Nebbi District

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand before you to pay tribute to a great General and servant of the people of West Nile. A lot has been said about what the great General has done for us, as the people of West Nile, but one of the things we do appreciate him for is that he always made sure that West Nile got its fair share of the national cake. Through that, we have managed to get electricity, roads, and the famous Laropi Bridge funding - which is going to start - a bridge championed by the great General who is lying before us. As new Members of this Parliament, some of us who are in the second term came towards the last years of the great General, but nevertheless, he always got time to call us into his office and continued guiding us on some of the projects and issues to raise. One of the issues was the road between Nebbi to Goli and all the way to Vurra. Now that we managed to pass a loan of $20 million for that road, we urge the Ministry of Works and Transport to fulfil that pledge and make sure that that road from Nebbi, Goli to Zombo is tarmacked. I thank you all and welcome you to West Nile tomorrow for the burial of the General.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On behalf of the people of Pakwach, allow me to extend my heartfelt condolences to the President, to you, the Speaker of Parliament, and the family of the late Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali. I stand here to testify about the late Gen. Moses Ali as a peace builder. In 1986, I was a young girl; one morning, three vehicles appeared and parked in our compound. Soldiers jumped out, and my late father was seated under a tree. Out of the car, a towering tall soldier emerged - who was our late elder. I started beckoning to my father because I was bringing something to him. He whispered to me and said, “Run away.” All the girls and women ran away and why was that? Because it was well known that soldiers were very good at raping women. That is why my dad asked us to run away, although later on, we were all called back. He had been sent to go and talk to my father, who was a prominent opinion leader, to mobilise the people of Jonam to welcome the NRA with green leaves. Indeed, today, as people of West Nile, we have lost a general who fought to see that there is peace in West Nile and saw to it that women are no longer raped by the current UPDF. For that, we thank him. Mr Speaker, somebody here stated, “We should not pay tribute by just talking but rather with action.” The President mentioned two of our critical roads, both of which are of economic value. The Nebbi-Vurra road and Panyimur– Wadelai–Obongi road - (Member timed out.)

That sounds good. Honourable members, in the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have the Rt Rev. Constantine Rupiny, Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese. (Applause) He is the main celebrant at today’s Feast of St Thomas More. He is accompanied by a delegation of the following: 1. Fr Ponsian Kaweesa, Chaplain of the Parliamentary Catholic Chaplaincy here; 2. Fr Camillus Chandini; 3. Fr Norbert Azale; 4. Fr Charles Lwanga; 5. Fr Joseph Musoke; 6. Fr Deo Ssengendo; 7. Fr Stephen Oribdhogu, the Chancellor Nebbi Diocese; 8. Fr John Mary Muzei Kibirige; and 9. Sr Alice Jacan. Please join me in welcoming them and make them feel welcome. (Applause) The leaders of the four districts, namely Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach and Madi-Okollo, please stand up for recognition so they can see your faces. The elder, Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavenjina, Hon. Jane Pacuto, Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho, Hon. Martin Drito, Hon. Topista Achamfua, Hon. Marshall Alenyo, Hon. Isaac Otimgiw, Hon. Gabriel Okumu, Minister Phiona Nyamu-something (Nyamutoro) - (Laughter) - Hon. Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, Hon. Joan Aniku and Hon. Ali Ogama Hon. Joseph Ssewungu is a member of the Catholic - he was an altar boy who wanted to be a priest but - on this note, Rt Rev. Constantine Rupiny is the first Catholic bishop to come to this new term of Parliament -(Applause)- and I was blessed - this morning at 10:00 a.m., he came, prayed for me and blessed me. I am very blessed now. (Laughter) Honourable members, we shall have to release the Members from Greater Nebbi; the four districts, when time comes, and - let us process this. Hon. Annet Pamela Kirungi, the MP for Kabarole - is she here? Can you raise your issue in one minute?

Thank you very much. Mr Speaker, I also rise to thank the President for the State-of-the- Nation Address. Two areas from the address caught my attention, and my comments will be based on that. Number one, I would also like to thank the Government for the income-generation initiatives, particularly aiming at improving household incomes. But every time such initiatives come up, I feel there is one group of people that is left out. In all our villages, we have village savings and loans associations. When those initiatives come up, they do not target them. I am asking, if possible, particularly the ministry responsible for cooperatives, they can look at the possibility of working with these savings groups in the villages to support the individual households. That is one area. The second is the area of human capital development and specifically for the health sector. Nebbi Municipality, where I come from, houses the hospital of Nebbi. That hospital has become a referral hospital for Zombo, Nebbi, Pakwach and Madi-Okollo districts, leaving the municipality with three divisions without any health facility. When you go to the district hospital, you find their focus is mainly on the people who have been referred there from distant places, leaving out the local population. Mr Speaker, one thing that amazed me was: I discovered that some years back, 15 staff members were recruited to start one health centre III in one of the divisions. Unfortunately, because there was no construction, the health workers, some of whom were absorbed into the district, and five of them have remained unabsorbed. They are there; they continue to draw salaries from the Government, but after a certain period, they were stopped. Some of them are now thinking of taking the Government to court, which to me is unfair – (Member timed out.)

Honourable colleagues, before the Attorney-General comes, I have an announcement. The Parliamentary Catholic Chaplaincy invites you to Holy Mass celebrating the Feast of St. Thomas More, the patron saint of politicians, on 16 July 2026 at 5.00 p.m. in the Parliamentary Conference Hall. The main celebrant will be Rt Rev. Constantine Rupinyi, Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese. The invitation is by Hon. Lucy Akello, Woman MP, Amuru. As the Attorney-General comes, honourable Minister of Health, I have received eight

Thank you, Mr Speaker and congratulations. On 11 October 2025, the President came for a campaign in Zombo District. During the rally, he confirmed to the people of Zombo that work on Goli-Paidha-Zombo-Warr-Vurra Road would commence in April this year. He said that the same contractor that would do work on Nebbi-Goli Road would continue to Zombo. Has the contract been signed? If not, how long do we have to wait as the people of Zombo District? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I can confirm to the Member of Parliament that the Goli-Nebbi Road is a priority road, which the President has promised and that it is in this year’s budget. We are just waiting for budget release for the road works to start.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Alluding to some of the submissions of our honourable colleagues, for the entire stretch along the northern route going all the way to Gulu, the biggest accidents right now are due to potholes which are not being filled by the Ministry of Works and Transport. We have a high volume of passengers now travelling at night, and because of little lighting along the road, these buses do not see some of these potholes. That is how they end up swerving towards another vehicle, and we get head-on collisions. Can we have those potholes actually filled to make sure that the road is safe? I would also like to inform the Minister of Works and Transport that we are still getting accidents and deaths along the Jukia road. We passed a loan of $20 million for works to begin on the Nebbi-Goli Road; the 16 kilometers. Nothing is happening on the ground. What are you going to do? Lastly, Rt Hon. Speaker, you remember in the 11 th - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, on the issue of the road signs, we mentioned it even in the last Parliament that we were working out a plan. The road signs we have been very attractive; they are metallic and are so attractive to our people. We are working on a plan to bring ones that are not attractive, such that they can last long on the road. Most of them use the poles, and where we put the signs, they take and sell them as scrap. Mr Speaker, you arrest people, but the next day, they come back. However, we are working out a plan where we can have those ones which are not attractive so that they can last longer. We remain committed to doing that. On the issue of bringing back the speed governors, I have noted it with concern. We are going to go back and sit down with our people to see how best we can bring it up to save our people. On the Nebbi-Goli Road, we are working to ensure that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development finalises with the contractor, and very soon, the contractor will report on the site once he finalises everything with the finance ministry. Thank you very much.

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

Mr Speaker, Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, and Your Lordship the Chief Justice, my name is Phiona Nyamutoro, the District Woman Representative for Nebbi. Mr Speaker, I rise under Rule 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda to move a motion that the Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Member of Parliament representing Ruhinda North constituency on the NRM ticket, do take the Chair of this Parliament as Deputy Speaker. I beg to move. Mr Speaker, I nominate the Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, a candidate whose credentials speak for themselves: a man of all seasons who has stood the test of time with proven integrity as a generational leader, a known team player,

15 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 58. Niyonsaba Alex Bufumbira County South Kisoro NRM 59. Nsamba Patrick Oshabe Kassanda County North Kassanda NUP 60. Ntale Nsereko Madina Kawempe Division South Kampala NRM 61. Obigah Rose Woman Representative Terego NRM 62. Ochai Maximus West Budama County North Tororo NRM 63. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah Omoro County Omoro NRM 64. Okello Patrick Onguti Aswa County Gulu DP 65. Okot Boniface Henry Kole South County Kole NRM 66. Odwori John Kagoma North County Jinja NUP 67. Oboth Marksons Jacob West Budama Central County Tororo NRM 68. Onzima Phiona Ayivu Division West Arua City NRM 69. Ongalo-Obote Clement Kenneth Kalaki County Kalaki NRM 70. Okia Joanne Aniku Woman Representative Madi-Okollo NRM 71. Nsegumire Muhamad Kibedi Mityana County North Mityana NRM 72. Okullo Francis Ochero County Kaberamaido NRM 73. Opio Samuel Acuti Kole North County Kole NRM 74. Okwi Constantine Kibale County Pallisa NRM 75. Waako Joy Peggy Older Persons Representative Female NRM 76. Ongiertho Emmanuel Jor Nebbi Municipality Nebbi Independent 77. Ssekitoleeko Robert Bamunanika County Luweero NUP 78. Ogwang Peter Ngariam County Katakwi NRM 79. Ongorok Richard Usuk County Katakwi NRM 80. Olanya Gilbert Kilak South County Amuru FDC 81. Okoya John Calvin Chua East County Kaberamaido NRM 82. Okello Geoffery Charles Nwoya East County Nwoya DP 83. Ogama Alli Ismail Lower Madi County Madi-Okollo NRM The House was suspended at 11.12 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. On resumption, at 1.00 p.m. 84. Wanyoto Godfrey Budadiri County West Sironko Independent 85. Nyamutoro Phiona Woman Representative Nebbi NRM 86. Opio Denish Geoffrey Nwoya County Nwoya DP 87. Origumisiriza Enid Atuheire Woman Representative Kabale NRM 88. Ottober Wellborn Odiya Aruu North County Pader NRM 89. Ssewagudde Robert PWD Representative N/A Independent 90. Otimgiw Isaac Ismail Padyere County Nebbi NRM 91. Ruteraho Lillian Woman Representative Isingiro NRM 92. Ssemwanga Joseph (Brig. Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 93. Sange Jackline Woman Representative Kween NRM 94. Opolot-Okwalinga Simon Peter Kanyum County Kumi NRM 95. Owere Richard Machika West Budama North East Tororo NRM 96. Paparu Lillian Obiale Woman Representative Arua NRM 97. Paak Peter Pex Dodoth East County Kaabong NRM 98. Rwakoojo Robina Gureme Woman Representative Gomba NRM 99. Rwashande Emmanuel (Brig. Gen. Rtd) Lwemiyaga County Ssembabule NRM 100. Sekabira Denes Katikamu North County Luweero NUP 101. Ssewungu Joseph Gonzaga Kalungu County West Kalungu NUP 102. Owino Nicholas Simon Tororo North County Tororo NRM

18654 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 iv) Jinja Hospital, Shs 43 billion; v) Mulago Hospital, Shs 4.3 billion; vi) Kyambogo University, Shs 3.4 billion; vii) Gulu Hospital, Shs 1.3 billion; viii) Nebbi Hospital, Shs 963 million; ix) Soroti Hospital, Shs 819 million; and x) Entebbe Hospital, Shs 530 Million. I conclude by raising the observations and recommendations Vote 017 i) The committee recommends that the Government provide an additional Shs 300 billion for the Financial Year 26/27 to clear priority inherited rural electrification obligations and restore visible implementation under the last mile service delivery; ii) The Government should reconsider the decision to restructure the Rural Electrification Agency and reinstate a rural electrification agency or any other institution that is dedicated to providing rural electrification in a non-traditional ministry format, especially in light of the low progress since the rationalisation of the previous institution ; (Applause) iii) We should strengthen the anti-vandalism enforcement and accelerate reform in scrap market regulation and protect, and protect critical infrastructure; iv) Government allocates Shs 10 billion to establish a formal mineral market and buying centre; v) Government prioritises the full compensation and relocation of the 414 affected households in Karuma and Awo villages by allocating the outstanding 60 billion; vi) The ministry submits to Parliament a district-by-district implementation matrix of electricity transmission, distribution, and industrial parks electrification projects, showing the financing, the contractor status, the completion timelines, and the expected beneficiaries. This is because for many times, colleagues are asking the Ministry of Energy about electrification projects without clear responses; and vii) The Ministry prioritises delivery in named localities already committed to its prioritised delivery in named localities, especially those mentioned in its policy submissions, like the industrial parks, the transmission corridors, where economic and political expectations are high. Recommendations under the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) viii) The committee recommends that sustained financing for the real-time monitoring centre, the primary data centre, and the disaster recovery infrastructure, cross- border monitoring, and remaining staff gaps be provided for before Uganda enters into full petroleum production; ix) PAU, through the minister responsible for petroleum, should make quarterly reports to Parliament on first oil readiness, production monitoring capability, national content performance, employment outcomes, and coordination with the Uganda Revenue Authority, the Auditor- General, Uganda National Oil Company, and the Uganda National Environment Authority; and x) Additional budget consideration should be given to unfunded recruitment and technical monitoring tools required for the production of the first oil. Recommendations under Vote 019 i) The Government should increase predictable domestic financing for the operation and maintenance of rural water facilities, small pipe schemes, and rehabilitation of non-functional systems. Colleagues, this will help to remove the burden of repair of boreholes, spring wells, and small water schemes from members of Parliament; and ii) Counterpart funding for strategic towns and other schemes for water production should be protected from disruption during the financial year. Additional resources should be mobilised to narrow the Shs 361 billion financing gap, which threatens universal safe water, climate-resilient, and ecosystem targets.

18575 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 APRIL 2026 people with a medical background and other specialties working for them, or will they just rely on people from NDA on that point so that we do not have double recruitment? We can borrow the speciality from NDA but have some permanent medical staff also in UNBS. On the issue of industrial parks, we have noticed that investment, at the moment, is not widely spread across the country. You find most of the investment along the Kampala- Jinja Road and now stretching up to the Mbale corridor, leaving the rest of the country untapped properly. For example, an area like the West Nile has a population of almost 4.5 million people without any industrial park. We did have an industrial park in Nebbi that is in -

Is Schedule No.2 seconded?? (Members rose_) It is seconded by Hon. Charity, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Ssentayi, Hon. Elwelu, Hon. Daudi Kabanda, Hon. Rwakajara, Hon. Atyang, Hon. David, Hon. Daudi, Member for Ntoroko, Hon. Bright, Hon. Margaret, Hon. Wilson, Hon. Nathan Byanyima, the Elders, Hon. Agaba, Member for Amuria, Member for Nebbi, Hon. Herbert, Member for Kapelebyong, and the whole side. Justify your motion.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from the Greater Nebbi Development Forum (GNDF). They are represented by Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, Hon. Esther Afoyochan, Hon. Catherine Mavenjina, Hon. Isaac Otimgiw, Hon. Hashim Sulaiman, Hon. Agnes Acibu, Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto, Hon. Emmanuel Ongeirtho, Hon. Lawrence Songa, and Hon. Gabriel Okumu. Please join me in welcoming them. ( Applause ) You can stand up for recognition. Thank you. Honourable colleagues, also in the public gallery this afternoon, we have students and teachers of Mbale Secondary School, Mbale City. They are represented by Hon. Masaba Karim and Hon. Nakayenze Connie Galiwango. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause) [The Deputy Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you and please get in touch with the honourable colleague. It will be very helpful. Next item. LAYING OF PAPERS (I) A PROPOSAL TO BORROW UP TO UNITED STATES DOLLARS (USD) 20 MILLION FROM THE ARAB BANK FOR DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA (BADEA) FOR THE UPGRADING OF NEBBI-GOLI ROAD (16KM)

Mr Speaker, I beg to lay a proposal to borrow up to United States dollars 20 million from the Arab Bank for Development in Africa (BADEA) for the upgrading of Nebbi-Goli Road (16 kilometres).

18023 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2025 on only 16 kilometres. I think this is an insult to the greater Nebbi. We have sat in this House and approved loans for hundreds of kilometres for other districts. At the last moment, greater Nebbi gets to a loan of 16 kilometres out of the 120 –

Mr Speaker, you have ruled very well. I am grateful, and we are looking forward to receiving his response. Our people would like to know. This road does not even cover the entire Nebbi. That means that the whole of Zombo, which I represent, is completely left out. It is very painful for me to stand a million times behind this microphone singing the same song, and the Government that I serve diligently is not listening.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My sister, Hon. Afoyochan is right. Member after member have stood up to speak about the entire stretch, but we appreciate the effort of the Government to make sure that we have at least Nebbi-Goli Road done. Therefore, as we push to get the entire stretch of the 116 kilometres, it does not mean that we are not ready to accept the 16 kilometres for now. Let us take the 16 kilometres, but continue to push for the entire stretch –(Interruptions)- I am not being selfish. What I am saying is that the entire stretch up to Zombo is a very important road, and we have continued to talk about it because if we totally send this away, it means we have no starting point for the moment.

Mr Speaker, thank you for your indulgence. I think when I listen to submissions from the honourable colleagues, the cry from Nebbi and all over the country - The leader of Government business could do us a very good service if they can sit as the Government and come to this House and say, “Now we have a term of five years which is coming to an end” to show every Member of Parliament here - either in their district, what the Government has delivered tangibly as a project in these five years. (Applause) Many of us here, - and I sympathise with those who sit on the NRM, you have nothing to go and tell your people. In five years, there has been no road, no school, and no high-impact project, nothing. And the Government has been in place for five years. Every term, the Government has a specific set of promises that it has made to the country. And that should be done. Therefore, if it pleases you, Mr Speaker – and to calm all this, the Leader of Government Business with this well-composed team of ministers, come and tell us what you have delivered in every area of this country.

