Nakasongola District

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I listened to the President’s address. Actually, when he acknowledged the contribution coming from dairy and meat products. The President says that the cattle corridor is contributing economically to the coffers of the Government. However, I would like to draw his attention to the fact that areas in the cattle corridor, especially in Nakasongola, would have contributed much better if his pledges were fulfilled. The President has severally pledged to the people of Nakasongola, but we have not seen anything. If he fulfilled his pledge on

roadworks on the Nakasongola through Kalungi, Bamugolodde to Kikyuusa Road, our farmers would transport their products easily to the markets. The President has made a pledge on electricity for over 20 years. There are many subcounties in Nakasongola District where electricity has not fully circulated, yet the President claims that Agro-based value addition would make our farmers earn more from their products. Whenever I watch his speech, he promises to help our farmers on irrigation. Right now, our farmers have terribly lost their crops due to the drought season, which has affected us very much. It is quite disappointing. We have Lake Kyoga that we could tap into for irrigation and give enough water to our cattle keepers. We have River Kafu and River Lugogo, but the Government has still not taken advantage of them. We would not be suffering with severe drought if the Government had helped our farmers with irrigation. Finally, I have severally heard the President sharing testimonies of people who have benefited from the Parish Development Model (PDM), through the media. The Nation Media Group has always aired social news about poverty, epidemics and gender-based violence. NTV has contributed – (Member timed out.)

kings, were captured is in my constituency. That is in Kangai Subcounty. The site is under construction. I must appreciate the Government for doing that. However, a historical site without infrastructural development is not going to work out. When this road is tarmacked, it is going to connect us to other parts of the world. I would also pray, if possible, we connect this road to Alebtong, and from Alebtong, we connect to Otuke. Our people of Otuke can use this road to access medical services from Abim. Those who are far from the Otuke centre go up to Abim General Hospital and Morulem Health Centre III to access medical services. It is a shortcut for us. I personally use that road when I am connecting from Dokolo to Kampala via Nakasongola. Secondly, Mr Speaker, the Head of State mentioned an issue about development of health services. Dokolo Health Centre IV is a referral hospital to us, simply because all the health centre IIIs in the different subcounties refer to this health centre IV. However, the number of patients that are being attended to on daily basis is very high. Bearing in mind that Dokolo Town Council does not have a health centre III, all the residents within the town council move to the health centre IV as their initial facility seeking medical attention. Kongai Subcounty is a new subcounty, and it does not have a Health Centre III, and yet it is a Government policy that all the sub-counties at least would have a Health Centre III. It is my prayer that if this is done, then we shall move forward. Lastly but not least, Mr Speaker, Dokolo Health Centre IV does not have a maternity ward, and this is an alarming situation. They do not have a female ward, yet it is a referral hospital to us. I would pray, if possible, that the concerned ministry, the Ministry of Health, makes an intervention so that we leap forward.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am addressing the remarks given by the Honourable Minister on climate change. For several years, the cattle corridor has been facing similar problems, yet we are blessed with three water bodies. Our farmers in the areas of Nakasongola, Nakaseke and Ngoma would not be facing such adversities from drought if the Government was willing to dredge irrigation schemes from Lake Kyoga. A big water body can provide us with water. We have River Kafu. If we can connect dredging systems from Kafu, the people of Ngoma can get water. Many wetlands can be desilted for such water to flow from River Kafu, River Lugogo and Lake Kyoga to such areas, if the Government allocates a huge budget to desilt many dams. There is a dam in our district that was constructed in 1971, which is now full of mud. The cattle can no longer access it. If the Government can help in dredging more valley dams and desilting the old ones that are filled with mud and sand, the people in the cattle corridor may have chances of their animals surviving the drought. Thank you very much.

51 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 28 MAY 2026 b. Counter Intelligence Course at the School of Military Intelligence and Security, intake 1/00/01 (Katabi); and c. Technical Surveillance: Kitante/Kololo intake 1/00/02 in 2001. FURTHER NOTING that Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel has served her country with dedication and distinction in the following capacities: a. Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda from June 2021 to May 2026; b. District Woman Representative, Katakwi, in the Eighth Parliament, Ninth Parliament, 11 th Parliament and now in the 12 th Parliament; c. Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Sports from 2011 to 2016; d. Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs from 2009 to 2011; e. Deputy Chairperson, Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs from 2006 to 2009; f. Member of the parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances from 2006 to 2009; g. Staff Officer, Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Kitante, from 2001 to 2005; h. Staff Officer, Chieftaincy of Operations and Training, Bombo Military Barracks, from 2000 to 2001; i. Instructor in charge of female trainees, Singo Military Training School from 1999 to 2000; j. Voluntary teacher, Katakwi High School, in 1994; k. Vice Chairperson, Uganda National Students Association (UNSA), Ngora High School, 1993-1994. l. Volunteer teacher, Usuk Secondary School in 1992; m. Deputy Head girl, Kangole Girls’ Secondary School in 1991; n. Deputy Head girl, Apuuton Primary School in 1985. RECOGNISING that Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Alupo Jessica Rose Epel has been recognised as a transformative leader, a patriot, and has received the following awards for her dedicated and distinguished service in Uganda for the people of Uganda: (a) Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa, the Grand Commander during the International Women’s Day celebration in Katakwi in 2022; (b) Golden Jubilee Medal, 2013, during Women’s Day celebrations in Nakasongola on 8 March 2013; (c) The Pearl of Africa Award, 2012, at the International Conference Centre, Kampala; (d) The Eastern Region Women Achievers Award in September 2012 by Uganda Christian University; FURTHER RECOGNISING that Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Alupo Jessica Rose Epel has ably, with distinction and dedication, represented His Excellency the President of Uganda at national and international events and has represented Uganda’s interests very effectively, negotiated resolutions and addressed some of the following bodies: (a) United Nations General Assembly in New York, (b) The XVII Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa (BRICS) Leaders’ Summit (Heads of State) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (c) The 39 th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, in February 2026. (d) The 9 th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2025. (e) The World Government Summit, Women in Government Forum, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2023. (f) The 24 th Common Market for East and South Africa (COMESA) Summit at the Heads of State and Government on the 7 th - 9 th October 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. APPRECIATING that Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Alupo Jessica Rose Epel is an accomplished author who has used her time to research into major issues affecting the well-being of the people of Uganda, and through this effort, she has published the following publications:

103. Ruhindi Fredrick Nakawa Division East Kampala NRM 104. Taban Aate Sharifah Woman Representative Koboko Independent 105. Ouma Willy Namayingo South County Namayingo Independent 106. Orone Derrick Gogonyo County Pallisa NRM 107. Tete Chelengat Everline Woman Representative Bukwo NRM 108. Tibyaze Peace Woman Representative Jinja NRM 109. Tom Aliti Candia Maracha East County Maracha NRM 110. Rwakimari Beatrice Ruhaama County Ntungamo NRM 111. Tumuramye Genensio Kashongi County Kiruhura NRM 112. Tumusiime John Bosco Kashari South County Mbarara NRM 113. Teira John Bugabula County North Kamuli NRM 114. Oryema Simon Peter Adum Chua West County Kitgum NRM 115. Turyahikayo Kebirungi Mary Paula Woman Representative Rukungiri NRM 116. Sebamala Richard Bukoto County Central Masaka DP 117. Tiyo William Taylor Odaa Ayivu Division East Arua City NRM 118. Ssebbugga-Kimeze Berunado Budyepo County Nakasongola NRM 119. Tayebwa Thomas Ruhinda North County Mitooma NRM 120. Otto Edward Makmot Agago County Agago NRM 121. Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore (Lt Col Rtd) Isingiro County North Isingiro NRM 122. Tebandeke Charles Bbaale County Kayunga NUP 123. Tukahirwa James Byenjuru Hunter Kajara County Ntungamo NRM 124. Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu (Lt Gen. Rtd) Rukungiri Municipality Rukungiri NRM 125. Tumwesigye Anthony Isingiro West County Isingiro Independent 126. Ssenyonyi Joel Basekezi Nakawa Division West Kampala NUP 127. Osoru Mourine Woman Representative Arua City NRM 128. Ossiya Solomon Alemu Toroma County Katakwi NRM 129. Shyam Jay Tanna Tororo Municipality Tororo Independent 130. Twalla Fadil Tingey County Kapchorwa NRM 131. Waluswaka James Bunyole West County Butaleja NRM 132. Tumwebaze Mwine Youth Representative Western NRM 133. Twinomujuni Francis Kazini Buhaguzi County Kikuube NRM 134. Otafiire Kahinda (Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Ruhinda County Mitooma NRM 135. Silwany Solomon Bukooli County Central Bugiri NRM 136. Otim Bernard Maruzi North County Apac NRM 137. Waiswa Joel Azalwa Busiki County Namutumba Independent 138. Ssemwanga Gyaviira Buyamba County Rakai NRM 139. Wakida Patrick Godfrey Kabweri County Kibuku NRM 140. Walyomu Moses Muwanika Kagoma County Jinja Independent 141. Wandera John Paul Samia Bugwe County North Busia Independent 142. Saazi Godfrey Gomba East County Gomba NUP 143. Wanyenya Shafiga Bungokho County North Mbale NRM 144. Twesige Stephen Buyaga East County Kagadi NRM 145. Twinamasiko Onesimus Bugangaizi East County Kakumiro NRM 146. Wandera Sadala Bugweri County Bugweri NRM 147. Tayebwa Didas Kabumbuza Kooki County Rakai NRM 148. Wanyama Judas Thadeo Youth Representative Eastern NRM 149. Sserukenya David Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality Wakiso NUP 150. Sekindi Aisha Woman Representative Kalungu Independent

17 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 151. Ssentayi Muhamad Bukoto County West Lwengo NRM 152. Rugumayo Edison Ntoroko County Ntoroko NRM 153. Senteza Richard Lugazi Municipality Buikwe Independent 154. Wakooli Godfrey Matembu Butiru County Manafwa NRM 155. Suubi Kyinyamatama Juliet Woman Representative Rakai NRM 156. Wabusani Steven Makwa Bushigai County Bududa NRM 157. Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi Elgon County Bulambuli Independent 158. Wanyama Richard Samia Bugwe Central County Busia NRM 159. Wanyoto Lydia Mutende Woman Representative Mbale City NRM 160. Zaake Francis Mityana Municipality Mityana NUP 161. Wokuri Geofrey Bungokho County South Mbale NRM 162. Wakabi Pius Bugahya County Hoima NRM 163. Tumwesigye Elioda Sheema County North Sheema NRM 164. Sserunjogi Hassan Mukiibi Bukomansimbi South County Bukomansimbi Independent 165. Wekomba Sarah Nambozo Woman Representative Bulambuli NRM 166. Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa Nansana Municipality Wakiso NUP 167. Uhuru Nelson Maracha County Maracha NRM 168. Wembabazi Beatrice Woman Representative Hoima NRM 169. Zawedde Victorious Woman Representative Nakasongola NRM 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.)

9 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026 56. Kirungi Annet Pamela Woman Representative Kabarole NRM 57. Kyogabiirwe Jackie Muganda Woman Representative Kyegegwa NRM 58. Lanyero Christine Awany Woman Representative Nwoya NRM 59. Logose Sarah Annet Woman Representative Butaleja NRM 60. Lokii John Baptist (Dr) Matheniko County Moroto NRM 61. Lokoru Albert Tepeth County Moroto Independent 62. Lokoru Stephenson Yoyo Chekwii East County Nakapiripirit NRM 63. Longoli Simon Peter Chekwii County (Kadam) Nakapiripirit NRM 64. Lubega George Willy Bugangaizi South County Kakumiro NRM 65. Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira Nyendo-Mukungwe County Masaka City NUP 66. Lugoloobi Amos Ntenjeru County North Kayunga NRM 67. Kiwanuka Sulaiman Nakifuma County Mukono NUP 68. Kuteesa Mary Kamuli Mwenge County South Kyenjojo NRM 69. Kyeyune Ivan Nakasongola County Nakasongola NUP 70. Lakisa Mercy Faith Woman Representative Alebtong NRM 71. Lenia Charity Kevin Vurra County Arua NRM 72. Mutebi Benard Mugoya Bulamogi County Kaliro Independent 73. Katooko Sylivia Damba Woman Representative Kibuku NRM 74. Kayogera Yona Busiki North County Namutumba Independent 75. Kiti Peter T’oo County Bukwo NRM 76. Lolem Micah Akasile Upe County Amudat NRM 77. Locap Peterkhen Bokora East County Napak NRM 78. Linda Irene City Woman Representative Fort Portal City NRM 79. Lokubal Emma Woman Representative Nabilatuk NRM 80. Katusiime Adrine Woman Representative Sheema NRM 81. Loluk Fidelis Logwee Napore West County Karenga Independent 82. Komakech Christopher Aruu County Pader NRM 83. Muzaid Khemis Arua Central Division Arua City FDC 84. Lamwaka Catherine Woman Representative Omoro NRM 85. Kiwanuka Abdallah Mukono County North Mukono NUP 86. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo Kyotera County Kyotera NRM (The House was suspended at 11.42 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.00 p.m., the Deputy Clerk, Parliamentary Affairs presiding.) 87. Lokwang Hillary Ik County Kaabong NRM 88. Lowila CD Oketayot Woman Representative Pader NRM 89. Lugoloobi Willy Bageyente Bujumba County Kalangala NRM 90. Lugwar Benson Agogo North County Agago Independent 91. Lukyamuzi David Kalwanga Busujju County Mityana NUP 92. Kiwanuka Keefa Kiboga East County Kiboga NRM 93. Maala Zahrah Luyirika Makindye Division West Kampala NUP 94. Makumbi Henry Kamya Mityana County South Mityana NRM 95. Mariam Seif Woman Representative Iganga NRM 96. Mafabi Asha Nabulo Woman Representative Sironko NRM 97. Mamawi James Adjumani East County Adjumani Independent 98. Masaba Karim Industrial Division Mbale City Independent 99. Matembu Chriss Wataka Bubulo County West Manafwa Independent 100. Matovu Emmanuel Magoola Busiro County East Wakiso Independent 101. Mawanda Micheal Maranga Igara County East Bushenyi NRM

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

Thank you. Madam Speaker, on the project on Industrial Parks Electrification Phase II, the intended project is to construct substations and power lines to supply power to industrial parks. This will include the Sukulu Hills in Tororo, Mbale Industrial Park, Kapeeka Park in Nakaseke, the Wobulenzi Park in Luwero, and Nakasongola-Kaweweta Defense Industrial Park, amongst others. Under the Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project, we intend to have an upgrade of the Kawaala, Mutundwe, Mukono, and Buloba-related infrastructure. Madam Speaker, the planned area of benefit is Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono environs. Madam Speaker, there is the ORIO Mini Hydro and Rural Electrification Project. The ministry intends to undertake construction of the mini hydro infrastructure, 288-kilometre distribution network, and 71,081 last-mile connections, particularly intended for areas in Hoima, Nchweera, Igassa, and Nsongya. Forgive my pronunciation due to cultural challenges. On the Kiba Hydropower Project, the ministry is undertaking a feasibility study, the environmental sustainability impact assessment, and access works and stakeholder engagement for this mini project, which is intended to be constructed in Nwoya and Kiryandongo districts. The Oriang Hydropower Project is still the same, and it is intended to be located in Nwoya and Oyam districts. On the Ayago Hydropower Project, preparatory studies are to be undertaken, as well as stakeholder management activities. The same is in Nwoya and Kiryandongo areas. Under the Buyende Nuclear Power Plant site evaluation is going to be undertaken, including meteorological tower installation, seismic and groundwater monitoring, and a resettlement action plan finalisation. This project will be located in Buyanja Subcounty in Buyende District. Madam Speaker, on the geothermal development, there is an intention to undertake deep exploration and drilling, as well as undertake surface studies. This project will be in Kibiro in Hoima, in Panyimur in Pakwach, in Okidi in Amuru, Karungu in Rubanda, Ihimbo in Rukungiri, and Kabuga in Kasese. The electricity access scale-up project

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.

Honourable minister, I used to be in the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), which REA used to report to. The only problem that REA had was with governance and management but all the other things were so perfect. Even when the management would quarrel amongst themselves, the lines would be fixed, and power would be there. Therefore, all that you ought to have done was to remove those top guys who were fighting and leave the institution because it had very competent people. On another note, what did the money that was transferred from REA to the ministry do? Can we have accountability for what has been done over time? Honourable minister, before you come, let me have Members from Nakasongola and Bushenyi.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am happy that we are discussing this critical issue because this is a national problem. The ministry for energy came to Nakasongola five years ago and carried out a survey in a number of areas in my constituency. However, what happened during campaign time is that the minister came and excited the public, created anxiety, and then nothing took place. You cannot go to Nakasongola and talk about the ministry for energy, and people clap - they cannot. They say, “No, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is telling lies”. Madam Speaker, we want the minister to explain to this august House what happened to the money we approved here. I want to submit.

18670 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 sure the UPDF and agencies can be able to run even when there is a power blackout. We recommend a provision of Shs 74.1 billion in the Financial Year 2026/2027 budget and the medium-term to establish a solar power plant in Nakasongola. Nakasongola is where all the military industries reside. It is of importance that they are on the secure grid. Domestic Arrears In line with the phased plan of clearing existing arrears, the committee recommends that a provision of Shs 290 billion be made available to clear outstanding domestic arrears upon verification by the Office of the Auditor- General. Gender Compliance; we scored them and they are good to go. Vote 009: Ministry of Internal Affairs Budget Performance – The annex is part of the report, Madam Speaker. Our recommendation to this is that the ministry expedites recruitment process of all its human resources before the end of the financial year to avoid the creation of wage bill arrears. On performance of the development budget, we recommend that the Ministry of Internal Affairs design procurement plans reflecting the contract execution milestones consistent with the cash flow plans. On the ongoing regulatory and legal reforms, our recommendation is that they should expedite completion of the policy framework of the national corrections policy to improve access to enhance offender rehabilitation and reintegration, while addressing the outstanding legal frameworks, but not limited to: i) Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill; ii) Sovereignty Bill; iii) National Registration of Persons (Amendment) Bill; and iv) National Citizenship and Immigration Control Bill These should be expedited to be implemented in the Financial Year 2026/2027. On major audit findings; our recommendation is that the ministry should develop an annual M&E framework to guide assessment of the budget implementation and formalise appointments for contract managers to improve contract management and oversight in execution of contracts. Budget Estimates The ministry’s overall budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 will increase from Shs 20.48 billion from the Financial Year 2025/2026, due to an enhanced wage budget by Shs 2.2 billion for additional recruitment of staff, and a non- wage recurrent budget by Shs 18.16 billion. The additional non-wage budget allocation is towards management of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which registered an increase of Shs 4.8 billion in the Financial Year 2026/2027. This is intended to develop and deploy comprehensive automation of the NGO Bureau services through consultancy services. We recommend as follows: i) The ministry should prioritise and expedite the introduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill during the Financial year 2026/2027; ii) Consultancy services for automation of NGO services can be scaled down to Shs 3 billion since automation solutions are off-the-shelf, and what is required is the procurement of licences of the system which is done over a year, and consultancy fees as well. The balance of Shs 2 billion should be allocated as a subvention to the Amnesty Commission to fulfil its mandate; iii) The ministry should develop investment projects to be able to construct its headquarters and house other institutions and procure vital assets used in the discharge of its duties; and

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand here to support the motion. The southern part of Lake Kyoga lacks infrastructure to connect to the northern part of the lake. I am here to support it because this is one of the roads we have been advocating for in the physical infrastructure committee for the past 10 to 15 years. I am pleased that today this has reached what it is. Mr Speaker, additionally, the people of Serere – Kasilo – Kaberamaido and Kalaki will be beneficiaries of this project. It will improve the connectivity between the northern part and the southern part of Lake Kyoga. Needless to add, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should also look into adding a stop in Nakasongola to Galiraya, so that if you are coming from Masindi, you do not have to go to Kampala. You can connect from Masindi, Nakasongola, Kayunga, Isimba Dam, then to Kamuli, Kaliro, and finally to Pallisa. The other two roads that the minister for finance needs to look into are: Kamuli to Irundu and then Kaliro to Irundu. Once you do those roads on the southern part of Lake Kyoga, you would have improved the connectivity between the northern and the southern parts of the country. Definitely, with the ferries that are already operating and those that we are proposing to introduce on Lake Kyoga, you would reduce the time that we spend getting to Kampala. I could sleep in Kasilo and come here; within two hours, I would be in Kampala from Kasilo, rather than spending five hours. On that note, Mr Speaker, I stand here to support this loan for the construction of this road. Thank you.

