funding source to uplift their services because they are a very big grain company, and it is at that point that I realised that UDB is doing a great job for those who are playing at the levels that they are supporting. I also know that not all areas may have benefited from UDB because of the qualifications required. But I want to support UDB because I know that this time around, when they get this money, they will make the TOTCO of this country more financially stable and empower other seed companies in northern Uganda. Thank you.

16771 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025 Vote 409: Masaka Hospital – Shs 600 million The committee was informed that this hospital required Shs 600 million for running the regional equipment maintenance workshop which repairs and services medical equipment for referral hospitals and health facilities in Greater Masaka. So, the committee recommends Shs 600 million to Vote 409. Vote 417: Kiruddu National Referral Hospital – Shs 2 billion This money is needed to enable the hospital to procure dialysis consumables to cater for the increased number of patients and also support other satellite sites in Lira, Mbale and Mbarara hospitals. The committee recommends the approval of Shs 2 billion to Vote 417. Vote 505: Uganda High Commission in Kenya – Shs 1.8 billion The Uganda High Commission in Kenya provided Shs 1.8 billion as funding that will be used for remedial works on the restoration of Uganda House, which was destroyed during protests in Nairobi to avoid deterioration of the building. The committee was further informed that these funds arose from a saving from tax exemption on building materials and appreciation of Uganda shillings against the Kenya shillings. The committee, therefore, recommends approval of Shs 1.8 billion to Vote 505. Vote 600: Local Governments – Shs 9.536 billion The committee was informed that this money was provided to various local governments for additional local revenue to local governments that are projecting to collect more local revenue for the financial year. The local governments are listed in annex 1. Therefore, the committee recommends Shs 9.536 billion to various local governments, as provided in the annex. Vote 808: Amuru District – Shs 1.271 billion The committee was informed that Amuru District required Shs 1.271 billion to cover the shortfall on the verified wage bill. The committee recommends the approval of Shs 1.271 billion to Vote 808: Amuru district to cover the verified wage bill. Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 2.348 billion The committee was informed that Isingiro District required Shs 2.348 billion to cover the shortfall on the verified wage bill. The committee recommends approval of Shs 2.348 billion to Vote 808: Isingiro District to cover the shortfall on the verified wage bill. Conclusion Madam Speaker, I request that the House approves the supplementary expenditures under Schedule No.3 for Financial Year 2024/2025, totalling to Shs 4,254.968 billion, as outlined in table 3 and detailed by Vote in the supply schedules of the proposed supply schedules. I beg to report. (Applause)

We would like to thank the Speaker, the President, and the entire Parliament for approving Shs 100 billion for Akii Bua. Last week, I was in Lira and work had stalled because of resources. I do not know how they are releasing the resources. SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.3 FOR FY 2024/2025 [Mr Kateshumbwa]

“We”, but because I am a minister in the sector of education, I only wanted to make that - Madam Speaker, before I sit down, allow me to say thank you to the House for always supporting the sports subsector because what AFCON has brought for Uganda is not only going to benefit football. It is benefiting even other sports, which are not football-related. Mine is to thank you, honourable colleagues, that – I call upon you, Madam Speaker, to invite Members to visit some of the facilities that we have worked on. I also invite you to visit Hoima, Akii Bua, and we are going to Gulu, Kyambogo and Lira. All these facilities are going to be worked on. Thank you and you are most welcome. We are open to visits. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, last year we raised an issue on Aler-Kwari Rock. Aler is in between Lira District and Kole District. The project affected persons rented their land to the Government and the Government Chief Valuer approved the evaluation report. However, to our surprise, Lira District, in November 2023, titled the land. As we talk, the project affected persons have been told to evacuate the land by next month; April and yet it is customary-owned land. No action has been taken. Despite the community serving a caveat to the district land board and the Lira land zone, they went ahead and titled the land. My prayer is, the land title that Lira District local government is claiming to be freehold land must be cancelled. Two, people are suffering. They do not have where to cultivate and are requesting to be given maize and bean seeds to plant because life is really hard. (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I was wondering how – they have no land and yet they need seeds. All the same, our communities sometimes find it difficult when the districts start titling their land. It is not only in Lira, it is almost countrywide. We have a number of land tenure systems and those on public land have fallen victim. I request the honourable colleague to put this in writing so that I can get details from the district and maybe we can use the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to deregister and cancel the title. This is a very important question.

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

Yes, that the Attorney-General, who had requested for – in fact, he said that in the next sitting, he would be available to provide that list here. However, up to today, we still have a long list of those people who are incarcerated – the different categories – and the Attorney-General is not moving this Parliament in the right direction. Relatedly, Madam Speaker, this House was receiving briefings, every week, on the progress by the Executive on the implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court. It was an agreement, here, that we would be updated on the steps that they were taking. We would be happy to receive the latest update from the Attorney-General, given that we are reading so much. I am sure you have learnt – I have learnt, too – that one of the principal prisoners, Dr Besigye, is indisposed. An explanation has been made that he is actually on a hunger strike. That does not speak well because this House made a pronouncement in regard to that matter and several others who are in Karamoja, Lira and the different prisons. Would the Attorney-General honour that commitment that he made to this House that he would bring the complete list and the status of each and every person who is detained and the steps that they are taking to ensure that they access justice, Madam Speaker?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. That is where my issues now arise from. In fact, under section 19, the minister is entitled to come to Parliament to seek authorisation to transfer money from one vote to the other. There are two operational words under section 19. “Parliament may, by resolution, authorise the minister to reallocate funds from one vote to another.” When you interrogate the word “reallocate”, it means there must be something in existence. For you to be relocated from Kampala to Lira, means you have been resident in Kampala. You cannot reallocate a non-existent amount of money. (Applause) So, the minister should be telling us that this amount of money exists under Vote 119, which

But you do not have time. You can only give what you have; your time was already up. – No, honourable member, the clarification I was making was simple. These clubs do not even make money. In fact, golf clubs all over the world do not make money, but they protect the area through green spaces. Go to Fort Portal, Arua, they are the only ones – Mbarara, Kampala or Entebbe. I played golf with the Speaker of Singapore, and he said, “I really cannot believe it; I am next to a zoo, and I am in a very green area”. The oldest club in East Africa – Tororo. But in the end, if you do not support their maintenance, they will be stolen like the one of Gulu. They did not see any value; so they shared it. They built houses even in Lira. You are going to lose them. Now, they are being protected using the little money that comes from members. If you tax it, then you are taxing the land, and it will be gone. That is it. These clubs will be nowhere. In fact, you do not budget for them. They are just held in trust and protected by the public. Hon.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. When it comes to compensation, there are mainly two ways; either the tangible or intangible. When you talk of the tangible, the calculation is, at times, a big problem, according to my colleague and learned friend there. The calculations are normally not well done because, at the end of the day, when someone has lost, say, 200 cows and you pay him half a cow after maybe 30 years, it is not fair. So, the tangible kind of calculation is also not right because you are not taking into consideration inflation and everything. If somebody gave you one cow, after 30 years, you should give him maybe 20 because they would have multiplied. So, you are not taking that into consideration. I find it a bit unfair. It is not only about animals. When it comes to intangible compensation, how do we help those who have lost everything get back on their feet? I wish this country continued with its plan, where every region had its cash crops. For example, we had coffee here; northern Uganda had cotton; eastern Uganda had tea, including Mairungi . When you look at, for example, my friends from northern Uganda, you had cotton and Lira Spinning Mill. We had – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate honourable members because they were very vigilant on this matter. I wrote over 70 questions and comments because I was writing everything apart from Hon. Namugga. (Laughter) In light of the discrepancies and the submission by Hon. Mudimi, I am not an accountant, and so I think it will be best explained if my finance people can interface with the committee and go over these figures. Secondly, the honourable chairperson of the committee, Dr Abed talked about the claimants that were left out. Honourable colleagues, I need you to understand that there was an initial verification done in 2016. That is when the lists were made. But sometime later, when we had already displayed the lists and the exercise was about to begin, the President held a meeting in – there is that district between Oyam and Lira – Kole, yes! At the exact place where they buried Oyite Ojok. That is where we held the meeting. The President then said, “Even those who are not on the list, who went or did not go to court but have claims, let them file their claims.” So, people started—yes, he actually opened a Pandora’s Box, and many more claims started coming in. That is why you hear conflicting reports that, “for us who were initially claiming 10,000, now we are reporting 20,000.” As I speak, if we go by the list of 2016, in one subregion you have a particular figure, but because of the presidential directive, we have to print and issue more data cards so that many more applicants come on board. When they come on board, they are verified by the office of the DISO, GISO, CAO, and the veterinary officer. We use the veterinary officers, Mr Speaker, because we used to have livestock censuses in these areas throughout the country. There is no way - if I may use an example - if Hon. Dr Abed Bwanika claims that in 1980 he was in Oyam and he had 30,000 cows, and yet the census for Oyam had a particular number. That is how you say - I think it was Mama Hon. Betty Aol there, who said that someone is verified with 20 cows, and then they are slashed to six. The veterinary officers go into the records, and they inform the CAO, who fills in the final list and sends it to the ministry. We use the CAO as the accounting officer. If it is inflated or deflated, he is the person who can be held accountable. Do you understand? That is what causes the difference. That is why you are saying that some people are left out. The exercise is still ongoing. You talked of picking data cards from Karamoja. Mr Speaker, I got a specific directive from the President on Karamoja; he says he knows the protected kraals that were raided, and that he will write and give us guidance. If you send out data cards, everybody will fill it and file a claim, including those who did not. That is what it is all about. Mr Speaker, the issues were many, though most of them were cross-cutting indeed - issues of policy which we are going to take under advisement and several others. Thank you very much.

15723 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 23 JANUARY 2025 provides that every Ugandan shall have a right to a passport or other travel document - in this case, a National ID - which is also a recognised travel document and therefore, nobody has the right to deprive a holder of a National ID of the same. Section 77(b) of the Registration of Persons Act, Cap 332, provides that a person who, without authority, deprives or dispossesses a holder of his or her National Identity Card commits an offence, as you all know. Further, Section 77(e) of the Registration of Persons Act, Cap 332 provides that a person who unlawfully keeps or takes possession of an identity card that belongs to another person commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding 48 currency points, which is Shs 960,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both. Section 69(3) of the Registration of Persons Act provides that an issued National Identification Card remains the property of the Government. A money lender, therefore, has no authority to deprive or dispossess a person of his or her National Identity Card. In a bid to enforce the above provisions, the Government has further enacted the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders (Money Lenders) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 08 of 2018, which explicitly prohibits the demand or acceptance of a National Identity Card as collateral for any money advanced to a borrower as a loan. Mr Speaker, therefore, any money lender found in violation of these laws and regulations is in breach of the law and if convicted, is liable to suffer severe penalties, including the revocation or non-renewal of their operating licences, payment of fines and imprisonment. 2. Upgrade of the National Identity Card by introducing digital IDs. Mr Speaker and honourable members, you are aware that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is in the process of upgrading the National Identity Cards by rolling out digital or electronic identity cards (e-IDs). One of the advantages of the introduction of e-IDs is that it will combat the troubling practice of confiscating National Identity Cards as collateral for loans by money lenders. The introduction of e-IDs will reduce dependency on physical cards for identification purposes. With digital verification, citizens will be able to authenticate their identity using electronic means such as mobile apps or online platforms. This planned shift reduces the risk of physical IDs being used as collateral since digital identity verification does not require the physical handover of the card. The Government is cognisant of the fact that the majority of its citizens do not yet have access to internet and smartphones to enable the immediate implementation of a universal digital ID system. However, when this happens, it will be the ideal solution to decisively deal with this challenge. 3. Public awareness campaigns The Government is undertaking nationwide public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights and the dangers of surrendering their National Identity Cards as a collateral. Government agencies such as NIRA, Uganda Police Force, and the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) have undertaken several media engagements to create awareness in the public about illegal acts of misuse of a National Identity Card as collateral. 4. Strengthening oversight and enforcement The Government has stepped up enforcement of the law by arresting and prosecuting persons involved in this illegal practice. For example, in Lira, it was reported by the police in the North Kyoga region that operations conducted on 5 August 2024 within Lira City targeting money lending companies recovered 149 National Identity Cards. This helped us to engage and inform the public on the same.

We can go to Page 20 of the report, which is on the general observations on the status of abattoirs. We start with functionality and suitability of the infrastructure. I am not going to read everything; I will just summarise. The committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/slaughterhouses in the country. It was noted that most of the local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements, which compromises hygiene and sanitary conditions. All the facilities visited had variations – some were old, some new, some moderate, and some small. Only 12 (63 per cent) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures - Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City Abattoir and Kalerwe. With the exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in poor condition manifested by the poor wall conditions, poor roofs and floors, and lacking tiles and terrazzo.

15676 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The majority of the facilities were operating without power services because of a lack of connection to the power grid, while others such as Mbale City abattoir were disconnected due to unpaid power bills. Sanitary Facilities The major sanitation facility was VIP latrines. Out of the l9 facilities visited, only nine (that is 47 per cent) had VIP latrines. The condition of the latrines, however, was very poor, manifested by lack water supply, dilapidated structures, smelly and many lacked demarcations for the male and female staff. Some facilities such as the Hoima City abattoir did not have a latrine facility while others such as City Abattoir, Kalerwe, and Mukono had a shared facility with the market vendors. Functionality of the waste management and disposal processes The facilities visited lacked proper waste disposal systems. By the nature of their operations, slaughterhouses generate a lot of solid and liquid waste such as rumen, dung, blood, and condemned internal organs, among others. The poor disposal poses significant environmental concerns such as pollution, operational hygiene and sanitary conditions in and around the slaughter facilities. Waste segregation and storage With the exception of the Mbarara new City Abattoir, nearly all the facilities lacked a waste storage management system. What was common in all the facilities was that the waste was cast in open spaces but segregated according to type. For example, Masaka and Mbarara city abattoirs had segregated spaces for keeping hooves and cow dung. In Mbarara, the segregated liquid was, for instance, channelled into a fish pond which was built for the purpose of consuming waste from the abattoir while the excess was channelled into the lagoon. Disposal Only three (16 per cent) of the facilities visited had drainage systems. Some of the facilities which had drainage systems and lagoons to which liquid waste was disposed include Masaka City abattoir, Mbarara City modern abattoir, Jinja City abattoir and the Pork Master Ricks in Masaka. The drainage systems for other facilities were in a poor status. The City Abattoir drainage runs into Nakivubo Channel while the drainage systems of Masaka, Kalerwe, Masindi were stagnant and visibly too old to provide appropriate drainage which caused stenches and pollution. Availability of incinerators and records The majority of the facilities had no functional incinerators to destroy condemned internal body organs, carcasses, and condemned animals unfit for human consumption. Only Iganga Municipal abattoir, KCCA, and Kalerwe had smal1 incinerators which were visibly less functional and inadequate. Considering the huge traffic of cattle, especially at the City Abattoir, the need for a modern and functioning incinerator is important for taking care of the condemned animals and inedible carcasses. Other facilities such as Iganga, Lira, and Mbale destroyed solid waste and condemned parts by burning, causing unnecessary environmental pollution. Lagoons The slaughtering process involves bleeding, skinning, dressing, and postmortem inspection. At this stage blood, urine, faecal matter, and other secretions are produced. Inadequate sanitary and hygiene conditions can lead to direct meat contamination and further expose the workers to various diseases and antibiotic- resistant strains of bacteria. Improper waste disposal and non-compliant effluent discharge can further result in water and air pollution and water-borne diseases.

15677 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2025 Slaughterhouses can, therefore, impact public health and environmental health. During the oversight, the committee observed that some facilities had lagoons into which they disposed of the wastewater. That is Lira, Masaka, Mbarara, and Masaka pig slaughter facilities, Fort Portal, Iganga and Mukono. Others such as the City Abattoir and Kalerwe did not have a natural lagoon, hence disposing their liquid waste into Nakivubo Channel and Kalerwe swamps, respectively. The cases of Kalerwe, Masindi, Masaka and Hoima were worse because the drainage had stagnated. The drainage areas were visibly very dirty and stained with black material. The Masindi Municipal abattoir drainage was blocked; therefore, all liquid waste had stagnated. The stagnated waste and water emits a bad smell and is also a breeding area for maggots, which were evident, and a constant presence of houseflies. Recommendations (i) The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) should come up with dedicated standards for waste management for the different levels of slaughterhouses. (ii) All the facilities should have functional incinerators for the destruction of both animals and carcasses unfit for human consumption. (iii) The operators of the slaughterhouses should invest in value addition so that they add value to some of the by-products like animal hides, skins, and milk. This will facilitate sustainable utilisation of slaughterhouse waste and the challenge of solid and effluent waste management will be managed. This can take the form of processing solid waste such as cow dung into farm manure and others such as inedible carcasses for fish ponds, while the blood can commercially be processed into chicken feeds. (iv) District, city, and municipal authorities should provide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to guide the personnel on the dos and don’ts of waste disposal and handling of liquid and solid waste from abattoirs. (v) NEMA should constantly conduct environmental impact assessments before construction and develop sustainable practices that minimise habitat disruption. Environmental concerns The committee notes that Section 9 of the National Environment Act (NEA), Cap 181 stipulates NEMA as the principal agency in Uganda for regulating, monitoring, supervising, and coordinating all activities relating to the environment. Specifically, the establishment of abattoirs is regulated by the Authority under Section 113, Schedule 5(7)(f) of the NEA, which provides for activities and slaughterhouses to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact assessment (ESIA) before the commencement of their activities. Therefore, NEMA has a key role to play in ensuring that abattoirs operate in a healthy environment and that they do not negatively impact the environment. The committee was informed that as of September 2024, only 21 abattoirs in different locations had conducted and submitted to the Authority, ESIAs for consideration of decision. The ESIAs identify potential significant environmental and social impacts of abattoirs/ slaughterhouses and how these impacts can be mitigated to prevent or minimise harm to the environment. Recommendations i) NEMA and local authorities such as District, City, and Municipal Health and Environmental Offices should conduct constant monitoring and supervision to ensure that all guidelines concerning

2 TERMSOFREFERENCE: The General objective of the oversight was to assess the general status of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. The Specifrc Objectives included: i. To assess the functionality and suitability of the facilities, infrastructure. ii. To establish functionality of utilities (water, electricity, sanitary facilities). iii. To establish the functionality of the waste management and disposal processes; level of sanitation and hygiene, waste disposal and management. iv. To assess the availability and competences of the human resources. v. To determine the availability and compliance to the legal and regulatory provisions. vi. To establish the quality assurance processes followed by abattoirs 3 METHODOLOGY: In execution of the Instruction, the Committee; a! Constituted regional teams. b! Developed a structured observation checklist that was used to obtain information about key parameters in the selected abattoirs/ slaughter houses. cl Conducted oversight visits to slaughter facilities in selected districts and cities that included; Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Masaka, Fort portal, Hoima, Masindi and Kampala. dl held meetings with stakeholders such as District, Municipal and City Veterinary Officers, facility owners, traders and workers to obtain detailed information about the operations of the slaughter facilities. el Held meetings at Parliament with: i. Ministry of Water and Environment ii. Ministry of Health Rg

6 FINDINGS: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), animals are slaughtered in different spaces, namely: a) Slaughter slabs: there are 1,003 slaughter slabs spread in 93 districts. b) Slaughter houses: Central (23), Eastern (7), Northern (7), Western (7) and Karamoja (1). Table 1: Distribution of Slaughter Facilities in the country Region Specie (cattlel Swine Poultry Central 6 5 T2 Eastern 2 3 2 Western J I J Northern a 2 c Karamoia 1 0 0 Source: MAAIF The findings ofthe oversight are provided according to regions and the details for the abattoirs are provided on a case-by-case for each facility in the district, municipality and city visited. This section of the report presents hndings of tl:e oversight visit to abattoirs/ slaughter houses where nine cities and four district local government were covered. These included; Masaka City, Mbarara City, Fort Portal City, Hoima City, Masindi District, Jinja, Mbale, Lira and Kampala City. 6.1 Masaka City In Masaka, the committee visited the Masaka city Abattoir and Masaka city Pork Slaughter house. k W 9 FLC

Figure 4: Holdittg area of Mbale City Abattoir 6. loSoroti City Council Soroti Ciby has two abattoirs which are operated by a private entity contracted by Soroti City Council. These two facilities are the major slaughter house service providers for Soroti City. Soroti City has a siaughter facility for pigs. The committee was informed that the city council resolved to open up a pig slaughter point in order to regulate the hygiene of pork siaughtered in the region since many pork joints are being opened in the area. 6.11Lira City Lira City has two major abattoirs, but Lira Cify Abattoir is the biggest. It is managed by a private entity contracted by Lira City Council. The Lira Cattle Traders Association that runs the abattoir helps the city council to raise some minimal tax. 6, 12Kampala Capital City Kampala City has hve major Abattoirs / slaughter houses, these are; City Abattoir, Nsooba, Kishita, Wambizzi and Wankululu which are lq-.j 7 ately # N{

lv more suitdble and stdnd.drd. abattoir should be built to meet internatlonal standards of expot t. Jor Kannpala, KCCA should proulde tenders to operate and rnaintain the rrbrrttoirs and not onlg limit them to reuenue collectlon to enable mrrlntend.rl.ce of the factlities. 5.13GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS: 6,13.1 Functionalityandsuitabilityofthe Infrastructure: The Committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. It was noted that most local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements which compromise the hygiene and sanitary conditions of the facilities. AII the facilities visited had variations; some old, some new, some moderate and some small. The facilities are either owned by government, privately owned or tendered out. Most of the facilities visited slaughter at least 10 to 30 cattle and about 10 to 15 goats per day. Taken together, the number of animals handled by the facilities selected in the five regions fall in the category of small size abattoirs which sit on an average of 1-2 acres of iand and handle up to 30,000 animal units per year. Only 12 (63%) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures; (Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City abattoir and Kalerwe). With exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in a poor condition manifested by poor wall conditions, poor roofs, floors and lacking tiles and terrazzo. Al1 the facilities had slaughter spaces, however, with the exception of the new facility in Hoima City, the slaughter as for all other facilities were 20 NFJ

Lira and Mbale destroyed solid waste and condemned parts by burning, causing unnecessary environmental pollution. 6.15Lagoons The slaughtering process involves bleeding, skinning, dressing/ evisceration and post mortem inspection. At this stage blood, urine, fecal matter and other secrehons are produced. Inadequate sanitary and hygiene conditions can lead to direct meat contamination but further expose the workers to various diseases and antibiotics resistant strains of bacteria. Improper waste disposal and non-compliant effluent discharge can further result in water and air pollution and water borne diseases. Slaughter houses can therefore impact public health and environmental health. During the oversight, the Committee observed that some facilities had lagoons into which they disposed the wastewater (Lira, Masaka, Mbarara, Masaka Pig slaughter facility, Fort Portal, Iganga and Mukono). Others such as the City Abattoir and Kalerwe did not have a natural lagoon, hence disposing their liquid waste into Nakivubo channel and Kalerwe swamps respectively. The cases of Kalerwe, Masindi, Masaka and Hoima were worse because the drainage had stagnated. The drainage areas were visible very dirty and stained with black material. The Masindi Municipal abattoir drainage was blocked therefore all liquid waste had stagnated. The stagnated waste and water emits a bad smell ald is also a breeding area for maggots, which were evident and constant presence of houseflies. @ 26 FRr"

I thank you for your indulgence, Madam Speaker. I also want to take this opportunity to welcome the executive members of Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to Parliament. This is a mode of parliament, which is only in four hospitals: Moroto; Gulu; Lira; and Masaka. These are representatives of the workers in the hospital. They include heads of departments, the in-charge and top management. The only thing they do not do is to make laws. However, they do oversight, debate and also represent their members. Madam Speaker, they have also told me to thank you and the entire Parliament for the appropriation that Parliament has done because Kabale Regional Referral Hospital now has a modern CT scan. Through your appropriation, Members, Kabale Regional Referral Hospital also has a modern ICU under construction. On top of that, I also want to thank you, Members, for your appropriation, which has enabled Kabale Hospital to have three oxygen plants. (Applause) However, they still have challenges and one of the top challenges is the staff structure. Under the new structure, Kabale Hospital always comes lowest. Its staffing level is at 22 per cent. Since we have started the budgeting process, my prayer is that, at least, Kabale Hospital gets the budget to raise its staffing level, at least, to 50 per cent, such that it can be at the level of other hospitals. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

15298 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [The Speaker] scholarship. I had three primary schools in my village which were seven kilometers, nine kilometers and ten kilometers apart. My father was too poor So he made sure that I went into these schools on three different days. When I am chased away, I jump through the window and then go to the next school. Finally, when competitions began, I competed and won the championship for Otuke. Later on, it was declared that there was no transport to come to Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira. Otuke is 71 kilometres away -I ran at the age of 11, when I was in the P6. I ran 71 kilometres. I do not remember the time but- were not even there. I made it to Lira, won the championship for Otuke. I was given a scholarship to Makerere College School in Senior One and that is what made me who I am. Then in 1994, I was the only junior athlete under 20. I was 17-to represent the country in World Junior Championship. I flew to Portugal without shoes. By the time I was competing, I bought shoes from a Kenyan, and won a gold medal for Uganda in 1,500 meters - (Applause) - I was granted a scholarship to go to United States in Virginia, George Mason University, where I pursued my Bachelor of Science in Communication for four years. I competed for Olympics in 1996 and 2000 where I was the Ugandan team captain twice. I ran 11 World Championships for Uganda and two Commonwealth Games. I was third in Africa and got bronze medals twice. From there, I retired, won some money and decided to build a health center called Christine Nile Health Center in 2012 in memory of my mom, who was killed during the war. Now we are treating 600 patients in this health centre. In 2021, I was chosen as the best humanitarian in the continent of Africa and I was nominated as the World Olympian for Life. I am still competing at the older age, where last month, I was offered 200 boreholes for my community and each village will get boreholes. I was also awarded Shs 2 billion to build an operation health center in my village. Colleagues, I just want to donate this book. More of the story can be read; I think you will get to know each and every one’s story. Thank you, so much. I beg to lay.

There is also a minority report, which was signed by two members. Madam Speaker, I would like to present the report. Introduction On Tuesday, 6 August 2024, the fourth session of the Seventh Sitting of the First Meeting of Parliament, the National Teachers’ Bill was read for the first time by the Minister of Education and Sports for Higher Education, Dr Chrysostom Muyingo. The Certificate of Financial Implication was laid on the Table as required by Rule 118 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and the Speaker referred the Bill to the Committee on Education and Sports. In the background, the Education (Pre-Primary, Primary, Post-Primary) Act, CAP 247, is the law that provides for the development and regulation of pre-primary, primary, and post- primary education and training. Part five of the act provides for the registration and licensing of teachers. The Ministry of Education and Sports informed the committee that the Act does not, however, provide for the overall regulation of teachers by mandating responsible bodies to regulate the teaching profession. Therefore, the National Teachers’ Bill seeks to regulate the teaching profession and promote, maintain and protect the ethical standards of the teaching profession. As the Minister has alluded to, the objectives of the Bill are; a) To promote, maintain and protect the ethical standards of the teaching profession. b) To regulate the teaching profession. c) To provide for an institutional framework for the implementation of the policies, decisions and directives issued by the minister regarding teachers. d) To promote the continuous professional development of teachers. e) To provide for the career development of teachers within the teaching profession. f) To establish the National Teachers’ Council. g) To provide for the powers and functions of the minister in relation to teachers and the teaching profession. 3.0 The Methodology 3.1 We used desk research, and the committee reviewed various legislations, these included: a) The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda in 1995, b) The Education Act 2008, CAP 247, c) The Education Service Act, CAP 85, d) The Insolvency Act, CAP 108, e) The Local Government Act, CAP 243, f) The Oath Act, CAP 19, g) The Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Act, CAP 66, h) The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, CAP 262. The Committee reviewed the National Teachers’ Policy of 2019 and the legal framework on teacher professionalisation in other jurisdictions, including Tanzania and South Africa. In the meetings, the committee published notices for public hearings invited 22 stakeholders, held meetings and received memoranda from the Ministry of Education and Sports, National Curriculum Development Centre, Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), Muni University, Mountain of the Moon University, Kabale University, Busitema University, Lira University, Soroti University, Makerere University, National Council for Higher Education, Education Service Commission, Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), UPTU.

15280 THE NATIONAL TEACHERS’ BILL, 2024 Those abbreviations are basically labour organisations namely; Central Organisation of Free Trade Union (COFTU), National Organisation of Trade Union (NOTU), Uganda National Institute for Teachers Education (UNITE), National Union for Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), a disability association, Home Education Schooling Parents, then cluster of Directors of Private Education Institutions and Uganda and Education Advocacy Network (EAN). The committee had a benchmarking visit to Ghana where it interacted with different stakeholders in the education sector, including the National Teaching Council and the Ghana National Association of Teachers. Findings, observations and recommendations In the application of the Act, the committee perused clause 2 of the Bill on application and interacted with the different public universities in Uganda, and the universities indicated that the Bill should extend to teacher educators and those who teach at tertiary institutions as well. The extension of the application of the Bill was supported by Busitema University, Mountain of the Moon University, UNATU, Muni University, Lira University, Kyambogo University, UNITE and EN. UNITE informed the committee that paragraph 5.8 of the National Teacher Policy of 2019 indicates that the policy targets all teachers involved in providing education at various levels. The education levels are categorised as below; a) The early childhood development programs, b) Primary education level, c) Secondary education level, d) Business, technical and vocational education institutions, e) Teachers in other tertiary institutions; and f) Teachers in universities. So, the Minister of Education and Sports informed the committee that the teachers targeted in the Bill are those prescribed under Part 5 of the Education Act, that is the pre- primary, primary and post-primary in CAP 247 and not lecturers in universities and other tertiary institutions. Committee observations The committee perused through this National Teachers’ Policy of 2019 and agrees with UNITE. However, it observed that the legal regime under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act CAP 262 covers the regulation of universities and other tertiary institutions. As such, the application clause of the Bill should only stretch to pre-primary, primary and secondary levels as it is in the Bill. Recommendation The Committee therefore recommends that- (a) The application clause should not include universities as they are covered under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, CAP. 262; (b) Clause 2 be maintained as it is in the Bill; (c) The Committee recommends that the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act, CAP. 262, should be amended to provide for the regularisation and professionalisation of university educators. 4.2 The National Teachers Council. The committee notes that Clause 5 of the Bill, establishes the National Teachers Council as a body corporate. Clause 6 provides for the composition of the council. The council shall consist of seven (seven) persons, two of whom shall have experience in teaching, leadership, and management of education institutions but not actively teaching. One of whom shall be female, one teacher with a disability, representing teachers with a

15288 THE NATIONAL TEACHERS’ BILL, 2024 They, however, stated that all costs from the above processes should be removed, identifying sustainable funding sources to support the initiatives outlined in the Bill. EAN proposed that a provision be inserted to include a degree in any discipline and a post- graduate diploma in education as a requirement for eligibility for those without bachelor’s degrees in education in clause 28(1)(a) and to cater for paragraph 5.8(1) for teachers at higher institutions of learning under the National Teacher Policy 2019, but have other degrees in other fields but want to teach at any level. The Ministry of Education and Sports informed the committee that the National Teachers’ Policy 2019 requires teachers to possess a bachelor’s degree. The ministry indicated that there is a need to standardise the academic qualifications of teachers in the long run. In the long run, teachers will help the Government progressively remove the differences among them that are linked to salary scales and disparities. They also stated that the degree requirement is in compliance with the global teaching requirement in policies and sustainable development goals, SDGs. The committee, in its benchmarking visit to Ghana, found that all teachers in Ghana are required to have a degree qualification. The committee was informed that the public servants in Ghana are paid at the same salary scale upon attaining a bachelor’s degree. Committee observations The committee observes that the Bill intends to ensure that the teaching profession is regularised and standardised, and the requirement of a bachelor’s degree for a teacher will go a long way in achieving this. The committee, however, observes that persons who have done or are doing a bachelor’s degree, which has a component of teaching subjects and opt to teach, are not covered under the Bill. These persons go ahead and do a postgraduate diploma in education and are eligible to join the teaching profession. Therefore, the Bill should thus cover this category of persons. Committee recommendation Clause 28 should be amended to provide for eligibility for registration for teachers as a degree in education or a relevant degree and a postgraduate diploma in education for a pre- primary, primary and secondary teacher. 4.9 Intern teacher versus student undertaking school practice The committee notes that the Bill provides for an internship programme under clause 29. The internship programme will last one year as provided for under Schedule 3. The Ministry of Education and Sports is responsible for the entire programme. The Bill also provides for school practice under clause 41 and in the interpretation section. In its interaction with the stakeholders, the following issues were raised under clause 29: Lira University informed the committee that the Bill does well to introduce internship instead of school practice. This will give interns more time for practicals instead of the eight to 12 weeks currently dedicated to school practice. The internship will take a whole year, and this is excellent. They, however, noted that the new arrangement will have implications on budgeting and resource allocation for internship as an academic professional programme, and the time the teacher takes in school, because internship is part of the academic life of a teacher. It also has implications for universities and other training institutions since there will be no school practice. Faculties of education in the universities must plan to establish demonstration secondary schools for their own, to provide better practical training for teachers. That was Lira. Kyambogo University stated that one-year training needs to be reconsidered because

Maybe, I could give you a background. There was an issue raised by Hon. Tonny Ayoo this morning when you had a meeting. Hon. Tonny Ayoo had also come to my office and intimated that they had invited them to State House to witness the signing of the contract between the contractor and the Government of Uganda. That is for Akii Bua Stadium. When we were budgeting in this financial year, we gave Akii Bua Stadium Shs 100 billion, and remember it even came in a corrigendum. To his surprise, they stopped at the gate. They did a COVID-19 test and some people came all the way from Lira to witness the signing but they did not witness it. The question they are asking is, what could have happened? Has the contract been cancelled? Where is the money? Minister for sports, tell us.

14883 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2024 38.8 billion that formed the bulk of the commitment payments as a result of loans obtained for project support in the year under review; and b) Most of the projects, that incurred commitment fees over and above Shs 3 billion in the financial year included the Grid Rural Electrification, Opuyo-Moroto 132kv, and the upgrade of Rwenkunye- Apac-Lira Road under Islamic Development Bank (IDB)loans. We have put down in the table here –

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

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

Honourable members for Soroti, Kwania, Mukono, Lira, Amolatar, Namayingo, Kasese, Youth and we conclude with – Hon. Chemonges has been here. No, we left that side and we have already finished.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my colleagues in supporting the motion As they spoke, I was trying to think and diagnose where the problem is. We have a problem because we over-advocated for commercial agriculture whereby we have moved from thinking about our health to getting money. These companies promoting their varieties of seeds are using that strategy of high yields. They are using it as bait for our people to embrace these Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) with a mission for our people to get more money. However, it is becoming complicated. Last year, in my area, farmers came to me saying that they could not afford the maize seeds in Lira because they were selling 10 kilograms at Shs 200,000. They brought their money that I should go to the Container Village to buy for them seeds when going back home. I went to their gardens and tried to calculate. For an acre, you would get Shs 500,000 but you have bought the seeds at Shs 200,000. What about labour and other things? This is making our people poorer. This Parliament should resolve how to get back to our indigenous seeds. These people from the west - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General reviewed the staff establishment of the following public universities to ascertain their completeness and relevance to the entity established and noted the following: Universities This is how it is presented: approved structure, filled position, the gap, and the percentage of the field position. 1. Soroti University has an approved structure of 1,312. The number of positions filled is 242, the gap is 1,700, and 18 per cent of filled positions. 2. Busitema University has the approved structure of 3,559, filled positions are 503, the gap is 3,056, and 14 per cent percentage filled. 3. Kabale University has approved structure of 2,076, filled positions are 506, the gap is 1,570, and 24 per cent filled. 4. Kyambogo University which was a bone of contention, the approved structure 2,598, filled positions are 913, the gap is 1,685, and 35 per cent filled. 5. Makerere University, Kampala has approved structure of 5,835. Filled positions are 3,141, the gap is 2,694, and 53 per cent. That is why our boss was once there in that department. It is the best university - ( Interjections ) - No, there is Law Development Centre (LDC). 6. Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has an approved structure of 2,609, filled positions are 581, the gap is 2,042, and 22 per cent. 7. Gulu University has an approved structure of 1,568, filled positions are 571, the gap is 977, and 36 per cent. 8. Lira University has 991, field positions are 265, the gap is 726, and 26 per cent. 9. Law Development Centre (LDC) 202, field positions 135, the gap is 67 and the percentage is 68. Mr Speaker, from what I have just read, it is only Makerere University that is staffed at over 50 per cent of the approved staff structure. What this means is that for the other universities, there is very little they can do to achieve the output. For example, Busitema and Soroti Universities as well as Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), which have 14, 18 and 22 per cent staffing levels respectively are depriving learners of the much-needed services. We are aware - the rest is history. That is the information that fills the staffing levels of all public universities drawn from a special audit done by the Auditor-General on the directive of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

14376 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Makerere University had a budget of Shs 377.35 billion. It got a warrant of Shs 368,910 billion. Unwarranted amount of money was Shs 8 billion. The warranted money was 98 per cent. The unwarranted one was two per cent. Gulu University had a budget of Shs 78.482 billion. It got the warrant of Shs 69.291 billion. The unwarranted amount was Shs 9.19 billion. The warrant performance was at 88 per cent. UMI had a budget of Shs 36.93 billion. The warranted amount was 36.718 billion and the unwarranted one was only Shs 182 million. In terms of percentage, it is 100 per cent. Kabale University had a budget of Shs 63.2 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 54 billion. Unwarranted amount was Shs 8.55 billion. The warrant percentage was 86 and the unwarranted was 13.5 per cent. Lira University had a budget of Shs 30.815 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 30.776 billion while the unwarranted was Shs 39 million. The warrant, in terms of percentage, is nearly 100 per cent. Muni University had a budget of Shs 25.940 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 24.733 billion and the unwarranted amount was Shs 1.207 billion – a warrant percentage of 95 per cent. Mbarara University of Science and Technology had a budget of Shs 59.4 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 57.547 billion and the unwarranted amount was Shs 1.85 billion. The warrant percentage was 73 per cent. Soroti University had a budget of Shs 24.758 billion. The warranted money was Shs 22 billion, while the unwarranted was 2.73 billion. The warrant was at 92 per cent. Busitema University had a budget of Shs 61.5 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 52.44 billion, while the unwarranted was Shs 9.1 billion. The warrant percentage was 85 per cent. Mountains of the Moon University had a budget of Shs 45.9 billion. It was warranted at Shs 44 billion. The unwarranted was Shs 1.8 billion. The warrant percentage was 96 per cent. LDC had a budget of Shs 29.663 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 29.651 billion and the unwarranted was just Shs 12 million. This was a 100 per cent warrant. Mr Speaker, the total amount of money budgeted for universities was Shs 1,058,000,000,000. What was warranted Shs 1,010,902,000,000. The unwarranted was Shs 47 billion. The percentage of the warranted amount was 96 per cent, while the unwarranted was 4.4 per cent. The accounting officers attributed the shortfall to non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Committee’s observations The committee observed that the shortfalls in revenue imply that these public universities could not fully finance their programmes, which, in turn, affected service delivery. The committee further observed that a total of Shs 47.116 billion remained unwarranted across the universities. For example, Busitema, Kabale, Soroti and Gulu Universities had the biggest percentage of annually leased budgets of 14.8 per cent, 13.5 per cent, 8.4 per cent and 11.7 per cent respectively, as illustrated in the table above. The committee, however, commends the Government for the 100 per cent release to Kyambogo University and Lira University including Uganda Management Institute and the Law Development Centre. Recommendations The committee recommends as follows: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funding to public universities as appropriated by Parliament to enable the implementation of planned activities.

