Moyo District

Mr Speaker, I move, under Rule 58 of our Rules of Procedure, to present a Motion for a Resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the late Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, the Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County and the former Second Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, for his illustrious and dedicated service to the Republic of Uganda. The motion reads: “WHEREAS the Parliament of Uganda received with deep sorrow the sad news of the demise of Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County, which occurred on Saturday, 18 July 2026 at Nakasero Hospital; AWARE THAT the Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali has had an illustrious career spanning more than 50 years, serving in various capacities in the military, civil, and public service of Uganda, where he played a crucial role in the peace, national unity, stability and social and economic transformation of Uganda; NOTING THAT the Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali was a courageous soldier and an astute leader whose personal traits of selflessness, commitment to public interest, strict accountability, and ethical transparency enabled him to serve the people of Uganda with distinction in the following key positions: i) Member of Parliament, Adjumani West County, from 2016 to the time of his demise; ii) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament from 2021 to 2026; iii) First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament from 2016 to 2021; iv) Third Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament from 2011 to 2016; v) Member of Parliament, East Moyo County, from 2011 to 2016; vi) First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, 2003; vii) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees in 2001; viii) Member of Parliament, East Moyo County, from 2001 to 2006; ix) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs 2000 to 2003; x) Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry 1996 to 2000; xi) Member of Parliament, East Moyo County, from 1996 to 2001; xii) Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities 1995 to 1996; xiii) Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities 1994 to 1995; xiv) Member of Uganda, Uganda’s Constituent Assembly representing East Moyo, in 1994; xv) The Chairman of the Federation of Uganda Football Association 1994; xvi) A member of the National Resistance Council (NRC) for East Moyo in 1989; xvii) Minister for Youth, Culture and Sports in 1986; xviii) Minister of Finance in 1975; xix) Chairman, Central Tender Board from 1976 to 1978; xx) Member of Makerere University Council from 1976 to 1978; xxi) Chairman, Valuation Committee responsible for negotiation with governments whose citizens left property in Uganda in 1972, 1976, and 1978;

Mr Speaker, my justification. On Saturday 18th July, 2026, we learnt of the death of Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali. The departure of such a great statesman calls for a powerful tribute from this House. The motion to pay tribute to Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali is one I make with a heavy heart because I had the opportunity and honour to work closely with him. He was a man of many titles and distinctions, yet he carried them with humility. Today, we recognise that among us stood a distinguished deputy prime minister, minister, soldier, legislator, businessman, family man, lawyer and an advocate of the High Court. Mr Speaker, the late Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali was born on 5 th April, 1939, in Pakele Sub- county in the present-day Adjumani district. Orphaned at an early age, he rose above those circumstances through discipline, education and service to become a teacher, a soldier and a servant of the people. As outlined in my motion, the late Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali went on to live a life of service to Uganda, from his first job as a teacher to military service. His career growth was steady, rising to the rank of Brigadier in 1974. In the Government, he served as a Minister of Provincial Administration and Minister of Finance in the 1970s and later in various dockets under His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, including serving as the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, among other notable duties. In the 1980s, the late led the Uganda National Rescue Front, maintaining resistance in the West Nile Region until he signed a peace deal with the new Government of His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, in 1986. This was followed by the integration of his forces into the National Resistance Army (NRA) and the restoration of peace in West Nile. He was also commissioned into the National Resistance Army at the rank of Major General and would later be promoted to the rank of Lt General in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in the year 2003 and to a full General in 2012. Mr Speaker, in his political life, Gen. (Rtd.) Moses Ali represented the people of East Moyo in the National Resistance Council and the Constituent Assembly. He then served in the 6 th , 7 th ,9 th , 10 th , 11 th and 12 th Parliaments. During this period, he held the offices of: Third Deputy Prime Minister, and Second Deputy Prime Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister. He also served as the Deputy Leader of Government Business in the 9th, 10th and 11 th Parliaments. In the 12 th Parliament, he braved the campaign trail to retain his seat as a representative for Adjumani West, whose term has unfortunately been cut short. We shall surely miss his wisdom in this House, and the people of Adjumani will miss their beloved leader. I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, for recognising the abilities of the late Rt Hob. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali and retaining him in service for all these years. I also thank the President for according our brother an official burial. The Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali demonstrated the kind of determination we all admire when he invested in advancing his studies, even as he carried out his national duties. In 2007, he was awarded a certificate in education in law from the University of Wolverhampton, then joined Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor of Law degree, fulfilling his lifelong ambition. He obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre and was enrolled as an advocate in 2012. The late also went on to attain a Master’s in Intelligence Studies from the United States in 2015.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Moyo District and on my own behalf, I extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved family members and all Ugandans in your respective capacities. We are here to pay tribute to Gen. Moses Ali posthumously. We are here to talk about his legacy as a seasoned and celebrated hardcore military tactician, farmer, lawyer, patriot, Pan-Africanist and teacher. He is going to have a long-lasting legacy in the sense that he has left two Members of Parliament and two ministers in this House. They are none other than Hon. Siraje Ali and Hon. Tom Alero Aza. Congratulations. (Applause) He is a pillar of West Nile. He was the one who represented our people from West Nile when they were in exile in Sudan and Congo. Therefore, I would like to thank the Government for according him an official funeral. To you all who are here, thank you very much. Let us commiserate and condole with the family so that the soul of our gallant soldier rests in peace. I say all this for God and my country. Thank you very much. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the elders and people of Northern Uganda, whom I represent, to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Gen. Moses Ali, Parliament, the Executive led by His Excellency the President, the Judiciary, and the whole country. The late Moses Ali was our icon and had a big heart. In 1986, when the First Lady founded Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), Rt Hon. Moses Ali was one of the donors and a great supporter of the organisation because I personally used to go to his farm, together with my late sister, Ms Angela Kaba, to get bulls for our orphans. In 1994, Gen. Moses Ali and I were campaigning for the Constituent Assembly (CA). On my way back to Nebbi, I had to pass through Moyo and Gulu, but we were abducted by rebels in Pabbo. Fortunately, our Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) were nearby and quickly came to our rescue, but all our things were looted. When I reached Adjumani, I had to report to Gen. Moses Ali, who was also busy with his campaign. He gave me more money than I had raised in Kampala or what had been looted. I am very grateful to him. Mr Speaker, Gen. Moses Ali worked with me when I was appointed to the Cabinet. He guided and mentored me when I was a junior Minister of State – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I start by thanking His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the gesture to our brother by having this special sitting. As West Nile, we thank the “cock” of West Nile for the peace that we are now witnessing in the region. Very many people from West Nile were born and grew up in exile, that is, South Sudan and eastern Congo, but when the NRM Government took over power, the 16 November 1986 agreement brought peace in the region and from that time to date, nobody from West Nile has moved to exile. Secondly, before the NRM Government, we used to travel from West Nile to Kampala for a week because we did not have a tarmac road. Gen. Moses Ali took it upon himself to always remind His Excellency about tarmacking the Karuma-Koboko-Kaya Road. As I speak, that road is tarmacked, and as regards the road from Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo, the contractor is also on site. That means the entire West Nile is going to enjoy a tarmac road. We thank him for that.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand here to pay tribute to the Rt Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali. Today, we gather not only to mourn the passing of Rt Hon. (Rtd) Gen. Moses Ali but also to celebrate the extraordinary life of a man whose name is permanently etched in the history of Uganda. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali was an exceptional patriot, a distinguished soldier, an accomplished statesman, and a dedicated public servant whose contribution to our nation spanned more than five decades. Throughout his life, he remained steadfast in advancing the ideals of peace, national unity and socio-economic transformation. This House has lost one of its most experienced, respected and accomplished Members. For over two decades, Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali faithfully served the people of West Nile in Parliament. He was the first elected Member of Parliament for East Moyo County in 2001, re- elected in 2011, and later represented Adjumani West County from 2016 until his passing on Saturday. His repeated electoral victories reflected the immense trust and confidence that his – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am also honoured to be a mother to the General because Adjumani was birthed by Moyo. And him being my child, I am here to follow up on all that is left for Adjumani, Madi and Laropi bridge. Moyo and Adjumani were among the first districts in Uganda but to date, we still hold municipality status in honour of my son. However, on the flip side, he is my father. “ Mimi ni mtoto wa jeshi, kwa hivyo, huyu ni baba yangu” . (Applause) So, in that sense, worry not. The cock is down, but the cock has able replacements because the eggs became chicks. We are now growing. Rest in peace. Generals do not die. Sleep well and rest assured, Madi, Adjumani, Moyo and Uganda will shine. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On behalf of the people of Koboko North and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency the President, the family of the late Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, the people of Adjumani, West Nile and the nation. Today, we are mourning and celebrating the life of a statesman who lived his entire life for humanity. In September 2003, when Gen. (Rtd) Ali Moses had just returned from treatment, my fellow honourable colleague, Dr George Bhoka and I requested an appointment to visit him at home, but two days later, he gave us an appointment at his office. Mr Speaker, while at his office, we had a two- hour meeting. We thought we had gone to see a patient, but Gen. Ali Moses took us through all the projects for West Nile, including Laropi Bridge, the road from Laropi to Afogi, the road from Koboko-Moyo, Adjumani, Moyo, Yumbe and compensation of the veterans in West Nile. By the time we ended the meeting, Mr Speaker, I realised that Gen. Ali Moses was not done yet despite his deteriorating health. He also gave me his book, “The Odyssey of the Nubi: from soldiers of the British Empire to full citizens in Uganda”.

To deliver goats from Adjumani to Kampala, probably you need fuel of Shs 1 million and a goat is Shs 300,000, but he said, “No, this is a gesture”. That is how kind he was. However, he said that we should work on the bridge. I told MK- the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), that if this Government does not work on the bridge between Moyo and Adjumani, then we shall do it. Let us honour all our elders when they are alive. Mr Speaker, I would like us to honour the elders like Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga. We should not talk well about them after they have gone. Instead, we should honour them when they are alive, and we should give them whatever they want when they are alive. God bless all of you. May his soul rest in peace.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Patriotic League of Uganda, under the leadership of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, allow me to extend our sincere condolences to His Excellency the President, the family of our fallen patriot, and the people of West Nile. Gen. Moses Ali was more than a soldier and a politician, but he was a true statesman and champion of peace. When my brother Balaam was talking, he talked about the bridge that connects Moyo and Adjumani. As the general secretary of the next Government, I assure you that that road will be - (Member timed out.)

where Uganda has been, where Uganda is, and where we are going. It also demonstrates that for the last 40 years, the NRM Government has shown the way. The President highlights three specific issues: 1. Wealth creation. 2. Human capital development. 3. Infrastructure development. The PDM programme, which is our flagship programme, has been inclusive, including even the last man at the village level. I stand to support the motion to appreciate His Excellency for such a wonderful State-of-the- Nation Address. In the area of infrastructure, we have a road that runs from Pakwach all the way to Difule, the border between Uganda and Sudan. The President emphasised that our infrastructure development supports wealth creation and trade. We remind the Government about tarmacking the road from Pakwach through Madi-Okollo, through Moyo and Obongi up to South Sudan. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, our rules provide that we have written responses and those that are instant. I will begin with those that are written. Question number one came from Hon. Tom Aliti Candia, Maracha East County, who said that some districts are surrounded by refugee- hosting districts such as Koboko, Yumbe, and Terego, and, as a result, refugees access public and private services in these non-refugee- hosting districts such as Maracha, Moyo, and Arua. On top of that, the non-refugee- host districts have a number of unregistered refugees settled in their districts. His prayer, Mr Speaker, is that the Government change the policy and support refugee- impacted districts in major projects that benefit refugee-hosting districts. They also need to benefit from projects such as the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP), which supports social protection and socio-economic transformation. Mr Speaker, this is my response: Development projects under the refugee hosting windows are designed for all districts, cities and urban councils, transit areas and communities that host refugees, but these keep changing depending on our open-door policy. Refugees are free because you know that refugees are free to move. Where assessments confirm refugee settlement in new areas or districts, such areas are included in the refugee programmes and both refugee-hosting and transit districts provide integrated services such as health, education, water, livelihoods to benefit both refugees and host communities. Mr Speaker, transit districts do not permanently host refugees but provide passage and so funds are therefore allocated for health, education, water and other services. Maracha District qualifies as a transit district and is eligible for support. Government shall undertake an assessment of the current number of refugees in Maracha and take appropriate action. Question number two came from Hon. Dennis Namara, where he says, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the people of Muhorro Town Council, particularly residents of Kyamajaka LCI, have been gravely affected by repeated chimpanzee attacks resulting in loss of lives. While the Government initiated compensation processes, tenants have raised concerns of being cheated and unfairly treated. 1. His prayer is that the Government provide assurances that the compensation process for affected tenants is conducted transparently, with full disclosure of survey and valuation reports and equitable treatment of all claimants? 2. And could the Government further clarify what measures it is taking to resolve disputes among tenants who feel undervalued and ensure accountability in the compensation exercise? Mr Speaker and Members, my response is that the compensation process for tenants on land in Muhoro, Kagadi District was conducted with the involvement of all relevant Government institutions to ensure transparency. Officials from the Department of Surveys and Mapping under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development carried out a detailed survey. The Chief Government Valuer conducted valuations of all land and property interests. Those who accepted, signed agreements and were duly compensated.

Thank you. Member for Moyo District? That should be the last woman.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to support the motion to take this loan. My reservation will only be on the criteria. I see that we are looking at areas that occupy about 10 to 20 acres. In Moyo, Adjumani and Obongi, because of the dry spells, we do not have this capacity. So, as we acquire this loan, let us take into consideration areas that have as small as five acres, so that it reaches all the areas. When I look at the other criteria, which considers farms that are a year old – we clearly do not have farms that are one year old with a 10-acre capacity. Therefore, for that matter, this loan is required by areas – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. I am back, after five years. We are making permanent records for generations to come. Therefore, it is very important for the views of Members, particularly those who are deemed to be sitting on the Opposition side, to be captured when supporting such a motion. On behalf of the people of Obongi, whom I represent and, on my behalf, I would like to say that I support the motion that Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja be approved by this Parliament as our Prime Minister. (Applause) This is for the reason that, being a Prime Minister, if you take it to the simplest level of leadership – even at the school level – you are the head of other leaders: head girl or head prefect. You are supposed to be the supervisor and mobiliser of these people whom you are leading. Being the Prime Minister of a country that has been in existence for some time means that there were other Prime Ministers before you, and, therefore, you carry forward the work of the Office of the Prime Minister from your predecessors. This is where I come with a testimony. When Rt Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda was the Prime Minister, there were issues which were handled – (Break in recording)- him as the Prime Minister and Gen. Moses Ali and I, as the people of West Nile, on the issue of Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road being tarmacked, supported by the World Bank. There were some issues which were not captured properly. When she came, I personally went to her office. I thought she was going to say, “Those issues were for Ndugu Rugunda; let them be for that time”. Offices are continuous. I found it nice that Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja touched buttons here and there, and our issues were streamlined very fast. (Applause) Now, our road is being done. Even for the gaps which were in the design, she promised that she would cause those gaps to be closed in the process of completing the road, to serve all the refugee-hosting districts in West Nile. Therefore, I second her being approved here as the Rt Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda. I beg to submit. (Applause)

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

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

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I came from West Nile two days ago. When I went to fuel at Total, petrol was at Shs 9,900 in Arua City, just opposite the Arua Regional Referral Hospital. The following night, it was sold at Shs 11,000 in Arua, and the prices kept on escalating. During the day, they bring it down to Shs 6,000 or Shs 7,000. In the evening and early morning - I drove at 4.00 a.m. What are you going to do for these people upcountry in Adjumani, Moyo and Obongi? Prices have kept rising day in, day out. How are we supposed to handle this? If we have oil reserves, what are you doing for the people upcountry, especially West Nile, and particularly the districts I have mentioned? Thank you.

