Ngora District

Mr Speaker, we received seven written questions from members and we have responded to them in writing. Hon. Benson Lugwar, Member of Parliament for Agago North County, raised a matter concerning the escalating human-wildlife conflict that is directly undermining our food security and economic empowerment in his constituency. His prayer was whether the Government could provide an update on the matter. Mr Speaker, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has established satellite ranger outposts. Tikawo outpost is already deployed in Agago North, and 1,300 rangers are undergoing training to improve response. The electric fencing programme is ongoing, and sensitisation is also underway because some stakeholders fear land grabbing, so we have to sensitise our people. The Government is promoting block farming, and we have recruited community wildlife scouts as volunteers where the Uganda Wildlife Authority has no presence. The three million five hundred US dollar Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project will start this Financial Year, 2026/2027. This will cover Agago, Abim, Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido, Kitgum and Lamwo to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The second question came from Hon. Osoru Mourine, Woman Member of Parliament for Arua City. She raised the matter concerning the segregative vehicle transit permits through the Bugungu Gate at Murchison Falls National Game Park, which risks potential loss of revenue to the national economy. Her prayer is for the Government to give an update on the matter. Mr Speaker, the road through Bugungu Gate is not a public road. Its use is subject to park regulations, and all vehicles must pay the UWA tariff fees. Exemptions are only to vehicles with the sick, referrals, UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prison Service on official operations with evidence. Mr Speaker, the third question came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, the Member of Parliament for Ngora County. She said that during the last cropping season, there was a severe attack on groundnuts by groundnut rosette, affecting over 75 per cent of the households in Ngora. Her prayers were that:

To cut the story of Apio short - she had been married for 20 years, and she has got adult children, like 18 and so on, teenagers, but she had never handled Shs 1 million in her life. She did not have land. When she got the land, when she got the Shs 1 million, she did not have her own land. She had to go and hire three acres from somebody else, grow maize, sell the maize, put some of the money back into agriculture, and then buy those sheep the ones you saw. When I was there during campaigns, she told me she had now 60 sheep. For me I did not know about sheep. Who buys sheep? She is the one who told me that, “No, South Sudanese like sheep, they buy.” Therefore, our people are clever when supported. They even know things we do not know. I did not know anything about sheep. Even in my dreams, I cannot dream about sheep, but she knew that sheep have a market in South Sudan. Nabutono, I do not know who buys Ssekkokko. I have no idea. But they know. So what they lack is support. Therefore, I want the Kisozi model. I do not want to live in a parish with poor people. That is what I told them. N’abe Kikisozi nabagamba nti sagaala kulirana baavu. Njagala kugenda mu ggulu (I want to go to heaven.) I do not want the angels to block me, saying, “ You were in Kisozi, you had neighboring poor people, and you kept quiet.” I must tell you - I told them. Now, you saw the house of Lule - let us watch that video with that man - show it to us again, his house and the coffee plantation. ( A video presentation was made.) - The man of Kisozi - see the house, car, coffee - that is how they are now. Therefore, leadership is not for ego, but for the people and the country. In agriculture, it is possible to have a Pan-Ugandan rural transformation. In the Kisozi area, I have nine villages with 2,048 homesteads now. As of today, all 2,048 homesteads have joined the money economy with coffee, bananas, dairy farming, goat rearing, and poultry. You did not show us the video with my manager at Kisozi, Nalwanga. Don’t you have her video? I have got a girl whom I have educated from P2. She went to Ndejje, and she is the one managing - Nalwanga - these people do not like my useful people. Nalwanga tebamwagala wano . In the cattle corridor, most of the original families have joined the money economy through dairy farming. In order to stabilise agriculture, we are addressing the issue of irrigation. Apart from the big irrigation schemes such as Mobuku, Doho, etc., we are developing many micro solar-powered irrigation schemes, working with a British group known as Nexus Green. As we speak, they have worked with the Government to put solar-powered irrigation schemes in Ngora, Serere, Bukedea, Amolatar, Kwania, Apac, Kassanda, Masaka, Mukono. Those are some of the irrigation schemes. In conclusion, however, the two residual problems with the peasantry are, as I pointed out above, some of them still rely on okusetura , free range, which underutilises the land. A square mile of a well-cleared farm, no bushes, no muteete , no shrubs, no acacia, will cater for 300 long-horn cattle, including the calves. With pasture growing and zero grazing, a square mile will cater for 6,000 cattle.

Mr Speaker, my name is Ephraim Kamuntu, and I represent Sheema South Constituency in this Parliament. I am humbled, Mr Speaker, to have the singular honour and privilege of moving a motion for a resolution of Parliament, approving the appointment of Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, District Woman Representative, Katakwi District, as the Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda. (Applause) I am moving this motion under Article 108 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure of this Parliament. “ WHEREAS Article 108 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides that there shall be a Vice-President of Uganda appointed by the President, with the approval of Parliament by a simple majority; AND WHEREAS under Article 108(4) of the Constitution, a person qualifies for appointment as Vice-President if the person possesses the qualifications prescribed for the Office of the President by Article 102 of the Constitution, being that the person is a citizen of Uganda by birth, is a registered voter and has completed a minimum formal education of Advanced Level standard or its equivalent; AWARE THAT His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda has, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Article 108 of the Constitution, appointed Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, District Woman Representative, Katakwi District, as the Vice- President of the Republic of Uganda; FURTHER AWARE that Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel was born on 23 May 1974 and is a mother, a commercial farmer, a Pan-Africanist, a self-driven, humble, down- to-earth lady, a result-oriented and output- focused person who prioritises and allocates more time to the performance of her duties and attains results; NOTING THAT Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel is a determined scholar who believes in continuous learning through both informal and formal settings, and possesses the following education qualifications, which make her eminently suitable for appointment as Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda: a. Currently pursuing a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at Makerere University; b. An honorary doctorate degree from the Islamic University in Uganda on 20 December 2025; c. An Honorary PhD in Science awarded by Shenyang University in China on 27 May 2015; d. A Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from Makerere University from 2010 to 2013; e. A Master’s degree in Management Studies from Uganda Management Institute from 2009 to 2010; f. A Bachelor of Arts Degree (with honours) in Political Science and Religious Studies from Makerere University from 1994 to 1998; g. A Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Management Institute; h. Uganda Advanced Level Certificate of Education from Ngora High School from 1992 to 1994; i. A Uganda Ordinary Level Certificate of Education from Kangole Girls School from 1988 to 1991; and j. A primary school certificate from Apuuton Primary School, Katakwi, from 1981 to 1987. NOTING THAT Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel is a patriot who served in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and retired at the rank of Major, and attended the following army courses: a. Officer Cadet Course at Jinja Military Academy, intake 05 Long – not short – (Laughter)- from 1998 to 1999;

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

2 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 6. Abeja Susan Jolly District Woman Representative Otuke NRM 7. Abigaba Cuthbert Mirembe Kibale County Kamwenge NRM 8. Acamfua Topista District Woman Representative Zombo Independent 9. Acan Joyce Okeny PWD Representative N/A NRM 10. Achayo Juliet Lodou Ngora County Ngora NRM 11. Achia Lokiru Gabriel Jie County Kotido NRM 12. Achola Catherine District Woman Representative Pallisa NRM 13. Aber Lillian District Woman Representative Kitgum NRM 14. Acom Alobo Joan City Woman Representative Soroti FDC 15. Aayoo Joyce Makamoe District Woman Representative Abim Independent 16. Acon Julius Bua Otuke East County Otuke NRM 17. Adeke Anna Ebaju District Woman Representative Soroti FDC 18. Adidwa Abdu Bukooli South County Namayingo Independent 19. Agaba Gilbert Workers Representative N/A Independent 20. Agaba Peter Ibanda Municipality Ibanda NRM 21. Ahebwa Wilber Manyisa Nakaseke North County Nakaseke NRM 22. Akello Beatrice Akori District Woman Representative Agago NRM 23. Aine Godfrey Kaguta Mawogola North County Ssembabule NRM 24. Akello Lucy District Woman Representative Amuru FDC 25. Akello Rose Lilly District Woman Representative Karenga NRM 26. Akol Anthony Kilak North County Amuru NRM 27. Akorikin Francis Kapelebyong County Kapelebyon NRM 28. Aguti Sarah District Woman Representative Dokolo UPC 29. Akugizibwe Aled Ronald Buruli County Masindi NRM 30. Akumu Catherine Mavenjina Older Persons Representative Northern NRM 31. Alenyo Marshall Godfrey Jonam County Pakwach Independent 32. Alioni Yorke Odria Aringa South County Yumbe NRM 33. Among Anita Annet District Woman Representative Bukedea NRM 34. Magogo Moses Hassim Budiope East County Buyende NRM 35. Opolot Isiagi Patrick Kachumbala County Bukedea NRM 36. Okwere David Beecham Bukedea County Bukedea NRM 37. Namulondo Sarah District Woman Representative Buyende NRM 38. Pedun Josephine District Woman Representative Ngora NRM 39. Aeku Patrick Soroti County Soroti NRM 40. Alyela Denis Omodi Lira East Division Lira City NRM 41. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano District Woman Representative Kisoro NRM 42. Akugizibwe Lawrence Mwenge County North Kyenjojo NRM 43. Amanya Cohen Kyampene Igara County West Bushenyi NRM 44. Achia Cathy District Woman Representative Kaabong NRM 45. Acom Esther District Woman Representative Serere Independent 46. Amaniyo Draville Sheilah District Woman Representative Mukono NUP 47. Aceng Jane Ruth District Woman Representative Lira City NRM 48. Ajilo Maria Gorretti Elogu District Woman Representative Kalaki NRM 49. Adome Francis Lorika Moroto Municipality Moroto NRM 50. Ameede Agnes District Woman Representative Butebo NRM 51. Amongin Jane Frances Okili District Woman Representative Kaberamaido NRM 52. Angura Fredrick Tororo South County Tororo NRM 53. Angwech Colline Kioga County Amolatar UPC 54. Anifa Bangirana Mawogola West County Ssembabule NRM 55. Anyakun Esther Davinia District Woman Representative Nakapiripirit NRM 56. Acheng Sandra District Woman Representative Kole NRM

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

I would like to, first of all, begin with a verse in the Book of Psalms 11:7. It says, “ For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; the upright will see His face” . Hon. Helen Nakimuli has stood as a dedicated Member of Parliament. The few interactions I had with her here were that she constantly represented her people with commitment and purpose. Madam Speaker, she was known for her integrity and accountability; actively participated in law- making and continued to prioritise the needs and interests of her constituents. She served as a committed leader who focused on public service rather than personal gain, working closely with her community in Kalangala to promote development and improve the lives of the poor people there. Hon. Nakimuli was not transactional. I made several attempts to transact with her to join the NRM, but she did not allow it. I told her I would find more time to transact with her. Madam Speaker, she was not transactional. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you and your family for paying our little girl’s school fees up to senior four. Madam Speaker, allow me to convey heartfelt condolences from my colleagues and leaders of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) led by our Chairman, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Madam Speaker, I will conclude with John 11:25. It says, “ I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die .” Rest in peace, our sister, Hon. Nakimuli of the National Unity Platform. Thank you. Madam Speaker, just a second. Hon. Stella Isodo of Ngora, sometime back passed on and left five children. They are not doing well. Last week, I received a member of the family in my office to support her family. I want to appreciate Members including myself, who have allowed a deduction of Shs 500,000. However, Madam Speaker, can we also consider, if possible, supporting the late Hon. Isodo’s family because she was also a player. (Applause) She was a Member of Parliament from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