14378 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT So, in the audit reports, there are students in their thousands who are admitted to various universities and cannot register. A typical example of this was from Lango region. The University of Lira made a very sad submission that only four students from Lango region were able to be admitted on Government sponsorship in Lira University. Only four and all of them were from private secondary schools in Lira. Mr Speaker - you are a nationalist and you fail to get admitted to your university. I think you better do that. Costing and implementation of outputs and activities Unsupported Output Budgets This will answer the question the minister was supposed - Honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, you better listen because this speaks to your point.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to know whether Hon. Kivumbi is in order to blame the number of students admitted to Lira University on the leadership yet the admission is not done by the leaders of Lango. Is he really in order?

Mr Speaker - The Unsupported Output Budgets The Auditor-General reported that all five outputs assessed for Lira University were not supported by individual activity costing. Muni University had all eight outputs not supported by individual activity costing while Soroti University had two outputs not supported by individual activity costing and budgets. Accounting officers explained that the universities prepare all the budget outputs in the programme budget system. However, by the structure of the system, all the details could not be captured. The committee, however, noted that, despite the above justification, the accounting officer could not provide source documents for the costed outputs. Because of the new system, universities were saying the reason they do not cost outputs is because the system cannot take all the characters. But during the auditing process, there are source documents which you can avail to the auditors. Observation The committee observed that Regulation 11(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2016, requires that a Vote prepares work plans that

14379 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 indicate the outputs of a Vote for the financial year while Regulation 11(2) (d) of the Public Finance Management Regulation, 2016 states that the work plans for a Vote shall indicate the funding allocated to each activity. The committee observed that most of the entities failed and neglected to comply with these statutory provisions, which impacted the alignment of the activities to policy statements, thereby distorting the planning and implementation of Government programmes. The committee further observed that to assess the performance of outputs, all supporting activities must be costed and quantified. Thus, failure to provide detailed costing for activities implies that the costing at the output level cannot be justified, and as such, there is a risk that entities either over or under-budgeted for those outputs. Committee recommendations 1. The Minister of Finance should address the compatibility challenges of the programme budgeting system for purposes of capturing and imputing costed outputs and activities for entities; 2. Parliament should not approve budgets for entities without costed outputs and activities. The accounting officers of Soroti, Muni and Lira Universities should be held liable for not costing their respective budgets output and activities as required by Regulation 11(3) and Regulation 12 (2) (d) of the Public Finance Management Act; and 3. The Minister of Finance should continuously build the capacity of the users of the PBS dedicated to the quantification function. Implementation of Outputs Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General assessed the implementation of outputs that had been fully quantified and noted those activities had been partially implemented and those that had been completely unimplemented, as illustrated in the figure indicated in the table below. Mr Speaker, I will not go through this table, I will only highlight two universities and let the Members read the full text of this because it is the heart of the audit. Kabale University The Auditor-General sampled three outputs that had been fully quantified with a total of 17 activities worth Shs 2.511 billion, fully implemented. Only one output with five activities and expenditure worth Shs 1.375 billion was fully implemented. Two outputs with 12 activities worth Shs 1.36 billion were partially implemented. The entity fully implemented three activities. Two activities were partially implemented, while seven activities remained unimplemented. Mr Speaker, this means that this entity got money, fully warranted and paid to it, and they spent it, and some activities remained unimplemented. That means that money was either diverted or there was a sub - Later on, I am going to establish the figure from the account for each university that diverted and mischarged anywhere. That is an example. Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General, in my other report, which I have filed, needs to style up. I have provided the way this should be structured. For him to come to Parliament and tell us only Shs 2.5 billion was sampled out of the Kabale University budget of Shs 77 billion and then he goes on to say only Shs 1.3 billion was fully implemented then for the Shs 1.3 billion, he simply gives a narration of what activities were implemented, no amount of money placed - That turns a PAC committee into another audit bureau, which is out of our scope and makes our work extremely difficult. Mr Speaker, we will beg you, at the right time, to cause an interaction with the Office of the Auditor-General because if this continues, I would have recommended to Parliament to reject the Auditor-General’s report almost entirely. I was only persuaded by Members because, in our humble view, there is always room for improvement.

Yes. A review of the entity’s financial statement by the committee revealed that for partially implemented activities, funds were diverted to other activities which were not budgeted for, including paying for domestic arrears. For example, the committee observed that: Makerere University Business School (MUBS) diverted Shs 5.4 billion; i. Kyambogo University diverted Shs 2.07 billion; ii. Muni University diverted Shs 173 million; iii. Lira University diverted Shs 486 million; iv. The Law Development Centre diverted Shs 109 million. Mr Speaker, particularly for Kyambogo University, the Shs 2.0 billion, later on when you go to Kyambogo University, speak to the amount of money for part-time arrears which remained unpaid. Because the amount of money remaining unpaid on part-time arrears is Shs 2.6 billion but here you go, they diverted Shs 2.7 billion, money that would have been used to pay for arrears of part-time lecturers and they came crying to this Parliament that this goes unpunished. Mr Speaker, that is why we have recommended, as a committee, that the accounting officers who diverted money and mischarged accounts be personally liable for the diversion. (Applause) I now go to specific universities. I have already tackled Kyambogo University, which came here through a matter of national importance saying teachers are not paid. Actually, for Kyambogo University, had the auditor done a good job - Later on, we will see that they have an issue with Shs 50 billion which they cannot fully account for. We sent them to the police for investigation - (Interjection) Beware, I am not debating. ( Member rose )

So, we can go to Makerere University Business School. Mr Speaker, for Makerere University Business School, we have already established that it diverted Shs 5 billion, for which we have made a recommendation. The detail of what is in here is what we are trying to establish, so I do not need to read it. The same applies to Gulu University, Lira University, which I have spoken to, and Muni University because I have established the figures. Mr Speaker, can I read a little bit of Mbarara University?

Thank you very much. Allow me to thank the Chairperson of the PAC committee for the report. Mr Speaker, there are three things and the first one is about the resources that were diverted by the different universities. We needed more clarification on whether the committee proved further and found out that there was value for money – or where this money was spent. Diverting is different, but after the diversions, where was this money spent? They could have put it on valuable programmes and projects, as universities. So, we need more clarification on this. Secondly, Mr Speaker, there is the other point – Members were taking things personally about Lira University only attracting four students from Lango Sub region. Mr Speaker, we have booked you to accord us space to bring a motion to do with increasing the number of students that benefit from the quota system. It is one avenue that will solve these challenges. Having an institution in an area when the locals are not benefiting adequately sends mixed signals. For us to solve that, we need to increase the number of students that benefit from the quota system. The people of Lango should be seen to be benefiting from Lira University instead of keeping it there, and beginning to accuse leaders that they are not playing their part when it is not their mandate to admit or recruit students. Mr Speaker, there is an issue to do with students that missed their final exams in Kyambogo University and Makerere University Business School (MUBS), for failing to raise the tuition for the second semester of their third year. Having failed to raise the money, they are applying to these two universities to be given a chance to pay for the papers they missed so that they sit their papers. However, they are being asked to pay a full year’s tuition afresh. Somebody failed to raise money for one semester and missed papers but now you are telling him or her to pay for a full year – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the two committees for bringing these important reports to the Floor of Parliament. Mr Speaker, I would like to interest this House that it is not our failure as leaders that Lira University and probably other universities are not taking in many students. I have realised that some of our universities in Northern Uganda do not have some courses. For example, the Universities of Muni, Lira, Gulu and Soroti do not have engineering courses. Mr Speaker, I have written a motion to that effect and I have submitted it to the Clerk to Parliament and I wish to be granted leave to present it here on the Floor of Parliament in form of a motion so that we urge the Government to interest themselves and introduce some of these courses to the public universities in Northern Uganda. This is a fact that we have to take. On the issue of money, first of all, according to the report that has been presented by Hon. Kivumbi, money is a very slippery thing. I have seen many universities diverting money. We want further investigations done on this money. Probably, there is what is called virement. What did they do with the money, anyway? Was it spent or was it in some people’s pockets? This is a very serious matter. Our universities must develop. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I would like to thank the committee for the good report. I would like to focus on the issue that Lira has only four students, who are admitted to Lira University on Government sponsorship and that a good number of those admitted privately in most universities fail to register - (Interjection) - Hon. Ssewungu, please, let me address the Speaker.

14414 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT hospitals is the charge being placed on basic medical services that could ideally be so critical in diagnosing diseases; the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), other equipment and the scanners. They now charge everything to be accessed. This increase in NTR is basically because basic accessible medical equipment in all hospitals, today, is charged and that is a key point. It is not a positive on that note. People should not cheer up that NTR is in hospitals where you are charged when you want an x-ray, MRI and whatever equipment; those who cannot afford it, know what happens. NTR transfers to the Treasury The Auditor-General noted that two entities, including Uganda Blood Transmission Services and Moroto Regional Referral, did not transfer their NTR to the Treasury. On the other hand, only six entities, including Mbale, Jinja, Gulu, Hoima, Kawempe, Soroti regional hospitals and the Uganda Cancer Institute transferred all their collected NTR to the Treasury. The committee observed that underperformance in NTR negatively affects the implementation of planned activities. The committee further noted that accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted NTR targets or budget for NTR at all contravened Instruction 4.10.2 of the Treasury Instructions, 207. Further, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide proper revenue targets to some regional referral hospitals. In other instances, low NTR targets were set ignoring other revenue sources like hospital private wings. Committee recommendation 1. NTR targets should be set in consultation with both the accounting officers and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to enable realistic NTR budgeting; 2. The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that all billed NTR is fully collected during the period in which it relates; 3. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests for NTR revision by entities; and 4. The accounting officers should consider all their NTR sources at NTR budgeting to avoid cases of NTR under collection. Performance of Government Warrants The Auditor-General reported that the Government had allocated a total budget of Shs 558.107 billion to 19 regional referral hospitals and five specialised health institutions, out of which Shs 584.681 billion was warranted, which is 98.31 per cent, implying a shortfall of Shs 9.426 billion, which is only two per cent. The detailed breakdown of this figure per hospital is under Table 2 of the main report. The committee noted that 16 entities received less than their budget. These include Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Mulago National Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda Heart Institute, Kiruddu, Butabika, Masaka, Entebbe, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Kabale, Mbarara, Gulu, Lira and Moroto Regional Referrals. The committee observed that revenue shortfalls inhibited the effective implementation of the entity’s planned activities and thus affecting service delivery. Revenue shortfalls further place spending pressures on entities, which promotes diversion and mischarge of funds. The committee recommends that the Government should always fully release funds as approved and in a timely manner to all referral hospitals. Utilisation of warrants Many accounting officers attributed their underutilisation of resources - where we put ACT - you go to the main report - to late releases of resources from the ministry for

Mr Speaker, I beg to proceed. We have the minutes and I think I will tender them in. The report of the Sectoral Committee on Education and Sports on the State of Selected Public Universities, Tertiary Institutions, Seed Schools, and Public Sports Facilities in Northern Uganda. Introduction The Committee on Education and Sports was among the committees selected by the Rt Hon. Speaker to undertake an oversight visit to the Northern Region to assess projects under their jurisdiction. The Northern Region is composed of sub regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango and West Nile. The Government of Uganda attaches great importance to education and sports, as it plays a vital role in ensuring attainment of both social and economic transformation as envisaged in the Uganda Vision 2040, NDP III, and the NRM Manifesto. There are notable changes in the sector with the Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education in addition to higher learning institutions under BTVET and universities all considerably supported by Government and supplemented by other non- state actors countrywide. The committee therefore visited some selected primary schools, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and public universities in the districts of Arua, Pakwach, Nebbi, and Madi- Okollo in West Nile sub region. Gulu District in Acholi sub region, Abim District in Karamoja sub region, and finally Lira, Dokolo, Otuke Districts in Lango sub region. 2.0 Objectives of the Field visit. The main objective of the visit was to ascertain the existence and status of development projects in selected Traditional and Seed schools, Tertiary Institutions, and Public Universities in the Northern region. 2.1 The specific objectives include: i. To ascertain the status of implementation and progress of the UgIFT projects in selected schools.

14202 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT the chairperson of the committee to consider Otuke as one of the greatest tourist places. In 2002, I remember a Whiteman from California flew to Otuke just to take a photograph of a red lizard; look at what Otuke can bring to this country. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, we have the coronation of our Won Nyaci in Lango on 2 November 2024, which will take place in Otuke. So, I want to urge the chairperson and committee to make sure Otuke is included. Mr Speaker, the road from Lira–Alebtong- Otuke-Abim should be tarmacked. I would also like to say this: if you climb Got Otuke, you will find footprints of all the tribes in Northern Uganda who were gathered in this place. You will find footprints of the Iteso, Acholi, Jabwor, Lango, and Kumam. These are the things I wanted to raise in this House; they were burning me and I could not hold them. Thank you very much.

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

14226 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT In regard to distribution of health facilities, Lango subregion has only one general hospital, despite having a population of 2.567 million, which necessitates at least an additional four general hospitals to cover that gap. On the status of infrastructure within the region, we noted that Lira Regional Referral Hospital was constructed in 1928 and is limited in terms of space. We actually found a tent being used as a ward for post-natal, holding mothers who had just given birth in one or two days. It was in very poor state in terms of ventilation, air circulation and cleanliness. We also noted that Apac General Hospital, which was constructed in 1968, has never had any renovations done since. We found several structures that were in a significant dilapidated state. Our recommendations are: i) Ensuring that Lira Regional Referral Hospital gets alternative space for accommodating the pregnant mothers or mothers that have just delivered to avoid the challenges that we observed and appropriating more funds for renovation of Apac General Hospital. Another key finding is that there are health centres III and health centres IV that have never got any support for infrastructure funding. These need to be considered, plus having a standard design and size for the drug stores. Each year we have been increasing the budget for medicine but have not increased the budget for the storage areas. The third aspect on the human resource is as generally observed, but notably was a shortage of staff within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Specifically, we found that, for example, in Apac General Hospital, x-ray department, the waiting time was as long as five hours because there was only one radiographer to operate the two x-ray machines that were available. We also noticed that in Lira Regional Referral Hospital, the radiographer who was assigned to be on duty on that day had not turned up and for two to three days, patients had not had scanning services; CT scan, x-ray and ultrasound scan services provided. In regard to the availability of medicine, we observed that some of the facilities like Lira Regional Referral Hospital was well stocked together with the health centre IIIs that we visited. However, the general hospital was in a significant shortage of drugs. We actually found that only 40 patients had turned up on that day, yet the health centre III that we had gone to had about 80 patients. Notable was the issue of artificial stock-outs, where in Lira Regional Referral Hospital we found unlabelled medicine in the wards but when we went to the drug store, we found the same medicine labelled, “Government of Uganda.” This means that the medicine was available but the patients still had to go and purchase it despite the same being within the facility. Critical in our recommendations is that the Ministry of Health should expedite the rollout of digitisation of medicine supplies and linkage to National Medical Stores in order to mitigate the artificial stock-outs. As regards the diagnostic services, we noted that the ICU had four beds only, yet they had a capacity of 10. So, six were not installed, and the reason was because they had inadequate human resource and space. In addition, for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which had a capacity of 20, they were receiving up to 100 neonates within it. We also noted that the CT scan charge rates differed from those provided by the Ministry of Health, where the facility was charging Shs 200,000 as the upper limit, yet the ministry had directed for a maximum of Shs 150,000.

14227 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 In our recommendations, the key one is that due to the huge burden of sickle cell disease, Lira Regional Referral Hospital needs to be equipped with an electrophoresis sickle cell testing machine to avoid the transport – or having the samples sent to Kampala for testing. Karamoja subregion We noted that in terms of the burden of disease – there were also cases of mortality – there was a high malaria burden and, in addition, we also noticed that there were high cases of liver cirrhosis. This was mainly attributed to two factors: Hepatitis B infection; and alcoholism – as reported to us. On the specific findings on distribution of health facilities, Karamoja has a population of 1.4 million with three general hospitals that are Government’s, two private not-for-profit facilities and one private for-profit facility. Notably, we were informed that one of the private not-for-profit facilities, Matany Hospital in Napak district, was facing financial constraints due to an impending total withdrawal of funding from the Italian funders. We have recommended that the Government should consider taking over Matany Hospital as a Government facility, plus planning for other health centres IV and III. The status of infrastructure Mr Speaker, this is one of the areas where there were big challenges in Karamoja subregion. We noted several buildings within Moroto Regional Referral Hospital that were dilapidated, having been constructed in 1948. Also, they did not have a functional mortuary and, therefore, have to rely on Mbale and Soroti regional referral hospitals. They, also, did not have a functional ICU despite having the equipment, because they did not have the space. In addition, they had the highest rate of caesarean section. What is acceptable is that for every 100 mothers that come, a maximum of 15 should undergo a caesarean section for delivery. However, the figures were as high as 45 per cent, and this was attributed to non- functionality of some of the theatres in the health centres IV. We also noted that one of the big constraints in terms of infrastructure development is because they were not among the major beneficiaries of Uganda Government Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) programme because they had the Karamoja Infrastructure Development Plan, which delayed to commence and, as a result, many of the health centres II have not been upgraded to the level of health centres III. We also noted that Abim Hospital and Kotido General Hospital had not received the required funds for renovation. For example, Abim, since 1968, has never had any renovation. We also found out that the facility did not have any water supply available. So, we recommend the provision of the necessary funds. Notably, Abim Hospital did not have three-phase power, which was critical for running some of the equipment that they have within the lab and, also, in the imaging. Status of human resource On the status of human resource – these are the same observations that we made across the subregion. However, notable was that there were staff working in critical areas, majorly as volunteers without substantive appointment. As regards the status of diagnostic services, we noted that the digital X-ray in Abim Hospital has not been functional for the last seven years. This is a new digital X-ray machine, but because of lack of three-phase power, it has never been installed. The ICU is also not functional despite having 10 ICU beds that were delivered there two years ago. Therefore, there is need for intervention on the diagnostic services. As regards availability and utilisation of medicines and supplies, we noted that,

No, I do understand. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to join my colleagues in appreciating the Committee on Health for the elaborate report on the status of our health facilities in Northern Uganda. I would like to be specific to my district of Lira. Lira District, since this political term started has never officially received any infrastructural development fund for health in Lira District. Mr Speaker, we have written several letters requesting the district leadership, but nothing was given to us. It was unfortunate that in the last financial year, a fund worth Shs 4 billion came abruptly to the district account and a letter was written immediately to transfer it to another district. That is when the LC V Chairperson, the CAO and I battled it out and managed to get one health facility that is under construction. However, pushing for that caused us more problems. Right now, we have a health facility called Onywako Health Centre II at the border of the Government Chief Whip’s constituency and my constituency. It is too crowded for the capacity of the health facility to handle the patients. We have tried to lobby under UgIFT which was under the ministry to no avail. Mr Speaker, in Erute North at Aromo Health Centre IV, the maternity ward is in a very bad state. The ceiling board collapsed on a mother during delivery. I even pleaded for renovation but nothing was granted. Luckily enough, we had to try to use some Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to try to renovate. This Sunday, I will go to a health facility called Abala. Women are going with a small torch for delivery but we have tried our best. My humble prayers are: 1. The Ministry of Health should try to balance their services. 2. The Ministry of Health should liaise with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to provide electricity in these health facilities because now the burden is on us. I have to take solar panels with its installation to a health facility to protect my women. 3. Mr Speaker, the President came to Lango and we requested him because of our population and he agreed to upgrade five health centres IVs to a district hospital where Ogur Health Centre IV was among. A follow-up letter by the district leadership together with us have resulted to nothing. So, my humble request is that these health facilities should be put as an amendment in the report so that it is adopted as a whole. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to address myself to the report on areas which they have mentioned. First, is the infrastructure area, which was missing. I would like to mention that in Dokolo, we have health centre IIIs which have been built, but they do not have electricity to run things which are required to run under a health centre III. I want to mention five of them which are; Amwoma Health Centre III, Atabu Health Centre III, Tetugo Health Centre III, Okwalanguwenor Abalang Health Centre III, and then Igar Health Centre III. These are beautiful, but without electricity to support what we require. The second issue is about human resources. Last year we supported a camp that operated 170 people in Dokolo Health Centre IV. However, the problem now is that they cannot do any single major operation, and yet the facilities are there. The reason they gave me is that they do not have a surgeon to make the recommendation which is required. Therefore, I would request that we look at such human resources who are very key so that we handle. Lastly, we also have a problem in our health centre IV. When our loved ones pass on, they are taken to Lira Mortuary Centre. I request that Dokolo Health Centre IV should at least have a mortuary. (Interjection) Hon. Okot is saying that it is a fridge. Do you want to give me information? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Good job to the chairperson and his team - the committee - for that report. I would like to draw my attention to the issue of the ICU. Mr Speaker, you have seen how far Northern Uganda is from the Central, where most of the functional Intensive Care Units are. If you look at Moroto, Lira, Gulu and Arua regional referral hospitals, these are very far places and we all know what an ICU does. What we have in place are not ICUs. The equipment is there, but we have high- dependency units. A few months ago, we lost a patient in Karamoja, and in my opinion, as a doctor, we should not have lost that lady. We had to transport her all the way from Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, and Jinja, regional hospitals, without functional ICUs until Mulago. She was still alive by God’s grace, but she eventually passed on. Therefore, these are the things we need to be addressing ourselves to. The other one is dialysis. The health committee two years ago set up dialysis in Mbarara, Mbale and Lira, and the plan was to eventually roll out, but I think because of funding this financial year, it was captured as an unfunded priority. As a matter of urgency, we need to have dialysis at regional level hospitals. Adjumani General Hospital, like the woman MP said, is operating in a very dilapidated structure, and it needs urgent attention, at least the maternity unit. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I am happy that the Committee on Public Service will address the issues of recruitment, but some of these health centres IV, like Pajule, have medical officers who have not been formalised into service, and they want to leave. When you ask the district local government, there is local government politics involved. Honourable members, we need to also discern the fact that part of the health system, the biggest bulk, is in the local government. Therefore, recruitment is a function of the District Service Commission. The contractor of the seven-story building in Gulu is being taken to court because of Shs 3 billion that has not been paid out by the Government. As a matter of urgency, can we please find this money for both Arua Regional Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospitals, for their staff complexes. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to present the addendum as per the Karamoja region; the discussions related to the infrastructure report of yesterday. Karamoja region identified key roads that need to be included in the report as follows: i) Moroto-Kotido Kaabong-Karenga Road; ii) Soroti–Amuria–Abim–Kotido Road; iii) Nakapiripirit–Amudat–Alakas Road that is joining to Kenya; iv) Lokitanyala-Loroo-Amudat-Karita Road; v) Napak–Kapelebyong Road, opening the region to Teso; vi) Rehabilitation of Moroto-Soroti Road; vii) Moroto-Nakiloro-Nakabaat Road, opening the region to Kenya; viii) Kotido-Loyoro–Kaabong Road; ix) Kaabong–Timu–Loitanit Road, again opening the region to Kenya; x) K a a b o n g – T i m u – L o k a l a p a t a – Nawountos; xi) Kalapata–Pire; xii) Karenga–Bira, opening the region to South Sudan; xiii) Abim-Napak via Turtuko is an internal road, but very important; and xiv) Kotido-Abim-Otuke-Alebtong-Lira. The region also considered the security and trade roads as very important, namely: i) Kotido–Agago; ii) Kotido–Karenga; iii) Kotido–Nakitongo, that is opening the eastern part of Kenya; iv) Morunyang-Majimoto, again the eastern part of Kenya; v) Nabilatuk-Katakwi which is the Magoro Road; vi) Kaabong–Karenga; vii) Kaabong–Kitgum via Lolelia; viii) Lopelpel-Lokwakipi-Narengnya, that is a ring road around the mountain; ix) Namalu–Nabilatuk–Lokapel; x) Lotome–Korisae Nabwal-Magoro, that is the Teso side; xi) Amudat–Komerimeri; xii) Lokwanamoru–Amuria; xiii) Alerek-Okemer Road; xiv) Alerek–Kacheri–Karenga; and xv) Iriir-Nabwal–Natirae; The key bridges that we propose to be included are: i) Lotome Bridge, that is between Napak and Nabilatuk; ii) Lolachat Bridge, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; iii) Lions Bridge, that is between Abim and Napak, which has been claiming many lives; iv) Nakonyen Bridge, between Moroto and Amudat; v) Okemer Bridge, between Abim and Kotido; vi) Nakirianget Bridge, between Mbale and Nakapiripirit; vii) Lodoket angisigiria, that is between Kaabong and Karenga; viii) Koberyo Bridge, that is between Kaabong and Karenga again; ix) Nataa bridges, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; x) Komatheniko Bridge, between Moroto and Kotido;

Madam Speaker, misinformation is disinformation. Yesterday, as the Committee on Physical Infrastructure presented on the Floor of this august House, it alluded to the fact that work was being undertaken on the Rwekunye-Apac–Lira- Acholibur-Puranga road. However, this is not true. The fact is that work is only taking place from Lira-Rwekunye and ending in Puranga. As the days go by, there is no work being done from Puranga to Acholibur. The matter has it that the contract for works on Puranga to Acholibur was given to Roko Construction Limited, but up to this day, Roko has never set foot in Puranga. The people are mad. Just as we came to the northern region, Madam Speaker, you alluded to the fact that Members who come to this sitting should be re-elected by their people. If this road is not worked on, I am scared that the simple me, Christopher Komakech - my people will have to vomit me. Isn’t it procedurally right that the same committee or the minister comes and articulates to the people of Pader why the Puranga- Acholibur Road is not being worked on, and why the contractor has never stepped on the site of duty?

Please take your seats. Your Excellency, as Parliament of Uganda, we are immensely privileged to benefit from your presence in today’s special sitting in the northern region and specifically in Gulu. This sitting is covering the issues, challenges and opportunities that are from West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja. Your Excellency, the sitting of Parliament in Gulu, northern region, in Uganda is a historic milestone in the legislative history of Uganda. As it is the first of its kind, it is the first sitting we are having at regional levels. Your Excellency, the 11 th Parliament appreciates your immense support for decisions to take Parliament to the people in regional settings. I remember we came and discussed this with you. I came with the Deputy Speaker and you okayed it. You welcomed the idea and it is really a very good idea. We thank you so much for that. Embracing of regional sitting is in pursuit of the legislative vision of, “A transformed, independent, and people-centred Parliament.” Contrary to what the critics are raising, that the regional sittings of Parliament are costing us a lot, that is not true. The Parliament sitting is legally and procedurally grounded in Article 95(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 and Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament which empowers the Speaker to convene Parliament at such a place and time through a proclamation. The regional sitting will exhaustively deliberate upon the most urgent matters that are intricate to the growth and development of a particular host area. For this case, it is the northern area. Indeed, during yesterday’s sitting, the House applauded your leadership in pacification, unification and development in northern region. Twenty years back, this region was not what it is today. You brought security to this region. A round of applause for His Excellency. (Applause) Your Excellency, the northern region has witnessed remarkable transformation as witnessed in the urban infrastructural growth, especially under the Uganda Support to Municipalities Infrastructural Development (USMID), the establishment of the public universities in Gulu, Lira and Arua, the health sector infrastructural growth and the progressive growth of the private sector.

14107 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 We also recognise and appreciate the decision to elevate three municipalities into cities. These are notably; Gulu, Lira, and Arua cities plus Moroto which is not yet operationalised, but it was passed. This elevation status has created immense opportunities for the region, which, if properly harnessed, will bolster the development of this area. Your Excellency, we also recognise that northern Uganda is not a homogeneous society. The different subregions within northern Uganda have peculiar realities which impact on their growth and development. However, there are cross cutting realities notably; the post war recovery, the high level of poverty and ever growing youth population a fair number of which are unemployed, a large track of arable land, averse national resources, the high influx of refugees, environmental degradation, limited transport infrastructure, heavy reliance on subsistence agriculture, limited value addition to agricultural output, retrogressive cultural practices such as cattle rustling, and the subjection of women and girl child, the enormous water resources, lack of health facilities and lack of enough schools. For instance, if you look at Gulu, Gulu City does not have a Senior five, A-level school. While we have a number of issues that affect each and every area that is; West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. Then delayed compensation of war victims and lack of compensation for the land that was taken over during the insurgency. Your Excellency, the sitting specifically took cognisance of the need for mindset change as a major catalyst for increased production and social-economic transformation in the northern region. In addition, the House recognised the need to embrace viable cash crops, livestock agriculture, agricultural mechanisation and value addition, and sustainable organic farming, among others. The Sitting recognised the importance of reliable transport and communication infrastructure as an enabler of growth and development. To this end, Members raised the need for the rehabilitation and development of strategic national roads infrastructure in the different regions notably; Moroto-Kotido- Kaabong-Karenga Road, Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road, Kitgum-Kidepo Road, Nebbi- Goli-Paidha-Zombo-Warr-Vurra Road. They are very many of them plus bridges and we shall hand it over to you. Including our famous Karuma Bridge that is about to give way. Your Excellency, at the end of this Sitting, I will submit to you a memorandum detailing the specifics of the areas of concern that this House has passed, that the committees found on ground and need to be worked on in the northern region. Members noted the need to work to ensure the success of the prevailing government development initiatives such as Emyooga . The 4-acre model may not be vital in this area because we have all the land. What we need is to do mechanisation, provide some funds in societies, create market for these products, identify the cash crops to be grown in this area to have a participatory approach to what is being done in this area and have a micro- credit scheme by adapting such programmes to local realities in order to achieve meaningful outcomes in the region. Your Excellency, at the end of the Sitting, we will transmit these resolutions for your relevant action as the Chief Finance Minister of this country. All these relate to finances. Our work is to find out what is lacking but at the end of the day, it all comes back to the Chief Finance Minister who is none other than your good self. As the leadership of the Legislature, we intend to have the regional sittings as a salient aspect of our legislative culture and vision of taking Parliament to the people. We, being a people- centred Parliament, we believe in evidence- based legislation and this can ably be done by our committees who go to the ground and find out what is happening there and report back to Parliament. Your Excellency, I now take the singular honour to invite you to address the House and

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

That is why I wanted us to have a dialogue and see what the issue was. I will call a meeting and we will discuss with the Members of Parliament from the area, plus the elders, so that you can tell us what is up because as hon. Kafuuzi said, the numbers keep changing. Lawyers initially took some of the money. So many problems, but we are resolved. Now finally, on the issue of the skilling hub, we have skilling hubs in Gulu, Adjumani and Lira (Lango Subregion). Maybe what we can do is to - because what I do, my state house comptroller takes equal numbers from each district. Maybe we can increase the numbers who come from each district. (Applause) We are moving - the only other issue, people, if you support me, the issue I had was that you train and give kits to go back with, instead of training and then you go back with empty hands. Therefore, we can fine-tune that. I thank you for coming and holding the meeting here and you have heard my views. I submit.

I have been informed of the current update. There are four confirmed cases of mpox in the country. Out of the four cases, two are from Congo and they were admitted in Bwera General Hospital; they improved and were discharged. The two other cases came from Kampala. They were detected, confirmed, and right now, they are admitted in Entebbe Hospital at the isolation unit. Madam Speaker, as I sat down, I immediately got a message from the Director General confirming that the case in Amuru District that was raised by Hon. Lucy Akello has been confirmed positive. So, we have got a total of three active cases of mpox and all of them are admitted. For the one in Amuru District - of course, each district has an isolation facility - they will be isolated, given supportive care, given conservative care, until they improve then they will be discharged, like those in Bwera General Hospital. Like I said, the ministry has developed a case definition already. There are probable suspected cases and confirmed cases. Therefore, let us continue to be vigilant so that we detect these cases early, refer them to the appropriate surveillance system within the district in order for them to do the needful, and take care of them. Madam Speaker, permit me, lastly, before I sit down to say this. There was an issue raised by the Member of Parliament for Amuru, Hon. Olanya, on the interns. I thought I should say something since he said that no interns from northern Uganda were deployed. I wish to inform this House, like the Minister of Health has already informed us, that indeed it is true, in the country this year round, there were a total of 2,860 interns. They included: the medical doctor interns; the nurses and the pharmacists. The medical doctors have both the dentists and the other line. The ministry so far deployed 1,590 medical interns. The remaining, from the stock that were not deployed, is a total of 1,270. The criteria that has been set is very clear. All medical schools, which are quite many, have trained doctors, nurses and pharmacists. The priority for those that were deployed was given to those that completed in 2022, including medical doctors from Gulu Medical School, interns from Arua and nurses from Lira University. I want to allay the anxiety that all those interns from northern Uganda, especially from Arua, Muni, Gulu and Lira University, who completed before last year, were equally deployed. It is true, Madam Speaker, when these doctors, nurses, pharmacists complete their training, they need to translate the theory into practical. The longer they stay, the more they are de-

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay the minutes of the meetings of the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation. From 1987 to 2005, the northern and eastern regions of the country were ravaged by several wars and insurgencies, which led to loss of lives, livestock and properties. In 2003, Cabinet placed a moratorium on ex- gratia payment for compensation claims by persons affected by wars and insurgencies. Consequently, claimants and beneficiaries from Acholi, Lango and Teso Sub-Regions filed numerous lawsuits against the Government in the high courts of Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Arua and Mbale. In 2008, His Excellency the President directed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to amicably settle court cases and verify all claimants irrespective of whether they took Government to court or not. In 2016, the inter-ministerial committee conducted a verification exercise of war debit claimants/ beneficiaries in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions. In 2020 the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. In 2021, the verification exercise was devolved to the district structures. On 29 July 2021, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister confirmed to the Parliament that Government was in the process of verifying livestock compensation claims for the areas of Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions including Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions that were affected by the insurgency. On 3 August 2021, the Attorney-General also assured Parliament that he would give a report, in a fortnight, on where the Government was going and in what direction it was taking so that Parliament could know what Government was thinking. On 18 August 2021, the Deputy Attorney- General reaffirmed before the Parliament that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was conducting verification of livestock compensation claims in the areas, which were affected by the insurgency. He also informed the Parliament that other sub-regions affected by the insurgencies were to be incorporated in the next phase. These included Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions. He also informed the Parliament that all livestock claims and compensations would be settled within the Financial Year 2021/2022. He informed the Parliament that livestock compensation rates would be harmonised across respective sub-regions. He informed the Parliament that a report with the final assessment was to be submitted to the Cabinet and Parliament for consideration. Madam Speaker, allow me to go to the committee findings, observations and recommendations. We looked at the registration and verification of the claimants/beneficiaries. In 2020, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso and displayed the lists of the claimants at the district headquarters and subcounties. The verification exercise intended to confirm the genuine claimants/ beneficiaries. The following were the numbers of claimants/ beneficiaries recorded: Acholi Subregion – 16,946 verified claimants Lango Region – 42,024 Teso Subregion – 33,664 Giving a total of 92,634 claimants. The committee found out that the registration and verification exercise was marred by

Honourable members, we are going to have this annually, by God’s grace. Now, if this time we have sat in Gulu, next time we will sit in another place in the North. After the first round of four regions, the next one will be in another place. We shall not repeat it in Gulu. So, you never know, it may come to Moroto or Lira. We can even take it to Hon. Avur’s constituency.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Article 90 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and rules 159(c), (d), (e), (f) and 189 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda, the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure is mandated to exercise oversight and ensure effective utilisation of resources and implementation of policies related to physical infrastructure development. In fulfilment of this mandate, the committee embarked on a field visit to Northern Uganda from the 4 th to 10 th August 2024, to assess the status of roads, bridges, aerodromes and railways in the region. The visit aimed to evaluate the condition, usage and maintenance of transport infrastructure, with a focus on roads, bridges, aerodromes and the railway. The committee sought to gather fast-hand information on the progress of the ongoing projects, identify challenges and determine necessary interventions to improve the region’s infrastructure. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the committee aligning with its oversight role and contributing to informed decision making for the development of Northern Uganda transport infrastructure. The committee visited the following sites: a) Karuma Bridge; b) Pakwach Bridge; c) Masindi Port Bridge; d) Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach Road; e) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga-Acholi Bur Road; f) Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Lira-Kamdini Road; g) Tororo-Gulu Railway Line; h) The Regional Mechanical Workshop and Logistics; and i) Moroto Road. Madam Speaker, this report presents a critical opportunity for lawmakers to address the transportation challenges in Northern Uganda. The committee’s field visit focused on evaluating the current state of integrated transport infrastructure and services, identifying key bottlenecks, and engaging with local stakeholders to understand their experiences and perspectives.