Thank you, colleagues, for standing with the people of Bbale, Kayunga and Uganda on the need to upgrade this road. Mr Speaker, allow me to put forward only three matters. Much has been said about the same road, but I see it as a way to reduce traffic congestion in Kampala and on Bombo Road. Given Uganda’s geography, goods exported from the east to the West Nile and the north must pass through Kampala and the Bombo Road. When this road is paved and tarmacked, it will reduce all of that. It will benefit not only the people of Bbale but also the business community and Ugandans in the city. Mr Speaker, I also request that, after tarmacking this road, the Ministry of Works and Transport assess the connectivity from Bbale to Nakasongola, as this is how the objective of reducing the traffic jam can be achieved. This way, all vehicles from the east can branch off from the Nile Bridge to Jinja, Kayunga, Nakasongola and Masindi. Then, the entire burden of the traffic jam will have been reduced. Mr Speaker, for the good of the Members on the other side, this is a road that the NRM Government has promised for a long time to the people of Kayunga. For your information, President Museveni has, on three consecutive occasions while campaigning in Kayunga, promised this road. It is a debt owed by the Government to the people of Kayunga. By tarmacking it, you are paving the way to justify at least some reasonable action for the people of Kayunga. Mr Speaker, I would also like to remind Members about the safety — it is not just security but safety. The connectivity of northern to central Uganda is not only serving a security matter, but ensuring the safety of the people in transit, and the goods can easily move. Lastly, Mr Speaker, the Obote government had promised to tarmac this road; in fact, we have the Obote Memorial Portrait in Kayunga, in Hon. Amos Lugoloobi’s constituency. The Obote government aimed to tarmac this road and name it “Obote Road”. Now that Obote is not in government and he did work on this road, and Tebandeke Charles, on behalf of the people of Bbaale, has toiled a lot and moved - (Interjections) – Members, I even reached the extent of going to the bush and people misunderstood my action. I think the bush has got a lot of results. I am thinking that for any demand, maybe we should go to the bush. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. The Government of the Republic of Uganda is implementing a nuclear energy project in two districts. The first phase is being implemented in Buyende District, and the second phase will be in Nakasongola. Mr Speaker, the energy ministry has engaged stakeholders in Nakasongola. They had a meeting where they met the district executive committee and the council, the LC III chairpersons and their councils, and LC I chairpersons. However, Mr Speaker, because this is a political time, after that meeting, the propagandists started popularising it, and said that the Members of Parliament who were in Parliament in 2017 are the ones who have caused the evictions of people, or threatening them to be evicted. Mr Speaker, my humble request is that the Ministry of Energy –

Mr Speaker, we are truly developing nuclear energy, mainly to enhance the electricity we generate in the country to meet the projected demand. It is also true, one of the sites that we have identified as suitable for the development of nuclear power is in Nakasongola. It is also true that we are creating awareness. We have Buyende for our Phase 1, and Nakasongola for Phase 2. We also have Gulu as our Phase 3. When we started planning this, we created awareness, and that awareness is what is causing what he is saying. We are actually going to enhance the awareness; Nobody is going to be evicted from his land, especially when you are far off from the implementation. We are going to engage the communities and create more awareness about it so that they do not have fears. In case that time comes, they will be compensated. We have a provision for compensation of the project-affected persons. We shall engage them.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The project objective is to support the Government of Uganda’s effort to achieve sustainable provision of safe water and hygienic sanitation for the urban population by the year 2030. The project will improve the quality of service and the supply of water and sanitation facilities, as well as enhance the management and functioning of water supply and sanitation systems in the targeted towns in Uganda. The primary beneficiaries of the project would be residents of four selected cluster project areas in different regions of the country. The identified clusters are: Nakasongola Phase II cluster (Nakasongola District), Kamuli- Kasambira Phase II cluster (Kamuli District), Mayuge-Bugadde (Mayuge District) - Idudi- Busesa (Bugweri District) cluster, and Alebtong cluster (Alebtong District). The project comprises three major components, namely, i) Urban water supply infrastructure development; ii) Urban sanitation infrastructure development; and iii) Project management. The project will cost Euro 221.682 million and will be financed by; i) Sinosure Backed Term loan facility from Standard Chartered Bank of up to Euros 183,309,947, Domestic borrowing of 120.395 billion (six-month Treasury Bill), an equivalent of Euros 29.572; and ii) Government counterpart funding of Euros 8.8 million, which will be spread over five years of implementation. The counterpart funding will cover the project’s running costs (recurrent costs), land acquisition for infrastructure development, programme coordination, and joint monitoring and evaluation.

18030 RESOLUTION TO BORROW Therefore, it will be budgeted for in the Ministry of Water and Environment’s mid- term expenditure framework, and the resources will be made available starting Financial Year 2025/2026. The Certificate of Financial Implications has been attached to the detailed brief. The right of way for all the infrastructure was concluded under Phase I of the project in Nakasongola, Kamuli-Kasambira, and Alebtong. The process is still ongoing in Bugadde-Mayuge-Idudi-Busesa, with the district local government’s involvement. The progress of acquiring the right of way for the entire project is estimated at 75 per cent. What are the terms? The loan amount I stated earlier is 183.309 million. The tenure is 14 years with a four-year grace period. The interest rate is six months euribor plus margin, and the commitment fee is 30 per cent of the margin per annum, which is 0.63 per cent. The margin is 2.10 per cent. The sinosure premium is 7 per cent of principal and interest. The agency fee is $20,000 per year, the arrangement fee is 1.4 per cent paid up front, and the default interest is 2 per cent. The six- month Treasury bill issuance to cater for 15 per cent of the contract sum loan amount is 120.395 billion, which is an equivalent of Euro 29.572. The loan period is a six-month Treasury bill to be determined at the time of issuance. However, it stood at 14 per cent per year as of 12 February 2025. The justification, Mr Speaker, is that the project will contribute to the water and sanitation sector target of 85 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040. The project will provide additional access to at least 0.74 million people by 2030 and over one million people in the projected design period by 2050. The project will train 150 people in appropriate urban sanitation, masonry, mechanical artisanry, and waste management. Through this project, the sector is targeting rolling out water and sanitation services to the four future cities and the surrounding satellite town councils within selected districts to cover wider and unserved areas, bringing piped water closer to the town populations and progressively reducing the common sight of women and children carrying water on their heads for long distances from unsafe wells. The water supply services will extend to 51 towns, covering 115 parishes. The project will contribute to improved health and productivity by providing safe water and sanitation services to the target population of approximately 1 million people by 2050. The infrastructure also serves industrial areas in the region, including the cassava processing plant in Nakasongola and the proposed industrial park in Kakooge. In addition, the project will include abstract infrastructure for water for irrigation purposes and support designs for extending water for irrigation within the project areas. The envisaged direct impact of the project includes: i) Access to safe, adequate and reliable water supply to town populations, ii) Reduction in the average walking distances to the nearest public water point, and iii) Reduction in the time spent fetching water at congested water points. The water infrastructure designed for the identified cities and surrounding small towns is a direct response to Uganda’s current urbanisation rate of 5.2 per cent. Sanitation interventions in schools, institutions, and other settings, and the accompanying faecal sludge plants with dislodging units, will have a tremendous impact on the existing challenge of emptying toilets and septic tanks in schools and informal settlements. The project will also provide employment opportunities during construction and

Thank you. Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the report of the Committee on National Economy, on the proposal to borrow Euros 183,309,947.16 from the Standard Chartered Bank, UK and Shs 120,395,249,259 (approximately Euros 29,572,292) from the domestic market (Six-month treasury bill) for financing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase II. I beg to lay the committee report, the minority report, and the committee minutes. Allow me to summarise the report. The minister has already given an overview of it. The Committee on National Economy held a meeting with the technical teams from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Water and Environment technical teams. The committee also reviewed the documents that were submitted, that is: i) The ministerial brief to the proposal, the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation - Phase 2 Feasibility Study Report, ii) The draft loan agreement between the Republic of Uganda and the Standard Chartered Bank for financing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, iii) Environmental and Social Management Plan for Kamuli Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project, Kamuli District, dated 20 June 2022, iv) The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Certificate of Approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment dated 18 July 2024, for the project investments in the beneficiary areas of Kamuli, Mayuge, Nakasongola and Alebtong. v) The conditions of approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Statement for Kamuli-Kasambira Piped Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, located in Bugondha Village. vi) A document from the National Planning Authority, clearing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and the Sanitation Project - Phase 2, vii) The Procurement Plan of the Strategic Water Towns Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2

18032 RESOLUTION TO BORROW viii) Strategic Water Towns Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2 Implementation Plan, ix) The Resettlement Action Plan, x) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development letter dated 14 January 2025; confirming Government’s will and availability of counterpart funding for the Strategic Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, and xi) The Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 1, physical and financial project progress reports, as of January 2025, xii) The Strategic Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Phase 2, Project Management Structure. The committee also conducted a field visit to Kayunga District and assessed the performance of the project. The committee visited the Kayunga-Busaana Town Water Supply System. The construction of the main works had been completed and the scheme had been handed over to the Central Umbrella of Water and Sanitation for operation and maintenance. The committee visited the Kamuli Town Water Supply System. The construction of the main works had been completed, and the system had been handed over to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. The committee looked at the performance of loans in the water sector. The Ministry of Water and Environment had about 14 donor-funded projects, with a total loan portfolio of about $1,346.98 million to finance them. As of the end of June 2025, 53.62 per cent of this money had been released—that is, about $722.23 million had been disbursed to the 14 projects. However, projects that were not performing well included irrigation scheme development in Unyama, Namalu, and Sipi regions; irrigation for climate resilience; supply and installation of solar-powered water supply systems in rural areas; construction of water and sanitation infrastructure; and associated activities in Isingiro District. Mr Speaker, phase two is taking over from phase one. Mr Speaker, this House, around December 2018, passed a loan of 44 million units of account, equivalent to Shs 59.4 million, to implement phase one of the project. Phase one covered substantially 96 per cent of the $59.4 million for the loan from the African Development Bank that had been released. The Government of Uganda, in totality, had released all the counterpart funding to 100 per cent. That was $6.6 million. Mr Speaker, the systems that were constructed under phase one included: Dokolo Town water supply system, improvement works in Kapchorwa Town water supply system, maintenance of Nakasongola Water supply system, Kyenjojo- Katooke Town water supply system, Buikwe Town water supply system, Bundibugyo water supply system, Kayunga - Busana water supply system and Kamuli water supply system. A total of about 40 institutional and public toilets were constructed, and detailed designs for an additional 10 water supply systems in the Upper Nile and the Kyoga catchment areas were done. Additionally, skilled training of women and youth in the water and sanitation business and the development of regulatory tools and review of the water and sanitation services tariff regime were completed under phase one. Mr Speaker, we also assessed that phase one had the following challenges: Phase one was affected by COVID-19, which led to an escalation in the prices of construction materials. Land acquisition was also a challenge for major installations, changes in the scope of works, and extreme weather conditions had an effect on phase one. Mr Speaker, the minister has already informed this House of the objectives of phase two of the strategic town water supply and sanitation

18033 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2025 project. I would like to inform this House that this is linked to the country’s strategies. The minister already talked about the components and construction of this project. The project has three components: component one included the construction of the water supply systems. It took the largest amount of funds, costing about 81 per cent of the total project cost, which is €179.27 million. This was to be invested in building on the achievements of phase one to enhance infrastructure capacity in Kamuli Municipal Council and Nakasongola districts, and construction of new water supply infrastructure in Mayuge and Alebtong districts. The provision of the piped water supply and approved sanitation in these strategic towns will trigger socio-economic transformation through stimulation of business/ commercial activities and support to end user social services. Component two takes about €20.66 million which is 9 per cent of the total project cost. It will be conducted in line with the urban improved sanitation and hygiene strategy to finance activities of sanitation and hygiene awareness creation, construction of public sanitation infrastructure, including the on-site and off-site regional faecal sludge or sewerage management facilities. Faecal sludge, haulage and service equipment will also be provided to serve the cluster towns. Component three takes a total of €21.75 million, which is 10 per cent of the project cost, and will invest in supporting the Ministry of Water and Environment towards effective implementation of the Strategic Towns Water Supply Project phase two. Mr Speaker, allow me to go direct to the committee’s observations and recommendations. The terms and conditions of the loan and the physical modalities: the committee observed that this loan, financed from external sources with the Standard Chartered Bank UK being the agent and the arranger, is being offered at a high commercial rate for a project that has no immediate revenue generation stream. However, this is being mitigated by the socio- economic returns over the medium to long term that lead to high economic returns of 19 per cent over the opportunity cost of capital of 11 per cent. Additionally, the financial modality through issuance of six-month treasury securities in the domestic market is equally commercial with the current cost of 182 treasury bill rate of 12.5 per cent. While this is an option available to the Government in mobilising resources to finance its programmes, its suitability for such projects is a major concern. Such concerns involve whether such options are part of the treasury security insurance calendar of the central bank/ Government. Furthermore, the cost of insurance premium for Sinosure of €15.7 million is nine per cent of the credit, which is considerably higher given that the risk assessment framework for the project indicates low financial and political risks. The committee recommends the following: i) The Government should ensure that high commercial loans are used to finance projects whose revenue generation capacity is in the short term; ii) Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure that domestic borrowing to finance specific projects form part of the government insurance calendar to improve coordination between the monetary policy and the physical policy authorities. Efforts to mitigate the rising interest costs for the private sector due to increased Government borrowing from the banking sector should further be explored by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development as well. iii) The Government should consider negotiating the insurance premium cost, given the minimum risk the project faces and other costs to bring them to levels that are compatible to the Standard Chartered Bank, UK terms used for Kabalega airport in Hoima that were non-concessional.

18034 RESOLUTION TO BORROW Observation 5.2, the budgetary implications of the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project II The committee observed that while a budget provision of Shs 6.93 billion had been provided for on-ongoing activities under the project in the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Strategic Towns Water Supply Systems Project phase two first year requirement of over Shs 150 billion is not provided for in the budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026. Further, the project is not part of the medium- term commitments statement for the Financial Year 2025/2026 as presented to Parliament. The domestic debt acquisition to finance part of phase two increases the financing requirement of the Government in terms of short-term interest rate payments that should be planned in the Government’s fiscal operations for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and over the medium term. The committee recommends that the Government should expedite the process of including the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project Phase II to form part of the multi-year commitment for Financial Year 2025/2026 and the medium term. As a result, the Government should adjust its fiscal framework to include any costs associated with the financing modalities of the project for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and the medium term. 5.3 Government counterpart funding The committee noted that among the lessons learned from the implementation of projects, especially those financed by externally- borrowed funds, is the untimely release of Government counterpart funding and the low absorption capacity of the project-executing agencies. The committee recommends that the Government ensures that adequate counterpart funds for these projects are timely integrated into the national budget during the implementation period. Fulfillment of the loan conditions The committee also observed that the Government has been slow in the fulfilment of the loan’s effective conditions upon the signing of the loan agreements in order to trigger the disbursement of committed funds for the implementation of the debt-funded projects. The committee recommends that the Government ensures the speedy fulfilment of the effective conditions of the financing agreements for this loan in order for the committed funds to be released by Standard Chartered Bank, UK on time, to guarantee the timely implementation of the project. High dependence on consultancy The committee observed the high dependency of the project on consultancy services. According to the project procurement plan, a total of €8,070,513 will be spent on consultancy services. The majority of the consultancy costs will finance consultancy services for construction supervision of Alebtong, Kamuli- Kasambira Phase II, Bugadde-Mayuge-Idudi- Busesa and Nakasongola Phase II Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The committee recommends that the Government scales up plans for deliberately building the capacities of MDAs in conducting studies, designing and the supervision of projects in order to cut down on the exorbitant amounts of project funds spent on consultancy services towards conducting studies, designs and the supervision of debt-funded projects. 5.6. Performance of debt-funded projects in the water and sanitation sector The committee noted that there has been an improvement in the utilisation of loans in the water and sanitation sector. Despite the improvement, some projects did not perform well. Examples are the irrigation scheme development in Unyama, Namalu, and Sipi projects -