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

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

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

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.

The PAPs need Shs 380 billion. a) Alwii-Nebbi Road is about to be completed, but again, the progress is slow; we need to – b) Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka. Abubaker, who is a local contractor and demands about Shs 44 billion. c) Karuma-Pakwach Road is progressing. The contractor, China Railway 7, together with NEC, demands about Shs 20 billion. d) Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima Road is under reconstruction again by Abubaker, who is demanding another Shs 30 billion on this particular road. e) Karuma-Olwiyo and Olwiyo-Pakwach sections are being addressed, and very soon, they will be finished. Additionally, key bridge projects remain under construction but are constrained because of funding, and it would be better if we had a reliable fund release. a) Katonga Bridge, including Lweera and Kalandazi swamp crossings along Masaka; and b) Then the upper Katonga Bridge, that’s Kabulasoke-Villa Maria Road and Ssezibwa Bridge on Kayunga-Mukono Road. The cumulative effects of these suspensions and delays have led to slow absorption of project resources, exposure to financial claims, risk of asset deterioration, and reputational concerns. If not urgently addressed, these disruptions will compromise Uganda’s ability to deliver critical national infrastructure and maintenance of the existing network. Impact of inadequate funding The funding shortfall of Shs 2.472 trillion in this financial year has had far-reaching consequences on the implementation of the National Roads Programme. These impacts manifest across land acquisition, ongoing project performance, the paved road network, and maintenance of gravel roads. Impact on land acquisition and project commencement Land acquisition remains a prerequisite, and this is in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Article 26, for access to the site and commencement of physical works. The delay or absence of funds for land composition has constrained progress on both the Government of Uganda projects and externally funded projects. The lack of access to the site has: a. Prevented contractors from mobilising, leading to suspension of activities; and b. Triggered claims for idle equipment - because it is in the law that if you cannot give the contractor access to land, then we charge you for idle equipment.

17496 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION 6. The PCR kit developed by scientists at Makerere University to conduct more than two million tests at 50 per cent of the cost of imported alternatives. This has saved the country $37 million in imports per year; 7. Gulu University developed highly effective rapid test kits for crop diseases – for cassava and sweet potatoes; 8. The engineering development and innovation centres in Rwebiteete, Kiruhura District and Namanve are enhancing capacity for industrial technology, metallurgy, electrical and electronics, civil engineering, automotive technology, agricultural mechanisation, and construction machinery. 9. The Presidential Initiative on the Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) plant in Bushenyi – can you show us that one? Bushenyi banange! If you don’t want to die from a heart attack, you eat our bananas. They have got potassium for your heart muscles. The Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development plant in Bushenyi has significantly increased commercial production capacity to 140 metric tonnes of fresh Matooke – “Matooke” is bananas – per day. The plant has sales orders from the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Italy. Over the last 17 years, the NRM Government has prioritised infrastructure development, especially the roads, railways and electricity. We now have a solid foundation to support industrial development. All parts of the country are interconnected using tarmac and good murram roads. This means that whatever is produced in the country can easily reach the markets. It also means that the cost and time of moving goods has reduced significantly, facilitating both investments and trade. The stock of tarmac roads is now 6,199 kilometres, compared to only 1,900 kilometres when the NRM took power in 1986. Of these 1,900 kilometres, only 114 kilometres were in fair condition, while the rest, totalling 1,786 kilometres, were in poor condition. The roads to commence construction to tarmac standard next financial year include: 1. 23.6km., Yumbe-Ure Road and bridge. Are my people from Yumbe happy? Awadifo. (Applause) 2. 69.3km., Katine-Ochero Road – apwoyo, apwoyo, apwoyo – and 2.9 kilometres of town roads in Kaberamaido and Kalaki towns. 3. 105km. of Kyenjojo-Kihura-Bwizi-Rwamwanja- Kahunge and Mpara-Bwizi. Mwebale muno. 4. 56.3km., Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli-Jinja. Mwebale ino . 5. 127km Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu – at long last. 6. 10km., Jinja City roads. 7. 115km., Kitgum-Kidepo. Apwoyo, apwoyo! (Applause) 8. 88km, Ishasa-Katunguru Road. Mwebale munonga . 9. 65.3km, Luku-Kalangala-Mulabana Road. Do the bassesse have their own language? Bogera Luganda? Kale bagenderawo. 10. 10.67 kilometres on the seven town roads in Kalangala. 11. 72km, Nabumali-Butaleja-Namutumba. 12. 73km, Karenga-Kapedo-Kaabong. 13. 69.6km, Kotido-Kaabong Road. Alakara noi noi . 14. 25km, Bubulo-Bududa Circular Road. Akaguto ako banange. Aba Masaaba. 15. 21km, Mbale-Nkokonjeru Road . 16. 46.4km, Kabwohe-Nyakambu-Bwizibw - era and Nyakambu-Nsiika Road. Abany - abuhweju, at last. The Government is repairing the 78.9km road from Nebbi to Arua and I am also negotiating for more money to tarmac other roads, namely: Kabujogyera-Kitagwenda-Kamwenge Road – a batagwenda bangye mutebwo amastiko; Muhaanga-Rwamuchuuchu-Kisiizi-Rubaare Road with a branch to Nyakisheenyi and another one to Kebisooni – Abahooro, Abakiga tindabasa kubebwa; Lyantonde-Lumbugu- Rakai – abakooki baffe eyomunda eyo;

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

17499 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2025 schools under the Uganda Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) programme, bringing the cumulative total to 161 seed schools, out of the 259 planned. The majority of the remaining schools are progressing well and are on schedule for completion by June, 2025. The total number of Government-aided primary schools in the country is now 12,550. People normally talk of parishes which do not have Government-aided primary schools. But how many parishes are there in Uganda? It is because some of the parishes have got more than one primary school. Otherwise, 12,000 could have covered every parish because remember, the villages are 72,000 and they are normally about five or 10 villages in a parish. The primary schools, supported by the Government, are now quite many but some of the parishes may have more than one. The total number of Government-aided secondary schools is 1,416. The technical and vocational schools are 189 and Government degree-awarding universities are 12. That is the infrastructure of education in the country now. Clean water and sanitation The proper management of our water and environmental resources is a major contributing factor to public health, agricultural productivity and climate change adaptation. The National Population and Housing Census Report of 2024 showed that at least eight in 10 households now have access to improved water sources, that is, piped water, protected springs, etc. In 1986, only 10 per cent – that is one out of 10 households – had access to a clean and safe water source. Today, 81.1 per cent of the households in Uganda are in the radius of one kilometre from a safe water source. This is on account of the Government’s prioritisation of the construction of piped water systems in both rural and urban areas. Government has constructed a number of solar- powered piped water systems in the districts of Agago, Alebtong, Kayunga, Mityana, Pader, etc. There are ongoing construction works in other districts like Buhweju – for Bisya water supply system; Kasese – for Nyamugasani gravity flow scheme; Ala-Ora water supply system to serve the districts of Terego, Madi- Okollo and Nebbi, among others. Additionally, through the District Water and Sanitation Conditional Grant, the local governments have been able to boost access to improved water sources across the country. The local governments have constructed a total of 2,564 taps, serving 452,000 persons; drilled 709 deep boreholes, serving 212,000 persons and 128 protected springs, serving 43,000 persons. They have also constructed 109 rainwater harvesting tanks, serving 654 persons and 79 production wells. A total of 1,333 boreholes and 28 piped water systems have been rehabilitated across the country, thus restoring service to 417,000 persons. Regional integration The political balkanisation of Africa created small states, many of which have small populations. Uganda, with 46 million people, is one of the bigger states. The solution to this problem is regional integration. The whole of Africa has got a very high population of 1.4 billion people but this population is broken up into small units. Small populations mean small markets. The problem is compounded by a low purchasing power because of low incomes. So you have got small populations with low incomes. How will they support business? There are also problems in the regional market such as lack of roads and lack of communication to enable us to fully exploit the regional market. That is why, for instance, Uganda has undertaken the construction of the Mpondwe to Beni highway to ease connectivity between Congo and Uganda. If we mobilise the whole of Africa to remove all trade barriers, we shall no longer worry about being shut out of markets in Europe or the USA. In the Budget speech, I will speak more about this issue of integration. I think for now, let me finish so that people can survive and go home.

Madam Speaker, I sit on the Committee on Health, and I remember vividly that the Ministry for Health came and brought that request. Lastly, I am still disappointed that the Nebbi- Zombo Road has not been funded in this budget despite our five years of calling for it. Despite bringing in revenue, it remains the only border custom not tarmacked in Uganda. The Goli and Padea customs have still not been brought on board.

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

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

Vot DG.-|DtLE rrou*[UqX0O'l 889 Masindi District 2.283.561 890 Mafruse District 3.74r.314 891 Mbale District 4.258.404 892 llfbarara District 3.574.783 893 Mitooma District 5.833.974 894 Mitlrana District 3.115.081 895 Moroto District t.903.749 896 Morro District 2.558.666 897 Mpigi District 2.989.567 898 Muberrde District 3.891.823 899 Mukono Distrist 3,57L.739 900 Nabilahrk District 2.235.822 901 Nakapiripirit District 3,L68.O24 902 Nakaseke District s.298.902 903 Nakasongola District 2,768.377 904 Nanarringo District 2.762,795 905 Naraisindwa District 3,760.490 906 Nanuhrmba District 2,790.205 907 Napak District 2.767.585 908 Nebbi Distf,ict 2.919,540 909 Ngora District 2.452.235 910 Ntoroko District 2,4L7,457 911 Nhrngamo District 5,001.791 9L2 Nrvoya District 4,385.464 913 Obong District 1,426,37L 914 Omoro District 4,102.293 915 Otulc District 2,067.969 916 Orram District 4,560.542 9L7 Pader Distrist 3,065.637 918 Pakcrach District 2,329.327 919 Pallisa District 2.5s7.798 920 Rakai District 3,859,310 92L Rubanda Distrirct 6,526,22L 922 Rubirizi District 3,908,2L7 923 Rukiga District .Gx, 7rtl 1,951,129 924 Bukungiri DisEict ( lflt I 4,367,466 925 Rwanpara District tfi \LIPV 3.910.185 Sembabule District 797 901 't I ,i , \$ 4, / -$ ge s 'd$t t t

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

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank God that I was able to come to Parliament today when there was a very important issue on the Order Paper about paying tribute to the late Pope Francis. I thank the Rt Hon. Prime Minister for bringing the motion, and I strongly support it. We all agree that Pope Francis was very unique in all his ways. In 2016, when the late Pope Francis came to Uganda, there was very heavy rain before he prayed for us in Namugongo. I remember we walked through the rain up to Namugongo and had to spend the night there, in order to attend his prayer, the following day. Madam Speaker, I did not have the opportunity of meeting him many times as other colleagues did, but I want to say how happy I am that in 2021, just before COVID-19 came, I was one of the people who was nominated to go to Rome to meet Pope Francis because we were going as Life Ascending International. In Uganda here, we also have Life Ascending Uganda and this is an association of older persons. I would like to thank my diocese of Nebbi for supporting me and giving me – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have read through the report, and as Members of Parliament from West Nile, we have always been presenting the challenges of the road between Nebbi and Arua here. Whenever we talk about this road, what the ministry does is to pick some soil and drop it in the pits. Within a week, it is done. During the dry season, the sand is picked up by the wind and during the rainy season, the soil is washed away by water. This is in addition to the challenges we have had with water cutting off the Pakwach Bridge. I have not seen, in the budget, how to handle these challenges that we have been facing as the people of West Nile. I would like to know what the ministry will do now that we are going into the next financial year with no allocation to rehabilitate the Nebbi-Arua Road. Mr Speaker, we are happy that we pushed for an allocation of Shs 1 billion for roads in local governments. However, this running financial year, the ministry came up with a new guideline, removing the five per cent, which was allocated for administration and oversight. This year, the local governments have been challenged on how to oversee and maintain the roads. I would like to request the ministry to take note that two years down the road, the roads that we were rehabilitating with the Shs 1 billion are getting damaged. They can review the guideline for the use of Shs 1 billion. We can allocate some money for Road Fund to maintain the roads that we have done within the Shs 1 billion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The committee makes reference to the term “low-volume roads”. The road from Pakwach-Madi-Okollo to Arua used to be such a road but due to the breakdown of Nebbi-Goli- Arua Road, all traffic, heavy trucks, even many of the MPs in this House have passed through Pakwach-Madi-Okollo-Arua. That road, which was a low-volume road, has been completely destroyed by these heavy trucks and so my question - and part of this road was a presidential directive to the ministry for works that they should work on it using high grade murram. This has never happened and there is a lot of patch-up work. This road is now in a sorry state. Ministry of Works, what is the plan? His Excellency has said the Government will look for tarmac for these roads, but in the meantime, he has said, why can’t we put high-grade murram on these roads? What is the plan? This was pledged in the 2023/2024 budget, but nothing happened. In 2024/2025, we waited, but still nothing. What is happening in 2025/2026 on this road? Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I would like to thank the committee for the report. I am glad that Hon. Musa Ecweru, the minister, is here. He promised to come to West Nile; he has never come one year later. I hope you will give us a report on your plan for the Nebbi-Arua Road. I almost died on that road yesterday morning as I was coming here. It has life-threatening potholes. Give us a report of what your plan is. Secondly, Mr Speaker, the committee reported that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has budgeted Shs 10 billion for the maintenance of upcountry aerodromes. The available money is Shs 1.8 billion, yet they need about Shs 8.2 billion to do it. Last financial year, CAA budgeted Shs 20 billion to work on the Arua Aerodrome runway. The ministry stopped them. They took their company called East of Eden to do a feasibility study. One year and three months later, there is not even one page of a feasibility study. The money that was budgeted was later diverted to Jinja. The ministry needs to tell us what their plan is. Are they doing it deliberately? That airport is the second busiest domestic airline airport after Entebbe. What is your plan? Are you frustrating us? What do you want us to do? Do you want us to walk to Kampala so that you feel these guys are really strong? Honourable minister, the country should improve all the transport systems so that we can grow. If you go to Tanzania, the domestic routes are operating very well because all the airports in the regions are working very well – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to bring to the attention of the august House the Nebbi-Goli-Zombo-Vurra Road. The minister is very familiar with it, and it is a huge toxic political road in that region. Currently, DRC is our biggest trading partner. The distance between Nebbi and Goli is only 14 kilometres, but the Government has been promising to work on the 14 kilometres since 1996. I perused this budget, which was read before Parliament this afternoon, but to my dismay, Goli-Nebbi is not featured anywhere. Can the minister, for God’s sake, tell the people of Uganda and the Alur people, where he worked for a very long time and got blessings to be a minister of Works, what he is going to do for them before these coming elections? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to start by reiterating my greatest disappointment that, once again, Nebbi-Goli- Zombo-Vurra Road has missed out on this year’s budget. Mr Speaker, Sir, we are on the verge of losing a lot of votes because of this road, in the upcoming election, yet this is a stronghold of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

17140 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 We have taken great officials there. We took Ms Kagina, the then Executive Director of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). We drove through the entire stretch of the road, but she still promised us air. We took you, the honourable minister, and drove through the entire stretch of the road from Nebbi to Vurra. Still, you promised us air. His Excellency the President has been there three times and proclaimed that the road was going to be repaired. Up to now, there is nothing. We hope something is done very soon, before the elections. Secondly, the Alui-Nebbi road has faced tremendous delays up to now. That project was supposed to have ended a long time ago, and the reason is because you are not providing enough funding to the China Railway Company to complete it. On the issue of the Uganda Road Fund, most of our districts last received funds in the second quarter. We are really in dire need of that money, especially our subcounties. While on the issue of subcounties, what is happening in the Ministry of Finance in regards to coding the new subcounties and town councils? They have failed to get road funds because they have failed to code them. Lastly, on the issue of district bridges, they are now almost finished. In my constituency, we have Ayila, Kibira and Pajukwi bridges, which are almost death traps. What are your plans for helping districts build and maintain their bridges? We need your help. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I would like to find out from the Minister of Works and Transport: when the Uganda Road Fund was an entity on its own, the Government was not giving them the money that was due to them as Uganda Road Fund. I would like to find out how easy that is going to be now that it is a department within the Ministry of Works and Transport. Secondly, the road that my sister, Hon. Joan, talked about, from Pakwach to Rhino Camp, that road actually starts from Panyimur. Honourable minister, you know about it. It starts from Panyimur, and as we speak, if any heavier rains come, that road is going to be cut off completely. Therefore, honourable minister, you need to look into that. Thirdly, committee chairperson, you mentioned the meter-gauge railway from Gulu to Pakwach as a by-the-way because the initial issue you talked about was that railway line from Tororo to Gulu. Pakwach was now mentioned as a by- the-way. I would like to appeal that the one from Gulu to Pakwach does not become a by- the-way; it should become something that is looked at more seriously. Finally, Mr Speaker, I said it here one time that we are in an election period - for the Nebbi subregion - from Pakwach up to Zombo - that road, even if repeatedly, we are going to talk about it; the one from Nebbi to Goli and Zombo, and whatever. That road for us in the Nebbi subregion – (Member timed out.)

