Mubende District

Thank you. Mr Speaker, allow me, before I start, to inform this House that, in the 2026 World Bank report on African countries, Uganda was classified as a “low-income country”. Now, I will only appreciate the President if – because I am here to speak for Mubende Municipality. Mubende Municipality has a regional referral hospital which serves six districts. However, the hospital is overstretched. I want to thank the President for having specialised doctors at the hospital. However, the hospital is not fully equipped. We have no medicine. The hospital is understaffed. That is number one. Secondly, we have a high rate of rural-urban migration because Mubende is basically a rural municipality. There is high youth unemployment. PDM and Emyooga funds are delayed and are insufficient. These youth could be absorbed into different jobs. For instance, we have 75 villages in Mubende Municipality. However, out of the 75, only 31 have electricity. They have trained them, but they cannot do those jobs because there is no electricity in the areas where they live. The last issue which caught my attention in the presidential address was the commercialisation of agriculture. Things that inspired Ugandans such as Ignatius Musasizi and others to demand independence were, among others, colonial exploitation and economic grievances. Cotton and coffee prices were controlled by Asians and Europeans. Ugandans felt that they were producing wealth that they did not actually control. (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, Hon. Sumayah Nabawanuka is a neighbour. When there is a shutdown in Mubende, it affects us in Kakumiro. The fact is that there has been an unprecedented shutdown of power in that corridor. This is caused by the old power line. We had come up with a strategy to install more transformers because the towns are growing. Mubende has exploded; it has the biggest population now in that part of the country. So, there is need for us to put more transformers. Madam, ndi ku gwe. Ngenda kulagira. We need more transformers and to remove the old poles because they are always down. This will enbale our people to have reliable power supply. It is not there, that is a fact. Kindly go to the ministry and tell the minister that there is need and because of this transition from Umeme, they never used to look after their power lines. It is not only in Mubende but also here in Kampala where we are staying. Therefore, there is need for us to do exactly what I have told you.

Thank you. Honourable member from Kisoro, then Mubende. Honourable colleagues, we need to go home. I have been seated here since 2.00 p.m. Of course, our senior, Hon. Ofwono Opondo has to speak.

342 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS [The Deputy Speaker] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME it to the drought. Therefore, this drought has denied people at Kisoro Hospital water. Honourable colleagues, what I am saying is simple: let us stick to the topic. We have already finished the questions for the ministers and the Prime Minister. We are now on the statement from the Minister of Water and Environment, on the prevailing weather conditions over Uganda in July. Elder, I will come to you later. Colleagues who have spoken, I told you; I know you. Honourable member from Bunyangabu, then Mubende.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to join my colleagues in congratulating you upon resuming your seat as the Deputy Speaker. I appreciate the honourable minister for the statement and also thank you, once again, for according this topic this much time because it deserves it. Mine is a suggestion. I understand we have several programmes in this country aimed at maintaining Uganda in Climate-Smart Agriculture. I also understand that some projects and interventions have been implemented before. My suggestion to the ministry is to make very good analysis to enable them know the areas that are highly impacted. Most of the time, they only look at areas that are affected by mudslides and floods. You will never find Mubende flooding. However, when it comes to a time of drought, cows die. People look at their cattle dying and they have no solution. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, it is my prayer that the Ministry of Water and Environment works hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Agriculture to make a clear assessment such that we have equitable distribution of such interventions that are aimed at curbing the impact of climate change. I thank you.

142 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 Ugandan products, attract strategic investors and mobilise the diaspora to support national development. 6. On tourism infrastructure, the Government continued to invest in tourism infrastructure and attractions. Progress was made in the development of museums and cultural heritage sites in Moroto and Dokolo. Investments are also underway in the Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail, Kitagata Hot Springs and visitor facilities at the Source of the Nile in Jinja, including an observatory deck and a modern restaurant. The Government also established a new wildlife education centre in Mbale. These investments are enhancing visitor experiences and strengthening Uganda’s competitiveness as a tourism destination. In Financial Year 2026/2027, the priorities under tourism are the following: Mr Speaker, the Government has allocated Shs 567.32 billion to continue developing the tourism sector next financial year. The priority interventions will include: i) The branding and marketing of Uganda as a tourism and investment destination; ii) Tourism infrastructure development; iii) Construction of highway sanitation facilities and tourism site refreshment centres; iv) Improving and enforcing hospitality standards and training; v) Conservation and wildlife protection to increase wildlife population across the national parks; vi) Health tourism; and vii) Economic and commercial diplomacy. I now come to mineral-based industrial development. Mr Speaker, Uganda is richly endowed with minerals. However, sustainable transformation will come not from extracting minerals, but from processing and adding value to them. The Government’s strategy is, therefore, to transform mineral wealth into industrial wealth, and the following steps have been taken in that direction: i) The Government intensified mineral exploration and quantification. Geochemical surveys for gold were undertaken in Kassanda, Kiboga and Mubende districts. Exploration confirmed an estimated 300 million tonnes of iron ore in Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kisoro, Kanungu, Kiruhura and Hoima districts. Surveys of copper prospects were conducted at the Bukusu Carbonatite Complex, which also has the potential for rare earth elements as well as at the Boma and Lwensankala sites. Evaluation of uranium, manganese, lithium and nickel deposits is also ongoing across the country. ii) To add value to Uganda’s limestone, a new clinker factory was commissioned in Moroto District to produce inputs for cement production. The factory operates a 6,000-tonne-per-day clinker production line with annual production capacity of two million tonnes of clinker and three million tonnes of cement. The project is expected to save the country up to $260 million, annually, in clinker imports and create up to 4,000 jobs. iii) The Government continued to make substantial progress towards the first oil. Construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Central Processing Facilities is at advanced stage and nearing completion. The Tilenga and Kingfisher upstream development projects also registered significant progress despite logistical challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. During the year, 51 additional wells were drilled, bringing the cumulative number to 199 wells, exceeding the 189 wells required for first oil production later this year. iv) The Government completed the first phase of Kabalega International Airport, providing critical logistics infrastructure to support oil and gas development, tourism, trade and investment in the Albertine region.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I thank our son, Hon. Oulanyah, for bringing this matter here. It is painful that we have lost such a young man at such a tender age, just like that. I want to use this microphone, on behalf of the Government, to condemn the acts of mob justice. (Applause) At one time, traveling from Kakumiro to Mubende, I witnessed how, somewhere, they killed a young man who was a coffee middleman. He had his small weighing scale in a kaveera then they said that he was a thief. Thieves had robbed that area a day before. Just like that, we lost a young man.

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

11 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026 153. Mao Nobert Laroo-Pece Division Gulu City DP 154. Mwiru Paul Jinja South Division East Jinja City NUP 155. Nabadduka Annet Woman Representative Kibaale Independent 156. Nabakooba Judith Nalule Woman Representative Mityana NRM 157. Nabawanuka Sumayah Mubende Municipality Mubende NUP 158. Nabirye Annet Woman Representative Luuka NRM 159. Nabukenya Brenda Woman Representative Luweero NUP 160. Nagujja Judith Woman Representative Buvuma NRM 161. Najjuma Sarah Woman Representative Nakaseke NRM 162. Nakadama Rukia Isanga Woman Representative Mayuge NRM 163. Nakawuki Susan Nsambu Mawokota County South Mpigi NRM 164. Nakazibwe Hope Grania Woman Representative Mubende NRM 165. Nakisita Betty Mpongo Woman Representative Namutumba Independent 166. Nakiyi Julius Muntu Budadiri County East Sironko NRM 167. Nakut Faith Loru Woman Representative Napak NRM 168. Nakweede Harriet Woman Representative Kayunga NUP 169. Naluyima Betty Ethel Woman Representative Wakiso NUP 170. Namanya Viola Woman Representative Ntungamo NRM 171. Namara Dennis Buyaga West County Kagadi NRM 172. Namatende Eunice Woman Representative Bugiri NRM 173. Nambaziira Florence Woman Representative Ssembabule NRM 174. Nambeshe John Baptist Manjiya County Bududa NUP The Uganda National Anthem The East African Community Anthem (The House rose at 4.15 p.m. and adjourned until Friday, 15 May 2026, at 8.00 a.m.)

5 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026 153. Ezama Siraji Brahan Aringa County Yumbe NRM 154. Fungaroo Kaps Hassan Obongi County Obongi FDC 155. Gashaija Shyaka Steven Entebbe Municipality Wakiso NRM 156. Goire Moses Budaka County Budaka NRM 157. Gonyi David Robert UPDF Representative N/A N/A 158. Guma David Gumisiriza Ibanda County North Ibanda NRM 159. Habyara Fortunate Bufumbira County North Kisoro NRM 160. Ibaseret Josephine Nkibs Agule County Pallisa NRM 161. Ibrahim Ibrahim Aisu Pallisa County Pallisa NRM 162. Ikiriza Knight UPDF Representative N/A N/A 163. Drito Martin Andi Upper Madi County Madi-Okollo NRM 164. Ilukol Emmanuel Bokora County Napak Independent 165. Isamat Abraham Kapir County Ngora NRM 166. Isingoma Patrick Mwesigwa Hoima East Division Hoima City Independent 167. Ismail Muhammad Lomwar Kotido Municipality Kotido NRM 168. Itungu Sarah Masereka District Woman Representative Kasese NRM 169. Jalameso Fred Ajuri County Alebtong UPC 170. Joyo Harriet District Woman Representative Obongi Independent 171. Kabaasa Balaba Bruce Rubanda County West Rubanda NRM 172. Kabanda David Kasambya County Mubende NRM 173. Kabasharira Naome Rushenyi County Ntungamo NRM 174. Kabuye Kyofa Nakaseke Central County Nakaseke NRM 175. Kafuuzi Jackson Karugaba Kyaka South County Kyegegwa NRM 176. Kaheeru Vincent Freedom Kyaka North County Kyegegwa NRM 177. Kahima Moses Mugabe Ruhaama East County Ntungamo NRM 178. Kajwengye Twinomugisha Wilson N y a b u s h o z i C o u n t y Kiruhura NRM 179. Kaka Lubega Ismail Uthuman Kakuuto County Kyotera NRM 180. Kakooza Joseph Buwekula County Mubende NRM 181. Kaliisa Jovrine Kyomukama District Woman Representative Ibanda NRM 182. Kambale Ferigo Kasese Municipality Kasese NRM 183. Kampanya Abdu Swaibu Iki-Iki County Budaka NRM 184. Kanaabi Jimmy Buikwe County South Buikwe NUP (The House rose at 4.18 p.m. and adjourned until Thursday, 14 May 2026 at 8.00 a.m.)

Let me hear from the Shadow Minister of Finance. In the meantime, in the VIP Gallery, are members-elect of the 12 th Parliament. We have Hon. Sumaya Nabawanuka, for Mubende. You are most [Mr Oywelowo] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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

18634 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Madam Speaker, we still grapple with the backlog of cases in this country. The Judiciary plans to increase the case disposal rate from 58 per cent in Financial Year 2024/2025 to 60.6 per cent in Financial Year 2026/2027. This will reduce the backlog from 24.2 per cent to 22.2 per cent and dispose of 291,544 cases by the end of 2026, hence the need for an additional Shs 20.12 billion in case backlog reduction strategies, such as special court sessions. The committee, however, noted that a significant number of cases committed to the High Court remained unheard for years alongside infrequent court appearances and extended intervals between hearings. Additionally, the committee is concerned that the Judiciary’s projected plan to reduce the backlog is not satisfactory due to the minimal percentage. The committee has recommended that the funding requested by the Judiciary to tackle the issue of case backlog be deferred temporarily until a comprehensive plan is provided. Implementation of the legal representation at the expense of the state in capital offences in line with the Judiciary Legal Representation at the Expense of the State The committee noted that Article 28(3) of the Constitution requires that every person who is charged with a criminal offence that carries a sentence of death or imprisonment for life is entitled to legal representation at the expense of the state. Similarly, the Judicature (Legal Representation at the Expense of the State) Rules, 2022 have revised the rates upwards for facilitation of advocates on state briefs. To be able to fulfil this mandate, the Judiciary requires an additional Shs 31.97 billion. The committee recommends that Shs 31.97 billion be provided to the Judiciary to facilitate advocates to hold these cases on a State brief. Automation of courts to eliminate delays in the management of cases The committee was informed that the Judiciary plans to roll out the Electronic Case Management System, ECMIS, to an additional 20 court stations, which include, among others: i) Masaka High Court; ii) Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court; iii) Kalangala Chief Magistrate’s Court; iv) Sembabule Chief Magistrate’s Court; v) Kalungu/Lukaya Grade One Court; vi) Mpigi High Court; vii) Mpigi Chief Magistrate’s Court; viii) Gomba Chief Magistrate’s Court; ix) Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court; x) Nsangi Chief Magistrate’s Court; xi) Masindi High Court; xii) Masindi Chief Magistrate’s Court; xiii) Kiryandongo Chief Magistrate’s Court; xiv) Buliisa Chief Magistrate’s Court; xv) Kigumba Chief Magistrate’s Court; xvi) Mubende High Court; xvii) Mubende Chief Magistrate’s Court; xviii) Mityana Chief Magistrate’s Court; xix) Kassanda Chief Magistrate’s Court; and xx) Kyegegwa Chief Magistrate’s Court. Madam Speaker, I have read all of them to show the balanced nature throughout the country. The committee recommends that Shs 13.739 billion be provided during the Financial Year 2026/2027 to enable the Judiciary to automate case management business processes, thereby quickening adjudication and reducing person- to-person interactions, thereby mitigating corruption incidents. Budget increase and misalignment The Judiciary’s proposed budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 stands at Shs 633.97 billion, representing a 43.7 per cent increase from the Financial Year 2025/2026 approved budget of Shs 44.223 billion. The committee noted a 103.5 per cent increase in the travel budget of the Judiciary from Shs 43.79 billion to Shs 89.154 billion, with the Ministerial Policy Statement (MPS) showing extensive travel inland provisions totalling Shs 77.0 billion and travel abroad to Shs 12.2

18648 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Rugonjo-Nkenda, 132 KV rehabilitation. It is aimed at upgrading the aged 132 KV wooden pole lines to higher-capacity steel pole lines because most of these lines are now breaking down. The locations that will be covered are provided for under the third column, and they include Wakiso, Gomba, Butambala, Bukomansimbi, Sembabule, Masaka, Lwengo, Kyotera, Rakai, Kalungu, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Kyenjojo, Kibaale, Kagadi, Hoima, and Kasese. Madam Speaker, when we appear before most of the honourable members and in the budget committee, they usually ask this specific committee to report on where power projects, water projects, and mineral beneficiation projects are going to be located. It is the reason the committee laboured this time to report in this format, so that people here know that if Government is placing money, we are placing it for this specific project. I beg to request, Madam Speaker, that we be given time.

18649 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 This project intends to ensure the connection of 1,073,500 new connections of people to the electricity grid. The distribution is as follows: Central Region, 497,106; Eastern Region, 216,616; Northern, 140,337; and Western Uganda, 219,441 new connections, all amounting to 1,073,500 new connections. Under the mineral exploration and beneficiation projects, there is exploration and support for the mineral value chains. This is to improve the value of the minerals that are being obtained by the various artisanal as well as developed miners. This is planned for in Ssembabule, Buhweju, Iganga, Luweero, Kyenjojo, Ntungamo, Kazo, Kiboga, Kassanda, Mubende, Nakasongola, Mityana, and Nakaseke districts. On the Kilembe redevelopment and mineral value addition, the Government intends to support mining, processing, and mineral value addition under the Kilembe project. This will be located in Kilembe, which is in Kasese. There will also be Busia, Mbarara, Iganga, Jinja, Tororo, Rubanda, Kampala, and other mineral processing points in the country. Observations on Vote 017 The committee welcomes -

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.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I also want to join the other Members to thank the committee chairperson and the members of the Committee on Natural Resources. Madam Speaker, I will not over-emphasise the issue of connectivity to the grid but I want to speak to the issue of vandalism. In Mubende, we have a number of lines that were vandalised. Whenever we talk to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and they come, if so many metres of the line have been vandalised, they only bring one or two. Also, intelligence has it that the people who vandalise these lines come from the ministry and their service providers. Let them prevail over these people.

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

18213 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2025 This schedule was meant for Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport, in order to fix various roads. Aware that there were about seven suspended projects amounting to 395 kilometres. Projects such as Moroto- Lokitanyala of about 42 kilometres, Najjanankumbi-Busabala Road, 36.5 kilometres, Mityana-Mubende Road, about 100 kilometres and Kampala-Jinja Expressway of about 72 kilometres had been suspended due to lack of funding. 11 projects were under reduced progress. There was a go-slow coming to around 533 kilometres. They include roads like Olwiyo- Pakwach, Kisubi-Nakawuka and Kasanje- Mpigi - that one, after you approve the money, work will be progressing. About nine bridges projects were affected by the constraint in financing. The likes of Katonga Bridge and Ssezibwa all went at a go- slow. Colleagues, the details of this are attached in annexes 2 and 3. Madam Speaker, I do not know whether it will be important –

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.

18214 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR There is also a section enabling access to Kabaale International Airport of about 3.2 kilometres. There is Kawuku-Bwerenga Road – Hon. Naluyima, congratulations. Your cries have been listened to. Tell our people that the road is going to become super. Laropi-Afoji Road – that is the West Nile road – and also Laropi Bridge. Things are getting better. There is upgrading of Katine-Ochero. Hon. Ebwalu, Katine-Ochero Road is here. Kampala-Jinja Expressway – this is to clear the right of way. We also have an oil road from Karugutu- Ntoroko. I saw Hon. Ibanda. There is also Kitgum-Orom-Karenga Road. Madam Speaker, you had inquired about this road - (Interjection)- very good. Your pronunciation is better. Karenga – they wrote “…ng”. I pronounce it as “nga”. That road is 116 kilometres. Madam Speaker, we also have Kitala-Gerenge Road, Kigumba-Bulima Road and Kagandi Bridge, which is supposed to be part of this. There is Bumbobi-Lwakhakha Road and Mubende-Kakumiro-Kagadi Road. All those need improvements. Madam Speaker, those are the roads so far provided under this supplementary schedule No. 2, amounting to Shs 1,696,000,000,000. I beg the House to approve so that the General goes direct to do the work.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to congratulate you upon going through unopposed. Thank you for giving me this time. I want to thank the chairman for the roads he has read but he has forgotten to read our road under the oil roads. I have nine subcounties and all seven subcounties have a pipeline, Madam Speaker. When they were working on those roads, they did not consider our constituency of Bugangaizi East. The road from Narweyo-Kisita-Mpasana- Nkooko, going to Kiboga and Mubende was never considered. Madam Speaker, that road was put in this supplementary budget. The honourable Minister of Works knows about that road because he was there recently.

17903 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 (GROW) Out of $10.6 million, Shs 38.1 billion was disbursed across four projects during the year under review, but only $1.46 million was disbursed to support micro enterprises for women groups, which is a core component and directly impacts the women, compared to $2.17 million, which is Shs 8 billion, disbursed to the multipurpose service and production facilities component. Madam Speaker, also Shs 576.2 million was spent on the procurement of a supervising consultant for construction works for the common user facilities, which is more than what the women’s group gets on average; Shs 576 million went for that purpose. Madam Speaker, below is the project component allocation and expenditure for the year ended. I have put a figure to it Under the reducing climate change vulnerability of local communities in Uganda through ecosystem-based adaptation in wetlands and forests in the Ministry of Water and Transport, Shs 1.24 billion had been allocated to increase knowledge and awareness of government officers and communities at the project intervention. The committee observed that the activity of increasing knowledge and awareness of community officers had already been catered for under project management costs, monitoring, and evaluation. This has left core project components such as improving technical and institutional capacity at the local and national level to integrate Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) into existing management plans for wetlands and forests, with only $512 million which is Shs 1.8 million as illustrated below. Exorbitant costs per unit cost This one should concern all of us. During the committee interaction and examination of project reports, the committee established that some of the project costs were obnoxiously high. The Auditor-General reported that under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project, the cost of rehabilitating 1.37 kilometres of road in Arua City amounted to Shs 13.4 billion, with a supervision cost of Shs 3 billion. That means, they constructed 1.37 kilometres of a municipal road, built as is with no compensation it costed Shs 13.3 billion. The supervisor walked away with Shs 3 billion. In Mbarara City, the cost of constructing 1 kilometre of Buremba Road amounted to Shs 4.9 billion, with a supervision of Shs 0.249 billion. In Mbarara, you are achieving it at Shs 4.9 billion and supervision is Shs 0.249 billion. The other side, supervision is Shs 3 billion, and is the unit cost is Shs 13 - (Hon. Peter Ogwang rose_) The detailed report is there. In Fort Portal City, the cost of constructing 2.68 kilometres of road works amounted to Shs 21.4 billion, with a supervision cost of Shs 2.5 billion. While in Mubende, the cost of constructing 2.869 kilometres amounted to Shs 14.24 billion, with a supervision cost of Shs 2.5 billion. These roads measure the same in terms of kilometres, yet obnoxious differs in the cost of construction and supervision. The committee noted that the Ministry of Works and Transport undertook a study to establish the unit cost rates, quantity estimates, regional compulsion and development of a software-based cost estimation and monitoring system. The report established that the average cost of upgrading a paved road with bitumen surface treatment increased from Shs 2.3 billion in the Financial Year 2017/2018 to Shs 3.13 billion in the Financial Year 2018/2019. That was the average cost of constructing a bitumen road in an urban area. Here we are talking of Shs 24.13 billion. You wonder if someone else - Madam Speaker, these figures are approved by the committees of Parliament. Who approves? It is from the Cabinet to Parliament and to all our committees. If I had my way, I would summon the chairpersons of these committees and ask them, how on earth -

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

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

17685 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2025 Honourable members, you will also recall that you heard His Excellency the President publicly communicate about the matter of the roads. Some of the things that he mentioned are: 1) The dangers of excessive reliance on external financing for all the development projects, citing abrupt and disruptive donor decisions that may impede the realisation of planned projects; 2) The need for self-reliance in financing development projects; He categorised the projects into three: i) The well-done new roads, such as the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Kampala- Gulu Highway, the oil roads in Bunyoro, and excellent roads in municipalities such as Hoima, Gulu, Masaka, to mention but a few; ii) The very important roads that were initially good but have now deteriorated, such as Mityana-Mubende-Kyenjojo, Mukono-Jinja, Ibanda-Mbarara, and Mbarara-Ishaka highways. He attributes the deterioration to under-budgeting. iii) The local government roads used to be good, but have deteriorated because of the misuse of the Shs 1.3 billion allocated for maintenance. The President has directed the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to allocate Shs 3.2 trillion required for these roads alone. The President further undertook to have the following roads worked on: i) Mityana-Mubende-Kyenjojo; ii) Ibanda-Mbarara; iii) Ishaka-Mbarara; iv) Mukono-Lugazi-Jinja; v) Mpondwe; vi) Nebbi-Arua; and vii) Ntungamo-Rukungiri. His Excellency the President also indicated that the next manifesto will indicate other planned roads. In light of this, I will request the Minister of Works and Transport to explain to the Members, and then we will open the debate based on the President’s guidance.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am happy that the President has communicated on this matter because we met with him and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the issue of these roads. He appreciated that while we may not get all the money in one financial year, he directed that those critical roads be maintained in very usable conditions. The President said we have already started on the Mityana-Mubende Road, so we must finish it. Also, the section between Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo is terrible. As we wait for the funding from the Ministry of Finance, we are moving our unit, which has been working on Jinja Road, to Kyegegwa-Kyenjojo Road to fully rehabilitate that section. We are also already committed to China Railway 18 th Bureau Group, which will work on the Nebbi-Arua Road. They have already started forward maintenance, so they will start rehabilitating the road. A contractor is already working on the Kikorongo-Mpondwe Road. They are doing forward maintenance now, but after that, they will do the full rehabilitation with funds coming in from the Ministry of Finance. We have the Ntungamo-Kagamba-Rukungiri Road. We want to save it before it deteriorates further because it has reached the stage where we can save it with a resurface, just like what we did with the northern bypass, so that road will also be done. As regards Ishaka-Mbarara and Mbarara- Ibanda Roads, we already have a company identified to work on them. It is called Shandong

Yes, Madam Speaker, you are right. When a contractor is working on the road, it is mandatory for that contractor to water whenever. We have also received complaints on the Mityana-Mubende Road, where the contractor is working now, that the dust is too much. I have already told my project supervising team to ensure that the contractors’ water, because it is their mandate. As I was saying, the stations are now active. They may not have started - (Hon. Ssewungu rose_) Please, I can tell you names of active station managers in all the stations - (Members rose_)

17689 THE ELEVENTH P A RLIAMENT O F U G A N D A WEDNESDAY, 6 A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 Now, we see Katonga and the swamps he has been talking about moving. I also use Mubende Road and I am a little bit happy that work has also started moving and on other roads. Therefore, we are asking for a commitment from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Works and Transport to continue working together. We at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development will continue to look for money in the current constrained circumstances and facilitate the Ministry of Works and Transport’s continued push for work so that our road status is recovered and maintained to where it was at least three years ago. Lastly, at least now, I can confirm that the station manager for UNRA, now the Ministry of Works and Transport, is available on the phone and working. Also, at the station, we can speak to her, and she tells us the action plans she has. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

17690 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT He then categorises the roads, and he says the very well-done new roads, and he talks about them. Then he talks about the very important roads that were initially good but have now deteriorated, such as Mityana-Mubende- Kyenjonjo, Mukono-Jinja, Ibanda-Mbarara and Mbarara-Ishaka. He attributes those deteriorations to under-budgeting. That is why I was saying that you give a lower lifespan because of the low amount of money, rather than giving a higher lifespan by giving enough money for those roads to be worked on. However, they said this money should be given to complete the most important roads, which are mentioned. The roads are there, which the minister has talked about. The President further undertook to have the following roads worked on: Mityana- Mubende-Kyenjonjo. I know you are very interested in the Mubende Road. Ibanda- Mbarara, Ishaka-Mbarara, Mukono-Lugazi- Jinja, Kikorogo-Mpondwe, Nebbi-Arua, and Ntungamo-Rukungiri; there are a number of them and that is why I was referring you to the NDP IV. I am happy there is only one person here, Hon. Masaba. Hon. Masaba, next is you, because you are going to talk with authority. Yes.