Honourable members, thank you so much for laying the wreaths to our departed. In the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have the immediate fam ily members of the late Hon. Helen Nakimuli. We have Fr Christopher Walusimbi, who is the dad. Father, you are most welcome. We have Ms Irene Nampala, the sister. You are welcome. We also have Mr Nicholas Ntege, Mr Photius Ssekabira, both brothers of the late, and Ms Melanie Namirimu, the daughter of the late. They are here to observe the proceedings. In the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have the following members of Parliament-elect, who are here to support: 1. Hon. Bernadette Chandia Kodili, from Moyo District; 2. Hon. Esther Acom from Serere District; 3. Hon. Lydia Mutende Wanyoto; 4. Hon. Peace Tibyaze from Jinja District; 5. Hon. Betty Nakisita Mpongo from Namutumba District; 6. Hon. Ismail Kasule from Hoima West Division; 7. Hon. Topista Acamfua, Zombo District; 8. Hon. Sarah Itungo Masereka from Kasese District; 9. Hon. Annet Birungi, Workers’ Representative; 10. Hon. Harriet Ntabazi of Bwamba County; 11. Hon. Arthur Atuhairwe Kazoora from Ruhinda South County; 12. Hon. Sylvia Katooko Damba from Kibuku District; and 13. Hon. Adrine Katusiime from Sheema District. They are here to witness today’s proceedings in paying tribute to the late Hon. Helen Nakimuli, and they are all most welcome. We also have the Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). We have Hon. Dr Gerald Siranda Blacks and Hon. Veronica Kadogo. We will continue to introduce you as we receive notifications. I also want to - we have members from the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the VIP gallery. We have Dr Lina Zedriga, acting party president and Ms Jackline Tumushabe, Deputy Party President. We also have Mr Davis Lewis Rubongoya, Ms Katana Benjamin, Ms Sarah Muwonge, Mr Buwembo Habib, Ms Nabatanzi Faridah, Mr Rover Alex and Ms Nalukwago Judith. They are here to follow the proceedings. Also in the public gallery, we have members of the Uganda Volleyball Federation led by the federation president, Mr Sadik Nasiwu Zaid. They are in a delegation, and they are many. We also have students from Kibuli Secondary School, where the girl is studying. You are most welcome. Thank you so much for coming. I have condolence messages here. I have also seen Hon. Rose Akol; she is there. Thank you so much. I have a condolence message from His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and attached to it is Shs 20,000,000. We have a contribution of Shs 10,000,000 from the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus. Allow me to hand over the monies to Hon. Kirumira Hassan so that he will be accountable. I would like to request that the contributions that we are making go towards the support of the child. The Parliament of Uganda will take the responsibility of all the burial expenses, and I am saying ‘all’. I have a contribution from Hon. Anita Annet Among, “AAA”, of Shs 10 million. I have a contribution of Shs 5,000,000 from the Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

18639 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 to the Uganda Human Rights Commission to facilitate training of newly elected district local council leaders on the human rights-based approach. Upgrading of Moyo field office to regional office The commission intends to upgrade the Moyo field office to a regional office in order to enhance delivery of human rights services within the Northwest Nile region. The committee recommends that Shs 500 million be provided to the development budget of the Uganda Human Rights Commission for this financial year to upgrade this field office to a regional office. Law Development Centre Completion of construction of old LDC multi- storied building of Shs 64.7 billion Due to limitation of physical facilities, especially firms, rooms for training students, the Law Development Centre embarked on the construction of a multi-storied building to reduce the ratio of students to classroom space. The building will house 20 firm rooms. Currently, phase II has been completed. However, with the current development ceiling, LDC is not able to embark on phase III due to insufficient funds. Completion of the building has been delayed due to inadequate funding. LDC therefore, requires Shs 22.147 billion to resume and sustain project activities, safeguard previous investments, and ensure the timely delivery of the required infrastructure as per the development commitment approved schedule to support legal education and training in Uganda. The committee recommends that the Government provides Shs 22.147 billion during this financial year to enable the Law Development Centre resume and sustain project activities as highlighted above. Procurement of transport equipment The committee was informed that the current fleet age profile indicates that nearly half of LDC’s vehicles have exceeded their optimal operational lifespan and are due for disposal, emphasising the need for a phased replacement strategy to maintain effective service delivery. This situation has significantly constrained the implementation of upcountry activities, particularly the transportation of teaching staff from Kampala campus to regional campuses, as well as the facilitation of legal aid services, including the movement of staff to courts, prisons, and remand homes across regional and satellite clinics. This requires Shs 0.8 billion. The committee recommends the availability of these funds to enable the LDC to procure the vehicles. Acquisition of ICT Equipment LDC plans to acquire networking equipment, servers, enterprise storage equipment, data centre power bank solutions, firm room interactive displays, modern computers and printers, biometric solutions, VOIP solutions, CCTV systems, among others. This requires Shs 4.75 billion. The committee recommends that this money be provided. Vote 148: Judicial Service Commission The committee observed that the current budget structure for the Judicial Service Commission is heavily skewed towards general administration and support services, which are largely fixed or semi-fixed costs. They include things like rent, retainers, and so on. While these are necessary for institutional functioning, they do not directly generate justice sector outcomes such as complaint resolution, disciplinary action, or improved recruitment quality. The Commission noted that whereas the Constitution confers a wide mandate, it fully appreciates that the resource envelope cannot support total focus on all the responsibilities envisaged by the Constitution. It is thus guided by the fact that limited resources demand that it prioritises aspects of its mandate which no

18647 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 Luwero, Nakasongola as well as water supply schemes in districts such as Terego, Moyo, Lamwo, Zombo, Agago, Pader, Namutumba, Mayuge, Ssembabule, Mityana, Isingiro, Kazo, Kyenjojo, Bukedea, Kanungu, Moroto, Kakumiro and Abim, among others. Colleagues, I can see that some of you are trying to keep pace. I jumped into the executive summary, which is on page, Page 3. However, the committee also notes material implementation constraints, particularly funding gaps, delayed counterpart funding, stalled contractor obligations, weak operation and maintenance financing, land acquisition delays, environmental compliance burdens, and institutional capacity limitations, which, if not addressed, will undermine the political credibility of the budget. Madam Speaker, the context of this report is that sectors and Votes under the committee’s purview are central to the Government’s broader economic growth for various reasons. First, energy powers production and industry, while the extractives are expected to create fiscal space and employment. On the other hand, water supports life and production, while environmental management protects the natural resource base on which the growth ultimately depends. The committee notes that the significance of these Votes is not abstract. In many constituencies, the Government is judged by whether power reaches the households, trading centres and industrial parks; whether piped water reaches institutions, towns and villages; whether boreholes and small schemes remain functional; whether the first oil is obtained and is properly regulated; and whether wetlands, forests and the fragile landscapes are actually protected for the benefit of all. This means that the budget scrutiny in these sectors must go beyond the aggregate figures and focus squarely on whether planned projects are financed, implemented, and sustained in actual locations where Ugandans live and work. Madam Speaker, I will go straight to Item 7.0: Programme budget allocations for Financial Year 2026/2027. Analysis of Vote 017 Vote 017: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development contributes to the sustainable energy development programme and a sustainable extractives industry development programme of the National Development Plan IV (NDPIV), with policy priorities covering electricity generation, transmission, distribution, clean cooking, petroleum infrastructure, minerals development, geothermal development, and strategic industrial energy investments. Madam Speaker, the committee notes, from the updated submissions of the budget estimates, that the total budget allocation for vote 017 rises from Shs 1.844 billion, in the Financial Year 2025/2026, to Shs 2.282 billion, in Financial Year 2026/2027, representing an increase of Shs 438.11 billion. Table two thereby gives you, colleagues , an overview of how these resources have been allocated. The committee further notes that the ministry’s functional allocation reflects a major emphasis on transmission, distribution, petroleum, and administration-related land acquisition and institutional costs, alongside continued support to generation, minerals, and clean cooking. Colleagues, table 4 gives us an allocation of resources by major functional areas. Madam Speaker, the committee notes that the ministry has identified substantial project outlay for Financial Year 2026/2027, and the medium term, and many of these projects are location-specific and visible. Colleagues, the major planned projects under Vote 017 represent the following, which I believe is a point of critical concern to most of us here. There is a project of Mutundwe-Buloba- Kabulasoke-Masaka and Kabulasoke-Nkonge-

18651 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 intended for Laropi and Lefori in Moyo, Akoro and Pangila, and Padibe West in Lamwo. The institutional water supply and sanitation project This one is intended to supply the Arocha prison in Apac and the Iceme health centre and surrounding areas in Oyam. The rural growth centre schemes in Ewanga in Madi-Okollo, Edrayo in Terego, Rodo and Nyori in Yumbe. The gravity and piped water schemes are intended for Ambe GFS in Zombo, the Ogili water supply and sanitation scheme in Agago, as well as Pader. The solar-powered schemes for Achukudu solar RGC in Napak. Colleagues, I am sure that the Hon Faith Nakut is now going to give me a bit- Table 12, in the Eastern region. There are rural growth centre piped water projects that are intended for Bulange in Namutumba, Nango in Mayuge, Bubugo- Itanda in Jinja, and Kagumba in Kamuli. Additional rural growth centre schemes, one intended for Oyama RGC in Kaberamaido. The institutional water supply and sanitation schemes in Ivukula prisons and the surrounding areas in Namutumba. The public sanitation facilities are intended for Mulatsi S.S. in Mbale and Lubani SSS in Jinja. The urban and small town water system schemes under the Water and Sanitation Development Facility East. In Manafwa, Bulangira, Bukumi, Kaproron, Kadungulu, Iyolwa, Mukura, Atutur and Mbale Industrial Park. Central region The ministry intends to undertake piped water schemes in Nankondo in Ssembabule, Moone in Nakasongola and Bulera in Mityana. The institutional water and sanitation schemes - Masaka Army Barracks. The solar-powered water schemes in Kyegegwa, Rakai, Namayingo and Buvuma districts. Then the other additional schemes and extensions are intended for Ngoma, Nyanseke, Busaale, Lunya, Kapeeka Industrial Park extension and Kikuube. In Western and Southwestern regions The major towns and cluster water systems. In Nyakashaka and Rubaya in Buhweju and Mbarara, Mabira, Bukiro, and Nyabisirira, Ntungamo Industrial Park, among others. The integrated water management and development schemes Kaliro-Namungalwe and Kyegegwa-Mpara- Ruyonza-Kabagore. This is the learned DAGs area. Isingiro water and sanitation scheme That is for the Isingiro District. Institutional water schemes in Butanda Secondary School in Kabale, Rugazi Health Centre IV in Rubirizi, and Ishekye School of the Handicapped in Sheema. The rural growth schemes Kyampangara and Nyamushojwa in Kazo, Kasaba in Kyenjojo, Rwentuha in Kyegegwa and Buhanda in Mubende. The solar-powered scheme Bikone and Isule-Katebenyangorongo in Kasese; Kagunga Iremera 1, Iremera 2 in Kisoro; and the Rubanda extension scheme.

18313 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2026 Many of the projects for which we have borrowed gross sums of money are either behind schedule or have completely stagnated. Here we are being asked to recklessly approve further borrowing. I now turn to the ministry of finance report on externally funded projects. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has been monitoring performance of these projects and done some reports. The latest report samples 66 externally-funded projects, as the table below illustrates. We have borrowed money to finance projects. Even in this budget, they are saying we should borrow another Shs 10 trillion. But look at the table. The projects in Agro-Industrialisation; seven projects here, only two have been completed. One is on track, others behind schedule. Digital Transformation: two projects, one on track. Human Capital Development: 14 projects, only one completed, one on track, 12 are behind schedule. Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services: 12 projects for which we have borrowed money, only two completed, one on track, 18 behind schedule. I do not need to go on, but the total below is that you have a total of 66 projects sampled by the finance ministry. Only six are completed, five are on track, 55 of these projects are behind schedule, including the ones that you will see that have stagnated. I will give a list here. I will be very brief because this is not my list, it is a list of Hon. Musasizi: Kampala-Jinja Expressway. We borrowed money to do this road. Let me go to the last line. This is how the finance ministry has assessed this. The physical progress of the project is zero. Money borrowed; progress is zero. They are saying let us borrow more. That is what is in the Budget Framework Paper. Busega-Mpigi Expressway. Construction is at 46 per cent. This road was supposed to have been completed years ago. They are at 46 per cent. Part of the reason you will see, they are saying they do not have counter-funding, and then they are saying let us borrow and begin more projects. That is why I said you even offend common sense. Entebbe Airport Rehabilitation. This one, there is progress but the point is because of the delays, we are now required to pay to the contractor the total sum of $34.9 million because we delayed. The contractor says you delayed here and here, pay me money. Even this one, although progressing, it was never delivered on time. The Development of the New Bukasa Port Project. This one has not started at all, still in the preliminary. Kampala Flyover Construction. The Finance ministry says it has stagnated. Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project. They are now revising it. Time elapsed. They are revising it, yet you know each revision comes with money. Multinational Kapchorwa-Suam-Kitale and Eldoret Bypass Road Project. This one has almost been completed but after a delay. Kyenjonjo-Hoima-Masindi-Kigumba Road. The project has not been completed; more money is needed. Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communication and Transport Project. Here, the overall progress is from 37 per cent by the end of April. All these projects have delayed, no counter-funding, they are contracting more. Luweero-Butalangu Road. Work is at 67 per cent. A road that they started nearly 10 years ago, they have not completed a short stretch. Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko Road Project, and you keep asking why the President repeat these roads in every budget? The progress, as you have seen, on some projects, is zero. Every

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, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance pertaining to a road connecting Obongi to Moyo District, which is a national road serving both host and refugee communities. This road belongs to the Ministry of Works and Transport. A company called Jetcom was given a contract to work on it. What they did basically was grading. The road is in bad terrain that requires improving the drainage, offshoots, and culverts. Unfortunately, for about four or five months now, the company has abandoned the site. Apparently, when it rains, Obongi is cut off. My prayer is that the Ministry of Works and Transport, which supervises that work, ensures that Jetcom does good work. In the event that Jetcom has abandoned the site and is not ready and willing to do work, the ministry for works under force account responds to that road as a matter of urgency because Obongi is getting cut off from Moyo. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, let me put that one very clearly. On the issue of the foreign-funded projects, yes, it was a precondition. When we were rationalising, we went into discussions with the funders: World Bank, African Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank. One of the conditions they gave us was that the project implementation units needed to be retained. We have retained all the project implementation units on all the projects. That is, Busega-Mpigi; the full project unit is there. Kampala-Jinja Expressway, the full project unit is there, and all the other projects. Even Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo, the project unit, is there. Madam Speaker, we have not stopped any project implementation unit or changed these people because that was a precondition. There are other issues regarding delays and disbursements, but it is not about rationalisation.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Credit must be given where it is due. Thank you very much, Government. Thank you very much, Minister of Works and Transport. Our road from Koboko to Yumbe is being worked on and the progress is good. (Applause) However, Madam Speaker, I am happy that the Minister of Internal Affairs is here. There is a roadblock and obstruction in an old colonial dilapidated police barracks, which has impeded the progress of the road around Moyo Town Council. This involves the finance minister, the

17696 MINISTERIAL S T ATEMENT minister for works, as well as the Minister of Internal Affairs. We are all aware that all those affected areas were compensated; schools were compensated, offices, and even the police barracks were compensated. As a district, we have already identified land outside the town council, so that the barracks can be shifted to a more spacious area to make way for the construction of the Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road. Lastly, the ferry at Laropi always breaks down. There is always congestion. People are not moving, and they waste about two to three hours just waiting for the ferry to come and cross over with them. We request that the minister works so hard, so that we can have the ferry crossing worked on, and its engine also worked on. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I would like to thank the honourable minister and the team for the work done, amidst a lot of challenges being faced. He talked about stations, which are not active, and that is where the Madi Subregion lies, because we have our station in Moyo. Can he elaborate on the challenges that are preventing these stations not being active and how and when he is going to ratify, so that our challenges are addressed? Two, on the Sinyanya-Obongi Road, some of our learners study from the Obongi side. The Sinyanya road is cut off; therefore, many learners are not going to school. Can the Government prioritise this road? Lastly, the honourable minister promised to decentralise the regional mechanical workshops, and I agree. However, before we do that, can the honourable minister bring a report on the status of these workshops so that we can jointly provide remedies or recommendations on how to make them more active, especially the one in Gulu? Thank you so much.

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

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

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

17524 BUDGET SPEECH iv. The government is revamping the road and drainage infrastructure within the entire Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), to the extent that the entire city is now a construction site. Banange bebale. A total of Shs 1.4 trillion has been dedicated to improving roads and drainage within GKMA. To deal with traffic congestion arising out of the gridlock generated by roundabouts, all major junctions are being improved and signalled with traffic lights. The Kampala Flyover and Road Upgrading Project has been completed. v. Construction of 10 bridges is ongoing at an average of 74.7 per cent progress. Madam Speaker, next financial year, the Government has significantly increased the budget for road infrastructure development. I have allocated an additional Shs 790 billion, bringing the total budget for roads to Shs 4.28 trillion. The following will be prioritised next financial year: 1. Start construction and complete ongoing works for road projects as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. In addition, the roads which had been left out to be prioritised are: Puranga-Acholibur (65 kilometres); Kampala- Gayaza-Kalagi (33 kilometres); Lugazi- Buikwe-Kiyindi (28 kilometres); Kabwohe- Bwizibwera-Nyakambu-Nsika-Nyakabirizi (92.2 kilometres); Kisubi-Nakawuka-Natete- Kasanje-Mpigi-Mawugulu-Nanziga-Maya- Buwaya (71 kilometres); Busega-Mpigi (10 kilometres); Najjanankumbi-Busabala (11 kilometres); Lusalira-Nkonge-Lumegere- Sembabule (97 kilometres); Karugutu-Ntoroko (50 kilometres); Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi (15.1 kilometres), Kisoro-Nkuringo-Lubugiri-Muko (70 kilometres); Laropi-Moyo-Afoji (39 kilometres), including a bridge at Laropi, Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo (105 kilometres); Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu (33 kilometres); Tororo-Busia (25 kilometres); Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi (104 kilometres); Moroto-Lokitanyala (42 kilometres); Hamurwa-Kerere-Kanungu (47 kilometres); Lyantonde-Kashagama-Nyabitanga-Ntusi road (57.7 kilometres); Isingiro-Rugaaga- Mutukula-Ngarama-Kashumba-Kasese on the border with Tanzania (164 kilometres) – I hope my friends who were talking to me yesterday, I have satisfied you. Masindi Bridge; and Karuma Bridge. 2. Start construction and complete ongoing works for bridges as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his State-of- the-Nation Address. 3. Commence implementation of the Kampala- Jinja Expressway through a Public-Private Partnership framework. 4. Prioritise maintenance of the core national road transport network and DUCAR. Railway Transport Madam Speaker, in November 2024, His Excellency the President launched construction of the 272-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Malaba to Kampala. The SGR is a strategic investment for our country. It will cut cargo transport cost by half from the current $120 per ton, and reduce transit time from Mombasa to Kampala from seven days to one day, turning Uganda into a land-linked country as opposed to being landlocked. The initial works for the construction of the SGR have started. Madam Speaker, Government has completed the refurbishment and commissioning of the Mukono-Kampala Metre Gauge Railway line. In addition, rehabilitation of the 375 kilometres of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will be completed by February 2026. Madam Speaker, next financial year, priority interventions will include completing the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway line; refurbishment of the Mukono-Jinja Metre Gauge Railway line; and construction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Kampala to Malaba.