18036 RESOLUTION TO BORROW loan fail to comply with the third condition of contracting non-concessional loans. The committee recommends that the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, renegotiate the loan terms with the proposed creditor or identify another creditor whose terms are consistent with the 2023 Public Debt Management Framework. Elimination of Ugandan and East African contractors during implementation The committee noted that during the implementation of phase one of the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project, several contractors were awarded contracts for the different clusters. For example, in Kamuli, the contractor was Vidas Engineering Services Co. Limited, with a supervision consultant: Jos Hansen and Sohene (East Africa) Limited and in Kayunga-Busana, one of the contractors was Vambeco Enterprises Limited, Supervised by Alliance Consultants Ltd. The ministry did not communicate any concerns on the ability of the various contractors to deliver similar outputs under phase two. The committee recommends that as a commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Government, through the Ministry of Water and Environment, reviews its contract of awarding all the clusters to one company, CHEC and open up implementation of the project to include East African companies in order to maximise local content, since their ability in construction and supervision was observed in phase one. Need to review the project cost The committee observed that the total investment cost under the project is Shs 802.22 billion, which is the contract sum. The committee was concerned that some of the project’s planned investment items should be implemented using Government revenues, not borrowing. For example, Shs 34 billion under the project is to construct public toilets observed in the table below. Members can read through the table. The committee, using information from the respective feasibility studies, observed variances in the unit costs. For example: 1. The diesel storage shed, whose price range was between an equivalent of Shs 72.9 million in Nakasongola and Shs 252.7 million in Mayuge-Idudi cluster; 2. Generator house that ranged between an equivalent of Shs 333 million in Alebtong to Shs 1.319 billion in Kamuli-Kasambira cluster; 3. The operation and administration building ranged from an equivalent of Shs 755.38 million in Alebtong to Shs 1.433 billion in the other cluster. The committee recommends that the cost of the project be reviewed in view of bringing down the unit costs and reducing the cost of designs and scaling down expenditure on public toilets and guard houses, among others. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, the committee appreciates that the proposed project is consistent with the objectives of NDP IV, specifically natural resources, environment, climate change, land and water programme and human capital development programme. The project has social ramifications and builds on phase one projects. The committee recommends that the proposal by the Government to borrow €183,309,947.16 from Standard Chartered Bank and Shs 120,395,249,259, approximately €29,572,296, from the domestic market-Six- month Treasury Bill for financing the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project — Phase II(STWSSP II) be approved, subject to the above committee observations and recommendations. Mr Speaker, I beg to report. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I appreciate my chairperson and the Committee on National Economy for the well-presented report. I am going to be very brief. Mr Speaker, allow me to address this House to the two fundamental dissenting matters. Our dissenting matters are on two issues. One is the high cost on the loan, which subjects a taxpayer to a burden repayment. Two is non-compliance with the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. Mr Speaker, my dissenting observation is that we acknowledge the Government’s goal for 2024, especially on improving access to safe water and sanitation services to our country. Towns like Nakasongola, Kamuli, Kasambira, Alebtong, Bugade, Mayuge, Idudi, Busesa, amongst many other towns in Uganda, still lack safe water. Any good external borrowing for such social development would be much welcome. For this special request, Mr Speaker, we are completely opposed to committing taxpayers to this loan for the following reasons. The high cost on the loan Mr Speaker, the loan is purely commercial from Standard Chartered Bank (SINASURE Backed Term) with an interest rate of 6 months per cent Euribor plus a margin of 2.1 per cent - a commitment fee of 0.63 per cent of the margin per annum; an agency fee of $20,000 payable annually; an arrangement fee of 1.4 per cent; a default interest fee of 2 per cent and tentative interest of 5 per cent. Mr Speaker, 7 per cent interest fee on the premium and a 7 per cent interest fee on interest is almost double interest. Mr Speaker, Strategic Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project, phase 1 of the same project, was financed by the African Development Bank, whose terms were semi-concessional with a grace period of eight years and a maturity of 25 years. For this particular request, it is a four-year grace period against a 14-year maturity period. We also need to note that in the report of public debt grants and other financial liabilities of Financial Year 2024/2025, on page 42, there is a loan request of €214 million from the United Kingdom Export Financing, pending the Cabinet’s approval by March 2025. Any immediate approval of this loan by the Cabinet can save a taxpayer from a commercial loan from Standard Chartered Bank for this particular project. In addition, as highlighted on non-compliance with the parliamentary provisions, our hands as Parliament are tied by Rule 162(5)(b) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, which states that, “Any loan request before Parliament for approval will need a list of financing options considered when identifying the creditor.” Mr Speaker, on the presentation of this loan, there is no financial option on request that were laid before the committee by the minister for consideration. The committee, while scrutinising this request, was not provided with any list of financing options. We were left green over the criteria used to arrive at Standard Chartered Bank as a lender of this particular loan. If other options were provided, maybe we would scrutinise this loan further. Without this information being provided to the committee and this House, Parliament shall be working contrary to their constitutional mandate as enshrined in Article 159. Therefore, this is working against the rule of law. Mr Speaker, we urge this House to adopt our dissenting opinion in the spirit of saving taxpayers from this costly loan. As I promised this House to be brief, allow me to draw your attention to the following recommendations: i. The minister responsible for finance should clarify why the African Development Bank, which financed this same loan in phase one, was not able to fund the same loan in phase two. ii. We recommend that the minister present to us a list of financing options considered when selecting Standard Chartered Bank

17939 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 The translocation of rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve will connect the West Nile region to the tourism circuit, extend the rhinos’ range, and bring opportunities to communities through tourism. The first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony is a proud moment for Uganda and a powerful symbol of our commitment to conservation. Rhinos are not only part of our natural heritage; they are an asset that can drive tourism, jobs, and sustainable growth for our communities. This year, we take the next bold step by reintroducing rhinos into Ajai Wildlife Reserve. We call upon every Ugandan citizen - I thank you, Madam Speaker, for taking the lead - company and partner, to be part of this legacy. When you name a rhino, you are not just giving it an identity; you are securing its future and the future of conservation in Uganda. The naming ceremony, slated for 22 September, will bring together various stakeholders and mark the beginning of the translocation process. This is more than a naming ceremony; it is a platform to showcase Uganda’s commitment to sustainable tourism. Our natural heritage is our competitive advantage, and protecting it ensures that visitors continue to choose Uganda for authentic wildlife experiences. Madam Speaker, as I conclude, under the National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy for Uganda (2018-2028), the country aims to achieve an annual rhino population growth rate of at least five per cent. This will be driven by strengthened security, protection and law enforcement, reintroduction and establishment of new population, building national capacity for effective management and promoting education and awareness of the value of rhino conservation. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has put in place a rhino translocation committee to ensure the rhinos are delivered to Ajai before the end of this year. Protecting rhinos is not just about preserving a species; it is about securing our ecosystems, supporting tourism and creating long-term benefits for local communities. Individuals, companies, philanthropists and global conservation supporters are invited to join the Name a Rhino Campaign, and help to directly fund rhino protection, habitat expansion and community benefit projects. Through you, Madam Speaker, I wish to invite all the Members of Parliament and the staff to join us at the Name a Rhino Campaign on 22 September 2025 in Nakasongola, but also name a Rhino. We have shared the different categories in which each individual member can participate. You raised a couple of issues; I am requesting for your guidance. The next statement is almost similar to what I am reading. I request to tackle it so that I can respond to some of the statements.

17664 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT new district headquarters as a priority in the Financial Year 2024/2025. The Government should introduce a legal framework to streamline and guide both mother districts and the new cities on asset sharing, relocation and infrastructure. Madam Speaker, the committee also looked at remuneration of political leaders in the new cities. The committee observed that in Regulation 4 of the First Schedule of the Local Government Act, cities with high local revenue will have more funds to spend on emoluments of their officials as compared to those with less revenue, which not only creates discrepancies in payments to the public servants, but also creates room for abuse of funds in disguise of emoluments. The committee observed that discrepancies in emoluments and allowances cause a decline in morale and create unnecessary competition for jobs within high revenue generating local governments, and low level generating local governments thus attracting an environment of corruption. The committee recommends that the Government should introduce a Bill that will govern the operation of cities. The committee recommends that the Government should amend the Local Government Act and any other relevant laws that govern a city or urban area, to harmonise the salary and emoluments of staff and political leaders, regardless of revenues generated. Madam Speaker, the committee looked at the funding of the cities. The committee observed that the process of creating cities was done without due consideration of the criteria laid out in the Local Government Act, Cap 243. The committee observed that in the process of creating these cities, some rural subcounties were annexed to the existing municipalities without putting into consideration several critical issues about the future growth and development of the cities. The committee observed that the Government has failed to fund cities as per the status. The committee recommends that the Government should ensure adequate and sustainable funding to the newly created cities in the subsequent financial years before the remaining five cities take effect, that is Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, and Wakiso, to enable them to meet the demands and expectations of a city status. The committee recommends that the Government should be transparent with Parliament and the public, stating whether it can fully implement this commitment. General observation The committee on Government Assurance and Implementation did its assessment and found gaps in the operationalisation of the 10 cities created by the Government and approved by Parliament. The gaps were largely attributed to a lack of an enabling regulatory and legal framework, office space and accommodation, appropriate physical development plans, inadequate staffing, and inadequate funding. Conclusion The committee concludes that to a large extent, the Government has not implemented this assurance to fully operationalise the new cities. I, therefore, pray that the report of this Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation, on the status of implementation of the government assurance to fully operationalise the newly created cities, be considered by this House and the recommendations therein adopted. Madam Speaker, I beg to report.

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.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. In 2019, the Government of the Republic of Uganda bought land for a number of villages in Nakasongola. I have been raising this issue to Parliament, the President, the Ugandan Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands. What is pending is after the Government’s sinking in or putting in billions of money, the villagers, the community members are waiting to get their land titles. Ever since 2019 to date, the titles have not been forthcoming. I want to pray that the Prime Minister, the Government of Uganda, goes to Nakasongola and explains to the community members. When I was traversing the area during campaigns, there was a question: “Where are our land titles?” I want to appeal to you, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, that you direct the Ugandan Land Commission and the Government to go to Nakasongola and explain this. I thank you.

Madam Speaker, allow me to use this opportunity to direct the Ministry of Lands to go to Nakasongola together with the Ministry for Luwero- Rwenzori-

…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.

17144 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 Ziroobwe to Wobulenzi Road. Every campaign time, they put machinery there to show that something is going on. Up to now, you cannot cross to Kayunga via Luwero. Nakasongola is becoming a city soon but you cannot cross from Kikyusa to Nakasongola because of floods. Now, here, we are saying, we are planning, we are appropriating. Honourable minister sir, here we are. We are planning, we expect the best. Even the quality of work is wanting. We allocate money, but the work we get is not the best. That is why we are suffering in Kampala. The roads are constructed today, but you will cry tomorrow for the Government to come. For what? Two, there is Uganda Airlines. We appropriate money for it, but the returns are the best. Rethink about it. Then, on compensation, many rich people are paid - (Member timed out.)

Thank you. Honourable member, we shall be asking for an action-taken report on the motion, which was passed here. We must have deliberate efforts. Remember when we had the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) law here. We found out that nearly all our scientists had been paid for, for post-graduate studies by those same seed companies. Whenever you could touch, you would find the people you who were mainly funded by Monsanto. By the way, just go to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) or National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), you will find that the biggest funder for doctoral and post-graduate studies is Monsanto. They confessed. Therefore, I think we need also to have a budget to develop our own scientists as Government so that they can be conditioned to think like Ugandans but not in support of their founders. That is an open secret. We cannot hide away from it. We need it to hear from these farmers of Buganda – Nakasongola, Hon. Wanzala and then we go to Hon. Kamuntu.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the clarification. My next concern goes to the Luwero Triangle – Rwenzori affairs. I concur with the committee to recommend the Shs 15 billion, because for instance in Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Luwero, and Kiboga districts, our grandmothers and fathers fought during the war of 1981 to 1986 but those people were not paid. We have bad roads and hospitals. Sincerely speaking, this area needs to be considered. I therefore concur with the committee in allocating the Shs 15 billion to this area. Thank you

Mr Speaker, let me start with the low-hanging one to the Minister of Internal Affairs. Hon. Nalukoola has been here with his maiden speech. He said that in Kawempe North, there are still continuing arrests and harassment of his voters – quite a number of them are being arrested and imprisoned. Could you give us a report on why police and other agencies continue to harass voters in Kawempe, when the elections have long ended? I am seeing a common occurrence on all Votes – of arrears that are unfunded. I have looked at prisons, with Shs 120 billion in arrears. All of that money is for the service providers, and it is not budgeted for. I wonder how we can pass a budget when we consumed commodities – goods – of our business people, and we have not budgeted for them. I have seen it in the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA), Defence and Veteran Affairs. When I counted the arrears in Defence and Veteran Affairs, they are almost going to Shs 500 billion or thereabout. That is a huge sum of money in arrears and this is collapsing our businesses. Could we, as the committee, not have interrogated this matter to see that the agency continues to accumulate arrears, yet they cannot pay? Also, I have seen here a project called the Solar Project in Nakasongola. A similar project was piloted in Kololo. We spent Shs 7 billion to build a solar system that would even go to the national grid, but since some five to seven years ago, not a single voltage – is it watt, voltage or megawatt? – is being generated at Kololo –

There is not a single unit of kilowatt from Kololo to the national grid. I see us allocating an additional Shs 20 billion to this white elephant project, now in Nakasongola. The argument then – I was in internal affairs – was that the Kololo project was a pilot one – (Member timed out.)

You are rolling over this. How do you roll out a failed project and allocate money to it? I do not know whether you had no institutional memory to ask them. They took a committee to China to see procurement that never came through. Shs 9 billion was taken in Kololo. All of you know Kololo. There is no solar being generated there. Now, you are saying we should give Nakasongola another Shs 20 billion. I have also seen here an alarming figure, in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The number of people being trafficked has gone up by 185 per cent – from 180 to 2,000 and something human beings were being trafficked, and that report is for 2022. You seem not to have the figures for

Honourable members, Section 8 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015, highlights the importance of tax Bills in achieving the objective of the Charter for Fiscal Responsibility, and as such, the timeliness of consideration of the Tax Bills by Parliament is very important. Today, we shall exercise our efficiency in the disposal of all the pending Tax Bills, including the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which the committee has not finalised because we cannot hold the budgeting process because we are waiting for the committee yet it is on the same matter. It has only one amendment and we will not wait for that. Is the minister’s Motion seconded? It is seconded by the Deputy Attorney-General, the Government Chief Whip, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Pesh, Hon. Margaret, Honourable Member from Nakasongola, Hon. Mamawi, Hon. Mugisha, Hon. Sarah, Hon. Atima, Hon. Donald, Hon. Milton, Hon. Pasca, Hon. Jessica - When I see you seated yet you know very well — Honourable members, you know what they call the accounting cycle. Hon. Okwir, Dr Aabuka, Hon. Akifeza, Hon. Wokorach, Hon. Gafabusa, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Phyllis, Hon. Ochwa, Hon. Babungi, queen dancer; Hoima, Hon. Kabanda. Yes, Honourable Minister. One thing that I want to reiterate is what Hon. Sarah Opendi said, that next time, you must have sufficient study on all these rules and because of that, you must be able to give figures in your study to the committee. Yes, honourable chairperson.

Thank you. Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by the Chairperson, Committee on Finance, the Attorney-General, the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service, the minister in charge of veterans, the minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Ogwang, Hon. Kabanda, Hon. Nekesa, the honourable member from Bunyole, the honourable member from Rwampara, the honourable member from Serere, the honourable member from Koboko, Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho, Hon. Akifeza, Hon. Avur, Hon. Faith Kunihira, Member representing the elderly, Hon. Afidra, Hon. John Faith Magolo, Hon. Patience Nkunda, my uncle – you know, we do not mention the name of an uncle - Hon. Basil Bataringaya, Hon. Donald Katalihwa, Dr Aabuka, Hon. Ochwa, Hon. Phyllis Chemutai, Hon. Atima, Hon. Maximus Ochai, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Mugisha, Member for Sheema, Member from Kyankwanzi – Kyankwanzi and Nakasongola are close to each other – Member from Buhweju, Dr Otaala, Hon. Sarah Najjuma, Hon. Faith Nakut and Member from Jinja. Would you like to speak to your motion?

Thank you. Is that seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Apolot, Hon. Itungo, Hon. Ruyonga, Hon. Agnes for Workers, Member for Alebtong, Hon. Lilian, Hon. Thomas, Member for Kikuube, Hon. Edakasi, Hon. Peninah, Hon. Annet, Hon. Atyang, Hon. Okori-Moe, Hon. Oulanyah, Hon. Linos, Hon. Kenny Auma, Hon. Apolot, Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Connie, Member for Namayingo, Hon. Emmanuel, Member for Apac, Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu and Member for Soroti East. Honourable members, I now put the question that the report of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline on the review of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament be adopted by this House. (Question put and agreed to.) Report, adopted. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Rule 2

16073 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2025 Then you are telling this House that we are having media drama while facing me? Someone who was arrested one time from DP headquarters at the city house, we came and fought - you were kept in Nakasongola for three weeks. Now, because you are out of the boat, you are calling it ekyato . Are you fair to this House? Inform this House under the legal regime is Col Dr Besigye, NUP, and all those people who are in prison and the Karachunas, are being held after the Supreme Court judgment. What is your role on these judges as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs? You do not want to bring out facts. Kindly help us because today it is me, and tomorrow it is you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hon. Mao made it very clear that he was just talking and I do not want to fault him. I was in Luzira Prisons in 2011, in B2. I slept on the mattress that Hon. Mao had left there, and my first meal was what he left before he was taken to Nakasongola. Therefore, Hon. Mao is a victim. What the Speaker did yesterday was to shift the responsibility to a person who has washed his hands clean that saying he is not responsible. That is why, Mr Speaker, I had to go by your guidance, the Attorney-General who went to court was here, I do not know, but your guidance took us to the wrong address. That is why even the Hon. Mao is asking, “Have they done this?” My only disappointment is not what he has said. The disappointment is that we have suffered with him. You can imagine, I slept on his mattress, the one he had left there. I do not think you celebrate those days when Mr Museveni took you to prison. That is why you must lead us in liberating and rescuing people who are suffering the same way you are suffering. That is the only disappointment I have; that you can seek to rationalise the disobeying of a Supreme Court judgment by Government agencies. At least your presence there should be - like last time when I saw you regretting why you joined and you were threatening to leave. Therefore, if they are not following the Constitution, I have known you Hon. Nobert Mao for a long time, since you were an MP here. You have been pushing for constitutionalism. I want to hear that Hon. Mao, who speaks about constitutionalism and the rule of law, not one who rationalizes people who are disobeying Supreme Court orders.