Yes, I can confirm that. I am pleased with the information on Mityana-Mubende Road because that is my way to Ntoroko, then Kyegegwa to Kyenjojo. However, honourable minister, we are forgetting the Fort Portal-Ntoroko- Bundibugyo Road. That is a very critical road. When you are entering Bundibugyo, there is a section that has curved in. There is a big problem. Secondly, we have this critical oil road – Karugutu-Ntoroko, with a link to Rwebisengo. It has been in your budget since 2016. How many years now? Recently, I received a communication stating that a contract was signed in 2023. However, up to now, we have not seen anything happening. I think the minister of finance should tell us because they told us that you were with those documents, since the Solicitor-General cleared them. It is now under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to clear terms of financing the road. We would love to get the update from the minister. How far have you gone? The road has been in the budget since 2016, and it is so disturbing. Thank you.

17655 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2025 I am glad he mentioned some of the officials from Mubende who were arrested over the same but we need to go beyond the NIRA staff. The other case is about hard-to-reach areas. For example, we have Butoloogo Subcounty -

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

Hon. Eddie Kwizera, we did ask for this report. In one of our roles of oversight representation, as representatives of the people of Uganda found out that although we appropriated money for the works that are supposed to be done, the works are not ongoing. That is why we are asking the minister what happened. The minister is giving us the reality of what is happening. That, yes, much as you approved to give me money for the works of, say, Mityana-Mubende Road, I have not been given the money. There is a difference between an appropriation and a release. Therefore, for the minister to give a statement, he is giving accountability for what is happening in his docket. Therefore, he is procedurally right. Let him give us a report. As a House, the mandate is on us to decide on what to do, but information is very important for us. We must be able to account to the population out there that, yes, we are here as your representatives. We allocated money for you, but this money has not been available, maybe because of other priorities. Let the minister finish the presentation of his report, then we can bring up all those procedural issues.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the protection. As I was saying, the following projects are currently fully suspended due to non-payment: a) Masindi-Biiso and Kabale-Kiziiranfumbi, one of the critical roads. The contractor demands Shs 111 billion, so we cannot expect that contractor to continue working; b) Works on the Najjanankumbi-Busabala are suspended because we owe the contractor Shs 44 billion, and we also need money for land acquisition; c) Moroto-Lokitanyala. This one is at about 80 per cent progress, but we need to find the money so that the project can be completed; d) Mityana-Mubende. We gave the contractor, out of the money which was appropriated, the Shs 462 billion, Shs 39 billion out of the IPCs, which he had, but he told us

17595 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2025 we have been urging that for every $10 we invest in construction, we should invest $3 in maintenance. It has not worked, but we have made this very clear to the finance ministry. Impact on unpaved roads and routine maintenance The national gravel road network, spanning over 14,000 kilometres, is also facing significant pressure due to poor funding and recurring climate shocks. The current condition assessment indicates that 48 per cent of these roads is in good condition, 35 per cent in fair condition, and 17 per cent in poor condition. Maintenance efforts are hampered by: a) Unreliable and inadequate risk for grading and spot improvements; b) Depletion of gravel materials in highly demanded districts; and c) Infrastructure degradation due to flooding, landslides, and prolonged wet seasons. The Ministry’s capacity to respond to routine maintenance demands has been overstretched. Without predictable funding and mechanisation support, rural access and road connectivity are likely to deteriorate further. Strategic recommendations and priority actions Madam Speaker, in light of the impacts outlined above, the ministry proposes the following measures to safeguard the value of the ongoing investment, restore the project’s momentum, and prevent further deterioration of the road network. 1. Prioritise and ring-fence funding for periodical maintenance The most economically prudent intervention is to protect roads still in maintainable condition. Periodic maintenance should be prioritised and ring-fenced in this financial year to prevent 1,933 kilometres from degrading into high- cost rehabilitation or reconstruction categories. This alone could avert a fiscal loss of Shs 850 billion. 2. Clear certified arrears to enable resumption of works The ministry recommends that a substantial portion of the Shs 1.071 trillion in arrears be cleared early enough in the financial year to: a) Prevent further contractor demobilisation; b) Avert accumulation of commercial interest; c) Avoid prolongation costs arising from claims by contractors; d) Restore momentum on suspended or slowed-down sites. Priority should be placed on fully suspended Government of Uganda-funded projects such as Mityana-Mubende, Kampala-Jinja, Busega-Mpigi Expressway, among others. 3. Allocate a dedicated fund for land acquisition On this matter, Madam Speaker, we have resolved that we are not going to accept any project to be directed to commence a project if the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has not provided money for land acquisition going forward, because land acquisition is a recurring constraint affecting both donor and Government-funded projects. Therefore, we need an immediate allocation of about Shs 843 billion in this financial year. This would enable us to access the sites and avoid breach of contract obligations. Projects under disbursement pressure from development partners must be prioritised to protect Uganda’s credibility. Assurance and conclusion Madam Speaker, our road network remains a critical national asset that underpins economic growth, regional integration - fortunately or unfortunately, we are in the centre of the region and our network not only serves Uganda, it also serves our neighbours - and the delivery of services. Its total replacement value is estimated at Shs 37.4 trillion.

17547 Tuesday, 29 July 2025 During this season, I have been able to move throughout the country, and I found out that the roads are in a sorry state, especially after these rains. You find that some roads are impassable. I went to Hoima, and they were working on the road since the takeover of UNRA, but the dust on the road, you cannot even see a car in front of you. That will cause accidents. Most of the roads that were being worked on have been abandoned. We may need to have a report from the Ministry of Works and Transport. (Applause) The issue has always been that we do not have money. You find that Kampala-Hoima Road is terrible, Kampala- Jinja Road is terrible, Mityana-Mubende Road, Moroto Road, Kafu – all those roads. We would like to understand what is happening. Masaka Road - even connecting from Mbarara to Sheema, the road is bad. You wonder what is happening. We allocate money but the roads are not being worked on. Where is the money going to? Therefore, we need a statement from the Government on what is happening with the roads. The accidents that are happening – You find that there is a truck that maybe has a mechanical problem, parked with no signs informing road users of an accident or a parked truck, and that causes accideSnts. We need to handle that to avoid the accidents that are happening in the country, because we are losing a lot of people. Honourable members, as you may be aware, Uganda, alongside Tanzania and Kenya, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - 3RD SITTING - FIRST 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

…59,901 persons with disabilities. Madam Speaker, I have provided an additional Shs 404.9 billion for social protection next Financial Year 2025/2026. Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection To improve the quality of life, the Government continues to invest in the provision of safe water, improve sanitation, and ensure protection of the environment. These include the following: (i) Villages in Uganda with at least one safe water source have remarkably increased to eight out of every 10 villages. Nationwide, 57,951 villages out of 71,225 have been served with a safe water source. (ii) Completed construction of 259 medium and large solar-powered water supply and sanitation systems and gravity flow schemes across the country. (iii) The construction of 42 large solar-powered water supply systems is ongoing in Agago, Yumbe, Amudat, Kaabong, Kasese, Kakumiro, Sembabule, Kisoro, Rubanda, Bulambuli, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Buyende, Nakaseke, Namayingo, Rakai and Buvuma. (iv) With regard to clean water, the construction of piped town water supply systems is ongoing in 32 towns. These include: Namasale, Kakingol, Kamuli, Ngoma Town, Lunya, Karogo Phase II, Ishaka (mobilisation), Nyakashaka, Bukumi, Kanapa, and Odongai. Construction is also ongoing in Palabek-Kal, Rhino Camp, Arra-Dufile, Lubeli Refugee Settlement, Bolori, Nyanseke, Busaale, Kibuzi, and expansion in two towns of Kiboga and Zigoti. Other beneficiary towns are: Lamwo, Lacekocot, Iri-Iri, Lorengecora, Manafwa, Butaleja-Busolwe, Tirinyi-Kibuku-Kadama- Budaka, Kaliro-Namungalwe, Rukungiri and Obongi. (v) The construction of various water supply systems in 26 districts is at varying levels of physical progress. These include: Manafwa Town Council and the installation of solar packages that is ongoing in Losilang, Kasawo (Phase I), Kabura-Mwizi (Phase I), Bukumi, Bulangira and Kyebando-Kasimbi, and Busaale Town. Also, the Government is starting the development of new piped water supply systems in Rubanda, Kabale, Alebtong, Nakasongola, and Kamuli districts, among others. Madam Speaker, I have provided an additional Shs 366.1 billion next financial year for water resource management, climate change mitigation, natural resources and environment. The priority interventions include: the construction of water supply infrastructure to increase service in the underserved communities in rural, urban and refugee settlements; increasing rehabilitation and expansion of existing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure; and increasing forest and wetland cover. Overall, I have allocated a total of Shs 11.44 trillion in the next financial year towards investing in the people of Uganda through health, education, social protection, and water and sanitation.

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:

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

Hon. Kivumbi, I do not know whether some of us here have done business. You heard you can hear ghosts, but you need money. You can take a service or a good, and this is what the Government is undergoing. We have a number of pending invoices. Who has been traveling on the road between Mityana to Mubende? Is there anybody? On that road, you are there.

Thank you. Honourable members, there is a report from the Ministry of Works and Transport, where they said that the contractor for the Kampala-Mityana-Mubende Road has been convinced to go back on the road, though they have not paid, so they want to make payment to that contractor. If we are talking about that - and Hon. Zaake can confirm that the contractor has been there for one week now. Hon. Ssekikubo of Lwemiyaga County?

Sorry, we will need to classify it later on. But two things: one is that we are having, as I said, pending invoices. The invoices were raised in the hope that we would get this money. Unfortunately, the lenders dragged their feet. If we had closed with them two or three months behind, I would not be standing here. If we do not approve these loans, we are going to default - (Interjections) - no, listen. Let me clarify. Let me again go to Mubende Road, because there are so many roads. If my colleague, the minister-in-charge of roads, were here, he would tell you. I am telling you, Mubende Road, because it leads me to my home – (Interjections) – yes! Money ran out of that project, but for the specifics, we can give. Otherwise, I will tell you the trend itself. When the money got finished, the contractor laid down his tools - (Interjection) - you can go and ask him. The contractor had started before - (Interjection) - my goodness –

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

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

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

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

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

17248 THE HIDESAND SKINS (EXPORT DUTY) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 overs from NDP III. However, due to the large funding gap, it will be impossible to undertake the activities in the work plan, with the potential catastrophic effects on the state of roads across the country. In line with this shortfall, the Ministry of Works and Transport has made allocations prioritising payments of arrears and acquisition of land for ongoing works. Most of the ongoing projects have not received sufficient funding to cover the planned scope of work. For example, the Mityana-Mubende Road requires an allocation of Shs 130 billion but was only allocated Shs 21 billion. Kampala-Jinja requires Shs 90 billion but was only allocated Shs 7 billion. Mbarara-Ishaka was not allocated any resources, despite being in very bad shape. The allocation projects are located in Annex 3 and if no extra funds are allocated, the result will be an increase in the domestic arrears, including interest on the unpaid sums. Impact of the funding gap Madam Speaker, the funding gap I have described will negatively impact the ministry’s ability to undertake land acquisition, complete ongoing projects, carry out urgently required maintenance works on the network, and commence strategic projects like from Bobi- Corner Ayer to support our expected AFCON 2027. This budget shortfall will also affect the implementation of externally funded projects, as resources are required for counterpart funding and land acquisition for the projects. Honourable members, if the extra allocation is not made now, the Government of Uganda will have to pay more in the long run due to the following factors; 1. Interest on delayed payments will increase. The estimated interest in the Financial Year 2025/2026 due to delayed payment is approximately Shs 48 billion. 2. In cases where contractors demobilise, when work resumes, it will include the extra scope of work to cover the damage done to the structure when the contractor was not on the site. You may have seen this in Ibanda; 3. Contractors’ claims for the demobilisation and also reputational damage to the country, which will cause contractors to increase their future bid prices to cater for the risk of non-payment; 4. Delayed utilisation of external finances, which results in increased financing costs for the loans; and 5. Increased accidents at the abandoned sites and across the road network where interventions are required. In addition to the direct costs mentioned above, Madam Speaker, there is a larger risk of losing the value of the road assets that the Government of Uganda has invested in over the last 15 years. The total paved network currently stands at 6,306 kilometres, as of Financial Year 2024/2025. This paved network is increasingly at risk of deterioration due to under-investment in timely maintenance. As a result of the underfunding, already, 615 kilometres of the paved network have deteriorated beyond maintenance levels and will require expensive interventions in the form of rehabilitation or, in some cases, full reconstruction. Madam Speaker, it is much cheaper to undertake periodic maintenance interventions such as resealing and local repairs compared to the full rehabilitation that is usually required when a road is neglected. The cost of the periodic maintenance ranges from Shs 646 million to Shs 1.14 billion per kilometre, while the cost of rehabilitation ranges from Shs 2.28 billion to Shs 2.66 billion per kilometre. The periodic maintenance activities renew the life of the road. A good example is the Kampala Northern Bypass, where the periodic maintenance currently being implemented will give the road a new lease of life at a reasonable [Mr Ecweru] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

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

Sir, I must say this. What has happened? We came to this House and requested for a supplementary budget. This House has been very supportive; you passed the supplementary. We have Shs 450 billion that is meant to take care of these contractors, though what we expected was bigger than that. What we are going to do, and what is being done technically, honourable colleagues, is to make sure that these contractors are enabled, in the next few days, to recover some of the equipment, because the banks had grabbed them so that they can go back to the roads. Our hope is that the contractors will go back. Let me just give an example of Mityana- Mubende without going through all the details because I have captured 178 requests here. Mityana-Mubende is funded by the Government of Uganda and the contractor is Energo, which has not been paid to a tune of about Shs 60 billion by us because of lack of resources. Therefore, for that reason, Energo was taken to court by the suppliers of fuel and the bank was demanding them. Energo had to fold up, awaiting us to release the money. I am happy to report to you, honourable colleagues, that with the resources that have been released in the supplementary, we hope to send resources to Energo in the next few days. Energo will be back on that road. It is a very critical link to this country.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the chairperson for the report that has tried to highlight the situation, especially on the welfare of our men in uniform. Many colleagues have spoken about the welfare of our policemen or ladies in uniform, who try to keep peace and order in the communities. This remains a big challenge, looking at where they reside or the shelters they live in as well as the conditions under which they work. When you go to Nalutuntu, a subcounty in my constituency – it is on the Mubende-Mityana Highway – it lacks a patrol car for emergency response. In case of accidents, we have to wait for a patrol car from Kassanda police headquarters. Looking at transportation, I think it is high time we prioritised giving transport means and look at how they will be facilitated to keep them functional. Many of the motor vehicles or motorcycles that are given out lack repair budget allocations, to maintain them and keep them in good shape. It is mostly us, the leaders, that try to reach out to see that this equipment is kept operational to help the communities. Lastly, Mr Speaker, when you look at the issue of congested prisons, I have seen the committee’s resolutions and recommendations urging us to allocate more funds to build more prisons. How I wish this Parliament questions itself on how justice is denied or delayed to these individuals or inmates in these prisons. We have been advocating and crying out to the Government to come and let the justice ministry or the justice sector to provide justice to these young people who are held in prisons. Most of them are on political cases. We believe that if their cases were ruled on or dismissed, we could reduce the congestion other than just looking at the aspect of giving money to build more prisons. We should look at capacitating the judicial services to be able to handle all the cases that have been submitted to their charge. We cannot only be looking at building more prisons to accommodate our people, mostly the young people. I remember that we received a report here, and among the inmates, there was someone that was arrested and remanded even before I was born – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am now back. I asked to raise this procedural issue. When you came into office, constitutionally, all of us, as a membership, are obligated to support you. We support you and we will continue to support you. My procedural issue is the multiple directives that you have given to the ministers. I want to bring to the attention of this House, and by extension, the Executive, three fundamental things: First, the state of our road network. It is extremely appalling. When you are going to Kasese, through the Mubende Road, it is impassable. You may try to use the Mbarara Road but it is also impassable. I do not know whether we are waiting for a situation where your Members will come here and ask for helicopters to fly them to their communities. Is that what we are waiting for? I do not want to believe that because we are here as people’s representatives. If you give me a helicopter —

Thank you. Can I hear from the minister first? Hon. Apolot, Member for Mubende and then Hon. Tom Aza.

Thank you. Honourable minister? There was Mubende.

Yes, Member for Mubende?

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Allow me to also thank the chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Hon. Ssemujju for the reports presented today. Mr Speaker, His Excellency, the President, has always alluded to the fact that the agriculture sector in Uganda is the backbone of our economy. However, I want to believe, like anybody else, that a healthy body and a healthy mind can be productive in the agriculture sector. Mr Speaker, when you look at a number of referral hospitals and the health sector at large, you see so many unfunded priorities as indicated in the gaps in that line. We have so many structures that have been started in the health sector but have not been completed. For example, we have a very big facility in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital that has just been put up and is yet to be commissioned, but it has no equipment; so it cannot serve the purpose for which the funds were secured. In the same vein, Mr Speaker, I can also speak about subcounties that do not have health centres III in order to relieve the congestion at the regional referral hospital, yet so many districts around us use them in addition to those that are supposed to be served by the regional referral hospital. Mr Speaker, I hope you add me a minute to speak about agriculture, as a deputy chairperson.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. When the National Resistance Army was withdrawing from Mubende in 1995, after attacking Kabamba, it withdrew through Kibaale and Kakumiro districts of the Bunyoro Subregion, but when I hear people talking about compensation all the time, I do not hear Bunyoro Subregion being mentioned; I wonder why. There was a bitter war in this subregion in those years of 1985 when the NRA was withdrawing from Hon. Kabanda’s constituency: Kasambya. So, we need to be considered and put on the list, Attorney-General, because our people suffered, and lost property. It was bad. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I want to assure Ugandans that during the transition from UNRA to the Ministry of Works, during this process nobody will lose in any way. The other day I got people from Mubende some of whom had their land titles still held by the UNRA. We have put a clear process that the Ministry of Works and Transport will handle as – because that is why we have some staff of UNRA who are currently under the Ministry of Works. The people of Suam will also be handled in the same way. Can I request the minister – if there is anything you can add to my submission?

Mr Speaker, Happy New Year to you and to Members. I rise to make a statement on behalf of the Minister for Presidency regarding the forthcoming 39 th NRM/A Victory Day Anniversary Celebrations, which will take place on Sunday, 26 January 2025. The Cabinet, on 3 September 1987, directed that the 26 th of January be gazetted as a public holiday. It is upon this background, Mr Speaker, that the Nation, on 26 January 2025, will celebrate the 39 th National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) Victory Day Anniversary. The anniversary celebration is an opportunity to remind our young generation of the sacrifices made by Ugandans to cause change that ushered in the peace and socio- economic transformation that is prevailing in Uganda today. Mr Speaker, over the last 39 years, Uganda has witnessed socio-economic indicators never seen before, guided by the correct philosophy, ideology and strategy of the NRM Government, which enabled the economy and society of Uganda to go through five phases since 1986. These are: i. The minimum economic recovery phase of restoring aspects of the small, colonial enclave money economy of the 3Cs (Cotton, Coffee and Copper) and the 3Ts (Tea, Tobacco and Tourism); ii. Expanding that enclave with more production of coffee, tea and others; iii. The diversification of the enclave economy by commercialising the production of bananas, cassava, milk, fruits, palm oil, cocoa, fish, beef, etc.; iv. Adding value to some of these raw materials such as cotton, fruits, milk, tea, timber, sugar, etc.; and v. The last phase, where we are now, Mr Speaker, is the knowledge economy, through the production of vaccines, the auto-mobile industry, etc. These measures have enabled the economy to grow from $l.5 billion in 1986, to now $55 billion by foreign exchange method and $180.29 billion by public-private partnership method, which we intend to grow to $550 billion through the 10-fold growth strategy over the next 10 years. Presently, at $1,182 per capita, Uganda has entered the lower middle-income status. Mr Speaker, all those phases have been supported by improved infrastructure, such as motorable roads and border-to-border connectivity. For example, currently, someone can comfortably travel from Kisoro to Koboko. We are now flying the Cranes in the skies – mention the electricity supplied. In short, the development of our economy is unstoppable. Mr Speaker, with the rollout of many poverty alleviation initiatives in the country, namely; the four-acre model for smallholder farmers, Emyooga, Parish Development Model, and the Youth Livelihood Programme, among others, many of our people in the rural setting will definitely join the monetary economy and, thus, the outcomes of growth are shared by all. The theme for the 39 th NRM/A Victory Day anniversary celebration is: “ 39 Years of NRM/A: Salutation to those who re-sanctified our homeland. ” Mr Speaker, the above theme reminds all of us about the brave men and women who stood up for those who could not stand up for themselves at a time of political turmoil in this country . (Applause) We are talking about 39 years of re-sanctifying our country, which is, indeed, worth celebrating. Mr Speaker, this year’s celebrations will be held on Sunday, 26 January 2025, at Mubende National Teachers’ College, Mubende District. Mr Speaker, the chief guest during this anniversary celebration will be His Excellency, Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Republic of Uganda, who will be joined by all of you . (Applause)

15666 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Mr Speaker, a lot of preparatory activities are ongoing, but allow me to extend appreciation to the honourable members of Parliament and local leaders from Mubende District and the greater Mubende for participating in the preparatory meetings, and I am certain that the function will be a success. Mr Speaker, a lot of preparatory activities have been taking place, including eye care medical camp which is running from today to the 24 th . Publicity programmes have been done. A synopsis regarding the anniversary celebrations has been prepared by the Uganda Media Centre in liaison with the Office of the President and it has been shared with all Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), to enhance publicity by our various media partners. As a way of informing Members and the general public about the celebrations, a press conference by the minister in charge of the presidency was held this morning at Uganda Media Centre. Mr Speaker, all the above was achieved because of the will and divine mercy of God, and, indeed, we have prepared and planned prayers and the programme is here, as follows: i) On Friday, 24 January 2025, we shall hold prayers in all mosques; ii) On Saturday, 25 January 2025, we shall hold prayers in all Seventh-Day Adventist churches; and iii) On Sunday, 26 January 2025, we shall hold prayers in all the other churches. Mr Speaker, as always, His Excellency, the President on D-Day, will award medals to 61 distinguished individuals in honour of the extraordinary roles they have performed in Uganda. I, therefore, take this opportunity to invite you and Members of Parliament - please, find cards in your pigeonholes to attend this celebration, which is worth attending. Mr Speaker, on the issue of securing the place, the place is 100 per cent secured by the Uganda Police Force, assisted by sister agencies. I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you. The Leader of the Opposition, do you want to respond first? Honourable colleagues, I am going to allow four from NRM, two from the Opposition, and two from the independents. Yes, so that we go to other programmes. On the NRM side, I am allowing the Member from Mubende – Hon. Kabanda – Hon. Sarah Opendi, Hon. Kangwagye and – I need Hon. Feta also to represent - from the independents, I will pick Dr Byakatonda and my sister from Lamwo. From the Opposition, I am picking the Leader of the Opposition and the Woman MP for Luweero. If time allows, I will see if I can be more flexible but each one has three minutes.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for his statement. First, the Leader of the Opposition has said that he is disgruntled, but as a member of the National Resistance Movement and our colleagues this side, we are content with the National Resistance Movement Government. (Applause) Mr Speaker, allow me to thank His Excellency, the President, the Minister for the Presidency and Cabinet for allowing us to host these celebrations in Mubende. Thank you so much. You all remember that the liberation war started from my constituency that is Kabamba, where we have Kabamba I and Kabamba II. Mubende District, having made such a huge contribution, had never hosted any celebrations. We thank His Excellency, the President, for accepting to host these celebrations in our district. We are so grateful. (Applause) Mr Speaker, Mubende District has been and will continue supporting the NRM Government because of the many achievements that we have received from this Government. We are very grateful for the contribution that the Government has given to the people of Mubende.

15668 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT For those who do not know, Mubende is one of those districts that have benefited a lot from this Government. I must inform the Leader of the Opposition that Mubende hosts the regional referral hospital for greater Mubende and it is a contribution to the people of Mubende. The Government would have chosen to take it to another district. Mr Speaker, the Government of Uganda – (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Recently, we signed a contract with Tecnovia Company to tarmac a road from Lusalira- Kasambya-Nkonge-Sembabule, where Kabamba is and we are very grateful for that, as the people of Mubende. (Applause) As we talk now - I know most of you will be coming to Mubende – you will see the road from Mityana up to Kasambya is under reconstruction by Energo Company Limited. (Applause) The road from Mubende, Kakumiro up to Hoima was tarmacked by the NRM Government. You can cross from Gulu, go to Masindi, go to Hoima, and come up to Mubende without passing through Kampala. The Government is now going to work on a road that I have just mentioned. So, you will be able to connect from all parts of the country through Mubende without driving on a murram road. That is a contribution by the National Resistance Movement. Lastly, Mr Speaker, I want to join the minister and the Government in inviting you to Mubende on Sunday, the 26 th of January. Come and sleep there so that our hotels can get visitors. Come and eat our food - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Hon Kabanda; we shall be joining you in Mubende for the celebration. Hon. Nancy Acora?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have heard the statement and I want to speak on behalf of the people of Luweero and maybe the Greater Luweero Districts. First of all, I do not think it is necessary to have the celebrations. You can take stock in your Cabinet meetings and also make a statement here. The funds you are using to celebrate can be used to do one big project. (Applause) That is one way of accounting to the people, instead of spending funds in celebrations. Mr Speaker, I want to inform this august House that we have several places where the skulls of our people are deposited. They are in dilapidated structures without covers. If you go to Nsambwe in my district, Ndejje Town Council, Wabusana in Kikyusa Subcounty or Butuntumula, you can even cry. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government has stayed in power for 39 years but the occupation in the Luweero District is 44 years. Nothing has been done to better the places where the skulls of our people are. Now, you are going to Mubende to celebrate 44 years. What for? Mr Speaker, we need to talk about this because we need to better what is happening. Most people are not compensated. I was a Member of the Ninth Parliament, and I raised this matter. I was told by the then Prime Minister that a sitting government does not pay for rebel activities but the Government and the rebels are the same people. Even in this same Parliament, I raised this matter during the Prime Minister’s Time because our people are poor. I was given the same answer. I am wondering why the NRM Government is going to celebrate –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank you, Members, for all your observations, comments, and supplements and also for enriching my statement. I, therefore, take this opportunity to invite all of us to attend the NRM celebrations in Mubende. (Laughter)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we have Mubende Regional Referral Hospital and we received an X-ray machine from the Government. We appreciate that. However, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I want to bring to your notice the fact that this regional referral hospital has been working without an X-ray machine since June of this year. This X-ray machine has been down. We reported it earlier but we were told that they were working on the procurement of the part that is required. It is in the process. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, it is over six months. I wonder what procurement is taking over six months. This is a very deadly season where people are prone to accidents. We understand the roads – How soon shall we have that X-ray machine repaired? Thank you.