14042 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT through the National Park during the period when emergency restoration works are being undertaken on Karuma Bridge. Construction of the new bridge at Karuma The committee was informed by URRA of plans to construct a new bridge over the River Nile at Karuma. The commencement date for a new bridge is expected to be September 2026, after feasibility studies are completed among others. The current Karuma Bridge was constructed in 1962 with a design lifespan of 50 years. The ongoing repair works are expected to increase the service life of the bridge by a further two to five years. Therefore, it is imperative that the Government of Uganda considers a long-term solution to the movement of traffic at Karuma and construction of the new bridge - It is an ideal proposal by the committee. The committee recommends that UNRA should expedite the completion of the necessary processes, including feasibility studies, designs, acquisition of land and sourcing of funding in order to ensure that construction of a new bridge at Karuma can commence as planned in September 2026. Impact of temporary closure of the bridge The committee observed that due to temporary closure of the bridge, travellers are experiencing delays in reaching their destinations, and movement of goods and services has been significantly affected. Despite Karuma Bridge being a crucial artery for commerce in West Nile and Northern Uganda areas, it facilitates the movement of goods and services between regions and supporting numerous businesses. Currently, heavy goods vehicles have been diverted to alternative routes, including through Murchison Falls National Park and through Eastern Uganda - through Masindi port, and via Eastern Uganda, therefore increasing the travel time, cost of transportation, and inconveniences to road users. The committee observed that alternative route through Masindi port is overwhelmed by increased traffic and negatively affected by floods. In addition, the public facilities at Karuma and Kamdini such as toilets have been strained due to increased numbers of passengers on either sides of the bridge as they await transportation using smaller vehicles across the bridge. The committee received a memorandum written by the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce, Lira Branch (UNCCI), to execute a directive of the UNRA on the 3 August 2024, expressing concern about the significant bottlenecks to the transportation of the goods. The committee further recommends that UNRA should expeditiously undertake emergency repairs on Nakasongola-Zengebe Road to enable interim transportation of people, goods, services, while repair works at Karuma Bridge are ongoing. UNRA should immediately deploy another bigger ferry at Masindi port and increase the working hours of the ferries due to the significant increase in diverted traffic that the committee witnessed at Kungu Landing Site. UNRA should expedite the repair works so that normal traffic flow is restored over Karuma Bridge. Madam Speaker, another elephant in the room is Pakwach Bridge Assessment of Pakwach Bridge The committee noted that the bridge was commissioned in 1969 and has been in existence for over 55 years with minimal maintenance. The committee observed that there were structural cracks on the abutments, expansion joints had failed, and embankments on the western bank of the river had weakened with visible erosion. In addition, there was floating vegetation underneath the bridge surrounding the structure

14044 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Therefore, the structural integrity of the bridge would be affected over time if the embankment was not protected. The committee recommends that UNRA should urgently build a retaining wall and undertake sheet piling at the exposed embankment in order to protect it from further deterioration and likelihood of catastrophic failure. Masindi Port Bridge Delayed construction of the Masindi Port Bridge Madam Speaker, the Masindi Port Bridge is expected to be completed under Phase 4 of the Rwekunye-Masindi Port-Apac-Lira- Puranga-Acholi Bur Road Project. It should be appreciated that the bridge is under procurement and, therefore, the commencement date is yet to be established. UNRA informed the committee that Islamic Development Bank, who are financing the road projects, has committed to funding the bridge works at Masindi Port. The committee noted that the construction of this bridge is a long-time Presidential pledge, and therefore, delays in the commencements of works on the Masindi Port Bridge are expected to affect the optimisation and the under- construction of Rwekunye-Masindi Port-Apac- Lira-Puranga Road. Madam Speaker, this is because upon completion of the road, there will be diverted traffic on the road, leading to an increase in the number of vehicles using the newly constructed road. Consequently, the delays will be longer, since more vehicles will be using the new road, and yet only a single ferry remains being used at the crossing point. Madam Speaker, further, the committee observed that the temporary closure of Karuma Bridge has increased traffic at Masindi Port Bridge. The committee was informed that the Masindi Port ferry broke down due to a lot of work. The committee, therefore, recommends that: i) UNRA provides a bigger ferry to manage the situation. ii) The Government should expedite the sourcing of funding and identification of a contractor to undertake construction of the Masindi Port Bridge. The National Roads Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach Road The committee was informed that rehabilitation of the Karuma-Pakwach Road is currently ongoing under two separate lots, namely; Lot 1: Karuma-Olwiyo, which is 43.5 kilometres, then Lot 2 is Olwiyo-Pakwach, which is 62.5 kilometres. The works on the two lots are being undertaken in separate contracts, but the same contractor. The previous works on the road were completed in 2007, with a design lifespan of 15 years. The scope of the works for Lot 1 constitutes rehabilitation works, mainly comprised of provision of an asphalt concrete overlay on the entire section to replace the existing double bituminous surface treatment. These works are to ensure that the service life of the existing road is extended by at least seven years. For Lot 2, the road is to be reconstructed and the whole road to be widened with benched, earthworks and gravel fields. The final road conforms to the design class II paved standard with asphalt and concrete surface. I invite the honourable colleagues to refer to Table 3 and 4: Works Construct Details for the Rehabilitation of the Olwiyo-Pakwach Road is therein. Madam Speaker, the committee also examined issues of the delayed payments to contractors. The committee noted with concern that the contractors were demanding money for unpaid works since Interim Payment Certificate (IPC) remained outstanding. The total value of the unpaid IPCs was Shs 15 billion, that is to say, Shs 2 billion on Lot 1 and Shs 13 billion on Lot 2. The works contract

14045 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 contains provisions permitting the contractor to claim for interest payments on any outstanding IPCs, as well as an option to stop execution of works until payment are effected. The committee recommends that: i) The Government provides adequate funding to enable UNRA immediately pay the outstanding payment of Shs 15 billion to the contractors in order to curtail further accumulation of the interest and enable works proceed as per the approved work plan. ii) UNRA should ensure contractors are paid for any completed works in the future, as per agreed time frame in the works contract. Delays in completion of the works The committee noted with concern that the works on the road project are behind schedule and are unlikely to be completed on time. Karuma-Olwiyo section works are supposed to be completed on 30 November 2024, yet physical progress was at only 16.7 per cent, and those for Olwiyo-Pakwach section are to be completed by 25 May 2025 but physical progress is only at 28.8 per cent as at July 2024. UNRA attributed the delays to a late commencement by the contractor on Lot 1, the riots in Kenya that affected the supply chains of imported construction materials such as bitumen. Despite concerns by the committee, UNRA reported that the contractor had deployed adequate resources on Lot 1: Karuma to ensure completion of the project within the remaining time frame, including machinery to apply 500 metres full-width asphalt concrete surfacing. The committee recommends that in order to ensure the timely completion of the project, UNRA should effectively monitor and enforce the contract to ensure compliance with the contract terms and project timeliness. The structural damage and block access to property The committee met with the individuals whose property was damaged due to the ongoing works and were demanding for compensation. These individuals were located in Agung along the Olwiyo-Pakwach section. UNRA reported that it was aware and committed to compensating the affected individuals since the project insurers are liable for meeting such eventualities, which is usually done once after establishment of all affected persons is completed. In addition, Madam Speaker, the committee noted that some project-affected persons had access to their property cut off due to embankments built higher than the existing roads. The road elevation in Puranga had been raised, leaving nearby shops in a lower- lying area, making accessibility challenging for locals. This alteration will lead to floods destroying businesses of the community. Madam Speaker, the committee recommendations: i) UNRA should immediately maintain open and transparent communication with the affected individuals, providing regular updates of the compensation process and timeliness; ii) UNRA and the contractors should expedite compiling a detailed list of project affected persons and consider to timely compensating them. iii) UNRA should implement measures to mitigate the negative impact on business and surrounding communities such as providing alternative access to roads, to routes or rams and implementing temporary drainage solutions to prevent water accumulating during construction. iv) UNRA and the contractors should reinstate the utility lines. Madam Speaker, Rwenkunye–Apac-Lira– Puranga-Acholi Bur Road project is for upgrading of Apac-Lira-Puranga Road-Acholi Bur. Details are summarised in Table 5. I invite the honourable colleagues to get to Table 5.

14046 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The committee noted with concern that the project had a design review which was undertaken by a new consultant. This resulted into significant changes in the scope and price of the project. UNRA informed the committee that initially, the road had been designed to go through the existing road with the approval of the then leaders. However, during implementation, there was new leadership in Kwania District and Town councils who decided to maintain the old roads due to many buildings in the town. Consequently, UNRA had to redesign the road to create a new section, which was less expensive to compensate compared to the buildings on the old road. In addition, the committee was informed that design of civil works depends on samples. However, during implementation, after opening the ground, there are variations in length and width which result in either savings or additional costs. The committee recommends as follows; i) UNRA should use a design consultant to supervise the contractors so that any design reviews do not result in additional expenditure by Government. ii) UNRA should make its design review process clearer and more transparent to ensure that any changes to the project scope and price is thoroughly justified and documented. Delays in granting full access to site The committee was informed by the contractors that one of the challenges they were facing during project implementation was the delay in granting full access to site or right of way. And that 19 kilometres had not been acquired on lot 1 and 20 kilometre on lot 2. UNRA reported that land acquisition on this project commenced in 2017 with preliminary processes including the stakeholder engagements at all levels. Survey and valuation data capture and the first valuation report was approved on 3 September 2018. The second and third reports were approved in August 2021 and then the fourth in September 2023 and the fifth report on (Lira-Ngetta section) in July 2024. All are currently under implementation with two supplementary reports arising from the regional reports. The project was divided into the following smaller sections: i. Apac-Lira handed over to the contractor 93 per cent-this one members can go through. Madam Speaker, Tororo-Mbale-Soroti- Lira- Kamdini Road. Government of Uganda received funding from World Bank for implementation of an output performance-based road contract along Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini, that is about 340 kilometres. The project is being implemented in two lots. The project duration is 8.5 years and table 7 summarises the contract. The Delayed Project Implementation The committee observed, that the eight-and- a-half-year project is being implemented at a slow pace. Since it has 29 months remaining out of the 102 months for the project duration and yet rehabilitation works have not started on lot one and lot two is at 47 per cent physical progress on the rehabilitation works as at the end of July 2024. The committee was concerned that further delays could lead to project extension of time which could result into additional supervision costs even if there is no cost time extension for the contractor. UNRA informed the committee that delayed approvals to key installations and auxiliary sites by NEMA had hindered the progress as planned. [Mr Awany] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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

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

Thank you very much , Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. From the perspective of equal opportunities, and specifically on the issue of roads, Lango subregion is doing very badly. Only about three per cent of paved roads are in Lango subregion. For that matter, regarding the roads that Hon. Okot Bitek had raised under NDP III, we also have Dokolo-Aloi and Lira-Aloi, which have existed under NDP III and no work has been done. The entire Lango subregion has very few paved roads. I would like, therefore, to request that the Government put special emphasis on ensuring that the Lango subregion does not continue lagging behind. Again, Madam Speaker, on the issue of Rwekunye-Apac Ferry, I had the opportunity to witness the traffic on that road; vehicles spend about five days without crossing with the ferry from one side to the other. Some of those vehicles are ferrying animals. It becomes very risky. The cost of doing business is extremely high. I would like to support the committee recommendation of putting a much bigger ferry on that route. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I am speaking on behalf of the Lango Parliamentary Group. I would like to first of all give credit where it is due. I want to thank the Government for the Lira-Kamdini Road, which is now almost getting completed and also the construction of Rwekunye-Apac- Lira-Puranga Road which is ongoing. However, on the issue of the ferry, Masindi Port Ferry is the oldest in the country, and it is really outdated. I would like the Ministry of Works to consider this immediately because it is breaking down almost every day and it is affecting traffic. Madam Speaker, on the RALP road; the Rwekunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road, some of our people have never been compensated. I would like to ask the Minister for Works and Transport; when will the compensation get completed? This is because our people have sacrificed the land where the roads pass, yet they have never been compensated. The road is passing via Kole District where most of the people in the area of Akalo and other areas up to Puranga have not been compensated. I want to talk about Dokolo-Amolatar Road and ask the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development because His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, wrote a letter of pre-financing to use the Chinese company that was ready to tarmac the Dokolo-Amolatar Road, in 2021. The President gave the directive to the minister for finance to accept pre-financing so that this road is constructed, and the payments are completed after three years. Madam Speaker, the minister for finance should give us an answer as this road should have been finished by now. The Lira-Aloi-Abim Road is 179 kilometres. This was under the National Development Plan III, and in the NRM Manifesto as well. I would like the minister for finance to also respond, together with the minister for works. Lastly, on the road maintenance fund of Shs 1 billion, not every district is the same. Kole District and other parts of the country are covered by water. If we use the Shs 1 billion for only swamp crossings, installing box culverts and others, it is not enough, even in your constituency.

14080 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT agriculture. You should be able to look at per region, that is, Karamoja, Acholi, Lango, and West Nile. In terms of mechanisation, how many tractors do these people in Karamoja want? How many do they want in West Nile? How many do they want in Acholi? How can we improve agriculture in these regions? With all the vast land that we have, you should have looked at that. We also need to look at what kind of crops grow better in that area; the cash crops like tea, cotton, and cashew nuts. Then look at the pricing of what is produced in that area. When you look at the pricing in that area, you now look at the post-harvest handling. How do you do that? As a region in Karamoja, what do you advise the Government to do? How can we improve the post-harvest handling in that area? What value addition can we do for us to improve in terms of agriculture? For instance, if we are producing a lot of cassava - Archbishop Odama will tell you that you must have a factory that is handling cassava which gives you starch, ethanol - The questions should be, what do we need in Karamoja, Acholi, Lira, and West Nile? Also, talk about the livestock. People in Karamoja are cattle keepers. How much do they need to improve on the cattle they have? Or do they need additional cattle to be able to compete in other areas? Then look at poultry. Most of these women out there depend on poultry. You should be able to recommend that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should give poultry to these regions that can be able to help them, give animals for dairy and milk coolants in this area. For instance, Karamoja has little milk that they get from the cows but they may not have milk coolants. There is no way they can store that milk. Also, talk about the agricultural cooperatives and the enterprise selection. Those are things that I imagine you should be talking about and the pricing of all these in terms of the milk. You will find the tea - the people in West Nile are complaining about the prices of tea or tobacco. People here are complaining about the price of cassava. I think you still need to go back and – There is a procedural matter. I thought I had not finished.

On the same, when I have already made a ruling that I want a report that is comprehensive? I need a comprehensive report. I do not see why you need to bring up a point of procedure. There is no procedure that will add anything to the report. We want a comprehensive report that will help the northern region. I want to thank you very much. Hon. Obua, the honourable minister for Northern Region, the Prime Minister and all the other relevant ministers, you need to sit down with the chairpersons of West Nile, Acholi, Karamoja and Lira, for us to come up with just a draft – All of you are going to work on all this but we want something on our communication on the issues concerning Northern Region. I also request that after here, I want you to go and meet Archbishop Odama (Emeritus). He has a lot of information on the Northern Region. That does not mean that I have stopped the other meetings. Continue with the meetings. I know why I am telling them to meet. Tomorrow, since the President will be here at midday, can we start the House at 9.00 a.m.? Rt Hon. Prime Minister, do you have anything? THE MINISTER OF STATE, OFFICE OF

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On the 10 th of this month, the road between Karuma, Anaka and Pakwach was blocked after River Tangi, as usual, broke its banks. For the last three years, this has been happening around such a time. We tried to reach the responsible ministers but they were not able to respond to us. Therefore, we have to bring it here. I have three prayers. One, the ministry should be able to update the country. What causes this, every other time, around this time? This is because there is heavy traffic from Malaba, Lira, Karuma and to West Nile through that part. Also, traffic from greater Acholi moves to West Nile through that road. Two, what could be the short-term and long- term solution? We cannot continue to have traffic interruptions just because a river has broken its banks.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is very clear to us that today it is me and tomorrow is someone else. In my language, I can loosely translate to say that when a stick beats your co-wife, you are supposed to burn it into ashes because you could be the next target. One of the things that has missed from the minister’s statement is the nature of the emergency of the state of the road to Kiteezi. I am even wondering how they got there to rescue the people. The road is in such a terrible state that it is an emergency itself. For over seven years, those garbage trucks go throwing garbage and now they have diverted and pass through Kyanja spreading the methane and all the dirt. Honourable minister, with due respect to the work you have done, that is one thing you have missed and you ought to track it. Secondly, I think we all need to be true to ourselves. For instance, you pass the city and KCCA has just had a project where they are putting little bins alongside the road. It is a shame how money can be wasted. The basics of waste management - if it cannot come from KCCA, then you wonder who will follow. It is very clear and my sister, Hon. Christine Kaaya, has said the same; you should set up a learning example by putting bins that separate garbage into different categories. However, if you cannot do that, which other Ugandans will do it in their home? My question is, after all the cries- Kiteezi has been on the red flag. I have lived along that road for as many years as possible but you still fail the Government and make us look bad; you should be held accountable. (Applause) As I conclude, I said that we should “burn this stick” right here- in Mbarara City now, we are in disarray. People have chased us from the Kenkombe dumping site, including where we bury people. If Kampala that is an attraction at an international level - what will happen to us; Mbarara, Lira and Nakasongola which is yearning to have a city? I think every coin must be accounted for. I have no kind words for the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA); we need to see you act. People have died- we need an action plan. If we can have Kira Motors produce a bus in this country, why can’t we manage our waste? Unfortunately, we are no longer going to be killed by natural disasters; we are now going to be killed by man-made degradation of our motherland. When mother earth cries, it is unstoppable. I implore you to save us from coming here again. The Government should produce an action that translates into a budget. At least, we have one plant that can process our waste - and we are losing job opportunities for young people. Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you so much. Hon. Kakembo talked about the new cities. That new cities were created and approved by the Tenth Parliament. There is need to operationalise these cities to enable us prepare for the forthcoming general elections and demarcation of constituencies. He asked, when will we operationalise Entebbe City? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the Government in April 2020, created 15 cities in Uganda to be operationalised in a phased manner. The 10 cities of Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Lira, and Soroti, took effect on 1 July 2020. These were to be followed by the five cities of; Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso, meant to be operationalised as follows: On 1 July 2022, it was supposed to be Entebbe City. 1 July 2023, it was supposed to be Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, and Wakiso cities. However, in August 2020, the law (The Local Governments Act Cap 138) was amended, and midterm operationalisation of administrative units and local governments abolished. The newly created administrative units and local governments can only take effect six months before the general elections, and this amendment affected the next phase of the five cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the technical studies and consultations with stakeholders in the five cities, to prepare them for the operationalisation of 1 July 2025, subject to the guidance by Cabinet. Question number 6 is still from Hon. Ojok, Member of Parliament, Omoro County. His prayer is; what is the status of Government intervention in realisation of transitional justice law, to address the question of war reparations in Acholi Subregion? My response is that on 17 June 2019, Cabinet under Minute 239 (CT-2019), (Cabinet Memorandum CT (2018)38), approved the National Transitional Justice Policy as follows: a) Noted the key aspects of the National Transitional Justice Policy. b) Approved the National Transitional Justice Policy. c) Approved the wide dissemination and publication of the National Transitional Justice Policy. d) Approved the fast-tracking of the legislation on the National Transitional Justice Policy. e) Directed the ministers of Internal Affairs and Justice and Constitutional Affairs, to provide a transitional period between the implementation of the National Transitional Justice Policy, and the enactment of the relevant laws on the transitional justice to give the Government ample time to identify the most sustainable source of funding for the undertaking. The National Transitional Justice Policy is an overreaching framework of the Government of Uganda designed to address peace, justice, accountability and reconciliation needs of post conflict Uganda. Mr Speaker, it is therefore, seeking to engage with all parts of the country that have been affected by civil strife, conflict, and not only the Acholi Subregion. Since the approval of the policy, it has been disseminated and efforts are being undertaken to present principles for a proposed Transitional Justice Law. It should be noted that the principles for the policy were withdrawn from the Cabinet in February 2023, to enable the responsible ministries to harmonise certain issues, including administrative arrangements for the law.

When will operationalization of Entebbe City take effect? RESPONSE: Rt. Hon. Speaker and Honorable colleagues, Government in April 2O2O Created 15 Cities in Uganda to be operationalized in a phased manner. The 10 Cities of Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fortportal, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Lira and Soroti took effect on l"t July 2O2O. These were to be followed by 5 Cities of Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso meant to be to be operationalized as follows: l"t July 2O22-Entebbe City l"t July 2023- Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, Wakiso lities. However August 2O2O, the Law (The Local Governments Act Cap 138) was amended and midterm operationalisation of Administrative Units and Local Governments abolished. The Newly created Administrative Units and Local Governments can only take effect six months before the General elections. This amendment alfected the next phase of 5 Cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the Technical Studies and consultations with stakeholders in the 5 Cities to prepare them for operationalization on l"t July 2025, subject to the guidance by Cabinet. 11

1 Kayunga Regional Referral RRH Ka5runga Hos ital t6 Lira Regional Referral Hospital RRH Lira City 17 Masaka Hospital Regional Referral RRH Masaka City 18 Mbale Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mbale City 19 Mbarara Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mbarara ciw 20 Moroto Hospital Regional Referral RRH Moroto District 2t Mubende Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mubende District 22 Soroti Hospital Regional Referral RRH Soroti City 23 Entebbe Paediatric Specialized Hospital Surgery Specializ ed Hospital Wakiso District 24 Entebbe Hospital Regional Referral RRH Wakiso District 25 Yumbe Hospital Regional Referral RRH Yumbe District 22

13758 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Phase III Rollout districts. This was at the procurement process for 145 road chokes spread over 487.7 km. It was at contract signing and site handover by then. Mr Speaker, in the third phase, Lira District was part of it but up to now the constructed roads have no bridges. The bridges were done in a shoddy way, and the heavy rain swept the bridges, yet it was stretching, crossing from Lira to Oyama. Substandard and wrong machinery The committee observed that most grantees were small and medium scale, where pilot projects were established at lower local government structures and levels to bring together farmers’ communities to add value to their farm produce. The committee discovered that the machinery at various grantees’ sites was inadequate and out of capacity to process high-value farm produce. The committee further noted that the machinery was devoid of complete design specification requirements to handle farm produce across the complete value chain, thereby rendering some machines meant for value addition idle because of assembling and installation. The machines were also noted to have visible signs of gradual depreciation. The committee was informed by the members of the Oturukuru Produce Dealers and Farmers Association in Kumi District that they had envisaged the installation of machines with complete value chain specifications and therefore expected the machine to hurl, sort, winnow, and package rice to market standard. This was frustrating. The committee was informed by some grantee members in the district that the district focal point person - because the ministry had allocated each focal point person at the district level, was not guiding, and did not support the procurement of the machinery, meaning that they went blindly and some procured machinery beyond their capacity, others did not have knowledge on how to operate it. The committee further observed that there was a general lack of technical support and guidance as stated in the earlier submission, and this was exacerbated by inadequate budget allocation and release for procurement of machines with requisite complete value chain specification. For example, incomplete and poor workmanship was seen in some facilities that we visited in Kalungu and Rakai districts. Two, non-functional facilities due to lack of electricity in Bugweri - three, government issues in Kole District; there were fights. Non-compatibility of machines in Pakwach, Pallisa, and Nebbi District - these all hindered the well-intended objectives of the project. Recommendation The committee recommends that the Government, through the relevant ministry, especially the Ministries of Finance Agriculture, Local Government, Energy, and Mineral Development, should collaborate to offer guidance and support to grantees to procure machinery with a complete value chain of production. Matching Grants Mr Speaker, the committee found out that some of the projects in some districts that had been constructed as a result of the matching grants were complete and functional. The investment items under this component include offices, storage facilities, shelter for hullers, guardhouses, fences, ventilated improved pit latrines, weighing scales, moisture metres, and a power extension. The committee was impressed by some of the successful groups like the Katwaniza Women Farmers’ in Hoima, Abongo Women Group in Pakwach, and Kasaali Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Kyotera, among others. [Ms Auma] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern is about the distribution of iron sheets through the Office of the Prime Minister. I applied for iron sheets to be given to a special needs School in Vara, the District Union of Persons with Disabilities in Moyo, and the District Union of Persons with Disability in Gulu, Lira, and Apac. I was promised 540 iron sheets in the first quarter of the last financial year. However, to date, I have not received those iron sheets. What criteria is being used for the distribution of those iron sheets? I have heard that some Members of Parliament have already distributed these iron sheets in their constituencies. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Before I proceed, I take the honour to thank you so much for offering me the opportunity to designate Independent Members of the 11 th Parliament to the various sectoral committees, on your behalf. On behalf of the Office of the Speaker, I take the honour to designate the following Members as follows: Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries I designate the following Members: 1. Hon. Obong Vincent Shedrick, Lira West Division; 2. Hon. Namutaawe Joan, Woman Representative, Masaka; 3. Hon. Mukasa Julius Opondo, Bujumba County; 4. Hon. Auma Linda Agnes, Woman Representative Lira; 5. Hon. Tusiime Julius, Rwampara County East; and 6. Hon. Acora Nancy, Woman Representative Lamwo. Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs I beg to designate the following Members: 1. Hon. Lamwaka Margaret, Chua East County; 2. Hon. Komol Emmanuel, Dodoth East County; 3. Hon. Arinaitwe Rauben, Insingiro West County; 4. Hon. Museveni William, Buwekula South County. Committee on East African Community Affairs I designate the following Members and they are four: 1. Hon. Nakato Mary Annet, Woman Representative, Buyende; 2. Hon. Were Godfrey Odero, Samia-Bugwe County South; 3. Hon. Walyamu Muwanika Moses, Kagoma County; 4. Hon. Nyangweso Dennis, Samia-Bugwe Central County. Committee on Education and Sports I designate the following Members: 1. Hon. Macho Geofrey, Busia Municipality; 2. Hon. Makhoha Margaret, Woman Representative, Namayingo; 3. Hon. Suubi Kinyamatama Juliet K, Woman Representative, Rakai; 4. Hon. Nakayenze Connie Galiwango, Woman Representative, Mbale City; 5. Hon. Akugizibwe Aled Ronald, Buruli County; 6. Hon. Onen Charles, Laroo-Pece Division; 7. Hon. Aogon Silas, Kumi Municipality; and 8. Hon. Tweisgye Nathan Itungo, Kashari South County.

13455 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2024 commitments were prioritised and delivered in the Financial Year 2023/2024: i) Skilling in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; ii) Construction and equipping of 21 laboratories across the country in selected secondary schools using the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Engineering Brigade; iii) Upgrading learning facilities in 12 technical institutes and four vocational education centres of excellence at Uganda Technical Colleges in Bushenyi, Bukalasa, Lira and Elgon; and iv) Out of 259 seed secondary schools planned under UGIFT, 105 have been completed and 144 are ongoing. I have provided Shs 2.497 trillion to further improve the quality of education and the following are among the priorities: i) Supporting the new curriculum for S1 to S4 students; ii) Operationalisation of all the 111 seed secondary schools and completing the 27 seed secondary schools under the UGIFT programme; iii) Commencing the construction of 60 secondary schools and expansion of 61 existing secondary schools under the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project; iv) Providing loans to 5,192 degree and 1,125 diploma students who are on the Government-funded loan scheme both continuing students and new beneficiaries; and v) The Government takeover of the proposed Bunyoro and Busoga universities for inclusive and equitable access to university education. Banyoro, you can talk and clap because it has been a thorn in my flesh. (Applause) Social protection Madam Speaker, in the year we are concluding, the Government has provided social protection as follows: i. Continued with the provision of the Senior Citizen Grant to 439,069 older persons across the country amounting to a cumulative total of Shs 565.7 billion; ii. Under the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons Program (SEGOP), the Government supported 590 group enterprises benefiting 3,636 older persons; iii. Under the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP), a total of 23,083 youth projects have benefited 263,897 youth in areas of agriculture, trade, services and industry. This has created over 1,250,000 indirect jobs; and iv. Through the National Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, the Government is supporting 6,282 enterprises, benefiting 49,372 persons with disabilities. Madam Speaker, Government will continue to support the welfare of the elderly to keep them healthy and productive in their communities. While the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) targets those above 80 years, Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP) ensures the inclusion of those in the age bracket of 61 to 79 years. That is for us now. Government will also continue to support the youth and women beneficiary groups using recovery funds from the Youth Livelihood Programme and the Uganda Women’s Enterprise Programme. For greater efficiency, management of the two programmes has been unified. Madam Speaker, I have provided additional Shs 355.79 billion for social protection next financial year.

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

13390 THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 feed at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Kajjansi; establish and/or upgrade seed storage, threshing and drying facilities to ensure sustainable supply of quality seed under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries - Shs 134 billion. Transport infrastructure development The Government plans as follows: 1. Start construction of the SGR and continue implementing preparatory activities for SGR; that is update of feasibility studies for the western and eastern routes, and undertaking environment, social, economic impact assessments; acquisition of right of way for SGR (206 acres) of land are already acquired in seven districts. That is Tororo to Mayuge, among others – Shs 2.221 trillion; 2. Maintenance of 13 aerodromes; that is Arua, Gulu, Pakuba, Masindi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese and Kisoro – Shs 3 billion; 3. Construction and upgrade of national roads and bridges – Shs 1.27 trillion. Some of these include – (Interjections) - colleagues, this is on roads. The Government plans to spend Shs 1.27 trillion and I will mention some of the roads: a) Hoima-Wanseko Road – Shs 141.1 billion; b) Kampala Flyover – Shs 69.8 billion; c) Construction of 66 selected bridges – Shs 54.2 billion; d) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road – Shs 238 billion; e) Kisoro-Mgahinga National Park Headquarters Road – Shs 83.26 billion; f) Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko Road – Shs 180.6 billion; g) Upgrading of Kyenjojo-Kiruhura-Bwizi- Rwamwanja-Kahunge, Mpara-Bwizi – Shs 50 billion; and 4. Upgrading of Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli- Bukungu Road from gravel to paved standard – Shs 34.5 billion. Continuation of the rehabilitation of over 450 kilometres of national roads. Some of those roads include: a) Kampala-Jinja Highway – Shs 20 billion; b) Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima – Shs 25.05 billion; c) Mityana-Mubende Road and Mityana Town Roads inclusive – Shs 42.38 billion; d) Alwii-Nebbi road and upgrading of Pakwach and Nebbi Town Council roads in total – Shs 17 billion; e) Rehabilitation of Karuma-Pakwach Road – Shs 20.05 billion; and f) Reconstruction of Matugga-Semuto- Kapeeka Road – Shs 61.12 billion; 5. Rehabilitation of district, urban and community access roads will continue under the Ministry of Works and Transport. There is Shs 142.3 billion; and 6. Shs 1 billion to each district, city and municipality for road grading, murram and compacting. In total, Shs 176 billion has been allocated for this purpose; Colleagues, in the last financial year, they are roads that the Ministry of Works signed contracts for and work has started. Those ones are worth Shs 33 billion, but they are not yet completed and not even paid. There are those where contracts have been signed but work has not commenced. They are worth Shs 33 billion. There is a whole list in the annex. There are also roads where the contracts have been procured but have not been signed, worth about Shs 13 billion. In the last cash release, the Government gave this particular vote Shs 19 billion, whereas the total requirement is Shs 79 billion. So, the budget at base is Shs 26 billion. We must recommend Shs 34 billion to cover those roads. The list of those roads covers the whole country. 7. The following ferries development/ construction will be undertaken. The total for this ferry is Shs 11.8 billion. That is: a) Substantial completion of two Bukungu- Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) ferries and their landing sites; SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Achia]

ry.n'v &e o[l- ,tn \ "si ;NN .s t i t: i. t. I 8 (: t Amouat (OOO'f Vote Descrlptlon 63,620,755 160 Uganda Coffee Development Authority(ucDA) 4,831,755 161 Uganda Free Zones Authority Uganda Microfinance Regulatory AuthoriW to,466,294 162 163 Uganda Retirements Benefits Regulatory Authority 15,381,657 t64 National Council for Higher Education t5,891,289 31,529,180 165 Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board National Council of Sports t78,684,L72 t66 t67 Science, TechnolF5/ and Innovation 3r7,742,939 301 Makerere UniversiW 340,375,803 302 Mbarara University 56,499,64t t2t,453,L76 303 Makerere University Business School ) so+ Kyambogo UniversiW 131,616,555 305 Busitema UniversiW 5t,495,729 31,269,650 306 Muni University 307 Kabale University 58,701,033 308 Soroti University 28,662,468 309 Gulu University 63,844,236 Lira University 34,420,tO4 310 311 Law Development Centre. 25,425,r45 35,504,266 3t2 Uganda Management Institute Mountains of the Moon UniversiW 38,842,2L9 313 i 401 Mulago National Referral Hospital 92,708,Ot9 402 ) Butabika Hospital 17,515,837 13,679,781,851 Sub total -Central Votes ( Errcl. Referrals and Missionsl Referral Hospitals Arua Hospital ro,592,846 403 404 Fort Portal Hospital tt,654,O7t Y. .--:\ - A It ,i'r f.Fft i. "l ',I\.

-+, ,L'{ r Anount (OOO') Description Vote L2,19t,793 405 Gulu Hospital tt,309,247 406 Hoima Hospital t8,467,606 Jinia Hospital 407 tt,o77,oto 408 Kabale Hospital 10,487,888 409 Masaka Hospital t7,694,t3t Mbale Hospital 410 9,79t,927 411 Soroti Hospital t5,682,495 4t2 Lira Hospital 16,559,583 4t3 Mbarara Regional Hospital 12,256,956 4L4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 10,943,300 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital LL,824,457 4t6 Naguru Referral Hospital 25,160,483 Kimddu Referral Hospital 4t7 22,589,r92 t 418 Kawempe Referral Hospital 13,062,585 419 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 27,646,183 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 12,368,354 Kayunga Referral Hospital 42r tr,429,3t7 422 Yumbe Referral Hospital 292,789,423 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Missions Abroad 20,806,699 Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 1t,840,947 502 5,955,050 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa 503 7,677,777 504 Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 5,341,493 505 Uganda High Commission in Kenya ,Nairobi 9,273,94t Uganda High Commission in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam s06 4,023,569 507 Uganda High Commission in Nigeria , Abuia i .i +.- . t,' :,' r Il-, ,I -4 M\L 9 I ,l \.. . .!: # i\r.i I I '11 .t --.ts----- \

)frr f i lir ' e .30 Ii"' Y. \' Amount (OOO'I National Po Council Descriptlon 104,150 t49 5,530,148 150 National Environment Management E Au t,674,302 151 Uganda Blood Transfusion Service 152 National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) 639 064 1 295 400 Public Procurement & Disposal of Assets (PPDAI 153 Uganda National Bureau of 154 4 545 900 Standards NBS 270 oo0 155 tion Cotton Development 16,920,000 Ueanda Land Commission (ULC) 156 t57 National Forestry Authority(NFA) 53 203 692 10 680 ooo 158 Internal Security Organization (ISO) 32.OO2.960 External Security Organization (ESO) 159 3,32L,274 Uganda Coffee Development 160 Authori C 161 U Free Zones Authori 2,335,606 215,900 \ 162 Uganda Microfinance Regulatory AuthoriW 2,867,169 t--165 Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board 103,850,000 2,99A,LOO National Council of S Science, Technologr and Innovation 166 r67 rts 13,835,429 Makerere University 301 3,862,443 302 1,9L2,977 303 Mbarara Universi Makerere University Busrness School 3,320,992 304 Kyambogo University 5,383,896 -305 Busitema UniversiW 4,276,400 Muni University 306 2,327,gLt 307 Kaba-le U 10,128,600 308 Soroti UniversiW 7 043 350 309 Gulu Universi Lira Universi 4 553 t23 310 311 Law t Centre. 4 050 ooo ,xt'k- \(.. i --Y q

ait r [.' ,, .K .m- lir 2 I { ,&- .2 4l=# . '.t t. li ,',) .\ ,Lt Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 2,006,435 313 Mountains of the Moon Universi 12,339,276 Mulago National Referral Hospital 401 2,262,036 402 Butabika Hospital 14,973,335,870 Sub total -Central Votes ( Drcl. Referrals and Mlsslonsf Referral Hospltals 108,000 Arua Hospital 403 109,81 1 404 Fort Portal Hospital 108,0o0 405 Gulu Hospital 108,000 Hoima Hospital 406 tt6,276 407 Jinja Hospital 108,000 Kabale Hospital 408 108,000 409 Masaka Hospital 5,109,39s 4LO Mbale Hospital 108,000 Soroti Hospital 4tl 108,000 4t2 Lira Hospital I 108,000 Mbarara Regional Hospital 4t3 L42,LO2 4t4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 108,000 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital 216,OOO \ 416 Naguru Referral Hospital l,377,OOO \+rz Kiruddu Referral Hospital 810,000 Kawempe Referral Hospital 418 810,000 4t9 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 2,O4t,200 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 11,7o3,784 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Mlssions Abroad Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 2,90t,9r8 502 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 9,700,000 503 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 504 I , li , '.'; I i l, --l-l t ./' \1,. \: Ii \ ,,- H 4:-

'Bi -fu* {4+-. ll Y \**--= -X +.- #, w i i- t,'l'-- i 1' 23 #-- =--(.\, K Amount (OOO'I Descrlptlon Vote 10 790 oo0 Uganda EmbassY in United Ara b Emirates Abudhabi s28 490 o00 Uganda Embassy in Burun di, Bu umbura 529 t4 043 680 Uganda Consulate in China, Guan u 530 Uganda Embassy in TurkeY, Ankara 531 2 771 r64 Uganda EmbassY in Somalia, Mo shu 532 Uganda Embassy in MalaYsia, Kuala Lum 533 4 390 000 534 Uganda Consulate in KenYa, Mombasa Uganda EmbassY in Algeria, 535 390 000 da Embas 1n U tar Doha 536 537 U da Mission in Havana Cuba 1a U Mission in Luanda An 538 63 389 068 Sub total -Misslons Abroad l.ocal Governmclta 4 257 839 601 Arua ci 6 334 764 Fort-Portal ci 602 6 o22 534 Gulu ci 603 4 472 429 Hoima ci 604 7 884 358 Jin acl 60s 4 615 413 Lira ci 606 10 038 947 Masaka ci 607 6 140 296 608 Mbale ci t4 436 983 Mbarara ci 609 2 971 183 Soroti ci 610 5 371 776 A Munici al Council 701 673 734 702 Munici Council B 847 966 703 Bushenyi- Ishaka MuniciPal Council 2 360 688 Council Busia Munici 704 11 360 922 705 Council Entebbe Munici 1 o47 7tr Ibanda Munici al Council 706 \: . !.1 f;- l\ lr I r

Madam Speaker, my question is that Confederation of African Football (CAF) Regulations, 2022 require that the host federation writes to request an inspection of a stadium not less than 75 days from the match day. That is in Article 4 of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Regulations, 2022. Our next home games are due on the 3 rd and 10 th of June; less than 40 days. The question I am asking is for the honourable minister to confirm in which foreign country Uganda shall host its home games, given that Morocco that had offered us a free venue has received objections from one of the teams we are going to play against. Secondly, the minister responsible for sports and I had disagreed on the statements he made when in Lira and I am seeking your permission to bring evidence to this House so that we watch what the minister said, and thereafter, as we had promised, either him or I would honour the gentlemen’s agreement that we made on this Floor of Parliament. Thank you.