17011 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 (iii) The Ministry of Health should develop and disseminate comprehensive up to date guidelines to stabilise private wing operations. (iv) The Ministry of Health should provide the current private wing policy and guidelines that prohibit the recruitment of contract staff. The contract staff can be purposely used in private wing services. 6. Functionalisation of lower health facilities. Recommendations (i) The ministry should deliberately improve services and supervision of lower facilities. (ii) They should build capacity. (iii) They should carry out community mobilisation to build trust in lower facilities and also finance should release funds timely. 7. Increased C-section Recommendations (i) The Ministry of Health should develop and implement strict national guidelines. (ii) The ministry should monitor health facilities’ C-section rates. (iii) The Ministry of Health should equip health centres with the necessary resources to support normal deliveries. (iv) The ministry should publish annual reports on C-section rates. (v) The ministry should educate communities on the benefits of normal delivery. 8. The National Health Insurance Scheme Bill Recommendation (i) The ministry should fast-track the National Health Insurance Bill. 9. Access to medical services by refugees. Recommendations (i) The Ministry of Health should come up with a clear policy on access to medical services by refugees and foreigners. (ii) The Ministry of Health should foster collaboration with neighbouring countries to share information and resources about these outbreaks and also create joint task forces to manage cross-border health threats. (iii) Some districts like Kampala, Nebbi, Yumbe, and Koboko, which are refugee- affected transit districts, should be considered to benefit from refugee- hosting district projects. 10. The current burden of sickle cell disease Recommendations (i) The National Medical Store budget for sickle cell medicines should be increased. They need an additional Shs 1 billion. (ii) The different hospitals should prioritise the procurement of hydroxyurea. (iii) The Ministry of Health should strengthen all existing sickle cell clinics within the regional hospitals. (iv) National and regional hospitals should prioritise…

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would also like to thank the committee for a good report and for mentioning Nebbi in regard to refugees. Also relating to the fact that you are suggesting that there should be some kind of policy to guide how people coming from outside are supported in the health service - Mr Speaker, when you mention Nebbi, I would like to take you to greater Nebbi, which covers Pakwach, Nebbi and Zombo. You know that we border Congo, and on the other side of Congo, we have the same Alur people. I would like to tell you that

17024 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 in some cases, they also have national IDs for Uganda. That means that the policy needs to be crafted carefully to make sure that such people are taken care of. To us, our people from Congo are like brothers and sisters, and that is why nobody talks about Nebbi in terms of refugees yet they are there, and because they come in as brothers and sisters, we do not look at them as foreigners. Secondly, Mr Speaker, Nebbi General Hospital is the hospital that is taking care of all referrals from Zombo to Pakwach to greater Nebbi. Unfortunately, that has squeezed out the population within Nebbi Municipality because the main focus is on persons referred from Zombo, Pakwach or the other parts of Nebbi, leaving out the people within Nebbi Municipality. I urge our ministry to look at Nebbi Municipality because we have Thatha Division, Abindu Division, and actually, they even have land for health centre IIIs. If that can also be looked at, we will be very happy so that we know that within Nebbi Municipality, where our regional referral hospital is, the ordinary people within the municipality are taken care of. Thank you very much.

16786 THE MORTGAGE REFINANCE INSTITUTIONS BILL, 2024 14. Vote 722 – Moroto Municipal Council - Shs 137,831,048; 15. Vote 724 - Mukono Municipal Council – Shs 157,843,584; 16. Vote 726 – Nebbi Municipal Council – Shs 38,895,597; 17. Vote 729 - Rukungiri Municipal Council - Shs 11,011,184; 18. Vote 730 - Sheema Municipal Council - Shs 4,109,634; 19. Vote 802 – Adjumani District - Shs 19,860,000; 20. Vote 803 – Agago District - Shs 81,984,000; 21. Vote 807: Amuria District – Shs 57,525,000; 22. Vote 808: Amuru District – Shs 1,271,000,000; 23. Vote 811: Budaka District – Shs 45,500,000; 24. Vote 812: Bududa District – Shs 99,504,000; 25. Vote 813: Bugiri District – Shs 107,555,970; 26. Vote 817: Bukedea District – Shs 235,603,000; 27. Vote 821: Buliisa District – Shs 31,440,000; 28. Vote 827: Butambala District – Shs 31,633,858; 29. Vote 828: Butebo District – Shs 15,360,000; 30. Vote 832: Gomba District – Shs 31,395,000; 31. Vote 836: Iganga District – Shs 37,200,000; 32. Vote 835: Ibanda District – Shs 12,000,000; 33. Vote 837: Isingiro District – Shs 2,633,333,265; 34. Vote 842: Kaberamaido District – Shs 31,589,664; 35. Vote 844: Kakumiro District – Shs 448,858,700; 36. Vote 847: Kaliro District – Shs 310,200,761; 37. Vote 848: Kalungu District – Shs 6,117,000; 38. Vote 849: Kamuli District – Shs 65,029,474; 39. Vote 853: Kapelebyong District – Shs 88,207,238; 40. Vote 854: Karenga District – Shs 39,240,000; 41. Vote 855: Kasese District – Shs 142,590,000; 42. Vote 857: Katakwi District – Shs 157,861,200; 43. Vote 858: Kayunga District – Shs 11,270,000; 44. Vote 862: Kibuku District – Shs 399,326,980; 45. Vote 863: Kikuube District – Shs 127,115,012; 46. Vote 866: Kisoro District – Shs 78,755,970; 47. Vote 867: Kitagwenda District – Shs 700,600,000; 48. Vote 868: Kitgum District – Shs 117,742,657; 49. Vote 870: Kole District – Shs 64,680,000; SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.3 FOR FY 2024/2025 [The Chairperson]

Mr Speaker, I got a written question from: 1.Hon. Afidra Olema Ronald (MP, Lower Madi County) “Rt Hon. Prime Minister, aware that RAPEX affected the different agencies including UNRA Ferry Services, Rhino Camp to Amuru Ferry was to be commissioned on 3lst December 2024 by UNRA and a new ferry was supposed to be provided by Government. Prayer 1 When will the Commission and provision of ferry services be done to enhance water transport for the people of West Nile and Amuru on River Nile?” Response Mr Speaker, progress of Phase 1 of the vessel assembly is currently at (85) per cent, pending the installation of the engine’s Civil Component. Similarly, progress of construction of ferry landing sites at Rhino camp (Yikuriku) in Madi Oko1lo and Amoor in Amuru district is at 72 per cent and operations will commence very soon. Prayer II “Last year on 1l to 13 Aprll 2024 during H.E. the President’s tour of West Nile, he directed to consider Security/ Tourism Road from Panyimur-Pakwach- Rhino-Camp Obongi and Difule to be upgraded to tarmac. Works on Kia-Kai and Aringa bridges, Olionga to Ewanga swamps and Achaa Swamp have all stalled. When will these projects be upgraded, as directed by His Excellency the President?” Mr Speaker, upgrading of the Panyimur- Pakwach-Rhino Camp-Difule Road (200km) has been considered in the NDP IV and will be worked on soon. The second question came from Hon. Lawrence Songa, Ora County, Zombo District. His prayers are: i. “Does the Government have any plan to build a district hospital in the border district of Zombo and what is the progress? ii. In the meantime, as we wait for the district hospital, can the Government provide full financial, personnel and infrastructural support to the Holy Family Missionary Hospital of Nyapea? iii. Why can’t the Government make Nebbi General Hospital a regional referral hospital to serve the greater Nebbi?” Mr Speaker, I wish to respond as follows: i. On the progress of a new hospital construction, the Government has recognised the need for a district hospital

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank the presenter of the report. Today we are talking about tea. We are aware that tea was under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – now we have added another burden of coffee to the same ministry. As we discuss this report, how I wish the ministers were here to hear our concerns about the falling prices of these crops. While we talk about this tea – and Hon. Dorcas has already talked about tea in Zombo and Nebbi districts - tea was introduced, but as we talk now, tea plants have grown into very big trees and the farmers do not know what to do with them. Of course, as a farmer, I know that the population of Uganda is increasing. Food is to be eaten, and therefore, some farmers are even opting to cut down the tea trees to plant the bananas, like in Zombo and Nebbi districts. I, therefore, call upon the Government, especially the ministry, before we talk about improving the quality of the crops we have, we should do research to ensure that we have the market where to sell our produce. SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Lagen]

16533 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2025 they occupy, the asset inventory for the PAPs on public land in Nakawa East Constituency was updated and new valuation reports were compiled. The review of these reports is being finalised for submission to the Chief Government Valuer by the end of this month. After approval by the Chief Government Valuer, the values will be disclosed to the affected persons. The second question came from Hon. Lawrence Songa, MP for Ora County, Zombo. The 120-kilometre Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Padea- Zombo-Zeu-Warr-Vurra-Lia-Adramacaku Economic, Revenue Generating and Border Security Road appeared in NDP II, NDP III and the NRM manifesto. Why is it still appearing to be at the feasibility stage in the NDP IV, yet the final detailed engineering design for tarmacking was completed in March 2018? Madam Speaker, the feasibility studies and detailed designs for the upgrading of the Goli- Paidha-Zombo-Zeu-Warr-Vurra (l00km) and Arua-Lia (15km) was completed in March 2018. The Ministry of Works and Transport is in touch with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to ensure commencement of the procurement of the civil works contractor. Civil works are expected to commence in the Financial Year 2025/2026. His second prayer was: What is the progress of seeking funding from BADEA, African Development Bank and others for prioritising the tarmacking of this road in NDPIV? My response, is that BADEA carried out an appraisal for the upgrading of Nebbi-Goli (16km) during the period 26 February to 4 March 2024 and are currently in discussions with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for the financing of this road. His prayer number three was: why is the construction of bridges, including Adoka, Umol, Aniza, Ora, Nyagak and Ayuda, moving slowly? My response is that for the bridges; Adoka (Odrua), Omolo (Umol), Aniza, Ora, Nyagak and Ayuda along Nebbi-Paidha-Padea-Zombo- Zeu-Warr-Vurra-Lia, only Odrua Bridge is under construction with the bridge structure complete and the construction of access roads ongoing. Umol, Aniza, Ora, Nyagak and Ayuda are in fair condition, although they are single lane. They will be upgraded during the upgrading of Vurra-Goli-Nebbi Road. The contractor is already on site. His prayer number four was: Can Dei- Panyimur-Pakwach-Wadelai-Rhino Camp- Obongi-Laropi-Dufile economic, tourism and security road be included and fast-tracked as an oil road, since it is in the oil belt? My response is that oil roads are those meant to facilitate the exploitation and transportation of oil. The Ministry of Works and Transport will engage the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to assess and advise whether the stated are oil roads. Feasibility studies and detailed designs will be carried out in the medium-term, as resources may permit. Question number three came from Hon. Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, the MP, Mawogola County. Her first prayer was: With the successful launch of Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, could the Prime Minister explain why there has been a delay in the project’s implementation? My response is that the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP) was designed to increase consumer connections in the country by targeting over one million new connections. Connections commenced in March 2024 and over 100,000 new consumers have so far been connected. The connections are limited to no- pole and one-pole service, on a first come, first served basis. The connections programme is, therefore, ongoing. Her prayer number two was: furthermore, could there be clarification as to whether the project prioritises grid extension or service connections for the beneficiaries, and what timelines are in place for its roll-out?

15904 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 [Mr Ongiertho] border to border with tarmac. However, we have two border points within Greater Nebbi which are very essential to us. That is Goli and Padea. They are not connected. I am bringing this point specifically for Goli, because recently, when the President was in Nebbi, he promised that at least the section from Nebbi town to Goli would be looked at. We have been talking about this road from Nebbi to Goli, to Paidha, to Zombo, up to Vurra, but for this one section, which is from Nebbi town to Goli, at least the President talked about it and I would have expected that in this budget, it would be there; it is not there. Finally, speaking about the free primary and secondary education, we have been battling with the issue of capitation grants for these schools. In primary, it is about Shs 6,000 per child per term. You can imagine, we are now talking about the free primary – What are we talking about? If we are not going to be providing or increasing capitation grants to schools per child, what does it mean? We have also started talking about feeding. Members, we are also already hearing cycles about feeding in schools. What do we mean? If we are not going to be providing budgets for this, we should not be talking about this. At one point, I even told the minister that this issue of free primary and secondary education, do not cross Pakwach with it because parents have started getting used to making a little bit of contribution and for us we are seeing the results. If now we are saying it has to be free and you are not increasing capitation grant, please, we need to be serious about what we are talking about. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The committee reported that we continue to pay commitment fees on loans that we borrow. From the time we joined this Parliament, especially us the first-timers, this has been reported, and the question that has been asked i: “Why do we borrow when we are not ready to utilise the money?” Instead, we are continuing to spend on some monies that we have borrowed. I think the Minister will explain to us why this is happening and why it is continuing to happen. I am from one of the remnant districts, that is Arua District. Until now, my headquarters staff are sitting at the city centre. Last year, the Government allocated a small amount of money to the remnant districts. We started putting some foundation and latrines to see that we could move. However, this financial year – the logic was that they are giving some small money and they will continue adding some money every financial year but this time around, there is no allocation for the remnant districts. The people of Arua District cannot continue to move far to the city to access services. Therefore, let the ministry take priority on this so that money is allocated for the remnant districts to help them move to their location. I think there is a correlation between the fact that the commercial banks are not giving enough money to the private sector; and the private sector is affected by the domestic arrears. I think there is a correlation there. That means internally, we are killing our private sector. It is reported here that the amounts that the commercial banks give to our business people are reducing. It is because our local business persons are affected by the domestic arrears that they are not getting. If we cannot balance that, then we are going to kill the local businesses that we have in this country. I urge the ministry to have coordinated budgeting. We have stalled projects. These universities – let me give an example of universities – have projects that started 10 years ago, probably they are on the first floor or second floor, but we go ahead to allocate new structures to other institutions without finishing or completing the ongoing ones as if we do not have a record of where we started and where we are going. If we cannot fast-track and have coordinated planning, we are just deceiving ourselves. For 10 years, a structure is there and you are allocating money to start new structures? Also roads, Mr Speaker, we have been crying here as West-Nilers on our road. The road between Pakwach and Nebbi was supposed to be constructed within two years. It is almost four years. Now Nebbi-Arua; we are here crying over it when that stretch is not yet even completed yet we are jumping to allocate for other roads when these are not completed. Let us have coordinated planning and, I think that way, we shall have quality delivery and have the trust of the people in us who are appropriating. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the chairperson of the committee and I want to address myself to the following issues: Number one, I need some corrections, both in the NDP and the report. This is because one time when you were chairing this House, Mr Speaker, I raised the issue of our road at the border, which is an economic and security road. In the NDP, it is captured as 16 kilometres long, but it is 120 kilometres long, from Nebbi to Vurra. It is put as at feasibility stage, but that road is not at feasibility stage. I laid here, on the Floor of Parliament, the final engineering design for tarmacking. That needs to be corrected by NPA. Number two, I want to talk about disaster. Right now, we are quiet and are not talking about floods, but when the rains come, everywhere you will hear people talking about disaster. Therefore, let us give it priority. Therefore, my concern here is that let us give priority to energy access and roads. The roads should be both for market, economic security and tourism – in this budget. Then, on health, let us focus more on preventive measures. I think that will help us a lot. ICT is also very important. Another thing which I need to talk about is the issue of green building. Institutions such as Makerere University can have their own source of water and electricity. Even Parliament can have its own source of electricity, from renewable solar energy. Why are we paying a lot of bills, yet we would even use half of that money to put electricity here. These are the things that we need to start thinking about. Finally, on education, we need rehabilitation - (Member timed out. )

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

15792 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Ongiertho] the health of Dr Kiiza Besigye, and his feeding. Other things have come in only as a by the way – as a discovery on what people found out there. Mr Speaker, I admire the resilience of Dr Besigye a lot especially. Some of us would have chosen just to die. (Laughter) Some of us are not prepared to take what Dr Kiiza Besigye has gone through; we would rather die. Also, I want to warn the Government. Mr Speaker, over the weekend, I was in Nebbi. The perception people have is that whether you release Dr Besigye today or he stays - I do not know for how many years and eventually dies - People told me that there is no way, there will be no accusation on the Government because whatever he has gone through for all these years has cumulatively impacted negatively on his health; that is the warning there. I saw a minister praying for Dr Besigye to be okay. She had come in but she has now gone away. I wish we continued with such prayers. Honestly, by the confession that now that he feeds well and can access his personal doctor and that - if we see Dr Besigye now, he is looking good. Previously, Dr Besigye was looking so bad. I do not think as a Government, we really want somebody to go to that extent. Finally, Mr Speaker, I have never been to prison, either a prisoner on remand or something. However, from the reports I receive, I feel for our people. I have a prison in my constituency, that is, Wadelai. If you see the load of work these people do and the food they produce, you would imagine that they can even sell and eat fish since we are close to - they can eat variety; they produce their own food, sell some, and make sure that from the money they get, they can have other sources or other varieties of food. Therefore, when I hear that they only eat posho and beans - I am very sure that even the beans must be of a very poor quality yet they produce so much that can be sold to buy other food items to eat. This is something we need to look into. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I have this issue - I will never sleep over this issue if I do not get good answers from this House and the Government. The state of the road from Nebbi to Arua is so perturbing. Yesterday, I raised it. It had no good answer from the person who represented the Government. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the road section from Nebbi to Arua City, that is Kamu Kamu in Kuluva, Ochoko, Arivu, Bondo and Uleppi, is in a very sorry state. It needs urgent intervention from the Government. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, my question is, can you direct the Ministry of Works and Transport to undertake immediate spot-filling to avert motorists, travellers, and business communities from accidents and theft of cargo as the Government looks for a long- term solution? Secondly, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, can you direct the Ministry of Internal Affairs to support Uganda police with the new patrol vehicles and increase the personnel to patrol that – (Member timed out.)