Thank you very much , Mr Speaker. I want to thank the chairperson of the committee and Hon. Ssemujju Nganda for their presentations. Mr Speaker, a number of issues have been tackled by this Parliament. I have not heard of the issue of land funds being discussed here. I come from the central region, and the challenges of the different regions vary. When you come to the central region, a number of Ugandans are being evicted by the rich people every day and night. When you sit at home every evening and watch TV news, you will see Ugandans crying, “The Prime Minister and minister of lands, come and help us.” Go to Kiboga, Nakasongola and Luweero – the issue of the land fund has not been considered. I want to urge and implore the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to consider empowering the Uganda Land Commission so that they have money to secure land for Ugandans who are becoming landless every day and night. Secondly, Mr Speaker, is about connectivity roads. The Government is planning to connect the road from Dokolo-Ochero-Namasale. That is the same road which comes to Zengebe, Sasira up to the Gulu highway. Why do you work on one part of the road and leave the other? I think the finance ministry could be isolating Nakasongola and leaving it as an island. They need to tell us. Lastly, Mr Speaker, for some years, the President has been pledging to tarmac the Zirobwe-Kikyusa-Bamugolodde road. Ever since I joined Parliament, it has been a presidential pledge but you do not see it in the development plan, the budget or anywhere else. I would like to ask the ministry of finance

19 Hon. Dr. Lulume Bayiga Micheal Buikwe South DP 20 Hon. Auma Kenny DWR Kwania UPC 2t Hon. Zawedde Victorious DWR Nakasongola Ind Hon. Mukhaye Miriam DWR Mbale Ind ZJ Hon. Nantaba Ida.l. Erios DWR Kayunga Ind 24 Hon. Col. Dr. Nekesa Victoria UPDF C,/, 25 Hon. Kamateneti Joselyine DWR Ntungamo NRM I 2lPage

Honourable colleagues, I welcome you to today’s sitting. Happy New Year. I am glad to see that we are still alive in the new year. On a very sad note, we lost a former district woman representative for Nakasongola, Hon. Margaret Komuhangi, who passed away last week in India. She represented Nakasongola in the Ninth and 10 th parliaments. Burial is today and I would like to thank the honourable colleagues who have managed to go to represent us. When we were in church yesterday, I got a report that over 200 Members managed to go to her home to pay their respects and also to church. That sign of solidarity is very critical. We always stand by each other because as Parliament, we are family. Whether you are a former or current MP, you will always be part of the family. Therefore, standing by each other is very critical.

Thank you. Is it seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Edakasi, Hon. Iddi, Hon. John, Hon. Dennis, Hon. Acora, Hon. Adeke, Hon. Prossy, Hon. Omara, Hon. Ayoo, Hon. Nekesa Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Elwelu, Hon. Bright, Hon. Isaac, the Minister of Local Government – why are you hiding there, Hon. Muhammad? – Hon. Phyllis, Dr Ayume, Hon. Anywar, Hon. Cissy Namujju, Hon. Olanya, Hon. Lematia, the Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Nabukeera, Counsel, Hon. Margaret and Dr Apea. Thank you. I put the question that we move to Committee Stage for the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill to be read for the second time. (Question put and agreed to) BILLS COMMITTEE STAGE THE ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 2024 Clause 1

Yes, honourable member for Nakasongola?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me an opportunity. Allow me to address my urgent question to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. There are traders from Kaberamaido who trade in cattle. Ever since the directive that affects Balaalo was instituted, these traders have always been affected. It should be noted that there are no Balaalo in Kaberamaido. Kaberemido also happens to be in eastern Uganda. We happen to use the gate from Zengebe that goes through Namasale, Amolatar. As I speak, since Saturday, 28 September 2024, I have traders with a truck, UAT 371Q that was returned by soldiers from Amolatar to Zengebe and have been there since Saturday. As I speak, they have already lost some animals and they have not been allowed to cross the lake. This morning, I spoke to the DPC of Nakasongola, and he said that these traders have their permits, and they fulfilled all the requirements. The exception is that they have not been allowed to cross the lake. The reason being given is not clear. I am told that a one Afande Keith Katungi, was the one who gave a verbal order that those people should not be allowed to cross. I asked if there was a written document to that effect but up to now, there is no written document. My prayer is that the minister responsible should help at least in the interim to allow these Ugandans to leave Zengebe and return to Kaberamaido where they came from with their animals. If there be any investigations to be done, those people have the addresses. I have given all the details to my Resident District Commissioner and the DPC of Nakasongola. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

No, we talked of the size, not the taste. Okay? ( Laughter ) I had allowed Hon. Melsa and the Members for Nakasongola and Bunyaruguru.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I stand to also support the motion. If this country goes ahead to depend on multinational seed corporations, we are going to become dependents, as a country. When you become dependents as a country, this means that those with seeds which become food will become our bosses. At the end of the day, this country will get into a situation where they will say, “To give you food, give us your resources”. Uganda has a lot of natural resources and you never know, people might be targeting them. Secondly, Mr Speaker, biodiversity had come up to support farmers and they constructed seed banks in a number of districts. Farmers who were organised started bringing those cereals to the banks. I want to cite an example. In Nakasongola, there is a seed bank which was opened by Gen. Salim Saleh and the farmers who organised brought their seeds there. However, when we had an exhibition in Nakasongola, they sold the seeds. They remained with a few to plant the next season. Indeed, they planted but the season was bad. As I talk, they have little. I implore the Government to get interested and support those organised groups with their seed banks so that we begin with those ones. I beg to submit. Thank you. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [Mr Lokwang]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am happy with my honourable sister who has agreed that I am disciplined; and disciplined people do not tell lies. Kafu is a very big river. It rotates from the Nakasongola side. It goes through Masindi up to the border of Kiboga and Hoima. Her issue is quite different from the one I mentioned on the Floor yesterday but one. She has been on our neck and we are happy that we have been updating what has been going on. Currently, we have added an addendum to the contractor who is on the Busunju-Hoima Road to work on the Kafu Swamp. I must inform you that your official letter informing you of this is on the way. It will come tomorrow. We have already instructed him to take up that matter, as we look for the money to work on the other hand, which cuts from the Nakasongola side. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to give you information as pertains to Karuma Bridge. Personally, I went under the bridge. Work is ongoing. The bridge was designed and is sitting on six spires. Out of those systems supporting the bridge, four have given way. We made an assessment. The old deck - the deck is a construction where the vehicle passes - is completely worn out with cracks. Underneath the bridge, there is what we call a florescence – the white stuff, which indicates that the whole components of the bridge – the reinforcements – have already given way. We discovered that the team already constructed the platform, which necessitates movement under the bridge. Madam Speaker, about five of us from the committee went under the bridge - myself and my deputy chairperson. They promised that after two weeks, they would permanently close the bridge. However, they told us that before they close, they have taken samples for testing which – (Interjections)- these are technical things. After the test results, they said they would permanently close the bridge. Madam Speaker, the issue is: that before they permanently close the bridge, they should provide an alternative route. As I speak now, the alternative route which is Masindi Port Ferry has a very small ferry. If you go there right now, people spend five days without being crossed and animals are dying. So, we are demanding for an additional ferry at Masindi Port. Also, the other route from Zengebe through Amolatar should be worked on because the whole access road from Nakasongola is completely submerged. The road needs to be raised and worked on so that accessibility is achieved. Finally, as they improve the bridge, we propose that they also work on the approaches of the bridge at Karuma because as you enter from this side, the bridge is on the curve; as you enter from Nwoya, there is a long curve and the other side of the Karuma, there is also a long curve. So, we propose that they widen the curve and provide a pedestrian walkway because our people are at a risk. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Sekyanzi Bernard Kirya is my name. I represent the people of Budyebo County in Nakasongola District. Madam Speaker, I would like to correct my colleague “Dubai” who said that the centre of this country is in Amolatar. It is in Nakasongola – (Laughter) - in my constituency. He is just a neighbour. Another thing –

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the honourable Minister of Energy and Mineral Development for the comprehensive report. I also thank the Government of Uganda for extending power to Ugandans. Mr Speaker, in the contract agreement of the project implemented in Nakasongola, there was what they called the one-kilometre radius. Wherever they put a transformer, power had to cover a radius of one kilometre. However, this did not happen, and I want the minister to tell me why. Mr Speaker, wherever they put a transformer, it was supposed to be 100 kVA. However, in some areas, they installed 50kVA transformers. I ask the energy ministry why it happened. If the contract agreement said 100 kVA, and you put a 50 kV transformer, that is an audit query to me. Mr Speaker, I appreciate that the ministry is going to extend power, where it is within three kilometres. They have surveyed some areas but in Nakasongola, they have not. When will they come to Nakasongola to survey? In case they come, honourable minister, we request that the Members of Parliament and other political leaders are involved in the activity. Lastly, it is about the compensation. Mr Speaker, where these power lines were passing, mango trees and other trees were cut down and people were promised that they were going to be compensated. But up to today, compensation has not taken place, and people think that as Members of Parliament when we come here, we do not speak. Mr Speaker, we request the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development to take it up and compensate these people who are supposed to be compensated. I beg to submit. I thank you.

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

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

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

On a lighter one but the confidentiality of that particular person may be compromised. With that, Mr Speaker, I listened to the very good English of my brother, Hon. Muruli Mukasa. It was very, very good. From Nakasongola, it was amazing. (Laughter ) But one thing he did not mention - (Interjection) - she says she is informed. I said, oh, she says she is informed. I was only praising the Hon. Mukasa for his brilliant English. And that is all I picked from his statement.

13114 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT You know what happens in Nakasongola . You also know what happens if you are taken to all these facilities that were not supposed or created to provide sufficient prison facilities. Actually, Madam Speaker, those of us who have been to prison prefer being in Luzira than elsewhere, even geographically. Madam Speaker, the fundamental point is the company which is being reported to construct this facility. That company has been blacklisted by the World Bank because it is debt burdened. That company; RVR Projects Pvt Limited is debt burdened and it has been blacklisted yet it is the company being fronted to take over that piece of land. It has been a subject of investigation even locally here. Madam Speaker, we should not allow land grabbing to be disguised as an opportunity to expand Luzira. If you want to have more hotels - Where you want to take this facility is actually where you should take the hotel because that place also needs development. Take it there and have that place developed. Otherwise, what is happening here is land grabbing disguised in another manner. I thank you.

It is seconded by Hon. Iddi Isabirye, Hon. Mamawi, Hon. Chemonges, Honourable Member for Mityana, Hon. Rachael Magoola, Prof. Mushemeza, Hon. Ethel Naluyima, Honourable Member for Iganga, Honourable Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Kenny Auma, Hon. Gerald Nangoli, Hon. Veronica Nanyondo, Hon. Hanifa Nabukeera, Hon. Ekudo, Hon. Christine, Hon. Ssolo. Honourable Minister of Information, Communication Technologies and National Guidance, Hon. Bwino – the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Honourable Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Honourable Minister of Local Government, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Loy Katali, Hon. Victoria Rusoke, Hon. Edakasi, Hon. Pamela Kamugo, Hon. Auma Hellen, Hon. Chemutai, thank you. Would you like to speak a little bit to your Bill? Yes-

Seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Elwelu, Hon. Bwino, Hon. Okaasai, Hon. Busingye, Hon. Moses Kabuusu, Hon. Gerald, Hon. Dennis, Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Sauda, Hon. Mwijukye, minister for ICT, Hon. Iddi, Hon. Jenifer, Member for Ntungamo, Member for Isingiro, Hon. Feta, Hon. Victoria, Hon. Edakasi, Hon. Mamawi, Hon. Anthony Esenu, Dr Bhoka, Member of the Committee on East African Community Affairs, Member for Gulu, Hon. Phyllis, Hon. David, Hon. Opendi – even Hon. Opendi is supporting? (Laughter) – Hon. Angura, Hon. Pamela, Member for Busia and the Member for Mityana. General, would you love to speak to your motion?

Is the motion seconded? (Members rose_) It is seconded by the Deputy Attorney-General, the Chairperson Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Lt Gen. Elwelu, Hon. Olobo, Hon. Solomon, Member for Nakasongola, Workers’ Representative, Hon. Gabriel, Member for Aruu, Hon. Faith, Hon. Xavier, Member for Hoima, Hon. Kahonda, Hon. Amooti, Hon. John Faith, the minister for Karamoja, minister for Bunyoro – it is supported by the majority. Would you like to speak to your motion, honourable minister?

12543 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 APRIL 2024 Where there are internal capacity challenges, the National Planning Authority should undertake the studies. On budgeting for Anti-Money Laundering, and Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) We recommend that the Uganda Police Force implement the strategic deficiencies under its jurisdiction on pending action items from the National Risk Assessment of 2023. Traffic and Road Safety We note that this department implements an express penalty scheme, which forms the bulk of NTR. We, therefore, recommend an additional Shs 8.6 billion for the procurement of transport equipment and installation of an IOV inspection lane and certification centre and Shs 18 billion for the procurement of 10 mobile inspection stations for IOV. Police Accommodation and Ongoing Con - struction Projects There is continued construction of 240 staff houses in Jinja and Entebbe, which requires an additional Shs 69.986 billion. Construction of eight accommodation blocks at the headquarters in Nakasongola, Sheema, Busolwe, Mitooma, Kanungu, and Kakumiro has a funding gap of Uganda’s Shs 2.24 billion, among others. These projects need independent project designs with national coverage, standardisation and ease of project monitoring? Therefore, we recommend developing a comprehensive project to undertake countrywide interventions with the same standards to ease the monitoring of such infrastructure. Subcounty Policing Model This model is premised on concentrating limited resources at a subcounty for efficiency and effectiveness in providing policing services to the communities. This requires the following: (i) Deploying a minimum of 18 personnel; (ii) 2 motorcycles per police station; (iii) 1 motor vehicle; (iv) A counter phone and radio communication; (v) An office. If this model is to be phased, starting with high-risk crime levels, taking 30 subcounties that have been planned requires Shs 36.946 billion. However, only Shs 5.6 billion has been provided in the Financial Year 2024/2025 budget for only 9 subcounties. We, therefore, recommend that Uganda Police Force first pilot this model with the existing funds provided in the budget and expand it given the lessons learned in the piloted subcounties. On crime management We note that Uganda Police Force intends to expand the Canine units to 10 districts of Nebbi, Koboko, Budaka, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Zombo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Packwach and Kaberamaido during FY 2024/2025 with a provision of Shs 0.709 billion out of the required Shs 2.968 billion, leaving a gap of Shs 2.259 billion. We, therefore, recommend providing Shs 2.259 billion for the canine unit to take its services to the above districts and closer to communities in the Finacial Year 2024/2025 budget. In addition, the Uganda Police Force should sensitize the masses on the importance of not interfering with scenes of crime to deploy canine dogs effectively in the investigative mechanism. On stationery, Mr Speaker, we note that the shortage of stationery at police units is a source of perceived corruption, dissatisfaction, loss of confidence and ultimately poor police image. A provision of Shs 2.172 billion has been made for the Financial Year 2024/2025, yet the

Isingiro, Kagadi, Nakaseseke, Nakasongola, Arua, obongi, Kitgum, Lamwo, Kamuli, Iganga, Agago, pader, Amum, and adjumani. (18) 1,800 MSMEs mobilized and sensitized on the importance of formatizing and registration of businesses. Amuru and Adjumani. ( 19) 1 ,550 MSMEs mobilized and sensitized on the importance of product certification, audits, good manufacturing practices and good hygiene practices for enterprises in Agago and pader. (20) Final draft guidelines for development, management and operation of Industrial Parks developed. (21) Draft regulations for scrap metal trade developed. (22) Draft amendment to Licensing Act Regulations devetoped. (23) Development of guidelines for the Eco-certification of industries tabled. (24) Production and trade in the pineappte sub-sector profile Table 12: MTIC Proposed Budget allocation FY 2o24l25 and Variances between Approved and proposed (UGX, Billion| Source.. Semi- A nnual Budge Performance v {, Budget Category FY 20/23124 Budget App Budget Spent by End Dec FY 2024l25 Budget Estimates Variance Between Approved and Proposed Wage 3.248 1.403 2.894 -0.354 Non-lllage 155.589 86.625 LOL.2r9 -54.37 GoU Dev't 1O.826 5.065 I 1.16 0.334 Arrears 0.335 0 0 -0.335 Total Budget 169.998 93.093 t15.273 -54.725 W -{*- fr 45 Report FY 2023/24 & ( eTrl

Thank you very much. Is the motion seconded? It is seconded by Hon. Amos, Hon. Akol, Hon. Ojok, Hon. Koluo, Member formerly with Uganda Exports Promotions Board, Member from Kazo, Member from Kanungu, Hon. Herbert, Hon. Noah, Hon. Jane Bainomugisha, Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, Hon. Esenu, Hon. Mbabazi, Hon. Loy Katali, Member from Nakasongola, Hon. Helen, Hon Bwiire, Attorney-General and Gen. Kavuma. By the way, Hon. Gen. Kavuma, congratulations upon your promotion. (Applause) It is seconded by the whole House. I also see Hon. Amero. Would you like to justify your motion?

12426 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The Ministry of Local Government undertook to communicate to the local governments to improve the existing infrastructure to provide ramps for persons with disability on all office infrastructure. Recommendations i. The Ministry of Local Government should ensure that affirmative action for disadvantaged regions is covered in its project. ii. The Ministry of Local Government should communicate to all local governments to ensure a safe environment for people with disabilities and follow up to ensure they have implemented the infrastructure update. Induction of local leaders Madam Speaker, cases of conflict in local governments continue to persist. This is attributed to lack of induction on roles and responsibilities of different players in local governments. The Ministry of Local Government is in need of Shs 5 billion to conduct induction for newly elected local leaders in the remaining local governments. The committee observed that the induction of local leaders at this time is likely to be a waste of resources since the next general election season starts next year, and new leaders may be elected. Committee’s recommendations The committee recommends as follows: (i) The Ministry of Local Government should instead plan for induction in the Financial Year 2025/2026 for the new leaders who will be elected in the 2026 general elections, since the current leadership will be ending their term of office in the same financial year. (ii) Shillings 3 billion, from the proposed Shs 5 billion for induction in the ministry’s budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025, be allocated to facilitate the ministry in ensuring the functionality of the agro- processing facilities that were built under Community Agriculture Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CAIIP). (iii) Shillings 2 billion, from the proposed Shillings 5 billion for induction, be allocated for capacity building activities under the Ministry of Local Government. (vi) Review of Decentralisation Madam Speaker, permit me to look through the recommendations. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025, be provided to cover consultation and preparatory activities for the review of the decentralisation policy throughout the country. (vii) Operationalisation of the remaining five cities Madam Speaker, Parliament approved the establishment of 15 cities in 2020, of which 10 are already operational. The remaining five cities of Wakiso, Entebbe, Kabale, Moroto and Nakasongola are set to commence on 1 July 2025, and the Ministry of Local Government requires Shs 1 billion for preparatory activities. The committee recommends that funds worth Shs 1 billion for preparatory activities –

Madam Speaker, these are cities that were approved by Parliament in 2020 and they are; Wakiso, Entebbe, Kabale, Moroto and Nakasongola. (Applause) The committee recommends that funds worth Shs 1 billion for preparatory activity –

Secondly, on the issue of the new cities, I want to clarify. The current government ban is on the creation of new administrative units. The cities we are talking about; Moroto, Kabale, Nakasongola, Entebbe, and Wakiso, we are not talking about creating them, they were already created. I am talking about operationalising the units which were already created and we need a position from Parliament at this time because I am sure the Electoral Commission needs to be guided in terms of the way ahead. In terms of when they should be functional or when they start, it is the 1 July 2025. So it is not a requirement for this current budget in terms of funding them, what we now need is just Shs 1 billion shillings to carry out studies on the boundaries, on the revenue capacities and so on, which we shall then present to the Parliament. Thirdly, on the issue of ex-gratia of the local councillors. Colleagues, it is an agreed position of Parliament and it is good practice to avoid a supplementary budget if we know that it will happen. Already we are telling you that there are some funds in terms of arrears and shortfalls in the budget to pay the councillors as ex-gratia and it is coming to Shs 42 billion. When we do not include it in this year’s budget, we will create a supplementary budget even at the beginning. That is an important point we need to look at. Madam Speaker, we have prioritised physical planning because of increased urbanisation in the country. We need a fund for physical planning so that we have well-guided urbanisation in the country. We are requesting for only Shs 5 billion. Why are we bringing this and why did we bring them to the committee? They are considered at this stage as unfunded priorities and it is this House to appropriate and pronounce itself on this. I totally agree with the committee. We are going to issue a circular to all local governments to ensure that they include a ramp for persons with disabilities on their buildings. Thank you for bringing that out; it is really important. SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The road from Kasiso to Mazi is impassable to motorists yet it connects Luweero to Nakasongola. When can you come and help? The people cannot connect between the two districts?