18652 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 The gravity-piped water schemes are intended for Mbunga-Nyakazinga and Bughema in Kasese, and Mpunga in Kanungu. The climate-span smart wash clusters for Rwere in Kateretere, Bugarama-Karweru and Kagarama-Bushura-Kibuzigye in Rubanda, Kabale and Kisoro areas. Karamoja region schemes Under the institutional water schemes, Nadunget SS in Moroto, Amita Prisons in Abim. Public sanitation facilities There shall be two institutions in Karenga and one in Ngora. Additional water schemes in Kalapata, Lorengedwat, Tokora, Kathile listed under the broader solar and service expansion. The committee notes that the ministry’s water for production portfolio is particularly important in the drought-prone and livestock- dependent areas for expanding irrigation agriculture. Colleagues, we have selected water for production projects, which you will all see. I want to allow you to see them by yourselves. Under table 16, in Isingiro, Kanungu, and then those in Karamoja. Another area that will be covered is Agule in Kalaki, Soroti District, Bulusambu in Mbale, Biduku in Nakaseke, Kiryandongo, Masaka, Oyam, Gulu, Nwoya, among others. There will be solar-powered irrigation water systems also cited in the numerous areas across Central, Eastern, Northern, Karamoja, and Southwestern regions. Colleagues, the other aspects are those that I believe we will go through. I just would like to invite you to the aspect of the unfunded priority under Vote 019. Madam Speaker, the committee notes that under the project 2041- this is 7.6 colleagues: 100 per cent Service Coverage Acceleration project, (SCAP 100, Umbrellas Phase II), the Ministry of Water and Environment has identified critical financing gaps for targeted investments in water pipeline extensions, power extensions to pump stations, off-grid solar installations, and pump stations and drilling of production wells in small towns, rural growth centers, and the six umbrella and water and sanitation projects countrywide. Colleagues, in totality, the SCAP 100 project was in response to His Excellency, the President’s promise that every village in Uganda should have at least one clean water source. So, SCAP 100 was intended to ensure that water sources are placed in districts and in administrative units such as sub-counties, so as to distribute water using piped water systems. So SCAP 100 is crucial because it responds to the Government’s undertaking to the citizens. Here, the committee identified a funding gap of Shs 35.85 billion for Financial Year 26/27, which would support the undertaking of rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation skip schemes, as well as extend 5,000 kilometers of pipeline water to provide for 5,000 new water connections in the various communities of the country. The committee further notes an unfunded requirement under the water and sanitation development facilities that are responsible for the design, construction, and setting up of infrastructure for rural water supply. Colleagues, the unfunded priorities under Vote 019 are provided for under table 18. Madam Speaker, permit me to conclude with National Water and Sewerage Corporation. National Water and Sewerage Corporation remains central to urban water service delivery and to several other sectors, most visible investments in towns and municipalities. The committee notes that National Water and Sewerage Corporation medium-term financial and investment plan covers five projects currently supported by government

18264 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. STELLA APOLOT ISODO Wednesday, 21 January 2026 Woman Representative, Ngora District, who passed away on Saturday, 17 January 2026. Hon. Apolot was a prominent member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), was highly respected, and had a friendly personality. She was a servant leader who was deeply loved by the people of Ngora and colleagues in Parliament. Her legislative track record was quite impactful. She served with distinction on the parliamentary Committees of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Equal Opportunities and National Economy. She was also an active member of the Parliamentary Sports Club, where she played netball. Honourable members, the death of Hon. Apolot brings to a total of seven Members of Parliament that we have lost in the 11 th Parliament. It is a very painful reality. As colleagues, we pray that the ever merciful Lord grants all our departed colleagues eternal rest. Death is an inevitable journey for all of us. In 2 Samuel 14:14, the Bible states that, “ For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again…” That is why we should all live to create a positive and lasting impact on our societies. At the end of the day, it is the memories we create that define our legacy. It is not how long we lived on earth, but how impactful we were on humanity. I, therefore, urge you to be deliberate in shaping your own legacy. What should humanity IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - SPECIAL SITTING - SECOND MEETING Parliament met at 1.59 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Honourable members, in the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have the immediate family members of the late Hon. Stella Apolot. We have: 1. Mr Samuel Isodo – husband; 2. Ms Joan Apio – daughter; 3. Mr Arnold Isodo – son; 4. Mr Allan Okiror – son; 5. Mr Ariong Etoba – brother; 6. Mr Simon Julius Eseet – brother; 7. Ms Sarah Amuge – sister; 8. Ms Dorothy Ajete – sister; 9. Ms Oliva Iculet – sister; 10. Ms Loyce Ouchokol – sister; 11. Ms Angella Apio - sister-in-law; 12. Ms Harriet Kobusingye - sister-in-law. They have joined us in paying tribute to the late Stella Isodo. Still in the public gallery, we also have relatives and friends of the late Isodo. We have: 1. Hon. Dr Francis Epetait, former Member of Parliament from Ngora; 2. Hon. Toterebuka Bamwenda, former Member of Parliament and a member of the FDC party, where the late belonged; 3. Hon. Jacquiline Amongin, a Member of EALA and former Woman MP of Ngora; 4. Hon. Veronica Kadogo, also a Member of EALA; and 5. Hon. Francis Mukula, former Member of Parliament. Honourable members, we will continue introducing them as they come. I also have condolence messages: We have a condolence message from Rotary, signed by the District Governor, Geoffrey Martin Kitakule. We have another condolence message from the Parliamentary SACCO, and attached is Shs 1 million. We have a message from the Speaker’s office; attached is Shs 10 million. (Applause) MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. STELLA APOLOT ISODO, FORMER WOMAN REPRESENTATIVE, NGORA DISTRICT

18266 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. STELLA APOLOT ISODO Isodo for her distinguished service to the nation, moved under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda. “WHEREAS Parliament of Uganda received with sorrow the sad news of the death of Hon. Stella Apolot Isodo, Woman Representative, Ngora District, which occurred on Saturday, 17 January 2026 and; WHEREAS Hon. Stella Apolot Isodo was a legislator and leader who served her nation with unwavering commitment and worked as a Woman Member of Parliament for Ngora from 2021 to the time of her death; AWARE that Hon. Isodo served the people of Uganda in various capacities, including serving as a Community Development Officer in Concern Worldwide, Senior Development Officer in Concern Worldwide, Senior Development Officer in Self Help Africa and Agriculture Programme Manager in Vision for Teso Rural Development Organisation (TERUDO), where she played a key role in advocating for the aspirations of her people; FURTHER AWARE that Hon. Isodo was a leading promoter of unity, as well as socio- economic transformation, especially for the Teso Subregion. She fostered unity and built consensus on important legislative priorities; RECOGNISING that Hon. Isodo was a trained and accomplished agriculturist whose professional expertise positioned her to contribute effectively in Parliament on agricultural-related matters and advancement of agricultural policy; FURTHER RECOGNISING that Hon. Isodo earned recognition for championing women’s rights through promotion of financial inclusion and self-reliance initiatives for women involved in rural subsistence farming and girl- child education, where all these initiatives created a more inclusive environment for women to benefit from national development programmes; APPRECIATING that Isodo possessed unwavering passion for education, women and girls’ empowerment and national development, and her legacy is reflected in the diligent representation she provided for her constituents and the nation at large; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that: 1. Parliament collectively conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, friends, the people of Ngora and Uganda for the loss of a distinguished and exceptional leader of this country; and 2. Parliament takes cognisance of the diligent service that the late Hon. Stella Apolot Isodo has rendered to the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, the Ngora community and the people of Uganda.” For the Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda.

Madam Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, before coming to Parliament, Hon. Stella Isodo was a very active person in the Ngora and Teso community, in mobilising farmers. During the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), she formed groups for women in agriculture, and she is one of the people in Teso who encouraged women to get involved in agriculture. Many people got to know that agriculture was not just about going to the garden, but involved everything from the garden to the processing part, and making agriculture a business. For the first time, women who never used to go to Busia to take oranges as business got involved, and there was value for money through agriculture. When Hon. Isodo came to Parliament - we who always attended the meetings of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries -she advocated for the increase

18267 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 21 JANUARY 2026 of the budget of the agriculture ministry. She had a dream of stocking Lake Nyaguo with fingerlings because it is a satellite lake. She has died with such a dream which I – I really want to make sure that I put to the table for us as the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to fulfil her dream of stocking Lake Nyaguo. I remember also how passionate she was about getting tractors to every district, and she made sure that Ngora got two tractors. I thank the late and the entire agriculture committee for always advocating for the agriculture ministry to be funded and to get a good budget. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to second the motion to pay tribute to our departed honourable colleague, the late Hon. Apolot Stella Isodo, former Woman Member of Parliament for Ngora District. On behalf of the Opposition in Parliament and on my own behalf, I extend our deepest condolences to her husband, Mr Samuel Isodo, her children, the people of Ngora, and the Forum for Democratic Change political party that she belonged to. The sudden death of Hon. Isodo at about 51 years is tragic and deeply painful. It comes at a moment when Uganda has barely emerged from a highly contentious election marked by killings, abductions, torture, and widespread fear among citizens who dared to participate democratically. Hon. Isodo was no politician of convenience. As a committed Opposition leader, agriculturalist, and member of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, she consistently championed the issues of farmers, women, and youth – the backbone of our nation – whose voices are too often sidelined. Her leadership rested on integrity, courage, and genuine closeness to her people. Hon. Isodo was a gentle soul, but very firm on her stance about the kind of country she desired to see, as a leader and as a citizen. She desired to see a truly democratic state; a Uganda where the rule of law is respected, and where no one is above the law. Hon. Isodo desired a country where the voice of the people is respected through the ballot, where leaders do not seek to occupy office at all costs, regardless of the implications. (Text expunged.)

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Honourable members, allow me to convey my heartfelt condolences to the House, the people of Ngora, and the family. Hon. Isodo was a member of the Parliamentary Forum on Food and Nutrition Security, and she was very passionate when it came to issues of food production and nutrition. In 2024, the National Water Day anniversary was commemorated in Ngora District. She influenced lobbying for this function to be celebrated in Ngora.