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is directed to provide a patrol car on that road section and the Ministry of Works and Transport is also directed to undertake physical maintenance on that part of the road; that is Nebbi-Arua.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. The state of the road section from Nebbi to Arua City in areas like Kamukamu in Kuluva, Ochoko, Arevu, Bondo, and Olepi is such that it is now completely impassable. Many of my colleagues from that region have raised this issue on the Floor of this House, but no action has been taken. Aware that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has been rationalised, I pray that the Ministry of Works and Transport undertakes immediate spot-filling to save motorists, travellers, and business communities to avert accidents and theft of cargo, as Government looks for a long-lasting solution. We also implore the Government, especially the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to support the Uganda Police Force with new patrol vehicles to patrol those sections that I have mentioned because wrong elements now waylay trucks that move slowly with goods and steal those goods. Businessmen have lost a lot of money in compensating for the goods of their customers, especially traders like California Bus Company – they have lost a lot of money in compensation. We really need an action on this. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

15673 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2025 We also have improvements in the road infrastructure, although we are not satisfied. There were governments here – For instance, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Government was in power twice; it did not tarmac the road from Karuma-Arua to Koboko. It was later tarmacked by the NRM government. The same UPC Government that was in power twice did not connect West Nile to the national grid. We were connected to national grid just the other day. Therefore, when we are celebrating 39 years in power, we have a right to celebrate. However, we have the following concerns; I disagree with the minister on the issue of a smooth ride from Kampala to Koboko because between Olwiyo and Pakwach, the road is depleted; Nebbi and Arua, the road is depleted. These roads were done 200-

Mr Speaker, as Government, we need to address the issue of quality. These roads were done by the NRM; they are depleted within the time when the NRM is there. We need to improve on supervision for quality. We still have districts like Obongi in West Nile that do not have access to electricity. We have issues with rural connectivity; also Nebbi-Jukia-Vurra Road still has issues. We have those key issues. Therefore, as we celebrate, we want the NRM Government to take note that we will continue to support it, but these issues we have mentioned should be attended to.

15109 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2024 same time, I thank the chairperson for giving us a very elaborate report. I want to bring our attention to U-GIFT projects in this country. I come from a district where Nebbi is one of the beneficiaries of these U-GIFT projects. However, one of the things I believe is affecting every part of this country under that project is the hybrid nature of awarding contracts. We have two such projects in my district. The contractor would have finished last year, but how the contractor is moving with those two projects is discouraging. To make matters worse, the district officials who should be doing their supervisory exercise are normally underrated by these contractors; the reason being that the people who gave them the contracts are within Kampala. First of all, we are aware that there is a high increase in the number of learners in secondary schools and we have very few infrastructures. Therefore, we keep praying to the Government that the contractors should have financial muscles so that by the time the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is not releasing enough funds, at least they have something and can do the work to help our people. Right now as I talk, the two secondary schools under U-GIFT have stalled. Apparently, you see no work being done. I am a Member of the Committee on Education and Sports and we went there. Madam Speaker, what you see there will prompt you to read the book of Lamentation. Let us open our eyes to ensure we benefit from this Government money. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker . You are right, and as a country, we need to be cautious. Districts like Nebbi, which are neighbouring Congo have not seen any form of mobilisation or a form of health checks around our borders. The Ministry of Health has not mobilised any form of inspection or health checks along our borders like what happened during COVID-19. So, you are right to say that and it is prudent that the ministry starts carrying out some checks of people because there is a lot of free movement, especially with the East African free border trade. On top of that, we understand that monkeys are the ones causing this but we should not send a wrong signal for people to start killing our monkeys, which are promoting tourism. We have to send a clear message so that people do not start attacking monkeys because it is still a crime in our country to attack and kill wildlife without clear information.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank the minister for extending an invitation for this belated World Teacher’s Day. When we talk about the teacher, we need to know that a teacher matters in this world and more so in our country, Uganda. Things relating to teaching or a teacher - A teacher faces many challenges. One, when we see the ratio of learners to teachers, it is very appalling. When we go to most of the primary schools in rural settings, we find a teacher fidgeting with over 400 pupils in a single class and this becomes a very big challenge when it comes to assessing these learners. If people are complaining about the quality of education in this country, I think that is one of the areas we need to look into. Two, we have the challenge of salary disparity. Last year when we went to the Karamoja sub region, it was so heart-touching when we arrived and found teachers having lunch. The science teachers were eating using cutlery and had side dishes but when it came to the art teachers, they were dying with their posho without cutlery and they were sitting in different areas. (Laughter) This is not a subject we are to laugh about. It is a problem in every school in this country. Like in Nebbi, in most of the schools, we have two staff rooms; the science teachers sit inside while the art teachers sit under trees. Madam Speaker, if we are to address the issue of education in this country, we need to open our eyes very wide and address these issues critically - (Interjection) - I give way for information.

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

Background - I think that one is highlighted. We can skip that. Okay, we can go to: 1.0 Findings, Observations, and Recommendations 1.1 West Nile Subregion. In the West Nile Subregion of Northern Uganda, the committee visited districts of Pakwach, Nebbi, Madi-Okollo, and Arua districts, and inspected the following institutions and schools. 1.1.1 Muni University in the Arua district Muni University is one of the public universities in Uganda, which was established by the Uganda Government by Statutory Instrument No. 31, 2013, in accordance with the University’s and other Tertiary Institutions Act. The university has an established governance structure comprising a fully-fledged council, Senate, and Committees to run its affairs. Mr Speaker, let us go to the findings because most people are eagerly waiting for the findings. But before findings, I think we should also look at the observations. In Arua or Muni University, there are two buildings that have stalled for so many years. One of them is the delayed completion of the Health Science Laboratory building and administration block. The committee observed that the contract for the completion of the construction of the Health Science Lab Building was signed between Muni University and Kisinga Construction Company Limited on the l3th March 2019. The ground-breaking ceremony and site handover were done on 25 March 2019, and the actual work started on 3 May 2019 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of the project was delayed and thus construction elapsed on 25 March 2022. However, the completion date was later revised by two years up to 24 March 2024 but this was not attained, and yet the work executed is only at 67 per cent. The Administration Block Annex: the committee observed that this construction project commenced on 11 April 2022 and is expected to be completed on 11 October 2024 and yet the work executed is just at 55.5 per cent. The committee observed that the capacity building centre facility has some structural problems requiring immediate attention like

What we discovered was that, generally, there is lack of enough human resource in these regions and you get districts returning money. Pakwach returned Shs 1.5 billion, Arua returned Shs 800 million and Nebbi returned Shs 900 million – for recruitment. The committee, in its wisdom, proposes that this money has no right to come back to the source. Let the Ministry of Education and Sports and even the Education Service Commission be facilitated to go and do recruitment on site because there is money and so that the people there are recruited. On the issue of banning recruitment - I think that was done. So conclusively, Mr Speaker, the field visits revealed critical challenges in educational infrastructure and resource management in the Northern region. There is a general problem of contractors under Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) projects taking on more than three seed schools, which are more than they can handle. This constrains them in performing effectively under the project. The committee noted that across the districts, money allocated for the wage bill was returned to the Consolidated Fund because of the ban on recruitment.

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

Thank you. The second one is Pakwach. Madam Speaker, Pakwach has a challenge that we have also identified. When we were doing the Tangi Road from Masindi, the engineering tampered with the topography of that place and for that reason, each time it rains, there is flooding around the bridge that is compounded by the floating island. As we speak, the teams that are doing drenching have already arrived in Pakwach. They arrived two days ago but started work seriously yesterday. I do not want honourable colleagues to think that this work was started because the issues were raised here. It was already something that we had intended to do and it is being done to make sure that the floating island is removed so that the bridge does not give way. That will happen with the rest of the region. The last one is Nebbi-Arua. While we are working on a permanent rehabilitation, we have also directed the company to do forward maintenance. I would like to assure my honourable colleagues that we will do some forward maintenance so that Nebbi- Arua becomes motorable. Right now, we acknowledge that it is bad, but I want to assure this Parliament that a comprehensive report will be presented to it so that we can capture all that has been stated, including issues of

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am Isaac Ismail Otimgiw, representing the people of Padyere County. I would also like to add my voice to the urgent need of tarmacking Nebbi-Goli Road.

14049 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 Atiak-Apyeta-Lamwo-Kitgum Road This road links Lamwo and Kitgum to the regional economic hub at Atiak and provides a key route for cross-border trade with South Sudan. Developing this road to high-grade standards will not only improve regional connectivity, but also boost economic activities, enhance service delivery and reduce travel times between key districts. Madam Speaker, Members earlier on alluded to Nebbi-Goli and other networks of the roads in West Nile that should also be given due attention. The committee recommends that: 1. The Government and relevant authorities should prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of oil roads in Nwoya District to align with their policy commitments. This is because in Acholi subregion, the oil roads have not been optimally worked on, as you would see in other regions. 2. The Ministry of Works and Transport conducts feasibility studies on the above- mentioned strategic roads and have them tarmacked. 3. The Government should allocate sufficient funds and resources to ensure timely and quality construction and maintenance of these roads so as to enhance economic and social growth to the region. The District Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR) The committee observed that the network in most local governments was in fair to poor condition. The committee observed that in Financial Year 2023/2024, the Government allocated Shs 1 billion to local governments for rehabilitation of roads and, this year, the same amount has been allocated for road maintenance following a parliamentary recommendation to rename the grant. During oversight, the committee established that the Shs 1 billion had enabled Gulu City to rehabilitate some roads and construct two bridges (box culverts), improving the condition of the network in the city. In Apac, the funds enabled them to rehabilitate roads which had not happened in over 10 years, and similar reports were received from other local governments across northern Uganda. The committee noted that only districts have road equipment, while cities and municipalities rely on bureaucratic processes of requesting for equipment from the Executive Director of UNRA, since the district equipment is always utilised with the provision of Shs 1 billion and money is released at the same time. Further, the committee observed that while the Government shifted to the policy on Force on Account and districts are now using Force on Account for maintenance of roads, the works departments have no supervision vehicles. This makes it challenging for the staff in the works department to supervise equipment and ongoing works in the field. The committee recommends that; 1. The Government provides additional funding towards maintenance and rehabilitation of roads. 2. The Government provides supervision vehicles to the works departments to facilitate supervision of road works and equipment. Madam Speaker, allow me to make this footnote: northern Uganda has only one regional mechanical workshop – which is stationed here in Gulu – that supervises the entire northern Uganda. The committee recommended that at least each subregion be funded to have its own mechanical workshop. USMID roads The committee noted that the USMID roads completed under phase I were being maintained by the respective local governments. However, the life span of most of the solar lights expired.

14053 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2024 and the members for the very comprehensive report. However, I note with concern that the report seems to have focused more on the mid-north than West Nile and Karamoja. Within West Nile, we have the greater Nebbi, with the infrastructural challenges, greater Arua -

Madam Speaker, by good chance, as I was going to phone my permanent secretary, I met two people who said, “Minister, do not waste your time. Money has been sent.” I quote Nebbi District; this money is sent quarterly. So, in the first quarter Nebbi has got Shs 250 million, Pakwach District has got Shs 250 million also. Even Kibale and Gulu, is now being told. I think that I have answered the question.

Yes, one priority road which we need to tarmac is the road which can generate for us revenue, and that is the road from Nebbi, Goli, Paidha, Padea, Zombo, Zeu, Warr up to Vurra Custom, then Liya toward Odramacako. Because Uganda needs revenue, we need to prioritize that road which appeared in the NDP II but was left out. In the NDP III; it is not tarmacked up to now. We need to use that logic to generate money from the border in order to build the internal roads. So, that is the priority road the President talked about it recently at Hon. Nyamutoro’s function in Nebbi; let us prioritise that road. For some of these roads being mentioned, they are still doing the concept; let us grade them; that this road already has full engineering design, this one is at the concept stage, and then from there, we can prioritise because we cannot do all of them at the same time.

To conclude, Madam Speaker, this road has about five border points and each border point receives about 50 vehicles per day crossing to DRC. And from DRC, on average, each border point receives about 20 vehicles. Because of the bad roads, once a lorry or a truck blocks the road, that means loss of revenue for Uganda. Therefore, I implore that this must be a priority and my prayer is that this issue of the road from Nebbi to Vurra to Odramacako should be concluded tomorrow. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. I thank the committee, particularly on the recommendation of a review at Tangi Bridge that has been causing the flooding of that stretch. Two weeks ago, we had a meeting with UNRA and they told us that they were doing an addendum design for that work, but that design does not have the money. It is important that the minister takes note that to resolve the floods at Pakwach, we need additional money to implement that design. Two; the Nebbi - Arua Road, 76 KMs. Madam Speaker, God forbid, you will lose a member on that road very soon. The potholes on that road are now gullies.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In addition to what has been submitted, mine is the issue of value for money. Some of these roads, like Karuma-Pakwach were completed in 2007. You heard that the lifespan was 15 years but as somebody who comes from the region, by 2016, the road had become un-motorable. My humble request to the Government, in particular, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), and the Minister of Works and Transport, is that we get value for money on most of these roads, at least a bare minimum of 20 years. We are going to accrue loans, our children will come, and we are taking more loans to repair the roads. Two, on the road that has been mentioned, that is Nebbi-Arua, I would like to add my voice to it that it is non-motorable and hopefully, as a matter of urgency, forward maintenance on that particular road should start as soon as yesterday. Finally – (Interruption)

Thank you, my fellow colleague on that matter, for giving way. Madam Speaker, the road of Nebbi-Arua commences all the way from Pakwach to Nebbi. You are very well aware that they are still working on it. However, the problem of unpaid certificates causing problems which have been captured by the Committee on Physical Infrastructure is the same. That road from Pakwach to Nebbi was supposed to have been finished last year but the same issue of delayed payments is causing the problem. If there are delays right now, from Pakwach to Nebbi, the same delay continues further from Nebbi to Arua. I hope that the ministry pays up the certificate so that we do not have delays on the construction of those roads which are already proceeding.

13925 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 14 AUGUST 2024 Related to that, the materials for making solar batteries are still taxed. It makes solar very expensive. It is the same with cylinders. That should be addressed. On the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company and the Uganda Development Bank (UDB), the issue will be more to do with the interest rate. How much is the interest rate? Is it affordable? That should be addressed. The agreement was signed but you say it does not cover transformers. Why did we sign an agreement which does not cover transformers? What is the alternative? Where are we going to get transformers? We need transformers to have electricity that is reliable, strong, and for industrial power generation. On the issue of coverage, when I look at the district of Zombo and greater Nebbi, the coverage of this project is very scanty. Health centres and irrigation sites should be included so that they are also connected. There is an issue of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs). During the recess, I had people who had challenges with that but we explained, and we shall continue to explain that the money is going to be processed so that they are paid. World Bank issues focus too much on refugee host areas. How about refugee-impacted areas? This should also be addressed. Otherwise, on the challenges, we are ready to support you so that this can be addressed – (Member timed out.)

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

13756 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT post-harvest handling inputs through the e-voucher system, capacity building for target beneficiaries, and farmer organizations and development of agricultural input markets. The farmers were supposed to register and the Government was co-funding 70 per cent and the farmers 30 per cent and it was in all these areas. E-Voucher The e-voucher is a component that involves support towards the intensification of this program through the provision of subsidised inputs, as I had stated. The project had provided 67 per cent, 50 per cent, and 33 per cent respectively of the total cost of the inputs during the first, second, and third seasons while the farmer contributed the difference, as I stated. The farmer is weaned off the subsidiary by the 4 th season because it is anticipated that by this time, the farmer would have known the value and adopted the use of quality agro- inputs for commercial farming. The committee learnt that most of the farmers were faced with challenges in accessing and operating the e-voucher system. In areas where there are no networks - I even saw this before I became a Member of Parliament because I participated in monitoring. The system encountered frequent breakdowns and network failures, sometimes during critical times of the cropping season, which delayed enrolment, placement of orders, and serving of farmers. The farmers asserted that the e-voucher system where inputs were to be requisitioned and delivered using the Internet, was not working, which resulted in members not receiving their inputs despite paying for them up to the time of the committee visit. Some farmers reported that they did not know how to operate and how the system works. This delayed other farmers from participating in commercial farming. Most districts reported failure of the e-voucher system, as stated above. The committee learnt that the contracted bank, that was UBA, was the service provider for the e-voucher system in some districts, but due to system failures, some farmers’ money got lost in the UBA system. This discouraged many potential farmers from getting enrolled. Mr Speaker, I was in Amuru when this happened, because UBA was not in Amuru. They would go up to Gulu. That is how the funds were lost. Mr Speaker, it was unique in Nebbi. The committee was informed that the Government had withheld the co-funding part of the e-voucher system for 11 months, hence redemption was cut off for some farmers’ money that was locked in the e-voucher system. Furthermore, there were reports of missing balances on farmers’ e-voucher accounts due to system inefficiency, which was very frustrating to the affected farmers. The committee received complaints from some farmers about the quality of some of the agricultural inputs supplied through the e-voucher system, stating that the products received through the e-voucher system were counterfeit/fake. For instance, in Kalungu, there were complaints from the farmers stating that they had received counterfeit fertilisers and seedlings that did not germinate. The committee also received complaints from Balikosa Balibona Biwere Farmers’ Cooperative Growers’ Union Limited in Bugweri District, of adulterated fertilisers. The same were alleged to have been distributed out of season. There were very many complaints, Mr Speaker, I cannot mention all. Like in Hoima, there were complaints. Recommendations 1. The committee recommends that all farmers who were supplied with counterfeit agricultural inputs through the e-voucher system should be compensated and the suppliers of those inputs blacklisted. 2. Farmers who had paid for the e-voucher services and had not received agricultural inputs through the system should be refunded. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) [Ms Auma] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