12740 THE KARAMOJA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (REPEAL) BILL, 2024 [Mr Ogwang] that the president is here; he sent me the CAF report. We read it and we are beginning to work on the issues that the CAF report identified, as a client and contractor. To be honest, we are trying our level best to address those issues for us having the game played at home. I have told you, Parliament, that the Speaker has even tried to get in touch with the president to also speak to the CAF President. That is why the same FUFA president, who is a colleague here, also brought it as a second option for us to address some of the issues raised and appeal whatever issues were pointed out in order for us to have the game at home. Nevertheless, if they do not agree with the appeals we are giving, it is on record that it is the Government which facilitates the national team called the Uganda Cranes to play a game outside home because of the challenges of the renovations of the stadium. I am the minister responsible for Sports. I made that statement in line with the plans which have been laid out, for purposes of completion of the stadium. However, you have seen a delay which was caused by failure to release the balance of the money for the last six months. Is that Hon. Ogwang’s problem? There was another issue which caused another delay. The Ministry of Works – First of all, Hon. Ssemujju, this stadium is in your constituency and was planned in 1972. The Chinese built that stadium and gave it to us as a grant. Getting the drawings of that stadium was a hassle. Fortunately, Hon. Hamson Obua is here. Do you know one officer was refusing to avail the drawings of that stadium for purposes of wanting the Government to pay him money? These are some of the issues which have delayed the renovation of the stadium, not the contractor. The contractor was on site, ready to do the work, but the challenge has been on some of the impediments. The last one is to address the question which my brother, Hon. Odur, raised. Hon. Odur, for your information, I did tell the people of Lango - I first handed them the contractor. The contractor agreed with me and they were sending a second technical team to go back to Lira to carry out what they call a “topographical survey”, which I want to confirm that they have done. When did they go to Akii-Bua Stadium? It was done within a period of one week after our visit. I do not know whether the contractor has gone there; they have to make it public that “I have gone back to Akii-Bua to begin doing the technical work”. That is not for Hon. Ogwang. Madam Speaker, I really would like to appeal to my colleagues from Lango that the Government, under the leadership of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is going to construct Akii- Bua Olympic Stadium – (Applause) - and that has been a long-awaited pledge for the people of Lango. It is on the hand side of Parliament and I am working with the contractor to ensure that Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium is built. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I have two points of clarification. The first one, under Article 3 of the regulations of CAF, is that there are two inspection regimes available. The member association, in this case FUFA, can do a pre-inspection report and report to them. If they are satisfied, the stadium can be approved. I would like to know from you whether you have already invited FUFA to do the pre- inspection report before you even think about – (Interjection) - yes, you will. That is the first one. I do not like us going back and forth. I had asked that if possible, I would play the evidence of whatever you said in Lira. It seems that your memory has missed something. You did say –

12762 THE KARAMOJA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (REPEAL) BILL, 2024 Lira. Most of the schools in Uganda do not play rugby, therefore, as one of the students who used to play rugby; a very interesting game, I request this Parliament, first, to include the rugby game in the East African games that we usually play as Members of Parliament. I will also be one of the people who will contribute and participate in playing rugby and represent Uganda at large. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I usually take ministers seriously but Hon. Peter Ogwang is one minister whose statements I find extremely difficult to accept as being a true reflection of the state of affairs in the sports subsector. The records are very clear and I can cite so many examples. He was here and told us about the High-Altitude Training Centre in Teryet - that it was 97 per cent. When he went there himself after some time, he found something else. He promised three times in 2023 that Namboole would be ready and about twice in 2024 and that has not come to pass. Hon. Ogwang went to Lira and purported to present an Egyptian contractor to construct Akii-Bua Stadium; he told the people of Lango that the works would begin in one week. It is now approaching two to three months but there is nobody on the ground. Therefore, with this evidence, I find that-

Madam Speaker, permit on a point of order. With due respect, Hon. Odur, first of all, it is very unfortunate that he has submitted a falsehood about my visit to Lira saying that I made a statement in Lira that Akii- Bua Stadium would be constructed within one week. Please, Madam Speaker, is he in order to allege a falsehood before Parliament that I made such statements while in Lira?

Madam Speaker, usually when I speak, I am very serious. (Laughter) I can challenge Hon. Ogwang that if I table evidence, either he or I will have to resign from this House. You went to Lira; it was covered in public. Even Members of Parliament from Lango were there. You were there with the LC V Chairman. You took a “contractor” and you announced to the people of Lango that the contractor would start work in one week’s time. It is now coming to three months.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to say something about the visit of the Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports) to Lira –

Yes, Madam Speaker, it is true that Hon. Ogwang went with the Egyptian contractor to Lira to hand over the site. (Interjections) I have not yet finished my statement, Madam Speaker. I am still giving the background. When he went with the Egyptian contractor, he went to hand over the site to the contractor. I was not there, but Hon. Ayoo was there, representing Lango Parliamentary Group. On the statement by Hon. Odur, about giving one week, I was not there; I did not hear about it - (Interjections)- yes, he has to produce the evidence here. However, the issue is that Akii-Bua Stadium must be constructed. We want it, we need it and it must host AFCON. That is what Hon. Ogwang said – that Akii-Bua Stadium would host AFCON. So, when the construction is going to be started, I do not know. We are only waiting for the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium to start. I think we are still within the time limit, Madam Speaker –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also thank the committee chairperson and colleagues for a very good report. However, I noticed that there is quite a number of equipment that the Government has put in hospitals, which might get to waste. For example, the printer for the CT-Scan in Lira Referral Hospital cannot print because the films that were given to them are not compatible to that printer and therefore, the equipment might break down because a thorough study is not yet taken to maintain it.

Madam Speaker, I welcome you to Namboole. I will be very happy to have you - as the Speaker - visit a big project for which this Parliament has been supportive. Maybe before I conclude, I also want to say this: For our people in Lira and Lango, I want to reiterate that -

12717 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 (vii) Constructing and equipping E-assessment and digital centre and enhancing ICT infrastructure The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits an additional Shs 8 billion in the next financial year for the phased construction of E-assessment digital centre. An additional Shs 8.6 billion be committed for ICT systems, re-engineering, integration and security enhancement, revamping and upgrading of the core hardware security and business continuity and disaster recovery activities, which need to be undertaken. Other entities a) Vote 166: National Council of Sports i) Payment of commitment fees This is for AFCON. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits additional funding of US$ 30 million, which is Shs 114 billion for commitment fees for Uganda hosting the AFCON East African PAMOJA Bid, 2027. ii) Construction of Hoima Stadium for AFCON 2027 The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits Shs 380 billion to the National Council of Sports for construction of Hoima Stadium. iii) Construction of Lira Akii-Bua and Buhinga Stadia The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits an additional Shs 100 billion to the National Council of Sports to facilitate the construction of Buhinga in Kabarole District and Akii-Bua in Lira District. iv) Construction of 11 training grounds for AFCON 2027 The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits Shs 110 billion to National Council of Sports for construction of 11 training grounds for AFCON 2027. (v) Redevelopment of Lugogo Sports Complex The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development provides an additional Shs 790 billion to the National Council of Sports for redevelopment of Lugogo Sports Complex in a phased manner. (vi) National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development provides additional Shs 3.0 billion to National Council of Sports as subvention to the National Anti-Doping Organisation. (vii) Relocation of Lugogo Cricket Oval and Tennis Courts The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance commits an additional Shs 0.36 billion to the National Council for relocation and hire of office space for the National Council of Sports during the National Council of Sports redevelopment of Lugogo Sports Complex; including Lugogo Cricket Oval and Tennis Courts. (viii) Non-Wage Recurrent

12723 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 16 billion, for renovation of the College of Health Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Shs 3.4 billion for the restoration of funding for the Infectious Disease Institute and Shs 2.4 billion for restoration of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre. Then Shs 12.3 billion for reinstatement of the budget for scholarships, education materials, research outstanding, in- house retirement benefits arrears and contracts gratuity, and Shs 14 billion for increase in Government-sponsored students’ food and living-out allowances. Vote 304: Kyambogo University The committee recommends that Minister of Finance, planning and Economic Development commits additional Shs 6.39 billion for wages, Shs 0.5 billion for research and innovation, Shs 9 billion for renovation of student`s halls of residence, Shs 2 billion for removal of asbestos sheets from buildings, renovation of 20 accommodation facilities. You cannot believe that this still exists in our universities, Madam Speaker and some schools in Kampala Capital City Authority. The committee also recommends that the finance ministry provides Shs 9 billion for construction of a boundary/perimeter wall. Madam Speaker, there are threats already of land grabbing at that university and people have started building houses. The university always fights with those squatters day and night. Vote 309: Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits a total additional Shs 5.6 billion for salary harmonisation, Shs 2 billion for the gazettement of the Gulu Central Reserve Forest and degazettement of Gulu University Land in Nwoya. Then, Shs 17 billion for construction of a business and development centre and teaching facility in a phased manner, Shs 3.36 billion for repurposing of Kotido Primary Teacher`s College (PTC) as a learning centre. Shs 2 billion for procurement of five new transport equipment, Shs 4.7 billion for construction of a multipurpose building and Shs 2 billion for preparation of architectural and engineering designs and production of bills of quantities for the proposed Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori Memorial Law Studies Block. Vote 306: Muni University The committee recommends that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Social Development commits additional Shs 2 billion for the construction of the University Administration Block, Shs 4.8 billion for salary shortfalls, Shs 5 billion for renovation and expansion of Madikola farm. Vote 308: Soroti University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits Shs 25 billion for completion of the anatomy block, which has stalled for quite a long time. Commit Shs 8.8 billion for shortfalls in living out allowances for Government sponsored students, outreach services and clinical placement for students in the school of health sciences and Shs 7.2 billion to address the wage shortfalls. Vote 321: Uganda Management Institute (UMI) The committee observed that the institute struggles with a number of challenges and it recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Social Development commits a total of Shs 10 billion for construction of a new multipurpose building at Kampala branch, Shs 4 billion be provided to construct a new classroom block at Mbale branch, Shs 1.32 to address salary shortfalls, and Shs 2 billion for research and innovations. Vote 310: Lira University The committee recommends that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits an additional Shs 11.5 billion to address the recruitment of critical staff.

(2) Popularizing of PDM Marketing strategr and branding and packaging strategies.in the country includes Karamoja and west Nile. (3) Acquiring and scaring up of the use of international recognised bar GIS bar code for promotion of Ugandan products in the market and support L2O MSMEs to formalise their business in south western, Rwenzori, West Nile, and Sebei sub region. (4) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 100 MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (5) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 1oo MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (6) Facilitate, support, Sensitization 120 MSMEs, Youths, women, pLWHA and PWD to formalise their businesses. in West Nile, Rwemzori and Busoga Region. (71 Conduct 3 stakeholder (Academia, SMEs, Policy makers and tegislators) workshop on Circularity and Circular economy (Resource efficiency, cleaner production and industrial in symbiosis in central region. (8) Facilitating, the preparations, Mobilization, training, vetting of 250 MSMEs including women and youth, through and guiding them in packaging branding, and requirements to participate in the regional, international and domestic trade fairs and expos. (9) Training of 100 processors in Leather-and agro processors Mukono and Jinja, Greater Bushenyi, Mbarara, and formation of clusters in each district I tr- 1-. ft h 51 &

for; the 345km Karuma Lira-Soroti-Mbale-Tororo 400kv Transmission line and Ntinda substation to Namanve underground cable infrastructure project, residual compensation works for Karuma and Isimba HPPs, Itanda and Kalagala Special conservation area, and other projects in mining, energ/ and oil and gas. Development of these projects requires the right of way or project sites to be cleared from any encumbrances for continuity of works as per the law. Failure to secure this funding will lead to delays in implementing the above projects/initiatives, loans penalties, cost overruns of construction as well as increase in the compensation costs as some of these lines pass through developed and or fast- growing towns and cities. Therefore, Government should provide additional resources for land acquisition so that projects are implemented in a timely manner. Recommendation o The Committee recommends that Government provides UGX 18O billion to MEMD for land compensation. (f) Underfunding of Rural Electrification Projects The Committee was informed that although rural electrification is intended to increase electricity access across the entire country, the ongoing rural electrification programs require UGX 498 billion but only UGX 133 billion has been provided in the MTEF leaving a funding gap of UGX 365 billion. These funds are required to meet already committed contracts and as such must be paid. These include; Grid extension of 29lots under GOU-UGX 258.5lBN Counterpart financing obligations for donor projects UREAP, TBEA, ERTTTI, GETFIT-UGX72. O6BN Obligations that survived donor funding -ERTIII, TBEA - UGX 158.95bn Various lasf mile s UGX 8.97BN l. ii. 111. iv. cK;-- ,u_ & J 18

Thank you. Next item. Honourable colleagues, I had told you that I would amend the Order Paper to accommodate a petition. PETITION BY THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF LAPONO AND LIRA KATO SUBCOUNTIES IN AGAGO NORTH COUNTY AGAINST LAND GRABBERS OF THEIR CUSTOMARY LAND

Thank you, Mr Speaker, first of all, for accepting to accord us space on the Order Paper. We are aware of how much activities Parliament is facing. Thank you very much for honouring our people so that they can attend to this presentation of the petition. For those who came in late, the petitioners are being represented by about 40 people who have come so that they can observe even today’s sitting. Mr Speaker, I rise under Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, concerning the petitions that regard customary land. The humble petitioners are community members of Lapono, Lira, Kato Subcounties that include even the neighbours, that is, Paimol, Omiya Pachwa and partly Adilang. I am presenting it on their behalf. “Your humble petitioners showed and state that they have been living in their community land of Lapono, Lira Kato Subcounties, Paimol, Lamiyo, Omiya Pachwa and part of Adilang, which is their customary land without any issues since Uganda was created, I believe. “Your humble petitioners own their land, which is approximately over 2,000 hectares and have been using it for settlement, cultivation, hunting, grazing animals and some other sports activities. They aver that they were using their land without any interference until one UPDF Land Force Commandant and his uncle claimed to have freehold titles over their land. “They discovered that the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has issued certificates, which even measure land close to about 7,537,341.5 hectares. The same certificates claim that 219,401,365 hectares of land has already been surveyed fraudulently and nobody attended even the surveying process. “The petitioners believe that the two land grabbers, the UPDF Land Force Commandant and one of his other uncles, did this fraudulently. “They also aver that the participation of LC2 Chairperson Kaket Parish, the LC3 Chairperson of Lapono Subcounty and the Chairperson of a clan called Kochure, have been having some illegal meetings and forming a non-existent association and referred to it as Land Owners’ Association. They have been linking with a coordinator of a project called Parish to Market Project, where they generated resolutions, which are fake, without the attendance of any members of the community, besides putting some signatures that they are landowners of that same area. They also aver that the Resident District Commissioner of Agago District, who had been moving to different meetings, on 17 October 2023 said that the people of Lapono, Lira Kato, Omiya Pachwa and Paimol had already given their customary land to the said investors. The Resident District Commissioner is even now using the Uganda Police and National Forestry Authority Police to intimidate some leaders who are standing together with the community so that their rights are not violated.” Mr Speaker, in that same land, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, through

Hon. Okot-Ogong is on the list that was not approved. Everyone in Lango knows where his family came from - the father and himself because this is a claim from 1986 to 2006; meaning from Lakwena, National Resistance Army and Kony war. Mr Speaker, we went with this case up to the President. The Attorney-General’s office was claiming that Bashasha’s list was fake. Luckily, I was in court myself. I joined when I was a Youth Councillor. We wrote to Lira High Court and it gave us a certified list of the beneficiaries under Bashasha and Co. Advocates who did not receive payments up to now. These are the aggrieved claimants who could not bear the pain and went to court. The Government says that it is now paying and yet those who went to court are not considered. Are we curing this problem or are we raising another emotional issue? I would like this matter handled. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I beg to lay on the Table the Ministerial Policy Statement for the Ministry of Education and Sports for the Financial Year 2024/2025 for: 1. Vote 013 – Ministry of Education and Sports; 2. Vote 111 – National Curriculum Development Centre; 3. Vote 128 – Uganda National Examinations Board; 4. Vote 132 – Education Service Commission; 5. Vote 164 – National Council for Higher Education; 6. Vote 165 – Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board; 7. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; 8. Vote 301 – Makerere University; 9. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; 10. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; 11. Vote 305 – Busitema University; 12. Vote 306 – Muni University; 13. Vote 307 – Kabale University; 14. Vote 308 – Soroti University; 15. Vote 309 – Gulu University; 16. Vote 310 – Lira University; 17. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; 18. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and 19. Vote 612 – Local Governments. I beg to lay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. From what we have just gone through, there are clear signs that the country is adequately gearing towards the Africa Cup of Nations and the other games. Madam Speaker, it would be procedurally correct for the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as we look at these facilities that will be built, to also begin considering some of the areas that are near, for example, when you look at Akii-Bua in Lira, a stadium like Pece War Memorial Stadium would be the best place for the players to prepare as they go for the tournament. Again, we have Gulu Airport, which would be the best place for the players to fly in. So, we need to look at places like Gulu –

Madam Speaker, I just wanted to give information to the honourable member that plans are underway to expand Gulu Airport and do the road from Corner Ayer to Corner Aboke, Corner Iceme to Bobi so that if the team lands in Gulu, they can take a shortcut to Lira.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was following up on a matter that my brother, Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi raised. The Minister of Transport and Works gave us a very good response as far as Gulu, in terms of the airport and the road are concerned. However, Madam Speaker, Soroti Flying School, which is the East African School of Aviation, is probably one of the oldest aviation facilities, other than Entebbe, that we have. I seek clarification from the minister that as we plan for these additional ones in other places in the country, what is the plan of the ministry, as far as ensuring that we harness the best possible use of Soroti Flying School, which has the second longest tarmac runway other than Entebbe, in the country – which probably has some of the biggest aviation facilities and equipment in the country after Entebbe? I do not hear this. Secondly, Mr Minister, I know that you are looking at the visitors flying into Gulu, but as you know, Soroti is only one hour away from Lira. We would be glad for you to also tell us what you are thinking in terms of road infrastructure around this sub-region. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This disease has been with us for a very long time. When you come into contact with these children, you cannot fail to shed tears. Much as the Members of the Acholi Parliamentary Group are on the ground, I believe that they are handling the issue of Acholi Subregion. However, even in Lango, we have many of these children. A case in point in Lira is Erute North where we have very many of these children. We talked to the chairperson. Even in Oyam District where I represent, we have two subcounties affected by this very bad disease. I would like to know whether the committee has also gone to some of these areas affected outside Acholi Subregion. Mr Speaker, in the next debate, I would like to beg that all the areas affected by the nodding syndrome should be handled once and for all. Secondly, the problem that we are facing as a district is that we are lacking the commodities to help in addressing this problem. The drug that we are using is antiepileptic. I would like to ask the minister; we were told at one time that there was research being done. How far has this gone and when will the Government come to address this issue? Thirdly, there is no special day assigned for this very serious problem. It is just left to whom it may concern. Even some of the staff, when the patients come, they look the other direction. Therefore, I would like to ask the minister, who is seated here that, wouldn’t it be good for you to assign a special day to handle these children and above all, feeding? When you have a child suffering from this disease, you cannot do any other work. If you go to the garden, you will find the child burnt, giving them full time engagement with these children. I request the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development who is here, Hon. Henry Musasizi, to try to allocate for us funding to help these parents suffering with these children without any help coming from the Government. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to clarify on some of the few issues that have been raised. First, in the case of Lango. I state that the cases we found in Omoro District were coming from Oyam because Omoro District borders Oyam District and the rehabilitation centre that is at Adek is actually at the border between Omoro and Oyam. Secondly, the cases from Lira were actually being reported also under those in Pader because it borders Lira District. What we found was that most of the cases in Oyam and Lira were moving towards Omoro and also Pader because that is where the services were available unlike in Lira and therefore it needs intervention in all those areas. Thirdly, these rehabilitation centres are health centres, social centres and also educational centres where they acquire vocational skills and they are integrated back into the community. We found out that some of the cases were integrated back into the community but there were some which were very severe and in the end, they went back home but still they could not be managed. That is the reason we proposed that a monthly support is given to those families because they have to stay close to them and they cannot go to their gardens, shops and businesses because if they do that, then there is a higher risk on them. Lastly, in regard to the new cases, in what we presented, we said that what they observed was that wherever there was a high population of the black flies, there was a high prevalence of nodding disease syndrome, mainly along the River Aswa. However, that hypothesis had a challenge. There are parts of the world in Latin America and Asia with a high black fly population but no nodding disease syndrome. Therefore, there could be possibilities that new cases may have emerged because the black fly hypothesis was not conclusive. Therefore, the proposal to support research will help to address this. In science, they say, “absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence.” Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to congratulate my fellow golfer for making it to the cream. Golf is one of the best games we have on earth. One, it makes you physically fit because you move such a distance. For this, our Golf Course of Gulu was distributed to the leaders and the technical staff of Gulu District Local Government. We have leaders in this House, who benefited from the land from Gulu Golf Course. Right now, we have nowhere to train from. If we want to train, we normally travel up to Lira. Gulu does not have a golf course, yet it used to be the best golf course in Northern Uganda.

11891 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 Question No.5 From Hon. Agnes Kirabo, Youth Representative, Central Region. That Mulago National Referral Hospital has started a kidney transplant. However, free services have been given to a few people. The rest of the patients have to pay over Shs 46 million, which is too expensive for an ordinary Ugandan. Prayer What is the Government’s plan to ensure this service is available for all? Response Mr Speaker, in December 2023, Mulago National Referral Hospital conducted Uganda’s first kidney transplant successfully, by a team of medical experts from Uganda with counterparts from Yashoda Hospital in India. Mr Speaker, the Government has allowed at least five patients with End-Stage Renal Failure who are on dialysis to have kidney transplants at Mulago National Referral Hospital, free of charge before the fee for the lifesaving procedure is determined for all patients to start paying. The costing of this procedure can then be deduced more accurately rather than estimating from a single or maiden renal transplant. Mr Speaker, Shs 46 million for a kidney transplant is a media-generated figure and not a Government position. The Government has not yet set the cost and our plan through, the Mulago team, is to determine the price after more transplants have been made to get the right picture of the cost implication. The cost of running specialised services is extremely expensive and such services have Ugandans over $18,000 on average, excluding costs of ticket and maintenance abroad. This cost does not include post-operative follow- up treatment which is also very expensive, especially in the first months. All investigations to prepare the patient for transplant were done in Uganda, except for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing where samples were sent to South Africa through Lancet Laboratories. This was more cost effective to do for now until we scale up organ transplant services. Mr Speaker, the success story of Mulago National Referral Hospital in correcting this health condition, will save Ugandans from travelling to India and other developed countries for kidney transplant. The Government of Uganda is committed to saving the lives of Ugandans through such innovations and lessons learned from Mulago. Therefore, after thorough assessment of all that entails the entire process of kidney transplant and full recovery of a patient, a reasonable figure shall be derived and Ugandans shall be informed accordingly. Question No.6 From Hon. Dr. Abed Bwanika, Member of Parliament, Kimaanya- Kabonera Division, Masaka City. He says that on 28 April 2020, the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda approved the creation of 15 news cities and 10 became operational on 1 July 2020, including Jinja, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Hoima, Fort portal, Mbarara, Masaka and Mbale. Section 188 of the Local Government Act, instructs that at the creation of a new local government unit, the minister shall assure the equitable sharing of property between the original and new governments. It is now three years since the operationalisation of the 10 cities without clear guidance on asset sharing. The Ministry of Local Government continues to handle ad hoc by engaging case by case, which has caused a lot of confusion and not desirable. This has negatively affected service delivery in the affected local governments. Some district leadership continue to insist on compensation out of the transfer of assets despite that these are public properties held in trust.

11892 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Prayers: 1. When is the Minister of Local Government concluding on the guidelines for asset sharing and laying the same on the Table in the Parliament of Uganda? 2. How much provision has the Government provided to support establishment of new headquarters for districts that were affected by the creation of new cities? Mr Speaker, my response is that funding to finance the settlement of 10 districts of Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Fort portal, Soroti and Jinja that gave birth to cities was requested for by the Ministry of Local Government during the budgeting period for the current Financial Year 2023/2024. However, funds were not allocated and this remained as an unfunded priority. The matter has been presented to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in the next Financial year 2024/2025 Budget Call Circular. Prayer 2: When are the subcounties that host new district headquarters going to be gazetted as town councils as part of the Local Governments Act? The Ministry of Local Governments has compiled the necessary data from the eight district local governments which have already determined their new locations. We are still waiting for submission from two district local governments. Town councils will be gazetted once the Ministry of Local Governments has received all the information from the two remaining local governments. Prayer 3 That since there are lacunas in the Local Governments Act about the governance of new cities, when is government coming up with a Bill on governance of new cities? My response is that the proposed Amendment Bill for Local Governments Act, Cap 243 has been prepared and will soon be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval, and then be brought here for approval. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My matter of national importance refers to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on Monday, I was honoured to be a guest of honour receiving a donation that came from the United States (US) to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. For the record, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is the only regional hospital; the rest, Mbale, Lira, Gulu, and Mbarara, among others, that has never got a facelift. It has buildings from 1944, a lot of congestion, and a lot of limited infrastructure in terms of even medical equipment. However, the problem was land. I would like to inform the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and

So, it is redeployment, in short, to other areas. (Members rose_) The problem under Prime Minister’s time, we do not have that chance. Honourable colleagues, sub rule 41(8) which provides for Prime Minister’s time says that we cannot exceed one hour, but rule 26 requires me again to appoint a time for Members’ issues on Thursday. I started today with Members’ issues but I want to appoint another hour. However, I would like to beg for your indulgence, we have items to lay and then we continue with the issues. I will give you enough time. The Prime Minister has said that she is here and that she must answer your issues before she goes. LAYING OF PAPERS (I) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ON OVERSIGHT FIELD VISIT TO SOROTI UNIVERSITY, LIRA UNIVERSITY, GULU UNIVERSITY, KABALE UNIVERSITY AND MBARARA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wish to lay a report of the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation on oversight field visit to Soroti University, Lira University, Gulu University, Kabale University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology; under Rule 34 of our Rules of Procedure, I wish to lay.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My condolences to the people of Namibia. Mr Speaker, on your communication on Tarehe Sita today, I would like to appreciate what the UPDF is doing. On Saturday, I drove from Otuke via Lira and Kiryandongo, where I found massive cleaning by the UPDF soldiers happening. My main concern would be, how could we step in to continue with the general cleaning as a country? When you look around, the whole environment is messed up with plastic bags and other kinds of things. I think this is where the country would step in to let the general cleaning, which the UPDF introduced, to continue. It should be on a weekly basis, as other countries do. I think this would really make this country remain great. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, these are responses on action-taken reports from the ministry. I would like to apologise because it is long overdue. I will start with responses to the report of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on the field visits to Government prisons and prison farms. The issues raised by the committee were congestion and overcrowding in prisons. They recommended that the Uganda Prisons Service development budget should be increased to enable the rehabilitation, expansion and construction of more prisons facilities, to accommodate the increasing number of prisoners and reduce congestion in the existing facilities our response is as follows: The first is that we had inadequate funds allocated for the expansion of prisoners’ sleeping accommodation. The development is inadequate and was budget was cut from Shs 37.227 billion, in the Financial Year 2020/2021, to Shs 27.388 billion, in the Financial Year 2023/2024. The average prisoners’ population of 75,707 as of 1 August 2023, exceeds the prisons’ carrying capacity, which is 20,321. This is exceeded by 55,386 prisoners. At a projected daily average of 80,640 inmates and a projected increase in holding capacity, congestion is projected at 396.8 per cent. This is phenomenal and needs to be addressed. In the Financial Year 2022/2023, the service expanded prison accommodation through the construction of a new prison at Ntungamo and the expansion of prisoners’ accommodation at Rukungiri, Lira, Mutuufu, Kamuli and Kiruhura prisons. Completion of prisoners’ accommodation in Kisoro, Ntwetwe, Isingiro, Maiha, Lukaya, Loro, Yumbe, Lwabenge in Kalungu, Koboko, Bamunanika and Kigandalo, which has been planned in 2023/2024. The strategy is: a) To construct five low-cost security prisons at Shs 3.8 billion each. Shs 19 billion is required per year for this to be realised; b) We need to construct one regional mini- max prison (Kitalya Model) with a capacity of 2,000 prisoners at Shs 33.3 billion per year. The total annual requirement for prisoners’ accommodation is, therefore, Shs 52.3 billion Recommendation two by the committee was that the Government should develop the National Corrections Policy to guide transformation from penal to productive correction. The response is as follows. The development of National Corrections Policy is ongoing. Once complete, this policy will provide a framework for community participation as well as private sector and non-state actors’ involvement in offender rehabilitation and reintegration process. The regulatory impact assessment has been completed and a draft policy is being developed. The other issue raised was about the inadequate staff housing and accommodation. The committee recommended that the management of the prison should prioritise the construction of low-cost housing and should phase this using the incremental approach as a multi-year project for decent accommodation. The responses are as follows: The rate of growth of staff population is not matched with the rate of expansion of staff accommodation. Currently, 7,936 staff, which is 55.9 per cent, are not properly accommodated. In the Financial Year 2022/2023, the service completed 320 staff houses, increasing the proportion of staff properly housed, from 42.6 to 44.1 per cent. Shs 1.4 billion has been PRESENTATION OF ACTION -TAKEN REPORTS

Okay, thank you, Mr Speaker. (Laughter) Vote 309: Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits a total of Shs 5.6 billion for salary harmonisation; Shs 2 billion for degazettement of Gulu Central Forest Reserve and Shs 3.36 billion to the Karamoja University for the preparation of architectural and engineering designs and production of Bills of Quantities for the proposed Constituent College of Gulu in Karamoja. Vote 306: Muni University The committee recommends that Shs 2.7 billion be provided for the renovation and expansion of Madi-Okollo farm. Vote 310: Lira University The committee recommends that Shs 9 billion be provided to complete the main administration block. Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University The committee provides Shs 5 billion for the construction of the Faculty of Science and Technology. Vote 004: Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Land Acquisition The committee recommends that UPDF be provided with Shs 157.3 billion to compensate for all claims brought against it. Vote145: Uganda Prisons Services (UPS) The committee recommends that an additional Shs 5 billion for the implementation of Phase II of the Prisons Information Management System be provided for. Relocation of Prison’s Headquarters The committee recommends Shs 3 billion for rent during the Financial Year 2024/2025 and Shs 40 billion over the medium term for UPS to procure new premises for its headquarters. Prisoners feeding The committee recommends that the provision of Shs 79.973 billion budget be provided to pay for the outstanding arrears for prisoners feeding during the Financial Year 2023/2024. Land Surveying and Boundary Opening The committee recommends a provision of Shs 2 billion in Financial Years 2023/2024

11454 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 The committee retreats its earlier recommendation that an additional Shs 4 billion be provided to NMS for procurement of a kit of glucometers, BP machines and thermometers for 3000 health workers across the country. Uganda Virus Research Institute - money has been provided to a tune of Shs 2.6 billion. Health Service Commission for recruitment – Shs 500 million, Uganda Blood Transfusion Shs 2.4 billion - we need blood in this country. Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital requested an additional Shs 6.1 billion for the recruitment of additional staff and also a funding gap of 0.87 be provided to Kawempe for maintenance of equipment. Kiruddu Hospital funds have been provided and the details are in the report. Mulago National Referral Hospital money was provided. Mr Speaker, generally, all the hospitals’ money was provided for including all the regional referral hospitals of Soroti, Jinja, Masaka, Fort Portal, Hoima, Mubende, Lira, Entebbe, Naguru, Kawempe, Yumbe, Kiruddu and Moroto. All these have been provided for, Mr Speaker. Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, page 180 The committee recommends that the Government should expedite the appointment of the Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB) and allocate an additional budget of Shs 9.4 billion to develop exports and discover new markets for Uganda in view of the worsening trading imbalances recently noticed after AGOA. Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should be supported to support our export sector with an additional resource. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, we have Annex 2, which provides a summary of the funding requirements to cater for critical Government programmes. Therefore, in accordance with Section 9(8) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 and Rule 145 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the committee recommends that the proposed National Budget Framework Paper of the Financial Year 2024/2025 to the Financial Year 2028/2029 be approved by this Parliament with amendments as per the committee’s recommendations. I beg to report, Mr Speaker. (Applause)