18270 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. STELLA APOLOT ISODO In her speech as the district Member of Parliament, she spoke passionately about the promotion of water for production. She said that Teso was a very fertile area or subregion, ready for production, but only needed to be supported with water for production. I would like to appeal to my Government and pray that we do our best to have her dream come to pass. Madam Speaker, still in the same vein, when we were having this year’s sports events, it took a lot of sacrifice and courage for Members to report for duty. It was difficult to strike a balance between training, coming for duty and at the same time managing campaign demands for us to be there. I saw somebody who was committed because she used to drive herself to Lugogo for training. I would ask her, “How do you make it from Ngora to come here driving yourself, and then back?” I saw somebody who really loved her country, who loved her nation. Therefore, we pray that God rests her soul in eternal peace. I thank you.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the Forum for Democratic Change, where Hon. Isodo belonged, I do recall in 2011 and 2015, when we were in Teso mobilising votes, I saw the energy in the life of Hon. Isodo in a manner that I had never seen. She would want to hold meetings – and colleagues, as you are aware, sometimes there were guidelines that police would not accept – I would try to talk to her and ask, “Hon. Isodo, will you make it, even if you want to talk to the people and women?” She would say, “Yes, I will have to talk to the RDC and the Police”. She had such a cordial relationship with the police, to the extent that they would guide her and then the meeting would take place. In some instances, when we would go there with other leaders who did not like to agree with the police, she would shift the date and the venue. I saw a leader emerging in her because she had the support of her people. Despite the politics that were monetised, she did not have resources, but she was able to make it to the 11 th Parliament because of her love for her people. She loved the women and the youth. The youth fought for her, supported her despite her gaps and challenges with resources. When she entered this Parliament, she really hoped that most of her dreams and desires would be achieved. She worked across the political divide in ensuring that she would be able to achieve certain objectives and missions that the FDC would not be able to achieve. She is one of the people who remained committed to the party when nine of our colleagues decided to contest in other parties. She remained loyal to the Forum for Democratic Change. When the campaigns were going on, she was very calm and very humble, and she cooperated to ensure that there was harmony during the campaigns. We would like to thank her children, her husband and the entire Forum for Democratic Change in Ngora for the support that you extended to her when she was bedridden. You gave her support. And thank you for having a peaceful election in that place. May God rest her soul in eternal peace.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As the whip of FDC, I would like to make this statement to pay tribute to Hon. Isodo of Ngora District. Today, we gather with heavy hearts to pay tribute to our beloved colleague and sister, the Hon. Apolot Stella Isodo. Her passing leaves a void in our lives, but specifically to the family which is before us here. We pay tribute to her and assure you that she was a different breed. Hon. Isodo was passionate, specifically when it came to women’s rights, education, sports and health care. She improved the lives of many in Ngora, but specifically for FDC. She bridged the gap because she was a humble lady. As you are all aware – it is not politics – we had issues with many parties emerging. I remember one of the honourable members from Mityana said that I was in a refrigerator and that as such, they should not vote someone who is sick – I was in the ICU. I am here with a corset. Actually, I met the honourable colleague here when I was going for the operation. Incidentally, NUP insisted the man is a corpse and is in a refrigerator. She called me and told me to take it easy. Normally, I do not take matters lightly, but I took it easy. I could not believe that the people we were seated with in the Shadow Cabinet would go around saying that “This guy is in ICU and in a refrigerator.” As I speak, I am still under strong medication. I had to come to pay tribute and thank Mr Isodo for choosing a person who is different. (Applause) She was younger than me, but with just one word, she said, “Please, Yusuf, take it easy”, and I took it easy. I forgive Hon. Zaake and colleagues who attacked me by saying that I was in a refrigerator. I am still alive. Beyond her role as Ngora woman representative, Hon. Isodo also served as the spokesperson of the entire Teso Region. That is a great achievement and responsibility. We are going to miss her, as the FDC. We needed her guidance and participation. She had a lot of support on the ground. Hon. Isodo had a lot of respect within our party. As the FDC’s Parliamentary Whip, I served alongside her. We will miss her. However, our party is strong and committed to the values she advocated for. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join the family and the entire country to mourn our dear sister and mother. It is painful. Hon. Isodo and I were very close. We used to sit in the same position most of the time. I am so sad to hear of her demise. Hon. Isodo was a mother. She kept calling me her daughter and told me her firstborn is also called Joan. She said, “I love you because you are just as humble as her.” Each time she saw me, she would say, “My daughter.” Hon. Isodo was very passionate about agriculture. She fought for a tractor for Ngora District. She had promised to fight for more tractors for her constituency to empower women and many other young people in Ngora. I pray that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries takes it up as part of our tribute here to send in more tractors to Ngora to ensure our sister’s legacy remains burning in Ngora. I also want to join my colleagues in thanking Mr Isodo. For us in Teso, we kept seeing him in the field even without his sweetheart, who was badly off. We thank you so much, and I hope many of our husbands and men learn from him. Even without Hon. Isodo in the field, she was doing well. The voters were on her side. I want to thank us for paying tribute to her. Please rest in peace, my dear mommy.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I extend my and the people of Tororo District’s condolences to Hon. Isodo’s family, the Parliament and the people of Ngora. Unfortunately, we have started our first sitting of the year by paying tribute to a colleague; a lady who always quietly sat on the third row in that corner. Madam Speaker, the Hon. Isodo that I knew in this House was different from the Hon. Isodo I travelled with to Tororo, Bukwo and other parts of this country. She was extremely humble and quiet. However, I was shocked when she came to my community to celebrate International Women’s Day. I saw a different Hon. Stella Isodo. I said, “Stella, why don’t you bring this energy to the House?” She was very assertive and knowledgeable. She spoke with passion about women’s issues and matters of agriculture. Little wonder, Madam Speaker, that she championed the formation of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Cooperatives, where I belonged. She was passionate every time saying that, as members of this cooperative forum, we needed to push the Government to form or bring back the Cooperative Bank, and I hope that, at some time, we shall see this Cooperative Bank back. Hon. Isodo belonged to different fora, not only the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association. She also belonged to the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Children and the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Illicit Financial Flows and Tax Justice, where she was the secretary. Madam Speaker, it is very unfortunate that we have lost her at such a time. She was such a reliable person whenever we had meetings or engagements at short notice, as the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association. She was that person, who, if she were in Kampala and you called her, would put aside whatever she had to come and attend a meeting. That is how passionate she was on matters of women. The late Hon. Isodo, in addition to that, loved her family. I must say that she often spoke about her children and her husband. Sometimes, when we had meetings, maybe residential, I remember whenever her children were around, they would come to pick her up. She always made fun of and said, “Sarah, this is my family. It is complete. We fit in this car. We are just as you see us.” I was like, “Wow.” She loved her children; she loved her daughter, she loved her sons, and she often said, “I wish God could keep me until I see my children grow and become adults.” Unfortunately, God has taken her at such a time. Madam Speaker, as I end, the Bible tells us in Romans 6:23, that there will be eternal life for the righteous. I strongly believe that Hon. Isodo will rest in eternal peace. However, for the sinners in this country, please know that your destiny is death. There are many sinners. It is God who knows them. Rest in peace, Hon. Isodo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I join the people of Ngora and the family of Mr Isodo to mourn a friend, Stella Isodo. As the people of Mbale, we remember Hon. Stella Isodo for the good that she did for our district. In 2023, I organised a fundraising to purchase land for one of our health facilities. Hon. Stella Isodo, being one of my friends and a God- fearing woman, joined me and supported me, and I was able to achieve that. The Bible says that blessed are those who do good, and those who die in the Lord, their good works will follow them, and they will rest from the labours of this world. It is in Revelations 14:13. I encourage the family, especially the children, that your mum was a God-fearing woman. Pick it up from that and fear the Lord. God will strengthen you because your mum did well, not only for Ngora District but also for other districts where some of us live. So, we celebrate a woman who was good and loving. Hon. Stella, may your soul rest in peace. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I am seated here; I have not run away like my friend because we have always sat next to one another here. I spoke to Hon. Okot Peter this morning about the same because we are the people who always sat with Hon. Stella here. First, I want to send condolences to the family, the people of Ngora, Parliament, and every other person who has been close to Hon. Stella. Madam Speaker, the first time I engaged with Hon. Stella for quite some time was after she had studied me for a period and particularly the hard times when the Opposition would walk out of Parliament. As a member of the Opposition, she was concerned that every time Hon. Emmanuel, who is a member of the Opposition, would not walk out. And because of that, she engaged me. She said, “Hon. Emmanuel, what has happened?” We had a discussion, and what I stated to her clearly was that for me, after elections, I make sure my heart and my people are ahead of the party that I represent. I told her, “Hon. Stella, I do not walk out, first because I get the opinion from my voters, and second, my own thinking. So, I make sure that the people who vote for me and my feelings are ahead of the party.” A lot of times, we act as a group, and I keep asking if all of us who are acting in a group our hearts are the same. That is when she carried the discussion further and said, “Hon. Emmanuel, what have you done before coming to Parliament?” I said I worked with NGOs. That is when we became friends after I also realised that she had also worked with NGOs before. Sometimes the humility and the considerations we give are brought about by our experiences out there. That is when we became friends, and I got to know that she was so passionate about agriculture. Instead, I told her that I am more passionate about education, and yet I am not a professional educator. I am a social worker, although my previous

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to bid farewell to a colleague. Hon. Stella was a colleague in the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), a good member. We also played netball together, and we were on the same side of the politics of this country. Hon. Stella had decorum, was a very intelligent woman, and reasonable. When we were playing netball, sometimes we would not make the team, but for her, she was always calm and hoped for the next time, while the rest were throwing tantrums. I really appreciated her. I know that we cannot give life, but if we could, we would give Stella her life back. I want to tell the family that she lived her life and served her people well. She always thought about the people of Ngora, and she was looking forward to bettering their lives. She was a good legislator, cared for her people, and was always here. She was here to participate and speak for the people of Ngora unless she was either sick or doing something else.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, this House bleeds. We are standing in a place of law and power, yet we are powerless before death. Her seat is empty, and her voice is gone. A servant of the people has been taken away from us. We mourn the late Hon. Stella Isodo Apolot, the Woman Member of Parliament for Ngora District and a leader whose life was given, not spared in service. Hon. Isodo did not seek leadership for comfort or recognition. She came with fire in her heart, and duty in her bones. She carried the cries of her people into the chamber and refused to let them be ignored. When she stood to speak, Ngora stood with her. When she voted, she voted with her conscience. When she disagreed, she did so with courage and truth. She believed that Parliament must never become detached from the pain of the people. She stood for women whose voices are dismissed, children whose futures are uncertain, and the vulnerable whose sufferings are often unseen. Her politics had a moral spine. She reminded us that leadership without compassion is empty power. Hon. Stella was strong, but her strength was not rooted in pride but faith. As a devoted member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God’s Church, she knelt before God before she ever stood before men. She prayed before she spoke. She trusted God even when politics was harsh and forgiving. Her Christianity was not a label; it was her compass. To her family, the pain is unbearable. You may not know, she has left behind two sons and one daughter. The daughter is doing medicine at Nairobi University, the son is doing law, and the third born is doing engineering. She bore children with a brain. To Ngora District, a champion has been silenced. To this Parliament, a conscience has been removed - (Member timed out.)