13761 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2024 Recommendations The committee recommends as follows: i. The Government through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should improve on the selection criteria and capacity of the beneficiaries group to enhance ownership and sustainability; ii. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should sign a Memorandum of Understanding with suppliers to provide maintenance of the machinery and equipment because most of these, on which the Government spent a lot of money, are no longer functioning; and iii. The chairpersons and signatories to the accounts on which the farmers’ associations matching grant was deposited should be held accountable for the funds disbursed. Mr Speaker, the issue of lack of electricity and water connectivity is so much that most of the projects were not connected. The electricity was not connected to this project or factories to operate this machinery. This has made this project a white elephant. On that, the committee recommends that in the future, in case of a similar project, the Government should ensure collaboration between the relevant ministries so that they coordinate well to ensure that the project succeeds. Project monitoring and evaluation had weak linkages, as Members have said. The committee recommends that accounting officers of district local governments, like the focal point person, should arrange for regular capacity building. On the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP), the monitoring and evaluation unit should provide adequate guidance or a template to the local governments to help in the supervision for effective implementation. The respective local governments should prevail over grantees’ management and institute mechanisms that would ensure regular monitoring. For future projects of a similar nature, the Government should, through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies adequately prepare to offer guidance and support to project beneficiaries to implement the project effectively. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should expedite the process of connecting the projects to the national grid to enable the functionality of this equipment. Road Chokes I would like to go straight to the observations. In Kyotera, 21 road chokes were identified, but only nine were prioritised for rehabilitation. At the time of the committee visit, only two roads under Lot 1; in Kateera-Minziiro, and Kasanvu- Kyakaluuma, had been approved and construction was ongoing. In Ayer that is Kole, that is Ayer-Bala-Akalo Road in Kole District was only 10 per cent completed. The road projects connecting two sub-counties, Ongino-Kanapa in Kumi, were not completed. The rest of them in Nebbi and Pakwach districts were also delayed. The recommendations, I cannot read all, honourable members. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Local Government should –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join my honourable colleagues to thank the honourable members for the valu - able comments on the report of the committee. I really liked the report of the committee; they did a good job. There is no doubt as a Gov - ernment, we shall implement the recommenda - tions therein. I have taken a big note about the issues of local government. Local governments were involved because at each district, we had a district coordination team chaired by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), with the secretary, the production officer; mainly the agriculture officer and the other heads of departments. We also had extension workers involved and it was our role to supervise and so on. Indeed, there were some successes, as he has said. If you look at page 15, there were successes in the e-voucher system in Kyotera and other areas. On page 19 of the report, there were functional agricultural processing facilities in Hoima and other areas. On page 17, roads were rehabilitated in some districts like Kalungu and Nebbi at 98 per cent. It is not that the entire project did not - I am looking at the pages in the report. We had challenges as local governments which were certainly beyond the districts. For example, delays in the release of funds. You cannot blame this on the districts. Look at system failures, including banks which were far from some of these areas. There are inadequate extension workers. The minister has pointed out that. We actually have a gap of 2,200 extension workers. In fact, we still have to come to Parliament to say, let us at least have two extension workers per subcounty. Of course, the lack of electricity for some of these APFs as a result of poor identification. Mr Speaker, I think the recommendations made by Members here remain extremely valid. I have picked two or three. SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the Government is undertaking the rehabilitation of Alwi-Nyaravur-Nebbi Road. The work is taking shape and it is very impressive. However, the Nebbi-Madi Okollo-Arua stretch, 93 kilometres, has developed life-threatening potholes and gullies. My questions are; 1. What is the Government’s plan for this road? 2. Wouldn’t it be right for you to take time and inspect this road so that you appreciate what we are talking about? The gullies are life-threatening?

Mr Speaker, I have been to Madi-Okollo, I have been to Nebbi and I have also been to Arua. I request the Member to help me: is Madi-Okollo on the road from Nebbi to Arua? If that is so, that road was contracted and the contractor is on-site? Yes. Is that the stretch that was relatively good before we contracted it?

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I just drove on that road last evening. The stretch from Arua to Madi-Okollo and Nebbi does not have a contractor and the potholes are really life-threatening.

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

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

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

13162 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.2 FOR FY 2023/2024 of interim certificates and completion of construction activities of the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre (Entebbe), Uganda Wildlife Research Institute (Kasese) and Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (Jinja). It should be noted that the World Bank has disbursed funds into the Designate Account for financing of the outstanding works. Therefore, the committee recommends approval of Shs 37.36 billion to Vote 008 - Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for the implementation of the outstanding Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project activities. Vote 010 - Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries: Shs 9.12 billion. This money is to cater for external financing for the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP) following the 100 per cent release of the project’s approved budget in quarter one by the World Bank. The funding is meant to facilitate project closure activities across the project districts, including evaluation studies, closeout meetings, infrastructure commissioning and documentation. The details, Madam Speaker, are in the table as outlined in the report, totalling to Shs 9,121,689,812. The committee recommends approval of Shs 9.12 billion to Vote 010 - Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, to cater for external financing for the Agriculture Cluster Development Project following the 100 per cent release of the project’s approved budget in quarter one by the World Bank Vote 012 - Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development: Shs 232.387 billion. It is broken down as follows: i) Shs 66 billion to be transferred from Vote 103 - Treasury Operations, to facilitate part payment of the outstanding compensation obligations under the Ranchers Restructuring Programme. These funds were provided under Supplementary Schedule 1 and approved under Vote 130 - Treasury Operations, for direct payment to the verified beneficiaries and bona fide owners of the ranches. It should be noted that the current, as of April 2024, outstanding compensation award is Shs 372.297 billion. ii) Shs 135.103 billion, which is external financing for clearing contractual obligations under the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP). It is required to finance the land component. This is required to facilitate the implementation of the land information system under Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The annexure is attached as “Annex 2” for the details of the activities. iii) Shs 31.284 billion is external financing for Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) to meet the contractual obligations. This supplementary is meant to clear contracts and avoid accruing arrears that could arise out of the project closure. The details are in Annex 3. Therefore, the committee recommends the following: 1. Approval of Shs 66 billion to facilitate part payment of the outstanding compensation obligations as per Annex 1 under the Ranches Restructuring Programme. 2. Approval of Shs 135.103 billion under the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project to meet the contractual obligations. 3. Approval of that Shs 31.284 billion for Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Project to meet the contractual obligations. Vote 018 - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development: Shs 3 billion. It is required to facilitate the commemoration of the Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations. Table 4 gives the details: i) Support to the Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, which is leading the celebrations in

I put the question that the total sum of Shs 214,886,694, be provided for Vote 725: Nansana Municipal Council for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 726: Nebbi Municipal Council

I put the question that Shs 226,560,953 be provided for under Vote 726 for Nebbi Municipal Council for Financial Year 2023-2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 727: Njeru Municipal Council

Hon. Isaac Otimgiw, do you pass there when you are going to northern Uganda? (Laughter) You come from Nebbi. Do you know what is in the east?

It is just a suggestion. Hon. Otimgiw- MR ISAAC OTIMGIW (NRM, Padyere County, Nebbi: Thank you, Madam Speaker -

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

12423 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2024 5.1.4 Ministry of Local Governments Budget allocations In the Financial Year 2024/2025, the ministry has been allocated a total budget of Shs 202.395 billion as summarised in Table 9 below. Out of the total budget of Shs 202.395 billion, Shs 9.297 billion is to finance the Wage Bill of the ministry and Shs 43.712 billion for Non-Wage Recurrent Expenditures. The budget for the Government of Uganda development amounts to Shs 21.360 billion while that for external financing totals to Shs 127.789 billion. In addition, the ministry has been allocated Shs 0.237 billion for pension and gratuity arrears and other domestic arrears. 5.1.5 Ministry of Local Government priorities for the Financial Year 2024/2025 Based on the above proposed budget in table 9, in the Financial Year 2024/2025, the ministry has prioritised the following interventions: a) Coordination and monitoring of PDM implementation b) Rehabilitation of agro processing facilities c) Waste management d) Local economic development e) Agri-LED f) Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project. Under this, the ministry plans to review and prepare designs for eight markets of Nebbi Central, Nyahuka Town Council, Iganga Central, Kotido Main Market, Kisoro Old Market, Karuguuza Daily Market, Kibale Town Council, Mpigi Central and Masindi. In addition, the ministry will identify and prepare eight temporary relocation sites in urban centres and undertake needs assessment for value addition facilities under MATIP 3. 5.1.6 Committee observations and recommendations (i) Harmonisation of the legal framework The committee observed that the contradictions in the legal framework surrounding local government finances have affected service delivery for several years now. Committee observes that whereas the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, and the Local Government Act, Cap. 243 provide for decentralisation and the devolution of functions, powers and services and empowers local governments to levy, charge, collect and appropriate local revenues. Local revenue is instead remitted to the consolidated fund. This is attributed to the Treasury Single Account Payment Processing and Reporting System. And the directive by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to transit all local revenues collected to Consolidated Fund for subsequent allocation to the respective local governments. As a result, local governments face financial difficulties because of the increased and consistent retention of local revenue by the Central Government over time. For instance, Shs 3.1 trillion was held in the Consolidated Fund in the Financial Year 2023/2024. This has crippled service delivery at the local level in that urgent and even simple services like garbage collection have stagnated. More importantly, local governments have been demoralised and rendered powerless to effect service delivery, which has also demoralised taxpayers from paying taxes. As a result, the share of local revenue contribution to the national envelope has dropped from 13 per cent in the financial year 2022 to 9.8 per cent currently. The committee observes that decentralisation was intended to extend services closer to people and recognise the economic and social transformational frontline role that local governments play to deliver services to the people. This role should be aided and not curtailed. While the committee recognises that the previous system where local revenues would be collected and spent at source had challenges, recentralisation of local revenues is not the solution.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for a job well done. I do not want to repeat what my colleagues have already stated, but we need to understand Zombo as a unique area, particularly for us in West Nile and the greater Nebbi. The point Hon. Esther has raised about the land matter is serious because Zombo actually should be the food basket for the whole of West Nile. So, if the land they had and because of the campaign, which was given on tea, people got convinced, like you were convinced and decided to go in for tea and could not grow food items. It pains, if one or two years, these people can be stuck in such a problem. The recommendation for compensation is very important because somehow, people can then still go ahead and cultivate and grow their tea. I want to add that when I was still working for an organisation, the Zeu area had a whole expanse of land that was having tea trees. I remember we would even go, locally harvest, and have our local tea. I imagine such an area is the area that our king is talking about that the Government could take over and make sure tea growing is done well in our area. We implore our Government to ensure that our people are compensated and that the factory comes so that eventually, we can have a difference in our zone. Thank you.

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

2.9 HrsToRY OF TEA GROWING rN ZOI0IBO Tea growing in Zombo was initially introduced in the 1960s. However, the economic activity collapsed due to the political turmoil of the 1970s. Following a request by the Alur King (Wimu ker Alur) to His Excellency the President to support tea growing in Abanga and other parts of the Alur Kingdom in order to improve the livelihoods of the people; Government re- introduced tea growing in the district during the FY 2OI3l2014 through the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) II Programme. This happened at an opportune time when Government had started the expansion of tea production in the western and south-western regions of Uganda. In 2014, tea nursery beds were set up by Giant Seeds Company in Zombo and Nebbi districts. The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) procured and distributed tea seedlings to the farmers for planting. ln 2016, nursery beds were established again in Zombo district by the sa.rne company and more tea planting was done in 20 17 and 20 18 in block farms. ln 2018, more nursery operators were invited to set up nursery beds across the district to increase the quantity of tea seedlings available to farmers. It was at that time that tea farmers' groups/cooperatives and nursery operators' organizations emerged, prompting the formation of the 300- member Zombo Tea Growers Cooperative Society Limited. However, procurement of tea seedlings by NAADS remained low, causing loses to nursery operators and this, coupled with the impact of COVID-19, negatively affected tea growing. In 2022, Government through NAADS, embarked on the process of distributing tea seedlings to farmers in 16 tea growing districts namely: Buhweju, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Rukungiri, Kisoro, Kyenjojo, Zornbo, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kabale, Kanungu, Sheema, Kikuube, Rwampara, and Kabarole. The main suppliers of these tea seedlings were Tea Development Agency Limited (UTDAL) and Zombo Nursery a Operators and Farmers' Associa POK& Vl- \ 3 :E# ffi** tS' d#*il/,' #

, . Zombo Tea Farmers and Nursery Operators Association o Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries o Uganda Development Corporation . Representative of the Alur Kingdom o Tea farmers of Zombo district o Community offering alternative land for a Government tea factory o Other tea nursery operators . Zombo Technical School named District Farm Institute (DFI-Zeu) also referred to as Presidential Initiative Skilling Center-Zeu offering land for a tea factory to a private investor The Committee invited the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for a meeting but received no positive response. 4.2 Document Review The Committee reviewed and made reference to the following documents a a Presentation from Zombo District Local Government (DLG) Presentation from Zombo Tea Farmers and Nursery Operators Association National Agricultural Advisory Services) interventions in the tea sector attract Arab investors, 2O2l Uganda Development Corporation (2O2Il Consultancy Services for the Feasibility Study on the Proposed Zombo/Nebbi Tea Factory Presentation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries o Ahmed Tea London (2019) Focus on Africa-Tea in Uganda o Divine Dimensions (2O l8l Zombo Project o National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) (2O2Ol Production Report a NAADS (2022l, NAADS to distribute Tea Seedlings in 16 Districts in Current Planting Season org (2022l. Zombo leaders give 10 acres of land for constructing a tea factory a 6 a & a ffi- ,1ffi' Tea 4 t a & I a ry# ffi: 5 he" r=r-< a

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I take this opportunity to thank you for hosting Rev. Raphael p’Mony Wokorach of Nebbi Catholic Diocese. I also thank the honourable members who were there yesterday. My question is, the Speaker said we shall handle the question today and it is about health centres to be upgraded from health centres III to health centres IV. When Parliament appropriated Shs 20 billion for that purpose, 17 out of the 31 health centres III got the money, and the work is ongoing; they were upgraded. However, about 14 where Paidha Health Centre III is included, the funds have not been given to the district. I would also like to thank the Government for the ambulance. When the ambulance came, it was taken to Health Centre III and stakeholders are concerned. My prayer is, Mr Speaker, Government, through your able leadership, should help the people of Zombo District by fast tracking the release of the funds to enable Paidha Health Centre III to be upgraded to the level of health centre IV, as per the Government’s plan.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I welcome you to today’s sitting. It is a day when I thought we would have a universal way of dressing, but it seems the politics has not allowed us. I thought that today, we would put on NUP colours to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The only one who has tried to come close is the Government Chief Whip, but he has put on various shades. (Laughter) Of course, today being Ash Wednesday – that one has no dress code, isn’t it? Honourable colleagues, today being Ash Wednesday, the Catholic Chaplaincy has organised mass at 5.00 p.m., so, our session will end at 5.00 p.m. so that I can allow you to go for prayers. I will also be joining you for the prayers in the Conference Hall. Mass will be celebrated by the Rt Rev. Raphael Wokorach, the Bishop of Nebbi, who has already joined us in the VIP Gallery. (Applause) The diocese of Nebbi, this year, will be organising Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo. (Applause)

Mr Speaker, not many people are celebrating their wedding anniversary on such a day. Moreover, it has coincided with Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lent season. In your communication, you welcomed the Rt Rev. Raphael Wokorach. I must also add, as the Chairperson of the Catholic Chaplaincy, that you are most welcome to the Parliament of Uganda. (Applause) This is your second time here. During the first time, we received you as the new Bishop of Nebbi. Today, we receive you to bless Parliament and usher us into a very special 40-day walk with Jesus Christ, and to help us reconcile and be better Christians. This is a call to all Catholics and non-Catholics to join us today at 5.00 p.m. as we support Nebbi Diocese because they will be animating Martyrs’ Day this year. Next year, we will support another diocese, just like the Speaker said. We will also be open to supporting the Anglican diocese that will be animating Martyrs’ Day. So, we are one and together in this. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. I wish you a fruitful day, together with your dear wife, Anita. Our regards to her. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, you are invited for Mass, which has started just now at 5.00 p.m. led by the Bishop of Nebbi, and it is in the Conference Hall. Please, let us join the rest for Mass. SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, Ambassador Hidemoto first came to Uganda in 1984; it was in the midst of the war. At that time, he was a senior business executive for one of the big Japanese businesses coming to explore the market here. He shared with me that he never thought this country would recover; he never thought he would come back here. When he was posted here, he said, he was impressed by the strides we had managed to make as a country and he prays we continue on that path. (Applause) The Government of Japan has been able to build over 242 schools and different health centres for us, and supported the roads sector. So, we would like to extend our appreciation. I am sure the one for the Government will formally be extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President, when the ambassador goes to pay his last farewell visit to them. Honourable colleagues, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation of sugarcane outgrowers from Butembe Constituency, Jinja District. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. David Livingstone Zijjan and Hon. Loy Katali. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them. (Applause) You can stand up for recognition. I hope some are from Hon. Walyomu’s area. Honourable colleagues, we had a consultative meeting today with Members of Parliament from the sugarcane-growing areas, the minister for trade, the Attorney-General, representatives of farmers and the shadow minister for trade, Hon. Manjeri Kyebakutika – (Hon. Ssemujju rose_) - the Speaker is still speaking. The motion might be aimed at stopping the Speaker from speaking. (Laughter) Anyhow, honourable colleagues, as I was saying, we had a very extensive discussion and, in the end, the Government requested for time to go and consult on some of the issues, which colleagues raised. Once those consultations are concluded, I will wait for a signal from the Government and, then, we shall consider the Bill at the right time. In the public gallery this afternoon, we also have a delegation of representatives from Bunyoro Kitara Students Association, based in Hoima City. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Asinansi Nyakato, Hon. Patrick Isingoma Mwesigwa and Hon. Joseph Ruyonga. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please, join me in welcoming them once again. (Applause) Thank you. Still on my communication, before I forget, we have Ash Wednesday tomorrow. The Catholic Chaplaincy will have it celebrated here. The Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese will lead us in Mass, starting at 5.00 p.m. tomorrow. For more information, you can link up with Hon. Lucy Akello, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Catholic Chaplaincy. Be there in big numbers to welcome the Bishop of Nebbi. Hon. Ssemujju, do you have a procedural matter?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mid last year, when the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development was presenting a report on the status of electrification in West Nile, the Members of Parliament from Madi Subregion noted with concern the generalisation of West Nile to mean Nebbi and Arua. You directed that Members of Parliament from Madi Subregion in collaboration with the minister come to the ground to have an assessment of the status of energy in Madi Subregion, and present a report to this House. To date, no action has been taken. We need your guidance, Mr Speaker, on whether we are proceeding well or not. Thank you.