15164 THE NATIONAL COFFEE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 can no longer go to the lake because of the issues there. People in Mubende cannot go to the goldmines because of the rich people who own them. What we are remaining with is coffee, Madam Speaker. Therefore – (Member timed out_)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Indeed, I agree with Hon. Kivumbi Muwanga that I was one of those who was saying that NFA should not go but after listening and studying how NFA has been operating, I implore you and honourable colleagues. What they have been calling, giving out licences to some people - actually, they are the ones who have been giving the licences to themselves. (Applause) It is alleged, in my district Mubende, that they have a staff from NFA who has an agent in Mubende. This agent is the one who they give the licences to, to manage the forest reserves on their behalf. I request the minister - in case this Parliament takes NFA back to the ministry – to go back and review all these licences. If possible, cancel all these licences. (Applause) On this matter, Madam Speaker, I move a motion that the debate be closed and we move to the Committee Stage, so that we can finish this thing once and for all. I beg to move. (Applause)

Kampala-Mityana-Mubende Road, but within Mityana Municipality. We wonder when they will conclude that road because it is too dusty and it has caused many accidents. Please work on it and tell us when you will finish it.

Madam Speaker, before I go to the census, I want to give facts. When I entered this House, my colleague, that gentleman there, the Member of Parliament from Mityana, said that the road from Busega up to Mubende is a horrible road. I pass there every weekend. The road from Busega to Mityana – to a place called Nalutuntu – is a beautiful road. It is only from Nalutuntu, Kiganda, Kyenda to Mubende, which is in a sorry state. However, the good news is that the contractor is on site. He at one time - (Interjections)- please, listen to me –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me start with the Non-Tax Revenue. When you look at the target given to these regional hospitals, you notice it is Shs 34 billion. However, the collection, which was made is Shs 28 billion. The total budget for this regional referral hospital is about Shs 1 trillion. Couldn’t the Government even make this money available? It is about Shs 1 trillion for all the regional referral hospitals. We are making our people suffer just because of pay. Some cannot afford and so, they get into problems. Can’t that be collected? Even those who have met the Non-Tax Revenue targets have done it because they charge almost everything. When you go to the hospital, you find people being charged for everything. Two, there is no uniform fees structure in the hospitals, which has also been brought out in the report. Can the Minister of Health tell us why we do not have a uniform fees structure in all these hospitals? You are leaving it to the accounting officers to determine the rate at which they charge the patients. When you come to the issue of delayed deliveries of drugs, this is like sentencing our people to death. Look at the case of Mubende. For six months, no drug was delivered. Look at the people who are living on ARVs, who cannot afford them, how do they survive? Can the committee tell us what reasons were given for failure to deliver drugs on time? I do not buy the argument given by a colleague that possibly the problem is with the delays in the release of funds. Funds are released for drugs for all these regional hospitals at the same time. Why should others receive drugs and others not? That must be addressed, Mr Speaker. There are cases like Arua. It took 46 days before the drugs were delivered. Mbale, 69 days. How would the people who cannot afford drugs survive? Look at Fort Portal; three months. How? Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, please help our people and find out what the problem is. I do not think this was due to a delay in the release of the funds. Otherwise, why should others get on time? There must be a problem with the National Medical Stores. As I conclude, there is the issue of a ban on the recruitment of personnel. Let the ban possibly apply to other areas but not areas that concern life. Surely, the Ministry of Public Service should make exceptions to some cases like the health sector because it is about life. If you are not healthy, you cannot do anything. You cannot vote or mobilise for your party. Why can’t they consider them? Mr Speaker, I want to appeal to the Government and especially the Ministry of Public Service to ensure the ban on recruitment of the staff of the health sector is lifted. Also, you have seen - Dr Ayume gave us an example of the equipment that we acquired. They are going to run obsolete because we do not have the technicians. Why would we put a lot of money into acquiring all this equipment without staff to run them? Hon. Musasizi, you are a minister for finance in charge of planning. Please plan such that we can have this equipment run. Otherwise, it is going to be a very big problem and at the same time a vote of no confidence on the leadership of this country. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning the people of Mubende. Being the Woman Member of Parliament for the whole district, I am going to speak about a matter that befell three constituencies. We have a number of wards; one is Gayaza in Mubende Municipality. Others are Kagoma, Kirangwa and Kajumiro Ward in Nabingoola Subcounty, which were badly hit by hailstorms. Many animals were destroyed. Our people have received money from the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme and invested this money in agriculture, mostly. Crops and gardens have been swept away. Their homes have been affected badly and the people I am speaking about are now homeless. They have nothing to eat. Mr Speaker, through you to my sister, Hon. Aber and the Government, my prayer is that the Government comes in, through the Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, to help these people with food and non-food items. Mr Speaker, on several occasions, I have stood here on the same issue from Mubende District but in most cases - I remember it was only once that we received partial relief regarding what was stipulated to be done. Let the people be provided with non-food items like tarpaulins, iron sheets and other food items. The people should also – (Member timed out.)

14413 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 Mr Speaker, I will go to the performance of NTR in regional referral hospitals. The Government expected regional referral hospitals and other specialised institutions to collect a total of Shs 34.556 billion, as NTR, from the 22 referral hospitals as per the table below. However, there are 22 referral hospitals. We were expected to collect Shs 34.556 billion. However, only Shs 28.094 billion, which is 82 per cent, was collected, leaving a variance of Shs 5.962 billion. Out of the NTR collection of Shs 28.094 billion, Shs 26.972 billion was transferred to the Treasury, leaving a balance of Shs 1.122 billion not transferred to the Treasury. These funds are expected to be collected to support the Government of Uganda’s budget thus the collected amount are supposed to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund for appropriation by Parliament as prescribed under Section 30 of the Public Finance Management Act. So, they are entities that collected money and never transferred it to the Consolidated Fund to the tune of Shs 1.122 billion. I will not conclude in the report, but that is illegal. Absolutely illegal to collect money and you fail to transfer. On the table I have put down, Masaka Hospital had budgeted to collect Shs 472 million. It collected Shs 698 million, a variance that is the difference of Shs 226 million over and above what was budgeted. It transferred Shs 389 to the Treasury and remained with Shs 309 million, which was not transferred, contrary to the law. Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital - this is a bit confusing - had budgeted to collect Shs 1 billion but it collected Shs 681 million, which is a variance of Shs 319 million. It transferred Shs 679 million, which was lower than what it collected. Mbale Regional Referral Hospital budgeted to collect Shs 35 million. It collected it all and transferred it all. Naguru budgeted to collect Shs 36 million. It collected Shs 233 million and transferred Shs 232 million. Naguru Hospital - (Interjection)- is supposed to be Shs 360 million but not billions; it collected Shs 233 million with a variance of Shs 127 million and transferred Shs 232, which was less by only Shs 1 million. Jinja budgeted to collect Shs 886 million. It collected Shs 424 million with a variance of Shs 462 million and transferred all the money. Mubende planned to collect Shs 150 million. It collected Shs 151 million and transferred Shs 150 million. Fort Portal -

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

14415 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 finance, the existing ban on recruitment, delayed recruitment by the Health Service Commission, excess releases by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for example, at Mbale Referral Hospital, and delayed supply of goods and services, among others. The committee observed that under-absorption of funds does not only distort planning and budget implementation but also denies services to other deserving beneficiaries. The committee recommends that pursuant to Section 45 of the PFMA 2015, accounting officers should adhere to the annual budget performance contract signed with the PS/ ST. This is a standard one that we have recommended there. Implementation of outputs Mr Speaker, during the financial year under review, the Auditor-General assessed the level of implementation of outputs across regional referral hospitals and other specialised institutions and noted that many accounting officers either partially implemented activities or did not implement at all, despite having received the required funds for the entities and even spending them. Details of this, per the entity, can be found in Table 5 on the main report. Honourable colleagues, get interested in Table 5 because it is the source of abuse of public funds. This is where an entity is given money – a full amount of money – it utilises it for specific activities and outputs, but they are not implemented. Instead, they divert the money. The committee noted that the non- implementation of planned activities implies that expected services to the beneficiary communities were not attained. It also points to cases of diversion and misallocation of funds by the accounting officer since they received the monies and spent them. In the earlier submission by members here, people tried to justify that this diversion could be for beneficial use. It is illegal. If you are to divert money – if you are to do a virement – the PFMA tells you how you can. Anything outside the law is illegal. The audit report we do is a financial audit. We do not do a value- for-money audit. The committee further observed that although the Auditor-General mentioned the sampled number of outputs, which were with their respective activities, the corresponding funds allocated for their implementation were not indicated by the auditors, making it difficult for the committee to determine the level of diversion and waste. Relatedly, some outputs and activities that were partially implemented could not be quantified due to the generic nature of reporting. For instance, Mbarara Referral Hospital had 15 outputs out of 29 activities partially implemented, but no value was attached to the partial implementation. Therefore, the committee found difficulty in ascertaining the funds unutilised in relation to each entity. The committee recommends as follows: 1. Accounting officers with partially implemented or unimplemented outputs should be held responsible for the action, inaction or omission that occasioned the anomaly; and 2. The committee further recommends that accounting officers should always itemise and cost activities for easy tracking and accountability. Mr Speaker, when you go to the main report, you will notice that we have established the amounts of money that were diverted. The sums are there for each hospital – how much was diverted, mischarged and possibly embezzled. Delayed delivery of drugs The Auditor-General examined the stores’ records at Fort Portal, Mubende and Mbale regional referral hospitals and reported delays in the delivery of medicines and sundries by the National Medical Store. Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, particularly, had

14416 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT delays of between 19 and 61 days. Mubende Hospital had delays of over six months. Arua Hospital had delays of nine to 46 days. Mbale Hospital, 15 to 69 days of delay. This is nearly committing people to death – when you do this. When you read the detailed report, you notice that it is a little emotional, as you go around it. The accounting officers explained that the issues had been raised before the Parliamentary Committee on Health and they had hoped for redress. However, this persisted, which is affecting service delivery. The committee observed that National Medical Stores failed at its duty to make prompt deliveries, which led to drug stock-outs and disruptions in treatment schedules. You can imagine people with HIV, who have specific schedules to receive these medicines. When you delay, you worsen their situation. Further, long lead time affected the effective delivery of health care services as it creates shortages. Therefore, the committee recommends that National Medical Store be reprimanded for the delayed delivery of drugs to hospitals. Three months is a lot of time. Utilisation and maintenance of medical equipment Idle medical equipment Paragraph 5.2.2 of the National Medical Equipment Policy, 2009, on the operation of medical equipment, states that all health workers are responsible for ensuring that equipment is used well and maintained properly However, the auditor noted that some medical equipment in some hospitals had remained unutilised, yet they were in proper working conditions. The delays of this equipment and where they are located are found in Table 6 of the main report. I invite you, honourable colleagues, to go to Table 6. You will see which equipment in our hospitals are equipped. They are there but non-functional. The committee observed that hospitals lacked specialised personnel to operate some of the machines, thereby rendering them idle. For instance, Fort Portal had no orthopaedic surgeon or a trained surgeon to operate the C-arm and endoscopy machines respectively, while Mulago National Women’s Specialised Hospital had no renal physician and renal nurses to operate the dialysis machine even after its installation. This was coupled with poor planning for hospitals to acquire machines without personnel to operate them. Idle machines deny the community proper health service delivery and expose the machinery to wear and tear over time. The committee noted that the hospitals’ budget for the maintenance of medicinal equipment is inadequate to address all the challenges as they fall due. There was laxity by accounting officers to address their concerns at least through seeking supplementary funding, as provided for. The committee further observed that the Ministry of Health failed in its duty to supply and install oxygen plants and Intensive Care Units, thereby rendering the equipment non- functional. Redundancy of equipment denies services to patients and contributes to the obsoleteness of the equipment. The committee recommends that the Government should provide adequate funds for installation and maintenance. Honourable colleagues, it is painful that all the machines and ICU beds that were procured for all the referral hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic are non-functional and many of them are lying idle. You will read the full report. For Mulago National Referral Hospital, has a capacity of 28 beds are functional, but those that are installed cannot be hung because of the ceiling are 48. Honourable colleagues, I invite you to read the full report. You have spent so much money to procure this equipment but they are rotting away.

On the issue of Mityana-Mubende, I use that road but does it mean that I should strangle the Government programmes on how they have arranged to cater for my place. If the resources are limited then all of us should be equal. The contractor – (Interruption)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On Mubende-Mityana, we have Fort Portal. On the stretch from Mityana to Mubende, we had a contractor on site but we did not have enough money to pay in time. He was demanding us Shs 41 billion and we paid him Shs 20 billion. We have engaged him and he is back on the site to finish the stretch up to Mubende, as we look for the balance of Shs 21 billion. On the side from Mubende going up to Fort Portal, we are doing some simple rehabilitation for the potholes -

Yes, going to Kyenjojo - we have done some simple rehabilitation using our in-house engineers and the equipment we have. My honourable colleagues, you must be seeing those people on that road. Meanwhile, the designs have been completed. We shall go to the next phase to look for funds and once we get them, the contractor will reconstruct and rehabilitate the entire stretch from Mubende up to Kyenjojo. My colleague, Hon. Ssewungu, said that I came here and promised to go with him to the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway to visit those places. Honestly, I must be on record; I looked for the honourable colleague on the phone. (Laughter) He did not answer my calls. I even sent him a WhatsApp message but he did not reply. It is on record and I can bring the evidence of the dates when I called you. As a ministry, we went and visited; it is on record, and if he wants our findings, I will share them with him. I looked for him - maybe if it was within my means then I could have made it publicly - but we shall share with you the report on the findings we got. Lastly, the Bridge was washed away and immediately we got money, we rehabilitated it. Rehabilitating it was a temporary solution and currently, traffic is flowing very well. To avoid other future problems, we want to make designs for reconstruction of all -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to begin by thanking you for gracing our Ruby Jubilee for Sacred Heart Seminary, Mubende, as the chief guest. (Applause) I further thank you for generously contributing to our cause of purchasing a seminary bus. I am under instructions from His Lordship, the Archbishop, to thank you very much. I come from Mubende Municipality and I would like to talk about the boda boda industry, which employs so many of our young people. The boda bodas , everywhere in the country, are victims of terror from the traffic police. They descend on them with a lot of wrath wherever you go, to the extent that many of them have abandoned their boda bodas to police posts and you can see them full. This is very bad. They are just collecting money. They have even resorted to road blocks in Mubende, Kattabalang, among other areas. On those roadblocks they are just collecting money from them, and they have sucked them up to their bone marrow.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The project description is as follows. The Lusalira- Kasambya-Nkonge-Lumegere-Ssembabule Road is an existing Class A gravel road, located in the central region of Uganda that connects the districts of Ssembabule and Mubende. The road starts off the junction along the Mubende-Fort Portal Road, through a Y-junction in Lumegere, and terminates in Ssembabule, connecting to Ssembabule- Masaka Road. The road is part of the national road network that links the rest of the network to the west, by the Fort Portal Road, and the south by the Ssembabule-Masaka Road. Mr Speaker, the Government of Uganda carried out a feasibility study and a detailed engineering design of the project road, which was completed in October 2017. The road will be designed and constructed to Class II paved standard, with asphalt concrete surfacing, and a design life of 20 years. The lane width will be 3.5 metres, the carriage width will be 7.0 metres, and shoulders of 2.0 metres on either side in urban areas, and 1.5 metres on either side in rural areas. Objectives of this project Mr Speaker, at the national level, the project objectives are: i) To facilitate the efficient development and production of strategic national resources; ii) Reduce travel time and lower freight transportation costs along the national road network; and iii) Promote equal access to social and economic development across the country, and by doing so, enhance the Government’s effort to poverty eradication and economic development. At the local level, the objectives are: i) T o improve access to goods and passenger transport services; ii) Reduce transport costs along the route; and iii) Improve access to social and economic development opportunities along the route, by providing high-capacity road infrastructure. Project financing The total project cost is Shs 334.91 billion exclusive of value added tax, of which Shs 479.8 billion (approximately Euros 126.44 euros) will be funded by Citibank, and Shs 55.11 billion, 10.3 per cent of the project cost by the Government of Uganda. The Government will also be responsible for any tax that may arise under this loan. The civil works commercial contract was signed on 12 September 2022, and works are expected to commence upon signing the financing agreement. Financing terms Mr Speaker, for the loan amount, I have already stated it as Euros 126.44 million. The maturity period is 10 years including three years of a grace period. The interest rate is six months Euribor plus a margin of 5.0 per cent per annum, of which the insurance premium is 2.25 percent per annum, of which insurance premium is 2.25 per cent per annum. Insurance is provided by ATIDI, or in other words, the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance, who is covering 100 per cent of the loan. An arrangement or upfront up-front fee is 1.44 per cent calculated on the loan amount paid up-front, commitment fee is 1.75 per cent of undisbursed balances of the loan, agency fees

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

lhtnc Ol Dl.trlctr Kakumu'o Krbaale Kagadl Kassanda Mubende hrryandongo Horma lilkuub€ Meslndr Rukrga 168,701,150 Arua 207,900,000 TOTAL l9,8a6,OO?,S49 E .ra s Clurt r Cutluhtlec DlrbEt|cnctrt (uoxl 440,615,386 350,962,7s0 366,240,538 24O,707 342 178,500,000 478,215,000 377,772,464 10 349,4t6,766 345,575,083 574,201,OO0 Bushenln Ntungaeo 91 r,645,600 329,597,S00 lt 261,568,000 s65,750,O00 595,002,833 326,923,833 135,505,O0l Ismgrro Kabale Rubanda Nebbr Pakwach Yumbe 120,801,O0O Maracha L2 N

4.1,5 COUFOf,EI{T FOIrR: COORDIIATIOI{, UAIAGEUEI{t AIID ICT PLAAFOR The objectrvc of thrs component ls to provrdc support servrces to the thrcc tech ca.l components and rs responstble for thc coordmatron and management of the proJect at natronal, clustcr and dlstnct level Th€ component anms at - 1 Frnancrng thc rncrcmental op€ratrng costs for the prolccts 2 Undertakmg monrtorrng and evaluatlon actrvltles and tmpact evaluatron studres 3 Developrng and lmplemenhng web-based, gco-tagged ICT platforms for leamrng, knowledge management and stakeholder's fcedback UllIF rct)ortcd thrt rr rt .ruly 2C12, thct hrd undcrtrhea thc followlng: Frvc (OS) ICT systems had been developed and were at the field deptolment stage The ICT sotutrons support collcctron, storage, and drsscmlnatron of productron, chmate, rnarket, and advlsory rnformatron to Agnculture sector stakeholders Ihe servrces offered under thLrs component rncludc, ltrc e-voucher managcment system by MCash (financral rnclusron platform) MAAIF reportcd that thrs q'as berng used to supply mputs to farmcrs n seasons 20228 The e-extensron system Thls enables access to extensron adnsorres by farmers and the e-dEry componcnt ls for monrtonng ofcxtensron workers The Commlttee was rnformed by MAAIF that e-drary functlon had bccn deptoyed rn 16 drstncts The drstncts are, Kyotera, Kabale, lsrngro, Bushenyr, Krkuube, Klryandongo, Masrndr, Horma, Kagadl, Kyegegwa, Krbaale, Kassanda, Krkumuro, Mubende, KyenlonJo. Kuml, Serere, Sorou, Kapochorwa, Bukwo, Mba.le, Palhsa, Butebo, Namutumba, Iganga, Bugvren, Bugrn, Kalungu, Mprg, Masaka ttee, 36 o

We got written questions from a number of Members and I want to start with Hon. William Museveni, Member of Parliament for Buwekula South County, Mubende District. “Mityana-Mubende Highway construction, by Energo Construction Company was supposed to be completed this year, that is 2024, but they have not reached even halfway. Why is it that the work is too slow? Since the contractual time has elapsed, what is the way forward for this road?” Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, his prayer is, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, “can you please update the House on the status of this road?” Here is my response: The Mityana-Mubende 86-kilometre road is a national road in the central subregion. The road connects the capital city of Kampala to the western region towns of Fort Portal, Kasese, Kagadi, among others. The road is an important international route, used to access Uganda’s borders with the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and crucial for agriculture, trade, and security. The Government of Uganda, through the Uganda National Roads Authority, signed a contract on 4 January 2021 for the reconstruction of the Mityana-Mubende road which is 86 kilometres, as I have already told you, including upgrading the 14 kilometres of towns in Mityana Town or Municipality. The construction works will improve rebuilding the road, which had deteriorated, and was affecting the traffic flow along the major route, including repairing the drainage facilities, installing new road signs and road markings. The project is fully funded by the Government of Uganda. The project was originally intended to be completed by 15 April this year. However, the progress of works has been affected by limited resources in the last financial years. This lack of resources forced the contractor to slow down the implementation of the project. The contractor had implemented 40 per cent of the works when the financial challenges were encountered. Currently, the contractor has completed work worth Shs 32 billion and the project is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year. Government is working

13648 THE OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION to ensure that resources for the completion of the project are availed to the contractor to enable him or them to complete this important project. The Mityana-Mubende Road is an important link and was prioritised for reconstruction by Government and Government, therefore, committed to ensuring that the project is completed, as you all know. They will put in place measures to make sure that the contractor is paid on time. The second question came from Hon. Judith Peace Achan, Member of Parliament, Nwoya District. She asked, “When was the last time NEMA visited Bukona Factory in Nwoya District to ascertain whether they are still complying with environmental regulations?” And address the following concerns: “1. Whether there is proper treatment of factory waste or hazardous waste management. 2. Whether the ministry has enforced the law in place. On several occasions, the community around the factory complained to her over air and water pollution.” She is asking, what measures has the line ministry done to save the lives of the people? 3. Whether the management has a waste minimisation plan. 4. Whether there are site interim measures and site remediation.” Prayers are: 1. “Last warning to be given to Bukona Factory to restrain from polluting air and comply with the regulations. 2. For the community around Bukona suffering from this hazardous waste disposal; can management take the lead in ascertaining the health of the people who live there? If found or suspected to be infected because of waste disposal and air pollution, they must be treated and compensated. 3. Compensate those who suffered injuries from the accident that occurred at the site as a result of pipe bursting. 4. The Committee on Climate Change should visit the factory to ascertain whether they are still complying with the regulations.” My response is that it is true that Bukona Factory, a biofuel production factory, using maize, sorghum, cassava, as raw materials has environmental non-compliance issues, which the Government, through NEMA, are handling already. While the factory was established through due process, with requisite environmental and social impact assessment and water abstraction permits, our recent compliance inspections have confirmed serious issues of non- compliance, especially regarding waste water discharge from the distiller to the waste ponds created 300 metres from the factory. The distillery discharge to the waste ponds, without adequate treatment, is not in line with the conditions of approval of the environment and social impact assessment certificate issued by NEMA. Mr Speaker, inspectors have already visited the factory and confirmed that the pungent smell is actually from the waste discharge ponds established by the factory and appropriate compliance assistance and guidance have already been issued to the company. After inspections by NEMA inspectors, the following actions were taken: i. An improvement notice was issued to the factory, guiding them on the process to establish a proper effluent treatment plant for the distillery. ii. The factory accepted the guidance issued by NEMA and committed to put in place an engineered effluent treatment plant by September this year. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The issue that I brought to your office as a matter of national importance was the very first that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister responded to. It is about the road from Mityana to Mubende. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, about two weeks ago, I received a delegation of over 20 members of staff from Hoima Referral Hospital. They reported to me that at the moment, they have about 65 members of staff who have been deleted from the payroll unjustifiably. This happened in March of this year. Since then, these people have not been earning. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, you know very well the central role played by this hospital in our region. It is a catchment area for about four hospitals; Kiryandongo, Hoima, Kiboga, Kagadi, and some parts of Mubende. So, I think this kind of dispensation is very unfortunate, and we need to move quickly to address it before it escalates.

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

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-

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]

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

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

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

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

Yes. Hon. Obua and Hon. Jonathan –(Laughter) What Hon. Jonathan said is, when you look at schedule 1, you are looking at the location and land size of the institute and the institute here - You have Kabale located on land in that size. You have Kaliro located at that place, you have Mubende, Muni, Bunyama - Basically, those kinds of things. The issue of why the urgency, the budgetary aspects, the advertisement - If you do not have the documents, I can give you mine and you read from them. Let us first answer one thing at ago. Hon. Ibrahim, you are the one who asked about that issue and we are saying we are answering what you asked for. No, I have not read everything. Why are you talking about Kasese? I have not read everything for you.