Sorry! To her family, the pain is unbearable, to her church, a pillar has fallen, to Ngora District, a champion has been silenced, and to this Parliament, a conscience has been removed too soon. Her death is not just a personal loss, but a national wound, yet even in this deep sorrow, her life confronts us. It asks us hard questions: are we serving or surviving? Are we leading with conviction or convenience? Are we worthy of the people who sent us here? Madam Speaker, Hon. Stella ran her race but did not finish it because she was tired but she finished because God called her home. Her work, courage and faith now speaks louder than her voice could. Her seat may be vacant, but her spirit still fills this House. Her legacy will challenge every one of us who still has breath to speak the truth, defend the weak and serve without fear. On behalf of the people I represent in Kasilo County, and the people of Uganda, we bow our heads in honour of a fallen leader, a faithful Christian and a true daughter of Ngora. May the Lord she served receive her in eternal glory.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. My condolences to the family, on behalf of the people of Kumi and on my own behalf. I used to call the late my namesake. She was one of the members of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria. We had to divide ourselves in the forum, where she took the lead in being a role model for mosquito repellents. Every time we were in an engagement, she would say, “I want to be a champion of mosquito repellents.” She had promised that she would establish nurseries for mosquito repellents so that our people would benefit but now Stella is lying here. This is a challenge to the rest of the members of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria on how that can move on. Madam Speaker, the late, I want to say because of our big numbers, there are people who like dodging sessions, but Hon. Stella would always be available. Where we had field work, Stella would be available, and she would always contribute for the good of this country. She would always refer to cases in Ngora. Hon. Stella, yes, she formed the forum on cooperatives, but she was equally active in other fora, very dedicated and concerned about the progress of those fora. Madam Speaker, allow me to thank you for always being there for us. When I was almost dying, you came to my rescue. (Applause) If you had not been there, I would not be speaking. May the good Lord bless you. The time I was very sick is the same time Hon. Stella Isodo developed complications. When I started improving, I learned that my namesake was equally very sick, and I saw the sores. There was a time when my namesake could not put on shoes, but I did not know that she also had diabetes. However, in that condition where we had lost weight, we had darkened. Hon. Isodo was very courageous. She would not behave as if she were sick, but rather like a normal person. She did not want to talk about her health. She wanted to behave as if she were very healthy. My dear friends, the Stella lying before us here - we need to emulate her courage and strength. You can imagine if she were not courageous, Madam Speaker, she would not contest, but because she knew everything happens out of the will of God, Stella went ahead, in that condition and declared her candidature. I beg that we give glory to God and thank her. She loved her party, the FDC. Every time Hon. Amuriat Patrick Oboi would have programmes to move around Teso, Hon. Stella Isodo would be there and would speak strongly about the FDC. Madam Speaker, I thank you so much.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Kumi Municipality, the people of the greater Kumi, which includes Kumi, Bukedea and Ngora, and on behalf of the people of Teso, I am here to convey sincere condolences. It is a huge loss. For us in Kumi and Ngora, we have a family kind of relationship because Ngora was born out of Kumi. Equally, Bukedea was born out of Kumi, and whatever happens in those two districts affects us directly. The departure of Hon. Isodo affects us, the people of Kumi, directly. We feel the gap, and I feel it on behalf of the people of Kumi, particularly Kumi Municipality. Madam Speaker, the last time that I had enough time to chat with Hon. Isodo was when she was launching the Parliamentary Forum on Cooperatives at Hotel Africana. The colleague who said that she was there alone did not know that after she had left, we came in and many Members turned up. That is the day I realised that Hon. Isodo was a woman of material.

18280 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. STELLA APOLOT ISODO The way she submitted moved all of us. When she stood in front of us and gave what she had to offer, to convince us to follow suit and support this forum, I realised that Ngora did not make a mistake when they chose her to represent them. A brilliant woman, a woman of character, so humble. I can never forget her corner at the restaurant. Every time I saw her, the password was always, “I -so-do”, and we would all smile naturally. Certain smiles are forced, Madam Speaker, but she always had that natural smile from the bottom of her heart. She will be missed so dearly. She used to sit just behind me here. Madam Speaker, what I know, and I want to give this to the family: when God has given something to your family, He will always continue giving you that blessing. She has gone, but God will identify another person, and in future, you will live to remember my words. He will do something special again in that family. That is God. Take it from me. I say all this for God and my country. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, too, rise to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Hon. Stella Isodo, the people of Ngora, to you, Madam Speaker and the entire 11 th Parliament. We have known Hon. Isodo as a humble and passionate leader in whatever she does. Be it in sports, where sometimes we are rough, she would always remain humble and soft or advocating for women and the people of Ngora.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allow me to join the rest in remembering our sister Hon. Stella. I joined the Committee on Agriculture with Hon. Stella in 2021, and we have been close. She treated me like her maid because each time I sat next to her and did something wrong, she would bark at me. If I tried to find out what somebody said, she would tell me to be attentive. I remember that of Hon. Stella. She also made me join the forum for cooperatives. I come from Ngora. Madam Speaker, I remember when we went to Bukedea, she picked me from your home and took me to Ngora. We had lost someone dear. She introduced me before the people, saying, “Christine -” she used to call me “my voter.” “Please, do not come and vote from home”, - my dad comes from Ngora – “You’re my voter.” I told her, “I do not know the language, so I will not come to Ngora, but I will contest in Lango.” That is Stella; we have lost a friend and colleague. I would also like to bring to your attention, Madam Speaker, that on the 12 th , I was going to die before Hon. Stella during the just concluded elections. I was picked up by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). They raided and drove me for 30 kilometres on a pickup and with bullets. I made noise to be rescued. Police pursued us - (Member timed out.)

18282 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. STELLA APOLOT ISODO colleagues in paying tribute to the late Hon. Isodo. I closely knew the late when I was the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture. We worked very well for three years. What I know about her is that she was very objective, knowledgeable and resourceful to the extent that sometimes, whenever I got busy as a chairperson and the deputy was not around, I would assign her to chair the committee, and she did very well. She would even report on how she chaired. For most of the laws that were handled by the Committee on Agriculture, like the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2023, she contributed a lot, especially for the benefit of women. This is the person lying before us today. I would like to send condolences to the people of Ngora, the family, the Teso community and the Ateker Cluster. Recently, while I addressing my voters, some of whom are Iteso, I kept – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I would like to appreciate the minister for the responses. Aware that this Parliament passed a loan to work on the Kumi- Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road, the Rt Hon. Speaker went ahead and informed the people –

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

17262 THE HIDESAND SKINS (EXPORT DUTY) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 Margaret, Hon. Acuti, the Member of Parliament for Butaleja, Dr Kamara, Hon. Akello, and the Members of Parliament for Mitooma, Mbarara and Ibanda. The others are: Hon. Jennifer, the Member of Parliament for Maracha, Dr Emily, Hon. Betty, Hon. Atima Lee, Hon. Goli, the Members of Parliament for Bukedea, Alebtong and Zombo, Dr Ayume, Member of Parliament for Ngora, and the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Budget, Hon. Achia and Hon. Leku. Even mama Mavenjina and Hon. Hellen. Speak to your motion.

No, it is not only Kampala City. It is any Vote holder. An accounting officer in Bukedea has to come and seek for authorisation in Parliament. Next? MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO AUTHORISE GOVERNMENT TO BORROW UP TO UNITED STATES DOLLARS (USD) DEVELOPMENT BANK AND (USD) FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF KUMI-NGORA-SERERE- KAGWARA ROAD (98KM)

Madam Speaker, I beg to move a motion to authorise the Government to borrow up to US $106 million from the Islamic Development Bank and US $25 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for development for upgrading of Kumi- Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road (98 kilometres). I beg to move.

Madam Speaker, the actual name of the road is Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara- Kasilo Road.

17293 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA W EDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2025 do you want to debate? I put the question that Parliament approves the request by Government to borrow $106 million from the Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for upgrading of Kumi-Ngora- Serere-Kagwara-Kasilo Road (98 kilometres). (Question put and agreed to.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to also thank the Members of Parliament for even approving the loan before the committee lays it before the House. That shows that there is need for this road to be worked on. Madam Speaker, this road has been pending from the Third National Development Plan (NDPIII). Now we are in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). I am happy that the Government of Uganda was in position to secure funding from the Islamic Development Bank, $106 million and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the upgrade of Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road. The committee scrutinised the loan and we made our recommendations. I also want to thank the area Members of Parliament from Serere, Ngora and Kumi who attended the meeting with us as we were scrutinising this loan. I, therefore, want to take this opportunity, to lay the report of the Committee on National Economy on the proposal to borrow up to $106 million from Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the upgrade of the road. Madam Speaker, while we were scrutinising this loan, we realised that the town councils through which the road was passing were not catered for. As a committee, we recommended that whatever contingency that will accrue from the loan should be utilised to upgrade roads within the town councils in which the project is going. These include; Kasilo Town Council, Kadungulu, Kagwara, Serere, Ngora Town Council, Ocaapa and Kumi Municipality. I beg to lay the report of the committee.

Mr Speaker, I rise on three issues. First, I appreciate the committee chairperson. On page 37, he reports that the Aleles Bridge is complete. I am here to report and also inform the minister that the Aleles Bridge is still not passable. It is wrong to report that it is complete. That is connecting Pallisa to Ngora. Secondly, Tirinyi-Pallisa-Mukongoro-Kumi Road. On Saturday, the 12 th of this month, I was travelling back to Kampala and three people were knocked dead at the junction of Mukongoro to Ngora. I add my voice to that of the area Member of Parliament that we need speed limit checks or humps - the minister knows the language very well. Lastly, Mukongoro-Ngora-Kapiri-Soroti Road needs to be upgraded because it is a Central Government road. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We do appropriation and oversight. Luckily enough, some of us here are even chairpersons of the District Road Committee, and I happen to be one of them. In my district, Ngora, as much as I am a very able chairperson - because there is evidence - the problem that I have in Ngora District is the district engineer and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). I want to believe that in many districts in Uganda, this is a cancer that must be treated. When we were having lunch, I heard one colleague saying that her district engineer, after a long period, when he finished grading, went and poured murram on the road. In my district, I have written a report to the district CAO. I have even copied to the speaker and the Minister of Works and Transport and then other authorities. The issue that is paining me and the wanainchi , the community, is that there are various roads in Ngora district where attempts have been made to work on, but the materials that these people have used were of poor quality. We have earmarked 52 - (Member timed out.)

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the chairperson. My concern is with coding. I submitted three primary schools in January 2023; that is Ajuket, Kacinga and Katengeto, which is an island in Ngora and a hard-to-reach parish. I agree with Hon. Gorreth, that we need to code all the schools that need to be coded. Government policy is also that every subcounty should have a secondary school. Out of the 11 subcounties in Ngora District, six do not have secondary schools; among them are Morukakise, Mukura, Ngora, Opot and Agirigiroi. Finally, it is also a Government policy that every county must have a tertiary institution for education. Ngora District has two counties, Ngora and Kapir, but they both do not have a tertiary institution. Honourable minister, I need answers. I beg to submit.