I would like to inform the Member that we need to use the offices that we have. Together with you, we are going to Nakasongola tomorrow, we have even informed UWA because I already had that report so we look for a solution together. Do you remember the Shs 5 billion that was going to buy cups, tarpaulins and plastic plates, which the people complained that I reverted? We are commissioning health facilities. Tomorrow we are going to be in Lwampanga Health Centre III. We are commissioning another facility - we constructed Moone using the same money, another facility in Nabweyo in Amolatar. We are constructing a hospital using the same money that our people used to buy tarpaulins, plates and these substandard bed nets. We consolidated that money and that is why those facilities are being constructed. We shall handle the hippos together tomorrow while there.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, in December 2022, you promised to launch the Nakasongola- Kayunga-Jiira Bridge. However, to date, it is not yet completed and the contractor left the site. What is the work plan for that site? Elevation and tarmacking of the same road –

Bbaale-Kayunga- Nakasongola-Jiira Bridge. It is on Sezibwa. It is a connection between Bbaale and Nakasongola, towards Hon. Noah’s area. There is also the issue of the tarmacking of the entire road connecting to Kayunga District. Secondly, honourable minister for the youth, congratulations, but what plan do you have for the rural unemployed youth? If any, when are you –(Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, I have been to that bridge twice. It connects Kayunga to Nakasongola. It is almost complete – it is 99 per cent complete. We only need a few patches here and there. The contractor left the site and the ministry is using its engineers to complete the remaining work. I believe that in two or three months, we shall have gone through. It is only that the ministry for finance, this time round, did not provide enough money, but they are saying they are going to give them money. This morning, I met Hon. Katumba Wamala; he had come for the same. We had a meeting with the ministries for finance and works on a number of bridges in the country, where work has stalled, not only Sezibwa. The ministry for finance has promised.

Thank you , Mr Speaker. I stand to support the committee. I entirely say that people view UBC. Even now, our voters are viewing it to follow parliamentary proceedings. It is therefore important to fund UBC. UBC is bleeding internally, to my understanding and according to what I have been sharing with UBC officials and the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance. I want to cite an example where a UBC radio branch in Nakasongola that is UBC Buruli, which is sharing a transmitter with a private radio that is Salt FM. That signifies that UBC Radio has no money.

12098 PRIME MINISTER’S T IME The fourth question came from the Hon. Victorious Zawedde, District Woman Representative, Nakasongola District. She said that Nakasongola District has got two constituencies, that is, Budyebo and Nakasongola. However, that Nakasongola District has got only one functional health centre IV, which serves as a district hospital. This health facility handles over 500 mothers for antenatal care, 100 mothers for delivery and 35 mothers for caesarean sections. Sometimes, mothers sleep on the floor while others are discharged before the right time. The newly- born babies end up being infected after being admitted on the floor. Her prayer, Mr Speaker, is that may she know when the Government will construct a standard and well-equipped maternity ward at Nakasongola Health Centre IV so that it can really serve the available population? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the bed capacity for a health centre IV, as per the Ministry of Health current standards, is 24 beds. Nakasongola Health Centre IV is however, a 60-bed facility. The existing maternity block was designed for 14 beds as opposed to the standard of eight beds, which is adequate. Mr Speaker, Nakasongola Health Centre IV requires only minor renovations and remodelling to be able to improve on the working environment. It is worth noting that Nakasongola District was allocated funds in Financial Year 2023 /2024 for the upgrade of Nabiswere Health Centre III to a health centre IV. The funds have already been disbursed to the UPDF Engineering Brigade to start the construction for the upgrade. In addition, the Office of the Prime Minister constructed a new health centre III at Rwampanga using the UPDF Engineering Brigade. This will help to decongest Nakasongola Health Centre IV. The fifth issue was again from Hon. Achayo Julie Lodou, Member of Parliament, Ngora. She said that NMS, in its wisdom, designed a schedule for delivering medicines and medical supplies to health facilities in two monthly cycles. She added that this approach is appropriate because it ensures a fairly steady supply of drugs. Of late, however, she said, NMS developed a system of delivering first and second cycle drugs together and the third and fourth cycle medicines are also delivered together, etcetera. She said that although the drugs eventually become available in sufficient quantities, the approach leads to longer periods of stock-outs and the delivery may come too late to save life. Her prayer is that NMS should revert to the old system of delivering drugs to the health facilities every two months. Mr Speaker, my response is that National Medical Stores developed a bi-monthly delivery schedule to ensure there was sufficient time for the facilities to establish their needs for essential medicines and health supplies, and order these items within the available budgets that have been appropriated by Parliament. The delivery of health commodities in a financial year is meant to commence in the first week of July, to ensure there is no interruption to the commodity supply to health facilities. However, in the Financial Year 2023/2024 operational funds from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to support the distribution of these commodities were received approximately 30 days late. This delay meant that deliveries to health facilities were delayed and the only remedy available to ensure that health facilities received all the commodities they had ordered for, was to combine the delivery of the cycles, thereby increasing the delivery intervals from every two months to every four months. Mr Speaker, the impact of the delays in the receipt of the operational funds has been discussed with the finance ministry, under my chair, and they have committed to providing a mechanism to frontload NMS with the operational funds required to distribute these health commodities at the beginning of every financial year.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the Government of Uganda constructed a bridge to connect Nakasongola to Kayunga in 2019. As we talk, five years have elapsed, but the bridge has not been commissioned. When I went to the Ministry of Works and Transport, they said the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has not released funds to that ministry for two quarters. My question is; when will this bridge be commissioned for use? Thank you.

I have been to this bridge, Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues. The bridge is almost 99 per cent complete. What remains are these simple patches to connect Kayunga to Nakasongola. It is true that the Ministry of Works and Transport was not given money when this quarter was beginning, but at least I saw the Investment Project Financing (IPFs) and they are going to complete that bridge. The bridge is almost complete. I know Sezibwa Bridge; I have been there with him.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Two critical issues as the Prime Minister was responding to questions. I am drawn to questions that are raised by the honourable colleagues Hon. Achayo Juliet, Member of Parliament for Ngora. She was raising the fact that three subcounties do not have Health Centre III in her area, the Hon. Victorious Zawedde, District Woman Member of Parliament for Nakasongola, who raised a concern about only one functional health centre IV that serves as a district hospital. On Tuesday, I proposed to this House, after we visited Lubowa Specialised Hospital on Monday and were denied access, we asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development who updated this House that so far, $156 million has gone to this project through promissory notes, but we do not know what is happening. I proposed to this House that we halt any more money going to Lubowa Specialised Hospital. Let us begin to channel this money to health centres in this country. These two honourable colleagues have made their way to this paper. If you ask any Member of Parliament and give them a chance, they will tell you the challenge of health centres in their areas. I want to remind the House of the proposal that I made. This money we have been channelling to Lubowa Specialised Hospital, which we cannot access- The presiding officer then said that she would request you to go to Lubowa Specialised Hospital, now that we were denied. We did wish you well because in the past, the Minister for Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, together with the permanent secretary, and yourself, you did go to that facility and you were denied access. I do not know if you went - because the Speaker said you would go yesterday, Wednesday, I do not know if you managed to go and whether you were given access.

11890 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Development Plan, the Government selected 69 key projects, which it planned to fund. Among them is the creation of four science and technology parks as part of the Innovation Technology Development and Transfer Program and 40 Technology and Business Incubators (TBIs). Prayer: Can I update the House on the progress that has been registered in line with the construction of the Science and Technology parks, as well as the Technology and Business Incubators? The response is that I am pleased to inform the House that the Government has made significant progress regarding the establishment of Science and Technology Parks and Technology and Business Incubators. Below are the updates: 1. Engineering Park in Rwebiteete: this park is the most advanced, and we anticipate its opening in May this year; 2. Mobility Park, in Kayunga: land acquisition has been completed, a master plan has been developed and plans are underway to install utilities and attract investors to the park; 3. Biosciences Park in Nakasongola: land has been acquired and a master plan is finalised. Construction has been contracted to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and will commence shortly; and 4. Agro-Science Park, in Soroti. The master plan is currently under development and is expected to be completed by June 2024. Once finalised, we will seek funding for the construction. Mr Speaker, in addition to the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), Uganda has completed the Construction Technology Innovation Business Incubation Centre at Namanve, which is complete and will be opened soon. Additional technology and business incubators are planned to be affiliated with each of the science parks to enable support for ventures and innovators. The Government remains committed to the development of these projects and will provide further updates as they progress. Question No.4 This question came from Hon. Joy Waako, National Female Representative for Older Persons, and the question was that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development publicised the National Guidelines on Healthy Ageing, which were launched during the celebrations of the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October 2023, in Kyegegwa District. The guidelines are to be used by all persons, especially the older persons to manage their lives so as to attain optimum health, functioning and productivity. Under topic one of the guidelines on nutrition and toileting, it is observed that older persons have a tendency of restricting food, water and fruit consumption due to the fear of frequenting the toilet which sometimes are not user-friendly. This has negative consequences on healthy aging such as constipation and malnutrition. Prayer Which measures has the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development put in place to avail user-friendly toilet facilities for older persons, especially in public places? Response Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, as a ministry in charge of disability affairs, is represented on the National Building Review Board (NBRB), whose functions include overseeing public buildings to cater for such matters of safety, health and inclusion. Mr Speaker, the ministry, through Occupational Safety and Health Department, is mandated to ensure workplace safety. This is done through undertaking occupational safety and health plan approval of public buildings and occupational safety and health inspections of all workplaces, including public buildings. Availability of facilities for people with disabilities and older persons are key components and part of the parameters or checklists that are used. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

The NRM Government has a project for water transfer from Nakasongola to Nakaseke and Ngoma. This project was started in 2021 and it was to be done in three phases. The second phase was to start in 2022. However, up to now, the second phase has not kickstarted. People from Budyebo County and Nakasongola Constituency are asking us many questions because they were assured that by the end of 2022, they would get water supply from this project.

Mr Speaker, what I can assure the Member is that the Nakasongola water project, as I submitted during the Prime Minister’s Time, is on course. Your people will get the water.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My matter is related, in all manner, to the submissions of Hon. Atima, save for the actors who are different. On the second day of February, one Molly Akelo, who possesses a fishing trading licence receipt, did make payments at Amolatar District; her truck of mature fish was impounded along Amolatar- Nakasongola Road, by one Israel Mpairwe, the Fish Enforcement Officer of Amolatar Lake Kyoga. He impounded two trucks, went ahead while Kirya Dan, the driver was at Nakasongola Barracks, sold the fish, disposed it at court for Shs 50 million while this was in utter breach of the court procedures in that there was no advertisement, the accused person was in detention at the barracks, was not heard, the receipts were paid, the district veterinary officer did actually ask them that, between the month of January, and March, no certificates or licences are ready, even for us practicing advocates. He ignored the same, went and auctioned the fish for Shs 50 million. Molly Akelo is a pauper from Ochorabino Village. She borrowed the money from the Post Bank. I believe that the proceeds of this auction are forfeited to one Mpairwe and the Government, Molly would go bankrupt and the community that she has borrowed or picked fish from would hold her hostage. The situation is no different from other 50- plus trucks that are being held at Nakasongola Fish Protection Unit, where the persons have paid for licences, but the process of processing between January and March is still ongoing, and it is not on them. My pleas to the Prime Minister: 1. The law in which these officers are acting is the law we did pass here, but has not been operationalized because of the lack of regulations. But persons are being charged under the same legal regime, which at the time was not operational. 2. Persons who are enforcing in the lake, which we actually stressed under section 14 of the said law, that the UPDF itself should be moved away from the lake. And they are the ones doing this. So it brings the feud and the fury from the community that we do lead. So my plea is that: 1. Mpairwe Israel, should forfeit the proceeds of Shs 50 million that he received from one Kirya Dan in the sale of the fish worth Shs 60 million that he did auction. 2. The enforcement of the Fish and Aquatic Act that we did pass without the regulations will be stopped henceforth until the regulations have been legalised or put forth on the Floor. 3. The punitive measures were taken on the high level of connivance between the magistrate grade one and Israel Mpairwe, who sat and entertained the matter exparte while the accused was being detained at the military barracks. I pray.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Nakasongola District has got two constituencies, that is, Budyebo and Nakasongola. However, Nakasongola District has got only one functional Health Centre IV which serves as a district hospital. This health facility handles over 500 mothers for antenatal care, 100 mothers for delivery and 35 mothers for caesarean sections. Sometimes mothers are sleep on the floor while others are discharged before the right time. The newly-born babies end up being infected after being admitted on the floor. We have written to different offices, kept on following up with different offices and the responsible office, but all in vain. Through you, Mr Speaker, to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, may I know when Government is constructing a standard and well-equipped maternity ward at Nakasongola Health Centre IV so that it can really serve the available population? The other information I want to give -

Mr Speaker, the situation in Nakasongola is not unique to Nakasongola. All honourable members here have similar problems in their constituencies. We have discussed this issue several times here in this Parliament; all we need are resources. My humble appeal is that resources are mobilised so that we can address the issue once and for all. I thank you.

I think, honourable minister, you need to assess. You might find all of us are in need but some are in more need than others. From the reports I have been getting, Nakasongola seems to be among URGENT QUESTIONS

Mr Speaker, sorry I was waiting for my chairperson who was going to be here to read the report on the access routes of public water dams by National Forestry Authority and its agents in Nakasongola District. Mr Speaker, I will just spend a little time on the introduction and then go to the conclusion. The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources received a petition from the Rt. Hon. Speaker, presented to her by Hon. Noah Mutebi Wanzala, the Member of Parliament for Nakasongola District, on behalf of the petitioners, a cattle-keeping community within the district. The committee considered the petition in accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda and herein presents the findings; Observations and Recommendations. The petitioners, are a cattle-keeping community within Nakasongola District. They were aggrieved by the activities of the National Forestry Authority and its agents within and around Kasagala Forest Reserve, including replacing of indigenous with exotic trees species. Also the closure of access routes to the nine public valley dams of Kyayonchwa, Katalawendo, Kiraka, Wampiti, Wakasambya, Bamusula, Mitanzi, Wakanzi, and Kinoni, meant to provide permanent water sources for the petitioners’ cattle, especially during the prolonged dry spells experienced by the drought-prone Nakasongola District. The petitioners had engaged a number of key stakeholders, such as local government leaders, district councils, the National Forestry Authority (NFA), without success. The petitioners made the following prayers; 1. Unconditional grant of rights of usage and the easement of wetlands in terms of water catchments by neighbours whose settlements and residences are situated on the highlands bordering the natural wetland resources of NFA. 2. The unconditional unblocking of some of the access routes to public water dams which were excavated on the forest reserve land or public land by the Government of Uganda or donors. 3. The prohibition of bush clearing taking place on the remaining intact natural resource in favour of the artificial planted forest. 4. The prohibition of large or small commercial eucalyptus tree species in the semi-arid Cattle Corridor district of Nakasongola. 5. The prohibition of bush clearing in the wetlands fragile ecosystem and the planting therein of artificial eucalyptus forests, which offends the principles of existence of nature and the right to do a decent environment. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

11701 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2024 6. Payment of adequate compensation or restoration for the loss of public dams and resources, which are no longer recoverable. 7. And a declaration that the wetlands are only water catchment resources for the survival of the main animals. The committee adopted the following methodology; held meetings with petitioners, undertook physical visits, reviewed some documents, and desk review of the triangulation of data from various documentation relevant to the assignment. The relevant regime, Mr Speaker, in regards to assessment, the legal regime considered the Constitution of Uganda, the National Forestry and Planting Act, the National Environment Management Act, the Forest Management Plan, the Land Act, the Local Government Act. The demographics of Nakasongola Nakasongola District is located in central Uganda. It was created in 1997, prior to which it was part of Luwero District. The district borders the district of Apac to the north, Masindi in the west, Luwero in the south, and Kayunga in the east. The district is composed of three counties namely Kyabujingo County, Buruuli County, and Budyebo County. Nakasongola has a total population of 181,000. Mr Speaker, I can now skip through to the observations. Findings and recommendations The committee observed that the petitioners expressed dismay at the limited access of valley dams due to the fact that existing routes were either blocked due to the restrictions by NFA or were too narrow to contain large herds of cattle. This was evidenced by abandoned watering troughs in Bamusuuta Valley Dam. However, at Mikanzi Valley Dam, the committee observed that the animals had been drinking from the available troughs and were drinking from there at the time of the visit to the district, contrary to the petitioner’s claim. The committee observed that; (i) The existing routes availed by NFA were supposed to be jointly used by both animals and humans, thereby making the routes highly susceptible to traffic congestion. (ii) The available routes are in close proximity to residential areas, hence making the people’s property prone to destruction by animals. (iii) There is a need for NFA to avail alternative routes for the farmers to use the access valley dams, and the committee emphasised that the routes by NFA should be along the external boundary of the forest reserve and not through the forest in order to limit movement. The committee recommends that; (i) National Forest Authority fulfils its commitment to establish six metric-wide routes along the external boundaries of the Central Forest Reserve to facilitate movements of animals to existing water points within six months from the time of the committee visit. (ii) The alternative routes by Bamusuuta Dam should be opened up within two weeks from the time of the committee’s visit. (iii) The demarcation of the boundaries should be done in the presence of the district surveyors, NFA surveyors and the farmers, with the aim of GPS meters and GIS equipment to promote transparency. (iv) The Chairperson LCV spearheads the establishment of the proposed routes on behalf of the petitioners together with NFA and the District Local Government team to proper accountability. (v) Funds should be appropriated by NFA and the Government to facilitate the construction of proper routes with the aid of equipment such as wheel loaders along the proposed six-metre routes.