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

17494 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION In Tororo, where we have got large deposits of limestone, and Kabale, where we have got iron ore, the Government has facilitated the use of these minerals for making cement and steel, respectively. In Kabale, we have put in place the infrastructure for mining the iron ore from which domestic steel manufacturers have started making high- quality steel. There are now 10 gold refineries in the country producing gold, which is refined to 99.9 per cent purity. There are gold mining activities in Busia by a Chinese company called Wagagai, and the Government embarked on the registration of artisanal miners in Buhweju, Busia, Mubende, Kassanda and Karamoja. Registration will be expanded to cover all artisanal mining areas in the country. In Moyo, there are gold reserves and huge limestone deposits, apparently, which are raw material for cement production in Madi- Manzora. We currently have three cement manufacturing plants, namely Tororo, Hima, and Simba Cement, a high-quality tin smelting plant in Mbarara with an annual capacity of 1,600 tons. A number of cement factories are coming up in Karamoja. The Government is also facilitating the establishment of a modern mineral laboratory in Entebbe, which is in the final stages of accreditation to international standards. This financial year, the Government started the capitalisation of the Uganda National Mining Company. This company will take an equity stake of up to 15 per cent in all medium-scale and large-scale strategic mining operations in the country. This is to ensure that as we attract foreign direct investment capital, the country benefits directly, in addition to monitoring what is happening in the sector. The company will be capitalised to a tune of Shs 500 billion over five years. Oil and gas With regard to oil and gas production, the Government is investing in the requisite infrastructure for commercial production. Kabalega International Airport is near completion, and 700 kilometres of tarmac roads have been constructed in the Albertine area. The civil works for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) are scheduled for completion next financial year, both in Uganda and Tanzania. The Ugandan National Oil Company commenced the petroleum bulk trading business in August 2024. The objective is to ensure the security of fuel supply, reduction in the petroleum pump prices, and ensure the quality of petroleum products on the market. Since the Government started implementing this initiative, Uganda has experienced some reduction in fuel pump prices. We rejected the old mistake of a whole country like Uganda buying petroleum products from middlemen in Kenya. Can you imagine? Your people were buying petroleum for the Republic of Uganda, a member of the United Nations, from middlemen. Can you imagine? You cannot believe what happens in Africa. I did not believe it. And you know, in these ministries, there are people called commissioners. Have you heard of them? Commissioner of ignorance or what? (Laughter) When I came to know of it, I said, “This would not happen. Why not buy from refiners? Don’t you know where the refineries are or the bulk suppliers?” You can’t believe it. Africa is really a continent of wonders; a whole country buying petroleum from middlemen! I did not know of this, and I was sitting there, “President, President.” (Laughter) In the minerals sector, the Government’s investment next financial year will prioritise the following:

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.

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

Vota Dclodgtlo fm*,{gGIEo0(Il 876 Kyegegwa District 31.470.913 877 Kyenjojo District 41.947.987 878 Kyotera District 40,338.213 879 Ianwo District 22.L74.Ot2 880 Lira District 27.502.131 881 Luuka District 30,991,532 882 Luurcrc District 78.LO3.724 883 Lwengo District 32.483.519 884 Lyantonde District 21,935,852 885 Madi-Okollo District 2t.f3/.L.5g2 886 l{anafua District 32.457.37r 887 Maracha District 29,492,485 888 Masaka District 14.615.925 889 Masindi DisEict 27.738.604 890 Manrge District 4),514,128 891 Mbafe District 42966,325 892 Mbarara District 27.253.74L 893 Mitooma District 36,257,O32 894 Idi@Pistrict 35.248.748 895 Moroto District 15.165.026 896 Moyo District 24,948,054 897 Meigi Distrist 33.986.704 898 Mubende Distrbt 30.641.693 899 Mukono District 55.925,165 900 Nabilahrk District LL.358,444 901 Nakapiripirit District .rl L3.874.296 902 Nakaseke District ,7/ 43.L87.786 903 Nakasonsola District d{// 31,982,802 904 Namafiinso District w, 27,875.777 905 r*i"irraoo Pi"oi", -l7EF r\ 1 \P ? - s 4FE)-. s

On their behalf and on behalf of the people of Moyo District, I condole with the people of the world, the Catholic Church, all the Christians, non-Christians, everybody for the demise of the pontiff. We are here to celebrate his legacy and life as a selfless person who fought hard for peace, unity, development, humanity, harmony, dialogue, democracy and encouraged consensus amidst contentious issues related to leadership and governance in the world. I will vividly remember him for his Latin words like Lavoro non vebe (work not words). Ad futuru adificamus (we build for the future). Si insti, et inste, cur Non ego (If others can, why not I?) Very good. And his sayings about the timing; tempus est pecunia (time is money). We have to work hard and catch up with time. Lastly, I would like to congratulate the Catholic fraternity for electing a new Pope in the name of Pope Leo XIV. Thank you, very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Arua City and West Nile at large need more feeders from the UETCL substation in Muni because right now, we only have one line that connects Arua City to Moyo. On Saturday, a truck knocked one of the lines and the entire West Nile went black for three hours. That means businesses in Arua City and referral hospitals came to a standstill. As we budget, we need more money so that we can have more feeders to UETCL. Lastly, West Nile now has reliable power, we thank the Government of NRM but we need a mechanism of how it can now attract industries in that region. Since we are battling unemployment.

16835 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 9 APRIL 2025 On the overall performance of the budget under the UPF, we recommend reallocating funds from the assistance to Uganda Police Force projects to critical UPF areas. Uganda Police Force must create a comprehensive successor project for nationwide investments. The second recommendation is that the Uganda Police Force should expedite the preparation and approval processes of the CCTV Phase III Project to ensure its inclusion in the national plan budget. We reviewed the traffic and road safety and, therefore, recommend as follows: 1. An additional Shs 7.577 billion for transport equipment be provided; 2. Shs 1 billion for an IOV inspection lane and certification centre to be provided; 3. Shs 18 billion for 10 mobile inspection stations for IOV to be provided; 4. Uganda Police Force should link the EPS to the NIRA database; and 5. Uganda’s driver licensing system should be adjusted to capture details of foreigners who commit traffic offences. On police accommodation and the ongoing construction projects, we note that 74 per cent of the police officers lack institutional accommodation. However, the Uganda Police Force is working on a police accommodation project. This project is excluded from PIP. The Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to build 69,000 housing units for the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, and the DCIC, through a PPP arrangement. We, therefore, recommend that the Uganda Police Force accelerates the completion of the accommodation project to comprehensively address police accommodation challenges in the year 2025/2026. On the subcounty policing model – this is a flagship security solution to the country, initiated by His Excellency, the President, and it is now under implementation. The model aims to use limited resources in subcounties to improve policing services for communities, including establishing a police station in each area, following: 1. Deployment of a minimum of 18 personnel; 2. Two motorcycles per police station; 3. A counter phone and radio communication; 4. An office; and 5. Staff accommodation for at least 18 personnel. The Uganda Police Force has tested this model in Greater Masaka in the Financial Year 2023/2024, establishing 892, which is 41 per cent of the 2,190 subcounties, nationwide. In the Financial Year 2025/2026, Shs 5 billion is allocated for the construction of 30 model police stations and completing 11 in greater Masaka, along with acquiring 333 motorcycles and communication equipment. However, there is a funding gap of Shs 557 billion. We, therefore, recommend that Shs 587 billion be provided for the nationwide rollout of the subcounty policing model. On crime management, we recommend that Shs 17 billion be provided for CIID investigations and Shs 2.3 billion for crime intelligence in the Financial Year 2025/2026. On the Canine Unit, we see that expanding the Canine units to 36 locations of Budaka, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Zombo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Pakwach, Vurra, Kaberamaido, Koboko, Terego, Maracha, Moyo, Ayivuni, Buyende, Kaliro, Namutumba, Ngora, Hima, Namisindwa, Kwania, Agago, Nwoya, Amuru, Kyankwanzi, Apac, Kole, aerodromes and border points of Jinja, Soroti, Arua, Mbarara, Kisoro, Mpondwe, Katuna and Mirama Hills nationwide, requires an additional Shs 2.259 billion. The unit faces challenges with unreliable transport for sniffer dogs to crime scenes. Reliable transport is needed at the district stations, requiring Shs 28.44 billion for equipment in 29 regions.

16787 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025 50. Vote 871: Kotido District – Shs 503,436,072; 51. Vote 872: Kumi District – Shs 202,740,000; 52. Vote 879: Lamwo District – Shs 47,114,000; 53. Vote 880: Lira District – Shs 23,760,000; 54. Vote 881: Luuka District – Shs 56,760,000; 55. Vote 884: Lyantonde District – Shs 6,720,000; 56. Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District – Shs 44,695,393; 57. Vote 886: Manafwa District – Shs 251,040,000; 58. Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 103,800,000; 59. Vote 892: Mbarara District – Shs 18,195,000; 60. Vote 896: Moyo District – Shs 11,070,000; 61. Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 36,240,000; 62. Vote 902: Nakaseke District – Shs 27,735,600; 63. Vote 904: Namayingo District – Shs 6,580,000; 64. Vote 906: Namutumba District – Shs 472,752,800; 65. Vote 907: Napak District – Shs 186,300,000; 66. Vote 910: Ntoroko District – Shs 23,400,000; 67. Vote 911: Ntungamo District – Shs 17,160,000; 68. Vote 912: Nwoya District – Shs 259,740,012; 69. Vote 914: Omoro District – Shs 92,920,000; 70. Vote 917: Pader District – Shs 356,782,000; 71. Vote 919: Pallisa District – Shs 114,335,970; 72. Vote 923: Rukiga District – Shs 51,000,000; 73. Vote 924: Rukungiri District – Shs 6,298,000; 74. Vote 925: Rwampara District – Shs 26,694,209; 75. Vote 928: Sironko District – Shs 60,000,000; 76. Vote 929: Soroti District – Shs 56,881,000; 77. Vote 932: Tororo District – Shs 3,035,429,737; 78. Vote 935: Zombo District – Shs 153,577,688; and Sub-total for local government – Shs 15,985,336,921.

16612 THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MEDIATION AGREEMENT BILL,2024 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Mr Migadde] and analysis of the labour market needs for the health sector and the development of the East African Community non-communicable disease registry. Component three is project implementation which will involve providing resources to ensure effective project management at the country level. Under this component, additional financial resources will be used for effective projects at UCI and other public partner institutions for training and research, including Makerere University of Health Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Gulu University. As the minister has already highlighted, the loan is concessional. Allow me to proceed with observations and recommendations. One is an increase in the number of additional financing requests. The Committee notes that of late, the Government has tabled before Parliament a number of proposals requiring additional financing to the already ongoing projects. A case in point is the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji- Katuna-Muko- Kamuganguzi Road Project, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Project loan, Masaka-Mutukula Road Project; addition to this one and the Masaka-Mutukula Road Project, in addition to this. This has been attributed to delays in the implementation of the projects, lack of adequate planning and preparedness for these projects, and variations in the scope of work, among others. These lead to cost overruns resulting in requests for additional funds, ultimately increasing the financial burden on the Government. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should minimise variations in, therefore, recommends that Government should minimise variations in projects except in unavoidable circumstances, such as changes in scope or design, which may necessitate requests for additional funding. A case in point, in terms of infrastructure, the scope changed by 80 per cent for this project. The plan was not to build a new structure so they ended up building a new one. Two, the performance of the projects in the health sector. The committee noted that most of the ongoing projects in the health sector have faced slow progress and this is attributed to low disbursement rates. Delays in the procurement process, incomplete or errors in designs, and compensation issues that make sites inaccessible. Bureaucracy, delayed payment due to lack of funding mostly brought by conditions precedent to disbursement, among others. Delays in implementing or executing critical health projects have a significant impact on service delivery. The committee recommends that for efficient and effective implementation of this project, the implementing agency should ensure adequate identification and evaluation of risks that occur throughout the project cycle so that they are adequately mitigated to avoid further delays. As the committee was considering this request, we toured the Mulago Cancer Institute, we saw the situation there with patients on the floor, in the corridors and everywhere. Based on that, in addition to what the minister highlighted, as noted, the Government’s efforts to improve health outcomes in the country and in the East African community, at the regional level, the proposed projects provide a vehicle for implementing key disease control strategic priorities of regional level, the proposed projects provide a vehicle for implementing key disease control strategic priorities of regional institutions. Mr Speaker, the committee, therefore, supports and recommends to this House to approve the Government’s request to borrow up to

Before you raise your procedural matter, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have a group of student leaders from the Guild Representative Council of Makerere University. They are represented by Hon. Bashir Kazibwe and Hon. Shamim Malende. You are most welcome. Where are you? Students, stand up. Join me in welcoming them. (Applause) They are here to observe the proceedings of this House. Thank you for coming to your House. Again, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have a group of students from Madi Subregion, which includes Obongi, Moyo, and Adjumani, under the Madi Students’ Union. They are represented by Hon. Jesca Ababiku, Hon. Tom Aza, and Hon. James Mamawi. They are here to witness the proceedings of this House. Thank you. Please stand up and we see you. Thank you so much for coming. Yes, procedural matter?

15920 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 patterns in most parts of the country. We have dry spells with strong, intense heat and at times the destruction of crops by hailstorms and so forth, which has led to crop failure. It is therefore, imperative that if we are to really follow the theme of this year’s budget, we should consider issues like irrigation, tractors as well as mechanisation of agriculture; if we are to succeed in achieving our theme of the Budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026. Similarly, I hope the Government can fast- track the construction of the bridge across the River Nile in Laropi, in Moyo District for the transportation of perishable goods. This is because more often than not, you find perishable goods like tomatoes, cabbages, onions, fresh fish and so on, getting spoiled because of the delays at the ferry point. Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Government for kick-starting the construction of the Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road. As I talk, the work is in progress. Thank you, Government, and I hope the work will not stall but will progress. Mr Speaker, we are also waiting for the fast- tracking of the construction of the Laropi- Moyo-Afoji Road, because as I talk, the procurement process is on. We will be happy if that can also be fast-tracked for the transportation of perishable goods. Under education, Muni University had expressed interest in repurposing Erepi PTC into Muni Technoscience University, but up to now, that has not come to fruition. We are waiting for the results, and I hope all will be okay. Lastly, electricity is the vehicle for agro- processing and agro-industrialisation. In Moyo District, electricity is unstable and unreliable; it is always off and on. We will be very grateful if the power in Moyo is stabilised to encourage agro-processing as well as agro- industrialisation. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance. Business-owners in Arua, Koboko, Yumbe and Moyo have expressed their frustration over the continuous robbery of their goods in a village called Enzeva, in Arua District along the Kampala-Nebbi Road. Usually, the buses and lorries carrying people and goods along this highway are waylaid by robbers wielding guns, arrows, pangas, and so on. They normally take advantage of the darkness, the steep climb, and the potholed section of the road at Enzeva. As the vehicles slow down, they are waylaid, and all the goods are taken. Our prayers, Mr Speaker: May I request the police to have routine security patrols? Secondly, may the police also set up a station at that black spot? Thirdly, the minister of works is here; may that section of the road be worked on so that the vehicles move smoothly. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. If we may recall, in 2014, 20 Members of Parliament visited the border points between Sudan and Uganda, where nine Members of Parliament were arrested and detained because they had gone on a fact- finding mission on the issues of border conflict and people were being displaced. People were fighting, quarrelling, and so forth. The issue resulted in the raiding of cattle and the displacement of people in places like Lefori Subcounty, Metu Subcounty, as well as Moyo Subcounty. Mr Speaker, in 2018, there was another cattle raid by people from Sudan. They came and grabbed over 1,000 cows from a place called Padiga, that is, in Metu Subcounty. A whole general, Gen. Muhoozi, the CDF, went and checked on what had happened. In fact, he confirmed that, truly, cows had been raided from that place, and promises were made to the effect that there would be compensation, but up to now, the people in Padiga have not been compensated. If you consider the issue related to cattle raids in the Moyo, Metu and Lefori subcounties, really there is a need for compensation because that is the livelihood of the people. Thank you very much.