13192 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR FY 2023/2024 Vote 723: Mubende Municipal Council

I put the question that the total sum of Shs 184,580,580, be provided for under Vote 723 for Mubende Municipal Council as a supplementary recurrent expenditure for FY 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 724: Mukono Municipal Council

Government Chief Whip, you need to tell your Members to take this House seriously. This is a very serious matter. We are in a budgeting process. Before you know the status of the other roads that you budgeted for - I am talking to my Government Chief Whip, but he is busy smiling at the girls. (Laughter) Honourable members, we need to get serious on this – (Whereupon Gen. Katumba entered the Chamber.) I am happy the General has come. General, we are here patiently waiting for you. Thank you for coming. We are on the status of the implementation of NDP III road projects. General, as you get ready, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have pupils from St John’s Junior School, Bujuuko in Mpigi District. They are represented by Hon. Teddy Nambooze - Hon. Teddy, stand up and wave at the kids. That is your Member of Parliament. They are also represented by Hon. Hillary Kiyaga Hilderman . Where is Hilderman? Thank you very much for coming. These are your Members of Parliament and they are doing very well. Please have a seat. Join me in welcoming the young angels. (Applause) Honourable members, in the public gallery, we also have students from Mubende Army Secondary School. They are represented by Hon. Nakazibwe Hope Grania, Hon. Lubega Bashir and Hon. Kabanda David. You are most welcome and you are very smart. (Applause) They have red ties, they have FDC – (Laughter) – please, have a seat.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I really admire your approach to issues, especially when you say that the walk should not be concentrated in Kampala and such other areas, but we should take it where the issues are. In the list of your examples, I would have got happier if you mentioned Karamoja, Kassanda, Mubende and Kyamuhunga. Why those areas? Those areas have gold and after picking out the gold, the gold miners leave the ponds full of water, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. While we are walking against malaria here, other people are helping mosquitoes to breed and multiply. I appeal to the ministry in charge of minerals to put a law, follow up and monitor that when gold is extracted, these ponds are covered to eliminate mosquito breeding. Thank you.

12895 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 18 APRIL 2024 honourable ministers need to know that we have traders all over Uganda. So, the people in Mubende, Gulu and Mbale also need to be educated. We have many traders who are not able to write or readbut these people who invest a lot of money in the suburbs of Uganda, let me call it that. They need to be guided on how to use this machine. It is not that they are not willing to complybut do not have the capability to operate these machines. This means that they have to employ someone literate to help them operate the machines and you never know, it is another expense and yet some of these people that they employ may end up cheating them. The other issue –

12666 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Madam Speaker, through to the Minister of Works and Transport who is here represented by Hon. Byamukama, the committee brought out the issue of performance of contractors. This needs to be taken very seriously. Why? We have contractors that have been awarded some work to be done, like the Lusalira-Nkonge Road which is in Mubende. These contractors who do not perform to the expectation should be changed and we get contractors who are willing to do the work. The other concern I have is about the Uganda Road Fund. We appreciate that the rest of the regions are benefitting from it but there are some subcounties that were created by the previous Parliament and have not had their codes; so, they are not getting the Road Fund. The minister should take this seriously and know that some sub-counties have to tap into the mother subcounties to have the roads done. We have examples in Mubende such as Kayebe, Kalonga, Kyenda, Lubimbiri and Nabingola should be considered. I know this applies countrywide. The other issue is about the PAPs, people that are affected by some projects. We have a Government school, Nakawala Primary School that was affected by road works that were supposed to be done; Lusalira-Nkonge that I am talking about but it has not been done and time is moving. The school itself had structures which were marked that they were supposed to be brought down. Madam Speaker, I want to thank you so much for the time given but allow me to talk about the land titles of people who are affected by some programmes. We have Mubende-Kakumiro- Kagadi Road. This road was commissioned a long time but the people who were affected up to now have not been compensated. Some even gave their titles to UNRA but the residual titles have not been returned. In this budget, they should prioritise that. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the chairperson of the committee for the report. Mine is a comment on the issue of what the woman MP for Mubende raised; the issue of project-affected persons. What is currently happening is that the Government does the feasibility studies and then takes a bit of time before they come back to do the implementation. It is my prayer that the road –

Fruits - Greater Bushenyi & Greater Mbarara-Grain Milling: -Masindi, Kibale, Kiryandotrgo, Mubende and Nwoya. (10) Profiling of 120 MSMEs (60Males and 60 Female) per region of the country and populating the MSMEs database from agro processing, leather and metal fabrication from central Region and Bunyoro region. (11) Facilitate MSMEs to participate in the International in MSMEs day (dl Regional Balanced Development (1) 8 cooperatives identified and proliled in Karamoja, Teso, Bugisu, Bukedi, Busoga, Bunyoro, West Nile and Acholi. (2) 4 beneficiary Cooperatives in the RDP regions sensitized on possible fi nancing institutions. Retooling Project. (1) Support construction of MTAC centre at Mbale (21 Procure Motorcycles for all commercial Officers to supervise pDM and two vehicles for coordination 6.4 vote 136 uganda Export promotions Board (uEBpf Table 13: UEPB Semi Annual Budget Performance Fy 2o2al24 (UGx Billionf Source.. SemiAnnual Budget Performatrce FY 2O2s/24 r ld- W v I, '\L .ng"f s N Expenditurc Approved Revised Released by Spent by o/o Budget o/o Budset o/o Releases Category Budget Budget End Dec End Dec Relcased Spent Spent Wage 2.561 2.56r 1.281 0.66 s0.00% 25.800/o 51.50% Non-Wage 5.588 5.588 2.578 1.898 46.lOo/o 34.OOo/o 73.600/o GoU Dev't 0.037 0.037 0.019 o.0r 5l.4Oo/o 27.OOo/o 52.600/o lqtaf Budget 8.187 8.187 3.878 2.568 4?.400/o 3L.4Oo/o 66.2Oo/o t+" 52 + '- l. i_ (

Muhoro-Bwikara- Kyaterekera-Ndaiga is one of those roads that were earmarked for tarmacking in 2016. That road is in our National Development Plan III. In fact, it was supposed to be tarmacked together with the road from Mubende to Kakumiro and Kagadi. However, this was not possible because it is an escarpment – this is the answer they gave me; remember I am part of you. The soils in that area are so porous in a sense that we need a lot of technology. So, the ministry gives that as an excuse, but by all standards – (Break in recording) - connects us to our neighbours, the Democratic Republic of Congo and, so, we need to look for money, though they say it is a lot. They talk in terms of trillions of shillings. They say it is very expensive because it is an escarpment - on the Western Rift Valley; it is not an easy road. They say that the cost of the road from Mubende, Kakumiro to Kagadi - yet those are only 31 kilometres – is four times the money that we use to construct 109 kilometres. It is an expensive road to construct and that is why the ministry has been fearing to start on it. Whenever they do feasibility studies, they realise it is too expensive. That is the only answer I can give. However, that does not mean that, that area should be denied – (Break in recording)- Mr Speaker, we shall continue to engage.

?.2 TEA GROIIIING IN UGANDA Tea was first cultivated in Uganda in the early years of the 2oft century at the botanical gardens in Entebbe. The crop was a success and commercial cultivation started in the 1920s. Unfortunately, Uganda's tea industry was decimated by political upheaval in the 197Os. It was revived in the early 1990s due to availability of Commonwealth development funds, foreign expertise, and investment by Indian owned companies (Ahmed Tea London, 2or9l. In the FY 2022123, tea was Uganda's fourth largest agricultural export after coffee, fish and maize, earning the country over USD 90 million. This represented a 5.3% increase compared to FY 2O2l122. Tea has generated an average of 3.60/o of Uganda's export earnings over the last five years and is recognizsed to have a higher potential to contribute more to national revenue, employment and environmental conservation (NAADS, 2021). Over the past eight (8) years, tea has been fetching average earnings of USD 76 million for the country, having apexes at USD 94 million 2018. Tea estates produce about 54o/o of the tea in the country while the small holder tea growers contribute about 460/o of the total average. The industry employs close to 8O,OOO farmer households and supports 150,000 skilled and unskilled workers with about one million people directly deriving their velihoods from tea growing (NAADS, 2021). The traditional tea-growing districts in Uganda are: Mukono, Buikwe, Mubende, Mityana, Masaka in the central region; Kyenjojo, Kibale, Hoima and Kabarole in the western region; Bushenyi, Buhweju, Kanungu and Kabale in south-western Uganda. Recently, tea growing has expanded to new districts like Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukungiri, Sheema, Nebbi, Zombo, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Mitooma, Ru 2O2Ol. Kamwenge and Mbarara (NAADS, .l ffit^-- t "# ffili, -\ l. 2 --- j=.r t\S'rr '.i'-5r a 1 hk h

Members, this is a platform for all of us. There is a bridge between Mubende and Kakumiro at a place called Kihimbira. The river is called Nyamuhuguza. On 4 th November, the river swept away all the culverts. One person died and a number of motorcycles belonging to the people from Mubende were washed away. My colleagues, the Members of Parliament and I reported this matter to my office; now, as the Prime Minister. (Laughter) Engineers were sent on site; they came up with specifications and a big budget of Shs 11 billion to work on the bridge. They do not even have any money to work on it. That bridge is where the President passed when he was going for the trek. Some of you accompanied the President during that trek between Butorogo and Kakumiro to Birembo. I caused a meeting between the Ministry of Works and my colleagues, members of Parliament, in my office –

At that time, I was the Prime Minister. (Laughter) Honourable colleagues, I want to give you this story so that you can agree with me on how to move. We did not have the Shs 11 billion as Government and so, we resolved to use the Public Private Partnership approach. The Ministry of Works told us that they could give us the engineers and as of now, Eng. Odong is on site. They gave us an excavator, which we fuelled as Members of Parliament. Honourable Member from Mubende, I remember you brought your Shs 5 million and Hon. Pascal Mbabazi contributed 50 iron bars of 16 millimetres. The culverts were provided by the Ministry of Works and Hon. Aisa Agaba also contributed 50 iron bars, I believe she might be here. I also did my part and the community contributed hardcore stones to a tune of 180 trucks. The districts contributed trucks; Mubende brought two trucks and Kakumiro brought two trucks. As I speak now, the bridge has cost us an average of Shs 400 million, it is done and we have cast concrete. Sometimes, our engineers exaggerate – (Interjections) - No, let me speak, I told you that I am speaking as a Member of Parliament.

I thank you, Mr Speaker. My question to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister is about the status of the procurement of the road units for Kassanda District. Since Kassanda District was formed, we have been under a serious lack of road units. We used to borrow from Mubende but they no longer assist us. We used to borrow from Mityana, but we can no longer access due to the country-wide need because of the heavy rains which will be the same situation soon. So, we need to know about the status so that we can update our people about the status of the procurement of the road units in Kassanda.

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

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

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

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following honourable members to the standing Committee on National Economy: 1. Hon. Ikojo John Bosco – Chairperson; and 2. Hon. Robert Migadde - Deputy Chairperson. The following are designated as members: 1. Hon. Joram Ruranga - Elderly; 2. Hon. Simon Peter Opolot - Kanyum; 3. Hon. Tonny Ayoo - Kwania; 4. Hon. Joy Katali - Jinja; 5. Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto - Pakwach; 6. Hon. James Baba Boliba - Koboko; 7. Hon. Geoffrey Eric Mutiwa – Bunyole West; 8. Hon. Betty Chelain - Amudat; 9. Hon. Nathan Byanyima – Bukanga North; 10. Hon. Micah Lolem - Upe; 11. Hon. Francis Kazini Twinomujuni - Buhaguzi; 12. Hon. Sylvia Bahireira Tumwekwase - Kamwenge; 13. Hon. Peggy Joy Waako – Elderly; 14. Hon. Aisa Agaba – Bugangaizi East; 15. Hon. Midius Natukunda - Rukungiri; 16. Hon. Peterkhen Lochap - Bokora; 17. Hon. Godfrey Were Odero – Samia Bugwe South; 18. Hon. Jennifer Ayoo - Kalki; 19. Hon. Jane Awich - Kaberamaido; 20. Hon. Stella Atyang - Moroto; 21. Hon. Hillary Lokwang – Napore West; 22. Hon. Joseph Komol – Dodoth North; 23. Hon. Alex Byarugaba - Isingiro; 24. Hon. Naome Kibaaju – Sheema North; 25. Hon. Moses Ogwal Goli – Dokolo North; 26. Hon. Juliet Achayo Lodou – Ngora County; 27. Hon. Simon Peter Wokorach – Aswa County; 28. Hon. Bashir Lubega – Mubende Muncipality; 29. Hon. Agnes Taaka - Bugiri; 30. Hon. Sylvia Vicky Awas - Nabilatuk; 31. Hon. Henry Maurice Kibalya – Bugabula South; 32. Hon. Oliver Katwesigye - Buhweju; 33. Hon. Stephen Kangwagye - Bukanga; and 34. Hon. Abdi Fadhil Kisos Chemaswet - Soi. I beg to designate.

11365 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 2023 15. Hon. Felix Okot-Ogong - Dokolo South County; 16. Hon. Ronald Afidra - Lower Madi County; 17. Hon. Rukaari Mwesigwa - Mbarara North Division; 18. Hon. Cissy Namujju - Lwengo; 19. Hon. David Muhumuza - Mwenge County North; 20. Hon. Amos Okot - Agago North County; 21. Hon. Hope Nakazibwe - Mubende; 22. Hon. Basil Bataringaya - Kashari North County; 23. Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo - Lwemiyaga County; 24. Hon. Muhamad Nsegumire - Mityana County North; 25. Hon. Sarah Opendi - Tororo; 26. Hon. Herbert Kinobere - Kibuku County; 27. Hon. Richard Wanda - Bungokho Central County; and 28. Hon. Philiphs Lokwang-Ilukol - Napore West County. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this chance to talk about this iconic woman. I learnt about Hon. Joyce Mpanga’s death when I was in the constituency. When I came back on Monday, I waited for the programme to see whether she would be brought to Parliament for us to have a chance to speak about her but it did not come. I then asked, “What is happening?” Last night, I saw that she would be brought here and it became clear this morning that we shall talk about her. I thank the President for giving us this chance to bring her to Parliament so that her death is honoured and for her to be recognised as an important person in this country. Mr Speaker, you said it well that you read in the Hansard about what she did. You knew about her through her son but I had the chance to interact with her physically and work with her closely in this august House. I must say that I benefited a lot, like the previous speaker, Hon. Jennifer, said, because she mentored us. She was the founder of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) and at that time, we would meet regularly as women and for us who were young, they would mentor us. At one time, she called me aside because I came while young - I was not a youth representative but I was representing Ntungamo as the first Woman Member of Parliament, after school. I think they would look at us and say, these girls need to be given good direction, living with these old men. They were very protective. One time she called me and gave me a good - She was soft-spoken but to the point and you would take her word once she talked to you. She told me, “Now it is time that you think about getting married but be careful. Look for the right person because when you are in politics, it is difficult at times for these men to look at you but depending on how you handle yourself, you will manage. When you get there, you should learn how to balance politics and family so that you do not lose out. If you do not do it properly, you might lose one or both, but one mainly.” I attribute that to her as a person who was fighting for girls. In her book, “ It’s a Pity She’s Not a Boy” , she talks about how women are regarded in public, even today. If you were bright and sharp like her, people would say, I wish the father had gotten a boy, as if when you are a woman, you cannot perform like a man. They always say, I wish she was a boy. I think, in her book, she wanted to tell us that women can do better in whatever area they are in. She ably practised it because she was the first in everything and she managed. She fought very hard for other women to emulate her. She stood as a Constituent Assembly (CA) delegate in Mubende, but she went into the constituency, which you people have called men’s constituencies. She was asked, “Why are you going for -” Even when I stood, people were asking me, “Why are you standing in a man’s position?” I asked them, “Which one?” The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda gives me the mandate to stand anywhere. Hon. Mpanga faced it in the CA. Because they were looking at her as a woman, they did not give her the vote. We missed having her in the CA just because of that. She was even doing better at that time but people could not recognise her history of how she had performed.

10998 TRIBUTE T O T HE LATE HON. JOYCE ROVINCER M PANGA They did not allow her to come to the CA yet she would have contributed a lot, if she had been there. That took her back to Mubende to come as a Member of Parliament in the Sixth Parliament. Much as she was in the National Resistance Council (NRC), they never voted for her in the CA, so she came as a Woman Member of Parliament through affirmative action. I do not think that the person they sent performed better. If she had been there, she would have done it better –(Interjection)- Yes, I mean what I say. Hon. Mpanga has left a legacy of success in the public arena and in her family for all of us women to emulate. When you listen to what the elder, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, said, Hon. Mpanga proved that women’s political and public participation does not lead to failure in family and private life because she took care of her family as a single woman; a widow. As you ably said, there is a renowned lawyer called David Mpanga and this is a legacy that we cannot just rubbish. She mentored us when we were still young. In her book, she explains the position that women are taking in this country and I wish that to remember her, we try hard, as women, to mentor the young ones so that we have as many women in politics as we can. I also want to say that the coming motion which talks about one woman and one man to come and represent should be accepted by this Parliament so that we downsize, but cater for a woman and a man. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family, the country and the President for losing such an important person. I beg to support the motion. Thank you.

10999 THE E LEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF U GANDA T U E SDAY , 21 N OVEMBER 2023 Hon. Margaret Zziwa taught us girl guiding. We had a Girl Guides Association in this Parliament because a number of us were young. By then, we were only 39 women representatives and the country had only 39 districts. The late was representing Mubende and I was representing Kotido, which is the current Abim, Kaabong, Karenga and Kotido. It was such a large district. I am getting tempted - In the future when that amendment by my sister comes, we need to look at it. We have lost a great lady, a great mentor, a great educationist, a widow who stood on her own and did not leave behind shame. She has died at a time when we needed her most. We needed her as our dictionary to take us through and tell us more about harmonious living. We have lost you, my elder sister. Condolences to the family. May your soul rest in eternal peace. (Applause)

11000 TRIBUTE T O T HE LATE HON. JOYCE ROVINCER M PANGA As residents of Rubaga, we have lost a nationalist. The Anglican Church has lost a serious citizen, most especially those who come from Lungujja where she has been praying at St Stephen’s Church. The people of Uganda are mourning, most especially those who agitate for the rights of women. We have lost a true leader who always stood by her words. Members, we are in a generation where we have had elderly leaders change their words. Today they say this, tomorrow they say a different thing. We have heard people say that she always watched her words. The question is, do we always stand by our words, especially when it comes to the violation of human rights? The late served her kingdom very well and there is not a single day when she missed the Lukiiko , unless she was not in the country. She attended most public lectures, especially those that concern the rights of freedoms and protection of the girl-child. When it came to the rule of law, for a few of us who got time to sit with her, she always said, “My young boys, I know you are facing a lot of challenges but make sure that you do whatever it takes to fight for the Constitution.” The time she was serving as a Member of Parliament, when most of these laws were formulated - At least they knew that whatever was being done at that time was going to be maintained. However, are we maintaining what was formulated during their time? I am speaking this as her Member of Parliament who always had time to visit and learn a lot from her. Women emancipation was always on her lips and I am glad that the former Member of Parliament, Hon. Miria Matembe, is here. She is among the few leaders who have always stood to make sure that women’s rights are protected. (Applause) We expect the elderly leaders in this House to do the same. Questions are always being asked in the public by the people of Uganda; “Do we have leaders who protect women’s rights?” Yes, I am one of the leaders in this Parliament who knows that I am going to serve for a certain period of time and I will go. As women leaders, do we always have time to mentor young leaders, most especially women? Or do we make sure that we protect ourselves in those positions that we are occupying right now? This is what I used to get from her. There is a day when we asked her, “What did you do to serve the people of Mubende so that you reached a time and said, I am not going to come back and contest?” She answered, “As leaders, you have your time but you should know one thing; that there are young people down there who are also ready to do what you are doing.” As the Member of Parliament who was serving her and at the same time as the shadow Minister for Kampala, I kindly request this august House to instruct Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), where she has been residing, to gazette one of the roads in Kampala in respect of her service rendered to this country. May her soul rest in peace. Thank you.

Honourable colleagues, before I pick Hon. Asamo, Hon. Ruth Lematia, Hon. Huda, Hon. Margaret Rwebyambu, and the Mubende team, allow me to pick one of her closest friends who was with her in London. These are important stories that give us the real history. Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo –

11007 THE E LEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF U GANDA T U E SDAY , 21 N OVEMBER 2023 When I worked with the late Hon. Joyce Mpanga together with late Bikangaga, I learnt a lot. I am what I am today because of this lady here and the late Bikangaga. When they realised that I was a young girl sent to work with them - There were times you would work for months and months because you were recruited. She was very gentle, patriotic, and did not discriminate against people. As a medical practitioner, I learnt that Joyce’s psychology was deeply-rooted. I discovered that she was a teacher and that she came from a very big, celebrated family; the Masembe family. I had earlier met some of them like Dr Kanyerezi Masembe and three younger sisters. There are two things I will remember this lady for. First, when we were recruited, the recruitment was skewed because we did not speak English as we are speaking today. The English was demanding in some areas. Secondly, sciences were not being taught all over Uganda. Because the two were educationists, they took it upon themselves to write to the Ministry of Education and as an education officer from the Ministry of Education, I was able to see this letter which said, “Please, make sure that all sciences are taught in all schools and not general science. Make sure that the English that you teach these children is straightforward.” You know very well that we speak English according to our local dialects - I am sure that you can get it from me. I am not saying that I am that way but some areas did not have the alphabet. That was a big worry for them and it was corrected. When I worked with her in the Public Service, she taught me to look at the country at large and that all areas needed medical workers. Surprisingly, you would find that there were no nurses in Mubende and Mbarara, but because of decentralisation, people can now work within their areas easily. That was corrected by them. She taught me how to juggle marriage, children, and my work and I appreciate her. When time for my promotion came, the two were very instrumental. They wrote to the Ministry of Education and Sports for me to be promoted. Hence, I was given accelerated promotion as Chief Health Training Officer in the Ministry of Education and Sports, a position I held and left. It was even stated that it was person-to- holder. This is what I learnt from them. Hon. Joyce, I am glad that I was given an opportunity to express my feelings upon your demise. You were a wonderful woman, a patriot, you loved Ugandans regardless of which direction they came from, and I learnt that from you. May God bless you. Fare thee well in front of your creator. I knew that she had only two children - By the way, she took me to her farm in Mukono and I served with her in Mengo. She was on the Board of Trustees while I was on the Board of Governors. May God bless and comfort you. Your mother was a woman who loved everybody. Please, to the two children, I am sure Hon. Joyce would be happy if you continued to bring out what she cultivated in you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I come from Mubende, where the late served as a woman MP. By then, Mubende was still one bloc before Mityana and Kassanda districts were created. I think Kiboga had already been curved out and it was Mityana, Kassanda and now, Mubende. I join the rest of the mourners, both nationally and worldwide, to mourn the demise of our great leader and mentor who did great work in our district. She is remembered for mentoring many into active politics, especially women, both at local and national levels. She was a consultant for everyone. If you are to research and read any article about Mubende, you will find her name on every page, if not, on every paragraph. We appreciate her. When we heard of the sad news, people in the entire area went into mourning, especially those who worked with her and some of us who have just joined politics. At the time she came here as a woman MP, some of us were young; I was in Senior One. We have read about her and associated with people who served with or were mentored by her. Her work was great. Mr Speaker, not only Mubende people but the entire nation should appreciate the family that brought her up and nurtured her to prepare her to serve this nation before even Independence. As Maama Cecilia Ogwal was speaking, we learned a lot from her and we need to appreciate her. Such great families should be appreciated. We thank her for serving the nation and not forgetting the family. She has left behind a great family, which we should appreciate and learn from. As leaders, we give our time to other things and sometimes forget our families. As you serve the nation, we should plan for our families. Her history is rich and a great lesson to leaders.

I also rise to support the motion to pay tribute to Owekitiibwa Joyce Rovincer Mpanga. I am from Greater Mubende and actually, Kiboga was part of Mubende at the time when she was MP. Therefore, we have lost our former Member of Parliament. The people of Kiboga are greatly saddened by the death of Owekitiibwa Joyce Rovincer Mpanga. On their behalf, we would like to pay our most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Lungujja, His Excellency the President of Uganda for the time that she served in his Government, His Royal Highness, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, the Lukiiko and many people that she served with there, and the many friends around that are all grieving at this moment in time. It is very sad to lose her at this particular moment in time. However, amidst these tears and as we console the family, we thank God who lent her to us. The life expectancy at the moment is 63 years; she has lived for 90 years. We thank the Almighty God for the years that He gave her. We also thank God for the great work that she has done; a lot of it has been talked about. We thank God for the family that He has given her; the distinguished lawyers, poets, and all distinguished men and women who are serving diligently in this country. We thank God for what she has achieved; her selfless struggle as a role model for women’s emancipation and the key support roles she has played in Buganda Kingdom. Above all, I heard Prof. Mushemeza saying that we are about to lose the battle on corruption. We thank God that He gave us somebody who was incorruptible and we will greatly miss her and her contribution. We will miss the way she has been mentoring the many people that have talked about their close association with her. She leaves after a distinguished service, without any stain; we thank God for that. May her soul rest in eternal peace. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand to mourn a great daughter of greater Mubende because I come from where she comes from, only that the districts were later cut into many others and she served that community diligently. When I was growing up as a young girl in Mityana, we only heard about leaders like herself, Hon. Joyce Mpanga, and Ms Zelida Rwabushagara and I aspired to be the kind of woman that she was. I was privileged that later in life when I became a journalist, I came into contact with her. I got a rare opportunity in a sit-down conversation in 2017 and she told me many things. I had gone to do an interview about education but we ended up talking a lot about her personal life. That is when she told me about when she lost her husband and the kind of courage that she picked to look after her children. Of course, I knew her son, Owekitiibwa Daudi Mpanga, as my friend and she told me that one of the reasons she was able to look after her children and give them a good education was that she did not give birth to many children; she had a few and she was able to look after them. However, most importantly, she had the courage to work and get money to look after them without self-pity. On the contrary, so many of our women take a lot of self-pity. That was not Hon. Joyce Mpanga and it is a lesson that we should pick as women. Many have talked about - we all the time say, “because I am a woman, I need to be favoured, I need this -” in those kinds of terms. We need to pick lessons from women like Hon. Joyce Mpanga. She was an icon of women emancipation and she championed the women’s cause with conviction. Her interest was for all women or girl children to access education the same way the male counterparts would access education and for that we need to emulate her and work towards that. Unfortunately, Hon. Joyce Mpanga takes leave at a time when the women’s movement has been hijacked by self-seekers and vulgarised, but also sacrificed for political expediency. This is where most of us who hold the women- cause dear should rise up, emulate Hon. Joyce Mpanga and the rest in her calibre to do what they did. Probably, we may not do it to their extent but to try and live like those kinds of women. Thank you.