On Tuesday when that issue of schools for people with disabilities is being handled, let the Minister of Education and Sports also update us on the same. Next item. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE STATUS OF UPGRADING THE NEBBI- GOLI-PAIDHA-ZOMBO-ZEU-WARR- VURRA-LIA-ODROMACAKU ROAD

Mr Speak - er, I am here to give a statement on the status of Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Zombo-Zeu-Warr-Vurra- Lia-Odromacaku Road, which is 119 kilome - tres. This is a national road in West Nile. It con - nects the districts of Nebbi, Zombo and Arua. The road is an important international route used to access Uganda’s borders with eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is important for agriculture, trade and security purposes, providing access to the border areas near DRC.

11644 THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 Planned interventions on the road Mr Speaker, the feasibility study and detailed design for the upgrading of the road to bituminous standard was completed in 2017. The road was included on the list of roads prioritised for upgrading in the National Development Plan (NDP) III. However, due to the limited resources available in the medium- term expenditure framework, the initiation of the road upgrading works was not commenced. Mr Speaker, the Government has made efforts to secure financing for upgrading the road. The Nebbi-Goli (19km) section of the road was submitted to the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for funding. The preparation appraisal missions for the project are expected to be completed in the Financial Year 2023/2024. If approved by the financier, the works will commence in the Financial Year 2024/2025. The planned upgrading of Goli-Paidha-Zombo- Warr-Vurra (100km) section of the road project was submitted to the African Development Bank for inclusion in the Indicative Operation Pipeline (IOP), which includes the projects to be considered for funding in the period from 2022 to 2026. The works on the project will commence depending on confirmation of financing. The road is currently being maintained by UNRA as a gravel road under the UNRA Arua station. The Goli-Paidha-Zombo section of the road is currently maintained under a framework contract for periodic maintenance. The Zombo–Vurra–Arua section of the road is currently maintained under Force Account. Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the Nebbi-Goli– Paidha-Zombo-Warr-Vurra road is an important link and was prioritised for upgrading in the Third National Development Plan (NDP III). However, due to limited resources, the proposed upgrading of the road was deferred for implementation under future plans. The feasibility study and the detailed engineering designs for the road upgrading were completed and efforts are being made to get financing for the proposed upgrading. In the meantime, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) will ensure that the road is maintained in a motorable state to ensure continued connectivity in the region. Mr Speaker, on the same note, as you had earlier guided, I would like to make an additional response to the Mpondwe Bridge. This Mpondwe Bridge is after Bwera and we had a bridge which had been made using metallic culverts but these culverts were vandalised by our own who wanted scrap. We realised it later but we did emergency works last year and currently, we have come up with the designs of the concrete box culverts, which is 30 metres long with a high fill at a contract of Shs 1.7 billion. We have our contractor who was doing other projects in the region, that is, Armpass Technical Services Ltd, that is mobilising to start on the work and within a period of four months from now, that bridge will be finished. I beg to submit. Thank you.

11645 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2024 I want to give this additional information so that these stakeholders the minister mentioned - like the African Development Bank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) based in Khartoum, and the people from Nebbi, Zombo, and Arua district or Vurra need to have a meeting to fast-track to see that we get a loan for this very important road. This area is highly - we call it actually the “food basket” for West Nile. It has a lot of coffee, the Government is promoting tea in that area; we have a lot of fruits, matooke - all these things are supplying the greater north. Related to that, we have many of the forest reserves; talk about the plantation forests. We have Lendu, Okavurero, Awang and Ossi. These are very important investments of the Government. In addition to those, we have two dams on River Nyagak. Since the road is in poor shape and the area is agro-based, it is now difficult for many people to benefit from agriculture. As a result, agriculture is not helping them. They have gone to environmental degradation and it is affecting two dams, that is, Nyagak I and Nyagak III. In fact, this is why you see Nyagak I is producing only 1.7 megawatts of electricity because of degradation. We need the road so that people can move away from environmental degradation. On the revenue side, Shs 3 billion is the estimated market in the DR Congo. With these four borders plus the three more potential borders, if they are open, we can generate a lot of money from there. Accidents on these roads are very many. Breakdown of vehicles moving on these roads is too much yet the cost of maintenance is very high. On the issue of health and emergency, the whole area does not have any referral hospital, apart from the regional referral hospital in Arua. If the road is in bad shape, how are we going to rescue our people in case of an emergency? You may recall that in 2021, when Zombo was attacked two times by bandits from the DR Congo, one of the reasons was - they tried all other alternatives but there was no market for their produce; so they were tempted to go and join those people in the DR Congo. We quelled that one because we never wanted it. But even the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) could not maintain or contain the bandits because there were no roads to cross with those machines. There are no bridges. Therefore, we need that road. This road was pledged by the President in 2010. He repeated it throughout all the elections. We have reminded him in writing and also verbally. In conclusion, the market is available if we can develop this road. From Zeu, for example, to the border of the Central African Republic, is only 750 kilometres. Imagine the market we are going to tap into in that area. Therefore, my prayer remains that we must fast track the loan with the African Development Bank, and the loan with BADEA so that we can do this very important road. The money we shall generate there will help to do internal roads in Kiboga, Nakaseke, Luwero, and other parts of Uganda. This is a very important road for the security and development of Uganda. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would like to join my neighbours from Zombo and Nebbi, to make a comment about this road. When we first came to Parliament, I remember when the late Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah was still alive - May his soul rest in peace. He made a comment here that this is one road where he sees a human being walking on foot, being stuck, and has to be removed by other people. That day he said, while he is in this chair, this is one road he wants to see tarmacked and he personally went there, got stuck, and felt the experience himself. Mr Speaker, the people of West Nile - I do not want to narrow it to one place - and that is why Hon. Songa said that it is the region that supplies food to the greater part of West Nile. As Hon. Afoyochan said, we have lost lives on that road. When the minister was saying that UNRA is maintaining that road, if you went there now, you cannot even believe that that is a national road. When it is raining, people get stuck, and they have to be there for days, even for a week. When you are carrying things like tomatoes or ripe bananas, they rot. We are here saying we want to make Uganda better, and we want to eradicate poverty. Mr Speaker, if that road is not worked upon, it is like we are not here. We sit here to appropriate and this road is not worked upon. It is very unfortunate. Minister, I think you are just romancing your words, with due respect; there is no answer you have given us. We have not got clear feedback. Before we came to Parliament, I remember last term, they even said contracts were already given for this road. When we came back, we started asking - we have been meeting the Minister of Works and Transport. We started asking, where are the copies of these contracts, you said you gave. Up to today, we have not seen them. So, do not take people for granted. Ugandans –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. Being a rare species in the Greater Nebbi, allow me to bring a political angle to this that my colleagues may find difficult to bring. Mr Speaker, if you notice, you will realise that MPs are being changed year in, and year out in the Greater Nebbi and that road is one of the reasons why. What people say - people have a general belief that Museveni is a very good man who wants to do a lot for the people; it is the people we send to him to talk to him - because they believe as MPs, we are sent to talk to the President, and because they think we do not talk to the President well, they will now push us off and get other people.

That is why I am bringing politics because they believe that I can tell the truth. Mr Speaker, I want people to know that recently there was supposed to have been a demonstration on that road. What stopped the people from the demonstration was that Minister Musa Ecweru had to run there and we went together, and people said; “It is okay.” Hon. Ecweru worked in Greater Nebbi and they have trust in him. They said, “Let us cool down because he is looked at as our son and he has come; so, let us cool down and wait.” They have waited and their language is changing, people are beginning to say that maybe it is not our sons who are failing to speak to the President but it is probably the President who is failing to speak to them. And now, it looks like they want to move the target to a higher level and - (Applause) Okay, for me, our interest is that whether we change the President or these other people, for us, our interest is that road. I would like to inform the people of our sub-region that they have been isolated - if you go to the WhatsApp groups of Greater Nebbi, people have been isolated but I want to say for us in Greater Nebbi, no MP should be isolated; all of us should be in it. Therefore, we are pleading that this road be done for us because all the reasons for the road to be done have been given. I just wanted to play the politics a bit so that we understand what it is. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

11667 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2024 allocated towards the construction of staff houses in the Financial Year 2023/2024. The strategy is to cut down construction costs by adopting different designs, using low-cost solutions/Force on Account, and phasing construction using the incremental approach of 500 staff housing units, starting with 900 housing units. Shs 46.5 billion is required to construct the 900 housing units in different designs and sizes using Force on Account as shown in the table below. I think the honourable members have it. The design One is to have a block of two houses (two- bedroom and self-contained). A total of 150 blocks of 300 houses are planned at a unit cost of Shs 0.140 million. The quantity required is 150 and the amount needed is Shs 21 billion. Two, a block of four houses (two-roomed houses with external sanitation facilities) – 150 blocks of 600 houses. The unit cost is Shs 0.170 million, quantity needed is 150 and the total amount needed is Shs 25.5 billion. The total for the 900 housing units is Shs 46.5 billion. Provided in the budget is Shs 1.4 billion and so, the shortfall is Shs 45.1 billion. Another issue raised is mistreatment of prisoners. They recommended that we strengthen the monitoring department to periodically interface with the inmates to identify issues that affect them. The response is that the monitoring and observation of human rights for both staff and prisoners is conducted through the regular supervision of all human rights activities, supporting and monitoring the activities of staff and prisoners’ human rights committees in 266 prisons. The Service has a Department of Inspectorate and Quality Assurance headed by a Commissioner of Prisons and charged with the responsibility of monitoring human rights of observance. However, this needs to be strengthened in terms of both human resource, financial support and facilitation. In addition, in order to strengthen human rights monitoring observance, we undertake to appoint and induct visiting justices in accordance with Section 109(1) and (2) of the Prisons Act. In the Financial Year 2022/2023, the Service appointed and inducted 33 visiting justices to undertake supervision of prisons in the Eastern Region in respect of human rights observance and compliance to custodial standards. In Financial Year 2023/2024, the plan is to induct visiting justices to monitor human rights practices and observances in northern, southern, Kooki, mid-central, north-central and mid-western regions. Shs 2 billion is required to appoint, induct and facilitate the visiting justices to monitor human rights observance and practice in all prisons countrywide. Another issue was the distance between prisons and courts of law. The committee’s recommendation was that the location of adjudicating courts of law should be well planned to be in proximity with prison facilities to reduce distances that inmates have to travel. Our response is that there is a misalignment of prisons locations to courts of judicature, which overstretches prisons operations in delivery of prisoners to court in terms of long distances between courts and prisons. The Service has been in constant engagement with other criminal justice agencies as well as the ministry of finance, to have the misalignment of the criminal justice agencies addressed, especially prisons and courts. As a result, the Service established new prisons at Paidha, Nebbi, Amuru, Oyam, Lugore, Koboko, Kapchorwa, Sheema, Kyenjonjo, Nwoya, Mutufu, Kotido, Nyarushanje, Mityana West, Patongo West, Sanga, Nakapiriprit and Amudat. The challenge of misalignment still exists as reflected in the table that follows: i) Rubirizi - Bushenyi - the distance in between is 45 kilometres; ii) Rubindi - Mbarara – 43km;

Yes, on the roads; the issue of Kampala - Jinja Express Way, Nebbi-Paidha-Goli-Zombo Road next week. Hon. Atkins, do you have a procedural matter?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In September 2022, the Cotton Development Organisation (CDO) set an indicative price for the cotton season of 2023 at about Shs 2,300 as the buying purchasing price for a kilogram of cotton. Unfortunately, in most of our cotton- growing districts like Nebbi and Kasese, and other areas in Eastern and Western Uganda, farmers are crying due to the low purchase price at the selling point. In Nebbi District, for example, farmers are being offered prices as low as Shs 1,300 per kilogram and not being given any other choice. We have also noticed that there are actually few buyers of the cotton this time around in our districts. We do not know what is happening.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. This is the fifth time I am talking about this issue and today, I will go ahead and lay a document. This is about the policy of linking all our revenue border posts to tarmac roads. This will help to generate a lot of revenue for Uganda, and with that money generated at the border posts, we shall be in a position to do internal roads in Uganda, even if they are of less economic value. The issue is, in my hand, I have the detailed engineering design for tarmacking Nebbi- Goli- Paidha-Zombo-Zeu-Warr-Vurra-Lia- Odramacaku road, which is on the Congo border, covering many districts in West Nile. This very road is generating a lot of money for Uganda, but none of the border posts, with the exception of Vurra, is linked to a tarmac road, yet, we have a high potential of generating money from the Congo market. Mr Speaker, you will recall that when you came to Paidha, we raised this issue and you confirmed that that area is very productive and it should have access to markets. Therefore, the feasibility study and detailed engineering design were done in March 2018 and I have been pursuing this. We are wondering why this road is not prioritised and budgeted for so that we can generate more money for this country. My prayers are: 1. That the Minister of Finance, through the Prime Minister, should update this House on the progress made in pursuing money for tarmacking this road from BADEA, the Arab bank based in Khartoum. 2. The Government should find money, in this budget, so that we can work on that road to generate more money for the country. 3. There were two bridges that were done on the road; Wariki Bridge and another in Vurra. We want the minister for works to come and update this House on why the projects stalled, yet there are seven other bridges to be done. 4. Nebbi-Vurra Road, there is a road from Panyimur to Pakwach, along the Nile, which is a tourism and security road. We pray that it be included as an oil road

Mr Speaker, I beg to lay this report of the consultancy services for feasibility and detailed engineering design of selected national roads, Lot 2 and Lot 4: Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Zombo-Zeu-Warr-Vurra- Lia-Odramacaku Road. I beg to submit.

11334 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION [The Speaker] Roads like Karuma-Pakwach, Nebbi-Arua and Gulu-Atiak-Nimule, they are equally very important. When you bring a loan request for the construction of a road on this side, you should also bring one for the construction of a road on the other side for you to balance the equation. Let us balance the ‘boat’ so that we are able to have - yes, I am not saying that we are not going to work on the road, let us work on it because it is overdue but you need to balance; please, balance.

10846 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Recommendation 5: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should ensure that all ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) and local governments have specific budgets for gender equality and social inclusion, including women empowerment as per the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development reported that they are in conjunction with the Equal Opportunities Commission, which issues the Gender and Equity Certificate to each qualifying MDA after a thorough analysis of their budget. This was work in progress. The committee recommends a budgetary increase for gender equality and social inclusion of the following categories: children, older persons and persons with disabilities. Recommendation 6: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should allocate and release adequate financial resources to clear the pending pension arrears and regularly allocate, and release adequate financing to the public service pension schemes, going forward. Mr Speaker, the Government reported that Shs 38.8 billion has been provided for in the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024 to cater for verified pension and gratuity arrears. The committee recommends that accounting officers should prioritise the timely payment of pensions. All pension arrears should be cleared. Recommendation 7: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prioritise budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) to ensure the sufficient investment in agriculture to help with information gathering and research, thereby contributing to development. The budget for MAAIF has increased from Shs 564.4 billion in the Financial Year 2022/2023 to Shs 1,030.994 billion in the Financial Year 2023/2024. The funds will be geared towards supporting the mechanisation of agriculture, the establishment of irrigation facilities and supporting PDM interventions in local governments, among others, in order to increase agricultural production across the country. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development also reported that it has supported MAAIF through the Agricultural Cluster Development Project to establish the National Food and Agricultural Statistical System (NFASS), to ensure that agricultural data is reliable, timely, consistent, disaggregated and accessible to facilitate planning and decision making. NFASS has been piloted in five districts of Nebbi, Amuru, Iganga, Kalungu and Ntungamo and is being rolled out to five subregions of Lango, Karamoja, Bukedi, Teso and Elgon. The committee recommends the timely release of funds to enable the ministry and other stakeholders to effectively implement the planned activities as per their work plan. Recommendation 8: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should effectively fund remand homes. The Government reported that funds have been allocated in the budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024 to fund the activities of remand homes. Recommendation 9: The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should sufficiently fund the Uganda Human Rights Commission so that it can pay competitive wages to its staff and address the challenge of high staff turnover. The Uganda Human Rights Commission has sufficient wage allocation for staff in post – this is what the Government reported. Salary enhancement awaits a comprehensive review of salaries across government entities.