15770 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT all over, and you can hear that it is on both the NRM, and the Opposition sides. People are saying that their voters are asking for money to get recommendations. This is totally unacceptable, and it has got to be nipped in the bud. Mr Speaker, the process has not commenced in many places, including here in Kampala where the Electoral Commission is headquartered. I am thinking about deep rural places in Abim, Bupadhengo, Moyo, Kabale, and so forth. It is the worst of situations. The Electoral Commission told us that Kampala was given a bit of special attention and that more kits were distributed here, which is also not true. Mr Speaker, I was given information by one of my colleagues, Hon. Susan Mugabi from Buvuma. In most of these islands, and by the way, not just islands, there is no electricity, so these kits cannot operate. There is no connectivity at all. They are meant to print many forms, but they do not even have where to print them from. However, the Electoral Commission says that the process is moving on smoothly. No, that is not true. Mr Speaker, it is important that the Government concedes that there is a need for more time for this exercise because we all want it. It is good for all of us and our democracy. Let us increase the number of days because there have been glitches up to date, and in many places, the exercise has not commenced. We need more time for this process to be a free and fair one. Mr Speaker, for an election to be free and fair, it is not just on the D-Day. It begins with a process. When people feel like they are being disenfranchised - the young people, you are locking them out because of all these different quandaries - that is not a free and fair election. Can we increase the time? Mr Speaker, I do not know what your guidance is going to be, but I would like to move a motion without notice under Rule 59 of our Rules of Procedure that Parliament urges the Government to extend the duration of the update of the voter registration process by two months. It is important, and the Government can suggest whichever period. What is important is the need to extend this process - (Interjections)- So far, several days have passed, but the process has not commenced in many places. On 10 th February, the Electoral Commission is looking forward to announcing that they have stopped the exercise, yet the kits will not have reached some places. The exercise will not have been carried out. I hope that the Government will find it relevant to extend this process without Parliament having to urge it and push it around. Find it important to extend this exercise and then sort out the sticky issues. Otherwise, you may extend the time but then the sticky issues and complaints remain apparent. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning the hippopotamus that has been attacking the people and destroying crops of the community in Obongi. Last year, in October, a hippopotamus attacked a man called Sunday Dudu in Yakinemiji Ward, a Kenyan village. The gentleman was in his field harvesting his crops and a hippopotamus came out of the river to attack him and broke his leg. The man was hospitalised in Moyo General Hospital for one month and up to now, he is still undergoing treatment. This year, on 17 January 2025, a man by the name of Modesta from Ewafa Subcounty, Achimari East Village, Ewafa Parish, was again attacked by a hippo that came from the water at the landing site after fishing since he was a fisherman. The young people of Obongi have an association called “Obongi Vegetable Growers”, where they plant greens, watermelon, cabbages, and all their crops were destroyed by the hippo. My prayers are: 1. For the young people who have been growing vegetables and whose crops were

Mr Speaker, first of all, I entirely concur with the submission of Hon. Kwizera on one part. It is true that it is the policy of the Government to have a seed secondary school per subcounty across the country. It is also true that as the Ministry of Education and Sports, we are undertaking the construction of a number of secondary schools across the country. Some of you, colleagues, can attest because these constructions occur in your respective sub-counties. In terms of the list, which appeared in the newspaper yesterday, I want to say the following: I cannot deny nor confirm However, permit me to bring the official list to this House so that it is a list that I can own as a minister responsible for education and sports. Thereafter, I will answer questions, specifically on how I went to Kachumbala, Rukiga, Moyo or Kassanda. I will answer when I have the list with me once my statement is ready. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you. Next item. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO AUTHORISE GOVERNMENT TO BORROW UP TO $15.222 MILLION FROM THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND $73.15 MILLION (UNITS OF ACCOUNTS DEVELOPMENT FUND AS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAROPI- MOYO-AFOJI (INCLUDING THE BRIDGE AT LAROPI)/KATUNA-MUKO- KAMUGANGUZI ROAD PROJECT

Honourable members, you recall on 18 September 2024, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development tabled a proposal to borrow $15.222 million from the African Development Bank, and $73.15 million (AU 55 million) from the African Development Fund, as additional funding, for the construction of Laropi-Moyo- Afoji and Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi road project. The proposal was referred to the Committee on National Economy, which is now ready - the report is now ready - and pursuant to Article 159(2) of the Constitution of Republic of Uganda, and Rule 155 of the Rules of Procedure, I invite the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to move a motion, after which we will receive a report from the chairperson of the committee. Honourable members, do not squeeze yourselves; it is free sitting.

The Chairman of Rubanda, Steven Kasyaba, my chairman, and my friend for a very, very long time, and Chairman Nelson Nshangabasheija of Kabale District. Join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Madam Speaker, this motion I am moving benefits both chairmen. The road starts from Kabale, goes through Rubanda, and comes back to Kabale - (Interjections) - No, I am doing my job. (Laughter) Moyo-Laropi – (Interjections) – please, the minister is a beneficiary, and she is here. Pursuant to Article 159 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and Section 34 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 as amended, and Rule 155 of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure, I beg to move a motion for a resolution of Parliament to approve the proposal for Government to borrow up to $15.222 million from the African Development Bank, and $73.15 million from the African Development Fund, as additional funding for the construction and development of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji, including the bridge at Laropi, and Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi Road. I beg to move.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, briefly, the project will provide an all-weather road between Katuna, Muko and Kamuganguzi, support tourism flows from south-western Uganda and access to iron ore mines, provide an all-weather road between Laropi through Moyo to Afoji, a permanent bridge at Laropi, and a one-stop border post at Jare-Afoji to facilitate inter- regional connectivity of the West Nile region with other parts of Uganda, and onwards to South Sudan via Afoji border. What are the components? Madam Speaker, given that the required amount is additional funding, the project scope remains the same as initially approved in August 2020. The project has four components: one is the road and bridge civil works in two lots; project implementation support services and institutional support, and compensation and resettlement of the project affected persons. What are the terms? Madam Speaker, the terms are the following: The loan amount is $15.222 million, which is an equivalent of 11.445 units of account. The period is 25 years, including a grace period of eight years. The interest rate is the best rate, plus funding cost, plus lending margin, plus spread adjustment rate, plus maturity premium. The commitment fee is 0.25 per cent per annum on the undisbursed loan balance. The front-end fee is 0.25 per cent of the loan. The terms of the African Development Fund (ADF) loan are as follows: Loan amount is $73.15, an equivalent of 55 million units of account. The loan period is 50 years, including a grace period of 10 years. The commitment fee is 0.5 per cent on the undisbursed loan amount, and the service charge fee is 1 per cent per annum of the disbursed loan, and the amortisation loan is 40 years after the expiration of the grace period. Madam Speaker, the conditions precedent to first disbursement are as follows: The loan agreement shall enter into force upon fulfilment by the borrower of the respective provisions of Section 12.01 of the General Conditions, applicable to the loan agreement of the African Development Bank (ADB) and the ADF. The obligation of the bank and the fund to make the first disbursement of their respective loans, shall be subjected to the execution and delivery of a subsidiary agreement, between the executing agents and the borrower for each loan agreement in form, and substance satisfactory to the bank and the fund, respectively. What are the financial implications? Madam Speaker, the total project cost, including physical and price contingencies, and the resettlement action plan, with the compensation cost net of taxes, is $292.87 million. The project will be financed by the African Development Bank (ADB), African Development Fund (ADF) and the Government of Uganda. ADB shall be the lead financier contributing up to $252.83 million which is 86.3 per cent consisting of an ADB loan of 135 million units of account, an equivalent of $179.68 million and the ADF loan, an equivalent of 55 million units of account which is $73.15 million while the Government’s counterpart contribution is up to $39.03 million and 13.3 per cent of the total loan, with $27.44 million for RAP compensation and $11.06 million for civil works, an equivalent of 7.1 per cent. In addition, they also secured a grant from the bridges for prosperity up to $1 million. This will be channeled through ADB and will cover the construction of the 10-village footbridge under component 1. We assess the project’s

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me also to wish you a Happy New Year. Honourable members, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has already given an insight on this. The committee, therefore, is ready to report, and I will summarise. Madam Speaker, allow me lay a report of the Committee on National Economy on the proposal by the Government to borrow up to $15.222 million from the African Development Bank and $73.15 million units of accounts, $55 million from the African Development Fund as an additional funding for the construction and development of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji including the bridge at Laropi-Katuna-Muko- Kamuganguzi road project. Honourable members, this is one of the best facilities we have. This loan has a national character since it covers about three regions. Therefore, Madam Speaker, allow me to lay the minutes of the committee meetings and the report of the committee to Parliament.

Honourable members, like the Rt Hon. Speaker stated, on Wednesday, 18 September 2024, a proposal for the Government to borrow up to $15.22 million from the African Development Bank and $73.15 million from the African Development Fund as an additional of funding for the construction and development of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji including a bridge at Laropi-Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi Road was presented to Parliament and referred to the Committee on National Economy. The committee considered and scrutinised the loan request and now reports. Honourable members, the honourable minister has already given the details, components of the project and the debt sustainability of the country, and therefore, allow me to just proceed to the committee’s recommendations and observations. Observations and recommendations The minister already gave the terms and conditions of the loan for both facilities; the one for ADB and ADF and the loan components. Therefore, the committee made the following observations and recommendations: Low performance of the projects in the sector The committee noted that almost all ongoing projects in the works and transport sector have faced slow performance and this is attributed to slow disbursement rates. Delays in procurement process, incomplete or errors in designs, and compensation issues that make sites inaccessible. Bureaucracies, delayed payments due to lack of funding, mostly brought by conditions precedent in the disbursement among others. The committee particularly observed that the financing agreement for the Namagumba- Budadiri-Nalugugu, that is the 29 km road project, was approved in May 2023, three

15543 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 9 JANUARY 2025 years later after the approval by Parliament in August 2020. The committee further noted that the delays in the implementation or executing of critical road infrastructure projects create a significant impact on the service delivery, economic growth and overall stability of the infrastructure sector. The committee recommends that for efficient and effective implementation of this project, the implementing agency should ensure adequate identification and evaluation of risks that occur throughout the project cycle to ensure that they are adequately mitigated to avoid further delays. Variation in the project scope The committee noted that whereas Parliament approved the construction of the 29 km Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu Road, the progress report submitted by Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) indicated 39 km for the project, contrary to other documents and Parliament’s approval of 29 km, yet the project designs and feasibility studies were completed by the time of approval. The committee also noted that the unit cost of constructing the Namagumba-Budadiri- Nalugugu Road, inclusive of land acquisition, had increased from $1.87 million, a total of $54.35 million for 29 kilometres to $1.95 million, a total of $75.9 for 39 kilometres in the additional funding request before Parliament. The scope change implies that the project resources were allocated to tasks that were not originally planned for. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Works and Transport should ensure that the additional scope of the project does not compromise the quality of the works during the project execution. The committee also recommends that the appropriate procedures and approvals are thought by implementing agencies, in this case UNRA, before changes in the scope that affect resource availability are affected. Lack of readiness at approval of loans The committee observes that, at the first approval in 2020, the Namagumba-Budadiri- Nalugugu and Laropi-Moyo-Afoji road projects have complete feasibility studies and detailed designs, while the studies for Katuna- Muko-Kamuganguzi Road and the Laropi Bridge were still ongoing. The committee has learned that, this is the reason as to why the Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu commenced in 2023, while the other two components stalled. This has, in turn, increased the cost of the project by $105.3 million, which is 40 per cent from the $263.5 million that was initially anticipated. The committee recommends that the government and the implementing agencies always ensure that all the readiness required are in place before loan requests are brought to Parliament for approval so that projects commence immediately after such loans are approved. 4. The project’s institutional and implementation arrangement The committee observed that section 5.02 of the financing agreement clearly stipulates that the Uganda Road Fund Authority shall be the executing agency for the project. Madam Speaker, I believe this one has been overtaken by events and allow me to skip it. Observation number 10.5; project financing. The committee noted that this project has four financing components, namely: i. $164.458 million from the African Development Bank that remained of what was approved by Parliament in 2020; ii. $15.22 million of a new funding from ADB; iii. $73.15 million from ADF; iv. $39.03 million from Government of Uganda as counterpart funding. The committee noted that the ADB component, whereas the request to Parliament indicated the intention to borrow only the additional

15544 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION funding, the loan agreement indicates that the aggregate of the two components amounting to 179.68 million will be borrowed. The committee recommends that Parliament approve the additional funding amounting to $15.222 million from the African Development Bank. In conclusion, the committee recommended the proposal by Government to borrow up to $15.222 million from the African Development Bank and $73.15 million equivalent to units of account, 55 million from the African Development Fund as additional funding for the construction Laropi-Moyo-Afoji, including the bridge at Laropi-Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi Road, be approved subject to observations and amendments. I beg to move.

Madam Speaker. I congratulate the minister, the chairperson, and Kasilo here, Kabale, Rubanda, Moyo, Laropi, Ngora, and Serere - I congratulate you. However, I have a concern for the minister of finance.

Honourable members, I put a question that the motion for resolution of Parliament to borrow up to USD 25.22 million from the African Development Bank and USD 73.15 million, UA 55 million from the African Development Fund as additional funding for the construction of Laropi-Moyo-Afoji Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi Road project be approved by this House. (Question put and agreed to.) Motion adopted.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and Happy New Year to all of you. Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for the loan that the House has just approved; Laropi- Moyo-Afoji, Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi Road and the additional resources we needed to complete this road which is part of my constituency, but most importantly, the economic activities including the 312 million tons of iron ore in our region; the tourism. Actually, part of the story of Winston Churchill told by historians is that when he reached those hills where the road is going to pass and looked at Lake Bunyonyi, he said, this is the Pearl of Africa. So, it is an important road and we hope that this additional funding will be able to move fast and then we continue to finalise the road. Lastly, the Leader of the Opposition says - I was a party at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development when we moved this road, which was a three-component road; Namagumba, Laropi and Katuna-Muko. It is important to note that out of the resources we have approved, the Namagumba-Budadiri- Nalugugu project has been allocated $75

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

14736 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Water and Environment is implementing the Integrated Water Management and Development Project across the country. Subcomponent 1.2 of the project targets construction of water supply and sanitation systems in refugee-hosting districts in Western Nile and northern Uganda. The refugee-hosting districts that were targeted to benefit from the project include Moyo, Madi-Okollo, Terego, Yumbe, Adjumani, and Lamwo in West Nile and Kiryandongo District in the mid-western. A total of six solar-powered water supply systems in six rural growth centres of Awoba, Rodo, Goboro, Lomunga, Lobe and Nyori were planned to be constructed in Yumbe District. Furthermore, Enyau Gravity Flow Scheme will cover part of Ariwa Sub-county, including Zone 5 of Bidi-Bidi Refugee Settlement. A total of 26 sanitation facilities will also be constructed along the water supply system in Yumbe District. Due to foreign exchange losses, the project is not able to implement all the activities as had been planned. Furthermore, the feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs have recommended the inclusion of water treatment processes due to the quality of the underground water that required full-scale conventional treatment that was not envisioned at the project proposal. The inclusion of the water treatment processes ultimately made the system costlier as compared to the planned cost. As a result of these changes, the project had to be reprioritised by reducing a number of systems to be implemented across the project districts to match the available resources. The water supply systems that were ultimately chosen for implementation are those that provided the highest impact. I mean those with high yielding borehole sources and covering large populations. Therefore, this reprioritisation affected the mentioned rural growth centres of Nyori, Rodo, and Awoba. Madam Speaker and Members, with available funding, the project will therefore construct the three solar-powered water supply systems of Goboro, Lomunga and Lobe, and Anyau Gravity Flow Scheme which will also cover parts of Ariwa Sub-county and Zone 5 of Bidi- Bidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe. Government will continue to source for finances to construct the remaining three solar- powered water supply systems of Rodo, Awoba and Nyori in Yumbe and the other systems that have been left out in other districts as well. The designs for all the systems have been completed and will be implemented as soon as funds are available. Hon. Byakatonda again, the question is: Why are pensioners attached to Mbale Hospital have discrepancies in their pension payments whereby officers with same seniority, that is, title and duration of service, but who retired in different years, would be paid a different monthly pension? Madam Speaker, my response is a statement of law and facts: i) The Public Service Pension Scheme is an un-funded PAYGO and non-contributory, Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Scheme. The Scheme rules are provided under Article 254 (1) of the 1995 Constitution, which for avoidance of doubt, states that, “A public officer shall, on retirement, receive such pension as is commensurate with his or her rank, salary, and length of service.” ii) Article 254(2) on the other hand, provides that, “the pension payable to any person shall be exempt from tax and shall be subject to periodic review to take account of changes in the value of money.” iii) The parameters and formula used to compute pension and gratuity are further provided by the Pensions Act, Cap 89, and Regulations therein. And these are: [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance, concerning the National Backbone Infrastructure Connectivity Project for West Nile by National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITAU). Mr Speaker, on 11 May 2019 at St Charles Lwanga Senior Secondary School in Koboko District, the President launched Phase IV of the National Backbone Infrastructure Connectivity Project for West Nile, where NITA-U was to implement the National Data Transmission Backbone Infrastructure and e-Governance Infrastructure Project to connect districts and towns across the country. Phase IV is to be extended to 12 districts of West Nile and other border points of Uganda. My prayers are as follows: 1. May we know from the Rt Hon. Prime Minister or the minister responsible, how far the programme has progressed now that the EXIM Bank and World Bank have extended loans for Phase V of the programme? 2. I would also like to know when the programme will extend to the remote areas, hard-to-reach areas, parishes and subcounties in all the districts in West Nile, including places like Arapi, Gbari, Oyo in Moyo District where there is no internet connectivity. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I also thank the committee. Mr Speaker, arising from the National Teachers’ Policy of 2018, over 20 Primary Teachers’ Colleges (PTCs) were phased out and by 2022, admissions were stopped in those phased-out PTCs. As a result, PTCs were repurposed and some universities expressed interest in having them as branches of degree-awarding centres – in education, agriculture, and so on. Muni University of Technoscience, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, had expressed interest in repurposing Erepi PTC in the Moyo District as a degree-awarding college. It would, therefore, be very good if Muni University is equipped and given more financial resources for recruiting more lecturers and kick-starting Erepi Muni University Branch in Moyo District. Lastly, in Moyo District, Moyo Secondary School, being one of the traditional schools, has a dilapidated science laboratory. We would be very happy if the ministry could allocate resources to have a brand new laboratory constructed for that traditional school in Moyo District. Thank you.