11379 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 2024 (iii) Chairperson, Institute of Parliamentary Studies from 2020 to 2021, (iv) Parliamentary Commissioner from 2016 to 2018 in the 10 th Parliament, (v) The Opposition Chief Whip in the 9 th Parliament from 2013 to 2016, (vi) She was His Excellency’s special envoy to different African heads of state to seek support for Uganda’s bid for the Chairpersonship of the African Union Commission, (vii) Leader of Uganda’s delegation to the Pan- African Parliament in the 9 th Parliament from 2011-2013, (viii) A Member of Parliament for Lira Municipality from 1996 to 2006, (ix) A Member of the 1994 Constituency Assembly that drafted and promulgated the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, (x) The Chairperson of the Presidential Policy Commission of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1992 to 1996. (xi) Secretary General of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1985 to 1992. (xii) A great pillar for the National Prayer Breakfast; FURTHER AWARE that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal had a long notable public service career as a proficient accountant, an ardent champion of corporate governance and has served Uganda in many non-political capacities, including chairing several governing boards in the finance and governance sector; RECOGNISING that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has been a competent leader who, together with others, strengthened constitutionalism, democracy, parliamentary practice, political tolerance, rule of law and encouraged cohesion among different shades of opinions. For her exemplary leadership, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni bestowed upon her the Uganda Leadership Award in 2023; APPRECIATING that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has been a fountain of knowledge and wisdom, a member of both the young and the old in the political arena, a nationalist who loved her country with passion and promoted it both at the local and international fora and a Pan- Africanist who fearlessly defended the African identity on a global scale; FURTHER APPRECIATING that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has been an excellent politician who, with vibrancy, articulation, and logic advocated for the rights of women and children and spoke the truth to power with unwavering confidence and conviction, yet with respect and was an indisputable political icon in the post- independence Uganda; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that: 1. Parliament collectively conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, friends, and the people of Dokolo, Lango and Uganda at large for the loss of a distinguished and exceptional leader of this country; 2. Parliament takes cognisance of the profound, patriotic and Pan-Africanist service that Hon. Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal has rendered to Parliament of Uganda, the people of Dokolo District, the Lango community and the people of Uganda and Africa at large.” Madam Speaker, I beg to move. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, this is my justification. On Thursday, 18 January 2024, the country woke up to the sad and unfortunate news of the passing on of Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the District Woman Representative for Dokolo. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the iconic leader, succumbed to cancer-related illness in India where she had gone for cancer treatment. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was born on 12 June 1946 in Agwata in the then Lira District, but in present day Dokolo District, Lango sub-region in Northern Uganda to the late Bonifacio Opio and Rosemary Apio. She rose to prominence as a career woman, politician and businessperson. The late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal took her primary and secondary education from local schools before joining Gayaza High School for an Advanced Certificate of Education, completing it in 1967. In 1969, she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the East African University in Nairobi. In 1995, she obtained a Certificate in Christian- Based Leadership from Haggai Institute, Singapore. In 2007, she obtained a certificate in Public- Private Partnership from Australia. Madam Speaker, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has had an illustrious career that spans over 50 years in both the public and private sectors, which shaped her identity as an Iron Lady. i. From 1972 to 1977, she was the Director, Uganda Breweries and Uganda Pepsi Cola. ii. From 1972 to 1974, she was the General Manager Operations, Uganda Advisory Board. iii. From 1981 to 1986, she was Chairperson, Uganda Development Bank as well as acting Secretary-General, Uganda People’s Congress. iv. From 1993 to 1996, she was the Chairperson, Presidential Policy, Uganda People’s Congress. v. From 1994 to 1995, she was the Constituent Assembly Delegate for Lira Municipality. vi. From 1996 to 2006, she was the Member of Parliament, Lira Municipality. vii. From 2006 to date, she has been the Woman Member of Parliament, Dokolo District. viii. From 2011 to 2016, she was the Chief Opposition Whip. ix. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Commissioner of Parliament. Madam Speaker, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, in her extraordinary life, has been a wife and mother. She has been married to Lameck Ogwal, mothering seven biological and many adopted children. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal will be remembered for her tireless dedication to public service. She was an eloquent legislator who legislated objectively and with passion. She has been a nationalist who always fronted the country first above any political affiliations. She has left a footprint as a true patriot in advocating for women’s rights and the girl-child. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, I rise to support the motion as moved by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. In loving memory of the late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (Atat), I wish to pay tribute to her on three fronts. First, I recollect my maiden meeting with her while I was a child. Second, to put on record the moment she felt a bit disappointed in me in my political life and third, to state the moment that changed my world view on who she was. Madam Speaker, in 1994 at the age of 14 years while a student at Lango College - it equally has handsome men and they are here in this Parliament - I had the opportunity to represent the children of Northern Uganda at the Parliamentary Mock Debate during Constituent Assembly (CA) when it was considering the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution. That formed my maiden meeting with Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (Atat) at the age of 14 years while in senior one representing the children of Northern Uganda. What we debated then was what the children of Uganda thought would be embedded in our national Constitution as the rights of the children of Uganda and that forms part of Chapter 4 of our national Constitution. In 2001–2002, I was a youth leader; the Chairperson, District Youth Council of Lira and a Member of the National Executive Committee of the National Youth Council of Uganda. During that transitional process from the movement system to full multiparty, we all know that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal’s ( Atat ) political origin is Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). While in leadership, as a youth, she managed to persuade all the youth leaders to join UPC with the exception of Obua Denis Hamson, the then District Youth Council Chairman of Lira and a Member of the National Executive Committee. However, I state that much as Atat felt disappointed, she respected my opinion and I salute her for that. All the two district youth councillors were UPC, the district delegate to the National Youth Council was turned to UPC, my secretary for finance, who is the current Chairman, Local Council V Dokolo District on FDC ticket and one of their national vice chairpersons was equally taken by Atat . I remained where I was. Later on, when I narrated to Atat the reason I made a choice to support the movement, currently the National Resistance Movement, I told her my childhood story to the effect that in 1986 to 1987, when the National Resistance Army took over power, there was a notorious character called Ojuko who came and traversed the entire Lango. I still recall, as a child, that Ojuko drove us up to Abako to look for Agetta. We walked with the family from Abako up to Lira and ended up at the home of one of my maternal uncles. When I told Atat that, that formed the basis of why I support the movement, President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement; because they saved the life of Obua and family when he was young, she respected that. That said, Madam Speaker –(Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Hon. Cecilia Ogwal’s other son. We have seen her longer than majority of you who have spoken. We ask you to listen to us in good faith because if you want to learn, learn to listen. My mother, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, used to call herself the “last chairman.” When they amended the Constitution to introduce the title “chairperson” instead of “chairman.” She said she was a “chairman”. This is because she led a bank called the Uganda Development Bank (UDB), and during her term as the Chairman, it made a lot of progress. What some of us are trying to do here is taking a negative direction. I met Hon. Cecilia Ogwal when she came to our home. I was a young man. I come from a UPC family. My mother and father were congressmen, and the UPC knew where to go. She looked at me and told my parents “We need to walk with this one,” and the UPC knew how to do it. They would go to secondary schools and look for bright boys to go into the homes of ministers during holidays. When I say “boys”, it is because I was in Busoga College, Mwiri and I never knew that they were also going to the girls’ schools. However, I think they used to go to the girls’ schools also. I stayed in Hon. Mateke’s home in Kololo, a man from Kisoro and I from Bugisu, leaving Hon. Masette Kuuya and Hon. Kirunda- Kivejinja from the East. What were they preaching? Nationalism. It is unfortunate, and I want to tell Hon. Jimmy Akena to thank Hon. Elijah Okupa, otherwise, he would not be a President of UPC. We would be the ones there. You heard Hon. Katuntu say that they were chased. We wanted to capture Uganda House. As young men, in the Seventh Parliament, we were planning to go and capture Uganda House. Mama Cecilia came with the late Dr Okullo-Epak. She looked at me and said, “You boys you are after something wrong. You are going to do something.” Hon. Okupa said, “ Mama , we are going to capture Uganda House.” Then Hon. Okullo Epak and Mama said, “Please, leave. We are going to handle it.” That is why we never went to capture it, and you were able to find it. (Laughter) Otherwise, we would be the ones in charge. Therefore, you must thank Mama Cecilia Ogwal who is lying here. When people were going to contest for the Constituent Assembly (CA), they had to get a clearance from the Ministry of Finance. I have two experiences to speak about. One of them is Rt Hon. Kadaga and Hon. Cecilia Ogwal. The Government then, using some methods, would use taxes for you not to contest, so you would not get clearance. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga had a law firm and arbitrary estimates. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal - she was a businesswoman - those of you who know Lira Millers - she had her estimates. I was there to decide. I wrote a note to the Secretary to the Treasury that I had cleared the two ladies because those were just estimates. Otherwise, those people were planning to stop them from contesting for the CA. Mama Cecilia Ogwal came and said, “You are a true son and a true Ugandan.” From that day, she confirmed that I was one of her sons. In 2001, I came to Parliament, and found Mama Cecilia and she was there for us. Again, we must tell the people of Uganda that sometimes

11413 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 2024 testimony about her sincerity. She believed that at a certain age, you need to rest. She had told her people in Dokolo that, despite the love you have for me, I have now crossed this age limit of 75 and I do not want to come back in the next election. My personal story is that Atat used to sit there and she had a cup of tea. So, she would invite me and say, “Now I need to energise you and give you this drink of mine”. The last time when she was eulogising the late Joyce Mpanga, she had no cup to pour for me. So she said, “You will drink from this cup. You drink my saliva”. I drank her saliva from there. Since I trusted Atat so much, one time, she led us in Lira in 2017. There was tension in the country and there was a meeting to go and consult. The police had said the meeting would not go on. Atat was a commissioner, she had spoken to the Prime Minister then, Dr Rugunda and spoken to Minister Obiga Kania and then we assembled in our house, that is, with Hon. Okot-Ogong, Hon. Sylvia Akello, the late Angiro Gutumoi and I. We told Atat, the tension may result in some injuries. We think we should not go for the meeting. She said, “No, I am a commander of Lira Boys, so all of you get in the vehicle and we go”. We trusted in the relationship that Atat had with the brother, the President. Now we sat in the car and said since Atat is a sister to the President, nothing will happen. Upon reaching there, we were met with tear gas, we were met with brutality, and Atat was even assaulted. I asked Atat , what kind of brother does this to you? She said, “Don’t you have younger sisters that you discipline when they are going out? My brother is disciplining me, and that is how it is done. (Laughter) May the soul of Atat Cecilia Ogwal, rest in eternal peace. Madam Speaker, if you will allow me later, I would like to propose a small amendment. Many of you who spoke to Atat knew that she had some claims she was negotiating with the Government about her business and she mentioned I. We it would please you, Madam Speaker, we would include it as the third prayer, that whatever she was pursuing behind the scenes should be admitted and this Government should fulfill because the records are there. I am sure the surviving members of the family can give that record so that the Government compensates because it was so close to the heart of Atat . If it pleases you, Madam Speaker, I will be happy to move that. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to pay my respects to a truly extraordinary woman on behalf of the people of Teso and Kalaki who had connections with Atat ; she had special connections with Lwala and Kidetok. I convey the condolences of my people to the people of Kole, Lira and Dokolo whom she served. A lot has been said about her. Permit me only to say this, when you met Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, what you saw was who she was. She lacked duplicity. She was a person committed to truth and honesty. I dealt with her when we had the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline hearing for Gen. Elly Tumwine and she appeared before the committee and that is when I got to know that you could never expect her to coat the truth. She would tell you the way it was. She was an extraordinary woman who joins the league of extraordinary women whom we have known in history. I have heard speaker after speaker lamenting about who will take her place. I am very sure that with competent women in this House, the Speaker can occupy that seat. I have a competent person I know in Hon. Opendi. We will find people to replace her. I just pray that you stand steadfast and committed to the cause for which she fought. May Her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

Madam Speaker, I present the names of colleagues who have been designated to the committee on Public Accounts Committee Local Government. 1. Hon. Shartsi Kuteesa Nayebare - Mawogoola County North; 2. Hon. Victorious Zawedde - Nakasongola; 3. Hon. Stephen Aseera - Buhaguzi County East; 4. Hon. Dr Abdulhu Byakatonda - Workers; 5. Hon. Ibanda Rwemulikya - Ntoroko County; 6. Hon. Linda Auma Agnes - Lira; and 7. Hon. Eric Musana - Buyaga County East.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have heard the Leader of the Opposition talking about no coffee road for generations. One thing you do not know is that cotton was the first crop registered. (Applause) It is an international crop that we have grown. I was educated on its basis. However, up to now we are struggling to get the Ministry of Works and Transport extend some roads there. Madam Speaker, let it be on record that the Minister of Works and Transport assured the people of the north that there will be security shortcuts to connect the North to the South through Amodo Swamp. It is now 10 years since; nothing has been seen. Madam Speaker, you know that the highway that connects the North to the East has remained miserable, apart from that spot between Dokolo and Soroti. That is the only thing we can be proud of. While they wanted to make me feel good, the entire North is in bad shape. Therefore, it is important that the Minister of Works and Transport should know that coffee goes through Lira-Kamdini, Soroti and the highway. We need cotton roads.

11282 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2023/2024 Public Debt Portfolio Analysis The committee observed that the preliminary country’s total nominal public debt stock stood at Shs 86.779 trillion as at the end of June 2023. This is equivalent to 46.9 per cent of GDP compared to 48.4 per cent as at June 2022. Of the total public debt stock as at June 2023, external debt constituted 60.2 per cent, which is US$ 14.24 billion while domestic debt constituted 39.8 per cent, which is US$ 9.4 billion. Preliminary findings from the annual debt statistical bulletin indicated that a total of approximately US$ 3.29 billion external debt was committed and remained undisbursed as at 30 June 2023. This debt would increase Uganda’s stock in the medium-term, even without signing any new loans. With the growing level of public debt due to its significance in meeting the country’s huge financing development needs, there is need to pay close attention to the cost of debt and the economic rate of return of projects financed through debt. The committee recommends as follows; (i) Given the existing global uncertainties (lower global growth, persistent high inflation in advanced economies, tight global financial conditions, slow growth in domestic revenue and climate change disruptions), the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prudently project and manage the funding mix as well as review its priorities to avoid escalation of debt beyond a sustainable level. (ii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should fast- track implementation of strategies to enhance domestic revenue generation for the country and reducing or rationalising government expenditure. (iii) Acquisition of additional debt should be targeted towards those sectors that trigger export growth and contribute to domestic revenue mobilisation. Criteria for selection of beneficiary districts The committee was informed that the selection of the beneficiary districts was based on the following; climate change vulnerability of the watersheds, poverty levels of sub-regional level and watershed degradation. The committee, however, notes that some of the districts which met the criteria were omitted. For example; Namayingo, Busia, Masaka, Soroti, Kwania, Lira, Gulu, Rwampara, Ntungamo, Pakwach, Kapchorwa, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Luwero, Kalungu, Kalangala and Buvuma. The committee, therefore, recommends that the districts of Namayingo, Busia, Masaka, Soroti, Kwania, Lira, Gulu, Rwampara, Ntungamo, Pakwach, Kapchorwa, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Luwero, Kalungu, Kalangala and Buvuma should be absorbed on the climate smart project due to the climate change vulnerability of the watersheds, poverty levels of sub-regional level and watershed degradation concerns in these districts. The inclusion of these districts will not alter the value chain in their respective subregions. Conclusion The committee, therefore, recommends that the request by Government to borrow up to US$ 325 million and receive a grant of up to SDR 19.5 million (equivalent to US$ 25 million) from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to finance the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project be approved subject to these recommendations. I beg to report.

Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Okasaai, Hon. Paul, Professor, Hon. Afande, Hon. Akamba, Hon. Yusuf, Hon. Macho, the honourable Member of Parliament from Lira, Hon. Omoding, Hon. Linda Irene from Fort Portal, Hon. Avur, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance and the majority of the House. Can you say why you want to borrow?

11308 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2023/2024 3.10. Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport The committee recommends approval of Shs 40.328 billion to the Ministry of Works and Transport as subvention wage and non- wage to cater for the National Review Board, MV Kalangala and Mt Elgon Labour Based Training Centre (MELTC). 3.11. Vote 017: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development This one is of course a correction of errors that could have arisen during budgeting and new opportunities arising - a total of Shs 118 billion to cater for; i. Shs 27 billion which was to cater for part payment of deemed energy obligations under Lira-Agago transmission line for the Achwa-Agago dam. We are getting to the last part of clearing deemed energy because now it is connected. Therefore, soon there is no deemed energy. They are only to pay the last residue, ii. Shs 50 billion was to bridge the demand gap through the accelerated rural electrification program. (Applause) That one which Hon. Kivumbi one time was about to strangle himself. Therefore, we are putting back the money which was erroneously - this is Shs 50 billion, there is another Shs 50 billion in the other part, so it is even more. iii. Shs 10 billion was to cater for the Mineral Regulation Infrastructure Project - this is now for minerals; we are now to get serious with the regulation of minerals; and iv. Shs 31 billion to cater for shortfalls on contractual obligations for deemed energy under Lira-Agago transmission line for Achwa-Agago dam. 3.12. Vote 018: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development The committee recommends approval of Shs 32 billion, of which; a. Shs 30 billion would cater for wage and non-wage shortfalls for food for remand homes and special grants for persons with disabilities; and b. Shs 2 billion for the rehabilitation of the National Mosque at Old Kampala - the ayes have it. (Laughter). 3.1. Vote 019 –

Thank you very much. I rise on the issue of maize as a product. One of my enterprising young men informed me that they have over 2,500 metric tonnes of maize lying without sale in Dokolo and Lira. They have also advised, and I see, that with the harvest – we are about to get a bumper harvest – the prices have tumbled and tumbled. However, I have been advised that there is a good market in DRC Goma area. What is happening is that some traders or business persons from a neighbouring country are able to come and purchase some of this maize from Lira, but our own persons cannot drive through that country to access the Goma market. I request that Government sees how best to handle this as East African Community. Secondly, how best can we use maize other than the usual way, so that the demand can be improved to support the situation we have? Thank you.

11041 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023 committee would have deduced whether the quotas were adhered to. ii. Defining the urban poor in cities like Kampala and Lira is a challenge. iii. Selecting beneficiaries in areas with big parishes is difficult, causes conflict and leaves out many potential beneficiaries. For example, Kasubi Ward in Gulu City has a population of about 39,000 people with over 50 per cent of those in the subsistence economy. iv. There were allegations of sexual harassment in Mityana District and reported gender discrimination in some regions, although the details of those allegations were not provided as required. v. The Committee was not satisfied with the explanations given by Postbank Ltd in regard to the discrepancies in the bank statement of Ogwangacuma SACCO in Kole district. Committee Recommendations The committee recommends that: (i) The PDM secretariat should have a system to monitor adherence to guidelines, especially on the implementation of the quotas and report on this issue, with statistics. (ii) Put in place a transparent selection process, combined with effective oversight to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the funds. (iii) Review the practicability of the quotas for the special interest groups due to its limited implementation, especially for the elderly, some of whom have no interest in enterprise development. (iv) The allocation criteria for Parish Revolving Fund needs to consider factors such as the population of the parish, poverty levels in the regions and remoteness, among other factors that make some areas more vulnerable than others. (v) Create a safe and respectful environment and institute clear protocols for reporting and addressing incidents of discrimination and sexual harassment. Other discriminatory practices should be reported and acted upon. (vi) Operationalise or establish a national call centre for reporting incidences/ cases related to PDM implementation. (vii) The police should investigate the alleged cases of sexual harassment as reported in Mityana District. (viii) The police should carry out an investigation into the irregularities in the bank statements of Ogwangacuma PDM SACCO to establish the truth. TOR 3 Effectiveness of Utilisation of disbursed funds by PDM. This is on the last paragraph of page 13. The subregions gave varied reports about how the funds so far disbursed were being utilised. West Nile, for example, reported that most beneficiaries have put the funds to the intended use, although some beneficiaries used the money to buy household items with the hope of replacing the money from the activities later. West Nile Subregion reported that enterprise groups have been formed in all the parishes and are engaging in agricultural activities, which are doing well. Common enterprises were food and cash crops, goat keeping, poultry, piggery; tree farming and apiculture. Group members who received PDM funds have invested the funds in farming and the crops are doing well, especially those who specialise in cassava growing. However, in some districts and parishes, for example, in Koboko District, heavy rains and hailstorm destroyed crops. But in some cases, the timing

10957 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2023 there now exists a presidential skilling centre in Lira that takes care of the Lango Subregion. They have been recruiting young people, especially those in villages, to be skilled. Probably, we may need to interrogate that programme and see whether we can support His Excellency the President further, and we roll it out from one subregion to another. In addition to that, we also obtained a loan under the Ministry of Education and Sports from the World Bank. This loan was meant to establish centres of excellence in the five original Uganda Technical Colleges; Bushenyi, Elgon and Lira, to mention, but a few. Under that project, we annexed a number of technical institutes. When you move to Kaberamaido Technical Institute, you will see the development because it is annexed to UTC Lira - even Kigumba. The Government is doing all it takes both for formal and informal education. For Ugandans who cannot attain formal education, the Government is emphasising more of informal education. As Parliament, it is important that we support the Government policy of establishing a technical institute per county or per constituency because that will enable young people who cannot attain formal education to be recruited and skilled in the respective technical institutes. Madam Speaker, thank you.

Thank you. I think what the ministry needs to do is to establish the National Youth Service. That would be a remedy to unemployment because if you have the “national”, we will not be talking of only Lira. You would be giving an example and say, “Today, we have a skilling centre in Lira. Tomorrow, we shall have it in Busia”. It should be a national thing, not an initiative of only a few. As leaders of this country, we should be able to support the Government in ensuring that we have this kind of skilling centres. Yes, honourable minister?

Honourable members, as I said, let us not discuss issues of AFCON. It is an agreed fact that we will have a number of stadia in different areas. It is also a fact that in the bid, there are specific issues and items that were raised; you must have five-star hotels, an airfield; number of things were put in the checklist. When people say Hoima is getting - maybe Fort Portal will also put up five-star hotels tomorrow. Maybe Hon. Okot-Ogong is planning to put up a five-star hotel in Lira - 2027 is far. Do not make the noise now. That will be sorted. Hon. Biraaro?

10691 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 To construct a kilometre of tarmac road in Tanzania, it costs Shs 2.1 billion, in Kenya it costs Shs 1.6 billion and in Uganda, it costs Shs 4.1 billion. In other words, it is twice as expensive to construct a road in Uganda than in Kenya and Tanzania. It also means that the same money we are using right now, Uganda can get twice. We are constructing about 900 kilometres of roads and it means that we can construct an extra 900 kilometres of roads. That means every subregion in this country can get 40 kilometres of tarmac roads. The Ministry of Works and Transport, in their Financial Year 2021/2022 Budget Framework Paper, said that by the end of the Financial Year 2023/2024, they would have ensured a reduction in the cost of road construction to Shs 2.7 billion. However, we are at Shs 4.1 billion. We are aware that in Lango Subregion, we are among the most marginalised. Yeri Corner- Aboke road is 55 kilometres, Dokolo-Ochero- Namasale road is 88 kilometres and Lira-Aloi- Kotido-Abim road is 120 kilometres. These are presidential pledges that are being recycled for the third time without fulfilment. I would like a statement on that. Secondly, although the Ministry of Works and Transport committed that by end of this year, they would have reduced road construction costs to Shs 2.7 billion, that has not been achieved. My prayer is that the Committee on Physical Infrastructure inquires into the high cost. I have all the data that has been analysed, more than 40 Votes for that –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As per Article 163(4), the Parliament received these reports and the scope of this report covers the education sector. This is in respect of the public universities which include, among others, under the Ministry of Education and Sports: Muni, Gulu, Lira, Soroti and Makerere University Business School, Nakawa and Makerere, Busitema, Kabale and Mbarara Universities. Mr Speaker, let me go straight to the Government of Uganda (GOU). The committee notes that a shortfall in the Government of Uganda’s revenue affects the implementation of planned activities at the Vote level and subsequently nationwide. The shortfall in releases was due to the finance ministry’s failure to fully fund the entities’ budgets citing poor economic performance. This observation should be made on the finance ministry because these entities have no powers over budget release, cuts, among others. In some entities like Kyambogo University, critical activities were affected by budget cuts and these activities had to be rolled over to the next work plan of the Financial Year 2022/2023. During this Financial Year 2022/2023, the finance ministry improved releases to Lira University and Makerere University, among others. The committee recommends that the accounting officers should always engage the finance ministry on releases and pursue the balances so as not to curtail the implementation of activities or events depriving their budget lines. Honourable members, since these reports are already uploaded and I know you have already gone through them, let me interest you to look at issues that the committee observed. The committee further observed that non- implementation of planned activities implies that expected services to the beneficiary communities were not attained. The committee notes that while COVID-19 and its effects were factual, the finance ministry be held liable for late releases and going forward, desist from making late releases to entities as it curtails efficient and effective achievement of planned activities. To further explain this, many times, as we heard yesterday, warrants are issued and the finance ministry releases funds to these entities late. You are aware that some of these funds are supposed to be for recruitment and procurement and the time available for them to absorb those funds, when released late, is not possible. In summary, it leads to non-implementation of these activities. Honourable colleagues, aware that the report is big and that you have also gone through it, as raised by the Speaker, in conclusion, it is my prayer and that of the committee that this august House adopts the recommendations contained in this report on the education sector. I hereby move. [Ms Obigah] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also thank the minister for his statement. I am also the chairperson of the District Roads Committee in my district of Apac. The main challenges as far as the regional workshop is concerned are: 1. The coverage is too wide to the extent that the scope of maintenance and repair works is very big. For example, Gulu Regional Workshop is serving West Nile, Lango, Acholi and Karamoja. How many districts are there, and how many machines and equipment can break down at a go and need repair? I request, through you, that the Ministry of Works and Transport create some maintenance branch; say in Lira and Arua to assist the western Nile districts and NIRA to assist the district in the Lango Subregion. 2. Through you, my colleagues have talked about the issue of funds. And I - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I have a few issues to raise to the Minister. In my constituency, we have lines that are passing over everywhere, but it is non-functional. There is no power. You have not switched on power for the last five years. So why do you have those lines there, yet there is no power? The second point regards the intermittent power supply. We have a very big town council, Dokolo Town Council. We have power twice a week. Maybe in two weeks, we can have power for only two days. I do not know why it is being done like that. We need to connect from the Lira line, not the Soroti line. Connect us directly from Lira up to Dokolo because that line is more stable. The third point concerns the high cost of electricity; the tariffs are too high. My people cannot afford it. You run your factory for one week; you pay Shs 20 million for power alone if you are running a factory. If it is a big factory, you pay over Shs 100 million and it is also affecting our businesses. In addition, the small wooden poles, especially in Adeknino Subcounty, are very tiny. I do not think they will even last five years. I would prefer that you replace them with concrete poles because they are more stable. We also have many trading centres in my district where the wire-line is only passing through. There is no step-down transformer in those trading centres. I would like to request the minister to procure more transformers so that -(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker and the honourable minister for the response which is not very convincing. It does not augur well for the livelihood and economic activity of our people. The issue of the ferry crossing at night needs to be underscored. The ferry has a schedule and the last one leaves Nakasongola at 5.30 p.m. In addition, at the ferry, we have a whole Marine Brigade. For the district to say that they are curbing theft due to the ferry crossing is sleeping on the job. We have many security agencies in place that have better ways of managing theft other than stopping the crossing of the ferry. Mr Speaker, the Nakasongola district meeting that the minister is talking about was requested for by our district security committees more than six months ago. Last week, I attended a security meeting in Namasale where the Nakasongola district security team did not respond. I think our people would want to hear a more proactive action other than the ping- pong of meetings. People have lost their property to loans, their markets have closed and we are losing local revenue. I think we need to be mindful of the livelihood of the cattle traders, not only in Amolatar but the entire subregion. Mr Speaker, to travel by ferry to Amolatar, you have to go through Lira or through Apac which is about 50 kilometres. I think we need to be fair to our people and allow them to exercise their right of movement. I thank you.

Mr Speaker, I find it very disturbing for a district council to pass a resolution stopping the movement of livestock and yet that is the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. I think the Attorney-General and all the ministers should explain to this Parliament whether Dokolo and Lira Districts can pass a resolution that animals should not cross their districts. It is not allowed and it is only the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries that can ban the movement of cattle or any other animals for health reasons –(Interjection)- like quarantine. It is in the law. Therefore, it is very difficult for me to agree with the people of Nakasongola or even the minister because I do not think this is the position of the people of Nakasongola District. It is the position of a few who think they should thrive on stealing animals from the district and they use lorries, not even the ferry. We work very well with the people of Nakasongola and cattle always moves by ferry and we buy from Lira, Dokolo and Amolatar without any problem at all. Honourable minister, I think you should get clear information. I agree with the area Member of Parliament when he said that the information you are giving is misleading the House. Mr Speaker, we should allow the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to come up with a statement because that is their mandate.

10267 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2023 states since the inception of AFCON in 1957, in Sudan. It will be also the first time the East and Central Africa (CECAFA) football zone will host AFCON 2027 in 47 years since Ethiopia last hosted it in 1976. The AFCON has been to the Western, Southern and Northern African regions, but not the East African region. As a country and the East African region as a whole, we are blessed with this good news and the opportunity to host the AFCON 2027 football competition. This is a great milestone in fostering the spirit of cooperation in the East African community. While the decision to pull resources and effort was strategic, indeed, three countries are still faced with challenges including infrastructure, sports infrastructure and funding against other competing priorities. The AFCON 2027 requires a substantial investment in infrastructure for the games, accommodation, and air, water and road transport accessibility. These are expected to yield significant dividends in the short, medium and long terms. We note that in March 2017, Uganda was able to host a one-day World Athletic Championship in Kampala. The report from the sports consultancy firm that undertook the research shows that the direct economic impact stood at $2,622,000 overall. Furthermore, we also know that $1.3 million out of the total expenditure of $1.96 million was spent on local suppliers among others. The AFCON 2027 is not just about football, but it is also an opportunity to showcase the beauty of East Africa to the rest of the world. Many tourists are expected to flock the region known for its diversity in culture, landscape, wildlife and vibrant cities, to mention, but a few. Mr Speaker, Uganda made a commitment to the Confederation of African Football to undertake and ensure the following are implemented: 1. Execution of Government’s guarantees to host AFCON 2027 submitted to CAF; 2. Sign off and the submission of the host agreement after CAF bids declaration; 3. Payment of the hosting fees amounting to $30 million to CAF before February 2025. Each country is supposed to pay $30 million, which totals to $90 million as a requirement for CAF; 4. The construction of two additional stadia to host AFCON namely; Akii Bua Stadium in Lira and Buhinga Stadium in Fort Portal or Hoima City Stadium in Hoima; 5. The completion of the renovation and upgrading of the Mandela National Stadium; and 6. Securing all required funding for smooth logistical operations and delivery of the game. Honourable members, the Ministry of Education and Sports is committed to the realisation and delivery of AFCON 2027 to showcase the potential of our country, while developing the infrastructure required to leave behind an existing legacy for the country. I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports, to extend my appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, the President of the Republic of Kenya, and Her Excellency the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. We also extend our gratitude to Cabinet, the Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the Minister of State for Education and Sports – myself – and the technical teams at the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports, the Federation of Uganda Football Association and others. Honourable colleagues, friends of East Africa, I am proud to be among those who have made history –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The day I saw you so jovial, joining your friends and dancing, I knew that there was something beautiful coming to this country. I congratulate you. I thank my big sister, Rt Hon. Rebecca Alitwala. From the time you became the Minister for East Africa Community Affairs, it has been well with this country. I congratulate the President of this country and I want to be on record and say that when my big brother, Hon. Magogo, was in Terego, he said that the stadium there is the biggest in the whole of Greater North. (Laughter) I am yet to get a message from him on how he zeroed down on Akii Bua Stadium and put Terego second, after indicating that this baby district had a superfluous stadium. I will be grateful to take information back to Terego that it will have one of the country’s training stadiums. Mr Speaker, the captain of the She Cranes is from Terego. You can imagine the good things that are there. (Laughter) I beg that there is serious training in Onduparaka and Arua Hill – you know how these boys thrive – so that they join the rest of Uganda. I do not want to forget about the bad roads we have in Lira; Lira and West Nile have the worst roads. I am on bended knee as I ask to have these roads worked on. (Laughter) Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Ariko for raising that issue. First of all, the current outage that Hon. Ariko is pointing out is actually true. We have a challenge in north-eastern and eastern Uganda; there was vandalism that happened on the line which takes power to the eastern and north- eastern regions. Just after Kakira, four pylons were brought down and that caused what Hon. Ariko is talking about. We are putting up those pylons, temporarily, to enable power to flow. We were forced to bring power from Karuma, but the wooden line between Lira and Soroti- Opuyo could not accommodate stable power to enable manufacturing and all the processes in eastern and northern-eastern Uganda. We are only able to take 75 megawatts from Karuma through that transmission line and that power has to be shared by the whole region. 75 megawatts are not adequate to run all the industries in eastern Uganda. That explains the rationing of electricity. What is the ministry doing about it? There are a number of measures that the ministry has put in place: 1. To remedy the vandalised transmission lines. We are putting temporary structures to enable that line to continue taking power to eastern and north-eastern Uganda. 2. On the transmission of power from Karuma, one of our agencies, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is working on the interconnectors to improve the power flow and increase the power that can be transmitted from Karuma, which is now producing about 300 megawatts. If the line is improved, that would enable us to have a double-circuit which would enable us to provide power from Karuma to the eastern and north-eastern region. The areas which are affected are Tororo, Mbale, Soroti and Moroto and we are working to improve the power supply in those areas. The question on Umeme -

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you, for the opportunity and also invite you to ask Hon. Kabanda from Kasambya to keep quiet. On behalf of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), permit me to present the reports after scrutinising the report of the Auditor-General in respect of the health sector and particularly the following institutions - there are quite a number, but as you guided me, I have prepared an executive summary and the reports have been uploaded onto the Members’ iPads. But before I proceed, permit me to lay, on the Table, the minutes as required by the rules in respect of all the proceedings of the committee. I humbly do so. Permit me also to lay, on the Table, as a matter of procedure and constitutional requirement, one of the annexures to the committee report. It is a report of the CID as tasked by the committee in respect to the existence of coffee shops established by the Office of the Prime Minister and a private partner, Inspire Africa Limited, in selected districts; which the committee established to be non-existent despite the expenditure of Shs 20 billion. I lay the report of the CID on the Table. With respect to the regional referral hospitals and other specialised health votes. I now proceed with the summary as guided. Article 163(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda mandates the Auditor- General to submit to Parliament an annual report on all accounts audited by him for the financial year immediately preceding. The Constitution further, under Article 163(5), requires Parliament to debate and consider the report and take appropriate action within six months after the submission of the report by the Auditor-General. The report of the Auditor-General on regional and national referral hospitals for the F iscal Y ear 2021/2022 was presented to the House on the 19th of February and referred to the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) for consideration. In accordance with Rule 174 of the Rules of Procedure of the House, the Committee considered these reports and proceeded to satisfy itself, among others, that – (a) the monies appropriated by Parliament and disbursed were legally available for, and applicable to, the service or purpose for which they have been applied and charged; (b) the expenditure conforms to the authority, which governs it; and (c) re-appropriation has been made in accordance with the provisions of the rules of a competent authority; and (d) the intended value of the expended monies was attained. Scope The report covers audit queries contained in the report of the Auditor-General for the period ended 30th June 2022, in respect of the national and regional referral hospitals, namely: 1) Mulago National Referral Hospital; 2) Mulago National Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; 3) Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital; and 4) Kawempe, Kiruddu, and China-Uganda Friendship Hospitals. Others include; Entebbe Hospital, Mubende, Kabale, Jinja, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua and Hoima Regional Referral Hospitals. In addition, the report further covers findings on other specialised health-related institutions and votes, as well as programs such as the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

10212 STANDIN G C O M M I T T E E R E PORT So, they would mingle in order to avoid the accumulation of pension arrears, the hospitals paid pension from the gratuity budget. The committee observed that misclassification is diversion of funds, and most of the diversions were affected by statutory expenditure lines of salary, pension and gratuity. For example, Lira, Kawempe, and Jinja hospitals registered mischarges amounting to Shs 105 million, Shs 47.1 million and Shs 75 million respectively. It was also noted that, in some instances, the accounting officers over-budgeted and concealed funds under statutory items yet they were over and above the actual requirement. The committee further observed that diversion of funds is not only contrary to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, but negatively affects the delivery of services, and negates the purpose of budgeting by distorting approved plans. We recommend, therefore, that the affected accounting officers be reprimanded by the PS/ ST for diverting funds from one expenditure item without seeking authority and a report be given to Parliament within six months. The committee further recommends that the accounting officers should utilise the PFMA, 2015, which gives guidance on the virement and reallocation of funds within a Vote, should need arise. Unauthorised loan deductions Madam Speaker, this is a matter that keeps recurring year after year. The Auditor-General noted that in most regional referral hospitals, there were unauthorised loan deductions from employees’ salaries without letters of undertaking from the responsible officers. Accounting officers explained that this mainly arose from the staff transferred to new stations without their personnel files. In such cases, employees would have active deduction accounts without complete records at new stations. In some cases, non-transferred staff faced similar predicaments, thus attracting the attention of the Auditor-General. Accounting officers further informed the committee that problematic loans were contracted before Payroll Consults Africa came into existence and were being granted at the Ministry of Public Service level. However, currently, all loans are forwarded and granted, basing on a letter of undertaking by the accounting officer. Indeed, Madam Speaker, we have raised similar concerns of loan deductions, on behalf of the affected civil servants. We have also passed resolutions about this vice, but it continues. In Lira Hospital, for example, audit established that UCLA/UBA deducted Shs 12,591,781 from 15 staff without approval of the accounting officer from the payroll deduction management system (PDMS). The 15 staff were not in the “my approval report” but in the “active deduction report.” At Hoima Referral Hospital, the same group deducted Shs 21,015,298 from eight staff without the approval of the accounting officer from the PDMS. The committee observed thus: 1) Government continues to maintain manual staff files, which are not easily movable upon transfer of the affected staff; and 2) That the practice poses a risk of causing deduction without liability, thus depriving staff of their hard-earned funds. This may also expose the Government to litigation and, in some cases, industrial action. Further, the committee is cognisant of clauses 2.1.2 and 2.1.4 of the public service agreement between the Ministry of Public Service and the Uganda Consumers Lenders Association/ Uganda Bankers Association, which requires a letter of undertaking for each Government employee before making employee reservation on the PDMS. Therefore, under the said clauses, only deductions consented to by employees, in writing, should be submitted to the Ministry of Public Service for timely monthly payroll

It is in the report. He was reading an executive summary. If you are talking about Soroti or Lira, they have their own reports. What he read was generic.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the committee for a good exposition of the situation in the new cities and districts. I want to appeal to this House and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Ministry of Local Government, especially in the case of Lira City and Lira District - among the cities and districts that were created, Lira got embroiled in a very serious conflict that has affected service delivery and performance. There are a lot of accusations. So many people have been sent to prison, many others are interdicted. All this has been because after the new city was created, the Government was not able to provide enough funding for Lira District to relocate to the new site. They remained within their premises, which was in the old district though within the city, and people started admiring and not wanting to leave the assets, the buildings, and the land that was within the city, and they ended up in wars. Right now, the district needs about Shs 10 billion to construct the new district headquarters. I would appeal, even for –