10446 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME By 2031, we expect to produce at least 1,000 Megawatts of nuclear power; but the total capacity for nuclear potential of Uganda is 24,000 Megawatts. The electricity transmission network increased from 2,364 kilometres in 2018/2019 to the current 4,142 kilometres, against the NDP III target of 4,354. This network is expected to increase once the ongoing transmission projects are concluded across the country. For those who go to West Nile, from Karuma, you will see power lines that have passed Pakwach up to Arua and the substations in Nebbi and Arua are almost 95 per completed. That is the national grid and transmission network I am talking about. On the other side where we have Mirama- Kabale, that line is completed. In Kabale District, the land was given to us for –

How I wish that I get access to what I want, to be able to connect West Nile. First of all, my apologies for the many deadlines that I give. These are not deadlines that come from my head. When I visit, for example, Nyagak III – I have gone there four times. I am told that by June, the 6.5 Megawatts will be done and they require Shs 28 billion, and the President directs someone to provide the Shs 28 billion. I jump and say, “We are going to get the money” but I do not get that money up to now. What should I do? Otherwise, Mr Speaker, let me inform the people of West Nile that there is light at the end of the tunnel. When you see pylons going up to Arua, and you see Arua and Nebbi substations getting completed, and you see a line from Olwiyo taking power to West Nile, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We have come from far.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Government for two things that it has done for the elderly persons. One, I would like to thank them for the fact that this financial year, there is going to be no anxiety created in the money for SAGE and other elderly programmes. I say this because last financial year, we created a lot of anxiety in our elderly persons because their budget was cut and they were worried about what was happening. It took a lot of pleading, particularly from the forum, to make sure that the budget was reinstated. I would like to thank the Government that this year, there is no such anxiety. I would also like to thank Government for this day. Last year it was in Nebbi and I can tell that you could see how happy the elderly persons were to celebrate their day. Of course in Nebbi, there was the disappointment because we got to know that very day of the celebrations that His Excellency the President would not come. Otherwise, the people were very prepared and happy. Due to that happiness and since we cannot take all the elderly people to the venue of the national celebrations, I request that, if possible, we have the day rotated in the districts every year. I would like you to know that, that is the only opportunity that some of these elderly persons have to come out of their homes. They are always in their homes and if an opportunity comes to move out, it - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister of State for Elderly Persons for the care he has for the elderly. Last year in Nebbi, there was a good turn-up and he was very passionate. Regarding this year’s theme; healthy aging, there is no better way of aging than ensuring good nutrition for our elderly. Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, it is not something we can take on, as a Government; to monitor what our elderly persons actually eat. However, if there was a way, this would go a long way in ensuring that our elderly persons live a healthy life. Secondly, Mr Speaker, one recent study showed that there was an 89 per cent prevalence rate of abuse towards our elderly persons. This ranged from mental abuse to, sadly, sexual and physical abuse. I urge that the Village Health Teams (VHTs) increase the number of times they visit the elderly persons, just to have a word or two with them. Lastly, on the issue which was mentioned in the report in regard to National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), most elderly persons suffer a lot when changing their details, especially their age. NIRA should organise special workshops for the elderly so that those issues are tackled with special consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker and the honourable minister for the statement. I want to thank the minister for serving his community; the older persons with a lot of passion. He was in my constituency to visit elders at their homes and that is Hon. Gidudu here. The Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme started while I was at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and I remember the pioneer districts which we started with included the Nebbi, Kyegegwa and Apac, and others totalling 14. Last year, the celebrations were in Nebbi while this year, the celebrations are in Kyegegwa and these are the districts where a lot of advocacy has been done. The purpose of these international days is to create awareness and advocacy for action. Therefore, my appeal to the ministry is to rotate - like as my colleagues have already said - such that other districts can have a feel of this kind of advocacy such that when it is time to call for action, we have been advocated and everybody STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL OLDER PERSON’S DAY

Honourable minister, you will respond on Thursday. Do not just respond to what has been said; come up with a comprehensive report to that effect. MR MOSES ALEPER (MRM, Chekwii County (Kadam), Nakapiripirit): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to react to your communication on security. By its very definition, security is a state of being free from danger and threat. When we heard of the threats on the security within big gatherings in this city, I think everyone stood quite alert and felt what it was. Of course, when you know that someone wants to cause some injury or pain to the other, it definitely makes you think that it can lead to the loss of lives. I just want to react by echoing that, these types of security threats are normally raised in some parts of this country very far from Kampala. I implore every Ugandan that these bomb threats are just like any other security threat. Even if they are mentioned in Kasese, Nebbi or other parts of the country, they should be treated with utmost attention. Therefore, whether it is a bomb threat or whatever threat, as long as it is a threat to the life of an individual, it should be treated quite seriously the way the attention has been given to this particular one. Thank you.

Okay. In Nebbi, they are there. My concern is about rehabilitation and correctional centres. When we take these children there, they should be convinced that where they are being taken is a rehabilitation or correctional centre. We have heard from what the chairperson read that these places are in an appalling state. Therefore, it is my prayer that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development gives more money to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development so that when the juveniles are taken to these places, they are at peace. We should also have enough counsellors to handle these juveniles. Thank you.

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

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

9173 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 21 JUNE 2023 fraternity, the people of Nebbi, Adjumani and Uganda at large. May the soul of Justice Stella Arach rest in perfect peace. Much as we have this special sitting, we also have a few concerns. The concerns in the public are issues of robberies around mobile money kiosks. I ask the Prime Minister to request the relevant authorities to follow up and find out what is happening and how this can be controlled. Otherwise, there is a big outcry out there. We are going to have a body here, but we have an issue with the blood bank. As of today, we do not have blood in the blood bank. Can we have a statement on the Floor tomorrow on the issue of the blood bank and lack of blood? Tomorrow, somebody will die and say that it was because there was no blood. We do not want another body here because of lack of blood. Whereas the interns promised they are going to work, they need to be paid. Prime Minister, you made a commitment in the Budget Speech. Kindly, follow it up and ensure that the 1,900 interns are deployed and paid. We will be very grateful to receive a report from you on the payment of interns and their deployment. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, after the 1,900 are paid, there is an accumulation of 4,000 interns yet to be deployed and paid. This would help us, as the Legislature, to plan better on how much money should always be given to health so that they can be able to save lives. We are tired of having dead bodies here in the House. We would like to tell the good Lord that as the Legislature, we have had enough. May the good Lord help us and save people so we do not bring more bodies in the House. We cannot continue having special sittings and paying tribute to our colleagues. It is very disheartening. I want us to dedicate this House to prayer; that this should be the last. I know we serve a living God and this will come to an end. Let our people live and serve the nation. Lady Justice Stella, we will dearly miss you and we pray for your family, the children, your husband and everybody. Honourable members, under Rule 7 of our Rules of Procedure, I have admitted the Deputy Chief Justice, who is here standing in for the Chief Justice, by sitting in the Chamber and witnessing the proceedings while we pay tribute to our sister, daughter and friend. Since the deceased was a distinguished member of the Bench, kindly join me in receiving her into the Chamber. Deputy Chief Justice, you are most welcome. This is the Parliament of Uganda; a people- centred Parliament. We thank you that we complement each other; we do not fight each other, but work together as arms of Government. Thank you. (Entrance of the late Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko.) The National Anthem. The East African Community Anthem. Laying of Wreaths MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE LADY JUSTICE STELLA ARACH- AMOKO, JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PURSUANT TO SCHEDULE 3 OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY ACT, 2020

Thank you so much. May Stella’s soul rest in eternal peace! Before I open up the debate, in the VIP gallery, we have Canon Christine Shimanya, the Reverend for the Anglican Church in Parliament, and Hon. Raphael Baku, the former Inspector General of Government. We also have a big team from the Nebbi community, headed by Mzee Peter Ucanda. You are most welcome. (Applause) Honourable members, we are going to have a debate to pay tribute to Lady Justice Stella. I request that when we talk about the person lying just in front of us here, let us talk about the good things she has done in this world and the legacy she has left behind. This is because while today it is Stella there and tomorrow it will be one of us. The policy issues can be discussed later because you are the ones supposed to discuss those policy matters. Let us first pay tribute and leave our sister to rest in eternal peace. The issues of the Judiciary are for the judiciary; they are not for Stella.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to pay tribute to Justice Stella Arach-Amoko, as a lady hailing from Nebbi District. I want you to remember that in the last statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the number of children who go from primary seven to secondary school is only 12 per cent in West Nile and eight per cent in Acholi. I believe that Lady Justice Stella Amoko was a special one. If I take the Greater Nebbi, which comprises Pakwach, Nebbi and Zombo, we count her among the first five ladies who attained university education. (Applause) She did this without the 1.5 points, which she herself contributed to in discussing, to ensure that girls are promoted in education. Members have talked about her profession. I do not want to go there because it is very clear how she grew in her profession and to this level, it is a clean record; a record, which speaks for itself. So, I want to speak about her as a special person with her intelligence, humility, passion, openness and beauty. Many times, when we met in many places, people would ask, “Who is that? Who was she?” and I would proudly say, “You know, she is a lawyer, an attorney, a Judge and Justice”. I would add, “She is from Nebbi” because she raised our flag up. As a woman of that calibre, we cannot take that for granted. She was a light and path for many of us. When I later joined the university, they used to tell me, “Be like Stella Arach”. I had not known her, but when I got to know her, I then thought, “This is a person I could be like if I work hard.” She was one of the first women leaders in the Nebbi community. She is, of course, the first Justice from the greater Nebbi. She has been there for women, children and girls. She is always out to help with advice, and even materially. She was an open-minded person. She would always like to be there for you. I want to pay tribute and would like to, on behalf of the greater Nebbi community, to say that we have lost a person, but this should also open our eyes that we can work hard and be better citizens of this country. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the people of West Nile, especially West Nile Parliamentary Caucus, to send my condolences to the family of the late Honourable Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko. I came to know this lady when I was at Makerere University. Occasionally, she would show up for some functions and always helped us, especially when I became the Chairperson of Nebbi Makerere Students’ Association. She was a very humble lady. She would not show that she was a big person at that and you would not notice it unless you paid close attention. From the testimonies we are getting from the people who knew her better, I think Lady Justice created a niche in her profession. In Latin, we would say she had a “ viva voca ” which means knowledge of the law. This is a learning point to all of us that in our various professions, we should create a niche. Of course, you can speak about all topics, even in this Parliament, but there should be some areas where they say, “If you are looking for this issue, the person is so and so.” And Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko created that niche.

9189 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 21 JUNE 2023 Unfortunately, she has gone at a time when we really needed mentorship for the girl child. In greater Nebbi, it is a big challenge. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a very big challenge - the school dropout rates and teenage pregnancies. So, we needed a lady of this calibre to continue guiding the girl child. However, since it is the will of God, we continue to pray that God will give comfort and courage to the family so that they can overcome this. Finally, I want to categorically state that she was a very intelligent lady, diligent, very loyal, very kind and such is the person we are escorting today. I pray that her legacy be emulated by all of us so that this country can be a better place to live in. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I stand to pay tribute to the late Lady Justice Stella Arach, who, back home, is my maternal aunt. The lady shared the same clan with my mother – the Ragem Clan from the Royal Clan. I knew the late Lady Justice Stella Arach when I was a young girl in primary school; she visited us at home. On that day, she had come to see our only surviving aunt on my paternal side called Aunt Julia, deep in the village. I saw a beautiful woman, a relative that I had never met and I later asked Mom, “Who is this? She said this was her cousin brother’s daughter. Later on, when I joined Kibuli Secondary School, I came to learn that Lady Justice Stella Arach was a lawyer and very close to my two late brothers who were raising me. My brother had a shop here at Dewinton Road and that was more or less the headquarters for the Nebbi community people in Kampala, then chaired by Mzee Peter Ocanda – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Among the great men from Greater Nebbi, I would always see a lady among them driving a sunny vehicle and she engaged them. When we were filling out the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) forms for senior six to join the university - I did History, Economics and Geography (HEG), but the director of studies told me; “No you should to study Social Work and Social Administration (SWASA) or education,” I relented and I did not apply for any of those. Because of Lady Justice Stella, I applied for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), as my first choice because I was motivated by that young lady. Later on, she became a judge. My aunt loved her relatives. Despite her position, she looked for us and invited us to her home. I want to agree with whoever said here that she lived a balanced life of an African woman. I remember at home, she served her husband diligently on her knees and I could not believe it. I would like to implore the women leaders that despite our positions, let us copy the positive aspects of Africanism. Lady Justice Stella was very generous. The crowd I saw at her home, I would not believe. Leave alone her biological children. Every time we went home, the number was 10 and above living with her. She was an organizer; when her father died, that was the first time I saw a woman remain firm in living the legacy of her father. She helped her siblings and supported them in their education. This is the lady we are saying “bye- bye to” today here. I would like to implore us here that when God puts us in a position where we can help and support others, let us do so. This is why we are all saying this about Lady Justice Stella Arach. Lady Justice Arach, you are our icon in the Greater Nebbi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of the people of Nebbi District and on my own behalf to pay tribute to our fallen sister. There is not much that I am going to add; we have heard the qualities of our fallen sister, Justice Stella Arach-Amoko. As leaders – all the leaders who have been called by God – it is my prayer that we follow the footprint of the fallen Justice Arach- Amoko. As the people of the Greater Nebbi and Alur, we are all heartbroken. It is my prayer that the family members remain strong. This is the journey that all of us are going to take. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

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 .

Honourable members, I welcome you to this morning’s sitting. Yesterday, we received, with deep sorrow, the news of the demise of a former Minister of State for Public Service and former Member of Parliament for Padyere County, Hon. Patrick Aloysius Okumu Ringa, who passed on yesterday, 17 May 2023. We acknowledge the tremendous contribution the deceased made to this country when he was a Member of Parliament and a minister. On my own behalf and on behalf of this House, I convey our sincere condolences and sympathies to the family, the people of Padyere, Nebbi and the entire country. May we rise to observe a moment of silence in his honour? (Members rose and observed a moment of silence.)

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

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. I would like to thank the ministry for commissioning the Olwiyo Substation earlier, which is a big step towards bringing electricity to West Nile. However, I would still like to inform the House that the deadline of September 2022 and that of March 2023 have still not been met by the ministry in terms of bringing electricity – the national grid – to West Nile and the people of West Nile are concerned. We welcome the Shs 35 billion, which has been put for this. Mr Speaker, we passed a loan amounting to about Shs 1.7 trillion and districts were allocated new connections. However, to date, it is actually slow; surveyors are not on the ground. We need to have a follow-up on that. On the aspect of water, we are a bit concerned about the slow pace of providing safe water to most of our villages. At the moment, I understand that 21,000 villages are not connected to safe water. That is very concerning. As a House, we need to know – which are these villages being connected? Let us be provided with the list. You are saying you need more money to connect more villages; which village is next? Can we also know and have an input on that? On that note, we have the issue of Northern Umbrella in most of the areas in West Nile and NWSC also. Those are all entities under the same ministry, competing to provide water within the same district. In Nebbi, Northern Umbrella is competing for some subcounties, while NWSC is also competing for some subcounties. Can we align the service providers, please? On the issue of the tree seedlings, I can see that NWSC is requesting for Shs 30 billion and at the same time, NFA is also requesting for Shs 4 billion. Those are entities within the same ministry. Why can’t we just – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance about a highway robbery, which occurred along Paidha-Nebbi Road at a place called Kaya on 24 March 2023.

7227 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 1 MARCH 2023 iv) Total requirement for critical national roads and small bridges assessed for immediate maintenance intervention is estimated at about Shs 1.2 trillion. Therefore, in light of the budget suppression and inadequate releases, it is our prayer that adequate resources are located to prioritise and clear the following backlog: i) Ongoing national road projects ii) Counterpart funding for externally- financed national road projects and procurement because these attract interest if we do not implement them and already, the contractor is on site. If they are not financed, they will charge for idle equipment. iii) Rehabilitation projects under procurement. Some of these are very critical as you will see in the tables, for example: Mutukula- Kyotera-Masaka, Kikolongo-Bwera- Mpondwe, Nebbi-Goli and Nebbi-Arua. These are very critical roads, which we need to respond to now. iv) National roads and bridges assessed for immediate periodic maintenance and intervention v) There are a number of bridges, which are very critical and we cannot afford to postpone. For example, the Sezibwa Bridge I was talking about on Kayunga Road is over 70 years old and it is really gone. Katungulu Bridge in Kasese needs intervention as well as other bridges on major roads. Madam Speaker, in the document, there is also another set of documents, which give the details about the DUCA Roads (District and Urban Community Access Roads.) In that document, you will find reports about the damage on our national roads, which happened during the rains where regions and districts have submitted for intervention. We visited the sites and costed them. There was a directive that we get money to intervene immediately after the rains but we have never received any money. Therefore, those roads have remained in those bad conditions - that is on the DUCAR network. Also in the document, you will find ongoing projects which we are implementing, including the names of the contractors carrying out those projects. That is so that you can also be able to supervise and check on some of those projects. There are many tables - I do not know if I can comment on some of them or I leave Members to - The Members must have gone through them and they can raise issues on specific ones. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I beg to submit. (Applause)

6958 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT d) Be healthy and willing to undergo medical and physical tests. e) Have no criminal record and this proof of good citizenship was LCI and DISO signatures and recommendations. The quotas were distributed as follows: a) 8,400 were shared nationwide based on the district population size. b) 1,000 were mechanics and drivers. c) 600 were scientists qualifying to join the Air force. d) 100 Medical personnel e) 100 brass band musicians f) 50 specialised sportsmen and ladies The committee findings The committee observed that the recruitment covered 146 districts and the recruitment plan covered 134 districts. The 12 districts were accommodated within their former districts, since their district headquarters were not yet established. Quotas allocated to each district were based on the Uganda Bureau of Statistics population data of 2020. On this note, districts like Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi, Bushenyi and Buhweju had their recruitment centre at Bushenyi District Headquarters, which was their mother district as well as Greater Mbarara of Rwampara, Isingiro, Ibanda and Mbarara City and Mbarara District as well. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the recruitments were done on zonal levels. For instance, the UPDF recruited a total of 163 people from the districts of Nebbi, Zombo and Pakwach. Here the recruitment centre was in Nebbi. All those that attended were recommended by LCIs and DISOs. Nebbi District was a recruitment centre hosting the other two districts. Despite their quota being 57 for Nebbi District alone, 163 recruits were recruited at the zone. While recruitment is not based on tribe, most of the recruits that came from Nebbi were the Alur, as per their identity cards. The committee was informed that a total of 195 people were recruited from Tororo District and most of their documents were verified by LCI chairpersons of various villages of applicants to ensure that they had no criminal record - and not necessarily to prove their ethnicity, tribe or place of abode. Attached are the copies of IDs and letters of recommendation; letters from LCs and recommendations by GISOs as well. However, this was misunderstood to mean proof of nationality. The committee recommends that LCs and the general public should be sensitised on recruitment procedures and guidelines, in accordance with the UPDF Act of 2005. Advertisements should be clear, easy to understand and should be published in all local newspapers and local radios for wider coverage. There were alarming numbers of forged academic documents and the Uganda national identity cards. Recruits who did not have national IDs, but had already applied were not allowed to use their national identification numbers because it was difficult to attach the face to the NIN. Verification of all other documents required more time and finances, which had its own limitations. The recruitment period should be long enough to allow time to verify all the required documents by the relevant Government institutions and agencies. The national identification numbers should be allowed as long as their genuineness can be verified. The recruitment process should be financed to undertake most of the required activities to avoid haphazard work. The recruitment was done for all Ugandans, as long as they had national identity cards and their LCI or GISO or DISO confirmed that they had the required documents verified by LCIs, DISOs, GISOs, as proof of no criminal record. The committee recommends that there should always be proper scrutiny or vetting of these