17201 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2025 colleagues, I thank you so much for your constructive contribution. It is really very useful. It will strengthen our bargaining power to lobby for more funds for the sector. Mr Speaker, I thank you so much for your patience in allowing us to discuss this report extensively. I thank the committee. They analysed the budget, and they produced the report based on the principles of equity, quality and inclusive education, skilling and sports. Indeed, they are really patriotic in analysing the budget. I have taken note of all the issues that have been raised, as I said, ranging from infrastructure, the teachers’ issue, assessment bodies, the Primary Teachers’ Colleges, research and innovation, the tournaments, stadia and policy issues. I associate myself with quite a number of your submissions, honourable colleagues, especially on issues of inadequate and a lack of secondary schools. It is true, many of you have written to and alerted us, like honourable colleagues from Kween, Nakaseke, Ngora and others. I have taken note of all those gaps, especially the issue of the lack of seed secondary schools in subcounties. The inadequate staffing cuts across all universities. On the issue of research, the Speaker has already talked about it. I do not need to emphasise it. Mr Speaker, allow me to take on two issues. One of them is on coding and the grant-aiding of the schools. True, in this 11 th Parliament, we did grant-aiding and coding of schools, but only once. We did that last financial year. We grant-aided 46 secondary schools and coded 38 primary schools. That was the only opportunity when funding was provided for coding and grant-aided. For that matter, our ceiling for the budget could not allow us to put additional schools for coding and grant aid. However, that is why the committee did the intra-allocation of the budget to cater for coding and grant aiding. The only additional funds we had this time round were for rehabilitation of primary schools. That is where you see the 95 primary schools, public schools and the 37 UPDF primary schools to be rehabilitated, but not coding and grant-aided. In line with that, I just want to say that to help all of us, this financial year, we are sending Shs 103 billion for school maintenance as grants to the local governments. We are sending, under the school facility, grants of over Shs 41 billion. These funds are meant to give a facelift to rehabilitate our primary schools. Mr Speaker, oftentimes, this money does not serve the intended purposes. I want to give a point of example. Last week, I was in Sironko. This financial year, we sent Shs 1.5 billion to Sironko Local Government. However, in an open meeting, when I tried to inquire about the schools that are under that grant, there was nothing. The LC V chairman told me openly that they were not aware of this. This means that we are going to put a criterion to enable us realise value for money. We shall provide the list for this money. In the event that we get money for grant aiding and coding, in order to meet the principles of equity, I request that we take into consideration the schools in the districts that were coded and grant-aided last financial year. We have a criterion to select those schools. Therefore, as we work and harmonise the list together, we will as well look into those criteria; whether those schools have really met the minimum requirement for it to be grant- aided and coded. Lastly, Mr Speaker, I have taken note of all the issues that have been raised. We still have room for consultation and further discussions. On the issue of presidential pledges - and the statutory instruments to allow the universities to operate, as we all know, for us to have a lawful university that can offer degrees and bachelors, we need to bring the statutory instrument to be

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the honourable minister for the statement, however, I would like to also implore the minister as she writes to districts about the Shs 3 million for International Women’s Day Celebrations she should remind them that Uganda is under a multi-party dispensation. In those districts, we have the Opposition women MPs who also need to celebrate with their women. Ngora District has never celebrated the International Women’s Day. I hope this time, we shall celebrate. Therefore, I request the minister to write to the Resident District Commissioners who are blocking us. On the GROW project, honourable minister, we need another meeting to review it. The conditions of the project do not allow the rural woman to get this loan. I looked at the report the other day from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and noted that so far, only 87 districts out of 146 have benefited, and Ngora is not one of them. This is because the loan has stringent conditions of a minimum of Shs 4 million, a land title - honourable minister, remember, we had a meeting, and one of the women in Kumi got a land title from her husband to get a loan for just a stationery business. Yet, you know they sell silverfish, tomatoes etcetera. So, why don’t we meet to review this project to benefit the local women? I beg to submit.

16535 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2025 increased tremendously, and this necessitated us to raise the landing sites to match the new water levels, in order to ensure safe ferry operations. Between mid-December 2024 and January 2025, the water levels at the same ferry crossing dropped significantly, making the ferry operations risky and challenging. Despite the operational difficulties, the ferry team was able to continue with ferry operations up to the 10 th of February this year, when the ferry itself experienced a fatal challenge on one of its three operational engines. The new engine challenge led to the temporary closure of the ferry crossing in order to safeguard passengers and the ferry crew. Madam Speaker, the repair of the faulty engine is ongoing and will be fully restored. In addition, temporary civil works should also be completed by – that was 26 February 2025 – I think they must have completed by now. It is expected that the ferry operations at Obongi-Sinyanya ferry will resume today. I hope, today, they resumed. We shall find out whether they have resumed. The sixth question came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, MP Ngora County. She started by thanking the Government for constructing a bridge at Aleles, that connects Ngora to the neighbouring Pallisa District. The construction of the bridge is complete and the road is, by and large, usable. However, since the completion of the bridge, part of the road that connects to the bridge has not been properly worked on to provide seamless transition from the road to the bridge structure. There is a sudden change in elevation at the bridge, that is a potential cause of accidents. Furthermore, after heavy rains, water tends to flood in the area surrounding the bridge, making it look like an island and rendering the road impassable. Her prayer is that the Ministry of Works and Transport quickly responds to this concern, and ensures that a proper approach is constructed to allow a smooth access to the bridge, and also introduce culvert crossings that are necessary to eliminate the flooding at Aleles. My response was that the Ministry of Works and Transport signed a contract with M/s Coil Ltd and Motorways Construction JV, on 21 April 2019 for the construction of Aleles Bridge in Pallisa District. At the time these concerns were raised, the contractor had completed the bridge, although the approach road work was still ongoing. The contractor provided a temporary diversion to allow limited access to the community. I am pleased to report that the project, including the bridge and the approach road, has since been substantially completed and is now being used by the community for its intended purpose. The seventh question came from Hon. Ephraim Biraaro, MP, Buhweju West County. As we may be aware, His Excellency the President, through the NRM Manifestos of 2016-2021 and 2021-2026, and his several public pronouncements, has been pledging Bwizibwera-Nsiika-Nyakashaka-Nyakabirizi Road, with two spurs; Kabwohe and Bihanga- Katerera. Madam Speaker, the process has not only been delayed, but tampered with. According to the current plans geared by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the road now apparently stops at Nsiika, but priority is given to the Kabwohe Spur. While we would not envy any question of the road being worked on, our concerns are raised by the total neglect and side-lining of an important section of 45.8 km of Nsiika-Nyakasharara-Nyakabirizi Road, which was meant to serve several tea factories, traversing these three districts of Buhweju, Sheema and Bushenyi.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join the rest of the Members in thanking the chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Hon. Ssemujju for his minority report. I want to speak on the health and agriculture sectors. Unfortunately, the health sector has not been considered so much, bearing in mind that “Health is wealth”; when you have health, you have wealth. I want to bring to the attention of this House a key point: Pallisa District; as we speak, the district hospital is a post-independence hospital. The infrastructure has never been renovated and as I speak, male, female, and children are sharing wards; there is a lot of congestion in the hospital. Pallisa District neighbours several districts like Ngora, Kumi, Butebo, Kibuku, and part of Kamuli. They all come to Pallisa District. It is too congested; people are sleeping on the floor because there are no beds. I urge the Minister of Finance to consider us during this budgeting process – to at least construct new buildings. We have a unit for sickle cells but they meet under a shade every Tuesday and yet they are very many. As I speak now, because of the accumulated water bills, the hospital cannot afford to pay the water bills. We do not have running water in the hospital – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the Government for coming up with this program on compensation. However, I have noticed that the people of Teso Subregion were partly compensated. Mr Speaker, we have the Sabiny people who live in Teso. During the selection process for the compensation, they were not included yet some of them live in Ngora, Bukedea et cetera. I want to know if the selection process was done based on tribe because some of these people still live in Teso to date. Mr Speaker, the entire Sebei Subregion has suffered with all the civil wars that have occurred in this country but we have never been included anywhere – whenever there is war compensation they keep telling us to wait for another plan, yet we have suffered a lot, and up to now, we are still suffering. Therefore, I want to know from the Government whether we are part of this great nation Uganda or not. If yes, then why do you do this to the people of Sebei Subregion? I thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I appreciate the importance of this matter of compensation, and I appreciate more coming from your right-hand side. How I wish compensation was celebrated on Sunday. We did not talk about it, but it is coming from the other side more painfully. Otherwise, let me come back to the report by the honourable Deputy Attorney-General (DAG). Number one, in 2021, when the 11 th Parliament had just started, all leaders from the three regions - Acholi, Teso, and Lango - all of them including Members of Parliament, RDCs and GISOs, came together and we were asked to submit the eminent persons per district to do verification exercise. I remember for Ngora, we submitted the names of two elders. By the time we went back to ask them how the process was going, they had been bypassed. No wonder the Attorney-General is reporting that there are misspellings of names and account details. In Ngora, we had names - every region in this country has names that are unique to it - but we had names coming from other regions. I do not want to pinpoint any specific region. People were compensated between Shs 300,000 and as low as Shs 100,000. There is a gap in the flow of information. The ministry, no wonder, is saying, “Let us not beat the shadow of the snake.” The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs does not liaise well with the districts and Members of Parliament, and now you are referring us to the website. What we want are reports for each district. In December, I met someone in Ngora who had got Shs 1,050,000, which the Attorney-General is talking about, but he has lost about 60 cows. When shall we finish? Lastly, I already have a petition from more than a hundred war claimants from Ngora, which I will submit to the ministry. I beg to submit.

Thank you. The report is accordingly referred to the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development. (III) THE PROPOSAL TO BORROW UP TO UNITED $ 106 MILLION FROM THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK AND $ 25 MILLION FROM THE ABU DHABI FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UPGRADING OF KUMI-NGORA-SERERE- KAGWARA ROAD

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay on the Table the proposal to borrow up to $106 million from the Islamic Development Bank and $25 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for the development of the upgrading of the Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara Road, 98 kilometres. I beg to lay.