10239 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 not received a cent despite the appeal from the Ministry of Local Government that each is given Shs 1 billion. So, I have given a summary that includes how much land is available from every entity, and council resolution and we have also attached the necessary documents and proof of land ownership to show that these entities are ready to receive the money to start construction to relocate but the resources have not been provided. I have given a summary of all these other entities. However, I would like to take us - without going through each entity, because every entity has land, but it is important to mention two other entities, that is Kabarole and Jinja, these are entities that have gone ahead using their locally generated revenue to put structures for the new districts. However, all these projects have stalled because their local revenue is continuously dwindling because most of the cities took over most of the viable local revenue sources. Much as Jinja and Kabarole started construction, they cannot continue now because they do not have the resources. They need to have the money given to them. Now, permit me to proceed to general observations and recommendations to conclude on that so I do not need to repeat those other different entities. The committee made the following general observations: (i) The MoFPED noted the funds for the relocation of the districts displaced by the new cities were being disbursed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the availability of land and readiness to utilise the funds asked for. I mentioned only Soroti received this money. (ii) MoLG has not yet issued clear guidelines for the sharing of assets between the new cities and the affected entities. This is particularly because the conflicts in those local governments are unbearable. The cities and the districts are not working harmoniously because they are struggling to prove who is more powerful. (iii) Whereas the districts and the cities were coexisting, there were cases of conflicts arising from the distribution and sharing of assets as well as the location of the district headquarters. (iv) Following delays by the Government to provide start-up funds, local government through the respective council made efforts to establish new headquarters, find resources, and set up structures. However, construction works for most of the new headquarters have stalled, just as I said, due to a lack of funds; (v) Councils of the different local governments had resolved on the new locations for the district headquarters. However, there are petitions challenging some of them. (vi) Some of the districts are clinging, and this is important, Madam Speaker, Some of the districts are clinging on to assets located within the cities, especially those that were constructed using, I would call it purportedly, local revenue. (vii) Many districts are disposing of property within the cities as they prepare to relocate to frustrate the handover of these properties to the new cities. Some districts even plan to sell off or let out district headquarters. For example, the districts of Masaka and Lira are threatening to dispose of district council halls or administration blocks in the city and use the money for the construction of their new headquarters. (viii) There are disagreements between the district and the city land boards whereby some district land boards refuse to hand over files and are still carrying out transactions on land outside their areas of jurisdiction. For example, in

10240 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Lira, there is already a functional Lira city land board, but the district land board is still receiving applications and processing titles for lands in the city when it is actually not within their areas of jurisdiction. So we gave the example of Lira and Arua and the other entities. (ix) The Ministry of Public Service ban on recruitment as strained service delivery on the cities and the districts from where the cities were carved. (x) Cities and districts are constrained with office space since the two entities are sharing the same premises. For example, Arua City, for instance, recruited 406 staff but lacked space to accommodate them. So some of these staff are sitting under trees. (xi) Lack of adequate laws or guidelines for the operationalisation of the cities. Whereas a city is the equivalent of a district as outlined under Section 4 of the Local Government Act CAP 243 as amended, there are several gaps that affect the operation of the cities. For instance, a city division should be treated at the level of a municipality, but currently, in line with Local Government Act CAP 243, Section 4(b), they are still treated at the level of subcounties. (xii) Local Governments have continuously been faced with the issue of late releases and returns. This is important, Madam Speaker. Late releases and return of funds to the consolidated fund. For example, in the Financial Year 2022/2023, Arua City, Gulu City, Mbale City, Mbale District, and others received over Shs 3 billion far above what they had planned for by 19 of June. All this money went back within two weeks. To throw more light when we asked them, they said this was money they had not planned for. They had not budgeted for it, so they could not explain how the monies came. But these are monies considered returned back to Treasury; (xiii) New subcounties have continued depending on the mother subcounties in as far as road funds are concerned since 2021 without having their own allocation as required by law. (xiv) Continuous recentralisation of decentralised services such as decision concerning collection and remittance of local revenue and procurement. General committee recommendations The committee recommends the following: (1) In addition to the supplementary for ex-gratia and honoraria, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide funds in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 to cater for the following as indicated below - these are areas we consider very important, as a committee. a. Vehicles for city mayors and district chairpersons. These are political heads of the districts and some of them have ended up grabbing vehicles for school inspections and for health centres, including ambulances, because they lack means of transport. The committee recommends that Shs 35.2 billion be provided so that they can have means of transport. b. Relocation of the 10 cities. In addition to what has been given to Soroti, all the other nine entities should also be given Shs 1 billion each as a start-up for putting structures. They would relocate in phases. c. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion be provided to review the decentralisation policy because there are a lot of gaps. We need to make sure that we strengthen and deepen decentralisation and the best way is to have a review. The ministry requires the Shs 2 billion to undertake this process. [The Speaker] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

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

9699 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 2023 think this is something to worry about and as a country, we need to think of a way forward. Madam Speaker, in the constituency where I come from, you find a number of children moving to school but end on the way. Then we have a number of children who are selling oranges on the Lira Soroti Highway, from morning up to around 10.00 in the night. Some people even at around midnight, you can find them on the way with those trailer guys. I think that there is a need for the ministry to work hand in hand with the local governments and come up with an ordinance or bylaws that will help us to work on this issue of child marriage. There is a need for an ordinance and bylaws. That is the point I wanted to make and thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wanted to propose an amendment to the resolution talking about increasing sensitisation on third-party insurance. The issue is not just about sensitisation. We have an issue with commercial vehicles that move across the border and their third-party is not valid. I had a similar incident over the weekend; three of my constituents were knocked down by a trailer on the Lira-Kamdini Road. When they called that number on that third-party insurance, they said the third-party insurance is only valid in Kenya and not Uganda. Therefore, these commercial vehicles should have international third-party insurance. So, I propose that that amendment be captured on that.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I also add my voice to thank the President for conducting his constitutional mandate in addressing the nation. Mr Speaker, allow me to comment on the President’s address regarding sports. He talked about our bid, together with East African countries to bid for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) and went ahead to say, “We will put resources to build stadiums around the country in preparation for this”. Mr Speaker, as a person who comes from Northern Uganda, I see 2027 very close. If we were to look around the stadia which we have - I see Pece and Akii-Bua stadia in Lira, but in most of them, I do not see any potential. Just scan Namboole Stadium, which is close to us - it has been closed for many years without operation. My fear is that we may go for this bid but Kenya and other East African countries will overpower us - (Member timed out.)

9348 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The second issue is innovation. As a deputy chairperson of science, technology and innovation, I wish to thank His Excellency for his emphasis on science and innovation. We have just been visiting the universities in Gulu, Lira and Soroti and the scientists are doing great work and these need to be supported. They are producing a lot of prototypes. What we need is to involve the private sector to commercialise some of these prototypes. We are looking at a pathogenic economy. We looked at a number of plants - we went to Gulu University and found out that they are producing a number of medicines, where Dr Ogwang was involved. So sooner or later, if we support - luckily enough - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I also add my voice to thank the President for conducting his constitutional mandate in addressing the nation. Mr Speaker, allow me to comment on the President’s address regarding sports. He talked about our bid, together with East African countries to bid for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) and went ahead to say, “We will put resources to build stadiums around the country in preparation for this”. Mr Speaker, as a person who comes from Northern Uganda, I see 2027 very close. If we were to look around the stadia which we have - I see Pece and Akii-Bua stadia in Lira, but in most of them, I do not see any potential. Just scan Namboole Stadium, which is close to us - it has been closed for many years without operation. My fear is that we may go for this bid but Kenya and other East African countries will overpower us - (Member timed out.)

9348 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The second issue is innovation. As a deputy chairperson of science, technology and innovation, I wish to thank His Excellency for his emphasis on science and innovation. We have just been visiting the universities in Gulu, Lira and Soroti and the scientists are doing great work and these need to be supported. They are producing a lot of prototypes. What we need is to involve the private sector to commercialise some of these prototypes. We are looking at a pathogenic economy. We looked at a number of plants - we went to Gulu University and found out that they are producing a number of medicines, where Dr Ogwang was involved. So sooner or later, if we support - luckily enough - (Member timed out.)

I am sorry that I could not be in the House on time. And I will try to be as brief as possible. Madam Speaker, kindly allow me to start with the issue of blood. Honourable members, you are aware that from time to time we continue to have challenges of blood availability because we need over 400,000 units of blood on an annual basis, but we are not yet able to collect that amount. The highest we have collected is 300,000. Madam Speaker, we still have blood in our blood banks. And I have statistics in regard to that that I will quickly read. We have: Nakasero - 2,400 units; Masaka – 535 units; Mbarara – 390 units; Hoima – 200 units; Jinja – 150 units; Mbale – 400 units; Gulu – 250 units; Mengo – 100 units; Lira – 300 units; Soroti – 300 units; Arua – 200 units; Nebbi – 50 units; Kabale – 270 units; Rukungiri – 172 units; Fort Portal – 317 units; and Kitovu – 350 units, giving us a total of 6,284 units available at this point in time. PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Madam Speaker, here is my justification. On Saturday, 17 June this year, we received the sad news of the death of Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko, Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda and a former Judge of the East African Court of Justice: Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko was born on 5 October 1954. She completed Ambalai Primary School, in Lira in 1968. From 1969 to 1972, she attended Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Gulu for her O’level certificate. From 1973 to 1975, Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko attended Mt St Mary’s College, Namagunga, Lugazi for Advanced Level Certificate of Education. From 1975 to 1978, she studied Bachelor of Law from Makerere University, Kampala, and in 1979, she attained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko later attained a Master’s Degree at the International Judges Academy from Haifa University, Israel. Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko had a distinguished professional legal career, which spanned over 40 years: (a) In 1979, she was Pupil State Attorney; (b) From 1990 – 1993, she served as a Senior State Attorney; (c) From 1995 – 1997, she served as a Commissioner for Civil Litigation; (d) September 1997, she was appointed Judge of the High Court; (e) In November 2006, she was appointed Judge of the East African Court of Justice; (f) In February 2008, she was appointed Deputy Principal Judge to the East African Court of Justice;

In the famous decision of the Supreme Court in Gladys Nakibuule Kisekka v. The Attorney-General Constitutional Appeal No.02 of 2016 , Arach-Amoko stressed that the Judicial Service Commission ought to be allowed to carry out its own investigations into allegations of judicial misconduct as far as possible. In this case, the Supreme Court was deciding a constitutional appeal where a judicial officer had protested the jurisdiction and constitutionality of the Judicial Service Commission to entertain complaints related to the exercise of judicial power. Justice Arach-Amoko held that any decision made by the Commission could then be referred to court, but after the commission has conducted its investigations and made its findings on the allegations. Whereas the decision might have the effect of eroding judicial independence, the spirit of the judgement was that judicial officers ought to use the immunity judiciously and remain transparent at all times, an inspiration that is fast wearing away in our current judicial system. Several times, judicial officers have been implicated in illegal mass evictions of people and soliciting and taking bribes, among other ills. I urge judicial officers to emulate the late Justice Arach’s stance on accountability and transparency in order to dispense justice meaningfully. The legacy of Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko was not only the dispensation of justice or judicial activism and shaping of jurisprudence, but also nurturing legal scholars. Throughout her tenure on the Bench, Justice Stella Arach- Amoko endeavoured to do justice as a jurist, striving not only to help those less fortunate than herself, but also to ensure quality training for those who thought to follow in her footsteps. She worked relentlessly to open the doors of legal practice to many young lawyers when she served as chairperson of the management committee of the Law Development Centre. During her tenure, Madam Speaker, she successfully championed the following reforms: i) Decentralisation and offering all its courses at regional constituent colleges to overcome congestion of the Kampala main campus. The regional campuses in Mbarara and Lira were opened and are currently operational.

Lady Justice Stella Arach- Amoko moved through the ladders of human development until she became a Justice of the East African Court of Justice and, finally, to the Supreme Court. When a girl child moves from a rural school in Lira and is admitted to a school like Namagunga, it shows that one, the parents and the family were gender-sensitive to support her all through, but, it also shows that Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko was – from the beginning – full of confidence that she would make it as a woman. Allow me to salute the late Justice Stella Arach-Amoko for being a real model to the girl child. This should teach families not to let down the girl child when they are in school or – (Inaudible)– of life. Philosopher Plato, in one of his writings, said that girls should be given equal education opportunities. He said: “I was teaching students

9120 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 – at 64 years, up from 53 years just as recently as 2015 – attains more years of schooling and enjoys a higher income per capita than ever before. Health Access to healthcare by Ugandans remains a key priority of this Government. Consequently, 381 health centre IIs have been upgraded to health centre IIIs. Dr Jane, you will confirm that. In addition, 250,000 health centre IIIs have been upgraded to health centres IV, equipped and are now functional, largely supported by the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) programme, co-funded by the World Bank. Construction and equipping of 31 new health centre IIIs in sub-counties without any health facility are now 90 per cent complete. The health referral system has also been enhanced by fully functioning 143 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and five High Dependency Units (HDUs) in national and regional referral hospitals across the country. Next year, the Mulago Super Specialised Hospital and the new state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit at the Uganda Cancer Institute will be fully operationalised. They will provide specialised care to all Ugandans and reduce medical referrals abroad. In addition, all existing health centres IV and health centres III will be facilitated to offer quality healthcare to all Ugandans. In this respect, health worker supervision and management will be strengthened to reduce absenteeism. After the on-going payroll audit, the ban on health worker recruitment will be lifted. Government will, in the next few weeks, resolve the plight of medical interns and doctors designated as senior house officers, in view of their important role in supporting the healthcare system. Please, interns, calm down; we are coming to rescue you. In the meantime, I have provided Shs 22 billion to clear outstanding arrears for medical interns and senior house officers for the Financial Year ending June 2023. Education We have registered significant progress in access to education. Uganda’s literacy rate improved from 70.2 per cent in 2012 to 79 per cent in 2021. Education enrolment in public schools is now at 8.8 million children in primary school, 833,000 pupils in secondary and 174,000 students in tertiary institutions. These children were 8.8 million in primary schools and in secondary they are only 833,000, where did the rest go? To improve delivery of the recently launched curriculum, 3,100 teachers were trained and inspection of learning institutions was enhanced using the e-inspection system. The Teacher Effectiveness and Learners Achievement (TELA) system has helped reduce teacher absenteeism and improved pupil attendance. The Education Management Information System (EMIS) has been revamped to support data management and decision-making in education. To enhance sports development, talent identification, nurturing, and professional development have been emphasised. The Mountains of the Moon University was operationalised during this financial year. Upgrading of facilities was completed at Uganda Technical Colleges in Lira, Elgon, and Bushenyi. Next year, the construction and equipping of two-unit laboratories in 21 secondary schools currently without any, will commence in line with the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Policy. Government will continue with the construction of 115 seed secondary schools under the Uganda Inter-Government Fiscal Transfer Programme (UgIFT) in sub-counties without any.

9122 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 commence next financial year. Forty-nine per cent of the right-of-way for the Kampala- Malaba Standard Gauge railway has been acquired. The construction of the Malaba- Kampala Standard Gauge Railway will commence next financial year, for which Shs 535 billion has been provided. Madam Speaker, in the air transport sector, the redevelopment and expansion of Entebbe International Airport is at 85 per cent complete and due to be completed by July 2024. The construction of Kabalega International Airport now stands at 91.7 per cent and will be completed by September 2023. We shall also rehabilitate and upgrade the following aerodromes that are under feasibility studies: Kidepo, Pakuba, Mbarara, Gulu, Arua, Kisoro and Kasese. Madam Speaker, an allocation of Shs 4.5 trillion, representing 13.3 per cent of the total budget has been budgeted for road maintenance and construction; railway development and rehabilitation; and water and air transport development. Of particular significance, an allocation of Shs 1 billion has been provided to each district, city and municipality for road grading, murram and compacting. In total, Shs 176 billion has been allocated for this purpose. (Applause) We have also secured US$ 608.7 million, equivalent to Shs 2.25 trillion to address flooding, traffic congestion, poor road infrastructure, un- signalised junctions and unemployment in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) covering Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi districts and their municipalities. This will upgrade 504 kilometres of roads including junction signalisation in eight urban authorities; rehabilitation of 30 storm water drainage points; upgrade 23 markets and construct 25 artisanal parks, and industrial workspaces for small-scale manufacturers. (Applause) In collaboration with the World Bank, the Government is implementing a $360 million Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme to improve infrastructure and address operational challenges in the cities and municipalities. Power infrastructure Power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure have continued to expand. Generation capacity increased to 1,378.1 Megawatts as at March 2023 from 1,343.9 Megawatts in March 2022, an increase of 34.4 Megawatts, although that is again not enough. With the commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Project planned for September this year, generation capacity will increase to 1,976 Megawatts. The 6-Megawatt Nyagak III Hydropower project is also due for commissioning by end of this month. In transmission, a total of 417 kilometres of transmission lines were added to the main grid during the year, bringing the total transmission line network now to 4,011 kilometres. To enable evacuation of power from the 600-Megawatt Karuma Hydropower Project the 248-kilometre Karuma-Kawanda, the 55-kilometre Karuma-Olwiyo and the 76-kilometre Karuma-Lira lines have been completed. Twekubireko mu ngalo . (Applause) Next year, 761 kilometres of transmission lines and associated power substations will be constructed to improve the stability and reliability of the networks. We will also build the capacity of the Uganda Electricity Generation and Transmission companies to manage the generation and distribution networks after the expiry of the ESKOM and Umeme concessions. Madam Speaker, next financial year, Shs 1.3 trillion has been allocated for electricity interventions. Digital transformation Turning to digital transformation, 4,717 kilometres of optic fibre have been laid across the country. Geographical coverage of broad Band services stands at 66 per cent and 25

9096 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION The rehabilitation works of Mityana - Mubende (86 kilometres); 14 kilometres town roads in Mubende; Olwiyo-Pakwach (62 kilometres); Alwii - Nebbi (33 kilometres) are ongoing. The Government is expediting the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, starting next Financial Year 2023/2024, starting with Malaba to Kampala. I welcome the decision of His Excellency, President William Ruto of Kenya, agreeing to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba because that was a problem. In the meantime, the rehabilitation of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway and Kampala Metre Gauge Railway are underway. As regards road transport, priority will be given to the maintenance of existing road networks, especially in the urban areas, continued upgrade of selected strategic roads from gravel to bituminous surface, maintenance of national districts and community roads by facilitating each district in the country, with a minimum of Shs 1 billion to upgrade and compact the dry weather marram roads next financial year. Infrastructure priorities Government has over the years invested heavily in infrastructure. This has helped to narrow the huge infrastructure gap we had in the 1990s. However, there are still critical gaps that Government will continue to prioritise in order to reduce the cost of doing business such as lowering the electricity price. You know, these people use their mysterious language; power tariffs and all that. Mwe ba wanainchi, ekyo mukitegele bulungi, bano byeboogela ebya “power tariffs”. They simply mean electricity prices for manufacturers and other businesses. The critical infrastructure include the railway, upgrading of airports, including completion of Kabaale International Airport, which is at 91 per cent completion and Entebbe International Airport, which is at 71 per cent completion; development of new ports on our lakes; and completing the heavy investment in the energy infrastructure, for example, Karuma Dam and associated transmission lines. We also need to build new airports near the tourism destinations such as Kidepo, Bwindi, Kasese, among others. Tourists, who are the rich people, do not have time to come, land at Entebbe International Airport and drive for 700 kilometres to Kidepo. No, they do not have time. We need to build airports for the rich foreigners to land near the national park, see the animals and go away. Those airports, of course, also help with security. Like now with night operations in Karamoja, we fly very far; from Nakasongola and all those places. It is better to have a good airport which can operate day and night in those areas. Government will prioritise infrastructure that supports industrialisation, production of oil and gas, and promote tourism. These include industrial parks, electricity power substations, extending and upgrading electricity transmission lines, water for industrial use and ICT infrastructure. Energy The total electricity generation capacity is now 1,346.6 megawatts. This is from 60 megawatts in 1986. This will increase to 1,800 megawatts once Karuma is commissioned this year. This means, therefore, that the construction of the transmission lines to evacuate this power must be completed without further delays. These lines include Karuma-Kawanda (400 KV), Karuma-Olwiyo (400 KV), Karuma-Lira (132 KV) and Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua. They did not include the strength here; I think it is 132 KV. The demand for electricity is increasing by 15 per cent per year, although these figures of finance are kasoobo . You heard my figures on the milk; 193 per cent. Bano bali ku 15 per cent. Anyway, we are talking with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and I think we shall eventually agree. They are beginning to wake up because they are the ones who wrote this. Mukawulire kano . Bebawaandika bino ; Katonda yebazibwe .

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

I put the question that Shs 61,529,303,000 be provided for as recurrent expenditure for Vote 309: Gulu University for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 310: Lira University

I put the question that Shs 30,475,685,000 be provided for as recurrent expenditure for Vote 310: Lira University for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 311: Law Development Centre

8746 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 412: Lira Regional Referral Hospital

I put the question that Shs 16,180,493,000 be provided for under Vote 412: Lira Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 413: Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital

8764 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 Vote 302: Mbarara University – Shs 3,954,706,000 Vote 303: Makerere University Business School – Shs 2,125,530,000 Vote 304: Kyambogo University – Shs 3,710,496,000 Vote 305: Busitema University – Shs 5,892,464,000 Vote 306: Muni University Shs – 4,752,000,000 Vote 307: Kabale University Shs – 2,586,568,000 Vote 308: Soroti University – Shs 1,257,362,000 Vote 309: Gulu University Shs 5,671,020,000 Vote 310: Lira University – Shs 5,000,000,000 Vote 311: Law Development Centre – Shs 4,782,560,000 Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute – Shs 1,320,000,000 Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University – Shs 2,229,372,000 Vote 401: Mulago National Referral Hospital – Shs 16,528,858,000 Vote 402: Butabika Hospital – Shs 2,513,373,000

8767 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 MAY 2023 8. Vote 412: Lira Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 9. Vote 413: Mbarara Regional Hospital - Shs 5,230,000,000 10. Vote 414: Mubende Regional Referral Hospital – 150,000,000 11. Vote 415: Moroto Regional Referral Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 12. Vote 416: Naguru Referral Hospital - Shs 240,000,000 13. Vote 417: Kiruddu Referral Hospital - Shs 1,530,000,000 14. Vote 418: Kawempe Referral Hospital - Shs 900,000,000 15. Vote 419: Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital - Shs 900,000,000 16. Vote 420: Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital - Shs 2,268,000,000 17. Vote 421: Kayunga Referral Hospital - Nil 18. Vote 422: Yumbe Referral Hospital - Nil

8580 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. COL (RTD) CHARLES OKELLO-ENGOLA first cousin to my dear husband, Hon. Sam Engola. In Lango, we belong to and are identified by clans. Macodwogo and I belong to the Otikokin clan, a very powerful one. He served as an executive member, promoting the Luo local language, culture and tradition. Madam Speaker, Macodwogo supported orphans and churches, and promoted fish farming and agriculture. The late stood with his people both in the good and bad times. He was our strength and hope in the subregion. The late is honoured for serving greatly in the UPDF. He was the first LC V Chairperson of Apac District; the district I represent in this House. He was the LC V Chairman of Oyam for two terms. While he was there, he moved with sticks in his car to beat people along the way or trading centres found drinking alcohol known as “ lira lira ”. Now, that means he advocated for hard work. Madam Speaker, life is very fragile. What has happened has happened. To us as a family, it is too heavy for us to take in and yet we cannot run away from it. Macodwogo was a very courageous NRM flag bearer for Oyam North. He will be remembered for what he did in Northern Uganda, especially during the Kony war and that history in Lango will never disappear. On Sunday, we drove to Bombo Military Hospital to view his body. That body was shot 28 times. As a family, there are questions to ask but God knows. I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker, for your support. I also thank your deputy, colleagues and the Government for the support. I thank you for this opportunity.

8395 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology; Vote 303: Makerere University Business School; Vote 306: Muni University; Vote 308: Soroti University; Vote 309: Gulu University; Vote 310: Lira University; Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute; and Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. The case being discussed now, about the woman working in the garden of a health worker in Soroti, is not an isolated case. Mr Speaker, last year, I lost a cousin at Alebtong Health Centre. Why? It is because they have to refer you 50 kilometres away, to Lira, to do a CT scan. When you come back, you have to pay Shs 200,000 for them to perform a C-section on you. If you cannot afford it, they delay you and, then, the referral is done at the last minute – and you lose the mother and child. Therefore, this issue is of great concern and the ministry must take it seriously. As legislators, we must provide resources to support our health facilities. I thank you.

8327 THE E L E VENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY , 25 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. corporate governance that is accountability; issues related to cooperation, integrity, transparency, dialogue and teamwork. There is a lot of backbiting, telling lies, gossiping, rumour mongering and so on – (Interjection)- yes, there is no much work there. I for one would feel that really, there must be cooperation and teamwork; this is what should be encouraged there. For instance, Mr Speaker, more than 15 years ago, Dorcus Inzikuru won a gold medal in steeplechase in Santiago Chile, and was promised that Barifa Stadium will be changed to Dorcus Inzikuru Stadium. Up to now, the National Council of Sports has failed to follow up on this issue. The stadium is really dilapidated up to now. Not only that, Mr Speaker, there was a promise that there was going to be the construction of stadiums in all the regional centres like say Mbarara- Kakyeka Stadium, up to now it has not been constructed, Pece Stadium in Gulu has not been constructed, Moyo Celecelea Stadium has not been constructed, in Lira we have Aki Bua and so on and so forth. Please honourable minister, let us follow up on all these promises by the Government so that we have these stadiums in place. And there must be harmony and coexistence at the National Council of Sports.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am going to address only one aspect which came out clearly from the committee report and this touches on the criteria for the funding. I am speaking on behalf of the Federation of Motorsports Club of Uganda, where I am a member and a participant. Last year, we hosted the Africa Championship in Uganda and I want to thank the minister for being available at the launch. At the same time, I want to fault Government. Mr Speaker, when the actual event was kicking off, our minister for sports was deployed to Lira on other duties. I raise this with pure honesty because in Botswana, President Khama was there to flag it off. In Zambia, we had a senior minister. In Zimbabwe, we also had a minister. In Uganda, when we were are hosting, our minister was present for the press but was not available when the actual event took place. What criteria do we use? On the issue of the success; we have had success in different departments. Uganda emerged third overall in the Africa Championship. Within that context, we have an African champion on the 85 CC, which is a young man by the name of Gift Ssebuguzi. We won medals or podiums in various areas but the criteria on how we handle these matters are things which really need to be looked at. As far as the sport is concerned, motor rally brings up huge businesses. Internationally, we have the Africa Rally Championship, which is the Pearl of Africa Rally in Uganda. But if we go back, we used to have the East African Safari Rally which was an international event that promoted the whole of the East African region. So, I am requesting the Government to look at it holistically and look at areas – (Member timed out.)

8246 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS & BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2023/2024 Secondly, allow me to say something about public universities. There is a big problem but I want to address myself to Lira University. We are doing so well, in terms of numbers because we have many students but the issue is funding. Mr Speaker, the Medical School at Lira University needs an additional Shs 12.6 billion, and I want to support the committee on this. Similarly, there is the issue of the staffing level in this public university; it is not mentioned by the committee, but Lira University has only 27 per cent of the filled vacancies. I think it is high time we had student numbers matched with staff. Finally, is the issue of the curriculum –(Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I am sorry. Actually, the supply table has no issues. The figures appearing here, both for recurrent and development, are the ones in the Appropriation Bill’s draft estimates. So, the figures are correct. I had reached Vote 166: National Council of Sports – let me repeat it. Vote 166: National Council of Sports Total recurrent – Shs 16,966,514,000 Total development – Shs 0 Vote 301: Makerere University Kampala Total recurrent – Shs 346,669,558,000 Total development – Shs 19,072,698,000 Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology Total recurrent – Shs 54,295,012,000 Total development – Shs 3,764,047,000 Vote 303: Makerere University Business School Total recurrent – Shs 103,103,575,000 Total development – Shs 2,125,530,000 Vote 304: Kyambogo University Total recurrent – Shs 131,291,738,000 Total development – Shs 1,710,496,000 Vote 305: Busitema University Total recurrent – Shs 52,112,893 Total development – Shs 5,892,464,000 Vote 306: Muni University Total recurrent – Shs 24,080,694,000 Total development – Shs 4,752,000,000 Vote 307: Kabale University Total recurrent – Shs 56,011,281,000 Total development – Shs 2,586,568,000 Vote 308: Soroti University Total recurrent – Shs 22,879,364,000 Total development - Shs 1,257,362,000 Vote 309: Gulu University Total recurrent – Shs 61,529,303,000 Total development – Shs 1,671,020,000 Vote 310: Lira University Total recurrent – 29,983,277,000 Total development – Shs 5,000,000,000 Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute Total recurrent – Shs 35,594,073,000 Total development – Shs 1,720,000,000 Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University Total recurrent – Shs 37,702,810,000 Total development Shs 0 Vote 612: Local Governments Total recurrent – Shs 3,129,560,000,000 Total development – Shs 349,030,000,000 Vote 122: KCCA Education Grant Total recurrent – Shs 46,710,000,000 Total development – Shs 2,230,000,000 I beg to report, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Basic science tells us that for any object to live, it should have the ability to move around. How that object moves around is upon us. We are human beings and we move around. It is, therefore, upon the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure Ugandans who toil day and night move in a comfortable way. Speaking of the comfortable way of living, I come from Aruu County, Pader District but we have never seen an inch of a tarmac road. The President has always come there and pledged to us the Acholibur-Purang Road. This time round, when they were rehabilitating Corner Kamdini Road, they did all the works but stopped at Lira instead of proceeding to Acholibur-Purang. Can the minister tell us clearly when they are going to work on the road? Mr Speaker, Aruu has never had a Member of Parliament supporting the Government, I am the first and this should be on record. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, protect me.

8267 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. we look at the terminologies we are using as we work on this documentation. Secondly, the Equal Opportunities Commission put at one per cent of the tarmac road, just like you said it is being done in your area. However, we had a meeting with the President together with the religious and political leaders from Lango and Acholi and he actually promised that at least he will build two roads in Lango; the one from Lira-Aloi-Otuke to Abim and the road from Namasale-Dokolo-Aloi-Ogul. I want to understand from the chairperson - and the minister is here - UNRA is saying they are not going to build any other new roads but the President made this pledge in front of the religious and political leaders and all the stakeholders in Lango. So, we have the provision because he said that before the end of this kisanja that at least these two roads would have been worked on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have a few burning issues. Honourable colleagues, you know that in our country when they realise that development is coming up, those near the roads begin constructing or planting trees. I would like UNRA to ensure that we put a road reserve. This is one of the key things that this country has forgotten. For example, a couple of months back in Lango or Otuke, the Chinese went to survey roads in order to construct the proposed road from Lira; Alebtong-Otuke-Kotido. The community members started planting trees close to the road so that they could be compensated. In this country, we are losing a lot of money in compensating people during road construction. This is one of the key things I really wanted to raise.

1.O INTRODUCTION ln consonance with Articles 90 and 155(41 of the Constitution of the Repubhc of lJganda 1995 (as amendcd), Sectron 12(l), 13(13,14,15) of che Public Finance Managemcnt Act, 2015 and Rules 146, l4?, 148 and 149 of the Rules of Proccdurc of Parhament. thc Sub-Programme on Education, Sports and Skrlls ts mandated nmong othcrs; i. Examine and commcnt on policy matters allecting Ministries, Departmcnts and Agencies (MDAsl undcr its purview; and ii. Examrne critrcally Government recurrcnt and capital budgct estimates and makc rccommendations on them. The Committce, ln fullillment of its mandate hereby presents this report for your consideratron and adoption rn respect to the pohcy statcmcnts and budgetary estima(es for the Financial Ycat 2023/24 for the following (20) Votes. VOTE: VOTE. VOTE: VOTE. VO'TE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE. VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: ot3 llt r28 132 t@ 165 166 301 302 303 304 305 306 30? 308 309 310 312 313 Mrnistry of Edtrcatron and Sports National Curriculum Development Ccnter Uganda Natronal Examrnations Board Fllucation Servicc Commrssion National Council for Higher Education Uganda Busmess and Tcchnical Examinations Board National Councrl of Sports Ma.kerere Univcrsity Mbarara Unrversrty of Science and Technologt Makerere Unrverslty Business School I(yambogo Universrl.y Busitema Unrversity Muni Unrversrty Kabalc Universrty Soroti Univcrsrty Gulu University Lira Unrversrty Uganda Managcment lnstitutc Mountains of the Moon N 3 ,! Y)

The Table lO above show the draft estlmates for votes under the ESSSP for Fy2O23124. Thcrc is a notablc reduction in estimates in the draft cstrmates compared to the ceiling at NBFP fmm UGX 5,748.93bn to UGX 5,253.39bn hcnce a reduction of UCX 495.54bn and this was noted mainly in the votes of MoES,NCDC,UNEB,NCHE,UBTEB,Kyambogo & Gulu Univcrsities and [acal Governments. Some Unrversitres like Ma.kcrcre, Lira, Mountatns of the Moon, UMI and Kabalc received some increments in the budgetary csLimates compared to NBFP considcrations. ln the 2ad BCC, it was clearly communicatcd to the Accountng Officers that in the FY 2023124, there are no provrsions for new rccruitmcnts across governm€nt, and thercfore no VOTE will be authorizcd to recruit new staff exccpt on a replacement basis u,lth evidence that posrtions to be l-rlled have provision rn the budget for FY 2023 /24. Teblc 11: Trcad Allocetlotl to thc Educetlon end Spoits Sub Prograrnoc for thc pr.t th?.c 20 I 2L, 2O2 L I 22, 2022 I 23 Ughr bn. -t 4l ..i 3 X ) RchUec Cirlac (d-c l/ cr roo-- % volr88 FT 2o'l0l2llrl rr 202tl22tbt IT N*Zl2J,lcl FT 7U,3l21ttl Ab.olutc clr.tc ld-cl ol3-xoEa 601 364 536 905 672 X2 482 53 -la9 ?s 22 t2 5.3 242 23.3 -32 7 40 208 47.449 12 162 4A a8g ?2 6? t26 73 128 39 48 93 I 18 -23 ?4 1.66 124-urEB 11l-ict c 122-rocA t40 t 45 146 445 -l? 3 l3 l2 gl8 _r:!a-Ece- . _- l6a-rcEE o g 378 lo l8 t4 45 19 81 95 t4 74 33 73 30 57 ltts-ultci o 3195r -9.4 64 256 47 At 359 35 t? .4 367 A9 -3 16 .t 46 30.4 -25 -5 07 3{t l.xur 166-ic8 363 736 o r8 359 365 06t -04 t63 57 4a5 s? ?a 100.549 30r.xrraa 303.rrra8 304-Krl urtv to? 32 136.0I !058t t33.49 58 72 O.94 -1.5r -4 52 r40.600 s? 497 97 6as r37.38 58 2? -3 28 305- arram UIIV 5l s45 s3 s46 6l ss rH+ 34 -5.33