No. Mr Speaker, we felt very bad when we heard the news of the loss of our lady. I grew up in Mubende and I am a teacher’s daughter, commonly known as muwala w’abasomesa and we have been living to emulate the example of these ladies; the ones that have been listed, including Ms Zelida Rwabushagara and now, we are only remaining with Hon. Rhoda Kalema. I thank you for the visit you paid to her; she has always wanted Members of Parliament to seek her advice on some of the ongoing debates and processes. She was proposing that since there is a COVID-19 and a number of contagious diseases, it may not be okay for all of us to visit. It may not be healthy but she wrote a book called “ My Life is, but a Weaving” and like the late wrote, we need to hear and get inspired from their literature and emulate them. When we were still in primary, I was at St Joseph’s Primary School in Mubende Town Council – I remember the late being a good mobiliser, mobilising women and that is what Hon. Rhoda Kalema is advising us; mobilise these women, the message will come when they are there. Our challenge as women is mobilisation. Now, when it comes to political divide it is another issue. They may not look at what you are going to say but provided it is Hon. Kaaya inviting them, then they should be discouraged from converging and the freedom of association begins the deprivation of women’s development. Therefore, whenever they would announce that Hon. Joyce Mpanga is also coming, even the school-going children would want to convene. All the women would come to convene in what used to be called the Mayor’s Garden in Mubende Town Council. I used to copy her in that area. She did her work because at 90 years, a lot of her work was to care for her health. What is left for us who are going to fight for women’s rights? In the districts of greater Mubende, there is still a lot of fear of owning property; being gender sensitive includes owning property. Most of the women in the Greater Mubende area would like to buy property and those who manage to buy property do it secretly. It is very disturbing that the most treasured property, land, is at stake. Most of our women who have managed to buy and own such an asset are being evicted. Therefore, tenure security for women is a serious issue. The other issue that we need to work on is confidence building in the area. Many of our women still fear to engage in politics and also to express themselves. As a woman, she did her work. We have to build from where she stopped and sustain these efforts. I think we should not fear. When we are speaking the truth about women, we need to learn from her not to fear and say the truth about women. That is when we shall be able to mobilise all of us. This business of bringing up this topic and saying, “I am not a woman” - Then when it comes to you, you want women to stand with you; it will not work. We have to stand with the women and their issues from the start. Dear ladies, women Members of Parliament, we have a strong platform here at Parliament. We should not even feel as if we are orphans or left somewhere else. There are a number of platforms - UWOPA is a serious platform, so let us use it; these are people who would see you meandering and invite you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the statement. My interest is on the pipeline. I happen to come from Mubende, where the pipeline passes, going to Tanzania and even my constituency. However, my concern is on the compensation. EACOP land was earmarked in 2018, that is when they started and made valuations. Since then, most people have not been paid. Some were only paid this year. My concern is that they are compensating people below the market price of land in the area. They are putting an uplift of 30 per cent, but after five years, the land appreciation is higher than that. At first, they told people that after they have put the pipelines, people will continue using their landt, but recently, they told us that we are not supposed to use that land. That is why people were very reluctant with the prices they were offering. Now, they are saying that even if you refuse, it is compulsory; they must take the land because it is a Government programme. Mr Speaker, people are cheated and I call upon Parliament to get interested in the matter so that people are compensated properly. In addition, there is an unanswered question –

10802 STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS 88. Kassanda District Local Government; 89. Lyantonde District Local Government; 90. Kalangala District Local Government; 91. Bukomansimbi District Local Government; 92. Ssembabule District Local Government; 93. Mubende District Local Government; 94. Mubende Municipal Council; 95. Rakai District Local Government; 96. Lwengo District Local Government; and 97. Kyotera District Local Government.” I beg to move, Mr Speaker.

10672 STATEMENT BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Since 2018, a number of milestones to actualise the proposed Government development at Bwebajja by both NSSF’s design consultant and the Government Contract Management Consultant (CMC) have been registered. These include: the Project Development Agreement, which places an obligation on NSSF to procure a design consultant to preliminary develop conceptual designs to form the blueprint for the Government campus, which is subject to review and approval by the Government of Uganda. To-date, NSSF procured, M/S Dar Al- Handasah Shair and Partners, in association with Creations Consult Africa Ltd. So far, the consultant has developed the inception report, which was approved by the project implementation team in its meeting held on 25 July 2023. The CMC further reviewed and raised comments on the Comprehensive Project Management Plan (CPMP) and the Built- Up Area (BUA) schedule from the design consultant, and is yet to review other project documents. It is important to note that the construction works of the campus will commence in 2025, and will last for four years. After the construction, the Government will occupy the campus. The design consultant has provided, in their submission to the Office of the President, an order of cost estimate for each design option and clarified that the mentioned construction budget of the project in the Terms of Reference (TORs) requires revision to meet the latest escalation in construction market prices so as to be able to achieve the Government aspirations for the targeted design level of the project. Mr Speaker, in light of the above, NSSF and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development are re-examining the cost variables of the financial model. The details of this can be availed by the Ministry of Finance Planning, and Economic Development. The second question was from the Hon. Patrick Nsamba Oshabe. He raised a matter concerning the discontinuation of the construction of the power line from Kassanda-Kabulubutu- Wakayiba with a T-off to Bbinikira and Nakatete villages in Kassanda North County. His questions are: (i) Can the Prime Minister inform the House of the cause of the discontinuation of the construction of the power line? (ii) When does the ministry intend to resume and complete works on the power line to enable the people of Kassanda North County to have access to power supply? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development contracted Muttico Technical Services Limited for the construction of the engineering, procurement, construction of medium voltage networks, installation of distribution of transformers and association low voltage networks in the various regions of the country for eight lots. Lot 1 includes Mubende, Mityana, Kabarole and Kyegegwa District. The contract was signed on 6 June 2019. The scope of work includes areas of Kabulubutu, Kikandwa Wakayiba with a T-off to Bbinikira, Nakatete in Kassanda North County. To-date, the progress on the project is summarised as follows: in Kabulubutu, pole erection is complete, conductor stringing is also complete, but transformer installation is pending. In Kikandwa, pole erection is complete, conductor stringing is complete, but transformer installation is pending. In Wakayiba, Nakatete, Bbinikira Trading Centre all have poles erected. The conductor stringing is done too and the only pending civil works is the installation of the transformer. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

So, I will start with Hon. Kabanda, then Hon. Nsereko - yes, we are handling them at this time. Hon. Kabanda - Buganda has four subregions, and so, Hon. Kabanda is for Greater Mubende - yes, that is how we do it. Then, the Karimojong, please, sort yourselves and get one person - Karamoja is one sub region. For Lango, I will pick Dr Opio; for Acholi, I pick Hon. Mapinduzi; for West Nile, I pick Hon. Rose Obigah; for Kigezi, I will pick Hon. Kaberuka - I have not picked women. So, for Ankole, I will pick Hon. Kwoyekyenga; for Busoga, I will also pick a lady - let me pick Hon. Nakato. For Tooro, I will pick the woman Member for Kabarole; for Bukedi, I will pick Hon. Kasolo; for West Nile, I will pick Hon. Atima; and for Teso, I will pick Hon. Okwalinga; for Kigezi, I already picked Hon. Kaberuka; and Hon. Chemonges for Sebei. For Bunyoro, I will pick Hon. Aisha - greater Luweero? Greater Luweero is a sub-region. For Karamoja, I will pick Hon. Noman. So, let us be quick, colleagues. If I find space, I will pick more. Let us shoot right away and we get an answer.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This question was raised by my colleague, Hon. Geoffrey Macho. I come from the border, like you have clearly stated. Namayingo, Mayuge, Bugiri, and as far as Mubende and Mityana, have been the sole suppliers of maize to the border. However, as we speak now, people are stranded with maize in Busia, and they are mainly women - I was there on Friday and Saturday. These are women who have borrowed money from the Microfinance Support Centre. They have got money from the Parish Development Model, moneylenders - and are now stranded with their maize. Maize is not going to Kenya through Busia and even through the lake - Much of the maize had been going through the lake to Busia. Actually, we cannot talk of standards because the maize we have been supplying has mainly been going to institutions like schools, but the Kenyan authorities stated that they no longer want our maize. The question is: Are we really in the East African Community? Why is it that Uganda is the one always suffering when it comes to business? When it comes to supplying maize, eggs, and even fish, we are always the victims. I think the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and our Government should find out why we are always given less, and yet we are the ones propagating the East African Community. Why are we always given a raw deal? I feel like the minister has not substantially answered the question. There is a problem and our people are likely to lose out. Even the Parish Development Model may not work.

Hon. Nakazibwe of Greater Mubende. In Buganda, we have three – Greater Mubende, Greater Mpigi and Greater Mukono and Central.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the honourable minister for the report, but there are a few challenges. I will speak on behalf of Greater Mubende as you have said. We also have poles and wires that run around but without power. Whenever we pass by, our people ask us what the poles are for. For example, in Gomero, Kiyuni Subcounty needs to be connected. We have maize milling machines that were given by His Excellency the President in 2016 to the youth that cannot be put to use due to lack of electric power. So, it is such a long time yet they could have been procured on loan but not used. There are also coffee machines, for example, in Kasambya Constituency led by Hon. David Kabanda. The other issue is in Kanyogoga Parish, which I know that Hon. Nankabirwa knows very well because we passed through it together when we were moving with His Excellency the President during the trek. He emphasised that they should be given power. We have issues with free connections. We have always told our people to apply for them but whenever they go to Umeme, they are told they are not the right people to give them the free connections.

Mr Speaker and colleagues, like I told you earlier, the President, in May last year, wrote and gave me six policy guidelines, and one of them was on extension services. As you are aware, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Water and Environment are moving around the country, to sensitise people and find out the gaps when it comes to extension services. We have so far covered eight districts in greater Mubende and greater Luweero. Tomorrow, we are going to greater Kibaale; these are districts of Kagadi, Kibaale and Kakumiro. From there, we shall go to other areas. Mr Speaker, while the extension grant had not been provided for in our budget, the President directed that that money be included in the supplementary. So, we are going to have some money for extension services. I think it had been an oversight, but that money is going to be reinstated so that our extension workers can have fuel to move, mobilise and educate our farmers for production.

Mr Speaker, I have been able to follow the Parish Development Model up to yesterday. I think some people are taking advantage of our citizens. Mr Speaker, there is no subcounty in this country that does not have a computer, and most subcounties across the country have an average of four to five parishes. Let me share with you the experience in my district. Issues of computers came - and - we have 105 parishes, 24 subcounties and six towns councils. I shared this idea in Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Luwero, Mityana, Mubende, Kyankwanzi, Kiboga, Kassanda, Kagadi and many others, and I have been on TV so that the whole country can get information. Mr Speaker, what happened is that in most areas, our people recruited parish chiefs who are not fit for the job. They recruited their

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also add my voice to the issue of quality of petroleum products. But specifically, I would like to underscore the issue of adulteration of petroleum products. Mr Speaker, when the price of kerosene is low, for example, you even find trucks by the roadside – like if you come to Mubende – and people are siphoning fuel. They also add kerosene or diesel to petrol. Do you know what that means? People who know some elementary mechanics know what paraffin does to rubber. It goes into your ignition system and burn all the rubber seals and everything and you can lose your vehicle. So, is the minister also interested in that area, where petroleum firms and dealers adulterate the products? Thank you very much.

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

10210 STANDIN G C O M M I T T E E R E PORT The methodology adopted by the committee included holding meetings with the accounting officers and staff of the mentioned votes. The committee further conducted desk research to understand the legal and policy provisions relating to appropriation, disbursement, expenditure and accountability of public funds. The committee examined the report of the Auditor-General in respect of all the entities in issue for the accounts for the year under review, the memoranda/responses and other documents submitted by witnesses, to whom we are grateful, for the commitment exhibited. Madam Speaker, because the volume of the report, allow me to present an overview of the general observations and recommendations on issues that cut across almost all the entities of the sector. I beg your indulgence that members may be allowed to refer to the report uploaded on their iPads for the details and findings as well as recommendations. General observations and recommendations The implementation of quantified outputs Section 13(15)(b) of the Public Finance Management Act 2015 provides that a policy statement submitted by a vote shall contain the annual and three months’ work plans, outputs, targets and performance indicators of work plans. Equally, Regulation 11(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 requires that a Vote should prepare work plans that indicate the outputs of the Vote for the financial year; the indicators that are to be used to gauge the performance of the outputs and funds allocated to each entity or activity. From the report of the Auditor General, most entities whose votes are listed did not implement their outputs fully despite having received the required funds. Many accounting officers, the committee interacted with attributed this partial implementation to the lockdown instituted by the Government at the time, as a measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be noted, however, that though COVID-19 disruptions were a reality, health workers were categorised as essential workers at the time and therefore, expected to carry on implementing some of the planned activities. Although the committee notes that a number of staff at these institutions had been significantly reduced at the time, which hampered the implementation of the quantified outputs. This especially relates to the non-medical staff. At Kawempe National Referral Hospital, for example, the Auditor-General noted that 26 quantified outputs worth Shs 11.557 billion were assessed and established that 23 activities, representing 88 per cent, were fully implemented while three activities, representing 12 per cent, were partially implemented. At Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital, 26 quantified outputs worth Shs 11.557 billion were assessed and established that 23 activities, representing 88 per cent, were fully implemented while three activities, representing 12 per cent, were partially implemented. The same cases of partial implementation can be seen in Naguru and Mubende regional referral hospitals. The committee recommends that accounting officers should ensure that the planned and approved outputs are implemented and those that fail should be penalised. Absorption of Funds and utilisation of warrants A number of entities were noted in the Auditor- General’s report to have failed to optimally absorb the funds that were allocated to them, causing money to be swept back to the treasury. These funds were mostly meant for wages, gratuity and pension that were not fully paid by the end of the financial year. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Sseggona]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the committee. Borrowing from Bunyoro, I would like to appeal to colleagues - We have a road running from Mubende- Kakumiro-Kibaale-Kagadi. It passes through many districts and it was done. We are talking about service delivery to our people, but look at most of our roads within the Kampala Metropolitan Area. People are selling items on the roads. We are saying even markets are going to be developed. Mr Speaker, we should have passed this loan long ago so that people can have better services in terms of infrastructure. Therefore, I appeal to colleagues to pass this loan so that infrastructure is developed in Kampala and its neighbouring districts.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the committee for this report. First of all, Government and Parliament need to investigate where these children that we take to Kampiringisa, come from. Every day, Government agencies pick children from these streets. The following morning, you find that the streets are full again. There is a night, it was around 2 a.m., around Ntinda, when I was driving from Mubende, I found a vehicle, a very big truck, off-loading children. They left them there. Government must know that this is a business. When you give these children money on the street, there is somebody who is waiting to receive that money from that child. It is a business. Before we talk about these children who are being traumatised, and Government not looking after them, there are some people who are benefiting from this business. I understand the MPs from Karamoja know this issue very well. Before you complain about Kampiringisa, does Government of Uganda know where the children that are in Kampiringisa come from? Every day, on the streets of Kampala, there are a number of children. As Parliament, we must investigate the source of these children. I beg to submit.

9658 DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION In another dimension, it should be noted that enforced disappearances have no place in countries where the State upholds the right to life. It is hard to discern that for three years now, the Government has failed to account for citizens abducted by security operatives moving in drones on different dates between 2019 and 2021. We have made statements here, as you recollect, at your permission and elsewhere. We have secured reads of habeas corpus against security agencies. I have repeatedly followed this matter with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Security and the Minister Defence and Veteran Affairs but regrettably, their responses are just explanations but of no consequence. Under normal circumstances, speedy investigations would have been conducted into these disappearances but alas! we are fed on hollow undertakings by the Executive while our people continue disappearing mysteriously. On record again, the following are missing persons under this regime: Kibalama John Bosco was abducted from Kanyanya on 3 June 2021. The Prime Minister of the Republic informed the country that she knows where Kibalama is. It is four years since his disappearance. With your permission, we played a record of her speech in Parliament here, committing knowledge of the whereabouts of Kibalama. I want to inform this House that the Prime Minister of the Republic has knowledge of the whereabouts of Mr Kibalama. The family and three children want to see their father and the wife wants to see her husband. I hope the Prime Minister, from Kigali, will come and take us where Kibalama is. It was her commitment that she knows where Kibalama is. Two, Ssemuddu Micheal was abducted from Kasubi on 28 November 2020, Damulira John from Kisekka Market on 21 December 2020. Mbabazi Moses from Kisekka Market on 26 November 2020, Nalumoso Vincent from Bugolobi on 1 December 2020, Lukwago Martin from Bugolobi on 3 November 2020, Kanatta Mohammed from Mukono on 23 December 2020. For the record, Kanatta Mohammed was one of the personal assistants of the Hon. Kiwanuka Abdullah. He is taking care of the family and educating the children of Kanatta since 2020. He disappeared up to now. Ssempijja Yuda was abducted from Mukono on 19 December 2020, Musisi Mbowa from Kisenyi on 18 December 2020, Kirya Peter from Nansana on 1 December 2020, Wangolo Shafiq from Nansana on 3 December 2020, Zimula Dennis from Nansana on 25 November 2020, Luwemba Mustafa from Nansana on 19 November 2020, Mubiru Hassan from Kawaala on 20 November 2020, Ssesaazi Isma from Makindye on 19 November 2020, Kisembo Godfrey from Mubende town on 12 February 2021, George Kasumba from Kyotera on 19 January 2021, Baguma Joseph from Kyebando in December 2020. I was in Kyotera three weeks ago and the family raised this matter of the disappearance of their son with me. Nobody has ever visited them from the Government for an explanation, neither the police for information. These are very harrowing situations. You expect the Head of State in this kind of - because the Head of State on the State-of-the-Nation Address has space for assurance of victims and assurance of investigation - at least to have an investigation. The right to freedom from torture, inhumane and degrading treatment Article 24 of the Constitution of Uganda prohibits torture, cruel, inhumane, degrading treatment, and punishment. This is one of the rights that are absolute and may not be subject to any exemption even in times of war or emergency. Article 44(a) of the Constitution provides for non-derogable delegation of the right of freedom from torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment thus making this fundamental right absolute. The absolute prohibition of torture is set out in several international human rights treaties, for

Madam Speaker, I want Members to appreciate this ban. Recently, there have been a number of small Chinese- owned factories and they are cutting trees indiscriminately and our people are paid peanuts and they are exporting this timber raw. They are not adding value and yet they were given licenses to add value so that they can come up with plywood and furniture to export, but they are taking our products raw and exporting them out of the country. Those factories are the ones we stopped yesterday. We are saying enough is enough. We were given statistics that every day, each company can cut over 1000 trees and they are more centered in the districts of Mubende, Kibale and Kakumiro. Recently, as I was flying to Mayuge, I saw another one in one of the forests. They are going to finish our forest cover. So, the President directed me to stop that practice. I want to request the Members to support this initiative - (Applause )-

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

Mr Speaker, reading from where I had stopped, the staff of State House provide the necessary logistical and technical support for efficient and effective operations of the Presidency. State House, in turn, provides the necessary facilitation for the staff to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This is the mandate which informs the budgetary allocations across the various items. For instance, to explain what has been in the media as to whether the President, in State House, consumes Shs 500 million, we want to clarify that the expenditure on this electricity consumption is addressed to Entebbe State House, Nakasero State Lodge, the Vice- President’s residence and 23 upcountry state lodges distributed in the various parts of the country including Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Bardege in Gulu, Arua, Masindi, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Fort Portal, Kisozi, Masaka, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, Kapchorwa, Ngoma, Kawumu, Mayuge, and Buvuma and five administrative office blocks that support State House and many other forms of infrastructure. In the media, there has also been a discussion as to whether the President spends Shs 350 million per year to buy clothing. Our President is one of the smartest presidents according to us who see him regularly. I just want to clarify that the item that appears under the State House Budget on beddings, clothing and footwear is meant to cover the protective gear for support staff, beddings for the state lodges, which I have read, the curtains, the various linens for furniture and State House functions as well as uniforms for staff as need arises. The categories of staff include drivers, housekeepers, caterers, kitchen staff, cleaners and the regular office staff. The State House also supports skilling programmes where you have seen young people who are skilled in various vocational skills and it usually provides uniforms. Therefore, this is to dispel the misinformation that the budget caters for clothing the President. Rather, it facilitates all these functions that I have explained. I could go on and on but that is the point I wanted to make, Mr Speaker. I hope this information clarifies the issues to do with budgeting for State House and states proper the record on the Hansard of this House. I want to appeal to all of us that we should always desist from raising sensational and unsubstantiated information, which misleads the public. I beg to move, Mr Speaker, and I thank you. (Mr Ssemujju rose_)

I put the question that Shs 12,104,715,000 be provided for under Vote 413: Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 414: Mubende Regional Referral Hospital

I put the question that Shs 12,325,254,000 be provided for under Vote 414: Mubende Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 415: Moroto Regional Referral Hospital

Why don’t we listen to the whole list? You said we should read the list and we are reading it. Honourable members, listen to the figures. I do not think any of these Members will take this money into their pockets. 30) Vote 720: Masindi Municipal Council – Shs 11,172,470,000 31) Vote 721: Mityana Municipal Council – Shs 10,365,633,000 32) Vote 722: Moroto Municipal Council – Shs 5,143,627,000 33) Vote 723: Mubende Municipal Council – Shs 10,465,947,000 34) Vote 724: Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 19,829,177,000 35) Vote 725: Nansana Municipal Council – Shs 24,351,761,000 36) Vote 726: Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 6,907,898,000 37) Vote 727: Njeru Municipal Council – Shs 13,394,572,000 38) Vote 728: Ntungamo Municipal Council – Shs 4,845,867,000 39) Vote 729: Rukungiri Municipal Council – Shs 9,415,996,000 40) Vote 730: Sheema Municipal Council – Shs 14,106,079,000 41) Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council – Shs 9,365,323,000 42) Vote 801: Abim District – Shs 18,295,895,000 43) Vote 802: Adjumani District – Shs 31,965,889,000 44) Vote 803: Agago District – Shs 31,061,514,000 45) Vote 804: Alebtong District – Shs 23,689,489,000 46) Vote 805: Amolatar District – Shs 19,357,798,000 47) Vote 806: Amudat District – Shs 10,632,904,000 48) Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 22,290,290,000 49) Vote 808: Amuru District - Shs 22,428,999,000 50) Vote 809: Apac District – Shs 20,739,922,000 51) Vote 810: Arua District – Shs 16,085,370,000 52) Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 25,157,873,000 53) Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 26,411,933,000 54) Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 34,828,388,000 55) Vote 814: Bugweri District – Shs 19,367,086,000 56) Vote 815: Buhweju District – Shs 15,085,933,000 57) Vote 816: Buikwe District – Shs 24,383,139,000 58) Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 26,466,423,000 59) Vote 818: Bukomansimbi District – Shs 18,428,274,000

8754 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 60) Vote 819: Bukwo District – Shs 22,102,420,000 61) Vote 820: Bulambuli District – Shs 22,999,426,000 62) Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 14,874,929,000 63) Vote 822: Bundibugyo District – Shs 33,203,487,000 64) Vote 823: Bunyangabu District - Shs 19,891,642,000 65) Vote 824: Bushenyi District – Shs 28,896,953,000 66) Votes 825: Busia District - Shs 32,967,494,000 67) Votes 826: Butaleja District - Shs 33,927,473,000 68) Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 23,446,766,000 69) Vote 828: Butebo District - Shs 16,607,616,000 70) Vote 829: Buvuma District – Shs 13,321,617,000 71) Vote 830: Buyende District – Shs 22,651,177,000 72) Vote 831: Dokolo District – Shs 21,223,707,000 73) Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 21,231,932,000\ 74) Vote 720: Masindi Municipal Council – Shs 11,172,470,000 75) Vote 721: Mityana Municipal Council – Shs 10,365,633,000 76) Vote 722: Moroto Municipal Council – Shs 5,143,627,000 77) Vote 723: Mubende Municipal Council – Shs 10,465,947,000 78) Vote 724: Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 19,829,177,000 79) Vote 725: Nansana Municipal Council – Shs 24,351,761,000 80) Vote 726: Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 6,907,898,000 81) Vote 727: Njeru Municipal Council – Shs 13,394,572,000 82) Vote 728: Ntungamo Municipal Council – Shs 4,845,867,000 83) Vote 729: Rukungiri Municipal Council – Shs 9,415,996,000 84) Vote 730: Sheema Municipal Council – Shs 14,106,079,000 85) Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council – Shs 9,365,323,000 86) Vote 801: Abim District – Shs 18,295,895,000 87) Vote 802: Adjumani District – Shs 31,965,889,000 88) Vote 803: Agago District – Shs 31,061,514,000 89) Vote 804: Alebtong District – Shs 23,689,489,000 90) Vote 805: Amolatar District – Shs 19,357,798,000 91) Vote 806: Amudat District – Shs 10,632,904,000 92) Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 22,290,290,000 93) Vote 808: Amuru District - Shs 22,428,999,000

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to add my voice to what my colleague from Bundibugyo raised and you added your voice. I come from Kyenjojo and most of my constituents are along the highway which is prone to accidents. In the previous days when Kilembe mines were still operating, on a weekly basis, I would send there some accident victims because some of us always carried those accident victims to Kilembe Mines Hospital. As we speak now, all our people in all those districts are stuck ranging from Mubende, Kagadi, Kibaale, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Fort Portal, and wherever, because Kasese and Kilembe Mines Hospital specifically, is known for treating bones and fractures.