11702 THE SUGAR (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 Committee recommendations: The committee recommends that; (i) Sustainable mechanisms should be put in place jointly by Government responsible security agencies and communities to safeguard the Government projects, assets and apprehend and prosecute the culprits. (ii) The respective agencies, the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MWE and MAAIF) jointly advise mechanisms of restoring and replacing the vandalised solar panels to the valley dams in Nakasongola to facilitate the pumping of water to the watering troughs. On the arrest and eviction of Locals The Committee recommends that; (i) The NFA compensate persons with lawful and provable claims over the land, which was declared a forest reserve; (ii) NFA and its agents opt for amicable resolution of trespass disputes over NFA land and resort to arrest and prosecution as a last resort to ensure peaceful coexistence between the local government and the forest reserve. De-silting of Existing Dams The committee recommends that the respective Ministries; the Ministry of Water and Environment(MWE) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Development (MAAIF) de-silt the dams in Kasanga, Wakasambya, Katalende to improve the access of water for the dams. Encroachment on Existing Dams by Private Developers The committee recommends that; (i) Another dam should be established by a responsible entity, (MWE/MAAIF) in Malengera to ease access by farmers instead of restoring Wakazizi Dam since it is far from their villages (over 25 kilometres from the users). NFA should be committed to availing land where this dam will be established. (ii) Nakasongola District Land Board intervenes to ensure lease conditions that allow the establishment of routes along the forest reserve to aid access to the available water sources by the farmers. (iii) The public dams and boreholes in Kyankonwa that were fenced off by the private developer be opened up to allow access by the farmers. General Committee recommendations: The committee recommends that the terms of any lease to a private developer should be subject to the right for public access to the dams and any other public amenities on the lease property. Assault by enforcement officers The committee recommends that: (i) The process of demarcation of the six- mile routes along the forest reserves be expedited to facilitate movement of animals to the various water points; (ii) Farmers should refrain from trespass, especially on private property, as this is against the law and defaulters should be held accountable. Degradation of Existing Swamps and Wetlands: The committee recommends that a private consultant be engaged by MWE/MAAIF and NFA to ascertain the impact of Eucalyptus growing on the existing water table in Nakasongola given that it is a dry corridor in addition to the encroachment claims of the existing water resources. Replacing Natural with Artificial trees species/ commercial trees planting. The committee recommends that; (i) The MWE carries out an impact assessment of planting of artificial tree species instead of indigenous species on [Ms Ababiku] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

11704 THE SUGAR (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 to Nakasongola and of course, ascertain the problems of our people who are living near the forest reserve. This committee was led by Dr Otaala, the vice chairperson of the committee then, and we traversed the entire forest with him and the committee. I entirely agree with the report, but I want to make a few comments. The National Forestry Authority fenced off one of the valley dams, which was very useful to the communities of Malengera Village. These people cannot access water for their cows. They are starving and suffering. The committee recommended that the Ministry of Water and Environment go to that place and excavate another valley dam, but there was also an issue with the community providing land. I want to reassure the House that the community is ready to offer land where the Ministry of Agriculture can excavate that valley dam. Secondly, Mr Speaker, regarding access to other valley dams, some other valley dams were fenced off and there was no access. We discussed with NFA officials who were there then, to open them and they agreed to do so in some areas but have still denied the communities access to them in other areas. They have told this Parliament about the low water table in Nakasongola. Nakasongola is a cattle-corridor district and you are very aware that the water table is very low. There is a project, which is taking place. The Ministry of Water is handling the Bulk Water Transfer Project, which started some time back, but it is being handled at a slow pace. If the Bulk Water Transfer Project can be sped up, those other areas will access water we do our way with the forest reserves. Many of our people have been arrested; other people have been taken to Luzira. I appeal to the Government that NFA should go slow on the community members. As I conclude, people who are being arrested are Ugandans; the forests are for Uganda. Why doesn’t NFA go slow on Ugandans because they are human beings? I entirely agree with the report, but these issues must be considered. I submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to speak after your ruling. I support the position of the committee. You see, that the provisions they have put in are a win-win. Have the Ministry of Agriculture replace these valley dams outside the forest. For me, that is a better deal for the people of Nakasongola. Nakasongola looks to be a vulnerable place because it is a flat. When you clear the forests in flat places, the climatic conditions sometimes change, to the detriment of the ordinary person inhibiting such a place. When step out of your car in this dry season, you feel the heat. If we feel the heat but go slow on protecting the forests, then we are not being just to Ugandans and Uganda as a country, particularly the one we are looking at tomorrow. We should encourage Ugandans to plant more forests, instead of cutting them. I will use this opportunity to appeal to the people in Nakasongola, whom my honourable colleague, Hon. Noah Mutebi, cannot speak to, [Mr Mutebi] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the com - mittee for the detailed report. Allow me to make some corrections about the committee. I listened when the chairperson was presenting that Nakasongola District has three constituen - cies, but instead, Nakasongola has two constit - uencies; Budyebo and Nakasongola. I may disagree with my colleagues as I also give them some information. People have occupied the forest reserve we are talking about. Some very many people are living along this land and it is no longer a forest. I also want to inform the august House that we no longer have some natural trees. Instead, they have planted artificial trees. Remember, these are areas that have been occupied by the local people. Just like Nakasongola, it is found in the cattle corridor, it experiences a lot of dry seasons. We have two dry seasons: April to May and October to March. Mr Speaker, these valley dams were only constructed in some swampy areas which are only serving the available communities. If we close up these valley dams, all the water sources that were put into the forest – and these are Government dams excavated by the Government and a lot of money has been injected into this project. The question is, what will the available communities use? Nakasongola District is a remote area, which is found in central. Very many people know that the central region is an

11706 THE SUGAR (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 urban area, but Nakasongola is a remote area. People who go to the north can attest to this. The forest reserve we are talking about is located along Katuugo. Those who have ever used that road, know the situation I am talking about. I may disagree with my colleagues who are saying that this road should be blocked and maybe we only reserve the land for the forest. I request that we help these communities, and poor Ugandans to settle because we cannot only have the artificial trees and yet people have nowhere to stay. We need to create some space for our people instead of saying that we should only keep protecting the artificial trees, yet they were cut. These are forest reserves that had natural forests and if the natural trees were cut and you people are protecting the artificial trees, then I fail to understand where will –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the recommendations. For sure, Nakasongola is a vulnerable district. Honourable colleagues, I want you to understand Nakasongola very well as a district. In Nakasongola, we faced a lot of problems during the colonialist times, whereby people were displaced to Lango region and the Langis can bear me witness. In 1979, they were all chased from there, and it was as if it was a move by the then Government. Most of the land in Nakasongola was taken to forest reserves, but there is no forest there. All areas are occupied by human beings, with their animals. That is a fact. When someone comes here and deceives you that there is a forest being destroyed, there is nothing. Sincerely, the Government needs to help people of Nakasongola by –(Interjection)– wait, I will allow you to give information, but not now. The Government needs to help the people of Nakasongola to plant more trees. All the areas are occupied, and you are all aware that mailo land in Nakasongola is a problem, absentee landlords. When we returned from Lango region, we found that our land had been taken by some people. We settled there, but we do not sleep; day and night, people come claiming that that is their land. I request the Government to give Nakasongola a special affirmative action that can help our people even to benefit in this PDM. If not, we are going to suffer and we are here to legislate for our people, not for the trees. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There is very stiff competition among human beings, natural resources and animals. This Parliament must handle it with a lot of care. Everywhere, in most parts of the country, people are increasing in terms of population and land is not increasing. Two, I would like to pose this question to the committee. On page 12, under arrest and eviction of local persons, you recommended that National Forestry Authority (NFA) compensates persons with lawful claims over the land, which was declared a forest reserve. Do you mean to say that there was land for people and NFA just went and planted trees or evicted people from the land? I would like that to be very clear because this is a recommendation that, at the end of the day, we are going to adopt. If so, this signifies a very big problem that is being caused by NFA. In addition, Nakasongola is water-stressed. It is very unfortunate that they can be blocked from accessing the valley dam. In their report, the committee also placed some verdicts on the people of Nakasongola, of vandalising solar panels. If this is true, I would like to know how far you engaged the local government.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to add a voice on the guidance we are giving this Parliament. We have a committee led by the Prime Minister, which was directed by His Excellency the President to look into the people who are claiming that they settled in the forests for so many years, or they were given by the former regime’s authority to live there so that they can be compensated. My request is that we add Nakasongola on that list to ascertain whether these people are giving us a real story so that we can add them to the list of those that are going to be compensated. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Geographically, Nakasongola and Katakwi, are almost the same. They are in lowland areas, and that is why I concur with the committee on desilting the dams. For sure, in the cattle corridor, if there is no water for the animals and people to use, it is a crisis. I have read the report but there is a simple conflict between owners of the private forests who are refusing these valley dams to be desilted. I suggest that these valley dams be desilted. I have been raising here in Parliament the problem of one valley dam in Toroma, Katakwi called Acuna Dam. This dam is totally a very big problem because when it rains, all the water that comes from Karamoja Region -floods the whole place. Yet, up to now, that dam has not been opened. Finally, as an environmentalist, I disagree with degazetting a forest. We have seen the effect of climate change in our country. The only solution solution for that is possibly to encourage people in that area to plant more trees and practice better farming methods. I know the cause of that is land fragmentation. I submit that land fragmentation should be addressed in Nakasongola. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me also add my voice to thank the chairperson for the report. Mr Speaker, since we were in lower secondary school, this problem has persisted. I remember at some point there was a lot of discussion in this Parliament about valley dams, is it hostels that are made from valley dams or whatever? It shows us that we have been trying to address a question that requires a long-term strategy. We have been trying to solve them within weeks, months, or even years. Mr Speaker, when you pass through Nakasongola in any way through the main road or any other place it is highly degraded and it is not just about cows; it is highly degraded and it is not even good for human habitation. There is something that has happened recently and I see a lot of seriousness and I suppose that could be a long-term strategy also for Nakasongola. Government of Uganda is drawing water from the Nile and taking it to Gulu City, which is about 70 kilometres away and I think even less than 70 kilometres away from Lake Kyoga, could go a long way to address this matter over a long period of time. Finally, Mr Speaker, yesterday we were here talking about Karamoja, and one of those issues that were brought up also applies to Nakasongola, that is diversification. The population of the animals, given the degradation there, we cannot sustain it. Therefore, the Government needs to come out with a strategy to diversify income sources for those who are keeping animals. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report on the issues of Nakasongola. BI want to ask the ministry to give us a gazetted forest demarcation report so that we know all the forests in Uganda and their acreage, and exactly where they pass because we have found, Mr Speaker, that most of the forests are given away by officials in the National Forestry Authority (NFA). MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

11711 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2024 They are taken by the so-called big people. You find a forest, the land that would have a forest is taken away and some actually have land titles. I think it might be the same thing in Nakasongola. We agree, people might have been there before, but how did they come there? And where was the Government when people were occupying NFA land? Now they say they want compensation. The Government might lose money out of that. I think we need to be more serious. I beg to submit, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. When I am going to Tochi, my constituency, I drive through Nakasongola. I thank the committee for the report. In the report, we are informed that some of these valley dams were constructed as recently as 2016. That means they were constructed in those forests for a reason. We are told and we all know the area of Nakasongola has a very low water table. I believe the choice of putting the valley dams in those forests was dictated by the fact that it is the only place where water can be got. This is a serious Government investment, which could have been put elsewhere if the situation had allowed it. However, the fact that it could only be found suitable in the forest is the reason they were put there. Now that it is bringing a challenge; causing conflict between the farmers of animals and NFA with forest destruction, a middle ground needs to be found. How can we find a middle ground? Number one, as ably stated by other colleagues, talk of de-gazetting, which can also be contested given the climate change now. Number two, which has been brought by Hon. Okello, we have the Nile. Since the Government invested heavily, it can also invest again to prevent future conflict between humans and other natural resources for coexistence in our society. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the committee for the report. I think Nakasongola is almost similar to my constituency of Jinja District, which is rural because my constituency is full of forest reserves. Mr Speaker, sometimes I wonder. Before the creation of NFA, that is the National Forest Authority, we used to have full forest cover under the ministry. Now with the presence of NFA, forests are disappearing. I think this is forcing the community nearby to think that there is no need for forestry because at the end of the day, the so-called big people go and acquire leases and plant trees and after planting trees, when these trees grow, they reach a certain time and go and harvest and then the whole forest looks like it is cleared. Mr Speaker, as I talk, if you go to one of the forest reserves in my area, that is Namavundu, people are just harvesting the trees. The so-called investors - and when the locals do apply for the leases, they are not given a chance. When NFA is implementing the Act, they implement the Act favouring them. The other part which favours the locals is not looked into because if you read the Act very well, at least there is 5 per cent of the land to be utilised by the locals. But in my area, the whole thing is done by NFA giving out land to the commercial farmers. To make matters worse, we have Itanda Falls. The locals discovered the falls, but I tell you, NFA gave out that area and now people cannot even access it.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you, honourable chairperson, for the report and for taking time off to go and visit Nakasongola. It is a really good thing that you did. Mr Speaker, I thank the chairperson and the committee for the recommendations. However, we come here and give good recommendations but implementation is hard. I pray we add one more recommendation; here in the central where Nakasongola is, the Kabaka of Buganda came out and requested all people in Uganda to have the Kabaka’s forest on their land. I pray we encourage people to plant trees on their land because climate change is a big problem in Uganda. Secondly, on the issue of the dam which was constructed in the forest, I wonder how it was constructed in the middle of the forest, but I think that has been cleared. However, the honourable Minister for Water and Environment is here. We came here some time back complaining about how the dams are being constructed. They are not safe for people and the water is not good for home consumption because we use the same dams with animals. However, the ministry has not taken any action, not even coming on ground, as directed by the Speaker, to see what we are talking about. I will use this opportunity to request the State Minister of Water and Environment, because she is here, to put into action what was directed by the Speaker as the committee did in Nakasongola. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the commit - tee so much for the detailed report they have come with. Nakasongola gives me a visa to go to Kitgum and when I am passing Nakasongo - la, the first thing I normally see is that there is also - Amidst the water that they do not have, there is also a high rate of charcoal burning. This is done by the big shots who have bought land there and they want to have the land for grazing and almost all the traditional trees are completely gone. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

11713 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2024 My suggestion, Mr Speaker, is that since we receive maize seeds to support food production, I wish these sister ministries would come out and give trees to Members of Parliament so that we carry out mass planting of trees in all our areas. Another issue is, this is one Government and these are sister ministries. Now, NFA goes straight to fence the water and the people of Nakasongola are left like that because they have not thought of the human beings and the animals there. These people who also have their own mailo , go and fence the water and the poor person in Nakasongola is the one suffering. Can the Ministry of Water and Environment and NFA sit together and as they are going to fence, leave water for the people of this place?

11714 THE SUGAR (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 You have misbehaved on God’s creation by deforestation –(Interjection)- You are defiling the forest like He has put it. I would like to assure you, there is no future for the future generation. Therefore, I thank the committee, I thank the National Forestry Authority (NFA) - By the way, I want to dissociate myself from the Member who was saying, “...and I add my voice to the Speaker, NFA has done a recommendable job.” Most of the district forests were sold by the Ministry of Water and Environment. We want to thank the NFA for the little that we have today and for enforcing the law. That is why you, people of Nakasongola, are crying, including my brother here. I see the minister who is spearheading mergers - Mr Minister, listen to me, Sir. As you are on your phone planning for mergers of these institutions, you are going to roast your children and great grandchildren of tomorrow. Immediately you talk of takeover or merging NFA with Water and so on, these grabbers who are misbehaving on themselves are ready to go and finalise their titles which they are planning to make.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the committee for the report. However, there is a bigger problem in this country. Today, we live in a country where people try to compete on how to break laws. We even have leaders who try their best to side with criminals. Mr Speaker, the problem of encroachment on forest reserves, encroachment on wetlands, and destruction of the environment is becoming unbearable. In this country, it seems more people are interested in cutting trees than those interested in planting and growing them. Sadly, we have agencies that are mandated to make sure these laws are implemented to the letter. I am disappointed with the ministry and NFA. Recently, Mr Speaker, the President issued an Executive Order banning the indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal business. However, when you see the number of trucks - and these violators keep on changing tricks. Now they have changed from carrying it on open trucks and are using box trucks. The law enforcement agencies have roadblocks. They know what is going on but they side with the criminals. Who is going to handle this? Mr Speaker, apart from implementing the President’s directive, the ministry is supposed to help this country come up with alternative measures. We have repeatedly told the ministry to come up with policies on introducing fast- growing trees so that we protect the indigenous tree species while we plant the ones that grow faster and they become the alternative. We have been talking about promoting the use of briquettes and other alternative energy sources but you do not see any effort being made. Therefore, much as we applaud the committee for doing a wonderful job, there is a need for the ministry and the law enforcement agencies to stop implementing the laws selectively. There are places where they close their eyes. There are places where - and there are also government officials whose trucks are involved in carrying charcoal. It is painful when you drive from here to Gulu, passing via Nakasongola. It is difficult to see mature trees in Nakasongola; indigenous tree species. You find pine trees and these that are now being brought from elsewhere. If we are not – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Members of the committee, thank you for the good report. The immediate neighbour of Nakasongola District is Kiryandongo going northwards. As we are aware, this area has got refugees. Since people are producing day and night and they are not about to go back to Sudan and South Sudan - others are from Kenya – please let us expect bigger problems than what we are witnessing now. With the presence of refugees in that area and since the population is expanding, the following must be worked upon: issues of valley dams, cattle grazing, lack of access to other natural resources, other water sources, access roads to gardens, issues of deforestation, charcoal burning, and so on. The sooner this is done, the better for the country and the better for the people of Nakasongola. Otherwise, it is a time bomb, which is only waiting to explode into proportions of volcanicity. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also want to thank the committee for the report. I will start on gazettement. All the forests in Uganda were gazetted from 1932 up to 1938. At the time of gazettement, they compensated everyone who was in the forest reserve. Then in the 1970s, there was a programme which came called “double production through self-reliance”. It was under Amin. They entered the forest reserves. In some other forests, when they were gazetting, they left what we call “enclaves”. They thought those enclaves – the people inside there would protect the forest and provide cheap labour to the forest. However, now, they have started expanding. So, those people that you hear want compensation actually expanded beyond the area – that is the example of Nakasongola. That is what happened – I am talking from a professional point of view. Then, when we talk of encroachment and the population, when you go to areas like Kabale, Mbarara, and Bushenyi, which have a high population, no one encroaches on a forest reserve. You ask yourself, between Nakasongola, Mbarara, Kabale and Bushenyi, which one has a bigger population? Let us also think of mind-set change and teach our people the use of forests. Every forest was gazetted with an objective. We have forests which were gazetted to remain natural namely, Mabira and others. There are areas which were gazetted for plantations, like Nakasongola, West Nile, and Fort Portal because we wanted to get timber, paper, and plywood from those forests. Encroachment has become a problem. It started under dam production. In 2011, when the digitisation of titles started, they made titles in the forest reserves. At the moment, it has gone high. Someone gets a title, goes to court, and the same person who has given the title in lands commission is the one that represents the Government. What happens? (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. It becomes hard to speak after a forester, like they have said. I join colleagues in thanking the committee for their report. I also respect the cry of my colleague, Hon. Wanzala from Nakasongola, for bringing the cry of his people. I also add my voice that may his prayer be heard, but do not abuse the forest. Mr Speaker, the Government should be serious, like you said. You do not leave people - they have said, they had created enclaved people and again, they are encroaching on the forest but you just let them. Now people are asking for a path through but the Government just looks on. I also want to raise the concern of my people. We have people who are dealing in timber and charcoal in Iganga, just like elsewhere. Sometimes, these people are disturbed and arrested by police officers yet they do not get timber from the natural forests or the forests that are gazetted by the Government. It is their business. I felt it wise to bring this concern to the knowledge of the House because they are innocent but they are always disturbed. In Iganga, we have so many people who are dealing in that. In fact, they have asked me to bring it to your office, Mr Speaker. However, I got a chance to be here as the committee presented. They should come up with a measure. The Government should be serious and protect their forests instead of disturbing these people because they plant their trees and it is those trees that they cut down for timber to do business. I beg to submit. Thank you.