The commlttcc observes that thc council expenence hugc budget cuts w'lth their budgct for FY2O23|24 rcductng by 640/o compared to FY2O22 /23 from UShs 4?.tbn to an allocation of l?.387ba n fY2O23124, this budget cut is hkcly to affect a numbcr of planned activities under the Council such as preparatlonr quahficatrons and participation of Team Uganda in the 2O23 All Africa Games in Accra Ghana and thc 2O24 Paris, France Olympic and Paralympic games a.rnong others The Council seeks an additional Uahr 3O.42 bn in order to Eupport 5l reglst-ered National Fcdcrations and other activlttcs. The Councrl requires a dcvclopment budgct of UEhr t4.OSbn for the rcfurbishment and renovatton of Sports facilities at Lugogo Sports Complex and UShe 2o2bn nceded to facrlitate the refurbishment of various National Stadra regionally; Akibua Olymprc Stadium (Lira), Buhinga (Fort Portal crty)' Kakycka (Mbarara), Barifa (Arua), Pece (Gulu). Bugembe /lGkindu(Jrnja), Mbale Municipal Stadium (Mbalcl, Masaka Recrcattonal Grounds (Masaka)\, Ihbale Stadium (Kabale), Soroti Stadium (Soroti), King George Stadium(Tororo), Hoima (Boma Cround) and Masindi Stadium. Recomma,'datlons The commlttce recp,mmcnd,s f,hd:t: i. MFPED rclrwtatea that [ntdgct' of lfi$fot rZ2(ngf24 b U$rts4?.abn ll. MPPBL cualls llES a dcr*lopmeat hrdgct ol UShs Sobrt to klck scaft thc dcoclopma,I.C ol ttt ,Ib rt clrlmplcx/rrrNrna at Lugogo atd U*hs 2O2bt tor the Nat"lolnal ,tadla rcglotallg la thc medlut,za tctlra. FUBLIC T'N'IVERIIITIESI Gcacrd Obrcnatioar ead rccornnctr&tlont af Uadontafllag rnd hlgh rtrtl turnovcr: The Commrttec obscrves that most Public Universities are grossly understalled, with stafflng levels as low as 3O7o in some Universities/Colleges especially the s1

a o/w Wage 23,?4A,06A o/w Non-wage 349,?36 t 17,182 61,529,3()3 o/w Pension and Gratulty o/u Anears totd Racurant 1,67 t,O20 Totel Dcvclo Gnt DcvclopraG[.t o/w Wagc Rccurcnt o/w@U o/ ut Extemal Financtng o/ ut Atears V(}fE 3lO: LIRA ITIITITERAITY 308,000 o/ ut Anears 29,943,2?? o/w Non-wage o/w Pcnsron and Gratuity Total R€currcnt Devclopmcnt 5,OOO,OOO 5,O(x),OOO 20,084,?67 20,616,69r 5,107,384 35,594,O73 1,320,000 38,013,788 1,571,O2O 20,546,I 19 9,737,566 o/ tt hU o/ ut Dxtemal Ftnancing o/ ut Anears Total DcrrcloDncnt vqrE 312: UOAI|DA If,AIIAGEMENT MSTII'mE Rccur?crt o/w Wage o/w Non-wagc o/w Pension and Gratuity o w arTears Totrl Rcct!.rrcnt Dcvalopncnt o/w GoU o/ u,t E:ctemal Firu ncing o/w Anears Totd DcrrcloDrrcnt VOIE 313: ITS OF TEE UOO!| IIlfIvERtllTY RGcurront o wW o/w Non-wage w Pensron and Oratui 1,32O,(X!O ' 2t ,989,674 16,O42,O94 368,958 J ol N ty ffir 72

a) Whcther the National Council for Sports has any plan for thc construction ofthc rcgronal stadia. b) Whether thc 5l federations submit thcir Budgets to Natronal Council ofSports. c) The reason as to why the Ministry docs not seek a loan to cater for the issue of infrastructure. d) Whether National Council of Sports has visited Namboole Stadium to find out what is happening there. e) Accountabrlity for thc 80 Billion Shilhngs whrch was allocatcd to thc Ministry of Sporrs to rchabilitatc Namboolc Stadium. f) Whether it is possible to avail sports materials to the Sub county Councils and be available for all schools who would wish to borrow and use them in their schools. g) An account as to why the money that was allocated to National Council ofSports (vote 166) to alloca(e to Gderations was ins(cad allocatcd by FUFA which has no mandate to allocate the abovc moncy. h) Whcther National Council of Sports has any plan conccmlng E-sports in the country. r) Thc plan the National Council ofSports has for thc construction ofthc Anti-Doprng facility. j) An account for the 50 Billion for Sports Facilitics that National Council of Sports intends to build. k) 'l'he plan National Council ofSports has for the rchabilitation ofdilapidated sports structures. Responses to the issucs/ observrtions; Netionel Council of Spor,ls [NCSI In thcr response. Nauonal Courw of Sports, a. Statcd thal thcy arc in support of thc rcgional sudia and visrted areas like Gulu. Lira. Soroti. Mbalc whcrein they confirmcd that all these areas had land. 'l'hey further rcqucstcd that thc abovc land is clcarly allocated for purposes of sporls so that it is not used for othcr purposcs. b. lnformcd thc Committcc that thcy want to come up wlth a general policy on sports in thc Ministry of Education and Sports. c. lnformed thc Committce that efforts are being madc in line with rehabilitation of Namboole. d. Requested the Committee to strengthen National Council ofSports. e. Promised to take into consideratron the issue of getting a loan so as to support (hc development ofsports in the country f. Brought it to the Notice of thc Committcc that they cntered into a mcmorandum of understanding with Uganda lnvestment Authority in relation to the Lugogo Projcct. g. Pledged to submrt a report on how much land is available in regions for thc rcgional stadra and the proposed plan of the stadia. Repr€scntative from thc Ministry of Sports. a. Ministry of Sports put in place a project management tcam and project implementation unit to supervise the actlvlties taking place in Namboolc Stadium. Min 4-Adjournmcnt

8198 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS & BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2023/2024 was overhauled. The committee reiterates its earlier recommendation that Shs 1 billion be provided for the total overhaul of the plumbing system. Inadequate budget for essential medicines and supplies The committee recommends that an additional Shs 1 billion be provided. Lack of budget for extension of medical gases The committee recommends that Shs 420 million be provided to Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital for maintenance of equipment and extension of oxygen to the wards. Vote 417: Kiruddu National Referral Hospital. Inadequate funding to the burns and surgery unit Mr Speaker, Kiruddu acts as the national referral centre for burns and surgery. The committee recommends that Shs 1 billion be availed to mitigate the shortfall for Financial Year 2023/2024. Insufficient budget for essential medicines The committee recommends an extra Shs 1 billion to be provided for essential medicines. Inadequate funds for decentralisation of dialysis services Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Parliament and the Committee on Budget that last year, Shs 2 billion was allocated for decentralisation of dialysis. I am happy to say that in Lira, the dialysis is functional; we are rolling out to Hoima. This financial year, the committee recommends that Shs 4 billion be provided to Kiruddu to decentralise dialysis to Arua, Kabale and Mbale. Vote 401: Mulago National Referral Hospital Inadequate funding for essential medicines and health supplies, non-communicable disease services and specialised services Under this, the committee recommends that an additional Shs 8 billion be provided for specialised units like maxillofacial, endocrine, neurology, gastroenterology and so forth, and another Shs 10 billion be provided towards the provision of essential medicines and health supplies, and non-communicable disease commodities. It is quite common to go to Mulago these days and you are asked to buy these. Inadequate staff accommodation The committee agrees that 50 units should be completed immediately to house critical care workers and the remaining two blocks of 50 units each, be completed in the subsequent financial years. The Committee recommends that an additional Shs 8.5 billion should be provided in the Financial Year 2023/2024 to complete at least one block of 50 units. Lack of funds for commencement of kidney transplant services On this, the committee recommends that Shs 1.5 billion should be provided to the national referral hospitals to start kidney transplant services in the Financial Year 2023/2024. Inadequate funds for maintenance The committee recommends that an additional Shs 7 billion be provided for maintenance. You saw the headline screaming in Monday’s Daily Monitor newspaper. Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page 47, bullet 6.4 on incomplete civil plumbing and sewerage ICT and electric works; ROKO did not complete the work for several reasons.

8019 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. Further analysis of the budget performance of the project indicates that Shs 1.83 billion was spent from the Financial Year 2015/2016 to Fi- nancial Year 2018/2019 under Government of Uganda development funds allocated towards the construction of Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium under the development project Code 1369. Table 1 highlights the performance of the funds allocated towards this project. In the interest of time, Mr Speaker, the table is very clear; it has monies that were approved in each of those financial years. The second column is money that was released, the third column is money that was spent, the next column is the percent- age of what was released and the last column is the percentage of what was released and even- tually spent. In the Financial Year 2015/2016, Shs 1 billion was allocated towards the project out of which Shs 0.76 billion was released, which is 76.3 per cent of the approved amount and Shs 0.79 bil- lion was spent, which was 103 per cent of the released amount. In the Financial Year 2016/2017, the release was very low at 21.4 per cent and 97.2 per cent of this was spent. In the Financial Year 2017/2018, Shs 800 million was allocated and Shs 780 billion was released. Shs 770 million was spent of the money that was released. In the Financial Year 2018/2019, out of Shs 1 billion that was allocated, only Shs 600 mil- lion was released and out of that, only Shs 60 million, which is 9.5 per cent of the released amount, was spent. During the Committee on Education and Sports’ oversight visit to the field held between 17 and 19 September 2022 to appraise the sta- tus of the construction of Buhinga and Akii- Bua stadia, the committee was informed by the Chief Administrative Officer of Lira Dis- trict Local Government that Government had only allocated Shs 656 million for preliminary works on the sports facility and that the district council was not privy to the Shs 2.35 billion that was released for the aforementioned pur- pose. The committee observes that the budgetary allocations suggested goodwill and prior in- tentions by the Government of Uganda to construct sports infrastructure to facilitate the promotion of sports talent in the country. The committee further observed that the current state of the proposed site for the construction of Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium and civil work so far done at the site cannot justify value for the Shs 1.83 billion that was released to the Ministry of Education and Sports. We recommend that the Auditor-General should conduct a special audit on the perfor- mance of Shs 1.83 billion that was released to the Ministry of Education and Sports to aid the construction of Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium. We also recommend that the Ministry of Edu- cation and Sports and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure that funds are secured within the next financial year to kick start the construction of the two stadia. Risks of encroachment on stadia land From the oversight visit conducted by the Committee on Education and Sports from 17 to 19 September 2022 to appraise the status of the construction of the two regional stadia, it was evident that the proposed construction sites for the two regional stadia had no visible land- marks and signposts showing proof of owner- ship and registered interests in the land which subjected it to risks of encroachment. We ob- served that the absence of key landmarks and signposts on these proposed construction sites may expose land to risks of encroachment. As a committee, we recommend that the Min- istry of Education and Sports, in collaboration with the district local governments of Kabarole and Lira, should, in the meantime, erect some signposts on the proposed construction sites for the two stadia showing the registered own- ership and interest in the land and the purpose for which it is intended. In conclusion, deducing from the meetings held by the Committee on Education and Sports to

8020 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. consider the matter of the failure of the Gov- ernment of Uganda to secure a grant from the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the construction of the two regional stadia namely Buhinga and Akii-Bua in Kabarole and Lira districts respectively, it is evident that the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development did not fast-track its acquisition in time. The Ministry of Education and Sports is equally responsible for delaying the submis- sion of key documents in time to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Develop- ment as a prerequisite for securing the grant from the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The Ministry of Education and Sports should come up with a proper master plan for all the regional stadia to enhance infrastructure devel- opment and identify and develop skills and tal- ent, which will boost sports discipline. Mr Speaker, while handling this matter, we all agreed in unison as a committee; so, we do not have a minority report. I beg to submit and im- plore Members to adopt the report.

Thank you, Mr Speak- er. I would like to commend the committee for their report. On the very day they went to Lira, as the area Member of Parliament, I was with them. Regarding all that has happened, especial- ly Government’s planning of the finances to support these stadia, something comes to my mind: do we really love this country? Are we really patriotic, especially some of us who are in leadership? First of all, construction of these stadia failed because of failure of the technical people that were supposed to expedite the designs and en- sure that they were given to the funders in time. This was a failure on our side. Secondly, the Government went ahead to plan with their little resources and start construc- tion, especially of Akii-Bua Stadium. The only money that reached Lira District was Shs 665 million and it was meant for bush clearing. The simple structure that we have in Akii-Bua Sta- dium is being worked on by the local people. Mr Speaker, this pains us very much. We are lucky that Hon. Magogo was in Lira during the FUFA Drums. Our –(Member timed out.)

8026 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. For the Akii-Bua Stadium, the amount of money allocated was Shs 1.83 billion but what was received was less than Shs 600 million. The Ministry of Education and Sports should be investigated. The minister should take this very seriously. Of the Shs 1.8 billion, Shs 600 million has already been received. Can the extra money reach Lira Akii-Bua Stadium immediately? Mr Speaker, there are very many thieves in this country who usually take advantage of such situations. The minister should take up this very seriously. Finally, looking at the way our children are, the Ministry of Education and Sports should encourage parents, teachers, and head teachers to allow children to participate in co-curricular activities, especially games and sports. There are so many schools without football pitches – (Member timed out.)

8030 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. not want to invest in the sports subsector. However, fundamentally, I gave the example of Ogwang - I am now happy that in Karamoja – Hon. Adome is here. It is a first– by the way, Hon. Adome, for your information, the Uganda Secondary School Sports Association is, for the first time, hosting a sports competition for the entire Karamoja in your municipality. It is meant to be tomorrow. However, could you have hosted such a competition in Karamoja before? We must agree to look at these facts. Could you have planned to build Pece in Gulu when there was insurgency? Could you have planned to build Akii-Bua in Lira when there was insurgency? I want to say this: we acknowledge where we have come from and where we are now. I pledge, on behalf of the Government, that we will build sports infrastructure because it is the mandate of the Government. I thank you.

7919 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 2023 tools to deter environmental degradation under the “polluter pays” principle. Question No.3, Hon. Samuel Opio, Member of Parliament, Kole North says that more than 16 villages in Erute and Kole North have been negatively affected by the stone quarry work activities at Aler Rock at the Lira-Kole border. More than 30 buildings developed cracks because of the blasts from the quarry. The community water points were contaminated and the project-affected persons have not been compensated, and NEMA has failed to carry out environmental audit and investigations. His prayer is that the Ministry of Water and Environment should visit the affected areas and take the necessary action and update the House. Mr Speaker and colleagues, on 18 January 2023, environmental inspectors from the National Environment Management Authority, Lira District Local Government, Members of Parliament from Lira and the representative for the Member of Parliament, Kole North, undertook a field inspection of the said stone quarry crusher-plant site and operations. Non-compliance was observed at the facility. This was in breach of the National Environment Act (No.5), 2019 and the Certificate Conditions of Approval (No. NEMA/EIA/15449) issued to the developer for operating a stone quarry, and the crusher in Acanakwo Village, Aler Parish, Agur Subcounty in Lira District. NEMA consequently issued a Stop Notice to the developer, requiring them to stop all the operations with immediate effect until all the non-compliances were fully addressed and a clearance given by the ministry and the Authority to resume operations. Question No.4, Hon. Christine Sendawula Bukenya, the Woman MP, Kyankwanzi. She said that on 21 January 2023, there was an invasion by the staff of National Forest Authority (NFA) in Kyamutete, Kyankwanzi District, that left Bosco Kasonko dead and plantations destroyed. Her prayer is that I update the country on the presidential directive to evict people from national forest reserves. My response is that the incident raised by Hon. Sendawula Christine happened in Taala Central Forest Reserve in the village of Kyamutete in Kyankwazi District. The boundaries of the forest reserve were recently reopened and marked with concrete pillars with the involvement of the district authorities and leadership and the neighbouring community. During the process of boundary opening, it was noticed that some members of the community had encroached on the forest land, and therefore, were doing cultivation of crops. Mr Speaker, efforts were made to sensitise these encroachers not to open more land or plant crops on the onset of the rainy season. The community were given a grace period of six months to harvest their crops and vacate the forest reserve. Some of them complied and voluntarily vacated the forest reserve while those who refused to vacate the forest reserve are the ones causing trouble to forest managers. In order to facilitate quick restoration of the forest, the NFA licensed the private sector tree farmers to plant trees in the parts of Taala Central Forest Reserve. The tree farmers embarked on land preparation for this season’s planting and continued with the nurturing of the trees planted last season. Unfortunately, the private tree farmers have met resistance in some areas where encroachers stop them from planting trees. Where they have planted, the encroachers have uprooted all the planted trees. This has led to scuffles between the community members and the workers employed by the tree farmers to tend to their plantations. Four cases of assault and malicious damage of properties have been reported to Ntwete Police Post by the private tree farmers and some suspects were arrested. The police continue to investigate these cases.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have two brief questions. One, I have the most dilapidated hospital in this country called Abim Hospital. In 2002, they constructed a sewerage line but after five years, it broke down. In 2006, they fitted bulbs but after five years, all the bulbs collapsed. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, why do you renovate this hospital piecemeal yet most hospitals are renovated at once? They do it in parts. You put the bulbs but they all collapse. Secondly, I was with the Minister of Works and Transport – I must thank the Government that plans to tarmac the road from Lira to Kotido are underway. Mr Speaker, I was hopeful because we were told in April - maybe he will announce the same thing – (Member timed out.)

Lango Subregion has nine districts and one city namely: Kole, Dokolo, Apac, Oyam, Kwania, Alebtong, Amolatar, Otuke, Lira; and Lira City, comprising 21 constituencies. Our terms of reference were: 1. To determine the exact amount of approved funds that have been disbursed to the various parishes. 2. To examine the eligibility of the various categories of beneficiaries of the PDM funds. 3. To assess the effectiveness of utilisation of disbursed funds by PDM beneficiaries. 4. To establish the extent of adherence to the PDM guidelines and procedures by the various actors in the implementation of PDM. 5. To examine any other matters incidental and make recommendations for corrective action. Methodology Our methodology involved meetings with district officials and PDM focal persons; meetings with PDM SACCO leaders; meetings with selected SACCOs; and review of PDM district reports and documentation. I now present the findings, observations and recommendations. The report is already uploaded on the iPad under the northern region reports. TOR No.1: To determine the exact amount of approved funds that have been disbursed to the various parishes Lango Subregion registered 597 parish SACCOs and 9,771 enterprise groups. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, the Government committed to disbursing Shs 17 million to each of the parish SACCOs. Out of the 576 parish SACCOs in Lango Subregion, only 175 SACCOs received the full amount equivalent to 29 per cent. A total of 277 SACCOs received

7723 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 2023 The late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah started the Dano Pa Dano Foundation, which has empowered communities within and without Omoro by supporting their income- generating activities and mind-set change. The late still challenges the 11 th Parliament. Upon being sworn in as the Speaker, he had this to say, “Honourable members, the next five years of Parliament should not be like the last five years. There are things that we must change. We have to restore public confidence in this institution.” Before I conclude, permit me, in a very special way, to salute the top three leaders of Parliament - the Rt Hon. Speaker, the Rt Hon. Deputy Speaker and the honourable Clerk to Parliament for emulating two traits of the late Rt Hon. Dr Jacob Oulanyah: the principle of timekeeping. To the late, 2.00 p.m. was 2.00 p.m. To the current leadership of Parliament, 2.00 p.m. is 2.00 p.m. I need to salute you for that. (Applause) I also want to salute you for upholding one of the philosophies that the late believed in and that is the philosophy of Ubuntu - “I am because we are.” All three of you practise the Ubuntu philosophy. Salutations To Parliament for all the support that you rendered and continue to render to the family of the late Speaker. We salute you for the contribution you made towards the Foundation. On a personal note, as I conclude, permit me to salute the late for one, lecturing me while I was a student at the Law Development Centre and two, supervising me while doing clerkship at Lira Chief Magistrate Court. Forever, I will be grateful to him. On behalf of Government and the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, I beg to submit and to respectfully move. Thank you.

District Woman Representative, Lira. I am present.

7568 AD HOC C OMMITTEE REPORT 7. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; 8. Vote 301 – Makerere University; 9. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; 10. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; 11. Vote 305 – Busitema University; 12. Vote 306 – Muni University; 13. Vote 307 – Kabale University; 14. Vote 308 – Soroti University; 15. Vote 309 – Gulu University; 16. Vote 310 – Lira University; 17. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; 18. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and 19. Vote 612 – Local governments. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to lay on the Table the policy statement for the health sub-programme for Financial Year 2023/2024: Vote 014 – Ministry of Health Vote 114 - Uganda Cancer Institute Vote 115 – Uganda Heart Institute Vote 116 - National Medical Stores Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute Vote 134 - Health Service Commission Vote 151 - Uganda Blood Transfusion Service Vote 401 - Mulago National Referral Hospital Vote 402 - Butabika Hospital Vote 403 - Arua Regional Referral Hospital Vote 404 - Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital Vote 405 - Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 406 - Hoima Regional Referral Hospital Vote 407 - Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Vote 408 - Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 409 - Masaka Regional Referral Hospital Vote 410 - Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 411 - Soroti Regional Referral Hospital Vote 412 - Lira Regional Referral Hospital Vote 413 - Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Vote 414 - Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Vote 415 - Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Vote 416 - Naguru National Referral Hospital Vote 417 - Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 418 - Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital Vote 419 - Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital Vote420 - Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Vote 421 - Kayunga Referral Hospital Vote 422 - Yumbe Referral Hospital Vote 612 - Local Governments and the other annex attached. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Thank you for the report, Chairperson. Justice was denied, but the good thing is we are agreeing on the way forward now. The way forward is to involve the local persons who appreciate and know the people who are being recruited. I, for one, would want to be involved in the recommendation so that we see that the people of Dokolo are recruited in Dokolo and not in Lira as was mentioned by my colleague. That is my request. Thank you.

6813 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2023 Therefore, we strongly opine that the accounting officer should ensure that the reporting in the financial statements is made in line with the actual expenditure to avoid this confusion. Also, the accounting officer should always seek the necessary authority to reallocate funds. The next item is revenue performance. There is the performance of NTR. I am going to skip a few things again for lack of time, as you guided Madam Speaker, and look at observations. The Ministry of Works and Transport did not make a provision for non-tax revenues in the ministerial policy statement. Thus, UNRA did not budget for the same. Failure to set NTR collection targets in the budget affects the assessment of revenue performance to ascertain whether the forecasted revenue was realised as planned and managed as per the established laws and guidelines for development purposes. Our recommendation is that the Ministry of Works and Transport should always provide for NTR in the ministerial policy statement to enable UNRA to budget as provided for in section 13(15) (f) of the PFMA, 2015, as amended. This is a ball we are throwing back to the ministry because the excuse of UNRA is the ministry - and rightly so-within the law, supposed to deal with this issue. The next item is quantification of outputs under activities. Again, Madam Speaker, I will skip part of that body and look at observations. Here, we were talking about failure to plan and report on the quality and quantity of activities that are implemented, which renders it difficult to establish individual activity costs for each planned output, and thus curtails effective accountability when funds are subsequently spent. Further, without clearly spelt out planned outputs, it is difficult to ascertain whether funds appropriated by Parliament and released were spent and the intended objectives achieved. Again, this was a question of a bit of disorganisation in as far as the documentation and the paperwork is concerned. We opine that the accounting officer should ensure that unit costing at activity level is provided to facilitate linkage of inputs to expenditure and physical achievements, which are in line with the budgeted amount. That is what was missing. It is important that this costing is done as such. The other item is implementation of quantified outputs. 35 outputs worth Shs 2.49 trillion were quantified and we noted a couple of things. 19 of these were implemented, 14 partially achieved and two were not implemented at all. UNRA did not implement the following planned activities despite having received the required funds: 1. Procurement of rescue and support under the improvement of ferry services; 2. Construction of 10 kilometre equivalents along package six; that is, Karugutu, Ntoroko and Kabwoya-Buhuka; 3. Construction of 10 Kilometre equivalents along Rwenkunye- Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road; 4. Civil works for the construction of UNRA offices, works for construction of Kamdini Weigh station; 5. Design and build of Ibanda Weighbridge; 6. Rehabilitation of 40 Kilometre equivalents along North Eastern Road-Corridor Asset Management Project. The accounting officer explained that the non- implementation of some key activities was due to inadequate funds for planned projects coupled with the diverting of funds from slow moving projects to fast moving projects. This was, however, not supported with the revised work plan. The accounting officer also provided the following reasons for implementation of the sampled projects:

6814 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT 1. Procurement of rescue and support under the improvement of ferry services. The initial plan was to procure the rescue boats off the shelf. However, this was changed due to the need to customise the rescue boats to the specific needs of the different ferry routes. The customisation process delayed hence resulting into delayed procurement. 2. Construction of 10 Kilometre equivalents along package six (Karugutu-Ntoroko and Kabwoya-Buhuka). The accounting officer told us that this was caused by delayed procurement. 3. Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road, there was need to update the design. This has since been finalised and designs issued to the contractor and works are ongoing. 4. The civil works for construction of UNRA offices - delayed procurement. 5. Works for construction of Kamdini Weigh station, the delay was due to the need to standardise the design in line with the requirement of tripartite transporters facilitation programme. 6. The North Eastern Road Corridor Asset Management Programme - the accounting officer told us that there was a delay in the approval of changes in scope arising out of design changes due to an increase in traffic along the road and the delay in approval of the contractor for the road and sources of materials by World Bank. We observed that: 1. Whereas UNRA claimed inadequate funding, the amount warranted to the entity was not fully absorbed. Shs 227.4 billion remained unspent. 2. The committee notes that partial or non- implementation of activities implies that the expected service to the beneficiary communities is not attained and also defeats the purpose for budgeting and budgetary controls. Our strong opinion is that the accounting officer should ensure that plans are executed according to the approved budget, the reasons and excuses they gave, notwithstanding. The other item is achievement of intended services from implemented outputs. We have a table there. I will just move to the observations. 1. Some of the projects are slow moving, which has greatly affected their completion and, therefore, affected service delivery. 2. There were delayed projects that lagged behind their completion dates. That also affects service delivery. We recommend that: 1. The accounting officer should ensure that slow moving projects are fast-tracked. Hopefully, the Treasury Memoranda will be getting an update as Parliament on this. 2. Strict timelines should be set to avoid costs associated with delayed completion of projects. The other item was submission of quarterly performance reports. We have a table here. All of these were delayed. Maybe, just for context, it was noted that the entity submitted performance reports after the deadline given for submission. Table 2 clearly indicates that all of those were deleted. The accounting officer responded that the timelines of submission of semi-annual and annual budget performance reports is 31 January and 31 July respectively, as guided by the PFM Regulations of 2016. Further, that the PS/ST guided in the budget execution circular that the other two reports, that is quarter one and three, should be submitted on the 30th day of the first month of the current quarter because of the need to finalise reconciliations.

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

6761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2023 Madam Speaker, uncontrolled encroachment on forest land, illegal harvesting and titling renders the future generation vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Uncontrolled deforestation stands as number one of the major threatening factors against the sustainability of the environment. Deforestation de-stabilises the ecological and environmental functions (soil and water conservation) – we always attribute loss of soil fertility to very many factors, but the moment we have no forests, the deterioration of soil fertility will be high and so, the functions of trees render the areas vulnerable to externalities. We have significant encroachment on forestS like Budongo Forest, which has been encroached on by Kakira Sugar Works. Bugoma Forest has been encroached on by Hoima Sugar and Mabira Forest in Lugazi has been encroached on by Lugazi Sugar Works. Other forests that have been encroached on include: 1. Kisisita Central Forest Reserve in Ssi Subcounty; 2. Malibwe Forest in Ngogwe Subcounty in Buikwe South Constituency; 3. Namyoya and Namanve in Mukono; 4. Bajjo 5. Kiula and Wamale in Kayunga; 6. Mbarara Central Forest Reserve; 7. Mugomba and Kitubulu in Wakiso; 8. Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve in Kalangala; 9. Lira Central Forest Reserve; 10. Rwamunda and Walumanyi in Mpigi; 11. Luweero and Butebe; and 12. Other forests in Kabarole, Kiboga, Masaka and across Uganda. At the moment, there are over 1000 illegal land titles fraudulently created on central forest reserve land under the watch of the National Forest Authority (NFA) and Government is not doing anything enough to evict encroachers. Madam Speaker, we have a big problem created by licensees of the NFA who do not comply with the terms and conditions stated therein such that in the process of restoring degraded areas of the central forest reserves, they have instead cut down, destroyed and completely removed the natural forests in the central forest reserves and planted pine and eucalyptus trees on the bare forest land created. The most affected areas that we visited are Mabira National Forest Reserve, Uganda’s natural heritage that has been left along Jinja Road, while its integrity internally has been deplorably destroyed as NFA looks on. Natural forests and plantations play important roles, which are recognised locally and internationally, in terms of inter alia, biodiversity conservation, climate stability, carbon sequestration, water catchment, medicinal and the production of various forest products for livelihood improvement. Madam Speaker, when we retain pine and eucalyptus alone and do away with the rain forests, many of these functions and benefits can no longer be got from the gazetted forest reserves. A total of Shs 628 billion was approved in Financial Year 2022/2023 for actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The first activity was to resurvey and mark 6,200 square kilometres of boundary to increase the national forest cover from the current 12.4 per cent to 15 per cent and restore 850 square kilometres of wetlands and forests. The other provision in that budget was demarcating and gazetting of central forest reserves and wetlands and also eviction of encroachers on forests and wetlands. The process of cancellation of titles in wetlands had started. However, no significant funds were allocated for actual tree planting to restore significantly deforested areas. We have tree nurseries, but the dissemination of tree seedlings is left to volunteerism. The NEMA efforts to restore forests are selective in that major encroachers are side-lined as efforts are concentrated towards driving away small encroachers. Unless this is halted, we risk losing tree cover by 2040. There are some

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

Justice Aweri was quiet, calm and unassuming. He dispensed his judicial duties with dedication. As they say, justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done. In all the tributes that have been paid here, it is evident that none of his decisions was doubted. Many times, judicial officers make illogical decisions to the extent that political actors might take steps, as was recently done by the Prime Minister, to address an unfortunate judicial decision. I pay tribute to the fairness, humility, dedication and the call of service that Justice Rubby Opio Aweri exuded as a judicial officer. As a son of Lango, he was a respected member of our community. He served us in many capacities; in education, religious and traditional matters. He was also an environmentalist. He was my neighbour and friend in Lira. I had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions. One of the things I want to reiterate here was his humility. My houseboy used to spend a lot of his time at Justice Opio Aweri’s residence in Lira. First of all, his home in Lira is not fenced. He would walk around and escort my house help from his house to my residence - this is about 300 meters - unaccompanied by any security official. Justice Opio Aweri served his country well. I call upon the Government to strengthen the independence of the Judiciary to review the tenure of judicial officers. As a judicial officer, at the age of 69, Justice Aweri died before his prime. I know that judicial officers at that level retire at the age of 70. In many jurisdictions, there is no age limit; both in the Judiciary and in the Executive. Just as we removed the age limit in the Executive, let us remove the age limit in the Judiciary, so that we can build expertise; we can build on the good virtues that experience and maturity bring to the service of our nation. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. We are here because we are healthy. If you were not healthy, I do not think you would be here. There are a lot of challenges, not only in the medical sector, but also in other institutions, including security. I think this is the right time for us to be considerate. In most cases, when you go to the Government health centres, some of these workers are so frustrated; they just look at you. They do not want to attend to you because they have not been paid for a couple of months. Some are frustrated; their children are at home, they have not fed and have not gone to school. So, I would really urge the Government to ensure they increase payment to our medical personnel. Two months ago, we had challenges in the Lira medical department. We are all aware there was a big strike. About 100 staff were on strike; they had not been paid for three months. For example, let me mention one of the security companies called Falcon in Mukono. You find a person being paid Shs 100,000 and they work the whole night. How do you expect such a person to take care of you, as a ‘big’ person? So, I support this committee’s report. Let us encourage and join hands to make sure the medical teams are supported. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Prime Minister, there are more than 16 villages in Erute North and Kole North constituencies that have been negatively affected by the quarrying works at Ale Rock in Lira-Kole border. As a result, more than 30 buildings have developed cracks because of the blasts. The community water points have been contaminated and the project-affected persons have not been compensated. We raised this matter to the Ministry of Works and Transport, who sanctioned an investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and they made recommendations. However, it is now six months down the road. The National Environment Management Authority has refused to implement the recommendations of this investigation report to carry out an environmental audit. Our prayer is that you direct NEMA to immediately conduct these environmental audit investigations. Mr Speaker, we request that the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources oversees the implementation of this – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. I thank the committee for work well done and also the minister for the highlights he has raised. The issue of power in West Nile has been a long-term issue, which should have been sorted. Regarding these challenges of fuel and the rest, the initial agreement was that as we work on taking power from Karuma to West Nile, the region was supposed to be connected via Adjumani. As we speak, Adjumani is actually not on Nyagak. It is on power from Owen Falls Dam via Lira and that was the agreement. These losses we have incurred through fuel supply and the rest were issues that came in when some few individuals looked at the power problem in West Nile as a business. I have purposely stood up on this issue raised by the minister - that some of the power problems in West Nile will be solved through solar energy. Honourable minister, we expect a reliable source of energy. [Mr Okaasai] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you very much, chairperson, for the report. Mr Speaker, I just have two issues to raise. First, the issue of power in West Nile is an issue of Greater North, including Lango subregion, and I share the sentiments of my colleagues from Madi- Okollo so that they get the power that comes from Lira through Gulu. In Amolatar, we know the days we have power; they are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The rest of the days, we do not have power. How I wish the plans that the minister is talking about of solar - you have to be mindful that much as you have records of electricity in every district of this country, consider the issue of stability of electricity in these areas. The second issue is the costs. I want to thank the chairperson for giving us the different sessions SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr Speaker, looking at the number of years and those who were affected, it is quite impossible. Finally, I would like to implore the honourable minister to support the various organisations that are supporting people living with HIV/ AIDS, for example, TASO, which has its main office in Gulu, and other offices in Lira and other places. Honourable minister, if Government supported such organisations, I really feel the implementation of the various Government programmes on ending HIV/AIDS and its spread would be easier. And so, I pray that you support those organisations. Thank you.

6415 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2022 him in closed doors in Lira and I was really convinced that this time, we were going to take over power. The second point that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal made to us was that this was the opportunity for us from Lango to reconcile with Buganda; and we all supported Dr Ssemogerere, Lango voted for Dr ogerere at 97.6 per cent. That was the point of reconciliation and that is what Uganda needs right now. I would like to inform this Parliament that if we want peace in this country, we must agree to leave the past, live in the present and reconcile with everyone. The second point that we should note from Dr Ssemogerere is that he was a very humble man. I met him in a house, very simple, very humble and very sober. That time we were running up and down, but he was calm. Actually, one time, they lied to me - my sister Hon. Cecilia Ogwal told me that money is coming through Kenya. (Laughter) I was informed by my elder that you Lira boys, in the morning, money is coming in through Kenya. (Laughter) We all went everywhere and campaigned, but I did not see that money. Then, I went to my sister and asked, “When is the money coming?” She said it was a trick so that we all mobilise. (Laughter) But in the real sense, Uganda needs peace. The whole of the north voted for Ssemogerere even though he was not from the north. That means we are not sectarian. We gave Dr Besigye 97 per cent votes and he was not from the north. This time, we gave Museveni about 70 per cent votes - maybe next time, we can give him 97 per cent. Therefore, I would like to appeal to everyone in this country that the only message we should give our people is, let us do what our people want: Give them roads, give them peace, give them health services, give them schools, power - and you will get the votes; but do not stay here in Kampala, without giving them those services and you want to go back to them. That will be a catastrophe. Thank you, very much.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. On 12 November 2022, a one Opio Bosco, a 34 year-old man was killed. On that same night, two people - Omoli Christopher and Lakidi Bosco - were injured. Today the 23 rd , this morning when we woke up, again a one Obwala Charles, a 38-year-old man with three children and two wives was shot dead and they raided over 18 heads of cattle and walked away. The warriors are not very different from the warriors my friend has just talked about because their behaviour and tactics are the same. We border the Karamoja Subregion. There is a vast land between us, which is harbouring the warriors and the bandits. We got information that the same groups went to the checkpoint, hacked and ran away with the guns for this government. We got information that the warriors have the liberty to do anything. Around Omiya Pachwa, Paimol, Lapono and Lira Kato, that is the Eastern part of Agago [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the protection. As I conclude, women in my area are the ones doing business and they are doing the local business of selling dried and fresh cassava and taking it on ordinary bicycles to Lira City. If you go to Lira main road, you will find only women going to sell cassava; you will not see the men around. I am not saying men are bad, but men should also be brought up to their responsibility. They should know what they are supposed to do. I am also a man. Madam Speaker, whenever we empathise on girl child education, I do not want the boy child to be left behind. Let us bring these people side by side, so that we balance the equation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to seek some clarification from the honourable minister. For Lira City, what we were allocated last financial year was slightly under a billion shillings, which was less than what we were getting under Lira Municipality. The area is very big. I am glad you mentioned the issue of the road works equipment. I request that you cross-check and find the functionality of some of the equipment you are referring to. I can assure you that the equipment in Lira City is not good for the work, which is supposed to be done. Secondly, in the first quarter of this financial year, we received Shs 28 million. In the second quarter, we got Shs 230 million. In Lira City, we have three bridges, which have been washed away and the estimate for a single one of the smallest one would consume much more than we already have as a city. This will mean that we do not touch on any other issue but we will not even be able to fix one of the washed away bridges. Honourable minister, I think we need to cooperate more closely on this particular issue. Where funding has reduced from a municipality to a city - the area has expanded and the equipment, which was under Lira District has gone with the district and our city is under the municipal equipment, we are under severe constraint. None of us will be able to complete any of the tasks before us. The road situation will get worse and worse within the city, where we have a mixture of murram and tarmac roads. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I wanted to give information on how much money was received by Lira City last financial year. Last financial year, there was budget suppression. Despite that, Lira received Shs 721 million to work on their roads. This financial year, they

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

Madam Speaker, this is a motion for resolution of Parliament to pay tribute on the occasion of the beautification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, a professed member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, medical doctor, philanthropist and educator. This motion is being moved under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. “WHEREAS Parliament of Uganda received with pleasure the decision of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to bestow the Rite of Beatification onto the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli on 20 November 2022 in Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese; AWARE THAT the process of canonising Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli as a saint commenced in 1999 and on l7 December 2015, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, bestowed onto Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli the Rite of Venerable, following the confirmation of his life of heroic virtue; RECALLING THAT on 28 November 2019, a miracle was attributed to Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, commencing the process for the beatification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, which process will result in his canonisation; APPRECIATING THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli lived a life of distinction and immeasurably served the people of Uganda, especially those in northern Uganda, through - Serving as a Parish Priest for Kalongo Parish in the Archdiocese of Gulu, where he paid special attention to the suffering of the people, guided by his motto, “God is love and I am his servant to the suffering people”; Revolutionising the care for leprosy patients through admitting leprosy patients to the same hospital as other patients instead of confining them to the often neglected and poorly managed leprosarium, thereby combating the stigma that existed in Ugandan society against lepers; Establishing St Mary’s Midwifery Training School in Kalongo, Agago District, to provide trained medical practitioners in order to enhance the care of patients in Uganda; and Establishing a clinic for lepers at Kalongo, in present day Agago District, which he transformed into a hospital, recently renamed DrAmbrosoli Memorial Hospital, a 350-bed facility that treats nearly 60,000 patients every year; FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli exhibited unique compassion and kindness in caring for the sick, charity, selflessness, humility, wisdom and love for God and championed the growth of the Catholic Church in Uganda; COGNISANT THAT the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli died on 27 March 1987 at the Comboni Mission in Lira; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this Parliament that: Parliament collectively congratulates the people of Uganda, the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus and the entire Catholic Church in Uganda on the auspicious occasion of the beatification of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli, slated for the 20 November, 2022 in Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese; Parliament takes cognisance of the immense contribution of the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrosoli for his devotion to duty and immense contribution to the development of Uganda.” [The Speaker] TRIBUTE TO THE VENERABLE GIUSEPPE AMBROSOLI

Madam Speaker, my justification for the resolution of this Parliament to pay tribute to this powerful Father is that Pope Francis issued a concession to the Archdiocese of Gulu to conduct the beatification of Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli on 20 November 2022 at Kalongo Catholic Mission in Agago District. This will be the third Blessed after Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello who are the Blessed Martyrs in Gulu Archdiocese. Beatification under the Catholic Church is a procedure of determining and proclaiming that a deceased person is one of the Blessed or has gained the second degree of holiness and it is a stage in the process of canonisation into Sainthood. Venerable Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli was a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Comboni Missionaries. He was born on the 25 July 1923 at Ronago - that is in Como in Northern Italy. After a serene childhood and adolescence, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Milan. After having been awarded this degree, he presented himself at the Comboni Missionaries to become a missionary priest proclaiming simple, yet profound words: “God is love, they are suffering neighbours and I am their servant.” Later on, he went to London for a course in Tropical Medicine and returned to Italy, where he joined the Comboni’s Novitiate of Gozzano (Novara). Madam Speaker, on 09 September 1953, Giuseppe became a Comboni missionary by undertaking his first vows. He studied Theology and was ordained a priest on 17 December 1955 by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini - later, Pope Paul VI. At 33 years of age, on 01 February 1856, Fr Giuseppe left for Gulu in Northern Uganda. Thereafter, he went to Kalongo and founded a hospital that gained a reputation of excellence for almost 31 years. At Kalongo Hospital, he also founded St Mary’s Midwifery School, where local women received training as midwives. In 1972, he also incorporated the leprosy centres in the Mission of Alito and Morulem for victims of Hansen’s disease in the hospital’s outreach programme. The hospital, designed for the neediest people in a rural area, became famous for its leading medical practitioner and for the volunteer doctor and religious sisters, who assisted him. Therefore, not only from all over Uganda, but also from neighbouring countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and even as far away as India, people asked to be treated there. In 1963, he was awarded the “Doctors’ Mission Prize” by the Carlo Erba Foundation and in 1985, the Samuel Pozzi Prize – “A Life for Medicine” from the “Order of Doctors” in Milan. Due to his skill as a surgeon, he was asked to serve in the country’s main teaching hospital – Mulago, that is in Kampala, but he preferred to remain in Kalongo. On 13 February 1987 in the midst of the insurgency campaign being waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army, Fr Giuseppe was obliged by the authorities to evacuate the hospital of Kalongo, placing his already precarious health under enormous strain. On 27 March 1987, he died in Lira at 3.30 p.m. 44 days after having been forced to leave Kalongo and brought all the personnel of the hospital to safety. On 17 December 2015, Pope Francis named Fr Giuseppe Ambrosoli as Venerable of the Catholic Church due to his heroic virtue.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to speak for and on behalf of the people I represent and that of the women of this country. As we celebrate the life of Rev. Fr Dr Joseph Ambrosoli - he supported the women of this country. Rev. Fr Dr Ambrosoli was born in Italy. He moved to Kalongo in 1956 to serve in the health department. At that time, Dr Ambrosoli found Kalongo at dispensary stage, but by the time he passed on , it was at the level of a referral hospital in the making. Dr Ambrosoli moved from Italy to Kalongo, but died in Lira. Very many of us from different parts of this country – western, eastern, north and central Uganda – received medical support in Kalongo Hospital. I would like to thank our bishop – I sat in the committee in Kampala for the preparations of celebration. I also thank the President for his contribution to the construction of a maternity ward in Kalongo Hospital. ( Member timed out.)