Thank you. In central, for purposes of Members understanding, this is where we have areas like Martin, which is beyond pothole repair, but need sectional repairs. 3. Using funds so far received, Mr Speaker, pay a reasonable portion of our outstanding debt to the above two framework contractors to be engaged for the proposed sectional repairs – I have already said that. On this note, Mr Speaker, allow me to inform the House that we are in the process of receiving Shs 6 billion for pothole repairs. From the looks of things, it may not be enough. However, work has started. As I speak now, Yusuf Lule Road has been patched. So, we are moving gradually. Mr Speaker, on the other issue of the drainage and external funding, I am happy to inform you that Parliament approved and appropriated funds from African Development Bank (AfDB), where we are going to improve 85 kilometres of roads in the city. Under this component, we shall use $258 million. The roads have been lotted into five. Lot 1 & 2 started on 5 December 2022. The roads under Lot 1 are Wamala Road in Rubaga, Luwafu Road in Makindye, Kabega Road in Makindye, Muteesa I Road in Rubaga, Old Mubende Road in Rubaga, Kigala Road in Rubaga, Kayemba Road in Makindye, Kivebulaya Junction in Rubaga and Bulange Junction in Rubaga. These roads measure about – well, Members can read that one. Lot 2 cover the dualling of Port Bell Road (6.5 kilometres) in Nakawa and dualling of Spring Road (3.4 kilometres) in Nakawa. For Lot 3 & 5, the effective date of commencement was 18 April 2023. The roads in Lot 3 are Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road in Central and Kawempe, Muzito Road in Rubaga, Suuna Road in Rubaga, Suuna II Road – connecting to Wakiso – and Kabalagala Road Junction in Makindye. Lot 5 covers Mugema Road in Rubaga, Masiro Road in Rubaga, Ssentema Road in Rubaga, Ssentema Road II – this one also extends to Wakiso up to Bukasa to connect with the outer belt road, which is being constructed by Ministry of Works and Transport – Nsambya Road, Kiwunya Drainage Channel in Rubaga and Nsoba Drainage Channel. Mr Speaker, Lot 4 is under the clearance of the Solicitor-General and this will take Kyebando Ring Road, Kisasi Road, Kasubi Northern Bypass connecting to Namungoona

Mr Speaker, on this we need to be very tough as Parliament. First, we need to investigate this minister, who after knowing that there were arrears of Shs 616 billion, still went ahead and issued an instrument and effectively because of that instrument, brought is down to 43. We need to investigate this minister. The second issue is about the whole mineral revenue. It is so suddenly, when you go to Mubende, Busia, Karamoja and everywhere - it is amazing that the minister comes to a committee and confesses that we did not earn any money from minerals. The mineral revenue for this year is zero, yet, all over the country, there is mining going on. Our people are being displaced. So, some few individuals are pocketing this money. We need to be very tough as Parliament, on this issue.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the good report. Regarding the aspect of tourism development, tourism survives very well when the circuits are well developed. In our country, we have heavily relied on nature-based tourism. However, I think some of the circuits need to be improved. For example, a tourist who has come to Uganda will travel all the way from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park using Mubende Road - over 200 kilometres - without interfacing with any other thing. It becomes boring. We, therefore, need to support the private sector to invest, for example, in issues like wildlife sanctuaries. This means we need to create incentives that will attract private players to invest in such areas. Talk about snake parks and cultural tourism. We have other things that have been neglected. For example, we have not talked much about caves. In other countries, there is a lot of tourism going around caves. I think we need to document all this. In Bunyoro sub-region, we have some things to do with our history. Just last week, we

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

7607 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 2023 Comparing with our school studies of what had happened in Europe and North America, we started wondering why there was no similar socio-economic transformation in Africa, starting with Uganda. We soon found out, through analysis, that indeed Uganda’s society can change through two routes. These are: universal free education for all Ugandan children, and all families joining the money economy. I am glad the women came to Kiruhura District and I was able to show them how the pastoralists, in that whole huge area of: Isingiro, Kashari, Kiruhura, Kazo, Lyantonde, parts of Rakai, Ssembabule, Gomba, Kyegegwa, parts of Mubende, what we call Kiyoonga, Kiboga (Ddwaniro), Kyankwanzi, Ngoma- Wakyato, Buruuli (Nakasongola), Masindi, etc. had partially undergone socio-economic transformation by stopping nomadism, adopting dairy farming for cash and sending children to school at their cost. I would like to discuss that partial success with the NRM caucus for us to harmonise our thinking. I want to call a special meeting of the NRM caucus - because I do not want to continue talking as if I am begging people to come and cultivate my garden when I am engaging Ugandan leaders to see how to rescue their people from poverty. It is not correct that we should go on like I am begging people to do something for me, when we need to do this for our people. I call the success in the cattle corridor “partial” because elements in the society still have irrational practices, carried on from tradition, that negate progress; what we call reactionary, reacting negatively, vis-a-vis positive progress. These are the practices of fragmenting land on inheritance and depending on only nature to provide the pasture yet it is more reliable if we grow the pasture. Once I had that partial success by 1995, I went to the whole country and gave all the message of transformation. However, like the Jews, many people are either not bothered or are waiting for another Messiah even when the message is clear and verifiable. Verifiable, how? Visit the cattle corridor that used to be wilderness, ( engaando countryside like Acacia hohii), which is now an area of semi-modern farms, producing millions of litres of milk per day for the local markets and for export. The exports have hit $106 million per year. Algeria is going to also buy our powdered milk worth $150 million. If this area could transform, so could the others. In the manifesto of 1996, we put forward the four-acre model of coffee, fruits, pasture for zero-grazing dairy, food crop production, piggery and poultry in the backyard and fish farming near the wetlands. This was the medicine for the small holders. Those with bigger pieces of land were more flexible and could help the country grow and participate in producing products that needed large scale production to make economic sense that the country needed such as cotton, maize, sugarcane and ranching for beef. In terms of funding, the latter group would be supported by the Uganda Development Bank. It is the four-acre model group that I decided needed grants or soft loans direct from Government. We started with Entandikwa , Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture, this was all money put aside for this purpose, the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Operation Wealth Creation and now the Parish Development Model. These efforts were for agriculture. With the non-agricultural or broad-spectrum activities, we have put in place the following: the women fund, the Youth Fund, microfinance and now recently, “Emyooga”. With all the pre-Parish Development Model funds, the modes were that Government officials were the ones selecting the

7608 ADDRESS BY H.E. GEN. YOWERI MUSEVENI beneficiaries, especially with Operation Wealth Creation. It initially worked well. Indeed, the households in the non-money sector declined from 68 per cent to 39 per cent; this was most commendable. However, I started picking up complaints from the public of “they only give to themselves” or “ baleeta ebifu”. They supply us bad quality material or “ baleeta eby’obuseere”, they bring over priced items. That is when I decided that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) personnel must get out of this effort because the image of the wider force was going to be ruined by the mistakes of these fellows who were in Operation Wealth Creation, who had lost their straightforwardness. Moreover, it is the ultimate aim of the NRM that the stakeholders - the beneficiaries of these projects - must manage their affairs. That was the debate we had in Cabinet. When people said, “No, we should continue with the army”, I said, No, these people must learn how to manage their own affairs. They are not children. We can help them to manage their affairs. Hence, the need for the stakeholders, farmers and the artisans to form SACCOs in the parishes or at the constituency levels for the Emyooga . This is the correct and ultimate solution. I have started touring and inspecting the 18 zones of Uganda. The 18 zones of Uganda are: Masaka, Mengo - what they used to call Mengo (the districts of Mukono, Luweero and all that of Mpigi) Mubende, Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, Bunyoro, Busoga, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Madi. I started with Acholi between the 23 rd and 24 th of February 2023. Straight away, the wanaichi told me of the parasites that were like flies, swarming around the PDM and Emyooga money. I will decisively follow up the attempted theft of the PDM and the Emyooga money in Acholi. And if they tampered with the money, they will pay for that treachery; they will be an example to the rest of the potential flies. Ten thousand, five hundred and ninety four (10,594) PDM SACCOs are to be formed. As of now, 9,538 SACCOs, which is 90 per cent of the target, have been formed. That is what the secretariat told us. But I have read the report of Parliament that the Speaker sent to me, and there are many observations there that point out the weaknesses. Meanwhile, I, myself, while in Acholi, heard from the wanaichi a number of bad actions. There is this group in town, in one of the wards, where somebody called a commercial officer, called a secret meeting of a few people to form the leadership for the parish model because they want to find a way of stealing the money. They did not involve the whole parish yet we said that all people in the parish, who want to engage in wealth creation, should join the SACCO as long as they are adults - that is 18 years and above. That is the plan. All producers in the parish must join or must be told and if they do not want to join, that is up to them, but they must be invited because, like the issue in Gulu, somebody announced a meeting at 9.00 a.m. in the morning and the meeting happened at 02.00 p.m. and a few people created the leadership. That is one issue, which I picked up, and of course, I will follow it up. Then in Aswa, instead of going to the parish, they were called to the subcounty so that people get tired and do not go. And when they were called to go to the subcounty, they were told, “Each parish should bring 30/30.” Who told you that? This is not indirect election of 30/30. The parish SACCO is for all members and they may be organised in their production groups: the ones of bananas or dairy - but all who want to engage in wealth creation must join. If there is anything that is not clear there, then at the right time, the Minister of Local Government, who has been heading this, should explain it. Then in another area, I think it is Aswa again, they were told to pay some money for membership. Now, we are going to follow up on all this; and I got this direct from the people.

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

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the honourable Member for that question. On 11 January, we declared Uganda Ebola-free, but when we do that, it does not mean we close shop. It means we continue intense surveillance for 90 days. However, there are certain things that we continue to address immediately. Many of you will recall that we had one Ebola Treatment Unit in Kassanda, three in Mubende including taking over the entire Ministry of Works

7113 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2023 facilities there, about two in Kampala and one in Entebbe. On 15 January, we had a meeting and agreed that the Ebola Treatment Unit in Kassanda and the three in Mubende should all be dismantled so that work can go back to normal. Mr Speaker, last week, the Ministry of Health, together with partners, began the process of dismantling. The process begins with removing medicines and beds. Subsequently, we remove the tents after which we remove all the concrete that is on the ground. Therefore, I want to reassure the honourable member that the process has already started. We have already removed all the drugs and beds and we shall begin dismantling the tents soon. However, again, allow me to inform this House that the intense surveillance for 90 days still continues. I thank you.

If given time, I can collect all the statistics. It is not only in my constituency but the entire Mubende region.

I withdraw the 75 per cent because I cannot confirm, but maybe, with time, we can get the statistics. However, a very big number is on the verge of eviction. A one Paul Mafumo recently sprayed all the gardens of the people. He attempted to evict them, but we refused and then, he sprayed their gardens and all the crops were destroyed. We have other people such as Grace Kabayo, who wants two square miles. Even today, she is on the ground. She came with officials from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the police and chairman LCV. She is threatening to get the two square miles forcefully, yet the land is occupied. My prayer is that this House interests itself in the land matters in Mubende so that we can get the real figure and solve the problem. Here, in Buganda, we pray that we also benefit from the Land Fund. We have a number of land wrangles but we have not benefited. I normally see the Government buying land for people in different parts of the country where we have no history of land wrangles. However, here, in Buganda - I can assure you that that is even why the NRM party performed poorly in the 2021 elections. I beg this House to take interest so that - I can allow information from Members. Madam Speaker, with your authority, I pray that I allow some Members to beef up -

Honourable member, let us not bring parties into this issue. Let us protect the land that belongs to the people. When the Speaker is speaking, you sit down. Government, can we have the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development go and find out what is happening in Mubende? I will give the Leader of Opposition a chance to say a word. However, can we have Hon. Judith Nabakooba go on ground and report to this House on the status of the land that is being talked about – and the greater Mubende as it is being said?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The matter in Mubende is that a majority of the land is public land. [Mr Obua] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

6837 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023 Unfortunately, people who are seated on that land have not gone ahead to process leasehold or freehold titles. The people who come to Mubende see – within the ministry of lands– free public land, which is fully occupied by people. So, these people process freehold titles and the next day, they want the land they have processed the titles on. Honourable minister, for the entirety of greater Mubende, the Speaker has instructed very well. This matter should come out: how many people are seated on public land without freehold titles?

Madam Speaker, I believe the information provided by the acting Leader of the Opposition is very valid. I undertake to convey the directive of this House to the minister of lands to, first of all, move on the ground and, secondly, brief this House on the status of land in the greater Mubende. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to also thank the chairperson of COSASE and the members for the detailed report. I also concur with most of the members that we badly need to have UNRA remain a standalone institution. However, the observations that have been made by the committee are realistic and are the very issues that our people in Mubende and various other regions within Uganda are facing. We have PAPs on Mubende-Kakumiro- Kagadi Road, which have up to now not been paid. We have held several meetings with UNRA that have raised the hopes of the people of Mubende, but the hopes were watered down by their unresponsiveness after the very many meetings that have failed. About the delayed payment of funds to UNRA, we have a road that is under maintenance from Mityana to Mubende. This work has stalled for many months and we have had a number of accidents on that road. We recently visited UNRA with Hon. Kabanda, the MP of Kasambya and we were told that they do not have money for this project. Madam Speaker, we need the minister and the responsible agency to speed up this project. The other thing is the Lusalira-Nkonge Road. Like the COSASE Chairperson presented, we have a number of projects that, sometimes, the President directs they should be given to particular people. These should follow the law, like the Rt Hon. Speaker has guided so that we see these projects moving. Our people were told not to develop the land anymore, if it is on the road side. They have over waited and nothing has been given to them; neither have we seen the road works start. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you and beg the minister and the responsible authorities to take charge so that we can have all these projects worked on. Otherwise, I thank the committee chairperson and the members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we all know that Mubende and Kassanda are under lockdown for over 50 days now. You remember during COVID-19, His Excellency the President mentioned that a lockdown is always instituted as we plan and prepare for a long-lasting response. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I believe that has been enough time for us to prepare, as Government, to respond to this outbreak without affecting the economies of Mubende and Kassanda districts. The question is: when do you plan to open up Mubende and Kassanda? Last week on Saturday, a one Byaruhanga Lawrence, a father of six, committed suicide. Previously, we lost a senior one student who also committed suicide. This is attributed to the lockdown. Could we please have this lockdown lifted?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Prime Minister, I am following up on the Ebola lockdown issue. Yesterday, I was approached by 135 students from the greater Mubende Students Association with a great concern about how the lockdown has affected them. They can no longer access food from their homes because their parents are no longer be able to provide for them and so, they have been chased out of their hostels. They also

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I appreciate Hon. Ssewungu when he stated that the policemen are not well trained. Honourable minister, I want to make a clear observation on your men. Today, the way the police is behaving is not like the previous days’. These incidences are at a very high rate during this period when people are very poor – when we are from COVID-19. If you can remember very well what happened yesterday in Mubende when they burnt a motorcycle for a policeman who was enjoying the forbidden fruit of a married woman – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, you deserve a handshake. Anyhow, I rose on a matter of procedure. Mr Speaker, 21 days were given to Mubende as a lockdown, but I see Hon. Patrick Nsamba, the Member of Parliament from Mubende, is in the House yet he is supposed to be in lockdown. I need your protection on whether he is supposed to be here or else, you direct that he goes back into the lockdown. Thank you so much.

Thank you, honourable. The lockdown was announced when he was in the House; he was not in Mubende and so, he is rightly here. Yes, Hon. Zaake -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the extension of the Ebola lockdown in Mubende and Kassanda districts. Since October, Mubende and Kassanda have been under lockdown and as you know, we were even stopped from accessing our constituencies. The lockdown has been extended thrice. With the lockdown, public transport in Mubende District is not accessible. People are not working yet they are supposed to eat. Children are back at home, but parents have nothing to feed them. Mr Speaker, I pray that Government relaxes some guidelines, like on transport. Secondly, I pray that public means, where taxis can carry maybe half capacity as it was with COVID-19, be allowed, and private cars of transport can operate with only three people. People are dying because they cannot access hospital services. We also need food relief delivered to these people. People are not working yet they are supposed to eat. The other time we were given 1,000 and 500 tonnes of maize flour and beans respectively, but they instead caused mayhem in Mubende and Kassanda districts because they were not enough. People fought for them. This time around, Mr Speaker, we request for at least 2,000 tonnes to be given to these people. I also would like to request for, Mr Speaker -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I come from Mubende, Buwekula Constituency, which is the epicentre of Ebola – (Interjections) – it is true – (Interjections) – yes, you are safe. By the time the lockdown was instituted, I was already in Kampala. In addition to my colleague’s submission, I want to point out that there is laxity with the Ministry of Health. People are starving - you find a family spending three to four days with a corpse before it is buried. We are worried. Ebola can spread from there to other people. Therefore, my prayer is that His Excellency the President puts some guidelines and some orders to be implemented, for example, instructing other agencies or ministries to extend services to our place. Otherwise it is absurd that when you call a burial team, they say, “The roads are impassable. We cannot access the places where we are supposed to bury.” And that is why people are spending days with dead bodies. So, I call upon the Government to instruct the Ministry of Works and Transport to work on our roads. More so, the VHTs are not paid. They are not motivated yet they are the ones helping to ensure the contacts are brought to the health facilities to be checked as to whether they are infected with the disease or not. I beg to submit. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, honourable colleagues. We commiserate with the people of Mubende, Kassanda and the affected areas. This is your platform. On that issue of Ebola, we are going give you a platform to update us and raise issues so that Government can be able to give feedback and give people hope. It is very important. Locking people and their representatives down – At least one of them should be free. Minister of Health -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the people of Kassanda and Mubende for raising these issues; they are really pertinent. I also feel for them because locking down people this long - We saw the COVID-19 lockdown and it was tough. People lost jobs and companies closed. I really feel for you. Right now, we have only six people in hospitals and some contacts that we are finishing up with. However, just two days ago, we had a pregnant woman, a survivor of Ebola, who had a stillbirth. The baby was removed scientifically and tested Ebola positive. This baby has no contacts and remember, in the last two weeks, we have not had any case of Ebola in both Kassanda and Mubende. Even the one we have had now has totally no contact because she came from the mother’s womb. She tested positive, but the mother is negative. We are watching the mother because scientists are saying there could be some connection; maybe Ebola can recur, but they have not seen any symptoms in this woman.

6450 ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 11 TH PARLIAMENT I want to allay your fears, honourable members, that I do not think we shall go up to Christmas under this lockdown. Once these six people in the hospital and their contacts make 21 days, which will be mid-December, I think the lockdown will be lifted. I really believe so. I want to thank you, honourable members. I do not have enough words to thank those who have been coming to the ministry for meetings. Hon. Nsamba who has attended meetings online, your word counts. The Woman Representative for Mubende - Hon. Grania, what you have been doing to educate people about Ebola has helped us. The only challenge we had was that family in Kassanda, which exhumed a body. Actually, all the new cases came from that family. They exhumed the body because they said they could not bury a Muslim just like that. They washed the body and all of them died and also infected others. Otherwise, the people of Kassanda and Mubende have adhered to all this and we have brought Ebola down in record time. I have been in meetings with the World Health Organisation today and they said they cannot believe that we have brought it down in record time of less than three months. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I would like to correct what my colleague said about the 2,000 kilogrammes. We give 20,000 metric tonnes; 2,000 kilogrammes cannot be enough for a village. The department gives 30,000 metric tonnes and we gave Mubende about 60,000 metric tonnes for both the municipality and the district. Kassanda received 30,000 metric tonnes. I want to agree with you, honourable members, that for sure we have a lot of issues right now on disasters. We are trying as much as possible to reach out to those ones that are very urgent and those that have been pending. When we got a directive from His Excellency the President to ensure that we take food to the lockdown districts of Kassanda and Mubende, we made sure that the following day, the food was delivered. However, we are still working out a mechanism on how we can take more food. It is not easy, but we are procuring more food to be able to support the districts.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I want to thank the min- ister for the statement, and equally for inviting members to grace this year’s World AIDS Day that is going to be celebrated in Rukungiri. The honourable minister said that the rise and surge in the new infections of HIV/AIDS were mainly during the lockdown and that the numbers increased to 54,000 Ugandans. As we talk, Kassanda and Mubende districts are still under lockdown. So, the concern of the committee is that with this situation in Uganda, we might have more effects of lockdown on HIV/AIDS prevalence and services in those two districts. Therefore, I urge Government in the two districts to focus more on controlling Ebola. We should have strategies in place to help us attain zero new infections, zero new AIDS- related deaths, and zero babies born with HIV, by addressing all of the factors that continue to increase HIV infections in Uganda. Finally, there is an observation I want to make, as the committee vice chairperson. During our interactions with many stakeholders in the country, including the Uganda AIDS Commission, we noted that over time, donor support has been declining drastically. Currently, we only have the United States Government, through PEPFA, still on board yet it is only providing approximately $400 million. The committee noted that donor funds have largely been used mainly on vertical programmes -

6465 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2022 accessibility and yet, she is a leader. I would expect her to become the first inspector to say, “But where is provision for the people with disabilities in this school?” That is what the leadership and mind-set change is because the mind-set starts with us and disability challenges start from society. Even if I walk as a minister, a child will say, “But that one is a mulema .” They really give you another name. Hon. Etuka on the issue of the money - this money is mobilised by people with disabilities. They form groups of between five to 15 people. On average, they get Shs 5 million. The Community Development Officers are expected to do the mobilisation and give these people information about this money so that they are able to grow. I want to report that some of these groups have gone beyond subcounty level and we have already, under my administration, come up with what we call the “management information system” to know which village has got money, which subcounty has got money so that we track where we are and where the money goes. Hon. Josyline from Ntungamo, the issue of sign language interpreters is critical and I have talked to my colleague, the Minister of Public Service, to see that we begin recruiting these people, especially to public places where they can be used. For example, can we get sign language interpreters in hospitals since we have trained personnel? Kyambogo has trained many sign language interpreters, some of them up to diploma level. This is still under discussion; we shall report about it when we are done with it. The issue of facilities is critical. Disability is a progressive issue; it is a development issue, but I want to report to the House that disability is not the way some of us grew. These days you can get wheelchairs, clutches and many other equipment; I think Government is moving towards that. We had a discussion and said, “If Mubende Causality Unit is now making artificial limbs for the soldiers, why not begin a full project to do assistive devices with local materials so that – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance on the sustainable logging of trees for plywood and timber production products, especially in Mityana, Mubende and other surrounding areas. The National Policy, 2001 and the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003 provides Uganda’s principal framework for forest protection. I, therefore, report to this House that with the increasing number of plywood companies in the country, many communities from Mityana, Mubende and other nearby areas are cutting down trees to provide raw materials for these companies. The continued and uncertain logging in Mubende, Mityana and other surrounding areas, this could affect food production in these areas by triggering changes to local climate and land degradation, still deforestation, areas are infertile to hold up crops and grassy areas are also not productive and suitable for long term cattle grazing –

Thank you. I have been told that this matter had already been raised by Hon. Grania from Mubende. If it was raised, then it should have been responded to.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I see the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and other ministers from the Office of the Prime Minister. You are aware that the people of Kassanda and Mubende are in a lockdown that was extended for another 21 days. Government gave us some food and some families got 3 kg or 10 and so on. However, I would like to hear from the minister, whether there is any plan to add food to the people because first of all, the food that came in the first 21 days was little. Secondly, the lockdown was extended. Can the Minister of Disaster Preparedness or the minister from the Office of the Prime Minister assure the people of Mubende and Kassanda that more food is coming tomorrow? Thank you, very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I watched my colleague on Zoom the day he was speaking from South Africa about the little food that was taken to Kassanda compared to what was taken to Mubende. I would like to remind the Member that Mubende has a municipality and a district. So, the food that went to Mubende was more because we were giving it to two different administrative units. The one of Kassanda came as a district. The relief items will be taken to both Kassanda and Mubende due to the extension of the lockdown. However, their Chief Administrative Officers should be in position to write back to us showing the people who did not receive the ration last time so that we plan accordingly. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning schools that are closing. In Mubende, we are in a lockdown and there is no public or even private transport yet students are supposed to go back home. I thank the ministry because they have organised means to transport students who are studying outside Mubende but are from Mubende. However, how are the parents going to pick them? The ministry will have centres where they are going to drop the students but parents are not supposed to drive or ride. How are they going to take their children home? I would like the ministry to relax the rules and allow private and public means to take these children back home because they are going to be dropped at Kasenyi Secondary School. In Kassanda, I think it is Nkobazambogo Primary School. How are these children going to reach their homes, Madam Speaker?

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. My brother, Hon. Ssemujju, let me not get into other things - Let me address myself to the question, which was asked by Hon. Museveni. I was saying that the matter we are discussing is being handled between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports. That is why you see we are talking about how to make sure students and pupils who are studying in Mubende but come from different districts, leave the district. We are also looking at students who were born in Mubende and are studying in different parts of the country, but are meant to return to their respective areas. We want them to get back home and we are handling the matter. Regarding the critical issue he has raised, I want to request the august House to allow us to come back with a statement because it needs to be taken into consideration.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am concerned about the return of these children to Mubende. The Government decided to quarantine that area. Are we not exposing these children to Ebola by taking them back? Wouldn’t it be right that the Government finds where the students can stay until Uganda is declared free of Ebola? (Laughter)

It is about the safe transportation of primary school learners to and from Mubende and Kassanda. There are also other issues. One, when are we going to reopen the next term? That is what we are going to take a decision on, as a ministry -

Honourable minister, before you go there, that circular was for transporting students who were doing exams within that area and those who did exams in a different centre, not in the schools they were registered from. The issue Members are raising is: how do we transfer children, for instance, from Kampala to Mubende? And you have given us an answer on how to transport them. However, from Mubende - the centre where they are being dropped off - how will they go to their homes since you have regulated the transport? That is the issue. Hon. Susan’s issue is that since you are taking children who are not infected to Mubende, is there a way you can take them to their families?