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

14733 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2024 ones escorting the charcoal dealers and he wanted to find out the plan for helping the President in enforcing this Executive Order. Madam Speaker, my response is that on 19 May 2023, His Excellency the President issued Executive Order No. 3 banning commercial harvesting and trade in charcoal in Northern Uganda and North Eastern parts of Uganda (Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi and West Nile). This followed the uncontrolled cutting of trees for charcoal burning in the above- mentioned places that left the entire landscape almost bare. The line ministry, that is the Ministry of Water and Environment through the Forestry Sector Support Department (FSSD), District Forest Services (DFS) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has put in place the following measures to implement the ban; i) On 27 September 2023, the Minister of Water and Environment provided comprehensive guidance to districts on how to implement the ban effectively. ii) We stepped-up enforcement. iii) There were awareness campaigns that were intensified. iv) Engagement with Uganda Revenue Authority. v) Withdrawal of forest produce movement permits. vi) Strengthening the Criminal Justice System. Madam Speaker, while significant progress has been made, challenges persist. These include impunity among some illegal traders, community collusion with perpetrators, logistical difficulties in enforcement, and the need for greater public support. Nevertheless, the Government remains committed to addressing these issues through ongoing engagement, capacity building, and resource mobilisation. The Government remains dedicated to implementing the ban on charcoal from Northern Uganda under HD Executive Order No.3 of 2023. Question number 4 came from Hon. Juliet Achayo, Member of Parliament, Ngora County. She said that in an effort to stop the degradation of the fragile ecosystems, H.E. the President directed that all persons who are hither-to occupying wetlands to vacate them. And that the people of Ojukai, Komolo, Agule, Atoot – and those other villages in Ngora County appreciate the environmental concerns and are willing to obey the presidential directive and stop cultivating the wetlands. However, for a long time now, their livelihood has been revolving around the wetlands and as such, the directive is likely to render them vulnerable and destitute. Her prayer was that can Government immediately find an alternative means of survival for the affected persons? Madam Speaker, the Government has promoted three interventions, including restoration and management of 936 hectares of degraded Agu wetland in Agu, Odwarat Subcounty and associated catchments, improved agricultural practices and is providing alternative livelihood options in the wetland catchment and strengthening access to weather and early warning information targeting local communities. In appreciation of the commitment by Ngora Local Government, the Ministry of Water and Environment has provided alternative livelihoods. i) A water retention reservoir of 10,000 cubic metres was established to support the regeneration of Agu wetland and up to 1,000 households, who voluntarily left the wetland have since started receiving alternative livelihoods that are making them more resilient to climate change. ii) The Ministry of Water and Environment also constructed five fish ponds and stocked them. iii) The ministry has also established a mini- irrigation scheme that benefits surrounding communities by growing and marketing

14118 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT We have been telling you and everybody since the 1960s that whatever you do, if you want the people to develop, start with the homestead incomes. We are now talking of roads, what, and what. They are where roads are good. The road from Gulu to Kampala is good. The problem of the bridge is a recent one. It has just come now. Otherwise, the road was good all the way from Bibiya. It was tarmacked all the way to Kampala. The one from Musingo-Kitgum all the way to Kampala, what are you selling along that road? I know there is some sim-sim from Kitgum, but what else? From the 1960s, we have been telling all those who care to listen to us that, “Please, seek first the homestead incomes and the rest will be added unto you.” In 2018, I made a country- wide tour, zone by zone. I give you this booklet where I talked of the four sectors and the seven ways for wealth and job creation. I heard the Speaker – do not bring new confusion by saying that the four-acre model does not apply here. It does. I do not agree with that line. In this booklet, I made it clear that the four-acre model was a rescue operation for the parts of the country that had already fragmented land. That is why I said, since you have very few acres, do not make sure the cura - I normally use our words here - the cura, the aimar, the otita, the ekibaro is correct. If you do not, you will never get out of poverty. That is why I said that for the four acres and less, put seven enterprises: i) Coffee - one acre; ii) Fruits - one acre; iii) Pasture for dairy - one acre; iv) One acre for foodstuff like cassava; and v) In the backyard, you put poultry for eggs and piggery for pigs. If you are near a wetland, fish farming. When you do that, you get millions of shillings, even if you are doing it on a very small scale. We have given you the examples of the Nyakanas and so on. I call this, in this booklet, “Intensive agriculture”. Use intensive agriculture with high-value enterprises to get out of poverty using the small piece of land which you have; four acres or less. But, even if you have got more, there is no harm. Instead of having one acre of coffee, have four. What is the problem? You can still use the same even if you have bigger land. The 10 acres you are talking about - because I want you to make the “ cura ” not just talk. No, I want the “ cura ” of the average landholding in the North. When I fly over, like this morning, that land - if you look at the gardens, especially from Lango, I am not so sure how many people - Lango, the southern side, the Maruzi and those areas near Akokoro, Amolatar. The population seems to be heavy because, from the air, I can see garden after garden. You do not see much bush anymore. Even coming here, the areas of Minakulu, all the way coming here, the areas where I see some emptiness are the areas after Bardege going to Agago. Yes, I see some space there and some parts of Kapelebyong on the other side of Teso. But, like Teso - Serere, Ngora the population seems to be quite high. So, what “ cura ” are you using? Do not waste our time again by bringing confusion here no, please. Even if you say 10 acres - because there are two strategies. Intensive agriculture is the four acres I am talking about. However, if you have 10, you can use the same for more land. You will be very rich. The other one is extensive agriculture. When I was in Adjumani, my brother Gen. Moses Ali was talking about cotton. Then I said, “Okay, how much do I get from cotton in an acre?” They said, Shs 1 million without deducting costs. So, if it is true - and when you are discussing here, please go into those details. Do not just talk and pass a resolution and deceive yourselves. I am really no longer interested in that type of approach. [Gen. (Rtd) Museveni] ADDRESS BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

You are debating in anticipation. Honourable members, as I said, I am going to read the President’s letter. The letter is addressed to the Right Honourable Speaker, Parliament of Uganda, Kampala. It is dated 22 June 2024. The Reference is: “Budget Reallocation by Parliament.” The letter reads: “The recent case of the Members of Parliament that were arrested for some alleged offences has again highlighted the mistake of Members of Parliament interfering with the constitutional mandate of the President of budgeting for the Country by reallocating monies budgeted for the core sectors of the economy. In the last four financial years, the Members of Parliament have reallocated a total of Shs 3.71 trillion. This is real sabotage. When we reconstructed the Kampala-Masaka Road, we used Shs 440 billion. Therefore, diverting Shs 3.71 trillion in four years is equivalent to aborting nine big roads of the Kampala-Masaka type, or a much larger number of smaller roads. You know very well the important roads that we have been struggling with. You have seen how much the Tirinyi-Pallisa- Kumi Road has helped the people of the area by avoiding the need to pass through Mbale City when they are travelling to Soroti. You have seen how the Musita-Mayuge- Namayingo-Busia Road has helped the people of that area. You have seen how the Mukono- Katosi-Nkokonjeru-Nyenga Road has helped the people of that area. Yet, for the Tirinyi- Palisa-Kumi Road, we used Shs 443.42 billion only. How much happier would Ugandans be, if we had tarmacked the Kumi-Ngora-Serere- Bugondo Road; the Soroti-Amuria-Acan Pii- Patongo-Abim Road; the Kanoni-Mityana Road; the Myanzi-Kassanda-BukuyaKiboga Road; the Ssembabule-Lyantonde-Rakai Road; the Luwero-Butalaangwa-Ngoma–Masindi Road; the Bwizibweera-Nsiika-Nyakabirizi Road; the Nakivaale-Rakai Road; the Fort Portal-Kijura Road, etc.? I have written on this issue - see my letter dated 28th April 2020. The Attorney-General has guided on the matter. The courts have guided, yet the practice goes on. There are three mistakes involved here and these are: (i) Indiscipline in budgeting; (ii) Sabotaging national priorities; (iii) And now the suspicion of massive corruption. I am, therefore, writing to request that this practice stops. As per Article 91(3)(c) of the Constitution of 1995, I decline to assent to the Appropriation Bill, 2024 and return it to Parliament, and request that no reshuffling of the Budget should ever happen again without the input of the Executive. Apart from the legality and constitutionality of the issues involved, there is common sense. Sprinkling money by MPs to get cheap popularity in constituencies will make us lose to focus on core items. How can patriots be part of this mistake? Signed by the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.”

12097 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA T HURSDAY, 29 F EBRUARY 2024 projected demand is estimated at 1,913,000 litres per day. Mr Speaker, due to funding constraints, phased implementation of the water supply system was proposed: Phase I This phase will target a projected population of 18,907 people who will be living in the targeted water supply area by the year 2035. The scope of works envisaged under this phase includes: (i) Construction of three pump stations with a total production capacity of 24,000 litres of water per hour; (ii) Construction of two water tanks of capacity 4 00,000 litres in Kasimbi at Kasozi Hill, and another in Kyebando at Kisalizi Hill of capacity 224,000 litres per day; (iii) The construction of two kilometres of transmission pipelines and 20 kilometre of distribution pipeline with related consumer points comprising of 800 households yard taps and at least 10 public stands; and (iv) Construction of a water office to support operations and maintenance of the facilities and two public toilets at Kasimbi and Kyebando Markets. The total cost of the construction works under phase I is Shs 6.6 billion only. Phase II Beyond 2025, the population in Kasimbi and Kyebando will have increased, and the adequacy of the infrastructure installed under phase I will cease. In order to meet the projected water demand of 1,913,000 litres per day for the year 2045, another water source will therefore, be required to augment the boreholes. Water will therefore, be sourced from River Nkusi at Igayaza, treated and pumped to the water tanks at Kisalizi Hill in Kasimbi Sub County and Kisalisa Hill in Kyebando Subcounty. The total cost of construction works to be undertaken under phase II is Shs 3.4 billion only. It is anticipated that the infrastructure with long life spans installed under phase I will continue to adequately serve up to 2045. Mr Speaker, the challenge has always been about limited funding. However, the Government is committed to commence implementation of phase 1 of Kasimbi - Kyebando Water Supply System once funds are available. The third question came from the Hon. Achayo Julie Lodou, Member of Parliament, Ngora. She said that in order to ensure better access to health services, the Government formulated a policy to the effect that every sub county should have a health centre at level three. However, in Ngora District, three Subcounties are without health centre IIIs. They include: Agirigiroi, Morukakise and Ngora Subcounties. Her prayer is that the Government constructs health centre IIIs in the affected sub counties to improve health service delivery in the district. My response, Mr Speaker, is that it is true there is a policy that every subcounty and town council should be provided with a health centre III. Uganda has 2,184 sub counties and town councils out of which, 1,696 (78 per cent) have health centre IIIs, leaving out 488 (22 per cent) Sub-counties and town councils without health centre IIIs The Government is committed to ensuring every subcounty and town councils without health centre IIIs are provided with the same. The subcounties of Agirigiroi, Morukakise and Ngora shall be provided with health centre IIIs as and when funds are made available. It is important to note that in the last five years, the Government has constructed over 412 health centre IIIs in different sub counties across the country. This was based on population, availability of health facilities of any level in the subcounties, hard to reach and hard to leave in areas among other factors.

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Last week on Tuesday, 6 February 2024, due to unexpected occasional rains, residents of Ngora District were faced with significant losses after a heavy hailstorm and strong winds destroyed some houses, including a fuel station called Akello Oils in Mukura Town Council, and cassava, sweet potato gardens. This hazardous situation has worsened the already precarious food security situation in the district. Out of the 11 subcounties in Ngora District, five were affected. They include: Ngora Town Council, Odwarat, Mukura Town Council, and Mukura Subcounty. The magnitude of the disaster has been captured in the report, from the district production office. My prayers are: 1. Mr Speaker, we need provision of early maturing planting materials like sweet potato vines and cassava cuttings; and 2. I also request the Office of the Prime Minister to provide dry rations to the households in the meantime. I have a report from the district production office and I beg to lay it on the Table.