11721 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2024 Much as we credit them for the good work they are doing for our country, they need to lower the kind of energy they use in implementing or applying the law. I come from Luweero which neighbours Nakasongola and we do farming in Nakasongola. We know what people are going through with the NFA and that is a fact. Therefore, application of the law should be well calculated by NFA to help in the coexistence of people with NFA and the national forests. Most importantly, Mr Speaker, these are indigenous people and they have been living there since time immemorial. I pray and add my voice to the people who debated previously that they should be respected. Those who are affected grossly should be compensated. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My submissions would be to help ourselves direct our decisions as far as deforestation, degazettement and gazettement are concerned. Mr Speaker, I want to put it forward that poor performance, for example, of a Member of Parliament does not lead to removal of a constituency but just leads to election of a new person. The same would apply to NFA. If there are some challenges with its performance, it is not good to close it but it is better to improve its performance. We are aware that NFA only manages 15 per cent of the forest reserves in Uganda. The rest are managed by the districts and private people. The challenge is the perception countrywide that people think every forest reserve is managed by NFA. The district leaders hide in there, even when they spoil their forests. They put it on NFA and inform the public that it is NFA that does not mind. The rest of the 85 per cent of the forest reserves we have in Uganda are managed by local governments and private people. Mr Speaker, there is the concept of community forestry that we used to have under the rainforests and what we call natural forests. It is natural forests versus plantation forests. Some people call natural forests, rainforests while others call plantation forests, commercial forests. The concept of community forestry was working well under the natural forests where people would be allowed to access some of the resources. However, when it comes to plantation forests where NFA has licensed private people to manage some of these forest reserves, the concept is not there; it dies. So, we need to come out clearly with the concept of community forestry in plantation forests such that the natives do not feel that when private people carry on the responsibility of Government, then they cease to use such resources. The issue of Government relocating people, this issue that Nakasongola is raising - You will find it across the entire cattle corridor, including Kiboga District. We have a Mailo tenure system and the former owners of public land had their leases expire. The district leaders, instead of allocating our people; the natives, portions, it is new people that come to these districts. Mr Speaker, we request for help. District land boards should give natives part of this land, especially when leases expire. Otherwise, Nakasongola people cannot access forests. There is land that has been given out to other people. Let us revise the reallocation of expired leased land to our natives. I want also to put it directly that bona fide occupancy does not apply to gazetted forest reserves and gazetted wetlands. Even if you have sat there since 1983, when the Government comes out to replant forests, you are supposed to leave. Bonafide occupancy does not apply to gazetted forest reserves. So the Government can look out for – (Member timed out.)

Since you have given us information, Hon. Ojara, you have indicated that these people are also human beings. We try to implement and they try to change goalposts. We are going to inform NFA Police Protection Unit to be serious about it. Mr Speaker, allow me to talk about Hon. Muzaale’s issue about poor planning. We are implementing a directive from His Excellency. As of now, the designs we are making for bulky water are for multipurpose use. We are no longer making designs to cater for one use only. On boundary opening, Mr Speaker, NFA is opening our forest boundaries. We are done with the wetlands and the Gazette is out. We launched it on Thursday, on Wetlands Day, so we are soon bringing it here as well as making the Gazette on our forests because we are doing the boundary opening. On the issue of Nakasongola, we went there with the Prime Minister and we informed the community about the bulky water we are doing there, but we are doing it in a phased manner. So, that one, we are assuring them that we are getting water from Lake Kyoga, which is going to serve Nakasongola and part of Nakaseke. On who is supposed to do what, I want to assure my colleague, the shadow minister, that we have a water policy which is separating who is to do what. For us at the Ministry of Water and Environment, we are supposed to develop water projects up to the farm gate. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is supposed to do the on-farm by extending water to the farms. Mr Speaker, I want to end by requesting that if we do not have – I am not so certain as to whether we have a policy - I think we need to regulate these private people with the forest. In fact, even if you planted your forest, it has a livelihood impact on the community. So, I think we need legislation to regulate the private sector. Thank you so much.

Mr Speaker, I propose three amendments. One of them is on page 12 under 8.2, vandalism. “(2) The Government should devise a mechanism of restoring the vandalised solar panels of the valley dams in Nakasongola to facilitate pumping of water to watering troughs.” Amendment two, on page 14, (i) under 8.5 on encroachment: “The Government should construct another dam in Malengera to ease access to farmers instead of restoring Wakazizi dam since it is far away from their villages.” The third amendment is on page 16 under 8.7 on degradation: “The committee recommends that the Government ascertains the impact of eucalyptus growing on the existing water table in Nakasongola.”

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,

11590 THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 You can see that there are already complaints of having fake vaccines in the market. How do the fake ones get into the country? Are they being brought in by Government? Mr Speaker, these are issues - I come from Cawente Subcounty and the Banyankole here know what “cente” means. So, anything on cows, goats and sheep has been part of my life. I went to Kiruhura, Mbarara and Nakasongola to buy some cows. The big were farmers asking, “what is wrong with the Government? We can afford to buy vaccines for FMD, but we are not allowed. You have to go and plead and they give you only 100 doses.” Some of these farmers have up to 4,000 cows. Mr Speaker, we would want to advise that, one, Government adopts a policy where the veterinary officers or vet assistants would go to the field and take blood samples so that we know the strain of the disease, they make an analysis and mobilise farmers to get their own money and pay for vaccines. If the cost of treating a Friesian cow is almost Shs 100,000, why is Government very tight on only Shs 7,000 for two doses of vaccination against FMD? Mr Speaker, I think this policy must - (Member timed out.)

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

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

11106 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Rwampanga, we constructed a school that had submerged in Nakasongola, we constructed a health centre III in Butiaba in Buliisa and we constructed another health centre in Ntoroko. On the same Shs 5 billion, we bought land in Kasese and we are currently constructing and upgrading a hospital there. That money was well spent. We used the army brigade to do these facilities.

Thank you, Madan Speaker. I thank my senior, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, for ably answering some of these questions about disaster preparedness and management in the country. Honourable colleagues, you need to bear with us. We have been trying our best to see how to respond to some of the disasters. As we compile all the disaster reports that we have, in the last two weeks alone, we have a bigger bunch of 27 reports from the El Nino, including Bukedea, Nakasongola and Buvuma -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also join my colleagues to wish you a happy birthday. In Nakasongola District, I have got a lower local council that was created in 2012. To date, it has never been allocated any government health facility – that is Migyera Town Council. Migyera Town Council is the busiest town council in Nakasongola. It is along Gulu Highway. We have always had a lot of accidents on that road and people have ended up losing their lives because there is no facility that can handle such an emergency. Madam Speaker, when is the Government constructing a government health facility in Migyera Town Council? It is 12 years down the road without any government facility. Follow-up has been made to different offices, but all in vain. May I please know when the Government is giving us a government health care facility as per the government policy on health? Thank you, I beg to submit.

Madam Speaker, Migyera Town Council was curved out of Nabiswera subcounty. We are aware that it is our policy that every subcounty is given a health facility. I request the Member to follow up with the Ministry of Health. Definitely, we shall handle that issue. Nakasongola has a number of health facilities. I have been to Migyera and almost every subcounty in Nakasongola but they have a facility in the mother subcounty. It is only that now it was upgraded to a town council.

Thank you, Rt Hon. Speaker. I also join my colleagues to congratulate you upon becoming a Nnalongo. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for the well-detailed report presented to the august House. I address myself to the over-increasing arrears of the parish development funds. It is true, even in my district, I have a parish, that is, Kamirampango Parish, in Kalongo Subcounty, Nakasongola Constituency. It only received one quarter, totalling to Shs 25 million. It is now missing three quarters, totalling to Shs 75 million. I, therefore, request the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to,

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I congratulate you upon becoming my official mother – my mother is also a Nnalongo . (Laughter) Madam Speaker, as we talk about floods, we have the able Rt Hon. Prime Minister. I request you, Madam, to send your team to Nakasongola, that is, my constituency of Budyebo, specifically to Kayikanga and Kafu villages in Nakitoma Subcounty. The water swept all those villages and people are in camps at Nakitoma Subcounty. I know we are going to be relieved in terms of iron sheets, food – I know. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I like the way you have handled this because a number of Members are truly suffering with their people - Butaleja, Manafwa, Kibanda, Bududa, Bungokho, Laropi and Nakasongola.

Madam Speaker, as we discuss our health facilities in the country, currently, many Ugandans cannot access health facilities because of the poor road network. I want to cite an example, there is a road, which joins Nakasongola to Nakaseke or which joins Kaweweta Barracks to the main road. The river is called Lugogo, which you cannot now access. I went there on Sunday for oversight and two people who were trying to cross died. The water took them either to River Nile, or to River Kafu, and their bodies are nowhere to be seen. Madam Speaker, I want to appeal to the Minister of Works and Transport to send teams of engineers to a number of districts to make an assessment of our roads so that they come up with a report and that report be considered here so that we vote for emergency funding. Otherwise, many Ugandans cannot access health facilities, as I talk, because of the poor road network in this country. I thank you.

10848 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT allocating 15 per cent of their annual budget to improve the health sector. The health sub- programme budget has been increased in nominal as well as in percentage terms. In the Financial Year 2021/2022, the allocation had reached 14 per cent. Government enhanced the salaries of scientists, mainly the medical personnel. This will push the ratio even higher. Government also reported that in the medium term, given the change in focus in the National Development Plan III to prioritise enhancing the productivity and social well-being of the population in the country, more investment is expected in the sector in the medium term. In the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, Government has prioritised the human capital development programme to which the health sub-sector belongs. Starting with the Financial Year 2023/2024, Government is committed to annually increasing the budget for antiretroviral treatment by Shs 50 billion per annum. The committee recommends the provision of adequate funds to the health sector as per the Abuja Declaration to enable the sector improve the health needs of the citizens. Recommendation 16: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funding to the National Environmental Management Authority to maintain and sustain early warning systems where applicable. The Government reported that the total budget for Vote 150 for National Environmental Management Authority has been increased from Shs 18.943 billion in the Financial Year 2022/2023, to Shs 41.360 billion, in the Financial Year 2023/2024 to facilitate recruitment of additional staff and strengthening environmental protection. The committee recommends that this should be done. Recommendation 17: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should increase funding to provide adequate accommodation to police officers - Mr Speaker, there is a long narrative that follows; I will try to summarise it. In the budget for the Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development provided Shs 26.212 billion for the following: i. The construction of seven accommodation blocks - 10 units per block - in the districts of Nakasongola, Sheema, Busolwe, Mitooma, Kanungu, Kakumiro, Katwe- Kabatoro and Ntungamo; ii. Completed the construction and commissioned seven blocks, a total of 420 housing units of the Naguru Apartments; iii. Construction of Kira Division staff apartments, 24 units is at 80 per cent; iv. Erected and installed 5,410 double- occupancy uniports out of 6,446; a total of 84 per cent across the country; and v. Constructed 45 housing units, five units each block, in Butebo, Bukwo, Namisindwa, Amudat, Alebtong, Nabilatuk, Karenga, Kwania and Obongi, pending commissioning. In the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, the budget for residential buildings is Shs 26.412 billion, a slight increase of Shs 0.2 billion from the level of Financial Year 2022/2023. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should give special consideration to the development budget of Uganda Police Force. Mr Speaker, by way of summary, permit me to state the following – that the report captures recommendations in respect to: i. The Ministry of Water and Environment (page 21); ii. The Petroleum Authority of Uganda, (page 23); iii. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (page 23);

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. When our machines are taken to Bugembe Mechanical Workshop, they can spend several years. Nakasongola –

Does Nakasongola take theirs to Bugembe?

There was a time we were taking the machines to Bugembe, but even if we bring it to Kampala here – you will call Eng. Kavuma, the Chief Mechanical Engineer and ask him when he is returning our machines to Nakasongola. Eng. Kavuma will tell you to give him two weeks but when you go there after the two weeks, he will say “The machine has not been worked upon; please, check on us after six months”. My humble appeal is that we equip the mechanical workshops– let us upgrade them from parking yards to mechanical workshops so that our machines can be worked on and then we have better roads. Otherwise, to have

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. On 25 September 2023 at 9.30 p.m., unknown assailants murdered three people in my constituency namely; Julius Mutimba, his wife Resty Nakayima and their daughter, aged six months. These assailants used swords and killed these people who were coming from Nalubobya from their clinic, and were going back to their residence in Bamugolode. Nakayima Immaculate was the woman councillor for Bamugolode Parish and she was the Secretary for Education and Health for Kalongo Subcounty. The police arrested one suspect and they have the suspect in custody at Nakasongola Police Station. However, the suspect has not been taken to court since 26 September 2023. My prayers: The police should investigate and arrest the remaining assailants and have them brought to book. The Ministry of Internal Affairs should put police posts in strategic areas. For example, when you go to Bamugolode Trading Centre, it is equivalent to some town councils. It is a big town without the Police. Mr Speaker, there are also some other outlets which these assailants and thieves are using. There was a police post in Kaleile, but it was removed. There was another one at Kalungi, it was also removed. There is also Ssezibwa Bridge which connects Nakasongola to Kayunga; that place is not secure. We need a police post there. The Ministry of Internal Affairs should increase manpower. You go to a police post and find three policemen with three guns; there is a problem. I want to encourage the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take it up and add manpower. I beg to submit.

Thank you, brother Enos, for giving way. Honourable minister, you know what happened to the central region and we are a few members here. Mr Speaker, the Honourable Minister of Energy and Mineral Development has hinted on regional meetings. You have met other regions, but what about us in the central. If you had met us, we would not have brought this problem here; we would have sorted them from the other meeting. Consider that meeting. Secondly, honourable minister, there are several lines which were completed long ago like those in Nakasongola. However, some other areas are pending to be commissioned; we have written several correspondences to you, and nothing has happened; you are aware of this. About those lines; where they were supposed to have transformers of 100 KV, they put 50. At the end of the day, another one-kilometre radius was also not considered. We wanted your team to come and ascertain exactly what is happening but it has not come. Lastly, on compensation, trees were cut but people have not been compensated, and yet they always come to our offices to follow up on the compensation. Our humble appeal is that those people should be considered for compensation. I beg to submit.

Honourable colleagues, I think that as a House, we have worked with the Executive to do our part. We have given KCCA nearly Shs 3 trillion under the African Development Bank (ADB) loan. Recently, we passed a loan of around Shs 680 million for the Kampala Metropolitan Area in this House. There is the one of ADB which we passed in the 10 th Parliament, but it has not been implemented. It was over US$ 200 million which is over Shs 3 trillion. Money has been provided. The issue is implementation. So, honourable minister, go and do a good job on implementation. The committee in charge of Kampala; the Committee on Presidential Affairs, do a good job on this. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to keep saying that we should give money to Kampala and yet you are not absorbing what we have given you. Whether the money you get is in the form of a loan or not, we shall ask why it is not disbursed. This is because loan money; money from ADB and World Bank is assured. So, let us go and do the job. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF LIVESTOCK MOVEMENT FROM NAKASONGOLA TO NAMASALE BY FERRY AND BOATS

10374 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME of the 11 th Parliament held on Tuesday, 3 October 2023, Dr Agnes Atim Apea, Woman Representative, Amolatar, raised the following concern: The banned movement of livestock by ferry from Nakasongola to Namasale is causing problems yet livestock movement by ferry from Amolatar to Nakasongola is permitted. The Ministry for Internal Affairs responds as follows: Nakasongola District has lately suffered a spell of rampant livestock theft and one of the identified quick and easy conduits for stolen livestock out of the district was the ferry and boats at night to Namasale. The main route through Kafu to the North and through Kakooge to the south was left open because it was easier to verify livestock movement along these routes. The racket of those involved comprised elements operating within Nakasongola and from across. In its wisdom, the Nakasongola District Security Committee made a decision to provisionally halt the movement of livestock by ferry out of the district, pending a meeting of the membership of the district security committees of all the neighbouring districts of Amolatar, Apac and Kaberamaido. This meeting is due on 13 October 2023; this coming week and will be held in Nakasongola. Before closure, Mr Speaker, Nakasongola was losing between 100 to 200 animals per week. After this measure was put in place, only three to five cattle are lost per week which is a vindication of the action taken. During the planned meeting, a review will be undertaken of the situation and firm measures agreed upon to stem the menace of livestock theft in a more elaborate and comprehensive way in all these districts without disrupting legitimate business. Mr Speaker, this inconvenience is temporary, but necessary. It will end as soon as the agreed measures on better regulated livestock movement in these areas are instituted after the joint meeting that I have talked about. I beg to submit, Mr Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. To support my colleague, the information that has been given to the House is not convincing. In my constituency, so far eight families have lost their animals at night. The thieves use trucks and lorries. The ferry does not move at night. Therefore, that is a lie to the country and to the august House. I request the security agencies to allow the movement of animals from Nakasongola to Amolatar and other areas because what has been presented is a lie. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, let us not take this far. The minister, in his statement said, they have a meeting on 13 October, which is next week. Honourable minister, I request you to invite the MPs from Nakasongola and the affected districts to attend this meeting. Put it to these people that if the ferry is not moving at night and you said you stopped it so that it does not ferry cows stolen at night, then what was the basis? You will come back and update this House. Next item.