Madam Speaker, let me begin with the question you raised earlier, and I need to reiterate it. One, once children are taken to the designated centre, how are they picked? In my considered opinion, the task forces in Mubende and Kassanda must be able to organise how parents are able to pick up their children from the designated areas. However, as I said, I want to ask Parliament to permit me to go back so we consult and bring a statement here. Otherwise, we are working closely with the Ministry of Health.

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

6234 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT emergencies. That leaves me with three fundamental questions, honourable members. The first one is, we are not appropriating enough; Shs 315 billion is a lot of money. That means people are either dying, people are not getting the service or we have increased out- of-pocket expenditure. This means that a lot of Members of Parliament and the population have to touch into their pockets to meet this shortfall. As I conclude, honourable members, I would just like to compare the problem of accidents to malaria. I have just highlighted that for accidents, we spend Shs 315 billion annually. That should be on page 35. We spent about Shs 315 billion for accidents but our malaria budget is $150 million annually, which is about Shs 550 billion. Of course, that is given mostly by donors and Uganda only contributes 10 per cent of that. Therefore, in terms of what we should be able to appropriate, we are slightly behind malaria by about Shs 200 billion. Rt Hon. Speaker, I would like to quickly run through the recommendations. Policy recommendations We need to improve the emergency response assistance to road traffic victims. That means all highways in this country should have accident and emergency units. We are looking at Jinja-Kampala, Kampala- Mubende-Fort Portal, up to Gulu. The only person who moves with an ambulance in this country is the President. Any of us could fall culpable to these accidents and we shall have to wait for our ambulances, which are not yet in full functionality. Second is proper use and enforcement of helmets, speed and regular limit enforcement, heavy fines and punishment for unfair road users, proper and standardised road surface designs - that includes signage. When I drive from here to Koboko, I would like to tell the Minister of Works and Transport that there is hardly any signage and where there used to be, it has been stolen. Therefore, we also need to penalise such people. Coordination of road safety by the National Roads Safety Council, regular on-spot inspections, speed regulation measures, insurance pay-out and claims. Madam Speaker, every vehicle in this country is mandated to pay third party insurance but most times, people do not claim it. In addition, most of the drivers do not know their rights in regard to third party insurance. Therefore, it is an area we have to explore. Are we seeing a cartel of businesspeople conniving with police to ensure that people mandatorily pay third party insurance but the service is not being given? Adherence to pedestrian crossings, enforcement of road hierarchy in urban areas, removing road sign dangers and designs for safety spaces and reduction on gazetting of speed reduction zones on highways – Madam Speaker, it is a very bulky report of about 45 pages but I quickly ran through because I was given 20 minutes to present. Thank you.

6211 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2022 teacher and staff recruited by the Government to run the school. The second one is: aware that Government policy does not support boarding seed secondary schools, is there any special way Nekemia Memorial Seed Secondary School in Buuvu, Kalangala District can be opened as a boarding seed secondary school, since it is meant to serve primary schools in Kachanga, Luramba, Kotobo and Bufumira, which are all in different islands. Madam Speaker, my response is, the Education Service Commission has finalised the recruitment of 4,805 teaching and support staff for seed secondary schools. Among these are 126 head teachers and 156 deputy head teachers. The ministry has already issued appointment letters awaiting posting instructions and deployment to the various seed secondary schools, including Nekemiah. It is true that the current scope of seed secondary schools do not have boarding facilities. This is in line with the USE School Policy. However, the ministry and Government have noted the need to have exceptions for districts located in Karamoja and the islands, where operation of day schools is very challenging. Assessment is on-going by the ministry engineers to ascertain that the cost needed to provide the above facilities are budgeted for in the medium term. Question No.7 came from Hon. Naome Kabasharira, Member of Parliament, Rushenyi County in Ntungamo District. Madam Speaker, the Member says that there is a constant outcry by truck drivers plying the Kampala-Masaka- Mbarara route over the mismanagement of the Lukaya and Mbarara weighbridges and alleged misconduct of the officers in charge. Truck drivers complain of harassment and extortion by some officers in those respective weighbridge stations. This unprofessional conduct of business by the officers manning those stations may cause financial loss to the Government as the money extorted from the drivers does not reach public coffers. Her prayers are that: 1. The relevant agencies streamline the operations of the weigh bridges across the country. 2. An investigation should be conducted on the two weighbridges to establish the extent of the problem and the errant officers be prosecuted. Madam Speaker, Mbarara and Lukaya fixed weighbridges are located along the Masaka- Mbarara Road and are used to regulate the overloading of trucks for purposes of protecting the road infrastructure from premature damage. The two weighbridges are managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport through the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The Government is in advanced stages of installing the first phase of a high speed weigh- in motion system at Mbarara, Magamaga and Luweero. The high speed weigh-in motion systems for other weighbridges including Lukaya will be installed in the subsequent phases. These systems will allow compliant transporters to move on the road without having to stop on the weighbridge. Data centralisation has been done for Mbarara, Lukaya, Luweero, Magamaga, Mubende and Mbale weighbridges. This increases visibility of weighing operations at each weigh station for monitoring purposes. Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this House that the matter reported by the honourable member in Rushenyi is being followed and those officers will be brought to book. Question number eight: Hon. Naboth Namanya, Member of Parliament of Rubabo in Rukungiri District says that Kahengye Water Project commenced in 2015 with a projection to provide a lasting solution to water shortages in the constituencies of Rubabo, Rujumbura, Rukungiri Municipality and the neighbouring areas of Mitooma District.

6103 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2022 Now that the Minister of State for Health has come to explain something about the interns - you will recall, honourable members, that during the COVID-19 period, they would inform us about the lack of funds because of certain drugs that were going to be used. I have heard that the ministry is lacking money and is requesting for money to fight Ebola, but I have never heard what type of treatment they are giving us or what they are buying, in order to help the Ugandans. Is it the food that I am hearing about in Mubende or are there certain drugs that are very expensive? Now that the minister is around, can she tell us more about the need for that money and also why their money is now being diverted to the agencies instead of it going to the ministry? Thank you.

Honourable Minister of Health, can you lay on the Table the Statutory Instrument on the regulation of Ebola in Uganda? Honourable members, as you recall on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, a matter of legality on the restrictions being imposed on areas that are currently under lock arose in Mubende and Kassanda. We asked the minister to come with the regulation and now we are ready to receive the regulation. Kindly lay it on the Table and I will ask Hon. Asuman to verify it.

6055 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2022 doubles as the Commander-in-Chief, directed all servicemen and servicewomen to clear road barriers or what we call “roadblocks.” When going to my community in Kasese District – that is before the Ebola outbreak - I either take the Mubende route or Mbarara Road. Before the Ebola outbreak, I went via Mubende and there was no roadblock or road barrier anywhere, indicating that officers and men had inclined their ears to the word and instructions of the Commander-in-Chief. However, when I went to Rwimi, almost getting into my district Kasese, I found road barriers. And when coming back through Mbarara, it occurred to me that the entire highway was clear until I went to Katunguru, getting into my community district, Kasese; that is where I found road barriers. Madam Speaker, like everybody knows, Kasese is part of Uganda. I do not know why roadblocks should be off the road everywhere else in Uganda and in all of the districts except Kasese. This is not only limited to the roadblocks. You are aware, Madam Speaker, and you have received delegations from Kasese - the fish allowed in other markets - the same fish - is impounded in Kasese. While all the borders in Uganda are open, the Kasese–DRC border is the only border that is closed. When I raised this matter in this Parliament, the Prime Minister was there. She indicated that she was not aware. Madam Speaker, my prayers to the Commander-in-Chief and that is the President -

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Public transport is only restricted within the districts of Mubende and Kassanda and not any other district. The schools – the Minister of Education and Sports would speak to this -

Madam Speaker, Senior Four students started their exams on the day His Excellency, the President issued the directive to restrict movements and, to-date, they are doing exams. We have not experienced any challenge. Since then, I have gone to the districts of Kassanda and Mubende five times. [Mr Isabirye] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

6027 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2022 The Ministry of Health deployed vans and buses to support the teachers and pupils or learners to reach their schools and they have been using this transport means in both districts. If there are students registered outside Mubende and Kassanda, the Ministry of Education and Sports will reach out to us and we shall find a way. Right now, we have not heard of such cases. I thank you.

Honourable members, some order. This statement was scheduled to be presented yesterday. However, the senior Minister of Health requested that it should be deferred to today since she was in the field in Mubende. You will recall that on the onset of Ebola, she has become a resident of Mubende. She gives us regular updates on what is happening. Most especially, we must also thank the President because he has been giving us updates and addressing the country on Ebola. I now invite the Minister of Health to give us an update accordingly. However, before you do that, today, I also have very important visitors in the House. In the Public Gallery, I have the District Executive Council Members of Bukedea. (Applause) We have: 1. Hon. Akol Mary - the Vice-Chairperson, LCV 2. Mr Emong Showan Juma - the Speaker of Bukedea, 3. Madam Tino Hellen Grace - Secretary for production. You are most welcome. (Applause) They are represented by Hon. Ikojo John Bosco and none other than the Speaker. (Laughter) Thank you for voting for the Speaker and the Members of Parliament; Hon. Ikojo and Hon. Isiagi should come back unopposed. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your right and timely ruling. I actually said that we were collecting data and our technical teams were in Kassanda yesterday to pick information that we needed and that is why we are bringing this today. Secondly, this lies in my docket of Primary Health Care, and so, we have made no mistake. On the 20 th of September 2022, the Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of the Ebola Sudan Virus in Mubende District. The outbreak then spread and now, it is in four districts of Kassanda, Kagadi, Bunyangabu and Kyegegwa within a period of two weeks. Subsequently, due to movements of contacts and symptomatic individuals for health services, the outbreak spread to Wakiso District and Kampala City, bringing the total number of affected authorities to seven. All the affected local authorities had been categorised as very high risk or high risk based on the assessment done by the Ministry of Health. Madam Speaker, allow me to give the status of the outbreak. It is 43 days today since the declaration of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and the total number of confirmed cases stand at 130 of whom 43 have succumbed to the disease and 45 have been treated and have improved, and 40 are still undergoing treatment. The table, which we have already uploaded will give you the statistics from Bunyangabu to Kagadi and Kampala, and also give the subcounties that were affected and the number of people who are in those districts. Kassanda and Mubende will remain the epicentre. And now, we have a new district of Wakiso, specifically in Busiro and Nansana, as you can see in the table. Among the confirmed cases, there have also been health workers. To-date, 15 health workers have been infected, of whom six have succumbed to the deadly infection. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Out of the 15, six were from private facilities and nine were from the public health sector. This includes the team of medical students who got infected in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. We have noted that most of the cases tend to visit several private clinics for care before finally going to the public facility. This exposes the health workers to infection. We have been engaging and appealing to all health workers (public and private) to use appropriate protective gear when in facilities attending to patients. Every Tuesday morning, we do programmes to inform our people. Madam Speaker, we have been mobilising resources to respond to this outbreak. To guide response to the outbreak, a three-months’ response plan costing Shs 75 billion was developed, presented to Cabinet and submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for funding. To-date, we have not received any response. Several partners have mobilised resources but they are yet to be formally communicated to the Ministry of Health, how each have been mobilising. The partners, however, have been supporting several interventions on the ground, including surveillance, contact tracing, risk communication, case management, transport and safe burials. We are organising an accountability forum and we expect all partners to declare the resources mobilised towards the epidemic. However, to urgently support the affected districts to carry out response activities, the Ministry of Health through internal re-organisation of resources, disbursed Shs 2.12 billion to the districts as you will see in the table below. Mubende Shs 500 million, Kyegegwa Shs 305 million, Kassanda Shs 305 million, Kagadi Shs 305 million, Bunyangabu Shs 305 million and Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Shs 400 million. [The Speaker] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

6032 The moment you feel any symptoms, please, go for treatment. We are banking on you, honourable members, because when you speak, your people listen. Early treatment, as we have seen in the 45 recovered individuals, is associated with a good outcome. For most of the individuals that have died, time was lost while running from one clinic to another, including going to shrines to consult witch doctors. The population understanding the signs and symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease and avoiding exposure to it; especially, contact with the sick persons’ body fluids vomit, stool, faeces, blood, saliva, sweat, urine - all these can infect you if you are in close contact with a patient. This exposure may be through direct handling, deliberate or incidental, or even accidental of linen, surfaces, cleaning, sharing of lavatories, beddings, or through handshaking, hugging, or caring for a confirmed case. Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this House and the entire population that the symptoms of Ebola in the early phases are similar and consistent with most common febrile illnesses like malaria, where the clinical cause of the disease begins with high-grade fever, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, in the upper abdomen especially, fatigue, general body weakness, intractable vomiting and diarrhea, plus bleeding manifestations, may not be an early presentation. So, if you feel some fever, please, do not stay at home because you can be helped. This emphasises the aspect of seeking care early if you had contact with anybody who has Ebola. The outbreak epicentre remains Mubende and Kassanda specifically. In the Mubende District, the most affected subcounties are Madudu, Kiruma and East Division of Mubende Municipality. While in Kassanda, the subcounties of Kikandwa and Kalwana are the most affected. At the beginning of the outbreak, the epidemic spread to the three districts of Bunyangabu, Kagadi, Kyegegwa. Two districts have completed the 21 days of contacts follow up and even individuals have been retired from the contact list. They are back home and do not have the Ebola virus. Since there has been no second retransmission, we believe transmission may have been interrupted. However, intensified surveillance continues in these districts for another 21 days to complete the 42 days cycle before they can be cleared. A new case appeared in Kyegegwa late last week, and so, we have restarted the countdown afresh. To stop further exportation of cases into other parts of the country, His Excellency, the President of Uganda directed the restricting of movements into and out of the districts of Mubende and Kassanda. However, internal movement is allowed and transit vehicles are free to cross through to other districts; if one is going to Kakumiro, Kabarole, Fort Portal, they can cross through but not stop anywhere in Mubende. The President’s directive of restricted movement was based on optimising control effects in the same geographical area and minimising the spread to other areas. The penetration of Ebola in heavily populated areas creates a situation of rapid spread and is associated with sustained and protracted person-to-person transmission. Urban Ebola transmission is complex and Government will do it takes to ensure control of transmission in the urban settings, especially the Kampala Metropolitan Area, which includes Wakiso. To illustrate the extent of the spread in urban transmission, a single case can quickly set up several transmission lines. In short, in a very short time, as shown in this graphics, just one person in this congested city can spread Ebola to very many other people. [Ms Muhanga] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

6033 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2022 This is an example of a rapid spread of infection by the case that came from Kassanda to Mulago and later, died in Nansana after running away from hospital. He is responsible for infecting the family of seven, including neighbours and many others. We were able to get this cluster plus one other because of the ministry’s vigilance in contact tracing and field case investigations. Six of the infected family members are learners, who attended three schools in Rubaga Division. We have listed 170 contacts from these schools that we are following up. All the schools in Kampala Metropolitan Area have been supported with temperature guns, Jik and chlorine solution. Teachers, non-teaching staff and parents are being sensitised to ensure a safe learning environment. Madam Speaker, to ensure this rapid spread does not happen, all contacts in Kampala will be quarantined at Government cost at designated places for 21 days to limit further spread through secondary transmission. I appeal to all of you to sensitise and encourage all Ugandans to understand and appreciate the rationale behind this, and to cooperate to ensure that we bring this outbreak to a speedy end so that we return to our normal ways of life. Madam Speaker, in the two districts of Mubende and Kassanda, the Ministry of Health is carrying out the following interventions: 1. Intense risk communication to sensitise the communities about the Ebola virus disease, its causes, presentation and prevention; 2. All burials in the community - whether they died of Ebola or not - are carried out by the Safe Dignified Burial Team, with our teams. Samples from all dead bodies are removed and tested to rule out death from Ebola; 3. Surveillance and contact tracing for all listed contacts, aiming at 100 per cent follow up; 4. Surveillance in schools. All schools in Mubende and Kassanda districts have been provided with three temperature guns each to monitor temperature of learners, teachers and support staff. Parents have been counselled not to send sick children to school and teachers have been advised to report any absenteeism immediately for investigation; 5. Treatment of confirmed cases and psycho- socio counselling. The people who have had Ebola in their homes need psycho- socio counseling in order for them to settle their minds; 6. There is also an ecological surveillance that has been concluded, with 189 bats caught in Madudu and Kiruuma subcounties. Over 320 samples have already been extracted for testing to ascertain the actual cause and origin of this Ebola Sudan virus in Mubende. Laboratory testing Madam Speaker, the ministry has deployed its first ever mobile Ebola laboratory in Mubende at our regional referral hospital, and this is part of the two mobile PCR laboratories procured by the East African Community Secretariat, under the directives of the Heads of State of the East African Community countries. The laboratory is currently handling all the samples from Mubende and Kassanda districts. Plans are underway to deploy a mobile laboratory in Kassanda Ebola Treatment Unit after construction and in Mulago Ebola Treatment Unit, should the need arise. The Uganda Virus Research Institute laboratory in Entebbe continues to handle all other samples from the rest of the country. Madam Speaker, these are the challenges that we face in the fight against Ebola. We have encountered a number of challenges that are currently affecting our response.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. We do not believe that health workers would sacrifice their lives to treat Ebola infected persons just for money and put their lives and those of their families in danger. This kind of attitude and negative talk is very discouraging and may lead to an explosion of cases where we have made progress. However, we would like to thank all Members of Parliament from Mubende, Kassanda and Kampala Metropolitan Area, who have been with us on the ground, sensitising the communities and sending encouraging messages of support and the response. i) Lack of cooperation by the public due to the negative talk, myths and misconceptions. We also note that there is a lot of misconception and myths about Ebola. Many of our communities are yet to understand the dangers posed by an Ebola epidemic and that it can devastate economies and kill an entire village. The negative propaganda and politicising of the epidemic makes communities undertake dangerous activities, for example: a. Running away to other districts to avoid being isolated. In so doing, they run away with the infection, spread it to their loved ones, spread it to other districts and other people get involved and in the end and end up dead, yet they could have been saved. b. The exhuming of a body in Kikandwa Subcounty, Kassanda District, which has led to the death of six other people from that cluster. c. This could have been avoided but there was a Muslim community that said they cannot bury the person without washing [Ms Muhanga] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

6035 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2022 the body. They exhumed the body and washed it and six more people died. d. Spreading of the epidemic to other districts. This stretches the health sector workforce. It causes fatigue and in the end, death, which is very expensive to control. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Health appeals to Ugandans to cooperate with the surveillance teams, the contact tracers, the VHTs, and the health workers. If you have signs and symptoms of the Ebola Virus Disease, please report to the nearest public health facility. If you or your loved one has had contact with an Ebola-infected person, please inform the contact tracers and remain in isolation for at least 21 days, while cooperating with the surveillance teams during this period of follow-up. Running away and hiding exposes you and your loved ones to infection potentially resulting in death that could have been avoided. The ministry continues to carry out risk communication to the public. We have had a number of community sensitisation meetings in highly affected districts of Kassanda and Mubende, and with the schools in the affected districts. We have also held high-level meetings with district/city task forces of Mubende, Kassanda and Kampala metropolitan area a number of times. We have also engaged local and political leaders in Mubende, Kassanda and Kampala metropolitan area. I would like to thank Members of Parliament from these districts who actually were at the ministry last week for the meeting. We shared a lot of information with them. Hon. Oshabe, who was not there physically, was on Zoom , and he gave us a lot of insights. Lastly, Madam Speaker, allow me to thank you and all honourable members for the support you have always given to the health sector. Your support has enabled the sector to build systems over time to respond to epidemics and provide quality service to the people of Uganda. I am also glad that even the international media, especially British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been reporting very well about Uganda and praising Uganda for fighting Ebola and that they trust we shall end it. We continue to appeal to all of you to support the response to the Ebola epidemic because people in your constituencies listen to you, and your voices may help bring this epidemic to an end. I thank you for your kind attention. I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am in the Pan African Parliament, which is in session. However, on this matter of Ebola, I had to create time so that I could participate in it. Therefore, I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker, for creating time for me. I am very glad about that. I want to begin by thanking the minister for the statement. I also want to, generally, thank the Ministry of Health for the right response towards the Ebola situation, not only in Mubende but also in Kassanda. If there is any Member of Parliament who does not believe that there is Ebola, I want to inform you that in my hometown, Kikandwa, we have so far lost 13 people in just a week. You can imagine. The entire town is deserted. People have chosen to run away because that is the current situation. Ebola exists and our people are dying. Every day, we record people who are dying from Kikandwa in Kassanda North. Having said that, I want to thank the Ministry of Health. They began putting out these messages, but people took them lightly. I also want to thank our people – the Ugandans – who are on the frontline in the fight against Ebola. Ebola is a deadly disease. Even many health workers fear it. We also thank the security personnel and other government agencies, who are doing whatever they can. We also thank development partners who are giving a lot of support, currently, in the country. I want to thank, specifically, Dr Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health. Honestly, she has been coming to Kassanda and meeting people herself. While I am away, I have known and been following up the matters of Ebola on a [The Speaker] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

6037 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2022 daily basis. I know who is hospitalised, who has been affected and who has held which meeting. I am glad and happy and I thank her. Despite the fact that the disease is very deadly – everyone fears it – she comes with her team to the ground. Having said that, I need some clarification; I have noted that in the statistics they give, they indicate Kikandwa and Kalwana as different subcounties in all the ministry’s statistics. I want to take this time to say that there is no subcounty in Kassanda called Kikandwa. Kikandwa is a parish in Kalwana Subcounty. Honourable minister, I also noted that in your statistics, you indicate that we have a subcounty called Gombe in Kassanda District. We do not have a subcounty called Gombe. Please, take note of that. I have been following up how you have been reporting. We have only one subcounty, Kalwana, that is affected by the Ebola virus. In that subcounty, there is only one parish called Kikandwa that is affected currently. I needed to clear that. The next thing that I need the minister to clarify is the issue of the leaders, as it is stated in the statement. I think it was unfair to say that the leaders in Kassanda are weak. Despite the fact that - I am not on ground - the leadership there is willing to participate and make a contribution; they have been excluded in the process of managing Ebola. Therefore, it is not right to say that the leaders in Kassanda are weak. Probably, if the ministry said that they have a weak health team, I can agree. However, it is not true that the leaders in Kassanda are weak. That noted, I also need clarification on the money. When you look at how the money that first came was distributed, you will notice that despite the fact that the two districts are on lockdown – Mubende and Kassanda - they gave out money equally even to those districts, which are not under lockdown. How can Kassanda get the same amount of money as Kagadi, which is not under lockdown? I need the justification for that. The other issue is that Mubende District has 10 subcounties, while Kassanda has 15. When you look at the money indicated to have been given out, Mubende got Shs 500 million and Kassanda Shs 300 – even in food. I have seen the Prime Minister around. She can also clarify why Mubende, with fewer subcounties, is given much more, even in terms of food, than Kassanda. Having said that –

Madam Speaker, I am begging the Ministry of Health to handle these issues I am going to highlight. First, we have a problem with communication. The ministry does not communicate to us. We do not know, on a daily basis, what is going on. I am pleading that the communication channels be right so that as a Member of Parliament, when I know what has transpired today, I will communicate to the subcounty leaders and every one. I will give an example. Honourable minister, I reached out to the permanent secretary when they were saying that there was no proper treatment in Mubende until I spoke and told people that it was not true. I had also believed them, but when we made correspondences, we found out that there was proper treatment and feeding. We informed our people and that helped out. Therefore, can we create a proper communication channel where we have all the leaders? For us, leaders, our job is to communicate to our people because they know and believe in us. The other thing is – I am pleading with the minister that the schools in Kikandwa Parish should be closed because children from affected families go to the same classrooms as children who are not affected. We informed the minister. She was like, “It is not necessary”, but I am pleading. In that parish, we can leave the candidates only, but the other classes should go home. Let the parents protect their children from home because the situation is out of hand at the moment.

Madam Speaker, the issue of Ebola is a pertinent issue. And we all want to support our people to get out of this without many people dying. Mubende District has 19 subcounties and a municipal council. Kassanda District has 15 subcounties with two town councils. The targeted population to be helped is guided by the President. They are the boda boda cyclists, those people who were selling by the roadside and the market vendors. First of all, the problem came from Mubende. So, we were guided by the technical assessment team that went on site, and gave us how to distribute the food. We followed a technical assessment team that guided our actions. That is all I can tell him. Thank you very much.