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

To the Committee on National Economy, Madam Speaker, I designate the following: 1. Hon. Katabaazi Katongole - Kalungu East County; 2. Hon. Hassan Kirumira - Katikamu County South, Luwero; 3. Hon. Derrick Nyeko - Makindye Division East, Kampala; 4. Hon. Charles Tebandeke - Bbale County, Kayunga; 5. Hon. Denis Lee Oguzu - Maracha County, Maracha; 6. Hon. Stella Isodo Apolot - Ngora; 7. Hon. Peter Okot - Tochi County, Omoro; 8. Hon. John Paul Lukwago M. - Kyotera County, Kyotera; and

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Soroti County, I wish you a very happy birthday. The rains have come and they have been good. The orange trees have dropped the old leaves, they are flowering and bearing a lot of good fruits. However, there is a big problem; these fruits never mature on the tree because there is a serious pest that has affected the oranges in Teso. I am not speaking only for Soroti but the entire Teso region, from Katakwi down to Kumi, Ngora and back to Bukedea and within the city area of Soroti. There is also good news that a miracle has happened. There was communication from the fruit factory that now they can consume over 72 tonnes of orange. However, the question is, are they going to consume the rotten oranges? My prayer is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries - We had locusts; we fumigated them and they went. These trees must be fumigated. Let us provide - because even when the farmers maintain the trees, the rot continues and spreads from one tree to another. We are talking about the economic basket of Teso; the household income. I pray that as these new rains continue and the trees are bearing new fruits, we can protect this and we shall see a change in household income. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I take this opportunity to congratulate you and welcome you to the table of Nnalongos . On 11 November 2023, in Katengeto Village, one life was lost and two people were critically injured due to a conflict arising from the fishing community of Koidike and Gogonyo; that is in Ngora and Pallisa districts. Madam Speaker, in 2019, a similar incident happened and lives were lost. I am worried that if no action is taken by the Government, this may result in retaliatory attacks and I fear the situation may spiral out of control. My prayers are that: 1. This House directs the Minister, Office of the President (Security) and Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to go on the ground and meet with the leaders from the two antagonistic parties and get a permanent cure to avert further loss of lives. 2. The Government supports the families that lost their loved ones with finances, just like it has been done in other parts of the country. (Ms Namukuta rose_) - Information allowed. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity and thank you, Hon. Achayo, for allowing me to give you information. Allow me to use this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Kaliro District and the Balamogi of Uganda, to congratulate you upon the double blessing. Congratulations upon becoming a Nnalongo . It is very special in our society and we cannot take it for granted. We thank God for the double blessing. I would like to give information because I am from a neighbouring district to Pallisa and Ngora. We share Lake Kyoga and we are always facing similar challenges. In Kaliro, it is now three years consecutively that we have faced a similar challenge where fishermen kill each other. As leaders, it is a big problem for us in such societies. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, mine is to thank the committee. Yesterday, they left the House - Madam Speaker, thank you, first of all, and thanks to the committee for the work they have done. Sometimes we over-complain, but we do not know what those people go through and so, I want to thank them. I have one concern. Next year, remember to include the road from Kumi to Ngora and Serere to Kagwara. Secondly, municipalities do not have security lights. There is darkness throughout. There are very many robberies taking place. There are many cases of rape; there are very many crimes being committed. We need to be supported. Come to Kampala, go to Kumi, Mbale, to Jinja and everywhere; these places are in darkness. We need to drive away the darkness from these urban centres. I thank you, Madam Speaker, and I believe Parliament has done a good job. Remember that something can be done in this House. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I would like to appreciate you for acknowledging that Uganda is under a multi-party dispensation. When you alluded that if you are NRM, you chant NRM slogans, and if you are FDC like me - I cannot chant another party’s slogan. I would like to give reference to Ngora District Women’s Day celebrations last year on 10 June 2022. As stakeholders of Ngora District, we organised a women’s day together and I preferred we have a chief guest. When I approached the Office of the Speaker, then the Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa - Hon. Sarah Mateke was the chief guest, but she was the first person who told me that the women’s day in Ngora had been cancelled at 9.00 p.m. Yet, I had already booked two buses from Parliament for Members of Parliament. Madam Speaker, I am here to lay the expenses I incurred last year. (Laughter) May I lay on the Table the costs I spent in Ngora?

The RDC of Ngora has been giving us a hard time. I would like to know why the RDC is blocking our activities in Ngora. I have evidence of letters notifying them; not requesting permission for the functions. We need a proper report by the RDCs. Finally, I had a fundraising event last year in September where you, the Rt Hon. Speaker of

8486 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. STATEMENT ON THE BRUTAL ARREST OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT Parliament and Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea District, Rt Hon. Anita Among - until a call came from Kampala to Ngora, the function was cleared.

Who made a call from Kampala to Ngora?

Thank you. Please, honourable member for Ngora, I have forgiven you. This is a statement that has land and roads; so, it means you are not concentrating. So, kindly concentrate. Honourable member, conclude.

Thank you. Why do you excite communities? Mr Speaker, remember you were in Buhweju and the issue of the Buhweju roads was brought to your attention. You made some commitments and did your work. There was also a Cabinet meeting where the President said that the Buhweju and the Ngora roads are priorities, but the money is not there. I do not know how you define the word “priorities”. Sometime back, we censured a minister, but she is still in office. I do not recognise that minister, since I voted for her censure. How do I pass money to the ministry to a person I do not recognise? We have not even had any communication from the Executive. I am at loss, Mr Speaker. I need guidance on passing money to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, when there is somebody there that was censured.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The issue that I am raising regards the continued violation of the rights of some Women Members of Parliament by security officials and RDCs - (Interjection) - yes. Just last week, the Minister of General Duties, Hon. Kasule Lumumba, updated us on the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals and one of the 17 SDGs is on gender equality and ensuring that there is peace, and that women are able to exercise their fundamental human rights. The Women Members of Parliament are also elected. Last year, a Woman Member of Parliament organised Women’s Day celebrations and spent her money, but the night before the event, the function was cancelled by the RDC – (Interjection)– yes, it was that bad. I left it to pass thinking that this year would be better. Mr Speaker, you have seen Women MPs continuously being harassed. We had Mityana last week, we had Luweero, Ngora and Kasese. A Member of Parliament is number 17 on the Order of Precedence in this country; an RDC is number 33 together with the district chairperson. Why should the Women Members of Parliament continue being Members of Parliament when they are being harassed and cannot exercise their rights? A Member of Parliament organises a fundraising -

I will allow one from Ngora.

Mr Speaker, it is unfortunate that my colleagues, especially the Woman Member of Parliament from Ngora and the others, have been mistreated on such a day when you were encouraged by the minister, and also have the obligation to celebrate that day, as a woman. And when we talk about women, all women must be involved to celebrate their achievements -

443 444 4.5 451 In addrhon to the VNRs, the Government of Uganda has also rolled out Voluntary Local Revrews (VLRs), a new approach adopted by UN member states to reYiew progress at sub-natronal levels The VLR process seryes as a rval,for local governments to engage crtrzens rn the SDG review process, whrch contributes to strengthemng accountabrlrty and rncreases inclusrve governance In 2020, the UN Economic Commrssion for Afrrca (UNECA) piloted the VLR process m four selected countrres rncluding Uganda, where it was carried out rn Ngora drstrrct Results from the Ngora VLR rndrcate that the drstrrct has rntegrated the 2030 SDG Agenda and asprrations ot Agenda 2063 rn the drstrrct development processes, feasrbrhty studies and budgets PRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT ON STATUS OF IMPLEMENTING THE SDGS 2021 In October 2021, flte Government conducted an annual assessment on progress made on the rmplementatron of the SDGs and developed a National SDG Progress Report 2021 The report outhnes progress made under each goal, highlghts bottlenecks per SDG and sets out recommendations wrthrn the context of the NDP III (Attached as Annex 4 is the SDG Progress report 2021). Below are the key hrghlights from the SDG Progress Report. 19

443 444 4.5 451 In addrhon to the VNRs, the Government of Uganda has also rolled out Voluntary Local Revrews (VLRs), a new approach adopted by UN member states to reYiew progress at sub-natronal levels The VLR process seryes as a rval,for local governments to engage crtrzens rn the SDG review process, whrch contributes to strengthemng accountabrlrty and rncreases inclusrve governance In 2020, the UN Economic Commrssion for Afrrca (UNECA) piloted the VLR process m four selected countrres rncluding Uganda, where it was carried out rn Ngora drstrrct Results from the Ngora VLR rndrcate that the drstrrct has rntegrated the 2030 SDG Agenda and asprrations ot Agenda 2063 rn the drstrrct development processes, feasrbrhty studies and budgets PRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT ON STATUS OF IMPLEMENTING THE SDGS 2021 In October 2021, flte Government conducted an annual assessment on progress made on the rmplementatron of the SDGs and developed a National SDG Progress Report 2021 The report outhnes progress made under each goal, highlghts bottlenecks per SDG and sets out recommendations wrthrn the context of the NDP III (Attached as Annex 4 is the SDG Progress report 2021). Below are the key hrghlights from the SDG Progress Report. 19

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The burial is slated for tomorrow. I want to update the House that the body has safely arrived in Soroti at the Iteso Cultural Centre, which is just 17 kilometers to the home of the late. Tomorrow, there will be transport at Parliament. Those who will use group transport should be here at 6.00 a.m. The Director, Transport, Administration and Logistics, Mr Opata, is coordinating this. For those who may drive their cars, you can go through Pallisa - as it is shorter - to Kumi, Ngora and then, to the place of burial in Ochapa Town Council. If you go up to Soroti Town, take the Soroti-Serere Road. It is 17 miles to Serere and just about three kilometers from Serere District headquarters. If you are flying, you will land in Olio Primary School, which is a more secure place that has been secured for those who will be flying. I got a request from some colleagues who were saying they may fly in a chopper; that is the place where you can land. Mr Speaker, we would like to invite you all to Serere to say farewell to our brother. However, like I said yesterday, I think the Ministry of Internal Affairs needs to come up with a full report about the incident. Please, ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to follow it up because it is something that is raising some issues.