Honourable colleagues, let us resume this tomorrow and discuss all issues related. After receiving the report from the Public Accounts Committee(PAC). next item- PROPOSAL TO BORROW UP TO $15.22 MILLION FROM THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND $73.15 MILLION FROM THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND AS ADDITIONAL FINANCING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAROPI-MOYO-AFOJI/KATUNA- MUKO-KAMUGANGUZI ROAD PROJECT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I beg to lay, the proposal to borrow up to $15.22 million, from the African Development Bank, and $73.15million equivalent to 55milliom unit of account, from the African Development Fund, as additional financing for the construction of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji/ Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi Road Project, I beg to lay.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. On behalf of the people of Moyo District, I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives, friends and the people of Bukwo, Uganda, Members of Parliament and everybody on the demise of Sergeant Rebecca. We always say that “God gives and God takes”. Mr Speaker, during the days I was the Chairman for Athletics in Arua District as well as the

14267 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) delegate for Arua District, during Lawrence Mulindwa’s regime, Sgt Rebecca would come with her peers to West Nile. Since I was the chairperson for athletics in Arua, I would always receive them, take them around and they would participate in what we called “Mayank Race”. Mayank comprises districts from West Nile. She would come and we would train them and, at times, we would also pay a visit to Kapchorwa. That is how we always interacted. Honourable minister, this is for your attention. As I speak, I have a daughter called Margaret Ejoria Aza. She has qualified to go to one of the European countries next month - her accolades are here. I hope she is going to be protected. (Applause) She is called Margaret Ejoria Aza. She is going to one of those European countries - like father, like son - (Laughter) - like father, like daughter. (Laughter) Thank you. I also have a son who is a goalkeeper, anyway. Lastly, I would like to bring this to the attention of the House. Number one, we should develop our athletics potential by using our land, not taking our runners to go and train in Tanzania, Kenya or South Sudan. We have undulating hills and lowlands where they can train from. Number two, as said by the minister, we should avoid gender-based violence in all areas of life. Mr Speaker, here was the idea of constructing 18 stadia in the country. How far has that programme gone, honourable minister? I understand Celecelea Stadium in Moyo District is one of them. Also, Barifa Stadium, in the name of Dorcus Inzikuru, is supposed to be constructed. Otherwise, I would like to congratulate and thank the Uganda Cranes, who are doing us proud. Let us pray for them and encourage them so that they qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. However, it is important to note that as I talk, there is bickering, confusion and quarrelling in the netball fraternity. What is happening there? Minister, help in that regard. Otherwise, to all of us, let us take to sports so that we become healthy, and avoid non- communicable diseases – cardiovascular diseases and diseases that affect us such as diabetes, stroke, cardiac arrest, hypertension, high blood pressure and so forth. Thank you.

Much obliged, Mr Speaker. As guided, pursuant to rules 159(c) and 189(e) of the Rules of Procedure, the Sectoral Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, between the 13 th and 15 August 2024, conducted a field activity to appraise the state of the following tourism sites and to consider related matters: The first is Kabalega and Mwanga Monumental Site in Dokolo District. The others are Barlonyo Massacre Site in Lira District; Mary Mother of the Church Shrine in Iceme, Oyam District; Aboke Massacre Site in Oyam District; Sir Samuel Baker`s Fort, Patiko, Gulu District; and Amuru Hot Springs in Amuru District. The committee also acknowledges and prioritises, for subsequent oversights, the heritage sites in Gulu-Gulu Hills in Amuro; Napak Fossil Site in Napak; Emin Pasha Fort Site in Wadelai in Pakwach; Karamoja Museum in Moroto; Dufile Heritage Site in Moyo; Tien Olum footprints site in Ibuja-Kokoro in Lango; Palabek in Lamwo; Lototoro in Lamwo; Agoro Hills in Acholi; Abiyam Memorial Site in Lango; Nziri Tomb in West Nile; Winam Old Palace in West Nile; and Arua Museum in West Nile. Those are 19 sites in total. The terms of references, I already indicated. To save time, I will go straight to the methodology. But okay, I will also not go through it, but it is important to mention that the committee conducted a desk review on a comparative analysis of investment sites in three East African community countries. One, the committee noted that for the management and administration of museums and monuments in Uganda, we are guided by the Museums and Monuments Act of 2023. Mr Speaker, Uganda also has a tourism policy of 2015, which prioritises four areas, national parks, cultural heritage sites, Lake Victoria, mountains, and community-based tourism. The focus of this report is on cultural heritage sites. We also compared the tourist visits to museums and monuments in East Africa. We noted that in

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I had requested permission to lay on the Table a copy of the minutes of the committee and a copy of the report. I beg to lay, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, this report is rather bulky, and in the interest of time, I request that you permit me to take the House through an executive summary that I have prepared. As I said, this report looks at the functionality of the district service commission and city service commission and also on personnel management in selected local governments across northern, eastern, and western regions. Mr Speaker, we already know the mandates of our committee, and in line with these mandates, the committee conducted an oversight visit to selected cities and districts of northern Uganda such as Arua, Maracha, Terego, Yumbe, Zombo, and Moyo in West Nile; Gulu District, Gulu City, Nwoya, Kitgum, and Pader in Acholi; Moroto Municipality, Moroto District, Amudat, Nabilatuk, Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido Municipality, and Kotido District in Karamoja; Lira City, Lira District, Amolatar District Local Government, Kole, and Otuke in Lango, to assess the functionality of the District and City Service Commission and to analyse the personnel management issues within local governments. Mr Speaker, the committee has made a comprehensive report with a detailed version of its findings, observations and recommendations, giving examples and scenarios from local government to bring out the issues affecting the functionality of these commissions and the staff. Without prejudice to the comprehensive report, this Executive Summary highlights the key issues as follows: Committee findings, observations, and recommendations. On the functionality of District Service Commission, Mr Speaker, 1. We looked at gaps in the commissions. The committee found out that 98.6 per cent of the District and City Service Commissions were functional by end of the Financial Year 2022/2023, and most commissions were fully constituted. However, there are some districts that are non-functional with insufficient number of commissions. For example, Amudat District had only one District Service Commission member, which severely affected the recruitment processes, leading to delays and increasing the risk of corruption. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Local Government, together with the Public Service Commission, should ensure that all commissions are fully constituted for efficient service delivery in local governments. 2. Delays in Public Service Commission approval processes The report highlights delays by the Public Service Commission in approving Service Commission nominees, often without providing reasons for rejection. This lack of transparency and delayed approvals impede the recruitment process and affect service delivery. In Moyo, delays in submitting approved names to the Service Commission were noted, attributed to negligence. The committee also noted poor grievance handling by the Public Service Commission, which has been slow in responding to appeals, leading to prolonged disputes and inefficiencies. The committee therefore recommends the following;

Madam Speaker, I want to raise an issue concerning a road from Yumbe town to a river called Ore, which is on the border with Yumbe and Terego. In 2018, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japanese Agency for Development, gave $24.5 million to work on that 23.5 kilometres road. However, since 2018, the Government has never committed any counterpart funding to pay project-affected persons. And yet this was a grant given in relation to the hosting of refugees. Many times in Parliament, we apply for loans as Government, and some of these loans are got from commercial institutions at a very high interest rate. I am wondering why the Government cannot take advantage of a grant to work on this road. When we had a meeting with JICA in June, they said that the money was depreciating. Instead of this money working on a 23.5 kilometres road, due to depreciation, the current money can only work on 14 kilometres. Sometimes we also wonder about Government decisions. Secondly, the road between Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo has a lot of contradictions. The grant given by the World Bank was in 2020. Compensations started in 2021. These projects should have started by January 2023. It is supposed to be a three-year project that is 36 months. However, due to contradictions in procurement, we lost 15 months. When we had a meeting with the World Bank, they said that the project spill over may be handled by the Government. As we speak, other contradictions have come up that there are environmentally related challenges and yet on the 16 th of April, we had a meeting with the World Bank team and they said that all the contradictions concerning that road were handled and there was no problem. However, we are now saying there is another challenge. As of now, we have lost almost two years. We are left with just 17 months to work on this road, should the road not be completed within that project period, we are also worried that this same road will have a challenge. Therefore, we really need an explanation from the Government on these two areas – as to why these issues cannot be handled. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My sister, Hon. Lucy has raised a very critical issue, that is topical in the country. Recall that the Minister of Health made a statement on the Floor of Parliament and gave preventive measures. She gave interventions that currently the ministry is undertaking. Madam Speaker, it is true that Uganda is on very high alert because there are confirmed cases. As far as I know, there are still four, unless there is a current update that probably I may not be aware of - the ministry, one, has built a very strong capacity for surveillance right from the district up to the national level. In my district equally, there were cases, I think. Moyo is one of the districts and of course, Amuru. However, we have a surveillance system that can identify, detect and take samples without

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Alero Tom Aza, the Member of Parliament for West Moyo County, Moyo District, West Nile. At the same time, I am the Chairperson of the Madi Parliamentary Forum. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for bringing Parliament to the people of Greater North. My name is Avako Melisa Naima Gule, the Woman Member of Parliament for Yumbe District; the district that continues to host the largest number of refugees in Africa and yearning to see that Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road is constructed under the Refugee Response Programme, funded by World Bank. I am also the regional coordinator for the West Nile Parliamentary Caucus, and, I affiliate with the NRM Party. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I am Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the Woman Member of Parliament for Moyo District. Mama Speaker, Moyo is the only district among the original 18 zones awaiting municipality status. I am the Minister of State – substantive - in charge of Primary Education; I am representing the Minister of Education and Sports here. I bring you greetings from Mama Janet and the entire people of Moyo. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker and Members of the august House. I am called Alero Tom Aza, Member of Parliament for West Moyo County. I would like to thank the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for the report. However, Madam Speaker, the report has not highlighted the stalled work on Koboko- Yumbe-Moyo Road, which was launched by the Prime Minister on 17 May 2024. Secondly, the bridge across the Nile at Laropi, Moyo District has not been highlighted. Laropi-Moyo-Jale-Afoji Road has not been highlighted, yet the procurement process has stalled. Lastly, there is a floating vegetation -

There is a floating vegetation on River Nile that has always grounded the ferry services connecting Moyo District to other areas. My prayer is that the Minister of Works and Transport fast-tracks the construction of the bridge across the Nile–Laropi-Moyo District so that we can be able to develop. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Hon. Isaac. Finally, is the issue of town councils and municipalities where the trunk roads go through. My humble request is that we make it a standard that the town councils and municipalities should benefit from at least five to 10 kilometres within because it takes time. In future, there will be no budgets to mobilise money to do some of these municipality roads and bridges. For example, in Koboko, now that the road from Koboko to Yumbe-Moyo- Laropi is being done, I would expect Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko to at least benefit from five kilometres of roads. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, we have a road that connects Obongi and Moyo Districts, that is Obongi-Moyo Road, which is being maintained by UNRA. Right now, if a miracle happens here that Parliament is taken to Obongi, all these vehicles are going to get stuck on that road. As I speak, the road is flooded for the last two weeks but UNRA is not paying any attention. Secondly, on Obongi-Yumbe-Terego-Arua Road, which is also a national road, the side of Obongi is also flooded. Therefore, I urge the ministry and UNRA team to rush to Obongi and take care of the roads that are under their docket. Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the Ministry of Works and Transport for giving

14062 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT us road equipment as a new district. However, some of the components of road equipment are missing. The ministry should do something so that those components that are missing should be submitted to the district for easy road maintenance and improvement of the road connectivity in the district. Madam Speaker, year in and year out, after every five years, there is a critical road that whenever His Excellency the President of Uganda is campaigning in Obongi, speaks about. And that is Pakwach-Rhino Camp-Obongi-Wadlai up to Moyo District, proceeding to South Sudan. He calls it a security road but the road always features nowhere. I urge those who are drafting the manifesto of NRM, this year, to help us leaders of Obongi, Pakwach, Madi-Okollo and Moyo; not to indicate that road in the manifesto because it has over featured but the Government is not doing something about it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the chance. The whole of North West Nile Region is affected. The region comprises Adjumani, Obongi, Moyo and Yumbe. Mr Speaker, there are godfathers who are seated like God seated on his heavenly throne, commanding each and everybody to cut the trees. Who are these godfathers? Trees have been felled indiscriminately and the whole area has now been deforested. We are scared that in two or three years’ time, there will be completely nothing for us to talk about. I would like to request that we investigate these godfathers. Otherwise, the civil, political and all those other elected leaders have tried their best to stop this vice but have failed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Obongi District, as known by each and every one in this House, is a new district. It is four years old now, but it does not have a general hospital. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when shall we have a general hospital in Obongi for us to reduce on that number that has been referred from Obongi to Moyo on a daily basis? Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. It is true that Obongi is the only district in this country where the people have never seen a pole of electricity. For them to see a pole of electricity, they should first cross the river to Adjumani, that is when they will see a pole of electricity. They should go to Moyo, that is when they will see a pole of electricity, and yet they have been singing Obongi in black and white, but implementation is zero. Mr Speaker, recently when the President was touring the country, he made a promise that by November 2023, Obongi will receive electricity. Up to now, there is nothing.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. All Northern Uganda does not have reliable electricity. Before I give an example, I am happy for Moyo because it was connected to electricity. On 3 rd I was in Moyo for my aunt’s burial and they were celebrating for having been connected to electricity. However, an example of districts in northern Uganda that do not have reliable electricity is Amolatar in the south and Kaberamaido. Sometimes they get electricity during the day and at night there is darkness. I also know that their subcounties are not connected up to now. In Dokolo, where I come from, some homes and subcounties are connected to electricity, but the whole of Dokolo North not even a subcounty is connected to electricity. Honourable minister, I would like you to note that in Dokolo District, some places have electricity while Dokolo North is not connected to electricity, including my home, Dokolo South, where I come from. Other places have electric poles and this started way back in 2016 when they began throwing poles around Dokolo District. In 2021, the poles were erected. Now, in 2026, I pray that they are connected to electricity, especially - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join the rest in appreciating the comprehensive report by the honourable minister and the team. Mr Speaker, allow me to put the status of Madi Subregion right. We have three districts, including Obongi, Adjumani and Moyo that have been connected but the power is not reliable at all. We have even codenamed it as Aziko , something that comes and goes without warning you. Our request has been that, as we recognise what you have done for West Nile where we belong, you need to have special consideration for Madi Subregion so that we can also get reliable power. There is also uniqueness with the poles you have taken to Adjumani and Moyo. Any slight drizzle, not even heavy rains, the power goes off. We do not know the type of poles that you have taken to our area. Honourable minister, we represent Government and Parliament when we are in our constituencies. For two years, you people have promised to me in writing that you are going to visit Adjumani. I have the letter. I have the name of the officer. You have never gone to survey so that you connect the subcounties. People have developed a mistrust. I was with Hon. Mamawi in his subcounty and people almost chased us away. The subcounty is trying to fundraise to connect power in Itirikwa Subcounty because you have misinformed or misled us and we went and reported on your behalf but the subcounties are not connected. We have service delivery units like the Health Centre IV where people are doing operations. People go to the theatre but we do not have power. We request that you look at the health services units like the health centres, the schools and the headquarters. Also, be with us. I pray that you visit Adjumani as you promised. I am happy that the state minister is here. We need your commitment so that we give hope to the people because we know you cannot do miracles to fulfil all these things at once. My request – (Member timed out.)

s/N Hospltal Name Dlstrict 32. Kyenjojo General Hospital Kyenioio 33. Kalisizo General Hospital Kyotera 34. Luwero General Hospital Luwero 35. Lyantonde General Hospital Lyantonde 36. Masindi General Hospital Masindi 37. Mityana General Hospital Mityana 38. Moyo General Hospital Moyo 39. Mukono General Hospital Mukono 40. Nakaseke General Hospital Nakaseke 4t. Nebbi General Hospital Nebbi 42. Itojo General Hospital Ntungamo 43. Anaka General Hospital Nwoya 44. Pallisa General Hospital Paltsa 45. Rakai General Hospital Rakai 46. Kitagata General Hospital Sheema 47. Tororo Qeneral Hospital Tororo 20

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.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance and the issue is about the abrupt suspension of the construction work for upgrading Koboko- Yumbe-Moyo Road. The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of that road took place on 17 May 2024 and it was presided over by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, who is present here. Immediately after the ground-breaking ceremony, tractors, graders, bulldozers, caterpillars, wheel loaders and heavy-duty trucks were brought on the ground, and work commenced immediately. However, two weeks later, all this machinery was withdrawn from the site and, as I talk, no work is going on. Secondly, about the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji-Jali Road, this Parliament passed a loan and got money from the African Development Bank -

Our prayers are that the Prime Minister fast-tracks the issue of Yumbe-Moyo Road construction. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to update the honourable member on what is happening on Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road. It is true that the road construction was launched. After the official launch - this is a project, which is under World Bank. The World Bank has a lot of demands in terms of social safeguards and for the social safeguards to be accepted, you must have a contractor on site, who is going to be tested by the World Bank as far as social safeguards are concerned. That particular area is very sensitive – even more sensitive than other areas – because it is a refugee area. Therefore, the social safeguard demands by the World Bank are high. We have finished the social and environmental management plan and have sent it to the bank and are now waiting for the bank’s approval. Before we get that approval, the bank cannot allow physical work to be done. Regarding the equipment, the contractor is on site and is setting up camps; he has to get ball pits, asphalt plants and quarries. You cannot do all this until the World Bank has endorsed all these sites. Therefore, this is the process, which is going on. The camps are being set up, the equipment is there in the camps, and once this is done and the World Bank gives us a nod, the contractor will be on site. On the Moyo-Afoji Road, we finished the section of Atiak-Adjumani-Laropi. We did the design review and the consultant approved the design for the Laropi Bridge. After that, we sent the documents, again, to African Development Bank, which is funding this project, for a no objection. Once that no objection comes in, then, we shall be able to put up bids and advertise for the works on that road. The bridge at Laropi and Afoji-Moyo Road are in one contract. So, they will move together. I humbly submit.