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for having given me this opportunity. I thank the honourable minister, for giving us the report. Above all, I thank Hon. Sarah Opendi, for having brought this problem before us. One of the MPs who comes from one of the districts in greater Nebbi, that is Packwach District - by God’s grace on recruitment day, I was there. For the greater Nebbi, the centre for recruitment was at Nebbi. However, I can say that the recruitment exercise left a lot to be desired. If the recruitment exercise was being done on a quota basis, there would be no reason for somebody to travel all the way from Arua or Madi-Okollo to Nebbi. And when you looked at their size, you would notice that these weren’t people from greater Nebbi. Out of the 57 slots that were for Nebbi, and you heard in the report, only 11 were taken. And if I hadn’t been there, I believe Nebbi would have got only two or three. What was surprising is that even the district authorities were not allowed to move closer to the recruitment officers. I had to introduce myself as an MP to be allowed to see justice prevail in the district. The situation was really pathetic, yet, Government’s agenda was to ensure people from every district had the chance to join UPDF - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. I suggest that the slots, which were for each of the districts, are not lost – that is to say, in the next recruitment, if Pakwach was supposed to have 57 slots and our leaders have verified that we got 10 only, I want us to say that we still have 47 slots. So, when the next slots come and we are again talking about 50 slots, we have to add the 47 so that Pakwach gets 97. That is my suggestion. We are all consoling ourselves that there is another round. I want to believe this round, which has passed, should not be lost. That means there should be further investigation to confirm. If Nebbi, for instance, has said that there were 11 recruits and they were supposed to be 57, it means the 46 may have come from somewhere else. Those slots have to be brought back and investigations done. Eventually, when it is confirmed that the others did not come from Nebbi, then, the UPDF will know where to take them, but make sure that those slots come back. I would like to confirm that if you go further to investigate, you will confirm that people were brought by other people. You will find that in one family, where someone was an army officer, there are now 10 others –(Member timed out.)

6970 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT that. If Nebbi was initially allotted 50 slots and only 10 were filled up, then, in the next round… I wonder how you can say that you have given Mitooma 57 slots and we have failed to get 57 people, when I had over 200 people complaining that they were left out. It becomes really difficult. We hope that it will be better next time.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to add my voice to what my colleagues are saying, as far as our local governments are concerned. One of the issues that is facing Nebbi District - and I believe that it is not only Nebbi, but also other districts in the country - is the issue of salary disparities. We are all aware that we have the Science vs. Arts policy. This has affected service delivery in my district in such a way that the Arts people feel demoralised and, therefore, leave the backlog for the people who call themselves ‘scientists’, who benefited from the salary increment, as a result of them being so. Even if we are looking at the Science people - leave alone the increment in their money - some of them are not getting it, thereby creating more problems. I am praying that we harmonise the salaries so that service delivery for our people reaches the grassroots people. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Like I had said, out of the loan of $110 million, $22.5 million was earmarked for infrastructure - to improve infrastructure in 81 health facilities. This was divided into six lots. The lot in question is Lot 6, which was worth $24 billion - VAT inclusive. The contractor was BMK. They were supposed to construct maternity units and extras like pit latrines and placenta pits in 14 health facilities in West Nile and in Northern Uganda. The duration of the project was 16 months and it was supposed to commence on 15 March 2021, upon signing of the project contract. However, site handover was delayed to May 2021. The contract was supposed to run till 30 September 2022. The supervising architect was KK Partnership Architects. The Ministry of Health advanced 30 per cent of the total contract sum totalling to about Shs 6 billion to BMK to enable them mobilise and bring equipment to the site and start preliminary construction. BMK provided performance security in the form of a bank guarantee worth approximately Shs 6 billion and environmental and social safety guarantees of approximately Shs 1.9 billion, respectively. The objective of our visit, as a committee - which was very important - was to ascertain the physical progress of the works, among others. We had received many complaints from the citizens of West Nile and Northern Uganda, but most importantly, the politicians, about the delayed progress. In other parts of the country, they were 80 per cent and in this particular area, they had not yet reached even 50 per cent, yet we were running out of time. The committee also conducted a financial and legal analysis of the project to have a holistic scrutiny of the project. The sites visited were Panyimur in Pakwach, Kuchwiny in Nebbi, Kochi in Yumbe, Lobule in Koboko, Oluvu in Maracha, Awoo in Omoro, Akura in Alebtong, Anyangatir in Lira City and Kamdini in Oyam. Key findings from the field visit The committee found that on average, the civil works in nine sites ranged from between 55 per [Dr Ayume] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On the 12 th of November, I attended a road committee meeting in my district Nebbi, and was sad to learn that our district grader had been parked for over a month because there is a new directive from the Ministry of Works and Transport that all graders or mechanical equipment in the district should not be serviced within the district anymore; they should be taken to the regional offices. The problem is that they are not being serviced on time. As a result, the grader stood parked for one month just because of an oil change. Luckily, I got in touch with the Minister of Local Government and he issued a directive that the district leaders go ahead and service it using the Road Fund. Why has this directive been issued and yet they are not doing timely servicing of these graders through the regional offices? Thank you.

Mr Speaker, when we gave that equipment across the districts, initially we decided to put regional workshops for the servicing. The idea was what the Rt Hon. Prime Minister has correctly observed - about the quality of the service - that we would continue to extend to that equipment. We realised that the resources could not allow us to decentralise adequately. That is why, sometimes, there has been backlog. We have had a discussion with the Minister of Local Government where we have issued a position that allows the local governments to do minor repairs like what has been described by my colleague. I think the question of Nebbi now is a question of implementation and that will be something that we are going to share again and communicate to all the districts and make sure that all the district engineers will abide by the directive that we have given. Minor repairs will be handled in the district. Only those critical ones will be taken to the region. Even in the regions, we are trying to create more workshops. For example, West Nile, very soon will not be having all their machines going to Gulu; they will be in Arua. And the same will be for some parts of – (Member timed out.)

6602 ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 11 TH PARLIAMENT Mr Speaker, allow me to first give a background of this report. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, as amended, enjoins the State to promote and implement energy policies, which ensure that people’s basic needs and those of environmental preservations are met. The Energy Policy for Uganda and the Electricity Act, as amended, operationalise the provisions of the Constitution in regard to these energy policies. The movers of the motion noted that West Nile has never been connected to the national grid. Citing the Electricity Act, they noted that in an effort to address power shortages in the West Nile region, the Government of Uganda, in 2003, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, granted a concession to the West Nile Rural Electrification Company commonly known as WENRECO, to generate, distribute and sell electricity in West Nile for a period of 20 years. The petitioners acknowledged that WENRECO, having failed to fulfil its obligations, Electro- Maxx was contracted to supplement power generation in 2019. However, despite this intervention, they stated, West Nile’s electricity supply to date is unreliable, unstable, unpredictable, costly and is characterised by constant power shortages, interruptions and blackouts. They further noted that the Government of Uganda has previously made promises to have the region connected to the national grid by September 2022, which was just a few months ago, but this was postponed to March 2023. The prayers sought in the motion were: 1. Parliament urges Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development to urgently provide funds to the Uganda National Oil Company to supply fuel to Electro-Maxx to generate the licensed 8.2 Megawatts of electricity to be supplied to WENRECO and to ensure a stable and reliable supply of electricity to the people of the West Nile Sub-region. 2. The Ministry of Energy to fast-track the evacuation of the electricity 132KV line to West Nile and also expedite the work at the sub-stations in Arua and Nebbi districts to enable the region get connected to the National Grid. 3. The Government avails all the required funds to speed up the completion of the 6.6 Megawatts at Nyagak III and the Government should replace the second turbine at Nyagak I to generate 3.5 Megawatts installed capacity instead of the 1.7 Megawatts that was being generated at that time. 4. The ministry of energy upgrades the existing electricity network in West Nile region to be able to distribute high voltage 132KV from the National Grid Transmission Line once evacuated to the region by March 2023, as promised by Government. 5. The Ministry of Energy intensifies the expansion of the network to rural areas to cover all the parishes in West Nile subregion to support the Parish Development Model and reduce the high rate of environmental degradation. 6. A forensic audit of the operations of Electro-Maxx be conducted to ascertain whether Uganda has obtained value for money for the period Electro-Maxx has operated in West Nile. 7. A compliance audit be carried out on the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) in relation to the operations of Electro-Maxx and WENRECO. Mr Speaker, those were the prayers and this House adopted those prayers. As a committee, we also adopted these prayers as the terms of reference for us to proceed. The methodologies we employed were as follows: [Dr Otaala] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

6605 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2022 Transmission Regarding transmission losses, Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that to fully realise the envisaged benefits of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi- Arua transmission project, the Ministry of Finance, UETCL, and the Ministry of Energy, with their consultants, should consolidate all efforts to ensure that this project is completed and commissioned by March 2023 as a way of reducing technical losses at transmission. Impact of loadshedding Regarding impact of loadshedding, Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that the plant availability of the operated plants be increased, power dispatches increased and the connection of the West Nile region to the national grid be expedited to avail stable and reliable power supply to West Nile. Conclusion In conclusion, Mr Speaker, the need for adequate and reliable electricity is key in driving Uganda’s vision of transforming the whole country from a peasant to an industrialised economy. Despite West Nile being a trade hub connecting to South Sudan and the DRC, it experiences rampant loadshedding and power outages, which have hindered its contribution to the economic transformation of the country. The reasons for this unreliable electricity are attributed, majorly, to the region not being connected to the national grid, thus failing to tap into the excess electricity available from the rest of the country and the other benefits accrued from being connected to high voltage transmission networks and substations. A good transmission network ensures that sources from different loads are synchronised, transmission loads are reduced and there is easier control for remote and onsite functions. Further, Mr Speaker, the two generators in the region are dispatching far below their subcontracted and installed capacities, thus failing to meet the demand for the region. To address the rampart loadshedding in the region, the Government of Uganda has put in place several initiatives to overcome this challenge. In the short term, the Government is constructing a medium voltage line connecting Olwiyo to a substation in Pakwach. Mr Speaker, I am happy to report that West Nile has actually been connected already – since our intervention. This line was expected to be commissioned in November 2022. However, the long-term solution is the completion of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission project, which connects West Nile to the high voltage electricity backbone transmission infrastructure, by March 2023. Thereafter, Government will have to invest in the distribution network so as to increase the West Nile’s rate of electricity access. Therefore, the committee, in its findings, agrees with the prayers of the movers of the motion, except in Prayer No. 1, where it recommended that the contract of Electro-Maxx be terminated rather than the Government of Uganda providing funds to the Uganda National Oil Company to supply fuel to Electro-Maxx to generate its licensed capacity. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

6606 ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 11 TH PARLIAMENT address the shortages of electricity in West Nile. I wish to confirm that the 33 KV line is actually on in West Nile and power has relatively stabilised in the region. There may be occasions when there are outages and the outages are because we incur a lot of losses of electricity in the 33 KV line. The 33 KV line was supposed to end in Nebbi and Pakwach. However, because we wanted to test if we would deliver stable power to Arua, we decided to extend it and we are now merging the power generated in -

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

Honourable chairperson, before I allow others, can you first clarify that? That you reduced West Nile to Arua and Nebbi- why didn’t you go to Madi Subregion?

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the committee chairperson for the report that he presented here. I kind of got anxious that West Nile is about to see light. I was there not long ago; I think the honourable member for Nebbi will bear me witness. Madi Okollo, Obongi and Terego did not have electricity – because I was there physically. We cannot continue to talk about connection; the people of West Nile need electricity in their homes, industries and at their places of work so that they can do value addition, and also be able to join this country to transform their communities. Mr Speaker, I have listened to the Members. I do not want to tell you what happens in Kyegegwa; that I also do not have electricity. I would like to propose that the Ministry of Energy comes here to Parliament with a profile of each district and how electricity coverage is per district – (Applause) - so that we know which district has five per cent, which district has 10 per cent because we all cannot come up with motions. The electricity coverage in our districts ends up only seeing lines as tourist attractions, but not electricity in the houses, industries and workplaces. Mr Speaker, I would like to implore the ministry to come up with a profiled electricity coverage scale-up and plan for each district. Thank you.

6373 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2022 For instance, in greater Nebbi, we have Plan International, where I worked before coming to Parliament. We would have such activities in the districts where we worked, and we would drive the activities ourselves. I would be happy to hear that as Government, we are recognising such organisations. This would actually motivate them more and where possible, get them to expand to other districts. I know for sure that we are talking about the launch in the rural districts; we are talking about activities, as Mum has said, that should happen in Dokolo. However, she will tell you that they do not have funds to support the districts to make sure that such activities are there. You will find that many times, eventually it is the MPs that are called upon to contribute to those district activities to take place. Therefore, what are we not going to contribute for?

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

Madam Speaker, they are not nuclear weapon documents. I have a presidential communication ordering Finance to pay their bills, dated 17 September 2022. He was probably privy. He is quoting bills in the range of Shs 44 billion. My other private document quotes over Shs 60 billion and so, we have a divergence, but he is accepting the problem. I have evidence that the UPDF is not paying, just as Uganda Police, Nebbi Hospital, Arua Hospital, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima Hospital - Madam Speaker, I visited Hoima Regional Referral Hospital a month ago and I will lay a report tomorrow. The hospital did not have water that day. They do not have money and the hospital is very sick itself. I would like to lay this evidence for the record. I have other copies, but the ministry of finance can explain what we are dealing with.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I invite you together with the Members of Parliament to come to Nebbi in West Nile northern region, at the venue of this occasion. We also invite all our leaders at the district level in the northern region. We invite all the Members of Parliament from the northern region, more so from West Nile. Mr Speaker, I would like to let you know that this Parliament has five Older Persons. I must thank Parliament for welcoming these Members and making them feel at home. Behind me are two ladies. I would also like to let you to know that as a new department in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, we have achieved a lot. Parliament has appropriated a good budget for our national council. Parliament has also given us a special grant for Older Persons. Parliament has given us 10 per cent through the PDM to Older Persons specifically, which is Shs 500 billion out of Shs 5 trillion. This is going to keep the Older Persons busy in whatever they are doing to participate in the economy. Saturday is 1 October and it is a weekend. All of you have no excuse for not joining us. We are going to have the oldest of the old men in the country. You will have an opportunity to interact with them and to know that life expectancy in Uganda has increased; it is now 64 years and above. Before I conclude, I also want to let you know that the SAGE Fund is still on. Development partners withdrew but Government is still retaining this Fund; Shs 25,000 per month. It is not how much you get but rather what you do with the money you get. The elders are very happy with this. Finally, I look forward to seeing all of you in Nebbi; West Nile, northern region. I submit and beg to lay the paper on the Table.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On behalf of West Nile, I thank the gender ministry for choosing Nebbi as the venue for celebrations. I also request that one of the national celebrations be held in Terego, as the youngest district in this country. I would like to state that the elders in Terego said they will be happy to see that the age for SAGE is reduced to 60 because they retire at 60. So, why do we again wait for more than 10 years to get SAGE? I would like to get this answer from the minister. Thank you very much.

No, colleague, you do not access the microphone without my permission. Yes, honourable member from Nebbi.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In the last two months, due to heavy rains, the West Nile region almost came to a standstill for almost two consecutive days. Last month and even earlier last week, the area near Pakwach Bridge along River Tangi flooded and movement has been restricted tremendously. It is now putting great risk to the Pakwach Bridge, and we are very afraid of what might happen next. Secondly, because of the heavy rains, the area between Nebbi, Goli, Vvura and Warr is causing problems. Those three border areas combined raise more money than Malaba border. That is why we do pray that the road gets tarmacked. If it is not, we will keep losing revenue. Every year, it is missed out in the annual budget. This time, we have started the process much earlier. Hopefully, it will be included. I pray that UNRA visits or makes a report on how they plan to stop flooding around Pakwach bridge because movement is being restricted, yet that is the major highway – actually, it is the national highway to West Nile and so, the issue of flooding needs to be sorted. Secondly, I request that we also have a route through Murchison Falls National Park, just like it is with other national parks. I wonder why it is only this park where people in transit have to pay. Vehicles have to pay Shs 40,000 to access that route. It is causing a problem, whereas for other routes through the national COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

5881 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2022 parks in other regions like Queen Elizabeth, people do not have to pay. Lastly, I would like to make a humble request to the members of the Committee on Budget that as West Nile, we have started on the process of ensuring that the Nebbi-Goli-Vvura Road appears in the budget. So, kindly help us when it comes to this matter. That road is very viable in our area and we pray that it gets included in the next financial year budget.

Okay, to conclude, right now in the whole of greater Nebbi, one cannot access

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise to present my concern about Nebbi-Goli-Zombo Road. I think we have all seen over social media, what is happening and the Nebbi-Goli route is one of the routes that generate a lot of income or taxes to our Government. As we talk, we are completely cut off and Government is also losing a lot of revenue. May the Prime Minister give an answer today so that my soul is at rest. Thank you.