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 and I also thank you for your prayers. Mr Speaker, I bring the issue of the ban on the movement of livestock across Zengebe- Namasale Ferry. This ferry is meant to be a public good and everyone is supposed to enjoy the right of movement. However, for the past few years, our people have been stopped, from the side of Nakasongola, from crossing on the ferry with their livestock, yet from the other side of Amolatar, the same livestock are actually allowed. They are told to travel an additional 310 kilometres, yet they would have moved for 15 kilometres across the lake. Livestock trade is a major economic activity in that area. Currently, the communities on the side of Amolatar are mobilising to stop anybody or any vehicle from the side of Nakasongola. We see a brewing conflict among these communities. The district security committee has made all efforts to contact the other side of the lake, but all in vain. I personally, intervened and talked to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to understand what the ban is about. I was told “it is orders from above” – it is a presidential directive. I demanded to see that directive, but to no avail. My prayers are two-fold, that: 1. The Minister for Security should give a very clear reason for this ban – what kind of ban it is and what it is meant for – or else our people be allowed to freely cross on the ferry as it is done on the other side; 2. The Minister for the Presidency needs to undertake an investigation into the conduct of the RDC of Nakasongola who is enforcing this ban in a very unprofessional manner. I beg to submit. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will request that you kindly allow me to run through the report in summary so that we save time. The introductory part gives details on the mandate of the committee and also indicates the task that the committee undertook; making oversight visits to the newly created cities and the districts to assess; i. The level of preparedness of these districts to relocate following the creation of the new cities; ii. To look at the status of payment of ex- gratia and honoraria for local councillors for both the cities and the districts; and iii. Looking at other matters that are related to service delivery. Background We indicated how the cities were created and I would not want to take a lot of time but it is important to mention that these cities were created and were supposed to be operational in a phased manner with clear time frames. Unfortunately, the cities of Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, Wakiso have not yet been operational and will be operationalised as resources are provided. It is also important to mention and to guide members who are following on their iPads, that is on page three that these cities that were created-their councillors are entitled to ex-gratia just like in other districts and the Government has been providing resources. Unfortunately, in those cities and the districts the ex-gratia that has been provided has not been coming consistently so there is a lot of money in the form of arrears that have not been given and so you can imagine how leaders are struggling without being paid consistently. We will also provide those details. When we made consultation with the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, it is true that indeed resources have not been provided adequately hence the need to have the arrears cleared. The creation of the cities required that the districts from where the cities were created needed to relocate and have new administrative headquarters. You will agree that these cities are at the level of districts and so they are all higher local governments and therefore, you cannot have two higher local governments in the same area of jurisdiction. Unfortunately, both the Minister of Local Government and Minister of Finance admitted that there was no money provided to facilitate the relocation processes in the Financial Year 2023/2024 despite the urgency. The committee came up with terms of references, methodology and interacted with different stakeholders, you will find all that on page four. Madam Speaker, just to take members through the very important terms of reference, especially on page five which is very important; (i) To assess the status of payment of ex- gratia and honoraria for local councillors as of June 30th 2023. Government has been providing a conditional grant to finance ex-gratia for councillors at sub-county and town councils, municipality divisions, districts and cities. Ex-gratia is also given to municipal district and city deputy speakers. Government also provides honoraria to LCI and LCII chairpersons.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The majority of the Members of Parliament are beneficiaries of this project. I entirely agree with the committee and support the borrowing of this money. Mr Speaker, in the 10 th Parliament, we discussed Kampala and the metropolitan area and looked at having a joint planning unit for Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi and those other areas. However, the district leaders of Mukono, Wakiso and others thought that their powers would be taken away by KCCA. The chief administrative officers in those districts also thought that they would not be accounting officers anymore and that is why they were hesitant to support the project. I urge this Parliament to come up with a mechanism to bring those local governments and KCCA to agree on how to work together for a better Kampala. Secondly, the procurement committees for Kampala and local governments have issues. You will find that a contractor who does shoddy work is the same contractor who is given another contract the next day. That shows us that our country is going nowhere. As a Member of Parliament for Nakasongola, my appeal is for the Government to take keen interest in this and procure contractors who can do – (Member timed out.)

9764 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Buikwe, Nakasongola, Luwero and Wakiso. They have gone ahead to even confiscate the merchandise of traders. We would like to know from the minister, who is seated right here, whether that directive was to operate in the whole country. What alternatives have been put in place to replace charcoal as a source of energy in this country? As you are aware that electricity is expensive and the yellow gas, which was being distributed, is nowhere to be seen. Honourable minister, since charcoal and firewood have been banned, what alternatives have been put in place to ensure that Ugandans survive in this country?

Much obliged, Madam Speaker. I will use fewer minutes since a lot has been dealt with in the previous debates. My concern is on the first question from Hon. Zijjan, related to a single sign language interpreter in the courts of law. I appreciate the Prime Minister for supplying an honest response namely that there is a single person from Zombo to Kisoro. If anywhere in between Zombo and Kisoro, there is a court sitting requiring an interpreter, we will have to make an adjournment until somebody travels to Kaabong, Masaka or Nakasongola and we now know the causes of the huge case backlogs in our courts. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, you needed to give the Member hope. As the Prime Minister, take note and inform the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs that there is a problem in the Judiciary. A single person is not acceptable; it only happens in Uganda. When that person is sick – he is indisposed – in one way or another,

Yes, she should admit to the inadequacy and make a commitment to making amends. Otherwise, it is not acceptable. On the question relating to road safety, a lot of responses have been given. I was part of the meeting in the morning and I concur. The only gap in the promises made so far, re-echoed in the statement by the Minister of Works and Transport, is that if you are going to use Uganda Communications Commission to communicate using the telecoms and social media, the Prime Minister should commit to freeing social media platforms blocked by the Government. (Applause) Road safety and democracy walk in the same lane. So, if you are going to invoke telecoms to operate and communicate, the drivers are younger people on social media; they are not the old people at home. So, you need to open up social media and communicate. The other bit that did not come out well, even from our records, is that the hospitals on the highways need to be facilitated. There is a huge problem. (Applause) This is for them to be able to respond to emergencies. I have been visiting the countryside – the ambulances are really Stone Age and those that are functional are few. So, emergency rescue has a very huge void that the Prime Minister should have made a commitment on. I hope she picks it up and makes good. Making good would mean commitment in the next midterm expenditure framework to commit to financing, selectively choosing these hospitals on the highways. In Luweero, we were informed that they bring emergencies from as far as Nakasongola and they are incapable of dealing with them. The beauty is that the Minister of Health is around. Probably, her network of ambulances, in the pipeline, could come to your able rescue. There was question No.5 by Hon. Atkins Katusabe, relating to the emergencies and other emergencies raised by Members. Madam Speaker, it is both a challenge the Prime Minister should respond to as the Leader of Government Business – activating the provisions of Article 157 of the Constitution: the Contingencies Fund. You cannot find money in the Prime Minister’s office to attend to emergencies all the time. Since local governments have been disempowered, they cannot deal with emergencies. They have to trek to the Prime Minister’s office and make reports. When the Prime Minister is away, nobody can make a decision until Hon. Majegere comes and makes a decision. You cannot rescue a country with that red tape. So, can we operationalise the Contingencies Fund? After all, in the Public Finance Management Act, it does not expire; it only grows. If you did that for five years, you would have a huge provision for the Contingency Fund. Madam Speaker, I invite Parliament, in the next budget cycle, to insist that this Article is activated. We have the Budget Committee; they should take note and stop begging the Prime Minister to make available kawunga , beans and very basic things, which should be in the hands of the local governments. There was question No.7 by Hon. Zijjan relating to compensation of project affected persons (PAPs). This question streams through many districts and local governments, over many government projects. One of the culprits is UNRA. Honourable Minister of Works and Transport, wherever I have been, I have received community complaints about non- compensation, in violation of Article 26 of the Constitution. It is very clear; prompt, adequate

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 .

I know I have put you, honourable colleagues, under pressure, so, it is not surprising. Please, communicate to the Clerk, who should be the custodian of the minutes. The report is already here - and we also need a table showing the figures per Vote. What is the total per Vote - even if you do not go to the recurrent and development figures? Give us the totals per Vote and the total for the whole sector and we refer to it the Committee on Budget. Honourable colleagues, I am going to open debate. I will start with Hon. Ferigo Kambale, the Member for Nakasongola, Hon. Osoru, Hon. Kugonza, the Member for Oyam and then the whip of DP. Let us use two minutes each.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would also like to thank the committee for the wonderful report. However, the committee has not talked about the irrigation scheme, yet they talked about water for production. For example, this can be used to address the issues of drought in the cattle corridor areas, for example, Nakasongola. There is also a project in Nakasongola – bulk water supply – which is for domestic use. This project would also be used for irrigation because we are blessed by God that Lake Kyoga surrounds Nakasongola, majorly my constituency. So, if the minister takes this into consideration, I think the revenue collection from Budyebo would increase. Mr Speaker, I would also like the committee to add some money for tractors – or let me amend by moving that we increase the money for tractors from Shs 20 billion to Shs 25 billion because these constituencies in Uganda, majorly in rural areas, need these tractors. For example, my constituency is a very big one and with very good farmers. These people need tractors. If they are availed with these tractors – (Member timed out.)

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the chairperson and the committee for the report. They recommended the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in secondary schools or Government-aided schools. Recently, the Education Service Commission advertised, teachers applied and they were interviewed. After the interviews, successful candidates were given appointment letters. However, you cannot go to any district without posting instructions. The teachers are out there in the country without posting instructions. We want the Minister of Education and Sports to tell us why the teachers have appointment letters without posting instructions. Secondly, the Science teachers who were posted in our rural schools, especially secondary schools, teach for only one day and come back to teach in Kampala schools. If our committee had gone to the villages to sample, they would have had a balanced report, and they would have sampled the town schools and rural schools. Next time, let them sample the schools in Nakasongola, Kalungu and Kampala so that we have a balanced report. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

6740 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The worst performing entities in this regard in terms of absorption capacity were Hoima City at 30 per cent, Kitgum Municipal Council at 36 per cent, Gulu City at 36 per cent and Masaka City at 37 per cent while those that absorbed 100 per cent of their releases were Arua City, Kitagwenda District Local Government, Terego District Local Government and Madi- Okollo District Local Government. (i) Cost of service in local governments The Auditor-General’s report highlighted the amount of resources spent on non-core service delivery activities such as employee costs and transfers to other units like subcounties, schools and health facilities. These amounted to Shs 1,101.75 billion, equivalent to 74 per cent of the expenditure made by the entities. In other words, on average, the Government spent three shillings on each shilling for outputs that directly affect service delivery. The entities with the highest cost of administration of over six and above, include Masaka at eight, Nakasongola at seven, Gulu City at seven, Bundibugyo at six, Mbale City at six, Kiboga at six, Mpigi at six and Arua City at six, while the most efficient local government was Kalangala and Obongi District Local Governments at 0.4 per shilling for output service delivery. (ii) Local revenue performance of Financial Year 2020/2021 The audit reports for the 60 entities reported on indicated that some local governments’ local revenue was not reported on, well aware that this is a core source of revenue for the functioning of the district councils. This denied the councils facilitation to supervise and monitor the works of local governments. These local governments included Mitooma District, Nakasongola District, Kyankwanzi District and Lamwo District. Mr Speaker, details of these are provided in Annex one. Overall, the local governments underperformed on local revenue, registering revenue underperformance of Shs 30.4 billion of the target of Shs 68.248 billion, translating into local revenue performance of only 56 per cent. The local governments that performed dismally were Kole District, Soroti City, Zombo District, Kitgum Municipal Council and Moroto District Local Government. (iv) The performance of salaries, gratuity and pensions The report of the Auditor-General highlights the planned salaries, gratuity and pensions by the entities for the financial year. The reports overall indicated that Shs 632.75 billion was approved for salaries, gratuities and pensions at the close of the financial year. And at the close of the financial year, Shs 610.543 billion was availed to pay salaries, gratuities and pensions. However, only Shs 571.3 billion was actually absorbed by the entities, causing a return of Shs 38.6 billion to the Treasury, indicating underperformance of 6.3 per cent in the budget item. Mr Speaker, the committee made observations and request Members to look through those observations. I will take you directly to recommendations: The committee recommends that – i. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development accounts for the under-release for funds to the local governments. ii. Accounting officers under whose supervision local governments fail to utilise funds released to them be held personally liable. iii. entities whose cost of administration was above six times the cost of output service delivery be subjected to further investigations to ascertain the source of the abnormality in the operation cost of the local government.

Prime Minister, I have received information from Hon. Noah Wanzala Mutebi, the MP for Nakasongola Constituency that he is the one who raised the question relating to the Ministry of Education and Sports and NIRA. Therefore, for record purposes, it was not “Noah Musa”, but “Noah Mutebi of Nakasongola.”

No, the answer for Nakasongola may be different. Therefore, I take the responsibility to come back next week and deliver the answer because these are two districts with different geographical issues. Hon. Julie Achayo, Member of Parliament of Ngora Constituency asked another question and the question goes: “The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is the head of public service in the district, the head of administration of the council and the accounting officer of the district. He is, therefore, a very important person. The last three consecutive CAOs who have been transferred to Ngora were all officers who were about to retire. The current Chief Administrative Officer, the fourth in the row, is also pending retirement. Whereas they may have the experience, the danger is that they characteristically fear to take certain critical decisions. They are not innovative, and prefer to play it safe as they wait for their retirement, thus, making the district lag behind. Why has the Ministry of Local Government, consistently deployed CAOs in Ngora District who are due for retirement?” My response is that the chief administrative officers and their deputies, and the city and municipal clerks are employees of the Central Government and are appointed by the Public Service Commission, in accordance with Articles 188 and 200 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 (as amended). The chief administrative officers, deputy chief administrative officers, city and municipal town clerks are, therefore, deployed by the Ministry of Local Government, which is also responsible for monitoring their performance. The history of the last five CAOs deployed in Ngora District, is as follows - I thought that it is necessary for us to give the history: i) Mr Lawrence Wadada was 57 years at his deployment at Ngora in 2020 and his home district is Sironko. He is still in service in Ngora. ii) Mr Andrew Mawejje was 52 years when he was deployed in Ngora in 2018 and his home district is Kibaale. He is in service at Kakumiro District and he is doing a very good job. In Kakumiro, we are very proud of him. iii) Mr Bruno Mwayita was 58 years in 20l7 when he was deployed in Ngora and his home district is Budaka. He has retired. iv) Mr Alex Kwizera was 49 years old in 2014 when he was deployed in Ngora and his home district is Kisoro. He retired in 20l8. v) Mr Davies Dembe Bayeza was 50 years old in 2011 when he was deployed in Ngora and his home district is Kanungu. He retired from Sheema. Mr Speaker, the retirement age in the Public Service, except for Justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of appeal, is 60 years. It is evident that it is not true that the chief administrative officers deployed in Ngora Local Government are those nearing retirement. It is also not true that public officers nearing retirement pose a danger to the service because of fear to take certain critical decisions and that they are not innovative.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs constructed a radar in Nakasongola Town Council, on Sungira Hill, in 2019. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, a number of houses – during the construction of the road – were directly affected and others were indirectly affected. Those which were directly affected were compensated, but the 250 houses that were indirectly affected have not been compensated, to date. I have engaged the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs on several occasions, I have written to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, I have reached to you – Rt Hon. Prime Minister – and you have given directives, but the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs is not responding.

6660 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME When will the people of Nakasongola, whose houses were indirectly affected, be compensated? I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There are Baruli who settled in Lango for quite a number of years. Having settled in Lango, in 1979, they were forced back; it is on record. However, they had acquired property in Lango; they had land, cows and buildings, but they never came back with their properties. This issue was tabled in the Attorney-General’s office. The Deputy Attorney-General came to Nakasongola, met those people and they gave him the information, but when I look at the list here, those people’s group is not included. My humble submission and prayer is that those people be considered by the Attorney-General’s office. Please, go to Nakasongola, meet those people, and consider them for inclusion on the list. I beg to submit. I thank you.

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, for the protection. I rise on a matter of national importance. Madam Speaker, in my constituency, there is an urgent matter, which needs to be handled. I know you are steering this Parliament and you said it is pro-people. In 2019, His Excellency, the President of this mighty country, the Pearl of Africa, came to Nakasongola and directed that Kyarubanga land should be degazetted for tenants. However, right now, district leaders are ferrying people from other districts to this land. I am not ashamed to say this here because it is true. They are also arresting the sitting tenants and anybody who rises up to them. (Applause) So far, 88 people have been detained for days and months without trial. I even have some police bonds here, which I beg to lay.

We have Moses Semanda, Tom Sembatya, Abas Serugo, Martin Sekayiwa, commander Rogers Kabalubindu, Tumuhairwe and others. Madam Speaker, the old man who is between 60 to 70 years known as Sunday Kamuza has been detained for six days in police custody in Nakasongola. Therefore, my humble request is, Madam Speaker -

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I had the opportunity to be on a committee that was sent out to investigate allegations against the UPDF. I covered Lake Kioga, the districts of Kayunga, Buyende; I went to Serere, Kaliro, Amolatar and Nakasongola. I also went to Bunyoro, Lake Albert, although the activities had not started. I want to tell you that the fishermen and women who are natives have no problem but the criminals who had moved from other areas had even made plots in the lake – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the three times you have visited Kayunga, you have seen the situation on Kayunga-Bbaale- Galiraya road and the bridge that connects us to Nakasongola. Recently, when you visited, you promised to rehabilitate the road and work on the Kanda Swamp that cut off the road. Up to now, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has never turned up. You actually promised to open up the bridge by October, but nothing is being done. What happened to the road? Otherwise, the waters are reducing and drying because of the accidents by sugarcane trucks.

The Member has raised two issues. The bridge between Nakasongola and Kayunga; that is, Ssezibwa. Mr Speaker, Ssezibwa Bridge is going to be commissioned by the end of December because it is almost motorable now. I expected you to say, “thank you”. Then the road from Kayunga to Galiraya is one of the country’s priority roads. There is even a contractor earmarked to work on that road. The money we were supposed to use - because of COVID-19, you know what happened. Once we get the money, that road will be worked on.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to inform you that Nakasongola is among the districts that were submerged by water surrounding Lake Kyoga, and two were submerged; that is Rwampanga Health Centre III and Moone. Mr Speaker, through you, I want to thank the Prime Minister for the positive response she made to these facilities; the UPDF contractors are doing some good work. But as the Prime Minister came for the oversight visit, we noticed that one staff quarter block was not considered, and the Prime Minister instructed the UPDF constructors to take over. However, up to date, they are saying they have no funds. Therefore, I am requesting the Prime Minister to please follow up with the UPDF contractors so that they can implement the design for the Rwampanga Health Centre III. I would like to appreciate the Prime Minister, for being a hard-working lady and a down-to-earth person. (Applause)