13456 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 Water, sanitation and environment protection As a result of Government intervention, more Ugandans now have access to safe, clean water. Coverage in rural areas is now estimated at 67 per cent and 70 per cent in urban areas. Out of the 71,225 villages, 56,617 villages have been served with at least one safe water source. In the Financial Year 2024/2025, clean water coverage will increase to 70 per cent and 85 per cent in rural and urban areas respectively. In the rural areas, the target is to reduce the distance to the nearest source of clean and safe water for human and animal consumption to less than one kilometre while in urban areas to less than 500 metres. The following are among the priorities we have budgeted for the next financial year: v. Construction of 52 large solar-powered water supply systems in 19 districts that are currently at less than 50 per cent water coverage. These are - let me mention them; Agago, Yumbe, Amudat, Kaabong, Bulambuli, Buvuma, Buyende, Namayingo, Rakai, Nakaseke, Sembabule, Kibaale, Kasese, Kyegegwa, Mubende, Lyantonde, Kakumiro, Kassanda and Kisoro; vi. Construction of another 15 solar-powered water supply systems in the rural growth centres of Lwentulege, Bugwara, Kabamba, Kikoora, Mwitanzige, Lugala, Kitenga, Bukizibu/Bumwena, Igwaya, Kidera, Bugomolwa, Kitonge - Nakasero, Kikonge, Kasese and Lubaali. This will cover a population of over 272,000 persons; vii. Completion of the construction of 31 town water supply systems and sanitation facilities in Bulangira, Kanapa, Aligoi, Opengate Kawo, Karago, Nyakashaka, Buikwe, Bundibugyo, Kapchorwa, Kamuli, Namasale, Kaliro - Namungalwe, Butaleja–Busolwe, Budaka–Kadama- Tirinyi-Kibuku, Kyankwanzi, Butemba, Ngoma, Lunya, Palabek-Kal (Lamwo), Obongo, Lamwo, Rhino Camp, Arra/ Dufile, Amuru, Kole, Alangi, Zeu, Kakingol, Iriiri and Lorengacora; viii. Construction of 17 rural water supply systems in the refugee hosting districts of Adjumani, Lamwo, Madi-Okollo, Moyo, Terego and Yumbe; ix. Progress of the construction of 26 water supply systems at various stages in Manafwa (now at 80 per cent), Mukura (40 per cent), Kidera (40 per cent), Atutur (40 per cent), Kadungulu (10 per cent), Kaproron (10 per cent), Iyolwa (20 per cent), Bukumi (5 per cent), Rubaya (50 per cent), Bethlehem - Nabigasa, Phase 1 (50 per cent), Kabura - Mwizi Phase 1 (50 per cent), Mabira (50 per cent), Bukiro (50 per cent), Nyabisirira (50 per cent), Bugarama - Karweru (50 per cent), Rwere - Kateretere (50 per cent), Kagarama – Bushura - Kibuzigye (50 per cent), Nyanseke (80 per cent), Busaale (95 per cent), Kibuzi (100 per cent), Adilang, Puranga (Pader), Kasawo, Phase 1 (5 per cent), Kyebando - Kasimbi (5 per cent), Nabilatuk and Losilang; and x. Increasing the water for production storage capacity for commercial farmers from 52.6 million cubic metres to 76.8 million cubic metres. To support the restoration of our environment and reverse the effects of climate change, Government shall undertake the restoration of 42,450 hectares of degraded wetlands along the Awoja, Kandekye - Ruhorobero, Nchwera, Chambura, Kiruruma, Naigombwa, Kibimba, Tochi, Aswa, Sezibwa, Mayanja, Muzizi, Mpanga and Lumbuye water systems. In addition, Government shall demarcate a 720-kilometre boundary with concrete pillars along the following wetlands; Kibimba, Tochi, Sezibwa, Mayanja, Muzizi,Awoja, Mpologoma, Ishasha, Kandekye, Ruhorobero, Nchwera, Chambura, Kiruruma and Naigombwa. A total of 15 million seedlings of assorted tree species shall be procured and distributed to individual farmers in several districts as well as to refugee-

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]

)4;{? #- ,} fl:' ,t \i 1 -- il- - .:i:- 4l'l "i \Ir- l,l A t \t, ./, ML 15 I l \\ i"r t, \- Amount (OOO'| I Vote Descrlptlon Kotido District 13,536,892 87t 32,287,740 872 Kumi District 22,448,O49 873 Kwania District Kween District 23,483,046 874 27,t44,881 875 Kyankwanzi District 30,023,121 876 Kyegegwa District 877 Kyenioio District 41,375,555 874 Kyotera District 38,098,598 20,772,32r 879 La.mwo District 25,977,O29 880 Lira District 88r Luuka District 30,193,940 882 Luwero District 76,754,416 31,951,654 883 Lwengo District Lyantonde District 2r,65t,622 884 \885 Madi-Oko1lo District 18,292,316 30,930,306 \beo Manafwa District 887 -\J Maracha District 27,86r,236 888 Masaka District t4,479,506 24,850,064 889 Masindi District Mayuge District 47,435,948 890 891 Mbale District 42,274,528 a92 Mbarara District 26,666,L35 31,888, 1 13 893 Mitooma District 33,OO2,47L 894 Mityana District 895 Moroto District t4,769,O25 -_896 Moyo District 24,665,O9O Mpigi District 32,393,3s3 897 898 Mubende District 28,702,368 54,266,t93 899 Mukono District 900 Nabilatuk District 10,830,654 12,968,813 901 Nakapiripirit District * ff*- I --L . .._.1r,

--T1tr- l+- ;,? "t ''i.. ?Y\,L \i. t -fi' --t*;=*" M I t({,,- I i: ij lL I v t1 f t l"=' ti.j Y Amount (OOO'| Vote Descriptlon 7,328,OO8 Manafwa District 886 3,44t,331 Maracha District 887 3,471,050 888 Masaka District 4,882,502 Masindi District 889 6,068,543 890 Mayuge District 6,429,337 Mbale District 891 3,641,820 492 Mbarara District 9,052,297 Mitooma District 893 6,6a2,495 894 Mityana District 1,658,849 895 Moroto District 1,922,2O4 896 Moyo District 3,477,355 897 Mpigi District 6,69L,743 898 Mubende District 3,766,672 899 Mukono District 4,343,422 Nabilatuk District 900 3,OL6,472 901 Nakapiripirit District 5,835,018 902 Nakaseke District 2,548,6t5 903 Nakasongola District 4,536,596 904 Namayingo District 4,9t8,709 Namisindwa District 905 3,981, 161 906 Namutumba District 3,807,O77 907 Napak District 4,970,272 Nebbi District 908 2,906,306 909 Ngora District t,75A,026 Ntoroko District 910 7,940,925 911 Ntungamo District 5,490,899 Nwoya District 9t2 L,649,499 913 Obongi District 2,603,313 9t4 Omoro District 2,577,067 915 Otuke District 6,868,886 9t6 Oyam District 3,127,34r 917 Pader District 2,692,356 918 Pakwach District 4,682,708 9t9 Pallisa District 3,493,436 920 Rakai District 5,950,433 92t Rubanda District 3,4tt,704 922 Rubirizi District ,-i I ,r 4 27 F$*\

Honourable mem - bers, can I read the districts, which are includ - ed? Hon. Ssekikubo is that okay? With the amounts. Honourable members, listen. Read: Vote 804 – Alebtong District – Shs 848,733,704; Vote 805 – Amolatar District – Shs 220,815,010; Vote 807 – Amuria District – Shs 76,091,072; Vote 811 – Budaka District – Shs 569,774,320; Vote 812 – Bududa District – Shs 871,310,151; Vote 813 – Bugiri District – Shs 80,000,000; Vote 816 –Buikwe District – Shs 634,351,309; Vote 817: Bukedea District - Shs 557,998,824; Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District - Shs 138,976,150; Vote 819: Bukwo District - Shs 3,457,961,447; Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 237,021,273; Vote 823: Bunyangabu District – Shs 371,453,937; Vote 825: Busia District - Shs 2,493,045,786; Vote 830: Buyende District - Shs 325,110,681; Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 1,200,052,179; Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 132,794,807; Vote 834: Hoima District – Shs 663,105,613; Vote 835: Ibanda District - Shs 2,181,084,002; Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 3,142,687,738; Vote 838: Jinja District - Shs 2,158,144,238; Vote 840: Kabale District - Shs 122,770,149; Vote 841: Kabarole District – Shs 413,457,210; Vote 842: Kaberamaido District - Shs 1,189,601,445; Vote 846: Kalangala District – Shs 499,303,936; Vote 848: Kalungu District – Shs 1,919,206,727; Vote 851: Kanungu District - Shs 2,355,337,661; Vote 855, Kassanda District – Shs 1,076,055,328; Vote 856: Kasese District - Shs 1,428,572,362; Vote 858: Kayunga District - Shs 886,274,114; Vote 861: Kiboga District – Shs 877,544,449; Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 55,309,755; Vote 864: Kiruhura District - Shs 1,272,038,110; Vote 866: Kisoro District – Shs 1,147,709,409; Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 292,329,260; Vote 868: Kitgum District - Shs 260,346,061; Vote 869: Koboko District – Shs 1,346,133,500; Vote 870: Kole District - Shs 508,409,292; Vote 872: Kumi District - Shs 2,856,532,203; Vote 875: Kyankwanzi District - Shs 280,000,000; Vote 876: Kyegegwa District - Shs 2,218,090,875; Vote 877: Kyenjojo District - Shs 1,050,288,984; Vote 878: Kyotera District - Shs 1,273,322,749; Vote 879: Lamwo District - Shs 403,256,222; Vote 881: Luuka District - Shs 931,990,097; Vote 882: Luwero District - Shs 5,365,516,069; Vote 883: Lwengo District – Shs 1,967,438,860; Vote 884: Lyantonde District - Shs 253,488,082; Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District - Shs 676,404,553; Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 416,761,385; Vote 889: Masindi District – Shs 84,336,637; Vote 890: Mayuge District – Shs 930,316,165; Vote 891: Mbale District – Shs 1,720,742,693; Vote 892: Mbarara District - Shs 455,148,176; Vote 893: Mitooma District - Shs 505,896,701; Vote 894: Mityana District - Shs 471,519,063; Vote 895: Moroto District – Shs 165,753,246; Vote 896: Moyo District - Shs 1,293,741,625; Vote 899: Mukono District – Shs 2,529,351,767; Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 1,252,915,918; Vote 901: Nakapiripirit District – Shs 30,000,000; Vote 902: Nakaseke District – Shs 933,060,184; [Mr Ekanya] THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.2

I am going to submit from the experience of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), for those who do not know. When REA went - I am sure many of you have the experience that the poles that were left in your villages have remained the way they were yet there is a Minister of Energy and Mineral Development who should have provided answers. That answer is nowhere. Based on that experience, I have been asking myself, on behalf of the people of West Nile - In the next few weeks, we are going to have a road project launched from Koboko to Moyo for the construction of a road under a grant from the World Bank. It is very important for the minister to clarify how such a project will be implemented if UNRA is removed now, which is a decision we are about to make, if we are not careful. What does this mean? It means there is risk of this grant not being properly utilised, if the decisions are not justified properly. Secondly, the law, as it is, gives the minister a lot of powers. The minister can choose to veto all the things the Board does if he only amended those laws – (Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We all need taxes to develop the economy. However, the issues being raised by traders are those that I would consider to be irregularities in administration of the tax. We are a member of the East African Community and one of the reasons of joining it was to widen our market so that we become competitive in the East African region. However, when you look at our tax regimes, the decisions we make in terms of taxation, does not make us competitive. Members have already raised here that neighbouring countries have their VAT at 16 per cent, but for us, we charge at 18 per cent. Now, as a country, we thought we would boost our trade with countries like Congo. We even went to the extent of constructing roads in Congo in the name of trading with them. If our taxes are very high, we may realise that we constructed those roads for other countries and not for ourselves. Therefore, to promote our competitiveness in the region, we should work together with the rest of the countries in terms of VAT. Regarding manufacturers, most of them are treated as investors. Many of them do not pay taxes and sometimes, they have tax incentives. But the real people who pay taxes are the local ones. You will find that in those deep villages, some of those upcountry towns like Koboko, Yumbe and Moyo, among others, had local traders who were agents of these manufacturers. When these items were manufactured, they would take them and become wholesalers and distributors. However, you will find that up to the remote village, these so-called investors go to trade there and do not pay taxes. It is these same people we expect taxes from who are struggling with them. Some of these issues are very valid and we need to address them if we are to promote competitiveness. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to join my honourable colleagues to thank the chairperson and the committee for the report. I want to address myself to the issue of land acquisition. This is one of the matters that delays Government projects. Specifically, I want to speak about the Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road. This road is funded under -

Madam Speaker, Koboko- Moyo-Yumbe Road is funded under a World Bank grant for refugee-hosting districts. This road, 95 per cent of the project-affected persons have been compensated, but five per cent have not been compensated. This project has suffered a very significant delay and the Minister of Works and Transport informed us that they have already procured a contractor. We are afraid that if the five per cent of the project-affected persons are not compensated, then this project is going to suffer further delay. The second issue I want to talk about is the road equipment for districts. Most of the equipment has reached its economic point of replacement. They are very expensive to maintain. I think that the Government needs to consider replacement -

Honourable colleagues, Gen. Mbadi has been given a docket, but from the feedback I am getting from Members, he has been one of the most popular Members of the committee on trade. Members used to tell me that he would leave behind his armoured car and escorts and move with them in a bus, despite him being a CDF. When he was a member, he was that humble. (Applause) So, honourable member, we hope you will be interacting with your colleagues. You know the hard questions they have been asking, sometimes with answers and sometimes without answers. We are sure you are one of those people who will help us to progress very well. Congratulations, once again. Honourable colleagues, in the VIP Gallery this afternoon, we have Hon. Fred Ebil, a former Member of Parliament for Kole County and current Secretary-General of Uganda People’s Congress. He has come to witness the administration of oaths to Hon. Sarah Aguti, the Dakolo Woman Member of Parliament. Please, join me in welcoming him. (Applause) Honourable colleagues, also in the public gallery this afternoon, we have lecturers and student leaders, from Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, Mawokota County South in Mpigi District, led by Sr Joe Martin. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi and Hon. Teddy Nambooze. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) Further, honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from the National Federation of Entertainment Promoters. They are here to witness the administration of oaths to Hon. Balaam Barugahara, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) In the public gallery, we also have a delegation from West Moyo County in Moyo District. The delegation includes: [The Deputy Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

12287 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 3 APRIL 2024 1. Mr Williams Anyama, the LC V Chairman, Moyo District; 2. Rev. Fr Grace Waigo, the Chairperson Moyo Municipality Advocacy Taskforce – they are advocating for a municipality and even have a taskforce; (Laughter) 3. Mr Charles Anyama, Senior Assistant Town Clerk, Moyo Town Council; and 4. Hon. Gladys Letaru, a councillor at Moyo Town Council. They are represented by Hon. Tom Alero and Hon. Joyce Kaducu. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them, once again. (Applause) Honourable colleagues, in the interest of time, I will handle matters of national importance tomorrow. I will invoke Rule 25 of the Rules of Procedure tomorrow, to focus on matters of national importance. This is so that we can go to issues – oh! Sorry. Yesterday I called Hon. Lilian Aber. So, let us hear from Hon. Nyamutoro and Hon. Florence Nambozo. (Applause) Thank you for the reminder, honourable colleagues.

Thank you, Mr Speaker and congratulations to Hon. Aber. I rise on a matter of national importance. The issue is related to the population census, which is due to take place from 10 th to 19 th May. There is insecurity along the common border with Sudan, stretching from Koboko to Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani, as well as Lamwo. Currently, there are conflicts and quarrels related to the boundary, land, settlement, social services and so on. Mr Speaker, if you can remember, in the year 2014 there were conflicts when officials from Moyo went to carry out a census along the border. Nine Members of Parliament were arrested and detained. My prayers are as follows: 1. We need peace and security along the border during the census period. That is very important. 2. Institute patrols by the army and the police during that period so that we do not get that incidence of 2014, where I was also a victim. I was tied up, arrested and bundled and I felt belittled. 3. Setting up of an army detach for peace and security. 4. In the long run, demarcating the border line between Uganda and South Sudan. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker and Hon. Aza, for raising that issue. By the end of this month, the Government of Uganda is going to hold a meeting with the Government of South Sudan. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has already communicated. We are going to have the meeting probably, in Gwere Subcounty in Moyo District. On the issue of security, I think you are on the ground. You know that the situation is calm COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

12243 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 APRIL 2024 now. We have those barracks both in Yumbe and Moyo. Therefore, the issue of security is settled for now. That is why during the NRM registration, this time you did not get any conflict. People registered peacefully.

12109 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA T HURSDAY, 29 F EBRUARY 2024 has stalled in a number of places, including Maracha. There is a bridge, which works have been abandoned by the contractor. The matter was raised here, the Speaker directed that the report be brought on it, but it is nowhere. Do we still have a responsible and accountable government to the people? Secondly, the World Bank gave a grant to Uganda to build Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road. To date, nobody knows what is happening. Government is quiet. What is happening to these resources? The people are asking if these resources are not being swindled.