Thank you. So, I am not going to explain any further. I am glad that they have started coming one by one to support the response and I do appreciate. The reason why Mubende has to receive more money than Kassanda is: 1) Because Mubende had strong health systems and strong leadership. Mubende is currently handling all the issues of Kassanda, including treating the patients of Kassanda, mobilising them and taking them back to Kassanda. So, definitely Mubende needs more resources. However, as soon as we set up an ETU in Kassanda and we strengthen the system, then Kassanda will start handling its own issues. Madam Speaker, I take note of the schools but personally, I engaged the communities in Kikandwa Parish and I thank honourable for correcting me, I am not a native of there. So, if I make a mistake about the names of parishes and subcounties, I beg to be forgiven. I am learning and the more I go there, the more I learn. But we have engaged the schools, the parents and the communities. Madam Speaker, we lost two years in the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot afford to allow the communities in Kassanda to lose another year. So, we are working out all modalities to ensure that the pupils or the learners study in a safe environment. We have provided gun thermometers, infection prevention, we have sensitised them, the Ministry of Education and Sports is on the ground, and we want to ensure that they finish exams and exit as safe as –

The Bill is passed and title settled. Congratulations, Dr Ayume with your team of doctors and nurses in your committee - by the way, that is a committee that is comprised of almost all doctors; it is a very powerful committee. I would like to congratulate you upon this Bill; I congratulate the Minister of Health, with your team. And I thank, in a special way, the Shadow Minister, the other side and the whole House. You have been here since 2.00 p.m. and since we have been asked by the medical personnel to always be in the House up to 5.00 p.m., we will respect that. You know we have only one Minister of Health - we will respect that. However, before we adjourn, there was something mentioned about Hon. Kawalya. I will request Hon. Kawalya to bring a written statement tomorrow in response to what has been said about you because we want to know whether it is true, and that would help the whole House. Honourable members, as I said earlier, we are going to do roll call. Members who think that they were voted to come and just be in Kampala, we are going to make sure that we report you back to your voters. Members must attend the House; if you are not in the House, you are in the constituency and if you are not in a constituency like Mubende, then we expect you to be here. This is where you are meant to be. This is your workplace. I thank you very much. I adjourn the House to 2.00 p.m. tomorrow. (The House rose at 4.59 p.m. and adjourned until Thursday, 3 November 2022.) THE PUBLIC HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022

Honourable members, I welcome you back from the one-month recess. Welcome back and thank you for going to your constituencies – that is if you went. (Laughter) As you recall, we ended the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 11 th Parliament on 29 September 2022, at which point I adjourned the House sine die . That is what paved the recess period. I hope you effectively used your recess period to interact with your constituents and to do your oversight role. As I also said, I had requested you to make a follow up on the Parish Development Model. At an appropriate time, I will allot you time to report to this House on what you found out about the Parish Development Model and how we should correct or improve it. The recess period coincided with the outbreak of the Ebola virus in some areas of Kassanda and Mubende. In the interest of safety and wellbeing of Members – in exercise of responsible leadership – I did write to the

Thank you very much. And maybe on top of that, in Mubende and Kassanda, there are some pupils and students who registered with different examination centres, yet, public transport has been restricted. What plans does the Ministry of Education and Sports have to handle that? Let it come in tomorrow’s report. What plans do you have to ensure those pupils go to do exams in those examination centres and return home safely?

For your information, I gave permission by the powers vested in me. Mr SSEWUNGU: Yes, but the Minister of Internal Affairs has been here. What is happening in Kassanda and Mubende districts - there is a lot of beating of citizens; preventing them from Ebola. Some people are being arrested.

As the minister comes tomorrow, it is my humble request that they also table, before this august House, a copy of the Gazette containing the statutory instrument declaring Kassanda and Mubende as areas that are affected and the punishable offences in those specific areas. I say so because we had a problem during the COVID-19 pandemic where the President would make a pronouncement and police officers would arrest people on the basis of a presidential pronouncement. However, a presidential pronouncement is not law. That is why people are being arrested and the police cannot charge them; because there are no offences. Therefore, as you come tomorrow, please, come with a copy of the statutory order where that is contained – (Interruption)

Thank you. You see, the funny bit with this is if there is anyone I will start with, it is Hon. Ssemujju because Kasangati - Kasangati is not his area. He has survived me because I knew Kasangati. (Laughter) I was going to order, right away, for – (Laughter) - but I can say Wakiso District, where he is a resident. However, honourable colleagues, the other day, I asked you to exercise caution. I emphasised it on the Floor here. Now, if a case is in Kassanda or Mubende – because it is under greater Mubende – the Members should follow our guidance. What I picked from Hon. Ssemujju’s submission is that Colleagues, you need to be more cautious. Do not just go to your areas and because you are MPs, you start interacting with people, pick Ebola and bring it here. Otherwise, it is difficult for me because I do not have any proof that apart from being residents of those areas and coming from Mubende, they have been there. If I say Wakiso, most of us would go. (Laughter) So, we would not have anyone in this House. However, take what Hon. Ssemujju has raised positively; that we need to be very cautious. Hon. Teddy Nambooze? (Hon. Irene Linda rose_) Hon. Linda, what is the issue? Let me allow Hon. Linda.

Thank you, Government Chief Whip. Honourable colleagues, on the update on combating the Ebola outbreak in the country, I talked to the Minister of Health today and we agreed that she comes with a comprehensive statement tomorrow because, today, they had meetings in Mubende. I wanted us to have real updated information. So, tomorrow, as we handle the Organ Transplant Bill, she will also make this statement.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a point of procedure. I was in Kassanda District yesterday and interacted with some of the communities that were affected. We were sensitising them and what we realised is that when we were having interactions with the district health officer, we realised that: 1. The Ministry of Health team has not yet been to Kassanda yet, we have one death that has been recorded. 2. People are extremely unaware of what Ebola is - the symptoms and preventive measures. Also, the District Health Officer told us that there are no isolation units; so they all do not know what to do and yet, today, I learned that the Ministry of Health is in Mubende, but they have not yet heeded to the call I made here for them to take interventions to the nearby districts. Our people have started getting affected but I still do not see why the Ministry of Health has failed to prioritise Kassanda. So, tomorrow, I hope that that report will be able to capture this information. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I think the issue is on strategic planning. I implore the finance minister - because we have seen, in the report, that Shs 2.1 billion was not absorbed by Mubende. Finance tends to release money at the 11 th hour. When entities try to follow the procurement procedures, they end up finishing the financial year without absorbing the money. I implore the finance ministry to send the money in time so that the entities can expedite the process of utilising the money at the right time. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Government is aware of this problem. I am also aware that the people of Arua supplied tobacco to those companies, the way those of Bunyoro and Mubende did. We are done with Bunyoro, and next is Arua. The verification exercise is ongoing. Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to inform colleagues that the Ministry of Health and my office have reactivated the district taskforces in the neighbouring districts of Mubende, Kakumiro, Kyegegwa, Kassanda, Mityana, Gomba, including Kampala and Wakiso, so that we can train them on how to communicate appropriately. We have a national taskforce meeting on Sunday, and we have agreed that we meet in Mubende so that we can also have those other taskforces in Mubende attending. Mr Speaker –(Interjections)- yes, we want to meet in Mubende because that is where the problem is. It is not true that we have lost eight people. So far, only two people have died. The others being talked about - we do not know yet the cause of their death because they were buried before they were diagnosed. Mr Speaker, we shall be on top of our game. You are aware that Uganda is good at managing pandemics; we shall also be on top of this.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The Ministry of Health wishes to present to you a statement on the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Mubende District, Uganda. The Ministry of Health wishes to inform this august House of a confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Mubende District. On the 15 September 2022, one suspected case- patient of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) was identified and isolated in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital.

The suspected case- patient was a 24-year-old male who lived in Ngabano Village in Madudu Subcounty in Mubende District. He was a referral from a private clinic of St John’s Medical Clinic in East Division, Mubende Municipality, where he had just been referred. The patient presented with high grade fever, convulsions, blood-stained vomitus and diarrhoea, loss of appetite and pain in swallowing. He also presented with chest pain, dry cough and bleeding in the eyes. While in the isolation unit at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, the patient developed yellowing of eyes, tea coloured urine and complained of abdominal pain on the 17 September 2022. The clinical team took a sample from the patient having suspected him to have VHF. The sample was received at the laboratory of Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) on the 18 September 2022, and results, released on the 19 September 2022, confirmed Ebola (Sudan strain) infection. Mr Speaker, early in the morning of 19 September 2022, the confirmed index case passed on, and the body is still currently kept in the Mubende Regional Referral Hospital mortuary, separated from the other bodies awaiting safe and dignified burial. More information is still being gathered concerning the possible source of infection and contacts of this confirmed case. This is the second Ebola-Sudan strain in Uganda. The first case was reported in Luweero District in 2012. This was diagnosed and ended on the index case. There was no secondary transmission reported then. The incubation period for Ebola-Sudan period is 2-21 days. Like all other Ebola strains, this is a serious disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Ebola is a viral and acute disease that can turn fatal, if left untreated. Ebola is transmitted through the following: i) Close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope or porcupines found ill or dead in the rainforest. ii) Human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes). iii) Blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola. [The Deputy Speaker] MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

5665 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 iv) Objects that have been contaminated with body fluids (like blood, faeces, vomit) from a person suffering from Ebola or the body of a person who died from Ebola. Symptoms of Ebola Any suspected Ebola patient will present some of the following symptoms: i) Sudden onset fever; ii) Fatigue; iii) Chest pain; iv) Diarrhoea; v) Vomiting; vi) Unexplained bleeding; vii) Yellowing of eyes; viii) Bleeding manifestation is usually presented late after the above symptoms. The Ministry of Health has strengthened its efforts to prevent further spread of the Ebola virus within the country through the following interventions: 1. The National Rapid Response Team [NRRT] has been dispatched to support the District Rapid Response Team (DRRT) in Mubende in responding to the virus outbreak. The team has been equipped with a sizeable amount of logistics, including an isolation tent, EVD kits and other essential supplies. 2. The ministry has put in place surveillance and contact tracing. This surveillance involves tracing contacts of the confirmed cases, screening travellers at both designated and undesignated points of entry, as well as active case search both within communities and health facilities. 3. Line listing of all possible contacts to the deceased index case has commenced in Mubende and Kiboga districts. 4. Safe and dignified burial of the confirmed index case will be conducted today, 20 September 2022. 5. The Ministry of Health will intensify risk communication and community engagement to increase awareness about Ebola among the communities. Mr Speaker, there have been unexplained deaths and the ministry wishes to respond as follows: On suspicion of the viral haemorrhagic fever, the district rapid r esponse team in Mubende initiated investigations in the community as there were unconfirmed deaths in different communities. This was as a result of community reports of strange illness and sudden deaths in the villages of Madudu and Kiruuma subcounties. The district team verified the deaths as follows: A total of six deaths had occurred in Kiruuma and Madudu subcounties, involving three adults and three children between 1 and 16 September 2022. The deceased have since been buried. However, the Ministry of Health cannot confirm that they succumbed to the Ebola virus disease because they had already been buried. Their contacts are being listed and will be followed up for surveillance and tracing of their contacts. Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has instituted preliminary containment measures to control the outbreak in the district and the surrounding districts. The ministry calls upon the population across the country and Mubende subregion, in particular, to remain calm but vigilant, and to report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility for assessment. Appeal to health workers Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health urges all health workers to have the highest index of suspicion and maintain heightened safety precautions. Private clinics are encouraged to observe the standard operating procedures and report any suspected case to the nearest district health authorities for further investigations and management.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, this statement is for information purposes, but I can get two MPs from the affected areas. I have Mubende, where the case was found, and Kisoro. Colleagues, not everyone will speak on this matter. We have other matters to consider. Hon. Pascal?

5667 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 in Madudu Subcounty and Kasolokamponye in Kiruuma Subcounty. These are the very subcounties being quoted to have had a case of Ebola in Mubende District. I expected the minister’s report to tell us that a standby group of ambulance operators and drivers had been sent there – if the cases are many – to ferry these people from Mubende to Mulago or other health centres. More so, I expected the minister to talk about the awareness. Our people need to be educated. They should pay radio stations. We have over five radio stations in Mubende District and the surrounding areas, through which information can be disseminated to make our people know of the dangers of the outbreak. Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health should also include leaders within – they conducted a meeting today, but we were not aware; we were not consulted, told or informed. I just got information that the meeting was taking place in the Resident District Commissioner’s office. Please, this country is not in one man – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As you are aware, Kisoro District borders the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the time when Kisoro, for example, is receiving very many refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. You are well aware that we have got our brothers and sisters in the DRC. Mubende has just been affected simply because of that big gold mine, where people want to go and make money. Similarly, Kisoro may be affected because earlier in the morning, I called our medical personnel in Kisoro to find out whether there could be any cases. Fortunately, there is no case there. Putting in mind that, and all of us well aware that Uganda is a tourism country, this matter must be treated with serious urgency. I expect and I request the ministry that if this problem has been identified in Mubende, it should be an emergency and the ministry should not sit here in Kampala. Instead, they should go to Mubende and find out all those people with the symptoms, isolate them, and ensure that this is put to an end. If this is not done, we are going to see it in the newspapers - both local and international newspapers - that Uganda is now affected by Ebola.

5668 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT No.1, was a UPDF patient, coming from an operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That is why the epicentres were Gulu and Mbarara. The two divisions that pulled out of the DRC went to Mbarara and Gulu. Today, we are in the Democratic Republic of Congo for Operation Shuja ; the UPDF has a barracks in Mubende. I am just giving that information - that could be one of the channels of investigation as we also explore the channel of the mines. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I appreciate the Ministry for the report. I would like to report to the House that Kassanda borders Mubende. Actually, Madudu Subcounty where the case was found, borders Bweyongede Parish in Kalwana Subcounty in Kassanda District. We have two gold mines as well and these people are always moving from one area to another, crossing our districts like that. Unfortunately, in the interventions that the minister has read, I have not heard Kassanda District being mentioned anywhere. They mentioned Mubende and Kiboga, leaving Kassanda in the middle and not addressing those issues. I do pray that the ministry would send those interventions; the rapid teams, etc. - to Kassanda District, so that our people can be taken care of. Right now they are in panic mode and very worried about the consequences of what may happen since we are neighbours. Thank you.

Thank you. Honourable minister, these artisanal miners are connected, wherever they are. Some come from Mubende and Buhweju. It is usually a network of a few who are being used because I remember the last time we went to Buhweju to meet artisanal miners, someone who was mining was quarrelling and said he had never seen gold. “There are many corners, you see that building, I dig the soil stocks -” then I asked him that if you have never seen gold, what are you quarrelling for? It is a network of people; they pick artisanal miners from this mine, and they are driven to another. Also, honourable colleagues who go to the field, you are going to bring us Ebola. We will meet with the Minister of Health, as the leadership of the House, to see measures we can put here. It may even mean restricting visitors; but that will depend on the guidance of the Ministry of Health, for which I am going to request the Clerk.

Much obliged, Mr Speaker. We shall do exactly according to the directives and we will come back here. We are still continuing the surveillance. Our district and national surveillance teams are on alert; they are moving and working together. We are taking the issue very seriously; all of Mubende region and the districts around are taking care and as I said in the statement, we have sent out alerts to our ministry officials and surveillance teams at every border entry, as the cases come in. On the differences in cases – those are the ones which we got from the 15 th , but we are still going through that. Dr Bayigga, we shall come to you and work together on that.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I agree with the sentiments and the statement by Hon. Kivumbi and others, about Ebola and how it spreads. The chairperson of the Committee on Health referred to the UPDF in the past. Let the record capture this correctly: In Mubende, we do not have a barracks; we have a rehabilitation centre, and in Operation Shuja, we have not had any soldiers coming back. They will definitely come back; they are Ugandans and they are doing a great job there. So, for the record, it is not related to the movement of our troops. I remember the day we buried Gen. Eli Tumwine, is when we predicted Ebola and the vaccines were taken to all our troops through the Ministry of Health. Right now, at the border in Bwera, you cannot cross to Uganda or the other side without your body temperature and other checks being made. I think that is one of the issues that I thought I could put on the record.

Mr Speaker, I am required by the rules, before reading the report, to present to the House the minutes of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), all filed and which form the basis of this report. I beg to lay them on the Table. I also beg to lay a copy of the executive summary that I am going to read, for purposes of your record. Mr Speaker, Article 163(4) of the Constitution of Uganda mandates the Auditor-General to submit to Parliament an annual report on the accounts audited by him for the financial year immediately preceding. The Constitution further, under Article 163(5), requires Parliament to debate and consider the report, and take appropriate action within six months after the submission by the Auditor-General. The report of the Auditor-General for the Financial Year 2020/2021 was presented on the Floor, on 3 February 2022 and referred to the committee for consideration. In accordance with Rule 174 of the Rules of Procedure, the Committee on Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) considered the Auditor- General’s report for the Financial Year 2020/2021 on the health sector to satisfy itself, among others, that: a. The monies appropriated by Parliament and disbursed were legally available for, and applicable for the services or purpose to which they were being appropriated or charged; b. The expenditure conforms to the authority, which governs it; c. Re-appropriation has been made, in accordance with the provisions of the rules of a competent authority; and d. The intended value of the extended monies was attained. Scope The report covers audit queries contained in the report of the Auditor-General for the period ended 30 June 2021, in respect of the health sector, in particular focusing on the Ministry of Health, the national referral hospitals of Mulago, Kiruddu, Butabika, China-Uganda Friendship Naguru, Kawempe and all regional referral hospitals. In addition, the report covers findings on other specialised-related institutions of votes and programmes such as the Uganda Heart Institute, the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services and the Uganda Virus Research Institute. Others include the Uganda National Health Research Organisation, the Joint Clinical Research Centre and the Uganda Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project. Methodology The committee held meetings with accounting officers and staff of all national referral hospitals, regional referral hospitals, the Ministry of Health and other specialised votes under the sector, including the Uganda Heart Institute, the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, the Joint Clinical Research Centre and the Uganda National Health Research Organisation. The committee further carried out field visits to selected regional and district hospitals of Arua, Mbale, Mubende, Fort Portal, Nebbi and Tororo respectively, to appreciate the conditions in which they operate, the extent of implementation of the development budget and the general levels of service delivery to Ugandans. In the visits, the committee observed the physical condition of the infrastructure and equipment. Members also interacted with hospital staff as well as other stakeholders,

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

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

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

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

5677 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 The committee, therefore, observed that: 1. The delays led to accumulation of arrears that were not paid by 30 June 2021; and 2. Delayed remittance of PAYE attracts fines and penalties from URA, which may necessitate budget allocations to clear such arrears created by negligence of the responsible officers. The committee recommends that accounting officers be held responsible for fines accruing from the delays in submission of statutory deductions. Going forward, all accounting officers should ensure that all statutory deductions are remitted in time, failure of which should attract sanctions. This duty should be included in their annual performance contracts by which they should be gauged. Delayed access to salary/pension payroll a) Salary payroll Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General noted that in a number of regional referral hospitals, transferred and newly recruited employees experienced delays, ranging from five to nine months, to access the payroll. Such delays contravene Section B-a (11) of the Public Service Standing Orders, 2010 which requires accounting officers to ensure that public officers access salary payrolls within four weeks from the date of assumption of duty. Pension payroll The Auditor-General also noted that in a number of regional referral hospitals, pensioners experienced delayed access to the payroll, contrary to Paragraph 5.1 of Establishment Notice No.1 of 2020, requiring responsible officers to initiate and complete the processing of retirement benefits within six months to the mandatory retirement date (It should be prior to retirement – that is the emphasis of the committee). In case of death or early retirement, the process should be initiated immediately the letters of administration are issued, and/or the early retirement has been granted. Mr Speaker, the example is Masaka Regional Referral Hospital; four pensioners delayed to access the pension payroll, with the average numbered days that pensioners took from the date of retirement to the date of accessing and subsequent payment of pension being seven to eight months. In Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, three pensioners took between seven to 12 months before accessing the payroll. The accounting officers generally attributed these delays to challenges in acquiring – (Member timed out.)

5678 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT officers attributed this non-payment to insufficient funding from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The committee further observed some cases of complete non-payment of pension, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Pension Act, 2014. Further, the current pension system shouldered by Government is expensive and cumbersome, and causes difficulty in tracking the growth of the fund. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Public Service should fully computerise their tracking and information management systems that should enable automatic migration from salary to the pension payroll upon retirement, without further assurance. Government should develop a system of a contributory pension scheme for Government employees, as opposed to a system where Government shoulders the entire burden of providing pension. Such a system is cumbersome and does not allow growth of pension funds for the civil servants, unlike in the private social system, where the fund grows with a period of contribution and service. Delayed deletion of staff from the payroll Mr Speaker, contrary to Section B-a (12) of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2010 that requires the payment of salary to public officers to be stopped immediately they cease rendering services to Government under whatever circumstances, including death, the Auditor-General noted that a number of entities under the health sector had delayed to delete staff who had either retired, been transferred, absconded or died. Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, for example, was reported to have paid Shs l8,438,987 to staff who could not be accounted for. Similarly, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital was reported to have paid Shs 6,149,095 to four staff who had retired. In the case of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Shs 896,977 was paid as salaries to two staff who had retired. Many accounting officers attributed these delays to transfers of some of the affected staff after the closing dates of the IPPS. The accounting officer of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital particularly explained that the transferred staff at the entity had to be delayed from reporting to their new stations because of the critical nature of their jobs. The accounting officer could not, however, provide evidence to substantiate his assertions. The committee observed that such delays are acts of negligence of duty that can cause payments for services not rendered and, thus, could result in loss of funds to Government. The committee recommends that with the help of the internal- auditors, accounting officers should regularly examine the payroll to establish cases of near retirement, and also ensure immediate removal of transferred, absconded or dead staff as soon as the cases occur. Unauthorised loan deductions Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General noted that in most regional referral hospitals, there were unauthorised loan deductions from employee’s salaries without letters of undertaking from the responsible officers. The accounting officers explained that this mainly arose from staff transferred to new stations without their personal files. In such cases, employees would have active deduction accounts without complete records at the new station(s). In some cases, non-transferred staff faced similar predicaments, thus attracting the attention of the Auditor-General. Indeed, honourable colleagues, in this Parliament, Members have raised similar concerns of loan deductions on behalf of affected civil servants. In Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, for example, the Auditor- General noted that eight employees were not in the “my approval report”, but in the “active deduction report”. In other words, not sanctioned but deductions were going on, while 39 employees were not

5680 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The Auditor-General noted that Masaka Regional Referral Hospital received off-budget financing to the tune of Shs 1,068,012,711, which was not appropriated to the entity by Parliament. Mubende Regional Referral Hospital received Shs 1,418,986,671 from the Ministry of Health and Mildmay Uganda. Off-budget financing is subject to Section 43(1) of the PFMA 2015 and the Budget Execution Circular issued by the PS/ST, and any use of such funds in contravention of those provisions is illegal and actionable. The committee, therefore, recommends that the accounting officers should, at all times, adhere to the laws cited herein above and non- compliance with such should attract sanctions on the accounting officers. Internal control weaknesses The Auditor-General noted that a number of referral hospitals had internal-control weaknesses in areas such as monthly wage, pension and gratuity performance analysis, and remittance of quarterly returns to the Ministry of Public Service. Other areas included payments of salaries, pension and gratuity of the IPPS in disregard of Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019 and No.1 of 2020. The committee notes that these internal- control weaknesses are the leading cause of arrears, under-absorption of wage, pension and gratuity as well as delays in granting clearance to recruits. The committee observes that in almost all regional referral hospitals, this audit query is outstanding and the accounting officers are medical professionals, who do not have and/ or dedicate enough to the human resources and the accounting function. This is attributed to their busy schedule in relation to their core appointment of professional service. In most cases, they are medical consultants. The committee recommends that accounting officers should strengthen internal-control measures by submitting quarterly returns in compliance with establishment notices, and ensure that salaries, pension and gratuity are processed and paid through the IPPS in an efficient manner. The Ministry of Public Service should review the structure of regional referral hospitals, with the view to creating a key position of Hospital Planner, and also ensuring a uniform human resource structure for all regional referral hospitals. The PS/ST should consider appointing non- medical staff as accounting officers as opposed to the already laden staff, who dedicate little time to the accounting function. Mr Speaker, for specific queries and recommendations delineated per vote, I request that honourable members refer to the main report, which is already uploaded on their iPads. I beg to report.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, remember that Mubende benefited from a very good project - the Mubende-Kakumiro-Kagadi Road. As leaders from Mubende, we raised a red flag against the way the drainage system was constructed, which is very narrow and shallow. We came to your office and you convened a meeting with UNRA. A team came to Mubende, but they have not undertaken any

5664 THE COMPUTER MISUSE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 corrective measures. Last night, we got a very big downpour and almost the entire central business area was submerged due to the poor drainage system. Classrooms at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School were submerged and the compound flooded. The Katawa stream and the well, which is supposedly the sole source of water for the low-income earners in Mubende Municipality, was silted. Madam Prime Minister, we want to undertake corrective measures to assist our people in Mubende. The only well that was constructed by the Catholic Church was washed away. We seek Government support to ensure that our people in the municipality are helped. I beg to submit.

And, I know he will go there - (Laughter) – that was a light moment. Mubende is one of the districts that are developing at a high rate. We appreciate the communities in that area. Like he has said, after they had reported, we had a meeting, but now that the Minister for Works and Transport is here, why should I suffer when I have the General here?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the concerns. Hon. Bashir was in my office yesterday on other matters. On the issue of Mubende, I think this happened last night; but we will send a team to address it. However, I would also like to appeal to the authorities in the districts and municipalities to manage waste. Waste disposal in our municipalities and cities is terrible. All the waste ends up in the drainage. That is why sometimes we get this flooding. Therefore, I request that as we address the narrow strips or drainages, we also have a proper waste management arrangement and system in our cities and municipalities. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance concerning the mushrooming plywood factories and the way they operate, more so in Mubende District and the Greater Mubende. Mubende District, alone, has about seven plywood factories. I have received several complaints from Kyenda Town Council, where we have a one Feiya International Company Limited, which is a plywood factory that employs quite a number of our young boys and girls – which is a credit. However, my concern is about the smoke that they generate day and night and the way they treat the young boys and girls they employ. When a boy or a girl gets an injury in that factory, they dismiss them and let them go. It is for them to find out how they can treat themselves. There is a one Nelson Baluku, who comes from Kasese or Bundibugyo. He was given a job but when he got injured, they chased him out of the factory. Now, he is trying to see how to recover. These factories do not have dining areas. They do not have enough bathrooms and toilets, yet bathing, more so for women, would be more meaningful when

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the issue of standards for the factories in Mubende and the issues to do with the environment, pollution and the rights of the workers, we will follow up. We are going to send a technical team in the next few days and we will be able to report back next week. Also, we will continue to be in touch with the honourable member.