6721 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2022 was development oriented. I went to Serere to benchmark, because we have the same programmes in Ngora. Lastly, Madam Speaker, the road carnage in this country is devastating families and communities just because of the bad narrow roads, which the LOP has alluded to. I think our role and purpose, as a Parliament, is to direct law. Can we put some attention to the Ministry of Works so that our roads can be safe for us? I beg to submit.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The body will leave Kampala today and will spend the night in Mbale. Then, tomorrow, there will be prayers at Impact Ministries in Mbale up to 11.00 a.m., when the body will leave. Depending on availability of time, it will either leave directly for Serere or it will leave via Soroti where the Iteso Cultural Union wants to have one hour with the body. Then, it goes to Serere, where there will be a council sitting to pay tribute to our fallen comrade. On Saturday, service will begin at 10.00 a.m. with viewing of the body and later on in the afternoon, the interment of the remains of our brother. That will be on Saturday, 24 December 2022 in Serere. Like Hon. Elijah Okupa has guided you - I do not know why Hon. Elijah did not talk about the road from Mukongoro because I use that all the time. It is also a shortcut. After Oladot, which is the swamp via Pallisa - you cross Oladot Swamp then the next town is Mukongoro. Right from Mukongoro, you drive to the left and that road will take you straight to Ngora and then to Serere. Actually, it is the most direct access to Ocaapa from Kampala. Therefore, we welcome you all to Serere on Saturday. The programme begins at 10.00 a.m. and hopefully by 4.00 p.m., we will be done. Thank you very much. The East African Community Anthem. The National Anthem. Exit of the body of the late Hon. Patrick Okabe.

Mr Speaker and colleagues, Hon. Musa Noah, Member of Parliament for Koboko North in Koboko District asked a written question relating to the fact that the Ministry of Education and Sports, in conjunction with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), is carrying out a country-wide registration of primary and secondary school children. He went on to say that when he goes to his district, he notices that the parents are supposed to transport their children to the NIRA offices at the district headquarters, which is not the case in other districts where children are being registered from their schools. And according to him, the parents are very poor and do not have the money to transport their children. His question is whether this is the proper procedure that the people in Koboko are following to register the children. My response is: the purpose of this exercise is to ensure that all learners have a National Identification Number. Efforts have been made to enable learners to register while at school. In the case of learners that have not been registered, parents have been advised to approach the nearest NIRA offices and have them registered. NIRA offices are usually at the district. Secondly, there was a question from Hon. Julie Achayo, Member of Parliament for Ngora District. She asked: “The Government emphasizes the provision of vocational skills to the youth as a means of fighting unemployment. To that effect, it has a policy of establishing a technical school in each constituency. Ngora Constituency, and indeed Ngora District, have no government technical school. Being an area that suffered years of insurgency, some generations of young men and women missed out on formal education, and this makes the need for a technical school in Ngora even greater. What plan does the Government have to set up a technical school in Ngora Constituency in Ngora District?” My response is: we share the concerns raised by the honourable Member of Parliament for Ngora Constituency on the need for a technical institute in Ngora. However, among the challenges we have with many of our existing government technical institutes is lack of adequate equipment and staff. Because of these shortcomings, the Government is prioritising the upgrade of these institutions to secure their intended purpose.

6647 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2022 The request for the institute in Ngora will be kept in view in the midterm, and implementation will be a considered subject when there is availability of funds.

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

6648 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Mr Davies Dembe Bayeza, who worked in Ngora District Local Government as the first Chief Administrative Officer, retired from Sheema District. His exemplary leadership and innovations have earned him a mentor role and was made a member of the faculty of trainers at the Civil Service College Uganda. Hon. Julie Achayo says that while she supports the restoration of wetlands because of the critical role they play in the water cycle and maintenance of a healthy environment, the exercise of demarcating wetlands in Ngora, especially in the villages of Omaditok and Opelu, was hurriedly and haphazardly done because: l. There was inadequate sensitisation of project affected persons. 2. There are complaints of inclusion of chunks of arable land into areas demarcated as wetlands. She requests that the demarcation exercise be reviewed in Omaditok and Opelu. Mr Speaker, my response is that one of the key result areas for the Wetland Management Department under the Ministry of Water and Environment is restoration of fragile ecosystems and demarcation of wetland boundaries as a way of protecting their hydrology so that they continue providing ecosystem services. The Agu Wetland system is located in the four parishes of Agu, Kopege, Odwarat and Ongodi and the nine villages of Agu, Opelu, Orit, Omaditok, Okoboi, Galilaya, Angodi, Odwarat and Ogirigiro. Agu Wetland system is among the priority wetland systems in the country because of its importance as a catchment for the Nile Basin and water source for both domestic and production purposes. These services deem it necessary for demarcation and other wetland management interventions to be undertaken. The demarcation line was informed by the 1994 Wetland Data and the pillars were planted. The exercise was preceded by consultations and sensitisation of the stakeholders at district, subcounty and community levels. During the first phase, some of the wetland dependent communities received alternative livelihoods including goats, pigs, chicken and beehives as a way of providing alternatives to the activities foregone in the wetlands. The next phase will include distribution of additional livelihoods and further sensitisation on the various interventions and will address any grievances arising out of the exercise. Hon. Atkins Katusabe, Member of Parliament, Bukonzo County West said: “There is rising concern on the mounting of roadblocks in the Rwenzori region contrary to the presidential directive waiving all roadblocks in the country.” His prayer is that can he be informed as to why the presidential directive has not been implemented? My response is that the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has indicated that there are no police roadblocks in the Rwenzori area. However, there is a roadblock set up by the fisheries department at Kikorongo manned by the Fisheries Protection Unit Personnel (FPU). Hon. Iddi Isabirye, Member of Parliament, Bunya County South, Mayuge District said there is information about titling of parcels of land in South Busoga Central Forest Reserve by unscrupulous individuals at the expense of the locals in whose favour a presidential directive was issued. His prayer is: could I please inform the House on the status of South Busoga Central Forest Reserve? Mr Speaker, the Central Forest Reserves affected by the presidential directive are Bukaleba and South Busoga Central Forest Reserves, which were gazetted in 1932 with an area of 9,663 hectares and 16,382 hectares respectively, and are located in the current Mayuge District, like I told you earlier. On 29 April 2002, Idi Mwandha for and on behalf of the residents of Malongo, Bumwema and Kityerera subcounties, Mayuge District,

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also want to thank my honourable sister; today, she has earned her pay for the staying power she has exhibited. Secondly, we missed her for the time she was away – when she went to represent the Minister of Education and Sports in Japan. I can assure you, my sister, that humility will one day take you to the galaxy. (Laughter) So, I thank you. I will respond to a few issues she did speak about; I will not be very elaborate. One, Mr Speaker, the question that was initially misconstrued to have been asked by Hon. Musa Noah – not Hon. Wanzala – remains valid. I think the Rt Hon. Prime Minister should take very seriously the issue of registration of pupils in primary schools. When the Member complained about the distance that parents have to travel to have their children registered, the Prime Minister insisted that actually, the parents should find their way to the districts. Can I challenge the Prime Minister, to some degree of imagination and creativity by the Government; if I were the Prime Minister, I would utilise the young people that are educated with no jobs, put those apps on their phones and send them to schools. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, there is a challenge. Please, engage people to be a bit innovative. You need people to be more imaginative and solve this problem. In my Government, that would not be a problem, Rt Hon. Prime Minister. (Laughter) Secondly, on the issue raised by Hon. Juliet Achayo, Member of Parliament for Ngora, relating to the challenge of education and lack of vocational schools in the community, having given a background of insecurity, I think, again, it speaks to some level of lack of deeper thought on the part of planners in education. I want to invite, for some level of ingenuity, those planning for our education system that our country is not uniform. In Karamoja, for example, there was a well-done programme of basic education that enabled so many children to access education then. Their education was different from the one that was delivered to the children in Masaka, for example, because they are unique. Will the Prime Minister think better about this challenge and challenge the Ministry of Education to think through on how they can best solve this problem, without having to refer this community to a time when the Government will construct vocational schools - because I am not sure how long this Government is going to last? So, we need some immediate solutions. Your Government has been around long and the problem persists. You probably need to think better and offer a quicker solution. Thirdly, Mr Speaker, the issue of the Busoga Central Forest Reserve is a bigger problem. I want to invite the Prime Minister to find an occasion and visit the central forest reserve in Buikwe and Mukono, generally, with Hon. Dr Lulume Bayigga; there is a big problem. First of all, the NFA is abusing its powers and causing very grave environmental damage. I do not know whether they are being supervised or there are some other entity operating in their own world. I invite you to visit with Hon. Dr Lulume Bayigga - I actually ask him to invite you to go and see the level of damage caused to our environment by the NFA by actually cutting down a natural forest and planting eucalyptus in square miles of land, and they are still doing so in part of the central forest reserve in Buikwe, where there is huge damage. Of course, you know what has happened on Mityana Road – it is entirely down and you see eucalyptus rising; there is a problem.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The committee conducted field activities in the following districts: Pader, Agago, Alebtong, Kole, Napak, Ngora, Kaliro, Sheema, Buhweju, Mitooma, Bushenyi and Ibanda - that is on page 5. We are going to the findings, observations and recommendations. These are the areas that we were looking at during our visit to those districts. However, before we went to those districts, we had a meeting with the Minister of State for Education and the management of Higher Education Students Financing Board. At a later stage, I will also come with that report and read it as it is included in this report. Therefore, I would like this House to know what we did and the observations we made. So, the following key findings, observations and recommendations have been identified for immediate action for various programmes under affirmative actions and other equalisation programmes to be implemented in the short to medium terms. Mr Speaker, the status of equal opportunities in the education sector; and the attainment of equality and inclusivity in development, is significantly predicated on the state of wellbeing, skills and competitiveness of the various categories of individuals and groups in society, as cited with the Sustainable Development Goal for quality education. While, wellbeing is dependent on the quality of healthcare services. Considering that Government of Uganda has over the past decades made significant gains in education through, inter alia, universalising primary and secondary education, according to the recently released results, the performance of Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in northern Uganda and northern subregions, for instance, is below the national average. Therefore, the committee noted the average distance travelled by students or pupils to reach their respective schools; majority of the districts visited reported that students cover a distance of more than five kilometres. And, learners complained about long distance travel from home to school. They reported that this was associated with the challenges of rape, late reporting to school, early departure and inability to complete school homework due to fatigue or late arrival at school. Therefore, regarding access to the school environment, especially for visually impaired learners, members observed that most of them could not easily reach school since they lacked landmarks. While, wheelchair users also find it very difficult to access educational facilities in these districts. Mr Speaker, the distance to the nearest facility influences access to education services. The Ministry of Education and Sports standard is that every parish should have a primary school; and there should be a secondary school in every subcounty. So, this policy would make education accessible at that level. The committee findings also revealed that, secondary and tertiary institutions were far and inadequate in many parts of the sampled areas. This made it very hard for most of the children from hard-to-reach areas to progress to secondary level. Other children keep repeating primary seven because of no access to secondary education. Sustainable Development Goals will be evaluated in the next nine years, yet districts are performing badly with only one secondary school in each district. Teenage pregnancy has also increased due to the lockdown. The committee further observed that the cost of education services is a determinant in access to education, and many people pay highly for education in private schools. And, those who did not pay any money to schools meet the cost of scholastic materials, between Shs100 to Shs150, which is very costly for the rural people. However, in private schools, especially in urban areas, the cost is much higher compared to Government-aided education facilities. The committee also observed that the dropout rate is very high. For instance, in Napak District it is at 84 percent. The committee visited special