Mr Speaker, everybody in this House knows that the NRM Government is a responsible government – (Laughter) - including Hon. Lee. About Koboko-Moyo Road, on Monday last week, the Minister of Works and Transport gave a report to the Government. The process of procuring a contractor is almost complete. Therefore, be sure that the responsible Government of NRM will work on that road. (Applause)

Mr Speaker, you had already offered me an opportunity. This time round, it is the issue of carrying capacity. When we interface with other countries, they have defined the number of refugees to host and when an extra number reports, there is another way of handling them. Recently, I attended a conference with the pastoralists – and all countries faced this issue where people cross over from Sudan to Somalia and everywhere. However, with the help of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), we are supposed to establish our carrying capacities as countries and beyond that number, we negotiate how to handle the extra. Then, as refugees come in, we are supposed to monitor how they will be going back to their respective countries. Mr Speaker, Uganda is cited internationally for hosting climate-induced migrants. Whenever they talk about climate-induced migrants, Uganda is cited number one, meaning that for some people, when they come, having been affected by wars, they cannot go back because the environment is also harsh. So, they have no intention of leaving this country. That is why they are already in conflicts as far as land management and tenure security is concerned. Mr Speaker, we must plan for how refugees will be going back to their countries or else we plan how they can own land in Uganda. Otherwise, as Uganda, we must also concentrate on the host communities. I was working with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and we used to work with refugee camps in Moyo. The way we treat host communities - There are too many privileges for the refugees, which demotivate our people. They should be empowered to care for the refugees, but it turns out that the host communities are the ones at the mercy of the refugees. Mr Speaker, this issue must be addressed. We are hospitable, but there is a certain point in time when we also need to define the fulfilment of the rights of Ugandans.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, when will the electric fencing in Dufile Subcounty, Moyo District commence? The place is being terrorised by elephants, which are destroying the property and houses of the people. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Permit me, on behalf of the people of Moyo, to congratulate you upon your wedding anniversary and for living an exemplary Christian life for our people. Mr Speaker, I stand on behalf of the Minister of Education and Sports to present a statement to this Parliament on the transition from O-Level to A-Level under the new curriculum. The statement contained herein draws from and embodies clarifications concerning matters of national importance that were raised yesterday by Hon. Harold Muhindo, Member of Parliament for Bukonzo East County, on the transition from O-Level to A-Level under the new competency-based curriculum. We all may recall that this House approved the rollout of the lower secondary curriculum in 2019 and, consequently, the Ministry of Education and Sports commenced the implementation of the curriculum in 2020, starting with Senior One. Between 2019 and 2023, the Ministry of Education and Sports, among others, developed and circulated syllabus documents to schools and trained 63,649 teachers across the country. The training is on-going and it is a continuous process to empower the teachers to implement the new lower secondary curriculum effectively. I am glad to inform you, Mr Speaker, that the pioneer cohort of the new lower secondary curriculum will be sitting their end-of-cycle examinations in November 2024. The Ministry of Education and Sports is currently addressing all challenges related to the competence-based curriculum, to consolidate the curriculum before we progress to the A-Level curriculum. UNEB has embarked on stakeholders’ engagements to increase awareness on the new lower secondary curriculum and what changes are expected in areas such as reporting of results and certificates.

11866 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS [Dr Ayume] and adherence to treatment. The Government should commit resources to nutritional support through a financial stipend for affected families or a monthly food hamper and nutritional supplements. This should be channelled through the district local governments. Those patients who have retained good cognitive function can be integrated back into the school system, while adults should be skilled and given start-up capital. A lot still remains unanswered about Nodding Syndrome in regard to the exact causes and treatment. Government should continue to fund scientific and epidemiological research studies on Nodding Syndrome and this should be retrospective, current and longitudinal studies. There is evidence that socio-economic support and medical services were provided to the affected families and communities. Therefore, the committee would like to thank the Government of Uganda, Centre for Disease Control, the local governments of the affected districts and the various health partners for their contribution in managing Nodding Syndrome. Special thanks and recognition go to Prof. Idro, a Ugandan paediatrician, and Prof. Sylvester Onzivua, from Moyo District, who have conducted research in Nodding Syndrome, which has provided a lot of valuable information, but also earned them international awards in the area of scientific research. I beg to submit, on this 14 th day of February 2024.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thank you very much, honourable minister for agriculture. The minister talked about the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease in other parts of Uganda and other districts, and short-term, medium- term and long-term strategies for control. This involves animals like cows, goats, pigs and sheep. As it was said by my honourable colleague, the land between South Sudan and Uganda is vast, so much that cows from South Sudan roam freely. At times, the refugees move with these animals across the border. From Koboko, Moyo and Adjumani in West Nile up to Lamwo, these areas are being used by the refugees for grazing their animals. Mr Speaker, my worry is that sooner or later, there are going to be issues related to Food and Mouth Disease in these areas if the Government does not control movement of these animals in West Nile. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the elaborate report they have submitted on the Floor of Parliament. I want to comment on the issue of procurement. There have been delayed procurement processes that have delayed project implementation. For example, road projects under the World Bank which cover Koboko, Yumbe, and Moyo. Since we came to this Parliament, the process of the award of the contract has been on procurement up to now. The bulk of this money is supposed to be given by the World Bank because of the large number of refugees who are hosted there. You can see it is now two and a half years, but the procurement has not been done. What is likely to come? Don’t we think that for such projects, the World Bank can withdraw the money because of the long procurement process? We really want to urge that our procurement process is expedited so that the projects are done within the required time. Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, of course, after two years - because the beneficiaries do not pay back until after 24 months. After that, they are given another 12 months. That is why we are saying you have 36 months to pay back. However, looking at the four lowest performing districts - we are talking of Namisindwa - 27 per cent, Sironko with 26 per cent and Moyo with 21 per cent. In Karamoja, we are talking of Kaabong, which we need to put some bit of emphasis on. That was because of the distance to the bank and so on. I think we are gaining ground. On the issue of the guidelines, we have taken note of your comments. We are going to make sure that when I come back, we have fresh guidelines printed and distributed to the population. I have taken your advice on the banking and on the parishes, some are big and some are missing. I give you the assurance that by the time I come back, you will have a full report on these parishes. We talk of parishes, which are coded, meaning those which are gazetted by the Ministry of Local Governments. They are 10,594. In some districts, the district council passes the proposal to create new parishes. That process is not ending. They do not think that has ended. What happens to those other parishes, which must come on board? We will have time, somewhere in 2024, to go back to the Cabinet so that they lift the ban on creation of new administrative units, especially the parishes, which were already created by the subcounties –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance about ferry operations across River Nile in Laropi Subcounty, Moyo District. On Sunday, 22 October 2023 at around 7.50 p.m., hundreds of passengers using the Moyo- Adjumani route via River Nile were left stranded after a fuel tanker failed to disembark from Laropi ferry at Laropi Landing Site in Moyo District. This is because the ferry uses only one engine. If you remember, a month ago, the ferry engines were serviced, but as I speak, there is only one engine that is working. The passengers were advised to use the longer route via Obongi as a temporary alternative. Others have opted to use local boats, which are also risky. Mr Speaker, our prayers are: (i) Can the ministry replace or service the three remaining engines which got spoilt? (ii) Honourable minister, can you please fast-track the bridge construction process across River Nile at Laropi in Moyo District? Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker and my dear colleagues. I rise on a matter of national importance about the issue of ferry operations across the Nile at Laropi in Moyo District. Mr Speaker, there is a letter dated 10 August 2023, to the effect that there is going to be temporary interruptions of Laropi ferry operations for maintenance, which is supposed to commence on the 21 st of August to 10 September, which will last almost 20 days. Mr Speaker, this will have serious repercussion to the people of West Nile in general and Madi Sub-region in particular, in the sense that the cost of doing business will increase due to long distance. There will be scarcity of commodities and the cost of living will also increase. Not only that, Mr Speaker, normally, school children, civil servants, nurses, teachers, and so on, ply between Adjumani and Moyo from Monday to Friday. Once the operation of the ferry is stopped, then all these activities will also stop.

9622 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME impairments. His prayer is that I update the House on the matter. Madam Speaker, Section 15(A) of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020, provides for deployment, training and use of sign language, and tactile sign language interpreters in all public institutions, and this includes the courts of law. The revised National Policy on Persons with Disabilities, 2023, under priority area 2(ii), of the strategies and actions, enhancement of communication in different formats is emphasised, and sign language is explicitly mentioned. The Judiciary has got one sign language interpreter deployed at Buganda Road Court, Kampala. The sign language interpreter was recruited purposely to assist persons with hearing impairments. Since the cases involving persons with hearing impairments are very few, the sign language interpreter is facilitated to go to any other court where there are such cases, to assist as required and there are no complaints. Apart from sign language interpreters, the Judiciary employs more than 348 court interpreters who are deployed in various courts across the country, to assist interpretation of court proceedings. For example, the Family Division Court, Buganda Road Court, Mityana Chief Magistrates Court, Mbarara High Court, Koboko Chief Magistrates Court, Moyo Chief Magistrates Court, Kasese Chief Magistrates Court, etcetera. Number two, Hon. Kevin Kaala, the District Woman Representative, Pallisa, raised a concern on the heavy downpour on Thursday, 28 April 2022 in Pallisa District that led to floods that washed away Kaboloi, Ometai and Otuti Bridges that link Pallisa to Ngora District. She asked: “Can the Prime Minister inform the House on interventions instituted by the Government to remedy the situation?” Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, on 4 August 2022 provided Pallisa District with 32 meters of length and 2.1 meters of diameter metal culverts wide and 40 pieces of gabion boxes two by one by one (two meters wide, one- meter-deep and one-meter width). The ministry also advised the district to write to the Uganda Road Fund for emergency funding to allow maintenance works on Kaboloi Bridge. The Ministry on 26 April 2023 held a meeting with the honourable Members of Parliament for Gogonyo and Kibaale Counties after the temporary intervention by the district. As a result, on 4 May 2023, the ministry inspected Kaboloi Bridge with a view of carrying out major works to restore connectivity. Madam Speaker and colleagues, the ministry undertook to install the metal culverts to restore connectivity. The provision of Shs 40 million was made in fourth quota of the Financial Year 2022/2023 under project number 1558 for intervention, particularly, installation of culverts as a means of restoring connectivity. These works are expected to commence in July this year. This financial year, Government has prioritised rural bridges under infrastructure development to enable the ministry to reconstruct dilapidated bridges and construct new bridges that are currently timber-made - temporary bridges in the districts, urban and community access roads network across the country that are estimated to be 1,636 bridges. Hon. Musherure Shartsi Nayebare Kutesa, Member of Parliament Mawogola – (Interruption)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on 26 June 2023, a bus travelling from Moyo to Kampala rammed into seven elephants thereby injuring a number of people. In a similar vein, an accident happened last year where 10 people died because of the issue related to elephants. As I speak, elephants are terrorising the people of Dufile Sub-county in Moyo District where they are destroying houses and crops and displacing the people. May I know from you, Hon. Prime Minister, when electric fencing will commence? Thank you.

9372 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Infrastructure development, especially roads and bridges, are enablers of wealth creation, poverty alleviation, faster movement of goods and services, movement of ambulances for referral cases to the hospitals and communication as well as security. Mr Speaker, for all these, I would like to thank the President for the development so far achieved. On the other hand, the ferry services in Obongi and Laropi in Moyo District, across the Nile, often break down and this interrupts the free movement of goods and services. Hence, there is need for a bridge across the Nile at a place called Laropi. Mr Speaker, the procurement process for the tarmacking of Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road started in 2017, but up to now, we are not seeing any results on the ground. So, we request for the fast-tracking of the procurement process because as, I talk, the road is unmotorable; very muddy, very corrugated, thereby causing accidents –

This also applies to the Laropi- Moyo-Afoji Road. However, there are other developments, especially the tarmacking of the Kampala-Karuma-Nebbi-Arua-Oraba Road, for which I thank the President. Lastly, industrialisation, in any place, can take place when there is electricity. I thank the President for the achievements so far, where poles have been fitted in most of the subcounties. However, the polls do not have the wires and are just rotting. So, I request the Government to fast-track the wiring of these poles so that we can have electricity extended to all the rural areas of this country. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a point of national importance regarding an unresolved land conflict between Obongi District and Yumbe District. This land involves the villages of Mureliam, Kali in Kali Parish, Itula subcounty in Obongi District. This is a protracted matter that has been on right from the time Obongi was under Moyo District. Efforts were made by Moyo District Local Government to have this matter resolved and an inter-ministerial committee was set up. Recommendations were set to resolve this border matter but to-date, Government has not taken any action. Consequently, farmers have been evicted from using this land. There are Government programmes that have been planned by Itula subcounty and the most recent was the land fill under Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) that was stopped by security operatives from Yumbe District Local Government. Mr Speaker, this same land resulted in bloodshed and loss of property. My prayers are: 1. That the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development expedites the process of resolving this border conflict – (Member timed out.)

Honourable member, that is not a prayer. Honourable colleagues, I do not know why we have these issues. Parliamentary resolutions were very clear on the boundaries of districts when they were being created. I remember we had a very big war on boundaries between Madi-Okollo and Terego and then Moyo and Obongi. I am told the one of Madi-Okollo and Terego are not yet resolved. Rt Hon. Prime Minister?

Mr Speaker, an inter- ministerial committee, headed by myself and involving the Minister of Local Government, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the Attorney-General and the Minister of Internal Affairs, has had three consecutive meetings on the boundaries of a number of districts. It is not only about Obongi and Moyo or Madi-Okollo and Terego. Mr Speaker, we shall handle this matter until it is concluded and report back to this House.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a point of national importance regarding an unresolved land conflict between Obongi District and Yumbe District. This land involves the villages of Mureliam, Kali in Kali Parish, Itula subcounty in Obongi District. This is a protracted matter that has been on right from the time Obongi was under Moyo District. Efforts were made by Moyo District Local Government to have this matter resolved and an inter-ministerial committee was set up. Recommendations were set to resolve this border matter but to-date, Government has not taken any action. Consequently, farmers have been evicted from using this land. There are Government programmes that have been planned by Itula subcounty and the most recent was the land fill under Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) that was stopped by security operatives from Yumbe District Local Government. Mr Speaker, this same land resulted in bloodshed and loss of property. My prayers are: 1. That the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development expedites the process of resolving this border conflict – (Member timed out.)

Honourable member, that is not a prayer. Honourable colleagues, I do not know why we have these issues. Parliamentary resolutions were very clear on the boundaries of districts when they were being created. I remember we had a very big war on boundaries between Madi-Okollo and Terego and then Moyo and Obongi. I am told the one of Madi-Okollo and Terego are not yet resolved. Rt Hon. Prime Minister?

Mr Speaker, an inter- ministerial committee, headed by myself and involving the Minister of Local Government, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the Attorney-General and the Minister of Internal Affairs, has had three consecutive meetings on the boundaries of a number of districts. It is not only about Obongi and Moyo or Madi-Okollo and Terego. Mr Speaker, we shall handle this matter until it is concluded and report back to this House.

First check the First Schedule. Let us resolve one issue at a time. The First Schedule has Kampala and districts of Uganda. Bundibugyo and Kasese are in Rwenzori; Busia, Butaleja, Pallisa and Tororo in Bukedi and Abim, Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto in Karamoja. Mbale, Sironko and Manafwa are in Bugisu, Bukwo and Kapchorwa in Sebei while Adjumani and Moyo are in Madi - Should I read all?

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. Tracking and surveillance is very necessary and important for the following reasons: First of all, recently, the ambulance belonging to Moyo General Hospital was at the border trying to smuggle cigarettes from South Sudan into Uganda. Secondly - the committee is already of course investigating this - the ambulance that belongs to Arua Regional Referral Hospital was also found in the DR Congo. If there was a surveillance system or the tracking system, it would have been very easy for us to get the ambulance from the DR Congo. Thirdly, security tracking and surveillance for smuggling arms and ammunition is very

8757 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 MAY 2023 161) Vote 876: Kyegegwa District – Shs 23,846,624,000 162) Vote 877: Kyenjojo District – Shs 35,581,507,000 163) Vote 878: Kyotera District – Shs 35,036,531,000 164) Vote 879: Lamwo District – Shs 18,485,759,000 165) Vote 880: Lira District – Shs 27,100,374,000 166) Vote 881: Luuka District – Shs 25,440,932,000 167) Vote 882: Luweero District – Shs 63,300,117,000 168) Vote 883: Lwengo District – Shs 27,153,735,000 169) Vote 884: Lyantonde District – Shs 18,276,836,000 170) Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District – Shs 17,665,819,000 171) Vote 886: Manafwa District – Shs 25,992,671,000 172) Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 25,235,124,000 173) Vote 888: Masaka District – Shs 13,315,598,000 174) Vote 889: Masindi District – Shs 23,520,737,000 175) Vote 890: Mayuge District – Shs 42,544,940,000 176) Vote 891: Mbale District – Shs 36,346,216,000 177) Vote 892: Mbarara District – Shs 23,774,583,000 178) Vote 893: Mitooma District – Shs 27,230,403,000 179) Vote 894: Mityana District – Shs 31,132,617,000 180) Vote 895: Moroto District – Shs 13,533,113,000 181) Vote 896: Moyo District – Shs 20,493,308,000 182) Vote 897: Mpigi District – Shs 30,334,080,000 183) Vote 898: Mubende District – Shs 25,717,019,000 184) Vote 899: Mukono District – Shs 49,808,239,000 185) Vote 900: Nabilatuk District – Shs 8,965,015,000 186) Vote 857: Katakwi District - Shs 25,335,675,000 187) Vote 858: Kayunga District - Shs 37,361,049,000 188) Vote 859: Kazo District – Shs 18,099,602,000 189) Vote 860: Kibaale District - Shs 17,514,216,000 190) Vote 861: Kiboga District – Shs 25,621,222,000 191) Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 21,510,868,000 192) Vote 863: Kikuube District – Shs 22,027,669,000 193) Vote 864: Kiruhura District – Shs 18,214,354,000 194) Vote 865: Kiryandongo District - Shs 28,181,672,000