6233 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2022 2. To analyse the type of accidents and the total admissions; 3. To conduct an in-depth analysis of the total estimated costs of road traffic accidents and to review challenges in the road safety sector in the country; and 4. To develop a policy brief and recommendation in terms of laws, training, monitoring, and specific budget allocations that policymakers can consider in addition to increasing funding. The hospitals whose data we analysed were Arua, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Gulu, Hoima, Jinja, Kabale, Masaka, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Mbarara, Mubende, Yumbe, Moroto and Naguru regional referral hospitals, and Mulago National Referral Hospital. When coming up with a cost of treatment, we interfaced with the consultants of Mulago and asked them what it costs to treat a patient who is severely injured, moderately injured or with mild injuries. We came up with the guided figures. We also looked at documents: the Annual Health Sector Performance Report, the police accident reports, reports from regional referral hospitals and so forth. Madam Speaker, let me go to some of the results on page 13. In 2018, the total number of accidents were 12,805. Of these 3,194 were fatal. In 2019, the total number of accidents are 12,858. Of these 3,407 were fatal. In 2020, 12,249 accidents occurred; 3,269 were fatal. In 2021, we had a spike, 17,443 accidents occurred and 3,757 were fatal. Madam Speaker, if I break it down to the magnitude of the injuries, and people killed: in 2018, 3,689 people died from accidents. Those seriously injured were 9,541, and those slightly injured were 1,881. In 2019, those who died were 3,880 and those seriously Injured were 9,635. Those slightly injured were 1,175. In 2020, those who were killed were 3,663, those seriously injured were 8,370, and those slightly injured were 979. Finally, in 2021, those who died were 4,159, the seriously injured were 12,589 and those slightly injured were 1,287. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to table nine. That is comparison of fatalities by road user groups. From that table - I wish the IT man could flush it - motorcyclists accounted for the biggest number of fatalities in all the four years, followed by passengers on motorcycles, followed by pedestrians. There is clear evidence to show that motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s, are the biggest cause of injuries but most importantly, deaths from road traffic accidents. Page 15: causes of the crashes. We had reckless or careless driving, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and cars in dangerous mechanical conditions; the causes are up there. I would like to draw your attention to page 21: total admissions. Table 12 on page 21 shows the highest number of cases of admissions due to motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s. If we break it down by sex, males were certainly more affected and these were males above five years, compared to females. I think it is quite clear on the table. I would like to draw your attention to table 22: again, the problem is boda boda s. Madam Speaker, on the issue of the costs that we pay, that is page 34 - Mr IT, can you please move to page 34? - We broke it down into the costs based on critical level four, critical level three and critical level one. The overall daily cost that we spend on treating accidents is Shs 877 million monthly. It comes to Shs 26 billion and annually, it comes to Shs 315 billion. That is what the sector needs to be able to treat victims of accidents. As Chairperson of the Committee on Health, I know very well that we do not appropriate this amount of money for accidents and

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I thank my brother for the report he has presented. I agree with the fines but Madam Speaker, what is the status of our roads? If you are travelling from Kampala to Lira, around Kafu, there are differences in the levelling of the road. You are driving and all of a sudden, you find yourself dropping in a valley. The road has two different levels. (Laughter) So, if an accident occurs around that area, who are we going to fine, the driver or the Government? I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to bring to the attention of the House and those who travel upcountry, especially from Kampala to Gulu, Lira and West Nile. Madam Speaker, I am concerned about the double parking of the big trailers along Migyera on the Kampala-GuluRoad. That road is very narrow, but you find big trailers double- parked and there is no path for the pedestrians and boda boda s. My prayer is that these truck drivers be allocated different space to park so that they leave the road for the drivers. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Looking at this statement, I would like to ask our ministers that before you bring a statement to read here - a statement drafted by technical teams - you, as the minister, must read that statement and be convinced that the issues you are going to present to this House are actually true. The question in this matter was the inability of Government to meet its statutory expenditures. What the minister has presented here does not even answer that concern. What are statutory obligations? These are obligations imposed by law. The law is certain at any one point. Even when you are bringing a new law, the same ministry issues that Certificate of Financial Implications. This means you are certain that you can meet that expenditure. Now, when we take the example of salaries, at any one point, you know the number of people you are supposed to pay. You have employed them. Even if a new law creates vacancies, you will issue a Certificate of Financial Implications. You have just confirmed here that your releases for the quarters were inadequate to pay the salaries. No wonder, you find that teachers have not been paid since July. In my district, Lira - and I have talked to several colleagues here - since July, secondary school

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I draw your attention to page 17 of the report, as I take this opportunity to thank the committee for the report. Page 17 talks about the implementation of quantified outputs; that is the implementation of works approved. The performance of most entities visited by the committee was very poor. For example, in Kawempe and Lira Regional Referral Hospitals, less than half of the approved outputs were implemented because this is attributed to the releases of funds. Sometimes, the finance ministry does not comply with the releases; funds are released and contractors are not paid. Secondly, this is also attributed to the element of absorption capacity. In Lira Regional Referral Hospital, for instance, only two activities were carried out and Shs 2.3 billion was taken back to the Consolidated Fund. (Member timed out.)

Hon. Mwesigwa, the MP for Hoima East Division, wanted to know why the country has delayed validation and the approval of staff structures for the newly-created cities and its effect on service delivery. Mr Speaker, in January 2022, Cabinet under, Minute 21 (CT 2022) approved the 10 cities in Uganda and the structures for the 10 cities to implement. The following actions have been taken: 1. The structures were customised to enable the cities come up with individual human resource structures that address their uniqueness; 2. The customised city structures have been adopted by the respective city councils and implementation guidelines for the said structures have been prepared and disseminated to the city authorities; 3. The job descriptions and person specifications were prepared to enable the City Service Commissions place the existing staff and recruit the right people in the right jobs; Mr Speaker, validation of the existing staff, formally belonging to the respective municipalities and annexed areas from the mother districts, was also done and successfully concluded in all the 10 cities of Hoima, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Soroti, Jinja, Mbale, Lira, Gulu and Arua.

She knows, because she was a Resident District Commissioner (RDC) like me. We shall go to Lira and handle her issue.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the two works ministers went to Lango Subregion - and even the President - at the beginning of the year, and promised to work on the Lira-Kamdini Road. When will the work on this road start?

One of the core mandate of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces is to help. It is a constitutional obligation. Mr Speaker, you are right on asking the Prime Minister to give the information relating to that. However, the reason I rise up is that I happen, by God’s grace, to come from Tororo. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has put on the record of this Parliament that we are charcoal sellers. The environmental issues of this country are a concern to everyone. I want to give information that you might find where there is a butcher yet they do not even rear cattle. Just like you would find where they are selling charcoal, but it’s being traded from Lira or Dokolo. So, I just wanted to give that clarification. (Laughter)

5672 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT with a keen interest in understanding service delivery-related aspects, as well as the working environment of the hospital staff. Mr Speaker, the committee further conducted desk research to understand the legal and policy provisions relating to appropriation, disbursement, expenditure and accountability of public funds. The committee examined the report of the Auditor-General, in respect of the entity’s accounts for the year under review, and the memoranda/responses and other documents submitted by the witnesses, to whom we are immensely grateful. Mr Speaker, because of the volume of the report, allow me to present on the general observations and recommendations on issues that cut across almost all entities in the sector. General observations and recommendations The existence of approved strategic plans The Auditor-General noted that a number of votes under the health sector had prepared their strategic plans late and therefore, had not been approved by the National Planning Authority by the time of the audit. The committee notes that this was in breach of paragraph (5) of the Budget Execution Circular for the Financial Year 2020/2021, which had noted the poor alignment of Government budgets with the NDP III and, therefore, urged all accounting officers to ensure that all activities for the year were aligned with the NDP III and implemented, accordingly. The committee noted that in a number of cases, approval of these plans had been delayed as a result of sheer negligence on the part of accounting officers and their staff, who had prepared the plans late and never made follow- ups for necessary approvals. For example, Kawempe, Mubende and Lira regional referral hospitals, and others, only received their certificates of compliance from NPA in the third quarter of the financial year under review. In most of the other institutions, the approvals were made in the subsequent financial years. The committee observes that the failure to submit strategic plans in time could cause serious distortion of planning and implementation of Government programmes, thereby compromising service delivery. The committee, therefore, recommends that all accounting officers should prepare institutions’ strategic plans in time and seek the necessary approval from the National Planning Authority. This is to ensure that all implementation of Government activities is aligned to NDP III. The committee further recommends that accounting officers who fail to submit their strategic plans in time should be sanctioned by the appointing authority. These sanctions should include, among others, stripping them of their function and mandate as accounting officers. Further, the committee recommends that the NPA should, for the future, expedite the review and approval process of the plans prepared and presented by accounting officers. Quantification of outputs/activities Section 13(15) of the Public Finance Management Act provides that a policy statement shall contain: a. The achievements of the votes for the previous year; b. The annual and three months’ work plans and outputs, objectives, output, targets and performance indicators of the work plans and outcomes; c. The annual procurement plan; d. The annual recruitment plan; and

5673 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 e. A statement of the actions taken by the vote to implement the recommendations of Parliament, in respect of the report of the Auditor-General in the preceding financial year. Regulation 11(3) of the Public Finance Management Regulations, 2016, requires that a vote prepares work plans that indicate the outputs of a vote for the financial year. The committee observed that a significant number of votes failed and/or neglected to comply with the statutory provisions. This had serious implications on the alignment of activities to policy statements, thereby distorting planning and the implementation of Government programmes, thereby compromising service delivery. The committee notes that most accounting officers did not know how to quantify the activities, so as to align them with the budget and strategic plans. In most cases, they reported performance in generic terms such as medical supplies, maintenance and equipment purchased - This is difficult to ascertain in detail the activities and/ or items. The committee further observed that failure to provide details of the quantified activities renders assessment of performance impossible, which compromises accountability. The budget is distorted and proper planning is inhibited. It was clear to the committee throughout the hearings that entities lacked qualified staff to properly handle the quantification function. In Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, for example, the officer charged with the function was an orthopaedic officer. The committee recommends as follows: 1. All entities should hire qualified personnel dedicated to the quantification function and should receive regular and adequate training; 2. All entities that fail to comply with Section 13(15) of the PFMA or that delay to submit their quantified outputs should be sanctioned and have their budgets rejected; and 3. All entities, without exception, should mandatorily submit their quantified outputs for effective assessment of their performance in relation to the budget. Implementation of quantified outputs Section 13(15)(b) of the PFMA, 2015 states that a policy statement submitted by vote shall contain an annual and three months’ work plans, outputs, targets and performance indicators of work plans . Equally, Regulation 11(3) of the PFMR, 2016 requires the vote to prepare work plans that indicate the outputs of the vote for the financial year, the indicators that are to be used to gauge the performance of the outputs and funds allocated to each activity. From the report of the Auditor-General, most votes under the health sector did not implement their outputs fully. Many accounting officers the committee interacted with attributed this to partial implementation of the lockdown instituted by the Government at the time, as a measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be noted, however, that although COVID-19 disruptions were a reality, health workers were categorised as essential workers at the time and, therefore, were expected to carry on implementation of some of the planned activities. The committee notes that the number of staff at these institutions had been significantly reduced at the time of the lockdown, which hampered the implementation of the quantified outputs. In the Kawempe National Referral Hospital, for example, the Auditor-General noted that out of eight sampled outputs, only two were fully implemented, leaving six partially implemented, while Lira Regional Referral Hospital was noted to have partially implemented only one, with a total of six

5674 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT activities worth Shs 2.32 billion. Out of the six activities, only two were implemented fully, leaving four partially implemented. The same cases of partial implementation can be cited in Mubende, Entebbe, Soroti and Jinja Regional Referral Hospitals. The committee recommends that accounting officers should ensure that the planned and approved outputs are fully implemented. Submission of accurate quarterly performance reports The Auditor-General reported disregard of timelines especially in submitting quarterly performance reports by most regional referral hospitals. This contravenes Section 21(3) of the PFMA, 2015, and the Treasury Instructions of 2017, which require the accounting officers to prepare reports for each quarter of the financial year, and that it should be submitted to the Treasury not later than 15 days after the end of each quarter. Most of the accounting officers the committee interacted with showed demonstrated lack of awareness and appreciation of these timelines, and seemed not briefed by their respective hospital administrators, who, in most cases, equally demonstrated lack of knowledge of the process. Mr Speaker, lack of knowledge simply means ignorance. The committee observes that failure to submit performance reports in time and failure to prepare monitoring plans affects timely tracking and evaluation of performance. The committee, therefore, recommends that: 1. The accounting officers should prepare budget monitoring plans and reports to facilitate performance tracking within the stipulated timelines; and 2. Accounting officers should ensure that their planners are up to date with those statutory submissions in terms of timelines, and strictly adhere to them at all times. Absorption of funds A number of entities were noted in the report of the Auditor-General to have failed to optimally absorb the funds that were allocated to them, causing money to be swept back to the Treasury. These funds were mostly meant for wage, gratuity and pension that were not fully paid by the end of the financial year. Most accounting officers attributed this to delays in recruitment by the Health Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Service. The committee had a chance to interact with the Health Service Commission on the matter and noted that the long bureaucratic process of recruitment that reportedly takes an average of five months was partly to blame for the delays in recruitment. While interacting with some of these entities, the committee discovered that majority of the affected accounting officers did not seek a revision of their budget and work plan as provided for under Section 17(3) of the PFMA, 2015. For example, Mulago National Referral Hospital had a total warrant of Shs 63,573,318,357, received during the financial year, out of which, Shs 59,379,356,427 was spent, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 4,193,961,930, representing an absorption level of 93.4 per cent. Lira Regional Referral Hospital had a total warrant of Shs 11,498,592,809 received during the financial year, out of which, Shs 9,631,737,017 was spent, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 1,866,855,792, representing an absorption capacity or level of 83.8 per cent. Mubende Regional Referral Hospital had total receipts of Shs 11,297,149,897 in the financial year, out of which, 9,155,075,000, representing 81 per cent was spent by the entity, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 2,142,074,897, representing an absorption rate of 19 per cent. The committee also noted, with concern, a growing trend by the Ministry of Finance,

5675 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 Planning and Economic Development releasing money over and above what the entities request for. In a letter to the PSST dated 24 March 2020 for example, Lira Regional Referral Hospital submitted gratuity estimates of Shs 138,204,004. However, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development sent a sum of Shs 638,938,448, over and above what was requested. Similarly, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital reported an unspent balance of Shs 2.15 billion, attributing it to the allocation of pension and gratuity funds by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development over and above the requirements of the Vote. The committee notes that this is one of the causes of under absorption. Section 17 of the PFMA states that any appropriation by Parliament shall expire by the 30 th of June of that particular financial year, and ceases to have effect at the close of the financial year for which it is made. The committee observes that remittances of more funds than are required by the entity does not only distort budgetary planning, but also starves other deserving entities, which fail to implement their plans as a result of inadequate financing. The committee recommends that: a) The Accountant-General strictly enforces Section 15(2) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015, which requires that annual cash flow plans issued under subsection (1) be the basis for release of funds to the entities; b) Accounting officers should strictly adhere to the annual budget performance contract signed with the PS/ST pursuant to Section 45 of the PFMA, 2015. The contract binds accounting officers to deliver on the activities in the work plan of the Vote for the financial year submitted under Section 13(15) of the PFMA, 2015; and c) The release of more funds than required by the entities should be investigated by way of a forensic audit. Performance of NTR The Auditor-General noted, in his report, that in a review of the approved revenue estimates of the Financial Year 2020/2021 and the entities under the health sector, many accounting officers were found not to have budgeted for NTR during the year under review. These included; i) Mubende Regional Referral Hospital; ii) Mulago National Referral Hospital; and iii) The Ministry of Health. While meeting with the committee, the Ministry of Health explained that their mandate did not categorise them as an NTR- collecting entity until the advent of COVID-19. For the other hospitals, however, it was observed by the committee that the NTR collections were significantly low compared to what had been budgeted, despite getting appropriation in aid. Many accounting officers attributed these shortfalls to the COVID-19 disruptions and challenges in the IFMS that did not provide for budgeting of NTR . For example, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital had budgeted to collect Shs 1 billion in local revenue, but only managed to collect Shs 52 million, representing 5.2 per cent performance. This was attributed to a decision by the Ministry of Health to close the hospital to all other general services and handle only COVID-19 cases. Mr Speaker, equally, Lira Regional Referral Hospital that had budgeted to collect Shs 80 million during the year managed to collect Shs 43 million, representing a performance of 54.6 per cent. The entity attributed this to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic that affected their revenue collection from intern

5676 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT students from the various medical schools in Lira and beyond. This affected their NTR collections at the time. The committee notes that such shortfalls in revenue at the Vote level results into aggregate revenue shortfalls at the Treasury level, which, in turn, negatively affects implementation of planned activities at governmental level. The committee notes that Instruction 4.10.2 of the Treasury Instructions, 2017 requires planning and budgeting to be closely linked to the budget to reflect the entity’s policies over the period covered, and should represent a statement of intent against which performance is measured. Therefore, not budgeting for NTR undermines the importance of the budgeting process that affects the posting of the entity accounts. The committee, therefore, recommends that; 1. The entities should strictly plan for NTR in their budgeting process to avoid distortion in economic planning; 2. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always provide technical assistance to entities in areas of economic planning and budgeting; 3. Entities should further look for ways of diversifying their revenue sources to ensure that they meet the targeted NTR thresholds. Delayed remittance of deductions to Uganda Consumers and Lenders Association (UCLA) and Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General noted that in a significant number of referral hospitals, statutory payroll deductions were made without making timely remittances to the lending institutions, contrary to Paragraph 4.6.1 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019, which requires payroll deductions to be remitted concurrently with salary payments. In the case of Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, for example, deductions to a tune of Shs 151 million were not remitted in accordance with the above establishment notice. The accounting officer attributed this to system challenges. The committee did not believe him. For example, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital payroll deductions of Shs 222,282,880 were not concurrently remitted with salary payments in 10 out of the 12 months, with an average delay of 11 days. Such delays to remit deductions arising out of a loan obligation create accumulated arrears that expose the staff to increased loan burden through interest in surcharge. It also encumbers their financial cards, thereby curtailing their ability to access credit facilities in future. The committee recommends strict adherence to Paragraph 4.6.1 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019, failure of which should attract sanctions to the accounting officer in question. Delayed Remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deductions to URA The Auditor-General noted that a number of entities such as Mubende, Lira, Gulu, Kabale and Moroto regional referral hospitals delayed remittance of PAYE deductions to URA for periods ranging from 13 to 27 days, disregarding Section 123 of the Income Tax Act 1997, which requires withholding agents to remit to URA any tax that has been withheld or that should have been withheld within 15 days after the end of each month in which the payment subject to withholding tax is made. The committee noted that a number of entities delayed remittances of deductions to URA, contrary to the law. Accounting officers attributed this to system failures although the committee received no evidence of this communication to URA. It is also incomprehensible that these system failures would affect all entities the same way so as to attract similar delays.

5679 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 in the “active deduction report” but in the “my approval report”. In other words, they are supposed to deduct because there is approval but no deductions reported. At Lira Regional Referral Hospital, the Auditor-General noted that unauthorised loan deductions amounting to Shs 190,771,403 were made from 90 employees that neither had letters of undertaking nor existed in the “active deduction” or the “my approval” reports on the PDMS. The committee observed that: 1. Government continues to maintain manual staff files, which are not easily moveable upon transfer of the affected staff; 2. The practice poses a risk of causing deduction without liability, thus depriving staff of their hard-earned money or funds. For instance, the accounting officer of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital had fallen prey to the said vice. This may also expose Government to litigation and in some cases, industrial action; and 3. Twenty-one employees had inconsistencies between the loan amounts in the IPPS and the active deductions. Further, the committee is cognisant of clauses 2.1.2 and 2.1.4 of the service agreement between the Government (The Ministry of Public Service) and the Uganda Consumer Lenders’ Association/ the Uganda Bankers’ Association, which require a letter of undertaking for each Government employee before making an employee reservation on the PDMS. Therefore, under the said clauses, only deductions consented to by employees, in writing, should be submitted to the Ministry of Public Service for timely monthly payroll processing or as advised by the employer/ entity. The committee recommends that: 1. Accounting officers should ensure that all loan applications are streamlined with all data being reconciled, in liaison with the PCA Management and approvals done through the PDMS; 2. The hospital management should, within two months from the adoption of this report by Parliament, seek for guidance from the Ministry of Public Service on the usage of the PCA and PDMS interface, to accurately manage their loan database. Off-budget receipts The Auditor-General reported that most of the entities received off-budget financing, which were not declared to the Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Treasury, and accordingly, was not appropriated by Parliament as required by Section 43(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. There was no evidence that the entities obtained guidance from the Accountant-General as required by Section 43(5) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. Such omissions go against the requirement of running an integrated budget and pose a risk of double financing. For example, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital received numerous funding including Shs 4,164,571,391 delegated funds, Shs 3,575,864,122 as EGPAF/USAID Rhines of Shs 588,707,269. Although the Accounting Officer for Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital explained that the funds were for intern doctors’ allowances, isolation building plus other activities relating to TB and HIV/AIDS and that the funds were spent as per the agreed Memorandum of Understanding, they were not spent within the IFMS of Government, thus contradicting or contravening sections 36(6), 43 and 44(2) of the PFMA 2015, which require all public resources including external funding, to be paid into the Consolidated Fund and be availed through the Appropriations Act.

5814 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT interpret his complaint and it became very difficult to help this person. The second one was also at a hospital. Therefore, we can never talk about inclusiveness if the deaf are left out in terms of communication. Now, many times, we present reports here; but my view is that Government should adopt this presentation as a strategy to be included in the review of the education curriculum. Recently, there was a review of the education curriculum by Government, and the idea that certain languages should be taught in schools must be adopted in our curriculum such that they are not left out. We are talking about the placement of interpreters, but how many do we have? Sign language has become a comprehensive communication pattern. In that way, I think we can achieve what we talked about in terms of inclusiveness. Thank you very much. Mr JULIUS ACON (NRM, Otuke East County, Otuke): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the honourable minister for elaborating on her statement; today, I am her PA for the time being. I would like the minister to include the deaf people among those who should be given jobs. I would also request the honourable minister to make sure that these people are not discriminated against. They should do activities such as sports - because, in the world of sports, I have not met Ugandans representing the deaf. They also lack several institutions such as schools in the Lango subregion; I think we have in Lira. So, such a person has to walk or come from Otuke which is 72 kilometres away, which is a long journey. Honourable minister, these are the people who create a lot of challenges for parents or caretakers, and if we do not bring them together, I think it will be very difficult for us to take care of them. Thank you.

5817 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022 This model has an option of either contributing food in kind or cash for food rations. We all know that feeding is important for the health of our children and how poor learning, absenteeism and school dropout are partly caused by hunger in schools. Mr Speaker, Government started a pilot project to engage parents to start contributing towards feeding their children while at school, targeting at least one million children within Kampala Metropolitan Area – covering Entebbe, Kira, Makindye, Mukono and Nansana municipalities – and later to have it extended to the districts of Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Hoima, Kabale, Arua, Kabarole and Masaka, if well implemented. Government has secured a partnership between the Ministry of Education Sports and SNV Uganda, a Netherlands Development Organisation, which will help in subsidising the parents. As such, the parents will contribute between Shs 10,000 and Shs 20,000 each term to ensure their children are fed on milk at school. Mr Speaker, milk was chosen because it provides bone-building nutrients, specifically, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which are of high nutrition for both good health and development. Government has entered into partnership with processors who will design specific milk and yoghurt products for school children and distribute about 250mls (per quarter pint) of milk to each child per day for five days. Mr Speaker, the targeted level of school is pre- primary, primary and secondary school. We, therefore, urge honourable members and parents to embrace this programme for the better health of our children in schools and to improve their learning. Hon. Ronald Akugizibwe, Member of Parliament, Buruuli County, Masindi District. He said: “Census is a critical planning tool, which helps governments to plan for the future in terms of schools, hospitals, roads, urban infrastructure and more. For Vision 2020 to be achieved there is need to plan based on reliable statistics.” His prayer is that I update this august House on when Government intends to carry out a housing and population census. Mr Speaker, on Monday, 12 September 2022, Cabinet approved a plan to carry out a housing and population census, scheduled for 24 to 25 August 2023. The process is estimated to cost Shs 330 billion, which Government will mobilise in two financial years; that is, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The census will enable Government to establish the number of houses, the people and budget accordingly, in terms of service delivery to various regions. The census will be done digitally and data uploaded directly to the central server in Kampala. Mr Speaker, this year, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, through the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, shall be procuring information technology (IT) devices, which will be used in the exercise. After the census, the smart gadgets will be used to carry out other studies such as agricultural census and administrative statistics, among others. Question No.5 came from Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, the National Female Youth MP. She said: “There are about 13 million people in urban centres in the country. Over 50 per cent of Ugandans, by the year 2050, will be in cities, yet housing is still a challenge in urban centres. Last week, His Excellency the President launched a multi-billion housing project in Lubowa, under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).” She asked: “What is the status of Solana- Lubowa Housing Project and its benefit to the people of Uganda?” My response, Mr Speaker, is that on Thursday, 8 September 2022, His Excellency the President commissioned the first phase of the Shs 1.4 trillion Solana-Lubowa Housing Project.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me start with the first question you raised; but before that, let me make this general appeal. Honourable members, the offices we hold are public offices. The schools we build are for the children of Uganda and we are here as representatives. I humbly appeal to you that if there are challenges with schools, do not wait for an opportunity on the Floor of Parliament kindly profile the issues in your respective schools and write to us at the Ministry of Education and Sports. I believe we will be able to respond. This is my humble appeal, which is a general remark; such that we do not wait for an opportunity here. And yet there are challenges in our respective constituencies, seed schools, technical schools, and primary schools. On the issue raised by the Speaker, the first question that we are fencing land that does not belong to us at Mandela National Stadium; honourable members, Mandela National Stadium is a public facility that has been in existence since 1997. As I speak, Mandela National Stadium sit sits on land which is titled under the laws of Uganda. The wall fence being erected by the UPDF engineering brigade is being erected on land that falls within the land title of Mandela National Stadium. Before the process started, there was a joint boundary reopening according to the land title, in the presence of all stakeholders, during the day. If anyone feels that he has any action against us, the laws of Uganda are clear because we are erecting a wall fence on a public facility with a land title where all due processes were executed. I beg to respond. And stop at that. On the issue of the Namboole stadium plan and other stadia; two weeks ago, Mandela National Stadium received the approved supplementary budget for kick-starting the renovation and upgrade. I notify the Speaker that I have called a stakeholders’ meeting tomorrow of all stakeholders in order for us to meet and agree in terms of time by the UPDF engineering brigade because soon after completing the wall fence-this land belongs to us, we are just custodians. It was being encroached on, we had to first safeguard the land. We will start the process of upgrading and renovating Mandela National Stadium very soon because the funding was availed towards the end of the last financial year. Other stadia. Uganda has earmarked two stadia to be constructed; Akiibua Olympic Stadium in Lira and Buhinga in Kabarole. These two stadia were cost listed under a Japanese grant, under the forum on China African grant (FOCAG). As Ministry of Education and Sports, we executed all our roles and responsibilities even RESPONSE BY MINISTER

The problem is that the road is very narrow and maybe in the next design they have to expand the road. There is a contractor that has been given that road and is supposed to work on the road from Tororo to Lira. As we have agreed, you give information to the minister to that effect, and then the road should be handled.

Madam Speaker, I want to make it clear that the question, which was asked by hon. Macho was that the situation was as it was three weeks ago with a backlog, but I am informing Parliament that it has been resolved. Going forward to accommodate the future demands of this border is a debate that hon. Ekanya is referring to. As we speak today, the jam of the cargo is cleared. Thank you. The second incident was after five days when a 28-year-old businessman, Innocent Anyeme, who also left his home briefly at about 9.00 p.m. was waylaid on Apac-Lira Highway at Aka Village, Olili Ward, Apac Municipality. He was left with deep cuts all over his body. He was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead the following day. The last incident was on Monday, 31 st when a one Joel Okello was attacked around the same spot and killed instantly. The body was cut and packed in a polythene bag and dumped at the deceased’s home. The situation is not good in Apac. It has caused a lot of anxiety in the community. People are nervous. They are worried and the trend is very consistent. My prayers are; one, that the minister in charge of security and that of internal affairs should intervene urgently and we need a report to this effect. Secondly, we need speedy investigations into this matter so that the perpetrators could be brought forward to face the due process of the law. Three, Madam Speaker, the families of the deceased should be compensated by Government.

2398 2399 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2022 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT As noted earlier, in most locations visited by the committee, this exercise was marred by irregularities. Officials who were assigned the responsibility to carry out the exercise negated on their duties. There was also poor co-ordination between the offices responsible and the grassroot structures as such as GISOs, DISOs, RCCs/RDCs, LCI and town agents in the supervision and verification of the beneficiaries, which led to abuse of the process. Whereas in Masaka and Lira cities, the RCCs actively participated in the exercise, in Ntungamo Municipality and Mbarara City, the elected leaders were not involved at all. In Mbale City, the Office of RCC was denied the opportunity to verify the beneficiaries in the Office of the Town Clerk. As such, about 1,500 persons were verified out of the over 9,000 that benefited. In Arua city, the RCC and the Mayor only got to receive a report on the exercise while meeting the committee. There was no structural framework involving all leaders to ensure a co-ordinated execution. This led to people, who were not intended to benefit, taking part of the fund. It is worth noting that a few random telephone calls made by the committee to the beneficiaries revealed that some persons did not receive payments whereas their names are captured as having received relief and in the list provided. The committee could not, however, establish the accuracy of such assertions as the payments were made privately through their telephones and they could have deleted the confirmation messages. A one Ssewankambo Bashir Mbale captured in the list as having been paid under the bus/taxi conductor category denied having received the money when the committee called him. A one Oloya Geoffrey from Gulu purported to have been the first beneficiary of the relief fund under the boda-boda category could not be traced. When the committee consulted the boda-boda Association in Gulu, they denied him being a member and alleged that the Oloya in question is, in fact, a builder. While interacting with the committee, the Gulu City officials informed the meeting that their efforts to reach out to Oloya were futile. The committee noted that not all persons registered received the money due to various reasons, such as disparities in the names registered vis-à-vis those that appear in their NIN, using one’s NIN to register many telephone numbers and incomplete information, among others. The Committee further noted that there was an option in the guidelines to pay persons who qualified and were in possession of NIN, but had no telephones through the bank post. However, many would-be beneficiaries with these cases were ignored and replaced hence leaving out a big number. Recommendations 1. The Ministry of Gender considers verifying and giving relief to the vulnerable who had already been identified within the quota range but were left out due to errors in the information. This should be done before the end of October 2021; and 2. In future, systems designed for this kind of exercise should cater for vulnerable persons without phones and persons with disability. Term of reference number five was on how much money the beneficiaries received. We have indicated the figures and the committee recommends that should such an intervention be necessary in the future, the rates should be based on the current cost of living. We did observe before the recommendation on how we arrive at that conclusion. Term of reference number six was to establish the roles played by the different stakeholders. We have examined the same at page 17 and came to the conclusion that the committee recommends that should such an exercise be necessary in the future, elected leaders should be involved from the onset to give it ownership. benefited under the boda boda category than food vendors, salonists and car washers. In Mbale, the committee noted that the number of support staff who benefited in private schools was more than the teachers in those schools, which is not logical. In Tororo, a total number of 1,402 slum residents benefited, representing 37 per cent of the entire threshold, as compared to three vehicle loaders. In Soroti, the committee interacted with Mr Saleh Babu Opwonya, the Chairperson Teso Coach Stage, who intimated that out of the 75 members he registered, none of them received relief. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Mr Abdu Mugisha, the Gateway Bus Company chairperson, revealed that out of the 56 members he registered, 48 benefited. In Fort Portal, at Kampala-Kyenjojo Taxi Stage, 60 members were registered and on Kampala Road Boda Boda Stage, 132 members were registered but none of them received relief. These inequities meant that certain categories benefited more to the disadvantage of others. Suffice to note that the Government was able to set thresholds for beneficiaries in all the cities/ municipalities but did not consider setting out a workable formula to be used to equitably share the quotas. The committee noted that for success to be achieved in Lira City, identification was done based on the area of operation and business location for each category. Leadership structures for each category also supported the registration and verification process. Consequently, internal structures were put in place where the compiled lists were first submitted to the DISOs’ office and both physical verification and phone call verification was done to ascertain authenticity of the submitted lists. Once approved, the list would be submitted back to the Town Clerk for data entry. Other cities and municipalities did not fully verify their lists. Cognisant of the directive of the ministry to display the lists generated in public places within urban areas for purposes of updating and verification, with supervision of warden administrators and support of village health teams, the committee noted that across all the cities and municipalities, this directive was defied. This was attributed to limited time, technicalities in the online system, bulk and sensitivity of information. In the committee’s view, the display was avoided as it would expose the irregularities and abuse of the process. Nonetheless, if a display was to be done, raw data would have been the one to be displayed as and when the lists would come through. The committee recommends, therefore, that; 1. The Ministry of Local Government should, in liaison with UBOS, support the local government administrative units to set up a more robust database for future use. 2. In future, if such an activity reoccurs, the Ministry of Local Government should ensure that Town Clerks strictly adhere to the set guidelines. Term of reference No.3: Verify the list of people who received the money Madam Speaker, the observations here are contained on pages 12 to 13. I would wish to proceed directly to the recommendations, following the observations. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should consider giving relief to residents of Ayivu Division and Northern Division of Arua and Fort Portal cities, respectively. This flows from the observations that there were no benefits to them. Term of reference No.4: Verify and establish whether the intended beneficiaries actually received the money.