8758 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 195) Vote 866: Kisoro District - Shs 41,251,167,000 196) Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 19,274,549,000 197) Vote 868: Kitgum District - Shs 28,277,064,000 198) Vote 869: Koboko District - Shs 19,175,066,000 199) Vote 870: Kole District – Shs 24,145,853,000 200) Vote 871: Kotido District – Shs 11,301,208,000 201) Vote 872: Kumi District - Shs 25,388,394,000 202) Vote 873: Kwania District – Shs 22,753,848,000 203) Vote 874: Kween District – Shs 19,391,073,000 204) Vote 875: Kyankwanzi District – Shs 24,244,929,000 205) Vote 876: Kyegegwa District – Shs 23,846,624,000 206) Vote 877: Kyenjojo District – Shs 35,581,507,000 207) Vote 878: Kyotera District – Shs 35,036,531,000 208) Vote 879: Lamwo District – Shs 18,485,759,000 209) Vote 880: Lira District – Shs 27,100,374,000 210) Vote 881: Luuka District – Shs 25,440,932,000 211) Vote 882: Luweero District – Shs 63,300,117,000 212) Vote 883: Lwengo District – Shs 27,153,735,000 213) Vote 884: Lyantonde District – Shs 18,276,836,000 214) Vote 885: Madi-Okollo District – Shs 17,665,819,000 215) Vote 886: Manafwa District – Shs 25,992,671,000 216) Vote 887: Maracha District – Shs 25,235,124,000 217) Vote 888: Masaka District – Shs 13,315,598,000 218) Vote 889: Masindi District – Shs 23,520,737,000 219) Vote 890: Mayuge District – Shs 42,544,940,000 220) Vote 891: Mbale District – Shs 36,346,216,000 221) Vote 892: Mbarara District – Shs 23,774,583,000 222) Vote 893: Mitooma District – Shs 27,230,403,000 223) Vote 894: Mityana District – Shs 31,132,617,000 224) Vote 895: Moroto District – Shs 13,533,113,000 225) Vote 896: Moyo District – Shs 20,493,308,000 226) Vote 897: Mpigi District – Shs 30,334,080,000 227) Vote 898: Mubende District – Shs 25,717,019,000 228) Vote 899: Mukono District – Shs 49,808,239,000

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance about the tribal attacks involving the Kuku of South Sudan, the Madi of Uganda and Aringa of Yumbe. It resulted into the displacement of some people. The issue is about fighting over land and the boundary in Gwere West in Moyo District. Some South Sudanese attacked Gobiri Trading Centre, Embe, Linyamiro and Etia in Gwere

8682 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Aza] West Parish in Lefori Subcounty. They also went ahead and attacked Goboro, Feya, Fitina Mbaya and Mgburugburuchu in Kochi Subcounty in Yumbe District. Most of the homes that were attacked and torched belong to the Aringa of Yumbe, Kakwa of Koboko and people from Maracha and Terego, who are settled near the border with South Sudan. Over 400 grass-thatched houses were torched. The Ugandans retaliated by attacking the Kuku tribe in Gwere West in Moyo District where over 100 head of cattle were driven away towards Yumbe and 20 houses were torched. This has resulted into tension, displacement of people, destruction of property, looting of domestic animals, bicycles, motorcycles, clothes, foodstuffs and torture. (Interruption)

…Using KCCA’s in-house teams, immediately start pothole patching in all the five divisions of Kampala targeting to patch an estimated 13,500 square meters of paved road area. The proposed schedule of roads where this intervention has been proposed is herewith attached in Annex I. A schedule of requirements for this exercise is also herewith attached in Annex II. Annex I in Nakawa, we have 2,580 square meters of potholes, ranging on 13 roads identified, including; East Naguru, Bukoto, Ntinda, Mutungo, Luthili, Katali, Butabika, Martyrs, Bishop, Katazimiti, Moyo, Mukalazi Road and Ismail Road. In Rubaga Division –

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.

8269 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. roads are doing badly and the road sector needs serious funding. However, I have concerns and I need the committee to capture them. There are those roads in West Nile that have been earmarked by donors. For instance, we have Koboko–Yumbe–Moyo Road of about 105 kilometers. The World Bank is willing and has been waiting for the Government to clear the compensation process but the procurement has taken forever. There is also the Manibe–Terego–Yumbe Road; the feasibility study and the design has taken more than 10 years. You wonder what is happening and yet we have donors who are willing to come in to tarmac our roads; I just need clarity on this. Thank you.

l'he Commlttee notes that out of the required UShe 12.lbn that was needed to revamp the medical school block, only UShr 2.8b4 has bcen availed lcaving a short fall of UShe 7.3b4. Recomnondatloa Trtc Collnmltt. tccorn lc ds tha,t IIIIPED rrlloca,tcs the An&r,rsltg a d addltloaal UShe 7.3btt to lart fr.ac,k and. complctc t:ha rchabllltatton ol ttrc Mcdlcal School and cquQ lt a.' ls tqulnd bg the Iitr,HE sta d.a,.dr. VotG 3()6 }luai Uliec..ity at Inedcquete fundiag to Mual Uaivcrrlty The Committcc obscrvcs that Muni Unrversity continues to suffer issues of underfundrng and always seeks supplemcntary budgets due to thc limitcd non- wage budgct it's allocatcd. Thc Committee notes that the University gets supplementary fundrng of UShr 2.8bn cach financial year due to shortfalls in its non-wage recurrent and rt would be prudent for MFPED to add this to lhetr budgetary allncations to avoid supplementary funding. Thc Universigr also urgently needs UShr 4.6bn to cater for critical staffing gaps to cater for ncw programs and students moving to 3.d and 4s for Bachclor of Scrence in Agriculture and Business admin and staff for Erepr. The University also needs UShe 1.2bn for operaticrnalization of Erepr PIC rn r infrastructural al Rculscs the rccrr;"e t ao -atagc budgct of u l Ualurcltg upuardt to at le,st US,lr., 7.77b^ in ??!2O23/b24 a;nd, Che fffBF pctl.od. Ta order to at/otd t tc supplc. e^tary fiqu.rts .a.ch Jfi,,,.a,trclal g.a1 Moyo. The University requires UShr 8.2bn annually to.cater fo \ needs of the Univcrsity. -eS /'\-- Rccamrncndatloa.; / ) ,i The Co',nmlltcc rccommeads t ut MFPED; rPl+ --v\ 61

Non-Wase recurrent shortfalls 2.4 To avoid supplementary rcqucsts cach financral year. Rccruitment of cntrcal staff 4.8 To support newly accredrted programs and programmes whose students are moving to 3rd and 4th bachelor of science for agriculture& bachelor of abbs DcvcloDment Budset 4.2 Allocates an addltional UShs 8.2bn for completion of the Multi-purpose Health scrence Modern laboratory and admrn annex building and UShs l.2bn for operatronahzatron of Erepr PTC Op€rationalization of EREPI PTC Moyo t.2 Domestrc arrears Totd t7.o 2.2 Domestrc Arrears 2 Development budget 31.6 To cater for repair and upgrade be granted 557m reparr& upgrade 623m Non-rcmittancc of fees for students To clear debts the universrty rnhented l. Marntarns the development budget of UShs 9bn m the medrum term to enable the Unrversity burld its infrastructurc. ll, Avarls an addltlonal UShs 22 6bn for procurement of speciahzed cquipment and benefit from HESFB. for costs n s drs from mach Totel 35.4 Devclopment Budget 17.0 Completron of Phase ll of the Anatomy Block which has taken long due to rnad uate fu University Bus to transport Students for climcal studles and Outreach 0.65 To tran rt students Totrl 17.65 Develo ent Bud t ll.0 Re-instate rts developmcnt budgct to pay the p€nding certrflcates and contmue w1th the constructron of the Busrness and Development Center Ccntral Teac Facili Shortfalls in W btll 7 259 Salary Harmonization and recrultment of addrtional staff I t7 ^o

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the good report. I am an MP from the South Sudan border and really, there is a need to increase money for security agencies, especially the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), who are the chairpersons of the district security committees. There is also a need to increase funding for ISO and ESO. There is a need for a security tracking system for these agencies and a need for motorcycles and motor vehicles for foreign intelligence gathering. This is simply because we are surrounded by countries that are at war. Take for example, there are issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Sudan right now, as I speak. So, there is a need to increase funding for the security agencies for border security, especially the stretch from Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, to Adjumani, which are along the border. There are issues of the proliferation of small arms. These small arms are being brought by the refugees into the country. So, the intelligence system must be strengthened. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and I thank the committee for the report. Mr Speaker, we have serious issues related to human-wildlife conflict in a Dufile Subcounty in Moyo District. Usually, very big numbers of elephants cross the borders from Nimule National Park into Uganda to Dufile Subcounty and wreak havoc. They destroy crops, displace people, destroy houses, and so on. Therefore, I will be very happy if electric fencing is also brought to Dufile Subcounty where there are serious issues related to human- wildlife conflict. Secondly, honourable minister for tourism, we have Fort Emin Pasha, the place where slaves were being collected - the Khartoumers would

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Paralympics team had their own winner, who should have gone to Birmingham. However, this small innocent girl from Moyo, with one hand, who won the Paralympics and was all over the newspapers, was unable to go because of funding. Wouldn’t it be procedurally right for the report to capture this so that next time we are able to facilitate those under-18 to participate in games outside this country, to raise our flag? Thank you.

- travel to the regional headquarters where these recruitments are. The plight of the youth of Obongi is that instead of telling them to go to Arua, Moyo and Adjumani to be recruited in the forces, can the recruitment be taken nearer to them? Many of the districts could not fill their quota because of the access factor. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance and the issue is about challenges of transport and communication across River Nile at Laropi Town Council, causing delays, suffering and loss of lives to our people. A section of leaders and residents of West Nile in general - Obongi, Moyo and Adjumani districts in particular - have requested Government to expedite and fast-track plans to construct a bridge across the Nile at Laropi that will connect Moyo and Adjumani districts. Of late, travellers get stranded for hours - and others for days - as they wait for the ferry at Laropi, due to the increase in population and traffic flow. Madam Speaker, travellers who normally opt to travel via Arua take more than 14 hours instead of the usual eight hours. The ferry also frequently breaks down and routine maintenance usually takes half a day. The Laropi ferry starts operation at 7 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. It has a vessel capacity of 120 tonnes and it carries on average 1,500 to 1,800 people per day with a minimum of 12 trips and a maximum of 22 trips. It takes 30 minutes loading and offloading while the time to cross is between 10 to 15 minutes. The ferry has a capacity of 180 passengers and cargo of 90 tonnes. IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - 4TH SITTING - THIRD MEETING Parliament met at 1.59 p.m., at Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Not only that, Madam Speaker. Most importantly, the ferry normally is used for referrals - for taking those who are very sick to the hospitals in Kampala and Gulu. Our prayers: We, the Members of Parliament from Madi Subregion, therefore, jointly urge Government to provide assurance to the leaders and citizens about the following: 1. The current status of Laropi Bridge and connecting road networks - that is Laropi- Moyo-Afoji road - feasibility studies and design of the two projects since the money was borrowed by Parliament from the African Development Bank by the 10 th Parliament in June 2020 amounting to $235. 2. Secondly, inclusion of Laropi Bridge and Laropi-Moyo-Afoji Road Project in the Financial Year 2023 - (Member rose_)

Madam Speaker, the Member on the Floor is a senior member here and knows the rules clearly that we are not supposed to raise matters while reading. But I am seeing him seriously reading as if he is reading a text book. Is he really in order, having spent all the terms here from Moyo, not to display a good example for the new Members - by reading a matter that he knows in his head from his constituency; is he really in order?

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for your protection. I was trying to make references to my submission. Thank you very much for the protection. We also request the inclusion of Laropi Bridge and Laropi-Moyo-Afoji Road Project in the Financial Year 2023/2024 Sector Budget Framework Paper. 3. Thirdly, we wanted to know about the progress with the environment and social impact assessment and plan for resettlement and compensation of the Project-Affected Persons. We wanted to know about the expected time for commencement as well as to when this project will end. Then the contingency plans to address unforeseen circumstances. Lastly, Madam Speaker, we request Government to operationalise the ferry services between Obongi in Adjumani District at Senja landing site. Secondly, to operationalise the ferry services in Madi-Okollo and Amuria District. I thank you very much for having given me the time.

6815 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2023 Our observations are: 1. The committee noted that failure to submit quarterly performance reports in time and prepare monitoring plans and reports is not only contrary to paragraph 8.1,2,4,5,6 2017 of the Treasury Accounting Instructions, but also affects timely evaluation of performance. 2. The budget execution circular issued by the PS/ST on 30 June 2021 explains the delay for submission of the quarterly performance report for quarter four. There was a delay in submission of the other three quarters, which was not explainable. Our recommendation is that the accounting officer should be held liable for failure to comply with the submission deadlines, because this is strictly a function of the accounting officer and the law, anyhow. The other issue was accuracy of performance reports submitted. A review of the annual performance reports and physical inspections of outputs reported It was noted that there were inconsistencies in the reported performance. For example, on the upgrade of Atyak-Moyo–Afoji, whereas UNRA reported having spent Shs 3.8 billion only Shs 2 billion was spent; Shs 1.8 billion was diverted and Shs 2 billion was actually spent. There is a table that we refer to in annexure 1. Management explained that PBS directly picks the performance expenditure numbers from the IFMS system and no authorisation is granted to amend or pass adjustments caused by mischarge in either of those two. We observed that inaccurate reporting of performance misleads the users of the financial information and casts doubt on the reliability and authenticity of the information; financial and non-financial, presented by the entity. We recommend that UNRA should, within two months, liaise with the ministry of finance to resolve this issue. We hope that feedback can come back to Parliament; at least, as far as the committee is concerned, within these two months. Delayed payment of cash compensations to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) There is an appendix, which shows a bit of information. There are several PAPs that have not been compensated. Here, the delay in payment of these PAPs was attributed to inadequacies in PAP identification and valuation that resulted into disputes and rejection of awards, delays by PAPs to provide requisite information and documents such as bank account details, powers of attorney, and letters of administration, among others, to warrant payments. It was also attributed to absentee PAPs and landlords, whose valuations were ready for disclosure, but could not be traced in time. We observed that delay in paying off these PAPs always leads to delays in commencing of roadwork. This is how some projects become slow-moving with resultant financial consequences to the taxpayer in addition to the delayed service. We recommend that Government and UNRA should always first acquire the right of way before signing contracts or commencing project works. Therefore, we should not shoot first and aim later. We should acquire the right of way before getting into contracts. Otherwise, getting into the contracts when there is no right of way acquired is costly to the taxpayer because the other people have got to be paid anyhow. There is a bit of status of land acquired for the projects and resettlement of PAPs. We have a table that gives information about the status of receipt and transfer of land titles for fully acquired plots. It was of great concern that titles do not get to be acquired in the sense of transferring them into UNRA’s name. Yes, people handover the titles to UNRA, but then, UNRA keeps them and there is no transfer, which is risky.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for this golden opportunity. I take this opportunity to thank COSASE very much for this comprehensive and elaborate report. Madam Speaker, our roads have been facing the same challenges that COSASE has observed. There are terms used by UNRA like “road under procurement” or “a project, which is yet to be funded”. For example, Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road has been “under procurement” for three years. Madam Speaker, I seek advice from the ministry on how long it takes for new roads to be “under procurement”. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I would like to appreciate the report. Before I put forward what I wanted to say, I would like to give information to the minister that for the Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road, I remember in 10 th Parliament, we were given money by the World Bank -

Yes, it was a grant. They were going to work on Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road. Up to today, Madam Speaker, there is nothing.

6829 THE E L E VENTH PARLIAMENT O F UGANDA WEDNESDAY , 1 8 J ANUARY 2023 and Transport, I would like to draw your attention to page 14 of the report under quarterly performance report, accuracy of performance reports and delays in project implementation and specifically, to project 0265 on upgrading Atyak-Moyo-Afoji road, 104 kilometres and a 1.2 kilometre bridge across the Nile at Laropi connecting Moyo District to Adjumani District. The Laropi Bridge project and the Laropi- Afoji road have been delayed because money that was meant for the projects was diverted as shown by the report. For instance, COSASE realised that Shs 1.8 billion was diverted and it said Shs 2 billion was spent on the output for the construction of the road and the bridge. Madam Speaker, this has led to delays –

This has led to delays in the fast-tracking and commencement of the construction of the bridge in Moyo District, thereby leading to untold suffering of the people on issues related to transport, communication, movement of goods and services. I will be very grateful, honourable minister, if you could help us and fast-track the construction of the bridge across the Nile in Moyo District. I thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report, aware of the power challenges in West Nile that we have been addressing in this Parliament. The issue of power in West Nile is from two different angles: Firstly, we have electricity which is supplied from the national grid in Adjumani and Moyo Districts, but the challenge we have in Adjumani and Moyo is the power outage. What we expect is we need a substation in Adjumani, which is in Madi Subregion, part of West Nile. It is unfortunate that when the committee was given time to go to West Nile, they thought West Nile is only Arua and greater Nebbi. They did not reach Madi Subregion, which is part of West Nile. We complained and we are still complaining that we need the committee to reach Madi Subregion, which is part of West Nile, to ascertain the power challenge in that region. (Applause)

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is a response to the question raised by Hon. Ababiku Jesca, Adjumani District Woman MP, on the impending expiry of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project in refugee hosting districts. We have a running programme in 11 refugee- hosting districts of Adjumani, Terego, Madi- Okollo, Moyo, Obongi, Yumbe, Lamwo. They have signed a civil works contract for a total of 36 sub-projects. Right now, they have reported full mobilisation of their contractors with varying stages of construction ongoing. Mr Speaker, about the expiry of the USMID; USMID is supposed to expire in December 2023. Nevertheless, as a ministry, we have started engaging all the stakeholders to enable us have a successor-project that will benefit our cities and some of the municipalities. That is the statement as of now. I beg to submit. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The border between Uganda and Sudan is very porous, especially stretching from Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani up to Amuru. The refugees move without check. There are urban refugees who move from town to town without control. There are some in Arua Town, others in Koboko Town, Yumbe Town, Moyo Town, Adjumani Town and so on. They move without control. Apart from that, we also have these rural refugees that have settled in the settlement camps, but their movement is uncontrolled and unchecked. I am afraid this will lead to the spread of Ebola in our region. Honourable minister, I want to interest you to come down there and see what is taking place there. People are moving without control - I want to repeat. Thank you.